UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31,June 30, 2021

[  ]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 1-12471

THEMAVEN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware68-0232575

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

225 Liberty Street 27th, 27th Floor

New York, New York

10281
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(212) 321-5002

(212) 321-5002

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
N/AN/AN/A

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 [  ] No[X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes [  ] No [X]

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 (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

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

If an emerging growth company, indicated 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 [  ] or No[X]

As of August 13, 2021, the Registrant had 263,441,879 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

 
 

Page

Number

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION14
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements14
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2228
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk2836
Item 4. Controls and Procedures2836
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION2937
Item 1. Legal Proceedings2937
Item 1A. Risk Factors2937
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds2937
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities3037
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures3037
Item 5. Other Information3037
Item 6. Exhibits3138
SIGNATURES3239

2

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) of theMaven, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and include, without limitation, statements concerning our business strategy, future revenues, market growth, capital requirements, product introductions, and expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding. Other statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are also forward-looking statements. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and other comparable terminology.

We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Quarterly Report, or that we may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, us. Such statements are based on assumptions, and the actual outcome will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements, which are based only on known results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends. Other risks are detailed by us in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in Item 1A., Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. The discussion in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

This Quarterly Report and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report.

This Quarterly Report is being filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as a late report to comply with the reporting obligations applicable to us under the Exchange Act. Unless specifically required to provide information for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the discussion of our business reflects our current assets and current operations. Where the information relates to the quarter ended March 31, 2021, we have made a reasonable effort herein to make that clear. Also, to be clear, the financial information in the condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes accompanying this Quarterly Report and the other financial information and management’s discussion about the condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the period for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

3

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Index to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

PAGE
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31,June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 202025
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - Three Months and Six Months Ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 202036
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficiency (Unaudited) - Three MonthsSix Ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 202047
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - ThreeSix Months Ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 202059
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)610

14

 

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  

June 30, 2021

(unaudited)

  December 31, 2020 
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $6,722,864  $9,033,872 
Restricted cash  500,809   500,809 
Accounts receivable, net  14,715,524   16,497,626 
Subscription acquisition costs, current portion  36,606,560   28,146,895 
Royalty fees, current portion  15,000,000   15,000,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  8,856,607   4,667,263 
Total current assets  82,402,364   73,846,465 
Property and equipment, net  1,092,030   1,129,438 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  17,918,322   18,292,196 
Platform development, net  8,056,575   7,355,608 
Royalty fees, net of current portion  3,750,000   11,250,000 
Subscription acquisition costs, net of current portion  18,682,545   13,358,585 
Acquired and other intangible assets, net  61,599,855   71,501,835 
Other long-term assets  1,451,897   1,330,812 
Goodwill  23,595,779   16,139,377 
Total assets $218,549,367  $214,204,316 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $8,232,790  $8,228,977 
Accrued expenses and other  17,745,191   14,718,193 
Line of credit  4,929,583   7,178,791 
Unearned revenue  71,898,175   61,625,676 
Subscription refund liability  4,772,991   4,035,531 
Operating lease liabilities  953,635   1,059,671 
Liquidated damages payable  10,932,094   9,568,091 
Warrant derivative liabilities  1,452,838   1,147,895 
Total current liabilities  120,917,297   107,562,825 
Unearned revenue, net of current portion  28,160,455   23,498,597 
Restricted stock liabilities, net of current portion  1,027,801   1,995,810 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  19,496,691   19,886,083 
Other long-term liabilities  1,050,284   753,365 
Deferred tax liabilities  807,659   210,832 
Long-term debt  61,110,728   62,194,272 
Total liabilities  232,570,915   216,101,784 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)  -   - 
Mezzanine equity:        
Series G redeemable and convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 1,800 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $168,496; Series G shares issued and outstanding: 168,496; common shares issuable upon conversion: 188,791 at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020  168,496   168,496 
Series H convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 23,000 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $19,597,000; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 19,597; common shares issuable upon conversion: 59,384,849 at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020  18,247,496   18,247,496 
Total mezzanine equity  18,415,992   18,415,992 
Stockholders’ deficiency:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 263,175,743 and 229,085,167 shares at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively  2,631,757   2,290,851 
Common stock to be issued  10,809   10,809 
Additional paid-in capital  173,313,043   139,658,166 
Accumulated deficit  (208,393,149)  (162,273,286)
Total stockholders’ deficiency  (32,437,540)  (20,313,460)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency $218,549,367  $214,204,316 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

5

 

  

March 31, 2021

(unaudited)

  December 31, 2020 
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $4,524,734  $9,033,872 
Restricted cash  500,809   500,809 
Accounts receivable, net  14,089,590   16,497,626 
Subscription acquisition costs, current portion  31,171,595   28,146,895 
Royalty fees, current portion  15,000,000   15,000,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  6,422,576   4,667,263 
Total current assets  71,709,304   73,846,465 
Property and equipment, net  1,117,403   1,129,438 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  18,108,197   18,292,196 
Platform development, net  7,463,671   7,355,608 
Royalty fees, net of current portion  7,500,000   11,250,000 
Subscription acquisition costs, net of current portion  18,682,545   13,358,585 
Acquired and other intangible assets, net  66,550,845   71,501,835 
Other long-term assets  1,568,502   1,330,812 
Goodwill  16,139,377   16,139,377 
Total assets $208,839,844  $214,204,316 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $10,148,600  $8,228,977 
Accrued expenses and other  16,735,761   14,718,193 
Line of credit  5,426,790   7,178,791 
Unearned revenue  65,863,189   61,625,676 
Subscription refund liability  4,772,991   4,035,531 
Operating lease liabilities  1,022,294   1,059,671 
Liquidated damages payable  9,822,725   9,568,091 
Warrant derivative liabilities  1,812,931   1,147,895 
Total current liabilities  115,605,281   107,562,825 
Unearned revenue, net of current portion  28,300,040   23,498,597 
Restricted stock liabilities, net of current portion  1,519,156   1,995,810 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  19,680,225   19,886,083 
Other long-term liabilities  597,678   753,365 
Deferred tax liabilities  

210,832

   

210,832

 
Long-term debt  64,754,198   62,194,272 
Total liabilities  230,667,410   216,101,784 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)        
Mezzanine equity:        
Series G redeemable and convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 1,800 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $168,496; Series G shares issued and outstanding: 168,496; common shares issuable upon conversion: 188,791 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020  168,496   168,496 
Series H convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 23,000 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $19,597,000; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 19,597; common shares issuable upon conversion: 59,384,849 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020  18,247,496   18,247,496 
Total mezzanine equity  18,415,992   18,415,992 
Stockholders’ deficiency:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 230,326,425 and 229,085,167 shares at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively  2,303,264   2,290,851 
Common stock to be issued  10,809   10,809 
Additional paid-in capital  145,178,960   139,658,166 
Accumulated deficit  (187,736,591)  (162,273,286)
Total stockholders�� deficiency  (40,243,558)  (20,313,460)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency $208,839,844  $214,204,316 

 

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

                 
  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
  2021  2020  2021  2020 
Revenue $34,746,512  $23,090,940  $68,361,993  $53,503,793 
Cost of revenue (includes amortization of developed technology and platform development for six months ended 2021 and 2020 of $4,324,357 and $4,259,333, respectively)  23,595,819   24,874,179   51,804,191   51,613,012 
Gross profit (loss)  11,150,693   (1,783,239)  16,557,802   1,890,781 
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  14,881,455   8,409,343   32,410,164   17,769,281 
General and administrative  15,567,647   7,270,511   21,206,477   17,680,716 
Depreciation and amortization  3,963,332   4,127,126   7,926,566   8,223,806 
Total operating expenses  34,412,434   19,806,980   61,543,207   43,673,803 
Loss from operations  (23,261,741)  (21,590,219)  (44,985,405)  (41,783,022)
Other (expense) income                
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  360,093   243,276   (304,943)  382,495 
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   2,922,000   -   4,543,000 
Interest expense  (2,362,709)  (4,116,407)  (5,182,680)  (7,916,135)
Interest income  471   1,640   471   3,383 
Liquidated damages  (1,109,369)  (621,619)  (1,364,003)  (1,167,674)
Gain upon debt extinguishment  5,716,697   -   5,716,697   - 
Total other expense  2,605,183   (1,571,110)  (1,134,458)  (4,154,931)
Loss before income taxes  (20,656,558)  (23,161,329)  (46,119,863)  (45,937,953)
Income taxes  -   -   -   - 
Net loss $(20,656,558) $(23,161,329) $(46,119,863) $(45,937,953)
Basic and diluted net loss per common stock $(0.09) $(0.59) $(0.20) $(1.17)
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding – basic and diluted  242,283,035   39,217,524   236,226,197   39,171,629 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

26

 

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONSSTOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

(unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

                             
  Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued  

Additional

    

Total

 
  Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  Paid-in

Capital

  Accumulated

Deficit

  

Stockholders’

Deficiency

 
Balance at January 1, 2021  229,085,167  $2,290,851   1,080,930  $10,809  $139,658,166  $(162,273,286) $(20,313,460)
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun                            
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun, shares                            
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  805,165   8,052   -   -   (8,052)  -   - 
Cashless exercise of common stock                            
Cashless exercise of common stock, shares                            
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Say Media                            
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Say Media, shares                            
Common stock withheld for taxes                            
Common stock withheld for taxes, shares                            
Repurchase restricted stock classified as liabilities  (133,068)  (1,331)  -   -   1,331   -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection private placement                            
Issuance of common stock in connection with private placement, shares                            
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  256,661   2,567   -   -   (2,567)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  312,500   3,125   -   -   121,875   -   125,000 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   5,408,207   -   5,408,207 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (25,463,305)  (25,463,305)
Balance at March 31, 2021  230,326,425   2,303,264   1,080,930   10,809   145,178,960   (187,736,591)  (40,243,558)
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun  4,285,714   42,857   -   -   (42,857)  -   - 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  82,158   822   -   -   (822)  -   - 
Cashless exercise of common stock  84,891   849   -   -   (849)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (48,952)  (490)  -   -   (40,630)  -   (41,120)
Repurchase of restricted stock classified as liabilities  (133,068)  (1,331)  -   -   1,331   -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with private placement  28,578,575   285,786   -   -   19,551,971   -   19,837,757 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   8,665,939   -   8,665,939 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (20,656,558)  (20,656,558)
Balance at June 30, 2021  263,175,743  $2,631,757   1,080,930  $10,809  $173,313,043  $(208,393,149) $(32,437,540)

7

 

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2021  2020 
Revenue $33,615,481  $30,412,853 
Cost of revenue (includes amortization of developed technology and platform development for 2021 and 2020 of $2,166,415 and $2,040,129, respectively)  28,208,372   26,738,833 
Gross profit  5,407,109   3,674,020 
Operating expenses        
Selling and marketing  17,528,709   9,359,938 
General and administrative  5,638,830   10,410,205 
Depreciation and amortization  3,963,234   4,096,680 
Total operating expenses  27,130,773   23,866,823 
Loss from operations  (21,723,664)  (20,192,803)
Other (expense) income        
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  (665,036)  139,219 
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   1,621,000 
Interest expense  (2,819,971)  (3,799,728)
Interest income  -   1,743 
Liquidated damages  (254,634)  (546,055)
Other  -   - 
Total other expense  (3,739,641)  (2,583,821)
Loss before income taxes  (25,463,305)  (22,776,624)
Income taxes  -   - 
Net loss $(25,463,305) $(22,776,624)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(0.11) $(0.59)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted  230,033,140   38,643,277 

 

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

(unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

  Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued  Additional     Total 
  Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  

Paid-in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  

Stockholders’
Deficiency

 
Balance at January 1, 2020  37,119,117  $371,190   3,938,287  $39,383  $35,562,766  $(73,041,323) $(37,067,984)
Issuance of restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   -   -   -   500,000   -   500,000 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  562,500   5,625   -   -   (5,625)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (206,881)  (2,069)  -   -   (167,412)  -   (169,481)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   3,930,172   -   3,930,172 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (22,776,624)  (22,776,624)
Balance at March 31, 2020  37,474,736  $374,746   3,938,287   39,383  $39,819,901  $(95,817,947) $(55,583,917)
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Say Media  1,350,394   13,504   (1,350,394)  (13,504)  -   -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (234,767)  (2,348)  -   -   (109,992)  -   (112,340)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   4,283,066   -   4,283,066 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (23,161,329)  (23,161,329)
Balance June 30, 2020  38,590,363  $385,902   2,587,893   25,879  $43,992,975  $(118,979,276) $(74,574,520)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

38

 

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCYCASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

         
  Six Months Ended June 30, 
  2021  2020 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(46,119,863) $(45,937,953)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation of property and equipment  219,726   396,966 
Amortization of platform development and intangible assets  12,031,197   12,086,173 
Gain upon debt extinguishment  (5,716,697)  - 
Amortization of debt discounts  1,000,882   3,206,982 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  304,943   (382,495)
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   (4,543,000)
Accrued interest  3,632,271   4,385,240 
Liquidated damages  1,364,003   1,167,674 
Stock-based compensation  13,215,394   7,343,575 
Other  (759,977)  (141,188)
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of business combination:        
Accounts receivable  4,375,402   5,852,029 
Subscription acquisition costs  (13,783,625)  (9,975,651)
Royalty fees  7,500,000   7,500,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  (4,059,777)  (156,872)
Other long-term assets  (121,085)  (714,062)
Accounts payable  3,813   (1,167,051)
Accrued expenses and other  1,714,013   (4,279,568)
Unearned revenue  14,934,357   6,806,829 
Subscription refund liability  737,460   133,677 
Operating lease liabilities  (404,173)  998,010 
Net cash used in operating activities  (9,931,736)  (17,420,685)
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of property and equipment  (182,318)  (1,065,223)
Capitalized platform development  (1,971,432)  (2,061,081)
Payments for acquisition of business, net of cash acquired  (7,056,949)  (315,289)
Net cash used in investing activities  (9,210,699)  (3,441,593)
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from long-term debt  -   11,702,725 
Borrowings (repayments) under line of credit  (2,249,208)  3,243,882 
Proceeds from common stock private placement  20,005,000   - 
Payments of issuance costs from common stock private placement  (167,243)  - 
Payment for taxes related to repurchase of restricted common stock  (41,120)  (281,821)
Payment of restricted stock liabilities  (716,002)  - 
Net cash provided by financing activities  16,831,427   14,664,786 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  (2,311,008)  (6,197,492)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of period  9,534,681   9,473,090 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of period $7,223,673  $3,275,598 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest $289,483  $323,913 
Cash paid for income taxes  -   - 
Noncash investing and financing activities        
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development $858,752  $869,663 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  125,000   - 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisition of The Spun  1,639,016   - 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of The Spun  1,500   - 
Debt discount on delayed draw term note  -   913,865 
Restricted stock units issued in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   500,000 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   140,381 

  Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued   Additional     Total 
  Shares  Par
Value
  Shares  Par
Value
  

Paid-in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  Stockholders’
Deficiency
 
Balance at January 1, 2021  229,085,167  $2,290,851   1,080,930  $10,809  $139,658,166  $(162,273,286) $(20,313,460)
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  805,165   8,052   -   -   (8,052)  -   - 
Repurchase restricted stock classified as liabilities  (133,068)  (1,331)  -   -   1,331   -   - 
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  

256,661

   

2,567

   -   -   

(2,567

)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  

312,500

   

3,125

   -   -   

121,875

   -   

125,000

 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   5,408,207   -   5,408,207 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (25,463,305)  (25,463,305)
Balance at March 31, 2021  

230,326,425

  $

2,303,264

   1,080,930  $10,809  $145,178,960  $(187,736,591) $(40,243,558)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

  Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued  Additional     Total 
  Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  

Paid-in
Capital

  Accumulated Deficit  Stockholders’
Deficiency
 
Balance at January 1, 2020  37,119,117  $371,190   3,938,287  $39,383  $35,562,766  $(73,041,323) $(37,067,984)
Issuance of restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   -   -   -   500,000   -   500,000 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  562,500   5,625   -   -   (5,625)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (206,881)  (2,069)  -   -   (167,412)  -   (169,481)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   3,930,172   -   3,930,172 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (22,776,624)  (22,776,624)
Balance at March 31, 2020  37,474,736  $374,746   3,938,287  $39,383  $39,819,901  $(95,817,947) $(55,583,917)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

49

 

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2021  2020 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(25,463,305) $(22,776,624)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation of property and equipment  109,814   183,261 
Amortization of platform development and intangible assets  6,019,835   5,953,548 
Amortization of debt discounts  694,236   1,570,853 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  665,036   (139,219)
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   (1,621,000)
Accrued interest  1,865,690   2,046,893 
Liquidated damages  254,634   546,055 
Stock-based compensation  5,099,012   3,560,120 
Other  (508,665)  (213,982)
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of business combination:        
Accounts receivable  2,916,701   621,643 
Subscription acquisition costs  (8,348,660)  (3,104,468)
Royalty fees  3,750,000   3,750,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  (1,630,313)  (623,057)
Other long-term assets  (237,690)  (365,481)
Accounts payable  1,919,623   2,547,552 
Accrued expenses and other  1,821,317   (3,730,191)
Unearned revenue  9,038,956   1,337,842 
Subscription refund liability  737,460   (96,241)
Operating lease liabilities  (214,923)  398,843 
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,511,242)  (10,153,653)
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of property and equipment  (97,779)  (859,079)
Capitalized platform development  (867,713)  (853,926)
Payments for acquisition of business  -   (315,289)
Net cash used in investing activities  (965,492)  (2,028,294)
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from delayed draw term note  -   6,000,000 
Borrowings (repayments) under line of credit  (1,752,001)�� 5,415,914 
Payment for taxes related to repurchase of restricted common stock  -   (169,481)
Payment of restricted stock liabilities  (280,403)  - 
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities  (2,032,404)  11,246,433 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  (4,509,138)  (935,514)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of period
  9,534,681   9,473,090 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of period $5,025,543  $8,537,576 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest $260,045  $181,982 
Cash paid for income taxes  -   - 
Noncash investing and financing activities        
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development $309,195  $370,052 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  

125,000

   - 
Debt discount on delayed draw term note  -   913,865 
Restricted stock units issued in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   500,000 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   140,381 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TheMaven, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Maven” or the “Company”), after eliminating all significant intercompany balances and transactions. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in Maven’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on August 16, 2021.

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020, and for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020, are unaudited but, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020, was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year. The Company’s impact during the first quarter of 2021 by the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic has been to a lesser extent than in 2020. Beginning in 2021, restrictions on non-essential work activity have begun to lift and sporting and other events have begun to be held, with attendance closer to pre-pandemic levels, which has resulted in an increase in traffic and advertising revenue. The Company expects a continued modest growth in advertising revenue back toward pre-pandemic levels, however, such growth depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether related group gathering and sports event advisories and restrictions will be put in place again, and the extent and effectiveness of containment and other actions taken, including the percentage of the population that receives COVID-19 vaccinations.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2020 presentation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

Preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to the allowance for credit losses, fair values of financial instruments, capitalization of platform development, intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, income taxes, fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business acquisitions, determination of the fair value of stock-based compensation and valuation of derivatives liabilities and contingent liabilities, among others. The Company bases its estimates on assumptions, both historical and forward looking, that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

610

 

Contract Modifications

The Company occasionally enters into amendments to previously executed contracts that constitute contract modifications. The Company assesses each of these contract modifications to determine:

if the additional services and goods are distinct from the services and goods in the original arrangement; and
if the amount of consideration expected for the added services or goods reflects the stand-alone selling price of those services and goods.

A contract modification meeting both criteria is accounted for as a separate contract. A contract modification not meeting both criteria is considered a change to the original contract and is accounted for on either a prospective basis as a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract, or a cumulative catch-up basis (see Note 3 and Note 11)12).

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also clarifies and simplifies other areas of ASC 740. Certain amendments in this update must be applied on a prospective basis, certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective basis, and certain amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings/(deficit) in the period of adoption. On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2019-12 with no material impact to its condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which updates various codification topics to simplify the accounting guidance for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, with a specific focus on convertible instruments and the derivative scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity and amends the diluted EPS computation for these instruments. On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2020-06 with no material impact to its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20 – Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, which clarifies that a reporting entity should assess whether a callable debt security purchased at a premium is within the scope of ASC 310-20-35-33 each reporting period, which impacts the amortization period for nonrefundable fees and other costs. On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2020-08 with no material impact to its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements, which updates various codification topics by clarifying or improving disclosure requirements to align with the SEC’s regulations. On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2020-10 with no material impact to its condensed consolidated financial statements.

711

 

Loss per Common Share

Basic loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as stock options, restricted stock, and warrants. All restricted stock awards are considered outstanding but is included in the computation of basic loss per common share only when the underlying restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. All restricted stock units are included in the computation of basic loss per common share only when the underlying restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. Contingently issuable shares are included in basic loss per common share only when there are no circumstances under which those shares would not be issued. Diluted loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive.

The Company excluded the outstanding securities summarized below (capitalized terms are described herein), which entitle the holders thereof to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock, from its calculation of net income loss per common share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

  As of June 30, 
  2021  2020 
Series G convertible preferred stock  188,791   188,791 
Series H Preferred Stock  59,384,849   58,787,879 
Series I Preferred Stock  -   46,200,000 
Series J Preferred Stock  -   28,571,428 
Indemnity shares of common stock  -   412,500 
Restricted Stock Awards  4,444,047   1,433,332 
Financing Warrants  2,882,055   2,882,055 
ABG Warrants  21,989,844   21,989,844 
AllHipHop warrants  125,000   - 
Publisher Partner Warrants  789,541   789,541 
Restricted Stock Units  -   2,399,997 
Common Stock Awards  6,872,890   8,033,936 
Common Equity Awards  160,352,784   82,744,480 
Outside Options  3,050,000   2,986,000 
Total  260,079,801   257,419,783 

2. Acquisitions

College Spun Media Incorporated – On June 4, 2021, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of College Spun Media Incorporated, a New Jersey corporation (“The Spun”), for an aggregate of $11,829,893 in cash and the issuance of an aggregate of 4,285,714 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, with one-half of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the closing date and the remaining one-half of the shares vesting on the second anniversary of the closing date, subject to a customary working capital adjustment based on cash and accounts receivable as of the closing date. The cash payment consists of: (i) $10,829,893 paid at closing (of the cash paid at closing, $829,893 represents adjusted cash pursuant to the working capital adjustments), and (ii) $500,000 to be paid on the first anniversary of the closing and $500,000 to be paid on the second anniversary date of the closing. The vesting of shares of the Company’s common stock is subject to the continued employment of certain selling employees. The Spun operates in the United States.

The composition of the preliminary purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

Cash $10,829,893 
Deferred cash payments  1,639,016 
Total purchase consideration $12,468,909 

12

 

  As of March 31, 
  2021  2020 
Series G convertible preferred stock ��188,791   188,791 
Series H Preferred Stock  59,384,849   58,787,879 
Series I Preferred Stock  -   46,200,000 
Series J Preferred Stock  -   28,571,428 
Indemnity shares of common stock  -   412,500 
Restricted Stock Awards  316,667   1,991,665 
Financing Warrants  2,882,055   2,882,055 
ABG Warrants  21,989,844   21,989,844 
AllHipHop warrants  125,000   - 
Publisher Partner Warrants  789,541   939,540 
Restricted Stock Units  -   2,399,997 
Common Stock Awards  7,078,723   8,063,811 
Common Equity Awards  157,945,671   77,106,507 
Outside Options  3,050,000   3,730,667 
Total  253,751,141   253,264,684 

2.Acquisition

The Company incurred $128,076 in transaction costs related to the acquisition, which primarily consisted of legal and accounting. The acquisition related expenses were recorded in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The preliminary purchase price allocation resulted in the following amounts being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date of the acquisition based upon their respective fair values as summarized below:

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

Cash $3,772,944 
Accounts receivable  1,833,323 
Other current assets  4,567 
Goodwill  7,456,402 
Accrued expenses  (1,500)
Deferred tax liabilities  (596,827)
Net assets acquired $12,468,909 

The excess of purchase price over the fair value amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill from the acquisition. Goodwill is recorded as a non-current asset that is not amortized but is subject to an annual review for impairment. No portion of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

Petametrics Inc.On March 9, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Petametrics Inc., dba LiftIgniter, a Delaware corporation (“LiftIgniter”), where it purchased substantially all the assets, including the intellectual property and excluding certain accounts receivable, and assumed certain liabilities. The purchase price consisted of: (1) a cash payment of $184,087 $184,087 on February 19, 2020, in connection with the repayment of all outstanding indebtedness, (2) at closing, a cash payment of $131,202,$131,202, (3) collections of certain accounts receivable, (4) on the first anniversary date of the closing, the issuance of restricted stock units for an aggregate of up to 312,500 shares of the Company’s common stock (of which 256,661 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 55,839 are to be issued), and (5) on the second anniversary date of the closing, the issuance of restricted stock units for an aggregate of up to 312,500 shares of the Company’s common stock.

8

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

Cash $315,289 
Indemnity restricted stock units for shares of common stock  500,000 
Total purchase consideration $815,289 

The purchase price allocation resulted in the following amounts being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date of the acquisition based upon their respective fair values as summarized below:

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

Accounts receivable $37,908 
Developed technology  917,762 
Accounts payable  (53,494)
Unearned revenue  (86,887)
Net assets acquired $815,289 

The useful life for the developed technology is three years (3.0(3.0 years).

13

 

3.Balance Sheet Components

 

3. Balance Sheet Components

The components of certain balance sheet amounts are as follows:

Accounts Receivable – Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $718,912$758,228 and $892,352,$892,352, respectively.

Subscription Acquisition Costs – Subscription acquisition costs include the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, paid to external parties, if it expects to recover those costs. The current portion of the subscription acquisition costs as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $31,171,595$36,606,560 and $28,146,895,$28,146,895, respectively. The noncurrent portion of the subscription acquisition costs as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $18,682,545$18,682,545 and $13,358,585,$13,358,585, respectively.

Certain contract amendments resulted in a modification to the subscription acquisition costs that will be recognized on a prospective basis in the same proportion as the revenue that has not yet been recognized (further details are provided under the heading Contract Balances in Note 11)12).

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are summarized as follows:

Schedule of Property and Equipment

 As of  As of 
 March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020  June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Office equipment and computers $1,439,071  $1,341,292  $1,523,610  $1,341,292 
Furniture and fixtures  19,997   19,997   19,997   19,997 
Leasehold improvements  345,516   345,516   345,516   345,516 
  1,804,584   1,706,805 
Gross property and equipment costs  1,889,123   1,706,805 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  (687,181)  (577,367)  (797,093)  (577,367)
Net property and equipment $1,117,403  $1,129,438  $1,092,030  $1,129,438 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $109,814 $109,912 and $638,796,$102,067, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $219,726 and $241,830, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense is included in selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses, as appropriate, on the consolidated statements of operations.

Platform Development – Platform development costs are summarized as follows:

Summary of Platform Development Costs

 June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
 As of  As of 
 March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020  June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Platform development $17,204,336  $16,027,428  $18,857,612  $16,027,428 
Less accumulated amortization  (9,740,665)  (8,671,820)  (10,801,037)  (8,671,820)
Net platform development $7,463,671  $7,355,608  $8,056,575  $7,355,608 

A summary of platform development activity for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Summary of Platform Development Cost Activity

 June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
 As of  As of 
 March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020  June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Platform development beginning of period $16,027,428  $10,678,692  $16,027,428  $10,678,692 
Payroll-based costs capitalized during the period  867,713   3,750,541   1,971,432   3,750,541 
Total capitalized costs  16,895,141   14,429,233   17,998,860   14,429,233 
Stock-based compensation  309,195   1,608,995   858,752   1,608,995 
Dispositions  -   (10,800)  -   (10,800)
Platform development end of period $17,204,336  $16,027,428  $18,857,612  $16,027,428 

914

 

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020, was $1,068,845$1,060,372 and $920,824,$1,037,834, respectively. Amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, was $2,129,217 and $1,958,658, respectively.

Intangible Assets – Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

Schedule of Intangible Assets Subjects to Amortization

 As of March 31, 2021  As of December 31, 2020  As of June 30, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 
 

 

Carrying Amount

  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount  

 

Carrying Amount

  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying Amount  Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount 
Developed technology $19,070,857  $(9,381,310) $9,689,547  $19,070,857  $(8,283,740) $10,787,117  $19,070,857  $(10,478,880) $8,591,977  $19,070,857  $(8,283,740) $10,787,117 
Noncompete agreement  480,000   (480,000)  -   480,000   (480,000)  -   480,000   (480,000)  -   480,000   (480,000)  - 
Trade name  3,328,000   (572,992)  2,755,008   3,328,000   (503,342)  2,824,658   3,328,000   (642,642)  2,685,358   3,328,000   (503,342)  2,824,658 
Subscriber relationships  73,458,799   (21,734,342)  51,724,457   73,458,799   (18,105,041)  55,353,758   73,458,799   (25,363,643)  48,095,156   73,458,799   (18,105,041)  55,353,758 
Advertiser relationships  2,240,000   (391,984)  1,848,016   2,240,000   (332,515)  1,907,485   2,240,000   (451,453)  1,788,547   2,240,000   (332,515)  1,907,485 
Database  1,140,000   (626,183)  513,817   1,140,000   (531,183)  608,817   1,140,000   (721,183)  418,817   1,140,000   (531,183)  608,817 
Subtotal amortizable intangible assets  99,717,656   (33,186,811)  66,530,845   99,717,656   (28,235,821)  71,481,835   99,717,656   (38,137,801)  61,579,855   99,717,656   (28,235,821)  71,481,835 
Website domain name  20,000   -   20,000   20,000   -   20,000   20,000   -   20,000   20,000   -   20,000 
Total intangible assets $99,737,656  $(33,186,811) $66,550,845  $99,737,656  $(28,235,821) $71,501,835  $99,737,656  $(38,137,801) $61,599,855  $99,737,656  $(28,235,821) $71,501,835 

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $4,950,990$4,950,990 and $5,032,724,$5,094,791, respectively. NoAmortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $9,901,980 and $10,127,515, respectively. NaN impairment charges have been recorded during for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020.

4.Leases

4.Leases

The Company’s leases are primarily comprised of real estate leases for the use of office space, with certain lease arrangements that contain equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized upon commencement of the lease based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term includes options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Substantially all of the leases are long-term operating leases for facilities with fixed payment terms between 1.5 and 12.8 years.

The table below presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Operating Leases

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021   
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021   
Operating cash flows for operating leases $968,473  $1,938,629 
Noncash lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating leased assets during the period $-  $- 
Weighted-average remaining lease term  11.02   10.80 
Weighted-average discount rate  13.58%  13.59%

The Company generally utilizes its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement of the lease in determining the present value of future payments since the implicit rate for most of the Company’s leases is not readily determinable.

10

Variable lease expense includes rental increases that are not fixed, such as those based on amounts paid to the lessor based on cost or consumption, such as maintenance and utilities.

Operating lease costs recognized for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $908,465$906,838 and $1,037,904,$1,062,181, respectively. Operating lease costs recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were $1,815,303 and $2,100,085, respectively.

15

 

Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of March 31,June 30, 2021 are summarized as follows:

Summary of Maturity of Lease Liabilities

Years Ending December 31,      
2021 (remaining nine months of the year) $2,836,380 
2021 (remaining six months of the year) $1,866,224 
2022  3,525,158   3,525,158 
2023  3,528,696   3,528,696 
2024  3,526,406   3,526,406 
2025  3,740,591   3,740,591 
Thereafter  23,822,981   23,822,981 
Minimum lease payments  40,980,212   40,010,056 
Less imputed interest  (20,277,693)  (19,559,730)
Present value of operating lease liabilities $20,702,519  $20,450,326 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities $1,022,294  $953,635 
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities  19,680,225   19,496,691 
Total operating lease liabilities $20,702,519  $20,450,326 

5.Line of Credit

5.Line of Credit

FastPay Credit Facility – On February 27, 2020, the Company entered into a financing and security agreement with FPP Finance LLC (“FastPay”), pursuant to which FastPay extended a $15,000,000 $15,000,000 line of credit for working capital purposes secured by a first lien on all of the Company’s cash and accounts receivable and a second lien on all other assets. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the LIBOR Rate plus 8.50%8.50% and have a final maturity of February 6, 2022.2022. The balance outstanding as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $5,426,790 $4,929,583 and $7,178,791,$7,178,791, respectively. As of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued the balance outstanding was approximately $6,500,000.$6,500,000.

6.Restricted Stock Liabilities

6.Restricted Stock Liabilities

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment for certain restricted stock awards and units that were previously issued to certain employees in connection with a previous merger. Pursuant to the amendment, the Company committed to repurchase 1,064,549 vested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2020 at a price of $4.00 $4.00per share in 24 equal monthly installments on the second business day of each calendar month beginning January 4, 2021, subject to certain conditions.

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The following table presents the components of the restricted stock liabilities as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Components of Restricted Stock Liabilities

 As of  As of 
 March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020  June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Restricted stock liabilities recorded upon modification of the restricted stock awards and units (1,064,549 restricted stock to be purchased at $4.00 per share) $4,258,196  $4,258,196 
Restricted stock liabilities recorded upon modification of the restricted stock awards and units (1,064,549 restricted stock to be purchased at $4.00 per share) $4,258,196  $4,258,196 
Less imputed interest  (457,461)  (457,462)  (457,462)  (457,462)
Present value of restricted stock liabilities  3,800,735   3,800,734   3,800,734   3,800,734 
Less payments (excluding imputed interest)  (457,829)  (177,425)  (893,427)  (177,425)
Restricted stock liabilities $3,342,906  $3,623,309  $2,907,307  $3,623,309 
Current portion of restricted stock liabilities $1,823,750  $1,627,499  $1,879,506  $1,627,499 
Long-term portion of restricted stock liabilities  1,519,156   1,995,810   1,027,801   1,995,810 
Total restricted stock liabilities $3,342,906  $3,623,309  $2,907,307  $3,819,560 

7.Fair Value Measurements

7.Fair Value Measurements

The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies the Company believes to be appropriate for these purposes. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company would realize upon disposition.

The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, which are described below:

Level 1 Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
Level 3 Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates.

The Company accounts for certain warrants (as described under the heading Common Stock Warrants in Note 9)10) as derivative liabilities, which requires the Company to carry such amounts on its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each reporting period-end. The Company accounted for the embedded conversion features of the 12% senior convertible debentures (the “12% Convertible Debentures”) as derivative liabilities, which required the Company to carry such amounts on its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each reporting period-end. As of December 31, 2020, there was no longer any principal or accrued but unpaid interest outstanding under the 12% Convertible Debentures since certain holders converted the debt into shares of the Company’s common stock and certain holders were paid in cash.

These warrants and the embedded conversion features are classified as Level 3 within the fair-value hierarchy. Inputs to the valuation model include the Company’s publicly quoted stock price, the stock volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the remaining life of the warrants, notes and debentures, the exercise price or conversion price, and the dividend rate. The Company uses the closing stock price of its common stock over an appropriate period of time to compute stock volatility.

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Warrant Derivative Liabilities

The following table presents the assumptions used for the warrant derivative liabilities under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:

Schedule of Warrant Derivative Liabilities

 As of March 31, 2021  As of December 31, 2020  As of June 30, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 
  Strome Warrants   B. Riley Warrants   Strome Warrants   B. Riley Warrants  Strome Warrants B. Riley Warrants Strome Warrants B. Riley Warrants 
Expected life  2.21   4.55   2.45   4.79   1.96   4.30   2.45   4.79 
Risk-free interest rate  0.16%  0.92%  0.13%  0.36%  0.25%  0.67%  0.13%  0.36%
Volatility factor  150.37%  151.48%  150.55%  140.95%  147.10%  134.44%  150.55%  140.95%
Dividend rate  0%  0%  0%  0%  0%  0%  0%  0%
Transaction date closing market price $0.91  $0.91  $0.60  $0.60  $0.78  $0.78  $0.60  $0.60 
Exercise price $0.50  $1.00  $0.50  $1.00  $0.50  $1.00  $0.50  $1.00 

The following table represents the carrying amounts and change in valuation for the Company’s warrants accounted for as a derivative liability and classified within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy:

Schedule of Valuation Activity for Warrants Accounted for Derivative Liability

  

As of and for the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2021

  

As of and for the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2020

 
  Carry Amount at Beginning of Period  Change in Valuation  Carrying Amount at End of Period  Carry Amount at Beginning of Period  Change in Valuation  Carrying Amount at End of Period 
Strome Warrants $704,707  $185,156  $889,863  $1,036,687  $(260,345) $776,342 
B. Riley Warrants  443,188   119,787   562,975   607,513   (122,150)  485,363 
Total $1,147,895  $304,943  $1,452,838  $1,644,200  $(382,495) $1,261,705 

  

As of and for the Three Months Ended

March 31, 2021

  

As of and for the Three Months Ended

March 31, 2020

 
  Carry Amount at Beginning of Period  Change in Valuation  Carrying Amount at End of Period  Carry Amount at Beginning of Period  Change in Valuation  Carrying Amount at End of Period 
Strome Warrants $704,707  $398,861  $1,103,568  $1,036,687  $(110,081) $926,606 
B. Riley Warrants  443,188   266,175   709,363   607,513   (29,138)  578,375 
Total $1,147,895  $665,036  $1,812,931  $1,644,200  $(139,219) $1,504,981 

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities recognized as other income on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, was $360,093 and $243,276, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities recognized as other income (expense) on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, as described in the above table, was ($665,036)304,943) and $139,219,$382,495, respectively.

Embedded Derivative Liabilities

For the three months ended MarchJune 30, 2020, the change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities recognized as other income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $1,621,000.$2,922,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities recognized as other income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $4,543,000.

8.Long-term Debt

8.Long-term Debt

12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes

 

Below is a summary of the various amended and restated notes, as well as various amendments thereto, to the 12%12% senior secured note that was originally issued on June 10, 2019, for gross proceeds of $20,000,000.$20,000,000. The transactions leading up to the 12% second amended and restated note that is outstanding as of March 31,June 30, 2021 consisted of:

 Amended and restated note issued on June 14, 2019, where the Company received gross proceeds of $48,000,000,$48,000,000, together with the $20,000,000 gross proceeds received on June 10, 2019 for total gross proceeds of $68,000,000,$68,000,000, due June 14, 2022;2022;
   
 First amendment to the amended and restated note issued on August 27, 2019, where the Company received gross proceeds of $3,000,000;$3,000,000;
   
 Second amendment to the amended and restated note issued on February 27, 2020, where the Company issued a $3,000,000$3,000,000 letter of credit to the Company’s landlord for leased premises; and

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Second amended and restated note issued on March 24, 2020, where the Company was permitted to enter into a 15.0%15.0% delayed draw term note, in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000.$12,000,000.

13

 
First amendment to second amended and restated note issued on March 24, 2020 was entered into on October 23, 2020 (“Amendment 1”), where the maturity date was changed to December 31, 2022, subject to certain acceleration conditions and interest payable on the notes on September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021 will be payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of such fiscal quarter. Alternatively, at the option of the holder, such interest amounts originally could have been paid in shares of Series K convertible preferred stock (the “Series K Preferred Stock”); however, after December 18, 2020, the date the Series K Preferred Stock converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, such interest amounts can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments.adjustments.
Second amendment to the second amended and restated note issued March 24, 2020 was entered into on May 19, 2021 (“Amendment 2”), with BRF Finance Co., LLC, an affiliated entity of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”), in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser, pursuant to which: (i) the interest rate on the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes decreased from a rate of 12% per annum to a rate of 10% per annum; and (ii) the Company agreed that within one (1) business day after receipt of cash proceeds from any issuance of equity interests, it will prepay the certain obligations in an amount equal to such cash proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions; provided, that, this mandatory prepayment obligation does not apply to any proceeds that the Company received from shares of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to the securities purchase agreement (as further described below under the heading Common Stock Private Placement in Note 10) during the 90-day period commencing on May 20, 2021.

Collectively the amended and restated notes and amendments thereto and the second amended and restated notes and Amendment 1 and Amendment 2 thereto are referred to as the “12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes,” with all borrowings collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.

Delayed Draw Term Note

 

On March 24, 2020, the Company entered into a 15% delayed draw term note (the “Delayed Draw Term Note”) pursuant to the second amended and restated note purchase agreement, in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000.

On March 24, 2020, the Company drew down $6,913,865$6,913,865 under the Delayed Draw Term Note, and after payment of commitment and funding fees paid of $793,109,$793,109, and other of its legal fees and expenses that were incurred, the Company received net proceeds of $6,000,000.$6,000,000. The net proceeds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Additional borrowings under the Delayed Draw Term Note requested by the Company may be made at the option of the purchasers, subject to certain conditions. Up to $8,000,000$8,000,000 in principal amount under the note was originally due on March 31, 2021.2021. Interest on amounts outstanding under the note was payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter.

On October 23, 2020, pursuant to the terms of Amendment 1, the maturity date of the Delayed Draw Term Note was changed from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Amendment 1 also provided that the holder, could originally elect, in lieu of receipt of cash for payment of all or any portion of the interest due or cash payments up to a certain conversion portion of the Delayed Draw Term Note, to receive shares of Series K Preferred Stock; however, after December 18, 2020, the date the Series K Preferred Stock converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, the holder may elect, in lieu of receipt of cash for such amounts, shares of the Company’s common stock at the price the Company last sold shares of the Company’s common stock.

On May 19, 2021, pursuant to Amendment 2, the interest rate on the Delayed Draw Term Note decreased from a rate of 15% per annum to a rate of 10% per annum.

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Paycheck Protection Program Loan

 

On April 6, 2020, the Company entered into a note agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase”) under the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) (the “Paycheck Protection Program Loan”). The Company received total proceeds of $5,702,725 $5,702,725 under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan. In accordance with the requirements of the CARES Act, the Company used proceeds from the Paycheck Protection Program Loan primarily for payroll costs. The Paycheck Protection Program Loan was scheduled to mature on April 6, 2022, with a 0.98%0.98% interest rate and is subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the SBA under the CARES Act. The Paycheck Protection Program Loan was fully forgiven on June 22, 2021.

Further details as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued are provided under the heading Long-term Debt in Note 13.

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The following table summarizes the long-term debt:

  As of March 31, 2021  As of December 31, 2020 
  Principal Balance (including accrued interest)  Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs  Carrying Value  Principal Balance (including accrued interest)  Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs  Carrying Value 
12% Second Amended Senior Secured Note, as amended, due on December 31, 2022 $57,984,974  $(3,356,743) $54,628,231  $56,296,091  $(3,739,690) $52,556,401 
Delayed Draw Term Note, as amended, due on March 31, 2022  4,457,153   (47,883)  4,409,270   4,294,318   (359,172)  3,935,146 
Paycheck Protection Program Loan, scheduled to mature April 6, 2022, however, fully forgiven on June 22, 2021  5,716,697   -   5,716,697   5,702,725   -   5,702,725 
Total $68,158,824  $(3,404,626) $64,754,198  $66,293,134  $(4,098,862) $62,194,272 

9.Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

Common Stock Warrants

The Company issued warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to MDB Capital Group, LLC (the “MDB Warrants”), L2 Capital, LLC (the “L2 Warrants”), Strome Mezzanine Fund LP (the “Strome Warrants”), and B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “B. Riley Warrants”) in connection with various financing transactions (collectively, the “Financing Warrants”).

The Financing Warrants outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2021 are summarized as follows:

       Outstanding    
  Exercise Price  Expiration Date Classified as Derivative Liabilities (Shares)  

Classified

within Stockholders’ Equity

(Shares)

  Total Exercisable (Shares) 
MDB Warrants $0.20  November 4, 2021  -   327,490   327,490 
Strome Warrants  0.50  June 15, 2023  1,500,000   -   1,500,000 
B. Riley Warrants  1.00  October 18, 2025  875,000   -   875,000 
MDB Warrants  1.15  October 19, 2022  -   119,565   119,565 
MDB Warrants  2.50   October 19, 2022  -   60,000   60,000 
Total outstanding and exercisable        2,375,000   507,055   2,882,055 

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money stock warrants as of March 31, 2021 was $847,518, based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $0.91 per share on March 31, 2021.

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10.Compensation Plans

The Company provides stock-based compensation in the form of (a) stock awards to employees and directors, comprised of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units (collectively referred to as the “Restricted Stock Awards”), (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants (referred to as the “Common Stock Awards”) (c) stock option awards, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and consultants (collectively the “Common Equity Awards”), (d) stock option awards outside of the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to certain officers, directors and employees (referred to as the “Outside Options”), (e) common stock warrants to the Company’s publisher partners (referred to as the “Publisher Partner Warrants”), and (f) common stock warrants to ABG-SI, LLC (referred to as the “ABG Warrants”).

Stock-based compensation and equity-based expense charged to operations or capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows:

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021                            
Cost of revenue $24,460  $127,063  $1,290,374  $2,041  $-  $-  $1,443,938 
Selling and marketing  -   5,038   971,513   74,806   -   -   1,051,357 
General and administrative  3,445   117,327   2,126,615   -   -   356,330   2,603,717 
Total costs charged to operations  27,905   249,428   4,388,502   76,847   -   356,330   5,099,012 
Capitalized platform development  4,823   2,720   300,034   1,618   -   -   309,195 
Total stock-based compensation $32,728  $252,148  $4,688,536  $78,465  $-  $356,330  $5,408,207 
                             
During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020                            
Cost of revenue $37,576  $69,796  $1,009,592  $1,206  $8,039  $-  $1,126,209 
Selling and marketing  299,215   35,728   678,279   55,378   -   -   1,068,600 
General and administrative  22,920   171,672   755,247   55,183   -   360,289   1,365,311 
Total costs charged to operations  359,711   277,196   2,443,118   111,767   8,039   360,289   3,560,120 
Capitalized platform development  70,283   41,157   256,001   2,611   -   -   370,052 
Total stock-based compensation $429,994   318,353  $2,699,119  $114,378  $8,039  $360,289  $3,930,172 

Unrecognized compensation expense and expected weighted-average period to be recognized related to the stock-based compensation awards and equity-based awards as of March 31, 2021 was as follows:

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
Unrecognized compensation expense $48,891  $226,834  $67,977,275  $292,584  $-  $2,857,773  $71,403,357 
Expected weighted-average period expected to be recognized (in years)  0.70   0.44   2.46   0.94   -   2.13   2.43 

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Further details as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued are provided under the heading Compensation Plans in Note 13.

11.Revenue Recognition

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by product line, geographical market and timing of revenue recognition:

  As of March 31, 
  2021  2020 
Revenue by product line:        
Advertising $11,074,425  $11,837,984 
Digital subscriptions  7,084,481   5,537,247 
Magazine circulation  14,710,023   12,537,532 
Other  746,552   500,090 
Total $33,615,481  $30,412,853 
Revenue by geographical market:        
United States $32,528,417  $29,282,130 
Other  1,087,064   1,130,723 
Total $33,615,481  $30,412,853 
Revenue by timing of recognition:        
At point in time $26,531,000  $24,875,606 
Over time  7,084,481   5,537,247 
Total $33,615,481  $30,412,853 

Contract Balances

The timing of the Company’s performance under its various contracts often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. A contract asset is recognized when a good or service is transferred to a customer and the Company does not have the contractual right to bill for the related performance obligations. A contract liability is recognized when consideration is received from the customer prior to the transfer of goods or services.

The following table provides information about contract balances:

  As of 
  March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $16,815,476  $15,039,331 
Magazine circulation  49,047,713   46,586,345 
  $65,863,189  $61,625,676 
Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $802,124  $593,136 
Magazine circulation  27,297,916   22,712,961 
Other  200,000   192,500 
  $28,300,040  $23,498,597 

Unearned Revenue – Unearned revenue, also referred to as contract liabilities, include payments received in advance of performance under the contracts and are recognized as revenue over time. The Company records contract liabilities as unearned revenue on the consolidated balance sheets. Digital subscription and magazine circulation revenue of $22,071,978 was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021 from unearned revenue at the beginning of the year.

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During January and February of 2020, the Company modified certain digital and magazine subscription contracts that prospectively changed the frequency of the related issues required to be delivered on a yearly basis. The Company determined that the remaining digital content and magazines to be delivered are distinct from the digital content or magazines already provided under the original contract. As a result, the Company in effect established a new contract that included only the remaining digital content or magazines. Accordingly, the Company allocated the remaining performance obligations in the contracts as consideration from the original contract that has not yet been recognized as revenue.

12.Commitments and Contingencies

Revenue Guarantees

On a select basis, the Company has provided revenue share guarantees to certain independent publishers that transition their publishing operations from another platform to theMaven.net or maven.io. These arrangements generally guarantee the publisher a monthly amount of income for a period of 12 to 24 months from inception of the publisher contract that is the greater of (a) a fixed monthly minimum, or (b) the calculated earned revenue share. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized publisher partner guarantees of $1,763,357 and $2,374,087, respectively.

Claims and Litigation

From time to time, the Company may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that it believes would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Liquidated Damages

The following table summarizes the contingent obligations with respect to the liquidated damages as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued:

  Registration Rights Damages  Public Information Failure Damages  Accrued Interest  Balance 
Series H Preferred Stock $-  $5,236  $93,575  $98,811 
12% Convertible Debentures  -   -   36,320   36,320 
Series I Preferred Stock  -   -   111,184   111,184 
Series J Preferred Stock  240,000   240,000   108,059   588,059 
Series K Preferred Stock  -   661,680   11,221   672,901 
Total $240,000  $906,916  $360,359  $1,507,275 

13.Subsequent Events

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these condensed consolidated financial statements with the SEC. Other than the below described subsequent events, there were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Compensation Plans

From April 2021 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued, the Company granted common stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards totaling 6,153,053, all of which remain outstanding.

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Long-term Debt

12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes – On May 19, 2021, the Company entered into an amendment to the second amended and restated note purchase agreement (“Amendment 2”) with BRF Finance Co., LLC, an affiliated entity of B. Riley Financial, Inc., in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser, which further amended the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes, dated March 24, 2020, as amended. Pursuant to Amendment 2: (i) the interest rate on the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes decreased from a rate of 12% per annum to a rate of 10% per annum; and (ii) the Company agreed that within one (1) business day after receipt of cash proceeds from any issuance of equity interests, it will prepay the certain obligations in an amount equal to such cash proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions; provided, that, this mandatory prepayment obligation does not apply to any proceeds that the Company received from shares of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to the securities purchase agreement (as further described below under the heading Common Stock) during the 90-day period commencing on May 20, 2021.

The balance outstanding under the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued was approximately $60.1 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $48.8 million, payment of in-kind interest of approximately $10.8 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance, and unpaid accrued interest of approximately $0.5 million.

Delayed Draw Term Note– On May 19, 2021, pursuant to Amendment 2, the interest rate on the Delayed Draw Term Note decreased from a rate of 15% per annum to a rate of 10% per annum.

The balance outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Note as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued was approximately $4.6 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $3.5 million, and payment of in-kind interest of approximately $1.1 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan On June 22, 2021, the SBA authorized full forgiveness of $5,702,725 $5,702,725 under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan; thus the Company will not need to make any payments on the Paycheck Protection Program Loan that JPMorgan Chase facilitates as an SBA lender. JPMorgan Chase will apply the forgiveness amount the SBA authorized, plus all accrued interest, to the Company’s Paycheck Protection Program Loan. The requirements under this program are established by the SBA. All requests for Paycheck Protection Program Loan forgiveness are subject to SBA eligibility. The Company recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment of $5,716,697 (including accrued interest) pursuant to the forgiveness on the condensed consolidated statements of operations within other income (expense).

Further details as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued are provided under the heading Long-term Debt in Note 14.

20

 

The following table summarizes the long-term debt:

Schedule of Long Term Debt

  As of June 30, 2021  As of December 31, 2020 
  Principal
Balance
(including
accrued
interest)
  Unamortized
Discount and
 Debt Issuance
 Costs
  Carrying
Value
  Principal
Balance
(including
accrued
interest)
  Unamortized
Discount and
Debt Issuance
Costs
  Carrying
Value
 
12% Second Amended Senior Secured Note, as amended, due on December 31, 2022 $59,743,851  $(2,773,709) $56,970,142  $56,296,091  $(3,739,690) $52,556,401 
Delayed Draw Term Note, as amended, due on March 31, 2022  4,464,857   (324,271)  4,140,586   4,294,318   (359,172)  3,935,146 
Paycheck Protection Program Loan, scheduled to mature April 6, 2022, however, fully forgiven on June 22, 2021  -   -   -   5,702,725   -   5,702,725 
Total $64,208,708  $(3,097,980) $61,110,728  $66,293,134  $(4,098,862) $62,194,272 

9. Preferred Stock

On May 4, 2021, a special committee of the Board declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right to be paid to the stockholders of record at the close of business on May 14, 2021 for (i) each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock and (ii) each share of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of each share of the Company’s Series H convertible preferred stock (the “Series H Preferred Stock”). Each preferred stock purchase right entitles the registered holder to purchase, subject to a rights agreement, from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of the Company’s newly created Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 $0.01 per share (the “Series L Preferred Stock”), at a price of $4.00,$4.00, subject to certain adjustments. The Series L Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to a preferential per share quarterly dividend payment equal to the greater of (i) $1.00 per share or (ii) 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions paid to the holders of the Company’s common stock. The Series L Preferred Stock will be entitled to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of the Company’s common stock are converted or exchanged, the Series L Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per one share of the Company’s common stock.

1921

 

10.Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

Common Stock Private Placement

On May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with several accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 21,435,718 shares of its common stock, at a per share price of $0.70$0.70 for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $15.0 million$15,005,000 in a private placement. On June 2, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 7,142,857 shares of its common stock, at a per share price of $0.70$0.70 for gross proceeds of approximately $5.0 million$5,000,000 in a private placement that was in addition to the closings that occurred on May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021 as referenced above.2021. After payment of legal fees and expenses the investors of $167,244, of which $100,000 was paid in cash to B. Riley, the Company received net proceeds of $19,837,757. The Company intends to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register the shares of the Company’s common stock issued in the private placements. The Company committed to file the registration statement on the earlier of: (i) in the event the Company does not obtain a waiver from the holders of the shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued upon the conversion of the Series K Preferred Stock (the “Waiver”), within ten (10) calendar days following the date the Company’s registration statement(s) on Form S-1, registering for resale shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued in connection with offerings prior to the date of the registration rights agreement (the “Prior Registration Statements”), is declared effective by the SEC; and (ii) in the event the Company does obtain the Waiver, the earliest practicable date on which the Company is permitted by the SEC guidance to file the initial registration statement following the filing of the Prior Registration Statements (the “Filing Date”). The Company also committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after the Filing Date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 120 days following the Filing Date). The registration rights agreement provides for Registration Rights Damages upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested pursuant to the securities purchase agreements.

The securities purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement at any time during the period commencing from the twelve (12) month anniversary of the date the Company becomes current in its filing obligations and ending at such time that all of the common stock may be sold without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) and otherwise without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144, if the Company (i) shall fail for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) or (ii) has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) or becomes an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) (a “Public Information Failure”) then, in addition to such purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to a purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount in cash equal to one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate subscription amount of the purchaser’s shares then held by the purchaser on the day of a Public Information Failure and on every thirtieth (30th) day (pro-rated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the earlier of (a) the date such Public Information Failure is cured up to a maximum of five (5) 30-day periods and (b) such time that such public information is no longer required for the purchasers to transfer the shares pursuant to Rule 144. Public Information Failure Damages shall be paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Public Information Failure Damages are incurred and (ii) the third (3rd) business day after the event or failure giving rise to the Public Information Failure Damages is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Public Information Failure Damages in a timely manner, such Public Information Failure Damages shall bear interest at the rate of 1.0% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.

2022

 

Heckman Stock Option Modifications

 

On June 3, 2021, theCommon Stock Warrants

The Company and Mr. Heckman, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, entered into an amendmentissued warrants to certain option grants under the Company’s 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan. The amendment to the 2016 Plan options, clarifies that the option qualifies as a non-statutory stock option and that it remains exercisable for the remainder of the term of the option. The amendment to the 2019 Plan options, clarifies that the option qualifies as a non-statutory stock option and that it remains exercisable for the remainder of the term of the option. The 2019 Plan amendment also changed the vesting schedule of the option to provide for immediate vesting of 2,000,000 shares of options, with the remainder of the options being subject to performance-based vesting that is tied to the price of the Company’s common stock.

Acquisition of College Spun Media Incorporated

On June 4, 2021, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of College Spun Media Incorporated for an aggregate of $11.0 million in cash and the issuance of an aggregate of 4,285,714 restrictedpurchase shares of the Company’s common stock with one-half of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the closing date and the remaining one-half of the shares vesting on the second anniversary of the closing date. The cash payment consists of: (i) $10.8 million paid at closing (additional cash paid at closing of $0.8 million represents adjusted cash pursuant to the agreement)MDB Capital Group, LLC (the “MDB Warrants”), L2 Capital, LLC (the “L2 Warrants”), Strome Mezzanine Fund LP (the “Strome Warrants”), and (ii) $0.5 million to be paid onB. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “B. Riley Warrants”) in connection with various financing transactions (collectively, the first anniversary“Financing Warrants”).

The Financing Warrants outstanding and exercisable as of the closing and $0.5 million to be paid on the second anniversary dateJune 30, 2021 are summarized as follows:

Summary of the closing, subject to a customary working capital adjustmentWarrant Activity

       Outstanding    
       Classified as  Classified within    
       Derivative  Stockholders’  Total 
  Exercise  Expiration Liabilities  Equity  Exercisable 
  Price  Date (Shares)  (Shares)  (Shares) 
MDB Warrants $0.20  November 4, 2021  -   327,490   327,490 
Strome Warrants  0.50  June 15, 2023  1,500,000   -   1,500,000 
B. Riley Warrants  1.00  October 18, 2025  875,000   -   875,000 
MDB Warrants  1.15  October 19, 2022  -   119,565   119,565 
MDB Warrants  2.50  October 19, 2022  -   60,000   60,000 
Total outstanding and exercisable        2,375,000   507,055   2,882,055 

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money stock warrants as of June 30, 2021 was $609,944, based on cash and accounts receivable as of the closing date. The vesting of sharesa fair market value of the Company’s common stock is subjectof $0.78 per share on June 30, 2021.

11.Compensation Plans

The Company provides stock-based compensation in the form of (a) stock awards to employees and directors, comprised of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units (collectively referred to as the “Restricted Stock Awards”), (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants (referred to as the “Common Stock Awards”) (c) stock option awards, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and consultants (collectively the “Common Equity Awards”), (d) stock option awards outside of the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and 2019 Equity Incentive Plan to certain officers, directors and employees (referred to as the “Outside Options”), (e) common stock warrants to the continued employment of certain selling employees.Company’s publisher partners (referred to as the “Publisher Partner Warrants”), and (f) common stock warrants to ABG-SI, LLC (referred to as the “ABG Warrants”).

2123

 

Stock-based compensation and equity-based expense charged to operations or capitalized during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows:

Summary of Stock-based Compensation

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
During the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021                            
Cost of revenue $24,570  $19,202  $1,708,404  $1,455  $-  $-  $1,753,631 
Selling and marketing  -   4,891   1,507,535   74,372   -   -   1,586,798 
General and administrative  141,897   101,939   4,135,866   -   -   396,251   4,775,953 
Total costs charged to operations  166,467   126,032   7,351,805   75,827   -   396,251   8,116,382 
Capitalized platform development  4,125   2,351   540,917   2,164   -   -   549,557 
Total stock-based compensation $170,592  $128,383  $7,892,722  $77,991  $-  $396,251  $8,665,939 
                             
During the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020                            
Cost of revenue $35,750  $27,970  $1,073,674  $1,967  $27,623  $-  $1,166,984 
Selling and marketing  298,187   23,783   701,925   43,489   -   -   1,067,384 
General and administrative  135,332   138,156   819,916   95,394   -   360,289   1,549,087 
Total costs charged to operations  469,269   189,909   2,595,515   140,850   27,623   360,289   3,783,455 
Capitalized platform development  75,709   80,608   341,642   1,652   -   -   499,611 
Total stock-based compensation $544,978   270,517  $2,937,157  $142,502  $27,623  $360,289  $4,283,066 

24

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
During the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021                            
Cost of revenue $49,030  $146,265  $2,998,778  $3,496  $-  $-  $3,197,569 
Selling and marketing  -   9,929   2,479,048   149,178   -   -   2,638,155 
General and administrative  145,342   219,266   6,262,481   -   -   

 

752,581

   7,379,670 
Total costs charged to operations  194,372   375,460   11,740,307   152,674   -   752,581   13,215,394 
Capitalized platform development  8,948   5,071   840,951   3,782   -   -   858,752 
Total stock-based compensation $203,320  $380,531  $12,581,258  $156,456  $-  $752,581  $14,074,146 
                             
During the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020                            
Cost of revenue $73,326  $97,766  $2,083,266  $3,173  $35,662  $-  $2,293,193 
Selling and marketing  597,402   59,511   1,380,204   98,867   -   -   2,135,984 
General and administrative  158,252   309,828   1,575,163   150,577   -   720,578   2,914,398 
Total costs charged to operations  828,980   467,105   5,038,633   252,617   35,662   720,578   7,343,575 
Capitalized platform development  145,992   121,765   597,643   4,263   -   -   869,663 
Total stock-based compensation $974,972   588,870  $5,636,276  $256,880  $35,662  $720,578  $8,213,238 

Unrecognized compensation expense and expected weighted-average period to be recognized related to the stock-based compensation awards and equity-based awards as of June 30, 2021 was as follows:

Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Expense

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
Unrecognized compensation expense $3,178,298  $98,636  $62,311,494  $214,592  $-  $3,076,571  $68,879,591 
Expected weighted-average period expected to be recognized (in years)  1.93   0.19   2.30   0.69   -   1.88   2.25 

Pursuant to an amendment with ABG-SI, LLC on June 4, 2021, the exercise price of 10,994,922 ABG Warrants to acquire shares of the Company's common stock was changed to $0.42 per share from $0.84 per share in exchange for additional benefits under the Sports Illustrated licensing agreement.

Further details as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued are provided under the heading Compensation Plans in Note 14.

25

12.Revenue Recognition

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by product line, geographical market and timing of revenue recognition:

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
  2021  2020  2021  2020 
Revenue by product line:                
Advertising $13,548,069  $7,541,616  $24,622,494  $19,379,600 
Digital subscriptions  7,690,111   6,089,450   14,774,592   11,626,697 
Magazine circulation  12,642,018   8,629,166   27,352,041   21,166,698 
Other  866,314   830,708   1,612,866   1,330,798 
Total $34,746,512  $23,090,940  $68,361,993  $53,503,793 
Revenue by geographical market:                
United States $33,360,160  $22,049,636  $65,934,337  $51,331,766 
Other  1,386,352   1,041,304   2,427,656   2,172,027 
Total $34,746,512  $23,090,940  $68,361,993  $53,503,793 
Revenue by timing of recognition:                
At point in time $27,056,401  $17,001,490  $53,587,401  $41,877,096 
Over time  7,690,111   6,089,450   14,774,592   11,626,697 
Total $34,746,512  $23,090,940  $68,361,993  $53,503,793 

Contract Balances

The timing of the Company’s performance under its various contracts often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. A contract asset is recognized when a good or service is transferred to a customer and the Company does not have the contractual right to bill for the related performance obligations. A contract liability is recognized when consideration is received from the customer prior to the transfer of goods or services.

The following table provides information about contract balances:

Schedule of Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

  As of 
  June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $19,358,809  $15,039,331 
Magazine circulation  52,539,366   46,586,345 
  $71,898,175  $61,625,676 
Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $685,039  $593,136 
Magazine circulation  27,297,916   22,712,961 
Other  177,500   192,500 
  $28,160,455  $23,498,597 

Unearned Revenue – Unearned revenue, also referred to as contract liabilities, include payments received in advance of performance under the contracts and are recognized as revenue over time. The Company records contract liabilities as unearned revenue on the consolidated balance sheets. Digital subscription and magazine circulation revenue of $35,652,466 was recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2021 from unearned revenue at the beginning of the year.

26

During January and February of 2020, the Company modified certain digital and magazine subscription contracts that prospectively changed the frequency of the related issues required to be delivered on a yearly basis. The Company determined that the remaining digital content and magazines to be delivered are distinct from the digital content or magazines already provided under the original contract. As a result, the Company in effect established a new contract that included only the remaining digital content or magazines. Accordingly, the Company allocated the remaining performance obligations in the contracts as consideration from the original contract that has not yet been recognized as revenue.

13.Commitments and Contingencies

Revenue Guarantees

On a select basis, the Company has provided revenue share guarantees to certain independent publishers that transition their publishing operations from another platform to theMaven.net or maven.io. These arrangements generally guarantee the publisher a monthly amount of income for a period of 12 to 24 months from inception of the publisher contract that is the greater of (a) a fixed monthly minimum, or (b) the calculated earned revenue share. For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized publisher partner guarantees of $1,803,597 and $2,628,477, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized publisher partner guarantees of $3,566,954 and $5,002,564, respectively.

Claims and Litigation

From time to time, the Company may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that it believes would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Liquidated Damages

The following table summarizes the contingent obligations with respect to the liquidated damages as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued:

Schedule of Liquidating Damages

  Registration Rights Damages  Public Information Failure Damages  Accrued Interest  Balance 
Series H Preferred Stock $-  $5,236  $93,575  $98,811 
12% Convertible Debentures  -   -   36,320   36,320 
Series I Preferred Stock  -   -   111,184   111,184 
Series J Preferred Stock  240,000   240,000   108,059   588,059 
Series K Preferred Stock  -   661,680   11,221   672,901 
Total $240,000  $906,916  $360,359  $1,507,275 

14.Subsequent Events

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these condensed consolidated financial statements with the SEC. Other than the below described subsequent events, there were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Compensation Plans

From July 2021 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued, the Company granted common stock options exercisable for a totaling of 693,888 shares of its common stock, all of which remain outstanding.

Long-term Debt

12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes – The balance outstanding under the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued was approximately $60.1 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $48.8 million, payment of in-kind interest of approximately $10.8 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance, and unpaid accrued interest of approximately $0.5 million.

Delayed Draw Term NoteThe balance outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Note as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued was approximately $4.6 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $3.6 million, and payment of in-kind interest of approximately $1.0 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance.

27

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 16, 2021. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth above. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We operate a best-in-class technology platform empowering premium publishers who impact, inform, educate and entertain. We operate a significant portion of the media businesses for Sports Illustrated (“Sports Illustrated”), own and operate TheStreet, Inc. (the “TheStreet”), and power more than 250 independent brands. The Maven technology platform (the “Maven Platform”) provides digital publishing, distribution, and monetization capabilities for the Sports Illustrated and TheStreet businesses as well as a coalition of independent, professionally managed, online media publishers (each a “Publisher Partner”). Each Publisher Partner joins the media-coalition by invitation-only and is drawn from premium media brands and independent publishing businesses. Publisher Partners publish content and oversee an online community for their respective sites, leveraging our proprietary technology platform to engage the collective audiences within a single network. Generally, Publisher Partners are independently owned, strategic partners who receive a share of revenue from the interaction with their content. When they join, we believe Publisher Partners will benefit from the proprietary technology of the Maven Platform, techniques and relationships. Advertising revenue may improve due to the scale we have achieved by combining all Publisher Partners onto a single platform and a large and experienced sales organization. They may also benefit from our membership marketing and management systems, which we believe will enhance their revenue. Additionally, we believe the lead brand within each vertical creates a halo benefit for all Publisher Partners in the vertical while each of them adds to the breadth and quality of content. While they benefit from these critical performance improvements they also may save substantially in costs of technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, and member marketing and management.

22

Our growth strategy is to continue to expand by adding new premium publishers with high quality brands and content either as independent Publisher Partners or by acquiring publishers as owned and operated entities. By adding premium content brands, we will further expand the scale of the Maven Platform, improve monetization effectiveness in both advertising and subscription revenues, and enhance the attractiveness to consumers and advertisers.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31,June 30, 2021, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash of approximately $4.5$6.7 million. As of the issuance date of our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2021, we had also raised funds from the issuance of common stock of approximately $20.0 million, in addition to the use of additional proceeds from our working capital facility with FastPay, all of whichFurther details are discussed in greater detail below in the section entitled “Future Liquidity.”

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, weWe continued to be focused on growing our existing operations and seeking accretive and complementary strategic acquisitions as part of our growth strategy. We believed, that with additional sources of liquidity and the ability to raise additional capital or incur additional indebtedness to supplement our then internal projections, we would be able to execute our growth plan and finance our working capital requirements.

We have financed our working capital requirements since inception through issuances of equity securities and various debt financings. Our working capital deficit as of March 31, 2021andJune 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows:

  As of 
  June 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Current assets $82,402,364  $73,846,465 
Current liabilities  (120,917,297)  (107,562,825)
Working capital deficit  (38,514,933)  (33,716,360)

28

 

  As of 
  March 31, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Current assets $71,709,304  $73,846,465 
Current liabilities  (115,605,281)  (107,562,825)
Working capital deficit  (43,895,977)  (33,716,360)

As of March 31,June 30, 2021, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $43.9$38.5 million, as compared to approximately $33.7 million as of December 31, 2020, consisting of approximately $71.7$82.4 million in total current assets and approximately $115.6$120.9 million in total current liabilities. Included in current assets as of March 31,June 30, 2021 was approximately $0.5 million of restricted cash. Also included in our working capital deficit are non-cash current liabilities, consisting of approximately $1.8$1.5 million of warrant derivative liabilities, leaving a working capital deficit that requires cash payments of approximately $42.6$37.6 million.

Our cash flows during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 consisted of the following:

 

 Three Months Ended March 31,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
 2021  2020  2021  2020 
Net cash used in operating activities $(1,511,242) $(10,153,653) $(9,931,736) $(17,420,685)
Net cash used in investing activities  (965,492)  (2,028,294)  (9,210,699)  (3,441,593)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (2,032,404)  11,246,433 
Net cash provided by financing activities  16,831,427   14,664,786 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $(4,509,138) $(935,514) $(2,311,008) $(6,197,492)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period $5,025,543  $8,537,576  $7,223,673  $3,275,598 

For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $1.5$9.9 million, consisting primarily of: approximately $38.0$74.6 million of cash received from customers (including payments received in advance of performance obligations); less (i) approximately $39.2$84.3 million of cash paid (a) to employees, Publisher Partners, expert contributors, suppliers, and vendors, and (b) for revenue share arrangements and professional services; and (ii) approximately $0.3 million of cash paid for interest; as compared to the yearsix months ended March 31,June 30, 2020, where net cash used in operating activities was approximately $10.2$17.4 million, consisting primarily of: approximately $29.2$56.3 million of cash received from customers (including payments received in advance of performance obligations); less (y) approximately $39.1$73.4 million of cash paid (a) to employees, Publisher Partners, suppliers, and vendors, and (b) for revenue share arrangements, advance of royalty fees and professional services; and (z) approximately $0.2$0.3 million of cash paid for interest.

23

For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.0$9.2 million, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $0.1$7.1 million used to acquire a business; (ii) approximately $0.2 million for property and equipment; and (ii)(iii) approximately $0.9$2.0 million for capitalized costs for our Maven Platform; as compared to the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2020, where net cash used in investing activities was approximately $2.0$3.4 million consisting primarily of: (x) approximately $0.3 million used for the acquisition of a business; (y) approximately $0.9$1.1 million for property and equipment; and (z) approximately $0.9$2.1 million for capitalized costs for our Maven Platform.

For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, net cash used by financing activities was approximately $2.0$16.8 million, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $1.8$19.8 million in net proceeds from the private placement issuance of common stock; less (ii) approximately $2.2 million from repayment under our line of credit; and (ii)(iii) approximately $0.3$0.7 million in payments of restricted stock liabilities; as compared to the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020, where net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $11.2$14.7 million, consisting primarily of: (x) approximately $6.0$11.7 million in net proceeds from the Delayed Draw Term Note; (y) approximately $5.4$3.2 million from borrowing under our line of credit; and less (z) approximately $0.2$0.3 million in payments for tax withholdings on the net settlement of share awards.

Future Liquidity

From AprilJuly 1, 2021 to the issuance date of our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, we continued to incur operating losses and negative cash flow from operating and investing activities. We raised approximately $20.0 million in net proceeds during May 2021 pursuant to the sale and issuances of shares of our common stock in a private placement offering. Our cash balance as of the date our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 were issued or were available to be issued was approximately $6.8 million.

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020

 Three Months Ended March 31,  2021 versus 2020  Three Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
 2021  2020  $ Change  % Change  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $33,615,481  $30,412,853  $3,202,628   10.5% $34,746,512  $23,090,940  $11,655,572   50.5%
Cost of revenue  28,208,372   26,738,833   1,469,539   5.5%  23,595,819   24,874,179   (1,278,360)  -5.1%
Gross profit  5,407,109   3,674,020   1,733,089   47.2%  11,150,693   (1,783,239)  12,933,932   -725.3%
Operating expenses                                
Selling and marketing  17,528,709   9,359,938   8,168,771   87.3%  14,881,455   8,409,343   6,472,112   77.0%
General and administrative  5,638,830   10,410,205   (4,771,375)  -45.8%  15,567,647   7,270,511   8,297,136   114.1%
Depreciation and amortization  3,963,234   4,096,680   (133,446)  -3.3%  3,963,332   4,127,126   (163,794)  -4.0%
Total operating expenses  27,130,773   23,866,823   3,263,950   13.7%  34,412,434   19,806,980   14,605,454   73.7%
Loss from operations  (21,723,664)  (20,192,803)  (1,530,861)  7.6%  (23,261,741)  (21,590,219)  (1,671,522)  7.7%
Total other (expense)  (3,739,641)  (2,583,821)  (1,155,820)  44.7%  2,605,183   (1,571,110)  4,176,293   -265.8%
Loss before income taxes  (25,463,305)  (22,776,624)  (2,686,681)  11.8%  (20,656,558)  (23,161,329)  2,504,771   -10.8%
Income taxes  -   -   -   0.0%  -   -   -   0.0%
Net loss $(25,463,305) $(22,776,624) $(2,686,681)  11.8% $(20,656,558) $(23,161,329) $2,504,771   -10.8%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(0.11) $(0.59) $0.48   -81.4%
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted  230,033,140   38,643,277   191,122,262   495.3%
Basic and diluted net loss per common stock $(0.09) $(0.59) $0.50   -84.7%
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding – basic and diluted  242,283,035   39,217,524   202,813,405   517.1%

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the total net loss was approximately $25.5$20.7 million. The total net loss increaseddecreased by approximately $2.7$2.5 million as compared to the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020, which had a net loss of approximately $22.8$23.2 million. The primary reasons for the increasedecrease in the total net loss is that despite the increase in our revenues, we incurred increased operating expenses as our operations continued to expand during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021. The basic and diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 of $0.11$0.09 decreased from $0.59 for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020, primarily because of our net loss per common share decreased along with the increase of the daily weighted average shares outstanding to 230,033,140242,283,035 shares from 38,643,27739,217,524 shares.

Our growth strategy is principally focused on adding new publisher partners to our Maven Platform. In addition, if the right opportunity exists, we would consider also acquiring related online media, publishing and technology businesses by merger or acquisition transactions. This combined growth strategy expanded the scale of unique users interacting on our Maven Platform with increased revenues during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021. We expect revenues increases in subsequent periods will come from organic growth in operations, addition of more publisher partners, and mergers and acquisitions.

 

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Revenue

 

The following table sets forth revenue, cost of revenue, and gross profit:

 Three Months Ended March 31,  2021 versus 2020  Three Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
 2021  2020  Change  % Change  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
 (percentage reflect cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue)       (percentage reflect cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue)      
Revenue $33,615,481   100.0% $30,412,853   100.0% $3,202,628   10.5% $34,746,512   100.0% $23,090,940   100.0% $11,655,572   50.5%
Cost of revenue  28,208,372   83.9%  26,738,833   87.9%  1,469,539   5.5%  23,595,819   67.9%  24,874,179   107.7%  (1,278,360)  -5.1%
Gross profit $5,407,109   16.1% $3,674,020   12.1% $1,733,089   47.2% $11,150,693   32.1% $(1,783,239)  -7.7% $12,933,932   -725.3%

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 we had revenue of approximately $33.6$34.7 million, as compared to revenue of approximately $30.4$23.1 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020.

The following table sets forth revenue by product line and the corresponding percent of total revenue:

 Three Months Ended March 31,  2021 versus 2020  Three Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
 2021  2020  Change  % Change  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
 (percentages reflect product line as a percentage of total revenue)       (percentages reflect product line as a percentage of total revenue)      
Advertising $11,074,425   32.9% $11,837,984   38.9% $(763,559)  -2.5% $13,548,069   39.0% $7,541,616   32.7% $6,006,453   26.0%
Digital subscriptions  7,084,481   21.1%  5,537,247   18.2%  1,547,234   5.1%  7,690,111   22.1%  6,089,450   26.4%  1,600,661   6.9%
Magazine circulation  14,710,023   43.8%  12,537,532   41.2%  2,172,491   7.1%  12,642,018   36.4%  8,629,166   37.4%  4,012,852   17.4%
Other  746,552   2.2%  500,090   1.6%  246,462   0.8%  866,314   2.5%  830,708   3.6%  35,606   0.2%
Total revenue $33,615,481   100.0% $30,412,853   100.0% $3,202,628   10.5% $34,746,512   100.0% $23,090,940   100.0% $11,655,572   50.5%

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the primary sources of revenue were as follows: (i) advertising of approximately $11.1$13.5 million; (ii) digital subscriptions of approximately $7.1$7.7 million; (iii) magazine circulation of approximately $14.7$12.6 million; and (iv) approximately $0.8$0.9 million from other revenue. Our advertising revenue decreasedincreased by approximately $0.8$6.0 million, due to additional revenue of approximately $3.1 million generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business, approximately $1.0 million generated as a result of The Spun, which was acquired during the second quarter of 2021 and approximately $2.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to decreased revenue ingenerated from our legacy business. Our digital subscriptions increased by approximately $1.5$1.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to additional revenue of approximately $2.5$1.9 million generated byas a result of TheStreet, offset by an approximately $1.0$0.4 million decrease in ourrevenue from the Sports Illustrated media business. Our magazine circulation increased bycontributed approximately $2.2$4.0 million inas a result of the three months ended March 31, 2021 generated by our Sports Illustrated media business. Our other revenue increased by approximately $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to additional revenue of approximately $0.1 million generated by our Sports Illustrated media business and approximately $0.1 million by our legacy business.

Cost of Revenue

 

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized cost of revenue of approximately $28.2$23.6 million and approximately $26.7$24.9 million, respectively. The increasedecrease of approximately $1.5$1.3 million in cost of revenue during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 is primarily from: (i) our Publisher Partner guarantees and revenue share payments of approximately $1.0$0.7 million; (ii)less (y) printing, distribution, and fulfillment costs of approximately $0.8 million, and (z) payroll, stock-based compensation, and related expenses for customer support, technology maintenance, and occupancy costs of related personnel of approximately $2.6 million; (iii) hosting, bandwidth, and software licensing fees of approximately $0.1 million; and (iv) amortization of our Maven Platform of approximately $0.1 million; less (y) printing, distribution, and fulfillment costs of approximately $2.2 million, and (z) other costs of revenue of approximately $0.1$1.0 million.

For both the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020, we capitalized costs related to our Maven Platform of approximately $1.2$1.7 million as compared to approximately $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.in each period. For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the capitalization of our Maven Platform consisted of: (i) approximately $0.9$1.1 million in payroll and related expenses, including taxes and benefits; (ii) approximately $0.3$0.5 million in stock-based compensation for related personnel, and (iii) amortization of approximately $2.2 million.

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Operating Expenses

 

The following table sets forth operating expenses and the corresponding percentage of total revenue:

 Three Months Ended March 31,  2021 versus 2020  Three Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
 2021  2020  Change  % Change  2021 2020 Change % Change 
 (percentages reflect expense as a percentage of total revenue)       (percentages reflect expense as a percentage of total revenue)      
Selling and marketing $17,528,709   52.1% $9,359,938   30.8% $8,168,771   26.9% $14,881,455   42.8% $8,409,343   36.4% $6,472,112   32.7%
General and administrative  5,638,830   16.8%  10,410,205   34.2%  (4,771,375)  -15.7%  15,567,647   44.8%  7,270,511   31.5%  8,297,136   41.9%
Depreciation and amortization  3,963,234   11.8%  4,096,680   13.5%  (133,446)  -0.4%  3,963,332   11.4%  4,127,126   17.9%  (163,794)  -0.8%
Total operating expenses $27,130,773      $23,866,823      $3,263,950   13.7% $34,412,434      $19,806,980      $14,605,454   73.7%

Selling and Marketing. For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, we incurred selling and marketing costs of approximately $17.5$14.9 million, as compared to approximately $9.4$8.4 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020. The increase in selling and marketing costs of approximately $8.2$6.5 million is primarily from circulation costs of approximately $6.2 million; advertising costs of approximately $0.9 million; professional and marketing service costs of approximately $0.3 million; less (i) payroll of selling and marketing account management support teams, along with the related benefits and stock-based compensation of approximately $2.4 million; circulation costs of approximately $6.7 million; less (i) advertising costs of approximately $0.5 million; and (ii) other selling and marketing related costs of approximately $0.4 million.

General and Administrative. For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, we incurred general and administrative costs of approximately $5.6$15.6 million from payroll and related expenses, professional services, occupancy costs, stock-based compensation of related personnel, depreciation and amortization, and other corporate expense, as compared to approximately $10.4$7.3 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020. The decreaseincrease in general and administrative expenses of approximately $4.8$8.3 million is primarily from an increase in our decrease in payroll, along with the related benefits and stock-compensation of approximately $4.4$7.3 million; facilities costs of approximately $0.2 million; conferences costs of approximately $0.2 million; and other general corporate expenses of approximately $0.3 million; and an increase in professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance of approximately $0.7 million; and other general corporate expenses of approximately $0.2 million.

Other (Expenses) Income

 

The following table sets forth other (expense) income:

 Three Months Ended March 31,  2021 versus 2020  Three Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
 2021  2020  Change  % Change  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
 (percentages reflect other expense (income) as a percentage of the total)       (percentages reflect other expense (income) as a percentage of the total)      
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities $(665,036)  17.8% $139,219   -5.4% $(804,255)  31.1% $360,093   13.8% $243,276   -15.5% $116,817   -7.4%
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   0.0%  1,621,000   -62.7%  (1,621,000)  62.7%  -   0.0%  2,922,000   -186.0%  (2,922,000)  186.0%
Interest expense  (2,819,971)  75.4%  (3,799,728)  147.1%  979,757   -37.9%  (2,362,709)  -90.7%  (4,116,407)  262.0%  1,753,698   -111.6%
Interest income  -   0.0%  1,743   -0.1%  (1,743)  0.1%  471   0.0%  1,640   -0.1%  (1,169)  0.1%
Liquidated damages  (254,634)  6.8%  (546,055)  21.1%  291,421   -11.3%  (1,109,369)  -42.6%  (621,619)  39.6%  (487,750)  31.0%
Other income  5,716,697   219.4%  -   0.0%  5,716,697   -363.9%
Total other (expense) $(3,739,641)  100.0% $(2,583,821)  100.0% $(1,155,820)  44.7% $2,605,183   100.0% $(1,571,110)  100.0% $4,176,293   -265.8%

 

Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. The change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 was the result of the increasedecrease in the fair value of the warrant derivative liabilities as of March 31,June 30, 2021, as compared to the change in the valuation for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020 where the change was from a decreasean increase in the fair value of the warrant derivative liabilities as of March 31,June 30, 2020.

Change in Valuation of Embedded Derivative Liabilities. There was no changeThe approximately $2.9 million decrease in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 sincewas the underlying instrument related to theresult of having no embedded derivative liabilities was settled in 2020,as of June 30, 2021, as compared to the change in thea valuation of approximately $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 where the change was from a decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities as of March 31,June 30, 2020.

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Interest Expense. We incurred interest expense of approximately $2.8$2.4 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, as compared to approximately $3.8$4.1 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense of approximately $1.0$1.8 million is primarily from an approximately $0.9$1.3 million decrease from the amortization of debt discount on notes payable; approximately $0.2$0.6 million decrease of accrued interest; and an increase of approximately $0.1 million of other interest.

Liquidated Damages. We recorded liquidated damages of approximately $0.3$1.1 million in liquidating damages, including the accrued interest thereon, duringfor the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, an increase of approximately $0.5 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily from the issuance of our 12% Convertible Debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I convertible preferred stock (the “Series I Preferred Stock”), and Series J convertible preferred stock (the “Series J Convertible”Preferred Stock”) in fiscal 2020 sinceissued during 2020. The liquidated damages were recognized because we determined that: (1) the(i) registration statements registering for resalecovering the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion ofunder the 12% Convertible Debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock and Series J Preferred Stockaforementioned instruments would not be declared effective within the requisite time frame; and (2)(ii) that we would not be able to become current infile our periodic filing obligationsreports in the requisite time frame with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under the applicable securities purchase agreements.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

  Six Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $68,361,993  $53,503,793  $14,858,200   27.8%
Cost of revenue  51,804,191   51,613,012   191,179   0.4%
Gross profit  16,557,802   1,890,781   14,667,021   775.7%
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  32,410,164   17,769,281   14,640,883   82.4%
General and administrative  21,206,477   17,680,716   3,525,761   19.9%
Depreciation and amortization  7,926,566   8,223,806   (297,240)  -3.6%
Total operating expenses  61,543,207   43,673,803   17,869,404   40.9%
Loss from operations  (44,985,405)  (41,783,022)  (3,202,383)  7.7%
Total other (expense)  (1,134,458)  (4,154,931)  3,020,473   -72.7%
Loss before income taxes  (46,119,863)  (45,937,953)  (181,910)  0.4%
Income taxes  -   -   -   0.0%
Net loss $(46,119,863) $(45,937,953) $(181,910)  0.4%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(0.20) $(1.17) $0.97   -82.9%
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted  236,226,197   39,171,629   196,793,289   502.4%

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the total net loss was approximately $46.1 million. The total net loss increased by approximately $0.2 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020, which had a net loss of approximately $45.9 million. The primary reasons for the increase in the total net loss is that our operations continued to expand during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The basic and diluted net loss per common share for the six months ended June 30, 2021 of $0.20 decreased from $1.17 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily because our net loss per common share decreased along with the increase of the daily weighted average shares outstanding to 236,226,197 shares from 39,171,629 shares.

Our growth strategy is principally focused on adding new publisher partners to our Maven Platform. In addition, if the right opportunity exists, we would consider also acquiring related online media, publishing and technology businesses by merger or acquisition transactions. This combined growth strategy expanded the scale of unique users interacting on our Maven Platform with increased revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2021. We expect revenues increases in subsequent periods will come from organic growth in operations, addition of more publisher partners, and mergers and acquisitions.

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Revenue

The following table sets forth revenue, cost of revenue, and gross profit:

  Six Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  (percentage reflect cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue)       
Revenue $68,361,993   100.0% $53,503,793   100.0% $14,858,200   27.8%
Cost of revenue  51,804,191   75.8%  51,613,012   96.5%  191,179   0.4%
Gross profit $16,557,802   24.2% $1,890,781   3.5% $14,667,021   775.7%

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 we had revenue of approximately $68.4 million, as compared to revenue of approximately $53.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

The following table sets forth revenue by product line and the corresponding percent of total revenue:

  Six Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect product line as a percentage of total revenue)       
Advertising $24,622,494   36.0% $19,379,600   36.2% $5,242,894   9.8%
Digital subscriptions  14,774,592   21.6%  11,626,697   21.7%  3,147,895   5.9%
Magazine circulation  27,352,041   40.0%  21,166,698   39.6%  6,185,343   11.6%
Other  1,612,866   2.4%  1,330,798   2.5%  282,068   0.5%
Total revenue $68,361,993   100.0% $53,503,793   100.0% $14,858,200   27.8%

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the primary sources of revenue were as follows: (i) advertising of approximately $24.6 million; (ii) digital subscriptions of approximately $14.8 million; (iii) magazine circulation of approximately $27.4 million; and (iv) approximately $1.6 million from other revenue. Our advertising revenue increased by approximately $5.2 million due to additional revenue of approximately $3.2 million generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business, approximately $1.0 million generated as a result of The Spun, which was acquired during the second quarter 2021, and approximately $1.3 million in revenue generated from our legacy business. Our digital subscriptions increased by approximately $3.1 million due to additional revenue of approximately $4.4 million generated as a result of TheStreet, offset by an approximately $1.4 million decrease in revenue from the Sports Illustrated media business. Our magazine circulation contributed approximately $6.2 million as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business.

Cost of Revenue

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized cost of revenue of approximately $51.8 million and approximately $51.6 million, respectively. The increase of approximately $0.2 million in cost of revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2021 is primarily from: (i) our Publisher Partner guarantees and revenue share payments of approximately $1.7 million; (ii) payroll, stock-based compensation, and related expenses for customer support, technology maintenance, and occupancy costs of related personnel of approximately $1.6 million; less (y) printing, distribution, and fulfillment costs of approximately $3.0 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we capitalized costs related to our Maven Platform of approximately $2.8 million, as compared to approximately $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the capitalization of our Maven Platform consisted of: (i) approximately $2.0 million in payroll and related expenses, including taxes and benefits; (ii) approximately $0.9 million in stock-based compensation for related personnel, and (iii) amortization of approximately $4.3 million.

34

Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth operating expenses and the corresponding percentage of total revenue:

  Six Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect expense as a percentage of total revenue)       
Selling and marketing $32,410,164   47.4% $17,769,281   33.2% $14,640,883   33.5%
General and administrative  21,206,477   31.0%  17,680,716   33.0%  3,525,761   8.1%
Depreciation and amortization  7,926,566   11.6%  8,223,806   15.4%  (297,240)  -0.7%
Total operating expenses $61,543,207      $43,673,803      $17,869,404   40.9%

Selling and Marketing. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we incurred selling and marketing costs of approximately $32.4 million, as compared to approximately $17.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in selling and marketing costs of approximately $14.6 million is primarily from circulation costs of approximately $12.9 million; payroll of selling and marketing account management support teams, along with the related benefits and stock-based compensation of approximately $1.9 million; advertising costs of approximately $0.4 million; professional and marketing service costs of approximately $0.5 million; less (i) office, travel, conferences and occupancy costs of approximately $0.4 million; and (ii) other selling and marketing related costs of approximately $0.7 million.

General and Administrative. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we incurred general and administrative costs of approximately $21.2 million from payroll and related expenses, professional services, occupancy costs, stock-based compensation of related personnel, depreciation and amortization, and other corporate expense, as compared to approximately $17.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $3.5 million is primarily from an increase in our payroll, along with the related benefits and stock-compensation of approximately $2.9 million; professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance of approximately $1.0 million; less (i) facilities costs of approximately $0.2 million; and (ii) other general corporate expenses of approximately $0.1 million.

Other (Expenses) Income

The following table sets forth other (expense) income:

  Six Months Ended June 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect other expense (income) as a percentage of the total)       
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities $(304,943)  20.0% $382,495   -9.2% $(687,438)  16.5%
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   0.0%  4,543,000   -109.3%  (4,543,000)  109.3%
Interest expense  (5,182,680)  456.8%  (7,916,135)  190.5%  2,733,455   -65.8%
Interest income  471   0.0%  3,383   -0.1%  (2,912)  0.1%
Liquidated damages  (1,364,003)  120.2%  (1,167,674)  28.1%  (196,329)  4.7%
Gain upon debt extinguishment  5,716,697   -503.9%  -   0.0%  5,716,697   -137.6%
Total other (expense) $(1,134,458)  100.0% $(4,154,931)  100.0% $3,020,473   -72.7%

Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. The change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was the result of the decrease in the fair value of the warrant derivative liabilities as of June 30, 2021, as compared to the change in the valuation for the six months ended June 30, 2020 where the change was from an increase in the fair value of the warrant derivative liabilities as of June 30, 2020.

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Change in Valuation of Embedded Derivative Liabilities. The approximately $4.5 million decrease in embedded derivative liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was the result of having no embedded derivative liabilities as of June 30, 2021, as compared to a valuation of approximately $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Interest Expense. We incurred interest expense of approximately $5.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to approximately $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense of approximately $2.7 million is primarily from an approximately $2.2 million decrease from the amortization of debt discount on notes payable; approximately $0.7 million decrease in accrued interest; and increase of approximately $0.2 million of other interest.

Liquidated Damages. We recorded liquidated damages including the accrued interest thereon, of approximately $0.5$1.4 million in fiscal 2020for the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily from issuance of our 12% Convertible Debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock, and Series J Preferred Stock whichissued during 2020. The liquidated damages were basedrecognized because we determined that: (i) registration statements covering the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion under the reasons set forth above.aforementioned instruments would not be declared effective within the requisite time frame; and (ii) that we would not be able to file our periodic reports in the requisite time frame with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under the securities purchase agreements.

Gain Upon Debt Extinguishment. We recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment of $5,716,697 (including accrued interest) pursuant to the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program Loan for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer(s) and principal financial officer(s), or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, an evaluation was completed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In connection with our continued monitoring and maintenance of our controls procedures as part of the implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes, we continue to review, test, and improve the effectiveness of our internal controls. There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period ended March 31,June 30, 2021, or subject to the date we completed our evaluation, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently subject to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that we believe would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are numerous factors that affect our business and operating results, many of which are beyond our control. The risk factors described in Part I, “Item IA. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2020, should be carefully considered, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with SEC in connection with evaluating us, our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us at present, or that we currently deem immaterial, may affect us. The occurrence of any of these known or unknown risks could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following sets forth certain unregistered sales of our equity securities for prior periods that were not previously disclosed, as well as unregistered sales of our equity securities that occurred through the date of filing this Quarterly Report:None.

On January 1, 2019, we issued 833,333 shares of our common stock as restricted stock awards to five members of our board of directors subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $0.48. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On June 14, 2019, our board of directors approved the grant of the warrants to acquire up to 21,989,844 shares our common stock to ABG-SI, LLC in connection with the Sports Illustrated licensed brands. Half the warrants have an exercise price of $0.42 per share (the “Forty-Two Cents Warrants”). The other half of the warrants have an exercise price of $0.84 per share (the “Eighty-Four Cents Warrants”). The warrants provide for the following: (1) 40% of the Forty-Two Cents Warrants and 40% of the Eighty-Four Cents Warrants will vest in equal monthly increments over a period of two years beginning on the one-year anniversary of the date of issuance of the warrants; (2) 60% of the Forty-Two Cents Warrants and 60% of the Eighty-Four Cents Warrants will vest based on the achievement of certain performance goals for the Sports Illustrated licensed brands in calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023; (3) under certain circumstances we may require ABG to exercise all (and not less than all) of the warrants, in which case all of the warrants will be vested; (4) all of the warrants will automatically vest upon certain terminations by ABG of the licensing agreement we entered into with Sports Illustrated or upon a change of control of us; and (5) ABG will have the right to participate, on a pro-rata basis (including vested and unvested warrants, exercised or unexercised), in any of our future equity issuances (subject to customary exceptions). Pursuant to an amendment to the licensing agreement, the exercise price of fifty percent (50%) of the Eighty-Four Cents Warrants was changed to $0.42 per share in exchange for additional benefits under the Sports Illustrated licensing agreement. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Between March 16, 2019 and December 2, 2019, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to 68,137,863 shares of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as payment for services rendered. The exercise prices per share ranged from $0.40 to $0.89. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

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Between January 2, 2020 and December 31, 2020, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to approximately 22,143,768 shares of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as payment for services rendered. The exercise prices per share ranged from $0.34 to $0.93. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On May 18, 2020 and June 5, 2020, we granted restricted stock units representing 3,250,000 shares of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as payment for services rendered. The fair value per share ranged from $0.44 to $0.50. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Between January 1, 2021 and June 28, 2021, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to 45,500,009 shares of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as payment for services rendered. The exercise prices per share ranged from $0.59 to $0.97. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Between February 18, 2021 and June 18, 2021, we granted restricted stock units representing 36,508,945 shares of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan as payment for services rendered. The fair values per share ranged from $0.73 and $0.90. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On January 1, 2021, we issued 750,000 shares of our common stock as restricted stock awards to six members of our board of directors subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value was $0.60. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On March 9, 2021, we issued 55,165 shares of our common stock as restricted stock awards to one new member of our board of directors subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a ten-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $0.74. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On March 9, 2021, we issued 256,661 shares of our common stock to LiftIgniter as part of the consideration owed under the asset purchase agreement. The fair value per share on the date of issuance was $0.79. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On June 14, 2021, we issued 82,158 shares of our common stock as restricted stock awards to two new members of our board of directors subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a seven-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $0.84. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following documents are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:

Exhibit

Number

Description of Document
   
10.1ǂ3.1 Certificate of Designation of Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2021.
4.1Rights Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2021, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certificate of Designations, the Form of Right Certificate, and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares attached thereto as Exhibits A, B, and C, respectively, which was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2021.
10.1Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2021, by and among the Company, Maven Executive Bonus Plan,Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, and the Agent, and the Purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
10.2Form of Securities Purchase Agreement among the Company and each of the several purchasers signatory thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
10.3Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Company and each of the several purchasers signatory thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
10.4Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 4, 2021, by and among the Company, Maven Media Brands, LLC, College Spun Media Incorporated, Matthew Lombardi, Alyson Shontell Lombardi, Timothy Ray, Andrew Holleran, and the Representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 14,June 7, 2021.
10.2ǂ31.1*Second Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 18, 2021 and effective on August 26, 2020, by and between the Company and Ross Levinsohn, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2021.
10.3ǂAmended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 18, 2021 and effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Douglas Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2021.
10.4ǂExecutive Employment Agreement, effective February 16, 2021, by and between the Company and Robertson Barrett, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2021.
10.5ǂExecutive Employment Agreement, dated February 17, 2021 and effective on January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Paul Edmondson, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2021.
10.6ǂExecutive Employment Agreement, dated February 17, 2021 and effective on January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Jill Marchisotto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2021.
10.7ǂAmended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2021 and effective on January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Andrew Kraft, which was filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2021.
10.8ǂSecond Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 22, 2021 and effective on January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Avi Zimak, which was filed as Exhibit 10.7 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2021.
10.9ǂSecond Amendment to theMaven, Inc.’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, dated February 18, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2021.
10.10ǂLetter Agreement between the Company and Joshua Jacobs, effective as of March 9, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on March 12, 2021.
31.1*Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS**XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

* Filed herewith.

** In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information on Exhibit No. 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed “furnished” herewith but not “filed”.

ǂ Management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.

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SIGNATURES

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

TheMaven, Inc.
Date: August 16, 2021By:/s/ ROSS LEVINSOHN
Ross Levinsohn
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
Date: August 16, 2021By:/s/ DOUGLAS B. SMITH
Douglas B. Smith
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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