UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form10-Q

———————————
Form 10-Q
———————————

(Mark One)

☒ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2017  (OR)

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Transition Period from ________ to________.

[X]Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
or
[  ]Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ________ to________.

Commission file number: 001-35824

 
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Professional Diversity Network, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrantregistrant as Specifiedspecified in Itsits Charter)

 
———————————

Delaware
80-0900177
(State or Other Jurisdictionother jurisdiction of Incorporationincorporation or Organization)organization)
80-0900177
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

801 W. Adams Street, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60607

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(312) 614-0950

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

801 W. Adams Street, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60607
(AddressTitle of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Telephone:  (312) 614-0950
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
(Former Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)Name Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per shareIPDNThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No

[  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)

Yes [X] No

[  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large-accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [  ]Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]Smaller reporting company [X]
Emerging growth company [  ]
Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.


[  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [  ] No


[X]

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has fled all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. [  ] Yes [  ] No

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

There were 3,931,8385,089,463 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of November 6, 2017.

May 17, 2019.

 



PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY NETWORK, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I

ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
  September 30,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
  (Unaudited)    
Current Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $2,821,729  $6,068,973 
Accounts receivable, net  1,799,013   2,170,529 
Incremental direct costs  241,235   423,023 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  490,581   957,140 
Total current assets  5,352,558   9,619,665 
         
Property and equipment, net  291,774   277,534 
Capitalized technology, net  141,573   173,368 
Goodwill  10,280,885   20,201,190 
Intangible assets, net  7,035,139   9,183,439 
Merchant reserve  780,849   1,426,927 
Security deposits  239,059   220,754 
Other assets  -   35,000 
Total assets $24,121,837  $41,137,877 
         
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts payable $1,232,510  $2,172,332 
Accrued expenses  1,172,435   962,172 
Deferred revenue  4,422,715   5,485,599 
Total current liabilities  6,827,660   8,620,103 
         
Deferred tax liability  2,492,837   3,653,274 
Deferred rent  60,959   55,718 
Other liabilities  78,481   33,159 
Total liabilities  9,459,937   12,362,254 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Stockholders' Equity        
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; 3,936,399 shares and 3,623,899
 shares issued as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively; and 3,931,838 shares
and 3,619,338 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
  39,329   36,204 
Additional paid in capital  79,783,969   76,234,772 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (1,435)  - 
Accumulated deficit  (65,122,846)  (47,458,236)
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,048 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016  (37,117)  (37,117)
Total stockholders' equity  14,661,900   28,775,623 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $24,121,837  $41,137,877 

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (Unaudited)    
Current Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents (Amounts related to variable interest entity of $341,800 and $683,043 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively) $793,863  $1,441,607 
Accounts receivable, net  445,821   816,698 
Incremental direct costs  48,154   20,797 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  483,426   350,906 
Current assets from discontinued operations  26,539   126,270 
Total current assets  1,797,803   2,756,278 
         
Property and equipment, net  67,273   83,608 
Capitalized technology, net  169,626   194,833 
Goodwill  339,451   339,451 
Intangible assets, net  837,774   1,020,942 
Right-of-use assets  353,486   - 
Merchant reserve  760,849   760,849 
Security deposits  90,574   82,139 
Total assets $4,416,836  $5,238,100 
         
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts payable $1,676,620  $1,843,688 
Accrued expenses  1,063,914   989,626 
Deferred revenue  2,254,170   2,460,436 
Note Payable – related party  207,118   500,000 
Revolving Credit Facility– related party  292,882   - 
Lease liability, current portion  300,456   - 
Current liabilities from discontinued operations  303,794   346,528 
Total current liabilities  6,098,954   6,140,278 
         
Deferred tax liability  122,824   194,786 
Deferred rent  -   13,742 
Other liabilities  84   82 
Lease liability, non-current portion  60,910   - 
Long-term liabilities from discontinued operations  -   - 
Total liabilities  6,282,772   6,348,888 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; 5,060,176 shares and 4,856,213 shares issued as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; and 5,059,128 shares and 4,855,165 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively  50,602   48,562 
Additional paid in capital  84,108,048   83,728,903 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (1,305)  (24,340)
Accumulated deficit  (85,986,164)  (84,826,796)
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,048 shares at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018  (37,117)  (37,117)
Total stockholders’ equity  (1,865,936)  (1,110,788)
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $4,416,836  $5,238,100 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)
  Three Months Ended September 30,  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Revenues:            
Membership fees and related services $2,204,909  $3,748,334  $7,465,202  $13,047,652 
Lead generation  1,370,465   1,554,370   4,699,399   4,489,919 
Recruitment services  694,454   954,887   1,977,101   2,295,556 
Product sales and other  18,285   52,857   91,226   544,440 
Education and training  68,890   -   898,584   - 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  65,188   49,719   189,217   176,771 
Total revenues  4,422,191   6,360,167   15,320,729   20,554,338 
                 
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of revenues  658,297   745,159   2,193,224   2,433,550 
Sales and marketing  2,275,585   3,064,454   8,114,908   10,314,145 
General and administrative  3,236,848   3,010,862   11,322,513   8,928,493 
Litigation settlement  155,216   -   155,216   500,000 
Goodwill impairment charge  -   -   9,920,305   - 
Depreciation and amortization  806,898   819,894   2,443,511   2,498,136 
Total costs and expenses  7,132,844   7,640,369   34,149,677   24,674,324 
                 
Loss from operations  (2,710,653)  (1,280,202)  (18,828,948)  (4,119,986)
                 
Other (expense) income                
Interest expense  -   (215,781)  (12,399)  (216,948)
Interest and other income  4,117   150   9,218   801 
Other finance income  5,318   -   7,082   - 
Other (expense) income, net  9,435   (215,631)  3,901   (216,147)
                 
Change in fair value of warrant liability  -   (401,000)  -   (401,000)
                 
Loss before income tax benefit  (2,701,218)  (1,896,833)  (18,825,047)  (4,737,133)
Income tax benefit  (213,133)  (623,699)  (1,160,437)  (1,218,092)
Net loss  (2,488,085)  (1,273,134)  (17,664,610)  (3,519,041)
                 
Other comprehensive loss:                
Foreign currency translation adjustment  (3,056)  -   (1,435)  - 
Comprehensive loss $(2,491,141) $(1,273,134) $(17,666,045) $(3,519,041)
                 
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $(0.63) $(0.70) $(4.52) $(1.94)
                 
Weighted average shares used in computing net
loss per common share:
                
Basic and diluted  3,932,886   1,809,676   3,912,282   1,809,676 

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
  2019  2018 
       
Revenues:        
Membership fees and related services $829,420  $1,612,221 
Recruitment services  474,260   621,415 
Product sales and other  2,812   3,657 
Education and training  4,069   6,471 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  35,716   69,734 
Total revenues  1,346,277   2,313,498 
         
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of revenues  187,581   285,833 
Sales and marketing  780,747   1,093,124 
General and administrative  1,358,556   2,351,931 
Depreciation and amortization  221,422   679,761 
Total costs and expenses  2,548,306   4,410,649 
         
Loss from operations  (1,202,029)  (2,097,151)
         
Other (expense) income        
Interest expense  (8,133)  - 
Interest and other income  -   890 
Other income (expense)  -   22,558 
Other income, net  (8,133)  23,448 
         
Loss before income tax expense (benefit)  (1,210,162)  (2,073,703)
Income tax expense (benefit)  (65,633)  (249,050)
Loss from continuing operations  (1,144,529)  (1,824,653)
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax benefit of $1,211, and $35,036, in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)  (14,840)  (209,760)
Net loss  (1,159,369)  (2,034,413)
         
Other comprehensive loss:  (1,159,369)  (2,034,413)
Foreign currency translation adjustment  23,035   76,708 
Comprehensive loss $(1,136,334) $(1,957,705)
         
Basic and diluted loss per share:        
Continuing operations  (0.23)  (0.43)
Discontinued operations  (0.00)  (0.05)
Net loss $(0.23) $(0.48)
         
Weighted average outstanding shares used in computing net loss per common share:        
Basic and diluted  4,969,230   4,221,620 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016 
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss $(17,664,610) $(3,519,041)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  2,443,511   2,498,136 
Deferred tax  (1,160,437)  (1,218,092)
Gain on lease cancellation  -   (423,998)
Goodwill impairment charge  9,920,305   - 
Stock-based compensation expense  731,322   217,547 
Provision for bad debt  155,077   - 
Amortization of deferred financing costs  -   156,594 
Amortization of prepaid license fees  -   112,500 
Amortization of customer deposits  -   (112,500)
Chang in fair value of warrant liability  -   401,000 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  219,391   671,056 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  467,339   181,903 
Incremental direct costs  181,788   476,300 
Accounts payable  (940,051)  893,210 
Accrued expenses  209,458   681,779 
Deferred revenue  
(1,067,652
)  (3,560,351)
Deferred rent  5,241   10,279 
Other liabilities  45,322   45,098 
Net cash used in operating activities  (6,453,996)  (2,488,580)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments  -   500,000 
Costs incurred to develop technology  (122,597)  - 
Purchases of property and equipment  (154,295)  - 
Security deposit  (17,603)  194,411 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (294,495)  694,411 
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from the sale of common stock  3,000,000   - 
Payment of offering costs  (144,000)  - 
Proceeds from line of credit  -   1,942,625 
Payment of deferred issuance costs related to Master Credit Facility  -   (488,082)
Payment of deferred offering costs related to CFL Transaction  -   (1,049,026)
Merchant reserve  646,078   (166,078)
Net cash provided by financing activities  3,502,078   239,439 
         
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents  (831)  - 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (3,247,244)  (1,554,730)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  6,068,973   2,070,693 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $2,821,729  $515,963 
         
Supplemental disclosures of other cash flow information:        
Cash paid for income taxes $1,702  $4,605 
Cash paid for interest $-  $21,740 
Issuance of warrants in connection with Master Credit Facility $-  $783,458 
Reclassification of derivative liability to additional paid in capital $-  $781,000 

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
  2019  2018 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Loss from continuing operations $(1,144,529) $(1,824,653)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities– continuing operations:        
Depreciation and amortization  221,422   679,761 
Deferred tax expense (benefit)  (65,633)  (58,907)
Amortization of right-of-use asset  86,304   - 
Accretion of lease liability  3,902   - 
Stock-based compensation expense  8,289   118,398 
Provision for bad debt  -   560 
Write-off of property and equipment  581   51,804 
Payment of lease obligations  

(93,758

)  - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of discontinued operations:        
Accounts receivable  370,877   423,490 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (131,010)  (90,187)
Incremental direct costs  (27,357)  77,493 
Accounts payable  (172,775)  (7,122)
Accrued expenses  76,199   (299,869)
Deferred revenue  (211,227)  (605,110)
Deferred rent  -   (7,961)
Other liabilities  -   (26,161)
Net cash used in operating activities– continuing operations  (1,078,714)  (1,568,464)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities – discontinued operations  40,945   (196,012)
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,037,769)  (1,764,476)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Costs incurred to develop technology  -   (13,261)
Purchases of property and equipment  3,351   -
Security deposit  (6,691)  (1,494)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities– continuing operations  (3,340)  (14,755)
Net cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations  -   (13,322)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (3,340)  (28,077)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from the sales of common stock  372,896   1,486,954 
Repayment of note payable - related party  (292,882)  - 
Proceeds from line of credit - related party  292,882   - 
Net cash provided by financing activities  372,896   1,486,954 
         
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents  20,469  86,906 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (647,745)  (218,693)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  1,441,607   2,926,088 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $793,862  $2,707,395 
         
Supplemental disclosures of other cash flow information:        
Cash paid for income taxes $6,966  $65,689 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Description of Business

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. is both the operator of the Professional Diversity Network (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “PDN Network,” “PDN” or the “Professional Diversity Network”) and a holding company for:


·NAPW, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the operator of the National Association of Professional Women (the “NAPW Network” or “NAPW”);
·Noble Voice LLC and Compliant Lead LLC (collectively, “Noble Voice”), both Delaware limited liability companies, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and together provide career consultation services;
·AETSI, Inc. (“AETSI”), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which was created to facilitate the Company’s prospective U.S.-China education partnerships, expected to begin later in 2017;
·PDN HK International Education Ltd. and PDN HK International Education Information Co. Ltd. (collectively, “PDN Hong Kong”), both Hong Kong limited companies and wholly-owned subsidiaries which were created during the first quarter of 2017 to support the Company’s China expansion; and
·PDN (China) International Culture Development Ltd. Co. (“PDN China”), a China wholly-owned foreign enterprise company and wholly-owned subsidiary created during the first quarter of 2017 to operate the China Operations described below.

for NAPW, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the operator of the National Association of Professional Women (the “NAPW Network” or “NAPW”), Noble Voice LLC and Compliant Lead LLC (collectively, “Noble Voice”), PDN (Hong Kong) International Education Ltd, PDN (Hong Kong) International Education Information Co., Ltd, and PDN (China) International Culture Development Co. Ltd, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and together provide career consultation services. In November 2017, Jiangxi PDN Culture Media Co., Ltd became our consolidated variable interest entity (VIE). Laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) prohibit or restrict companies with foreign ownership from certain activities and benefits including eligibility for certain government grants and certain rebates related to commercial activities. To provide the Company the expected residual returns of the VIE, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary PDN (China) International Culture Development Co., Ltd., entered into a series of contractual arrangements with the VIE and its registered shareholders to enable the Company, to exercise effective control over the VIE, receive substantially all of the economic benefits and residual returns, and absorb substantially all the risks of the VIE as if it were the sole shareholder; and have an exclusive option to purchase all of the equity interests in the VIE. Please refer to Note 3 for more details about the VIE. The PDN Network operates online professional networking communities with career resources specifically tailored to the needs of different diverse cultural groups including: Women, Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Disabled, Military Professionals, Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), and Students and Graduates seeking to transition from education to career. The networks’ purposes, among others, are to assist its registered users in their efforts to connect with like-minded individuals, identify career opportunities within the network and connect with prospective employers. The Company’s technology platform is integral to the operation of its business. The NAPW Network is an exclusive women-only professional networking organization, whereby its members can develop their professional networks, further their education and skills, and promote their business and career accomplishments. NAPW provides its members with opportunities to network and develop valuable business relationships with other professionals through its website, as well as at events hosted at its local chapters across the country. Noble Voice monetizes its consumer transactions by using proprietary technology to drive inexpensive online traffic to our offline call center and generating value-added leads for the Company’s strategic partners who provide continuing education and career services.

The Company beganestablished business operations in China in the first quarter of 2017,2017. Our business activities, similar to those in the United States, focusingwill be focused on providing tools, products and services in China, which will assist in personal and professional development. The

On May 25, 2018, the Company intendssold Noble Voice to cooperate with existing companiesa long-time customer of the Company and organizations in China to efficiently and promptly deliver valuable products and services to its registered users. The Chinese operations focus onexited the following areas:


·Women’s Networking, which is the Chinese expansion of the NAPW segment, and is called “The International Association of Women” or “IAW,” the first marketing event for which was held near the end of the second quarter of 2017;
·Secondary Education Services for Chinese Children, which will provide services to assist families in China identify, prepare for and attend secondary education schools in the United States and other countries, with U.S. operations managed by AETSI and China operations managed by PDN China; and
·Education and Training for Accomplished Chinese Business People, through PDN China, which is providing education and training seminars in China, as reflected in the Company’s “China Operations / Education and Training” segment information below.

business segment conducted by Noble Voice. See Note 3 for additional information.

2. Liquidity, Financial ConditionGoing Concern and Management’s Plans


At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019 the Company’s principal sources of liquidity were its cash and cash equivalents and the net proceeds from the closingssales of shares of common stock in the CFL Transaction (as defined in Note 7).


first three months of 2019.

The Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $65,123,000$85,986,000 at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019. During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company generated a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $17,665,000 (including a goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000),$1,145,000, used cash in continuing operations of approximately $6,454,000, which includes $1,450,000 paid to LinkedIn as a litigation settlement,$1,079,000, and the Company expects that it will continue to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company had a cash balance of approximately $2,822,000.$794,000. Total revenues were approximately $4,422,000$1,346,000 and $6,360,000$2,313,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016, respectively, and approximately $15,321,000 and $20,554,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2018, respectively. The Company had working capital deficiency of approximately ($1,475,000)$4,301,000 and $1,000,000$3,384,000 at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively.

4

These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. In order to alleviate the substantial doubt, the Company has approved and undertaken several measures.

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The Company is closely monitoring operating costs and capital requirements. Management of the Company also made efforts in 2018 and first quarter of 2019 to contain and reduce cost, including implementing a new approval process over travel and other expenses, significantly reducing the cash compensation for independent board directors, terminating non-performing employees and eliminating certain positions, and replacing and negotiating with certain vendors. We also sold our Noble Voice business on May 25, 2018 to reduce operating losses and cash burns. If we are still not successful in sufficiently reducing our costs, we may then need to dispose our other assets or discontinue business lines.

On November 7, 2016,16, 2018, the Company consummated the issuance and sale of 1,777,417 sharesentered into a revolving credit facility agreement with GNet Tech Holdings, a related party through one of the Company’s common stock toshareholders, Cosmic Forward Limited a Republic of Seychelles company wholly-owned by a group of Chinese investors (“CFL”), in a private placement,that matures on May 31, 2020, under which we can draw up to GBP £1,500,000 (approximately $2,000,000). Interest is payable on any outstanding principal balance at a pricerate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 4%. Amounts drawn under this facility are payable at the end of $9.60 per share (“Share Issuance”). In addition, on November 7, 2016,one, three, or six months periods at the election of the Company. At March 31, 2019, the Company completeddrew $293,000 under this facility. At May 15, 2019, approximately $1,707,000 was available for us to draw.

From January 9, 2019 to April 2, 2019, the repurchaseCompany sold an aggregate of 312,500232,515 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $9.60ranging from $1.146 to $3.85 per share, (“Tender Offer”). Therepresenting 120% of the closing price the trading day immediately prior to the date of subscription. As of the date of this annual report, the Company has received totalan aggregate gross proceeds of $17,063,000 from the Share Issuance, or $14,063,000 after giving effect to the payment for the 312,500 shares of common stock from the Tender Offer. The Company received approximately $9,000,000 in net proceeds from the Share Issuance, after repayment of all amounts outstanding$479,931 under its Master Credit Facility and the payment of transaction-related expenses.


On January 18, 2017, the Company consummated the issuance and sale of 312,500 sharesthis private placement. All of the Company’s common stock to CFL at a pricepurchasers are citizens of $9.60 per share, for total gross proceedsthe People’s Republic of $3,000,000, or $2,821,000 after giving effect to the payment of transaction-related expenses.

China.

Management believes that its available funds and cash generatedflow from operations willmay not be sufficient to meet itsour working capital requirements at least through November 2018.for the twelve months subsequent to the issuance of our financial statements. In order to fund its operations, the Company will need to either raise capital by issuance of stock, or utilize a revolving credit facility with GNet; However, there can be no assurances that theour business plans and actions proposed by management will be successful, that the Companywe will generate anticipated revenues, or that unforeseen circumstances will not require additional funding sources in the future or effectuate plans to conserve liquidity. Future efforts to raise additional funds may not be successful or they may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

In addition, due to China’s foreign currency control, the Company cannot move money between China and the USA freely. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulate the flow of foreign exchange in and out of the country strictly. We need to get approval from Chinese government to move money from China to the U.S. which might take extra time. As of March 31, 2019 we had a $761,000 cash balance in China.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a comprehensive presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. It is management’s opinion, however, that the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented.

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162018 as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017April 15, 2019 (the “Annual Report”), which contains the audited financial statements and notes thereto, together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, for the years ended December 31, 20162018 and 2015.2017. The financial information as of December 31, 20162018 is derived from the audited financial statements presented in the Annual Report. The interim results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 20172019 or for any future interim periods.


Use of Estimates The preparation of unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.


Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future intervening events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from estimates.

Significant estimates underlying the financial statements include the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities associated with acquisitions; assessment of goodwill impairment, other intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment; allowances for doubtful accounts and assumptions related to the valuation allowances on deferred taxes, the valuation of stock-based compensation and the valuation of stock warrants.

5

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Principles of Consolidation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.VIE, Jiangxi PDN Culture & Media Co. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Variable Interest Entity – (VIE)

Financial Information of VIE

In November 2017, Jiangxi PDN Culture Media Co., Ltd became a consolidated VIE. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating this VIE do not represent additional claims on the Company’s general assets. VIE assets can be used to settle obligations of the primary beneficiary. The financial information of Jiangxi PDN Culture & Media Co., which was included in the accompanying condensed financial statements, is presented as follows:

  March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  (in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents $342   683 
Total assets $1,204   1,180 
Total liabilities $72   65 

  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (in thousands) 
Total net revenue $35  $            - 
Net loss $(6) $           - 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 requires that goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives should be tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of an asset has decreased below its carrying value.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis (December 31 for the Company) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company considers its market capitalization and the carrying value of its assets and liabilities, including goodwill, when performing its goodwill impairment test.


Prior to January 1, 2017, when

When conducting its annual goodwill impairment assessment, the Company initially performedperforms a qualitative evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that goodwill wasis impaired. If it wasis determined by a qualitative evaluation that it wasis more likely than not that goodwill wasis impaired, the Company then applied a two-step impairment test. The two-step impairment test first comparedcompares the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit to its carrying or book value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceededexceeds its carrying value, goodwill wasis not impaired and the Company wasis not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value, the Company determined the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill and if the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeded its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference was recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.


Effective January 1, 2017, the Company prospectively adopted the provisions of ASU 2017-04, ““Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates the second step of the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, for goodwill impairment tests occurring after January 1, 2017, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will measure any goodwill impairment losses as the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

As a result of the recurring operating losses incurred in NAPW since its acquisition in September 2014, the Company undertook a review of the carrying amount of its goodwill as of

June 30, 2017. The Company performed its review based on both qualitative and quantitative factors and determined that carrying value of NAPW’s goodwill exceeded its implied fair value. Accordingly, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,305 in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.


Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions exist: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) services are performed, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Membership Fees and Related Services


Membership fees are collected up-front and member benefits become available immediately; however those benefits must remain available over the 12 month membership period. At the time of enrollment, membership fees are recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue ratably over the 12 month membership period. Members who are enrolled in this plan may cancel their membership in the program at any time and receive a partial refund (amount remaining in deferred revenue) or due to consumer protection legislation, a full refund based on the policies of the member’s credit card company.

Starting January 2, 2018, we also offer a monthly membership for which we collect fees on a monthly basis and we recognize revenue in the same month as we collect the monthly fees.

Revenue from related membership services are derived from fees for development and set-up of a member’s personal on-line profile and/or press release announcements. Fees related to these services are recognized as revenue at the time the on-line profile is complete and press release is distributed.

6

Deferred Revenue – Deferred revenue includes customer deposits received prior to performing services which are recognized as revenue when revenue recognition criteria are met, and membership fees for annual memberships that are collected at the time of enrollment and are recognized as revenue ratably over the 12 month membership period.

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Lead Generation

Professional Diversity Network provides career opportunities to our registered users. As part of our employment services we interact with over 27,500 job seekers via telephone on a weekly basis. Our Career Advisors suggest job opportunities for our registered users based on their location and profile. In certain circumstances our Career Advisers offer career support services to our registered users, including resume writing, education opportunities and economic consultations. In certain circumstances we receive compensation from various business partners resulting from our job seeker referrals. The Company derives lead generation revenues pursuant to arrangements with its business partners. Under these arrangements, the Company matches its business partners with potential candidates, pursuant to specific parameters defined in each arrangement. The Company invoices on a monthly basis based upon the number of leads provided. Revenues related to lead generation are recognized in the month when the leads are sent to its business partners.

The Company's business partners include educational institutions such as Keypath Education, QuinStreet and Education Dynamics in Noble Voice's traditional, core business, as well as a broad array of corporations such as Avon Products, American Airlines, and Uber, among others.

Recruitment Services

The Company’s recruitment services revenue is derived from the Company’s agreements through single and multiple job postings, recruitment media, talent recruitment communities, basic and premier corporate memberships, hiring campaign marketing and advertising, e-newsletter marketing and research and outreach services. Recruitment revenue includes revenue recognized from direct sales to customers for recruitment services and events, as well as revenue from the Company’s direct e-commerce sales. Direct sales to customers are most typically a twelve month contract for services and as such the revenue for each contract is recognized ratably over its twelve month term. Event revenue is recognized in the month that the event takes place and e-commerce sales are for one month job postings and the revenue from those sales are recognized in the month the sale is made. Our recruitment services mainly consist of the following products:

•          On-line job postings to our diversity sites and to our broader network of websites including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Urban League
•          OFCCP job promotion and recordation services
•          Diversity job fairs, both in person and virtual fairs
•          Diversity recruitment job advertising services
•          Cost per application, a service that employers can purchase whereby PDN sources qualified candidates and charges only for those applicants who meet the employers’ minimum qualifications
•          Diversity executive staffing services

The Company's customers in recruitment services include Starbucks, PNC Bank, and US Dept. of Treasury, among others.

On-line job postings to our diversity sites and to our broader network of websites including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Urban League and over 20 other partner organizations
OFCCP job promotion and recordation services
Diversity job fairs, both in person and virtual fairs
Diversity recruitment job advertising services
Cost per application, a service that employers can purchase whereby PDN sources qualified candidates and charges only for those applicants who meet the employers’ minimum qualifications
Diversity executive staffing services

Product Sales and Other Revenue


Products offered to members relate to custom made plaques. Product sales are recognized as deferred revenue at the time the initial order is placed. Revenue is then recognized at the time these products are shipped. The Company’s shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.


Education and Training


The Company works with its business partners to provide education and training seminars to business people in China. Revenues are recognized in the month when the seminar takes place.

Consumer Advertising and Marketing Solutions

The Company provides career opportunity services to its various partner organizations through advertising and job postings on their websites. The Company works with its partners to develop customized websites and job boards where the partners can generate advertising, job postings and career services to their members, students and alumni. PartnerConsumer advertising and marketing solutions revenue is recognized as jobs are posted to their hosted sites.


The Company'sCompany’s partner organizations include NAACP and National Urban League,VetJobs, among others.

7Discontinued Operations


On May 25, 2018, the Company sold Noble Voice to a long-time customer of the Company and exited the business segment previously conducted by Noble Voice. The sales included all property, equipment, intangible assets, and other long-term assets. The Company retained cash, receivables, payables, and other current and non-current assets and liabilities. The purchase price was $200,000 and the gain on the transaction was approximately $64,000.

All historical operating results for Noble Voice are included in a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, loss from discontinued operations was $15,000, net of tax benefit of $1,000, compared to a loss of $210,000, net of tax benefit of $35,000 during same period in the prior year.

Assets and liabilities that the Company retained, which were previously reported in the Noble Voice operating segment, are now included in current assets from discontinued operations, and current liabilities from discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2019, the current assets from discontinued operations were $27,000, compared to $126,000 as of December 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2019, current liabilities from discontinued operations were $304,000 compared to $347,000 as of December 31, 2018.

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Advertising and Marketing Expenses Advertising and marketing expenses are expensed as incurred or the first time the advertising takes place. The production costs of advertising are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. For the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, the Company incurred advertising and marketing expenses of approximately $658,000$185,000 and $657,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred advertising and marketing expenses of approximately $2,246,000 and $1,842,000,$322,000, respectively. These amounts are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, there were no prepaid advertising expenses recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.


Net Loss per Share The Company computes basic net loss per share by dividing net loss per share available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and excludes the effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted earnings per share, if presented, would include the dilution that would occur upon the exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive securities into common stock using the “treasury stock” and/or “if converted” methods as applicable. The computation of basic net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 excludes the potentially dilutive securities summarized in the table below because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.


  As of September 30, 
  2017  2016 
Warrants to purchase common stock  170,314   514,064 
Stock options  284,897   72,886 
Restricted stock units  15,544   - 
Unvested restricted stock  2,778   5,556 
 Total dilutive securities  473,533   592,506 

  As of March 31, 
  2019  2018 
Warrants to purchase common stock  170,314   170,314 
Stock options  409,126   246,564 
Unvested Restricted stock units  83,057   15,544 
Unvested restricted stock  4,886   - 
Total dilutive securities  667,383   432,422 

Recently IssuedAdopted Accounting Pronouncements


In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09,”Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which was subsequently modified in August 2015 by ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date.” As a result, the ASU No. 2014-09 is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The core principle of ASU No. 2014-09 is that companies should recognize revenue when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects what the company expects to receive. It requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. In 2016, the FASB issued additional ASUs that clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations (ASU 2016-08), on identifying performance obligations and licensing (ASU 2016-10), and on narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (ASU 2016-12) as well as on the revenue recognition criteria and other technical corrections (ASU 2016-20). The Company will adopt the standard on January 1, 2018, using the full retrospective transition method, which may result in a cumulative-effect adjustment for deferred revenue to the opening balance sheet for 2018 and the restatement of the financial statements for all prior periods presented. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new lease accounting guidance ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”)., as amended by ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” and ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.” Under the new guidance, at the commencement date, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee‘slessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The new guidance is not applicable for leases with a term of 12 months or less. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted upon issuance. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply aASC 842 was previously required to be adopted using the modified retrospective transition approachapproach. However, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, which allows for leases existing at, or entered into after,retrospective application with the beginningrecognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the earliest comparative period presentedopening balance of retained earnings in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approachperiod of adoption. Under this option, entities would not require any transition accounting forneed to apply ASC 842 (along with its disclosure requirements) to the comparative prior periods presented. Management expects that most of its operating leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees(primarily office space) will be recognized as operating lease liabilities and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impactright of the new guidanceuse assets on its consolidated financial statements.

8balance sheet. The Company has elected to adopt certain of the optional practical expedients, including the package of practical expedients, which, among other things, gives the option to not reassess: 1) whether expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; 2) the lease classification for expired or existing leases; and 3) initial direct costs for existing leases.

The Company adopted ASC 842, effective January 1, 2019.

As of March 31, 2019, right of use assets were $354,000, current lease obligations were $300,000, and non-current lease obligations were $61,000.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, The Company recorded lease amortization expense of $86,000 which is continued to be classified in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 was issued as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendments in this update cover such areas as the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This guidance can be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a modified retrospective transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the methodologies prescribed by ASU 2014-15 as of January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting “(“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 provides clarity and reduces both (i) diversity in practice and (ii) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 is effective for all annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted.

The adoption of ASU 2017-09 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception” (“ASU 2017-11”). ASU 2017-11 eliminates the requirement to consider “down round” features when determining whether certain equity-linked financial instruments or embedded features are indexed to an entity’s own stock. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

4. Capitalized Technology

Capitalized technology, net is as follows:

  
September 30,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
 
Capitalized cost:      
Balance, beginning of period $1,888,791  $1,888,791 
Additional capitalized cost  122,597   - 
Balance, end of period $2,011,388  $1,888,791 
         
         
Accumulated amortization:        
Balance, beginning of period $1,715,423  $1,432,268 
Provision for amortization  154,392   283,155 
Balance, end of period $1,869,815  $1,715,423 
Capitalized Technology, net $141,573  $173,368 

  

March 31,

2019

  

December 31,

2018

 
Capitalized cost:        
Balance, beginning of period $2,163,044  $2,043,122 
Additional capitalized cost  -   119,922 
Balance, end of period $2,163,044  $2,163,044 
         
Accumulated amortization:        
Balance, beginning of period $1,968,213  $1,889,741 
Provision for amortization  25,206   78,472 
Balance, end of period $1,993,419  $1,968,213 
Capitalized Technology, net $169,625  $194,831 

Amortization expense ofwere approximately $41,000$25,000 and $62,000$16,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively, and approximately $154,000 and $216,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, isare recorded in depreciation and amortization expenseexpenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

9

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

5. Intangible Assets


Intangible assets, net is as follows:


September 30, 2017 
Useful Lives
(Years)
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Net Carrying
Amount
 
Long-lived intangible assets:            
Sales Process  10  $3,970,000  $(1,196,514) $2,773,486 
Paid Member Relationships  5   890,000   (536,472)  353,528 
Member Lists  5   8,957,000   (5,399,081)  3,557,919 
Developed Technology  3   978,000   (959,666)  18,334 
Trade Name/Trademarks  4   480,000   (359,861)  120,139 
Customer Relationships  5   280,000   (158,667)  121,333 
      $15,555,000  $(8,610,261)  6,944,739 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                
Trade Name              90,400 
                 
Intangible assets, net             $7,035,139 
December 31, 2016 
Useful Lives
(Years)
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Net Carrying
Amount
 
Long-lived intangible assets:            
Sales Process  10  $3,970,000  $(898,764) $3,071,236 
Paid Member Relationships  5   890,000   (402,972)  487,028 
Member Lists  5   8,957,000   (4,055,531)  4,901,469 
Developed Technology  3   978,000   (718,166)  259,834 
Trade Name/Trademarks  4   480,000   (269,861)  210,139 
Customer Relationships  5   280,000   (116,667)  163,333 
      $15,555,000  $(6,461,961)  9,093,039 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                
Trade Name              90,400 
                 
Intangible assets, net             $9,183,439 

March 31, 2019 

Useful Lives

(Years)

  

Gross

Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net Carrying

Amount

 
Long-lived intangible assets:                
Sales Process  10  $2,130,956  $(1,711,816) $419,140 
Paid Member Relationships  5   803,472   (773,805)  29,667 
Member Lists  5   8,086,181   (7,787,614)  298,567 
Developed Technology  3   648,000   (648,000)  - 
Trade Name/Trademarks  4   440,000   (440,000)  - 
      $12,108,609  $(11,361,235)  747,374 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                
Trade Name              90,400 
                 
Intangible assets, net             $837,774 

December 31, 2018 

Useful Lives

(Years)

  

Gross

Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net Carrying

Amount

 
Long-lived intangible assets:                
Sales Process  10  $2,130,956  $(1,692,764) $438,192 
Paid Member Relationships  5   803,472   (758,972)  44,500 
Member Lists  5   8,086,181   (7,638,331)  447,850 
Developed Technology  3   648,000   (648,000)  - 
Trade Name/Trademarks  4   440,000   (440,000)  - 
      $12,108,609  $(11,178,067)  930,542 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                
Trade Name              90,400 
                 
Intangible assets, net             $1,020,942 

Future annual estimated amortization expense is summarized as follows:


Years ending December 31,   
2017 (three months) $653,933 
2018  2,563,872 
2019  1,846,697 
2020  397,000 
2021  397,000 
2022  397,000 
Thereafter  689,237 
  $6,944,739 

Years ending December 31,   
2019  382,904 
2020  72,894 
2021  72,894 
2022  72,894 
Thereafter  145,788 
  $747,374 

Amortization expense of $714,000 and $717,000expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018 were $183,000 and $619,000, respectively, and $2,148,000 and $2,151,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, isare recorded in depreciation and amortization expenseexpenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

10

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6. Note Payable – Related Party

On November 5, 2018, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with GNet Tech Holdings Public Limited Company (the “GNet Tech”), a related party through one of the Company’s shareholders, Cosmic Forward Limited (“CFL”), pursuant to which the Company issued to GNet Tech a $500,000 convertible promissory note with an interest rate of 6% per annum (the “Note”). The Note shall mature six months after the date of issuance (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Note, at any time on or after the Maturity Date, at the election of the note holder, the Note will convert into the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) at a conversion price of the lower of (i) the closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ immediately preceding the date of issuance or the date of conversion, as applicable, or (ii) the average closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of issuance or the date of conversion, as applicable (the “Minimum Price”). However, in no event shall the conversion price be less than the Minimum Price on the date of issuance. The issuance of the Note is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On April 30, 2019, the Company amended a note purchase agreement from November 5, 2018 with GNet Tech Holdings Public Limited Company (the “GNet Tech”), a related party through one of the Company’s shareholders, Cosmic Forward Limited (“CFL”), pursuant to which maturity of the $500,000 convertible promissory note which the Company issued to GNet has been extended by one year from May 5, 2019 to May 5, 2020.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company repaid $292,882 of the Note.

At May 17, 2019, the remaining balance of the Note was $207,118.

7. Revolving Credit Facility – Related Party

On November 16, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility agreement with GNet Tech Holdings, a related party through one of the Company’s shareholders, Cosmic Forward Limited (“CFL”), that matures on May 31, 2020, under which we can draw up to GBP £1,500,000 (approximately $2,000,000). Interest is payable on any outstanding principal balance at a rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 4%. Amounts drawn under this facility are payable at the end of one, three, or six months periods at the election of the Company. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company drew $293,000 under this facility.

At May 17, 2019, approximately $1,707,000 was available for us to draw.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Obligations The Company leases office space and equipment under various operating lease agreements, including an office for its headquarters, as well as office spaces for its events business, sales and administrative offices under non-cancelable lease arrangements that provide for payments on a graduated basis with various expiration dates.


Rent

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, effective January 1, 2019. Under the new guidance, at the commencement date, lessees are required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The new guidance is not applicable for leases with a term of 12 months or less. ASC 842 was previously required to be adopted using the modified retrospective approach. However, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, which allows for retrospective application with the recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Under this option, entities would not need to apply ASC 842 (along with its disclosure requirements) to the comparative prior periods presented.

As of March 31, 2019, right of use assets were $354,000, current lease obligations were $300,000, and non-current lease obligations were $61,000.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, The Company recorded lease amortization expense amountingof $86,000 which is continued to be classified in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Total lease expense, including lease amortization, amounted to approximately $268,000$107,000 and $258,000$314,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively, and approximately $811,000 and $808,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, is included in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Included in rent expense is sublease income of approximately $96,000 and $90,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and approximately $288,000 and $279,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Legal Proceedings


The Company has previously disclosed that it and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to litigation captioned Gauri Ramnath, et al. v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., et al., No. BC604153 (Los Angeles Superior Ct.), a putative class action filed in January 2016 alleging violations of various California Labor Code (wage & hour) sections.  During the first quarter of 2016, the Company executed a settlement agreement, subject to later Court approval, in which the Company agreed in principle to pay $500,000 for a global settlement of the class action.  During the first quarter of 2016, the Company also recorded a litigation settlement expense in the amount of $500,000.  On November 28, 2016, the Court approved the proposed settlement.  In December of 2016 the Company paid the settlement amount in the Court’s fund and the third-party administrator began distributing payments to class members.   On August 2, 2017, the Court notified the parties that the case is “reported as complete without the need for a further status conference.” This matter is therefore concluded and will not be further reported.
The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to a proceeding captioned In re Professional Diversity Network, Cases 31-CA-159810 and 31-CA-162904, filed with the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) in June 2015 and alleging violations of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) against the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., where employee was allegedly terminated for asserting rights under Section 7 of the NLRA. While the Company disputes that any rights were impacted, the NLRB has issued its order requiring the Company to take certain remedial actions in the form of posting notices and revising certain policies, as well as to pay the claimant certain back pay and offer reinstatement. The Company has complied with the order in all respects except back pay and reinstatement. The Company disputes the amount of back pay owed to the claimant and disputes that reinstatement is appropriate under the circumstances and an evidentiary hearing on the issue of back pay is currently scheduled for January of 2018. The amount of back pay and other potential liabilities ordered by NLRB is $146,000.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Paul Sutcliffe v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 533-2016-00033 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) in April 2016 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, where employee was allegedly terminated due to his race (Caucasian) and his age (over 40). The EEOC has not yet notified the Company that it has issued a right-to-sue letter, and the complainant has not yet filed a lawsuit.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Wei Aniton v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 440-2017-04717 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on July 6, 2017 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, where employee alleges she was discriminated by the Company due to her race and her sex and was paid less than similarly situated white males. On September 20, 2017, the EEOC issued its Notice of Dismissal and Notice of Rights, effectively terminating this matter before the EEOC.

In a letter dated October 12, 2017, White Winston Select Asset Funds (“White Winston”) threatened assertion of a claimto assert claims against the Company.  The letter allegesCompany in excess of $2 million based on White Winston’s contention that White Winston suffered $2,241,958 in damages as a result of the Company’s alleged conduct that caused a delay indelayed White Winston’s ability to sell shares in the Company during a period when the Company’s stock price was generally falling. On April 30, 2018, White Winston filed a lawsuit, entitled White Winston Select Asset Funds, LLC, No. 18-cv-10844, (the “Federal Action”) in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, asserting federal jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship. The four-count complaint in the Federal Action alleged that White Winston is entitled to recover compensatory damages of $1,708,233, plus attorneys’ fees, treble damages and other amounts. White Winston served the complaint on July 12, 2018, and the Company moved to dismiss the entire action for failure to state a claim. On October 15, 2018, prior to addressing the motion to dismiss, the Court issued an order noting that White Winston (which is a limited liability company) had failed to allege the citizenship of its members and ordered White Winston to show cause that complete diversity exists between the parties and that the Court had jurisdiction. On October 23, 2018, White Winston dismissed the Federal Action without prejudice. On December 18, 2018, White Winston filed a complaint in Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County in Boston alleging the same claims and rights to relief as in the Federal Action. The Company has moved to once again to dismiss the complaint in its entirety for failure to state a claim. The entire motion package, comprised of the Company’s motion to dismiss and accompanying memorandum, White Winston’s opposition, and the Company’s reply brief, was filed with the court on Monday, March 25, 2019. The hearing on the motion to dismiss has been scheduled for May 29, 2019. The Company denies liability for all claims.

NAPW is a defendant in a Nassau County (NY) Supreme Court case, whereby TL Franklin Avenue Plaza LLC has sued NAPW with respect to NAPW’s former Garden City NY Premises. NAPW had surrendered the Premises to the Landlord, and the Landlord is suing NAPW for the balance of the rent due under the Lease Term – which term is less than one year remaining. The case is currently being litigated, and we are currently in the summary judgment phase of the litigation.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Gerbie, et al. v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Ill.), a putative class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. A settlement has been reached and case has been dismissed by the court. The Company believes that its practices and procedures were compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and admitted no fault.

NAPW and PDN are two of the named Respondents in a Superior Court of New Jersey Proceeding, and they are being sued by Shore Digital LLC. The Petitioner in this matter, Shore Digital LLC is alleging that both NAPW and PDN are in breach of contract, and the matter involves the payment of the entire value of the contract plus council feels, interest, and costs owing to the Petitioner. The case is settled and both parties have agreed to a Stipulation and Order of Dismissal.

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to a proceeding captioned Deborah Bayne, et al. vs. NAPW, Inc. and Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-3591 (E.D.N.Y.), filed in June of 2018 and alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and certain provisions of the New York Labor Law. The Company disputes that it or its subsidiary violated the applicable laws or that either entity has any such claim.

liability and intends to vigorously defend against these claims. The matter is in the final stages of discovery. The potential financial impact on the Company is inherently uncertain at this point.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Jacqueline M. Jefferson v. Noble Voice, No. 440-2018-06979 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on July 10, 2018 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, where an employee alleges she was terminated by the Company due to her age on May 25, 2018. Ms. Jefferson’s termination was as a result of the sale of the Noble Voice business on May 25, 2018. The EEOC has closed its file on this charge and we await to see if any private action will be filed by June 1, 2019.

General Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is involved in legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company believes that such matters are currently not material, there can be no assurance that matters arising in the ordinary course of business for which the Company is, or could be, involved in litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.


7. CFL Transaction

On January 13, 2017, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Cosmic Forward Ltd. (“CFL”), pursuant to which, the Company agreed to issue and sell to CFL (the “Second Share Issuance”), and CFL agreed to purchase, at a price of $9.60 per share (the “Per Share Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, 312,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. On January 18, 2017, the Company consummated the Second Share Issuance. As a result of the completion of the Second Share Issuance, as of January 18, 2017, CFL beneficially owned 54.64% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, on a fully diluted basis.
11

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The Company received total gross proceeds of $3,000,000 from the Second Share Issuance, or approximately $2,821,000 in net proceeds after payment of transaction-related expenses. The Company retained Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis”) as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the transaction. Aegis received a cash placement fee of $144,000 in connection with the transaction. The Company accounted for the fee paid to Aegis as a cost

9.Employment Agreements

James Kirsch, formerly Co-Executive Chairman of the transaction resulting in a charge directly to stockholders’ equity.

At the closing of the Second Share Issuance, and as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the Company, entered into an amendment, dated as of January 18, 2017 (the “Amendment”), to the Stockholders’ Agreement with CFL and the CFL shareholders. The Amendment increased the cap on the amount of common stock that CFL, the CFL shareholders and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “CFL Group”) may, directly or indirectly acquire, agree to acquire or publicly propose or offer to acquire from the Company, or pursuant to a tender or exchange offer for any shares of common stock, from 51% of the then outstanding shares of common stock, on a fully-diluted basis, to 54.64% of the then outstanding shares of common stock, on a fully-diluted basis. The Amendment also clarifies that the 312,500 shares of common stock purchased by CFL in the Second Share Issuance are subject to all of the restrictions contained in the Stockholders’ Agreement, as amended. All other terms and conditions of the Stockholders’ Agreement remain in full force and effect and were ratified and affirmed by the parties in the Amendment.

8. Employment Agreements

Katherine Butkevich, formerly Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., was party to an employment contract with the Company dated September 30, 2016.  As the Company previously reported in its August 30, 2017 Form 8-K, Ms. Butkevich notified the Company that she was resigning her employment effective September 18, 2017, thereby terminating the employment contract as of the resignation date.

Chris Wesser, formerly the Company’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, was party to an employment contract with the Company dated September 24, 2014. As the Company previously reported in its March 8, 2018 Form 8-K, Mr. Wesser’sKirsch tendered his resignation as Co-executive Chairman on March 6, 2018. Mr. Kirsch’s decision to resign was due to his personal reasons and was not a result of any dispute with the Company. No compensation was provided in connection with his departure.

Jiangping (Gary) Xiao, formerly Chief Financial Officer of the Company, was party to an employment contract expired on September 24,with the Company dated March 7, 2017. As the Company previously published via press release and reported in its September 29, 2017February 12, 2019 Form 8-K, Mr. Xiao tendered his resignation on September 26, 2017February 6, 2019 as Chief Financial Officer, effective March 19, 2019. Mr. WesserXiao’s decision to resign was due to his personal reasons and was not a result of any dispute with the Company. No compensation was provided in connection with his departure.

Jingbo (James) Song, formerly Co-Executive Chairman of the Company, was party to an employment contract with the Company dated January 12, 2017. As the Company previously reported in its February 22, 2019 Form 8-K, Mr. Song tendered his resignation on February 20, 2019 as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and director of the Company, effective immediately. Also on February 20, 2019, the Board of Directors resolved to accept Mr. Song’s resignation with immediate effect. Mr. Song’s resignation from the Board of Directors of the Company was for personal health reasons. Mr. Song served as a valued member of the Board since November, 2016, and his decision to resign was not due to any disagreement with the Company. No compensation was provided in connection with his departure.

On March 11, 2019 (the “He Effective Date”), the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “He Employment SeparationAgreement”) with Mr. He, which He Employment Agreement continues until terminated in writing by either party or earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of the He Employment Agreement. Under the He Employment Agreement, Mr. He will receive an annual base salary of $200,000, subject to adjustment in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board; provided however, that such annual base salary may not be decreased during Mr. He’s employment period. Mr. He will be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus in an amount equal to up to fifty percent (50%) of his base salary, based upon the achievement of one or more performance goals, targets, measurements and Consulting Agreement having a one-year term, under whichother factors, established for such year by the Compensation Committee. Mr. WesserHe will providealso participate in all benefit plans and programs, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, as are generally provided by the Company with consulting services on an independent contractor basis.


9. to its other senior executive employees.

10.Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 was 7.9%5.4% and 32.9%12.0%, respectively, resulting in a $213,000$66,000, and $624,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 6.2% and 25.7%, respectively, resulting in a $1,160,000 and $1,218,000$249,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2018, is mainly attributable to the changedecrease in the valuation allowance. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, comparedrates pursuant to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, is mainly attributable to the impairment charge recognized on NAPW’s goodwillU.S. Tax Cuts and theJobs Act, and a change in the valuation allowance. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the consideration of these items, management has determined that enough uncertainty exists relative to the realization of the deferred income tax asset balances to warrant the application of a full valuation allowance as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016.

2018.

The Company hasU.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act subjects a U.S. parent shareholder to current tax on its “global intangible low-taxed income” (GILTI). We are allowed under ASC 740 to elect an accounting policy choice of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred or (2) factoring such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes. Because of the complexity of these rules, and anticipated guidance from U.S. Treasury we will continue to evaluate the impact on the Company’s financial statements. Therefore, we have not providedrecorded any deferred incometaxes related to GILTI and have not made a policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries. The amount of such earnings was insignificant. These earnings have been permanently reinvested and the Company does not plan to initiate action that would precipitate the payment of income taxes thereon. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of additional tax that might be payable on the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries.

12

GILTI.

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

10.

11.Stock-Based Compensation


Equity Incentive Plans – The Company’s 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2013 Plan”) was adopted for the purpose of providing equity incentives to employees, officers, directors and consultants including options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other equity awards, annual incentive awards and dividend equivalents. The Company amended the 2013 Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock under the Plan by 390,000from 225,000 shares to 615,000 shares, which the Company’s stockholders approved on June 26, 2017. The Company further amended the 2013 Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock under the Plan by 300,000 shares, which the Company’s stockholders approved and ratified on November 8, 2018. The Company is now authorized to issue 615,000915,000 shares under the amended 2013 Plan.


Stock Options


The following table summarizestables summarize the Company’s stock option activity for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017:

  
Number of
Options
  
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(in Years)
  
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding - December 31, 2016  69,950  $12.07   9.0  $156,975 
Granted  240,000   10.72         
Exercised  -   -         
Forfeited/Canceled/Expired  (25,053)  (13.93)        
Outstanding – September 30, 2017  284,897  $10.77   9.3  $- 
                 
Exercisable – September 30, 2017  124,897  $10.83   9.2  $- 
TheMarch 31, 2019, and 2018:

  

Number of

Options

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life

(in Years)

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 
Outstanding – January 1, 2019  499,439  $6.94   9.0  $- 
Granted  30,000   2.23         
Exercised  -   -         
Forfeited/Canceled/Expired  (120,313)  2.88         
Outstanding – March 31, 2019  409,126  $7.78   8.4  $80,520 
                 
Exercisable – March 31, 2019  330,959  $9.01   8.2  $32,710 

  

Number of

Options

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life

(in Years)

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 
Outstanding – January 1, 2018  246,564  $11.17   9.1  $—   
Granted  —     —           
Exercised  —     —           
Forfeited/Canceled/Expired  —     —           
Outstanding – March 31, 2018  246,564  $11.17   8.9  $—   
                 
Exercisable – March 31, 2018  166,564  $11.39   8.8  $—   

On March 11, 2019, the Company granted 210,000 and 30,000 stock options to Messrs. Wang and Xiao, respectively,CFO Adam He, in connection with theirhis employment agreements.agreement. These options had an aggregate fair value of $1,060,800,$54,000, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:


Risk-free interest rate  2.132.44%
Expected dividend yield  0.00%
Expected volatility  41.78102.71%
Expected term 5.55.75 years 

The March 11, 2019 options granted are exercisable at an exercise price of $10.72 per share$2.23 over a ten-year term and vest over two years, with one-third vested upon grant.

The Company recorded $88,000 and $560,000 as compensation expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, pertaining to these grants.


Total non-cash compensation expense, for grants recorded by the Company amounted to approximately $88,000 and $90,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $618,000 and $135,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as a component ofwhich is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statementsstatement of operations, of approximately $6,000 and comprehensive loss pertaining$88,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to stock options.

option grants.

Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options at September 30, 2017 amountsMarch 31, 2019 amounted to approximately $501,000$89,000 and is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of 1.4 years.

Warrants


As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, there were 170,314 warrants outstanding and exercisable, with a weighted average exercise price of $32.44 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the warrants at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 was 3.61.8 and 4.32.6 years, respectively, and the aggregate intrinsic value was 0.


The Company did not grant any warrants to purchase shares of common stock during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.


March 31, 2019.

No compensation cost was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, and 20162018 pertaining to warrants.

13

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units


On June 26, 2017,

During the first three months of 2019, the Company granted 15,5448,090 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certaina Board members.member The RSUs vest 100% on June 28, 2018,one year after they were awarded, subject to continued service on the vesting date. The RSUs have no voting or dividend rights. The fair value of the common stock on the date of grant was $7.72were $3.09 per share, based upon the closing market price on the grant date.dates. The aggregate grant date fair value of the combined awards amounted to $120,000.


$25,000.

A summary of the restricted stock award activity for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, and 2018 is as follows:

  
Number of
Shares
 
    
Unvested Outstanding at December 31, 2016- January 1, 2019  2,77860,651 
Granted  15,5448,090 
Forfeited  -(22,730)
Vested  - 
Unvested Outstanding at September 30, 2017- March 31, 2019  18,32246,011 

Number of
Shares
Unvested Outstanding - January 1, 201815,544
Granted—  
Forfeited—  
Vested—  
Unvested Outstanding - March 31, 201815,544

The Company recorded non-cash compensation expenseexpenses of approximately $58,000$3,000 and $28,000$30,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively, and approximately $113,000 and $83,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

related to restricted stock grants.

Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 amounts to approximately $108,000$56,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.60.4 year.

11.

12.Segment Information


Beginning in January 2017,on May 26, 2018, the Company operates in the following segments: (A) United States: (i) PDN Network and (ii) NAPW Network, and (iii) Noble Voice operations, and (B) China Operations. The segments are categorized based on their business activities and organization. Prior to January 2017,May 26, 2018, the Company operated solely in the United States in the following segments: (A) United States: (i) PDN Network, (ii) NAPW Network, and (iii) Noble Voice operations.(B) China Operations. The following tables present key financial information of the Company’s reportable segments as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016:


  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 
  United States       
  
PDN
Network
  
NAPW
Network
  Noble Voice  
China
Operations
  Consolidated 
                
Membership fees and related  services $-  $2,204,909  $-  $-  $2,204,909 
Lead generation  -   -   1,370,465   -   1,370,465 
Recruitment  services  694,454   -   -   -   694,454 
Products sales and other  -   18,285   -   -   18,285 
Education and training  -   -   -   68,890   68,890 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  65,188   -   -   -   65,188 
Total revenues  759,642   2,223,194   1,370,465   68,890   4,422,191 
Loss from operations  (249,017)  (1,651,322)  (448,310)  (362,004)  (2,710,653)
Depreciation and amortization  13,213   740,489   49,754   3,442   806,898 
Income tax expense (benefit)  (17,311)  (123,091)  (29,688)  (43,043)  (213,133)
Net loss  (217,589)  (1,528,231)  (418,622)  (323,643)  (2,488,085)
Capital expenditures  93,676   -   (5,575)  12,356   100,457 
14

2018:

  Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 
  United States          
  

PDN

Network

  

NAPW

Network

  China
Operations
  Corporate
Overhead
  Consolidated 
                
Membership fees and related services $-  $794,539  $34,881  $-  $829,420 
Recruitment services  474,260   -   -   -   474,260 
Products sales and other  -   2,812   -   -   2,812 
Education and training  -   -   4,069       4,069 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  35,716   -   -   -   35,716 
Total revenues  509,976   797,351   38,950   -   1,346,277 
(Loss) income from continuing operations  (171,476)  (107,731)  (334,847)  (587,975)  (1,202,029)
Depreciation and amortization  15,741   201,442   4,239   -   221,422 
Income tax expense (benefit)  (13,135)  (8,129)  -   (44,369)  (65,633)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations  (160,924)  (99,602)  (340,397)  (543,606)  (1,144,529)
Capital expenditures  -   -   3,351   -   3,351 

  March 31, 2019 
Goodwill $339,451  $-  $-  $-  $339,451 
Intangible assets, net  90,400   747,374   -   -   837,774 
Assets from continuing operations  1,610,239   1,705,760   1,074,298   -   4,390,297 
Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 
  United States       
  
PDN
Network
  
NAPW
Network
  Noble Voice  
China
Operations
  Consolidated 
                
Membership fees and related  services $-  $7,465,202  $-  $-  $7,465,202 
Lead generation  -   -   4,699,399   -   4,699,399 
Recruitment  services  1,977,101   -   -   -   1,977,101 
Products sales and other  -   91,226   -   -   91,226 
Education and training  -   -   -   898,584   898,584 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  189,217   -   -   -   189,217 
Total revenues  2,166,318   7,556,428   4,699,399   898,584   15,320,729 
Loss from operations  (2,001,870)  (14,969,177)  (1,449,279)  (408,622)  (18,828,948)
Depreciation and amortization  67,099   2,220,806   149,499   6,107   2,443,511 
Income tax expense (benefit)  (125,444)  (943,633)  (91,360)  -   (1,160,437)
Net loss  (1,864,520)  (14,025,544)  (1,357,919)  (416,627)  (17,664,610)
Capital expenditures  100,823   10,646   (5,234)  48,060   154,295 
  September 30, 2017 
Goodwill $339,451  $9,941,434  $-  $-  $10,280,885 
Intangible assets, net  90,400   6,793,406   151,333   -   7,035,139 
Total assets  1,814,350   18,425,123   1,624,568   2,257,796   24,121,837 

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 
  PDN Network  
NAPW
Network
  Noble Voice  Consolidated 
             
Membership fees and related services $-  $3,748,334  $-  $3,748,334 
Lead generation  -   -   1,554,370   1,554,370 
Recruitment services  954,887   -   -   954,887 
Products sales and other  -   52,857   -   52,857 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  49,719   -   -   49,719 
Total revenues  1,004,606   3,801,191   1,554,370   6,360,167 
Loss from operations  (118,948)  (894,361)  (266,893)  (1,280,202)
Depreciation and amortization  33,471   738,473   47,950   819,894 
Income tax expense (benefit)  (222,808)  (289,767)  (111,124)  (623,699)
Net loss  (512,771)  (604,594)  (155,769)  (1,273,134)

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
  PDN Network  
NAPW
Network
  Noble Voice  Consolidated 
             
Membership fees and related services $-  $13,047,652  $-  $13,047,652 
Lead generation  -   -   4,489,919   4,489,919 
Recruitment services  2,295,556   -   -   2,295,556 
Products sales and other  -   544,440   -   544,440 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  176,771   -   -   176,771 
Total revenues  2,472,327   13,592,092   4,489,919   20,554,338 
Loss from operations  (839,840)  (2,173,251)  (1,106,895)  (4,119,986)
Depreciation and amortization  130,121   2,207,703   160,312   2,498,136 
Income benefit  (373,717)  (557,439)  (286,936)  (1,218,092)
Net loss  (1,083,270)  (1,615,812)  (819,959)  (3,519,041)
15

  Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 
  United States          
  PDN
Network
  NAPW
Network
  China
Operations
  Corporate
Overhead
  Consolidated 
                
Membership fees and related services $-  $1,549,932  $62,289  $-  $1,612,221 
Recruitment services  621,415   -   -   -   621,415 
Products sales and other  -   3,657   -   -   3,657 
Education and training  -   -   6,471   -   6,471 
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  69,734   -   -   -   69,734 
Total revenues  691,149   1,553,589   68,760   -   2,313,498 
(Loss) income from continuing operations  (67,204)  (766,055)  (351,117)  (912,775)  (2,097,151)
Depreciation and amortization  16,987   658,433   4,341   -   679,761 
Income tax expense (benefit)  (8,773)  (109,639)  -   (130,638)  (249,050)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations  (52,524)  (656,416)  (333,576)  (782,137)  (1,824,653)
Capital expenditures  -   -   -   -   - 

  December 31, 2018 
Goodwill $339,451  $-  $-  $-  $339,451 
Intangible assets, net  90,400   930,543   -   -   1,020,943 
Assets from continuing operations  1,654,346   1,970,594   1,486,891   -   5,111,831 
Professional Diversity Network, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  December 31, 2016 
Goodwill $339,451  $19,861,739  $-  $20,201,190 
Intangible assets, net  90,400   8,809,706   283,333   9,183,439 
Total assets  7,643,471   31,457,958   2,036,448   41,137,877 
12.

13.Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates subsequent events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date up to the date that the condensed consolidated financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure. TheOther than as described below, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

From April 1, 2019 to April 2, 2019, the Company sold an aggregate of 28,552 shares of its common stock at a purchase price ranging from $3.70 to $3.85 per share, representing 120% of the closing price the trading day immediately prior to the date of subscription. As of the date of this quarterly report, the Company has received an aggregate gross proceeds of $107,036 under this private placement. All of the purchasers are citizens of the People’s Republic of China.

On April 16,


2019, the Company issued a press release announcing that the Company’s variable interest entity, Jiangxi PDN Culture Media Co., Ltd. has signed a letter of intent to acquire 51% of the equity interests of Zhejiang Xili Valley Tourism Development Co., Ltd., an affiliate of the Company’s partner in Guangzhou.

On April 24, 2019, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) requires listed companies to maintain stockholders’ equity of at least $2.5 million. In the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2018, the Company reported stockholders’ equity of $(1,110,788), which is below the minimum stockholders’ equity required for continued listing pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). Further, as of April 24, 2019, the Company does not meet the alternatives of market value of listed securities or net income from continuing operations. This notification has no immediate effect on the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq has provided the Company with 45 calendar days, or until June 8, 2019, to submit a plan to regain compliance with the minimum stockholders’ equity standard. If the Company’s plan to regain compliance is accepted, Nasdaq may grant an extension of up to 180 calendar days from the date of the notification letter, or until October 21, 2019, to evidence compliance. The Company is presently evaluating various courses of action to regain compliance and intends to timely submit a plan to Nasdaq to regain compliance with the Nasdaq minimum stockholders’ equity standard.

On April 30, 2019, the Company amended a note purchase agreement from November 5, 2018 with GNet Tech Holdings Public Limited Company (the “GNet Tech”), a related party through one of the Company’s shareholders, Cosmic Forward Limited (“CFL”), pursuant to which maturity of the $500,000 convertible promissory note which the Company issued to GNet has been extended by one year from May 5, 2019 to May 5, 2020.

ITEM 2.2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless we specify otherwise, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Quarterly Report”) to the “Company,“PDN,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Professional Diversity Network, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto in Item 1, “Financial Statements,” in Part I of this Quarterly Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which are based on our assumptions about the future of our business. Our actual results will likely differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please read “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for additional information regarding forward-looking statements used in this Quarterly Report.

Overview

We are an operator of professional networks with a focus on diversity, employment, education and training. We use the term “diversity” (or “diverse”) to describe communities, or “affinities,” that are distinct based on a wide array of criteria, including ethnic, national, cultural, racial, religious or gender classification. We serve a variety of such communities, including Women, Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Disabled, Military Professionals, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+).


We currently operate in fourthree business segments: (i) Professional Diversity Network (“(PDN Network ”)Network”), which includes online professional networking communities with career resources tailored to the needs of various diverse cultural groups and employers looking to hire members of such groups, (ii) National Association of Professional Women (“(NAPW Network ”)Network”), a women-only professional networking organization, (iii) Noble Voice operations (“ Noble Voice ”), a career consultation and lead generation service, and (iv)(iii) China operations ( “China“China Operations” ),), which focusfocuses on providing tools, products and services in China which will assist women, students and business professionals in personal and professional development.


On May 25, 2018, the Company sold Noble Voice to a long-time customer of the Company and exited the business segment. The Company retained all receivables and payables prior to the May 25, 2018 closing date and as a result of this divestiture, ceased operating losses on that division immediately upon the sale. Management believes that education lead generation business is not important to the Company’s long-term strategy and with the sale of the Noble Voice division, the Company is now able to focus on executing its long term plan for its PDN jobs recruitment division and NAPW.

Our value proposition is simple: (i) we provide a robust online and in-person network for our women members to make professional and personal connections for our diverse audience of women: African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Veterans, individuals with disabilities and members of the Gaygay community (with the ability to roll out to our other affinities); (ii) we assist our registered users, or members, in their efforts to connect with like-minded individuals and identify career opportunities within the network; (iii) we help employers address their workforce diversity needs by connecting them with the right candidates; and (iv) we leverage our U.S. expertise and China connections to deliver these values to China, one of the world’s fastest-growing market. 

markets for professional networking.

In January of 2017, the Company established PDN Hong Kong through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries there and in March of 2017 the Company established PDN China through its subsidiary there. We are currently executing our strategic plan to build in China entirely new networking, training and education businesses. We believe that coupling the Company’s expertise in networking and careers with our Chinese executives’ expertise in the China market will provide us with an opportunity for success with our overseas expansion. During the first two quarters of 2017, we held seven events as part of our education and training business line’s “Shared Economy” summit series, attracting over 7,800 paid attendees. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2017, we held a selective marketing event to introduce IAW, the PDN China women’s networking business.

In the third quarter of 2017, IPDNPDN China began to transact IAW annual memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB200,000 (ApproximatelyRMB 200,000 (approximately $3,000 to $30,000 annual memberships)$30,000). Additionally IAW China held its first IAW VIP China event at the Women’s Forum Global Meeting, in Paris, France. Also, in the third quarter, IPDNon December 2, 2017, PDN China finalized plans and secured commitments to holdheld its largest education and training event of the year. The event, will be held on December 2, 2017 in Beijing, China, “The International Capital Leadership Summit”., took place in Beijing, China. Among its many notable speakers was Mr. Bruce Aust, Vice Chairman of the Nasdaq Exchange, will bewho was featured at the event.

Through In the thirdfourth quarter of 2017, PDN China began to transact annual business club memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 100,000 (approximately $3,000 to $15,000).

Through the first quarter of 2019, our PDN Network, NAPW Network, Noble Voice and China Operations businesses represented 14.1%37.9%, 49.3%59.2%, 30.7% and 5.9%2.9% of our revenues, respectively. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had approximately 10.010.7 million registered users in our PDN Network;Network and approximately 952,000 registered users, or members, in the NAPW Network;Network. Included in 952,000 NAPW Network registered users, there were 9,000, and over 1,000 companies utilizing our products22,000 paid members as of March 31, 2019 and services in our combined PDN Network and Noble Voice operations.2018, respectively. We believe that the combination of our solutions allows us to approach recruiting and professional networking in a unique way and thus create enhanced value for our members and customers.

17


Sources of Revenue

We generate revenue from (i) paid membership subscriptions and related services, (ii) lead generation, (iii) recruitment services, (iv)(iii) product sales, (v)(iv) education and training and (vi)(v) consumer advertising and consumer marketing solutions. The following table sets forth our revenues from each product as a percentage of total revenue for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results.

  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Percentage of revenue by product:            
Membership fees and related services  49.9%  58.9%  48.7%  63.5%
Lead generation  31.0%  24.5%  30.7%  21.8%
Recruitment services  15.7%  15.0%  12.9%  11.2%
Products sales and other  0.4%  0.8%  0.6%  2.6%
Education and training  1.5%  0.0%  5.9%  0.0%
Consumer advertising and consumer marketing solutions  1.5%  0.8%  1.2%  0.9%

  

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
  2019  2018 
Percentage of revenue by product:        
Membership fees and related services  61.6%  69.7%
Recruitment services  35.2%  26.8%
Products sales and other  0.2%  0.2%
Education and training  0.3%  0.3%
Consumer advertising and consumer marketing solutions  2.7%  3.0%

Paid Membership Subscriptions and Related Services.Services.Paid Membership Subscriptions and Related Services. We offer paid membership subscriptions through our NAPW Network, a women-only professional networking organization, operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary. Members gain access to networking opportunities through a members-only website at www.napw.comwww.iawomen.com and “virtual” eChapter events which occur in a webcast setting as well as through in-person networking at approximately 190100 local chapters nationwide, additional career and networking events such as the National Networking Summit Series, Power Networking Events and the PDN Network events. NAPW members also receive ancillary (non-networking) benefits such as educational discounts, shopping, and other membership perks. Upgraded packages include (i)The basic package is the VIP membership,Initiator level, which provides members with additional promotional and publicity toolsonline benefits only. Upgrades to an Innovator membership include the Initiator benefits as well as freemembership in local chapters, and access (including guest) to live in-person events. The most comprehensive level, the National Networking SummitsInfluencer, provides all the aforementioned benefits plus admission to exclusive “live” events and free continuing education programsexpanded opportunities for marketing and (ii)promotion, including the creation and distribution of a press release, package, which provides members with the opportunity to work withis prepared by professional writers to publish personalized press releases and thereby secure valuable online presence.sent over major newswires. Additionally, all memberships offer educational programs with discounts or at no cost, based on the membership level. NAPW Membership is renewable and fees are payable on an annual or monthly basis, with the first annual fee payable at the commencement of the membership. NAPW Membership subscriptions represented approximately 99.2%99.6% and 98.6%99.8%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the NAPW Network business segment for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2019 and 2018.

As part of the launch of IAW in the United States, the Company began to offer a monthly membership option in January 2018, in addition to an annual membership option. While this has increased the number of new members registering, membership revenue is received on a monthly rather than an annual basis. The new IAW is focused on delivering member benefits and providing value to those who join as paid members.

In the third quarter of 2017, PDN China began to transact IAW annual memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 200,000 (approximately $3,000 to $30,000). In the fourth quarter of 2017, PDN China began to transact annual business club memberships in China, ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 100,000 (approximately $3,000 to $15,000). IAW memberships comprised approximately 89.6% and 2016, and 98.8% and 96.0%90.6%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.


Lead Generation.   We monetize our career consultations conducted by our Noble Voice segment by generating and selling value-added leads to our strategic partners who provide continuing education and career services.  We also generate revenue from sales of data not used in the lead generation process.  Lead generation sales represented 100% of the revenue attributable to the Noble Voice business segmentChina Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016.

2018.

Recruitment Services. We provide recruitment services through our PDN Network to medium andemployers, ranging from small to large employerssized organizations, seeking to diversify their employment ranks. Our recruitment services include recruitment advertising, job postings, semantic search technology and paid access to, and placement in, or advertising around our career and networking events. The majority of recruitment services revenue comes from job recruitment advertising. We also offer to businesses subject to the regulations and requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (“OFCCP ”)”) our OFCCP compliance product, which combines diversity recruitment advertising with job postings and compliance services. Recruitment advertising revenue constituted approximately 91.4%93.0% and 95.0%89.9%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, recruitment advertising revenue constituted approximately 91.3% and 92.8%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment.

2018.

Product Sales. We offer to new purchasers of our NAPW Network memberships the opportunity to purchase up to twoa commemorative wall plaquesplaque at the time of membership purchase. They may purchase up to two plaques at that time. Product sales represented approximately 0.8%0.4% and 1.4%0.2%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the NAPW Network business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016, and 1.2% and 4.0%, respectively, of revenue attributable to the NAPW Network business segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

2018.

Education and Training. In March of 2017 we began our China Operations by creating a Shared Economy summit series designed to provide education and training to Chinese business people. Our initial event was a paid event which generated revenue through paid event admission fees. Education and training represented 100%approximately 10.4% and 9.4%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to China Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017.  Because China Operations first began in March of 2017 there is no period-over-period comparison.


31, 2019 and 2018.

Consumer Advertising and Consumer Marketing Solutions. We work with partner organizations to provide them with integrated job boards on their websites which offer their members or customers the opportunity to post recruitment advertising and job openings. We generate revenue from fees charged for those postings. Consumer advertising and marketing solutions represented approximately 8.6%7.0% and 5.0%10.1%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2106. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, consumer advertising and consumer marketing solutions revenue constituted approximately 8.7% and 7.2%, respectively, of the revenue attributable to the PDN Network business segment.

2018.

18


Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue primarily consists of data and related costs to generate leads for our Noble Voice customers, costs of producing job fair and other events, revenue sharing with partner organizations, costs of producing education and training events, and costs of web hosting and operating our websites for the PDN Network.Network, and costs of producing education and training events and serving IAW members for our China business. Costs of producing wall plaques, hosting member conferences and local chapter meetings are also included in the cost of revenue for NAPW Network.

Financial Overview

During the quarter and ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we experienced losses as we continued our efforts to integrate new management anddevelop China Operations, reduce costs and streamline our business. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, weWe realized a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $2,489,000,$1,145,000, a $1,216,000 increase$681,000 decrease from the comparable prior year period. This increasedecrease in net loss was primarily driven bya result of a decrease of $1,578,000$992,000 in overall general and administrative expenses, a decrease of $436,000 in amortization expense of long-lived intangible assets of our NAPW segment revenues from membership fees, related servicesas a result of $2,796,000 impairment charge the Company recorded in fourth quarter of 2018, and producta decrease of $312,000 in overall sales period-over-period,and marketing costs, partially offset by a decrease of $788,000$783,000 in overall sales and marketing expenses. Forrevenues from membership fees. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we realizedCompany’s ability to continue as a net lossgoing concern. The ability of approximately $17,666,000, a $14,147,000 increase from the comparable prior year period.  This increase in net loss is primarily related to goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000, the decrease in membership fees and related services revenue, an increase in stock-based compensation, and an increase in legal expenses.

Recent Events
On January 13, 2017, the Company entered intoto continue as a stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Cosmic Forward Ltd. (“CFL”), pursuantgoing concern is dependent on the Company’s ability to which,further implement its business plan, raise capital, and generate revenues. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company agreedis unable to issue and sell to CFL (the “Second Share Issuance”), and CFL agreed to purchase, atcontinue as a price of $9.60 per share (the “Per Share Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, 312,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. On January 18, 2017, the Company consummated the Second Share Issuance. As a result of the completion of the Second Share Issuance, as of January 18, 2017, CFL beneficially owned 54.64% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, on a fully diluted basis.  The Company received total gross proceeds of $3,000,000 from the Second Share Issuance, or approximately $2,821,000 in net proceeds after payment of transaction-related expenses.

going concern.

Key Metrics

We believe that one of the key metrics in evaluating and measuring our performance is the number of registered users or members.users. We offer free memberships and in our NAPW segment we also offer a paid membership, one that provides a greater leveldefine the number of services and networking potential. The vast majority of our registered users are non-paid members. We define a registered user as an(i) the number of individual job seekerseekers who affirmatively visited one of PDN Network’s properties, opted into an affinity group and provided us with demographic or contact information enabling us to match him or herthem with employers and/or jobs (“PDN(PDN Network registered user”).  We believe that a higherusers); and (ii) the number of registered users will result in increased sales of our products and services, as employers willconsumers who have access to a larger pool of professional talent. 

We define a member as a consumer who has viewed our marketing material, opted into membership in the NAPW Network, provided demographic information and engaged in an onboarding call with a membership coordinator (the “NAPW(NAPW Network member”)registered users). NAPW Network total membership is therefore comprised of members who paid for additional services (“Paid Members”) as well as members who opted into the NAPW Network and have not yet paid for additional services (“Unpaid Members”).  The number of Unpaid Members at the NAPW Network segment is significantly higher than the number of Paid Members. We believe that a higher number of NAPW Network Unpaid Membersregistered users will result in increased conversionssales of our products and services, as customers will have access to Paid Members, whicha larger pool of professional talent. However, a higher number of registered users will furthernot immediately translate intoto increased revenuesrevenue, as there is a lag between the time we acquire a registered user through membership subscriptions. 

our lead-generation process and the time we generate revenue from a registered user by selling them one of our paid products or services.

The following table sets forth the number of registered users on our PDN Network and total membership on our NAPW Network as of the periods presented:

 As of September 30, Change 
 2017 2016 (Percent) 
 (in thousands)   
PDN Network Registered Users (1)  9,975   8,951   11.4%
NAPW Network Total Membership (2)  952   880   8.2%

  As of March 31,  Change 
  2019  2018  (Percent) 
  (in thousands)    
PDN Network Registered Users (1)  10,695   10,529   1.6%
NAPW Network Total Membership (2)  952   955   (0.3)%

(1)
The number of registered users may be higher than the number of actual users due to various factors. For more information, seeRisk Factors—TheFactors page #18 —The reported number of our registered users is higher than the number of actual individual users, and a substantial majority of our visits are generated by a minority of our users” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162018 (the “Annual“2018 Annual Report”) as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2019).
(2)Includes both Paid Members and Unpaid Members. There were 9,000, and 22,000 Paid Members as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

19


Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Adjusted EBITDA

We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides a meaningful representation of our operating performance that provides useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used by financial analysts and others to measure operating performance. Furthermore, management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure may provide investors with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods as they are expected to be reflective of our core ongoing business. However, while we consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an important measure of operating performance, Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Further, Adjusted EBITDA, as we define it, may not be comparable to EBITDA, or similarly titled measures, as defined by other companies.


The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Loss from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA, the most directly comparable GAAP measure reported in our consolidated financial statements:

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
  (in thousands)       
Net loss $(2,488) $(1,273) $(17,665) $(3,519)
Stock-based compensation expense  146   118   731   218 
Goodwill impairment charge  -   -   9,920   - 
Litigation Settlement  155   -   155   500 
Gain on lease cancellation  -   -   -   (424)
Depreciation and amortization  807   820   2,444   2,498 
Change in fair value of Warrant Liability  -   401   -   401 
Interest Expense  -   216   12   217 
Interest and other income  (4)  -   (9)  (1)
Income tax benefit  (213)  (624)  (1,160)  (1,218)
Adjusted EBITDA $(1,597) $(342) $(5,572) $(1,328)

  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (in thousands) 
Loss from Continuing Operations $(1,145) $(1,825)
Stock-based compensation expense  8   118 
Depreciation and amortization  221   680 
Interest Expense  8   - 
Interest and other income  -   (1)
Income tax expense (benefit)  (66)  (249)
Adjusted EBITDA $(974) $(1,277)

Results of Operations

Revenues


Total Revenues

The following tables settable sets forth our revenues for the periodsperiod presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 Three Months Ended     
 September 30, Change Change 
 2017 2016 (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)     
Revenues        
Membership fees and related services $2,205  $3,748  $(1,543)  (41.2)%
Lead generation  1,370   1,554   (184)  (11.8)%
Recruitment services  694   955   (261)  (27.3)%
Products sales and other  18   53   (35)  (66.0)%
Education and training  69   -   69   100.0%
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  65   50   15   30.0%
Total revenues $4,421  $6,360  $(1,939)  (30.5)%
20

 Nine Months Ended     
 September 30, Change Change 
 2017 2016 (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)     
Revenues        
Membership fees and related services $7,465  $13,048  $(5,583)  (42.8)%
Lead generation  4,699   4,490   209   4.7%
Recruitment services  1,977   2,295   (318)  (13.9)%
Products sales and other  91   544   (453)  (83.3)%
Education and training  899   -   899   100.0%
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  189   177   12   6.8%
Total revenues $15,320  $20,554  $(5,234)  (25.5)%

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change  Change 
  2019  2018  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
  (in thousands)       
Revenues:                
Membership fees and related services $829  $1,612  $(783)  (48.6)%
Recruitment services  474   621   (147)  (23.7)%
Products sales and other  3   4   (1)  (25.0)%
Education and training  4   6   (2)  (33.3)%
Consumer advertising and marketing solutions  36   70   (34)  (48.6)%
Total revenues $1,346  $2,313  $(967)  (41.8)%

Total revenues decreased $1,939,000,$967,000, or 30.5%41.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same prior year period, and $5,234,000, or 25.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, compared to the same prior year period, due primarily to decrease in membership fees and products sales as the management focusesmanagement’s focus on cost reduction efforts, including the reduction in sales and operations workforce as a means to improved efficiencies and operational effectiveness while rebranding the salesforce.

business.

Revenues by Segment

The following table sets forth each operating segment’s revenues for the periodsperiod presented. The period-to-period comparison is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 Three Months Ended     
 September 30, Change Change 
 2017  2016 (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)     
NAPW Network $2,223  $3,801  $(1,578)  (41.5)%
PDN Network  759   1,005   (246)  (24.5)%
Noble Voice  1,370   1,554   (184)  (11.8)%
China  69   -   69   100.0%
Total revenues $4,421  $6,360  $(1,939)  (30.5)%
 Nine Months Ended     
 September 30, Change Change 
 2017  2016 (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)     
NAPW Network $7,556  $13,592  $(6,036)  (44.4)%
PDN Network  2,166   2,472   (306)  (12.4)%
Noble Voice  4,699   4,490   209   4.7%
China  899   -   899   100.0%
Total revenues $15,320  $20,554  $(5,234)  (25.5)%
21

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change  Change 
  2019  2018  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
  (in thousands)       
NAPW Network $797  $1,554  $(756)  (48.7)%
PDN Network  510   691   (181)  (26.2)%
China  39   69   (30)  (43.5)%
Total revenues $1,346  $2,313  $(967)  (41.8)%

During the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our NAPW Network generated $2,223,000$797,000 in revenue from membership fees and related services and product sales, compared to $3,801,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $1,578,000, or 41.5%.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, our NAPW Network generated $7,556,000 in revenue from membership fees and related services and product sales and other, compared to $13,592,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $6,036,000, or 44.4%. The decrease was mainly attributable to reductions of the NAPW sales staff while the Company re-tooled its lead-generation and other marketing activities and replaced and re-trained sales staff on new sales practices we expect to lead to improved long-term productivity.  During the third quarter, the Company formed a transition team and tasked the team on transitioning NAPW to long-term profitability. The core transition team’s objections are to increase the value for members, enhance membership sales productivity and to develop new methods of deriving revenue. To date the transition team has revamped membership outreach, new membership marketing and reducing indirect labor costs. In 2018 the Company will be investing in increasing women’s networking membership sales and expanding from NAPW (National Association of Professional Women), a national organization to IAW (International Association of Women), an international women’s networking organization. The Company believes that in a global market place, the IAW organization can offer all the value of today’s NAPW and add an international platform to enhance membership value.

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, our PDN Network generated $759,000 in revenue, compared to $1,005,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $246,000, or 24.5%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, our PDN Network generated $2,166,000 in revenue, compared to $2,472,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $306,000, or 12.4%. While Q1 2017 saw a modest uptick in sales and revenue generation over the prior year’s performance, Q2, and Q3 experienced a decline.  The sales team experienced a reduction in staff with a corresponding drop in revenue generation.  Additionally, sales strategy and operational changes implemented in Q2 are expected to result in an increase in revenue during Q4 and beyond.
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, our Noble Voice business generated $1,370,000 of lead generation revenue, compared to $1,554,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $184,000$756,000, or 11.8%48.7%. The decrease was caused by an unexpected lossmainly attributable to reductions in NAPW sales staff from 19 sales representatives on average during the first three months of 2018 to 7 sales representatives on average during the first three months of 2019. As a part of rebranding the NAPW business, partner at the end of Q2, which disrupted our businessCompany also re-tooled its lead-generation and resulted in a reduction in staff while the business re-strategized. other marketing activities.

During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our Noble Voice businessPDN Network generated $4,699,000 of lead generation$510,000 in revenue, compared to $4,490,000$691,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increasea decrease of $209,000$181,000, or 4.7%26.2%. The increasedecrease was mainly attributablea result of lower sales staffing and resources in 2019 compared to 2018. We anticipate more robust sales increase in the firstlatter half of 2017 due to an improvement in the private education marketplace, coupled with strategic internal initiatives to increase volume and better lead quality.


We started our operations in China in Q1 2017. year.

During the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our China Operations generated $39,000 in revenue, compared to $69,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of revenue. During$30,000 or 43.6%. We did not hold any major paid events in the ninefirst three months ended September 30, 2017, China Operations generated $899,000 of revenue. During the third quarter of 2017, we developed 18 IAW members with total membership fees of $278,000, which we recognize ratably over the membership period (ranging from 122019 as most our efforts were devoted to 36 months).

future business development.

Costs and Expenses

The following tables settable sets forth our costs and expenses for the periodsperiod presented. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results.


 Three Months Ended     
 September 30, Change Change 
 2017 2016 (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)     
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of revenue$658 $745 $(87) (11.7)%
Sales and marketing 2,276  3,064  (788) (25.7)%
General and administrative 3,237  3,011  226  7.5%
Litigation settlement 155  -  155  100.0%
Depreciation and amortization 807  820  (13) (1.6)%
Total costs and expenses$7,133 $7,640 $(507) (6.6)%
22

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change  Change 
  2019  2018  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
  (in thousands)       
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of revenue $189  $286  $(97)  (33.9)%
Sales and marketing  781   1,093   (312)  (28.5)%
General and administrative  1,359   2,351   (992)  (42.2)%
Depreciation and amortization  221   680   (459)  (67.5)%
Total costs and expenses $2,550  $4,410  $(1,860)  (42.2)%

During the first three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, total costs and expenses were $7,133,000,$2,550,000, compared to $7,640,000$4,410,000 for same period in the prior year, a decrease of $507,000$1,860,000 or 6.6%42.2%. The decrease is mainly attributable to $788,000primarily the result of $992,000 or 25.7%42.2% decrease in general and administrative expenses, a $459,000 or 67.5% decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses, and a $312,000, or 28.5% decrease in sales and marketing expense mostly due to reduction in sales force, a decrease of $87,000 or 11.7% in cost of revenue, and a slight decrease of $13,000 or 1.6% in depreciation and amortization. The decrease in expenses was partially offset by an decrease of $226,000 or 7.5% in general and administrative expense, and $155,000 litigation settlement expenses in Q3 2017, of which $146,000 was accrued for the potential back pay related to the “NLRB” legal proceeding (please refer to “Legal Proceedings” for details).


 Nine Months Ended     
 September 30, Change Change 
 2017 2016 (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)     
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of revenue$2,193 $2,434 $(241) (9.9)%
Sales and marketing 8,115  10,314  (2,199) (21.3)%
General and administrative 11,323  8,928  2,395  26.8%
Litigation settlement 155  500  (345) (69.0)%
Goodwill impairment charge 9,920  -  9,920  100.0%
Depreciation and amortization 2,444  2,498  (54) (2.2)%
Total costs and expenses$34,150 $24,674 $9,476  38.4%
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, total costs and expenses were $34,150,000, compared to $24,674,000 for the same period in the prior year, and increase of $9,476,000, or 38.4%. The increase is primarily a result of goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000, an increase of $2,395,000 or 26.8% in general and administrative expense, partially offset by a decrease of $2,199,000 or 21.3% in sales and marketing, a decrease of $345,000 litigation settlement, a decrease of $241,000 or 9.9% in cost of revenue and a decrease of $54,000 or 2.2% in depreciation and amortization.

expenses.

Operating Expenses

Cost of revenue: Cost of revenues decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 were $658,000,March 31, 2019 to $189,000, compared to $745,000$286,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $87,000,$97,000, or 11.7%, mainly attributable to a33.9%. The decrease of $85,000 isin the PDN segmenttandem with lower revenues.

Sales and a decrease of $44,000 in the Noble Voice segment due to decline in revenue, partially offset by an increase of $70,000 related to our China Operations that was launched in March 2017. Cost of revenuesmarketing expenses: Sales and marketing expenses during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 were $2,193,000,$781,000, compared to $2,434,000$1,093,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $241,000,$312,000, or 9.9%, mainly28.5%. The decrease was mostly attributable to a decrease of $271,000 in the PDN segment as a result of improved efficiencies in spending, and a decrease of $221,000 in the Noble Voice segment as a result of improved efficiencies$130,000 reduction in lead data sourcingspending in our NAPW segment, $109,000 decrease in personnel cost due to sales force reduction in our NAPW segment, a $73,000 reduction in sales commission expenses, and spending, partially offset by an increase of $338,000 related to our China Operations that was launched in March 2017.


overall better marketing cost management.

SalesGeneral and marketing expenseadministrative expenses: SalesGeneral and marketing expense duringadministrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 were $2,276,000,$1,359,000, compared to $3,064,000$2,351,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $788,000,$992,000 or 25.7%42.2%. SalesThe decrease was mainly attributable to a $314,000 reduction in personnel costs, a $207,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and marketing duringexecuted a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment in 2018, and a $110,000 decrease in stock based compensation expenses, and $102,000 reduction in audit related expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expenses: Depreciation and amortization expenses for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 were $8,115,000,$221,000, compared to $10,314,000$680,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $2,199,000,$459,000 or 21.3%67.5%. The decreasesdecrease was mainly a result of $2,796,000 impairment charge against long-lived intangible assets in our NAPW segment that the Company recorded in fourth quarter of 2018. Amortization of the intangible assets is listed in Note 5 on page 10 of this quarterly report.

Costs and Expenses by Segment

The following table sets forth each operating segment’s costs and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are primarily due to reduction in the period presented. The period-to-period comparison is not necessarily indicative of future results.

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change  Change 
  2019  2018  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
  (in thousands)       
NAPW Network $905  $2,320  $(1,415)  (61.0)%
PDN Network  681   758   (77)  (10.2)%
China  374   420   (46)  (11.0)%
Corporate Overhead  588   913   (325)  (35.6)%
Total costs and expenses $2,548  $4,411  $(1,863)  (42.2)%

NAPW segment sales force from 64 sales representatives as of September 30, 2016 to 51 as of September 30, 2017. 

General and administrative expense: General and administrative expense forNetwork:During the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $3,237,000,March 31, 2019, total costs and expenses in our NAPW segment were $905,000, compared to $3,011,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of 226,000 or 7.5%. The increase was mainly attributable to a $268,000 general and administrative expense related to our China Operations that were launched in March 2017, a $183,000 rent liability accrual related to the unused space at our Garden City office related to NAPW segment, a $183,000 severance accrual for reduction in force in NAPW segment, and a $115,000 increase in compensation to independent board directors. This was partially offset by a $106,000 decrease in credit card fees due to lower sales and lower credit card rates, a $101,000 decrease in legal expenses, an $83,000 decrease in salaries and benefits, an $83,000 decrease in corporate insurance expenses, and a $52,000 decrease in consulting fees. General and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $11,323,000, compared to $8,928,000 for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $2,395,000 or 26.8%. The increase was mainly attributable to a $774,000 increase related to our China Operations that was launched in March 2017, a $616,000 increase in legal fees, a $514,000 increase in stock based compensation, a gain on lease cancellation of $424,000 related to the closing of its Los Angeles, CA office recorded in prior year, and a $364,000 increase in compensation to independent board directors. This was partially offset by a $253,000 decrease in credit card fees due to lower sales volume, and a $92,000 decrease in professional fees.
Litigation settlement: Litigation settlement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 represents primarily $146,000 expense that was accrued for the potential back-pay related to the “NLRB” legal proceeding (please refer to “Legal Proceedings” for details). Litigation settlement for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 represents the expense related to a $500,000 settlement of a class action lawsuit that was recorded during the first quarter of 2016.
Goodwill impairment charge: As a result of the recurring operating losses incurred in NAPW since its acquisition in September 2014, the Company undertook a review of the carrying amount of its goodwill as of June 30, 2017. Accordingly, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. No goodwill impairment charge was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Depreciation and amortization expense: Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $807,000, compared to $820,000$2,320,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $13,000$1,415,000 or 1.6%61.0%. Depreciation andThe decrease was a result of a $436,000 decrease in amortization expense of long-lived intangible assets as a result of $2,796,000 impairment charge the Company recorded in fourth quarter of 2018, a $342,000 decrease in personnel costs, a $207,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and executed a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment in 2018, and a $130,000 reduction in lead generation spending.

PDN Network: During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 was $2,444,000,March 31, 2019, total costs and expenses in our PDN segment were $681,000, compared to $2,498,000$758,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $54,000$77,000, or 2.2%10.2%. The decrease was primarily cost of revenues and was in tandem with lower revenues.

China Operations: During the three months ended March 31, 2019, total costs and expenses in our China operations were $374,000, compared to $420,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $46,000 or 11.0%. The primary reason for the decrease in cost of sales was lower revenues.

Corporate Overhead: During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, total costs and expenses incurred by our Corporate Overhead segment were $588,000, compared to $913,000 for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $325,000 or 35.6%. The decrease was mainly attributable toprimarily a result of $110,000 decrease in stock based compensation expenses, and $102,000 reduction in amortization expense resulting from the amortization of the capitalized technology costs.

audit related expenses.

23


Income Tax Benefit

 Three Months Ended       
 September 30,  Change Change 
 2017  2016  (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)       
Total$(213) $(624) $411  (65.9)%

 Nine Months Ended      
 September 30,  Change Change 
 2017  2016  (Dollars) (Percent) 
 (in thousands)      
Total$(1,160) $(1,218) $58  (4.8)%

Expense (Benefit)

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change  Change 
  2019  2018  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
  (in thousands)       
Total $(66) $(249) $183   (73.5)%

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 was 7.9%5.4% and 32.9%12.0%, respectively, resulting in a $213,000$66,000, and $624,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 6.2% and 25.7%, respectively, resulting in a $1,160,000 and $1,218,000$249,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, is mainly attributable to the changedecrease in the valuation allowance. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, comparedrates pursuant to the nine months ended September 30, 2017, is mainly attributable to theU.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, an impairment charge recognized on NAPW’s goodwill, and the change in the valuation allowance. In assessingallowance and the realizability of deferredforeign tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all ofrate differential due to the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.Company’s China Operations. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the consideration of these items, management has determined that enough uncertainty exists relative to the realization of the deferred income tax asset balances to warrant the application of a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016.

2018.

Net Loss

from Continuing Operations by Segment

The following table sets forth each operating segment’s net loss from continuing operations for the periods presented. The period-to-period comparison is not necessarily indicative of future results.

 Three Months Ended       
 September 30,  Change  Change 
 2017  2016  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
 (in thousands)       
NAPW Network$$(1,528) $(604) $(924)  153.0%
PDN Network (218)  (513)  295   (57.5)%
Noble Voice (419)  (156)  (263)  168.6%
China (324)  -   (324)  100.0%
Consolidated Net Loss$(2,489) $(1,273) $(1,216)  95.5%

 Nine Months Ended       
 September 30,  Change  Change 
 2017  2016  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
 (in thousands)       
NAPW Network$(14,026) $(1,616) $(12,410)  767.9%
PDN Network (1,865)  (1,083)  (782)  72.2%
Noble Voice (1,358)  (820)  (538)  65.6%
China (417)  -   (417)  100.0%
Consolidated Net Loss$(17,666) $(3,519) $(14,147)  402.0%

24

  Three Months Ended       
  March 31,  Change  Change 
  2019  2018  (Dollars)  (Percent) 
  (in thousands)       
NAPW Network $(100) $(656) $556   (84.7)%
PDN Network  (161)  (53)  (108)  205.8%
China  (340)  (334)  (6)  

1.8

%
Corporate Overhead  (544)  (782)  238   (30.4)%
Consolidated Net Loss from continuing operations $(1,145) $(1,825) $680   (37.3)%

As the result of the factors discussed above, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 we incurred $2,489,000 and $17,666,000 respectively,a net loss from continuing operations of net losses, an increase (decrease)$1,145,000, a decrease of 95.5% and 402.0%37.3% from net loss from continuing operations of $1,273,000 and $3,519,000$1,825,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. March 31, 2018. The $1,216,000 increase$680,000 decrease in net loss was primarily driven by a $992,000 decrease in general and administrative expenses, a $459,000 decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses, and a $312,000 decrease in sales and marketing expenses, partially offset by a $756,000 decrease in revenue from membership fees, related services at our NAPW segment.

NAPW Network. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, our NAPW segment incurred a net loss of $100,000, compared to a net loss of $656,000 for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018. The $556,000 decrease in net loss was a result of continued cost cutting efforts that began in the third quarter of 2017, was primarily driven bymainly reduction in the work force that resulted in a $342,000 decrease of $1,578,000 in personnel costs, a $207,000 reduction in rent expenses because we centralized our US operations in Chicago and executed a work-from-home model for certain employees at our NAPW segment revenues from membership fees, related servicesin 2018, a $130,000 reduction in lead generation spending, and product sales period-over-period,a $436,000 decrease in amortization expense of long-lived intangible assets as a result of $2,796,000 impairment charge the Company recorded in fourth quarter of 2018, partially offset by a $756,000 decrease in revenues from membership fees.

PDN Network. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, our PDN segment generated a net loss of $788,000 in overall sales and marketing expenses.$161,000, compared to a net loss of $53,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The $14,147,000 increase in net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017of $108,000 was primarily driven bymainly due to a $181,000 decrease in revenues as a result of $6,036,000lower sales staffing and resources in NAPW segment revenues from membership fees, related services and product sales period-over-period, along with NAPW segment goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000, and an increase of $2,395,000 in overall general and administrative expenses,2019 compared to 2018, partially offset by a decreaselower costs and expenses by $77,000, mainly cost of $2,199,000 in overall sales and marketing expenses.revenues.


China Operations.During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, weMarch 31, 2019, our China Operations incurred a net loss of $1,528,000 and $14,026,000, respectively, attributable$340,000, compared to the NAPW Network segment, compared toa net loss of $604,000 and $1,616,000$334,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.same period in the prior year. The increase in net loss of $6,000 was mainly a result of a $30,000 decrease in revenue, partially offset by lower cost of revenues.

Corporate Overhead. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, our Corporate Overhead segment incurred a net loss of $544,000, compared to a net loss of $782,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily driven by aMarch 31, 2018. In the first quarter of 2019 we continued our efforts to reduce corporate level expenses, such as $110,000 decrease of $1,578,000 in NAPW segment revenues from membership fees, related services and product sales period-over-period, partially offset by a decrease of $734,000 in sales and marketing expenses. The $12,410,000 increase in net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily driven by a decrease of $6,036,000 in NAPW segment revenues from membership fees, related services and product sales period-over-period, along with NAPW segment goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000, and partially offset by a decrease of $2,479,000 in sales and marketing expenses.



During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred a net loss of $218,000, attributable to the PDN Network segment, compared to net loss of $513,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016, a decrease of $295,000, or 57.5%. The decrease in net loss is mainly a result of $216,000 interest expense, and a loss of $401,000 as a result of change in fair value of warrant liability, both recorded during three months ended September 30, 2016, partially offset by a $246,000 decrease in revenues. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred a net loss of $1,865,000, compared to net loss of $1,083,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, an increase of $782,000, or 72.2%. The increase in net loss was primarily attributable to $616,000 increase in non recurring legal expense, $513,000 increase in stock based compensation along with a $306,000 decreaseexpenses, $102,000 reduction in revenues, partially offset by a $216,000 interest expense,audit related expenses, and $401,000 change$24,000 reduction in fair value of warrant liability, both recorded during three months ended September 30, 2016.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred a net loss of $419,000 and $1,358,000, respectively, attributable to the Noble Voice segment, compared to $156,000 and $820,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The increase in net loss was primarily attributable to by higher corporate overhead allocation.salaries expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table summarizes our liquidity and capital resources as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively, and is intended to supplement the more detailed discussion that follows:

 September 30,  December 31, 
2017  2016 
 (in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents$2,822  $6,069 
Working capital (deficiency)$(1,475) $1,000 

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents $794  $1,442 
Working (deficiency) capital $(4,301) $(3,384)

Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from the recent issuances of Common Stockcommon stock to CFL.CFL and other investors. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, we had working capital (deficiency)deficiency of approximately $(1,475,000)$4,301,000 and $1,000,000.$3,384,000. During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we generated a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $17,665,000 (including a non-cash impairment charge of $9,920,000),$1,145,000 used cash in continuing operations of approximately $6,454,000, which includes $1,450,000 paid to LinkedIn related to litigation that was settled in 2016,$1,079,000, and we expect that we will continue to generate operating losses for the foreseeable future.


We areThese conditions raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan, raise capital, and generate revenues. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

The Company is closely monitoring operating costs and capital requirementsrequirements. Management of the Company also made efforts in 2018 and have developed anfirst quarter of 2019 to contain and reduce cost, including terminating non-performing employees and eliminating certain positions, replacing and negotiating with certain vendors, implementing a new approval process over travel and other expenses, and significantly reducing the cash compensation for independent board directors. We also sold our Noble Voice business on May 25, 2018 to reduce operating plan for 2017. We have had cost reductionslosses and cash burns. If we are still not successful in the areassufficiently reducing our costs, we may then need to dispose of staffing levels and operating budgets.

our other assets or discontinue business lines.

On November 7, 2016,16, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility agreement with GNet Tech Holdings, a related party through one of the Company’s shareholders, Cosmic Forward Limited (“CFL”), that matures on May 31, 2020, under which we consummatedcan draw up to GBP £1,500,000 (approximately $2,000,000). Interest is payable on any outstanding principal balance at a rate equal to the issuance and saleLIBOR rate plus 4%. Amounts drawn under this facility are payable at the end of 1,777,417one, three, or six months periods at the election of the Company. At December 31, 2018, there were no outstanding amounts drawn under this facility. At May 15, 2019, approximately $1,707,000 was available for us to draw.

From January 9, 2019 to April 2, 2019, the Company sold an aggregate of 232,515 shares of Common Stock to CFL,its common stock at a purchase price ranging from $1.146 to $3.85 per share, representing 120% of $9.60 per share. Wethe closing price the trading day immediately prior to the date of subscription. As of the date of this annual report, the Company has received totalan aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $17.1 million from$479,931 under this private placement. All of the Share Issuance, or $14.1 million after giving effect topurchasers are citizens of the payment for 312,500 sharesPeople’s Republic of Common Stock tendered and not withdrawn in the Tender Offer. We received approximately $9.0 million in net proceeds from the Share Issuance, after repayment of outstanding indebtedness and the payment of transaction-related expenses at the closing.

25

On January 18, 2017, we sold 312,500 shares of Common Stock to CFL at a price of $9.60 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,000,000, or $2,821,000 after giving effect to the payment of transaction-related expenses.

China.

We currently anticipate that our available funds and cash generatedflow from operations will may not be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements through Novemberfor the twelve months subsequent to the issuance of 2018.  Sinceour financial statements. In order to fund its operations, the Company expectswill need to either raise capital by issuance of stock, or utilize a revolving credit facility with GNet; However, there can be no assurances that itour business plans and actions will continue tobe successful, that we will generate operating losses for the mid-term, the Company mayanticipated revenues, or that unforeseen circumstances will not require additional funding sources in the future or need to further decrease expenses in ordereffectuate plans to conserve liquidity. Future efforts to raise additional funds may not be successful or they may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.


In addition, due to China’s foreign currency control, the Company cannot move money between China and the USA freely. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulate the flow of foreign exchange in and out of the country strictly. We need to get approval from Chinese government to move money from China to the U.S. which might take extra time.

We collect NAPW Network membership fees generally at the commencement of the membership term or at renewal periods thereafter. The memberships we sell are for one year and we defer recognition of the revenue from membership sales and renewals and recognize it ratably over the twelve month period. Starting January 2, 2018, we also offer a monthly membership for IAW in the USA for which we collect a fee on a monthly basis. Our PDN Network also sells recruitment services to employers, generally on a one year contract basis. This revenue is also deferred and recognized over the life of the contract. Our payment terms for PDN Network and Noble Voice customers range from 30 to 60 days. We consider the difference between the payment terms and payment receipts a result of transit time for invoice and payment processing and to date have not experienced any liquidity issues as a result of the payments extending past the specified terms. Cash and cash equivalents and short term investments consist primarily of cash on deposit with banks and investments in money market funds, corporate and municipal debt and U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities.

 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 
 2017  2016 
 (in thousands) 
Cash provided by (used in):     
Operating activities$(6,454) $(2,489)
Investing activities (294)  694 
Financing activities 3,502   239 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents (1)  - 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents$(3,247) $(1,556)

  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2019  2018 
  (in thousands) 
Cash provided by (used in) continuing operations        
Operating activities $(1,079) $(1,568)
Investing activities  (3)  (15)
Financing activities  373   1,487 
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents  20  87 
Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations:        
Operating activities  41   (196)
Investing activities  -   (13)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $(648) $(218)

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities


For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, net cash used in operating activities in continuing operations was $6,454,000.$1,079,000. We had a net loss of $17,665,000, a$1,145,000, payments of lease obligations of $94,000, and deferred income tax benefit of $1,160,000,$66,000 which was offset by non-cash NAPW goodwill impairment charge of $9,920,000, depreciation and amortization of $2,444,000 and$221,000, amortization of leases of $86,000, stock-based compensation expense of $731,000.$8,000, accretion of lease liability of $4,000 and a write off of equipment of $1,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $879,000$95,000 of cash during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, consisting primarily of decreases in accounts payable and deferred revenue, and accounts payable,increase in prepayments, partially offset by increases in accrued expenses and decreasesdecrease in accounts receivable, and prepayments.

increase in accrued expenses.

Net cash used in operating activities in continuing operations for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2018 was $2,489,000.$1,568,000. We had a net loss of $3,519,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016,$1,825,000, a deferred tax benefit of $1,218,000 and a gain on lease cancellation of $424,000,$59,000 which were partiallywas offset by non-cash depreciation and amortization of $2,498,000, an increase in the fair value of warrant liabilities of $401,000,$680,000, stock-based compensation expense of $218,000$118,000, write off of property and deferred financing cost amortizationequipment of $157,000.$52,000, and provision for bad debt of $1,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities used $601,000$535,000 of cash during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2018, consisting primarily of decreases in accrued expenses, and deferred revenue, and increased prepaid expensesincrease in prepayments, partially offset by increasesdecreases in accrued expenses.


accounts receivable.

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities in continuing operations for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was $294,000,$3,000, mainly consisting of $123,000 investedsecurity deposits.

Net cash used in investing activities in continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $15,000, mainly consisting of investments to develop technology, $154,000 in purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by $18,000 of returned security deposits.


Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $694,000, consisting of $500,000 of proceeds from the maturities of short-term investments and $194,000 of returned security deposits.
new technology.

26


Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities in continuing operations during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was $3,502,000,$373,000, consisting of $373,000 in gross proceeds from sale of 203,963 shares of common stock at a purchase price ranging from $1.42 to $3.85 per share, representing 120% of the $3,000,000closing price the trading day immediately prior to the date of subscription to citizens of the People’s Republic of China.

Net cash provided by financing activities in continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $1,487,000, consisting of $1,487,000 in gross proceeds from the January 18, 201729, 2018 issuance $646,000 refundand sale of merchant reserve, partially offset by380,295 shares of common stock at a price of $3.91 per share to Mr. Shengqi Cai, an individual and a resident of the $144,000 paymentPeople’s Republic of offering costs to third-party professionals.


China.

Net Cash Used in Discontinued Operations

On May 25, 2018 we sold our Noble Voice operations.

Net cash provided by financingoperating activities duringin discontinued operations for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2019 was $239,000, consisting of $1,943,000 of proceeds drawn on our Master Credit Facility, partially offset by $488,000 of costs related to securing that facility, payment of $1,049,000 of costs related to$41,000.

Net cash used in operating activities in discontinued operations for the CFL Transaction and $166,000 due tothree months ended March 31, 2018 was $196,000.

Net cash used in investing activities in discontinued operations for the increase in the merchant reserve for NAPW Network.

three months ended March 31, 2018 was $13,000.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Since inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet activities as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303(a)(4).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Pursuant to the provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), as an “emerging growth company,” we may delay adoption of new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until the earlier of the date that (i) we are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period for complying with such new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our consolidated financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. Upon issuance of new or revised accounting standards that apply to our consolidated financial statements, we will disclose the date on which adoption is required for non-emerging growth companies and the date on which we will adopt the recently issued accounting guidelines.

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to exercise considerable judgment with respect to establishing sound accounting policies and in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, our recognition of revenues and expenses, and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the consolidated financial statements.

We base our estimates on our historical experience, knowledge of our business and industry, current and expected economic conditions, the attributes of our products, the regulatory environment, and in certain cases, the results of outside appraisals. We periodically re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions with respect to these judgments and modify our approach when circumstances indicate that modifications are necessary. These estimates and assumptions form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

While we believe that the factors we evaluate provide us with a meaningful basis for establishing and applying sound accounting policies, we cannot guarantee that the results will always be accurate. Since the determination of these estimates requires the exercise of judgment, actual results could differ from such estimates.

There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates described in the 20162018 Annual Report, which we believe are the most critical to our business and the understanding of our results of operations and affect the more significant judgments and estimates that we use in the preparation of our financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements concern expectations, beliefs, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Specifically, this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements regarding:

·our beliefs regarding our ability to create enhanced value for our members and customers;
·our beliefs regarding the relation between the number of members or registered users and our revenues;
·our expectations regarding future changes in our salesforce;
·our expectations regarding the changes in revenues in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2019;2020;
·our expectations regarding future increases in sales and marketing costs and general and administrative expenses; and
·our beliefs regarding our liquidity requirements, the availability of cash and capital resources to fund our business in the future and intended use of liquidity.
27

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

·our ability to raise funds in the future to support operations failure to realize synergies and other financial benefits from mergers and acquisitions within expected time frames, including increases in expected costs or difficulties related to integration of merger and acquisition partners;
·inability to identify and successfully negotiate and complete additional combinations with potential merger or acquisition partners or to successfully integrate such businesses;
·our history of operating losses;
·we may not be able to reverse the significant decline in our revenues;
·our limited operating history in a new and unproven market;
·increasing competition in the market for online professional networks;
·our ability to comply with increasing governmental regulation and other legal obligations related to privacy;
·our ability to adapt to changing technologies and social trends and preferences;
·our ability to attract and retain a sales and marketing team, management and other key personnel and the ability of that team to execute on the Company’s business strategies and plans;
·our ability to obtain and maintain protection for our intellectual property;
·any future litigation regarding our business, including intellectual property claims;
·general and economic business conditions; and
·legal and regulatory developments.

The foregoing list of important factors may not include all such factors. You should consult other disclosures made by the Company (such as in our other filings with the SEC or in company press releases) for additional factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the Company. Please refer to Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report and to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our 20162018 Annual Report for additional information regarding factors that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. You should consider these factors, risks and uncertainties when evaluating any forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements represent our views as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date of this Quarterly Report.

ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures; as is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange“Exchange Act”). We recognize that there are material weaknesses related to our internal controls. Therefore, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. This includes ensuring that information required to be disclosed was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Furthermore, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the third quarter of 2017,2018, we continued to undertake certain initiatives to improve and remediate material weaknesses related to our internal control over financial reporting that were identified for the year ended December 31, 2016.  We2018. Specifically, we continued making necessary changesimplementing policies to more fully segregate incompatible duties within our accounting and implementing new policies tofinancial reporting functions and enhance the overall internal control structure, including requiring pre-approvala more rigorous and transparent expense approval process, and segregating check signing ability for travelfinance personnel; we continued to implement more effective financial reporting process that included monthly and certain purchasesquarterly closing check-lists and ensuring employees are cross trained for certain key tasks.monthly review of the financial reports by the Company’s Finance Department. We also continued improving GAAP training of internal staff. There have been no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

28

Our management had concluded that, as of March 31, 2019, we did not maintain effective controls over the preparation, review, presentation and disclosure of our financial statements. Specifically, we noted the following:

Relevant operating information is not adequately used to develop accounting and financial information and serve as a basis for reliable financial reporting. This same operating information is also used as the basis for accounting estimates. Specifically, financial and nonfinancial indicators of going concern and impairment of assets were not completely assessed by management.
Debt agreements are not fully reviewed for appropriate classification of outstanding debt. Specifically, the revolving credit facility agreement repayment terms were not effectually considered by management.

We anticipate that the actions described above and resulting improvements in controls will strengthen the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and will, over time, address the related material weaknesses. However, because many of the controls in the Company’s system of internal controls rely extensively on manual review and approval, the successful operation of these controls may be required for several quarters prior to management being able to conclude that the material weaknesses have been remediated.

PART II

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company has previously disclosed that it and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to litigation captioned Gauri Ramnath, et al. v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., et al., No. BC604153 (Los Angeles Superior Ct.), a putative class action filed in January 2016 alleging violations of various California Labor Code (wage & hour) sections.  During the first quarter of 2016, the Company executed a settlement agreement, subject to later Court approval, in which the Company agreed in principle to pay $500,000 for a global settlement of the class action.  During the first quarter of 2016, the Company also recorded a litigation settlement expense in the amount of $500,000.  On November 28, 2016, the Court approved the proposed settlement.  In December of 2016 the Company paid the settlement amount in the Court’s fund and the third-party administrator began distributing payments to class members.   On August 2, 2017, the Court notified the parties that the case is “reported as complete without the need for a further status conference.” This matter is therefore concluded and will not be further reported.
The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to a proceeding captioned In re Professional Diversity Network, Cases 31-CA-159810 and 31-CA-162904, filed with the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) in June 2015 and alleging violations of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) against the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., where employee was allegedly terminated for asserting rights under Section 7 of the NLRA. While the Company disputes that any rights were impacted, the NLRB has issued its order requiring the Company to take certain remedial actions in the form of posting notices and revising certain policies, as well as to pay the claimant certain back pay and offer reinstatement. The Company has complied with the order in all respects except back pay and reinstatement. The Company disputes the amount of back pay owed to the claimant and disputes that reinstatement is appropriate under the circumstances and an evidentiary hearing on the issue of back pay is currently scheduled for January of 2018. The amount of back pay and other potential liabilities ordered by NLRB is $146,000.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Paul Sutcliffe v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 533-2016-00033 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) in April 2016 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, where employee was allegedly terminated due to his race (Caucasian) and his age (over 40). The EEOC has not yet notified the Company that it has issued a right-to-sue letter, and the complainant has not yet filed a lawsuit.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Wei Aniton v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 440-2017-04717 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on July 6, 2017 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, where employee alleges she was discriminated by the Company due to her race and her sex and was paid less than similarly situated white males. On September 20, 2017, the EEOC issued its Notice of Dismissal and Notice of Rights, effectively terminating this matter before the EEOC.

In a letter dated October 12, 2017, White Winston Select Asset Funds (“White Winston”) threatened assertion of a claimto assert claims against the Company.  The letter allegesCompany in excess of $2 million based on White Winston’s contention that White Winston suffered $2,241,958 in damages as a result of the Company’s alleged conduct that caused a delay indelayed White Winston’s ability to sell shares in the Company during a period when the Company’s stock price was generally falling. On April 30, 2018, White Winston filed a lawsuit, entitled White Winston Select Asset Funds, LLC, No. 18-cv-10844, (the “Federal Action”) in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, asserting federal jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship. The four-count complaint in the Federal Action alleged that White Winston is entitled to recover compensatory damages of $1,708,233, plus attorneys’ fees, treble damages and other amounts. White Winston served the complaint on July 12, 2018, and the Company moved to dismiss the entire action for failure to state a claim. On October 15, 2018, prior to addressing the motion to dismiss, the Court issued an order noting that White Winston (which is a limited liability company) had failed to allege the citizenship of its members and ordered White Winston to show cause that complete diversity exists between the parties and that the Court had jurisdiction. On October 23, 2018, White Winston dismissed the Federal Action without prejudice. On December 18, 2018, White Winston filed a complaint in Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County in Boston alleging the same claims and rights to relief as in the Federal Action. The Company has moved to once again to dismiss the complaint in its entirety for failure to state a claim. The entire motion package, comprised of the Company’s motion to dismiss and accompanying memorandum, White Winston’s opposition, and the Company’s reply brief, was filed with the court on Monday, March 25, 2019. The hearing on the motion to dismiss has been scheduled for May 29, 2019. The Company denies liability for all claims.

NAPW is a defendant in a Nassau County (NY) Supreme Court case, whereby TL Franklin Avenue Plaza LLC has sued NAPW with respect to NAPW’s former Garden City NY Premises. NAPW had surrendered the Premises to the Landlord, and the Landlord is suing NAPW for the balance of the rent due under the Lease Term – which term is less than one year remaining. The case is currently being litigated, and we are currently in the summary judgment phase of the litigation.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Gerbie, et al. v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Ill.), a putative class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. A settlement has been reached and case has been dismissed by the court. The Company believes that its practices and procedures were compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and admitted no fault.

NAPW and PDN are two of the named Respondents in a Superior Court of New Jersey Proceeding, and they are being sued by Shore Digital LLC. The Petitioner in this matter, Shore Digital LLC is alleging that both NAPW and PDN are in breach of contract, and the matter involves the payment of the entire value of the contract plus council feels, interest, and costs owing to the Petitioner. The case is settled and both parties have agreed to a Stipulation and Order of Dismissal.

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to a proceeding captioned Deborah Bayne, et al. vs. NAPW, Inc. and Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-3591 (E.D.N.Y.), filed in June of 2018 and alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and certain provisions of the New York Labor Law. The Company disputes that it or its subsidiary violated the applicable laws or that either entity has any such claim.

liability and intends to vigorously defend against these claims. The matter is in the final stages of discovery. The potential financial impact on the Company is inherently uncertain at this point.

The Company is a party to a proceeding captioned Jacqueline M. Jefferson v. Noble Voice, No. 440-2018-06979 (EEOC), filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on July 10, 2018 and alleging violations of Title VII and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, where an employee alleges she was terminated by the Company due to her age on May 25, 2018. Ms. Jefferson’s termination was as a result of the sale of the Noble Voice business on May 25, 2018. The EEOC has closed its file on this charge and we await to see if any private action will be filed by June 1, 2019.

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
The information presented below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report.
The proceeds from the January 2017 Share Issuance may not be sufficient to implement our productivity improvement initiatives.

We received net proceeds of approximately $2,856,000 from the January 18, 2017 Share Issuance, partially offset by approximately $144,000 in third-party professional fees.  We expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate and working capital purposes including to implement the productivity improvement initiatives that we have identified as key to our ability to deliver profitable growth over the long term.  We cannot be certain that the proceeds from the Share Issuance will be sufficient to implement all or any of the initiatives or that these initiatives will improve our short and long-term business performance or prospects. In the event that we cannot implement these initiatives or that these initiatives

Smaller reporting companies are not successful, we could again face liquidity and going concern issues, which could result in your losing your entire investment inrequired to provide the Company.

29

The Company is controlledinformation required by CFL, and CFL’s interests may differ from the interests of our other stockholders.

CFL beneficially owns 54.64% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully diluted basis.  Five out of nine members of our Board of Directors are nominated by CFL. CFL may not exercise its rights as our controlling stockholder in a manner consistent with the interests of our other stockholders. By virtue of its ownership of a majority of our Common Stock and the power to designate the majority of our Board of Directors, CFL is in a position to influence the Company’s actions for its own benefit.
Public sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock by CFL could cause our stock price to fall.

CFL beneficially owns 54.64% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully diluted basis.  Pursuant to the Stockholders’ Agreement, dated November 7, 2016, by and among  the Company, CFL and CFL shareholders, CFL, CFL shareholders and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “ CFL Group ”) are subject to a one-year lock-up with respect to all shares of Common Stock owned by members of the CFL Group, subject to certain exceptions.  However, after the one-year period, it may generally sell its shares in the public markets, subject to applicable securities laws.  Furthermore, we have granted CFL and the CFL shareholders certain registration rights that provide them the ability to register for resale, from time to time and in accordance with the terms of the registration rights agreement, all shares of Common Stock owned by members of the CFL Group, subject to certain exceptions.  Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our Common Stock and could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our Common Stock.
Because we have a majority stockholder, our public float is more limited which could impact your ability to sell your shares and could result in increased volatility in our stock price.
CFL beneficially owns 54.64% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock.  As a result, the trading volume of our Common Stock could be more limited than if our shares were more-widely held.  In addition, because we are a relatively small company, the range of investors willing to invest in our shares may be relatively limited. As a result of these factors, it may be more difficult for you to sell your shares of Common Stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate, and could increase the volatility of our stock price.
this item.

ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
We did not sell any equity securities

During the first quarter of 2019, the Company sold an aggregate of 203,963 shares of its common stock at a purchase price ranging from $1.42 to $3.85 per share, representing 120% of the closing price the trading day immediately prior to the date of subscription.

Subsequent to March 31, 2019, the Company sold an aggregate of 28,552 shares of its common stock at a purchase price ranging from $3.70 to $3.85 per share, representing 120% of the closing price the trading day immediately prior to the date of subscription.

As of the date of this quarterly report, the Company has received an aggregate gross proceeds of $479,931 under this private placement in transactions that were not registered2019. All of the purchasers are citizens of the People’s Republic of China.

The issuance of the above shares of common stock is exempt from registration due to the exemption found in Regulation S promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, during the three months ended September 30, 2017.

as amended.

ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS

31.1
  
31.2
  
32.1
  
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

30SIGNATURES


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY NETWORK, INC.
    
Date:            November 13, 2017           May 20, 2019By:/s/ Jiangping (Gary) XiaoXin (Adam) He
  Name:Jiangping (Gary) XiaoXin (Adam) He
  Title:

Chief Financial Officer

(On behalf of the Registrant and as principal financial

officer and principal accounting officer)

31


EXHIBIT INDEX

31.1
  
31.2
  
32.1
  
101.INS XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
32