As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2018April 16, 2021

 

Registration No. 333-333-237634

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO

Form S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

SMAAASH ENTERTAINMENT INC.SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 6770 82-1231127

(State or other jurisdiction

of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification
Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor7000 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Suite 505

New York, NY 10105Boca Raton, FL 33433

Telephone: (212) 878-3684(855) 345-9467

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

F. Jacob CherianRoman Franklin

Chief Executive Officer


625 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 600

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 15th FloorWest Palm Beach, FL 33401
New York, New York 10105

Telephone: (212) 878-3684(855) 345-9467

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

Barry I. Grossman,

Laura Anthony, Esq.
Benjamin S. Reichel, Esq.

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Telephone: (212) 370-1300

Craig D. Linder, Esq.

Anthony L.G., PLLC

625 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 600

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

Telephone: (561) 514-0936

______________

______________

______________

______________

Telephone: (___) ___-____

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. [X]

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [  ]

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [  ]

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [  ]

 

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

 

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

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check market 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐ [  ]

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered Amount to be registered  Proposed maximum offering price per common stock  Proposed maximum aggregate offering price  Amount of registration fee 
                 
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share  5,461,500(1)  $11.50(2) $62,807,250.00  $7,612.24 
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share  1,847,650(3)  $1.89(4) $3,492,058.50  $423.24 
Warrants to purchase Common Stock  261,500(5)  (6)     0 
                 
TOTAL             $8,035.48 
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)

  

Amount of

Registration Fee

 
Units(2) $11,500,000  $1,493 
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, included in the units  (4)  (4)
Warrants to purchase common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, included in the units  (4)  (4)
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, underlying the warrants included in the units(3) $12,650,000  $1,642 
Representative’s Warrant to purchase common stock $(5) $(5)
Common stock issuable upon exercise of Representative’s Warrants to purchase common stock (6) $1,851,500  $240 
TOTAL $26,001,500  $3,375(7)

 

(1)RepresentsEstimated solely for the issuance bypurpose of calculating the registrant of (i) 5,200,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) that may be issued upon the exercise of 5,200,000 warrants (the “Public Warrants”) originally sold as part of units in the registrant’s initial public offering (the “IPO”), and (ii) 261,500 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exerciseamount of the 261,500 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”, which together with the Public Warrants, the “Warrants”) originally sold as part of private placement units (the “Private Placement Units”) in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. Pursuantregistration fee pursuant to Rule 416 under457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), there.
(2)Each unit consists of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Includes shares of common stock and/or warrants to purchase shares of common stock, which may be issued upon exercise of a 45-day option granted to the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.
(3)The warrants are exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to 110% of the public offering price per share of common stock. The proposed maximum aggregate public offering price of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants was calculated to be $12,650,000 (which is 110% of $11,500,000 since each investor will receive a warrant to purchase one share of common stock for each share of common stock purchased in this offering). Pursuant to Rule 416, the registrant is also being registered such indeterminableregistering an indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may be issued to prevent dilution as a resultcommon stock that are issuable by reason of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions, and the resaleanti-dilution provisions of such shares of Common Stock.the warrants.

(2)
(4)BasedIncluded in the $11.50 exercise price of a warrant in accordance withthe units. No fee required pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.

(3)
(5)Represents the resale of (i) 26,150 shares of Common Stock underlying the rights originally sold as part of the Private Placement Units, (ii) 261,500 shares of Common Stock originally sold as part of the Private Placement Units, (iii) 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock owned by our initial stockholders (the “Founder Shares”), (iv) 52,000 shares of Common Stock held by Maxim Group LLC, the underwriters of our IPO; and (v) 208,000 shares of Common Stock held by Chardan Capital Markets, LLC as compensation for its services upon the consummation of our transactions with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited. PursuantNo fee required pursuant to Rule 416457(g) under the Securities Act, thereAct.
(6)The Representative’s Warrants are also being registered such indeterminable additional shares of Common Stock as may be issued to prevent dilution asexercisable at a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(4)Estimated at $1.89 per share the averageexercise price equal to 115% of the high and low prices of the registrant’s common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market on December 13, 2018 (a date within five business days prior to the initial filing of this registration statement),public offering price per share. As estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act.

(5)Represents the resale of the Private Placement Warrants.

(6)No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.Act, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the Representative’s warrants is $1,851,500, which is equal to 115% of $1,610,000 (7% of $11,500,000 of shares of common stock sold in this offering and 7% of $11,500,000 of shares of common stock underlying the Warrants sold in this offering). Pursuant to Rule 416, the registrant is also registering an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock that are issuable by reason of the anti-dilution provisions of the Representative’s Warrants.
(7)Previously paid $3,375.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment thatwhich specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 19, 2018.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUSSUBJECT TO COMPLETIONDATED APRIL 16, 2021

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS709,219 Units

SMAAASH ENTERTAINMENT INC.

7,309,150 SharesEach Unit Consisting of One Share of Common Stock and

261,500 WarrantsOne Warrant to Purchase One Share of Common Stock

 

This

We are offering 709,219 units of Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, a Delaware corporation. For purposes of this prospectus, relates to the issuance by usassumed public offering price per unit is $14.10, the last reported sale price for our common stock as reported on OTCQB on April 14, 2021. Each unit consists of up to 5,461,500 sharesone share of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (“Common Stock”), which consistand one warrant to purchase one share of (a) 5,200,000our common stock at an exercise price per share of $15.51 (110% of the assumed public offering price of one unit in this offering). The warrants will expire on the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The units will have no stand-alone rights and will not be issued or certificated as stand-alone securities. Purchasers will receive only shares of Common Stock thatcommon stock and warrants. The shares of common stock and warrants may be issuedtransferred separately, immediately upon issuance. The offering also includes the shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of 5,200,000the warrants.

Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB tier of the OTC Market Group, Inc. under the symbol “WINR.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on April 14, 2021 was $14.10 ($1.7625 pre-reverse split) per share. Our warrants (the “Public Warrants”) originally sold as part of unitsissued in connection with our initial public offering (the “IPO”)in August 2017 are currently listed on, and which entitlewill continue to be listed on, OTCQB under the holder to purchase Common Stock at an exercisesymbol “WINRW.” The last reported sale price of $11.50our warrants on April 14, 2021 was $3.00 ($0.375 pre-reverse split) per share of Common Stock,warrant. At present, there is a very limited market for our common stock and (b) 261,500 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of 261,500warrants. We intend to list our common stock and warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”, and together with the Public Warrants, the “Warrants”) underlying units originally issued in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the consummation(forming part of the IPO (the “Private Placement Units”units offered hereby) on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq Capital Market”), which entitle or the holder to purchase Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock.

In addition, this prospectus relates toNYSE American (“NYSE American”) under the resale from time to time of 7,309,150 shares of Common Stocksymbols “WINR” and 261,500 Private Placement Warrants“WINRW,” respectively. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the selling security holders named in this prospectusNasdaq Capital Market or their permitted transferees (the “Selling Securityholders”).the NYSE American. The 7,309,150 shares of Common Stock consist of:

(i)5,200,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of the Public Warrants;

(ii)261,500 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants;

(iii)261,500 shares of Common Stock originally sold as part of Private Placement Units;

(iv)26,150 shares of Common Stock underlying the 261,500 rights originally sold as part of the Private Placement Units;

(v)1,300,000 shares of Common Stock owned by our initial stockholders and their permitted transferees (the “Founder Shares”);

(vi)52,000 shares of Common Stock held by Maxim Group LLC, the underwriters of our IPO; and

(vii)208,000 shares of Common Stock held by Chardan Capital Markets, LLC as compensation for its services upon the consummation of our transactions with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited.

The shares of Common Stock that may be issued by us and the shares of Common Stock and the Private Placement Warrants that may be sold by the Selling Securityholders are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “Offered Securities.” We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the Selling Securityholders of the Offered Securities. We will receive the proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants for cash, but not from the sale of the underlying shares of Common Stock. See “Use of Proceeds” beginning on page 39 of this prospectus. We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the Offered Securities, including with regard to compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws. The Selling Securityholders will bear all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to their sale of the Offered Securities, except as otherwise expressly set forth under “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 67 of this prospectus.


This prospectus describes the general manner in which the Offered Securities may be offered and sold. If necessary, the specific manner in which the Offered Securities may be offered and sold will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein before you invest in anyapproval of our securities.

The Selling Securityholders may offer, sell or distribute Offered Securities publicly or through private transactions. If the Selling Securityholders use underwriters, dealers or agents to sell Offered Securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds the Selling Securityholders expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Our Common Stock and warrants are currently quotedlisting on the Nasdaq Capital Market underor the symbols “SMSH”NYSE American is a condition of closing this offering.

The actual offering price per unit will be as determined between __________________, the representative (the “Representative”) of the underwriters of this offering (the “Underwriters”) and “SMSHW,” respectively.us based on market conditions at the time of pricing and may be issued at a discount to the current market price of our common stock. Factors to be considered will include our historical performance and capital structure, prevailing market conditions and overall assessment of our business. The market price of our common stock will be one of several factors to be considered in determining the actual offering price. Therefore, the recent market price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final offering price.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

Unless otherwise noted, the share and per share information in this prospectus have been adjusted to give effect to the one-for-eight (1-for-8) reverse stock split (“Reverse Stock Split”) of our outstanding common stock, which was effective at the commencement of trading of our common stock on November 20, 2020. Furthermore, the 709,219 unit amount referenced above is based on the units being sold at the estimated offering price of $14.10 per unit and such unit amount shall change if the actual unit price is less than or more than $14.10 in such manner to maintain the gross proceeds at $10,000,000. For instance, if the unit price is $13.10 per unit, the number of units to be sold in the offering shall be 763,358.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1210 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with the ownership ofan investment in our securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined ifpassed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus is truthful or complete.prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Per UnitTotal
Public offering price (1)$$
Underwriting discounts and commissions (2)$$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us (3)$$

(1)The public offering price and underwriting discount and commissions in respect of each unit correspond to a public offering price per share of common stock of $________ and a public offering price per accompanying warrant of $0.01.
(2)This table depicts broker-dealer commissions of 7.00% of the gross offering proceeds. Underwriting discounts and commissions do not include a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1.0% of the public offering price payable to _________________________, the Representative of the Underwriters. See “Underwriting” beginning on page 103 for disclosure regarding compensation payable to the Underwriters by us.
(3)We estimate the total expenses of this offering will be approximately $474,107. Assumes no exercise of the over-allotment option we have granted to the Underwriter as described below.

We have granted the Representative of the Underwriters an option for a period of 45 days from the date of this prospectus to purchase up to an additional 106,382 shares of common stock and/or warrants to purchase 106,382 shares of common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount and commissions solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

The Underwriters expect to deliver our securities to purchasers in the offering on or about              , 2021.

___________________________

The date of thethis prospectus is                   [      ] , 20192021


 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY4
Page
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTNOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS11
ii
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATAii
TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTSii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY1
RISK FACTORS12
10
USE OF PROCEEDS39
34
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATIONDIVIDEND POLICY40
34
CAPITALIZATION35
MARKET PRICE FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS35
DILUTION43
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS44
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS44
62
MANAGEMENT48
75
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERSEXECUTIVE COMPENSATION56
82
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT97
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS58
100
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERSUNDERWRITING60
103
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION67
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES70
108
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONSLEGAL MATTERS78
115
LEGAL MATTERSEXPERTS83
116
EXPERTSDISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION’S POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES83
116
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MOREADDITIONAL INFORMATION83
116
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTSF-1

 

You should rely only on theNo dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in this prospectus in connection with the offer made by this prospectus and, if given or a supplement to this prospectus. We havemade, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized anyone to provide you with different information.by us. This prospectus isdoes not constitute an offer to sell securities, and it is not solicitingor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction where thein which such an offer or salesolicitation is not permitted. You shouldauthorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not assumequalified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that thethere has been no change in our affairs or that information contained in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectusherein is accuratecorrect as of any date other thantime subsequent to the date on the front cover of those documents.



SUMMARYhereof.

 

This summary only highlightsFor investors outside the more detailed information appearing elsewhere inUnited States: We have not done anything that would permit this prospectus. As this is a summary, it does not contain alloffering or possession or distribution of the information that you should consider in making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under “Risk Factors” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus before investing.

Unless otherwise stated in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus references to:

● “Founder Shares” means the 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock owned by our initial stockholders or their permitted transferees;

● “initial stockholders” means the holders of our Founder Shares priormust inform themselves, and observe any restrictions relating to, the IPO;

● “IPO” means our initial public offering of Public Units;

● “management” or “management team” means our executive officers and directors;

● “Private Placement Shares” means the shares of our Common Stock included in the Private Placement Units;

● “Private Placement Units” means the units issued to our sponsor in a private placement occurring simultaneously with the closing of the IPO;

● “Private Placement Warrants” means the warrants included in the Private Placement Units;

● “Public Shares” means shares of our Common Stock sold as part of the Public Units;

● “Public Stockholders” means the holders of our Public Shares, including our initial stockholders and members of our management team to the extent our initial stockholders and/or members of our management team purchased Public Shares, provided that each initial stockholder’s and member of our management team’s status as a “public stockholder” shall only exist with respect to such Public Shares;

● “Public Units” means the units originally sold in our IPO;

● “Smaaash Private” means Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries;

● “Sponsor” means I-AM Capital Partners LLC, our sponsor; and

● “Warrants” means our redeemable warrants, which includes all of our warrants sold as part of the Public Units as well as the Private Placement Warrants to the extent they are no longer held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their permitted transferees.

Unless the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us,” or “the Company” refers to I-AM Capital Acquisition Company prior to the Closing (defined below) and to Smaaash Entertainment Inc. after the Closing.


Background

Smaaash Entertainment Inc. (formerly known as I-AM Capital Acquisition Company) was a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 17, 2017. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Although we were not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a business combination, we focused on businesses with a connection to India.

On May 31, 2017, we issued 1,437,500 Founder Shares to the Sponsor in exchange for a capital contribution of $25,000. Upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option on September 13, 2017, 137,500 Founder Shares were forfeited by the Sponsor.

The Founder Shares are identical to the Public Shares and holders of Founder Shares have the same stockholder rights as Public Stockholders, except that the Founder Sharescommon stock and the Private Placement Shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions.

On August 22, 2017, we sold 5,000,000 Public Units at a purchase pricedistribution of $10.00 per unit in our IPO, generating gross proceeds of $50.0 million. Each public unit consisted of one share of our Common Stock, one right to receive one-tenth of one share our Common Stock upon consummation of an initial business combination, and one redeemable warrant. Each warrant entitlesthis prospectus outside the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment.

Concurrently with the closing of the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 254,500 Private Placement Units at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $2,545,000 in a private placement. The Private Placement Units (including their component securities) are not transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the initial business combination and the warrants included in the Private Placement Units are non-redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or their permitted transferees.

Contained in the underwriting agreement for the IPO was an over-allotment option allowing the underwriters to purchase from the Company up to an additional 750,000 Public Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) and, in addition, the Company received a commitment from the Sponsor to purchase up to an additional 26,250 Private Placement Units. On September 13, 2017, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased 200,000 Over-Allotment Units, which were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $2,000,000. Also on September 13, 2017, simultaneously with the sale of the Over-Allotment Units, the Company consummated the sale of an additional 7,000 Private Placement Units (the “Over-Allotment Placement Units”), generating gross proceeds of $70,000.

On November 20, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), the Company and Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of India (“Smaaash Private”), consummated the transactions (the “Transactions”) contemplated by the share subscription agreement (as amended, the “Subscription Agreement”), following the approval at the special meeting of the stockholders of the Company held on November 9, 2018 (the “Special Meeting”).

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the purchase price of $150,000 was paid by the Company to Smaaash Private in exchange for 300,000 newly issued equity shares of Smaaash Private at the closing of the Transactions (the “Closing”).

In addition, AHA Holdings Private Limited (“AHA Holdings”) and Shripal Morakhia (together with AHA Holdings, the “Smaaash Founders”) have agreed that within six months following the Closing Date, they will transfer all of their ownership interest in Smaaash Private (representing 33.6% of the share capital of Smaaash Private on a fully diluted basis as of June 22, 2018) (the “Additional Smaaash Shares”) to the Company in exchange for newly issued shares of our Common Stock (the “Transferred Company Shares”) in an amount which would enable the Smaaash Founders to retain their 33.6% ownership interest in Smaaash Private indirectly through their interest in the Company.United States.

 


i

At the Closing, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of its common stock to the Smaaash Founders as an upfront portion of the Transferred Company Shares (the “Upfront Company Shares”). In connection with the issuance of the Upfront Company Shares, the Company and the Smaaash Founders entered into an escrow agreement pursuant to which the Upfront Company Shares will be held in escrow and will be either, (i) if the Additional Smaaash Shares are not transferred in full to the Company within the designated six-month period, cancelled, or (ii) if the Additional Smaaash Shares are transferred in full to the Company within the designated six-month period, released from escrow and the number of Upfront Company Shares will be deducted from the Transferred Company Shares that will be issued to the Smaaash Founders upon the delivery of the Additional Smaaash Shares.

On November 16, 2018, Smaaash Private and the Smaaash Founders executed a letter of undertaking, pursuant to which they agreed to transfer 4,000,000 additional equity shares of Smaaash Private to the Company in consideration for 200,000 shares of our Common Stock, simultaneously with the issuance of the 300,000 equity shares of Smaaash Private to the Company on or prior to November 30, 2018, as permitted by the laws of India. Such additional shares of Smaaash Private have not yet been delivered to the Company.

In connection with the Closing, the Company changed its name from I-AM Capital Acquisition Company to Smaaash Entertainment Inc. and entered into a master franchise agreement (“Master Franchise Agreement”) and a master license and distribution agreement (“Master Distribution Agreement”) with Smaaash Private. Prior to the Closing, the Company was a shell company with no operations, formed as a vehicle to effect a business combination with one or more operating businesses. After the Closing, the Company’s primary assets consist of shares in Smaaash Private and the rights granted under the Master Franchise Agreement and the Master Distribution Agreement.

Master Franchise Agreement

Franchise and license right. Under the Master Franchise Agreement, Smaaash Private has granted to the Company an exclusive right to establish and operate Smaaash Centers (as defined under the Master Franchise Agreement) and to sublicense the right to establish and operate Smaaash Centers to third party franchisees, and a license to use the products and other services developed by Smaaash Private with respect to the Smaaash Centers, in the territories of North America and South America (“Territory”). Further, Smaaash Private has granted to the Company the limited license to use the Trademarks of Smaaash Private (as set out in the Master Franchise Agreement) for the purposes of establishing and operating the Smaaash Centers in the Territory. The Master Franchise Agreement has been executed on an arms’ length basis between Smaaash Private and the Company.

Obligations of the Company. The Company will not directly or indirectly engage or be concerned with any business which competes with Smaaash Private’s business in the Territory during the term of the Master Franchise Agreement. The Company will market, promote and publicize the Smaaash Centers in the Territory. The Company or third party sub-franchisees shall be under an obligation to set up at least six Smaaash Centers during the first calendar year.

Obligations of Smaaash Private. Smaaash Private shall assist in training and installing the equipment and bear all the costs associated therewith. The franchisee or sub-franchisee will bear the cost to set up the Smaaash Center.

License fees and other payments. Franchisee or the third party franchisee will be entitled to receive the revenue generated from each of the Smaaash Centers. In connection with the operations of the Smaaash Centers by sub-franchisees, the Company shall be entitled to receive (i) a signup fee equal to 5% of the capital expenditure of the sub-franchisee, (ii) 5% of the revenue of the sub-franchisee on an annual basis; and (iii) a 15% markup of the products sold to the sub-franchisee. Smaaash Private will not receive any portion of the revenue or other fees in connection with the Master Franchise Agreement.

Ownership of Smaaash Marks. Smaaash Private will be the sole owner of all intellectual property related to the Smaaash Centers. All future rights, goodwill and reputation of the Smaaash Marks shall inure to the benefit of Smaaash.


Term of the Agreement. The Master Franchise Agreement will commence from its execution date and continue until the agreement is terminated in accordance with the Master Franchise Agreement.

Termination. The Master Franchise Agreement may be terminated (i) by the mutual written agreement of parties or (ii) by Smaaash Private if the Company fails to make a payment, ceases to operate or abandon’s the Smaaash Centers or fails to use best efforts to market the Smaaash Centers and such failure is not cured within 30 days’ notice of the failure.

Addendum to Master Franchise Agreement

On November 29, 2018, the Company and Smaaash Private executed an addendum to the Master Franchise Agreement (the “Amendment”). Pursuant to the Amendment, Smaaash Private grants the Company the exclusive rights to set up family and entertainment centers under the name “Total Sports Center” in the United States (“Total Sports Centers”) in which 51% of the investment will be borne by the Company and 49% by Smaaash Private. Smaaash Private will be responsible for identifying the locations for setting up, managing and controlling the Total Sports Centers and will carry out all the fit out requirements for such centers. Smaaash Private will also appoint the management team for the centers. Smaaash Private will be entitled to 3% of the net revenue of each center, subject to conditions to be confirmed by the parties.

Master License and Distribution Agreement

Grant of license and distribution rights. Under the Master Distribution Agreement, Smaaash Private has granted to the Company an exclusive right to purchase from Smaaash Private specialized equipment and products related to sports and recreational activities (“Products”) in the territory under the brand name of Smaaash Private and sell them with a 15% markup to the customers which will be the sub-franchisees of the Company who will operate the Smaaash Centers, as specified in the Master Franchise Agreement.

Pricing. The Company may sell the Products further to any third party franchisees at a minimum of 15% margin over and above the price at which Smaaash Private sold the Products to the Company.

Grant of license in Smaaash Marks.Smaaash Private has also granted the Company a license to use the Trademarks (as set out in the Master Distribution Agreement) on a royalty free basis for the purpose of promoting the sale of the Products in the Territory.

Ownership of the Smaaash Games. Smaaash Private will be the sole owner of any intellectual property rights relating to the Products and all the goodwill relating thereto.

Term.The Master Distribution Agreement will commence from its execution date and continue until the agreement is terminated in accordance with the Master Distribution Agreement.

Termination.The Master Distribution Agreement may be terminated (i) by the mutual written agreement of parties, (ii) by Smaaash Private if the Company fails to make a payment or use best efforts to market the Products and such failure is not cured within 30 days’ of notice of the failure, and (iii) by the Company for any reason upon 120 days’ notice.

Settlement Agreement

On November 20, 2018, the Company entered into a settlement and release agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) with Maxim Group LLC, the underwriter for the Company’s IPO (“Maxim”). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company made a cash payment of $20,000 to Maxim and issued a demand secured promissory note in favor of Maxim in the amount of $1.8 million (the “Note”) to settle the payment obligations of the Company under the underwriting agreement dated August 16, 2017, by and between the Company and Maxim. The Company also agreed to remove the restrictive legends on an aggregate of 52,000 shares of its common stock held by Maxim and its affiliate.


The Note accrues interest at 8% per annum from the date of the Note through and including May 20, 2019 and 12% per annum from and including May 21, 2019 through and including August 20, 2019 and 15% per annum from and including August 21, 2019 through and including November 20, 2019. If a late payment occurs and is continuing, the interest rate will be increased to 12% per annum and if from the date of the Note through and including August 20, 2019 and 18% per annum and if from after August 21, 2019. If a late payment remains outstanding for over 48 hours, Maxim may require the Company to redeem all or any part of the Note (“Alternate Payment Amount”) at a redemption price equal to 125% of the Alternate Payment Amount.

The principal and interest of the Note will be payable upon demand by Maxim or from time to time, in accordance the following schedule:

(i) one third of the principal, accrued and unpaid interest and any late charges on May 20, 2019; 

(ii) one third of the principal, accrued and unpaid interest and any late charges on August 20, 2019; and 

(iii) one third of the principal, accrued and unpaid interest and any late charges on November 20, 2019.

The Note is secured by a first priority security interest in all personal property and assets of the Company excluding the assets held in escrow with respect to (i) that certain stock purchase agreement with Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. (“Polar”), pursuant to which Polar agreed to sell up to 490,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company thirty days after the consummation of the Transactions and (ii) that certain stock purchase agreement with K2 Principal Fund L.P. (“K2”), pursuant to which K2 agreed to sell up to 220,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company thirty days after the consummation of the Transactions.

The amount payable under the Note may be paid in shares of our Common Stock or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of our Common Stock (the “Alternate Equity Payment”) if and only if the Company and Maxim mutually agree on both the purchase price and, if applicable, the conversion and/or exercise price of each security of the Company issued in such Alternate Equity Payment. Otherwise the payment should be made in cash only.

So long as any amount under the Note is outstanding, all cash proceeds received by the Company from any sales of its securities will be used to repay this Note.

Agreement with Chardan

On November 16, 2018, the Company executed an agreement with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”), pursuant to which the Company issued 208,000 shares of its common stock to Chardan as compensation for its services upon the consummation of the Transactions. These shares are subject to the same lock-up provisions and entitled to the same registration rights as the shares of Common Stock held by the Sponsor.

Overview of Smaaash Private

Smaaash Private operates 40 state-of-the-art games and entertainment centers (the “Centers”) including 39 Centers in India and one international Center in the U.S., in addition to carrying out product sales of its games and equipment that Smaaash has developed in-house, supported by its sponsorship and other revenues.

Smaaash Private’s core concept is to offer an interactive, immersive and fun experience to customers at its Centers, blending Augmented Reality (“AR”) and Virtual Reality (“VR”) and other games, indoor entertainment, and attractive food and beverage (“F&B”) options, customized to the tastes and preferences of a diverse set of customers across age groups, genders and backgrounds, including corporate customers, families, friends and children. Smaaash Private’s game concepts are supported by its in-house technology, value engineering and systems integration capabilities.


Smaaash Private’s game attractions are classified as follows:

 Active games and interactive sports simulators (“Active Games”), including active game options such as single and multi-level go-karting lanes and bowling alleys, as well as interactive simulator-based game options such as Super Keeper, Hoop Shot, Extreme Drone Racing and more;

In-house developed AR and VR games, including Finger Coaster, Jurassic Escape, Vertigo Walk The Plank, Fly Max and Haunted Hospital; and

Arcade games and others, including Camel Racing, Hoop Shot and Human Claw; soft play zones which are conceptualized as indoor play areas for young children, including a ball pool, designed to encourage longer and repeat visits to Smaaash Private’s Centers and doing away with the requirement for families to make alternative childcare arrangements for the duration of their visits to its Centers; and indoor game viewing areas.

Smaaash Private’s game offerings are complemented by its in-house food & beverage services.

Smaaash Private launched its flagship Center in November 2012, at Kamala Mills in Lower Parel, Mumbai, with a proprietary cricket game (obtained by Smaaash Private under a perpetual license from its founder and the patent-holder, Shripal Morakhia, for a one-time fee) as anchor attraction. Over the last five years, Smaaash Private has transformed into a multi-center integrated games and entertainment company, with a wide suite of in-house developed AR and VR and other games, as well as F&B options at each of its Centers. Among other marketing initiatives, from time to time, Smaaash Private ties up with local athletes, sports icons and celebrities, including cricket, football, basketball and ice hockey players, to customize its games and increase their appeal to its customers, including via brand ambassadorships and game options designed around specific sports personalities.

Smaaash Private launched its first international Center in December 2016, at the Mall of America in Minnesota, USA. Its star attraction in its U.S. Center is a multi-level go-karting track and games developed and launched specifically for this Center, keeping in mind local preferences, such as its ice hockey-themed game called “What the Puck”, and Active Games such as Super Keeper, Hoop Shot and Extreme Drone Racing, among others.


THE OFFERING

We are registering (i) the issuance by us of up to 5,461,500 shares of our Common Stock which may be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants, and (ii) the resale from time to time by the Selling Securityholders of 7,309,150 shares of Common Stock and 261,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

Common Stock offered by the Selling Securityholders

We are registering 7,309,150 shares of Common Stock to be offered from time to time by the Selling Securityholders, which consists of: (i) 5,200,000 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of Public Warrants; (ii) 261,500 shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants; (iii) 261,500 shares of Common Stock originally sold as part of Private Placement Units; (iv) 26,150 shares of Common Stock underlying the 261,500 rights originally sold as part of Private Placement Units; (v) 1,300,000 Founder Shares, (vi) 52,000 shares of Common Stock held by Maxim, the underwriters of our IPO; and (vii) 208,000 shares of Common Stock held by Chardan as compensation for its services upon the consummation of the Transactions.

Private Placement Warrants offered by certain Selling SecurityholdersWe are registering 261,500 Private Placement Warrants to be offered from time to time by certain Selling Securityholders. Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth in the warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us..
Terms of the offeringThe Selling Securityholders will determine when and how they will dispose of the Common Stock and Warrants, registered under this prospectus for resale. For additional information concerning the offering, see “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 67.
Shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to this offering5,119,390
Shares of Common Stock to be issued by us upon exercise of the Warrants5,461,500
Shares of Common Stock outstanding after this offering(1)10,580,890, assuming the exercise of all Warrants.
Risk factorsBefore investing in our securities, you should carefully read and consider the information set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12.
Use of proceedsWe will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of Offered Securities by the Selling Securityholders. However, we will receive proceeds of $62,807,250.00 from the exercise of the Warrants if they are all exercised for cash at an exercise price of $11.50 per share of Common Stock. We intend to use any such proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Trading market and symbolThe Company’s Common Stock and warrants trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “SMSH” and “SMSHW,” respectively.

(1)The number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that will be outstanding after this offering excludes 500,00 shares of Common Stock reserved and available for issuance under the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”)


 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The Company makesThis prospectus contains forward-looking statements in this registration statement, including in the statements incorporated herein by reference. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for the Company’s or Smaaash Private’s businesses.statements. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include statements relating to:

 

 the benefits of the Transactions;
theour future financial performance of the Company and Smaaash Private following the Transactions;performance;
   
 changes in the market for Smaaash Private’s products;our products and services;
   
 our expansion plans and opportunities; and
   
 other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company or Smaaash Private, as applicable, as of the date of this report,prospectus and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing theour views of the Company as of any subsequent date, and the Company doeswe do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

 

 the outcomelevel of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Smaaash Private or the Company;demand for our products and services;
 the risk that the Transactions disrupt current plans and operations of Smaaash Private as a result of the consummation of the Transactions;competition in our markets;
 theour ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of Smaaash Private to grow and manage growth profitably;
 
costs relatedour ability to the Transactions;access additional capital;
 changes in applicable laws or regulations;
 
our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
the possibility that Smaaash Private or the Companywe may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and
 
other risks and uncertainties indicated in this prospectus, including those under “Risk Factors.”


INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

 

We are responsible for the disclosure in this prospectus. However, this prospectus includes industry data that we obtained from internal surveys, market research, publicly available information and industry publications. The market research, publicly available information and industry publications that we use generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. The information therein represents the most recently available data from the relevant sources and publications and we believe remains reliable. We did not fund and are not otherwise affiliated with any of the sources cited in this prospectus. Forward-looking information obtained from these sources is subject to the same qualifications and additional uncertainties regarding the other forward-looking statements in this prospectus.

TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS

We own or have rights to trademarks or trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including our corporate names, logos and website names. In addition, we own or have the rights to copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights that protect the content of our products and the formulations for such products. This prospectus may also contain trademarks, service marks and trade names of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Our use or display of third parties’ trademarks, service marks, trade names or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and should not be read to, imply a relationship with or endorsement or sponsorship of us. Solely for convenience, some of the copyrights, trade names and trademarks referred to in this prospectus are listed without their ©, ® and ™ symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our copyrights, trade names and trademarks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


ii

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering, and selected information contained in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our Units. For a more complete understanding of the Company and this offering, we encourage you to read and consider the more detailed information in this prospectus, including “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes. Unless the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Company” refers to “Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company,” a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries. “Simplicity Esports LLC” means our wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Esports, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and its consolidated subsidiaries. “PLAYlive” means our wholly owned subsidiary PLAYlive Nation, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. “Simplicity One” means our 76% owned subsidiary Simplicity One Brasil Ltda, a Brazilian limited liability company, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Unless otherwise noted, the share and per share information in this prospectus reflects a Reverse Stock Split of the outstanding common stock of the Company at a one for eight (1-for-8) ratio, which was effected on November 20, 2020.

Industry Overview

Esports is the competitive playing of video games by amateur and professional teams for cash prizes. Esports typically takes the form of organized, multiplayer video games that include real-time strategy, fighting, first-person shooter, and multiplayer online battle arena games. As of April 14, 2021, the three largest selling esports games are Dota 2®, League of Legends® (both multiplayer online battle arena games) and Counter Strike: Global Offensive® (a first-person shooter game). Other popular games include SMITE®, StarCraft II®, Call of Duty®¸ Heroes of the Storm®, Hearthstone® and Fortnite®. Most major professional esports events and a wide range of amateur esports events are broadcast live via streaming services including twitch.tv, azubu.tv, ustream.tv and youtube.com. Esports also includes games which can be played, primarily by amateurs, in multiplayer competitions on the Sony PlayStation®, Microsoft Xbox® and WII Nintendo® systems.

Although official competitions have long been a part of video game culture, participation and spectatorship of such events have seen a global surge in popularity over the last few years with the rapid growth of online streaming. The advent of online streaming technology has turned esports into a global industry that includes professional players and teams competing in major events that are simultaneously watched in person in stadiums, and by online viewers, which regularly exceed 1,000,000 viewers for major tournaments. According to Business Insider, over 100 million viewers saw the 2019 League of Legends® World Championships in person and online. CNBC reported in April 2019 that League of Legends® World Championships attract more viewers than the Super Bowl. Much like how there is a worldwide gaming market for the sports industry, there has now developed a worldwide gaming market for the esports industry. The impact has been so significant that many video game developers are now building features into their games designed to facilitate competition.

According to Newzoo, a global leader in esports, games and mobile intelligence, the total global esports audience was 500 million in 2019, with an anticipated 27.5 million American gamers, and such global audience is expected to reach 646 million by 2023. In addition, according to Newzoo, esports produced $950 million in 2019 revenue and is projected to reach $1.1 billion in 2020 and $1.6 billion in 2023. Esports enthusiasts, which are people who watch professional esports content at least once a month, made up 201.2 million of the 2018 total, up from 143.2 million in 2017. With a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) (2017-2022) of +15.7%, this number is expected to reach almost 297 million in 2022. The global average revenue per esports enthusiast, which includes not only gaming revenue, but also sponsorships advertising and all other esports related revenues, is projected to be $5.45 in 2019, up +8.9% from $5.00 in 2018. The number of occasional esports viewers, (people who watch professional esports content less than once a month), is expected to reach 252.6 million in 2019, up from 221.6 million in 2018, and is projected to grow with a CAGR of +12.6% to surpass 347 million in 2022. The number of people who are aware of esports worldwide is expected to reach 1.8 billion in 2019, up from 1.6 billion in 2018. According to Newtech Mag, China and the U.S. have the largest populations of esports fans, with Brazil ranking first in Latin America, which is the fastest growing gaming market, and third globally, with 20 million fans. The increasing prominence of esports as a mainstream entertainment industry is driving the growth in awareness in most regions. Audience and awareness growth in the emerging regions of Latin America, Middle East and Africa, Southeast Asia, and Rest of Asia is largely driven by improving IT infrastructure and urbanization. We believe the rise of new franchises, such as Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds® or PubG®, is an important global growth factor as the influx of millennials should continue to drive the growth of the esports industry’s audience and in turn, the esports gaming industry.

In 2019, there were 885 major esports events that generated an estimated $56.3 million in ticket revenues. The total prize money of all esports events held in 2019 reached $167.4 million, a slight increase from $150.8 million in 2018. The League of Legends® World Championship was 2019’s biggest tournament by live viewership hours on Twitch and YouTube, with 105.5 million hours. It also produced $1.9 million in ticket revenues. The Overwatch® League was the most-watched league by live viewership hours on Twitch and YouTube, generating 104.1 million hours. A report by Forbes estimates that the top 12 esports teams had 2019 revenues of between $8 million and $29 million and were valued at between $120 million and $400 million.

Business Overview

We are a global esports organization, with an established brand, that is capitalizing on the growth in esports through three business units, Simplicity One Brasil Ltda (“Simplicity One”), Simplicity Esports, LLC (“Simplicity Esports LLC”) and PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (“PLAYlive”). We believe that we are the only SEC reporting-completely integrated-esports company that owns a League of Legends franchise. Additionally, we have the largest network of corporate and franchisee owned esports gaming centers in North America.

Our Esports Teams

We own and manage numerous professional esports teams domestically and internationally. Revenue is generated from prize winnings, corporate sponsorships, advertising, league subsidy payments and potential league revenue sharing payments from the publishers of video games.

Domestic Esports Teams – Simplicity Esports LLC

Through our wholly owned subsidiary Simplicity Esports LLC, we own and manage numerous professional esports teams competing in games such as Overwatch, Apex Legends, Heroes of the Storm and more. We are committed to growing and enhancing the esports industry, fostering the development of amateurs to compete professionally and signing established professional gamers to support their paths to greater success.

International Esports Team - Simplicity One Brasil

Since January 2020, through our 76% owned subsidiary Simplicity One Brasil, we manage Flamengo eSports, one of the leading Brazilian League of Legends® teams. Flamengo eSports was established in 2017 as the Esports division of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, a successful Brazilian sports organization, with over 30 million followers across social media accounts, known for its world-famous soccer team. Flamengo eSports’ League of Legends® team won the CBLoL Championship in September 2019, which qualified the team to compete at the 2019 League of Legends® World Championship in Europe as one of 24 teams from 13 different regions around the world. Flamengo Esports @flaesports was ranked as the 9th most tweeted about esports organization in the world in 2020. With cost cutting steps taken during April 2020, and anticipated additional sponsorship revenue, this business unit is expected to be cash flow positive by July 2021.

Online Tournaments

In response to demand from customers for online esports tournaments which was in all likelihood triggered by the social distancing protocols attendant to the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced in March 2020 an initiative of online esports tournaments. Since March 2020, through our wholly owned subsidiary Simplicity Esports LLC, we have been holding weekly online esports tournaments.in the United States. In addition, we commenced promoting these weekly online tournaments via text messages to our database of over 400,000 paying esports gaming center customers, which we acquired in our acquisition of PLAYlive. If we can convert merely 1% of these existing customers from the PLAYlive database to play in our paid online tournaments, we anticipate this business unit may generate approximately $1 million in annual revenues. At a 5% conversion rate, this business segment may generate approximately $5 million in annual revenue. Management also intends to sell sponsorship and marketing activations for these online tournaments which would create additional revenue. We also announced our initiative to offer play at home online tournaments in Brazil in June 2020.

Our Gaming Centers

As of April 14, 2021, we have 33 location, 15 corporate and 18 fully constructed franchise locations, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, throughout the U.S., giving casual gamers the opportunity to play in a social setting with other members of the gaming community. In addition, aspiring and established professional gamers have an opportunity to compete in local and national esports tournaments held in our gaming centers for prizes, notoriety, and potential contracts to play for one of our professional esports teams. In this business unit, revenue is generated from franchise royalties, the sale of game time, memberships, tournament entry fees, birthday party events, corporate party events, concessions and gaming-related merchandise.

Our business plan encompasses a brick and click physical and digital approach to further recognize revenue from all verticals, which we believe to be unique in the industry. The physical centers, together with our esports teams, lifestyle brand and marketing campaigns offer opportunities for additional revenue via strategic partnerships with both endemic and non-endemic brands. Our ultimate goal is to further engage a diverse fan base with a 360-degree approach driving traffic to both our digital platform, tournaments (online and in-person) and physical real estate to maximize the monetization opportunities with these relationships. In addition, we have proprietary intellectual capital, fan engagement strategies and brand development blueprints which complement our publicly available information.

Optimally, the esports gaming centers of Simplicity Esports LLC (“Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers”) will measure between 1,200 and 2,000 square feet, with dozens of gaming stations. The Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers will feature cutting edge technology, futuristic aesthetic décor and dynamic high-speed gaming equipment. We believe our brick-and-click strategy will present attractive opportunities for sponsors and advertisers to connect with our audience, creating an intriguing monetization opportunity for sponsors and advertisers. Currently we operate approximately 80,000 square feet of retail space in desirable, high traffic locations.

Creating content that engages fans, sponsors and developers, while promoting our brand is one of our primary goals. Our talented team will continue to produce unique in-depth content which showcases aspects of esports for fans. We seek to reach a broad demographic encompassing the casual, amateur and professional gaming community. Our philosophy is to enhance our footprint for both endemic and non-endemic partnerships. We believe we possess a deep perception of our markets and understand the new age of branding while maintaining authenticity to the gaming community that comprises our fan base.

As a result of COVID-19 (discussed below), all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers on May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 14, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. See “Risk Factors—Public health epidemics or outbreaks, such as COVID-19, could materially and adversely impact our business.”

The 11 franchise owned gaming centers that we have acquired to date generated over $2 million of revenue in 2019. We project a total of 17 corporate owned gaming centers by fiscal year end 2021 and accordingly expect annual revenues to increase in 2021.

Corporate Gaming Centers

Through our subsidiary entities, we currently operate 15 corporate-owned retail Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers, one of which was acquired during the third fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2021. Furthermore, we have engaged a national tenant representation real estate broker to assist in the strategic planning and negotiations for our future Simplicity Esports Gaming Center locations. We contemplate that new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers will be funded by us as well as a combination of tenant improvement allowances from landlords and sponsorships. As announced in June 2020, we are in discussions with multiple commercial property owners regarding their desire to have us open 8,000 to 12,000 square foot MEGA centers at their properties. There are multiple locations available to us with a percentage of gross sales rent lease structure (as opposed to fixed rent payments), and construction funds offered by the landlord to assist with the build out and equipping of our planned MEGA centers. These MEGA centers are planned as hubs in our hub and spoke model that will see smaller corporate and franchisee owned gaming centers as spokes connected to MEGA centers as hubs for larger events and tournaments.

Franchised Gaming Centers

Due to interest from potential franchisees, we have launched a franchising program to accelerate the expansion of our planned nationwide footprint. We sell specific franchise territories, through our wholly owned subsidiary PLAYlive, and assist with the establishment and buildout of esports gaming centers to potential business owners that desire to use our branding, infrastructure and process to open and operate gaming centers. We currently operate 18 fully constructed franchise esports gaming centers. Franchise revenue is generated from the sale of franchise territories, supplying furniture, equipment and merchandise to the franchisees for buildout of their centers, a gross sales royalty fee and a national marketing fee. We license the use of our branding, assist in identifying and negotiating commercial locations, assist in overseeing the buildout and development, provide access to proprietary software for point of sale, inventory management, employee training and other HR functions. Franchisees also have an opportunity to participate in our national esports tournament events, and benefit from the growing profile of our professional esports teams. Once an esports gaming center is opened, we provide operational guidance, support and use of branding elements in exchange for a monthly royalty fee calculated as 6% of gross sales. On January 1, 2020, we implemented a national marketing fee of 1% of gross sales. To date, we have sold five of these franchise territories. COVID-19 travel restrictions caused us to suspend the sale of new franchise territories from April 1, 2020 until October 1, 2020. During these nine months, a pipeline of interested applicants has accumulated, and we anticipate new franchise territory sales over the next 12 months as a result.

The combination of the esports gaming centers, owned or franchised by our wholly owned subsidiaries Simplicity Esports LLC or PLAYlive, provides us with what we believe is one of the largest footprint of esports gaming centers in North America. Over the next 12 months, existing PLAYlive esports gaming centers will be rebranded to Simplicity Esports gaming centers. All newly opened franchise esports gaming centers will be branded as Simplicity Esports gaming centers and have numerous gaming PC’s. All gaming centers in our footprint will be participating venues in our national esports tournaments.

Franchise Roll Up Strategy

We began implementing a franchise roll-up strategy in July 2020 as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19 related stay at home orders, and the disruption it caused to the commercial real estate market. The reduction in revenues for some franchisees because of stay-at-home orders, and government mandates to remain closed created significant accrued rent payments due to landlords. We have been able to come to terms with many franchisees to acquire the assets of their gaming centers and make them corporate owned. We have simultaneously negotiated new leases with some of the largest national mall chains, including Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, and are in the process of negotiating additional locations with other landlords. The new leases involve significant reductions in or elimination of fixed rent and the addition of percentage of revenues rent terms. To date, we have signed 13 letters of intent and executed definitive agreements for 11 of those locations during fiscal year 2021. We anticipate closing the remaining acquisitions during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2021. We expect each of these locations to be profitable as a result of the significant reduced rent expense via the percentage rent structure.

Our Stream Team

The Simplicity Esports LLC and Flamengo Esports stream teams encompasses over 20 commentators (commonly known as “casters”), influencers and personalities who connect to a dedicated fan base. Our electric group of live personalities represent our organization to the fullest with their own unique style. We are proud to support and present a diverse group of gamers as we engage fans across a multiple of esports genres. Our Twitch affiliation has enabled our stream team influences to reach a broad fan base. Additionally, we have created several niches within the streaming community which has enabled us to engage fans within certain titles on a 24/7 basis. Our notoriety in the industry is evidenced by our audience that views millions of minutes of Simplicity Esports’ and Flamengo Esports’ content monthly, via various social media outlets including YouTube, Twitter and Twitch. Through Simplicity Esports LLC, we have begun to implement a unique approach to ensure the ultimate fan friendly esports experience. Our intention is to have gamers involved at the grassroots level and feel a sense of unity as we compete with top class talent. Our management and players are known within the esports community and we plan to use their skills to create a seamless content creation plan helping gamers feel closer to our brand than any other in the industry.

COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.

Because COVID-19 infections have been reported throughout the United States, certain federal, state and local governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders, proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. As a result, all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers on May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 14, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. Although our franchise agreements with franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers require a minimum monthly royalty payment to us from the franchisees regardless of whether the franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers are operating, a limited number of the franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers have defaulted on their obligations to pay their minimum monthly royalty payment to us. This has resulted in either an increase in accounts receivables or a bad debt expense where account receivables are no longer collectible due to franchisee’s inability to pay the minimum monthly royalty payments owed by the franchisee. We have not written off as bad debt any accounts receivables attributable to franchisee minimum monthly royalty payments owed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of February 28, 2021, we have recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $139,867, as our collection efforts are ongoing. We have experienced an increase in our gross account receivables by approximately $73,000, $47,000, $44,000, and $237,700 during the quarters ended May 31, 2020, August 31, 2020, November 30, 2020 and February 28, 2021, respectively. Notwithstanding it is unclear exactly how much of the increase in accounts receivables is attributable to the impact of COVID-19. We have waived the minimum monthly royalty payment obligations from July 2020 through present day and are instead billing the franchisees a true-up of 6% of gross sales without a minimum. We continue to assess possible similar accommodations to the franchisees in light of the impact of COVID-19.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption, reduced customer traffic and reduced operations. Any resulting financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The measures taken to date adversely impacted the Company’s business during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and will potentially continue to impact the Company’s business. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

For a detailed description of recent developments of the Company, see “Description of Business—Recent Developments” on page 59 of this prospectus.

Summary Risk Factors

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

our history of losses;
our inability to attract sufficient demand for our services and products;
our ability to successfully execute our growth and acquisition strategy and manage effectively our growth;
changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets we serve, and our ability to compete effectively;
our dependence on a strong brand image;
our cash needs and the adequacy of our cash flows and earnings;
our ability to access additional capital;
our dependence upon our executive officers, founders and key employees;
our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
our reliance on our technology systems, the impact of technological changes and cybersecurity risks;
changes in applicable laws or regulations;
our ability to protect our trademarks or other intellectual property rights;
potential litigation from competitors or customers;
public health epidemics or outbreaks (such as the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19)) and our responses to such events could materially and adversely impact our business; and
the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

In addition, our management has concluded that our historical recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operations as well as our dependence on securing private equity and other financings raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit reports for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 7000 W. Palmetto Park Road, Suite 505, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, and our telephone number at that location is (855) 345-9467. The address of our website is www.ggsimplicity.com. The inclusion of our website address in this prospectus does not include or incorporate by reference the information on our website into this prospectus.

The name of the Company, the logos of the Company, and other trade names, trademarks or service marks of the Company appearing in this prospectus are the property of the Company. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other organizations appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders.

Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American Listing, Reverse Stock Split and Increase in Authorized Shares of Common Stock

We intend to list of our common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American. The approval of our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American is a condition of closing. If our application to the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American is not approved or we otherwise determine that we will not be able to secure the listing of the common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American, we will not complete the offering.

In order to obtain Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American listing approval, we obtained approval of our board of directors and shareholders of (i) a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of our common stock in the range from one-for-two (1-for-2) to one-for-ten (1-for-10), which ratio was to be selected by the board of directors and (ii) an increase in our authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000 shares of common stock.

On August 17, 2020, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000. Accordingly, our authorized capital stock consists of (i) 36,000,000 shares of common stock, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

On November 17, 2020, our board of directors approved the Reverse Stock Split in a ratio of 1-for-8 and on November 17, 2020, we filed an amended and restated certificate of amendment to our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), implementing the Reverse Stock Split in a ratio of 1-for-8, effective November 19, 2020; provided, however, the Reverse Stock Split became effective for trading purposes on November 20, 2020 when it had been processed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Reverse Stock Split is intended to allow us to meet the minimum share price requirement of the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American.

Except as otherwise indicated and except in our financial statements and the notes thereto, all references to our common stock, share data, per share data and related information has been adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split ratio of 1-for-8 as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Reverse Stock Split, combined each eight shares of our outstanding common stock into one share of common stock, without any change in the par value per share, and the Reverse Stock Split correspondingly adjusted, among other things, the exercise rate of our warrants into our common stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, and any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split were rounded up to the nearest whole share.

The Offering
Issuer:Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company
Securities offered by us:709,219 Units, each unit consists of one share of our Common Stock and one (1) warrant to purchase one (1) share of common stock (or 815,601 Units if the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full). The Units will not be certificated and the shares of our common stock and the warrants are immediately separable at closing and will be issued and tradeable separately, but will be purchased together as a unit in this offering.
Public Offering Price:$14.10 per Unit (based on an assumed public offering price per unit of $14.10, the last reported sale price for our common stock as reported on OTCQB on April 14, 2021). The actual offering price per unit will be as determined between the Underwriters and us based on market conditions at the time of pricing and may be issued at a discount to the current market price of our common stock. Therefore, the recent market price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final offering price.
Description of warrants included in units offered by us:The exercise price of the warrants is $15.51 per share (110% of the assumed public offering price of one Unit). Each warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock as described herein. A holder may not exercise any portion of a warrant to the extent that the holder, together with its affiliates and any other person or entity acting as a group, would own more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock after exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants, except that upon notice from the holder to us, the holder may waive such limitation up to a percentage, not in excess of 9.99%. Each warrant will be exercisable immediately upon issuance and will expire five years after the initial issuance date. The terms of the warrants will be governed by a Warrant Agent Agreement, dated as of the effective date of this offering, between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as the warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”). This prospectus also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. For more information regarding the warrants, you should carefully read the section titled “Description of Securities—Warrants” in this prospectus.
Over-allotment option:We have granted the Representative an option to purchase up to an additional 106,382 shares of common stock and/or warrants to purchase up to 106,382 shares of common stock (equal to 15% of the number of shares of common stock and warrants underlying the Units sold in the offering), from us in any combination thereof, at the public offering price less the underwriting discount and commissions solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The Representative may exercise this option in full or in part at any time and from time to time until 45 days after the date of this prospectus.
Common stock outstanding before this offering:1,424,008 shares of common stock (1)

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering:2,133,227 shares (assuming that none of the warrants offered hereby are exercised) and 2,842,446 if the warrants offered hereby are exercised in full. If the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after this offering would be 2,239,609 (assuming that none of the warrants offered hereby are exercised) and 2,948,828 if the warrants offered hereby are exercised in full.
Representative’s Warrant:The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part also registers for sale warrants (the “Representative’s Warrants”) to purchase 99,290 shares of our common stock (7% of the shares of common stock sold in this offering and 7% of the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants sold in this offering) to the underwriters, as a portion of the underwriting compensation payable in connection with this offering. The Representative’s Warrants will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the three year period commencing 180 days following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part at an exercise price of $16.215 (115% of the assumed public offering price of the Units). Please see “Underwriting—Representative’s Warrants” for a description of these warrants.
Use of proceeds:We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $8,825,881 (or approximately $10,220,868 if the Representative exercises in full its over-allotment option) after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions (7.00% of the gross proceeds of the offering) and after our offering expenses, estimated at $474,107. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering to repay approximately $1,135,462 of principal and accrued interest outstanding on the Series A-2 Note issued to Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”), fund the expansion of our operations by the acquisition and/or build-out of new gaming center locations, strategic acquisition of other companies, products or technologies, working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Risk factors:See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus for a discussion of some of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.
Trading symbols:Our common stock is presently quoted on the OTCQB Market under the symbol “WINR.” Our warrants issued in connection with our initial public offering in August 2017 are currently listed on, and will continue to be listed on, the OTCQB under the symbol “WINRW.”
Listing Application; Separation:

We intend to list our common stock and the warrants comprising the Units on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American under the symbols “WINR,” and “WINRW,” respectively. The approval of our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American is a condition of closing this offering.

We will not be issuing physical units in this offering. At closing, we will issue to investors only the shares of common stock and warrants underlying the units offered hereby.

Lock-Ups:We and our directors, officers and certain principal shareholders have agreed with the Representative not to offer for sale, issue, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See “Underwriting—Lock-Up Agreements.”

Dividend policy:We do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends on our common stock following our public offering.
Reverse Stock Split:In order to obtain Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American listing approval, we obtained approval of our board of directors and shareholders of (i) a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of our common stock in the range from one-for-two (1-for-2) to one-for-ten (1-for-10), which ratio was to be selected by the board of directors. On November 17, 2020, our board of directors approved the Reverse Stock Split in a ratio of 1-for-8 and on November 17, 2020, we filed an amended and restated certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, implementing the Reverse Stock Split in a ratio of 1-for-8, effective November 19, 2020; provided, however, the Reverse Stock Split became effective for trading purposes on November 20, 2020 when it had been processed by the FINRA. The Reverse Stock Split is intended to allow us to meet the minimum share price requirement of the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. Except as otherwise indicated and except in our financial statements and the notes thereto, all references to our common stock, share data, per share data and related information has been adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split ratio of 1-for-8 as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

(1) Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus:

give pro forma effect to the Reverse Stock Split of our outstanding shares of common stock, options and warrants and the corresponding adjustment of all common stock price per share and stock option and warrant exercise price data, except for the financial statements and the notes thereto;
is based on 1,424,008 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of April 14, 2021;
assumes no exercise by the Underwriters of their option to purchase up to an additional 106,382 shares of common stock and/or warrants to purchase 106,382 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any;
excludes 815,601 shares of common stock issuable upon the full exercise of the warrants (included as part of the units and over-allotment option) offered hereby;

excludes 803,001 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $83.10 per share as of April 14, 2021;

excludes an estimated 17,054 shares (based on certain formulaic assumptions) of our common stock issuable upon exercise of certain warrants at an estimated exercise price of $21.99 (based on certain formulaic assumptions) per share as of April 14, 2021; and

excludes 99,290 shares of our common stock underlying the Representative’s Warrant to be issued to the Underwriters in connection with this offering.

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents our selected historical consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. The selected historical consolidated financial data for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 and the balance sheet data as of May 31, 2020 and 2019 are derived from the audited financial statements. The summary historical financial data for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 and the balance sheet data as of February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 are derived from our unaudited financial statements.

Historical results are included for illustrative and informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of results we expect in future periods, and results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

  Year Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  

May 31,

2020

  

May 31,

2019

  

February 28,

2021

  

February 29,

2020

 
        (unaudited) 
Statement of Operations Data                
Total revenues $861,410  $37,995  $925,626  $700,792 
Total operating expenses  3,170,992   4,353,189   4,415,716   1,692,341 
Loss from operations  (2,732,121)  (4,315,194)  (3,706,445)  (1,339,862)
Total other income / (expense)  66,342   749,922   (965,075)  77,883 
Loss before provision for taxes  (2,665,779)  (3,565,272)  (4,671,520)  (1,261,979)
Income tax provisions  -   -   -   - 
Net loss $(2,665,779) $(3,565,272) $(4,671,520) $(1,261,979)
Basic and diluted net loss per share $(0.34) $(1.00) $(3.89) $(0.16)
                 
Balance Sheet Data (at period end)                
Cash and cash equivalents $160,208  $1,540,158  $571,970  $235,679 
Working capital (deficit) (1)  (2,662,032)  (277,588)  (2,846,542)  (1,359,946)
Total assets  8,591,774   7,754,543   10,268,010   8,472,674 
Total liabilities  3,676,102   1,886,622   5,101,941   2,249,667 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)  4,915,672   5,867,921   5,166,069   6,223,007 

(1)Working capital represents total current assets less total current liabilities.

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities carries a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus, including our historical financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before you decide to purchase our securities. Any one of these risks and uncertainties has the potential to cause material adverse effects on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results which could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements expressed by us and a significant decrease in the value of our common shares and warrants. Refer to “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.Statements.”

 

We may not be successful in preventing the material adverse effects that any of the following risks and uncertainties may cause. These potential risks and uncertainties may not be a complete list of the risks and uncertainties facing us. There may be additional risks and uncertainties that we are presently unaware of, or presently consider immaterial, that may become material in the future and have a material adverse effect on us. You could lose all or a significant portion of your investment due to any of these risks and uncertainties.

 

Below is a summary of material risks, uncertainties and other factors that could have a material effect on the Company and its operations:

our history of losses;
our inability to attract sufficient demand for our services and products;
our ability to successfully execute our growth and acquisition strategy and manage effectively our growth;
changes in the competitive environment in our industry and the markets we serve, and our ability to compete effectively;
our dependence on a strong brand image;
our cash needs and the adequacy of our cash flows and earnings;
our ability to access additional capital;
our dependence upon our executive officers, founders and key employees;
our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
our reliance on our technology systems, the impact of technological changes and cybersecurity risks;
changes in applicable laws or regulations;
our ability to protect our trademarks or other intellectual property rights;
potential litigation from competitors or customers;
public health epidemics or outbreaks (such as the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19)) and our responses to such events could materially and adversely impact our business; and
the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We arehave a newly formed company with norelatively limited operating history and nolimited revenues to date and thus are subject to risks of business development and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

 

We are a recently formed company with no operating results. Because we lackhave a relatively limited operating history as an operating company,and limited revenues to date, you should consider and evaluate our operating prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by early- stageearly-stage operating companies in rapidly evolving markets. These risks include:include that:

 

 that we may not have sufficient capital to achieve our growth strategy;
   
 that we may not develop our product and service offerings in a manner that enables us to be profitable and meet our customers’ requirements;
   
 that our growth strategy may not be successful; and
   
 that fluctuations in our operating results will be significant relative to our revenues.

 

Our future growth will depend substantially on our ability to address these and the other risks described in this section. If we do not successfully address these risks, our business could be significantly harmed.

 

We may become subjecthave a history of operating losses and our management has concluded that factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit report for the requirements of the Investment Company Act, which would limit our business operationsfiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and require us to spend significant resources to comply with such act.2019.

 

The Investment Company ActTo date, we have not been profitable and have incurred significant losses and cash flow deficits. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019, we reported net losses of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) defines$2,665,779 and $3,565,272, respectively, and negative cash flow from operating activities of $1,522,486 and $1,395,255, respectively. For the nine months ended February 28, 2021, we reported a net loss of $4,671,520 and had negative cash flow from operating activities of $686,681. As of February 28, 2021, we had an “investment company”aggregate accumulated deficit of $10,782,438. We anticipate that we will continue to report losses and negative cash flow for the foreseeable future. Our management has concluded that our historical recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operations as well as our dependence on private equity and other financings raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an issuerexplanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit report for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 and 2019.

Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. These adjustments would likely include substantial impairment of the carrying amount of our assets and potential contingent liabilities that may arise if we are unable to fulfill various operational commitments. In addition, the value of our securities, including common stock issued in this offering, would be greatly impaired. Our ability to continue as a going concern is engageddependent upon generating sufficient cash flow from operations and obtaining additional capital and financing, including funds to be raised in this offering. If our ability to generate cash flow from operations is delayed or reduced and we are unable to raise additional funding from other sources, we may be unable to continue in business even if this offering is successful. For further discussion about our ability to continue as a going concern and our plan for future liquidity, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.”

We are a holding company and depend upon our subsidiaries for our cash flows.

We are a holding company. All of our operations are conducted, and almost all of our assets are owned, by our subsidiaries. Consequently, our cash flows and our ability to meet our obligations depend upon the cash flows of our subsidiaries and the payment of funds by these subsidiaries to us in the businessform of investing, reinvesting, owning, holdingdividends, distributions or trading in securitiesotherwise. The ability of our subsidiaries to make any payments to us depends on their earnings, the terms of their indebtedness, including the terms of any credit facilities and owns investment securities havinglegal restrictions. Any failure to receive dividends or distributions from our subsidiaries when needed could have a value exceeding 40 percent of the issuer’s unconsolidated assets, excluding cash items and securities issued by the federal government. While we believe that a reasonable investor would not conclude that we are engaged primarily in investing in securities basedmaterial adverse effect on our business, plan focused on serving as the sole distributor for Smaaash Private gamesresults of operations or financial condition.

Future acquisitions or strategic investments could disrupt our business and as the master franchisee for Centers in North and South America and making acquisitionsharm our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We may in the active entertainment industryfuture explore potential acquisitions of companies or strategic investments to strengthen our business. Even if we identify an appropriate acquisition candidate, we may not be successful in negotiating the United States,terms or financing of the compositionacquisition, and our due diligence may fail to identify all of the problems, liabilities or other shortcomings or challenges of an acquired business.

Acquisitions involve numerous risks, any of which could harm our business, including:

straining our financial resources to acquire a company;
anticipated benefits may not materialize as rapidly as we expect, or at all;
diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to address acquisition integration challenges;
retention of employees from the acquired company;
cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into our organization;
integration of the acquired company’s accounting, management information, human resources and other administrative systems;
the need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies at a business that prior to the acquisition may have lacked effective controls, procedures and policies; and
litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company, including claims from terminated employees, former stockholders or other third parties.

Failure to appropriately mitigate these risks or other issues related to such strategic investments and acquisitions could result in reducing or completely eliminating any anticipated benefits of transactions, and harm our business generally. Future acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of our assets afterequity securities, the Transaction, includingincurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses or the impairment of goodwill, any of which could have a material adverse effect on business, results of operations or financial condition.

We may require additional funding for our ownershipgrowth plans, and such funding may result in a dilution of Smaaash Privateyour investment.

We attempted to estimate our funding requirements in order to implement our growth plans. If the costs of implementing such plans should exceed these estimates significantly or if we come across opportunities to grow through expansion plans which cannot be predicted at this time, and our funds generated from our operations prove insufficient for such purposes, we may need to raise additional funds to meet these funding requirements.

These additional funds may be raised by issuing equity shares, could contribute to a conclusionor debt securities or by borrowing from banks or other resources. We cannot assure you that we meet the threshold definition of an investment company. While the Investment Company Act also has several exclusions and exceptionswill be able to obtain any additional financing on terms that we would seekare acceptable to rely upon to avoid being deemed an investment company, our reliance on any such exclusionsus, or exceptions may be misplaced resulting in violation of the Investment Company Act, the consequences of which can be significant. For example, investment companies thatat all. If we fail to register under the Investment Company Actobtain additional financing on terms that are prohibited from conducting business in interstate commerce, which includes selling securities or entering into other contracts in interstate commerce. Section 47(b) of the Investment Company Act provides that a contract made, or whose performance involves, a violation of the Investment Company Act is unenforceable by either party unless a court finds that enforcement would produce a more equitable result than non-enforcement. Similarly, a court may not deny rescissionacceptable to any party seeking to rescind a contract that violates the Investment Company Act, unless the court finds that denial of rescission would produce more equitable result than granting rescission.


Ifus, we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, Rule 3a-2 of the Investment Company Act provides that inadvertent or transient investment companies will not be treated as investment companies subjectable to the provisionsimplement such plans fully if at all. Such financing even if obtained, may be accompanied by conditions that limit our ability to pay dividends or require us to seek lenders’ consent for payment of the Investment Company Act, provided the issuer has the requisite intentdividends, or restrict our freedom to be engaged in a non-investmentoperate our business evidenced by the issuer’s business activities and an appropriate resolution of the issuer’s board of directors, within one year from the commencement of the earlier of (1) the date on which the issuer owns securities and/or cash having a value exceeding 50% of the value of such issuer’s total assets on either a consolidated or unconsolidated basis, or (2) the date on which an issuer owns or proposes to acquire investment securities (as defined in section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act) having a value exceeding 40% of the value of such issuer’s total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. If the Company becomes an inadvertent investment company, and fails to meet the requirements of the transient investment company exemption under Rule 3a-2 of the Investment Company Act, then we will be required to register as an investment company with the SEC.requiring lender’s consent for certain corporate actions.

 

Further, if we raise additional funds by way of a rights offering or through the issuance of new shares, any shareholders who are unable or unwilling to participate in such an additional round of fund raising may suffer dilution in their investment.

We may not have sufficient capital to fund our ongoing operations, effectively pursue our strategy or sustain our growth initiatives.

 

After the consummation of the Transactions,acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC and PLAYlive Nation, Inc., our remaining liquidity and capital resources may not be sufficient to allow us to fund our ongoing operations, effectively pursue our strategy or sustain our growth initiatives. As of May 31, 2018, excluding accrued interest set aside for working capital, we had $52.78 million of cash in our trust account. Assuming, the minimum number of shares are tendered for redemption by our stockholders, after transaction costs, expenses and taxes payable we estimate that approximately $49.0 million will be invested in Smaaash Private, leaving minimal cash to fund our ongoing operations, pursue our strategy and sustain our growth initiatives.Furthermore, under the amendment to the Subscription Agreement, we have agreed to invest any and all monies we receive, (i) pursuant to the exercise of outstanding warrants for our capital stock and (ii) from capital raises of additional funds outside of India, whether from the public or in private transactions, into Smaaash Private as consideration for the subscription of additional shares of Smaaash Private, which obligation further limour our liquidity and capital resources. A portion of the $250,000 that Smaaash Private intends to initially contribute to us to set up the initial Centers in North and South America may however be used for working capital.

In order to augment our working capital, we and Smaaash Private have entered into an agreement, pursuant to which Smaaash Private will arrange for a line of credit to us in accordance with Indian law, the proceeds of which will be used to fund our operating expenses after the Transaction until such time as the revenue that we generate is sufficient to meet our ongoing expenses. While the line of credit will increase our working capital, funds drawn on the line of credit will also increase our debt. Our ability to repay the principal and accrued interest on the debt under the line of credit at maturity will depend upon our future revenues. Our future revenues and financial performance are, to a certain extent, subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient revenue to repay the amounts borrowed under the line of credit when due and as a result if our anticipated revenues are inadequate to repay the debt, we could default on the loan, which could cause material adverse consequences for us.

In addition, there can be no assurance that Smaaash Private will be in a financial position to extend the full amount of funds required by us at the time such funds are needed or that disbursement of the loans will not be restricted due to currency or other regulatory restrictions in India. If the transfers of funds under the line of credit are delayed or the amounts are reduced below the amounts requested, our financial position could be materially and adversely affected.

If we require additional capital resources, and are unable to obtain such funds under the Smaaash Private line of credit, we may seek such funds directly from third party sources; however, we may not be able to obtain sufficient equity capital and/or debt financing from third parties to allow us to fund our expected ongoing operations or we may not be able to obtain such equity capital or debt financing on acceptable terms or conditions. Factors affecting the availability of equity capital or debt financing to us on acceptable terms and conditions include:

 


 Ourour current and future financial results and position;
   
 the collateral availability of our otherwise unsecured assets;

 the market’s, investors and lenders’ view of our industry and products;
   
 the perception in the equity and debt markets of our ability to execute our business plan or achieve our operating results expectations; and
   
 the price, volatility and trading volume and history of our Common Stock.

 

If we are unable to obtain the equity capital or debt financing necessary to fund our ongoing operations, pursue our strategy and sustain our growth initiatives, we may be forced to scale back our operations or our expansion initiatives, and our business and operating results will be materially adversely affected.

 

Our growth strategy depends on the availability of suitable locations for our Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers and our ability to open new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers and operate them profitably.

 

A key element of our growth strategy is to extend the our brand by opening additionalcorporate owned as well as franchising retail Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers in locations in North and South Americathe United States that we believesbelieve will provide attractive returns on investment. We have initially identified sixnumerous sites for potential corporate Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers and many other sites for potential franchised esports gaming centers, in the United States, for potential Centers, however, desirable locations for additional Simplicity Esports Gaming Center openings may not be available at an acceptable cost when we identifiesidentify a particular opportunity for a new Simplicity Esports Gaming Center.

 

In addition,our ability to open new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers on a timely and cost-effective basis, or at all, is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including our ability or the ability of the selected franchisee to:

 

 reach acceptable agreements regarding the lease of the locations;

 comply with applicable zoning, licensing, land use and environmental regulations;

 raise or have available an adequate amount of cash or currently available financing for construction and opening costs;

 timely hire, train and retain the skilled management and other employees necessary to meet staffing needs;

 obtain, for acceptable cost, required permits and approvals, including liquor licenses; and

 efficiently manage the amount of time and money used to build and open each new Simplicity Esports Gaming Center.

 

If we succeedssucceed in opening new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers on a timely and cost-effective basis,we may nonetheless be unable to attract enough customers to the new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers because potential customers may be unfamiliar with our Centersbrands or concept,concepts, or our entertainment and menu options might not appeal to them. Our new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers may not meet or exceed our performance targets, including target cash-on-cash returns. New Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers may even operate at a loss, which could have a significant adverse effect on our overall operating results.

Our operations of Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers are significantly dependent on changes in public and customer tastes and discretionary spending patterns. Our inability to successfully anticipate customer preferences or to gain popularity for such Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers games may negatively impact our profitability.

 

Our success depends significantly on public and customer tastes and preferences, which can be unpredictable. If we are unable to successfully anticipate customer preferences or increase the popularity of the games offered at the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers, the per capita revenue and overall customer expenditures at the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers may decrease, and thereby negatively impact our profitability. In response to such developments, we may need to increase our marketing and product development efforts and expenditures, adjust our game or product sale pricing, modify the games themselves, or take other actions, which may further erode our profit margins, or otherwise adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In particular, we may need to expend considerable cost and effort in carrying out extensive research and development to assess the potential interest in a game, testing and launching new games, and to remain abreast with continually evolving technology and trends, as well as the success and popularity of the sports icons, athletesSimplicity stream team’s casters, influencers and celebrities who act may act as brand ambassadors or as part of the themes or simulation models for certain of Smaaash Private’s games.personalities among Simplicity Esports LLC’s dedicated fan base.

 


While we may incur significant expenditures of this nature, including in the future as we continue to expand our operations, there can be no assurance that any such expenditures or investments by us will yield expected or commensurate returns or results, within a reasonable or anticipated time, or at all.

 

The nature of our business exposes us to negative publicity or customer complaints, including in relation to, among other things, accidents, injuries or thefts at the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers, or health and safety concerns arising from improper use of our game equipment or at our food and beverage venues.

 

Our business inherently exposes ustous to negative publicity or customer complaints as a result of accidents, injuries, or in extreme cases, deaths, arising from instances of air-borne, water-borne or food-borne contagion or illness, food contamination, spoilage, tampering, equipment failure, improper use of our equipment, fire, explosion, terrorist attacks or civil riots, and other safety or security issues, such as kidnapping, or associated risks arising from other actual or perceived non-compliance with safety, quality or service standards or norms in relation to the various game, entertainment and food and beverage attractions at the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers. Even isolated or sporadic incidents or accidents may have a negative impact on our brand image and reputation, and the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers’, or games’ or our own popularity with customers. The considerable expansion of social media in recent years has compounded the effect of any potential negative publicity.

 

We cannot guarantee that itsour or our franchisee’s employee training, internal controls and other precautions will be sufficient to prevent any such occurrence at the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers, or in relation to the games developed by Smaaash Private for third party sales,our Simplicity global virtual reality gaming and fully integrated esports platform, or to control or mitigate any negative consequences. In addition, we andor our sub-franchiseesfranchisees rely on third-party security and housekeeping staff for certain non-core functions, as well as certain technology vendors and partners. Although we monitorsmonitor vendors and partners and, in certain cases, may have a contractual indemnity or recourse in case of any default on their part, our ability to assure a safe and satisfactory experience to our customers is necessarily limited to the extent of our andor our sub-franchisees’franchisees’, dependence on third parties, from time to time. Moreover, we may not be able to distance or insulate ourselves from any adverse publicity or reputational damage arising from any act, omission or negligence on the part of a vendor or other third party, which may negatively affect a customer’s experience at any of the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers.

We or our sub-franchiseesfranchisees may not be able to operate in the Centers in North and South America,United States, or obtain and maintain licenses and permits necessary for such operation, in compliance with laws, regulations and other requirements, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Each Simplicity Esports Gaming Center in North and South America will be subject to licensing and regulation by alcoholic beverage control, amusement, health, sanitation, safety, building code and fire agencies in the country, state, county and/or municipality in which the Simplicity Esports Gaming Center is located. In North and South America,the United States, each Simplicity Esports Gaming Center with a restaurant or bar will be required to obtain a license to sell alcoholic beverages on the premises from a state authority and, in certain locations, county and municipal authorities. Typically, licenses must be renewed annually and may be revoked or suspended for cause at any time. In some states, the loss of a license for cause with respect to one Simplicity Esports Gaming Center may lead to the loss of licenses at all Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers in that state and could make it more difficult to obtain additional licenses in that state. Alcoholic beverage control regulations relate to numerous aspects of the daily operations of each Simplicity Esports Gaming Center, including minimum age of patrons and employees, hours of operation, advertising, wholesale purchasing, inventory control and handling and storage and dispensing of alcoholic beverages. Our failure or a failure by a sub-franchiseefranchisee in obtaining and maintaining the required licenses, permits and approvals at any one Simplicity Esports Gaming Center could impact the continuing operations of existing Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers, or delay or prevent the opening of new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers. Although we do not anticipate any material difficulties occurring in the future, the failure to receive or retain a liquor license, or any other required permit or license, in a particular location, or to continue to qualify for, or renew licenses, could have a material adverse effect on operations and our ability to obtain such a license or permit in other locations.

 


As a result of operating certain entertainment games and attractions, including skill-based games that offer redemption prizes, the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers in North and South Americathe United States are subject to amusement licensing and regulation by the countries, states, provinces, counties and municipalities in which our Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers are located. These laws and regulations can vary significantly by country, state, province, county, and municipality and, in some jurisdictions, may require us to modify our business operations or alter the mix of redemption games and simulators we offer. Moreover, as more states and provinces in North and South Americathe United States and local communities implement legalized gambling, the laws and corresponding enabling regulations may also be applicable to our redemption games and regulators may create new licensing requirements, taxes or fees, or restrictions on the various types of redemption games we offer. Furthermore, other states, provinces, counties and municipalities may make changes to existing laws to further regulate legalized gaming and illegal gambling. Adoption of these laws, or adverse interpretation of existing laws, after we hashave established a Simplicity Esports Gaming Center in the jurisdiction could require the existing center in these jurisdictions to alter the mix of games, modify certain games, limit the number of tickets that may be won by a customer from a redemption game, change the mix of prizes that we may offer or terminate the use of specific games, any of which could adversely affect our operations.

 

We are also subject to laws and regulations governing our relationship with our employees, including those related to minimum wage requirements, exempt status, overtime, health insurance mandates, working and safety conditions, immigration status requirements, child labor, and non- discrimination.non-discrimination. Additionally, changes in federal labor laws, including card verification regulations, could result in portions of our workforce being subjected to greater organized labor influence, which could result in an increase to our labor costs. A significant portion of Simplicity Esports Gaming Center personnel will be paid at minimum wage rates established by federal, state and municipal law. Increases in the minimum wage result in higher labor costs, which may be only partially offset by price increases and operational efficiencies.

 

We are also subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Trade Commission and various state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. The Federal Trade Commission and various state laws require that we furnish a franchise disclosure document containing certain information to prospective franchisees, and a number of states require registration of the franchise disclosure document with state authorities. State laws that regulate the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in a substantial number of states, and bills have been introduced in Congress from time to time that would provide for federal regulation of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The state laws often limit, among other things, the duration and scope of non-competition provisions, the ability of a franchisor to terminate or refuse to renew a franchise and the ability of a franchisor to designate sources of supply. We shall endeavor to make sure that any franchise disclosure document we provide, together with any applicable state versions or supplements, and franchising procedures, comply in all material respects with both the Federal Trade Commission guidelines and all applicable state laws regulating franchising in those states in which we have offered franchises.

 

If we and our sub-franchiseesfranchisees fail to comply with such laws and regulations, we may be subject to various sanctions and/or penalties and fines or may be required to cease operations until we achieve compliance, which could have an adverse effect on our business and our financial results.

Our growth through franchising may not occur as rapidly as we currently anticipate and may be subject to additional risks.

 

As part of our growth strategy, we will continue to seek sub-franchiseesfranchisees to operate Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers in certain strategic domestic locations or venues. We believe that our ability to recruit, retain and contract with qualified sub-franchiseesfranchisees will be increasingly important to our operations as we expand. Our sub-franchiseesfranchisees are dependent upon the availability of adequate sources of financing in order to meet their development obligations. Such financing may not be available to our sub-franchisees,franchisees, or only available upon disadvantageous terms. Our sub-franchisefranchise strategy may not enhance our results of operations.

 

Expanding through sub-franchisingfranchising exposes our business and brand to risks because the quality of the sub-franchisedfranchised operations will be beyond our immediate control, including risks associated with our confidential information, intellectual properties (including trademarks) and brand reputation. Even if we have contractual remedies to cause sub-franchiseesfranchisees to maintain operational standards, enforcing those remedies may require litigation and therefore our image and reputation may suffer, unless and until such litigation is successfully concluded.

 


We could face liability from or as a result of our sub-franchisees.franchisees.

 

Various state and federal laws will govern the relationship between us and our sub-franchiseesfranchisees and the potential sale of a sub-franchise.franchise. If we fail to comply with these laws, we could be liable for damages to franchisees and fines or other penalties. A franchisee or government agency may bring legal action against us based on the franchisee/franchisor relationship. Also, under the franchise business model, we may face claims and liabilities based on vicarious liability, joint-employer liability, or other theories or liabilities. Such legal actions could result in expensive litigation with our franchisees or government agencies that could adversely affect both our profit and our important relations with our franchisees. In addition, regulatory or legal developments could result in changes to laws or the franchisor/franchisee relationship that could negatively impact the franchise business model and, accordingly, our profit.

 

We may not be able to compete favorably in the highly competitive out-of-home and home-based entertainment and restaurant market in North and South America,the United States, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

The out-of-home entertainment market in North and South Americathe United States is highly competitive. Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers that we or our sub-franchiseesfranchisees operate will compete for customers’ discretionary entertainment dollars with providers of out-of-home entertainment, including localized attraction facilities such as movie theatres, sporting events, bowling alleys, sports activity centers, arcades and entertainment centers, nightclubs and restaurants as well as theme parks. Many of the entities operating these businesses are larger and have significantly greater financial resources, a greater number of locations, have been in business longer, have greater name and brand recognition and are better established in the local markets where Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers are planned to be located. As a result, they may be able to invest greater resources than we can in attracting customers and succeed in attracting customers who would otherwise come to the Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers we or our sub-franchiseesfranchisees operate. In North and South America,the United States, the legalization of casino gambling in geographic areas near any future Simplicity Esports Gaming Center would create the possibility for adult entertainment alternatives, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. We will also face competition from local, regional and national establishments that offer entertainment experiences similar to us and restaurants that are highly competitive with respect to price, quality of service, location, ambience and type and quality of food and beverages.us. Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers we or our sub-franchiseesfranchisees operate will also face competition from increasingly sophisticated home-based forms of entertainment, such as internet and video gaming and home movie streaming and delivery. If we fail to compete favorably in the competitive out-of-home and home-based entertainment and restaurant markets it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our senior management team has limited experience in establishing, operating, licensing rights to and franchising entertainment centers and related products.

 

The members of our senior management team have extensive backgrounds in finance and the management and operation of special purpose acquisition companies,financial services businesses, however, they have limited prior experience in establishing, operating, licensing rights to and franchising entertainment centers and restaurants and operating businesses in North and South America.centers. We will need to expand our management team, to include individuals with expertise in establishing and operating entertainment centers and restaurants as well as individuals with expertise in product licensing and franchise operations in North and South America.operations. If we are unable to recruit professionals with acceptable backgrounds in establishing and operating entertainment centers and restaurants and with backgrounds in product licensing and financing, we may not be able to pursuitpursue our growth strategy which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our success depends upon our ability to recruit and retain qualified management culinary professionals and operating personnel at Centers in North and South America.Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers.

 

We and our sub-franchiseesfranchisees must attract, retain and motivate a sufficient number of qualified management culinary professionals and operating personnel in order to maintain consistency in our service, hospitality, quality and atmosphere of our Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers. In particular, we and our sub-franchisees will need to hire and retain an experiences team of culinary professionals to create appealing food and beverage menus, tailored to the tastes and preferences of the locations in which we will operate. Qualified management culinary professionals and operating personnel are typically in high demand. If we and our sub-franchiseesfranchisees are unable to attract and retain a satisfactory number of qualified management culinary professionals and operating personnel, labor shortages could delay the planned openings of new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 


OurAcquisitions, other strategic alliances and investments could result in operating difficulties, dilution, and other harmful consequences that may adversely impact our business and operations are subject to various risks relating to the acquisitionsresults of target companies. Our inability to complete and successfully integrate the future acquisition targets may affect our growth strategy, market share, profitability or competitive position.operations.

 

Acquisitions are an important element of our overall corporate strategy and use of capital, and these transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. We planexpect to expand throughcontinue to evaluate and enter into discussions regarding a wide array of potential strategic transactions. The process of integrating an acquired company, business, or product has created, and will continue to create, unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. The areas where we face risks may include, but are not limited to:

diversion of management’s time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration challenges;
failure to successfully further develop the acquired business or product lines;
implementation or remediation of controls, procedures and policies at the acquired company;
integration of the acquired company’s accounting, human resources and other administrative systems, and coordination of product, engineering and sales and marketing functions;
transition of operations, users and customers onto our existing platforms;
reliance on the expertise of our strategic partners with respect to market development, sales, local regulatory compliance and other operational matters;
failure to obtain required approvals on a timely basis, if at all, from governmental authorities, or conditions placed upon approval, under competition and antitrust laws which could, among other things, delay or prevent us from completing a transaction, or otherwise restrict our ability to realize the expected financial or strategic goals of an acquisition;
in the case of foreign acquisitions, the need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries;
cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into our organization, and retention of employees from the businesses we acquire;
liability for or reputational harm from activities of the acquired company before the acquisition or from our strategic partners, including patent and trademark infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities; and
litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company, including claims from terminated employees, customers, former shareholders or other third parties.

Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions of companies along with organic growth. There can be no assurance that we will be ableand investments or strategic alliances could cause us to successfully integrate the acquired businesses into our existing operations as planned. We may be adversely impacted by liabilities that we assume from these acquisitions, including known and unknown obligations, intellectual property or other assets, terminated employees, current or former clients, or other third parties, and we may fail to identifyrealize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions, investments or adequately assessalliances, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business generally.

Our acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the magnitudeincurrence of certaindebt, contingent liabilities shortcomings or other circumstances prior to the acquisitions,amortization expenses, or impairment of goodwill and purchased long-lived assets, and restructuring charges, any of which could result in unexpected legalharm our financial condition or regulatory exposure, unfavorable accounting treatment, unexpected increases in taxes, or other adverse effects onresults of operations and cash flows. Also, the anticipated benefits of many of our business.

acquisitions may not materialize.

Our insurance coverage may not adequately protect us against all future risks, which may adversely affect our business and prospects.

 

We maintain insurance coverage, including for fire, acts of god and perils, terrorism, burglary, money, loss of profit, fidelity guarantee, fixed glass and sanitary fitting, electronic equipment, machinery breakdown, portable equipment, sign boards, commercial general liability, marine transit, and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, as well as employee health and medical insurance, with standard exclusions in each instance. While we maintain insurance in amounts that we consider reasonably sufficient for a business of our nature and scale, with insurers that we consider reliable and credit worthy, we may face losses and liabilities that are uninsurable by their nature, or that are not covered, fully or at all, under our existing insurance policies. Moreover, coverage under such insurance policies would generally be subject to certain standard or negotiated exclusions or qualifications and, therefore, any future insurance claims byu sby us may not be honored by our insurers in full, or at all. In addition, our premium payments under our insurance policies may require a significant investment by us.

 

To the extent that we sufferssuffer loss or damage for which we did not obtain insurance, that is not covered by insurance or that exceeds our insurance coverage, the loss will have to be borne by us and our business, cash flow, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.

 

Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.

 

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will beare required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We are dependent upon our executive officers and directors and their departure could adversely affect our ability to operate.

 

Our operations are dependent upon a relatively small group of individuals and, in particular, our executive officers and directors. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our executive officers and directors. In addition, our executive officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have an employment agreement with, or key-man insurance on the life of any of our directors or executive officers. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of our directors or executive officers could have a detrimental effect on us.

 


Our executive officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.

 

We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibourprohibits our directors, executive officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. NorWhile our employment agreements with our key executive officers contain non-compete provisions, we do wenot have a policy that expressly prohibourprohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours.

We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor internal controls attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any JuneNovember 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following DecemberMay 31. We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

Compliance obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may require substantial financial and management resources.

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endingended May 31, 2019.2020. As long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirement on our internal control over financial reporting.

 


Provisions in our thirdCertificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our Common Stock and could entrench management.

 

Our thirdCertificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred shares, which may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.

 

If we fail to keep pace with changing industry technology and consumer preferences, we will be at a competitive disadvantage.

 

The Smaaash Private VRSimplicity products and AR products that the Company will distribute alsoservices compete within industries that are characterized by swiftly changing technology, evolving industry standards, frequent new and enhanced product introductions, rapidly changing consumer preferences and product obsolescence. In order to continue to compete effectively, we need to respond quickly to technological changes and to understand their impact on customers’ preferences. We may take significant time and resources to respond to these technological changes and changes in consumer preferences. Our business and results of operations may be negatively impacted if theour products we distributeand services fail to keep pace with these changes.

A failure or unanticipated delay in securing any necessary or desired certification for Smaaash Private’s products from government or regulatory organizations could impair distribution of Smaaash Private’s products and materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

In order for certain Smaaash Private’s products to be commercially distributed for use in certain target markets, they must first be certified by certain government or regulatory organizations, such as the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) in the U.S. and the Technischer Überwachungs-Verein (TÜV) and Conforme Européene (CE) in Europe. A failure or unanticipated delay in securing any necessary or desired certification for the Smaaash Private’s products could impair sales of Smaaash Private’s products and materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Various product safety laws and governmental regulations applicable to the distributor of Smaaash Private’sSimplicity Esports LLC’s and/or PLAYlive Nation, Inc.’s products may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our distribution of Smaaash Private’sSimplicity Esports LLC’s and/or PLAYlive Nation, Inc.’s products will be subject to numerous federal, state, provincial, local and foreign laws and regulations, including laws and regulations with respect to product safety, including regulations enforced by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission. We and our sub-franchiseesfranchisees could incur costs in complying with these regulations and, if they fail to comply, could incur significant penalties. A failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, or concerns about product safety, may also lead to a recall or post-manufacture repair of selected Smaaash Private’sSimplicity Esports LLC’s and/or PLAYlive Nation, Inc.’s products, resulting in the rejection of the products by our sub-franchisees,franchisees, lost sales, increased customer service and support costs, and costly litigation.

 

Risks Related to Doing Business in South AmericaPublic health epidemics or outbreaks, such as COVID-19, could materially and adversely impact our business.

 

ToIn December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the extentoutbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.

Because COVID-19 infections have been reported throughout the United States, certain federal, state and local governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders, proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. As a result, all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers on May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 14, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. Although our franchise agreements with franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers require a minimum monthly royalty payment to us from the franchisees regardless of whether the franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers are operating, a limited number of the franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers have defaulted on their obligations to pay their minimum monthly royalty payment to us. This has resulted in either an increase in accounts receivables or a bad debt expense where account receivables are no longer collectible due to franchisee’s inability to pay the minimum monthly royalty payments owed by the franchisee. We have not written off as bad debt any accounts receivables attributable to franchisee minimum monthly royalty payments owed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of February 28, 2021, we start Centerhave recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $139,867, as our collection efforts are ongoing. We have experienced an increase in our gross account receivables by approximately $73,000, $47,000, $44,000, and $237,700 during the quarters ended May 31, 2020, August 31, 2020, November 30, 2020 and February 28, 2021, respectively. Notwithstanding it is unclear exactly how much of the increase in accounts receivables is attributable to the impact of COVID-19. We have waived the minimum monthly royalty payment obligations from July 2020 through present day and are instead billing the franchisees a true-up of 6% of gross sales without a minimum. We continue to assess possible similar accommodations to the franchisees in light of the impact of COVID-19.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in South America, wean extended period of continued business disruption, reduced customer traffic and reduced operations. Any resulting financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The measures taken to date adversely impacted the Company’s business during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and will potentially continue to impact the Company’s business. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be subjectimpacted to some degree, but the following risks associated with doingsignificance of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business in South America.and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.

Risks Relating to Our Esports Business

 

PoliticalOur esports businesses are substantially dependent on the continuing popularity of the esports industry as a whole.

The esports industry is in the early stages of its respective development. Although the esports industry has experienced rapid growth, consumer preferences may shift and there is no assurance this growth will continue in the future. We have taken steps to diversify their businesses and mitigate these risks to an extent and continue to seek out new opportunities in the esports industry. However, due to the rapidly evolving nature of technology and online gaming, the esports industry may experience volatile and declining popularity as new options for online gaming and esports become available, or economic instabilityconsumer preferences shift to other forms of entertainment, and as a consequence, our businesses and results of operations may be materially negatively affected.

Our esports business faces intense and wide-ranging competition, which may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.

The success of our esports business is dependent upon the performance and/or popularity of its teams. Simplicity Esports LLC’s teams compete, in South Americavarying respects and degrees, with other live sporting events, and with sporting events delivered over television networks, radio, the Internet and online services, mobile applications and other alternative sources. For example, our esports teams compete for attendance, viewership and advertising with a wide range of alternatives available in major metropolitan areas. During some or all of the esports season, our teams face competition, in varying respects and degrees, from professional and collegiate basketball, hockey, baseball, football, and soccer, among others.

As a result of the large number of options available, we face strong competition for the sports and gaming fan. We must compete with other esports teams, traditional sports teams and sporting events, in varying respects and degrees, including on the basis of the quality of the teams we field, their success in the leagues, tournaments and genres in which they compete, our ability to provide an entertaining environment at any esports games that we host at our centers, prices charged for tickets and the viewing availability of our teams on multiple media alternatives. Given the nature of esports and sports in general, there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively, including with companies that may have greater resources than we have, and as a consequence, our business and results of operations may be materially negatively affected by competition.

Our businesses are substantially dependent on the continued popularity and/or competitive success of Simplicity Esports LLC’s teams, which cannot be assured.

Our future financial results will be dependent on the Simplicity teams becoming and remaining popular with our fan base and, in varying degrees, on the teams achieving in-game success, which can generate fan enthusiasm, resulting in sustained ticket and merchandise sales during the season. Furthermore, success in the regular season at certain tournaments may qualify one or more of our esports teams for participation in post-season playoffs, which provides us with additional revenue from prize money by increasing the number of games played by our sports teams and, more importantly, by generating increased excitement and interest in our esports teams, which can improve attendance in subsequent seasons. There can be no assurance that any of our esports teams, will develop a significant fan base, maintain continued popularity or compete in post-season play in the future.

Defection of our esports players to other teams or managers could hinder our success.

We compete with other esports athlete management businesses to sign and retain world class esports players, some of which have greater resources or brand recognition and popularity than ours. Our players may choose to defect to other esports organizations for various reasons, including that they have been made a superior offer or they have chosen to pursue new or other opportunities. The loss or defection of any of our esports players could have negative consequences on our businesses and results of operations. While we take or intend to take, all appropriate steps to retain our players and protect their interests, there can be no assurances that players will not defect to other esports organizations.

The actions of the various esports leagues and tournaments may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.

The governing bodies of the various esports leagues and tournaments, under certain circumstances, can take actions that they deem to be in the best interests of their respective leagues or tournaments, which may not necessarily be consistent with maximizing our results of operations and which could affect our esports teams in ways that are different than the impact on other esports teams. For example, they can take actions relating to the rights to telecast the games of league members or tournament participants, including the Simplicity team, licensing of the rights to produce and sell merchandise bearing the logos and/or other intellectual property of our esports teams and the leagues or tournaments, and the internet-based activities of our esports teams. Certain of these decisions by the esports leagues and tournaments could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. From time to time, we may disagree with or challenge actions that the leagues or tournaments take or the power and authority they assert.

We may be unable to effectively manage the growth in the scope and complexity of our business, including our expansion into the esports business which is untested and into adjacent business opportunities.

Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to manage our expanded business, including our aspirations for continued expansion. We intend to dedicate resources to a new business model that is largely untested, as is the case with esports. We do not know to what extent our future expansions will be successful. Further, even if successful, the growth of our business could create significant challenges for our management, operational, and financial resources, and could increase existing strain on, and divert focus from, our core businesses. If not managed effectively, this growth could result in the over-extension of our operating infrastructure, and our management systems, information technology systems, and internal controls and procedures may not be adequate to support this growth. Failure to adequately manage our growth in any of these ways may cause damage to our brand, damage our reputation or otherwise negatively impact our business.

Our industry is subject to rapid technological change, and if we do not adapt to, and appropriately allocate our resources among, emerging technologies and business models, our business may be negatively impacted.

Technology changes rapidly in the interactive entertainment industry. We must continually anticipate and adapt our products, services and business models to emerging technologies and delivery platforms in order to stay competitive. Forecasting our revenues and profitability for these new products, services and business models is inherently uncertain and volatile, and if we invest in the development of interactive entertainment products or services incorporating a new technology or for a new platform that does not achieve significant commercial success, whether because of competition or otherwise, we may not recover the often substantial “up front” costs of developing and marketing those products and services, or recover the opportunity cost of diverting management and financial resources away from other products or services. Further, our competitors may adapt to an emerging technology or business model more quickly or effectively than we do, creating products that are technologically superior to ours, more appealing to consumers, or both.

If, on the other hand, we elect not to pursue the development of products or services incorporating a new technology or for new platforms, or otherwise elect not to pursue new business models, that achieve significant commercial success, it may have adverse consequences. It may take significant time and resources to shift product development resources to that technology, platform or business model, as the case may be, and may be more difficult to compete against existing products and services incorporating that technology or for that platform or against companies using that business model.

Many elements of our business are unique, evolving and relatively unproven. Our business and prospects depend on the continuing development of live streaming of competitive esports gaming. The market for esports and amateur online gaming competition is relatively new and rapidly developing and are subject to significant challenges. Our business relies upon our ability to cultivate and grow an active gamer community, and our ability to successfully monetize such community through tournament fees, subscriptions for our esports gaming services, and advertising and sponsorship opportunities. In addition, our continued growth depends, in part, on our ability to respond to constant changes in the esports gaming industry, including rapid technological evolution, continued shifts in gamer trends and demands, frequent introductions of new games and titles and the constant emergence of new industry standards and practices. Developing and integrating new games, titles, content, products, services or infrastructure could be expensive and time-consuming, and these efforts may not yield the benefits we expect to achieve at all. We cannot assure you that we will succeed in any of these aspects or that the esports gaming industry will continue to grow as rapidly as it has in the past.

We may encounter difficulties in integrating Simplicity Esports LLC’s esports businesses or otherwise realizing the anticipated benefits of the transaction.

As part of our business strategy, from time to time, we acquire, make investments in, or enter into strategic alliances and joint ventures with, complementary businesses, such as the acquisition of the Simplicity esports business in January 2019. The acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC involves significant risks and uncertainties, including: (i) the potential for Simplicity Esports LLC’s business to underperform relative to our expectations and the acquisition price, (ii) the potential for Simplicity Esports LLC’s business to cause our financial results to differ from expectations in any given period, or over the longer-term, (iii) unexpected tax consequences from the acquisition, or the tax treatment of Simplicity Esports LLC’s business’s operations going forward, giving rise to incremental tax liabilities that are difficult to predict, (iv) difficulty in integrating Simplicity Esports LLC’s business, its operations and its employees in an efficient and effective manner, (v) any unknown liabilities or internal control deficiencies assumed as part of the acquisition, and (vi) the potential loss of key employees of Simplicity Esports LLC’s businesses. Further, the transaction may involve the risk that our senior management’s attention will be excessively diverted from our other operations, the risk that the gaming industry does not evolve as anticipated and that any intellectual property or personnel skills acquired do not prove to be those needed for our future success, and the risk that our strategic objectives, cost savings or other anticipated benefits are otherwise not achieved.

Our business may be harmed if our licensing partners, or other third parties with whom we do business, act in ways that put our brand at risk.

We anticipate that our business partners shall be given access to sensitive and proprietary information or control over our intellectual property in order to provide services and support to our teams. These third parties may misappropriate our information or intellectual property and engage in unauthorized use of it or otherwise act in a way that places our brand at risk. The failure of these third parties to provide adequate services and technologies, the failure of third parties to adequately maintain or update their services and technologies or the misappropriation or misuse of this information or intellectual property could result in a disruption to our business operations or an adverse effect on our reputation, and may negatively impact our business.

Our business is highly dependent on the success and availability of video game platforms manufactured by third parties.

We expect to derive a substantial portion of our revenues from esports games played on game platforms manufactured by third parties, such as Sony’s PS4®, Microsoft’s Xbox One®, and Nintendo’s Wii U® and Switch®, and PCs. The success of our business will be driven in large part by our ability to accurately predict which platforms will be successful in the marketplace. We also rely on the availability of an adequate supply of these video game consoles and the continued support for these consoles by their manufacturers. We may be required to commit significant resources well in advance of the anticipated introduction of a new platform. If increased costs are not offset by higher revenues and other cost efficiencies, our business could be negatively impacted. If the platforms for which we invested resources do not attain significant market acceptance, we may not be able to recover our costs, which could be significant.

The games we support are subject to scrutiny regarding the appropriateness of their content. If the publishers and distributors we partner with fail to receive their target ratings for certain titles, or if retailers refuse to sell such titles due to what they perceive to be objectionable content, it could have a negative impact on our business.

Console and PC games are subject to ratings by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (the “ESRB”), a self-regulatory body based in the U.S. that provides U.S. and Canadian consumers of interactive entertainment software with ratings information, including information on the content in such software, such as violence, nudity or sexual content, along with an assessment of the suitability of the content for certain age groups. Certain other countries have also established content rating systems as prerequisites for product sales in those countries. In addition, certain stores use other ratings systems, such as Apple’s use of its proprietary “App Rating System” and Google Play’s use of the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) rating system. If the software publishers that supply our games are unable to obtain the ratings they have targeted for their products, it could have a negative impact on our business. In some instances, the software publishers and developers may be required to modify their products to comply with the requirements of the rating systems, which could delay or disrupt the release of any given product, or may prevent its sale altogether in certain territories, which would limited its availability for use in the games that our teams play.

We will depend on servers to operate our games with online features. If we were to lose server functionality for any reason, our business may be negatively impacted.

Our business at our game centers will rely on the continuous operation of servers, some of which are owned and operated by third parties. Although we shall strive to maintain more than sufficient server capacity, and provide for active redundancy in the event of limited hardware failure, any broad-based catastrophic server malfunction, a significant service-disrupting attack or intrusion by hackers that circumvents security measures, a failure of disaster recovery service or the failure of a company on which we are relying for server capacity to provide that capacity for whatever reason would likely degrade or interrupt the functionality of our games with online features, and could prevent the operation of such games altogether, any of which could result in the loss of sales for, or in, such games.

We also rely on networks operated by third parties, such as the PlayStation® Network, Xbox Live® and Steam®, for the functionality of the games we use which have online features. An extended interruption to any of these services could adversely affect our ability to operate our games with online features, negatively impacting our business.

Further, insufficient server capacity could also negatively impact our game center business. Conversely, if we overestimate the amount of server capacity required by our business, we may incur unnecessary additional operating costs.

The esports gaming industry is very “hit” driven. We may not have access to “hit” games or titles.

Select game titles dominate competitive esports and online gaming, including League of Legends, Minecraft, Fortnite and Overwatch, and many new games titles are regularly introduced in each major industry segment (console, mobile and PC free-to-download). Despite the number of new entrants, only a very few “hit” titles account for a significant portion of total revenue in each segment.

The size and engagement level of our online and in person gamers are critical to our success and are closely linked to the quality and popularity of the esports game publishers with which we have licenses. Esports game publishers on our gaming platform, including those who have entered into license agreements with us, may leave us for other gaming platforms or leagues which may offer better competition, and terms and conditions than we do. Furthermore, we may lose esports game publishers if we fail to generate the number of gamers to our tournaments and league competitions expected by such publishers. In addition, if popular esports game publishers cease to license their games to us, or our live streams fail to attract gamers, we may experience a decline in gamer traffic, subscriptions and engagement, which may have a material and adverse impact on our results of operations due to diminished revenues.and financial conditions.

 

We may set upmust continue to attract and operate Centersretain the most popular esports gaming titles in South America. To the extent we start operations in South America, we may derive a portion of its future revenues from countries within South America. Political or economic instability in countries within South America could have an adverse impact on our results of operations due to diminished revenues. Our future revenues, costs of operations and profits could also be affected by a number of other factors related to our anticipated South American operations, including changes in economic conditions in such countries, changes in a country’s political condition, trade protection measures, licensing and other legal requirements, and local tax issues.


Fluctuations in local currency exchange rates could negatively affect our performance.

Unanticipated exchange rate fluctuations in the local currencies could lead to lower reported consolidated results of operations due to the translation of these currencies into U.S. dollars when we consolidate our financial results with any subsidiaries that we establish in South America. A decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the applicable local currency could increase our cost of doing business in the relevant jurisdiction.

Governmental policies in the South American countries where Centers are located could impact our business.

Changes in local governmental policies in the South American countries where Centers are expected to be located, and which could be expected to have a substantial impact on our business, include:

new laws and regulations or new interpretations of those laws and regulations;

the introduction of measures to control inflation or stimulate growth;

changes in the rate or method of taxation;

the imposition of additional restrictions on currency conversion and remittances abroad; and

any actions which limit our ability to finance and operate its business in such jurisdictions.

Risks Related to Smaaash Private

Smaaash Private has significant indebtedness and the imposition of certain restrictive covenants in Smaaash Private debt financing arrangements may increase Smaaash Private’s susceptibility to interest rate fluctuations, adversely impact Smaaash Private’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as restrict Smaaash Private’s operational flexibility.

As on December 31, 2017, Smaaash Private’s outstanding indebtedness on a consolidated basis aggregated to $44.10 million, including $44.05 million of secured debt and $0.05 million of unsecured debt, Smaaash Private may incur additional indebtedness in the future.

Smaaash Private’s significant indebtedness and the imposition of certain restrictive covenants in Smaaash Private’s debt financing arrangements may increase Smaaash Private’s susceptibility to interest rate fluctuations, adversely impact Smaaash Private’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as restricting Smaaash Private’s operational flexibility.

The possible implications of Smaaash Private’s significant indebtedness may include, but are not limited to, the following:

a portion of Smaaash Private’s cash flows may be used towards repayment of Smaaash Private’s existing debt, which will reduce the availability of cash to fund Smaaash Private’s working capital requirements, capital expenditures, planned expansions or acquisitions or other strategic objectives, and general corporate purposes;

Smaaash Private’s ability to obtain additional funding in the future at reasonable, or less restrictive, terms may be restricted;

fluctuations in market interest rates may affect the cost of Smaaash Private’s borrowings, as Smaaash Private’s loans are, currently as well as typically, at variable interest rates;

Smaaash Private’s ability to declare dividends, while any actual payments are due under the terms of Smaaash Private’s borrowings;

Smaaash Private may be more vulnerable to economic downturns;


Smaaash Private’s ability to withstand competitive pressures may be limited;

Smaaash Private may have reduced operational flexibility in responding to business, regulatory and economic conditions and developments; and

Smaaash Private’s requirement to obtain lenders’ consents for various activities, including, but not limited to, any change in control or ownership of Smaaash Private.

Smaaash Private is continually expanding and so may need to continually raise capital. If Smaaash Private is unable to raise capital on commercially favorable terms, including due to Smaaash Private’s high debt-equity ratio, Smaaash Private’s growth trajectory might be affected.

Smaaash Private is in the process of expansion and may need additional capital despite the fact that it has a significant portion of debt on its books. Due, in part, to Smaaash Private’s significant debt there are various reasons for it not being able to raise capital on commercially favorable terms including, but not limited to (i) high debt to equity ratio, (ii) trends in global capital and credit markets, and (iii) existing debt terms. Smaaash Private’s inabilityorder to maintain or obtain sufficient cash flow, credit facilities and other sources of funds, in a timely manner, or at all, to meet Smaaash Private’s expansion strategy requirements could adversely affect Smaaash Private’s growth trajectory.

The high fixed cost structure of Smaaash Private’s operations can result in significantly lower margins if Smaaash Private’s revenues should decline, which may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Smaaash Private’s total aggregate expenditure was $9.91 million and $18.90 million for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, respectively. A large proportion of Smaaash Private’s expenses are fixed expenses, including the cost of full-time employees, fixed rentals, interest costs, security and insurance, which do not vary significantly with retail traffic at Smaaash Private’s Centers. These expenses may continue to increase, in the aggregate, from year to year, particularly as Smaaash Private continue to expand its network of Centers in the future. In the event that Smaaash Private’s expenses increase at a faster rate than Smaaash Private’s revenues and if Smaaash Private is unable to rationalize Smaaash Private’s costs or realize efficiencies of scale, Smaaash Private may not be able to pass on such costs to Smaaash Private’s customers or offset its expenses. In such case, Smaaash Private may experience a decline in its profit margins and, in general, an adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Smaaash Private has significant capital expenditure requirements, and inability to raise adequate financing on commercially acceptable terms may limit Smaaash Private’s strategic initiatives and growth prospects.

Smaaash Private’s business is inherently capital intensive. Smaaash Private’s total capital expenditure was $10.99 million and $19.23 million in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, respectively. Smaaash Private is required to undertake capital investments on a regular basis, to introduce new games and entertainment options, or to improve existing games and entertainment options and, particularly, when Smaaash Private opens new Centers. In addition, Smaaash Private must incur expenditures to maintain and improve supporting or complementary infrastructure and services at Smaaash Private’s Centers, including Smaaash Private’s food and beverage venues, parking and other facilities. The actual amounts and timing of Smaaash Private’s future capital expenditure may differ from Smaaash Private’s estimates, from time to time, including on account of, among other things, availability of land for future expansion, interest rates, future cash flows being less than Smaaash Private had estimated, fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices, unforeseen delays or cost overruns on Smaaash Private’s part or on the part of any of Smaaash Private’s equipment or technology supply or other vendors or partners, technological advances, design changes, inability to obtain or delay in obtaining requisite regulatory approvals or third party consents such as from lenders or lessors or others, unanticipated expenses, delays in Smaaash Private’s payments from corporate customers in Smaaash Private’s product sales business or issues with the credit worthiness of such customers, general economic conditions, market developments and new opportunities or challenges in the industry, or in the geographies in which Smaaash Private operate. Smaaash Private’s capital expenditures and investments may rise in the future, given Smaaash Private’s expansion plans as well as the scope of Smaaash Private’s existing operations. The financing required by Smaaash Private for such capital expenditures and investments may not be available to it on commercially acceptable terms or at all, or Smaaash Private’s ability to seek additional financing in the future may be restricted due to the terms of Smaaash Private’s existing or future borrowings, or regulatory constraints on equity or debt capital raising, or a range of macroeconomic factors, including interest rates.


Smaaash Private’s inability to raise adequate financing on commercially acceptable terms, or at all, in the future may limit Smaaash Private’s strategic initiatives and growth prospects. In addition, there can be no assurance that Smaaash Private’s capital investment will yield the planned returns at any time in the future, at expected rates, or at all. In any such event, Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.

Smaaash Private, as well as its affiliated companies, have unsecured borrowings from time to time, which may be repayable on demand, including on the occurrence of an event of default in the terms of such financing agreements. Any unexpected calls for repayment of a significant amount of such borrowings may impact Smaaash Private’s ability to manage its debt service obligations.

Smaaash Private, as well as Smaaash Private’s affiliates, have unsecured borrowings from time to time, which may be repayable on demand, including on the occurrence of an actual or alleged event of default. Any unexpected calls for repayment of a significant amount of such borrowings may impact Smaaash Private’s ability to manage its debt service obligations. Any failure to service such indebtedness or comply with any obligations under such financing agreements may cause it to incur penalty interest or may result in the termination of one or more of Smaaash Private’s credit facilities or acceleration or cross-acceleration of payments under such credit facilities, as well as the declaration of an event of default or cross-default, which may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operation and prospects.

Smaaash Private’s operations are significantly dependent on changes in public and customer tastes and discretionary spending patterns. Smaaash Private’s inability to successfully anticipate customer preferences or to gain popularity for Smaaash Private’s games may negatively impact Smaaash Private’s profitability.

Smaaash Private’s success depends significantly on public and customer tastes and preferences, which can be unpredictable. If Smaaash Private is unable to successfully anticipate customer preferences or increase the popularity of its games,our leagues, tournaments and competitions, and ensure the per capita revenue and overall customer expenditures at Smaaash Private’s Centers may decrease, and thereby negatively impact Smaaash Private’s profitability. In response to such developments, Smaaash Private may need to increase its marketing and product development efforts and expenditures, adjust its game or product sale pricing, modify the games themselves, or take other actions, which may further erode Smaaash Private’s profit margins, or otherwise adversely affect Smaaash Private’s resultssustainable growth of operations and financial condition. In particular, Smaaash Private may need to expend considerable cost and effort in carrying out extensive research and development to assess the potential interest in a game, testing and launching new games, and to remain abreast with continually evolving technology and trends, as well as the success and popularity of the sports icons, athletes and celebrities who act as Smaaash Private’s brand ambassadors or as part of the themes or simulation models for certain of Smaaash Private’s games.

While Smaaash Private may incur significant expenditures of this nature, including in the future as Smaaash Private continues to expand Smaaash Private’s operations, there can be no assurance that any such expenditures or investments by it will yield expected or commensurate returns or results, within a reasonable or anticipated time, or at all. Among other things, although one of the factors on which Smaaash Private compete is Smaaash Private’s ability to continually launch new games or embrace new technology, Smaaash Private may also face the converse challenge of introducing new games or new technology to Smaaash Private’s customers through a user-friendly, intuitive, or attractive interface. For instance, Smaaash Private may face challenges in introducing new technology or games to customers who are not familiar with such new technology platforms or interfaces, or do not find such technology, platforms or interfaces convenient to use or easy to grasp. Moreover, there may be resistance to or a lack of enthusiastic customer response for Smaaash Private’s games, for instance, because of actual or perceived concerns that customers may not enjoy, or may encounter difficulties, or even suffer injuries or motion sickness, when playing Smaaash Private’s games, including Smaaash Private’s active games and interactive sports simulators and Smaaash Private’s Augmented Reality (“AR”) and Virtual Reality (“VR”) games, or the perception that immersive single-player VR games can cause feeling of isolation to the extent that they do not allow a multi-player interaction. Any such factors could adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.


The nature of Smaaash Private’s business exposes it to negative publicity or customer complaints, including in relation to, among other things, accidents, injuries or thefts at Smaaash Private’s Centers, or health and safety concerns arising from improper use of Smaaash Private’s game equipment or at Smaaash Private’s food and beverage venues.

Smaaash Private’s business inherently exposes it to negative publicity or customer complaints as a result of accidents, injuries, or in extreme cases, deaths, arising from instances of air-borne, water-borne or food-borne contagion or illness, food contamination, spoilage, tampering, equipment failure, improper use of Smaaash Private’s equipment, fire, explosion, terrorist attacks or civil riots, and other safety or security issues, such as kidnapping, or associated risks arising from other actual or perceived non-compliance with safety, quality or service standards or norms in relation to the various game, entertainment and food and beverage attractions at Smaaash Private’s Centers. Even isolated or sporadic incidents or accidents may have a negative impact on Smaaash Private’s brand image and reputation, and Smaaash Private’s Centers’ or games’ or Smaaash Private’s own popularity with customers. The considerable expansion of social media in recent years has compounded the effect of any potential negative publicity.

Smaaash Private cannot guarantee that its employee training, internal controls and other precautions will be sufficient to prevent any such occurrence at Smaaash Private’s Centers, or in relation to the games developed by it for third party sales, or to control or mitigate any negative consequences. In addition, Smaaash Private relies on third-party security and housekeeping staff for certain non-core functions, as well as certain technology vendors and partners. Although Smaaash Private monitors vendors and partners and, in certain cases, may have a contractual indemnity or recourse in case of any default on their part, Smaaash Private’s ability to assure a safe and satisfactory experience to Smaaash Private’s customers is necessarily limited to the extent of Smaaash Private’s dependence on third parties, from time to time. Moreover, Smaaash Private may not be able to distance or insulate ourselves from any adverse publicity or reputational damage arising from any act, omission or negligence on the part of a vendor or other third party, which may negatively affect a customer’s experience at any of Smaaash Private’s Centers.

Smaaash Private’s business and operations are subject to various risks relating to the acquisitions of target companies. Smaaash Private’s inability to complete and successfully integrate the future acquisition targets may affect Smaaash Private’s growth strategy, market share, profitability or competitive position.

Smaaash Private’s plans to expand through future acquisitions of companies along with organic growth. There can be no assurance that Smaaash Private will be able to successfully integrate the acquired businesses into its existing operations as planned. Smaaash Private may be adversely impacted by liabilities that it assumes from these acquisitions, including known and unknown obligations, intellectual property or other assets, terminated employees, current or former clients, or other third parties, and it may failour gamer community. We must continue to identify or adequately assess the magnitude of certain liabilities, shortcomings or other circumstances prior to the acquisitions, which could result in unexpected legal or regulatory exposure, unfavorable accounting treatment, unexpected increases in taxes, or other adverse effects on its business.

Smaaash Private has a relatively limited operating history and may not be able to sustain Smaaash Private’s growth levels in the future.

Smaaash Private commenced commercial operations at Smaaash Private’s first Center in Mumbai in November 2012, and all of Smaaash Private’s other Centers have commenced commercial operations within the last three fiscal years. Smaaash Private’s first international Center, in the Mall of America, in Minnesota, U.S.A. was opened in December 2016. Consequently, Smaaash Private currently has relatively limited operating experience, particularly, overseas, and may encounter challenges in further expansion, including its proposed overseas expansion.

Consequently, it may be difficult to evaluate Smaaash Private’s past performance and prospects. For instance, Smaaash Private’s consolidated revenue increased from $8.65 million in fiscal year 2016 to $18.06 million in fiscal year 2017. Smaaash Private may not be able to sustain such growth rates in the future, and may not be able to leverage its experience in its existing markets in order to grow Smaaash Private’s business in new markets.


Smaaash Private’s growth strategy to expand within India and in international markets exposes it to certain execution and other risks, which may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Smaaash Private’s growth strategy includes, expanding its network of Centers in India and overseas, growing Smaaash Private’s array of games and other attractions, increasing Smaaash Private’s product sales within India and in international markets, enhancing Smaaash Private’s marketing initiatives and brand value, and also increasing Smaaash Private’s sponsorship and other businesses. In pursuing Smaaash Private’s growth strategy, Smaaash Private may be exposed to several risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to the following:

acquiring new customers, or encouraging repeat business;

challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences, its lack of familiarity and understanding of the local economic conditions, demographics, differences in legal and regulatory jurisdictions and policy frameworks and customer preferences and trends;

making accurate assessments of the additional financing, technology,

adhering to expected quality and service parameters and satisfying Smaaash Private’s customers across Smaaash Private’s expanded operations;

difficulties in managing and staffing expanded operations and maintaining Smaaash Private’s values and culture as well as internal controls, as well as increasing costs of human resources due to wage inflation or increased human resource requirements across different and expanded locations, differences in general employment conditions and the degree of employee unionization and activism;

obtaining and complying with the terms of local or additional regulatory approvals, registrations and certifications, or the imposition of governmental controls and changes in laws, regulations or policies;

exchange rate fluctuations, currency devaluations and other conversion restrictions;

local restrictions on foreign investment and limits on the repatriation of funds;

local financial, political and economic instability;

potentially adverse tax consequences;

higher costs associated with doing business internationally;

developing and upgrading Smaaash Private’s administrative and operating infrastructure, including Smaaash Private’s technology, accounting, communications and other systems, and managing strain on existing management attention and resources; and

diminished ability to legally enforce Smaaash Private’s contractual rights overseas.

Smaaash Private’s inability to effectively pursue Smaaash Private’s growth strategy or manage Smaaash Private’s expanded operations, may lead to operational and financial inefficiencies, which may have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and reputation.

Smaaash Private’s registered and corporate office and the premises at which Smaaash Private’s Centers are located are leased. Smaaash Private’s inability to renew such leases on commercially acceptable terms, or at all, may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s operations.

Smaaash Private’s registered and corporate office is situated at 2nd Floor, Trade View Building, Oasis Complex, Kamala Mills, Gate No. 4, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013, within Smaaash Private’s flagship Mumbai Center premises. These premises are currently leased for a five year term which terminates on July 31, 2020.


In addition, the premises at which Smaaash Private’s Centers are located are all either leased or licensed from various parties (including third parties as well as, in some cases, related parties), for varying terms, generally for an initial period ranging between three, five, twelve and twenty years, and in certain cases are automatically renewable for further terms.

Smaaash Private has also entered into revenue sharing arrangements with the property developers for several of Smaaash Private’s Centers in India. Under such revenue sharing arrangements with property developers, Smaaash Private typically pays monthly rent at a fixed percentage of the monthly net retail sales amount (which is generally reset to a higher percentage after the completion of a specified initial duration within the rental period) or, in certain cases, either a monthly minimum guaranteed amount, or a fixed percentage of the monthly net retail sales amount (which is reset to a higher percentage after the completion of a specified initial duration within the rental period), whichever is higher. Certain of these rental and revenue sharing arrangements are subject to lock-up periods, during which time, Smaaash Private cannot terminate these arrangements early without payment of the agreed rent for the entire lock-up period. After the lapse of the lock-in period, Smaaash Private may terminate the arrangements with prior notice. In contrast, the licensors can typically terminate the arrangements at any time, with prior notice, with or without cause.

In the event of any early termination by a licensor or rent escalation or any other difficulties arising in Smaaash Private’s arrangements with Smaaash Private’s lessors, Smaaash Private’s operations may be disrupted, or Smaaash Private may incur substantially increased costs in order to continue or renew Smaaash Private’s rental arrangements, or to make alternative arrangements in order to continue Smaaash Private’s operations, at one or more of Smaaash Private’s Centers, or Smaaash Private may be required to relocate Smaaash Private’s operations elsewhere, in the event Smaaash Private is unable to conclude Smaaash Private’s negotiations with any of Smaaash Private’s lessors in a timely manner and at a commercially viable cost.

Smaaash Private’s operations are subject to various national, state and local laws and regulations, including in relation to commercial operations, food safety and hygiene, liquor licensing, the protection of the environment, and occupational health and safety, which may limit Smaaash Private’s operational flexibility, or subject it to significant compliance costs, which may, in turn, adversely affect Smaaash Private’s financial condition.

Smaaash Private’s operations are subject to various national, state and local laws and regulations, including in relation to commercial operations, food safety and hygiene, liquor licensing, the protection of the environment, and occupational health and safety. While Smaaash Private, to its knowledge, is currently compliant with applicable laws in all respects known to it, Smaaash Private cannot be certain of the applicability, interpretation or implementation of all laws and policies. For instance, in the event that it is alleged or established that games and entertainment options at Smaaash Private’s Centers could be considered “gambling”, “betting”, or “wagering”, or the operation of a “casino”, or “lottery”, which activities are currently not legal across India, it may subject Smaaash Private to some form of regulatory taxation, licensing or approval that Smaaash Private does not already possess, or the prizes or discounts or other incentives awarded by it to the winners of skill-based or other games at Smaaash Private’s Centers may be taxable or require some form of regulatory licensing or approval that Smaaash Private does not already possess, in which case Smaaash Private’s operations could be adversely affected or disrupted, or Smaaash Private may be subject to penalty. If any such licenses or approvals are required there can be no assurance that the relevant authorities will issue or, where required, renew such approvals or registrations in the timeframes anticipated by it. Failure by it to obtain, maintain or renew the required approvals or registrations may result in the interruption of Smaaash Private’s operations and may have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Additionally, Smaaash Private is required to adhere to certain terms and conditions provided under the statutory and regulatory approvals and registrations, in terms of which Smaaash Private operates, which may require it to undertake substantial compliance-related expenditures.


Any actual or alleged breach or non-compliance with specified conditions may result in the suspension, withdrawal or termination of Smaaash Private’s approvals and registrations or the imposition of penalties by the relevant authorities. While Smaaash Private is not currently aware of any such outstanding material claims or obligations, Smaaash Private may incur substantial costs, including clean up or remediation costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, and personal injury claims, as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental or health and safety laws or noncompliance with permits required at Smaaash Private’s Centers, which, as a result, may have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business and prospects. In addition, as Smaaash Private expanding into newer geographical markets, Smaaash Private may be required to comply with various environmental and health and safety laws and regulations within such jurisdictions. Further, any change in or expansion of the scope of the regulations governing Smaaash Private’s operations, would likely involve substantial additional costs, including costs relating to maintenance and inspection, development and implementation of emergency procedures and insurance coverage or other additional costs to address environmental incidents or external threats. Smaaash Private’s inability to control the costs involved in complying with these and other relevant laws and regulations

Smaaash Private depends significantly on its brand recognition and reputation. The ineffectiveness of Smaaash Private’s brand building, marketing and advertising initiatives, or failure on Smaaash Private’s part to enhance Smaaash Private’s brand image in the future, may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s product sales, sponsorship revenue and other revenues.

Smaaash Private believes that the recognition and reputation of its brand and associated marks, among customers of all ages, genders and backgrounds have contributed significantly to the growth and success of Smaaash Private’s business. Maintaining and enhancing the recognition and reputation of these brands and marks are, therefore, critical to Smaaash Private’s business and competitiveness. Smaaash Private’s brand investment and marketing and promotional activities may not be effective with customers, or may not yield commensurate returns on Smaaash Private’s investment. In particular, as Smaaash Private expands into new geographic or international markets, customers in these markets may not recognize or accept Smaaash Private’s brand and products, as well as Smaaash Private’s customers in existing markets have, in Smaaash Private’s past. Smaaash Private also anticipates that, as Smaaash Private’s business expands into new markets and as the market becomes increasingly competitive, maintaining and enhancing Smaaash Private’s brands may become increasingly difficult and expensive.

If Smaaash Private fails to enhance Smaaash Private’s brand recognition, reputation and positive awareness of its Centers and the products Smaaash Private sells to third parties, it may be difficult for it to grow Smaaash Private’s game, product sales, sponsorship and other revenues and customer bases. Further, the customers that visit Smaaash Private’s Centers, or that purchase game equipment and equipment sold by its directly or through Smaaash Private’s distributors, would typically expect a high level of quality and satisfaction from Smaaash Private’s games. Smaaash Private’s customers’ expectations may be subjective, going beyond technical specifications and internal factors within Smaaash Private’s control. Smaaash Private’s failure to deliver on such expectations may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s brand image, reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Smaaash Private incurs significant raw material costs, including import costs, and does not have long term purchase contracts with its vendors, as Smaaash Private typically relies on purchase orders. As a result, Smaaash Private may be susceptible to pricing pressures or disruptions in its relationships with its vendors, which may negatively impact Smaaash Private’s operations.

Smaaash Private’s cost of raw materials accounted for 20% of Smaaash Private’s total expenditure, during fiscal year 2017. As Smaaash Private incurs significant raw material costs, including import costs, and does not have long term purchase contracts with Smaaash Private’s vendors, as it typically relies on purchase orders, Smaaash Private may be susceptible to pricing pressures or disruptions in Smaaash Private’s relationships with Smaaash Private’s vendors, which may negatively impact Smaaash Private’s operations. Particularly, as Smaaash Private intends to expand the scale of Smaaash Private’s operations, Smaaash Private’s reliance on third party suppliers of various raw materials, products and services may rise. In addition, there may be limited alternate suppliers for certain of Smaaash Private’s equipment and raw material purchases. If Smaaash Private is unable to source equipment and raw materials meeting required specifications, in sufficient quantities, at the required time, at commercially acceptable costs, or at all, Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected, particularly to the extent Smaaash Private is unable to pass on increased costs to Smaaash Private’s customers.


Smaaash Private is a company with global operations, and is subject to the risks and uncertainties of conducting business outside India.

Smaaash Private conducts its business across emerging markets such as India, Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and Latin America, and derives a substantial amount of its revenues and profits from international sales, particularly from Africa and South East Asia. During the fiscal year 2017, and during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2017, Smaaash Private’s international operations contributed 24% and 18%, respectively, to Smaaash Private’s total revenue from operations including product sales. The markets in which Smaaash Private operates are diverse and fragmented, with varying levels of economic and infrastructure development and distinct legal and regulatory systems, and do not operate seamlessly across borders as a single or common market. Smaaash Private may require considerable management attention and resources for managing Smaaash Private’s growing business across these emerging markets. Going forward, Smaaash Private anticipates that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of Smaaash Private’s total revenues and profits and moreover that sales in emerging markets in Asia, Africa and elsewhere will be an increasingly important part of Smaaash Private’s international sales. Further, Smaaash Private plans to continue the expansion of its game offerings to various other jurisdictions, where Smaaash Private has limited or no experience in marketing, developing and deploying Smaaash Private’s games. Therefore, Smaaash Private may be subject to risks inherent in doing business in countries other than India, including:

challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences;

providing content and services that appeal to the tastes and preferences of users in multiple markets;

protectionist laws and business practices;

complex local tax regimes;

higher costs associated with doing business in multiple markets;

risks related to the legal and regulatory environment in non-Indian jurisdictions, including with respect to privacy and data, or in relation to taxation or repatriation of Smaaash Private’s revenues or profits from foreign jurisdictions to India;

security, and unexpected changes in laws, regulatory requirements and enforcement;

burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws in multiple jurisdictions;

potential damage to Smaaash Private’s brand and reputation due to compliance with local laws, including requirements to provide player information to local authorities;

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

political, social or economic instability; and

the potential need to recruit and work through local partners;

reduced protection for or increased violations of intellectual property rights in some countries.

Further, a number of agreements executed by Smaaash Private and by Smaaash Private’s subsidiaries, are governed by laws other than Indian law. In the event of a dispute under such agreements, Smaaash Private may not be able to successfully defend its position, and any adverse decision may adversely impact its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. If Smaaash Private is unable to manage its global operations successfully, Smaaash Private’s financial results could be adversely affected, which may impact profit margins or make it increasingly difficult for it to conduct business in foreign markets.


Smaaash Private’s failure to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s business, results of operations and prospects.

Smaaash Private’s future success will depend in large part on Smaaash Private’s ability to respond to technological advances and to emerging industry standards and practices, in a cost-effective and timely manner. The manufacture and sale of game equipment and components in general, and AR or VR games, in particular, is characterized by rapid and disruptive evolution and obsolescence, including as a result of trial and error. The development and implementation of technology and systems integration by it may entail significant technical and business risks. There can be no assurance that Smaaash Private will successfully implement new technologies or integrate different systems or platforms effectively, or that Smaaash Private will adapt its existing technology and systems to meet continually evolving customer expectations or preferences, or emerging industry standards and trends. Technology updates may result in significant costs.

Certain aspects of technological change may require constant testing and enhancement, for instance, the sensitivity and responsiveness of the display, sensors or controls of a game, or the associated hardware or software systems. For instance, over time, bulky headsets and consoles for VR games have given away to more convenient, user-friendly and sophisticated VR game systems with wearable devices, and earlier prototypes and models of several other kinds of game equipment and components that used to have basic functions and several limitations have increasingly been replaced by newer and lighter models with higher performance or functionality, including enhanced models that allow richer simulations or more realistic and, thus, immersive game experiences, or more efficient operation.

However, at times, what Smaaash Private considers to be a promising or transformative technological advance may not be attractive to Smaaash Private’s customers, or compatible with other systems that Smaaash Private has previously deployed, and Smaaash Private’s investment in such technology may not necessarily yield the expected returns within the estimated time, or at all. As a result of these and other factors, Smaaash Private would need to exercise constant vigilance to assess changing trends and customer response, and to devote financial, management and other resources towards adapting appropriately to such changes. If Smaaash Private is unable, for technical, legal, financial or other reasons, to adapt in a timely manner to technological changes, Smaaash Private’s business, future financial performance could be adversely affected.

Any future risks arising from any joint ventures or acquisitions or other strategic business alliances or initiatives could adversely impact Smaaash Private’s operations.

As a part of Smaaash Private’s business strategy, Smaaash Private intends to explore opportunities for overseas expansion, including through joint ventures or acquisitions. Similarly, Smaaash Private may engage in corporate reorganizations, where there are operational benefits expected to arise from such initiatives and opportunities.

Smaaash Private has entered, and may enter into discussions regarding a wide array of potential strategic transactions, including corporate reorganization, acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or other business collaborations, divestments, or continuing operations following such strategic transactions.

The riskslicense agreements with esports gaming publishers developing “hit’ games that Smaaash Private may face in connectionresonate with these transactions may include the following:

Smaaash Private’s management and employees may lose focus due to transition or integration activities;

Smaaash Private may not successfully identify appropriate targets and opportunities;

if Smaaash Private does identify suitable targets and opportunities, Smaaash Private may not be able to complete those transactionsour community on terms commercially acceptable to it or at all;

Smaaash Private may not be able to achieve the strategic purpose and generate expected returns from such strategic transactions;

Smaaash Private’s due diligence process may fail to identify all the problems, liabilities or other shortcomings or challenges in respect of a proposed strategic transaction;

Smaaash Private may have higher than anticipated costs in continuing operations following a strategic transaction;

Smaaash Private may face cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into Smaaash Private’s organization;


Smaaash Private’s relationship with current and new employees, customers, partners and distributors could be impaired;

there may be unknown liabilities or issues that could have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s financial condition and results of operation;

Smaaash Private may face litigation or other claims in connection with, or may inherit claims or litigation as a result of a strategic transaction, including claims from terminated employees, customers, or other third parties; and

Smaaash Private may have problems extending and upgrading Smaaash Private’s accounting, management information, human resource and other administrative systems following such strategic transaction.

If any of the foregoing risks materialize, they could have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Moreover, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations at times require prior approval of the anti-trust regulator in the relevant jurisdiction. For example, in India, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations that exceed certain revenue and asset thresholds require prior approval of the Competition Commission of India (“CCI”). Any acquisitions, mergers or consolidations that have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India may be subject to remedial measures proposed by the CCI. Smaaash Privateongoing basis. We cannot assure you that Smaaash Private will be ablewe can continue to obtain approval for any suchattract and retain the same level of first-tier esports game publishers and our ability to do so is critical to our future transactions on satisfactory terms, or at all.

success.

If Smaaash Private is unablewe fail to retain key members of Smaaash Private’s senior management, or if Smaaash Private is unablekeep our existing gamers highly engaged, to continue attracting and retaining talented personnel of the appropriate level and background, Smaaash Private’sacquire new gamers, to successfully implement a membership model for our gaming community, our business, profitability and prospects may be adversely affected.

 

Among other factors, Smaaash Private’s sustained growthOur success depends on our ability to maintain and grow the continued involvementnumber of membersgamers attending and participating in our in-person and online tournaments and competitions, and using our gaming platform, and keeping our gamers highly engaged. Of particular importance is the successful deployment and expansion of Smaaash Private’s core management team. Smaaash Private has a young and dynamic and professionally skilled management team, various membersour membership model to our gaming community for purposes of which have contributed to Smaaash Private’s track record of growth. In addition, from time to time, Smaaash Private actively recruits professionally qualified individuals with a professional and educational background that Smaaash Private considers appropriate to a business of Smaaash Private’s size and nature. Typically, the terms of employment with individuals would include a variable pay component linked to their performance during their engagement with Smaaash Private and generally evaluated on at least an annual basis.creating predictable recurring revenues.

 

There is no assurance that Smaaash Private will be ableIn order to attract, retain and engage gamers and remain competitive, we must continue its successful hiringto develop and expand our leagues, including internationally, produce engaging tournaments and competitions, successfully license the newest “hit” esports games and titles, implement new technologies and strategies, improve features of talentedour gaming platform and key personnel as well as managing attrition and maintaining good employee relationsstimulate interactions in our gamer community.

A decline in the future. Smaaash Private may incur significant costsnumber of our gamers in implementing Smaaash Private’s strategies towards retaining members of Smaaash Private’s core management team and motivating and training Smaaash Private’s employee base in general. Managing attrition in the future may divert significant management attention. Smaaash Private’s failure to attract new personnel of sufficient skill and experience, or to retain any or sufficient numbers of key individuals, or to avoid, mitigate or otherwise manage attrition or any future labor-related or industrial dispute or demonstration or deterioration in relations with Smaaash Private’s employees individually or collectively,our ecosystem may adversely affect Smaaash Private’sthe engagement level of our gamers, the vibrancy of our gamer community, or the popularity of our league play, which may in turn reduce our monetization opportunities, and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to attract and retain gamers, our revenues may decline and our results of operations and prospects.financial condition may suffer.

We cannot assure you that our online and in person gaming platform and centers will remain sufficiently popular with gamers to offset the costs incurred to operate and expand them. It is vital to our operations that we remain sensitive and responsive to evolving gamer preferences and offer first-tier esports game content that attracts our gamers. We must also keep providing gamers with new features and functions to enable superior content viewing, and social interaction. Further, we will need to continue to develop and improve our gaming platform and centers and to enhance our brand awareness, which may require us to incur substantial costs and expenses. If such increased costs and expenses do not effectively translate into an improved gamer experience and long-term engagement, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to International Operations

 

Smaaash Private does not have single-entry tickets and has not fully automated its ticketing system. As a result, Smaaash Private’s abilityThe risks related to accurately determine retail traffic or customer numbers may be limited or subject to error.international operations, in particular in countries outside of the United States, could negatively affect the Company’s results.

 

Smaaash Private does not offer single-entry ticketsIt is expected that the Company will derive between 15% to any20% of its Centersrevenue from transactions denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, such as Brazil, and it has not fully automatedthe Company expects that receivables with respect to foreign sales will account for a significant amount of its ticketing system.total accounts and receivables. As a result, visitors to Smaaash Private’s Centers must generally purchase separate tickets to enjoysuch, the game attractions. In addition, Smaaash Private’s loyalty cards,Company’s operations may be adversely affected by changes in foreign government policies and legislation or social instability and other factors which are not uniquely taggedwithin the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, recessions in foreign economies, expropriation, nationalization and electronically monitored, so Smaaash Private’s abilitylimitation or restriction on repatriation of funds, assets or earnings, longer receivables collection periods and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable, changes in consumer tastes and trends, renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts or licenses, changes in gaming policies, regulatory requirements or the personnel administering them, currency fluctuations and devaluations, exchange controls, economic sanctions and royalty and tax increases, risk of terrorist activities, revolution, border disputes, implementation of tariffs and other trade barriers and protectionist practices, taxation policies, including royalty and tax increases and retroactive tax claims, volatility of financial markets and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, difficulties in the protection of intellectual property particularly in countries with fewer intellectual property protections, the effects that evolving regulations regarding data privacy may have on the Company’s online operations, adverse changes in the creditworthiness of parties with whom the Company has significant receivables or forward currency exchange contracts, labor disputes and other risks arising out of foreign governmental sovereignty over the areas in which the Company’s operations are conducted. The Company’s operations may also be adversely affected by social, political and economic instability and by laws and policies of such foreign jurisdictions affecting foreign trade, taxation and investment. If the Company’s operations are disrupted and/or the economic integrity of its contracts is threatened for unexpected reasons, its business may be harmed.

The Company’s international activities may require protracted negotiations with host governments, national companies and third parties. Foreign government regulations may favor or require the awarding of contracts to determinelocal contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction. In the numberevent of unique customers, or repeat customers, is currently limited, anda dispute arising in connection with the Company’s operations in a foreign jurisdiction where it conducts its business, the Company may be subject to error,the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdictions of the courts of United States or enforcing American judgments in such other jurisdictions. The Company may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing its rights with respect to a governmental instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Accordingly, the Company’s activities in foreign jurisdictions could be substantially affected by factors beyond the Company’s control, any of which could have a material adverse effect on it. The Company believes that management’s experience to date in commercializing its products, services and solutions in Brazil may be of assistance in helping to reduce these risks. Some countries in which the Company may operate may be considered politically and economically unstable.

Doing business in the industries in which the Company operates often requires compliance with numerous and extensive procedures and formalities. These procedures and formalities may result in unexpected or lengthy delays in commencing important business activities. In some cases, failure to follow such formalities or obtain relevant evidence may call into question the validity of the entity or the actions taken. Management of the Company is unable to predict the effect of additional corporate and regulatory formalities which may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s results of operations.


If Smaaash Private is required to rely significantly on third party game developers or vendorsbe adopted in the future Smaaash Privateincluding whether any such laws or regulations would materially increase the Company’s cost of doing business or affect its operations in any area.

The Company may in the future enter into agreements and conduct activities outside of the jurisdictions where it currently carries on business, which expansion may present challenges and risks that the Company has not faced in the past, any of which could adversely affect the results of operations and/or financial condition of the Company.

The Company is subject to foreign exchange and currency risks that could adversely affect its operations, and the Company’s ability to mitigate its foreign exchange risk through hedging transactions may be limited.

The Company expects that it will derive between 15% and 20% of its revenues in currencies other than the United States dollar; however, a substantial portion of the Company’s operating expenses are incurred in United States dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar, the Real (Brazil) and other currencies may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and operating results. The Company’s consolidated financial results are affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange rate exposures arise from current transactions and anticipated transactions denominated in currencies other than United States dollars and from the translation of foreign-currency-denominated balance sheet accounts into United States dollar-denominated balance sheet accounts. The Company is exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations because portions of its revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, particularly the Real. In particular, uncertainty regarding economic conditions in Brazil pose risk to the stability of the Real. Exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and cash flows and the value of its assets outside of United States. If a foreign currency is devalued in a jurisdiction in which the Company is paid in such currency, then the Company’s customers may be required to incur significant licensepay higher amounts for the Company’s products or services, which they may be unable or unwilling to pay.

While the Company may enter into forward currency swaps and royalty costs,other derivative instruments intended to mitigate the foreign currency exchange risk, there can be no assurance the Company will do so or that any instruments that the Company enters into will successfully mitigate such risk. If the Company enters into foreign currency forward or other hedging contracts, the Company would be subject to the risk that a counterparty to one or more of these contracts defaults on its performance under the contracts. During an economic downturn, a counterparty’s financial condition may deteriorate rapidly and with little notice, and the Company may be unable to take action to protect its exposure. In the event of a counterparty default, the Company could lose the benefit of its hedging contract, which may harm its business and financial condition. In the event that one or more of the Company’s counterparties becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, its ability to eventually recover any benefit lost as a result of that counterparty’s default may be limited by the liquidity of the counterparty. The Company expects that it will not be able to hedge all of its exposure to any particular foreign currency, and it may not hedge its exposure at all with respect to certain foreign currencies. Changes in exchange rates and the Company’s limited ability or inability to successfully hedge exchange rate risk could have an adverse impact Smaaash Private’s profitabilityon the Company’s liquidity and prospects.results of operations.

We may be unable to obtain licenses in new jurisdictions where our customers operate.

 

Smaaash Private’s in-house R&DWe are subject to regulation in any jurisdiction where our customers access our website. To expand into any such jurisdiction we may need to be licensed, or obtain approvals of our products or services. If we do not receive, or receive a revocation of a license in a particular jurisdiction for our products or services, we would not be able to sell or place our products or services in that jurisdiction. Any such outcome could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and any growth plans for our business.

Privacy concerns could result in regulatory changes and impose additional costs and liabilities on the Company, limit its use of information, and adversely affect its business.

Personal privacy has become a significant issue in the United States, Brazil, Europe, and many other countries in which the Company currently operates and may operate in the future. Many federal, state, and foreign legislatures and government agencies have imposed or are considering imposing restrictions and requirements about the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information obtained from individuals. Changes to laws or regulations affecting privacy could impose additional costs and liability on the Company and could limit its use of such information to add value engineering capability supports Smaaash Private’s gamefor customers. If the Company were required to change its business activities or revise or eliminate services, or to implement burdensome compliance measures, its business and results of operations could be harmed. In addition, the Company may be subject to fines, penalties, and potential litigation if it fails to comply with applicable privacy regulations, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s business, liquidity and results of operation.

The Company’s results of operations could be affected by natural events in the locations in which it operates or where its customers or suppliers operate.

The Company, its customers, and its suppliers have operations in locations subject to natural occurrences such as severe weather and other geological events, including hurricanes, earthquakes, or flood that could disrupt operations. Any serious disruption at any of the Company’s facilities or the facilities of its customers or suppliers due to a natural disaster could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and increase its costs and expenses. If there is a natural disaster or other serious disruption at any of the Company’s facilities, it could impair its ability to adequately supply its customers, cause a significant disruption to its operations, cause the Company to incur significant costs to relocate or re-establish these functions and negatively impact its operating results. While the Company intends to seek insurance against certain business interruption risks, such insurance may not adequately compensate the Company for any losses incurred as a result of natural or other disasters. In addition, any natural disaster that results in a prolonged disruption to the operations of the Company’s customers or suppliers may adversely affect its business, results of operations or financial condition.

Risks Related to Regulation

The Company is subject to various laws relating to trade, export controls, and foreign corrupt practices, the violation of which could adversely affect its operations, reputation, business, prospects, operating results and financial condition.

We are subject to risks associated with doing business outside of the United States, including exposure to complex foreign and U.S. regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and other anti-corruption laws which generally prohibit U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Violations of the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal and civil sanctions and other penalties. It may be difficult to oversee the conduct of any contractors, third-party partners, representatives or agents who are not our employees, potentially exposing us to greater risk from their actions. If our employees or agents fail to comply with applicable laws or company policies governing our international operations, we may face legal proceedings and actions which could result in civil penalties, administration actions and criminal sanctions. Any determination that we have violated any anti-corruption laws could have a material adverse impact on our business. Changes in trade sanctions laws may restrict the Company’s business practices, including cessation of business activities in sanctioned countries or with sanctioned entities.

Violations of these laws and regulations could result in significant fines, criminal sanctions against the Company, its officers or its employees, requirements to obtain export licenses, disgorgement of profits, cessation of business activities in sanctioned countries, prohibitions on the conduct of its business and its inability to market and sell the Company’s products or services in one or more countries. Additionally, any such violations could materially damage the Company’s reputation, brand, international expansion efforts, ability to attract and retain employees and the Company’s business, prospects, operating results and financial condition.

Regulations that may be adopted with respect to the internet and electronic commerce may decrease the growth in the use of the internet and lead to the decrease in the demand for esports products and services.

The Company may become subject to any number of laws and regulations that may be adopted with respect to the internet and electronic commerce. New laws and regulations that address issues such as user privacy, pricing, online content regulation, taxation, advertising, intellectual property, information security, and the characteristics and quality of online products and services may be enacted. As well, current laws, which predate or are incompatible with the internet and electronic commerce, may be applied and enforced in a manner that restricts the electronic commerce market. The application of such pre-existing laws regulating communications or commerce in the context of the internet and electronic commerce is uncertain. Moreover, it may take years to determine the extent to which existing laws relating to issues such as Smaaash Private’s product sales business. While Smaaash Private is not currently heavily reliantintellectual property ownership and infringement, libel and personal privacy are applicable to the internet. The adoption of new laws or regulations relating to the internet, or particular applications or interpretations of existing laws, could decrease the growth in the use of the internet, decrease the demand for esports’ products and services, increase esports’ cost of doing business or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on any single technology partneresports’ business, revenues, operating results and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock, Our Warrants and the Offering

Once our common stock and warrants (forming part of the units offered hereby) are listed on Nasdaq Capital Market or vendor,NYSE American, there can be no assurance that Smaaash Privatewe will be able to comply with the national stock exchange’s continued listing standards.

As a condition to consummating this offering, our common stock and the warrants offered in this prospectus must be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, NYSE American or another national securities exchange. Accordingly, in connection with the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we have applied to list our common stock and warrants (forming part of the units offered hereby) on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American under the symbols “WINR” and “WINRW”, respectively. Assuming that our common stock and warrants are listed and after the consummation of this offering, there can be no assurance any broker will be interested in trading our stock. Therefore, it may be difficult to sell your shares of common stock or warrants if you desire or need to sell them. Our underwriters are not become reliantobligated to make a market in our securities, and even if it makes a market, it can discontinue market making at any time without notice. Neither we nor the underwriters can provide any assurance that an active and liquid trading market in our securities will develop or, if developed, that such market will continue.

Once our common stock and warrants (forming part of the units offered hereby) are approved for listing on external technology partnersthe Nasdaq Capital Market or vendorsNYSE American, there is no guarantee that we will be able to maintain such listing for any period of time by perpetually satisfying continued listing requirements. Our failure to continue to meet these requirements may result in our securities being delisted from Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American, as the case may be.

The market price of our common stock and warrants (forming part of the units offered hereby) is likely to be highly volatile because of several factors, including a limited public float.

The market price of our common stock has been volatile in the past and the market price of our common stock and our warrants is likely to be highly volatile in the future. In the event that Smaaash Private is required, in the future, to rely on third party game developers or other technology partners or vendors, Smaaash Private may be required to incur significant license and royalty costs, which may impact Smaaash Private’s profitability and prospects.

Moreover, in the absence of long term vendor contracts, or regardless of the existence of any such long term vendor contracts, Smaaash PrivateYou may not be able to negotiate fixed cost procurementsresell shares of our common stock or our warrants (forming part of the units offered hereby) following periods of volatility because of the market’s adverse reaction to volatility.

Other factors that could cause such volatility may include, among other things:

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;
the absence of securities analysts covering us and distributing research and recommendations about us;
we may have a low trading volume for a number of reasons, including that a large portion of our stock is closely held;

overall stock market fluctuations;
announcements concerning our business or those of our competitors;
actual or perceived limitations on our ability to raise capital when we require it, and to raise such capital on favorable terms;
conditions or trends in the industry;
litigation;
changes in market valuations of other similar companies;
future sales of common stock;
departure of key personnel or failure to hire key personnel; and
general market conditions.

Any of these factors could have a significant and therefore,adverse impact on the market price of our common stock and/or warrants. In addition, the stock market in general has at times experienced extreme volatility and rapid decline that has often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may be susceptible to periodic, adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and/or erratic price escalations,warrants, regardless of Smaaash Private’s own technical or other specifications and budgetary and other expectations. In such events, Smaaash Private cannot be assured of Smaaash Private’s ability to continue to procure equipment and component from the same reputed and trusted vendors in the future, as Smaaash Private may be required to make alternative arrangements for equipment and component supplies at lower cost, more flexible terms, or otherwise. Further, in such situations, in certain cases, Smaaash Private may incur losses due to acts, omissions or negligence of a vendor or partner, where Smaaash Private cannot seek or enforce sufficient warranty, indemnity, liquidated damages, penalties or other forms of recompense, mitigation or support.

As a consequence of any such factors, Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.our actual operating performance.

 

Any future allegationOur common stock has in the past been a “penny stock” under SEC rules, and our warrants (forming part of intellectual property rights infringement by Smaaash Private, or its failurethe units offered hereby) may be subject to protect and defend its own intellectual property rightsthe “penny stock” rules in the future. It may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business and prospects.be more difficult to resell securities classified as “penny stock.”

 

Smaaash PrivateIn the past (including immediately prior to this offering), our common stock was a “penny stock” under applicable SEC rules (generally defined as non-exchange traded stock with a per-share price below $5.00). While our common stock (and trading warrants (forming part of the units offered hereby)) will not be considered “penny stock” following this offering since they will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American, if we are unable to maintain that listing and our common stock and warrants are no longer listed on a national securities exchange, unless we maintain a per-share price above $5.00, our common stock and warrants will become “penny stock.” These rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that recommend the purchase or sale of penny stocks to persons other than those who qualify as “established customers” or “accredited investors.” For example, broker-dealers must determine the appropriateness for non-qualifying persons of investments in penny stocks. Broker-dealers must also provide, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, disclose the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, furnish monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account, provide a special written determination that the penny stock is significantly dependent on Smaaash Private’s in-house developed games, componentsa suitable investment for the purchaser, and technologyreceive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction.

Legal remedies available to an investor in “penny stocks” may include the following:

If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in violation of the requirements listed above, or other federal or states securities laws, the investor may be able to cancel the purchase and receive a refund of the investment.
If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in a fraudulent manner, the investor may be able to sue the persons and firms that committed the fraud for damages.

These requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity, if any, in the secondary market for its business. Smaaash Private’s general policy isa security that becomes subject to seek intellectual property protection for those innovationsthe penny stock rules. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our securities, which could severely limit the market price and improvements that Smaaash Private considers likelyliquidity of our securities. These requirements may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our common stock or our warrants and may affect your ability to resell our common stock and our warrants.

Many brokerage firms will discourage or refrain from recommending investments in penny stocks. Most institutional investors will not invest in penny stocks. In addition, many individual investors will not invest in penny stocks due, among other reasons, to the increased financial risk generally associated with these investments.

For these reasons, penny stocks may have a limited market and, consequently, limited liquidity. We can give no assurance at what time, if ever, our common stock or our warrants will not be incorporated into Smaaash Private’s business or to give it a competitive advantage. Moreover, when Smaaash Private conducts product sales to third parties, Smaaash Private retains Smaaash Private’s intellectual property rightsclassified as a matter of practice and policy. In this relation, Smaaash Private relies on a variety of website domain names, trademark registrations and other proprietary information, as well as confidentiality agreements or arrangements with Smaaash Private’s employees and consultants or other third parties to protect Smaaash Private’s intellectual property rights. For instance, Smaaash Private’s corporate trade name and logo, were assigned to it by Star India Private Limited (“Star India”) pursuant to a deed of perpetual assignment dated effective as of November 30, 2013. Under this deed, Smaaash Private has perpetual rights to use 30 trademarks for“penny stock” in the SMAAASH device and word mark, in various classes, throughout the territory of India, for which registration applications have been filed with the Indian Trademark Registry. Further, under this deed of assignment, Star India has confirmed that it has no right or claims to such trademark outside the territory of India. In addition, Smaaash Private has applied for 219 trademarks, in various classes. Should there be any claim regarding Smaaash Private’s right to use such trademarks, including during the period the above-mentioned registration applications remain pending with the Trademark Registry, Smaaash Private’s business and prospects may be adversely affected.


In addition, Smaaash Private may not be able to detect any unauthorized use or to take appropriate and timely steps to enforce or protect Smaaash Private’s intellectual property rights, trade secrets, or other confidential information, which may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Any protective agreements and arrangements or measures taken by it may not sufficiently protect Smaaash Private’s intellectual property rights, including Smaaash Private’s trade secrets, and confidential information. In the event any of Smaaash Private’s employees or consultants or vendors or partners or customers, during or after their association with Smaaash Private’s Company, disclose crucial information regarding Smaaash Private’s intellectual property rights, trade secrets or other confidential information to Smaaash Private’s competitors, directly or indirectly, Smaaash Private may be required to resort to litigation or other proceedings to enforce, protect or determine the validity and scope of Smaaash Private’s intellectual property rights and to defend against third party infringement. Further, Smaaash Private may be subject to allegations or adverse publicity regarding violation of third party intellectual property rights. Involvement in any such proceedings or adverse publicity could divert management time and attention, and consume financial resources. Any intellectual property rights infringement claims that Smaaash Private may be required to initiate or defend may not be settled favorably, or within a reasonable time, or at all, or that no additional liability will arise out of these proceedings. An adverse outcome in any of these proceedings could have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and reputation.future.

 

Smaaash Private reliesIf the benefits of any proposed acquisition do not meet the expectations of investors, stockholders or financial analysts, the market price of our Common Stock may decline.

If the benefits of any proposed acquisition do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of our Common Stock prior to the closing of the proposed acquisition may decline. The market values of our Common Stock at the time of the proposed acquisition may vary significantly from their prices on distributorsthe date the acquisition target was identified.

In addition, broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our Common Stock irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general has experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of our securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for Smaaash Private’s third party sales and does not have exclusiveretail stocks or long term arrangements with such distributors. As a result, Smaaash Private’sthe stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to expand its product salesissue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future.

Changes in accounting principles and guidance, or their interpretation, could result in unfavorable accounting charges or effects, including changes to our previously filed financial statements, which could cause our stock price to decline.

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These principles are subject to interpretation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and various bodies formed to interpret and create appropriate accounting principles and guidance. A change in these principles or guidance, or in their interpretations, may have visibility over future or repeat orders may be limited, or Smaaash Private may be susceptiblea significant effect on our reported results and retroactively affect previously reported results.

Being a public company results in additional expenses, diverts management’s attention and could also adversely affect our ability to disruptions in its relationships with its distributors, which may negatively impact Smaaash Private’s operations.attract and retain qualified directors.

 

As Smaaash Private reliesa public reporting company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. These requirements generate significant accounting, legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more difficult, time consuming or costly and may place significant strain on distributorsour personnel and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to establish the requisite disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, significant resources and management oversight are required.

As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could have an adverse and even material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These rules and regulations may also make it more difficult and expensive for Smaaash Private’s third party salesus to obtain director and does not have exclusive or long term arrangements with such distributors, Smaaash Private’sofficer liability insurance. If we are unable to obtain appropriate director and officer insurance, our ability to expand Smaaash Private’s product sales or have visibility over future or repeat ordersrecruit and retain qualified officers and directors, especially those directors who may be limited,deemed independent, could be adversely impacted.

We are an “emerging growth company” and our election to delay adoption of new or Smaaash Private may be susceptiblerevised accounting standards applicable to disruptions in its relationships with its distributors, which may negatively impact Smaaash Private’s operations. If Smaaash Private’s distributor agreements are terminated or not renewed or replaced in a timely manner, thispublic companies may result in our financial statements not being comparable to those of some other public companies. As a disruptionresult of Smaaash Private’s operations.this and other reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, our securities may be less attractive to investors.

As a public reporting company with less than $1,070,000,000 in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. In particular, as an emerging growth company we:

are not required to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
are not required to provide a detailed narrative disclosure discussing our compensation principles, objectives and elements and analyzing how those elements fit with our principles and objectives (commonly referred to as “compensation discussion and analysis”);
are not required to obtain a non-binding advisory vote from our stockholders on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements (commonly referred to as the “say-on-pay,” “say-on-frequency” and “say-on-golden-parachute” votes);
are exempt from certain executive compensation disclosure provisions requiring a pay-for-performance graph and CEO pay ratio disclosure;
may present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”); and
are eligible to claim longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under §107 of the JOBS Act.

We intend to take advantage of all of these reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the losslonger phase-in periods for the adoption of business from any significant distributors. Smaaash Private’s future product sales businessnew or revised financial accounting standards under §107 of the JOBS Act. Our election to use the phase-in periods may make it difficult to compare our financial statements to those of non-emerging growth companies and other emerging growth companies that have opted out of the phase-in periods under §107 of the JOBS Act.

Certain of these reduced reporting requirements and exemptions were already available to us due to the fact that we also qualify as a “smaller reporting company” under SEC rules. For instance, smaller reporting companies are not required to obtain an auditor attestation and report regarding management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting; are not required to provide a compensation discussion and analysis; are not required to provide a pay-for-performance graph or Chief Executive Officer pay ratio disclosure; and may also depend on Smaaash Private’s abilitypresent only two years of audited financial statements and related MD&A disclosure.

Under the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of the above-described reduced reporting requirements and exemptions for up to attract additional dealerships and widen Smaaash Private’s distributor network. There canfive years after our initial sale of common equity pursuant to a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act or such earlier time that we no longer meet the definition of an emerging growth company. In this regard, the JOBS Act provides that we would cease to be no assurance that Smaaash Private’s distributorsan “emerging growth company” if we have more than $1,070,000,000 in annual revenues, have more than $700 million in market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1.0 billion in principal amount of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. Further, under current SEC rules we will continue to doqualify as a “smaller reporting company” for so long as we have a public float (i.e., the market value of common equity held by non-affiliates) of less than $75 million as of the last business with it or that Smaaash Private can attract additional distributorsday of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive due to Smaaash Private’s network. In addition, Smaaash Private’s distributors could change their business practices, or seek to modify their payment terms, which could negatively impact Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.our reliance on these exemptions.

 

If Smaaash Private’s relationship with Shripal Morakhia, its founder, is disrupted in any way, Smaaash Private’s business and prospectswe fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, the price of our securities may be adversely affected.

 

Shripal Morakhia,Our internal control over financial reporting has weaknesses and conditions that require correction or remediation. For the founderyear ended May 31, 2020 and the quarter ended February 28, 2021, we identified a material weakness in our assessment of Smaaash Private,the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures. We did not effectively segregate certain accounting duties due to the small size of our accounting staff. We are dependent upon our Chief Financial Officer, who is an entrepreneur associatedknowledgeable and experienced in the past with Sharekhan, SSKIapplication of GAAP, to maintain our disclosure controls and YoBoHo. Among other things, Smaaash Private benefits from Mr. Morakhia’s vision, strategic guidance, yearsprocedures and the preparation of entrepreneurialour financial statements for the foreseeable future. We plan to increase the size of our accounting staff at the appropriate time for our business and managerial experience,its size to ameliorate our concern that we do not effectively segregate certain accounting duties, which we believe would resolve the material weakness in disclosure controls and his relationships inprocedures, but there can be no assurances as to the industry. If Mr. Morakhia is unabletiming of any such action or unwilling for any reasonthat we will be able to continue his present association with Smaaash Private, or to devote as much time to Smaaash Private’s operations as he has in the past, or if he isdo so.

We are required to take a prolonged leavecomply with certain provisions of absence for any reason, Smaaash Private may not able to replace him easily, or at all. In particular, as Smaaash Private grows inSection 404 of the future, including internationally, it may be challenging for Mr. MorakhiaSarbanes-Oxley Act and if we fail to continue to comply, our business could be harmed, and the price of our securities could decline.

Rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act require an annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting, and for certain issuers an attestation of this assessment by the issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm. The standards that must be met for management to assess the internal control over financial reporting as effective are evolving and complex, and require significant documentation, testing, and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards. We expect to incur significant expenses and to devote as much timeresources to Section 404 compliance on an ongoing basis. It is difficult for us to predict how long it will take or costly it will be to complete the assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for each year and attention to Smaaash Private’s operationsremediate any deficiencies in person, as he has in the past.our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, we may not be able to complete the assessment and remediation process on a timely basis. In the event that our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer determines that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective as defined under Section 404, we cannot predict how regulators will react or how the market prices of any such factors, Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, resultsour securities will be affected; however, we believe that there is a risk that investor confidence and the market value of operations and prospects and, particularly, Smaaash Private’s brand value, reputation and expansion strategy,our securities may be adverselynegatively affected.

 

The natureOur management team will have immediate and broad discretion over the use of Smaaash Private’s business renders it susceptible to financial misappropriation, theft, negligence or similar activities or incidents on the part of Smaaash Private’s employees,net proceeds from this offering and we may use the net proceeds in ways with which may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s operations, reputation and prospects.you disagree.

 

Smaaash Private’s business is susceptibleThe net proceeds from this offering will be immediately available to actsour management to use at their discretion. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund the expansion of fraud, financial misappropriation, theft, negligence our operations by the acquisition and/or build-out of new gaming center locations, strategic acquisition of other misconduct committed by Smaaash Private’s employees. Fraudulentcompanies, products or technologies, repay approximately $1,135,462 of principal and unauthorized conduct by Smaaash Private’s employees could also include binding itaccrued interest outstanding on the Series A-2 Note issued to transactions that exceed authorized limits or present unacceptable risks or concealing unauthorized or unlawful activitiesMaxim, working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.” We have not allocated specific amounts of the net proceeds from it. Employee misconduct could also involvethis offering for any of the improperforegoing purposes. Accordingly, our management will have significant discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use or disclosure of confidential information pertainingthese net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to it or to third parties such as equipment or technology vendors or partners, which could result in regulatory sanctions, legal or other proceedings and serious reputational or financial harm.assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the net proceeds will be invested in a way that does not always possibleyield a favorable, or any, return for us or our stockholders. The failure of our management to deter fraud or misconduct by employees and the precautions Smaaash Private take and the systems Smaaash Private has put in place to prevent and deteruse such activities may not be effective in all cases. Even isolated or sporadic incidents or accidents mayfunds effectively could have a negative impactmaterial adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s brand image and reputation, as well as Smaaash Private’sour business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operation and prospects.operation.

 


Smaaash Private has entered,You will experience immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering and may continue to enter, into certain related party transactions. There can be no assurance that Smaaash Private could not have achieved more favorable terms, if such transactions had not been entered into with related parties, or that Smaaash Private will be able to maintain existing termsexperience additional dilution in the future, where the terms are or may be more favorable than if the transactions had not been entered into with related parties.future.

 

Smaaash Private has entered into various transactions with related parties. While Smaaash Private believes thatYou will incur immediate and substantial dilution as a result of this offering. After giving effect to the sale by us of up to $10,000,000 in units (of which our common stock forms a part) offered in this offering, at a public offering price of $14.10 per unit, and after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by us, investors in this offering can expect an immediate dilution of approximately $12.11 per share, or 78.7%, at the assumed public offering price.

Shares eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market.

From time to time, certain of our stockholders may be eligible to sell all such transactions have been conducted on an arm’s length basis and contain commercially reasonable terms, Smaaash Private may have been able to achieve more favorable terms had such transactions been entered into with unrelated parties. It is also likely that Smaaash Private may enter into related partyor some of their shares of common stock by means of ordinary brokerage transactions in the open market pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, subject to certain limitations. In general, pursuant to Rule 144, non-affiliate stockholders may sell freely after six months, subject only to the current public information requirement. Affiliates may sell after six months, subject to the Rule 144 volume, manner of sale (for equity securities), current public information, and notice requirements. Of the approximately 1,424,008 (11,392,064 pre-reverse split) shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 14, 2021, approximately 787,994 (6,303,952 pre-reverse split) shares are tradable without restriction. Given the limited trading of our common stock, resale of even a small number of shares of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration statement may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Anti-takeover provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in our management without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions include:

no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
the exclusive right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death, or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
the ability of our board of directors to determine whether to issue shares of our preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer;
limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers;
controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of stockholder meetings;
providing that directors may be removed prior to the expiration of their terms by stockholders only for cause; and
advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company.

These provisions, alone or together, could delay hostile takeovers and changes in control of the Company or changes in our board of directors and management.

Any provision of our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our security holders to receive a premium for their securities and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our securities.

We have never paid dividends on our common stock and have no plans to do so in the future.

Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. To date, we have paid no cash dividends on our shares of common stock and we do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Although all material related party transactions that Smaaash PrivateWe intend to retain future earnings, if any, to provide funds for operations of our business. Therefore, any return investors in our common stock may enter into,have will be subjectin the form of appreciation, if any, in the market value of their shares of common stock. See “Dividend Policy.”

We will indemnify and hold harmless our officers and directors to board or shareholder approval, as necessarythe maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.

Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify and hold harmless our officers and directors against claims arising from our activities, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. If we were called upon to perform under our indemnification agreement, then the Companies Act 2013,portion of our assets expended for such purpose would reduce the amount otherwise available for our business.

Even if our recent Reverse Stock Split achieves the requisite increase in the market price of our Common Stock, there can be no assurance that we will be approved for listing on a national securities exchange or able to comply with other continued listing standards of a national securities exchange.

Even if our recent Reverse Stock Split increased the market price of our Common Stock sufficiently so that we comply with the minimum market price requirement, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with the other standards that we are required to meet in order to be approved for listing on a national securities exchange or maintain a listing of our Common Stock on such transactions, individually orexchange. Our failure to meet these requirements prior to listing will result in the aggregate, willoffering not have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s financial conditionoccurring and results of operations or that Smaaash Private could not have achieved more favorable terms if such transactions had not been entered into with related parties. Such related party transactionsour failure to meet these requirements following listing may potentially involve conflicts of interest.

Such transactions, individually orresult in the aggregate, may not always be in the best interests of Smaaash Private’s minority shareholders and will not have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flowsour Common Stock being delisted from a national securities exchange.

 

Smaaash Private’s financial results for any fiscal quarter, particularly duringThe Reverse Stock Split may decrease the first and third fiscal quarters of any given fiscal year, when Smaaash Private typically experiences increased revenues, may not be indicative of results achieved or achievable in any other or future period.

Smaaash Private does not consider its business to be generally seasonal in nature, as Smaaash Private’s Centers offer mostly indoor games and entertainment and food and beverage options. Unlike companies that operate outdoor water parks, theme parks or amusement parks, Smaaash Private does not expect to experience extreme fluctuations in the number of visitors or time spent or expenditure per capita at any of Smaaash Private’s Centers, on account of weather conditions such as high heat, bitter cold or heavy monsoons and other extreme weather. However, Smaaash Private typically experiences, or would expect to experience, increased revenues during the first fiscal quarter ending June 30 and third fiscal quarter ending December 31 of any given fiscal year, including as a result of school summer and winter vacations in India, resulting in higher numbers of families with children being able to visit Smaaash Private’s Centers. Similar temporary effects may be seen as a result of public holidays, long weekends, or other factors that may cause quarterly or monthly fluctuations in Smaaash Private’s results.

Consequently, Smaaash Private’s financial results for any given fiscal quarter or period may not be indicative of results achieved or achievable in any other or future fiscal quarter or period, or Smaaash Private’s annualized results for any given fiscal quarter or period may not be indicative of Smaaash Private’s actual results for the entire fiscal year.

Smaaash Private’s insurance coverage may not adequately protect it against all future risks, which may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business and prospects.

Smaaash Private maintains insurance coverage, including for fire, acts of god and perils, terrorism, burglary, money, loss of profit, fidelity guarantee, fixed glass and sanitary fitting, electronic equipment, machinery breakdown, portable equipment, sign boards, commercial general liability, marine transit, and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, as well as employee health and medical insurance, with standard exclusions in each instance. While Smaaash Private maintains insurance in amounts that Smaaash Private considers reasonably sufficient for a business of Smaaash Private’s nature and scale, with insurers that Smaaash Private consider reliable and credit worthy, Smaaash Private may face losses and liabilities that are uninsurable by their nature, or that are not covered, fully or at all, under Smaaash Private’s existing insurance policies. Moreover, coverage under such insurance policies would generally be subject to certain standard or negotiated exclusions or qualifications and, therefore, any future insurance claims by it may not be honored by Smaaash Private’s insurers in full, or at all. In addition, Smaaash Private’s premium payments under Smaaash Private’s insurance policies may require a significant investment by it.


To the extent that Smaaash Private suffers loss or damage for which it did not obtain insurance, that is not covered by insurance or that exceeds Smaaash Private’s insurance coverage, the loss will have to be borne by it and Smaaash Private’s business, cash flow, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.

Failure of, or disruption in, Smaaash Private’s information technology systems may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s business, reputation and prospects.

Smaaash Private relies on Smaaash Private’s information technology systems to provide it with connectivity and control across Smaaash Private’s business functions, through Smaaash Private’s software, hardware and network systems. Smaaash Private has also deployed what Smaaash Private consider to be adequate data backup and retrieval mechanisms. However, any major or sustained failure in Smaaash Private’s information technology systems or loss of connectivity or loss of data arising from such failure, including due to power outage, human error, hacking, espionage or sabotage, could disrupt Smaaash Private’s ability to track, record and analyses Smaaash Private’s work in progress, process financial information, manage creditors or debtors, or vendors or partners, or otherwise engage in normal business activities, which could have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s operations.

Smaaash Private relies on certain data from third parties in this prospectus.

Smaaash Private relies on third party data including data from the GoI and industry publications for the information provided in this proxy. Such data may also be produced on a different basis from comparable information compiled with regard to other countries. Therefore, discussions of matters relating to India, its economy or the game industry herein are subject to the caveat that the statistical and other data upon which such discussions are based may be incomplete or unreliable. Due to possibly flawed or ineffective data collection methods or discrepancies between published information and market practice and other problems, the statistics herein may be inaccurate or may not be comparable to statistics produced elsewhere. However, we are responsible for the accuracy and completenessliquidity of the disclosure herein including the data from third parties and investors are entitled to rely on such disclosure.

Risks Related to Smaaash Private’s Operations in India

General economic conditions in India could adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, resultsshares of operations and prospects.

Visiting games and entertainment centers is perceived as a leisure activity, or discretionary expenditure. In addition, Smaaash Private competes with other recreation categories, such as amusement parks, cinemas, fine dining and travel, involving customers’ discretionary expenditure. Consequently, Smaaash Private’s business is sensitive to a number of factors that influence the global and local economy in which Smaaash Private operate, as well as discretionary customer spending, including population, urbanization, income levels, recession, inflation, deflation, uncertainty regarding regulatory or policy developments, availability of credit, taxation, stock market and commodities markets performance, unemployment and other matters that influence customer confidence. In particular, Smaaash Private’s performance may decline during recessionary periods or in other periods where one or more macroeconomic factors, or potential macroeconomic factors, negatively affect the level of discretionary expenditure. In the past, the Indian economy has been affected by global economic uncertainties, liquidity crises, domestic policies, global political environment, volatility in interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity and electricity prices, rising inflation rates, increase in banks’ stressed assets, and various other factors. There is no certainty that the Indian economy will continue to grow, or that business sentiment will remain buoyant or improve, or that India will not face high inflationary pressures in the future. Among other things, high rates of inflation may decrease demand for Smaaash Private’s services and increase employee costs, which may have an adverse effect on per capita and overall customer spends at Smaaash Private’s Centers, Smaaash Private’s profitability and competitive advantage. Additionally, an increase in trade deficit or a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves could negatively affect interest rates and liquidity, which could adversely affect the Indian economy and Smaaash Private’s business. Delayed structural reform in the Indian banking and financial sector or fiscal policy, among other factors, could also have consequent negative impact on the larger economy. Any downturn in the macroeconomic environment in India could have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.


Political, economic or other factors beyond Smaaash Private’s control may have an adverse impact on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.our Common Stock.

 

The following external risks may have an adverse impact on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, resultsliquidity of operations and prospects, should anythe shares of them materialize:

the lingering effects of the global economic slowdown have generally dampened business confidence and made credit markets more volatile, as well as negatively impacting other industry players, including companies in Smaaash Private’s industry;

increase in interest rates may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s access to capital and increase Smaaash Private’s borrowing costs, which may constrain Smaaash Private’s ability to grow Smaaash Private’s business and operate profitably

political instability, resulting from a change in governmental or economic and fiscal policies, may adversely affect economic conditions in India. In recent years, India has implemented various economic and political reforms. For instance, reforms in relation to land acquisition policies and trade barriers have led to social and civil unrest in India, and there may be such agitation in the future for reasons Smaaash Private may not be able to anticipate, and over which Smaaash Private would have no control;

terrorist attacks, regional conflicts or situations or war; and

If such events should impact the national or any regional economies, Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectsour Common Stock may be affected adversely affected.by the Reverse Stock Split given the reduced number of shares outstanding following the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, the occurrenceReverse Stock Split may have increased the number of anyshareholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares) of these events may resultour Common Stock, creating the potential for such shareholders to experience an increase in a lossthe cost of investor confidence, which could potentially lead to economic recessionselling their shares and generally have an adverse effect on Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

greater difficulty affecting such sales.

Changing laws, rules and regulations and legal uncertainties specifically relating to tax laws, may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Smaaash Private operates in a rapidly evolving regulatory and policy environment. Regulatory and policy changes may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, to the extent that Smaaash Private is unable to suitably respond to, and comply with, any changes in applicable law and policy. The Central or State Governments in the countries Smaaash Private operate in may implement new regulations and policies which will require us to obtain additional approvals and licenses from the government and other regulatory bodies or may impose onerous requirements and conditions on Smaaash Private’s operations.

The Competition Act, 2002 (the “Competition Act”) regulates practices that could haveIf an appreciable adverse effect on competition in the relevantactive, liquid trading market in India. Any adverse application or interpretationfor our warrants (forming part of the Competition Act could adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Under the Competition Act, any arrangement, understanding or action in concert, whether formal or informal, which causes or is likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India is void and may result in substantial monetary penalties and compensation to be paid to persons shown to have suffered losses. Any agreement among competitors, which, directly or indirectly, determines purchase or sale prices, results in bid rigging or collusive bidding, limits or controls production, supply, markets, technical development, investment or provision of services, or shares the market or source of production or provision of services in any manner, including by way of allocation of geographical area or types of goods or services or number of customers in the market, is presumed to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition.


Further, the Competition Act prohibits abuse of a dominant position by any enterprise, directly or indirectly, including by way of unfair or discriminatory pricing or conditions in sale of goods or services, limiting production of goods, provision of services, or technical or scientific developments relating to goods or services to the prejudice of consumers, using a dominant position in one relevant market to enter into, or protect, another relevant market, denial of market access, or making the conclusion of contracts subject to acceptance of unrelated supplementary obligations. Such practices are subject to substantial monetary penalties and may also be subject to compensation for losses and orders to divide the enterprise.

Although Smaaash Private hasunits offered hereby) does not historically undertaken any inorganic growth initiatives, as part of its expansion strategy Smaaash Private intends to do so in the future, if suitable opportunities arise. If Smaaash Private or any of its affiliates are affected, directly or indirectly, by the application or interpretation of any provision of the Competition Act, proceedings initiated by the CCI, any claim by any party under the Competition Act, or any adverse publicity due to scrutiny or prosecution under the Competition Act, including financial penalties, Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected. Acquisitions, mergers and consolidations that exceed certain revenue and asset thresholds require prior approval by the CCI. Any acquisitions, mergers or consolidations that have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India may be subject to remedial measures proposed by the CCI. Smaaash Privatedevelop, you may not obtain approval for any such future transactions on satisfactory terms,be able to sell your warrants quickly or at all.

Regional hostilities, terrorist attacks, communal disturbances, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries may result in a loss of investor confidence and a decline in the value of Smaaash Private’s equity shares.

Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war may negatively affect the Indian markets in which Smaaash Private operates its business and also adversely affect the worldwide financial markets. In addition, Asia has from time to time experienced instances of civil unrest and hostilities among neighboring countries. Hostilities and tensions may occur in the future and on a wider scale. Military activity or terrorist attacks in India, such as the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 and in July 2011, may result in investor concern about stability in the region, which may adversely affect the value of Smaaash Private’s equity shares. Events of this nature in the future, as well as social and civil unrest within other countries in Asia, could influence the Indian economy and could have an adverse effect on the Smaaash Private’s business, including the value of equity shares.

The occurrence of natural disasters may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition and results of operations.desirable price.

 

The occurrence of natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires and pandemic disease may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s business, financial condition or results of operations. For instance, India has experienced several natural calamities such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and drought in recent years, including Cyclone Phailin, which affected the coastal areaswarrants forming a part of the Statesunits issued in this offering will be immediately exercisable and expire on the fifth anniversary of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the earthquakedate of issuance. The warrants will have an initial exercise price per share equal to $15.51. In the event that the stock price of our common stock does not exceed the exercise price of the warrants during the period when the warrants are exercisable, the warrants may not have any value.

There is no established trading market for the warrants sold in the state of Uttarakhand in 2013, floods in the Kashmir valley in 2014this offering, and the floodsmarket for the warrants may be highly volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance. We intend to list the warrants offered in Chennaithis offering the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American under the symbol “WINRW”. However, an active public market for our warrants may not develop or be sustained. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in the state of Tamil Nadu in 2015. The extent and severity of such natural disasters determines their effect on the regional and national economy.

Any downgrade of credit ratings of India or Indian companies may adversely affect Smaaash Private’s ability to raise debt financing.

India’s sovereign foreign currency long-term debt is currently rated (i) “BBB-” (negative) by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or Standard & Poor’s, (ii) “BBB-” (negative) by Fitch Ratings Ltd, or Fitch, and (iii) “Baa3” (stable) by Moody’s Investors Services Limited, or Moody’s. These ratings reflect an assessment of the GoI’s overall financial capacity to pay its obligations and its ability or willingness to meet its financial commitments as they become due. Further, rating agencies may change their methodology for rating, which may impact the rating. No assurance can be given that Standard & Poor’s, Fitch, Moody’s or any other statistical rating organizationour company will not downgrade the credit ratings of India. Any adverse revisions to India’s credit ratings for domestic and international debt by international rating agencies may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with Smaaash Private’s current variable rate debt and its ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms in the future.


A decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy.

According to a report released by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s foreign exchange reserves totaled approximately $320 billion as of December 19, 2014. India’s foreign exchange reserves have declined recently and may have negatively affected the valuation of the Rupee. Further declines in foreign exchange reserves could adversely affect the valuation of the Rupee and could result in reduced liquidity and higher interest rates that could adversely affect Smaaash Private’s future financial condition.

Smaaash Private is exposed to foreign currency fluctuation risks, particularly in relation to import of equipment for Smaaash Private’s games,lead to the extent such exposures aredevelopment of an active trading market in our warrants or how liquid that market might become. If a market does not set off by Smaaash Private’s product sales to overseas customers. A depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the U.S. Dollardevelop or other major foreign currencies may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s results of operations by increasing Smaaash Private’s import costs and capital expenditures.

Smaaash Private’s financial statements are presented in Indian Rupees. However, Smaaash Private incurs expenses in foreign currencies to the extent that Smaaash Private imports game equipment or components from overseas vendors and thus has foreign currency denominated trade payables. Smaaash Private also earns income in foreign currencies to the extent that Smaaash Private conducts product sales overseas. Smaaash Private may also have foreign currency borrowings from time to time, and thus incur foreign currency denominated finance charges. The exchange rates between the Indian Rupee and the U.S. Dollar or other relevant foreign currencies have fluctuated significantly in the past. Smaaash Private is exposed to foreign currency fluctuation risks particularly to the extent that such exposures are not set off by Smaaash Private’s product sales to overseas customers. A depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the U.S. Dollar or other major foreign currencies may adversely impact Smaaash Private’s results of operations by increasing Smaaash Private’s import costs and capital expenditure. A sustained, appreciation of the Indian Rupee may negatively impact Smaaash Private’s revenue and results of operations.

Since a majority of Smaaash Private’s directors, officers and assets reside or are located outside of the United States, Smaaash Private may have difficulty enforcing judgments against Smaaash Private, its directors and officers.

Smaaash Private is incorporated under the laws of India. Further, Smaaash Private conducts substantially all of its operations in India. The majority of its directors and officers, reside outside the United States, and a majority of Smaaash Private’s assets and some or all of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible to effect service of process within the United States upon Smaaash Private or those persons, or to recover against Smaaash Private or those persons on judgments of United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. An award of punitive damages by a United States courts based upon United States federal securities laws is likely to be construed by Indian courts to be penal in nature and therefore unenforceable in India. Further, no claim may be brought in India against Smaaash Private or its directors and officers in the first instance for a violation of United States federal securities laws because these laws have no extraterritorial application under Indian law and are not enforceable in India. However, an Indian courts may impose civil liability, including the possibility of monetary damages, on Smaaash Private or its directors and officers if the facts alleged in a complaint constitute or give rise to a cause of action under Indian law. Moreover, it is unlikely that a courts in India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign courts if an action were brought in India or that the Indian courts would enforce foreign judgments if it viewed the amount of damages as excessive or inconsistent with Indian practice or public policy.

The courts of India will not automatically enforce judgments of United States courts obtained in actions against Smaaash Private or its directors and officers, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws, or entertain actions brought in India against Smaaash Private or such persons predicated solely upon United States federal securities laws. Further, the United States has not been declared by the Government of India to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of enforcement of foreign judgments, and there are grounds upon which Indian courts may decline to enforce the judgments of United States courts. Some remedies available under the laws of United States jurisdictions, including remedies available under the United States federal securities laws, may not be allowed in Indian courts if contrary to public policy in India. Because judgments of United States courts are not automatically enforceable in India, it may be difficult for you to recover against Smaaash Privatesell your warrants at the time you wish to sell them, at a price that is attractive to you, or its directors and officers or some experts named in this proxy statement/prospectus based upon such judgments. In India, prior approval of the RBI is required in order to repatriate any amount recovered pursuant to such judgments. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.


Risks Related to Our Ownership of Smaaash Private’s Share Equityat all.

 

Smaaash Private’s principal stockholders and management ownHolders of our warrants (forming part of the units offered hereby) will have no rights as a significant percentage of its share equity stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to shareholder approval.common stockholder until they acquire our common stock.

 

Shripal Morakhia and AHA Holdings Private Limited, his affiliated entity, and FW Metis, Smaaash Private’s principal shareholders, beneficially own approximately 24.34% and 21.23%, respectively,Until you acquire shares of Smaaash Private’s share equityour common stock upon exercise of your warrants, you will have no rights with respect to our common stock. Upon exercise of your warrants, you will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the Transaction. Accordingly, these shareholders have significant influence over the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors, any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of its assets or any other significant corporate transaction. The interests of these shareholders may not be the same as or may even conflict with Smaaash Private’s interests. The concentration in ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of Smaaash Private and deprive Smaaash Private’s shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their equity shares as part of a sale of Smaaash Private.exercise date.

There is currently no trading market for Smaaash’s equity shares and liquidity of the equity shares is limited.

Smaaash’s equity shares of are not registered under the securities laws of India, the United States or any state or other jurisdiction, and accordingly there is no public trading market for the equity shares that we received in the Transaction and no public trading market is expected to develop in the foreseeable future. Therefore, we may not be able to readily sell or transfer the Smaaash Private equity shares that we own.

38

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

        AllWe estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the sharesunits we are offering will be approximately $8,825,881. If the Representative fully exercises the over-allotment option, the net proceeds of Common Stock offeredthe units we sell will be $10,220,868. “Net proceeds” is what we expect to receive after deducting the underwriting discount and commission and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We intend to use approximately $1,135,462 of the net proceeds of this offering to repay the principal and interest outstanding on the Series A-2 Promissory Note issued to Maxim. As of April 14, 2021, approximately $1,135,462 in principal and interest is outstanding on the Series A-2 Note. The Series A-2 Note bears interest at 2.67% per annum, payable quarterly and will have a maturity date on that date which is six months from the closing date of the offering.

We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds of this offering primarily to fund the expansion of our operations by the Selling Securityholders pursuantacquisition and/or build-out of new gaming center locations, strategic acquisition of other companies and/or esports teams, products or technologies, debt service and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The amounts that we actually spend for any specific purpose may vary significantly, and will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the pace of progress of our research and development, market conditions, and our ability to qualify vendors. In addition, we may use a portion of any net proceeds to acquire complementary compounds; however, we do not have plans for any acquisitions at this prospectustime.

This expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and business conditions. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures may vary significantly depending on numerous factors. As a result, our management will be sold byretain broad discretion over the Selling Securityholders for their respective accounts. We will not receive anyallocation of the net proceeds from these sales.this offering. We will receive up to an aggregate of approximately $62,807,250.00 from the exercise of Warrants, assuming the exercise in full of all of the Warrants for cash. We expectmay find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds from this offering for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the exerciseapplication of net proceeds from this offering.

Pending our use of the Warrants for general corporate purposes.net proceeds from this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities.


SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATIONDIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not currently anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The agreements into which we may enter in the future, including indebtedness, may impose limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make other distributions on our capital stock. Payment of future dividends on our common stock, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in the development and expansion of our business.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table presents our selected historical financial data for the periodsshows:

Our capitalization as of February 28, 2021; and

On a pro forma basis, our unaudited capitalization as of February 28, 2021, as adjusted to reflect the receipt of the net proceeds from the sale by us in this offering of units, after deducting $1,174,106 in estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and the repayment of the principal and accrued interest outstanding on the Series A-2 Promissory Note issued to Maxim in the amount of approximately $1,135,462.

We derived this table from, and as of the dates indicated. The statement of operations data for the years ended May 31, 2018 and 2017 and the three-months ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, and the balance sheet data as of May 31, 2018 and 2017 and August 31, 2018 and 2017, are derived from our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results we expect in future periods. The data presented belowit should be read in conjunction with and areis qualified in theirits entirety by reference to, our historical and unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should also read this table in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial and Operating Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

40

SMAAASH ENTERTAINMENT INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY)
BALANCE SHEETS

  August 31,
2018
 May 31,
2018
  May 31,
2017
 
          
ASSETS           
Current Assets           
Cash and cash equivalents $355,828 $458,063  $30,000 
Deferred offering costs  81     25,000 
Prepaid expenses  355,909  3,168    
Total Current Assets     461,231   55,000 
            
Cash held in Trust Account  53,119,511  52,895,652    
Total Assets $53,475,420 $53,356,883  $55,000 
            
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY           
Current Liabilities           
Loan payable - Related party $85,238 $81,618  $30,672 
Accrued expenses  182,807  63,579    
Deferred legal fees  100,000  100,000    
Total current liabilities  368,045  245,197   30,672 
Deferred underwriting fees  1,820,000  1,820,000    
Total Liabilities  2,188,045  2,065,197   30,672 
            
Commitments           
Common stock subject to possible redemption, $.0001 par value; 4,560,757 and -0- shares as of May 31, 2018 and May 31, 2017, respectively, at redemption value  46,287,374  46,291,685    
            
Stockholders’ equity           
Preferred Stock - $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding        
Common Stock - $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 2,253,168, 2,252,743 and  1,437,500 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 4,560,332, 4,560,757 and -0- shares subject to possible redemption) as of August 31, 2018, May 31, 2018 and May 31, 2017, respectively  225  225   144 
Additional paid-in capital  5,013,621  5,009,310   24,856 
Accumulated deficit  (13,845) (9,534)  (672)
Total stockholders’ equity  5,000,001  5,000,001   24,328 
Total Liabilities and stockholders’ equity $53,475,420 $53,356,883  $55,000 


SMAAASH ENTERTAINMENT INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Operations.”

 

  Year Ended
May 31,
2017
  For the
period from
April 17,
2017
(Inception)
to May 31,
2017
 
       
Revenues      
         
Operating expenses        
General and administrative expenses  530,564   672 
Loss from operations  (530,564)  (672)
         
Other income:        
Interest income  521,702    
         
Loss before provision for taxes  (8,862)  (672)
         
Income tax provision      
         
Net loss $(8,862) $(672)
         
Basic and diluted net loss per share $(0.00) $(0.00)
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  2,050,790   1,750,000 

  As of February 28, 2021 
  Actual  As Adjusted (1) 
  (unaudited)    
Cash and cash equivalents $571,970  $8,262,389 
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 36,000,000 shares authorized and 1,341,017 and 2,133,227 (each post-reverse split) shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis and adjusted basis, respectively, and  134   213 
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value 1,000,000 shares authorized and 0 shares issued and outstanding, respectively  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  15,799,987   23,490,417 
Accumulated deficit  (10,782,438)  (10,782,438)
Total stockholders’ equity  5,166,069   12,856,578 
Total capitalization $6,493,513  $14,184,021 

(1)The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after the offering is based on 1,424,008 (post-reverse split), which is the number of shares outstanding on April 14, 2021, assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to an additional 106,382 shares of common stock and/or warrants to purchase an additional 106,382 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any, and excludes:

803,001 (6,424,008 pre-reverse split)shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $83.01 ($10.38 pre-reverse split) per share as of April 14, 2021;
excludes an estimated 17,054 (56,432 pre-reverse split) shares (based on certain formulaic assumptions) of our common stock issuable upon exercise of certain warrants at an estimated exercise price of $21.99 ($2.75 pre-reverse split) (based on certain formulaic assumptions) per share as of April 14, 2021; and
709,219 shares of common stock issuable upon the full exercise of the warrants (forming part of the units) offered hereby; and
99,290 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrant granted to the Underwriters upon completion of this offering.

SMAAASH ENTERTAINMENT INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended 
  August 31, 
  2018  2017 
       
Revenues $  $ 
         
Operating expenses        
General and administrative expenses  246,661   10,106 
Loss from operations  (246,661)  (10,106)
         
Other income:        
Interest income  242,350   13,328 
         
(Loss) income before provision for taxes  (4,311)  3,222 
         
Income tax provision      
         
Net (loss) income $(4,311) $3,222 
         
Basic and diluted net income per share $0.00  $0.00 
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  2,253,168   1,529,094 


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSIONMARKET PRICE FOR COMMON EQUITY AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONSRELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

OverviewMarket Information

 

SmaaashOur common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB tier of the OTC Market Group, Inc. under the symbol “WINR.” Our warrants issued in connection with our initial public offering in August 2017 are currently listed on OTCQB under the symbol “WINRW.” The OTC Market is a network of security dealers who buy and sell stock. The dealers are connected by a computer network that provides information on current “bids” and “asks”, as well as volume information.

On October 9, 2017, our common stock and warrants commenced public trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “IAM” and “IAMXW”, respectively. On November 20, 2018, we changed the symbols of our common stock and warrants to “SMSH” and “SMSHW”, respectively, in conjunction with our name change from “I-AM Capital Acquisition Company” to “Smaaash Entertainment, Inc. (formerly known as I-AM” On January 10, 2019, we changed the symbols of our common stock and warrants to “WINR” and “WINRW”, respectively, in conjunction with our name change from “Smaaash Entertainment, Inc.” to “Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company.” However, on January 25, 2019, the Nasdaq suspended our common stock and warrants from trading on the Nasdaq Capital Acquisition Company) wasMarket and the OTCQB commenced the quotation of our common stock and warrants. On April 2, 2019, the Nasdaq Capital Market filed a blank check company organizedForm 25 for our common stock and warrants, which became effective ten days thereafter.

We intend to list our common stock and warrants forming part of the Units on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American under the lawssymbols “WINR” and “WINRW,” respectively. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. The approval of our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American is a condition of closing this offering. Our warrants issued in connection with our initial public offering in August 2017 will continue to be listed on OTCQB under the symbol “WINRW.”

The following table includes the high and low bids for our common stock and warrants issued in connection with our initial public offering in August 2017 for the periods presented, since the consummation of our IPO on August 22, 2017. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. Prices in the tables below have been presented to reflect the Reverse Stock Split of our outstanding shares of common stock as well as the pre-reverse stock split prices.

Common Stock

  Post-Reverse(1)  Pre-Reverse (1) 
  High  Low  High  Low 
Fiscal Year 2021            
March 1 to April 14, 2021 $22.00  $11.47  $2.75  $1.4338 
December 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 $21.08  $11.00  $2.635  $1.375 
September 1 to November 30, 2020 $16.30  $6.68  $2.038  $0.835 
June 1 to August 31, 2020 $18.64  $6.44  $2.33  $0.805 
                 
Fiscal Year 2020                
March 1 to May 31, 2020 $13.76  $5.36  $1.72  $0.67 
December 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020 $13.52  $6.40  $1.69  $0.80 
September 1 to November 30, 2019 $21.52  $12.00  $2.69  $1.50 
June 1 to August 31, 2019 $19.68  $10.56  $2.46  $1.32 
                 
Fiscal Year 2019                
March 1 to May 30, 2019 $17.60  $4.48  $2.20  $0.56 
December 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019 $52.96  $9.84  $6.62  $1.23 
September 1 to November 30, 2018 $88.40  $25.20  $11.05  $3.15 
June 1 to August 31, 2018 $88.40  $78.88  $11.05  $9.86 
                 
Fiscal Year 2018                
March 1 to May 31, 2018 $84.16  $79.20  $10.52  $9.90 
December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 $80.16  $78.40  $10.02  $9.80 
September 1 to November 30, 2017 $79.84  $78.40  $9.98  $9.80 
August 16 to August 31, 2017 (2) $N/A  $N/A  $N/A  $N/A 

(1)Our common stock began separate trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 9, 2017.
(2)Our common stock did not trade separately from the Public Units until October 9, 2017.

On April 14, 2021, the closing price for our common stock on the OTCQB was $14.10 ($1.7625 pre-reverse split) per share.

The volume of shares of common stock traded on the OTCQB was insignificant and therefore, does not represent a reliable indication of the Statefair market value of Delawarethese shares.

Warrants

  Post-Reverse(1)  Pre-Reverse (1) 
  High Low  High  Low 
Fiscal Year 2021                
March 1 to April 14, 2021 6.80  2.40  0.85  0.30 
December 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 $6.96  $2.24  $0.87  $0.28 
September 1 to November 30, 2020 $3.25  $1.36  $0.41  $0.17 
June 1 to August 31, 2020 $3.12  $1.36  $0.39  $0.17 
                 
Fiscal Year 2020                
March 1 to May 31, 2020 $3.12  $0.64  $0.39  $0.08 
December 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020 $3.60  $0.88  $0.45  $0.11 
September 1 to November 30, 2019 $5.28  $1.28  $0.66  $0.16 
June 1 to August 31, 2019 $4.64  $2.00  $0.58  $0.25 
                 
Fiscal Year 2019                
March 1 to May 30, 2019 $3.92  $0.32  $0.49  $0.04 
December 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019 $4.16  $0.48  $0.52  $0.06 
September 1 to November 30, 2018 $3.68  $1.36  $0.46  $0.17 
June 1 to August 31, 2018 $4.00  $1.60  $0.50  $0.20 
                 
Fiscal Year 2018                
March 1 to May 31, 2018 $4.00  $2.72  $0.50  $0.34 
December 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 $4.80  $1.68  $0.60  $0.21 
September 1 to November 30, 2017 $2.72  $2.08  $0.34  $0.26 
August 16 to August 31, 2017 (2) $N/A  $N/A  $N/A  $N/A 

(1)Our warrants began separate trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 9, 2017.
(2)Our warrants did not trade separately from the Public Units until October 9, 2017.

On April 14, 2021, the closing price for our warrants on the OTCQB was $3.00 ($0.375) pre-reverse split) per warrant.

The volume of warrants traded on the OTCQB was insignificant and therefore, does not represent a reliable indication of the fair market value of these warrants.

Holders of Common Stock

As of April 14, 2021, there were approximately 134 record holders of our common stock and 61 record holders of our warrants. The number of record holders does not include beneficial owners of common stock and warrants whose shares and warrants are held in the names of banks, brokers, nominees or other fiduciaries.

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not currently anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in the development and expansion of our business.

Historical Common Equity Transactions

The following is a summary of transactions by us since our inception on April 17, 2017. We were formed for the purpose2017 involving registered and unregistered issuances and redemption of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Although we were not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a business combination, we focused on businesses with a connection to India.our common equity securities.

 

On May 31, 2017, we issued 1,437,500179,688 (1,437,500 pre-reverse split) Founder Shares to the SponsorI-AM Capital Partners LLC (“Sponsor”) in exchange for a capital contribution of $25,000. Upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option on September 13, 2017, 137,50017,188 (137,500 pre-reverse split) Founder Shares were forfeited by the Sponsor.

TheSponsor, for a balance of 162,500 (1,300,000 pre-reverse split) Founder Shares are identicalheld by our Sponsor. Such securities were issued in connection with our organization pursuant to the Public Shares and holdersexemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of Founder Shares have the same stockholder rights as Public Stockholders, except that the Founder Shares and the Private Placement Shares are subjectSecurities Act. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to certain transfer restrictions.such sales.

 

On August 22, 2017, we sold 5,000,000 Public Unitsunits at a purchase price of $10.00 per unit in our IPO,initial public offering (“IPO”) of public units (“Public Units”), generating gross proceeds of $50.0 million. Each public unitPublic Unit consisted of one share of our Common Stock (“Public Shares”), one right to receive one-tenth of one share our Common Stock upon consummation of an initial business combination (“Public Right”), and one redeemable warrant.warrant (“Public Warrants”). Each warrant entitlesentitled the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50$92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) per share, subject to adjustment.

 

ConcurrentlyOn August 22, 2017, simultaneously with the closingconsummation of the IPO and the Sponsor purchased an aggregatesale of the Public Units, we consummated the private placement of 254,500 units (“Private Placement UnitsUnits”) at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating total gross proceeds of $2,545,000 in a private placement.$2,545,000. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of Common Stock, (ii) one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of Common Stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination (“Private Placement Rights”), and (iii) one 5-year warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) per share. The Private Placement Units, (including their component securities)which were purchased by the Sponsor, are not transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days afteridentical to the completion ofPublic Units, except the initial business combination and the warrants included inPrivate Placement Warrants underlying the Private Placement Units are non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or theirits affiliates or designees. If the Private Placement Units are held by someone other than the initial holder, or its permitted transferees.transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

On August 22, 2017, we issued 6,250 (50,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock to Maxim in connection with its services as underwriter for the IPO.

 

Contained in the underwriting agreement for the IPO was an over-allotment option allowing the underwriters to purchase from the Company up to an additional 750,000 Public Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) and, in addition, the Company received a commitment from the Sponsor to purchase up to an additional 26,250 Private Placement Units. On September 13, 2017, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased 200,000 Over-Allotment Units, which were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $2,000,000. Also on

On September 13, 2017, simultaneously with the saleunderwriter’s partial exercise of the Over-Allotment Units, the Companyover-allotment option, we consummated the sale of an additional 7,000875 (7,000 pre-reverse split) Private Placement Units, (the “Over-Allotment Placement Units”), generating gross proceeds of $70,000.

 

On September 13, 2017, we issued Maxim an additional 250 (2,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock upon partial exercise of the over-allotment. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

At the Special Meeting on November 20, 2018, holders of 556,033 (4,448,260 pre-reverse split) Public Shares exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of $81.75 ($10.2187363 pre-reverse split) per share, for an aggregate of approximately $45,455,596.

On November 20, 2018, we issued 250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock to AHA Holdings Private Limited as an upfront portion of the newly issued shares of our Common Stock to be exchanged for all of the ownership interest in Smaaash Private within 6 months after the closing of the Business Combination.

On November 20, 2018, we issued 26,000 (208,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) in consideration of services rendered. The shares issued to Chardan are subject to the same lock-up and will have the same registration rights as the shares of the Company held by the Sponsor.

On November 20, 2018, we issued 65,000 (520,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Public Rights.

On November 20, 2018, upon the consummation of the transaction (“Business Combination”) with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited (“Smaaash Private”), we issued 3,269 (26,150 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Rights to the holders of the Private Placement Rights.

In connection with the closing of the Acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC, we issued 37.500 (300,000 pre-reverse split), 87,500 (700,000 pre-reverse split), and 250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock, respectively, to the Simplicity Owners on January 4, 2019, January 7, 2019, and March 27, 2019 in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding equity interest of Simplicity Esports LLC held by Simplicity Owners.

On January 4, 2019, upon the closing of the Acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC, the Series A-1 Note in the amount of $500,000 and held by Maxim automatically converted into 24,206 (193,648 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock.

During the period from March 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019, we sold an aggregate of 987,500 units at a purchase price of $2.00 per unit to 12 accredited investors in exchange for receipt of $1,975,000. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of Common Stock, and (ii) a 5-year warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at a purchase price of $32.00 ($4.00 pre-reverse split).

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, 15,000 (120,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine month period. As of April 14, 2021, all of such shares have vested. Mr. Kaplan currently serves as our Chairman of the Board.

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors, 4,500 (36,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine month period. As of April 14, 2021, all of such shares have vested. Mr. Franklin currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors.

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Steve Grossman, President of Simplicity Esports, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of our Company at such time, 3,000 (24,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine month period. As of April 14, 2021 all of such shares have vested.

Each of the Restricted Stock Awards was entered into in connection with entry into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Kaplan, Franklin and Grossman on December 31, 2018.

On May 31, 2019, we issued 12,500 (100,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock to Polar in exchange for Polar Asset Management Partners Inc.’s (“Polar”) forgiveness of $143,476 owed by us to Polar under that that certain Debt Conversion Agreement entered into in May 2019 between Polar and us.

On July 30, 2019, in connection with the acquisition of a 100% interest in PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (“PLAYlive”) by way of merger, the Company issued 93,750 (750,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock from the owners of PLAYlive.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, of 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Mr. Kaplan currently serves as our Chairman of the Board.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors, of 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Mr. Franklin currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Steven Grossman, our Corporate Secretary, of 1,750 (14,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Mr. Grossman has informed the Company that he will resign as Corporate Secretary effective April 15, 2021.

On March 11, 2020, in connection with the execution of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Triton Funds, LP, the Company issued 625 (5,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to Triton Funds, LP (“Triton”) as a donation.

On April 9, 2020, the Company delivered a Purchase Notice to Triton pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement requiring Triton to acquire 15,625 (125,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock, which resulted in $87,700 in proceeds to the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, on April 9, 2020, the Company instructed the transfer agent to issue 15,625 (125,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to a custodial account of Triton. Unfortunately, the transfer agent erroneously transferred the entire 90,625 (725,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock under the Equity Line to the custodial account of Triton, resulting in an over-issuance of 75,000 (600,000 pre-reverse split) shares to Triton. The Company notified Triton of this error and that the Company terminated the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Triton. On November 18, 2020, the 75,000 (600,000 pre-reverse split) shares issued in error were returned by Triton and cancelled and returned to the treasury of the Company.

On May 4, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain 10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note dated April 29, 2020 in the principal amount of $152,500 issued by the Company in favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC, the Company issued 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to Harbor Gates Capital, LLC as additional consideration for the purchase of such note.

On May 7, 2020, we issued 2,977 (23,809 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock, at a price of 8.40 ($1.05 pre-reverse split) per share, to William H. Herrmann, Jr., a member of our board of directors, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.

On June 4, 2020, we issued 10,739 (85,905 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock in connection with the conversion of $100,000 in principal of a convertible note issued in favor of Maxim.

On June 15, 2020, we issued 3,125 (25,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock in satisfaction of an outstanding balance owed to a vendor.

On June 18, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note in the principal amount of $550,000, the Company issued 6,875 (55,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to such accredited investor as additional consideration for the purchase of such note.

On June 29, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of one its franchisee owned esports gaming centers located on the Fort Bliss U.S. Military base in El Paso, TX. In connection with the acquisition the Company issued 18,750 (150,000 pre-reverse split) restricted shares.

On June 30, 2020, the Company issued 12,334 (98,672 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock at $7.76 ($0.97 pre-reverse split) per share to various employees of the Company as compensation. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $95,700.

On July 29, 2020, the Board issued 41,875 (335,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors. Mr. Kaplan now serves as our Chairman of the Board. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Kaplan to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Kaplan 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Kaplan 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The Kaplan 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Kaplan 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof.

On July 29, 2020, the Board also issued 34,813 (278,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors. Mr. Franklin now serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Franklin to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Franklin 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Franklin 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The Franklin 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 375 (3,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Franklin 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 782 (6,250 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof.

On July 29, 2020, we issued an aggregate of 24,000 (192,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to an employee and the members of the Board of Directors of the Company. 

On July 31, 2020, we entered into a marketing agreement whereby we issued 3,473 (27,778 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock.

On August 7, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor pursuant to which we issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note in the principal amount of $333,333, the Company issued 4,167 (33,333 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock.

On September 16, 2020, we issued 13,209 (105,670 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to employees and consultants.

On September 16, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,813 (22,500 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $25,420, or $9.04 ($1.13 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded stock-based professional fees of $25,420.

On September 22, 2020, in connection with an Asset Purchase agreement with Ignatious O’Riley, an existing franchisee to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 2,989 (23,912 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $29,416 or $9.84 ($1.23 pre-reverse split) per share.

On September 23, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Union Gap, entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Five Point Legacy Corp., an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 4,506 (36,048 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $43,974 or $9.76 ($1.22 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 1, 2020, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Parryproject LLC, Owen Parry and Jennie Parry, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 3,688 (29,504 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $38,650 or $10.48 ($1.31 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 1, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Humble, entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Team Centore Entertainment Corp., and Charles Centore, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 8,402 (67,216 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $88,052 or $10.48 ($1.31 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 12, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Frisco, entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with JAR Mathis Holdings, Jared Mathis and Amy Mathis, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 6,202 (49,616 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $74,423 or $12.00 ($1.50 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Santa Rosa, entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with B&R Franchise Investments, LLC, Brian Chu and Richard Loo, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 4,202 (33,616 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $46,068 or $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Brea, entered into an Asset Purchase agreement (“APA”) with Nextgen Gaming, LLC, Ajay Chunilal Shah and Shweta Shah, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 3,255 (26,040 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $37,237 or $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Billings, entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Button Mashers, Inc, Jon Bessmer and Brandy Bessmer, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 4,697 (37,576 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $52,725 or $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per share.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 9,844 (78,752 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. Of these shares, the Company issued 5,625 (45,000 pre-reverse split) shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 2,344 (18,750 pre-reverse split) shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $119,632, or per share prices ranging from $9.04 ($1.13 pre-reverse split) per share to $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per common share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

On December 1, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity St. Louis, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Metta Gaming, LLC, Brian Paul Van Wyk, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 3,523 (28,184 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $52,845, or $15.00 ($1.875 pre-reverse split) per share.

On December 3, 2020, the Recent EventsCompany issued 5,000 (40,000 pre-reverse split) shares of its common stock in satisfaction of $50,000 in legal fees. These shares were valued at $80,000, or $16.00 ($2.00 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company reduced accounts payable by $50,000 and recorded legal fees of $30,000.

On March 11, 2021, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Fullerton, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Say K 2 Play, LLC a California limited liability company, Paresh Mital an individual and Smeeta Mital, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 1,600 (12,800 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $20,800 or $13.00 ($1.625 pre-reverse split) per share.

During the three months ended February 28, 2021,the Company issued an aggregate of 108,641 (869,128 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. These shares were valued at $1,545,467, or per share prices ranging from $13.25 ($1.66 pre-reverse split) per share to $19.75 ($2.47 pre-reverse split) per common share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the three months ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $1,545,467.

On March 26, 2021, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Vancouver, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Bhavin Shah, an individual and Parshwa, Inc., a Washington corporation, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 2,900 (23,200 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $42,900 or $16.50 ($2.0625 pre-reverse split) per share.

 

On April 6, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,657 (21,256 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 782 (6,256 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $34,488, or $12.98 ($1.6225 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

The above issuances/sales were made pursuant to an exemption from registration as set forth in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

Nasdaq Delisting

On December 10, 2018, the Company received a written notice (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Division of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the Company has not complied with the requirements of IM-5101-2 of the listing rules of Nasdaq (the “Listing Rules”).

The Notice stated that after its Business Combination, the Company had not demonstrated that its common stock met Listing Rule 5505(b)(1) that requires a market value of publicly held shares of at least $15 million. Additionally, the Company has not provided evidence that its common stock has at least 300 round lot holders as required by Listing Rule 5505(a)(3) and that its public warrant has at least 400 round lot holders as required by Listing Rule 5515(a)(4). Finally, the Company does not comply with Listing Rule 5515(a)(2) which requires that for initial listing of a warrant the underlying security must be listed on Nasdaq.

On January 7, 2019, the Company received a second written notice from Nasdaq informing it that the Company failed to comply with Listing Rule 5250(e)(2) which requires companies listed on Nasdaq to timely file notification forms for the Listing of Additional Shares (the “LAS Notification”).

The Company was required to submit the LAS Notification 15 days prior to the issuance of the securities; however, the Company filed the LAS Notification for the issuance of the Series A-1 Note and Series A-2 Note and for the share exchange under our Share Exchange Agreement after such 15-day periods. Nasdaq notified the Company that each of these matters serves as an additional and separate basis for delisting the Company’s securities and that the review panel will consider these matters in rendering a determination regarding the Company’s continued listing on Nasdaq.

The Company’s management decided that moving from Nasdaq to the OTCQB was more appropriate for the Company at that time, while the Company built out its planned network of retail esports centers.

On April 1, 2019, the Company was notified by Nasdaq that it would delist the Company’s common stock and public warrants. The Company’s common stock and public warrants were previously suspended from trading on Nasdaq, effective January 25, 2019.

On April 2, 2019, Nasdaq filed a Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on Form 25 with the SEC relating to the Company’s common stock and public warrants. As a result, the Company’s common stock and public warrants were delisted from Nasdaq effective April 2, 2019.

The Company’s common stock and public warrants currently are quoted on the OTCQB under the symbols “WINR” and “WINRW,” respectively.

DILUTION

If you invest in our units (comprised of our common stock and warrants) in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of common stock (which forms a part of a unit) and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

The net tangible book value of our common stock as of February 28, 2021 was $(3,607,295) or approximately $(2.69) per share after giving pro forma effect to the Reverse Stock Split of our outstanding common stock. Net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less our total tangible liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock.

Net tangible book value dilution per share of common stock in each unit to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share of common stock in each unit paid by purchasers in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after the completion of this offering, after giving pro forma effect to the Reverse Stock Split of our outstanding common stock. After giving effect to our issuance and sale of units in this offering at the assumed public offering price of $14.10 per unit, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, our pro forma net tangible book value as of February 28, 2021 would have been $4,083,124 or approximately $1.99 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $4.68 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $12.11 per share to purchasers of units in this offering, as illustrated in the following table:

Assumed public offering price per unit     $14.10 
Net tangible book value per share as of February 28, 2021 $(2.69)   
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors $4.68    
Less: pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to the offering     $1.99 
Immediate dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors     $12.11 

The foregoing illustration also does not reflect the dilution that would result from the exercise of any of the warrants sold in the offering.

The following table sets forth, as of February 28, 2021, the assumed number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid by existing stockholders and to be paid by new investors purchasing units (of which shares of common stock form a part) in this offering, after giving pro forma effect to the new investors in this offering at the public offering price of $14.10 per unit, together with the total consideration paid an average price per share paid by each of these groups, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

  Shares Purchased  Total Consideration  Average
Price
 
  Number  Percent  Amount  Percent  per Share 
Existing stockholders  1,341,017   65.41% $15,799,987   61.24% $11.78 
New investors  709,219   34.59% $10,000,000   38.76% $14.10 
Total  2,050,236   100.00% $25,799,987   100.00% $12.58 

If the Representative’s over-allotment option is exercised in full for shares of common stock at the assumed offering price, the number of shares held by new investors will increase to 815,601 (assuming no exercise of the warrants), or approximately 37.82% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding after this offering and the shares held by existing stockholders will be 1,341,017 (10,728,136 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock but the percentage of shares held by existing stockholders will decrease to 62.18% of the total shares outstanding.

To the extent that the Representative’s over-allotment option is exercised or any warrants or options are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors.

The foregoing discussion and tables above do not give effect to the dilution that would result from (i) 803,001 (6,424,008 pre-reverse split) shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of our issued and outstanding warrants at an average exercise price of $83.01 ($10.38 pre-reverse split) per share; (ii) estimated 17,054 (136,432 post-reverse split) shares (based on certain formulaic assumptions) of our common stock issuable upon exercise of certain warrants at an estimated exercise price of $21.99 (2.75 post-reverse split) (based on certain formulaic assumptions) per share and (iii) 99,290 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrant granted to the Underwriter upon completion of this offering, including the exercise of any over-allotment in full.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Unless the context otherwise requires, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Company” refers to (i) “Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company” after the consummation of the acquisition of Simplicity Esports, LLC, (ii) “Smaaash Entertainment Inc.” before the consummation of the Acquisition of Simplicity Esports, LLC but after the closing of the Transactions with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited, and (iii) I-AM Capital Acquisition Company prior to the closing of the Transactions with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited. “Simplicity Esports LLC” means our wholly-owned subsidiary Simplicity Esports, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and its consolidated subsidiaries. “PLAYlive” means our wholly-owned subsidiary PLAYlive Nation, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries. “Simplicity One” means our 76% owned subsidiary, Simplicity One Brasil Ltda, a Brazilian limited liability company, and its consolidated subsidiaries. “Smaaash Private” means Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of India, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Industry Overview

Esports is the competitive playing of video games by amateur and professional teams for cash prizes. Esports typically takes the form of organized, multiplayer video games that include real-time strategy, fighting, first-person shooter, and multiplayer online battle arena games. As of April 14, 2021, the three largest selling esports games are Dota 2®, League of Legends® (both multiplayer online battle arena games) and Counter Strike: Global Offensive® (a first-person shooter game). Other popular games include SMITE®, StarCraft II®, Call of Duty®¸ Heroes of the Storm®, Hearthstone® and Fortnite®. Most major professional esports events and a wide range of amateur esports events are broadcast live via streaming services including twitch.tv, azubu.tv, ustream.tv and youtube.com. Esports also includes games which can be played, primarily by amateurs, in multiplayer competitions on the Sony PlayStation®, Microsoft Xbox® and WII Nintendo® systems.

Although official competitions have long been a part of video game culture, participation and spectatorship of such events have seen a global surge in popularity over the last few years with the rapid growth of online streaming. The advent of online streaming technology has turned esports into a global industry that includes professional players and teams competing in major events that are simultaneously watched in person in stadiums, and by online viewers, which regularly exceed 1,000,000 viewers for major tournaments. According to Business Insider, over 100 million viewers saw the 2019 League of Legends® World Championships in person and online. CNBC reported in April 2019 that League of Legends® World Championships attract more viewers than the Super Bowl. Much like how there is a worldwide gaming market for the sports industry, there has now developed a worldwide gaming market for the esports industry. The impact has been so significant that many video game developers are now building features into their games designed to facilitate competition.

According to Newzoo, a global leader in esports, games and mobile intelligence, the total global esports audience was estimated to be 500 million in 2019, with an anticipated 27.5 million American gamers, which global audience is expected to grow to 646 million by 2023. In addition, according to Newzoo, esports produced $950 million in 2019 revenue and is projected to reach $1.1 billion in 2020 and $1.6 billion in 2023. Esports enthusiasts, which are people who watch professional esports content at least once a month, made up 201.2 million of the 2018 total, up from 143.2 million in 2017. With a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) (2017-2022) of +15.7%, this number is expected to reach almost 297 million in 2022. The global average revenue per esports enthusiast, which includes not only gaming revenue, but also sponsorships advertising and all other esports related revenues, is projected to be $5.45 in 2019, up +8.9% from $5.00 in 2018. The number of occasional esports viewers, (people who watch professional esports content less than once a month), is expected to reach 252.6 million in 2019, up from 221.6 million in 2018, and is projected to grow with a CAGR of +12.6% to surpass 347 million in 2022. The number of people who are aware of esports worldwide is expected to reach 1.8 billion in 2019, up from 1.6 billion in 2018. According to Newtech Mag, China and the U.S. have the largest populations of esports fans, with Brazil ranking first in Latin America, which is the fastest growing gaming market, and third globally, with 20 million fans. The increasing prominence of esports as a mainstream entertainment industry is driving the growth in awareness in most regions. Audience and awareness growth in the emerging regions of Latin America, Middle East and Africa, Southeast Asia, and Rest of Asia is largely driven by improving IT infrastructure and urbanization. We believe the rise of new franchises, such as Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds® or PubG®, is an important global growth factor as the influx of millennials should continue to drive the growth of the esports industry’s audience and in turn, the esports gaming industry.

In 2019, there were 885 major esports events that generated an estimated $56.3 million in ticket revenues. The total prize money of all esports events held in 2019 reached $167.4 million, a slight increase from $150.8 million in 2018. The League of Legends® World Championship was 2019’s biggest tournament by live viewership hours on Twitch and YouTube, with 105.5 million hours. It also produced $1.9 million in ticket revenues. The Overwatch® League was the most-watched league by live viewership hours on Twitch and YouTube, generating 104.1 million hours. A report by Forbes estimates that the top 12 esports teams had 2019 revenues of between $8 million and $29 million and were valued at between $120 million and $400 million.

Business Overview

We are a global esports organization, with an established brand, that is capitalizing on the growth in esports through three business units, Simplicity One Brasil Ltda (“Simplicity One”), Simplicity Esports, LLC (“Simplicity Esports LLC”) and PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (“PLAYlive”). We believe that we are the only SEC reporting-completely integrated-esports company that owns a League of Legends franchise. Additionally, we have the largest network of corporate and franchisee owned esports gaming centers in North America.

Our Esports Teams

We own and manage numerous professional esports teams domestically and internationally. Revenue is generated from prize winnings, corporate sponsorships, advertising, league subsidy payments and potential league revenue sharing payments from the publishers of video games.

Domestic Esports Teams – Simplicity Esports LLC

Through our wholly owned subsidiary Simplicity Esports LLC, we own and manage numerous professional esports teams competing in games such as Overwatch, Apex Legends, Heroes of the Storm and more. We are committed to growing and enhancing the esports industry, fostering the development of amateurs to compete professionally and signing established professional gamers to support their paths to greater success.

International Esports Team - Simplicity One Brasil

Since January 2020, through our 76% owned subsidiary Simplicity One Brasil, we manage Flamengo eSports, one of the leading Brazilian League of Legends® teams. Flamengo eSports was established in 2017 as the Esports division of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, a successful Brazilian sports organization, with over 30 million followers across social media accounts, known for its world-famous soccer team. Flamengo eSports’ League of Legends® team won the CBLoL Championship in September 2019, which qualified the team to compete at the 2019 League of Legends® World Championship in Europe as one of 24 teams from 13 different regions around the world. Flamengo Esports @flaesports was ranked as the 9th most tweeted about esports organization in the world in 2020. With cost cutting steps taken during April 2020, and anticipated additional sponsorship revenue, this business unit is expected to be cash flow positive by July 2021.

Online Tournaments

In response to demand from customers for online esports tournaments which was in all likelihood triggered by the social distancing protocols attendant to the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced in March 2020 an initiative of online esports tournaments. Since March 2020, through our wholly owned subsidiary Simplicity Esports LLC, we have been holding weekly online esports tournaments.in the United States. In addition, we commenced promoting these weekly online tournaments via text messages to our database of over 400,000 paying esports gaming center customers, which we acquired in our acquisition of PLAYlive. If we can convert merely 1% of these existing customers from the PLAYlive database to play in our paid online tournaments, we anticipate this business unit may generate approximately $1 million in annual revenues. At a 5% conversion rate, this business segment may generate approximately $5 million in annual revenue. Management also intends to sell sponsorship and marketing activations for these online tournaments which would create additional revenue. We also announced our initiative to offer play at home online tournaments in Brazil in June 2020.

Our Gaming Centers

As of April 14, 2021, we have 33 location, 15 corporate and 18 fully constructed franchise locations, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, throughout the U.S., giving casual gamers the opportunity to play in a social setting with other members of the gaming community. In addition, aspiring and established professional gamers have an opportunity to compete in local and national esports tournaments held in our gaming centers for prizes, notoriety, and potential contracts to play for one of our professional esports teams. In this business unit, revenue is generated from franchise royalties, the sale of game time, memberships, tournament entry fees, birthday party events, corporate party events, concessions and gaming-related merchandise.

Our business plan encompasses a brick and click physical and digital approach to further recognize revenue from all verticals, which we believe to be unique in the industry. The physical centers, together with our esports teams, lifestyle brand and marketing campaigns offer opportunities for additional revenue via strategic partnerships with both endemic and non-endemic brands. Our ultimate goal is to further engage a diverse fan base with a 360-degree approach driving traffic to both our digital platform, tournaments (online and in-person) and physical real estate to maximize the monetization opportunities with these relationships. In addition, we have proprietary intellectual capital, fan engagement strategies and brand development blueprints which complement our publicly available information.

Optimally, the esports gaming centers of Simplicity Esports LLC (“Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers”) will measure between 1,200 and 2,000 square feet, with dozens of gaming stations. The Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers will feature cutting edge technology, futuristic aesthetic décor and dynamic high-speed gaming equipment. We believe our brick-and-click strategy will present attractive opportunities for sponsors and advertisers to connect with our audience, creating an intriguing monetization opportunity for sponsors and advertisers. Currently we operate approximately 80,000 square feet of retail space in desirable, high traffic locations.

Creating content that engages fans, sponsors and developers, while promoting our brand is one of our primary goals. Our talented team will continue to produce unique in-depth content which showcases aspects of esports for fans. We seek to reach a broad demographic encompassing the casual, amateur and professional gaming community. Our philosophy is to enhance our footprint for both endemic and non-endemic partnerships. We believe we possess a deep perception of our markets and understand the new age of branding while maintaining authenticity to the gaming community that comprises our fan base.

As a result of COVID-19 (discussed below), all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers on May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 14, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. See “Risk Factors—Public health epidemics or outbreaks, such as COVID-19, could materially and adversely impact our business.”

The 11 franchise owned gaming centers that we have acquired to date generated over $2 million of revenue in 2019. We project a total of 17 corporate owned gaming centers by fiscal year end 2021 and accordingly expect annual revenues to increase in 2021.

Corporate Gaming Centers

Through our subsidiary entities, we currently operate 15 corporate-owned retail Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers, one of which was acquired during the third fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2021.Furthermore, we have engaged a national tenant representation real estate broker to assist in the strategic planning and negotiations for our future Simplicity Esports Gaming Center locations. We contemplate that new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers will be funded by us as well as a combination of tenant improvement allowances from landlords and sponsorships. As announced in June 2020, we are in discussions with multiple commercial property owners regarding their desire to have us open 8,000 to 12,000 square foot MEGA centers at their properties. There are multiple locations available to us with a percentage of gross sales rent lease structure (as opposed to fixed rent payments), and construction funds offered by the landlord to assist with the build out and equipping of our planned MEGA centers. These MEGA centers are planned as hubs in our hub and spoke model that will see smaller corporate and franchisee owned gaming centers as spokes connected to MEGA centers as hubs for larger events and tournaments.

Franchised Gaming Centers

Due to interest from potential franchisees, we have launched a franchising program to accelerate the expansion of our planned nationwide footprint. We sell specific franchise territories, through our wholly owned subsidiary PLAYlive, and assist with the establishment and buildout of esports gaming centers to potential business owners that desire to use our branding, infrastructure and process to open and operate gaming centers. We currently operate 18 fully constructed franchise esports gaming centers. Franchise revenue is generated from the sale of franchise territories, supplying furniture, equipment and merchandise to the franchisees for buildout of their centers, a gross sales royalty fee and a national marketing fee. We license the use of our branding, assist in identifying and negotiating commercial locations, assist in overseeing the buildout and development, provide access to proprietary software for point of sale, inventory management, employee training and other HR functions. Franchisees also have an opportunity to participate in our national esports tournament events, and benefit from the growing profile of our professional esports teams. Once an esports gaming center is opened, we provide operational guidance, support and use of branding elements in exchange for a monthly royalty fee calculated as 6% of gross sales. On January 1, 2020, we implemented a national marketing fee of 1% of gross sales. To date, we have sold five of these franchise territories. COVID-19 travel restrictions caused us to suspend the sale of new franchise territories from April 1, 2020 until October 1, 2020. During these nine months, a pipeline of interested applicants has accumulated, and we anticipate new franchise territory sales over the next 12 months as a result.

The combination of the esports gaming centers, owned or franchised by our wholly owned subsidiaries Simplicity Esports LLC or PLAYlive, provides us with what we believe is one of the largest footprint of esports gaming centers in North America. Over the next 12 months, existing PLAYlive esports gaming centers will be rebranded to Simplicity Esports gaming centers. All newly opened franchise esports gaming centers will be branded as Simplicity Esports gaming centers and have numerous gaming PC’s. All gaming centers in our footprint will be participating venues in our national esports tournaments.

Franchise Roll Up Strategy

We began implementing a franchise roll-up strategy in July 2020 as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19 related stay at home orders, and the disruption it caused to the commercial real estate market. The reduction in revenues for some franchisees because of stay-at-home orders, and government mandates to remain closed created significant accrued rent payments due to landlords. We have been able to come to terms with many franchisees to acquire the assets of their gaming centers and make them corporate owned. We have simultaneously negotiated new leases with some of the largest national mall chains, including Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, and are in the process of negotiating additional locations with other landlords. The new leases involve significant reductions in or elimination of fixed rent and the addition of percentage of revenues rent terms. To date, we have signed 13 letters of intent and executed definitive agreements for 11 of those locations during fiscal year 2021. We anticipate closing the remaining acquisitions during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2021. We expect each of these locations to be profitable as a result of the significant reduced rent expense via the percentage rent structure.

Our Stream Team

The Simplicity Esports LLC and Flamengo Esports stream teams encompasses over 20 commentators (commonly known as “casters”), influencers and personalities who connect to a dedicated fan base. Our electric group of live personalities represent our organization to the fullest with their own unique style. We are proud to support and present a diverse group of gamers as we engage fans across a multiple of esports genres. Our Twitch affiliation has enabled our stream team influences to reach a broad fan base. Additionally, we have created several niches within the streaming community which has enabled us to engage fans within certain titles on a 24/7 basis. Our notoriety in the industry is evidenced by our audience that views millions of minutes of Simplicity Esports’ and Flamengo Esports’ content monthly, via various social media outlets including YouTube, Twitter and Twitch. Through Simplicity Esports LLC, we have begun to implement a unique approach to ensure the ultimate fan friendly esports experience. Our intention is to have gamers involved at the grassroots level and feel a sense of unity as we compete with top class talent. Our management and players are known within the esports community and we plan to use their skills to create a seamless content creation plan helping gamers feel closer to our brand than any other in the industry.

Material Acquisitions and Licensing

Acquisition of Simplicity Esports, LLC

On January 4, 2019, the Company consummated the transactions contemplated by that certain share exchange agreement, dated December 21, 2018 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 28, 2018 and by Amendment No. 2 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 30, 2018, the “Share Exchange Agreement”) by and among the Company, Simplicity Esports, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Simplicity Esports LLC”), each of the equity holders of Simplicity Esports LLC (“Simplicity Owners”) and Jed Kaplan, in the capacity as the representative of the Simplicity Owners (the “Representative”). Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement the Simplicity Owners transferred all the issued and outstanding equity interests of Simplicity Esports LLC to the Company in exchange for an aggregate of 375,000 (3,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock of the Company (the “Simplicity Esports Acquisition”). As of January 4, 2019, upon the completion of the Simplicity Esports Acquisition, esports gaming became the primary business of the Company.

On January 4, 2019, the Simplicity Owners received an aggregate of 37,500 (300,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock at the closing of the Acquisition and an additional aggregate of 87,500 (700,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock on January 7, 2019. The Simplicity Owners were initially entitled to receive an additional 250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares upon the Company’s receipt of the approval of its stockholders to such issuance. This condition was removed as the stockholder approval was only necessary due to the Company’s stock being listed on Nasdaq. Upon completion of the Simplicity Esports LLC acquisition, the Company decided that moving off the Nasdaq was appropriate, and the 250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares were issued to the Simplicity Owners on March 27, 2019.

In connection with the acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC, on January 2, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate Amendment”) with the Delaware Secretary of State to change the Company’s name from “Smaaash Entertainment, Inc.” to “Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company”. In addition, the Company changed the ticker symbols of its common stock and public warrants to “WINR” and “WINRW,” respectively, and commenced trading of its common stock and public warrants under such new ticker symbols on the OTCQB on January 10, 2019.

Acquisition of PLAYlive

On July 30, 2019, we acquired a 100% interest in PLAYlive by way of merger pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 25, 2019, whereby we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of PLAYlive from the selling stockholders (“PLAYlive Stockholders”) of PLAYlive in exchange for 150,000 (750,000 shares pre-reverse split) shares of our common stock. Following this merger, PLAYlive became our wholly owned subsidiary. On the closing date of this merger, each of the PLAYlive Stockholders entered into a one-year lock-up agreement with the Company and each of Duncan Wood, Jordan C. Jenson, and Alec T. Carpenter entered into an employment agreement with PLAYlive.

Licensing of Flamengo Esports

Effective January 20, 2020, Simplicity One Brasil entered into an Exclusive Trademark and Symbol Use License Agreement, and Other Covenants (the “License Agreement”), dated November 5, 2019 with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (one of the most successful Brazilian sports organizations, known for its world-famous soccer team), whereby Clube de Regatas do Flamengo agreed to exclusively license its intellectual property rights (“Flamengo IP Rights”) to Simplicity One Brasil (an entity which the Company and Team One E-Sports Ltda – ME owned a 90% and 10% equity interest in, respectively), authorizing Simplicity One Brasil to use the Flamengo IP Rights on a League of Legends team in esports as well as in other modalities in esports, which will be maintained and assembled by Simplicity One Brasil during the term of the Licensing Agreement. The Company has appointed Fred Tannure to act as Simplicity One Brasil’s General Manager. The License Agreement has a term of three years, beginning on January 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2022, and may be renewed by mutual written agreement by the parties. In exchange for the exclusive license, the Company shall pay Clube de Regatas do Flamengo an annual fee for the first, second and third year in the amount of $32,882 (Reais$170,000.00), $35,784 (Reais$185,000.00), and $38,685 (Reais$200,000.00), respectively, as well as the payment of royalties in the amount of 8% of the gross revenues (less taxes) of the eSports teams pursuant to the terms of the Licensing Agreement. If either party unilaterally terminates the Agreement or gives rise to certain termination grounds set forth in the Agreement, the terminating party will pay the other party a non-compensatory fine in the amount of approximately $23,870 (Reais $100,000) to indemnify the other party, without prejudice to any losses or damages that exceed such amount.

Flamengo Esports was established in 2017 as the Esports division of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, a successful Brazilian sports organization, known for its world-famous soccer team. Flamengo Esports’ League of Legends® team won the CBLoL Championship in September 2019 and competed at the 2019 League of Legends® World Championship in Europe as one of 24 teams from 13 different regions around the world.

On April 1, 2020, the Company released multiple players and staff members from Simplicity One Brasil Ltd as part of a restructuring in an effort to make the Flamengo Esports project profitable. During the first quarter of the fiscal year ending May 31, 2021, the Company applied for ownership of a franchise spot in League of Legends Brazil (CBLoL). Approval for franchise ownership was awarded in October 2020.

In June 2020, while Simplicity One Brasil was preparing its initial application for purchasing from Riot Games a franchise in Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends, Simplicity One Brasil become aware that the 10%-ownership interest of Team One E-Sports Ltda (“Team One E-Sports”) in Simplicity One Brasil was in contravention of Riot Games’ policy that only one League of Legend esports team could be owned by an owner at one time because Team One had already submitted an application for purchasing a franchise for another League of Legend esports team. Accordingly, Simplicity One Brasil needed Team One E-Sports to divest itself of its 10%-equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil in order for Simplicity One Brasil to proceed with its franchise application. Therefore, on June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan entered into a Quota Purchase Agreement with Team One E-Sports, pursuant to which Mr. Kaplan acquired Team One Esports’ 10%-ownership equity interest for $45,000 in cash. In addition, the Company transferred a 2%-equity interest (an aggregate of 4%) to each of Laila De Braga Cavalcanti Loss and Frederico Tannure, who live in Brazil and run the operations of Simplicity One Brasil, in order to comply with Riot Games’ policy requiring local ownership in Brazil in order to apply for a franchise of a league of legends sports team. Furthermore, on June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan agreed to forgive the debt of the Kaplan Promissory Note with a principal balance of $90,000 in exchange for the Company assigning to Mr. Kaplan a 10% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil. In light of the restructuring of the ownership interest in Simplicity One Brasil, as of April 14, 2021, the Company, Mr. Kaplan, Ms. Cavalcanti Loss, and Mr. Tannure own a 76%, 20%, 2% and 2% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil.

COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.

Because COVID-19 infections have been reported throughout the United States, certain federal, state and local governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders, proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. As a result, all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers on May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 14, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. Although our franchise agreements with franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers require a minimum monthly royalty payment to us from the franchisees regardless of whether the franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers are operating, a limited number of the franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers have defaulted on their obligations to pay their minimum monthly royalty payment to us. This has resulted in either an increase in accounts receivables or a bad debt expense where account receivables are no longer collectible due to franchisee’s inability to pay the minimum monthly royalty payments owed by the franchisee. We have not written off as bad debt any accounts receivables attributable to franchisee minimum monthly royalty payments owed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of February 28, 2021, we have recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $139,867, as our collection efforts are ongoing. We have experienced an increase in our gross account receivables by approximately $73,000, $47,000, $44,000, and $237,700 during the quarters ended May 31, 2020, August 31, 2020, November 30, 2020 and February 28, 2021, respectively. Notwithstanding it is unclear exactly how much of the increase in accounts receivables is attributable to the impact of COVID-19. We have waived the minimum monthly royalty payment obligations from July 2020 through present day and are instead billing the franchisees a true-up of 6% of gross sales without a minimum. We continue to assess possible similar accommodations to the franchisees in light of the impact of COVID-19.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption, reduced customer traffic and reduced operations. Any resulting financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The measures taken to date adversely impacted the Company’s business during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and will potentially continue to impact the Company’s business. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.

Corporate History

Formation

We were initially a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 17, 2017 under the name I-AM Capital Acquisition Company. We were formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Although we were not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a business combination, we focused on businesses with a connection to India. On November 20, 2018, (the “we changed our name from I-AM Capital Acquisition Company to Smaaash Entertainment, Inc. On January 2, 2019, we changed our name from Smaaash Entertainment, Inc. to Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company.

Closing DateSmaaash Entertainment Private Limited”),

Business Combination

On November 20, 2018, the Company and Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of India (“Smaaash PrivatePrivate”), consummated the transactions (the Transactions“Transactions” or the “Business Combination”) contemplated by the share subscription agreement (as amended, the Subscription Agreement“Subscription Agreement”), following the approval at the special meeting of the stockholders of the Company held on November 9, 2018 (the Special Meeting“Special Meeting”).

 

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the purchase price of $150,000 was paid by the Company to Smaaash Private in exchange for 300,000294,360 newly issued equity shares of Smaaash Private at the closing of the Transactions (the Closing“Closing”)., representing less than 1% of Smaaash Private at such time.

 

In addition,At the time of the Closing, AHA Holdings Private Limited (“AHA HoldingsHoldings”) and Shripal Morakhia (together with AHA Holdings, the Smaaash Founders“Smaaash Founders”) have agreed that within six months following the Closing Date, they willto transfer all of their ownership interest in Smaaash Private (representing 33.6% of the share capital of(the “Additional Smaaash Private on a fully diluted basis as of June 22, 2018) (the “Additional Smaaash SharesShares”) to the Company in exchange for newly issued shares of our Common Stock (the Transferred“Transferred Company SharesShares”) in an amount which would enable. In furtherance of the Smaaash Founders to retain their 33.6% ownership interest in Smaaash Private indirectly through their interest in the Company.


Atforegoing, at the Closing, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,000,000250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of its common stock to the Smaaash Founders as an upfront portion of the Transferred Company Shares (the Upfront“Upfront Company SharesShares”). In connection with the issuance of the the Upfront Company Shares, the Company and the Smaaash Founders entered into an escrow agreement pursuant to which the Upfront Company Shares willwould be held in escrow and will be either, (i) if the Additional Smaaash Shares are not transferred in full to the Company within the designated six-month period, cancelled, or (ii) if the Additional Smaaash Shares are transferred in full to the Company within the designated six-month period, released from escrow and the number of Upfront Company Shares will be deducted from the Transferred Company Shares that will be issued to the Smaaash Founders upon the delivery of the Additional Smaaash Shares.

On November 16, 2018, Pursuant to the terms of the escrow agreement, the Upfront Company Shares have been cancelled because the Additional Smaaash Private and the Smaaash Founders executed a letter of undertaking, pursuant to which they agreed to transfer 4,000,000 additional equity shares of Smaaash PrivateShares were not transferred in full to the Company in consideration for 200,000 shares of Our Common Stock, simultaneously with the issuance of the 300,000 equity shares of Smaaash Private to the Company on or prior to November 30, 2018, as permitted by the laws of India. Such additional shares of Smaaash Private have not yet been delivered.designated six-month period.

 

In connection with the Closing, the Company changed its name from I-AM Capital Acquisition Company to Smaaash Entertainment Inc., changed its stock symbols for its Common Stock, Public Rights, and Public Warrants to “IAM,” “IAMXR” and “IAMXW,” respectively, and entered into a master franchise agreement (“Master Franchise AgreementAgreement”) and a master license and distribution agreement (“Master Distribution AgreementAgreement”) with Smaaash Private. Prior to the Closing, the Company was a shell company with no operations, formed as a vehicle to effect a business combination with one or more operating businesses. After the Closing, the Company’s primary assets consistconsisted of shares in Smaaash Private and the rights granted under the Master Franchise Agreement and the Master Distribution Agreement.

Business of Smaaash Private

At the time of closing of the Smaaash transaction, Smaaash Private operated 40 games and entertainment centers (“Smaaash Centers”), including 39 Smaaash Centers in India and one international Smaaash Center in the U.S., in addition to carrying out product sales of its games and equipment that Smaaash has developed in-house, supported by its sponsorship and other revenues.

Smaaash Private’s core concept was to offer an interactive, immersive and fun experience to customers at its Smaaash Centers, blending Augmented Reality (“AR”) and Virtual Reality (“VR”) and other games, indoor entertainment, and attractive food and beverage options, customized to the tastes and preferences of a diverse set of customers across age groups, genders and backgrounds, including corporate customers, families, friends and children. Smaaash Private’s game concepts are supported by its in-house technology, value engineering and systems integration capabilities.

Master Franchise Agreement

Under the Master Franchise Agreement, Smaaash Private has granted to the Company an exclusive right to establish and operate Smaaash Centers (as defined under the Master Franchise Agreement) and to sublicense the right to establish and operate Smaaash Centers to third party franchisees, and a license to use the products and other services developed by Smaaash Private with respect to the Smaaash Centers, in the United States (“Territory”). Further, Smaaash Private has granted to the Company the limited license to use the Trademarks of Smaaash Private (as set out in the Master Franchise Agreement) for the purposes of establishing and operating the Smaaash Centers in the Territory. The Master Franchise Agreement has been executed on an arms’ length basis between Smaaash Private and the Company.

On November 29, 2018, the Company and Smaaash Private executed an addendum to the Master Franchise Agreement (the “Amendment”). Pursuant to the Amendment, Smaaash Private grants the Company the exclusive rights to set up family and entertainment centers under the name “Total Sports Center” in the United States (“Total Sports Centers”) in which 51% of the investment will be borne by the Company and 49% by Smaaash Private. Smaaash Private will be responsible for identifying the locations for setting up, managing and controlling the Total Sports Centers and will carry out all the fit out requirements for such centers. Smaaash Private will also appoint the management team for the centers. Smaaash Private will be entitled to 3% of the net revenue of each center, subject to conditions to be confirmed by the parties.

Master License and Distribution Agreement

Under the Master Distribution Agreement, Smaaash Private has granted to the Company an exclusive right to purchase from Smaaash Private specialized video game equipment and products related to sports and recreational activities (“Products”) in the territory under the brand name of Smaaash Private and sell them with a 15% markup to the customers which will be the sub-franchisees of the Company who will operate the Smaaash Centers, as specified in the Master Franchise Agreement.

Shift of Business Focus to Esports Gaming

Following the January 2019 acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC described below, we determined to shift our current primary focus to esports gaming. Accordingly, we did not generate any revenues from Smaaash in 2019. The Master Franchise Agreement, as amended, and the Master Distribution Agreement continue in full force and effect, however, and we may now or in the future pursue Smaaash Private business opportunities.

Polar and K2

On November 2, 2018, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with each of Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. (“Polar”) and K2 Principal Fund L.P. (“K2”), pursuant to which Polar and K2 agreed to sell up to 98,000 (490,000 pre-reverse split) and 44,000 (220,000 pre-reverse split) shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock to the Company thirty days after the consummation of the transactions at a price of $56.15 ($11.23 pre-reverse split) contemplated by the share subscription agreement with Smaaash Private.

On December 20, 2018, the Company, Polar, K2 and the Escrow Agent, entered into an Amendment (the “Amendment”), pursuant to which, among other things, the stock purchase agreements with Polar and K2 were amended to (x) reduce the purchase price per share payable by the Company at the closing of the Stock Sales from $56.15 ($11.23 pre-reverse split) per share to (1) first $30.00 ($6.00 pre-reverse split) per share up to 20% of the original number of Shares (as defined in the respective Purchase Agreement), (2) then $25.00 ($5.00 pre-reverse split) per remaining share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, (3) then $20.00 ($4.00 pre-reverse split) per remaining share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, (4) then $15.00 ($3.00 pre-reverse split) per remaining Share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, and (5) then $10.00 ($2.00 pre-reverse split) per remaining Share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, (y) to extend the outside date of the closing of the Stock Sales until January 18, 2019, and (z) to authorize the issuance of $3,542,700 and $1,590,600 from the Escrow Account to Polar and K2, respectively, as partial payment for the Shares prior to the final closing of the Stock Sales.

The Amendment also included provisions regarding the reduction of the exercise price and amendment of redemption provisions of the Company’s Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants. On August 18, 2019, the Company held a special meeting of its public warrant holders to approve the foregoing. However, these proposals were not approved by the requisite votes.

Acquisition of Simplicity Esports, LLC

In connection with the Simplicity Esports Acquisition, the Simplicity Owners received an aggregate of 60,000 (300,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock at the closing on January 4, 2019, an additional aggregate of 87,500 (700,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock on January 7, 2019 and the remaining 250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares in March of 2019.

In connection with the Simplicity Esports Acquisition, on January 2, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate Amendment”) with the Delaware Secretary of State to change the Company’s name from “Smaaash Entertainment, Inc.” to “Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company.” In addition, the Company changed the ticker symbols of its common stock and public warrants to “WINR” and “WINRW,” respectively, and commenced trading of its common stock and public warrants under such new ticker symbols on the OTCQB on January 10, 2019.

Equity Line

On March 12, 2020, the Company entered into an Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Triton Funds LP (“Selling Stockholder”), dated as of March 11, 2020, pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, the Selling Stockholder is committed to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an aggregate price of up to $500,000 (the “Maximum Commitment Amount”) over the course of the commitment period which ends on the earlier of (i) the date on which the Selling Stockholder purchases the Maximum Commitment Amount and (ii) December 31, 2020 (the “Equity Line”). In connection with the execution of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company registered the resale of up to 90,625 (725,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock issuable under the Equity Line in the amount of the Maximum Commitment Amount pursuant to a registration statement declared effective by the SEC on March 30, 2020.

On April 9, 2020, the Company delivered a Purchase Notice to Triton Funds, LP (“Triton”) pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement requiring Triton to acquire 15,625 (125,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock, which resulted in $87,700 in proceeds to the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, on April 9, 2020, the Company instructed the transfer agent to issue 15,625 (125,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to a custodial account of Triton Funds, LP. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Unfortunately, the transfer agent erroneously transferred the entire 90,625 (725,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock under the Equity Line to the custodial account of Triton, resulting in an over-issuance of 75,000 (600,000 pre-reverse split) shares to Triton. The Company notified Triton of this error and that the Company terminated the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Triton. On November 18, 2020, the 75,000 (600,000 pre-reverse split) shares issued in error were returned by Triton and cancelled and returned to the treasury of the Company.

Debt Obligations

 

Results10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note

On April 29, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), the Company issued a 10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note (the “Harbor Gates Note”), with a maturity date of OperationsOctober 29, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $152,500 in favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC (“Harbor Gates”). Pursuant to the terms of the Harbor Gates Note, the Company agreed to pay to Harbor Gates $152,500 (the “Principal Sum”) and to pay “guaranteed” interest on the principal balance at an amount equivalent to 10% of the Principal Sum, to the extent such Principal Sum and “guaranteed” interest and any other interest, fees, liquidated damages and/or items due to Harbor Gates have not been repaid or converted into Company common stock in accordance with the terms of the Harbor Gates Note. The Harbor Gates Note carries an original issue discount (“OID”) of $2,500. Accordingly, on the Effective Date, Harbor Gates delivered $150,000 to the Company in exchange for the Harbor Gates Note.

In addition to the “guaranteed” interest, and upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as hereinafter defined), additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 20% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law.

The Company may prepay the Harbor Gates Note according to the following schedule:

Days Since
Effective Date
Payment Amount
Under 30115% of Principal Amount (as hereinafter defined) so paid
31-60120% of Principal Amount so paid
61-90125% of Principal Amount so paid
91-180135% of Principal Amount so paid

135% of the remaining unpaid and unconverted Principal Amount, plus all accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable on the Maturity Date. “Principal Amount” refers to the sum of (i) the original principal amount of the Harbor Gates Note (including the OID); (ii) all guaranteed and other accrued but unpaid interest under the Harbor Gates Note; (iii) any fees due under the Harbor Gates Notes; (iv) liquidated damages; and (v) any default payments owing under the Harbor Gates Note, in each case previously paid or added to the Principal Amount.

Pursuant to the terms of the Harbor Gates Note, the Company agreed to issue Harbor Gates shares of Company common stock in two tranches as follows:

(i)1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock within three trading days of the Effective Date; and
(ii)In the event the average of the three volume weighted average prices for the Company’s common stock during the three consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date which is the 180th day following the Effective Date is less than $8.00 ($1.00 pre-reverse split) per share, then Harbor Gates will be entitled, and the Company will issue to Harbor Gates additional shares of common stock as set forth in the Harbor Gates Note.

If an Event of Default (as defined in the Promissory Note) occurs, the outstanding Principal Amount of the Harbor Gates Note owing in respect thereof through the date of acceleration, shall become, at Harbor Gates’ election, immediately due and payable in cash at the “Mandatory Default Amount”. The Mandatory Default Amount means 35% of the outstanding Principal Amount of the Harbor Gates Note will be automatically added to the Principal Sum of the Harbor Gates Note and tack back to the Effective Date for purposes of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1934 Act. Commencing five days after the occurrence of any Event of Default that results in the eventual acceleration of the Harbor Gates Note, the Harbor Gates Note will accrue additional interest, in addition to the Harbor Gates Note’s “guaranteed” interest, at a rate equal to the lesser of 20% per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law.

If the Harbor Gates Note is not retired on or before the Maturity Date, then at any time and from time to time after the Maturity Date, and subject to the terms hereof and restrictions and limitations contained in the Harbor Gates Note, Harbor Gates has the right, at Harbor Gates’ sole option, to convert in whole or in part the outstanding and unpaid Principal Amount under the Harbor Gates Note into shares of the Company’s common stock at the Variable Conversion Price. The “Variable Conversion Price” will be equal to the lower of: (a) $8.00 ($1.00 pre-reverse split), or (b) 70% of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the 15 consecutive trading days prior to the date on Harbor Gates elects to convert all or part of the Harbor Gates Note.

On July 2, 2020, the Company repaid $152,500 and $15,000 in accrued interest in full satisfaction of the 10% Convertible Promissory Harbor Gates Note.

Kaplan Promissory Note

On May 12, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company issued a promissory note (the “Kaplan Note”) in the principal sum of $90,000 in favor of Jed Kaplan, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and greater than 5% stockholder of the Company. The Kaplan Note matures on October 12, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”). The Company used the proceeds of the Kaplan Note to fund the operations of Simplicity One Brasil Ltda, the Company’s majority owned subsidiary (“Simplicity Brasil”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Kaplan Note, the Company agreed to pay to Mr. Kaplan the lesser of (i) the principal sum of $90,000 (the “Maximum Commitment”), or (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all direct advances of the proceeds of the Kaplan Note (each, an “Advance”), together with any interest thereon, and any and all other amounts which may be due and payable thereunder from time to time.

Subject to the terms of the Kaplan Note, Mr. Kaplan agreed to make one direct Advance to and for the benefit of the Company on the Issue Date in the amount of $45,000, and one additional Advance to and for the benefit of the Company at such time as the Company may request during the two-month period following the Issue Date. The total of the aggregate principal balance of all Advances (collectively referred to herein as the “Principal Amount”) outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Maximum Commitment. Advances made by Mr. Kaplan to the Company under the Kaplan Note which have been repaid may not be borrowed again.

Prior to the Maturity Date or an Event of Default (as hereinafter defined), the Principal Amount outstanding under the Kaplan Note will bear interest at a rate of 3% (the “Interest Rate”). From and after the Maturity Date or upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, interest will accrue on the unpaid Principal Amount during any such period at an annual rate (the “Default Rate”) equal to 10% plus the Interest Rate; provided, however, that in no event will the Default Rate exceed the maximum rate permitted by law.

The Company could prepay the Kaplan Note, in whole or in part, without a prepayment penalty, at any time provided that an Event of Default has not then occurred.

As of May 31, 2020, advances under the terms of this note were $64,728. On various dates subsequent to May 31, 2020, Mr. Kaplan funded $25,272 pursuant to the Kaplan Promissory Note. With the contributions subsequent to May 31, 2020, the principal balances outstanding and due Mr. Kaplan amounted to $90,000. On June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan agreed to forgive the debt of the Kaplan Promissory Note with a principal balance of $90,000 in exchange for the Company assigning to Mr. Kaplan a 10% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil, Ltda, a subsidiary of the Company.

Self-Amortization Promissory Note

On June 18, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) with an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “Amortization Note”) with a maturity date of June 18, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $550,000. Pursuant to the terms of the Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay $550,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the Principal Sum at the rate of 12% per annum. The Amortization Note carries an original issue discount (“OID”) of $55,000. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $495,000 in exchange for the Amortization Note. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company agreed to issue 6,875 (55,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to the Holder as additional consideration.

The Company may prepay the Amortization Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Amortization Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest with no prepayment premium. The Amortization Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Amortization Note or SPA.

The Company is required to make amortization payments to the Holder according to the following schedule:

Payment Date Payment Amount 
10/16/2020 $66,125.00 
11/16/2020 $66,125.00 
12/16/2020 $66,125.00 
01/18/2021 $66,125.00 
02/18/2021 $66,125.00 
03/18/2021 $66,125.00 
04/16/2021 $66,125.00 
05/18/2021 $66,125.00 
06/18/2021 $65,921.26 
Total: $594,921.26 

In connection with the November 23, 2020 SPA discussed below, we repaid principal and interest of $198,375 on this June 18, 2020 Note.

Upon the Holder’s provision of notice to the Company of the occurrence of any Event of Default, which has not been cured within five calendar days as provided in the Amortization Note, the Amortization Note shall become immediately due and payable and the Company shall pay to the Holder, in full satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, an amount equal to the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued interest multiplied by 125% (the “Default Amount”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 15% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law. The Company shall have the right to pay the Default Amount in cash at any time, provided, however that the Holder may convert the Amortization Note into the Company’s common stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% contained in the Amortization Note) at any time after the date that is five calendar days after the Amortization Note becomes immediately due and payable as a result of an Event of Default until the Company has repaid the Amortization Note in cash. If the aforementioned event occurs, the conversion price will be equal to the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the respective conversion. The Company intends to repay the Amortization Note in accordance with its terms so that no amount under the Amortization Note is converted into shares of the Company’s common stock.

While any portion of this Note is outstanding, if the Company receives cash proceeds of more than $2,000,000.00 (the “Minimum Threshold”) in the aggregate from public offerings or private placements to investors, the Company shall, within two business days of Company’s receipt of such proceeds, inform the Holder of such receipt, following which the Holder shall have the right in its sole discretion to require the Company to immediately apply up to 50% of all proceeds received by the Company after the Minimum Threshold is reached to repay the outstanding amounts owed under this Note.

August 7, 2020 Self-Amortization Promissory Note

On August 7, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) with FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC, an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “Self-Amortization Note”) with a maturity date of August 7, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $333,333. Pursuant to the terms of the Self-Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay $333,333 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum. The Self-Amortization Note carries an original issue discount of $33,333. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $300,000 in exchange for the Self-Amortization Note. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company agreed to issue 4,167 (33,333 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to the Holder as additional consideration.

The Company may prepay the Self-Amortization Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Amortization Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest with no prepayment premium). The Amortization Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Amortization Note or SPA.

The Company is required to make amortization payments to the Holder according to the following schedule:

Payment Date Payment Amount 
12/07/2020 $40,075.75 
01/07/2021 $40,075.75 
02/08/2021 $40,075.75 
03/08/2021 $40,075.75 
04/07/2021 $40,075.75 
05/07/2021 $40,075.75 
06/07/2021 $40,075.75 
07/07/2021 $40,075.75 
08/07/2021 $39,952.34 
Total: $360,558.34 

Upon the Holder’s provision of notice to the Company of the occurrence of any Event of Default, which has not been cured within five calendar days as provided in the Amortization Note, the Amortization Note shall become immediately due and payable and the Company shall pay to the Holder, in full satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, an amount equal to the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued interest multiplied by 125% (the “Default Amount”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 15% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law. The Company shall have the right to pay the Default Amount in cash at any time, provided, however that the Holder may convert the Amortization Note into the Company’s common stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% contained in the Amortization Note) at any time after the date that is five calendar days after the Amortization Note becomes immediately due and payable as a result of an Event of Default until the Company has repaid the Amortization Note in cash. If the aforementioned event occurs, the conversion price will be equal to the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the respective conversion. The Company intends to repay the Amortization Note in accordance with its terms so that no amount under the Amortization Note is converted into shares of the Company’s common stock.

While any portion of this Note is outstanding, if the Company receives cash proceeds of more than $2,000,000.00 (the “Minimum Threshold”) in the aggregate from public offerings or private placements to investors, the Company shall, within two business days of Company’s receipt of such proceeds, inform the Holder of such receipt, following which the Holder shall have the right in its sole discretion to require the Company to immediately apply up to 50% of all proceeds received by the Company after the Minimum Threshold is reached to repay the outstanding amounts owed under this Note.

November 23, 2020 Self-Amortization Promissory Note

On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “November 2020 SPA”), dated as of November 23, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), with an accredited investor (the “Holder”) pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “November Amortization Note”) with a maturity date of November 23, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $750,000. Pursuant to the terms of the November Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay to $750,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum. The Company received net proceeds of $441,375, net of original issue discount of $75,000, origination fees of $35,250, and the partial repayment of principal and interest of $198,375 on the June 18, 2020 Note. In connection with the November Amortization Note, during the first twelve months of this note, interest equal to $90,000 shall be guaranteed and earned in full as of the Effective Date, provided, however, that if the November Amortization Note is repaid in its entirety on or prior to February 23, 2021, then the interest shall be accrued on a per annum basis based on the number of days elapsed as of the repayment date from the Effective Date.

In connection with the November 23, 2020 SPA, the Company is required to issue warrants equal to 375,000 divided by the Exercise Price (as defined below) (the “Warrant Shares”) (whereby such number may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Warrant) at the Exercise Price per share then in effect. For purposes of this Warrant, the term “Exercise Price” shall mean 110% of the public offering price of the Company’s common stock under the public offering contemplated by the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company on October 23, 2020 (the “Uplist Offering”), provided, however, that if the Uplist Offering has not been consummated on or before May 23, 2021, then the Exercise Price shall mean the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on December 23, 2020, subject to adjustment as provided in the warrant (including but not limited to cashless exercise), and the term “Exercise Period” shall mean the period commencing on the earlier of (i) the date of the Company’s consummation of the Uplist Offering or (ii) May 23, 2021, and ending on the five-year anniversary thereof. In connection with the issuance of these warrants, on the initial measurement date, the relative fair value of the warrants of $157,438 was recorded as a debt discount and an increase in paid-in capital.

The Company may prepay the Amortization Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Amortization Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Amortization Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the November Amortization Note or the November 2020 SPA.

The Company is required to make amortization payments to the Holder according to the following schedule:

Payment Date Payment Amount 
2/23/2021 $84,000.00 
3/23/2021 $84,000.00 
4/23/2021 $84,000.00 
5/21/2021 $84,000.00 
6/23/2021 $84,000.00 
7/23/2021 $84,000.00 
8/23/2021 $84,000.00 
9/23/2021 $84,000.00 
10/22/2021 $84,000.00 
11/23/2021 $84,000.00 
Total: $840,000.00 

Upon the Holder’s provision of notice to the Company of the occurrence of any Event of Default, which has not been cured within five (5) calendar days (provided, however, that this cure period shall not apply to certain events of default as set forth in the November Amortization Note), the November Amortization Note shall become immediately due and payable and the Company shall pay to the Holder, in full satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, an amount equal to the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued interest multiplied by 125% (the “Default Amount”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as hereinafter defined), additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 15% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law. The Company shall have the right to pay the Default Amount in cash at any time, provided, however that the Holder may convert the November Amortization Note into the Company’s common stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% contained in the Amortization Note) at any time after the date that is five (5) calendar days after the November Amortization Note becomes immediately due and payable as a result of an Event of Default until the Company has repaid the Amortization Note in cash. If the aforementioned event occurs, the conversion price will be equal to the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the respective conversion.

The Holder shall have the right, at any time following an Uncured Default Date (as defined in this Note), to convert all or any portion of the then outstanding and unpaid principal amount and interest (including any default interest) into shares of the Company’s common stock at the Conversion Price. Following the Uncured Default Date, the Conversion Price shall equal the lesser of (i) 105% multiplied by the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock or (ii) the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock immediately preceding the date of the respective conversion (the “Conversion Price”).

Amendments to the Series A-2 Exchange Convertible Note

On or about December 20, 2018, the Company issued that certain Series A-2 exchange convertible note in the original principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Series A-2 Note”) to Maxim.

On June 18, 2020, the Company and Maxim entered into that certain first amendment to the Series A-2 Note (the “First Amendment”), pursuant to which such parties agreed to the following: (i) Maxim’s resale of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) underlying the Series A-2 Note shall be limited to 10% of the daily volume of the Common Stock on each respective trading day, (ii) the maturity date of the Series A-2 Note was extended to December 31, 2020, (iii) the principal amount of the Series A-2 Note was increased by $100,000 and (iv) the conversion price was reduced from $15.44 ($1.93 pre-reverse split) to $9.20 ($1.15 pre-reverse split).

On December 31, 2020, the Company and Maxim entered into a second amendment to the Series A-2 Note to extend the maturity date of Series A-2 Note to February 15, 2021.

February 19, 2021 12% Promissory Note and Securities Purchase Agreement

On February 19, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) dated as of February 19, 2021, with an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% promissory note (the “Note”) with a maturity date of February 19, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $1,650,000. In addition, the Company issued 10,000 shares of its common stock to the Holder as a commitment fee pursuant to the SPA. Pursuant to the terms of the Note, the Company agreed to pay to $1,650,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum (provided that the first twelve months of interest shall be guaranteed). The Note carries an original issue discount (“OID”) of $165,000. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $1,485,000 in exchange for the Note. The Company intends to use the proceeds for its operational expenses, the repayment of those certain self-amortization promissory notes previously issued to the Holder on June 18, 2020 and November 23, 2020, and the repayment of certain other existing debt obligations. The Holder may convert the Note into the Company’s common stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% in the Note) at any time at a conversion price equal to $11.50 per share.

The Company may prepay the Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Note or SPA.

The Company is required to make an interim payment to the Holder in the amount of $363,000, on or before August 19, 2021, towards the repayment of the balance of the Note.

Upon the Holder’s provision of notice to the Company of the occurrence of any Event of Default, which has not been cured within five (5) calendar days (provided, however, that this five (5) calendar day cure period shall not apply to any event of default under Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.19 of the Note), the Note shall become immediately due and payable and the Company shall pay to the Holder, in full satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, an amount equal to the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued interest multiplied by 125% (the “Default Amount”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 15% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law.

Restructuring the Ownership in Simplicity One Brasil, LTDA

In June 2020, while Simplicity One Brasil Ltda (“Simplicity One Brasil”) was preparing its initial application for purchasing a franchise in Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends, Simplicity One Brasil become aware that the 10%-ownership interest of Team One E-Sports Ltda (“Team One E-Sports”) in Simplicity One Brasil was in contravention of Riot Games’ policy that only one League of Legend esports team could be owned by an owner at one time because Team One had already submitted an application for purchasing a franchise for another League of Legend esports team. Accordingly, Simplicity One Brasil needed Team One E-Sports to divest itself of its 10%-equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil in order for Simplicity One Brasil to proceed with its franchise application. Therefore, on June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan entered into a Quota Purchase Agreement with Team One E-Sports, pursuant to which Mr. Kaplan acquired Team One Esports’ 10%-ownership equity interest for $45,000 in cash. In addition, the Company transferred a 2%-equity interest (an aggregate of 4%) to each of Laila De Braga Cavalcanti Loss and Frederico Tannure, who live in Brazil and run the operations of Simplicity One Brasil, in order to comply with Riot Games’ policy requiring local ownership in Brazil in order to apply for a franchise of a league of legends sports team. Furthermore, on June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan agreed to forgive the debt of the Kaplan Promissory Note with a principal balance of $90,000 in exchange for the Company assigning to Mr. Kaplan a 10% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil. In light of the restructuring of the ownership interest in Simplicity One Brasil, as of April 14, 2021, the Company, Mr. Kaplan, Ms. Cavalcanti Loss, and Mr. Tannure own a 76%, 20%, 2% and 2% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil.

Recent Developments

FirstFire Global 12% Promissory Note and Securities Purchase Agreement

On March 10, 2021, the Company, entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “First Fire SPA”) dated as of March 10, 2021, with FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% promissory note with a maturity date of March 10, 2022, in the principal sum of $560,000. The Company received net proceeds of $130,606, net of OID of $56,000, net of origination fees of $8,394, and the repayment of principal and interest of $365,000 on the August 7, 2020 Note. In addition, the Company issued 3,394 shares of its common stock to the Holder as a commitment fee pursuant to the SPA. Pursuant to the terms of the Note, the Company agreed to pay to $560,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum (provided that the first twelve months of interest shall be guaranteed). The Note carries an OID of $56,000. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the First Fire SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $504,000 in exchange for the Note. The Holder may convert the Note into the Company’s common stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% in the Note) at any time at a conversion price equal to $11.50 per share.

The Company may prepay the Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Note or SPA.

The Company is required to make an interim payment to FirstFire in the amount of $123,200, on or before September 10, 2021, towards the repayment of the balance of the Note.

Upon FirstFire’s provision of notice to the Company of the occurrence of any Event of Default, which has not been cured within five (5) calendar days (provided, however, that this five (5) calendar day cure period shall not apply to any event of default under Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.19 of the Note), the Note shall become immediately due and payable and the Company shall pay to FirstFire, in full satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, an amount equal to the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued interest multiplied by 125% (the “Default Amount”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 15% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law.

Form S-8 Registration Statement

On March 18, 2021, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 for the purpose of resale or reoffer thereof, of 18,125 shares of the Company’s common stock issued prior to the filing of such registration statement and held by the selling stockholder named therein in connection with such selling stockholder’s provision of services to the Company.

Appointment of Mr. Kaplan as Chairman, Mr. Franklin as Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Lau as Chief Financial Officer; New Executive Officer Agreements

On March 25, 2021, our board of directors appointed Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board, as Chairman of the Board, effective March 29, 2021. Also on March 25, 2021, Mr. Kaplan submitted his resignation as Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer. On the same date, our board of directors appointed Roman Franklin, our then- President and Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board, as our Chief Executive Officer, effective March 29, 2021. Also on March 25, 2021, our board of directors appointed Knicks Lau to serve as our Chief Financial Officer, effective March 29, 2021. Donald R. Caldwell, who served as Chairman of the Board until March 29, 2021, continues to serve as a member of our board of directors and as Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

In connection with Mr. Franklin’s appointment, on March 25, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated as of March 29, 2021 by and between the Company and Mr. Franklin. See “Executive Compensation—Executive Officer and Director Compensation—Executive Employment Agreements” for information regarding Mr. Franklin’s employment agreement.

In connection with Mr. Lau’s appointment, on March 23, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated as of March 29, 2021 by and between the Company and Mr. Lau. See “Executive Compensation—Executive Officer and Director Compensation—Executive Employment Agreements” for information regarding Mr. Lau’s employment agreement.

Tiger Trout SPA

On March 31, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) by and between the Company and Tiger Trout Capital Puerto Rico, LLC (“Tiger Trout”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to Tiger Trout an aggregate of 125,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) at a purchase price of $12.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $1,500,000.

The Agreement provides that the sale will occur in two tranches, as follows:

The Company agreed to issue and sell to Tiger Trout on March 31, 2021 41,667 shares of Common Stock (the “First Tranche Shares”) at a purchase price of $12.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $500,004 (the “First Tranche Purchase Price”). The closing of the purchase and sale of the First Tranche Shares is referred to herein as the “First Closing”.
Subject to the satisfaction or waiver, by the party for whose benefit such conditions exist, of the conditions to the Second Closing (as hereinafter defined), at such time and pursuant to the terms and conditions in the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell to Tiger Trout 83,333 shares of Common Stock (the “Second Tranche Shares” and together with the First Tranche Shares, the “Shares”) at a purchase price of $12.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $999,996 (the “Second Tranche Purchase Price” and together with the First Tranche Purchase Price, the “Purchase Price”). The closing of the purchase and sale of the Second Tranche Shares is referred to herein as the “Second Closing”.

In the Agreement, the Company agreed that, following the First Closing, the Company will utilize its commercially reasonable efforts to file a resale registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the resale of the Shares, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the Commission within 30 calendar days, but not more than 90 calendar days after March 31, 2021.

The Company also agreed to, among other things, (i) make and keep adequate current public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, and (ii) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents as required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144.

The obligations of Tiger Trout to consummate the Second Closing is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to: (i) the Registration Statement shall have become effective, and (ii) from March 31, 2021 to the date of the Second Closing, trading in the shares of Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission of the Company’s principal Trading Market (as defined in the Agreement), and, at any time prior to the date of the Second Closing, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such services, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shallA there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of Tiger Trout, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Second Tranche Shares at the Second Closing.

The Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the Company and the Purchaser and other customary covenants and agreements. The Agreement may be terminated by either the Company or Tiger Trout if the Second Closing has not occurred by the date that is 90 calendar days after March 31, 2021.

FMW Media Works

Effective April 1, 2021, in connection with compensation for services to be rendered, the Company issued 12,500 shares of common stock to FMW Media Works.

Maxim Note Payable

On April 14, 2021, the Company and Maxim entered into the third amendment to the Series A-2 Note with Maxim pursuant to which the Company and Maxim agreed to the following:

(i)The maturity date of the Series A-2 Note is extended to October 15, 2021.
(ii)The principal balance of the Series A-2 Note is increased by $50,000 as of April 14, 2021.
(iii)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before April 30, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $50,000.
(iv)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before May 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $50,000.

(v)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before July 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $100,000.
(vi)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before September 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $100,000, representing a total cumulative increase in the principal balance of $350,000 if the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety on or before September 15, 2021.
(vii)The Company will, within five business days after the Company’s receipt of the Second Tranche Purchase Price of $999,996, pay $500,000 to Maxim, which will reduce the principal owed under the Series A-2 Note by $500,000.

While any portion of the Series A-2 Note is outstanding, if the Company receives cash proceeds from public offerings or private placements of the Company’s common stock to investors (except with respect to proceeds from officers and directors of the Company), the Company will, within five business days of the Company’s receipt of such proceeds, inform Maxim or such receipt, following which Maxim will have the right in its sole discretion to require the Company to immediately apply up to 25% of such proceeds received by the Company to repay the outstanding amounts owed under the Series A-2 Note. The parties understand that (a) each dollar applied toward repayment pursuant to this clause (viii) will reduce the balance owed under the Series A-2 Note by one dollar, and (b) this clause (viii) will not apply to the Tiger Trout transaction

Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American Listing, Reverse Stock Split and Increase in Authorized Shares of Common Stock

We intend to list our common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. The approval of our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American is a condition of closing. If our application to the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American is not approved or we otherwise determine that we will not be able to secure the listing of the common stock and warrants, we will not complete the offering. 

In order to obtain Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American listing approval, we obtained approval of our board of directors and shareholders of (i) a reverse stock split of the outstanding shares of our common stock in the range from one-for-two (1-for-2) to one-for-ten (1-for-10), which ratio was to be selected by the board of directors and (ii) an increase in our authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000 shares of common stock.

On August 17, 2020, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000. Accordingly, our authorized capital stock consists of (i) 36,000,000 shares of common stock, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

On November 17, 2020, our board of directors approved the reverse stock split in a ratio of 1-for-8 and on November 17, 2020, we filed an amended and restated certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, implementing the reverse stock split in a ratio of 1-for-8, effective November 19, 2020; provided, however, the reverse stock split became effective for trading purposes on November 20, 2020 when it had been processed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The reverse stock split is intended to allow us to meet the minimum share price requirement of the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American.

Employees

As of April 14, 2021, we had 9 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. None of our employees is represented by a union. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

Legal Proceedings

On August 5, 2020, a lawsuit styled Duncan Wood v. PLAYlive Nation, Inc. and Simplicity eSports and Gaming Company (Case No. 20-1043) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges unlawful failure to make timely and reasonable payment of wages, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages for compensation alleged to be owed, treble damages, interest on all wage compensation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other relief as the Court deems just and proper. On October 30, 2020 Duncan Wood and Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company executed a mutual General Release and the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.

From time to time, we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. To the knowledge of our management, there are no legal proceedings currently pending against us which we believe would have a material effect on our business, financial position or results of operations and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no such legal proceedings contemplated or threatened.

Properties

Our corporate headquarters are located at 7000 W. Palmetto Park Road, Suite 505, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, where we lease approximately 250 rentable square feet of office space from an unaffiliated third party. This lease expires on June 1, 2022. Terms of the office lease provide for a base rent payment of $800 per month. In total we lease approximately 28,000 rentable square feet of retail and office space from unaffiliated third parties in eleven locations in Florida, Oregon, Texas, California, Montana, and Washington State for our corporate offices and gaming centers. These leases expire at various times, with the first expiration being May of 2022 and the last being July of 2030. Terms of the office and retail leases currently provide for aggregate base rent payments of approximately $30,000 per month with annual price escalations. We believe that these facilities are adequate for our current and near-term future needs.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References in this prospectus to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, formerly known as Smaaash Entertainment Inc. and prior to that as I-AM Capital Acquisition Company. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

 

We are a global esports organization, with an established brand, that is capitalizing on the growth in esports through three business units, Simplicity One Brasil Ltda (“Simplicity One”), Simplicity Esports, LLC (“Simplicity Esports LLC”) and PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (“PLAYlive”). We believe that we are the only SEC reporting-completely integrated-esports company that owns a League of Legends franchise. Additionally, we have neither engagedthe largest network of corporate and franchisee owned esports gaming centers in any operations norNorth America.

Our Esports Teams

We own and manage numerous professional esports teams domestically and internationally. Revenue is generated anyfrom prize winnings, corporate sponsorships, advertising, league subsidy payments and potential league revenue sharing payments from the publishers of video games.

Domestic Esports Teams – Simplicity Esports LLC

Through our wholly owned subsidiary Simplicity Esports LLC, we own and manage numerous professional esports teams competing in games such as Overwatch, Apex Legends, Heroes of the Storm and more. We are committed to growing and enhancing the esports industry, fostering the development of amateurs to compete professionally and signing established professional gamers to support their paths to greater success.

International Esports Team - Simplicity One Brasil

Since January 2020, through our 76% owned subsidiary Simplicity One Brasil, we manage Flamengo eSports, one of the leading Brazilian League of Legends® teams. Flamengo eSports was established in 2017 as the Esports division of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, a successful Brazilian sports organization, with over 30 million followers across social media accounts, known for its world-famous soccer team. Flamengo eSports’ League of Legends® team won the CBLoL Championship in September 2019, which qualified the team to compete at the 2019 League of Legends® World Championship in Europe as one of 24 teams from 13 different regions around the world. Flamengo Esports @flaesports was ranked as the 9th most tweeted about esports organization in the world in 2020. With cost cutting steps taken during April 2020, and anticipated additional sponsorship revenue, this business unit is expected to be cash flow positive by July 2021.

Online Tournaments

In response to demand from customers for online esports tournaments which was in all likelihood triggered by the social distancing protocols attendant to the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced in March 2020 an initiative of online esports tournaments. Since March 2020, through our wholly owned subsidiary Simplicity Esports LLC, we have been holding weekly online esports tournaments.in the United States. In addition, we commenced promoting these weekly online tournaments via text messages to our database of over 400,000 paying esports gaming center customers, which we acquired in our acquisition of PLAYlive. If we can convert merely 1% of these existing customers from the PLAYlive database to play in our paid online tournaments, we anticipate this business unit may generate approximately $1 million in annual revenues. At a 5% conversion rate, this business segment may generate approximately $5 million in annual revenue. Management also intends to sell sponsorship and marketing activations for these online tournaments which would create additional revenue. We also announced our initiative to offer play at home online tournaments in Brazil in June 2020.

Our Gaming Centers

As of April 14, 2021, we have 33 location, 15 corporate and 18 fully constructed franchise locations, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, throughout the U.S., giving casual gamers the opportunity to play in a social setting with other members of the gaming community. In addition, aspiring and established professional gamers have an opportunity to compete in local and national esports tournaments held in our gaming centers for prizes, notoriety, and potential contracts to play for one of our professional esports teams. In this business unit, revenue is generated from franchise royalties, the sale of game time, memberships, tournament entry fees, birthday party events, corporate party events, concessions and gaming-related merchandise.

Our business plan encompasses a brick and click physical and digital approach to further recognize revenue from all verticals, which we believe to be unique in the industry. The physical centers, together with our esports teams, lifestyle brand and marketing campaigns offer opportunities for additional revenue via strategic partnerships with both endemic and non-endemic brands. Our ultimate goal is to further engage a diverse fan base with a 360-degree approach driving traffic to both our digital platform, tournaments (online and in-person) and physical real estate to maximize the monetization opportunities with these relationships. In addition, we have proprietary intellectual capital, fan engagement strategies and brand development blueprints which complement our publicly available information.

Optimally, the esports gaming centers of Simplicity Esports LLC (“Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers”) will measure between 1,200 and 2,000 square feet, with dozens of gaming stations. The Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers will feature cutting edge technology, futuristic aesthetic décor and dynamic high-speed gaming equipment. We believe our brick-and-click strategy will present attractive opportunities for sponsors and advertisers to connect with our audience, creating an intriguing monetization opportunity for sponsors and advertisers. Currently we operate approximately 80,000 square feet of retail space in desirable, high traffic locations.

Creating content that engages fans, sponsors and developers, while promoting our brand is one of our primary goals. Our talented team will continue to produce unique in-depth content which showcases aspects of esports for fans. We seek to reach a broad demographic encompassing the casual, amateur and professional gaming community. Our philosophy is to enhance our footprint for both endemic and non-endemic partnerships. We believe we possess a deep perception of our markets and understand the new age of branding while maintaining authenticity to the gaming community that comprises our fan base.

As a result of COVID-19 (discussed below), all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers on May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 14, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. See “Risk Factors—Public health epidemics or outbreaks, such as COVID-19, could materially and adversely impact our business.”

The 11 franchise owned gaming centers that we have acquired to date generated over $2 million of revenue in 2019. We project a total of 17 corporate owned gaming centers by fiscal year end 2021 and accordingly expect annual revenues to date. increase in 2021.

Corporate Gaming Centers

Through our subsidiary entities, we currently operate 15 corporate-owned retail Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers, one of which was acquired during the third fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2021. Furthermore, we have engaged a national tenant representation real estate broker to assist in the strategic planning and negotiations for our future Simplicity Esports Gaming Center locations. We contemplate that new Simplicity Esports Gaming Centers will be funded by us as well as a combination of tenant improvement allowances from landlords and sponsorships. As announced in June 2020, we are in discussions with multiple commercial property owners regarding their desire to have us open 8,000 to 12,000 square foot MEGA centers at their properties. There are multiple locations available to us with a percentage of gross sales rent lease structure (as opposed to fixed rent payments), and construction funds offered by the landlord to assist with the build out and equipping of our planned MEGA centers. These MEGA centers are planned as hubs in our hub and spoke model that will see smaller corporate and franchisee owned gaming centers as spokes connected to MEGA centers as hubs for larger events and tournaments.

Franchised Gaming Centers

Due to interest from potential franchisees, we have launched a franchising program to accelerate the expansion of our planned nationwide footprint. We sell specific franchise territories, through our wholly owned subsidiary PLAYlive, and assist with the establishment and buildout of esports gaming centers to potential business owners that desire to use our branding, infrastructure and process to open and operate gaming centers. We currently operate 18 fully constructed franchise esports gaming centers. Franchise revenue is generated from the sale of franchise territories, supplying furniture, equipment and merchandise to the franchisees for buildout of their centers, a gross sales royalty fee and a national marketing fee. We license the use of our branding, assist in identifying and negotiating commercial locations, assist in overseeing the buildout and development, provide access to proprietary software for point of sale, inventory management, employee training and other HR functions. Franchisees also have an opportunity to participate in our national esports tournament events, and benefit from the growing profile of our professional esports teams. Once an esports gaming center is opened, we provide operational guidance, support and use of branding elements in exchange for a monthly royalty fee calculated as 6% of gross sales. On January 1, 2020, we implemented a national marketing fee of 1% of gross sales. To date, we have sold five of these franchise territories. COVID-19 travel restrictions caused us to suspend the sale of new franchise territories from April 1, 2020 until October 1, 2020. During these nine months, a pipeline of interested applicants has accumulated, and we anticipate new franchise territory sales over the next 12 months as a result.

The combination of the esports gaming centers, owned or franchised by our wholly owned subsidiaries Simplicity Esports LLC or PLAYlive, provides us with what we believe is one of the largest footprint of esports gaming centers in North America. Over the next 12 months, existing PLAYlive esports gaming centers will be rebranded to Simplicity Esports gaming centers. All newly opened franchise esports gaming centers will be branded as Simplicity Esports gaming centers and have numerous gaming PC’s. All gaming centers in our footprint will be participating venues in our national esports tournaments.

Franchise Roll Up Strategy

We began implementing a franchise roll-up strategy in July 2020 as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19 related stay at home orders, and the disruption it caused to the commercial real estate market. The reduction in revenues for some franchisees because of stay-at-home orders, and government mandates to remain closed created significant accrued rent payments due to landlords. We have been able to come to terms with many franchisees to acquire the assets of their gaming centers and make them corporate owned. We have simultaneously negotiated new leases with some of the largest national mall chains, including Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, and are in the process of negotiating additional locations with other landlords. The new leases involve significant reductions in or elimination of fixed rent and the addition of percentage of revenues rent terms. To date, we have signed 13 letters of intent and executed definitive agreements for 11 of those locations during fiscal year 2021. We anticipate closing the remaining acquisitions during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2021. We expect each of these locations to be profitable as a result of the significant reduced rent expense via the percentage rent structure.

Our Stream Team

The Simplicity Esports LLC and Flamengo Esports stream teams encompasses over 20 commentators (commonly known as “casters”), influencers and personalities who connect to a dedicated fan base. Our electric group of live personalities represent our organization to the fullest with their own unique style. We are proud to support and present a diverse group of gamers as we engage fans across a multiple of esports genres. Our Twitch affiliation has enabled our stream team influences to reach a broad fan base. Additionally, we have created several niches within the streaming community which has enabled us to engage fans within certain titles on a 24/7 basis. Our notoriety in the industry is evidenced by our audience that views millions of minutes of Simplicity Esports’ and Flamengo Esports’ content monthly, via various social media outlets including YouTube, Twitter and Twitch. Through Simplicity Esports LLC, we have begun to implement a unique approach to ensure the ultimate fan friendly esports experience. Our intention is to have gamers involved at the grassroots level and feel a sense of unity as we compete with top class talent. Our management and players are known within the esports community and we plan to use their skills to create a seamless content creation plan helping gamers feel closer to our brand than any other in the industry.

Our Financial Position

For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019, we generated revenues of $861,410 and $37,995, respectively, and reported net losses of $2,665,779 and $3,565,272, respectively, and negative cash flow from operating activities of $1,522,486 and $1,395,255, respectively. For the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, we generated revenues of $925,626 and $700,792 and reported net losses of $4,671,520 and $1,261,979, respectively, and negative cash flow from operating activities of $686,681 and $1,166,267, respectively. As noted in our consolidated financial statements, as of February 28, 2021, we had an accumulated deficit of $10,782,438. We sold five franchise territories during the year ended May 31, 2020 for a net total of $188,000. Due to franchise accounting rules, this $188,000 does not appear on our consolidated financial statements as revenue helping to reduce the reported loss. Franchise territory sales are recorded as deferred revenue recognized over the 10-year life of the franchise agreements after the franchise has opened. There is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern as a result of our historical recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations as well as our dependence on private equity and financings. See “Risk Factors—We have a history of operating losses, our management has concluded that factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit report for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 and 2019.”

Results of Operations

Our only activities from April 17, 2017 (date of inception) through August 31,November 20, 2018 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the IPO,initial public offering, which was consummated on August 22, 2017, and identifying a target company for a business combination. Following the IPO,initial public offering through and after our business combination, we havehad not generated any operating revenues.

Following the acquisition of Simplicity Esports, LLC the Company began generating revenue and incurring additional expenses.

Summary of Statement of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020:

Revenue

For the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, revenues and will not until afterconsisted of the completion offollowing:

  For the Three Months Ended  For the Nine Months Ended 
  February 28, 2021 and
February 29,
2020
  February 28, 2021 and
February 29,
2020
 
Revenues                
Franchise royalties and license fees $31,901  $140,209  $149,596  $387,221 
Franchise termination revenue  18,141   44,984   79,522   44,984 
Company-owned stores sales  319,125   105,070   563,854   154,713 
Esports revenue  59,312   90,538   132,654   113,874 
                 
Total Revenues $428,479  $380,801  $925,626  $700,792 

For the three months ended February 28, 2021, our business combination. We have generated $764,052 through August 31, 2018 of non-operating income in the form of interest income. We expect to incurrevenues increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance)by $47,678, or 12.5%, as wellcompared to the three months ended February 29, 2020. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Company-owned stores offset by a decrease in franchise royalties and license fees. For the nine months ended February 28, 2021, our revenues increased by $224,834, or 32.1%, as forcompared to the nine months ended February 29, 2020. The increase was primarily due diligence expenses.to the acquisition of the Company-owned offset by a decrease in franchise royalties and license fees. Our revenue has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which caused franchisee business closures.

Cost of Goods Sold

 

For the three months ended August 31, 2017, we had net incomeFebruary 28, 2021, our cost of $3,222, which consistsgoods sold decreased by $106,257 or 49.5% as compared to the three months ended February 29, 2020. For the nine months ended February 28, 2021, our cost of goods sold decreased by $131,958 or 37.9% as compared to the nine months ended February 29, 2020.

Compensation and related benefits

Compensation and related benefits the three months ended February 28, 2021 was $2,041,922 for as compared to $239,619 for the three months ended February 29, 2020, an increase of $1,802,303. The increase is primarily attributed to an increase in stock-based compensation to vendors and to employees for services rendered. Compensation and related benefits the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $2,710,747 for as compared to $678,109 for the nine months ended February 29, 2020, an increase of $2,032,638. The increase is primarily attributed to an increase in stock-based compensation to vendors and to employees for services rendered.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended February 28,2021 was $715,255 as compared to $328,334 for the three months ended February 29, 2020, an increase of $386,921. The increase is primarily related to an increase in operating costscosts. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $1,704,969 as compared to $1,014,232 for the nine months ended February 29, 2020, an increase of $10,106 offset by interest income of $13,328 on cash and marketable securities held$690,737. The increase is primarily related to an increase in the Trust Account.operating costs.

Other (Expense) Income

 

For the three months ended August 31, 2018, we hadFebruary 28, 2021, other (expense) income amounted to $(549,842) as compared to $(5,489) for the three months ended February 29, 2020, an change of $544,353. The increase in other expenses was primarily attributable to an increase of cash interest expense and accretion of debt discount.

For the nine months ended February 28, 2021, other (expense) income amounted to $(965,075) as compared to $77,883 for the nine months ended February 29, 2020, a change of $(1,042,958). The increase in other (expense)income was primarily attributable to an increase of cash interest expense and the accretion of debt discount.

Net Loss

Net loss for the three months ended February 28, 2021 was $2,986,727 as compared to a net loss of $4,311, which consists$407,085 for the three months ended February 29, 2020, an increase of operating$2,579,642. Net loss for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $4,671,520 as compared to $1,261,979 for the nine months ended February 29, 2020, an increase of $3,409,541.

Summary of Statement of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2020 and 2019:

Revenue

We generated $861,410 of revenue for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 as compared to $37,995 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019.

Franchise royalties, franchise termination revenue and company-owned stores sales, totaling $697,049, started in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 with the acquisition of PLAYlive and the conversion of two franchises into company owned stores. In addition, Esports revenue was $164,361 during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, up from $37,995 in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019. This increase was due to inclusion of the full year of operations of Simplicity Esports LLC as well as the addition of Simplicity One Brazil in January 2020.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 totaled $422,539. There was no cost of goods sold in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019. Cost of goods sold in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 was related to brokerage commissions for franchises, royalty fees, title licensing costs, player and team expenses related to esports revenues and cost of $246,661gaming system and store fixtures merchandise sold to franchisees.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 totaled $3,170,992, a $1,182,197 decrease from the $4,353,189 of general and administrative expense in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019. This change was caused by a reduction in legal fees of approximately $2,997,000, offset by increases in payroll related costs ($596,000), an increase in rent expense ($141,000) and an increase in stock-based compensation ($783,000). The legal fees in the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019 were related to the merger transaction between Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company and Simplicity Esports, LLC.

Other income (expense)

Other income during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 consisted of debt forgiveness income ($93,000), interest income of $242,350 on cash($3,000), rebate income ($2,000) and marketable securities heldinterest expense ($32,000). The debt forgiveness income in the Trust Account.fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 was related to the forgiveness of the sponsor loan and related accrued interest. Other income during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019 consisted of debt forgiveness income ($369,000), interest income ($404,000) and interest expense ($23,000). The debt forgiveness income during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019 was related to renegotiation of the Series A-2 Note. Interest income during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019 was earned on the trust account balance which was included in the merger transaction. The trust account balance was then used to pay common stock redemption debt in February 2019.

 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

As part of the conversion of two franchises into company-owned stores, the original franchisees retained a 21% interest in the stores. As such, a portion of the net loss incurred during the year is allocated to those parties. There was no non-controlling interest during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its needs for cash requirements. We had cash of $571,970 and $160,208 as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively.

Our primary uses of cash have been for salaries, fees paid to third parties for professional services, computer and internet expenses, and general and administrative expenses. We have received funds from the sales of franchises, from licensing fees, from Company-owned stores sales, and from various financing activities such as from the sale of our common shares and from debt financings. The completion offollowing trends are reasonably likely to result in changes in our liquidity over the IPO and simultaneous Private Placement, inclusive of the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option, generated gross proceedsnear to the Company of $54,615,000. Related transaction costs amounted to approximately $3,838,000, consisting of $3,360,000 of underwriting fees, including $1,820,000 of deferred underwriting commissions payable (which are held in the Trust Account) and $478,000 of IPO costs.long term:

 

An increase in working capital requirements to finance our current business,
Addition of administrative and sales personnel as the business grows;
The cost of being a public company;
Marketing expense for building brand; and
Capital requirements for the development of store locations.

Following the IPO and the underwriter’s partial exercise of the over-allotment option, a total of $55,740,000 was placed in the Trust Account and we had $552,190 of cash held outside of the Trust Account, after payment of all costs related to the IPO.


As of August 31, 2018, we had cash and marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $53,119,511, substantially all of which is invested in U.S. treasury bills with a maturity of 180 days or less. Interest income earned on the balance in the Trust Account may be available to us to pay taxes. Since inception, we have withdrawn $695,523 of interest incomeraised proceeds from the Trust Account.sale of common shares and from debt to fund our operations.

 

AsThe following table shows a summary of Augustour cash flows for the years ended May 31, 2018, we had cash of $355,828 held outside the Trust Account, which is available for use by us to cover the costs associated with identifying a target business including Smaaash Private, negotiating a business combination, due diligence procedures2020 and other general corporate uses. In addition, as of August 31, 2018, we had accrued expenses of $182,807.2019.

  Fiscal Years Ended
May 31,
 
  2020  2019 
Net cash used in operating activities $(1,522,486) $(1,395,255)
Net cash used in investing activities  (138,068)  (195,824)
Net cash provided by financing activities $280,604  $2,673,174 
Net increase (decrease) in cash $(1,379,950) $1,082,095)
Cash - beginning of the period $1,540,158  $458,063 
Cash - end of the period $160,208  $1,540,158 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities:

 

For the three monthsfiscal year ended AugustMay 31, 2018,2020, cash used in operating activities amounted to $120,527,$1,522,486, mainly resulting from accrued expensesa net loss of $119,228,$2,665,779 and non-cash debt forgiveness income of $93,761, offset by interest earned on marketable securities heldstock issued for services of $171,676 and depreciation and amortization charges of $268,540. Changes in our operating liabilities and assets provided $656,189 of cash. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019, cash used in operating activities amounted to $1,395,256, mainly resulting from a net loss of $3,565,272, offset by stock issued for services of $2,170,110. Changes in our operating liabilities and assets generated cash of $532,120.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities:

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, cash used in investing activities amounted to $138,068, mainly resulting from the purchase of property and equipment of $163,472, offset by $26,180 of cash acquired in the Trust Accountacquisition of $242,350.PLAYlive Nation. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019, cash used in investing activities amounted to $195,824, mainly resulting from a write off of a cost method investment of $150,000 and the purchase of property and equipment of $122,529, offset by $75,930 of cash acquired in the acquisition of Simplicity Esports, LLC.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities:

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, cash provided from financing activities amounted to $280,604, mainly resulting from the sale of private units of $112,700 and the net effect of the issuance of notes payable of $192,048. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019, cash provided from financing activities amounted to $2,673,175, mainly resulting from the sale of common stock of $1,925,000 and the net effect of the settlement of the redeemable common stock obligation of $736,000.

The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020.

  Nine months ended February 28, 2021  Nine months ended February 29, 2020 
Net cash used in operating activities $(686,681) $(1,166,267)
Net cash used in investing activities  (2,879)  (138,068)
Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities $1,101,322  $(144
Net increase (decrease) in cash $411,762  $(1,304,479)
Cash - beginning of the period $160,208  $1,540,158 
Cash - end of the period $571,970  $235,679 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities:

Net cash flow used in operating activities for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $686,681 as compared to $1,166,267 for the nine months ended February 29, 2020, a decrease of $479,586 or 41.1% The decrease is primarily attributable to cash flows from related to the acquisition of the Company-owned stores offset by the decrease in franchise royalties and fees.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities:

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $2,879 as compared to $138,068 for the nine months ended February 29, 2020, a decrease of $135,189 or 97.9%. The decrease is primarily attributable to purchase of property, plant and equipment for the nine months ended February 29, 2020.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities:

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $1,101,322 and compared to net cash used in financing activities of $144 for the nine months ended February 29, 2020, an increase of $1,101,467. The increase is primarily attributed to proceeds from note payable offset by repayment of note payable.

 

We intend to use substantially all the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and up to a maximum of $600,000 of working capital released to us) and excluding deferred underwriting commissions) to complete our initial business combination. We may withdraw interest to pay taxes and up to $600,000 for working capital expenses, if any. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses (as well as pay personnel and advisors to do the forgoing), structure, negotiate and complete a business combination, and to pay taxes to the extent the interest earned on the trust account is not sufficient to pay our taxes.

In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial Business Combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment.

We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimates of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our Business Combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our Business Combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our Public Shares upon completion of our Business Combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our Business Combination. In the current economic environment, it has become especially difficult to obtain acquisition financing. If we are unable to complete our initial Business Combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following our initial Business Combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.

 

Off-balance sheet financing arrangements

 

We have no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.

 


Going Concern

The Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that it will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business.

As reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit, working capital deficit of and a net loss of $10,782,438, $2,846,542 and $4,671,520, respectively, as of and for the nine months ended February 28, 2021. Management believes that these matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the issuance date of this report.

The Company has commenced operations and has begun to generate revenue; however, the Company’s cash position may not be sufficient to support the Company’s daily operations. Management intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering. While the Company believes in the viability of its strategy to generate sufficient revenue and in its ability to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan and generate sufficient revenue and its ability to raise additional funds by way of a public or private offering.

The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.

Because COVID-19 infections have been reported throughout the United States, certain federal, state and local governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders, proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. As a result, all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers on May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 14, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. Although our franchise agreements with franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers require a minimum monthly royalty payment to us from the franchisees regardless of whether the franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers are operating, a limited number of the franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers have defaulted on their obligations to pay their minimum monthly royalty payment to us. This has resulted in either an increase in accounts receivables or a bad debt expense where account receivables are no longer collectible due to franchisee’s inability to pay the minimum monthly royalty payments owed by the franchisee. We have not written off as bad debt any accounts receivables attributable to franchisee minimum monthly royalty payments owed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of February 28, 2021, we have recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $139,867, as our collection efforts are ongoing. We have experienced an increase in our gross account receivables by approximately $73,000, $47,000, $44,000, and $237,700 during the quarters ended May 31, 2020, August 31, 2020, November 30, 2020 and February 28, 2021, respectively. Notwithstanding it is unclear exactly how much of the increase in accounts receivables is attributable to the impact of COVID-19. We have waived the minimum monthly royalty payment obligations from July 2020 through present day and are instead billing the franchisees a true-up of 6% of gross sales without a minimum. We continue to assess possible similar accommodations to the franchisees in light of the impact of COVID-19.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption, reduced customer traffic and reduced operations. Any resulting financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The measures taken to date adversely impacted the Company’s business during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and will potentially continue to impact the Company’s business. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.

Contractual obligations

 

We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than anexcept as follows:

Attorney Settlement Agreement

In March of 2019, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with its prior attorney. The settlement agreement called for $200,000 to paybe paid upon signing the sponsorsettlement agreement and then another approximate $525,000 to be paid over time. As of April 14, 2021, the Company owes this attorney approximately $250,000.

Maxim Settlement Agreement

On November 20, 2018, the Company entered into a monthly fee of $10,000settlement and release agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) with Maxim, the underwriter for office space, utilities and administrative support providedthe Company’s IPO. Pursuant to the Company. We began incurring these fees onSettlement Agreement, the Company made a cash payment of $20,000 to Maxim and issued a demand secured promissory note in favor of Maxim in the amount of $1.8 million (the “Note”) to settle the payment obligations of the Company under the underwriting agreement dated August 16, 2017, by and will continuebetween the Company and Maxim. The Company also agreed to incur these fees monthly untilremove the earlierrestrictive legends on an aggregate of 6,500 (52,000 pre-reverse split) shares of its common stock held by Maxim and its affiliate. The Note was surrendered and exchanged pursuant to the securities exchange agreement described below.

Maxim Exchange Agreement

On December 20, 2018, the Company entered into a securities exchange agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) with Maxim. Pursuant to the terms of the completionExchange Agreement, Maxim agreed to surrender and exchange the Note in the amount of $1.8 million which was issued to Maxim pursuant to the Settlement Agreement (discussed immediately above). In exchange, the Company issued to the Maxim a Series A-1 Exchange Convertible Note in the principal amount of $500,000 (the “Series A-1 Note”) and a Series A-2 Exchange Convertible Note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Series A-2 Note,” and collectively with Series A-1 Note, the “Exchange Notes”).

As of December 31, 2018, upon the closing of the Business Combination orSimplicity Esports Acquisition, the Series A-1 Note automatically converted into 24,206 (193,648 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s liquidation.common stock.

 

The Series A-2 Note bears interest at 2.67% per annum, payable quarterly and has a maturity date of June 20, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”). The Company may pay the interest in cash or at its sole discretion, in shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. However, the Company may only pay the interest in shares of its common stock if (i) all the equity conditions specified in the note (“Equity Conditions”) have been met (unless waived by the Holder in writing) during the 20 trading days immediately prior to the interest payment date (“Interest Notice Period”), (ii) the Company has provided proper notice pursuant to the terms of the note and (iii) the Company has delivered to the Holder’s account certain number of shares of its common stock to be applied against such interest payment prior to (but no more than five trading days before) the Interest Notice Period.

The Series A-2 Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock (“Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $15.44 ($1.93 pre-reverse split) per share, subject to adjustment for any stock dividends and splits, rights offerings, distributions, combinations or similar transactions. Upon the Maturity of the Series A-2 Note, the conversion price will be automatically adjusted to the lower of (i) the conversion price then in effect and (ii) the greater of the arithmetic average of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock in the five trading days prior to the notice of conversion and $4.00 ($0.50 pre-reverse split). The Holder may convert the Series A-2 Note at any time, in whole or in part, provided that upon receipt of a notice of conversion from the Holder, the Company has the right to repay all or any portion of the Series A-2 Note included in the notice of conversion.

Additionally, the Series A-2 Note will automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock on the Maturity Date provided that (i) no event of default then exists, and (ii) each of the Equity Conditions have been met (unless waived in writing by the Holder) on each trading day during the 20 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the automatic conversation date.

At any time prior to the Maturity Date, the Company may also elect to redeem some or all of the outstanding principal amount for cash in an amount (the “Optional Redemption Amount”) equal to the sum of (a) 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the note, (b) accrued but unpaid interest and (c) all liquidated damages and other amounts due in respect of the note (the “Optional Redemption”). The Company may only effect an Optional Redemption if each of the Equity Conditions have been met (unless waived in writing by the Holder) on each trading day during the period commencing on the date when the notice of the Optional Redemption is delivered to the date of the Optional Redemption and through and including the date payment of the Optional Redemption Amount is actually made in full.

Except as otherwise provided in the Series A-2 Note, including, without limitation, an Optional Redemption, the Company may not prepay any portion of the principal amount of the note without the prior written consent of the Holder.

The Company is not permitted to convert any portion of the Series A-2 Note if doing so results in the Holder beneficially owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock of the Company after giving effect to such conversion, provided that on 61 days’ prior written notice from the Holder to the Company, that percentage may increase to 9.99%. However, if there is an automatic conversion, and the conversion would result in the Company issuing a number of shares in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation, then any such shares in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation will be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the beneficial ownership limitation, at which time or times the Holder will be issued such shares to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation.

The Series A-2 Note contains restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to repay or repurchase any indebtedness, make distributions on or repurchase its common stock or enter into transactions with its affiliates.

On June 18, 2020, the Company and Maxim entered into that certain first amendment to the Series A-2 Note (the “First Amendment”), pursuant to which such parties agreed to the following: (i) Maxim’s resale of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) underlying the Series A-2 Note shall be limited to 10% of the daily volume of the Common Stock on each respective trading day, (ii) the maturity date of the Series A-2 Note was extended to December 31, 2020, (iii) the principal amount of the Series A-2 Note was increased by $100,000 and (iv) the conversion price was reduced from $15.44 ($1.93 pre-reverse split) to $9.20 ($1.15 pre-reverse split).

On December 31, 2020, Maxim and Simplicity executed an amendment of the Note extending the maturity date to February 15, 2021.

On April 14, 2021, the Company and Maxim entered into the third amendment to the Series A-2 Note with Maxim pursuant to which the Company and Maxim agreed to the following:

(i)The maturity date of the Series A-2 Note is extended to October 15, 2021.
(ii)The principal balance of the Series A-2 Note is increased by $50,000 as of April 14, 2021.
(iii)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before April 30, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $50,000.
(iv)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before May 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $50,000.
(v)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before July 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $100,000.
(vi)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before September 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $100,000, representing a total cumulative increase in the principal balance of $350,000 if the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety on or before September 15, 2021.
(vii)The Company will, within five business days after the Company’s receipt of the Second Tranche Purchase Price of $999,996, pay $500,000 to Maxim, which will reduce the principal owed under the Series A-2 Note by $500,000.

While any portion of the Series A-2 Note is outstanding, if the Company receives cash proceeds from public offerings or private placements of the Company’s common stock to investors (except with respect to proceeds from officers and directors of the Company), the Company will, within five business days of the Company’s receipt of such proceeds, inform Maxim or such receipt, following which Maxim will have the right in its sole discretion to require the Company to immediately apply up to 25% of such proceeds received by the Company to repay the outstanding amounts owed under the Series A-2 Note. The parties understand that (a) each dollar applied toward repayment pursuant to this clause (viii) will reduce the balance owed under the Series A-2 Note by one dollar, and (b) this clause (viii) will not apply to the Tiger Trout transaction

Operating Lease

We have long-term operating lease obligations and deferred revenues related to franchise fees to be recognized over the term of franchise agreements with our franchises, generally ten years. We will begin to recognize deferred franchise fee revenue at the time a franchise commences operations. We will also recognize deferred franchise fee revenue upon completing acquisitions of franchisee owned gaming centers and converting them to corporate owned centers.

In February 2019, the Company entered into a 5-year operating lease in Boca Raton, Florida in connection with the opening of its first gaming center. Rent is approximately $2,300 per month for the first year and contains customary escalation clauses. In June of 2019, the Company entered into a 5-year operating lease for its corporate office, rent is approximately $700 per month. In August of 2019, the Company opened its second gaming center and in connection with this gaming center entered into a 5-year operating lease in Deland, Florida. Rent is approximately $2,500 per month for the first year and contains customary escalation clauses. On June 26, 2020, the Company entered into a 10-year operating lease in El Paso, Texas for a corporate gaming center in Fort Bliss. It is a percentage rent lease (without a base rent) which provides for the (i) first and second year of the lease, the rent would be 10% of gross sales of such gaming center per year, (iii) third fourth and fifth year of the lease, the rent would be 12% of gross sales of such gaming center per year, and (iv) sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth year of the lease, the rent would be 14% of the gross sales of such gaming center per year.

The gaming center acquisitions that occurred in the current period were also complimented by the signing of new lease agreements with the landlords. The leases consist of rent payments to be made as a percentage of each gaming center’s gross sales with a minimum floor payment ranging between $1,000 and $3,000 monthly, representing 50-80% reductions in rent expense from prior leases that were in force while the gaming centers were owned by franchisees.

Future base lease payments under the non-cancelable operating lease related to Gaming Centers at February 28, 2021 are as follows:

Years Ending May 31, Amount 
2021 $101,854 
2022  411,278 
2023  391,832 
2024  373,870 
2025  330,017 
2026  110,000 
Total minimum non-cancelable operating lease payments  1,718,851

Debt Obligations

For a detailed description of debt obligations of the Company, please see “Description of Business—Debt Obligations and —Recent Developments—FirstFire Global 12% Promissory Note and Securities Purchase Agreement” on pages 53 and 59 of this prospectus, respectively.

Adoption of 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan

The board and shareholders of the Company approved of the Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) on April 22, 2020 and June 23, 2020, respectively. The 2020 Plan provides for various stock-based incentive awards, including incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, and other equity-based or cash-based awards.

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAPaccounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASC 606”). The new guidance sets forth a new five-step revenue recognition model which replaces the prior revenue recognition guidance in its entirety and is intended to eliminate numerous industry-specific pieces of revenue recognition guidance that have historically existed in GAAP. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a business or other organization will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects to receive in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires more detailed disclosures and provides additional guidance for transactions that were not addressed completely in the prior accounting guidance. The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied. Product sales occur once control is transferred upon delivery to the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods and services. Our revenue is derived from two sources, the first is from the sale of the rights to our players to third parties and second from participation and prize money awarded at gaming tournaments.

The following describes principal activities, separated by major product or service, from which the Company generates its revenues:

Company-owned Stores Sales

The Company-owned stores principally generate revenue from retail esports gaming centers, including the sale of game time to casual players on our high speed, high performance gaming stations, the sale of gaming related merchandise and accessories including controllers, collectible card games, such as Pokemon Magic the Gathering, and Yugi-Oh, registration fees from local esports tournaments and leagues, and the sale of party packages for party events. Revenues from Company-owned stores are recognized when the products are delivered, or the service is provided.

Franchise Royalties and Fees

Franchise royalties are based on six percent of franchise store sales after a minimum level of sales occur, are recognized as sales occur. Any royalty reductions, including waivers or those offered as part of a new store development incentive or as incentive for other behaviors, are recognized at the same time as the related royalty, as they are not separately distinguishable from the full royalty rate. Franchise royalties are billed on a monthly basis.

The Company recognizes initial franchise license fee revenue net of costs incurred, when the Company has performed substantially all the services required in the franchise agreement. Fees received that do not meet these criteria are recorded as deferred revenues until earned. Initial franchise fees are generally recognized once a location is opened to the public which is when management deems substantially all services required under the franchise agreements have been performed.

The Company offers various incentive programs for franchisees including royalty incentives, new restaurant opening incentives (i.e. development incentives) and other support initiatives. Royalties and franchise fees sales are reduced to reflect any royalty incentives earned or granted under these programs that are in the form of discounts.

Commissary sales are comprised of gaming equipment and supplies sold to franchised stores and are recognized as revenue upon shipment or delivery of the related products to the franchisees. Payments are generally due within 30 days.

Fees for information services, including software maintenance fees, marketing fees and website maintenance, graphic and promotion fees are recognized as revenue as such services are provided.

Esports revenue

Esports is a form of competition using video games. Most commonly, esports takes the form of organized, single player and multiplayer video game tournaments or leagues, particularly between professional players, individually or as teams. Revenues from esports competitions are recognized when the competition is completed, and prize money is awarded. Revenues earned from team sponsorships, prize winnings, league sponsorships, and from the Company’s share of league revenues are included in esports revenue.

Accounts Receivable

The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an analysis of specific customers (i.e. franchisees), taking into consideration the age of past due accounts and an assessment of the customer’s ability to pay. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance when management determines it is probable the receivable is worthless. Customer account balances with invoices dated over 90 days old are considered delinquent and considered in the allowance assessment. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and, generally, requires no collateral. As of February 28, 2021, management has recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $139,867.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of our purchase cost over the fair value of the net assets of acquired businesses. We do not amortize goodwill, but we assess our goodwill for impairment at least annually.

Intangible Assets and Impairment

Intangible assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company had intangible assets subject to amortization related to its acquisition of Simplicity Esports, LLC. These costs were included in intangible assets on our balance sheet and amortized on a straight-line basis when placed into service over the estimated useful lives of the costs, which is 3 to 10 years.

The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less that the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book value.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation and ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. All transactions in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. Equity instruments issued to employees and the cost of the services received as consideration are measured and recognized based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued and are recognized over the employees required service period, which is generally the vesting period.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which aligns accounting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees to that of employees under the existing guidance of Topic 718, with certain exceptions. This update supersedes previous guidance for equity-based payments to nonemployees under Subtopic 505-50, Equity—Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018 did not have any material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The updated guidance requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most operating leases. In addition, the updated guidance requires that lessors separate lease and non-lease components in a contract in accordance with the new revenue guidance in ASC 606. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, applying the package of practical expedients to leases that commenced before the effective date whereby the Company elected to not reassess the following: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases; and (ii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. For contracts entered into on or after the effective date, at the inception of a contract the Company assessed whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. The Company’s assessment is based on: (1) whether the contract involves the use of a distinct identified asset, (2) whether we obtain the right to substantially all the economic benefit from the use of the asset throughout the period, and (3) whether it has the right to direct the use of the asset. The Company will allocate the consideration in the contract to each lease component based on its relative stand-alone price to determine the lease payments. The Company has elected not identified any critical accounting policies.to recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a term of 12 months or less.


Operating lease ROU assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company use an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers:

 

Name Age Position
Jed Kaplan 56 Chairman and Class II Director of the Company
F. Jacob CherianRoman Franklin 5337 Chief Executive Officer and Class III Director of the Company
Suhel KanugaKnicks Lau 4339 

Chief Financial Officer Secretary and Class II Director

Donald R. Caldwell 71Chairman and Class I Director
Roman Franklin3474 Class I Director of the Company
Max Hooper 7179 Class II Director of the Company
Frank Leavy 6567 Class I Director of the Company
Edward Leonard Jaroski 7173 Class I Director of the Company
William H. Herrmann, Jr. 7274 Class II Director
Shripal Morakhia59Class II Director of the Company

 

F. Jacob Cherian,Jed Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan has been our Chairman since March 29, 2021 and a member of our board of directors since December 31, 2018. He also served as our sole Chief Executive Officer from February 8, 2019 until March 29, 2021 and as our interim Chief Financial Officer from January 18, 2019 to March 29, 2021. From December 31, 2018 to February 8, 2019, Mr. Kaplan served as our co-Chief Executive Officer. He founded and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Shearson Financial Services, a FINRA-registered broker dealer, since May 1995. As a natural leader possessing a passion for sports management, Mr. Kaplan has been involved in a wide variety of professional sports and sports management ventures. Most recently Mr. Kaplan successfully sold the NBA G League Team, Iowa Energy, to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Currently Mr. Kaplan is also a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando City Soccer Club and Swansea City of the English Championship League. Mr. Kaplan’s insight, vision and knowledge are all represented as an appointed founding member of the NBA G League leadership committee. Mr. Kaplan graduated from City University of New York in 1989 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

The Company believes Mr. Kaplan’s strong expertise in the financial services and sports management industries qualifies him to serve on its board of directors.

Roman Franklin. Mr. Franklin has been a member of our board of directors since inception.August 16, 2017 and our Chief Executive Officer since March 29, 2021. Mr. CherianFranklin served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from December 31, 2018 to March 29, 2021. Mr. Franklin was Chief Investment Officer of SMC Global USA from March 2016 until December 31, 2016, and prior, President of Franklin Financial Planning from 2005 to 2016. Mr. Franklin is alsoa 16-year veteran of the financial services industry. By the age of 22 he held FINRA Series 7, Series 66, and Life, Health, and Variable Insurance Licenses. In 2005, he founded a fee-only registered investment advisory firm. In 2008, he was one of the managing membersyoungest recipients of our Sponsor Mr. Cherian co-founded and servedthe National Association of Financial Advisors (“NAPFA”) Registered Financial Advisor (RFA) designation. In 2015, he was elected as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and directora Board Member of Millennium India from July 2006 to October 2013, completing a $58 million initial public offering in July 2006. Millennium India completed a business combination with SMC, an India-headquartered diversified financial services company with over 2,500 locations in over 500 cities in India serving approximately 1.7 million investors by acquiring a 14.9% interest in SMC. Mr. Cherian served on the NAPFA, South Region Board of Directors, overseeing more than a dozen states from Texas, to Florida, to North Carolina. Mr. Franklin has experience in domestic and international investment, and has been involved in multiple business transactions tied to India, including the sale of SMC from 2008a 50% equity stake in his wealth management business to December 2017, and also served on the Board of Directors of Moneywise Financial Services, a non-bank finance company in India, from 2008 to December 2017. From April 2004 to July 2006, Mr. Cherian served as Partner in theIndian financial services division of Computer Sciences Corporation (“CSC”), a Fortune 500 firm with approximately $15.0 billion in annual revenues.SMC. Mr. Cherian’s prior work experience includes positions as a director in New York with KPMG LLP / KPMG Consulting from October 1998 to March 2004, and JP Morgan & Co from September 1995 to September 1998 in its Fixed Income Credit Portfolio & Derivatives Division.  Mr. Cherian has extensive international experience and has relocated to, and had multi-year residences in, both Europe and India. He is frequently featured in leading publications and industry conferences for his insights on emerging trends and growth markets, and is a respected authority on South Asian and India-related affairs.  Mr. CherianFranklin holds a Bachelor of ArtsScience degree in Accounting & Information SystemsManagement from Queens College of CUNYBarry University and an MBAM.B.A. in International Finance from St. John’s University. He has also served as Adjunct Professor of Finance at the Tobin CollegeGraduate School of Business at St. John’s University’s MBA ProgramStetson University. His civic organization roles include School Advisory Council for ten years.Volusia County Schools, City of DeLand Economic Development Committee, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Central Florida.

 

We believe Mr. Cherian’s extensive executive experienceFranklin’s strong expertise in finance and leadership in global including India relatedinternational and domestic business transactions qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

 

Suhel Kanuga,Knicks Lau. Mr. Lau has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary andsince March 29, 2021. He has been a member of our board of directors since inception. Mr. Kanuga is also one of the managing members of our Sponsor. Mr. Kanuga co-founded Millennium India, completing a $58 million initial public offering in July 2006 and consummated a business combination with SMC and served at various positions including President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer and Director from March 2006 through May 2015. Mr. Kanuga also served on the Board of Directors of SAM Global Securities, prior to its amalgamation with SMC from January 2008 to February 2009. From April 2004 to July 2006, Mr. Kanuga served as Principal in the financial services division of CSC. He also held management positions at KPMG Consulting in New York from January 1999 to August 2004 and prior to that, U.S. West, Inc. Mr. Kanuga has significant international management experience, having worked with businesses across the United States, Europe and Asia. Mr. Kanuga is experienced in identifying business value, and structuring investments and acquisitions to scale up businesses. Mr. Kanuga has been interviewed in the media for his views and expertise on emerging markets/India investments and governance, and has also presented at industry conferences. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Economics from Lawrence University. 


We believe Mr. Kanuga’s deep understandingmore than 15 years of finance and international business managementaccounting experience and transactions qualifies himhe has held various positions in publicly traded entities. From July 2020 to serve on our boardMarch 2021, Mr. Lau served as Director of directors.Finance at Parkway Realty Management, LLC. From February 2020 to July 2020, he served as Director of Financial Reporting for Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE: HPP). From December 2017 to February 2020, Mr. Lau served as Controller and Executive Director of Finance and Accounting at MGM Growth Properties LLC (NYSE: MGP). From August 2013 to December 2017, he served as Vice President and Corporate Controller of Parkway Properties, Inc. and Parkway Inc. Mr. Lau started his career in public accounting, most recently with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida.

Donald R. Caldwell,Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell, who has been an independent director since August 16, 2017, and theserved as our Chairman of ourthe board of directors sincefrom August 16, 2017 to March 29, 2021, is an experienced investor, co-founded Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc., a venture capital management company, where he has served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1999. At Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc., Mr. Caldwell has raised four investment funds totaling over $500 million of committed capital and is responsible for the firm’s operations, building the investment team, and growing the Cross Atlantic franchise through fundraising, network development, and deal flow generation. Prior to founding Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. in March 1999, Mr. Caldwell was President and Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) (“Safeguard”) from 1996 to 1999, where he also previously served as Executive Vice President from 1993 to 1996. In addition to his service on our board, Mr. Caldwell currently serves on the board of directors of three publictwo companies: InsPro Technologies Corporation (OTC: ITCC) since 2008, where he serves as chairman of the board and member of the audit committee; Lightning Gaming, Inc., (a private company) since June 2015, where he serves as a director and chairman of the audit committee; and Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE: KWR) (a public company) since 1997, where he serves as lead director, as chairman of the executive committee and member of the compensation and audit committees; Mr. Caldwell was previously a member of the board of directors of Diamond Cluster International, Inc. from 1994 to 2010 and has served as a director for several private companies and non-profit organizations, including software and money management firms as well as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Committee for Economic Development. Mr. Caldwell is a Certified Public Accountant (Retired) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Babson College and a Master of Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business at Harvard University.

 

We believe Mr. Caldwell’s deep financial, entrepreneurial and business expertise and extensive experience as a member of the boards and board committees of other public companies qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

  

Roman FranklinMax Hooper., has been an independent director since August 16, 2017. Mr. Franklin has been Chief Investment Officer of SMC Global USA since March 2016, and prior, President of Franklin Financial Planning from 2005 to 2016. Roman Franklin is a 14-year veteran of the financial services industry. By the age of 22 he held FINRA Series 7, Series 66, and Life, Health, and Variable Insurance Licenses. In 2005, he founded a fee-only registered investment advisory firm. In 2008, he was one of the youngest recipients of the National Association of Financial Advisors (“NAPFA”) Registered Financial Advisor (RFA) designation. In 2015, he was elected as a Board Member of the NAPFA, South Region Board of Directors, overseeing more than a dozen states from Texas, to Florida, to North Carolina. Mr. Franklin has experience in domestic and international investment, and has been involved in multiple business transactions tied to India, including the sale of a 50% equity stake in his wealth management business to Indian financial services firm SMC. Mr. Franklin holds a Bachelor’s Science degree in Management from Barry University and an M.B.A. in Finance from the Graduate School of Business at Stetson University.  His civic organization roles include School Advisory Council for Volusia County Schools, City of DeLand Economic Development Committee, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Central Florida. 

We believe Mr. Franklin’s strong expertise in finance and international and domestic business transactions, in particular those with Indian exposure, qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Max Dr. Hooper,, who has been an independent directormember of our board of directors since August 16, 2017, serves as Managing Director of Merging Traffic, a web-based crowdsourcing portal, since September 2015 and Head of Investment Banking and Senior Vice President of Triloma Securities, a subsidiary of Triloma Financial Group LLC, since January 2016. Dr. Hooper is also the founder and owner of Partners Advisory Group and Partners Capital Group, two financial advisory firms since January 2014. Since February 2018, Dr. Hooper’s primary focus has been as Managing Director/CEO of Managing Traffic and co-owner of Triloma Financial Group. Prior to that, Dr. Hooper was co-founder of Equity Broadcasting Corporation, a media company that owned and operated more than one hundred television stations across the United States. Dr. Hooper is an accomplished entrepreneur and has started multiple businesses in technology/internet, lodging, and services industries. Dr. Hooper has served on the investment committee of several venture capital and angel funds, and has completed “work out” transactions as a Certified Debt Arbitrator representing banks and private transactions. Dr. Hooper also has prior experience with SPACs such as transaction structuring, administration, research, and execution. Dr. Hooper has earned five doctorate degrees from a variety of institutions.

 


We believe Dr. Hooper’s expertise in investment, management and mergers and acquisitions over various industries qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

 

Frank LeavyLeavy., Mr. Leavy has been an independent directormember of our board of directors since August 16, 2017. Since 2007, Mr. Leavy has been the Senior Vice President and Director of Finance and Administration for Blake’s All Natural Foods, a manufacturer of “better for you” frozen entrees. Prior to that, he held various financial officer positions at member companies of Group Rossignol, a world leading company in the winter sports industry. Specifically, he was Controller of Rossignol Ski Company from 1982 to 2006 and Vice President of Finance of Skis Dynastar, Inc. and Skis Dynastar Canada from 2000 to 2006. He also served as Chief Operating Officer at Roger Cleveland Golf Company, a subsidiary of Group Rossignol from 1999 to 2000 and was elected a director of the company from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Leavy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross and a Master of Science degree in accounting from the Graduate School of Professional Accounting at Northeastern University.

 

We believe Mr. Leavy’s extensive experience in corporate finance qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

 

Edward Leonard JaroskiJaroski., Mr. Jaroski has been an independent directormember of our board of directors since October 2017. Mr. Jaroski was the founder of Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at Capstone Asset Management Company and hashad served as its President and Chief Executive Officer since from 1987 to 2016. Mr. Jaroski has beenwas Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of various Capstone/Steward Funds in the fund complex from 1987 through 2016. Mr. Jaroski was at Tenneco Financial Services from 1981 to 1987, where he was the Executive Vice President. He started his career at Philadelphia Life Insurance Company as Manager of Investments in 1969, where he served until 1981 and also served as its Vice President of Finance. He also served as a Director of Philadelphia Life Asset Management Company. Mr. Jaroski holds the insurance industry professional designations of Chartered Life Underwriter, Charter Financial Consultant and Fellow Life Management Institute. He holds a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from Temple University.

 

We believe Mr. Jaroski’s experience in investments and asset management qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

 

William H. Herrmann, Jr., Mr. Herrmann has been an independent directormember of our board of directors since October 2017. Mr. Herrmann has over 4045 years of experience in financial services, and insurance and investment planning industries. Presently, Mr. Herrmann is the Owner of Herrmann & Associates, a financial services firm affiliated with Hudson Heritage Capital Management Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor since February 15, 2006. Mr. Herrmann has also served as an independent Director of Steward Funds, sincefrom 2011 and presently serves as it lead independent director.until 2017. Mr. Herrmann servesserved as the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and was Chairman of Steward Funds.the Contracts Committee. He previously served as the Chairman of the Contracts CommitteeIndependent Lead Director of Steward Funds.Funds Mr. Herrmann is also aan Independent Director of Church Capital Fund, where he serves as the ChairmanFund.

Mr. Herrmann is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.Advisory Committee to the Liquidation Trustee for Church Capital Fund Liquidation Trust under TMI Trust Company. Mr. Herrmann is also a Trustee of LuLu Shriners Investment Advisory Committee and the Chairman of Beta Rho Property Company. Mr. Herrmann holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Temple University, and holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from American College. Mr. Herrmann holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses as well as insurance licenses in multiple states.

We believe Mr. Herrmann’s experience in financial services and the investment planning industry qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Shripal Morakhia, is the founder of Smaaash Private which was incorporated in 2009. Mr. Morakhia is the Chief Executive Officer of Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited and is a visionary serial entrepreneur with a track record of building successful businesses. He has over 35 years of experience across stock broking, investment banking, telecom, media and entertainment and digital sectors. In 1983, Mr. Morakhia promoted India’s first home grown institutional broking and investment banking company SSKI and an e-share trading platform ShareKhan. His majority stake in SSKI was sold to IDFC Ltd in 2007 which now has a market cap of INR 85.1 billion (as on May 10, 2018) and Sharekhan was acquired by Citi Venture Capital. Mr. Morakhia is credited with being one of the first to professionalize the broking and investment banking setup in India which was unorganized at the time. In 2006, Mr. Morakhia invested in the ailing Indian heritage comic book company, Amar Chitra Katha, to revive it and also digitize the same and successfully then sold it to the Future Group in India in 2011. He also founded a children’s multi-channel network on YouTube, called Yoboho which was acquired by Broadband TV, a subsidiary of the Bertelsmann Group, in 2015. Mr. Morakhia is now fully dedicated to take the Smaaash Private brand globally. Mr. Morakhia holds a Masters in Business Administration from Wagner College, New York and has served as the Executive Assistant to the President of the New York Stock Exchange from 1981 to 1982.


We believe Mr. Morakhia’s experience with the business of Smaaash Private qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

 

Our officers and board of directors are well qualified as leaders. In their prior positions they have gained experience in core management skills, such as strategic and financial planning, public company financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and leadership development. Our officers and directors also have experience serving on boards of directors and board committees of other public companies and private companies, and have an understanding of corporate governance practices and trends, which provides an understanding of different business processes, challenges, and strategies.

 

Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors

 

Our board of directors is comprised of nine directors, divided into two classes, Class I and Class II, with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a two-year term. There are four Class I directors and five Class II directors. However, as of April 14, 2021, there are two board vacancies. The board is conducting a search for replacement directors to fill the vacancies. Once suitable replacements are found, they will serve as Class II directors.

 

Our officers are elected by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors, rather than for specific terms of office. Our board of directors is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in our bylaws as it deems appropriate. Our bylaws provide that our officers may consist of a Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of directors.

 

Board Committees and Director Independence

 

NASDAQ listing standards require thatOur common stock is presently quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “WINR.” Our warrants issued in connection with our initial public offering in August 2017 are currently listed on OTCQB under the symbol “WINRW.” Under the rules of the OTCQB, we are not required to maintain a majority of independent directors on our boardBoard of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employeeDirectors and we are not required to establish committees of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship which in the opinionBoard of Directors consisting of independent directors. However, we intend to list our common stock and our warrants (forming part of the company’s board of directors, would interfereunits offered hereby) on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. In order to list our common stock and our warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American, we are required to comply with the director’s exerciseapplicable national securities exchange’s standards relating to corporate governance, requiring, among other things, that:

A majority of our Board of Directors to consist of “independent directors” as defined by the applicable rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American, as applicable;
The compensation of our executive officers to be determined, or recommended to the Board of Directors for determination, by independent directors constituting a majority of the independent directors of the Board in a vote in which only independent directors participate or by a Compensation Committee comprised solely of independent directors;
That director nominees to be selected, or recommended to the Board of Directors for selection, by independent directors constituting a majority of the independent directors of the Board in a vote in which only independent directors participate or by a nomination committee comprised solely of independent directors; and
Establishment of an audit committee with at least three independent directors as well as composed entirely of independent directors, where at least one of the independent directors qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under SEC rules and as a financially sophisticated audit committee member under the applicable exchange rules.

Our Board of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our board of directorsDirectors has determined in its business judgment that each of Messrs. Caldwell, Leavy, Franklin, Jaroski and Herrmann and Dr. Hooper are “independent directors” as defined inis independent within the NASDAQ listing standardsmeaning of the applicable Nasdaq Capital Market and applicableNYSE American rules, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. Therefore, a majority of the members of our Board of Directors is independent.

In addition, our Board of Directors has two standing committees: an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our board of directors has two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation committee. Both our audit committee and our compensation committee are composed solely of independent directors.

 

Audit Committee

 

Messrs. Caldwell and FranklinLeavy and Dr. Hooper will serve as members of our audit committee. Mr. Caldwell serves as chairman of the audit committee. Under NASDAQNasdaq Capital Market and NYSE American listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Messrs. Caldwell, and FranklinLeavy and Dr. Hooper are independent.

 

Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Caldwell qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.

 


Responsibilities of the audit committee include:

 

 the appointment, compensation, retention, replacement, and oversight of the work of the independent auditors and any other independent registered public accounting firm engaged by us;
 
 pre-approving all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by us, and establishing pre-approval policies and procedures;
 
 reviewing and discussing with the independent auditors all relationships the auditors have with us in order to evaluate their continued independence;
 
setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors;
 setting clear policies for audit partner rotation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

 obtaining and reviewing a report, at least annually, from the independent auditors describing (i) the independent auditor’s internal quality-control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the audit firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within, the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm and any steps taken to deal with such issues;
 
reviewing and approving any related party transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC prior to us entering into such transaction; and
 reviewing with management, the independent auditors, and our legal advisors, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters, including any correspondence with regulators or government agencies and any employee complaints or published reports that raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies and any significant changes in accounting standards or rules promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

Compensation Committee

 

The members of our compensation committee are Messrs. Caldwell and FranklinJaroski and Dr. Hooper. Mr. Caldwell serves as chairman of the compensation committee. We have adopted a compensation committee charter, which details the principal functions of the compensation committee, including:

 

 reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other executive officers;
 
reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
 implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
 assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
 approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;
 
producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
 reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.

 

The charter also provides that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by NASDAQthe applicable national securities exchange and the SEC.

 

Director Nominations

We do not have a standing nominating committee. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and Section 804(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide, a majority of the independent directors may recommend a director nominee for selection by the board of directors. The board of directors believes that the independent directors can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility of properly selecting or approving director nominees without the formation of a standing nominating committee. The directors who shall participate in the consideration and recommendation of director nominees are Messrs. Caldwell, Jaroski, Leavy, and Herrmann, and Dr. Hooper. In accordance with Nasdaq Capital Market and NYSE American rules, all such directors are independent. As there is no standing nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter in place.

The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election. Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to the board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws.

We have not formerly established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We previously filed a copy of our form of Code of Ethics as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form S-1 (File 333-219251). You will be able to review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, our restated certificate provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

We have entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our third amended and restated certificate. Our bylaws also permit us to maintain insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.

Our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification we provide to our officers and directors will only be able to be satisfied by us if we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account.

These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Although our management is primarily responsible for managing our risk exposure on a daily basis, our board of directors oversees the risk management processes. Our board, as a whole, determines the appropriate level of risk for our Company, assesses the specific risks that we face, and reviews management’s strategies for adequately mitigating and managing the identified risks. Although our board administers this risk management oversight function, our audit committee supports our board in discharging its oversight duties and addresses risks inherent in its area.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes all compensation recorded by us in the past two fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 for:

our principal executive officer or other individual serving in a similar capacity, and
our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than our principal executive officer, who were serving as corporate officers as of May 31, 2020.

For definitional purposes, these individuals are sometimes referred to as the “named executive officers.”

Name and Principal Position 

Fiscal Year

Ended

 

Salary

($)

  

Bonus

($)

  

Stock Awards

($) (1)

  

Option Awards

($)

  

All Other Compensation

($)

  

Total

($)

 
Jed Kaplan, 5/31/2020 $-  $75,000(2) $311,925(3) $-   -  $386,925 
Former Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer (1) 5/31/2019 $-  $-  $72,000(3) $-   -  $72,000 
                           
Roman Franklin, 5/31/2020 $100,000  $75,000(2) $245,215(5) $-   -  $420,215 
Chief Executive Officer and Former President (4) 5/31/2019 $41,666  $-   21,600(5) $-   -  $63,266 

(1)Mr. Kaplan ceased to be an executive officer on March 29, 2021. On March 25, 2021, the Company’s board of directors appointed Mr. Kaplan as Chairman of the Board, effective March 29, 2021. Mr. Kaplan resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer effective March 29, 2021.
(2)Amounts have been accrued as of May 31, 2020.
(3)Includes the aggregate grant date fair values for all restricted stock granted to the named executive officers vested in the current fiscal year, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (“Topic 718”). Assumptions used to determine the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock include a per share grant date fair value of $4.80 ($0.60 pre-reverse split), based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock as reported on OTC Markets on March 27, 2019, the grant date. Also included herein $269,625 accrued as of May 31, 2020. Assumptions used to determine the accrued amount have been computed in in accordance with Topic 718. Assumptions used to determine the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock include a per share grant date fair values ranging from $6.96 ($0.87 pre-reverse split) to $11.20 ($1.40 pre-reverse split), based on the closing stock prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on OTC Markets on various dates.
(4)On March 25, 2021, our board of directors appointed Mr. Franklin as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective March 29, 2021. Mr. Franklin ceased to be President of the Company effective March 29, 2021.
(5)Includes the aggregate grant date fair value for all restricted stock granted to the named executive officers vested in the current fiscal year, computed in accordance with Topic 718. Assumptions used to determine the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock include a per share grant date fair value of $4.80 ($0.60 pre-reverse split), based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock as reported on OTC Markets on March 27, 2019, the grant date. Also included herein $232,615 accrued as of May 31, 2020. Assumptions used to determine the accrued amounts have been computed in in accordance with Topic 718. Assumptions used to determine the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock include a per share grant date fair values ranging from $6.96 ($0.87 pre-reverse split) to $11.20 ($1.40 pre-reverse split), based on the closing stock prices of the Company’s common stock as reported on OTC Markets on various dates.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2020 Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth information on outstanding options and stock awards on a post-reverse split basis held by the named executive officers as of May 31, 2020.

Option AwardsStock Awards
NameNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) ExercisableNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) UnexercisableOption Exercise Price ($)Option Expiration DateNumber of Shares or Units Of Stock that Have Not Vested (#)Market Value Of Shares Or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
Jed Kaplan--$N/AN/A-$N/A
Roman Franklin--$N/AN/A-$N/A

2020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table sets forth the vesting of restricted stock on a post-reverse split basis during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 for the named executive officers:

  Stock Awards 
Name Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting  Value Realized on Vesting 
Jed Kaplan  15,000  $11,913 
         
Roman Franklin  4,500  $3,574 

Executive Officer and Director Compensation

 

The Company intends to develop an executive compensation program that is consistent with its existing compensation policies and philosophies, which are designed to align compensation with our business objectives and the creation of stockholder value, while enabling us to attract, motivate and retain individuals who contribute to the long-term success of the Company.

 

Decisions on the executive compensation program will be made by the compensation committee. The following discussion is based on the present expectations as to the executive compensation program to be adopted by the compensation committee. The executive compensation program actually adopted will depend on the judgment of the members of the compensation committee and may differ from that set forth in the following discussion.

 


We anticipate that decisions regarding executive compensation will reflect our belief that the executive compensation program must be competitive in order to attract and retain our executive officers. We anticipate that the compensation committee will seek to implement our compensation policies and philosophies by linking a significant portion of our executive officers’ cash compensation to performance objectives and by providing a portion of their compensation as long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity awards.

 

We anticipate that compensation for our executive officers will have three primary components: base salary, an annual cash incentive bonus and long-term incentive compensation in the form of share-based awards, if any.

 

Base Salary

 

Our compensation committee will determine base salaries and manage the base salary review process, subject to existing employment agreements.

 

Annual Bonuses

 

We intend to use annual cash incentive bonuses for the executive officers to tie a portion of their compensation to financial and operational objectives achievable within the applicable fiscal year. We expect that, near the beginning of each year, the compensation committee will select the performance targets, target amounts, target award opportunities and other term and conditions of annual cash bonuses for the executive officers, subject to the terms of any employment agreement. Following the end of each year, the compensation committee will determine the extent to which the performance targets were achieved and the amount of the award that is payable to the executive officers.

 

On July 29, 2020, the board of directors approved a cash bonus to each of Messrs. Kaplan and Franklin in the amount of $75,000 in return for services provided during the 2020 fiscal year. Such bonuses will be deferred and paid when the Company has sufficient funds available to pay such bonuses, as to be reasonably determined by the board of directors and the respective executives.

Stock-Based Awards

 

We intend to use stock-based awards to reward long-term performance of the executive officers. We believe that providing a meaningful portion of the total compensation package in the form of stock-based awards will align the incentives of its executive officers with the interests of its stockholders and serve to motivate and retain the individual executive officers. Stock-based awards will be awarded under the Incentive Plan, which has been adopted by our Board of Directors and is being submitted to our shareholders for approval at the special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting.

 

Restricted Stock Awards

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, 15,000 (120,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine month period.

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors, 4,500 (36,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine-month period.

Each of the Restricted Stock Awards was entered into in connection with entry into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Kaplan and Franklin initially executed on December 31, 2018.

On July 29, 2020, the Board issued 41,875 (335,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Kaplan to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Kaplan 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Kaplan 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). Mr. Kaplan currently serves as our Chairman of the Board. The Kaplan 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Kaplan 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof.

On July 29, 2020, the Board also issued 34,813 (278,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Franklin to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Franklin 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Franklin 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). Mr. Franklin currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors. The Franklin 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 375 (3,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Franklin 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 782 (6,250 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof.

84

Executive Employment Agreements

 

We currently doOn December 31, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Kaplan 2018 Agreement”) with Jed Kaplan, pursuant to which the parties agreed that he will serve as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company until March 31, 2019, at which point he automatically became the sole Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Under the terms of the Kaplan 2018 Agreement, Mr. Kaplan did not have any employment agreements with our executive officers.receive a salary or other monetary compensation and in lieu thereof he will receive an equity grant of 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant.

 

Director NominationsOn July 29, 2020, the Company entered into a new employment agreement (the “Kaplan 2020 Agreement”) with Mr. Kaplan. Such employment agreement replaced the Kaplan 2018 Agreement. As a result, the Kaplan 2018 Agreement was terminated and is of no further force or effect. Pursuant to the terms of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Kaplan a monthly base salary of $5,000; provided, however, that the parties agreed that such base salary will be deferred and will accumulate until the Company has sufficient cash available to make such payments, to be reasonably determined by the Board of Directors and Mr. Kaplan, at which time all accrued and unpaid base salary will be paid. In addition, Mr. Kaplan will receive an equity grant of 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant. Mr. Kaplan will also be eligible to receive a quarterly bonus in the form of cash or an equity grant of shares and will be entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans. In addition, if, during the term of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement, the Company’s shares are approved for listing on a U.S. national securities exchange, the Company will pay Mr. Kaplan a $50,000 cash bonus, to be paid upon such listing begin effective.

 

We do not have a standing nominating committee. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(2)The term of the NASDAQ rules, a majorityKaplan 2020 Agreement is for an initial one-year term, which shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless either party provides 60 days’ advance written notice of its intention not to renew the Kaplan 2020 Agreement at the conclusion of the independent directorsthen applicable term. The term of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement may recommend a director nominee for selectionbe terminated by the Company with or without cause or by Mr. Kaplan with or without good reason, as such terms are defined therein. 

On March 25, 2021, the board of directors. Thedirectors appointed Mr. Kaplan as Chairman of the Board, effective March 29, 2021, and he ceased to be the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer.

On December 31, 2018, the Company also entered into an employment agreement (the “Franklin 2018 Agreement”) with Roman Franklin, pursuant to which the parties agreed that he will serve as the President of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Franklin 2018 Agreement, the Company agreed to that Mr. Franklin will receive (i) a monthly base salary of $8,333.33 and (ii) an equity grant of 375 (3,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant.

On July 29, 2020, the Company entered into a new employment agreement (the “Franklin 2020 Agreement”) with Mr. Franklin. Such employment agreement replaced the Franklin 2018 Agreement. As a result, the Franklin 2018 Agreement was terminated and is of no further force or effect. Pursuant to the terms of the Franklin 2020 Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Franklin a monthly base salary of $12,500; provided, however, that the parties agreed that such base salary will be deferred and will accumulate until the Company has sufficient cash available to make such payments, to be reasonably determined by the Board of Directors and Mr. Franklin, at which time all accrued and unpaid base salary will be paid. In addition, Mr. Franklin will receive an equity grant of 782 (6,250 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant. Mr. Franklin will also be eligible to receive a quarterly bonus in the form of cash or an equity grant of shares and will be entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans. In addition, if, during the term of the Franklin 2020 Agreement, the Company’s shares are approved for listing on a U.S. national securities exchange, the Company will pay Mr. Franklin a $50,000 cash bonus, to be paid upon such listing begin effective.

Each of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement and the Franklin 2020 Agreement contains customary non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for a period of one year after the termination of the executive’s employment.

On March 25, 2021, the board of directors believes thatappointed Mr. Franklin as the independent directors can satisfactorily carry outCompany’s Chief Executive Officer, effective March 29, 2021. Mr. Kaplan ceased to be the responsibilityCompany’s President on such date. Mr. Franklin continues to be a member of properly selecting or approving director nominees withoutour board of directors. In connection with Mr. Franklin’s appointment, on March 25, 2021, the formationCompany entered into an employment agreement, dated as of March 29, 2021 by and between the Company and Mr. Franklin (the “2021 Franklin Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement, in exchange for Mr. Franklin’s services, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Franklin an annual base salary of $250,000. Mr. Franklin is also eligible to receive a quarterly bonus of up to $15,000 in the form of a standing nominating committee. The directors who shall participatecash bonus and/or equity grant of shares of the Company’s common stock. Mr. Franklin’s eligibility for any bonus and the amount thereof will be determined solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Franklin’s employment and the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement may be terminated by the Company with or without Cause (as hereinafter defined), or by Mr. Franklin with or without Good Reason (as hereinafter defined). In addition, in the consideration and recommendationevent of director nominees are Messrs. Caldwell and Franklin and Dr. Hooper. In accordance with Rule 5605(e)(1)(A)Mr. Franklin’s death or total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the NASDAQ rule, allInternal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Disability”), during the term of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement, the term of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement and Mr. Franklin’s employment will terminate on the date of death or Disability.

For purposes of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement, “Cause” means, subject to the provisions of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement:

(i)Mr. Franklin’s willful failure to perform his duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness);
(ii)Mr. Franklin’s willful failure to comply with any valid and legal directive of the Board of Directors; or
(iii)Mr. Franklin’s willful engagement in gross misconduct, which is, in each case, materially injurious to the Company or its affiliates; or
(iv)Actions by Mr. Franklin constituting embezzlement, misappropriation, or fraud, whether or not related to Mr. Franklin’s employment with the Company; or
(v)Mr. Franklin’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes a felony (or state law equivalent) or a crime that constitutes a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; or
(vi)Mr. Franklin’s material breach of any material obligation under the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement, which Mr. Franklin fails to correct within 10 days after Mr. Franklin receives written notice from the Board of Directors of such breach.

For purposes of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the term of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement:

(i)A material reduction in Mr. Franklin’s base salary;
(ii)A material reduction in Mr. Franklin’s target bonus opportunity;
(iii)A relocation of Mr. Franklin’s principal place of employment from that set forth in the Franklin Employment Agreement by more than 35 miles;
(iv)A material breach by the Company of any material provision of the Franklin Employment Agreement;
(v)At any time following a Change of Control (as defined in the Franklin Employment Agreement), a material change in Mr. Franklin’s title or responsibilities, or a material diminution by the Company of compensation and benefits (taken as a whole) provided to Mr. Franklin immediately prior to a Change of Control.

Mr. Franklin may not terminate the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement for Good Reason pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above unless (x) Mr. Franklin, within 30 days following the occurrence of the such directors are independent. As therecondition giving rise to Good Reason, notifies the Company in writing of his intent to terminate with Good Reason; (y) the Company fails to cure such condition within 30 days after being so notified; and (z) Mr. Franklin actually terminates no later than 30 days after the end of the cure period.

Solely in the case of an event of Cause relating to Mr. Franklin’s willful failure to perform his duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), Mr. Franklin’s willful failure to comply with any valid and legal directive of the Board of Directors; or Mr. Franklin’s material breach of any material obligation under the Franklin Employment Agreement, which Mr. Franklin fails to correct within 10 days after Mr. Franklin receives written notice from the Board of Directors of such breach (each, a “Cause Capable of Cure”), the Company may not and will not terminate the Franklin Employment Agreement for Cause unless the Company has provided written notice to Mr. Franklin of the existence of the circumstances providing grounds for termination for a Cause Capable of Cure, and Mr. Franklin has had at least 14 calendar days to cure such circumstances to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company and has thereafter not cured such circumstance within such 14 calendar day period.

Pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement, upon (i) termination by the Company for Cause, (ii) termination by Mr. Franklin without Good Reason, or (iii) a non-renewal by the Company, the Company will pay to Mr. Franklin the following amounts (the “Franklin Accrued Amounts”):

(i)Any accrued but unpaid base salary;
(ii)Any bonus compensation awarded for the quarterly period preceding that in which termination occurs, but unpaid on the date of termination (the “Prior Quarterly Period Bonus”);
(iii)Reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses;
(iv)Such employee benefits, if any, to which Mr. Franklin may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans as of the date of termination; provided that, in no event shall Mr. Franklin be entitled to any payments in the nature of severance or termination payments except as specifically provided in the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement; and
(v)all amounts otherwise required to be paid or provided by law.

Pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement, upon termination of the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement solely as a result of Mr. Franklin’s death or Disability, Mr. Franklin or his estate will receive the 2021 Franklin Accrued Amounts and the pro-rated bonus as provided in the 2021 Franklin Employment Agreement.

Upon Mr. Franklin’s termination by the Company without or other than for Cause, or (ii) resignation by Mr. Franklin with Good Reason, then:

(i)the Company will pay to Mr. Franklin the Franklin Accrued Amounts and a pro-rated bonus as provided in the Franklin Employment Agreement;
(ii)the Company will pay to Mr. Franklin $125,000 as a severance payment;
(iii)the Company will pay to Mr. Franklin any salary that Mr. Franklin would have earned through the end of the then-applicable initial term or renewal term, as applicable; and
(iv)any unvested incentive awards then held by Mr. Franklin will immediately be vested in full.

Also on March 25, 2021, the Board appointed Knicks Lau to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective March 29, 2021. In connection with Mr. Lau’s appointment, on March 23, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated as of March 29, 2021 by and between the Company and Mr. Lau (the “Lau Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Lau Employment Agreement, in exchange for Mr. Lau’s services, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Lau an annual base salary of $140,000. In addition, Mr. Lau is entitled to receive compensation in the form of an equity grant of $5,000 in the Company’s common stock for each quarter during the term of the Lau Employment Agreement, which runs for a period ending one year after March 29, 2021 and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party gives 60 days’ advance written notice of its intention not to review the Lau Employment Agreement. Mr. Lau is also eligible to receive a quarterly bonus of up to $12,500 in the form of a cash bonus and/or equity grant of shares of the Company’s common stock. Mr. Lau’s eligibility for any bonus and the amount thereof will be determined solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Lau’s employment and the Lau Employment Agreement may be terminated by the Company with or without Cause (as hereinafter defined), or by Mr. Lau with or without Good Reason (as hereinafter defined). In addition, in the event of Mr. Lau’s death or total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Disability”), during the term of the Lau Employment Agreement, the term of the Lau Employment Agreement and Mr. Lau’s employment will terminate on the date of death or Disability.

For purposes of the Lau Employment Agreement, “Cause” means, subject to the provisions of the Lau Employment Agreement:

(i)Mr. Lau’s willful failure to perform his duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness);
(ii)Mr. Lau’s willful failure to comply with any valid and legal directive of the Board of Directors; or
(iii)Mr. Lau’s willful engagement in dishonesty, illegal conduct, or gross misconduct, which is, in each case, materially injurious to the Company or its affiliates; or
(iv)Actions by Mr. Lau constituting embezzlement, misappropriation, or fraud, whether or not related to Mr. Lau’s employment with the Company; or
(v)Mr. Lau’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes a felony (or state law equivalent) or a crime that constitutes a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; or
(vi)Mr. Lau’s material breach of any material obligation under the Lau Employment Agreement, which Mr. Lau fails to correct within 10 days after Mr. Lau receives written notice from the Board of Directors of such breach.

For purposes of the Lau Employment Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the term of the Lau Employment Agreement:

(i)A material reduction in Mr. Lau’s base salary;
(ii)A material reduction in Mr. Lau’s target bonus opportunity;
(iii)A relocation of Mr. Lau’s principal place of employment from that set forth in the Lau Employment Agreement by more than 35 miles;
(iv)A material breach by the Company of any material provision of the Lau Employment Agreement;
(v)At any time following a Change of Control (as defined in the Lau Employment Agreement), a material change in Mr. Lau’s title or responsibilities, or a material diminution by the Company of compensation and benefits (taken as a whole) provided to Mr. Lau immediately prior to a Change of Control.

Mr. Lau may not terminate the Lau Employment Agreement for Good Reason pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above unless (x) Mr. Lau, within 30 days following the occurrence of the such condition giving rise to Good Reason, notifies the Company in writing of his intent to terminate with Good Reason; (y) the Company fails to cure such condition within 30 days after being so notified; and (z) Mr. Lau actually terminates no standing nominating committee, we dolater than 30 days after the end of the cure period.

Solely in the case of an event of Cause relating to Mr. Lau’s willful failure to perform his duties (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), Mr. Lau’s willful failure to comply with any valid and legal directive of the Board of Directors; or Mr. Lau’s material breach of any material obligation under the Lau Employment Agreement, which Mr. Lau fails to correct within 10 days after Mr. Lau receives written notice from the Board of Directors of such breach (each, a “Cause Capable of Cure”), the Company may not haveand will not terminate the Lau Employment Agreement for Cause unless the Company has provided written notice to Mr. Lau of the existence of the circumstances providing grounds for termination for a nominating committee charterCause Capable of Cure, and Mr. Lau has had at least 14 calendar days to cure such circumstances to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company and has thereafter not cured such circumstance within such 14 calendar day period.

Pursuant to the terms of the Lau Employment Agreement, upon (i) termination by the Company for Cause, (ii) termination by Mr. Lau without Good Reason, or (iii) a non-renewal by the Company, the Company will pay to Mr. Lau the following amounts (the “Lau Accrued Amounts”):

(i)Any accrued but unpaid base salary, any accrued but unpaid equity grants and accrued but unused vacation;
(ii)Any bonus compensation awarded for the quarterly period preceding that in which termination occurs, but unpaid on the date of termination (the “Prior Quarterly Period Bonus”);
(iii)Reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses;
(iv)Such employee benefits, if any, to which Mr. Lau may be entitled under the Company’s employee benefit plans as of the date of termination; provided that, in no event shall Mr. Lau be entitled to any payments in the nature of severance or termination payments except as specifically provided in the Lau Employment Agreement; and
(v)all amounts otherwise required to be paid or provided by law.

Pursuant to the terms of the Lau Employment Agreement, upon termination of the Lau Employment Agreement solely as a result of Mr. Lau’s death or Disability, Mr. Lau or his estate will receive the Lau Accrued Amounts and the pro-rated bonus as provided in place.the Lau Employment Agreement.

Upon Mr. Lau’s termination by the Company without or other than for Cause, or (ii) resignation by Mr. Lau with Good Reason, then:

(i)the Company will pay to Mr. Lau the Lau Accrued Amounts and a pro-rated bonus as provided in the Lau Employment Agreement;
(ii)the Company will pay to Mr. Lau $35,000 as a severance payment;
(iii)the Company will pay to Mr. Lau any salary that Mr. Lau would have earned through the end of the then-applicable initial term or renewal term, as applicable;
(iv)any unvested incentive awards then held by Mr. Lau will immediately be vested in full; and
(v)any additional equity grants to which Mr. Lau would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the Lau Employment Agreement will be issued and paid in accordance with the terms of the Lau Employment Agreement.

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2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

The board of directors will also consider director candidates recommended for nomination by our stockholders during such times as they are seeking proposed nominees to stand for election. Our stockholders that wish to nominate a director for election to the board of directors should follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws. 

We have not formerly established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the board of directors considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our stockholders. 


Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We previously filed a copy of our form of Code of Ethics as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form S-1 (File 333-219251). You will be able to review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copyshareholders of the Code of Ethics will be provided without charge upon request from us. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of our Code of Ethics in a Current Report on Form 8-K. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our third amended and restated certificate provides that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, our Restated Certificate provides that our directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the DGCL.

We have entered into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our third amended and restated certificate. Our bylaws also permit us to maintain insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. We have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.

Our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification we provide to our officers and directors will only be able to be satisfied by us if we have sufficient funds outsideCompany approved of the trust account.

These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against officersSimplicity Esports and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit usGaming Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) on April 22, 2020 and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

June 23, 2020, respectively. We believe that these provisions, the insurance2020 Plan serves as an essential element of our compensation program and the indemnity agreements are necessaryis critical to our ability to attract and retain talentedthe highly qualified employees essential for the execution of our business strategy. We believe the 2020 Plan will (i) attract and experiencedretain key personnel, and (ii) provide a means whereby directors, officers, employees, consultants, and directors.advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, including incentive compensation measure by reference to the value of the Company’s common stock, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company and its subsidiaries and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. The 2020 Plan provides for various stock-based incentive awards, including incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and other equity-based or cash-based awards.

 

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight2020 Plan Highlights

Although our management is primarily responsible for managing our risk exposure on a daily basis, our board of directors oversees the risk management processes. Our board, as a whole, determines the appropriate level of risk for our Company, assesses the specific risks that we face, and reviews management’s strategies for adequately mitigating and managing the identified risks. Although our board administers this risk management oversight function, our audit committee supports our board in discharging its oversight duties and addresses risks inherent in its area.


Employees

We have two executive officers. MembersHighlights of the management team2020 Plan are not and will not be obligated to devote any specific number of hours to Company matters, but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to its affairs. We have one full time administrative employee.

Legal Proceedings

There are no legal proceedings pending against the Company.

Properties

We currently lease executive offices at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor, New York, New York. We consider the current office space adequate for our current operations.

55

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of the date of this prospectus, by:follows:

 

 each person known by us to beThe Compensation Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, administers the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock;
each of our executive officers and directors that beneficially owns shares of our Common Stock; and
all our officers and directors as a group.

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them.

Name of Beneficial Owner (1)   
  Amount of beneficial ownership  Percent of outstanding Common Stock(2) 
Directors and Executive Officers        
F. Jacob Cherian  307,286   6.0%
Suhel Kanuga  307,287   6.0%
Shripal Morakhia (3)  2,000,000   39.1%
Donald R. Caldwell (4)  97,000   2.0%
Roman Franklin  100,000   2.0%
Max Hooper (5)  29,500    *
Frank Leavy (6)  27,625    *
Edward Leonard Jaroski (7)  28,500    *
William H. Herrmann, Jr. (8)  28,500    *
All directors and officers as a group (9 persons)  2,925,688   58.3%
Principal Shareholders (more than 5%):        
The K2 Principal Fund, L.P (9)  1,114,965   18.3%
Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. (10)  1,150,519   20.6%
AHA Holdings Private Limited (3)  2,000,000   39.1%

* Less than 1%.

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the stockholders is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10105.

2020 Plan.
   
 (2)Does not include 5,461,500The total number of shares of our Common Stock that may be issued uponcommon stock authorized for issuance under the exercise2020 Plan is 125,000 (1,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares, or approximately 8.8% of (a) 5,200,000 Public Warrants, and (b) 261,500 Private Placement Warrants.the common stock outstanding at April 14, 2021.
   
 (3)

Represents sharesNo non-employee director may be granted awards under the 2020 Plan during any calendar year if such awards, taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director would exceed a total value of Common Stock held directly by AHA Holdings Private Limited. Shripal Morakhia assists$250,000 (calculated in accordance with the governance, operation and managementterms of AHA Holdings Private Limited. He also has voting and dispositive control over the securities held by AHA Holdings Private Limited, and has beneficial ownership of such securities.

2020 Plan).
 (4)

The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Donald R. Caldwell is 97,000 and includes 20,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 20,000 warrants. 

 (5)

Max Hooper is Managing DirectorThe exercise price of Merging Traffic, Inc. The numberoptions and SARs may not be less than the fair market value of sharesthe common stock on the date of Common Stock beneficially owned by Merging Traffic, Inc., is 29,500grant.

In addition to other vesting requirements, the Compensation Committee may condition the vesting of awards on the achievement of specific performance targets.

Material Features of the 2020 Plan

Term

The 2020 Plan was effective June 23, 2020. The 2020 Plan will terminate on June 23, 2030, unless the Board terminates it earlier.

Purpose

The purpose of the 2020 Plan is to provide a means through with the Company and its subsidiaries may attract and retain key personnel, and to provide a means whereby directors, officer, employees, consultants, and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company and its subsidiaries and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

Administration

Pursuant to the terms of the 2020 Plan, a committee of the Board or any properly delegated subcommittee, or, if no such committee or subcommittee thereof exists, the Board, shall administer the 2020 Plan. The Compensation Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, administers the 2020 Plan. The Compensation Committee will have the sole and plenary authority to (i) designate participants; (ii) determine the type or types of awards; (iii) determine the number of shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances awards may be settled in, or exercised for, cash, shares of Company common stock, other securities, other awards, or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, shares of Company common stock, other securities, other awards, or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the participant or of the Compensation Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in, and/or supply any omission in the 2020 Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or award granted under, the 2020 Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Compensation Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the 2020 Plan; (ix) adopt sub-plans; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Compensation Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the 2020 Plan.

The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to administer the 2020 Plan as permitted by law, except for award grants to non-employee directors.

The Compensation Committee will have the discretion to select particular performance targets in connection with awards under the 2020 Plan. Under the 2020 Plan, performance targets are specific levels of performance of the Company (and/or subsidiaries, divisions or operational and/or business units, product lines, brands, business segments, administrative departments, or any combination of the foregoing), which may be determined in accordance with GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis on the specified measures, including, but not limited to:

debt ratings;share price;
debt to capital ratio;total stockholder return;
generation of cash;acquisition or disposition of assets;
issuance of new debt;acquisition or disposition of companies, entities or businesses;
establishment of new credit facilities;creation of new performance and includes 10,000 sharescompensation criteria for key personnel;
retirement of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisabledebt;recruiting and retaining key personnel;
return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, return on capital, return on equity);customer satisfaction;
��attraction of 10,000 warrants. Max Hooper beneficially owns 5,000 sharesnew capital;employee morale;
cash flow;hiring of our Common Stock directly.

strategic personnel;
earnings per share;development and implementation of Company policies, strategies and initiatives;
net income;creation of new joint ventures;
pre-tax income;increasing the Company’s public visibility and corporate reputation;
pre-tax pre-bonus income;development of corporate brand name;
operating income;overhead cost reductions; or
gross revenue;any combination of or variations on the foregoing.
net revenue;
net margin;
pre-tax margin;

 


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Eligibility

Employees, directors and independent contractors (except those performing services in connection with the offer or sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction, or promoting or maintaining a market for the Company’s securities) of the Company or its subsidiaries will be eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Plan.

Maximum Shares Available

Awards granted under the 2020 Plan are subject to the following limitations: (i) no more than 200,000 (1,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock (the “Absolute Share Limit”) will be available for awards under the 2020 Plan; (ii) no more than the number of shares of common stock equal to the Absolute Share Limit may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options granted under the 2020 Plan; and (iii) the maximum number of shares of common stock subject to awards granted during a single calendar year to any non-employee director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during such calendar year, shall not exceed a total value of $250,000 (calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes).

When (i) an option or SAR is granted under the 2020 Plan, the maximum number of shares subject to the option or SAR will be counted against the Absolute Share Limit as one share for every share subject to such option or SAR, regardless of the actual number of shares (if any) used to settle such option or SAR upon exercise; and (ii) an award other than an option or SAR is granted under the 2020 Plan, the maximum number of shares subject to the award will be counted against the Absolute Share Limit as two shares for every share subject to such award, regardless of the actual number of shares (if any) used to settle such award. The issuance of shares or the payment of cash upon the exercise of an award or in consideration of the cancellation or termination of an award shall reduce the total number of shares available under the 2020 Plan, as applicable. If shares are not issued or are withheld from payment of an award to satisfy tax obligations with respect to the award, such shares will not be added back to the Absolute Share Limit, but rather will count against the Absolute Share Limit.

To the extent that an award granted under the 2020 Plan or a prior plan award expires or is canceled, forfeited or terminated, in whole or in part without issuance to the holder thereof of shares of common stock to which the award or prior plan award related or cash or other property in lieu thereof, the unissued shares of common stock will again be available for grant under the 2020 Plan; provided that, in any such case, the number of shares again available for grant under the 2020 Plan shall be the number of shares previously counted against the Absolute Share Limit (or, in the case of prior plan award, the number of shares that would have been counted against the Absolute Share Limit if such prior plan award had been granted under this 2020 Plan) with respect to such unissued shares of common stock to which such award or prior plan award related, as determined in accordance with the terms of the 2020 Plan.

Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, be granted under the 2020 Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards will not be counted against the Absolute Share Limit; provided, that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) will be counted against the aggregate number of shares of common stock available for awards of incentive stock options under the 2020 Plan. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, available shares of common stock under a stockholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the acquisition or combination transaction) may be used for awards under the 2020 Plan and will not reduce the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan.

Adjustments

In the event of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reorganization, stock split or dividend, or similar event affecting the common stock, the number (including limits on shares of common stock granted) and kind of shares granted under the 2020 Plan, the Compensation Committee will make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable, to any or all of the Absolute Share Limit, the number of shares of common stock or other securities of the Company that may be issued in respect of awards or with respect to which awards may be granted and the terms of any outstanding award.

Restricted Stock

The Compensation Committee will be authorized to award restricted stock under the 2020 Plan. Awards of restricted stock will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. Restricted stock is common stock that is subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the Compensation Committee for a specified period.

RSU Awards

The Compensation Committee will be authorized to award RSUs in lieu of or in addition to any restricted stock awards. RSUs will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. Each RSU will have an initial value that is at least equal to the fair market value of a share of Company common stock on the date of grant. RSUs may be paid at such time as the Compensation Committee may determine in its discretion, and payments may be made in a lump sum or in installments, in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.

Options

The Compensation Committee will be authorized to grant options to purchase shares of common stock that are either “qualified,” meaning they are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for incentive stock options, or “nonqualified,” meaning they are not intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Options granted under the 2020 Plan will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. Under the terms of the 2020 Plan, the exercise price of the options will not be less than the fair market value of our common stock at the time of grant. Options granted under the 2020 Plan will be subject to such terms, including the exercise price and the conditions and timing of exercise, as may be determined by the Compensation Committee and specified in the applicable award agreement. The maximum term of an option granted under the 2020 Plan will be 10 years from the date of grant (or five years in the case of a qualified option granted to a 10% stockholder). Payment in respect of the exercise of an option may be made in cash or by check, by surrender of unrestricted shares (at their fair market value on the date of exercise), or through a “net exercise,” or the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and to the extent permitted by law, allow such payment to be made through a broker-assisted cashless exercise mechanism or by such other method as the Compensation Committee may determine to be appropriate.

Stock Appreciation Rights

The Compensation Committee will be authorized to award SARs under the 2020 Plan. SARs will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee and reflected in the award agreement. A SAR is a contractual right that allows a participant to receive, in the form of either cash, shares or any combination of cash and shares, the appreciation, if any, in the value of a share over a certain period of time. An option granted under the 2020 Plan may include SARs, and SARs may also be awarded to a participant independent of the grant of an option. SARs granted in connection with an option shall be subject to terms similar to the option corresponding to such SARs.

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Other Stock-Based Awards

The Compensation Committee will be authorized to award other stock-based awards having terms and conditions as determined by the Compensation Committee. These awards may be granted either alone or in tandem with other awards.

Qualified Performance-Based Awards

Restricted stock and RSUs granted to officers and employees of the Company may depend on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or levels using one or more identified performance targets. The applicable performance period may not be less than three months nor more than 10 years.

Dividends and Voting Rights

Participants awarded stock options and SARs will not receive dividends or dividend equivalents or have any voting rights with respect to shares of common stock underlying these awards prior to the issuance of any such shares. Participants that hold unearned awards subject to performance vesting conditions (other than or in additional to the passage of time) will not receive dividends or dividend equivalents or have any voting rights with respect to shares of common stock underlying these awards prior to the issuance of any such shares; provided, however, that dividends and dividend equivalents may be accumulated in respect of unearned awards and paid within 30 days after such awards are earned and become payable or distributable.

Transferability

Awards granted under the 2020 Plan generally will be transferable only by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution. In certain limited circumstances, the Compensation Committee may authorize stock options, other than incentive stock options, to be transferred to family members or trusts controlled by family members of the participant. Restricted stock may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until the applicable restrictions lapse.

Change in Control

In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2020 Plan), options become immediately exercisable in full. In addition, in such event the Compensation Committee may accelerate the termination date of the option to a date no earlier than 30 days after notice of such acceleration is given to the participant. Upon the giving of any such acceleration notice, the option shall become immediately exercisable in full.

A participant’s right to SARs under an SAR agreement immediately vest as to 100% of the total number of shares covered by the grant (i) upon termination of the grantee’s employment on account of the grantee’s death or permanent disability; or (ii) upon the occurrence of a Change in Control.

With respect to restricted stock and RSUs, in the event that the grantee’s status as an employee is terminated following a Change in Control, then all unvested shares of restricted stock and RSUs will immediately vest.

Clawback

All awards under the 2020 Plan are subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment to the extent necessary to comply with (i) any clawback, forfeiture or other similar policy adopted by the Board or the Compensation Committee and as in effect from time to time; and (ii) applicable law.

Amendment and Termination

The Board may terminate or amend the 2020 Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, however, that the Board may not, without stockholder approval, amend the 2020 Plan if:

 (6)

The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Frank LeavySuch approval is 27,625 and includes 7,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 7,500 warrants. 

necessary to comply with any regulatory requirement applicable to the 2020 Plan;
 (7)

TheIt would materially increase the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Edward Leonard Jaroski is 28,500 and includes 10,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 10,000 warrants. 

securities which may be issued under the 2020 Plan (except for increases expressly provided for in the 2020 Plan; or
 (8)The numberIt would materially modify the requirements for participation in the 2020 Plan.

In addition, any such amendment that would materially and adversely affect an award holder’s rights with respect to a previously granted and outstanding award will not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected holder of such award.

The Compensation Committee may terminate or amend any award agreement, to the extent consistent with the terms of the 2020 Plan and any applicable award agreement and so long as such termination or amendment would not materially and adversely affect an award holder’s rights with respect to a previously granted and outstanding award (unless the affected holder consents thereto); provided, however that the Compensation Committee may not, without stockholder approval, amend or terminate an award or award agreement to:

Reduce the exercise price of sharesany option or the strike price of Common Stock beneficially owned by William H. Herrmann, Jr.any SAR,
To cancel any outstanding option or SAR and replace it with a new option or SAR (with a lower exercise price or strike price, as the case may be) or other award or cash payment that is 28,500greater than the intrinsic value (if any) of the canceled option or SAR; and includes 10,000 shares
Take any other action which is considered a “repricing” for purposes of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisablethe stockholder approval rules of 10,000 warrants. any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to 2020 Plan participants and the Company of the grant, vesting and exercise of awards under the 2020 Plan and the disposition of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of such awards and is based upon an interpretation of the current federal income tax laws and regulations and may be inapplicable if such laws and regulations are changed. This summary is not intended to be a complete statement of applicable law or constitute tax advice, nor does it address foreign, state, local and payroll tax considerations. Moreover, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any particular participant may differ from those described herein by reason of, among other things, the particular circumstances of such participant. To the extent that any awards under the 2020 Plan are subject to Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), the following discussion assumes that such awards will be designed to conform to the requirements of Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder (or an exception thereto). The 2020 Plan is not subject to the protective provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

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Incentive Stock Options. Options issued under the 2020 Plan and designated as incentive stock options are intended to qualify as such under Section 422 of the Code. Under the provisions of Section 422 of the Code and the related regulations, holders of incentive stock options will generally incur no federal income tax liability at the time of grant or upon exercise of those options, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction at the time of the grant or exercise of the option. However, the difference between the value of the common stock received on the exercise date and the exercise price paid will be an “item of tax preference,” which may give rise to “alternative minimum tax” liability to the holder for the taxable year in which the exercise occurs. The taxation of gain or loss upon the sale of the common stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option depends, in part, on whether the holding period of the shares of our common stock acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option is at least (i) two years from the date of grant of the option and (ii) one year from the date the option was exercised. If these holding period requirements are satisfied, any gain or loss realized on a subsequent disposition of the shares will constitute long-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be. Assuming both holding periods are satisfied, no deduction will be allowed to us for federal income tax purposes in connection with the grant or exercise of the incentive stock option. If these holding periods requirements are not met, then, upon such “disqualifying disposition” of the shares, the participant will generally realize compensation, taxable as ordinary income, at the time of such disposition in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the share on the date of exercise over the exercise price, limited to the gain on the sale, and that amount will generally be deductible by us for federal income tax purposes, subject to the possible limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m)of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated thereunder. Finally, if an otherwise qualified incentive stock option becomes first exercisable in any one year for shares having an aggregate value in excess of $100,000 (based on the grant date value), the portion of the incentive stock option in respect of those excess shares will be treated as a non-qualified stock option for federal income tax purposes.

Non-qualified Stock Options. No income will generally be realized by a participant upon grant of a non-qualified stock option. Upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the underlying exercised shares over the option exercise price paid at the time of exercise. We will be able to deduct this same amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Section 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated thereunder. Upon a subsequent disposition of the shares acquired under a non-qualified stock option, the participant will realize short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on the holding period. The capital gain (or loss) will be short-term if the shares are disposed of within one year after the non-qualified stock option is exercised, and long-term if shares were held more than 12 months as of the sale date.

Restricted Stock. A participant will normally not be required to recognize income for federal income tax purposes upon the grant of an award of restricted stock, nor is the Company entitled to any deduction, to the extent that the shares awarded have not vested (i.e., are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture). On the date an award of restricted stock is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant will compensation taxable as ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the vested shares on that date and the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any, unless the participant made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed at the time of grant. The participant may, however, make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, within 30 days following the grant of the restricted stock award, to be taxed at the time of the grant of the award based on the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant and the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any. If the shares subject to such election are subsequently forfeited, the participant will not be entitled to any deduction, refund or loss for tax purposes with respect to the forfeited shares. We will be able to deduct, at the same time as it is recognized by the participant, the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Section 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated thereunder. Upon the sale of the vested shares, the participant will realize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on the holding period. The holding period generally begins when the restriction period expires. If the recipient timely made a Section 83(b) election, the holding period commences on the date of the grant.

Deferred Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units. A participant will not be subject to federal income tax upon the grant of a deferred stock unit award or a restricted stock unit award, and the Company is not entitled to a deduction at the time of grant. Rather, upon the delivery of shares or cash pursuant to a deferred stock unit award or a restricted stock unit award, the participant will generally have compensation taxable at ordinary income rates in an amount equal to the fair market value of the number of shares (or the amount of cash) actually received with respect to the settlement of the award of such units. We will generally be able to deduct the amount of the ordinary income realized by the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but the deduction may be limited under Section 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated thereunder. If the participant receives shares upon settlement then, upon disposition of such shares, appreciation or depreciation after the settlement date is treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the shares have been held.

SARs. SARs are treated very similarly to non-qualified options for tax purposes. No income will normally be realized by a participant upon grant of a SAR. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income in an amount equal to either: (i) the cash received upon exercise; or (ii) if shares are received upon the exercise of the SAR, the fair market value of the shares received in respect of the SAR. We will be able to deduct this same amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Section 162(m) of the Code for compensation paid to certain executives designated thereunder.

Performance Awards. A participant generally will not recognize income upon the grant of a performance award. Upon payment of the performance award, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash received or, if the performance award is payable in shares, the fair market value of the shares received. When the participant recognizes ordinary income upon payment of a performance award, the Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount.

Other Stock-Based Awards. A participant will generally have compensation taxable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date the award is settled (whether in shares or cash, or both) over the amount the participant paid for such shares, if any. We will generally be able to deduct, at the same time as it is recognized by the participant, the amount of taxable compensation to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but such deduction may be limited under Section 162(m) for compensation paid to certain executives designated thereunder.

Consequences of Change of Control. If a change of control of the Company causes awards under the 2020 Plan to accelerate vesting or is deemed to result in the attainment of performance goals, certain participants could, in some cases, be considered to have received “excess parachute payments,” which could subject certain participants to a 20% excise tax on the excess parachute payments and result in a disallowance of the Company’s deductions under Section 280G of the Code.

Section 409A. Section 409A applies to compensation that individuals earn in one year but that is not paid until a future year. This is referred to as non-qualified deferred compensation. Section 409A, however, does not apply to qualified plans (such as a Section 401(k) plan) and certain welfare benefits. If deferred compensation covered by Section 409A meets the requirements of Section 409A, then Section 409A has no effect on the individual’s taxes. The compensation is taxed in the same manner as it would be taxed if it were not covered by Section 409A. If a deferred compensation arrangement does not meet the requirements of Section 409A, the compensation is subject to accelerated taxation in the year in which such compensation is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and certain additional taxes, interest and penalties, including a 20% additional income tax. Awards of stock options, SARs, restricted stock units and performance awards under the 2020 Plan may, in some cases, result in the deferral of compensation that is subject to the requirements of Section 409A. Awards under the 2020 Plan are intended to comply with Section 409A, the regulations issued thereunder or an exception thereto. Notwithstanding, Section 409A may impose upon a participant certain taxes or interest charges for which the participant is responsible. Section 409A does not impose any penalties on the Company and does limit the Company’s deduction with respect to compensation paid to a participant.

Section 162(m). The Company generally may deduct any compensation or ordinary income recognized by the recipient of an award under the 2020 Plan when recognized, subject to the limits of Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”). Prior to 2018, Section 162(m) imposed a $1 million limit on the amount a public company may deduct for compensation paid to a Company’s Chief Executive Officer or any of the Company’s three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer) who were employed as of the end of the year. This limitation did not apply to compensation that met Code requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation.” The performance-based compensation exemption, the last day of the year determination date, and the exemption of the Chief Financial Officer from Code Section 162(m)’s deduction limit have all been repealed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”), effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, such that awards paid under the 2020 Plan to our covered executive officers may not be deductible for such taxable years due to the application of the $1 million deduction limitation. However, under Tax Reform transition relief, compensation provided under a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 that is not materially modified after that date continues to be subject to the performance-based compensation exception. As in prior years, while deductibility of executive compensation for federal income tax purposes is among the factors the Compensation Committee considers when structuring our executive compensation, it is not the sole or primary factor considered. Our Board and the Compensation Committee retain the flexibility to authorize compensation that may not be deductible if they believe it is in our best interests.

96

Tax Withholding. The Company and its affiliates have the right to deduct or withhold, or require a participant to remit to the Company and its affiliates, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local taxes (including employment taxes) required by law to be withheld with respect to any exercise, lapse of restriction or other taxable event arising with respect to awards under the 2020 Plan.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The table below sets forth information as of May 31, 2020 on a post-reverse split basis.

Plan Category 

Number of

securities to

be issued

upon exercise

of

outstanding

options,

warrants and

rights

  

Weighted-

average

exercise price

of

outstanding

options,

warrants and

rights

  

Number of

securities

remaining

available for

future

issuance

under equity

compensation

plans

(excluding

securities

reflected in

column (a))

 
  (a)  (b)  (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders    $   187,500(1)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders         
Total    $   187,500 

(1) This represents (i) 62,500 (500,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), and (ii) 125,000 (1,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”).

The Company’s stockholders approved the 2018 Plan on October 4, 2018. Under the 2018 Plan, 62,500 (500,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock are authorized for issuance to employees, officers, directors, consultants. The 2018 Plan authorizes the grant of nonqualified stock options and incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other stock bonus awards, and performance compensation awards. There were 62,500 (500,000 pre-reverse split) shares available for award as of May 31, 2020 under the 2018 Plan. The Company does not intend to make any grants under the 2018 Plan.

The Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company approved the 2020 Plan on April 22, 2020 and June 23, 2020, respectively. Under the 2020 Plan, 125,000 (1,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock are authorized for issuance to employees, directors and independent contractors (except those performing services in connection with the offer or sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction, or promoting or maintaining a market for the Company’s securities) of the Company or its subsidiaries. The 2020 Plan authorizes equity-based and cash-based incentives for participants. There were 125,000 (1,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares available for award as of May 31, 2020 under the 2020 Plan.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the number of shares of and percent of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned as of April 14, 2021 (pre-reverse split and post-reverse split), by all directors, our named executive officers, our directors and executive officers as a group, and persons or groups known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our common stock, immediately prior to this Offering, and immediately after the closing of this offering, as adjusted to reflect the assumed sale of units (which includes shares of our common stock and immediately exercisable warrants to purchase shares of our common stock) in this Offering and the exercise of the Representative’s over-allotment option in full to purchase additional shares of common stock and warrants to purchase shares of common stock, but assumes the warrants forming part of the units and over-allotment option are not exercised.

Unless otherwise noted, thebusiness address of each of the beneficial owners listed below is c/o Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, 7000 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Suite 505, Boca Raton, FL 33433.

Name of Beneficial Owner 

Pre-

Reverse Split Amount

and

Nature of Beneficial Ownership

  

Post-

Reverse Split Amount

and

Nature of Beneficial Ownership

  

Pre-

Closing Percentage of Class

(1)

  

Post-

Closing Amount

and

Nature of Beneficial Ownership

  

Post-

Closing Percentage of Class

(1)

 
Directors and Executive Officers                    
Jed Kaplan (2)  2,125,640   265,705   18.6%  265,705   12.4%
Roman Franklin (3)  985,064   123,133   8.6%  123,133   5.8%
Donald R. Caldwell (4)  137,000   17,125   1.2%  17,125   *%
Max Hooper (5)  49,500   6,188   *%  6,188   *%
Frank Leavy (6)  47,625   5,954   *%  5,954   *%
Edward Leonard Jaroski (7)  148,500   18,563   1.3%  18,563   *%
William H. Herrmann, Jr. (8)  72,309   9,039   *%  9,039   *%
All directors and officers as a group (8 persons) (9)  3,565,638   445,707   30.9%  445,707   20.7%
Principal Shareholders (more than 5%):                    
AQR Capital Management, LLC (10)  812,840   101,605   6.7%  101,605   4.5%

*less than 1%.

 

(1)(9)K2 GenPar 2017 Inc., an Ontario corporation (“GenPar”), isThe pre-closing percentages in the general partnertable have been calculated on the basis of treating as outstanding for a particular person, all shares of our capital stock outstanding on April 14, 2021. The K2 Principal Fund, L.P., an Ontario limited partnership (the “Fund”). GenPar ispost-closing percentages in the table have been calculated on the basis of treating as outstanding for a direct wholly-owned subsidiaryparticular person, all shares of Shawn Kimel Investments, Inc., an Ontario corporation (“SKI”). K2 & Associates Investment Management Inc., an Ontario corporation (“K2 & Associates”), is a direct 66.5% owned subsidiaryour capital stock outstanding on April 14, 2021, plus the assumed sale of SKI,709,219 units (which includes shares of our common stock and isimmediately exercisable warrants to purchase shares of our common stock) in this Offering and the investment managerexercise of the Fund. Shawn Kimel isRepresentative’s over-allotment option in full to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock, but assumes the chairman of each of SKI, GenPar and K2 & Associates. The principal officewarrants forming part of the stockholder is 2 Bloor St West, Suite 801, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3E2. Accordingunits and over-allotment option are not exercised. On April 14, 2021, there were 1,424,008 (11,392,064 pre-reverse split) shares of our common stock outstanding. To calculate a Schedule 13G filedstockholder’s percentage of beneficial ownership, we include in the numerator and denominator the common stock outstanding and all shares of our common stock issuable to that person in the event of the exercise of outstanding warrants and other derivative securities owned by that person which are exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2021. Common stock warrants and derivative securities held by other stockholders are disregarded in this calculation. Therefore, the Fund on December 13, 2018,denominator used in calculating beneficial ownership among our stockholders may differ. Unless we have indicated otherwise, each person named in the number oftable has sole voting power and sole investment power for the shares listed opposite such person’s name.
(2)Includes 2,440 (19,517) shares of Common Stock owned by the Fund is 1,114,965indirectly through Mr. Kaplan’s wife, Jamie Kaplan, and also includes (i) 66,0006,250 (50,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock transferred by the Sponsor to the Fund as additional consideration for the Fund agreeing to potentially sellissuable upon exercise of 6,250 (50,000 pre-reverse split) warrants with an exercise price of $32.00 ($4.00 pre-reverse split) which expire on February 24, 2024 that have vested or will vest within 60 days of April 14, 2021.
(3)Includes 6,375 (51,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock to the Company pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated November 5, 2018 by and between the Company and the Fund, (ii) 819,554owned indirectly through Mr. Franklin’s wife, Alyssia Franklin.
(4)Includes 2,500 (20,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of 819,554 warrants. 2,500 (20,000 pre-reverse split) warrants with an exercise price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) which expire on May 22, 2024 that have vested or will vest within 60 days of April 14, 2021.

 (10)
(5)Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. (“Polar”) serves as investment advisor to Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“PMSMF”), and certain managed accounts (together with PMSMF, the “Polar Vehicles”) and has sole voting and investment discretion with respect to the securities which are held by the Polar Vehicles. The principal office of the stockholder is 401 Bay Street, Suite 1900, PO Box 19, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4, Canada. According a Schedule 13G filed by Polar on December 10, 2018, the number ofIncludes 1,813 (14,500 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock owned directly by Polar is 1,150,519 and also includes (i) 150,000 shares of Common Stock transferred by the Sponsor to the Polar as additional consideration for Polar agreeing to potentially sell shares of our Common Stock to the Company pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated November 2, 2018 by and between the Company and Polar, (ii) 456,600Merging Traffic, Inc., 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisableexercise of 456,600 warrants. 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) warrants owned directly by Merging Traffic, Inc. with an exercise price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) which expire on May 22, 2024 that have vested or will vest within 60 days of April 14, 2021, and 3,125 (25,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock owned directly by Mr. Hooper. Mr. Hooper is Managing Director of Merging Traffic, Inc.
(6)Includes 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) warrants with an exercise price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) which expire on May 22, 2024 that have vested or will vest within 60 days of April 14, 2021.
(7)Includes 7,500 (60,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of 7,500 (60,000 pre-reverse split) warrants with an exercise price of $32.00 ($4.00 pre-reverse split) which expire on February 24, 2024 that have vested or will vest within 60 days of April 14, 2021.
(8)Includes 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) warrants with an exercise price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) which expire on May 22, 2024 that have vested or will vest within 60 days of April 14, 2021.
(9)Includes Jed Kaplan, Roman Franklin, Knicks Lau, Donald R. Caldwell, Max Hooper, Frank Leavy, Edward Leonard Jaroski, and William H. Herrmann, Jr.
(10)Represents warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. AQR Capital Management, LLC (“AQR”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of AQR Capital Management Holdings, LLC (“AQR Holdings”). CNH Partners, LLC (“CNH”) is deemed to be controlled by AQR. AQR serves as the investment manager to the AQR Diversified Arbitrage Fund, an open-end registered investment company. AQR, AQR Holdings and CNH share voting and dispositive power over such shares. The principal office of AQR, AQR Holdings and CNH is Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830.

57

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Founder SharesOur audit committee must review and approve any related person transaction we propose to enter into. Our audit committee charter details the policies and procedures relating to transactions that may present actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and may raise questions as to whether such transactions are consistent with the best interest of our company and our stockholders. A summary of such policies and procedures is set forth below.

 

On May 31, 2017, we issued 1,437,500 shares of our Common StockAny potential related party transaction that is brought to the Sponsor (the Founder Shares in exchange for a capital contribution of $25,000. On September 13, 2017, 137,500 Founder Shares were forfeitedaudit committee’s attention will be analyzed by the Sponsor uponaudit committee, in consultation with outside counsel or members of management, as appropriate, to determine whether the partial exercisetransaction or relationship does, in fact, constitute a related party transaction. At its meetings, the audit committee will be provided with the details of each new, existing or proposed related party transaction, including the terms of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

The Founder Shares are identicaltransaction, the business purpose of the transaction and the benefits to us and to the shares of Common Stock included in the Units and holders of Founder Shares have the same stockholder rights as Public Stockholders, except that (i) the Founder Shares and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Units are subject to certain transfer restrictions, and (ii) the Sponsor has entered into a letter agreement, pursuant to which it has agreed (A) to waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares, and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Units and the Public Units in connection with the completion of a business combination and (B) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to the Founder Shares and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Units if I-AM Capital fails to complete a business combination within 12 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if I-AM Capital extends the period of time to consummate a business combination).

With certain limited exceptions, the Founder Shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to I-AM Capital’s officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of one year after the completion of an initial business combination or earlier of (i) subsequent to I-AM Capital’s business combination, the last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after an initial Business Combination, or (ii) the date following the completion of an Initial Business Combination on which I-AM Capital completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property. The initial stockholder have agreed to vote their Founder Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after I-AM Capital’s IPO in favor of the Transaction.relevant related party.

 

In connection withdetermining whether to approve a related party transaction, the Special Dividend,audit committee must consider, among other factors, the Sponsor has agreed to cancel a number of Founder Shares equalfollowing factors to the aggregate numberextent relevant:

whether the terms of the transaction are fair to us and on the same basis as would apply if the transaction did not involve a related party;
whether there are business reasons for us to enter into the transaction;
whether the transaction would impair the independence of an outside director; and
whether the transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any director or executive officer.

Any member of shares issuedthe audit committee who has an interest in the Special Dividend.

transaction under discussion must abstain from any voting regarding the transaction, but may, if so requested by the chairman of the audit committee, participate in some or all of the audit committee’s discussions of the transaction. Upon completion of its review of the transaction, the audit committee may determine to permit or to prohibit the transaction.

Private Placement Units

In addition, the Sponsor purchased, pursuant to a written agreement, an aggregate of 254,500 Private Placement Units at $10.00 per private placement unit for proceeds of $2,545,000 in the aggregate in the private placement. This purchase took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of the IPO. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

The Sponsor committed to purchase from us up to an additional 26,250 Private Placement Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in full. On September 13, 2017, 7,000 additional Private Placement Units were purchased by the Sponsor at $10.00 per private placement unit upon the partial exercise of the over-allotment option. 

Administrative Services

We agreed, commencing on the effective date of the IPO through the earlier of our consummation of a business combination or its liquidation, to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. As of August 31, 2018, we have paid $120,000 which is presented as general and administrative expense on the accompanying statement of operations.


Working Capital Loan

 

The Sponsor, I-AM Capital Partners LLC, has loaned us $201,707 in the aggregate, to be used for a portion of the expenses of the IPO and working capital purposes. The loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and was due at the earlier of December 31, 2017 or the closing of the IPO. As of August 31,November 30, 2018, $120,089 of the Sponsor’s loan has been repaidrepaid. As of May 31, 2019, the balance of the Sponsor loan was $93,761, including imputed interest of $8,523. In August of 2019, the sponsor forgave this remaining balance and the balance due is $81,618.Company recorded it as debt forgiveness income.


100

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

Cash Balance

 

UpWe maintain our cash balance at a financial services company that Jed Kaplan, our Chairman, has a majority ownership interest in.

Restricted Stock Awards to 7,309,150Certain Officers and Directors

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, 15,000 (120,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted common stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine months. Also on March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we granted Roman Franklin, our President and a member of our board of directors, 4,500 (36,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted common stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine months also.

Each of the Restricted Stock Awards was entered into in connection with entry into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Kaplan and Franklin initially executed on December 31, 2018 (the “Kaplan 2018 Agreement” and the “Franklin 2018 Agreement”).

The Kaplan 2018 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. As of April 14, 2021, such shares have been issued for the months of January through July 2020. The Franklin 2018 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 375 (3,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. As of April 14, 2021, such shares have been issued for the months of January through July 2020.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Jed Kaplan, our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, of 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common StockStock. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors, of 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Steven Grossman, our Corporate Secretary, of 1,750 (14,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On July 29, 2020, the Board issued 41,875 (335,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Kaplan to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Kaplan 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Kaplan 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The Kaplan 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Kaplan 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 3,000 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On July 29, 2020, the Board also issued 34,813 (278,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Franklin to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Franklin 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Franklin 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The Franklin 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 375 (3,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Franklin 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 782 (6,250 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On July 29, 2020, we authorized the grant of an aggregate of 24,000 (192,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to an employee and the members of the Board of Directors of the Company. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On September 16, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,813 (22,500 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $25,420, or $9.04 ($1.13 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded stock-based professional fees of $25,420. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 9,844 (78,752 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. Of these shares, the Company issued 5,625 (45,000 pre-reverse split) shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 2,344 (18,750 pre-reverse split) shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $119,632, or per share prices ranging from $9.04 ($1.13 pre-reverse split) per share to $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per common share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On December 18, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 100,000 (800,000 pre-reverse split) shares (50,000 each) to two executive officers as a bonus. More specifically, the Company issued 50,000 (400,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 50,000 (400,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $1,410,000, or $14.10 ($1,7625 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $1,410,000. Additionally, these officers shall receive a cash bonus of $125,000 each to be paid when funds are available. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On February 16, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,657 (21,256 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 782 (6,256 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $39,191, or $14.75 ($1.84375 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

On March 8, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,657 (21,256 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 782 (6,256 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $35,604, or $13.40 ($1.675 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

On April 6, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,657 (21,256 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 782 (6,256 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $34,488, or $12.98 ($1.6225 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

Kaplan Promissory Note

On May 12, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company issued a promissory note (the “Kaplan Note”) in the principal sum of $90,000 in favor of Jed Kaplan, the Company’s then-Chief Executive Officer, interim Chief Financial Officer, member of the Company’s Board of Directors and greater than 5% stockholder of the Company. The Kaplan Note matures on the first business day following the 150-day anniversary of the Issue Date.

As of May 31, 2020, advances under the terms of this note were $64,728. On various dates subsequent to May 31, 2020, Mr. Kaplan funded $25,272 pursuant to the Kaplan Promissory Note. With the contributions subsequent to May 31, 2020, the principal balances outstanding and due Mr. Kaplan amounted to $90,000. On June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan agreed to forgive the debt of the Kaplan Promissory Note with a principal balance of $90,000 in exchange for the Company assigning to Mr. Kaplan a 10% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil, Ltda, a subsidiary of the Company. See “Description of Business—Recent Developments—Debt Obligations—Kaplan Promissory Note” for a more complete description of the terms of the note.

Restructuring the Ownership in Simplicity One Brasil, LTDA

In June 2020, while Simplicity One Brasil Ltda (“Simplicity One Brasil”) was preparing its initial application for purchasing a franchise in Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends, Simplicity One Brasil become aware that the 10%-ownership interest of Team One E-Sports Ltda (“Team One E-Sports”) in Simplicity One Brasil was in contravention of Riot Games’ policy that only one League of Legend esports team could be owned by an owner at one time because Team One had already submitted an application for purchasing a franchise for another League of Legend esports team. Accordingly, Simplicity One Brasil needed Team One E-Sports to divest itself of its 10%-equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil in order for Simplicity One Brasil to proceed with its franchise application. Therefore, on June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan entered into a Quota Purchase Agreement with Team One E-Sports, pursuant to which Mr. Kaplan acquired Team One Esports’ 10%-ownership equity interest for $45,000 in cash. In addition, the Company transferred a 2%-equity interest (an aggregate of 4%) to each of Laila De Braga Cavalcanti Loss and Frederico Tannure, who live in Brazil and run the operations of Simplicity One Brasil, in order to comply with Riot Games’ policy requiring local ownership in Brazil in order to apply for a franchise of a league of legends sports team. Furthermore, on June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan agreed to forgive the debt of the Kaplan Promissory Note with a principal balance of $90,000 in exchange for the Company assigning to Mr. Kaplan a 10% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil. In light of the restructuring of the ownership interest in Simplicity One Brasil, as of April 14, 2021, the Company, Mr. Kaplan, Ms. Cavalcanti Loss, and Mr. Tannure own a 76%, 20%, 2% and 2% equity interest in Simplicity One Brasil.

Director Independence

For a description of director independence of our board members, see “Management— Board Committees and Director Independence” on page 78 of this prospectus.

UNDERWRITING

__________________ (“____________”) is acting as the representative of the underwriters of the offering (the “Representative”). We have entered into an underwriting agreement dated __________, 2021 with the Representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter named below and each underwriter named below has severally and not jointly agreed to purchase from us, at the public offering price per Unit less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of Units listed next to its name in the following table:

Name of Underwriter

Number of

Units

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriters to purchase all of the Units being offered to the public is subject to specific conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business or in the financial markets and the receipt of certain legal opinions, certificates and letters from us, our counsel and the independent auditors. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased, or the offering may be terminated. Subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will purchase all of the Units being offered for resale,to the public, other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below, if any of these Units are purchased.

The underwriters are offering the Units, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Over-Allotment Option

We have granted to the Representative an option, exercisable one or more times in whole or in part, not later than 45 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase from us up to an (i) additional 106,382 shares of common stock at a price of $14.10 per share (based on an assumed public offering price per Unit of $14.10, the last reported sale price of our common stock on April 14, 2021) and/or (ii) additional warrants to purchase 106,382 shares of common stock at a price of $0.01 per warrant (15% of the shares of common stock and warrants included in the Units sold in this offering), in each case, less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover of this prospectus in any combination thereof to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent that the Representative exercises this option, each of the underwriters will become obligated, subject to conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of these additional shares of common stock and/or warrants as the number of Units to be purchased by it in the above table bears to the total number of Units offered by this prospectus. We will be obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell these additional shares of common stock and/or warrants to the underwriters to the extent the option is exercised. If any additional shares of common stock and/or warrants are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares of common stock and/or warrants on the same terms as those on which the other Units are being offered hereunder. If this option is exercised in full, the total offering price to the public will be $11,500,000 and the total net proceeds, before expenses and after the credit to the underwriting commissions described below, to us will be $10,695,000.

103

Representative’s Warrants

We have agreed to issue to the Representative (or its permitted assignees) warrants to purchase up to a total of 99,290 shares of common stock (7% of the shares of common stock sold in this offering and 7% of the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants sold in this offering). The warrants will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, byin whole or in part, during the Selling Securityholders underthree year period commencing 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, which consist of (a) 5,200,000 shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Public Warrants originally sold as part of unitsperiod is in our IPO and which entitle the holder to purchase Common Stockcompliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(i). The warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $11.50a per share price equal to $16.215 per share, or 115% of Common Stock; (b) 261,500 sharesthe public offering price per Unit in the offering. The warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of Common StockFINRA. The Representative (or permitted assignees under Rule 5110(g)(1)) will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate these warrants or the securities underlying these warrants, nor will they engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that may be issuedwould result in the effective economic disposition of the warrants or the underlying securities for a period of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In addition, the warrants provide for certain piggyback registration rights upon request, in certain cases. The piggyback registration rights provided will terminate 3 years from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G)(v). We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities issuable on exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, underlying Private Placementwarrants other than underwriting commissions incurred and payable by the holders. The exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation.

Discounts and Commissions; Expenses

The underwriters propose initially to offer the units to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at those prices less a concession not in excess of $____ per unit. If all of the units offered by us are not sold at the public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms by means of a supplement to this prospectus.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise of the over-allotment option we granted to the Representative.

Per UnitTotal Without
Over-Allotment
Option
Total With Full
Over-Allotment
Option
Public offering price$$$
Underwriting discount$$$
Non-accountable expense allowance$$$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us$$$

We have agreed to pay a non-accountable expense allowance to the Representative equal to 1% of the gross proceeds received at the closing of the offering (excluding any proceeds received upon any subsequent exercise of the over-allotment option).

We have also agreed to reimburse the Representative for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed $90,000 in the aggregate. We estimate that total expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discount, will be approximately $474,107.

We have paid an expense deposit of $15,000 to the Representative, which will be applied against the accountable expenses that will be paid by us to the Representative in connection with this offering. The $15,000 expense deposit will be returned to us to the extent not actually incurred. The underwriting agreement also provides that in the event the offering is terminated, the $15,000 expense deposit paid to the Representative will be returned to us to the extent that offering expenses are not actually incurred by the Representative in accordance with Financial Industry Regulation Authority (“FINRA”) Rule 5110(f)(2)(C).

Discretionary Accounts

The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the Units offered hereby to any accounts over which entitlethey have discretionary authority.

104

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the holderunderwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and our officers and directors, and the holders of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, have agreed for a period of 180 days after the closing of this offering, not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, Common Stock atmake any short sale or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock either owned as of the date of the underwriting agreement or thereafter acquired without the prior written consent of the Representative.

Pricing of this Offering

Prior to this offering, there has not been an exerciseactive market for our common stock and there has been no public market for our warrants. The offering price of $11.50 per sharethe Units was determined between the underwriters and us at the time of Common Stock; (c) 261,500 sharespricing, considering our historical performance and capital structure, prevailing market conditions, and overall assessment of Common Stock originally soldour business. The market price of our common stock was one of several factors that was considered in determining the actual offering price.

We offer no assurances that the public offering price of our Units will correspond to the price at which our common stock and/or warrants will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active trading market for our common stock and warrants will develop and continue after this offering.

Right of First Refusal and Certain Post-Offering Investments

Subject to the closing of this offering and certain conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, for a period of eighteen (18) months after the closing of the offering, the Representative shall have a right of first refusal to act as lead managing underwriter and book-runner and/or placement agent for any and all future public or private equity, equity-linked or debt (excluding commercial bank debt) offerings undertaken during such period by us, or any of our successors or subsidiaries, on terms customary to the Representative. The Representative in conjunction with us, shall have the sole right to determine whether or not any other broker-dealer shall have the right to participate in any such offering and the economic terms of any such participation. In addition, the Company has also agreed to pay the Representative an aggregate cash fee of 7% in the event investors previously directly introduced to the Company by the Representative provide capital to the Company in any transaction during the period commencing 91 days following the closing of the offering and continuing for a period of 18 months thereafter.

Trading; NASDAQ Capital Market or NYSE American Listing

We intend to list our common stock and warrants (forming part of Private Placement Units; (d) 26,150 shares of Common Stock underlying the 261,500 rights originally sold as part of Private Placement Units; (e) 1,300,000 Founder Shares; (f) 52,000 shares of Common Stock heldunits offered hereby) on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American under the symbols “WINR” and “WINRW,” respectively. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by Maxim, the underwritersNasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American. The approval of our IPO;listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American is a condition of closing this offering.

105

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and (g) 208,000 shares of Common Stock held by Chardan as compensation for its services upon the consummation of the Transactions.Penalty Bids

 

In connection with this offering the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of securities in excess of the number of securities the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of securities over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of securities that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of securities involved is greater than the number of securities in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option and/or purchasing securities in the open market.
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. A naked short position occurs if the underwriters sell more securities than could be covered by the over-allotment option. This position can only be closed out by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.
Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when securities originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of our shares of common stock and warrants may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our shares of common stock and warrants. In addition, certain Selling Securityholdersneither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that any transaction, if commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

This prospectus in electronic format may offerbe made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriters, or by their affiliates. Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ websites and sell, from time to time,any information contained in any other websites maintained by the 261,500 Private Placement Warrants covered byunderwriters is not part of this prospectus. The securities being registered byprospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, are being registered pursuanthas not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters in their capacity as underwriters, and should not be relied upon by investors.

Other

From time to registration rights granted totime, the Selling Securityholdersunderwriters and/or their affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking and other financial services for us for which services it has received and, may in the future receive, customary fees. Except for the services provided in connection with our initial organization, the IPO and/or the Transactions. See the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” for further information regarding the Selling Securityholders’ method of distributing these securities.

The following tables set forth, with respect to each Selling Securityholder, the number of shares of Common Stock and Warrants (i) known to us to be beneficially owned as of December 15, 2018, (ii) being offered hereby and (iii) beneficially owned after giving effect to the sale by the Selling Securityholder of all of its Offered Securities. The number of shares of Common Stock set forth in the following table as beneficially owned as of December 15, 2018 and being offered hereby includes shares issuable upon the exercise of our Warrants. The immediately following table also sets forth the percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by a Selling Securityholder after giving effect to the sale by the Selling Securityholder of all Offered Securities, based on 5,119,396 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 15, 2018.

The Selling Securityholders are not making any representation that any shares of Common Stock or Warrants covered by this prospectus will be offered for sale. Because each Selling Securityholder may dispose of all, none or some portion of their securities, no estimate can be given as to the number of securities that will be beneficially owned by a Selling Securityholder upon termination of this offering. In addition, the Selling Securityholders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of their securities in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date on which the information in the table is presented. For purposes of the tables below, however, we have assumed upon termination of this offering, none of the Offered Securities will be beneficially owned by the Selling Securityholders, and weunderwriters have further assumed that the Selling Securityholders will not acquire beneficial ownership ofprovided any additional securitiesinvestment banking or other financial services during the offering.

We may amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time in the future to update or change this Selling Securityholders list and the securities that may be resold.


Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 Number of Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1)
   Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned After
Completion of the
Offering(1)
 
  Number of Shares of
Common Stock
Offered Hereby
 
Name 

 

Number

 Percentage
Timothy Eden(2) 57,000   57,000  0  0
Darby Tyser(3) 44,500   44,500  0  0
Albert Allen(4) 44,500   44,500  0  0
Wilton Lee(5) 48,400   48,400  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Edward Jaroski(6) 28,500   28,500  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO William Herrmann(7) 28,500   28,500  0  0
Merging Traffic, Inc.(8) 24,500   24,500  0  0
Sharon Katuin(9) 26,650   26,650  0  0
Barbara Winkler-Chimbor(10) 28,220   28,220  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Frank Leavy(11) 27,625   27,625  0  0
Paul Torre(12) 22,250   22,250  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Erin Fitch(13) 18,075   18,075  0  0
David Crossmier(14) 14,750   14,750  0  0
Donald Sera(15) 14,750   14,750  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO David Keenum(16) 14,250   14,250  0  0
Fred Zollinger(17) 14,750   14,750  0  0
Ann Akers(18) 14,500   14,500  0  0
Robert Ripley(19) 15,500   15,500  0  0
Gregory Hall(20) 14,500   14,500  0  0
William Jones(21) 11,900   11,900  0  0
Paul Reitz(22) 10,350   10,350  0  0
Joseph Frick(23) 10,140   10,140  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Judith Koons(24) 9,100   9,100  0  0
Shirley W. Barnard(25) 7,920   7,920  0  0
Vipul Vassa(26) 7,750   7,750  0  0
Ravi Parik(27) 8,000   8,000  0  0
Bradley Westover(28) 7,750   7,750  0  0
Suzanne Ronneau(29) 8,250   8,250  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Mary Tryon(30) 7,750   7,750  0  0
Marjorie Lee(31) 7,250   7,250  0  0
Silvanus Williams(32) 9,250   9,250  0  0
Ardys B. Clawson(33) 7,250   7,250  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Helen Carter(34) 5,950   5,950  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO June Rayle(35) 5,950   5,950  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Clyde Steven Batiste(36) 5,070   5,070  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Francis Malanowski(37) 4,350   4,350  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO John T. Vonesh(38) 4,450   4,450  0  0
James Hermann(39) 3,930   3,930  0  0
William Jordan(40) 3,930   3,930  0  0
Vian Borg(41) 3,520   3,520  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Leon Pike(42) 3,310   3,310  0  0
Barbara Conn(43) 3,000   3,000  0  0
Jason Franklin(44) 3,600   3,600  0  0
Scott Berg(45) 2,850   2,850  0  0
Donald Caldwell(46) 97,000   97,000  0  0
Sandeep Dhanuka(47) 71,580   71,580  0  0
Buttonwood Capital LLC(48) 8,375   8,375  0  0
Christian Thomas Holzman(49) 1,000   1,000  0  0
Lloyd David Franklin 2,750   2,750  0  0
James Mark Franklin 7,682   7,682  0  0
Alyssia Marie Franklin 51,000   51,000  0  0
Roman Nehemiah Franklin 100,000   100,000  0  0
F. Jacob Cherian 307,286   307,286  0  0
Suhel Kanuga 307,287   307,287  0  0
Max Hooper 5,000   5,000  0  0
Christopher Dorman 2,500   2,500  0  0
Margaret Ticehurst 100   100  0  0
Richard Ticehurst 100   100  0  0
Alan Totten 100   100  0  0
Deborah Totten 100   100  0  0
Susan MacFadden 100   100  0  0
Edward Nance 100   100  0  0
Simon Franklin 100   100  0  0
Mariel Dejesus 100   100  0  0
Corina Jaime 100   100  0  0
Chantina Omar 100   100  0  0
Kendal Franklin 100   100  0  0
Robert Franklin 100   100  0  0
Michelle Franklin 100   100  0  0
Barbara Franklin 100   100  0  0
Dalaynee Deck 100   100  0  0
Nathen Skinner 100   100  0  0
Virginia Skinner 100   100  0  0
Pilar Puglise 100   100  0  0
Asalilia Heath 100   100  0  0
Russell Smith 100   100  0  0
Tarik Mobolaji Andwele 100   100  0  0
William E. Findley Living Trust Dtd 3/1/2004 5,000   5,000  

0

  

0

Cup & Cross Ministries International 300   300  

0

  

0

Maxim Group LLC 52,000   52,000  0  0
Chardan Capital Markets, LLC 208,000   208,000  0  0
Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund 139,954   139,954  0  0
Crown Managed Accounts SPC 10,046   10,046  0  0
K2 Principal Fund L.P 66,000   66,000  0  0


(1)The amounts and percentages of Common Stock beneficially owned are determined in accordance with the SEC’s rules, pursuant to which a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting or investment power or has the right to acquire such power within 60 days through exercise of any option, warrant or other right. Securities that can be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such person’s ownership percentage, but not for purposes of computing any other person’s percentage. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Except as otherwise indicated in these footnotes, each of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of Common Stock. 

(2)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Timothy Eden includes 20,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 20,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(3)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Darby Tyser includes 15,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 15,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(4)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Albert Allen includes 15,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 15,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(5)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Wilton Lee includes 14,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 14,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(6)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Edward Jaroski includes 10,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 10,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(7)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO William Herrmann includes 10,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 10,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(8)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Merging Traffic, Inc. includes 10,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 10,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(9)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Sharon Katuin includes 8,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 8,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(10)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Barbara Winkler-Chimbor includes 8,200 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 8,200 Private Placement Warrants. 

(11)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Frank Leavy includes 7,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 7,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(12)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Paul Torre includes 7,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 7,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(13)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Erin Fitch includes 5,300 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,300 Private Placement Warrants. 

(14)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by David Crossmier includes 5,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(15)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Donald Sera includes 5,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(16)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO David Keenum includes 5,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(17)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Fred Zollinger includes 5,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(18)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Ann Akers includes 5,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(19)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Robert Ripley includes 5,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(20)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Gregory Hall includes 5,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 5,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(21)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by William Jones includes 4,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 4,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(22)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Paul Reitz includes 3,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 3,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(23)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Joseph Frick includes 3,400 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 3,400 Private Placement Warrants. 

(24)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Judith Koons includes 3,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 3,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(25)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Shirley W. Barnard includes 2,700 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,700 Private Placement Warrants. 

(26)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Vipul Vassa includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(27)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Ravi Parik includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(28)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Bradley Westover includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(29)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Suzanne Ronneau includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(30)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Mary Tryon includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(31)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Marjorie Lee includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(32)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Silvanus Williams includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(33)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Ardys B. Clawson includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(34)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Helen Carter includes 2,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(35)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO June Rayle includes 2,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(36)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Clyde Steven Batiste includes 1,700 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,700 Private Placement Warrants. 

(37)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Francis Malanowski includes 1,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(38)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO John T. Vonesh includes 1,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

(39)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by James Hermann includes 1,300 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,300 Private Placement Warrants. 

(40)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by William Jordan includes 1,300 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,300 Private Placement Warrants. 

(41)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Vian Borg includes 1,200 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,200 Private Placement Warrants. 

(42)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NuView Trust Company FBO Leon Pike includes 1,100 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,100 Private Placement Warrants. 

(43)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Barbara Conn includes 1,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(44)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Jason Franklin includes 1,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(45)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Scott Berg includes 1,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 1,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(46)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Donald Caldwell includes 20,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 20,000 Private Placement Warrants. 

(47)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Sandeep Dhanuka includes 19,800 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 19,800 Private Placement Warrants. 

(48)The number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Buttonwood Capital LLC includes 2,500 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercisable of 2,500 Private Placement Warrants. 

Private Placement Warrants

 

 Number of
Private Placement Warrants
Beneficially Owned(1)
   Private Placement Warrants
Beneficially Owned After
Completion of the
Offering
 
  Number of
Private Placement Warrants
Offered Hereby
 
Name Number Percentage 
Timothy Eden 20,000   20,000  0  0
Darby Tyser 15,000   15,000  0  0
Albert Allen 15,000   15,000  0  0
Wilton Lee 14,000   14,000  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Edward Jaroski 10,000   10,000  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO William Herrmann 10,000   10,000  0  0
Merging Traffic, Inc. 10,000   10,000  0  0
Sharon Katuin 8,500   8,500  0  0
Barbara Winkler-Chimbor 8,200   8,200  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Frank Leavy 7,500   7,500  0  0
Paul Torre 7,500   7,500  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Erin Fitch 5,300   5,300  0  0
David Crossmier 5,000   5,000  0  0
Donald Sera 5,000   5,000  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO David Keenum 5,000   5,000  0  0
Fred Zollinger 5,000   5,000  0  0
Ann Akers 5,000   5,000  0  0
Robert Ripley 5,000   5,000  0  0
Gregory Hall 5,000   5,000  0  0
William Jones 4,000   4,000  0  0
Paul Reitz 3,500   3,500  0  0
Joseph Frick 3,400   3,400  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Judith Koons 3,000   3,000  0  0
Shirley W. Barnard 2,700   2,700  0  0
Vipul Vassa 2,500   2,500  0  0
Ravi Parik 2,500   2,500  0  0
Bradley Westover 2,500   2,500  0  0
Suzanne Ronneau 2,500   2,500  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Mary Tryon 2,500   2,500  0  0
Marjorie Lee 2,500   2,500  0  0
Silvanus Williams 2,500   2,500  0  0
Ardys B. Clawson 2,500   2,500  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Helen Carter 2,000   2,000  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO June Rayle 2,000   2,000  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Clyde Steven Batiste 1,700   1,700  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Francis Malanowski 1,500   1,500  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO John T. Vonesh 1,500   1,500  0  0
James Hermann 1,300   1,300  0  0
William Jordan 1,300   1,300  0  0
Vian Borg 1,200   1,200  0  0
NuView Trust Company FBO Leon Pike 1,100   1,100  0  0
Barbara Conn 1,000   1,000  0  0
Jason Franklin 1,000   1,000  0  0
Scott Berg 1,000   1,000  0  0
Donald Caldwell 20,000   20,000  0  0
Sandeep Dhanuka 19,800   19,800  0  0
Buttonwood Capital LLC 2,500   2,500  0  0


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Issuance of Common Stock Underlying Warrants

        Pursuant to the terms of the Warrants, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof will be distributed to those Warrant holders who surrender the certificates representing the Warrants and provide payment of the exercise price through their brokers to our warrant agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

        The prices at which the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants covered by this prospectus may actually be disposed of may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.

Resale of Common Stock and Private Placement Warrants by Selling Securityholders

        We are registering Common Stock and Private Placement Warrants, offered by this prospectus on behalf of the Selling Securityholders. The Selling Securityholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling Common Stock and Private Placement Warrants received after180-day period preceding the date of this prospectus from a Selling Securityholder as a gift, pledge, limited liability company or partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their securities on Nasdaq (in the case of our Common Stock and Private Placement Warrants) or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which such securities are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.

        The Selling Securityholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of their securities or interests therein:

● in market transactions, including transactions on a national securities exchange or quotations service or over-the-counter market;  

● in privately negotiated transactions;  

● through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;  

● in a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell a block of securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;  

● through the settlement of short sales (including short sales “against the box”), in each case subject to compliance with the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws;  

● through one or more underwriters in a public offering on a firm commitment or best-efforts basis;  

● an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange, if any;  

● ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;  

● purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;  

● broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Securityholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;  

● directly to one or more purchasers; 

● in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets;  

● by pledge to secure debts and other obligations;  

● through agents; or  

● in any combination of the above or by any other legally available means.

        The Selling Securityholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the securities owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell their securities, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of Selling Securityholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as Selling Securityholders under this prospectus. The Selling Securityholders also may transfer their securities in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.


        In connection with the sale of our securities or interests therein, the Selling Securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of our securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Securityholders may also sell their securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge such securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Securityholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealers or other financial institutions of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealers or other financial institutions may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

        The aggregate proceeds to the Selling Securityholders from the sale of the securities offered by them will be the purchase price of the security less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the Selling Securityholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of their securities to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the resale of securities being offered by the Selling Securityholders named herein. However, we will receive proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants if they are exercised by a holder thereof.

        The Selling Securityholders also may resell all or a portion of their securities in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.

        The Selling Securityholders and any broker-dealers that act in connection with the sale of securities might be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by such broker-dealers and any profit on the resale of the securities sold by them while acting as principals might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.

        To the extent required, the securities to be sold, the names of the Selling Securityholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agent, dealer or underwriter, and any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

 

Blue Sky Restrictions on ResaleOffers Outside of the United States

 

        In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, our securities may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states our securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

        If a Selling Securityholder wants to sell its securities under this prospectusOther than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the Selling Securityholder will also need to comply with state securities laws, also known as “Blue Sky laws,” with regard to secondary sales. All states offerunderwriters that would permit a variety of exemptions from registration for secondary sales. Many states, for example, have an exemption for secondary trading of securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, or for securities of issuers that publish continuous disclosure of financial and non-financial information in a recognized securities manual, such as Standard & Poor’s. The broker for a Selling Securityholder will be able to advise a Selling Securityholder in which states our securities are exempt from registration with that state for secondary sales.

        Any person who purchases our securities from a Selling Securityholder offered by this prospectus who then wants to sell such securities will also have to comply with Blue Sky laws regarding secondary sales.


        When the registration statement that includes this prospectus becomes effective, and a Selling Securityholder indicates in which state(s) such Selling Securityholder desires to sell such Selling Securityholder’s securities, we will be able to identify whether such Selling Securityholder will need to register or will be able to rely on an exemption therefrom.

        We have advised the Selling Securityholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of securities in the market and to the activities of the Selling Securityholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the Selling Securityholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The Selling Securityholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of their securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

        We have agreed to indemnify the Selling Securityholders against liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act and state securities laws, relating to the registrationpublic offering of the securities offered by this prospectus.

        We are required to pay all of our fees and expenses incident to the registration of theprospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities coveredoffered by this prospectus includingmay not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with regard to compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws. The registration expensesthe offer and sale of any registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statementsuch securities be distributed or similar documentpublished in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such registration statement becoming effective, will be borne by the Company.an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

Pursuant

The following description of our capital stock is based upon our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, our bylaws and applicable provisions of law, in each case as currently in effect. This discussion does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our thirdCertificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificateour bylaws, copies of incorporation,which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Authorized Capital Stock

Assuming the filing and effectiveness of a Certificate of Amendment to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000, our authorized capital stock consists of 20,000,000(i) 36,000,000 shares of Common Stock,common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The following description summarizes the material termsshare (“Preferred Stock”). At April 14, 2021, we had 1,424,008 (11,392,064 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and no Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.

As of April 14, 2021, there were 132 holders of record of our capital stock. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you.Common Stock.

 

Common Stock

Prior to the date of this prospectus, there were 5,119,390 shares of our Common Stock outstanding.

 

Common stockholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Unless specified in our thirdCertificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or as required by applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of Common Stock that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our stockholders. Our board of directors is divided into two classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of two years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Our stockholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.

 

108

Preferred Stock

 

Our thirdCertificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificate of incorporation provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. No shares of preferred stock are being issued or registered in this offering.

 

Warrants

 

Public Stockholders’ Warrants

In August 2017, we issued 650,000 (5,200,000 pre-reverse split) warrants (“Public Warrants”) forming a part of units which we originally issued in our initial public offering. Each warrantPublic Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a price of $11.50$92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below,adjustment. The Public Warrants may be exercised at any time commencing on December 20, 2018 until November 19, 2023. On September 30, 2019, the later of 12 months from the closing of our IPO or 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of Common Stock. The warrants will expire five years after the completion of our initial business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

We will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of the exercising holder, unless an exemption is available. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a warrant, the holder of such warrant will not be entitled to exercise such warrant and such warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised warrants, the purchaser of a unit containing such warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the share of common stock underlying such unit.


This registration statement complies with our obligation to as soon as practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days, after the closing of our initial business combination, use our best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the650,000 (5,200,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants. We will use our best efforts to causePublic Warrants became registered under the same to become effective no later than ninety (90) days after the closing of our initial business combination and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. Securities Act.

Notwithstanding the above, if our Common Stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement or register or qualify the shares under blue sky laws, and in the event we do not so elect, we will use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were initially offered by us in this offering.

 

Once the warrants become exercisable, we may call the warrants for redemption:

 

 in whole and not in part;
 at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
 upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and
 if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $21.00$168.00 ($21.00 pre-reverse split) per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date we send to the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

 

If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws and we are unable to effect such registration or qualification, subject to our obligation in such case to use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares of Common Stock under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were initially offered by us in this offering.

 

We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the common stock may fall below the $21.00$168.00 ($21.00 pre-reverse split) redemption trigger price as well as the $11.50$92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.

If we call the warrants for redemption as described above, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his, her or its warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of our warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of Common Stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the warrants after our initial business combination. If we call our warrants for redemption and our management does not take advantage of this option, the initial purchasers and their permitted transferees would still be entitled to exercise their Private Placement Warrants contained in the Private Placement Units for cash or on a cashless basis using the same formula described above that other warrant holders would have been required to use had all warrant holders been required to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, as described in more detail below.


A holder of a warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.

 

If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a split-up of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Common Stock. A rights offering to holders of common stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for common stock) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of common stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, in determining the price payable for common stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of common stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.

 

In addition, if we, at any time while the warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of common stock on account of such shares of Common Stock (or other shares of our capital stock into which the warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of common stock in connection with a proposed initial business combination, (d) as a result of the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by the company if the proposed initial business combination is presented to the stockholders of the company for approval, or (e) in connection with the redemption of our Public Shares upon our failure to complete our initial business combination, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of common stock in respect of such event.

If the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock.

Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.


In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the warrants and in lieu of the shares of our Common Stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if such holders were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets for which each warrant will become exercisable will be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by such holders in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election, and if a tender, exchange or redemption offer has been made to and accepted by such holders (other than a tender, exchange or redemption offer made by the company in connection with redemption rights held by stockholders of the company as provided for in the company’sCompany’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificate of incorporation or as a result of the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by the company if a proposed initial business combination is presented to the stockholders of the company for approval) under circumstances in which, upon completion of such tender or exchange offer, the maker thereof, together with members of any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holder of a warrant will be entitled to receive the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a stockholder if such warrant holder had exercised the warrant prior to the expiration of such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the common stock held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustments (from and after the consummation of such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in the warrant agreement. Additionally, if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of common stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of common stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the warrant agreement based on the per share consideration minus Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as defined in the warrant agreement) of the warrant in order to determine and realize the option value component of the warrant. This formula is to compensate the warrant holder for the loss of the option value portion of the warrant value due to the requirement that the warrant holder exercise the warrant within 30 days of the event. The Black-Scholes model is an accepted pricing model for estimating fair market value where no quoted market price for an instrument is available.

 

The warrants have been issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Public Warrants.

The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of Common Stock. After the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of Common Stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the warrant holder.


As of April 14, 2021, 650,000 (5,200,000 pre-reverse split) Public Warrants remain outstanding.

Private Placement Warrants

In August 2017, we issued 32,688 (261,500 pre-reverse split) warrants (“Private Placement Warrants”) forming a part of units which we originally issued in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the consummation of our initial public offering. Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of our Common Stock at a price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) per share, subject to adjustment. The Private Placement Warrants may be exercised at any time commencing on December 20, 2018 until November 19, 2023. On September 30, 2019, the 32,688 (261,500 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants became registered under the Securities Act.

 

The Private Placement Warrants (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants), will not be redeemable by us so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. Otherwise, the Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants being sold as part of the units in the IPO. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by holders other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

 

If holders of the Private Placement Warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the initial purchasers and their permitted transferees is because it is not known at this time whether they will be affiliated with us following a business combination. If they remain affiliated with us, their ability to sell our securities in the open market will be significantly limited. We expect to have policies in place that prohibit insiders from selling our securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell our securities, an insider cannot trade in our securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike Public Stockholders who could exercise their warrants and sell the shares of Common Stock received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities. As a result, we believe that allowing the holders to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis is appropriate.

 

As of April 14, 2021, 32,688 (261,500 pre-reverse split) Private Placement Warrants remain outstanding.

112

2019 Warrants

During the period from March 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019, the Company issued 123,438 (987,500 pre-reverse split) warrants (“2019 Warrants”) which formed a part of units privately placed in a units offering. The warrants expire 5-years from the date of issuance and are exercisable at a purchase price of $32.00 ($4.00 pre-reverse split) per share. On September 30, 2019, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the 2019 Warrants became registered under the Securities Act.

As of April 14, 2021, 123,438 (987,500 pre-reverser split) 2019 Warrants remain outstanding.

Dividends

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any stock dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a stock dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial stockholders prior to this offering at 20% of our issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock upon the consummation of this offering (not including the Private Placement Shares and the shares of Common Stock issuable to Maxim upon the consummation of this offering). Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

 

Our Transfer AgentDescription of Securities in this Offering

Units

Each unit consists of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and Warrant Agentone warrant to purchase one share of our common stock, each as described further below. No units will actually be issued in this offering and the common stock and warrants will be immediately separable and will be issued separately.

Warrants

In connection with the purchase of each unit, each investor will receive one share of common stock and one warrant. Accordingly, upon completion of this offering based on the assumed offering price, we expect to have an additional 657,142 warrants outstanding (if the warrants reserved for the over-allotment are sold). Each warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of 110% of the price of each unit sold in the offering and is exercisable for a period of five years from the initial exercise date.

 

The transfer agentnumber of warrants outstanding, and the exercise price of those securities, will be adjusted proportionately in the event of a reverse or forward stock split of our common stock, a recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, payment of dividends or distributions in common stock to our common stockholders, or similar transactions. In the event that the Company effects a rights offering to its common stock holders or a pro rata distribution of its assets among its common stock holders, then the holder of the warrants will have the right to participate in such distribution and rights offering to the extent of their pro rata share of the Company’s outstanding common stock assuming they owned the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of their warrants. In the event of a “Fundamental Transaction” by the Company, such as a merger or consolidation of it with another company, the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in one or a series of related transactions, a purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer, or any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Company’s common stock, then the warrant holder will have the right to receive, for our Common Stockeach share of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrant, at the option of the holder, the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration payable as a result of the Fundamental Transaction, that would have been issued or conveyed to the warrant agentholder had the holder exercised the warrant immediately preceding the closing of the Fundamental Transaction. In lieu of receiving such common stock and additional consideration in the Fundamental Transaction, the warrant holder may elect to have the Company or the successor entity purchase the warrant holder’s warrant for our Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trustits fair market value.

The Company will promptly notify the warrant holders in writing of any adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of the outstanding warrants, declaration of a dividend or other distribution, a special non-recurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the common stock, the authorization of a rights offering, the approval of the stock holders required for any proposed reclassification of the common stock, a consolidation or merger by the Company, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, any compulsory share exchange, or the authorization of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Company. We have agreed

The warrants will be issued in registered form, in each case pursuant to indemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles asa Warrant Agent Agreement between the transfer agent and registrar, as warrant agent, its agents and each of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faithus. You should review a copy of the indemnified person or entity. Warrant Agent Agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants.


Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and our Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as Amended, and Bylaws

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. This statute prevents certain Delaware corporations, under certain circumstances, from engaging in a “business combination” with:

 

 a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (otherwise known as an “interested stockholder”);
 an affiliate of an interested stockholder; or
 an associate of an interested stockholder, for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder.

 

A “business combination” includes a merger or sale of more than 10% of our assets. However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:

 

 our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an “interested stockholder,” prior to the date of the transaction;
 after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares of Common Stock; or
 on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders, and not by written consent, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Our thirdCertificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors will be classified into two classes of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual meetings.

 

Our authorized but unissued common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

Exclusive Forum for Certain Lawsuits

 

Our thirdCertificate of Incorporation, as amended, and restated certificate of incorporation will require, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing such suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.

 

114

Special Meeting of Stockholders

 

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority vote of our board of directors, by our Chief Executive Officer or by our Chairman.


Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

 

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received by the secretary to our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day prior to the scheduled date of the annual meeting of stockholders. If our annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 4530 days before or after such anniversary date, a stockholder’s notice will need to be received not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which we first publicly announce the date of the annual meeting. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice for an annual meeting. Specifically, a stockholder’s notice must include: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of our capital stock owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (v) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (vi) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before such meeting. These notice requirements will be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified us of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such rule for inclusion of such proposal in the proxy statement we prepare to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals seeking inclusion in our annual proxy statement must comply with the notice periods contained therein. The foregoing provisions may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Rule 144Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent

 

        Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our Common Stock or WarrantsThe transfer agent for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale.

        Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of our Common Stock or Warrants for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of:

● 1% of the total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding; or 

● the average weekly reported trading volume of the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

        Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

        For purposes of the six-month holding period requirement of Rule 144, a person who beneficially owns restricted shares of our Common Stock issued pursuant to a cashless exercise of a Warrant shall be deemed to have acquired such shares, and the holding period for such shares shall be deemed to have commenced, on the date the Warrant was originally issued.

Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies

        Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. However, Rule 144 also includes an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:

● the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company; 


● the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

● the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and 

● at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

        As of the date of this prospectus, we had 5,119,390 shares of Common Stock outstanding. As of the date of this prospectus, there are 5,461,500 Warrants outstanding, consisting of 5,200,000 Public Warrants and 261,500 Private Placement Warrants. Each Warrant is exercisable for one share of our Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement. The Public Warrants are freely tradable. In addition, we were obligated to file no later than 30 business days after the closing of the Transaction the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part covering the 5,461,500 shares of our Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants and the resale from time to time of 7,309,150 shares of Common Stock and 261,500 Private Placement Warrants by the Selling Securityholders and cause this registration statement to become effective and maintain the effectiveness of this registration statement until the expiration of the Warrants.


MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS   

     The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Common Stock and Warrants. This discussionwarrant agent for our Warrants is limitedContinental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. We have agreed to certain U.S. federal income tax considerationsindemnify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in its roles as transfer agent and warrant agent, its agents and each of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to beneficial owners of our securities who hold the securities as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances, including the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare contribution tax on certain investment income and the different consequences that may apply if you are subject to special rules that apply to certain types of investors, such as:

financial institutions or financial services entities;
broker-dealers;
insurance companies;
governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
regulated investment companies;
real estate investment trusts;
expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our voting shares;
persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;
dealers or traders subject to a mark to market method of accounting with respect to the securities;
persons holding the securities as part of a “straddle,” hedge, constructive sale, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction;
U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
partnerships or other pass through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and
tax exempt entities.

If you are a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of your partners will generally depend on the status of the partners and your activities.

This discussion is based on the Code and administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus may affect the tax consequences described herein. This discussion does not address any aspect of state, localindemnified person or non-U.S. taxation, or any U.S. tax law other than the U.S. federal income tax (such as gift, estate or Medicare contribution taxes) or except as discussed below, any tax reporting obligations of a holder of our securities. This discussion also assumes that any distribution made (or deemed made on our securities and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder from the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars.

We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.entity.

 

THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES.


Personal Holding Company StatusLEGAL MATTERS

 

We could be subject to a second level of U.S. federal income tax on a portion of our income if we are determined to be a personal holding company, or PHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a PHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a given taxable year if (i) at any time during the last half of such taxable year, five or fewer individuals (without regard to their citizenship or residency and including as individuals for this purpose certain entities such as certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts) own or are deemed to own (pursuant to certain constructive ownership rules) more than 50% of the stock of the corporation by value and (ii) at least 60% of the corporation’s adjusted ordinary gross income, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for such taxable year consists of PHC income (which includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain royalties, annuities and, under certain circumstances, rents).

Depending on the date and size of our transactions, at least 60% of our adjusted ordinary gross income may consist of PHC income as discussed above. In addition, depending on the concentration of our stock in the hands of individuals, including the members of our sponsor and certain tax-exempt organizations, pension funds and charitable trusts, more than 50% of our stock may be owned or deemed owned (pursuant to the constructive ownership rules) by such persons during the last half of a taxable year. Thus, no assurance can be given that we will not become a PHC following this offering or in the future. If we are or were to become a PHC in a given taxable year, we would be subject to an additional PHC tax, currently 20%, on our undistributed PHC income, which generally includes our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments. The PHC requirements may apply to us in the taxable year of the offering and/or future taxable years.  

U.S. Holders

This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. holder.” A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our securities who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has in effect a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.

Taxation of Distributions. If we pay cash distributions to U.S. holders of shares of our Common Stock, such distributions generally will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock and will be treated as described under “U.S. holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities” below.

Dividends we pay to a U.S. holder that is a taxable corporation generally will qualify for the dividends received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends we pay to a non-corporate U.S. holder generally will constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the maximum tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains.

Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities. Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our securities which, in general, would include a redemption of common stock or warrants, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such securities. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the securities so disposed of exceeds one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to various limitations that are not described herein because a discussion of such limitations depends on each U.S. holder’s particular facts and circumstances.


Generally, the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its securities so disposed of. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock or warrants generally will equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost less, in the case of a share of common stock, any prior distributions treated as a return of capital.

Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant. Except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a warrant, a U.S. holder generally will not recognize taxable gain or loss from the acquisition of common stock upon exercise of a warrant for cash. The U.S. holder’s tax basis in the share of our Common Stock received upon exercise of the warrant generally will be an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. holder’s initial investment in the warrant and the exercise price. It is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise of the warrants will commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrants; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the warrants. If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in the warrant.

The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a warrant are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. holder’s basis in the common stock received would equal the holder’s basis in the warrant. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of Common Stock would be treated as commencing on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the common stock would include the holding period of the warrant.

It is also possible that a cashless exercise could be treated in part as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. holder could be deemed to have surrendered warrants equal to the number of common shares having a value equal to the exercise price for the total number of warrants to be exercised. The U.S. holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the warrants deemed surrendered. In this case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received would equal the sum of the fair market value of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the warrants exercised. It is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of Common Stock would commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant.

Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise.

Possible Constructive Distributions. The terms of each warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of shares of Common Stock for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events, as discussed in the section of this prospectus captioned “Description of Securities — Warrants — Public Stockholders’ Warrants.” An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. The U.S. holders of the warrants would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from us if, for example, the adjustment increases the warrant holders’ proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of shares of Common Stock that would be obtained upon exercise) as a result of a distribution of cash to the holders of shares of our Common Stock which is taxable to the U.S. holders of such shares as described under “U.S. holders — Taxation of Distributions” above. For example, if the exercise price of the warrants is decreased as a result of certain taxable dividends paid to holders of the common stock (as contemplated by the terms of the warrant in certain circumstances), then the amount by which such exercise was decreased could be considered an increase in the warrant holder’s proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits, which may result in a constructive distribution to holders of the warrants. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under that section in the same manner as if the U.S. holders of the warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest. For certain information reporting purposes, we are required to determine the date and amount of any such constructive distributions. Recently proposed Treasury regulations, which we may rely on prior to the issuance of final regulations, specify how the date and amount of constructive distributions are determined. 


Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information reporting requirements may apply to dividends paid to a U.S. holder and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of our securities, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. holder.” A Non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our securities who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

ˈa non resident alien individual, other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates;
ˈa foreign corporation; or
ˈan estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder;

but does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the sale or other disposition of a security.

Taxation of Distributions. In general, any distributions we make to a Non-U.S. holder of shares of our Common Stock, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, provided such dividends are not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States, we will be required to withhold tax from the gross amount of the dividend at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E). Any distribution not constituting a dividend will be treated first as reducing (but not below zero) the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our Common Stock and, to the extent such distribution exceeds the Non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis, as gain realized from the sale or other disposition of the common stock, which will be treated as described under “Non-U.S. holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities” below. In addition, if we determine that we are classified as a “United States real property holding corporation” (see “Non-U.S. holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities” below), we will withhold 15% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

The withholding tax does not apply to dividends paid to a Non-U.S. holder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax as if the Non-U.S. holder were a U.S. resident, subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise. A Non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or a lower treaty rate).

Exercise of a Warrant. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. holder’s exercise of a warrant, or the lapse of a warrant held by a Non-U.S. holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of a warrant by a U.S. holder, as described under “U.S. holders — Exercise or Lapse of a Warrant” above, although to the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described below in “Non-U.S. holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities.” 


Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Our Securities. A Non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, taxable exchange or other taxable disposition of our securities unless:

ˈthe gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, under certain income tax treaties, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. holder); or
ˈwe are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. holder held our securities, and, in the case where shares of our Common Stock are regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of our Common Stock at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or such Non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of our Common Stock. There can be no assurance that our Common Stock will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose.

Unless an applicable treaty provides otherwise, gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates as if the Non-U.S. holder were a U.S. resident. Any gains described in the first bullet point above of a Non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or lower treaty rate).

If the second bullet point above applies to a Non-U.S. holder, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our securities will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. In addition, a buyer of our securities from such holder may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. We will be classified as a U.S. real property holding corporation if the fair market value of our “U.S. real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of our worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of dividends and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our securities. A Non-U.S. holder may have to comply with certification procedures to establish that it is not a United States person in order to avoid information reporting and backup withholding requirements. The certification procedures required to claim a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding as well. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA Withholding Taxes. Provisions commonly referred to as “FATCA” impose withholding of 30% on payments of dividends (including constructive dividends) on our securities, and, beginning January 1, 2019, sales or other disposition proceeds from our securities to “foreign financial institutions” (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and certain other Non-U.S. entities unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied, or an exemption applies (typically certified as to by the delivery of a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN-E). If FATCA withholding is imposed, a beneficial owner of the payment that is not a foreign financial institution (or that is a foreign financial institution entitled to a reduced rate of withholding tax with respect to such payment under an income tax treaty) generally may be entitled to a refund or credit of any amounts withheld by filing a U.S. federal income tax return and providing certain other information to the IRS (which may entail significant administrative burden). Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the effects of FATCA on their investment in our securities.  


LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP.Anthony L.G., PLLC, 625 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 600, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. Littman Krooks LLP, New York, New York is acting as counsel to the underwriters.

115

EXPERTS

 

EXPERTS

Our financial statementsbalance sheets as of May 31, 2018,2020 and May 31, 2019 and the interim periodrelated statement of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended AugustMay 31, 2018,2020 and 2019 included in this registration statement and prospectus have been included herein in reliance upon the report ofaudited by Prager Metis, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein,as indicated in their report (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph related to Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company’s ability to continue as a going concern) with respect thereto, and have been so included in reliance upon the authorityreport of Prager Metissuch firm given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION’S POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

Our directors and officers are indemnified as provided by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and our bylaws. We have agreed to indemnify each of our directors and certain officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the provisions described above, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than our payment of expenses incurred or paid by our director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MOREADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other informationhave filed with the SEC. Our SEC filings are availablethe registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act for the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and the exhibits filed with it, portions of which have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. For further information concerning us and the securities offered by this prospectus, we refer to the public throughregistration statement and to the Internetexhibits filed with it. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the content of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete. In each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contracts and/or other documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement.

The registration statement on Form S-1, of which this prospectus forms a part, including exhibits, is available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov. You canmay also read and copy any document we file with, or furnish to, the SEC at its public reference facilities:

Public Reference Room Office
100 F Street, N.E.
Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549

You may also obtain a copycopies of anythe documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement at no cost,prescribed rates by writing or telephoning us at:

Suhel Kanuga, Secretary
Smaaash Entertainment Inc.
1345 Avenueto the Public Reference Section of the Americas, 15th Floor

New York, New York 10105
Tel: (212) 878-3684
Email:sk@i-amcapital.comSEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Callers in the United States can also call (202) 551-8090 for further information on the operations of the public reference facilities.

 

83

116

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets, as of May 31, 20182020 and May 31, 20172019 (Audited)F-3
Consolidated Statement of Operations, Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 20182020 and May 31, 20172019 (Audited)F-4
Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’sStockholders’ Equity, Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 20182020 and May 31, 20172019 (Audited)F-5
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Fiscal Years Ended May 31, 20182020 and May 31, 20172019 (Audited)F-6
Notes to Audited Financial StatementsF-7
 F-7
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, August 31, 2018 (Unaudited)as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 20182020 (Unaudited)F-18 F-32
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended August 31, 2018February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2017February 29, 2020 (Unaudited)F-19 F-33
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 (Unaudited)F-34
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Threefor the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2018February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2017February 29, 2020 (Unaudited)F-20 F-36
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) F-21F-37


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the shareholders and the boardBoard of directorsDirectors of I-AM Capital AcquisitionSimplicity Esports and Gaming Company and Subsidiaries:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheetssheet of Smaaash Entertainment Inc.Simplicity Esports and Gaming Co. (the “Company”) as of May 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity,(deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended May 31, 2018 and the period April 17, 2017 (inception) thru May 31, 20172020, and the related notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of May 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended May 31, 2018 and the period April 17, 2017 (inception) thru May 31, 2017,2020, in conformity with U.S.accounting principles generally accepted accounting principles.in the United States of America.

 

Going Concern Matter

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has not generated sufficient revenues to provide sufficient cash flow as of May 31, 2020, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits.audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our auditsaudit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our auditsaudit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our auditsaudit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Prager Metis CPAs, LLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

2017

Basking Ridge, New Jersey

July 23, 2018

F-2

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY August 31, 2020

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  May 31, 2018  May 31, 2017 
       
ASSETS        
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $458,063  $30,000 
Deferred offering costs     25,000 
Prepaid expenses  3,168    
Total Current Assets  461,231   55,000 
         
Cash held in Trust Account  52,895,652    
Total Assets $53,356,883  $55,000 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current Liabilities        
Loan payable - Related party $81,618  $30,672 
Accrued expenses  63,579    
Deferred legal fees  100,000    
Total current liabilities  245,197   30,672 
Deferred underwriting fees  1,820,000    
Total Liabilities  2,065,197   30,672 
         
Commitments        
Common stock subject to possible redemption, $.0001 par value; 4,560,757 and -0- shares as of May 31, 2018 and May 31, 2017, respectively, at redemption value  46,291,685    
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Preferred Stock - $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding      
Common Stock - $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 2,252,743 and  1,437,500 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 4,560,757 and -0- shares subject to possible redemption) as of May 31, 2018 and May 31, 2017, respectively  225   144 
Additional paid-in capital  5,009,310   24,856 
Accumulated deficit  (9,534)  (672)
Total stockholders’ equity  5,000,001   24,328 
Total Liabilities and stockholders’ equity $53,356,883  $55,000 

F-3

  May 31,  May 31, 
  2020  2019 
ASSETS        
         
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $160,208  $1,540,158 
Accounts receivable, net  127,653   - 
Inventory  15,787   - 
Prepaid expenses  5,588   - 
Total Current Assets  309,236   1,540,158 
         
Other Assets        
Goodwill  5,155,141   4,456,250 
Intangible assets, net  2,141,374   1,528,441 
Deferred brokerage fees  149,223   - 
Property and equipment  232,733   117,231 
Right of use asset, operating lease  490,984   100,146 
Security deposit  14,885   12,317 
Deferred financing costs  98,198   - 
Total Other Assets  8,282,538   6,214,385 
         
TOTAL ASSETS $8,591,774  $7,754,543 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current Liabilities        
Accounts payable $126,716  $- 
Accrued expenses  1,421,842   691,940 
Loan payable – related party  -   93,761 
Convertible note payable  1,127,320   1,000,000 
Note payable – related party  64,728   - 
Operating lease obligation, current  151,867   32,045 
Current portion of deferred revenues  3,795   - 
Stock payable  75,000   - 
Total Current Liabilities  2,971,268   1,817,746 
         
Operating lease obligation, net of current portion  339,116   68,876 
Deferred revenues, less current portion  365,718   - 
         
Total Liabilities  3,676,102   1,886,622 
         
Commitments and Contingencies–Note 9        
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding  -   - 
Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 7,988,975 and 7,003,975 shares issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively  799   700 
Additional paid-in capital  11,131,404   9,442,027 
Accumulated deficit  (6,195,044)  (3,574,806)
Subtotal  4,937,159   5,867,921 
Non-controlling interest  (21,487)  - 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  4,915,672   5,867,921 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $8,591,774  $7,754,543 

 

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

  Year Ended May 31, 2018  For the period from April 17, 2017 (Inception) to May 31, 2017 
       
Revenues    
       
Operating expenses        
General and administrative expenses  530,564   672 
Loss from operations  (530,564)  (672)
         
Other income:        
Interest income  521,702    
         
Loss before provision for taxes  (8,862)  (672)
         
Income tax provision      
         
Net loss $(8,862) $(672)
         
Basic and diluted net loss per share $(0.00) $(0.00)
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  2,050,790   1,750,000 
  For the Year Ended 
  May 31, 2020  May 31, 2019 
       
Revenue        
Franchise Royalties and License Fees $478,023  $- 
Franchise Termination Revenue  44,984   - 
Company-Owned Stores Sales  174,042   - 
Esports Revenue  164,361   37,995 
Total Revenue  861,410   37,995 
Less Cost of Goods Sold  (422,539)  - 
         
Gross Profit  438,871   37,995 
         
Operating Expenses        
General and Administrative expenses  (3,170,992)  (4,353,189)
Loss from Operations  (2,732,121)  (4,315,194)
         
Other Income / (Expense)        
Debt Forgiveness Income  93,761   369,206 
Interest Expense  (32,472)  (23,268)
Interest Income  3,034   403,984 
Rebate Income  2,019   - 
Total Other Income  66,342   749,922 
         
Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes  (2,665,779)  (3,565,272)
         
Provision for Income Taxes  -   - 
         
Net Loss Before Non-Controlling Interest  (2,665,779)  (3,565,272)
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest  45,541   - 
         
Net Loss Available to Common Shareholders $(2,620,238) $(3,565,272)
         
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per share $(0.34) $(1.00)
         
Basic and diluted Weighted Average Number of common shares outstanding  7,722,964   3,566,488 

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

 

F-4

F-4

 

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITIONSIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MAY 31, 2020 AND 2019

  Common Stock  Additional
Paid-In
  Non-
Controlling
  Accumulated  Total Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Interest  Deficit  Equity 
                   
Balance - May 31, 2018  2,252,743  $225  $5,009,310  $-  $(9,534) $5,000,001 
                         
Common stock subject to redemption not redeemed  112,497   11   -   -   -   11 
                         
Common stock redemption  (451,563)  (45)  (6,635,207)  -   -   (6,635,252)
                         
Shares issued for advisory services  208,000   21   2,124,979   -   -   2,125,000 
                         
Common stock issued to Smaaash Founders  2,000,000   200   -   -   -   200 
                         
Cancellation of Smaaash Founders shares  (2,000,000)  (200)  200   -   -   - 
                         
Rights shares  546,150   54   383,161   -   -   383,215 
                         
Common shares issued in acquisition  3,000,000   300   6,089,700   -   -   6,090,000 
                         
Common shares issued in private placement  962,500   96   1,924,904   -   -   1,925,000 
                         
Common shares issued from employment agreements  180,000   18   -   -   -   18 
                         
Vesting of common shares  -   -   45,000   -   -   45,000 
                         
Shares issued for convertible note  193,648   20   499,980   -   -   500,000 
                         
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (3,565,272)  (3,565,272)
                         
Balance - May 31, 2019  7,003,975  $700  $9,442,027  $-  $(3,574,806) $5,867,921 
                         
Shares issued for PLAYlive Nation acquisition  750,000   75   1,439,925   -   -   1,440,000 
                         
Shares issued for vesting of employment agreement awards  105,000   11   153,000   -   -   153,011 
                         
Shares issued for cash  125,000   12   87,688   -   -   87,700 
                         
Shares issued as compensation  5,000   1   5,899   -   -   5,900 
                         
Shares issued in connection with note payable  -   -   2,865   -   -   2,865 
                         
Non-controlling interest of original investment in subsidiaries  -   -   -   24,054   -   24,054 
                         
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  -   -   -   (45,541)  -   (45,541)
                         
Net loss  -   -   -   -   (2,620,238)  (2,620,238)
                         
Balance - May 31, 2020  7,988,975  $799  $11,131,404  $(21,487) $(6,195,044) $4,915,672 

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

STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITYSIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

  Common Stock  Additional     Total 
        Paid-In  Accumulated  Stockholder’s 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
Balance - April 17, 2017 (inception)    $  $  $  $ 
                
Issuance of common stock to Sponsor (1)  1,437,500   144   24,856      25,000 
                     
Net Loss for the period           (672)  (672)
                     
Balance - May 31, 2017  1,437,500  $144  $24,856  $(672) $24,328 
                     
Sale of 5,200,000 Units, net of underwriting discount and offering expenses  5,200,000   520   48,160,700      48,161,220 
                     
Sale of 261,500 Private Units  261,500   26   2,614,974      2,615,000 
                     
Issuance of shares to underwriter  52,000   5   499,995       500,000 
                     
Common stock subject to redemption  (4,560,757)  (456)  (46,291,229)      (46,291,685)
                     
Common stock forfeited by Sponsor  (137,500)  (14)  14        
                     
Net loss              (8,862)  (8,862)
                     
Balance at May 31, 2018  2,252,743  $225  $5,009,310  $(9,534) $5,000,001 

(1)Includes an aggregate of 187,500 shares of common stock that are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters over-allotment is not exercised in full (note 6).

F-5

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED

 

  Year Ended May 31, 2018  For the period from 
April 17, 2017 (Inception) 
to May 31, 2017
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
         
Net loss $(8,862) $(672)
         
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account  (521,702)    
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accrued expenses  63,579     
Prepaid expenses  (3,168)    
Net Cash used in Operating Activities  (470,153)  (672)
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Investment of cash in Trust Account  (52,780,000)    
Interest Income released from Trust Account  406,050     
Net Cash used in Investing Activities  (52,373,950)   
         
Cash flows from Financing Activities        
Proceeds from sale of Units, net of commssions  50,860,100     
Proceeds from sale of Private Units  2,615,000     
Proceeds from note payable - related party, net  171,035   30,672 
Repayment of note payable - related party, net  (120,089)    
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to Sponsor      25,000 
Payment of offering costs  (253,880)  (25,000)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  53,272,166   30,672 
         
Net increase in cash  428,063   30,000 
Cash at beginning of period  30,000    
Cash at end of period $458,063  $30,000 
        
Non-Cash investing and financing activities:        
Deferred underwriting fees charged to additional paid in capital $1,820,000     
Deferred legal fees charged to additional paid in capital $100,000     
Issuance of common stock to underwriters charged to additional paid in capital $500,000     
Initial classification of common stock subject to possible redemption $44,337,271     
Change in value of common stock subject to possible redemption $1,954,414     
Offering costs charged to additional paid in capital $25,000     
  May 31, 2020  May 31, 2019 
       
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net (loss) $(2,665,779) $(3,565,272)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) operating activities:        
Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account  -   (403,984)
Depreciation expense  57,473   5,298 
Amortization expense  211,067   85,677 
Impairment of cost method investment  -   150,000 
Debt forgiveness income  (93,761)  (369.206)
Issuance of shares for services  161,776   2,170,110 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (127,653)  - 
Inventory  (15,787)  - 
Prepaid expenses  (5,588)  3,170 
Security deposits  (2,568)  (12,318)
Deferred brokerage fees  (18,592)  - 
Deferred revenues  123,882   - 
Accounts payable  123,142   - 
Deferred legal fees  -   (100,000)
Accrued expenses  729,902   641,270 
         
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,522,486)  (1,395,255)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Cash purchased in acquisition  26,180   75,930 
Lease liability net of lease asset  (776)  775 
Investment at cost  -   (150,000)
Purchase of property and equipment  (163,472)  (122,529)
Net cash (used in) investing activities  (138,068)  (195,824)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from sale of Private Units  87,700   1,925,000 
Proceeds from note payable - related party, net  192,048   12,143 
Deferred financing costs  (98,198)  - 
Non-controlling interest of original investment in subsidiaries  24,054   - 
Private placement funds received  75,000   - 
Settlement of redeemable common stock  -   (46,291,685)
Cash held in trust account used to settle common stock redemption obligation  -   (7,620,432)
Cash in trust  -   54,648,148 
         
Net cash provided by financing activities  280,604   2,673,174 
         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (1,379,950)  1,082,095 
         
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period  1,540,158   458,063 
         
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $160,208  $1,540,158 
         
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:        
         
Cash paid for interest $-  $- 
Cash paid for income taxes $-  $- 
         
Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Information        
         
Common stock issued for consideration in an acquisition $1,440,000  $6,090,000 

 


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANYThe accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 20172020

 

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

 

I-AM Capital AcquisitionSimplicity Esports and Gaming Company F/K/A Smaaash Entertainment Inc. (the “Company”“Company,” “we,” or “our”), iswas an organized as a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 17, 2017. The Company was formed under the name I-AM Capital Acquisition Company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (“Business Combination”). AlthoughOn November 20, 2018, the Company is not limitedchanged its name from I-AM Capital Acquisition Company to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination,Smaaash Entertainment Inc. On January 2, 2019, the Company intendschanged its name from Smaaash Entertainment Inc. to focusSimplicity Esports and Gaming Company.

Through our wholly subsidiary, Simplicity Esports, LLC, acquired on businesses with a connection to India.January 2, 2019 (see Note 6). The Company has begun to implement a unique approach to ensure the ultimate fan friendly esports experience. Our intention is to have gamers involved at the grassroots level and feel a sense of unity as we compete with top class talent. Our management and players are known within the esports community and we plan to use their skills to create a seamless content creation plan helping gamers feel closer to our brand than any other in the industry. Simplicity is an early stageestablished brand in the Esports industry with an engaged fan base competing in popular games across different genres, including PUBG, Gears of War, Smite, Guns of Boom, and emerging growth companymultiple EA Sports titles. Additionally, the Simplicity stream team encompasses a unique group of casters, influencers, and as such,personalities all of whom connect to Simplicity’s dedicated fan base. Simplicity also has begun to open and operate esports gaming centers that will provide the public an opportunity to experience and enjoy gaming and Esports in a social setting, regardless of skill or experience.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (“PLAYlive”), acquired on July 29, 2019 (see Note 6), the Company has a network of franchised Gaming Centers. As May 31, 2020, approximately 43 locations were open and operating, in various states including Arizona, California, Idaho, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington. PLAYlive offers a video gaming lounge concept to qualified franchisees. PLAYlive currently offers single-unit location franchises as well as agreements to develop multiple locations. This PLAYlive model is subjectbeing interlaced with the esports gaming centers mentioned above to all ofcreate the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.ultimate gaming center.

 

The Company’s sponsor iswas I-AM Capital Partners LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Company has selected May 31 as its fiscal year end.

 

At May 31, 2018, the Company had not commenced any principal operations nor generated revenue to date. All activity for the period from April 17, 2017 (inception) through May 31, 2018 related to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and identifying a target company for a business combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds held in trust derived from the Initial Public Offering. Accordingly, the Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including failing to consummate the Initial Business Combination. Organizational costs and administrative expenses that are not related to the Initial Public Offering and concurrent private placement are expensed as incurred.

Financing

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering (as described in Note 3) was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 16, 2017. The Company intends to finance a Business Combination with the net proceeds from the sale of $50,000,000 of units in the Initial Public Offering (the “Public Units”) and the sale of $2,545,000 of units (the “Private Units” and, together with the Public Units, the “Units”) in the simultaneous private placement (the “Private Placement” as described in Note 3). Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement on August 22, 2017, $50,750,000 was deposited in a trust account with Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”) as discussed below.

Contained in the underwriting agreement for the Initial Public Offering is an over-allotment option allowing the underwriters to purchase from the Company up to an additional 750,000 Public Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) and, in addition, the Company received a commitment from the Sponsor to purchase up to an additional 26,250 Private Units in order to maintain the amount of cash in the Trust Account equal to $10.15 per Public Unit sold in the Initial Public Offering. On September 13, 2017, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased 200,000 Over-Allotment Units, which were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $2,000,000. Also on September 13, 2017, simultaneously with the sale of the Over-Allotment Units, the Company consummated the sale of an additional 7,000 Placement Units (the “Over-Allotment Placement Units”), generating gross proceeds of $70,000.

Trust Account

The Trust Account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of one hundred and eighty (180) days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which invest only in direct U.S. government obligations. Funds will remain in the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) the consummation of its first Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below. The remaining proceeds outside the Trust Account may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses.


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 2017

The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes or up to a maximum of $600,000 of working capital expenses, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released until the earlier of: (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination; or (ii) the redemption of 100% of the shares of common stock included in the Public Units sold in the Initial Public Offering if the Company is unable to complete its initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 21 months if extended) from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (subject to the requirements of law).

Business Combination

 

The Company’s management hashad broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, although it initially intends to focus its effortsOffering.

F-7

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

On August 21, 2018, the Company deposited into the Trust Account an aggregate of $303,610 (including interest earned on businesses with a connection to India. Substantially all of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination with a Target Business. As used herein, “Target Business” must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balancefunds in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the timeTrust Account available for withdrawal), representing $0.058 per public share. As a result of the Company’s signing a definitive agreement in connection with its initial Business Combination. Furthermore, there is no assurance thatsuch payment, the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.

The Company will have until 12 months fromextended the closingperiod of the Initial Public Offering to consummate a Business Combination. However, if the Company anticipates thattime it may not be ablehad to consummate a Business Combination within 12by three months to November 21, 2018.

On November 20, 2018, the parties consummated the initial Business Combination.

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, the Company may extendissued 208,000 restricted shares to Chardan Capital Markets in consideration for advisory services provided. These restricted shares are valued at $10.21 per share totaling $2,125,000 and are on the periodstatement of time to consummate a Business Combination up to three times, each by an additional three months (for a totaloperations included in general and administrative expenses.

At the special meeting of up to 21 months to complete a Business Combination). Pursuant to the termsstockholders held on November 9, 2018, holders of 4,448,260 shares of the Company’s amended and restated certificatecommon stock sold in its Initial Public Offering (Public Shares”) exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of incorporation and the trust agreement entered into between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in order to extend the time available$10.2187363 per share, for the Company to consummate its initial Business Combination, the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the Trust Account approximately $303,160 ($0.0583 per Unit), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each three month extension, up to an aggregate of approximately $910,000 if extended three times, or $0.1750 per Unit. The Sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated$45,455,596. Immediately after giving effect to fund the Trust Account to extend the time for the Company to complete its initial Business Combination. In the event that interest in the trust is available for withdrawal for working capital purposes and has not been used to pay taxes or other working capital expenses, the Company may apply the accrued interest in the Trust Account or such withdrawn interest to the Sponsor’s obligation to loan the Company money in connection with an extension, and the amount that the Sponsor would be obligated to loan the Company in connection with such extension would be reduced by the amount of interest so applied. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within this period of time (“Combination Period”), it shall, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account and as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of its remaining stockholders and its board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to its obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 2017

In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per Public Unit in the Initial Public Offering. The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, will either (i) seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose in connection with which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination, for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination including interest but less taxes payable and up to(including as a maximum of $600,000 of working capital released to the Company, or (ii) provide stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to the Company by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata shareresult of the aggregate amount then on deposit inredemptions described above) the Trust Account asissuance of two business days prior to commencement of the tender offer, including interest but less taxes payable. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares in a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require the Company to seek stockholder approval unless a vote is required by NASDAQ rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval, it will complete its Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding2,000,000 shares of common stock voted are voted in favorto the Smaaash founders, the issuance of the Business Combination. However, in no event will the Company redeem its public shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of the initial Business Combination. In such case, the Company would not proceed with the redemption of its public shares and the related Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate Business Combination.

As a result of the public stockholders’ redemption rights, such520,000 shares of common stock will be recorded at redemption amount and classified as temporary equity upon the completionconversion of the Initial Offering, in accordance with FASB ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” The amount inrights at the Trust Account is initially anticipated to be $10.15 per public common share, subject to increaseClosing and the issuance of up to an additional $0.1750 per share in the event that the Sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination, as described in more detail in the prospectus. The per-share amount to be distributed to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions paid to the underwriters. There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of the initial Business Combination with respect to the warrants. The initial stockholders have entered into letter agreements, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares (defined in Note 4),208,000 shares of common stock underlyingto Chardan Capital Markets as consideration for services), there were 5,119,390 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase approximately 5,461,500 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Upon the Private UnitsClosing, the Company’s rights ceased to exist, and its common stock and warrants began trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”).

On the Public Units, and any additional shares they may acquire during or afterClosing Date, the Initial Public Offering in connection with the completion of the Business Combination. Prior to acquiring any securities from the initial stockholders, permitted transferees must enterCompany entered into a writtenmaster franchise agreement (“Master Franchise Agreement”) and a master license and distribution agreement (“Master Distribution Agreement”) with Smaaash. As of May 31, 2020, the Company agreeingMaster Franchise Agreement and Master Distribution Agreement continue to be bound by the same restriction.in effect.

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

Section 102(b)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

 


Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Simplicity Esports, LLC, PLAYlive Nation, Inc., and PLAYlive Nation Holdings, LLC, its 90% owned subsidiary Simplicity One Brasil Ltd, and its 79% owned subsidiaries Simplicity Happy Valley, LLC and Simplicity Redmond, LLC.

In November 2019, the Company organized Happy Valley, LLC and Redmond, LLC for the purpose of converting franchised stores into Company owned stores.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITIONCash and cash equivalents

The Company considers short-term interest-bearing investments with initial maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has no cash equivalents.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 20172020

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which at times, may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

 

Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASCFinancial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of AmericaGAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

OfferingRevenue Recognition

As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASC 606”). The new guidance sets forth a new five-step revenue recognition model which replaces the prior revenue recognition guidance in its entirety and is intended to eliminate numerous industry-specific pieces of revenue recognition guidance that have historically existed in GAAP. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a business or other organization will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects to receive in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires more detailed disclosures and provides additional guidance for transactions that were not addressed completely in the prior accounting guidance. The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied. Product sales occur once control is transferred upon delivery to the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods and services.

The following describes principal activities, separated by major product or service, from which the Company generates its revenues.

Company-owned Stores Sales

The Company-owned stores principally generate revenue from retail esports gaming centers. Revenues from Company-owned stores are recognized when the products are delivered, or the service is provided.

F-9

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Franchise Royalties and Fees

Franchise royalties which are based on eight percent of franchise store sales after a minimum level of sales occur and are recognized as sales occur. Any royalty reductions, including waivers or those offered as part of a new store development incentive or as incentive for other behaviors are recognized at the same time as the related royalty as they are not separately distinguishable from the full royalty rate. Franchise royalties are billed on a monthly basis.

The Company recognizes initial franchise license fee revenue, when the Company has performed substantially all the services required in the franchise agreement. Fees received that do not meet these criteria are recorded as deferred revenues until earned. The pre-opening services provided to franchisees do not contain separate and distinct performance obligations from the franchise right; thus, the fees collected will be amortized on a straight-line basis beginning at the store opening date through the term of the franchise agreement, which is typically 10 years. Franchise license renewal fees, which generally occur every 10 years, are billed before the renewal date. Fees received for future license renewal periods are amortized over the life of the renewal period.

The Company offers various incentive programs for franchisees including royalty incentives, new store opening incentives (i.e. development incentives) and other support initiatives. Royalties and franchise fees sales are reduced to reflect any royalty incentives earned or granted under these programs that are in the form of discounts.

Commissary sales are comprised of food and supplies sold to franchised stores and are recognized as revenue upon shipment or delivery of the related products to the franchisees. Payments are generally due within 30 days.

Fees for information services, including software maintenance fees, marketing fees and website maintenance, graphic and promotion fees are recognized as revenue as such services are provided.

Esports Revenue

Esports revenue is a form of competition using video games. Most commonly, esports takes the form of organized, single player and multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players, individually or as teams. Revenues from Esports revenue are recognized when the competition is completed, and prize money is awarded. Revenues earned from league sponsorships from the Company’s share of league revenues including domestic esports teams competing in games such as Overwatch, Apex Legends, PUBG and more are included here. Revenue from international esports teams including Flamengo esports are included here. League revenues are earned through sponsorship fees on a per tournament, or per season basis. As of March 22, 2020, the Company commenced weekly online esports tournaments promoted directly to its existing customer base. Revenue from these weekly tournaments, comprised of registration fees on a per player basis, is included here.

Deferred Revenues

Deferred revenues are classified as current or long-term based on when management estimates the revenues will be recognized.

The Company receives payments from franchisees in advance of all performance obligations having been met, including but not limited to franchise locations being opened. As certain conditions agreed to in these franchise agreements are performed, revenues are recognized.

Deferred costs include commissions paid to brokers related to the sale of specific new franchises which have not met revenue recognition criteria as of May 31, 2020. These costs are recognized in the same period as the initial franchise fee revenue is recognized.

Accounts Receivable

The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an analysis of specific customers (i.e. franchisees), taking into consideration the age of past due accounts and an assessment of the customer’s ability to pay. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance when management determines it is probable the receivable is worthless. Customer account balances with invoices dated over 90 days old are considered delinquent and considered in the allowance assessment. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and, generally, requires no collateral. Management has assessed accounts receivable as of May 31, 2020, and an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $52,400 has been recorded

Property and equipment

Property and equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at its historical cost. The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives, when placed in service, (ranging from 3 -5 years) of the related assets utilizing the straight-line method of depreciation. The cost of leasehold improvements is depreciated (amortized) over the lesser of the length of the related leases or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred and major repairs will be capitalized and expensed if it benefits future periods.

F-10

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Intangible Assets and impairment

Intangible assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment at least annually. These costs were included in intangible assets on our balance sheet and amortized on a straight-line basis when placed into service over the estimated useful lives of the costs, which is 3 to 5 years.

The Company periodically reviews its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less that the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book value.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of our purchase cost over the fair value of the net assets of acquired businesses. We do not amortize goodwill, but we assess our goodwill for impairment at least annually. Our assessment date was May 31, 2020, and quantitative and qualitative considerations indicated no impairment.

Franchise Locations

Through PLAYlive, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, the Company has entered into franchise agreements with third parties. As May 31, 2020, approximately 43 locations were open and operating, in various states including Arizona, California, Idaho, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Stock-based compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation and ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. All transactions in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. Equity instruments issued to employees and the cost of the services received as consideration are measured and recognized based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued and are recognized over the employees required service period, which is generally the vesting period.

F-11

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Amendments to Forward Purchase Agreements and Warrants

On December 20, 2018, the Company, Polar, K2 and the Escrow Agent, entered into an Amendment (the “Amendment”), pursuant to which, among other things, the stock purchase agreements with Polar and K2 were amended to (x) reduce the purchase price per share payable by the Company at the closing of the Stock Sales from $11.23 per share to (1) first $6.00 per share up to 20% of the original number of Shares (as defined in the respective Purchase Agreement), (2) then $5.00 per remaining share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, (3) then $4.00 per remaining share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, (4) then $3.00 per remaining Share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, and (5) then $2.00 per remaining Share up to 20% of the original number of Shares, (y) to extend the outside date of the closing of the Stock Sales until January 18, 2019, and (z) to authorize the issuance of $3,542,700 and $1,590,600 from the Escrow Account to Polar and K2, respectively, as partial payment for the Shares prior to the final closing of the Stock Sales.

Investments

Investments in non-consolidated entities are accounted for using the equity method or cost basis depending upon the level of ownership and/or the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. When the equity method is used, investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize the Company’s proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment. When net losses from an investment accounted for under the equity method exceed its carrying amount, the investment balance is reduced to zero and additional losses are not provided for. The Company resumes accounting for the investment under the equity method if the entity subsequently reports net income and the Company’s share of that net income exceeds the share of net losses not recognized during the period the equity method was suspended. Investments are written down only when there is clear evidence that a decline in value that is other than temporary has occurred.

Investments in equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for consolidation or the equity method are carried at cost. Dividends received from those companies are included in other income. Dividends received in excess of the Company’s proportionate share of accumulated earnings are applied as a reduction of the cost of the investment. Other than temporary impairments to fair value are charged against current period income. Our investments in privately held entities are accounted for under the cost method. During the quarter ended February 28, 2019 the Company recognized $150,000 of impairment expense related to the Smaaash acquisition.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Leases

In February of 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02-Leases (Topic 842), which significantly amends the way companies are required to account for leases. Under the updated leasing guidance, some leases that did not have to be reported previously are now required to be presented as an asset and liability on the balance sheet. In addition, for certain leases, what was previously classified as an operating expense must now be allocated between amortization expense and interest expense. The Company adopted this update as of January l, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method and prior periods have not been restated. Upon implementation, the Company recognized initial operating lease right-of-use assets of $110,003 and operating lease liabilities of $107,678. Due to the simplistic nature of the Company’s leases, no retained earnings adjustment was required. See Note 9 for further details.

Deferred Financing Costs

 

The Company complies with the requirements of ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 5A — “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs of approximately $3,728,000$98,198 consisting principally of underwriter discountslegal and professional fees have been recorded as an asset as of $3,250,000 (including approximately $1,820,000 of which payment is deferred) and approximately $478,000 of professional, printing, filing, regulatory and other costs have beenMay 31, 2020, these amounts will be charged to additional paid in capital upon the completion of the InitialCompany’s ongoing Public Offering.

 

Common stock subject to possible redemption

The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at May 31, 2018, 4,560,757 shares of common stock subject to possible redemption at the redemption amount are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 2017

Net income (loss)Basic Income (Loss) per share

 

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. SharesDiluted earnings or loss per common share is calculated by dividing net income or loss available to common stockholders by the diluted weighted-average number of common stock subject to possible redemption at May 31, 2018 have beenshares outstanding, which includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities for this calculation consist primarily of warrants, outstanding options, and shares into which the convertible notes are convertible.

When the Company records a loss from operations, all potentially dilutive shares are anti-dilutive and are consequently excluded from the calculation of basic income (loss) per share and diluted net loss per share year ended May 31, 2018 since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the Trust Account earnings. The Company has not considered the effect of (1) warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement to purchase shares of common stock, (2) rights sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement that convert into shares of common stock, and (3) the unit purchase option granted to the underwriters in the calculation of diluted income (loss) per share, since the exercise of the warrants and the conversion of the rights into shares of common stock is contingent upon the occurrence of future events.share.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statementsstatement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”) was signed into law. As a result of Tax Reform, the U.S. statutory tax rate was lowered from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, among other changes. ASC Topic 740 requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment; therefore, the Company was required to revalue its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new rate. The SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain tax effects of Tax Reform. The ultimate impact may differ from this provisional amount, possibly materially, as a result of additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and actions the Company may take as a result of Tax Reform.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Management doesAccounting standards promulgated by the FASB are subject to change. Changes in such standards may have an impact on the Company’s future financial statements. The following are a summary of recent accounting developments.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which aligns accounting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees to that of employees under the existing guidance of Topic 718, with certain exceptions. This update supersedes previous guidance for equity-based payments to nonemployees under Subtopic 505-50, Equity—Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019. Based on the completed analysis, the Company has determined the adjustment did not believehave a material impact on the financial statements.

The Company periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Although some of these accounting standards may be applicable to the Company, the Company has not identified any recently issued, but not yet adopted accounting pronouncements,other new standards that it believes merit further discussion, and the Company expects that none would have a materialsignificant impact on its financial statements.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), followed by other related ASUs that provided targeted improvements and additional practical expedient options (collectively “ASC 842”). ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease payment liabilities on the balance sheet for leases representing the Company’s right to use the underlying assets over the lease term. Each lease that is recognized on the balance sheet is classified as either finance or operating, with such classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the Statements of Operations and presentation within the Statements of Cash Flows.

The Company adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method. The Company elected as part of its adoption to also use the optional transition methodology whereby previously reported periods continue to be reported in accordance with historical accounting guidance for leases that were in effect for those prior periods. Policy elections and practical expedients that the Company has implemented as part of adopting ASC 842 include (a) excluding from the balance sheet leases with terms that are less than or equal to one year, (b) for all existing asset classes that contain both lease and non-lease components, combining these components together and accounting for them as a single lease component, (c) the package of practical expedients, which among other things, allows the Company to avoid reassessing contracts that commenced prior to adoption that were properly evaluated under legacy GAAP, and (d) excluding land easements, which were not accounted for under the previous leasing guidance, that existed or expired before adoption of ASC 842. The scope of ASC 842 does not apply to leases used in the exploration for minerals or use thereof, including oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids.

The Company’s adoption of ASC 842 resulted in an increase in other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and other liabilities line items on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of the additional ROU assets and related lease liabilities. Upon adoption on January 1, 2019, the Company recognized approximately $0.5 million in ROU assets and liabilities for its operating leases. There was no cumulative effect to accumulated deficit upon the adoption of this guidance.

Going Concern, Liquidity and Management’s Plan

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that it will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business.

As reflected in the consolidated financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit as of May 31, 2020, a net loss and net cash used in operating activities for the reporting period then ended. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the of the date that the financial statements are issued.

The Company’s cash position may not be sufficient to support the Company’s daily operations. Management plans to raise additional funds by way of a private or ongoing public offering. While the Company believes in the viability of its strategy and its ability to generate sufficient revenue and to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect. Should the Company fail to raise additional capital, it may be compelled to reduce the scope of its planned future business activities.

The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan, to generate sufficient revenue and to raise additional funds by way of public and/or private offerings.

The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Because COVID-19 infections have been reported throughout the United States, certain federal, state and local governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders, proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. As a result, all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers had been closed effective April 1, 2020. Although our franchise agreements with franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers require a minimum monthly royalty payment to us from the franchisees regardless of whether the franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers are operating, there is a potential risk that franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers will default in their obligations to pay their minimum monthly royalty payment to us. As of May 31, 2020, some of our franchised gaming centers have begun to re-open.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption, reduced customer traffic and reduced operations. Any resulting financial statements.impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The measures taken to date impacted the Company’s business for the fiscal fourth quarter and potentially beyond. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.

 

NOTE 3 — INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND PRIVATE PLACEMENT

 

Initial Public Offering

 

On August 22, 2017, the Company sold 5,000,000 Public Units at a purchase price of $10.00 per Public Unit in the Initial Public Offering, generating gross proceeds of $50.0 million. The Company incurred offering costs of approximately $3.7 million, inclusive of approximately $3.2 million of underwriting fees. The Company paid $1 million of underwriting fees upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, issued 50,000 shares of common stock for underwriting fees, and deferred $1.82 million of underwriting fees until the consummation of the initial Business Combination.

 


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 2017

Each Unit consistsconsisted of one share of the Company’s common stock, one right to receive one-tenth of one share of the Company’s common stock upon consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination (“Right”), and one redeemable warrant (“Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Warrants. The Warrants will becomebecame exercisable on the later of (i) 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination and (ii) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, and will expire five years after the completion of the initial Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

The Company may redeem the Warrants, in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Warrant upon 30 days’ notice (“30-day redemption period”), only in the event that the last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $21.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given, provided there is an effective registration statement with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such Warrants and a current prospectus relating to those shares of common stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If the Company calls the Warrants for redemption as described above, the Company’s management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” management will consider, among other factors, the Company’s cash position, the number of Warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on the Company’s stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

 

Each holder of a Right will receivereceived one-tenth (1/10) of one share of common stock upon consummation of athe Business Combination. No fractional shares will bewere issued upon exchange of the Rights. No additional consideration will be required to bewas paid by a holder of Rights in order to receive its additional shares upon consummation of athe Business Combination as the consideration related thereto has been included in the Unit purchase price paid for by investors in the Initial Public Offering. If the Company enters into a definitive agreement for a Business Combination in which the Company will not be the surviving entity, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert its rights in order to receive the 1/10 share of common stock underlying each right (without paying any additional consideration).

There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Warrants and Rights, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete it Business Combination within the Combination Period.

 

The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 750,000 additional Public Units to cover any over-allotment, at the initial public offering price less any underwriting discounts and commissions. On September 13, 2017, the underwriters purchased 200,000 additional public unitsPublic Units for gross proceeds of $2,000,000, less commissions of 110,000,$110,000, of which $70,000 are deferred.

 

The Company issued Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”), as compensation for the Initial Public Offering, an aggregate of 52,000 shares, (including 20,000including 2,000 shares issued in connection with the partial exercise of the over-allotment option. The Company accounted for the fair value of these shares as an expense of the Initial Public Offering resulting in a charge directly to stockholders’ equity.

Settlement Agreement

On November 20, 2018, the Company entered into a settlement and release agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) with Maxim. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company made a cash payment of $20,000 to Maxim and issued the Note in favor of Maxim in order to settle the payment obligations of the Company under the underwriting agreement dated August 16, 2017, by and between the Company and Maxim. The Company also agreed to remove the restrictive legends on an aggregate of 6,500 (52,000 pre-reverse split) shares of its common stock held by Maxim and its affiliate. See “Note Payable” under Note 8 below.

 

Unit Purchase Option

 

At the time of the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold to Maxim, for an aggregate of $100, an option (the “UPO”) to purchase 250,000 Units (which increased to 260,000 units upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) (See Note 5). The Company has accounted for the fair value of the UPO, inclusive of the receipt of the $100 cash payment, as an expense of the Initial Public Offering resulting in a charge directly to shareholders’ equity. The Company estimates that the fair value of this UPO is approximately $743,600 (or $2.86 per Unit) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the UPO is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 35%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 1.73% and (3) expected life of five years. The UPO may be exercised for cash or on a “cashless” basis, at the holder’s option (except in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Company’s redemption of the Warrants, as described above), such that the holder may use the appreciated value of the UPO (the difference between the exercise prices of the UPO and the underlying Warrants and Rights, and the market price of the Units and underlying shares of common stock) to exercise the UPO without the payment of any cash. The Company will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the UPO or the Warrants or Rights underlying the UPO. The holder of the UPO will not be entitled to exercise the UPO or the Warrants or Rights underlying the UPO unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the UPO is effective or an exemption from registration is available. If the holder is unable to exercise the UPO or underlying Warrants or Rights, the UPO, Warrants or Rights, as applicable, will expire worthless.

 


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 2017

The Company granted the holders of the UPO, demand and “piggy back” registration rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Initial Public Offering, including securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the UPO.

 

Private Placement

 

Concurrently with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 254,500 Private Units at $10.00 per Private Unit, generated gross proceeds of $2,545,000 in a Private Placement. The proceeds from the Private Units was added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. The Private Units (including their component securities) willwere not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination and the warrants included in the Private Units (the “Private Placement Warrants”) will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the Sponsor or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Warrants included in the Public Units sold in the Initial Public Offering. Otherwise, the Private Placement Warrants and the Rights underlying the Private Units have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Warrants and Rights, respectively, sold as part of the Public Units in the Initial Public Offering and have no net cash settlement provisions.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

 

On September 13, 2017, the Sponsor purchased 7,000 additional Private Units for gross proceeds of $70,000 upon the partial exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option.

If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds of the Private Placement will be part of the liquidating distribution to the public stockholders and the Private Units and their component securities issued to the Sponsor will expire worthless.

 

NOTE 4 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of property, plant, and equipment—at cost, less accumulated depreciation:

  May 31,
2020
 
Leasehold improvements  52,189 
Property and equipment  243,314 
     
Total cost  295,503 
     
Less accumulated depreciation  (62,770)
     
Net, property plant and equipment $232,733 

Depreciation expense for the years ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 was $57,473 and $5,297, respectively.

NOTE 5 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following tables set forth the intangible assets, including accumulated amortization at May 31, 2020:

  May 31, 2020
  Remaining    Accumulated  Net Carrying 
  Useful Life Cost  Amortization  Value 
Non-Competes 4.50 years $1,023,118  $289,884  $733,234 
Trademarks Indefinite  866,000   -   866,000 
Customer Contracts 10 years  546,000   5,443   540,557 
Internet domain 2.50 years  3,000   1,417   1,583 
    $2,438,118  $296,744  $2,141,374 

The following table sets forth the future amortization of the Company’s intangible assets at May 31, 2020:

  2021  2022  2023  2024  2025  Thereafter  Total 
Non-Competes $204,624  $204,624  $204,624  $119,362  $-  $-  $733,234 
Customer contracts  54,600   54,600   54,600   54,600   54,600   267,557   540,557 
Internet domain  1,000   583   -   -   -   -   1,583 
Total $260,224  $259,807  $259,224  $173,962  $54,600  $267,557  $1,275,374 

Amortization expense for the years ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 was $211,067 and $85,677, respectively.

 

Founder SharesGoodwill

 

On May 31, 2017,The Company’s goodwill carrying amounts relate to the Company issued 1,437,500 sharesacquisitions of Simplicity Esports LLC and PLAYlive Nation Inc. The composition of the Company’s common stock to the Sponsor (the “Founder Shares”) in exchange for a capital contribution of $25,000. 137,500 Founder Shares were forfeited by the Sponsor upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.goodwill balance, is as follows:

 

The Founder Shares are identical to the shares of common stock included in the Units and holders of Founder Shares have the same stockholder rights as public stockholders, except that (i) the Founder Shares and the shares of common stock underlying the Private Units are subject to certain transfer restrictions, and (ii) the Sponsor has entered into a letter agreement, pursuant to which it has agreed (A) to waive its redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares, and the shares of common stock underlying the Private Units and the Public Units in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (B) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the Founder Shares and the shares of common stock underlying the Private Units if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination).

  Fiscal Year
Ended
May 31, 2020
  Fiscal Year
Ended
May 31, 2019
 
       
Simplicity Esports LLC $4,456,250  $4,456,250 
PLAYlive Nation Inc.  698,891   - 
Total Goodwill $5,155,141  $4,456,250 

 


F-17

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITIONSIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 20172020

 

With certain limited exceptions,NOTE 6 - ACQUISITIONS

The Simplicity Esports, LLC Acquisition

On January 4, 2019, the Founder Shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (exceptCompany consummated the transactions contemplated by the share exchange agreement, dated December 21, 2018 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 28, 2018 and by Amendment No. 2 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 30, 2018, the “Share Exchange Agreement”) by and among the Company, Smaaash Entertainment, Inc. (“Smaaash”), each of the equity holders of Simplicity (“Simplicity Owners”) and Jed Kaplan, in the capacity as the representative of the Simplicity Owners (the “Representative”). Pursuant to the Company’s officersShare Exchange Agreement the Simplicity Owners transferred all the issued and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor, eachoutstanding equity interests of whom will be subjectSimplicity to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of one year after the completion of an initial Business Combination or earlier of (i) subsequent to the Company’s Business Combination, the last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjustedCompany in exchange for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after an initial Business Combination, or (ii) the date following the completion of an Initial Business Combination onwhich the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all stockholders having the right to exchange theirnewly issued shares of common stock of the Company (the “Acquisition”).

The Simplicity Owners received an aggregate of 300,000 shares of common stock at the closing of the Acquisition and an additional aggregate of 700,000 shares of common stock on January 7, 2019 and the remaining 2,000,000 shares in March of 2019.

The acquisition of Simplicity, in an all-stock deal, creates a pure play esports team and entertainment platform opportunity, which we believe will increase shareholder value and boost our growth strategy as we endeavor the build out of our brick and mortar esports centers.

The acquisition was accounted for cash, securities or other property.by the Company using the acquisition method under business combination accounting. Under this method, the purchase price paid by the acquirer is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date based on the fair value. Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities assumed is judgmental in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. All fair value measurements of acquired assets and liabilities assumed are non-recurring in nature and classified as level 3 on the fair value hierarchy.

The aggregate purchase price consisted of the following:

Restricted stock consideration  6,090,000 
Total $6,090,000 

As noted in the table above, the Company issued 3,000,000 restricted shares of common stock as consideration which was valued at market at the date of the closing, fair value of approximately $6,090,000.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of The Simplicity Esports, LLC assets acquired, and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:

Cash  76,000 
Internet Domain  3,000 
Trade names and trademarks  588,000 
Non-Competes  1,023,118 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (56,000)
Goodwill  4,455,882 
Total $6,090,000 

Revenue and net loss included in the year ended May 31, 2020, consolidated financial statements attributable to Simplicity Esports, LLC is approximately $38,000 and $400,000, respectively.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

PLAYlive Nation Acquisition

On July 29, 2019, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PLAYlive for total consideration of 750,000 shares of common stock. The PLAYlive acquisition closed on July 30, 2019.

The acquisition was accounted for by the Company using the acquisition method under business combination accounting. Under this method, the purchase price paid by the acquirer is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date based on the fair value. Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities assumed is judgmental in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. All fair value measurements of acquired assets and liabilities assumed are non-recurring in nature and classified as level 3 on the fair value hierarchy.

The aggregate purchase price consisted of the following:

Restricted stock consideration  1,440,000 
Total $1,440,000 

As noted in the table above, the Company issued 750,000 restricted shares of common stock as consideration which was valued at market at the date of the closing, fair value of approximately $1,440,000.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the PLAYlive assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:

Cash  26,000 
Property, plant and equipment  10,000 
Net deferred revenue  (115,000)
Customer relationships    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (4,000)
Goodwill  699,000 
Trademarks  278,000 
Customer contracts  546,000 
Total $1,440,000 

Revenue and net loss included in the year ended May 31, 2020, consolidated financial statements attributable to PLAYlive is approximately $442,000 and $72,000, respectively.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

NOTE 7 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Private Units

 

In addition, the Sponsor purchased pursuant to a written agreement, an aggregate of 254,500 Private Units at $10.00 per Private Unit for proceeds of $2,545,000 in the aggregate in the Private Placement. This purchase took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of the Initial Public Offering. This issuance was be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

The Sponsor committed to purchase from the Company up to an additional 26,250 Private Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in full.

On September 13, 2017, the Sponsor purchased 7,000 additional Private Units were purchased by the Sponsor at $10.00 per Private Unit upon the partial exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option.

 

Administrative Service FeeKaplan Promissory Note

On May 12, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company issued a promissory note (the “Kaplan Note”) in the principal sum of $90,000 in favor of Jed Kaplan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, interim Chief Financial Officer, member of the Company’s Board of Directors and greater than 5% stockholder of the Company. The Kaplan Note matures on the first business day following the 150-day anniversary of the Issue Date (the “Maturity Date”). The Company will use the proceeds of the Kaplan Note to fund the operations of Simplicity One Brasil Ltda, the Company’s majority owned subsidiary (“Simplicity Brasil”). As of May 31, 2020, advances under the terms of this note were $64,728 (Note 8).

Equity Sales

On May 7, 2020, we authorized the sale of 22,936 shares of our restricted Common Stock at $1.09 per share to William H. Herrmann, Jr. a member of our board of directors for $25,000 (Note 10).

 

The Company hasmaintains its cash balance at a financial services company that is owned by an officer of the Company.

Sponsor Fees

The Company agreed, commencing on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination or its liquidation, to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. For the yearthree months ended May 31,November 30, 2018, the Company has paid an aggregate of $100,000$30,080 which is presented as general and administrative expense on the accompanying statement of operations. In December 2018, this monthly administrative service fee agreement was terminated.

The Company maintains its cash balance at a financial services company that is owned by an officer of the Company.

NOTE 8 – DEBT

The table below presents outstanding debt instruments as of May 31:

  2020  2019 
Sponsor loan $-  $93,761 
10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note  152,500   - 
Less Discount  (25,180)  - 
Related Party Note  64,728   - 
Convertible Note Payable  1,000,000   1,000,000 
         
Total $1,192,048  $1,093,761 


F-20

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

 

Sponsor Loan

 

The Sponsor has loaned the Company $201,707 in the aggregate, to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Initial Public Offering and working capital purposes. The loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due at the earlier of December 31, 2017 or the closing of the Initial Public Offering. As of May 31, 2018, $120,0892020, and 2019, the balance of the Sponsor’sSponsor loan was $0 and $93,761, respectively.

10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note

On April 29, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), the Company issued a 10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note (the “Harbor Gates Note”), with a maturity date of October 29, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $152,000 in favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC (“Harbor Gates”). Pursuant to the terms of the Harbor Gates Note, the Company agreed to pay to Harbor Gates $152,500 (the “Principal Sum”) and to pay “guaranteed” interest on the principal balance at an amount equivalent to 10% of the Principal Sum, to the extent such Principal Sum and “guaranteed” interest and any other interest, fees, liquidated damages and/or items due to Harbor Gates have not been repaid or converted into Company common stock in accordance with the terms of the Harbor Gates Note. The Harbor Gates Note carries an original issue discount (“OID”) of $2,500. Accordingly, on the Effective Date, Harbor Gates delivered $150,000 to the Company in exchange for the Harbor Gates Note.

In addition to the “guaranteed” interest, and upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as hereinafter defined), additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 20% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law.

The Company may prepay the Harbor Gates Note according to the following schedule:

Days Since
Effective Date
Payment Amount
Under 30115% of Principal Amount (as hereinafter defined) so paid
31-60120% of Principal Amount so paid
61-90125% of Principal Amount so paid
91-180135% of Principal Amount so paid

135% of the remaining unpaid and unconverted Principal Amount, plus all accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable on the Maturity Date. “Principal Amount” refers to the sum of (i) the original principal amount of the Harbor Gates Note (including the OID, prorated if the Harbor Gates Note has not been repaid. funded in full); (ii) all guaranteed and other accrued but unpaid interest under the Harbor Gates Note; (iii) any fees due under the Harbor Gates Notes; (iv) liquidated damages; and (v) any default payments owing under the Harbor Gates Note, in each case previously paid or added to the Principal Amount.

Pursuant to the terms of the Harbor Gates Note, the Company agreed to issue Harbor Gates shares of Company common stock in two tranches as follows:

(i)10,000 shares of common stock within three trading days of the Effective Date; and
(ii)In the event the average of the three volume weighted average prices for the Company’s common stock during the three consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date which is the 180th day following the Effective Date is less than $1.00 per share, then Harbor Gates will be entitled, and the Company will issue to Harbor Gates additional shares of common stock as set forth in the Harbor Gates Note.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

If an Event of Default (as defined in the Promissory Note) occurs, the outstanding Principal Amount of the Harbor Gates Note owing in respect thereof through the date of acceleration, shall become, at Harbor Gates’ election, immediately due and payable in cash at the “Mandatory Default Amount”. The Mandatory Default Amount means 35% of the outstanding Principal Amount of the Harbor Gates Note will be automatically added to the Principal Sum of the Harbor Gates Note and tack back to the Effective Date for purposes of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1934 Act. Commencing five days after the occurrence of any Event of Default that results in the eventual acceleration of the Harbor Gates Note, the Harbor Gates Note will accrue additional interest, in addition to the Harbor Gates Note’s “guaranteed” interest, at a rate equal to the lesser of 20% per annum or the maximum rate permitted under applicable law.

If the Harbor Gates Note is not retired on or before the Maturity Date, then at any time and from time to time after the Maturity Date, and subject to the terms hereof and restrictions and limitations contained in the Harbor Gates Note, Harbor Gates has the right, at Harbor Gates’ sole option, to convert in whole or in part the outstanding and unpaid Principal Amount under the Harbor Gates Note into shares of the Company’s common stock at the Variable Conversion Price. The “Variable Conversion Price” will be equal to the lower of: (a) $1.00, or (b) 70% of the lowest volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the 15 consecutive trading days prior to the date on Harbor Gates elects to convert all or part of the Harbor Gates Note. The Company intends to prepay the Harbor Gates Note in accordance with its terms so that no amount under the Harbor Gates Note is converted into shares of the Company’s common stock.

This note along with guaranteed interest of $15,000 was repaid on July 2, 2020.

Kaplan Promissory Note

On May 12, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company issued a promissory note (the “Kaplan Note”) in the principal sum of $90,000 in favor of Jed Kaplan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, interim Chief Financial Officer, member of the Company’s Board of Directors and greater than 5% stockholder of the Company. The Kaplan Note matures on the first business day following the 150-day anniversary of the Issue Date (the “Maturity Date”). The Company will use the proceeds of the Kaplan Note to fund the operations of Simplicity One Brasil Ltda, the Company’s majority owned subsidiary (“Simplicity Brasil”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Kaplan Note, the Company agreed to pay to Mr. Kaplan the lesser of (i) the principal sum of $90,000 (the “Maximum Commitment”), or (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all direct advances of the proceeds of the Kaplan Note (each, an “Advance”), together with any interest thereon, and any and all other amounts which may be due and payable thereunder from time to time.

Subject to the terms of the Kaplan Note, Mr. Kaplan agreed to make one direct Advance to and for the benefit of the Company on the Issue Date in the amount of $45,000, and one additional Advance to and for the benefit of the Company at such time as the Company may request during the two month period following the Issue Date. The total of the aggregate principal balance of all Advances (collectively referred to herein as the “Principal Amount”) outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Maximum Commitment. Advances made by Mr. Kaplan to the Company under the Kaplan Note which have been repaid may not be borrowed again.

Prior to the Maturity Date or an Event of Default (as hereinafter defined), the Principal Amount outstanding under the Kaplan Note will bear interest at a rate of 3% (the “Interest Rate”). From and after the Maturity Date or upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, interest will accrue on the unpaid Principal Amount during any such period at an annual rate (the “Default Rate”) equal to 10% plus the Interest Rate; provided, however, that in no event will the Default Rate exceed the maximum rate permitted by law.

The Company may prepay the Kaplan Note, in whole or in part, without a prepayment penalty, at any time provided that an Event of Default has not then occurred.

As of May 31, 2020, advances under the terms of this note were $64,728.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Note Payable

On November 20, 2018, the Company paid its underwriter $20,000 and 2017issued its underwriter a secured demand promissory note (the “Note”) in the balanceamount of $1,800,000. The Note accrued interest at 8% per annum from the date of the sponsor loanNote through and including May 20, 2019, 12% per annum from and including May 21, 2019, through and including August 20, 2019, and 15% per annum from and including August 21, 2019, through and including November 20, 2019. If a late payment had occurred and continued, the interest rate would have increased to 12% per annum from the date of the Note through and including August 20, 2019 and 18% per annum from after August 21, 2019. If a late payment had remained outstanding for over 48 hours, Maxim could have required the Company to redeem all or any part of the Note at a redemption price equal to 125% of the Alternate Payment Amount.

The principal and interest of the Note was payable upon demand by Maxim or from time to time, in accordance the following schedule:

(i)one third of the principal, accrued and unpaid interest and any late charges on May 20, 2019;
(ii)one third of the principal, accrued and unpaid interest and any late charges on August 20, 2019; and
(iii)one third of the principal, accrued and unpaid interest and any late charges on November 20, 2019.

The Note was secured by a first priority security interest in all personal property and assets of the Company excluding the assets held in escrow with respect to (i) that certain stock purchase agreement with Polar, pursuant to which Polar agreed to sell up to 490,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company thirty days after the consummation of the Business Combination and (ii) that certain stock purchase agreement with K2, pursuant to which K2 agreed to sell up to 220,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company thirty days after the consummation of the Business Combination.

The amount payable under the Note could also have been paid in shares of common stock of the Company or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of common stock of the Company (the “Alternate Equity Payment”) if and only if the Company and Maxim mutually agree on both the purchase price and, if applicable, the conversion and/or exercise price of each security of the Company issued in such Alternative Equity Payment. Otherwise, the payment should be made in cash only.

So long as any amount under the Note remained outstanding, all cash proceeds received by the Company from any sales of its securities was to be used to repay this Note.

Convertible Note Payable

On December 20, 2018, the Company entered into a securities exchange agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) with Maxim Group LLC (the “Holder”). Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the Holder agreed to surrender and exchange the Note. In exchange, the Company issued to the Holder a Series A-1 Exchange Convertible Note in the principal amount of $500,000 (the “Series A-1 Note”) and a Series A-2 Exchange Convertible Note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Series A-2 Note,” and collectively with Series A-1 Note, the “Exchange Notes”). As of December 31, 2018, upon the closing of the Acquisition, the Series A-1 Note automatically converted into 193,648 shares of the Company’s common stock.

The original amount of the promissory note was $1,800,000, the total amount of the two exchange notes is $81,618$1,500,000, and $30,672,the difference of $300,000 has been recorded as debt forgiveness income.

Prior to conversion, the Series A-1 Note bore interest at 2.67% per annum, was payable quarterly and had a maturity date of the earlier of the closing date of the Acquisition (as defined below) or June 20, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”). The Company was permitted to pay the interest in cash or at its sole discretion, in shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. However, the Company could only pay the interest in shares of its common stock if (i) all the equity conditions specified in the note (“Equity Conditions”) had been met (unless waived by the Holder in writing) during the 20 trading days immediately prior to the interest payment date (“Interest Notice Period”), (ii) the Company had provided proper notice pursuant to the terms of the note and (iii) the Company had delivered to the Holder’s account certain number of shares of its common stock to be applied against such interest payment prior to (but no more than five trading days before) the Interest Notice Period.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

The Series A-1 Note was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock (“Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $1.93 per share, subject to adjustment for any stock dividends and splits, rights offerings, distributions, combinations or similar transactions. Upon the closing of the Acquisition, the conversion price was automatically adjusted to equal the arithmetic average of the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s common stock in the five trading days prior to the closing date of the Acquisition. The Holder was permitted to convert the Series A-1 Note at any time, in whole or in part, provided that upon receipt of a notice of conversion from the Holder, the Company had the right to repay all or any portion of the Series A-1 Note included in the notice of conversion.

Additionally, the Series A-1 Note would have automatically converted into shares of the Company’s common stock on the earlier of the Maturity Date or the closing date of the Acquisition provided that (i) no event of default then existed, and (ii) solely if such automatic conversion date was also the Maturity Date, each of the Equity Conditions had been met (unless waived in writing by the Holder) on each trading day during the 20 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the automatic conversation date.

At any time prior to the Maturity Date, the Company also had the right to elect to redeem some or all of the outstanding principal amount for cash in an amount (the “Optional Redemption Amount”) equal to the sum of (a) 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the note, (b) accrued but unpaid interest and (c) all liquidated damages and other amounts due in respect of the note (the “Optional Redemption”). The Company could only effect an Optional Redemption if each of the Equity Conditions had been met (unless waived in writing by the Holder) on each trading day during the period commencing on the date when the notice of the Optional Redemption was delivered to the date of the Optional Redemption and through and including the date payment of the Optional Redemption Amount was actually made in full.

Except as otherwise provided in the Series A-1 Note, including, without limitation, an Option Redemption, the Company could not prepay any portion of the principal amount of the note without the prior written consent of the Holder.

Pursuant to the terms of the Series A-1 Note, the Company was not permitted to convert any portion of the Series A-1 Note if doing so results in the Holder beneficially owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock of the Company after giving effect to such conversion, provided that on 61 days’ prior written notice from the Holder to the Company, that percentage could increase to 9.99%. However, if there was an automatic conversion, and the conversion would result in the Company issuing a number of shares in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation, then any such shares in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation would be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the beneficial ownership limitation, at which time or times the Holder would be issued such shares to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation.

The Series A-1 Note contained restrictive covenants which, among other things, restricted the Company’s ability to repay or repurchase any indebtedness, make distributions on or repurchase its common stock or enter into transactions with its affiliates.

The Series A-2 Note has terms substantially similar to those of the Series A-1 Note except that the Series A-2 Note has a maturity date of June 20, 2020, and an initial conversion price of $1.93, which will be automatically adjusted to the lower of (i) the conversion price then, in effect, and (ii) the greater of the arithmetic average of the VWAP of the Company’s common stock in the five trading days prior to the notice of conversion and $0.50.

As of December 31, 2018, upon the closing of the Acquisition, the Series A-1 Note automatically converted into 193,648 shares of the Company’s common stock, resulting in a remaining note payable balance as of May 31, 2020, and 2019 of $1,000,000 and $1,000,000 respectively.

 

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

NOTE 59 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Registration RightsNasdaq Delisting

 

Pursuant to a registration rights agreementOn December 10, 2018, the Company entered into with its initial stockholders and initial purchasersreceived a written notice (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Division of the Private Units (and constituent securities) at the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company is required to register certain securities for sale under the Securities Act. These holders are entitled under the registration rights agreement to make up to three demandsThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the Company register certainhas not complied with the requirements of its securities held by them for sale underIM-5101-2 of the Securities Act and to have the securities covered thereby registered for resale pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders have the right to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company. The Company will bear the costs and expenseslisting rules of filing any such registration statements.


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 2017

Unit Purchase OptionNasdaq (the “Listing Rules”).

 

The Company sold to the underwriters (and/or their designees), for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 250,000 Units (which increased to 260,000 Units upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), exercisable at $11.50 per Unit (or an aggregate exercise price of $2,990,000) upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The UPO may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, at any time during the period commencing on the later of the first anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Initial Public Offering and the closing of the Company’s initialNotice stated that after its Business Combination, the Company had not demonstrated that its common stock met Listing Rule 5505(b)(1) that requires a market value of publicly held shares of at least $15 million. Additionally, the Company has not provided evidence that its common stock has at least 300 round lot holders as required by Listing Rule 5505(a)(3) and terminatingthat its warrant has at least 400 round lot holders as required by Listing Rule 5515(a)(4). Finally, the Company does not comply with Listing Rule 5515(a)(2) which requires that for initial listing of a warrant the underlying security must be listed on Nasdaq.

On January 7, 2019, the fifth anniversary of such effectiveness date. The Units issuable upon exercise of this UPO are identical to those offered in the Initial Public Offering, exceptCompany received a second written notice from Nasdaq informing it that the exercise priceCompany failed to comply with Listing Rule 5250(e)(2) which requires companies listed on Nasdaq to timely file notification forms for the Listing of the warrants underlying the Units sold to the underwriters is $13.00 per share.

Deferred Legal Fees

The Company has committed to pay its attorneys a deferred legal fee of $100,000 upon the consummation of the Initial Business Combination relating to services performed in connection with the IPO. This amount has been accrued in the accompanying balance sheet.

NOTE 6 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the shares of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At May 31, 2018, there were 6,813,500 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which reflects the 137,500 shares that were forfeited by the Sponsor due to the underwriters’ over-allotment option being exercised in part, and includes 4,560,757 shares of the Company’s common stock subject to possible redemption.

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. At May 31, 2018, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

NOTE 7 — TRUST ACCOUNT AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Trust Account can be invested in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in the Investment Company Act, having a maturity of 180 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting the conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act.

The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to pay income taxes and up to $600,000 of interest to pay working capital expenses if any, none of the funds held in the Trust Account will be released until the earlier of: (i) the completion of the Business Combination; (ii) the redemption of 100% of the shares of common stock included in the Public Units sold in the Initial Public Offering if the Company is unable to complete its initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 21 months if extended) from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (subject to the requirements of law)Additional Shares (the “LAS Notification”).

 

The Company followswas required to submit the guidanceLAS Notification 15 days prior to the issuance of the securities, however, the Company filed the LAS Notification for the issuance of the Series A-1 Note and Series A-2 Note and for the share exchange under our Share Exchange Agreement after such 15-day periods. Nasdaq notified the Company that each of these matters serves as an additional and separate basis for delisting the Company’s securities and that the review panel will consider these matters in ASC 820 for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually.


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2018 and 2017rendering a determination regarding the Company’s continued listing on Nasdaq.

 

Management of Simplicity Esports and Gamily Company has decided that moving from The fair valueNasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) to the OTCQB is more appropriate for the Company at this time, while the Company builds out its planned network of retail esport centers.

On April 1, 2019, the Company was notified by Nasdaq that it would delist the Company’s common stock and warrants. The Company’s common stock and warrants were previously suspended from trading on Nasdaq, effective January 25, 2019.

On April 2, 2019, Nasdaq filed a Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration under Section 12(b) of the Company’s financial assetsSecurities and liabilities reflects management’s estimateExchange Act of amounts that the Company would have received in connection1934 on Form 25 with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assetsSecurities and liabilities, the Company seeksExchange Commission relating to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:

Level 1:Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2:Observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3:Unobservable inputs based on our assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value oncommon stock and warrants. As a recurring basis at May 31, 2018result, the Company’s common stock and May 31, 2017, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

Description Level  May 31,
2018
  May 31, 2017 
Assets:            
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account  1  $52,895,652  $ 

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXwarrants were delisted from Nasdaq effective April 2, 2019.

 

The Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:

  May 31, 2018 
Deferred tax asset    
Net Operating Loss $2,000 
Total deferred tax assets  2,000 
Valuation allowance  (2,000)
Deferred tax asset, net of allowance $ 

As of May 31, 2018,common stock and warrants currently have been quoted on the Company had U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryovers (“NOLs”) of $9,534 available to offset future taxable income. In accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of the Company’s NOLs may be subject to an annual limitation in the event of a change in control as definedOTCQB under the regulations.

In assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable incomesymbols “WINR” and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance. For the year ended May 31, 2018, the change in the valuation allowance was $2,000. 


A reconciliation of the federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate at December 31, 2017 is as follows:

Year Ended
May 31, 2018
Statutory federal income tax rate28.0%
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit0.0%
Deferred tax rate change(7.0)%
Change in valuation allowance(21.0)%
Income tax provision%

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into legislation. As part of the legislation, the U.S. corporate income tax rate was reduced to 21%. The Company has a recorded full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction in various state and local jurisdictions and is subject to examination by the various taxing authorities.  

NOTE 9 – SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

On May 3, 2018, the Company entered into a share subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”), with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of India (“Smaaash”), Shripal Morakhia (“Morakhia”), and AHA Holdings Private Limited (“AHA Holdings”, and together with Morakhia, the “Smaaash Founders”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to contribute a cash amount of up to $49 million (the “Investment Amount”) to Smaaash in exchange for (i) up to 76,641,157 newly issued equity shares of Smaaash (“Subscription Shares”), (ii) the right to act as the sole distributor of Smaaash’s active entertainment games in North and South America and (iii) the right to act as the master franchisee for Smaaash’s active entertainment centers in North and South America (the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement, collectively, the “Transaction”). Assuming a cash contribution amount of $49 million, the Subscription Agreement provided that the equity shares received by the Company would represent approximately 24.53% of the equity capital of Smaaash; provided that such percentage shall be decreased proportionately depending on the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that the public holders of the Company’s common stock elect to redeem in connection with the vote on the Transaction and the resulting reduction in funds available for contribution to Smaaash. On June 22, 2018, the Company, Smaaash and the Smaaash Founders entered into that certainAmendment Cum Addendum to the Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which the Subscription Agreement was amended to, among other things, increase the number of Subscription Shares that the Company would receive for the full Investment Amount from 76,641,157 shares to89,583,215shares, which shares would represent approximately 27.53% of the equity capital of Smaaash.

F-17

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY

BALANCE SHEETS

  August 31,
2018
(Unaudited)
  May 31,
2018
 
       
ASSETS        
         
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $355,828  $458,063 
Prepaid expenses  81   3,168 
Total Current Assets  355,909   461,231 
         
Cash held in Trust Account  53,119,511   52,895,652 
         
TOTAL ASSETS $53,475,420  $53,356,883 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current Liabilities        
Loan payable - Related party $85,238  $81,618 
Accrued expenses  182,807   63,579 
Deferred legal fees  100,000   100,000 
Total current liabilities  368,045   245,197 
         
Deferred underwriting fees  1,820,000   1,820,000 
Total Liabilities  2,188,045   2,065,197 
         
Commitments        
Common stock subject to possible redemption, $.0001 par value; 4,560,332 and 4,560,757 shares as of August 31, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively, at redemption value  46,287,374   46,291,685 
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Preferred Stock - $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding      
Common Stock - $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 2,253,168 and 2,252,743 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 4,560,332 and 4,560,757 shares subject to possible redemption) as of August 31, 2018 and May 31, 2018, respectively  225   225 
Additional paid-in capital  5,013,621   5,009,310 
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)  (13,845)  (9,534)
Total Stockholders’ Equity  5,000,001   5,000,001 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $53,475,420  $53,356,883 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited financial statements.

F-18

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  (UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended 
  August 31, 
  2018  2017 
       
Revenues $  $ 
         
Operating expenses        
General and administrative expenses  246,661   10,106 
Loss from operations  (246,661)  (10,106)
         
Other income:        
Interest income  242,350   13,328 
         
(Loss) income before provision for taxes  (4,311)  3,222 
         
Income tax provision      
         
Net (loss) income $(4,311) $3,222 
         
Basic and diluted net income per share $0.00  $0.00 
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding  2,253,168   1,529,094 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited financial statements.

F-19

I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended 
  August 31, 
  2018  2017 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
         
Net (loss) income $(4,311) $3,222 
         
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Accrued expense to related party  3,620   5,000 
Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account  (242,350)  (13,328)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accrued expenses  119,228   38,211 
Prepaid expenses  3,087    
Net Cash Provided by/(used in) Operating Activities  (120,726)  33,105 
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Investment of cash in Trust Account  (271,610)  (50,749,474)
Interest income released from Trust Account  290,101    
Net Cash Provided by/(used in) Investing Activities  18,491   (50,749,474)
         
Cash flows from Financing Activities:        
Proceeds from sale of units, net of underwriting discounts paid     48,900,100 
Proceeds from sale of Private Placement Units     2,545,000 
Proceeds from note payable - related party, net     71,035 
Repayment of note payable - related party, net     (83,325)
Payment of offering costs     (253,880)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities     51,178,930 
         
Net (decrease) increase in cash  (102,235)  462,561 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  458,063    
         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $355,828  $462,561 
         
Non-Cash investing and financing activities:        
Deferred underwriting fees charged to additional paid in capital $  $1,820,000 
Deferred legal fees charged to additional paid in capital     100,000 
Issuance of common stock to underwriters charged to additional paid in capital     500,000 
Initial classification of common stock subject to possible redemption     44,337,271 
Change in value of common stock subject to possible redemption  (4,311)  (6,498)
Offering costs charged to additional paid in capital     25,000 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited financial statements.


I-AM CAPITAL ACQUISITION COMPANY 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2018 

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

I-AM Capital Acquisition Company (the “Company”), was a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 17, 2017. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (“Business Combination”). Although the Company is not limited to a particular industry or geographic region for purposes of consummating a Business Combination, the Company intends to focus on businesses with a connection to India. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

The Company’s sponsor is I-AM Capital Partners LLC (the “Sponsor”). The Company has selected May 31 as its fiscal year end.

At August 31, 2018, the Company had not commenced any principal operations nor generated revenue to date. All activity from April 17, 2017 (inception) through August 31, 2018 related to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”), which is described below, and identifying a target company for a business combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds held in trust derived from the Initial Public Offering. Accordingly, the Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including failing to consummate the Initial Business Combination. Organizational costs and administrative expenses that are not related to the Initial Public Offering and concurrent private placement are expensed as incurred.

Financing

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering (as described in Note 3) was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 16, 2017. The Company intends to finance a Business Combination with the net proceeds from the sale of $50,000,000 of units in the Initial Public Offering (the “Public Units”) and the sale of $2,545,000 of units (the “Private Units” and, together with the Public Units, the “Units”) in the simultaneous private placement (the “Private Placement” as described in Note 3). Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement on August 22, 2017, $50,750,000 was deposited in a trust account with Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”) as discussed below.

Contained in the underwriting agreement for the Initial Public Offering is an over-allotment option allowing the underwriters to purchase from the Company up to an additional 750,000 Public Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) and, in addition, the Company received a commitment from the Sponsor to purchase up to an additional 26,250 Private Units in order to maintain the amount of cash in the Trust Account equal to $10.15 per Public Unit sold in the Initial Public Offering. On September 13, 2017, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased 200,000 Over-Allotment Units, which were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $2,000,000. Also on September 13, 2017, simultaneously with the sale of the Over-Allotment Units, the Company consummated the sale of an additional 7,000 Placement Units (the “Over-Allotment Placement Units”), generating gross proceeds of $70,000.


Trust Account

The Trust Account will be invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of one hundred and eighty (180) days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which invest only in direct U.S. government obligations. Funds will remain in the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) the consummation of its first Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below. The remaining proceeds outside the Trust Account may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses.

The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes or up to a maximum of $600,000 of working capital expenses, if any, none of the funds held in trust will be released until the earlier of: (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination; or (ii) the redemption of 100% of the shares of Common Stock included in the Public Units sold in the Initial Public Offering if the Company is unable to complete its initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 21 months if extended) from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (subject to the requirements of law).

Business Combination

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, although it initially intends to focus its efforts on businesses with a connection to India. Substantially all of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination with a Target Business. As used herein, “Target Business” must be with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned) at the time of the Company’s signing a definitive agreement in connection with its initial Business Combination. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.

The Company will have until 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering to consummate a Business Combination. However, if the Company anticipates that it may not be able to consummate a Business Combination within 12 months, the Company may extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to three times, each by an additional three months (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a Business Combination). Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the trust agreement entered into between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate its initial Business Combination, the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the Trust Account approximately $303,610 ($0.0583 per Unit), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline, for each three month extension, up to an aggregate of approximately $910,000 if extended three times, or $0.1750 per Unit. The Sponsor and its affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the Trust Account to extend the time for the Company to complete its initial Business Combination. In the event that interest in the trust is available for withdrawal for working capital purposes and has not been used to pay taxes or other working capital expenses, the Company may apply the accrued interest in the Trust Account or such withdrawn interest to the Sponsor’s obligation to loan the Company money in connection with an extension, and the amount that the Sponsor would be obligated to loan the Company in connection with such extension would be reduced by the amount of interest so applied of which $32,000 has been applied. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within this period of time (“Combination Period”), it shall, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account and as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of its remaining stockholders and its board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to its obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the Initial Public Offering price per Public Unit in the Initial Public Offering. The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, will either (i) seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose in connection with which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination, for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, including interest but less taxes payable and up to a maximum of $600,000 of working capital released to the Company, or (ii) provide stockholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to the Company by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to commencement of the tender offer, including interest but less taxes payable. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of the Business Combination or will allow stockholders to sell their shares in a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require the Company to seek stockholder approval unless a vote is required by NASDAQ rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval, it will complete its Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. However, in no event will the Company redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of the initial Business Combination. In such case, the Company would not proceed with the redemption of its Public Shares and the related Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate Business Combination.


As a result of the public stockholders’ redemption rights, such shares of Common Stock will be recorded at redemption amount and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Offering, in accordance with FASB ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.“WINRW,The amount in the Trust Account is initially anticipated to be $10.15 per public common share, subject to increase of up to an additional $0.1750 per share in the event that the Sponsor elects to extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination, as described in more detail in the prospectus. The per-share amount to be distributed to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions paid to the underwriters. There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of the initial Business Combination with respect to the warrants. The initial stockholders have entered into letter agreements, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares (defined in Note 4), shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Units and the Public Units, and any additional shares they may acquire during or after the Initial Public Offering in connection with the completion of the Business Combination. Prior to acquiring any securities from the initial stockholders, permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the same restriction.

On August 21, 2018, the Company deposited into the Trust Account an aggregate of $303,610 (including interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account available for withdrawal), representing $0.058 per public share. As a result of such payment, the Company has extended the period of time it has to consummate a business combination by three months to November 21, 2018.

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

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

The accompanying unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on July 24, 2018. The interim results for the three months ended August 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending May 31, 2019 or for any future interim periods.

Emerging Growth Company

Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.


Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which at times, may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Offering Costs

The Company complies with the requirements of ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 5A — “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs of approximately $3,728,000 consisting principally of underwriter discounts of $3,250,000 (including approximately $1,820,000 of which payment is deferred) and approximately $478,000 of professional, printing, filing, regulatory and other costs have been charged to additional paid in capital upon completion of the Initial Public Offering.

Common stock subject to possible redemption

The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at August 31, 2018, 4,560,332 shares of Common Stock subject to possible redemption at the redemption amount are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.

Net income (loss) per share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for the period. Shares of Common Stock subject to possible redemption at August 31, 2018 have been excluded from the calculation of basic income (loss) per share and diluted loss per share for the three months ended August 31, 2018 since the Company had a net loss for the quarter ended August 31, 2018 the effect would be Anti-Dilutive. The Company has not considered the effect of (1) warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement to purchase shares of Common Stock, (2) rights sold in the Initial Public Offering and Private Placement that convert into shares of Common Stock and (3) the unit purchase option granted to the underwriter in the calculation of diluted income (loss) per share, since the exercise of the warrants and the conversion of the rights into shares of Common Stock is contingent upon the occurrence of future events.


Income Taxes

The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statements recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”) was signed into law. As a result of Tax Reform, the U.S. statutory tax rate was lowered from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, among other changes. ASC Topic 740 requires companies to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment; therefore, the Company was required to revalue its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new rate. The SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain tax effects of Tax Reform. The ultimate impact may differ from this provisional amount, possibly materially, as a result of additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and actions the Company may take as a result of Tax Reform.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet adopted accounting pronouncements, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurring through the date the balance sheet was available for issuance, require potential adjustment to or disclosure in the balance sheet and has concluded that all such events that would require recognition or disclosure have been recognized or disclosed.

NOTE 3 — INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND PRIVATE PLACEMENT

Initial Public Offering

On August 22, 2017, the Company sold 5,000,000 Public Units at a purchase price of $10.00 per Public Unit in the Initial Public Offering, generating gross proceeds of $50.0 million. The Company incurred offering costs of approximately $3.7 million, inclusive of approximately $3.2 million of underwriting fees. The Company paid $1 million of underwriting fees upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock for underwriting fees, and deferred $1.82 million of underwriting fees until the consummation of the initial Business Combination.

Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s common stock, one right to receive one-tenth of one share of the Company’s common stock upon consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination (“Right”), and one redeemable warrant (“Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Warrants. The Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (i) 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination and (ii) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, and will expire five years after the completion of the initial Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. 


The Company may redeem the Warrants, in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Warrant upon 30 days’ notice (“30-day redemption period”), only in the event that the last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $21.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given, provided there is an effective registration statement with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying such Warrants and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Common Stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If the Company calls the Warrants for redemption as described above, the Company’s management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their warrants on a “cashless basis,” management will consider, among other factors, the Company’s cash position, the number of Warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on the Company’s stockholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants.

Each holder of a Right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of common stock upon consummation of a Business Combination. No fractional shares will be issued upon exchange of the Rights. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of Rights in order to receive its additional shares upon consummation of a Business Combination as the consideration related thereto has been included in the Unit purchase price paid for by investors in the Initial Public Offering. If the Company enters into a definitive agreement for a Business Combination in which the Company will not be the surviving entity, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert its rights in order to receive the 1/10 share of common stock underlying each right (without paying any additional consideration).

There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Warrants and Rights, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete it Business Combination within the Combination Period.

The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 750,000 additional Public Units to cover any over-allotment, at the Initial Public Offering price less any underwriting discounts and commissions. On September 13, 2017 the underwriters purchased 200,000 additional Public Units for gross proceeds of $2,000,000 less commissions of 110,000, of which $70,000 are deferred.

The Company issued Maxim as compensation for the Initial Public Offering, an aggregate of 52,000 shares, including 20,000 shares issued in connection with the partial exercise of the over-allotment option. The Company accounted for the fair value of these shares as an expense of the Initial Public Offering resulting in a charge directly to stockholders’ equity.

Unit Purchase Option

At the time of the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold to Maxim, for an aggregate of $100, an option (the “UPO”) to purchase 250,000 Units (which increased to 260,000 units upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) (See Note 5). The Company has accounted for the fair value of the UPO, inclusive of the receipt of the $100 cash payment, as an expense of the Initial Public Offering resulting in a charge directly to shareholders’ equity. The Company estimates that the fair value of this UPO is approximately $743,600 (or $2.86 per Unit) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the UPO is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 35%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 1.73% and (3) expected life of five years. The UPO may be exercised for cash or on a “cashless” basis, at the holder’s option (except in the case of a forced cashless exercise upon the Company’s redemption of the Warrants, as described above), such that the holder may use the appreciated value of the UPO (the difference between the exercise prices of the UPO and the underlying Warrants and Rights, and the market price of the Units and underlying shares of Common Stock) to exercise the UPO without the payment of any cash. The Company will have no obligation to net cash settle the exercise of the UPO or the Warrants or Rights underlying the UPO. The holder of the UPO will not be entitled to exercise the UPO or the Warrants or Rights underlying the UPO unless a registration statement covering the securities underlying the UPO is effective or an exemption from registration is available. If the holder is unable to exercise the UPO or underlying Warrants or Rights, the UPO, Warrants or Rights, as applicable, will expire worthless.


The Company granted the holders of the UPO, demand and “piggy back” registration rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Initial Public Offering, including securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the UPO.

Private Placement

Concurrently with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 254,500 Private Units at $10.00 per Private Unit, generated gross proceeds of $2,545,000 in a Private Placement. The proceeds from the Private Units was added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. The Private Units (including their component securities) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination and the warrants included in the Private Units (the “Private Placement Warrants”) will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the Sponsor or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the Sponsor or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Warrants included in the Public Units sold in the Initial Public Offering. Otherwise, the Private Placement Warrants and the Rights underlying the Private Units have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Warrants and Rights, respectively, sold as part of the Public Units in the Initial Public Offering and have no net cash settlement provisions.

On September 13, 2017 the Sponsor purchased 7,000 additional Private Units for gross proceeds of $70,000 upon the partial exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option.

If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds of the Private Placement will be part of the liquidating distribution to the public stockholders and the Private Units and their component securities issued to the Sponsor will expire worthless.

NOTE 4 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

founder shares

On May 31, 2017, the Company issued 1,437,500 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Sponsor (the “founder shares”) in exchange for a capital contribution of $25,000. 137,500 founder shares were forfeited by the Sponsor upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

The founder shares are identical to the shares of Common Stock included in the Units and holders of founder shares have the same stockholder rights as public stockholders, except that (i) the founder shares and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Units are subject to certain transfer restrictions, and (ii) the Sponsor has entered into a letter agreement, pursuant to which it has agreed (A) to waive its redemption rights with respect to the founder shares, and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Units and the Public Units in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (B) to waive its rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to the founder shares and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Units if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination).

With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares are not transferable, assignable or salable (except to the Company’s officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor, each of whom will be subject to the same transfer restrictions) until the earlier of one year after the completion of an initial Business Combination or earlier of (i) subsequent to the Company’s Business Combination, the last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after an initial Business Combination, or (ii) the date following the completion of an Initial Business Combination on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.


Private Units

In addition, the Sponsor purchased, pursuant to a written agreement, an aggregate of 254,500 Private Units at $10.00 per Private Unit for proceeds of $2,545,000 in the aggregate in the Private Placement. This purchase took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the completion of the Initial Public Offering. This issuance was be made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a) (2) of the Securities Act.

The Sponsor committed to purchase from the Company up to an additional 26,250 Private Units if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full.

On September 13, 2017, the Sponsor purchased 7,000 additional Private Units at $10.00 per Private Unit upon the partial exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option.

Administrative Service Fee

The Company has agreed, commencing on the effective date of the Initial Public Offering through the earlier of the Company’s consummation of a Business Combination or its liquidation, to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support. As of August 31, 2018, the Company has paid an aggregate of $30,000 which is presented as general and administrative expense on the accompanying statement of operations.

Loan

The Sponsor has loaned the Company $201,707 in the aggregate, to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Initial Public Offering and working capital purposes. The loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and was due at the earlier of December 31, 2017 or the closing of the Initial Public Offering. As of August 31, 2018, $120,089 of the Sponsor’s loan has been repaid. As of August 31, 2018, the balance of the sponsor loan is $85,238.

NOTE 5 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESrespectively.

 

Registration Rights

 

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement the Company entered into with its initial stockholders and initial purchasers of the Private Units (and constituent securities) at the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company is required to register certain securities for sale under the Securities Act. These holders are entitled under the registration rights agreement to make up to three demands that the Company register certain of its securities held by them for sale under the Securities Act and to have the securities covered thereby registered for resale pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders have the right to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company. The Company will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements.

 

Unit Purchase Option

 

The Company sold to the underwriters (and/or their designees), for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 250,000 Units (which increased to 260,000 Units upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), exercisable at $11.50 per Unit (or an aggregate exercise price of $2,990,000) upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The UPO may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, at any time during the period commencing on the later of the first anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Initial Public Offering and the closing of the Company’s initial Business Combination and terminating on the fifth anniversary of such effectiveness date. The Units issuable upon exercise of this UPO are identical to those offered in the Initial Public Offering, except that the exercise price of the warrants underlying the Units sold to the underwriters is $13.00 per share.

 


SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Deferred Legal FeesOperating Lease Right of Use Obligation

 

The Company adopted Topic 842 on January 1, 2019. The Company elected to adopt this standard using the optional modified retrospective transition method and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to the consolidated balance sheet on the date of adoption. Comparative periods have not been restated. With the adoption of Topic 842, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet now contains the following line items: Operating lease right-of-use assets, Current portion of operating lease liabilities and Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion.

As all the existing leases subject to the new lease standard were previously classified as operating leases by the Company, they were similarly classified as operating leases under the new standard. The Company has committed to pay its attorneys a deferred legal fee of $100,000 upondetermined that the consummationidentified operating leases did not contain non-lease components and require no further allocation of the Initial Business Combination relatingtotal lease cost. Additionally, the agreements in place did not contain information to services performed in connection withdetermine the Initial Public Offering. This amount has been accruedrate implicit in the accompanying balance sheet.leases, so we used our incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. Our weighted average discount rate is 10.4% and the weighted average remaining lease terms are 41 months.

 

NOTE 6 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYAs of May 31, 2020, operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities arising from operating leases was $490,984 and $490,983, respectively. During the year ended May 31, 2020, the Company recorded operating lease expense of approximately $147,000.

The following is a schedule showing the future minimum lease payments under operating leases by years and the present value of the minimum payments as of May 31, 2020.

2020 $174,728 
2021 $141,278 
2022 $145,832 
2023 $127,900 
2024 $84,017 
Total Operating Lease Obligations $673,755 
Less: Amount representing interest $(184,977)
Present Value of minimum lease payments $488,778 

 

Common StockEmployment Agreements, Board Compensation and Bonuses

 

TheOn July 29, 2020, the Company entered into a new employment agreement (the “Kaplan 2020 Agreement”) with Mr. Kaplan. Such employment agreement replaced the Kaplan 2018 Agreement. As a result, the Kaplan 2018 Agreement was terminated and is authorizedof no further force or effect. Pursuant to issue 20,000,000the terms of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Kaplan a monthly base salary of $5,000; provided, however, that the parties agreed that such base salary will be deferred and will accumulate until the Company has sufficient cash available to make such payments, to be reasonably determined by the Board of Directors and Mr. Kaplan, at which time all accrued and unpaid base salary will be paid. In addition, Mr. Kaplan will receive an equity grant of 15,000 shares of Common Stockcommon stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant. Mr. Kaplan will also be eligible to receive a quarterly bonus in the form of cash or equity shares and will be entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans. In addition, if, during the term of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement, the Company’s shares are approved for listing on a U.S. national securities exchange, the Company will pay Mr. Kaplan a $50,000 cash bonus, to be paid upon such listing begin effective.

The term of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement is for an initial one-year term, which shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless either party provides 60 days’ advance written notice of its intention not to renew the Kaplan 2020 Agreement at the conclusion of the then applicable term. The term of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement may be terminated by the Company with or without cause or by Mr. Kaplan with or without good reason, as such terms are defined therein.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

On July 29, 2020, the Board of Directors approved for Mr. Kaplan a par value$75,000 cash bonus and authorized the issuance of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock areboth related to his performance during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. As of May 31, 2020, the Company has accrued $75,000 related to Mr. Kaplans cash bonus and $216,625 related to the Common Shares to be issued to Mr. Kaplan.

On July 29, 2020, the Company entered into a new employment agreement (the “Franklin 2020 Agreement”) with Mr. Franklin. Such employment agreement replaced the Franklin 2018 Agreement. As a result, the Franklin 2018 Agreement was terminated and is of no further force or effect. Pursuant to the terms of the Franklin 2020 Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Franklin a monthly base salary of $12,500; provided, however, that the parties agreed that such base salary will be deferred and will accumulate until the Company has sufficient cash available to make such payments, to be reasonably determined by the Board of Directors and Mr. Franklin, at which time all accrued and unpaid base salary will be paid. In addition, Mr. Franklin will receive an equity grant of 6,250 shares of common stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant. Mr. Franklin will also be eligible to receive a quarterly bonus in the form of cash or equity shares and will be entitled to one voteparticipate in the Company’s employee benefit plans. In addition, if, during the term of the Franklin 2020 Agreement, the Company’s shares are approved for each share. At August 31, 2018, there were 6,813,500 shareslisting on a U.S. national securities exchange, the Company will pay Mr. Franklin a $50,000 cash bonus, to be paid upon such listing begin effective.

On July 29, 2020, the Board of Common Stock issuedDirectors approved for Mr. Franklin a $75,000 cash bonus and outstanding, which reflectsauthorized the 137,500 shares that were forfeited by the Sponsor due to the underwriters’ over-allotment option being exercised in part and includes 4,560,332issuance of 250,000 fully vested shares of the Company’s common stock subjectboth related to possible redemption.his performance during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. As of May 31, 2020, the Company has accrued $75,000 related to Mr. Franklins cash bonus and $216,625 related to the Common Shares to be issued to Mr. Franklin.

On July 29, 2020, the Board of Directors approved the issuance of 192,000 shares of common stock to an employee and the Directors of the Company for services provided during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. As of May 31, 2020, the Company has accrued $166,675 related to the authorized issuance of these shares.

Litigation

On August 5, 2020, a lawsuit styled Duncan Wood v. PLAYlive Nation, Inc. and Simplicity eSports and Gaming Company (Case No. 20-1043) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges unlawful failure to make timely and reasonable payment of wages, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages for compensation alleged to be owed, treble damages, interest on all wage compensation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other relief as the Court deems just and proper. Defendants’ responsive pleading is not yet due and has not been filed. The litigation is in its initial stages and the Company is unable to reasonably predict its potential outcome. The Company, however, believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the claims.

NOTE 10 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. At AugustMay 31, 2018,2020 and 2019, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

 

NOTE 7 — TRUST ACCOUNT AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTSCommon Stock

 

The Trust Account can be investedCompany is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of the shares of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At May 31, 2020, and May 31, 2019, there were 7,988,975 and 7,003,975 shares of common stock issued and outstanding respectively.

2020 Transactions

On July 30, 2019, in U.S. government securities, withinconnection with the meaning set forthPLAYlive Merger, the Company issued 750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as Merger Consideration (Note 6).

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, the Company authorized the grant to Jed Kaplan, our Chief Financial Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, of 70,000 shares of our restricted Common Stock. As of May 31, 2020, these shares have been issued.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, the Company authorized the grant to Roman Franklin, our President and a member of our board of directors, of 21,000 shares of our restricted Common Stock. As of May 31, 2020, these shares have been issued.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, the Company authorized the grant to Steven Grossman, our Corporate Secretary, of 14,000 shares of our restricted Common Stock. As of May 31, 2020, these shares have been issued.

On March 11, 2020, in connection with the execution of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Triton Funds, LP, the Company issued 5,000 shares of our restricted Common Stock at $1.18 per share to Triton Funds, LP as a donation.

On April 9, 2020, the Company delivered a Purchase Notice to Triton Funds, LP pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement requiring Triton Funds, LP to acquire 125,000 shares of our restricted Common Stock at a price of $0.70 per share. In accordance therewith, we issued 125,000 shares of our Common Stock to Triton Funds, LP, which rendered $87,700 in proceeds to the Company.

On May 4, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain 10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note dated April 29, 2020 in the Investment Company Act, having a maturityprincipal amount of 180 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected$152,500 issued by the Company meetingin favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC, the conditionsCompany issued 10,000 shares of Rule 2a-7our restricted Common Stock, issued at $0.99 per share, to Harbor Gates Capital, LLC as additional consideration for the purchase of such note. As of May 31, 2020, these shares were not issued. As of August 31, 2020, these shares have been issued.

On May 7, 2020, the Company authorized the sale of 22,936 shares of our restricted Common Stock, at a price of $1.09 per share, to William H. Herrmann, Jr. a member of our board of directors, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. As of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2020, such shares have not been issued.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on June 4, 2020, the Company authorized the issuance of 85,905 shares of common stock in connection with the conversion of $100,000 in principal of a convertible note payable. As of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2020, these shares have been issued.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on June 15, 2020, we issued 25,000 shares of common stock in satisfaction of an outstanding balance owed to a vendor.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on June 18, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (described elsewhere herein) in the principal amount of $550,000, the Company issued 55,000 shares of the InvestmentCompany’s common stock to such accredited investor as additional consideration for the purchase of such note.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on June 29, 2020, the Company Act.acquired the assets of one of its top performing franchisee owned esports gaming centers on Fort Bliss U.S. Military base in El Paso, TX. In connection with the acquisition the Company authorized the issuance of 150,000 restricted shares As of August 31, 2020 such shares have not been issued.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on July 29, 2020, the Company authorized the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 300,000 shares of common stock. As of August 31, 2020, such shares have not been issued.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on July 29, 2020, the Company authorized the grant to Mr. Franklin of 265,000 shares of common stock. As of August 31, 2020, such shares have not been issued.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on July 29, 2020, the Company authorized the grant of 192,000 shares of common stock to an employee and the Directors of the Company as of August 31, 2020 such shares have not been issued.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on July 31, 2020, the Company entered into a marketing agreement whereby we agreed to issue 27,778 shares of common stock. As of August 31, 2020, such shares have not been issued.

Subsequent to May 31, 2020, on August 7, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor pursuant to which we issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (described elsewhere herein) in the principal amount of 333,333, the Company authorized the grant of 33,333 shares of common stock. As of August 31, 2020, such shares have been issued.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

Private Placement

Beginning in February of 2019 and closing in May of 2019, the Company sold units in connection with a private offering by the Company to raise working capital of up to $2,000,000 (the “Offering Amount”) through the sale to accredited investors only of up to up to 1,000,000 “Units” of the Company’s securities, at a purchase price of $2.00 per Unit, with each Unit consisting of (i) one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Company (the “Common Stock”) and (ii) a warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, exercisable at a price of $4.00 per share, exercisable at any time within five years of issuance (each, a “Warrant”) as provided for in the Company’s Term Sheet for Unit Offering dated February 6, 2019 (the “Term Sheet”).

 

The Company sold 962,500 units for gross proceeds of $1,925,000.

Stock Based Compensation

On March 27, 2019, the Company issued 180,000 shares of common stock at $0.60 per share to 3 employees of the Company. The shares were issued in conjunction with their employment agreements. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 105,000 shares vested ratably through December 31, 2019. As of May 31, 2020, all 180,000 shares have vested.

On July 29, 2020, the Company authorized the issuance of 67,000 shares of common stock at $1.02 per share to 3 employees of the Company. The shares were issued in conjunction with their employment agreements and vested ratably through May 31, 2020.

On July 29, 2020, the Company authorized the issuance of 690,000 shares of common stock at $0.87 per share to the Executive Officers, an employee of the Company and the Members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The shares have all vested as of May 31, 2020.

In connection with these issuances the Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $669,215. At May 31, 2020, the Company has no unrecognized share-based compensation.

Warrants

For the year ended May 31, 2020, there was no activity with respect to warrants.

For the year ended May 31, 2019, the Company issued 5,461,500 warrants in conjunction with its Initial Public Offerings. These warrants are exercisable for five years from November 20, 2018, the date of the initial business combination and have an exercise price equal to $11.50.

For the year ended May 31, 2019, the Company issued 962,500 warrants in conjunction with the above-mentioned private placement. These warrants are exercisable for 5 years and have an exercise price of $4.00.

A summary of the status of the Company’s outstanding stock warrants for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

  Number of
Shares
  Average
Exercise
Price
  Expiration
Date
Outstanding – May 31, 2018  5,461,500  $11.50  Nov 2023
Granted – May 31, 2019  962,500   4.00  May 2024
Outstanding – May 31, 2019  6,424,000   10.38   
           
Outstanding – May 31, 2020  6,424.000  $10.38   
Warrants exercisable at May 31, 2020  6,424,000       

NOTE 11 - INCOME TAXES

For the year ended May 31, 2020 and 2019, the income tax provisions for current taxes were $0.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of permanent and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The temporary differences that result in deferred tax assets and liabilities are the results of carry forward tax losses, amortization and impairment expense.

The components of the net deferred tax assets for the year ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

  Year ended
May 31, 2020
  Year ended
May 31, 2019
 
Net Operating Loss $770,000  $364,000 
Impairment of cost method investment  -   38,000 
Gross deferred tax asset  770,000   402,000 
Less: Valuation allowance  (825,000)  (381,000)
Net deferred tax asset $55,000  $21,000 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
Amortization of intangible assets  (55,000)  (21,000)
Net deferred assets/liabilities  -   - 

In assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a valuation allowance, in an amount equal to gross deferred tax assets less deferred tax liabilities. For the year ended May 31, 2020, the change in the valuation allowance was $444,000.


SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

The table below summarizes the reconciliation of our income tax provision computed at the federal statutory rate of 21% for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 and the actual tax provisions for the year ended May 31, 2020 and 2019.

  2020  2019 
       
Expected provision (benefit) at statutory rate  (21.0)%  (21.0)%
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit  (4.4)%  (4.4)%
Change in federal rate  -%  -%
Permanent differences-stock based compensation  15.0   15.0 
Increase in valuation allowance  10.4%  10.4%
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes  0.0%  0.0%

At May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, the Company had Federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $3,029,000 and $1,474,000, respectively. The net operating loss of approximately $3,029,000 can be carried forward indefinitely subject to annual usage limitations. In accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, deductibility of the Company’s NOLs may be subject to an annual limitation in the event of a change in control as defined under the regulations.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions and is subject to examination by the various taxing authorities.

NOTE 12 — SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION

Historically, the Company had one operating segment. However, with the acquisition of PLAYlive and the opening of two Company-owned retail stores, the Company’s operations are now managed through three operating segments: Franchise royalties and license fees, Company-owned stores and Esports revenue. These three operating segments and corporate are presented below as its reportable segments.

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments for the year ended May 31, 2020 is shown in the following table:

  Revenues  Net
Income
(loss)
  Depreciation
and
Amortization
  Capital
Expenditures
  Goodwill  Total
Assets
 
                   
Franchise royalties and fees $523,000  $(124,000) $-  $-  $699,000  $1,610,000 
Company-owned stores  174,000   (330,000)  54,000   142,000   -   1,124,000 
Esports revenue  165,000   (345,000)  215,000   9,000   4,456,000   5,750,000 
Corporate  -   (1,856,000)  -   -   -   108,000 
Total $862,000  $(2,655,000) $269,000  $151,000  $5,155,000  $8,592,000 

NOTE 13 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Self-Amortization Promissory Note

On June 18, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) with an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “Amortization Note”) with a maturity date of June 18, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $550,000. Pursuant to the terms of the Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay to $550,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum. The Amortization Note carries an original issue discount (“OID”) of $55,000. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $495,000 in exchange for the Amortization Note. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company agreed to issue 55,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Holder as additional consideration.

The Company may prepay the Amortization Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Amortization Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Amortization Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Amortization Note or SPA.

On various dates subsequent to May 31, 2020, Jed Kaplan our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer funded $25,272 pursuant to the Kaplan Promissory Note. With the contributions subsequent to May 31, 2020, the principal balances outstanding and due Mr. Kaplan amount to $90,000 (Note 8). The promissory note was subsequently converted into 20% of the common equity of Simplicity One Brasil, LTD by SEGC and Mr. Kaplan.

On April 10, 2020, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 relating to the Company’s offering of units. Each unit consists of one share of the Company’s common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock. On July 2, 2020, the Company filed Amendment No. 1 to its Registration Statement on Form S-1. The registration statement is not yet effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAY 31, 2020

On June 23, 2020, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, at a ratio of no less than 1-for-2 and no more than 1-for-10, with such ratio to be determined by the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, with any fractional shares being rounded up to the next higher whole shares (the “Reverse Split”). The Board will implement the Reverse Split only upon a determination that the Reverse Split is in the best interests of the stockholders at that time. The Board will then select the ratio for the Reverse Split within the range approved by stockholders that the Board determines to be advisable and in the best interests of the stockholders, considering relevant market conditions at the time the Reverse Split is to be implemented. The Reverse Split may be delayed or abandoned without further action by the stockholders at any time prior to effectiveness of the Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State, notwithstanding stockholder adoption and approval of the Reverse Split amendment, if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to delay or abandon the Reverse Split. If the Certificate of Amendment implementing the Reverse Split has not been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on or before the date of the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the Board will be deemed to have abandoned the Reverse Split.

The board and shareholders of the Company approved the Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) on April 22, 2020 and June 23, 2020, respectively. Under the 2020 Plan, 1,000,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance to employees, directors and independent contractors (except those performing services in connection with the offer or sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction, or promoting or maintaining a market for the Company’s securities) of the Company or its subsidiaries. The 2020 Plan authorizes equity-based and cash-based incentives for participants. There were 1,000,000 shares available for award at May 31, 2020 under the 2020 Plan.

On June 29, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of one of its top performing franchisee owned esports gaming centers on Fort Bliss U.S. Military base in El Paso, TX. Simplicity El Paso, LLC was created by SEGC and purchased the assets of the franchisee location for 150,000 shares of restricted Company common stock and $150,000 in cash.

On July 2, 2020, the Company repaid $152,500 and $15,000 in accrued interest in full satisfaction of the 10% Convertible Promissory Harbor Gates Note (Note 8).

On July 29, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the issuance of 757,000 shares of the Common Stock of the Company and $150,000 in cash as compensation for the year ended May 31, 2020. The shares were granted to Jed Kaplan the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, Roman Franklin the Company’s President, the members of the Company’s Board of Directors as well as an employee of the Company (Note 8).

On July 29, 2020, The Company entered into employment agreements with Jed Kaplan the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and Roman Franklin the Company’s President, the members of the Company’s Board of Directors as well as an employee of the Company (Note 8).

Self-Amortization Promissory Note

On August 7, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company, entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) with FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC, an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “Amortization Note”) with a maturity date of August 7, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $333,333. Pursuant to the terms of the Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay to $333,333 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum. The Amortization Note carries an original issue discount (“OID”) of $33,333. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $300,000 in exchange for the Amortization Note. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company agreed to issue 33,333 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Holder as additional consideration.

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation

On August 17, 2020, the Company amended its certificate of incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

  February 28, 2021  May 31, 2020 
      
ASSETS        
         
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $571,970  $160,208 
Accounts receivable, net  97,833   127,653 
Inventory  176,010   15,787 
Prepaid expenses  82,143   5,588 
Total Current Assets  927,956   309,236 
         
Other Assets        
Goodwill  5,180,141   5,155,141 
Intangible assets, net  1,865,108   2,141,374 
Deferred brokerage fees  106,778   149,223 
Property and equipment, net  576,345   232,733 
Right of use asset, operating leases, net  1,307,524   490,984 
Security deposits  36,885   14,885 
Due from franchisees  31,514   - 
Deferred financing costs  235,759   98,198 
Total Other Assets  9,340,054   8,282,538 
         
TOTAL ASSETS $10,268,010  $8,591,774 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current Liabilities        
Accounts payable $427,844  $126,716 
Accrued expenses  1,342,525   1,421,842 
Convertible note payable  1,368,419   1,127,320 
Note payable, net  309,570   - 
Note payable - related party  -   64,728 
Operating lease obligation, current  269,500   151,867 
Current portion of deferred revenues  3,795   3,795 
Stock payable  52,845   75,000 
Total Current Liabilities  3,774,498   2,971,268 
         
Operating lease obligation, net of current portion  1,044,093   339,116 
Deferred revenues, less current portion  283,350   365,718 
         
Total Liabilities  5,101,941   3,676,102 
         
Commitments and Contingencies - Note 8  -   - 
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding  -   - 
Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 36,000,000 shares authorized; 1,341,017 and 998,622 shares issued and outstanding as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively  134   100 
Additional paid-in capital  15,799,987   11,132,103 
Accumulated deficit  (10,782,438)  (6,195,044)
Total Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company Stockholders’ Equity $5,017,683   4,937,159 
Non-Controlling Interest  148,386   (21,487)
Total Stockholders’ Equity  5,166,069   4,915,672 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $10,268,010  $8,591,774 

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

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

  For the Three Months Ended  For the Nine Months Ended 
  February 28, 2021  February 29, 2020  February 28, 2021  February 29, 2020 
             
Revenues                
Franchise royalties and license fees $31,901  $140,209  $149,596  $387,221 
Franchise termination revenue  18,141   44,984   79,522   44,984 
Company-owned stores sales  319,125   105,070   563,854   154,713 
Esports revenue  59,312   90,538   132,654   113,874 
                 
Total Revenues  428,479   380,801   925,626   700,792 
                 
Cost of Goods Sold  (108,187)  (214,444)  (216,355)  (348,313)
                 
Gross Profit  320,292   166,357   709,271   352,479 
                 
Operating Expenses                
Compensation and related benefits  (2,041,992)  (239,619)  (2,710,747)  (678,109)
General and administrative expenses  (715,255)  (328,334)  (1,704,969)  (1,014,232)
                 
Loss from Operations  (2,436,885)  (401,596)  (3,706,445)  (1,339,862)
                 
Other Income (Expense)                
Debt forgiveness Income  -   -   3,115   93,761 
Interest expense  (548,595)  (6,675)  (947,383)  (20,025)
Interest income  7   70   19   3,031 
Foreign exchange loss  (1,254)  -   (20,826)  - 
Rebate Income  -   1,116   -   1,116 
                 
Total Other (Expense) Income  (549,842)  (5,489)  (965,075)  77,883 
                 
Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes  (2,986,727)  (407,085)  (4,671,520)  (1,261,979)
                 
Provision for Income Taxes  -   -   -   - 
                 
Net Loss  (2,986,727)  (407,085)  (4,671,520)  (1,261,979)
                 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  59,707   2,883   84,126   11,055 
                 
Net loss attributable to common shareholders $(2,927,020) $(404,202) $(4,587,394) $(1,250,924)
                 
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per share $(2.23) $(0.41) $(3.89) $(1.31)
                 
Basic and diluted Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding  1,309,631   982,372   1,179,925   956,669 

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

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2021 and FEBRUARY 29, 2020

(Unaudited)

  Common Stock  

Additional

Paid-In

  

Non-

Controlling

  Accumulated  

Total

Stockholders’

 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Interest  Deficit  Equity 
                   
Balance - May 31, 2020  998,622  $100  $11,132,103  $(21,487) $(6,195,044) $4,915,672 
                         
Shares issued for cash  2,976   -   25,000   -   -   25,000 
Shares issued in connection with conversion of note payable  10,738   1   99,999         100,000 
Shares issued in connection with notes payable  12,292   1   102,216   -   -   102,217 
Shares issued for payable and accrued liabilities  3,125   -   46,000   -   -   46,000 
Shares issued in connection with franchise acquisition  18,750   2   164,998   -   -   165,000 
Shares issued in connection with consulting agreement  3,472   1   22,777   -   -   22,778 
Shares issued to directors, officers and employees as compensation  116,175   12   819,297   -   -   819,309 
Non-controlling interest of original investment in subsidiaries  -   -   -   240,000   -   240,000 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  -   -   -   (15,866)  -   (15,866)
Net Loss  -   -   -   -   (655,214)  (655,214)
                         
Balance - August 31, 2020  1,166,150   117   12,412,390   202,647   (6,850,258)  5,764,896 
                         
Warrants issued in connection with debt  -   -   157,438   -   -   157,438 
Shares issued in connection with franchise acquisition  37,941   4   413,540   -   -   413,544 
Shares issued in connection with consulting agreement  2,813   -   25,420   -   -   25,420 
Shares issued to directors, officers and employees as compensation  9,844   1   119,632   -   -   119,633 
Rounding related to reverse stock split  628   -   -   -   -   - 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  -   -   -   (8,554)  -   (8,554)
Net Loss  -   -   -   -   (1,005,160)  (1,005,160)
                         
Balance - November 30, 2020  1,217,376   122   13,128,420   194,093   (7,855,418)  5,467,217 
                         
Beneficial conversion feature related to a convertible debt  -   -   904,505   -   -   904,505 
Shares issued in connection with issuance of notes payable  10,000   1   141,605   -   -   141,606 
Shares issued in connection with consulting agreement  5,000   -   80,000   -   -   80,000 
Shares issued to directors, officers and employees as compensation  108,641   11   1,545,457   -   -   1,545,468 
Contribution from noncontrolling interest  -   -   -   14,000   -   14,000 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  -   -   -   (59,707)  -   (59,707)
Net Loss  -   -   -   -   (2,927,020)  (2,927,020)
Balance – February 28, 2021  1,341,017  $134  $15,799,987  $148,386  $(10,782,438) $5,166,069 

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

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2021 and FEBRUARY 29, 2020

(Unaudited)

  Common Stock  

Additional

Paid-In

  

Non-

Controlling

  Accumulated  

Total

Stockholders’

 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Interest  Deficit  Equity 
                   
Balance - May 31, 2019  875,497  $88  $9,442,639  $-  $(3,574,806) $5,867,921 
Shares issued for PLAYlive Nation acquisition  93,750   9   1,439,991   -   -   1,440,000 
Vesting of Common Shares  -   -   27,000   -   -   27,000 
Net Loss  -   -   -   -   (283,393)  (283,393)
Balance - August 31, 2019  969,247   97   10,909,630   -   (3,858,199)  7,051,528 
Vesting of Common Shares  -   -   36,000��  -   -   36,000 
Compensation to officer for shares issued for past services  -   -   90,000   -   -   90,000 
Shares issued for vesting of employment agreement awards  13,125   1   10   -   -   11 
Non-controlling interest of original investment in subsidiaries  -   -   -   24,013   -   24,013 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  -   -   -   

(8,172

)  -   

(8,172

)
Net Loss  -   -   -   -  

(563,329

)  (563,329)
Balance - November 30, 2019  982,372   98   11,035,640   15,841   (4,421,528  6,630,051 
Net Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  -   -   -   

(2,833

)  -  (2,883)
Net Loss  -   -   -   -   (404,202)  (404,202)
Balance – February 29, 2020  982,372  $98  $11,035,640  $13,008  $(4,825,730) $6,222.596 

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

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

  For the Nine Months Ended 
  February 28, 2021  February 29, 2020 
       
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(4,671,520) $(1,261,979)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Non-cash interest expense  731,551   - 
Depreciation expense  151,342   37,240 
Amortization expense  212,343   154,218 
Impairment loss  213,923   - 
Debt forgiveness income  3,115   (93,761)
Stock-based compensation  1,954,480   153,011 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  29,820   (95,645)
Inventory  (39,839)  (22,822)
Prepaid expenses  17,272   (10,133)
Security deposits  (22,000)  (2,568)
Deferred brokerage fees  42,445   (59,051)
Deferred revenues  (82,368)  126,080 
Accounts payable  381,128   65,474 
Accrued expenses  423,141   (143,632)
Due from franchisees  (31,514)  (12,699)
         
Net cash used in operating activities  (686,681)  (1,166,267)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Cash purchased from acquisition  -   26,180 
Lease liability net of lease asset  6,070   (776)
Purchase of property and equipment  (8,949)  (163,472)
         
Net cash used in investing activities  (2,879)  (138,068)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Repayment of note payable  (1,554,641)  - 
Proceeds from note payable  2,779,524   - 
Deferred financing costs  (137,561)  (74,198)
Non-controlling interest of original investment in subsidiaries  14,000   24,054 
Private placement funds received  -   50,000 
         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  1,101,322   (144)
         
Net change in cash  411,762   (1,304,479)
         
Cash - beginning of period  160,208   1,540,158 
         
Cash - end of period $571,790  $235,679 
         
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:        
         
Cash paid for interest $71,704  $- 
Cash paid for income taxes $-  $- 
         
Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Information        
         
Common stock issued for consideration in an acquisition of assets $782,544  $1,440,000 
Conversion of debt to common shares $100,000  $- 
Increase in prepaid expenses and accrued expenses $93,827  $- 
Common stock issued for accrued compensation $624,128  $- 
Common stock issued for debt discount $1,079,631  $- 
Warrants issued for debt discount $157,438  $- 
         
Acquisition of PLAYlive and other Assets:        
Goodwill $-  $2,226,166 
Property and equipment $-  $9,503 
Deferred brokerage fees $-  $805,975 
Accounts payable $-  $(3,574)
Deferred revenue $-  $(1,624,250)

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

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FEBRUARY 28, 2021

(UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company (the “Company,” “Simplicity,” “we,” or “our”) was organized as a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 17, 2017. The Company was formed under the name I-AM Capital Acquisition Company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (“Business Combination”). On November 20, 2018, the Company changed its name from I-AM Capital Acquisition Company to Smaaash Entertainment Inc. On January 2, 2019, the Company changed its name from Smaaash Entertainment Inc. to Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Esports, LLC, acquired on January 2, 2019, the Company has begun to implement a unique approach to ensure the ultimate fan friendly esports experience. Our intention is to have gamers involved at the grassroots level and feel a sense of unity as we compete with top class talent. Our management and players are known within the esports community and we plan to use their skills to create a seamless content creation plan helping gamers feel closer to our brand than any other in the industry. Simplicity is an established brand in the esports industry with an engaged fan base competing in popular games across different genres, including League of Legends, PUBG, Gears of War, Smite, Guns of Boom, and multiple EA Sports titles. Additionally, the Simplicity stream team encompasses a unique group of casters, influencers, and personalities, all of whom connect to Simplicity’s dedicated fan base. Simplicity also has opened and operates esports gaming centers that provide the public an opportunity to experience and enjoy gaming and esports in a social setting, regardless of skill or experience.

On April 2, 2019, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) filed a Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to the Company’s common stock and warrants. As a result, the Company’s common stock and warrants were delisted from Nasdaq effective April 2, 2019. The Company’s common stock and warrants are quoted on the OTCQB under the symbols “WINR” and “WINRW,” respectively.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (“PLAYlive”), acquired on July 29, 2019, the Company has a network of franchised gaming centers. As of April 9, 2021, we have 33 locations, 15 corporate and 18 fully constructed franchise locations, in various states, including Arizona, California, Idaho, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington. As of April 9, 2021, a number of these locations were unable to resume regular operations as the result of restrictions imposed by municipalities related to COVID-19 (Note 2). PLAYlive offers a video gaming lounge concept to qualified franchisees. PLAYlive currently offers single-unit location franchises, as well as agreements to develop multiple locations. This PLAYlive model is being interlaced with the esports gaming centers mentioned above to create the ultimate gaming center.

On August 17, 2020, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000. Accordingly, the Company’s authorized capital stock consists of (i) 36,000,000 shares of common stock, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

On September 28, 2020, the Company’s board of directors approved the reverse stock split in a ratio of 1-for-6 and on September 29, 2020, the Company filed an amended and restated certificate of incorporationamendment to its Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), implementing the reverse stock split in a ratio of 1-for-6, effective October 13, 2020. On October 12, 2020, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation changing the effective date of the foregoing reverse stock split to November 4, 2020. On November 17, 2020, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, changing the reverse stock split to a ratio of 1-for-8. The reverse stock split, in the ratio of 1-for-8, became effective on November 20, 2020. The reverse stock split is intended to allow the Company to meet the minimum share price requirement of the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American.

All share and per share data in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the effect of the reverse stock split.

In connection with the new business initiatives, the Company has formed the following subsidiaries:

Simplicity Esports, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Florida and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
PLAYlive Nation, Inc., a corporation incorporated in Delaware and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
PLAYlive Nation Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Simplicity One Brasil Ltda, a company incorporated under the laws of Brazil and a 76% owned subsidiary of the Company.
Simplicity Happy Valley, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Oregon and a 79% owned subsidiary of the Company.
Simplicity Redmond, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Washington and a 79% owned subsidiary of the Company.
Simplicity El Paso, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Texas and is 51% owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity Union Gap, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Washington and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity Kennewick, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Washington and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity Humble, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Texas and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity Frisco, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Texas and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity Billings, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Montana and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity Brea, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in California and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity Santa Rosa, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in California and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity St. Louis, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Missouri and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).
Simplicity St. Petersburg, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Florida and is wholly owned by the Company (see Note 5).

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

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

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on August 31, 2020. The interim results for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending May 31, 2021 or for any future interim periods.

Emerging Growth Company

Section 102(b)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that other than the withdrawal of interesta company can elect to pay income taxes and up to $600,000 of interest to pay working capital expenses if any, noneopt out of the funds held inextended transition period and comply with the Trust Account will be released untilrequirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the earlier of: (i)Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the completionnew or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Business Combination; (ii)Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries and all intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

F-39

Basic Loss Per Share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the redemptionCompany’s net loss by the weighted average number of 100%common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the Company’s net loss by the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding is the basic weighted number of Common Stockshares adjusted for any potentially dilutive debt or equity. When the Company records a loss from operations, all potentially dilutive shares are anti-dilutive and are consequently excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share. The following potentially dilutive equity securities outstanding as of February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 were not included in the Public Units soldcomputation of dilutive loss per common share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

  February 28, 2021  February 29, 2020 
Stock warrants  820,055   865,500 
Convertible notes  277,331   125,000 
Total  1,097,386   990,500 

Recently Issued and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting standards promulgated by the FASB are subject to change. Changes in such standards may have an impact on the Company’s future financial statements. The following is summary of recent accounting developments.

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)—Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The ASU simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. Consequently, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument with no separate accounting for embedded conversion features. The ASU removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, which will permit more equity contracts to qualify for the exception. The ASU also simplifies the diluted net income per share calculation in certain areas. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of the standard on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. Although some of these accounting standards may be applicable to the Company, the Company has not identified any other new standards that it believes merit further discussion, and the Company expects that none would have a significant impact on its financial statements.

Going Concern, Liquidity and Management’s Plan

The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that it will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and liquidation of liabilities in the Initial Public Offering ifnormal course of business.

As reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit, working capital deficit of and a net loss of $10,782,438, $2,846,542 and $4,671,520, respectively, as of and for the nine months ended February 28, 2021. Management believes that these matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the issuance date of this report.

The Company has commenced operations and has begun to generate revenue; however, the Company’s cash position may not be sufficient to support the Company’s daily operations. Management intends to raise additional funds by way of private and/or public offerings. While the Company believes in the viability of its strategy and its ability to generate sufficient revenue and to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect. Should the Company fail to raise additional capital, it may be compelled to reduce the scope of its planned future business activities.

The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan, to generate sufficient revenue and to raise additional funds by way of public and/or private offerings.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to completecontinue as a going concern.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.

Because COVID-19 infections have been reported throughout the United States, certain federal, state and local governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders, proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. As a result, all of our corporate and franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers were closed effective April 1, 2020. We commenced reopening Simplicity Gaming Centers as of May 1, 2020 and have since reopened 12 corporate and 12 franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers as of April 9, 2021, the majority of which are operating at restricted capacity based on local COVID-19 regulations. Although our franchise agreements with franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers require a minimum monthly royalty payment to us from the franchisees regardless of whether the franchised Simplicity Gaming Centers are operating, there is a potential risk that franchisees of Simplicity Gaming Centers will default in their obligations to pay their minimum monthly royalty payment to us resulting in either an increase in accounts receivables or a bad debt expense where account receivables are no longer collectible due to franchisee’s inability to pay the minimum monthly royalty payments owed by the franchisee. We have not written off as bad debt any accounts receivables attributable to franchisee minimum monthly royalty payments owed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding, it is unclear exactly how much of the increase in accounts receivables is attributable to the impact of COVID-19.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption, reduced customer traffic and reduced operations. Any resulting financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The measures taken to date have negatively impacted the Company’s business during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and will potentially continue to impact the Company’s business. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.

NOTE 3 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of property and equipment—at cost, less accumulated depreciation as of:

  

February 28, 2021

  May 31, 2020 
       
Leasehold improvements $110,850  $52,189 
Property and equipment  679,607   243,314 
Total cost  790,457   295,503 
Less accumulated depreciation  (214,112)  (62,770)
Net property and equipment $576,345  $232,733 

During the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $151,342 and $37,240, respectively.

NOTE 4 — INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table sets forth the intangible assets, including accumulated amortization as of:

  February 28, 2021 May 31, 2020 
  

Remaining

Useful Life

 

Intangible

Assets

  

Remaining

Useful Life

  

Intangible

Assets

 
Non-Competes 4 years $1,023,118   4.50 years  $1,023,118 
Trademarks Indefinite  866,000   Indefinite   866,000 
Customer database 2 years  35,000   10 years    
Restrictive covenant 2 years  115,000       
Customer contracts 10 years  332,077      546,000 
Internet domain 2 years  3,000   2.50 years   3,000 
Total intangible assets   $2,374,195      $2,438,118 
               
Accumulated amortization    (509,087)      (296,744)
Net carrying value   $1,865,108      $2,141,374 

The following table sets forth the future amortization of the Company’s intangible assets as of February 28, 2021:

For the fiscal years ending May 31:   
2021 $73,114 
2022  290,791 
2023  221,708 
2024  130,197 
2025  10,834 
Thereafter  272,464 
Total $999,108 

During the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, the Company recorded amortization expense of $212,343 and $154,218, respectively. During the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded impairment loss of $213,923, in relation to the customer contracts resulting from termination of franchise agreements.

Goodwill

The Company’s goodwill carrying amounts relate to the acquisitions of Simplicity Esports LLC, PLAYlive Nation Inc. and Simplicity El Paso, LLC. The composition of the goodwill balance, is as follows:

  February 28, 2021  May 31, 2020 
Simplicity Esports, LLC $4,456,250  $4,456,250 
Simplicity El Paso, LLC  25,000    
PLAYlive Nation Inc.  698,891   698,891 
Total Goodwill $5,180,141  $5,155,141 

NOTE 5 — ACQUISITIONS

The Simplicity One Acquisition:

On January 14, 2020, the Company acquired a 90% interest in Simplicity One Brasil Ltda (“Simplicity Brasil”), for approximately $2,000. This interest was reduced during the three months ended August 31, 2020 as more fully described in Note 7.

Simplicity El Paso, LLC:

On June 26, 2020, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity El Paso, LLC, acquired a 51% controlling interest in an existing franchise in exchange for 150,000 shares of common stock at $1.10 per share. The total purchase price for the acquisition was $315,000 of which $150,000 was paid in cash by the 49% minority interest owner, an unrelated third party, and $165,000 in common stock by the Company. This has been accounted for by the Company using the acquisition method under business combination accounting. Under this method, the purchase price paid by the acquirer is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date based on the fair value. Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities assumed is judgmental in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. All fair value measurements of acquired assets and liabilities are non-recurring in nature and classified as level 3 on the fair value hierarchy.

The table below presents a provisional allocation of the gross $315,000 purchase price as of June 26, 2020:

Merchandise $27,000 
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment  113,000 
Customer Database  35,000 
Goodwill  25,000 
Restrictive Covenant  115,000 
Total value of acquisition $315,000 

Asset Purchase Agreements:

The following acquisitions are accounted for as asset acquisitions under ASC Topic 805: 

Simplicity Kennewick, LLC:

On September 22, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Kennewick, LLC (“Simplicity Kennewick”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Simplicity Kennewick APA”) with Ignatious O’Riley, an existing franchisee, to acquire Mr. O’Riley’s assets in exchange for 2,990 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $29,416, or $9.84 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

Simplicity Union Gap, LLC:

On September 23, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Union Gap, LLC (“Simplicity Union Gap”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Simplicity Union Gap APA”) with Five Point Legacy Corp., an existing franchisee (“Five Point”), to acquire Five Point’s assets in exchange for 4,506 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $43,974, or $9.76 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

Simplicity St Petersburg, LLC:

On October 1, 2020, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Parryproject APA”) with Parryproject LLC, Owen Parry and Jennie Parry, an existing franchisee (collectively, “Parryproject”), to acquire Parryproject’s assets in exchange for 3,688 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $38,650, or $10.48 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired. These assets were transferred to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity St. Peterburg, LLC.

Simplicity Humble, LLC:

On October 1, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Humble, LLC (“Simplicity Humble”), entered into an Asset Purchase agreement (“Team Centore APA”) with Team Centore Entertainment Corp., and Charles Centore, an existing franchisee (collectively, “Team Centore”), to acquire Team Centore’s assets in exchange for 8,402 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $88,052, or $10.48 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

Simplicity Frisco, LLC:

On October 12, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Frisco, LLC (“Simplicity Frisco”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“JAR APA”) with JAR Mathis Holdings, Jared Mathis and Amy Mathis, an existing franchisee (collectively, “JAR”), to acquire JAR’s assets in exchange for 6,202 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $74,423, or $12.00 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

Simplicity Santa Rosa, LLC:

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Santa Rosa, LLC (“Simplicity Santa Rosa”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“B&R APA”) with B&R Franchise Investments, LLC, Brian Chu and Richard Loo, an existing franchisee (collectively, “B&R”), to acquire B&R’s assets in exchange for 4,202 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $48,068, or $11.44 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

Simplicity Brea, LLC:

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Brea, LLC (“Simplicity Brea”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Nextgen APA”) with Nextgen Gaming, LLC, Ajay Chunilal Shah and Shweta Shah, an existing franchisee (collectively, “Nextgen”), to acquire Nextgen’s assets in exchange for 3,255 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $37,237, or $11.44 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

Simplicity Billings, LLC:

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Billings, LLC (“Simplicity Billings”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Button Mashers APA”) with Button Mashers, Inc, Jon Bessmer and Brandy Bessmer, an existing franchisee (collectively, “Button Mashers”), to acquire Button Mashers’ assets in exchange for 4,696 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $53,725, or $11.44 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

Simplicity St. Louis, LLC:

On December 1, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity St. Louis, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Metta APA”) with Metta Gaming, LLC, Brian Paul Van Wyk, an existing franchisee (collectively, “Metta”), to acquire Metta’s assets in exchange for 3,523 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $52,845, or $15.00 per share, based on the fair value of assets acquired.

The following table summarizes the total of the assets acquired during the nine months ended February 28, 2021:

Assets acquired:   
Furniture, fixtures and equipment $371,417 
Inventory  94,972 
Total assets acquired at fair value $466,389 
     
Purchase consideration:    
41,464 shares of common stock $466,389 
Total purchase consideration $466,389 

NOTE 6 – OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE (“ROU”) ASSETS AND OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES

In adopting ASC Topic 842, Leases (Topic 842), the Company has elected the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits it not to reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs (see Note 2). In addition, the Company elected not to apply ASC Topic 842 to arrangements with lease terms of 12 months or less. The Company entered into various lease agreements.

The significant assumption used to determine the present value of the lease liability was a discount rate of 10% which was based on the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate.

Future base lease payments under the non-cancelable operating lease at February 28, 2021 are as follows:

Years Ending May 31, Amount 
2021 $101,854 
2022  411,278 
2023  391,832 
2024  373,870 
2025  330,017 
2026  110,000 
Total minimum non-cancelable operating lease payments  1,718,851 
Less: discount to fair value  (405,258)
Total lease liability at February 28, 2021 $1,313,593 

NOTE 7 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Kaplan Promissory Note

On May 12, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company issued a promissory note (the “Kaplan Note”) in the principal sum of $90,000 in favor of Jed Kaplan, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and greater than 5% stockholder of the Company. The Kaplan Note matures on the first business day following the 150-day anniversary of the Issue Date (the “Maturity Date”). The Company used the proceeds of the Kaplan Note to fund the operations of Simplicity Brasil the Company’s majority owned subsidiary (see Note 9).

As of May 31, 2020, advances under the terms of this note were $64,728. On various dates subsequent to May 31, 2020, Mr. Kaplan funded $25,272 pursuant to the Kaplan Promissory Note. With the contributions subsequent to May 31, 2020, the principal balances outstanding and due Mr. Kaplan amounted to $90,000. On June 22, 2020, Mr. Kaplan agreed to exchange the debt of the Kaplan Promissory Note with a principal balance of $90,000 in exchange for the Company assigning to Mr. Kaplan a 10% equity interest in Simplicity Brasil a subsidiary of the Company.

Equity Sales

Effective June 1, 2020, the Company issued 23,809 shares of our restricted Common Stock, sold effective May 7, 2020 at a price of $1.09 per share, to William H. Herrmann, Jr., a member of our board of directors, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.

The Company maintains a portion of its cash balance at a financial services company that is owned by a then-officer of the Company.

NOTE 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Registration Rights

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement the Company entered into with its initial Business Combination within 12 months (or 21 months if extended) fromstockholders and initial purchasers of the Private Units (and constituent securities) at the closing of the Initial Public Offering, (subjectthe Company is required to register certain securities for sale under the requirementsSecurities Act. These holders are entitled under the registration rights agreement to make up to three demands that the Company register certain of law).its securities held by them for sale under the Securities Act and to have the securities covered thereby registered for resale pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. In addition, these holders have the right to include their securities in other registration statements filed by the Company. The Company will bear the costs and expenses of filing any such registration statements.

Unit Purchase Option (UPO)

 

The Company followssold to the guidanceunderwriters (and/or their designees), for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 250,000 Units (which increased to 260,000 Units upon the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), exercisable at $11.50 per Unit (or an aggregate exercise price of $2,990,000) upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The UPO may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, at any time during the period commencing on the later of the first anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Initial Public Offering and the closing of the Company’s initial Business Combination and terminating on the fifth anniversary of such effectiveness date. The Units issuable upon exercise of this UPO are identical to those offered in ASC 820the Initial Public Offering, except that the exercise price of the warrants underlying the Units sold to the underwriters is $13.00 per share.

Employment Agreements, Board Compensation and Bonuses

On July 29, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Kaplan 2020 Agreement”) with Mr. Kaplan. Such employment agreement replaced the Kaplan 2018 Agreement. As a result, the Kaplan 2018 Agreement was terminated and is of no further force or effect. Pursuant to the terms of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Kaplan a monthly base salary of $5,000; provided, however, that the parties agreed that such base salary will be deferred and will accumulate until the Company has sufficient cash available to make such payments, to be reasonably determined by the Board of Directors and Mr. Kaplan, at which time all accrued and unpaid base salary will be paid. In addition, Mr. Kaplan will receive an equity grant of 15,000 shares of common stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant. Mr. Kaplan will also be eligible to receive a quarterly bonus in the form of cash or equity shares and will be entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans. In addition, if, during the term of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement, the Company’s shares are approved for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually.listing on a U.S. national securities exchange, the Company will pay Mr. Kaplan a $50,000 cash bonus, to be paid upon such listing begin effective.

 

The fair valueterm of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement is for an initial one-year term, which shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless either party provides 60 days’ advance written notice of its intention not to renew the Kaplan 2020 Agreement at the conclusion of the then applicable term. The term of the Kaplan 2020 Agreement may be terminated by the Company with or without cause or by Mr. Kaplan with or without good reason, as such terms are defined therein.

On July 29, 2020, the Board of Directors approved for Mr. Kaplan a $75,000 cash bonus and authorized the issuance of 250,000 shares of the Company’s financial assetscommon stock both related to his performance during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. As of November 30, 2020, the Company has accrued $75,000 related to Mr. Kaplan’s cash bonus. During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the 250,000 shares of common stock valued at $216,625 were issued.

On July 29, 2020, the Company entered into a new employment agreement (the “Franklin 2020 Agreement”) with Mr. Franklin. Such employment agreement replaced the Franklin 2018 Agreement. As a result, the Franklin 2018 Agreement was terminated and liabilities reflects management’s estimateis of amountsno further force or effect. Pursuant to the terms of the Franklin 2020 Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Franklin a monthly base salary of $12,500; provided, however, that the parties agreed that such base salary will be deferred and will accumulate until the Company would have receivedhas sufficient cash available to make such payments, to be reasonably determined by the Board of Directors and Mr. Franklin, at which time all accrued and unpaid base salary will be paid. In addition, Mr. Franklin will receive an equity grant of 6,250 shares of common stock per month, which shares will be fully vested upon grant. Mr. Franklin will also be eligible to receive a quarterly bonus in the form of cash or equity shares and will be entitled to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans. In addition, if, during the term of the Franklin 2020 Agreement, the Company’s shares are approved for listing on a U.S. national securities exchange, the Company will pay Mr. Franklin a $50,000 cash bonus, to be paid upon such listing begin effective.

On July 29, 2020, the Board of Directors approved for Mr. Franklin a $75,000 cash bonus and authorized the issuance of 250,000 fully vested shares of the Company’s common stock both related to his performance during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. As of November 30, 2020, the Company has accrued $75,000 related to Mr. Franklins cash bonus and $216,625 related to the Common Shares to be issued to Mr. Franklin.

On July 29, 2020, the Board of Directors approved the issuance of 192,000 shares of common stock to an employee and the Directors of the Company for services provided during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.

Refer to Note 11 - Subsequent Events for additional information.

Litigation

On August 5, 2020, a lawsuit styled Duncan Wood v. PLAYlive Nation, Inc. and Simplicity eSports and Gaming Company (Case No. 20-1043) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges unlawful failure to make timely and reasonable payment of wages, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing and unjust enrichment. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages for compensation alleged to be owed, treble damages, interest on all wage compensation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other relief as the Court deems just and proper. On October 30, 2020, Duncan Wood and Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company executed a mutual General Release and the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.

NOTE 9 – DEBT

Convertible Notes

The table below presents outstanding convertible notes as of the following:

  

February 28, 2021

  May 31, 2020 
10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note $  $152,500 
Maxim Convertible Note  1,000,000   1,000,000 
February 19, 2021 Convertible Note  

1,650,000

   - 
   2,650,000   1,152,500 
Less: Debt discount  (1,281,581)  (25,180)
Total Convertible notes $1,368,419  $1,127,320 

10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note

On April 29, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), the Company issued a 10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note (the “Harbor Gates Note”), with a maturity date of October 29, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $152,000 in favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC (“Harbor Gates”).

On July 2, 2020, the Harbor Gates Note was repaid in full. A cash payment of $201,300 including principal of $152,500, guaranteed interest of $15,200 and prepayment penalties of $33,600 was made to the lender. In connection with the repayment of the note, the Company recorded a charge to interest expense in the amount of $73,980 comprised of $48,800 related to interest and prepayment penalties and $25,180 related to accelerated accretion of unamortized debt discount recorded in connection with the sale of the assets or paidoriginal issue discount and in connection with common shares issued to the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from independent sources) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (internal assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:

Level 1:Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2:Observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.


Level 3:Unobservable inputs based on our assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

lender.

  

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at August 31, 2018 and May 31, 2018, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation inputs the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

Description Level  August 31,
2018
  May 31, 2018 
Assets:            
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account  1  $53,119,511  $52,895,652 

NOTE 8 — SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENTMaxim Convertible Note

 

On May 3,December 20, 2018, the Company entered into a securities exchange agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) with Maxim. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, Maxim agreed to surrender and exchange the Note. In exchange, the Company issued to Maxim a Series A-1 Exchange Convertible Note in the principal amount of $500,000 (the “Series A-1 Note”) and a Series A-2 Exchange Convertible Note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Series A-2 Note,” and collectively with Series A-1 Note, the “Exchange Notes”). As of December 31, 2018, upon the closing of the Acquisition, the Series A-1 Note automatically converted into 24,706 shares of the Company’s common stock.

The original amount of the promissory note was $1,800,000, the total amount of the two exchange notes is $1,500,000, and the difference of $300,000 was recorded as debt forgiveness income.

Prior to conversion, the Series A-1 Note bore interest at 2.67% per annum, was payable quarterly and had a maturity date of the earlier of the closing date of the Acquisition (as defined below) or June 20, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”). The Company was permitted to pay the interest in cash or at its sole discretion, in shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. However, the Company could only pay the interest in shares of its common stock if (i) all the equity conditions specified in the note (“Equity Conditions”) had been met (unless waived by Maxim in writing) during the 20 trading days immediately prior to the interest payment date (“Interest Notice Period”), (ii) the Company had provided proper notice pursuant to the terms of the note and (iii) the Company had delivered to Maxims’ account certain number of shares of its common stock to be applied against such interest payment prior to (but no more than five trading days before) the Interest Notice Period.

The Series A-1 Note was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock (“Conversion Shares”) at an initial conversion price of $15.44 per share, subscriptionsubject to adjustment for any stock dividends and splits, rights offerings, distributions, combinations or similar transactions. Upon the closing of the Acquisition, the conversion price was automatically adjusted to equal the arithmetic average of the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s common stock in the five trading days prior to the closing date of the Acquisition. Maxim was permitted to convert the Series A-1 Note at any time, in whole or in part, provided that upon receipt of a notice of conversion Maxim, the Company had the right to repay all or any portion of the Series A-1 Note included in the notice of conversion.

Additionally, the Series A-1 Note would have automatically converted into shares of the Company’s common stock on the earlier of the Maturity Date or the closing date of the Acquisition provided that (i) no event of default then existed, and (ii) solely if such automatic conversion date was also the Maturity Date, each of the Equity Conditions had been met (unless waived in writing by Maxim) on each trading day during the 20 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the automatic conversation date.

At any time prior to the Maturity Date, the Company also had the right to elect to redeem some or all of the outstanding principal amount for cash in an amount (the “Optional Redemption Amount”) equal to the sum of (a) 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the note, (b) accrued but unpaid interest and (c) all liquidated damages and other amounts due in respect of the note (the “Optional Redemption”). The Company could only effect an Optional Redemption if each of the Equity Conditions had been met (unless waived in writing by Maxim) on each trading day during the period commencing on the date when the notice of the Optional Redemption was delivered to the date of the Optional Redemption and through and including the date payment of the Optional Redemption Amount was actually made in full.

Except as otherwise provided in the Series A-1 Note, including, without limitation, an Option Redemption, the Company may not prepay any portion of the principal amount of the note without the prior written consent of Maxim.

Pursuant to the terms of the Series A-1 Note, the Company was not permitted to convert any portion of the Series A-1 Note if doing so results in Maxim beneficially owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock of the Company after giving effect to such conversion, provided that on 61 days’ prior written notice from Maxim to the Company, that percentage could increase to 9.99%. However, if there was an automatic conversion, and the conversion would result in the Company issuing a number of shares in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation, then any such shares in excess of the beneficial ownership limitation would be held in abeyance for the benefit of Maxim until such time or times, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in Maxim exceeding the beneficial ownership limitation, at which time or times Maxim would be issued such shares to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation.

The Series A-1 Note contained restrictive covenants which, among other things, restricted the Company’s ability to repay or repurchase any indebtedness, make distributions on or repurchase its common stock or enter into transactions with its affiliates.

The Series A-2 Note has terms substantially similar to those of the Series A-1 Note except that the Series A-2 Note has a maturity date of June 20, 2020, and an initial conversion price of $15.44, which will be automatically adjusted to the lower of (i) the conversion price then in effect, and (ii) the greater of the arithmetic average of the VWAP of the Company’s common stock in the five trading days prior to the notice of conversion and $4.00.

On June 4, 2020, $100,000 of principal balance was converted into 10,738 shares of common stock in accordance with the terms of the Maxim Note.

On June 18, 2020, the Company and Maxim entered into the first amendment to the Maxim Note (the “First Amendment”), pursuant to which the Parties agreed to the following: (i) Maxim’s resale of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) underling the Maxim Note shall be limited to 10% of the daily volume of the Common Stock on each respective trading day, (ii) the maturity date of the Maxim Note was extended to December 31, 2020, (iii) the principal amount of the Maxim Note was increased by $100,000, which is included in interest expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations, and (iv) the reference to “$15.44” in Section 4(b) of the Maxim Note was replaced with “$9.20”.

On December 31, 2020, the Company and Maxim entered into the second amendment to the Maxim Note (the “Second Amendment”) pursuant to which the Parties agreed the Maturity Date (as defined in the Note) shall be extended to February 15, 2021.

During the nine months ended February 28, 2021 the Company recorded interest expense of $44,744 related to the Maxim note. As of February 28, 2021, Maxim note had had outstanding principal and accrued interest of $1,000,000 and $82,569, respectively.

Refer to Note 11- Subsequent Events for additional information.

June 18, 2020 Convertible Note

On June 18, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”“June 18, 2020 SPA”) with an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “June Amortization Note”) with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited, a private limited company incorporatedmaturity date of June 18, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $550,000. Pursuant to the terms of the June Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay to $550,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum. The Amortization Note carried an original issue discount (“OID”) of $55,000. The Company received net proceeds of $467,650, net of original issue discount of $55,000 and origination fees of $27,350. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company issued 6,875 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Holder as additional consideration. The 6,875 shares were value at $62,150, or $9.04 per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. Accordingly, the Company recorded an aggregate debt discount in the amount of $144,500 in connection with the common shares issued to the Holder and an original issue discount associated with this note.

The Company may prepay the June Amortization Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Amortization Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Amortization Note contained customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Amortization Note or SPA.

The Company was required to make nine amortization payments to the Holder of $66,125 beginning on October 16, 2020. In connection with the November 23, 2020 SPA and February 19, 2021 SPA discussed below, during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company repaid the principal amount due of $550,000 and all interest due on this June 18, 2020 Note.

November 23, 2020 Convertible Note

On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “November 23, 2020 SPA”), dated as of November 23, 2020 (the “Effective Date”) with the Holder, pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “November Amortization Note”) with a maturity date of November 23, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $750,000. Pursuant to the terms of the November Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay to $750,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum. The Company received net proceeds of $441,375, net of original issue discount of $75,000, origination fees of $35,250, and the partial repayment of principal and interest of $198,375 on the June 18, 2020 Note. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company granted 17,054 warrants to purchase 17,054 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment. In connection with the November Amortization Note, during the first twelve months of this note, interest equal to $90,000 shall be guaranteed and earned in full as of the Effective Date, provided, however, that if the November Amortization Note is repaid in its entirety on or prior to February 23, 2021, then the interest shall be accrued on a per annum basis based on the number of days elapsed as of the repayment date from the Effective Date.

In connection with the November 23, 2020 SPA, the Company issued warrants equal to 375,000 divided by the Exercise Price (as defined below) (the “Warrant Shares”) (whereby such number may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Warrant) at the Exercise Price per share then in effect. For purposes of this Warrant, the term “Exercise Price” shall mean 110% of the public offering price of the Company’s common stock under the lawspublic offering contemplated by the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company on October 23, 2020 (the “Uplist Offering”), provided, however, that if the Uplist Offering has not been consummated on or before May 23, 2021, then the Exercise Price shall mean the closing bid price of India (“Smaaash Private”), Shripal Morakhia (“Morakhia”)the Company’s common stock on December 23, 2020, subject to adjustment as provided in the warrant (including but not limited to cashless exercise), and AHA Holdings Private Limitedthe term “Exercise Period” shall mean the period commencing on the earlier of (i) the date of the Company’s consummation of the Uplist Offering or (ii) May 23, 2021, and ending on the five-year anniversary thereof. In connection with the issuance of these warrants, on the initial measurement date, the relative fair value of the warrants of $157,438 was recorded as a debt discount and an increase in paid-in capital. Additionally, the Company concluded that the conversion rights under the November 23, 2020 note at the time of issuance was determined to be beneficial on the measurement date. Accordingly, the Company recorded a debt discount of $121,724 related to the beneficial conversion feature arising from the November 2020 convertible note which was amortized over the term of this convertible note.

The Company may prepay the Amortization Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Amortization Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Amortization Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Amortization Note or SPA.

The Company is required to make ten monthly amortization payments to the Holder of $84,000 commencing on February 23, 2021 through November 23,2021.

In connection with the February 19, 2021 SPA discussed below, during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company repaid the principal amount due of $750,000 and all interest due on this November 23, 2020 Note.

The Holder had the right, at any time following an Uncured Default Date (as defined in this Note), to convert all or any portion of the then outstanding and unpaid principal amount and interest (including any default interest) into shares of the Company’s common stock at the Conversion Price. Following the Uncured Default Date the Conversion Price shall equal the lesser of (i) 105% multiplied by the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock or (ii) the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock immediately preceding the date of the respective conversion (the “Conversion Price”).

February 19, 2021 Convertible Note

On February 19, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) dated as of February 19, 2021, with an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% promissory note (the “Note”) with a maturity date of February 19, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $1,650,000. In addition, the Company issued 10,000 shares of its common stock to the Holder as a commitment fee pursuant to the SPA. Pursuant to the terms of the Note, the Company agreed to pay to $1,650,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum (provided that that the first twelve months of interest (equal to $198,000.00) shall be guaranteed and earned in full as of the Issue Date). The Note carries an original issue discount (“AHA Holdings”OID”) of $165,000. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $1,485,000 in exchange for the Note. The Company used the proceeds for its operational expenses, the repayment of the promissory notes previously issued to the Holder on June 18, 2020 and November 23, 2020. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company issued 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Holder as additional consideration. The 10,000 shares were value at $154,900, or $15.49 per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant, on the issue date, the relative fair value of these shares of $141,606 was recorded as a debt discount and an increase in paid-in capital. In connection with the guaranteed interest due of $198,000, the Company increased interest payable by $198,000 and increased debt discount by $198,000, which will be amortized into interest expense over the term of this Note.

The Holder may convert the Note into the Company’s common stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% in the Note) at any time at a conversion price equal to $11.50 per share.

The Company may prepay the Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Note or SPA. The Company is required to make an interim payment to the Holder in the amount of $363,000, on or before August 19, 2021, towards the repayment of the balance of the Note.

Upon the Holder’s provision of notice to the Company of the occurrence of any Event of Default, which has not been cured within five (5) calendar days (provided, however, that this five (5) calendar day cure period shall not apply to any event of default under Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.19 of the Note), the Note shall become immediately due and payable and the Company shall pay to the Holder, in full satisfaction of its obligations hereunder, an amount equal to the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued interest multiplied by 125% (the “Default Amount”). Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, additional interest will accrue from the date of the Event of Default at the rate equal to the lower of 15% per annum or the highest rate permitted by law.

The Company concluded that the conversion rights under the February 2021 convertible note at the time of issuance was determined to be beneficial on the measurement date. Accordingly on February 19, 2021, the Company recorded a debt discount of $782,781 related to the beneficial conversion feature arising from the February 2021 convertible debt which will amortized over the term of this convertible note.

As of February 28, 2021, Note had outstanding principal and accrued interest of $1,650,000 and $198,000 respectively.

In connection with the June 2020 Note, August 2020 Note and February 2021 Note, during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company recognized interest expense of $633,221, including amortization of debt discount of $559,718.

August 7, 2020 Self-Amortization Promissory Note

On August 7, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company, entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “First Fire SPA”) with FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC, an accredited investor (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (the “Amortization Note”) with a maturity date of August 7, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), in the principal sum of $333,333. Pursuant to the terms of the Amortization Note, the Company agreed to pay to $333,333 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum. The Amortization Note carries an original issue discount (“OID”) of $33,333. The Company received net proceeds of $280,500, net of original issue discount of $33,333 and origination fees of $19,500. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the SPA, the Company issued 4,167 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Holder as additional consideration. The 4,167 shares were value at $30,166, or $7.24 per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

The Company may prepay the Amortization Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Amortization Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Amortization Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Amortization Note or SPA.

The Company is required to make amortization payments to the Holder according to the following schedule:

Payment Date Payment Amount 
12/07/2020 $40,075.75 
01/07/2021  40,075.75 
02/08/2021  40,075.75 
03/08/2021  40,075.75 
04/07/2021  40,075.75 
05/07/2021  40,075.75 
06/07/2021  40,075.75 
07/07/2021  40,075.75 
08/07/2021  39,952.34 
Total: $360,558.34 

During the nine months ended February 28, 2021, in connection with this Note, the Company recorded interest expense of $94,069, including $59,236 related to the amortization of debt discount. As of February 28, 2021, this Note had outstanding principal, debt discount and accrued interest due of $333,333, $23,763 and $22,810, respectively. As of February 28, 2021, the Amortization Note is not in default.

On March 10, 2021, the Company entered into a new convertible note with this investor. Refer to Note 11-Subsequent Events for additional details.

Related Party - Kaplan Promissory Note

On May 12, 2020 (the “Issue Date”), the Company issued a promissory note (the “Kaplan Note”) in the principal sum of $90,000 in favor of Jed Kaplan, the Company’s then-Chief Executive Officer, interim Chief Financial Officer, member of the Company’s Board of Directors and greater than 5% stockholder of the Company. The Kaplan Note matures on the first business day following the 150-day anniversary of the Issue Date (the “Maturity Date”). The Company will use the proceeds of the Kaplan Note to fund the operations of Simplicity Brasil, the Company’s majority owned subsidiary (see Note 7).

As of May 31, 2020, the balance of the Kaplan Note was $64,728. During the nine months ended February 28, 2021 Mr. Kaplan advanced an additional $25,272 under the terms of the note. During the quarter ended November 30, 2020, Mr. Kaplan exchanged the note together with accrued interest in exchange for his acquisition of a 10% interest in the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Simplicity Brasil.

NOTE 10 -STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of February 28, 2021, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Common Stock

On August 17, 2020, the Company amended its certificate of incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 20,000,000 to 36,000,000. Holders of the shares of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. At, February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, there were 1,341,017 and 998,622 shares of common stock issued and outstanding respectively.

Common Stock Issued for Cash

In May 2020, the Company issued 2,976 shares of its restricted common stock at a price of $8.72 per share, to William H. Herrmann, Jr., a member of the Company’s board of directors, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.

Common Stock Issued in Connection with Debt

Effective June 4, 2020, the Company issued 10,738 shares of common stock at $9.28 per share in connection with the conversion of $100,000 in principal balance of the Convertible Note Payable (see Note 8).

On June 18, 2020, pursuant to the terms of the June 18, 2020 SPA between the Company and an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (Note 8) in the principal amount of $550,000, the Company issued 6,875 shares of common stock at $9.04 per share, to such accredited investor as additional consideration for the purchase of such note. The 6,875 shares were value at $62,150, or $9.04 per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant, which was included in debt discount and accreted over the term of the debt.

Effective July 1, 2020 pursuant to the terms of that certain 10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note dated April 29, 2020 in the principal amount of $152,500 issued by the Company in favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC, the Company issued 1,250 shares of our restricted common stock, issued at $7.92 per share, to Harbor Gates Capital, LLC as additional consideration for the purchase of such note. The 1,250 shares were value at $9,900, or $7.92 per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant, which was included in debt discount and accreted over the term of the debt.

Effective August 10, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor pursuant to which we issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (Note 8) in the principal amount of $333,333, the Company issued 4,167 shares of common stock at $7.28 per share. The 4,167 shares were value at $30,166, or $7.24 per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant, which was included in debt discount and accreted over the term of the debt.

Effective February 19, 2021, pursuant to the terms of a Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note (Note 8) in the principal amount of $1,650,000, the Company issued 10,000 shares of common stock at $15.49 per share, to such accredited investor as additional consideration for the purchase of such note. The 10,000 shares were valued at $141,606 based on a relative fair value method, which was included in debt discount and additional paid in capital and accreted over the term of the debt.

Common Stock Issued for Accounts Payable

On June 4, 2020, the Company issued 3,125 shares of common stock at $14.72 per share in satisfaction of an outstanding balance owed to a vendor in the amount of $46,000.

On December 2, 2020, the Company issued 5,000 shares of common stock at $16.00 per share in satisfaction of an outstanding balance owed to a vendor in the amount of $80,000. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company reduced accounts payable by $50,000 and recorded legal fees of $30,000.

Common Stock Issued for Acquisitions

On July 1, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of one of its franchisee-owned esports gaming centers on Fort Bliss U.S. Military base in El Paso, TX. In connection with the acquisition the Company issued 18,750 restricted shares at $8.80 per share, or $165,000 (see Note 5).

On September 22, 2020, in connection with an Asset Purchase Agreement with Ignatious O’Riley, an existing franchisee, to acquire Mr. O’Riley’s assets in exchange for 2,989 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $29,416 or $9.84 per share (see Note 5).

On September 23, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Union Gap entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Five Point, an existing franchisee, to acquire Five Point’s assets in exchange for 4,506 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $43,974 or $9.76 per share (see Note 5).

On October 1, 2020, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Parryproject, an existing franchisee, to acquire Parryproject’s assets in exchange for 3,688 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $38,650 or $10.48 per share (see Note 5).

On October 1, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Humble entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Team Centore, an existing franchisee, to acquire Team Centore’s assets in exchange for 8,402 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $88,052 or $10.48 per share (see Note 5).

On October 12, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Frisco entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with JAR, an existing franchisee, to acquire JAR’s assets in exchange for 6,202 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $74,423 or $12.00 per share (see Note 5).

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Santa Rosa entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with B&R, an existing franchisee, to acquire B&R’s assets in exchange for 4,202 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $46,068 or $11.44 per share (see Note 5).

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Brea entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Nextgen, an existing franchisee, to acquire Nextgen’s assets in exchange for 3,255 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $37,237 or $11.44 per share (see Note 5).

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Billings entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Button Mashers, an existing franchisee, to acquire Button Mashers’ assets in exchange for 4,697 shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $52,725 or $11.44 per share (see Note 5).

Common Stock Issued for Compensation

On June 30, 2020, the Company issued 12,334 shares of common stock at $7.76 per share to various employees of the Company as compensation. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $95,700.

During the three months ended August 31, 2020, the Company issued 84,062 shares of common stock to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. Additionally, the Company issued 19,779 shares of common stock to employees for services rendered. The shares were valued at per share prices ranging from $6.56 to $14.72, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $54,395 and reduced prior accrued compensation by $669,215.

Effective August 1, 2020, the Company entered into a marketing agreement whereby the Company issued 3,472 shares of common stock at $6.56 per share. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company recorded stock-based professional fees of $15,185 and prepaid expenses of $7,593 which will be amortized over the remaining service period.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 9,844 restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. These shares were valued at $119,632, or per share prices ranging from $9.04 per share to $11.44 per common share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $119,632.

On September 16, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,813 restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. These shares were valued at $25,420, or $9.04 per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Company recorded stock-based professional fees of $25,420.

During the three months ended February 28, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 108,641 restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. These shares were valued at $1,545,467, or per share prices ranging from $13.25 per share to $19.75 per common share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the three months ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $1,545,467.

Warrants

In connection with the November 23, 2020 SPA (see Note 8), the Company shall issue warrants equal to 375,000 divided by the Exercise Price (as defined below) (the “Warrant Shares”) (whereby such number may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Warrant) at the Exercise Price per share then in effect. For purposes of this Warrant, the term “Exercise Price” shall mean 110% of the public offering price of the Company’s common stock under the public offering contemplated by the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company on October 23, 2020 (the “Uplist Offering”), provided, however, that if the Uplist Offering has not been consummated on or before May 23, 2021, then the Exercise Price shall mean the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on December 23, 2020, subject to adjustment as provided in the warrant (including but not limited to cashless exercise), and togetherthe term “Exercise Period” shall mean the period commencing on the earlier of (i) the date of the Company’s consummation of the Uplist Offering or (ii) May 23, 2021, and ending on the five-year anniversary thereof. In connection with Morakhia, the “Smaaash Founders”issuance of these warrants, on the initial measurement date, the relative fair value of the warrants of $157,438 was recorded as a debt discount and an increase in paid-in capital.

Warrant activities for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 are summarized as follows:

  Number of Warrants  Weighted Average
Exercise Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
  Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
Balance Outstanding May 31, 2020  803,000  $83.04   -  $- 
Granted  17,054   21.99   -   - 
Cancelled  -   -   -   - 
Balance Outstanding February 28, 2021  820,054  $81.74   3.10  $- 
Exercisable, February 28, 2021  820,054  $81.74   3.10  $- 

NOTE 11 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Vancouver, WA Franchisee Acquisition

Effective March 26, 2021, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Vancouver, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with an existing franchisee to acquire the franchisee’s assets in exchange for 2,900 shares of the Company’s common stock. This transaction closed in the fourth quarter.

Fullerton, CA Franchisee Acquisition

Effective January 31, 2021, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Fullerton, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with an existing franchisee to acquire the franchisee’s assets in exchange for 1,600 shares of the Company’s common stock. This transaction closed in the fourth quarter.

August 7, 2020 Self-Amortization Promissory Note

On March 10, 2021, the Company, entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “First Fire SPA”) dated as of March 10, 2021, with FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% promissory note with a maturity date of March 10, 2022, in the principal sum of $560,000. The Company received net proceeds of $130,606, net of OID of $56,000, net of origination fees of $8,394, and the repayment of principal and interest of $365,000 on the August 7, 2020 Note. In addition, the Company issued 3,394 shares of its common stock to the Holder as a commitment fee pursuant to the SPA. Pursuant to the terms of the Note, the Company agreed to pay to $560,000 (the “Principal Sum”) to the Holder and to pay interest on the principal balance at the rate of 12% per annum (provided that the first twelve months of interest shall be guaranteed). The Note carries an OID of $56,000. Accordingly, on the Closing Date (as defined in the First Fire SPA), the Holder paid the purchase price of $504,000 in exchange for the Note. The Holder may convert the Note into the Company’s common stock (subject to the beneficial ownership limitations of 4.99% in the Note) at any time at a conversion price equal to $11.50 per share.

The Company may prepay the Note at any time prior to the date that an Event of Default (as defined in the Note) (each an “Event of Default”) occurs at an amount equal to 100% of the Principal Sum then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest (no prepayment premium). The Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, and breach of provisions of the Note or SPA.

The Company is required to make an interim payment to the Holder in the amount of $123,200, on or before September 10, 2021, towards the repayment of the balance of the Note.

Form S-8 Registration Statement

On March 18, 2021, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 for the purpose of resale or reoffer thereof, of 18,125 shares of the Company’s common stock issued prior to the filing of such registration statement and held by the selling stockholder named therein in connection with such selling stockholder’s provision of services to the Company.

Employment Agreement

On March 25, 2021, the Board appointed Roman Franklin, the Company’s then-President and Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In connection with Mr. Franklin’s appointment, on March 25, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated as of March 29, 2021 by and between the Company and Mr. Franklin (the “Franklin Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Franklin Employment Agreement, in exchange for Mr. Franklin’s services, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Franklin an annual base salary of $250,000. Mr. Franklin is also eligible to receive a quarterly bonus of up to $15,000 in the form of a cash bonus and/or equity grant of shares of the Company’s common stock. Mr. Franklin’s eligibility for any bonus and the amount thereof will be determined solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

On March 25, 2021, the Company appointed Mr. Lau as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. In connection with Mr. Lau’s appointment, on March 23, 2021, the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated as of March 29, 2021 by and between the Company and Mr. Lau (the “Lau Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Lau Employment Agreement, in exchange for Mr. Lau’s services, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Lau an annual base salary of $140,000. In addition, Mr. Lau is entitled to receive compensation in the form of an equity grant of $5,000 in the Company’s common stock for each quarter during the term of the Lau Employment Agreement, which runs for a period ending one year after March 29, 2021 and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party gives 60 days’ advance written notice of its intention not to review the Lau Employment Agreement. Mr. Lau is also eligible to receive a quarterly bonus of up to $12,500 in the form of a cash bonus and/or equity grant of shares of the Company’s common stock. Mr. Lau’s eligibility for any bonus and the amount thereof will be determined solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Stock Purchase Agreement with Tiger Trout

On March 31, 2021, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) by and between the Company and Tiger Trout Capital Puerto Rico, LLC (“Tiger Trout”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to contribute a cash amountissue and sell to Tiger Trout an aggregate of up to $49 million (the “Investment Amount”) to Smaaash Private in exchange for (i) up to 76,641,157 newly issued equity shares of Smaaash Private (“Subscription Shares”), (ii) the right to act as the sole distributor of Smaaash Private’s active entertainment games in North and South America and (iii) the right to act as the master franchisee for Smaaash Private’s active entertainment centers in North and South America (the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreement, collectively, the “Transaction”). Assuming a cash contribution amount of $49 million, the Subscription Agreement provided that the equity shares received by the Company would represent approximately 24.53% of the equity capital of Smaaash Private; provided that such percentage shall be decreased proportionately depending on the number of125,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $12.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $1,500,000.

The Agreement provides that the public holderssale will occur in two tranches, as follows:

The Company agreed to issue and sell to Tiger Trout on March 31, 2021 41,667 shares of Common Stock (the “First Tranche Shares”) at a purchase price of $12.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $500,004 (the “First Tranche Purchase Price”). The closing of the purchase and sale of the First Tranche Shares is referred to herein as the “First Closing”.
Subject to the satisfaction or waiver, by the party for whose benefit such conditions exist, of the conditions to the Second Closing (as hereinafter defined), at such time and pursuant to the terms and conditions in the Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell to Tiger Trout 83,333 shares of Common Stock (the “Second Tranche Shares” and together with the First Tranche Shares, the “Shares”) at a purchase price of $12.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $999,996 (the “Second Tranche Purchase Price” and together with the First Tranche Purchase Price, the “Purchase Price”). The closing of the purchase and sale of the Second Tranche Shares is referred to herein as the “Second Closing”.

In the Agreement, the Company agreed that, following the First Closing, the Company will utilize its commercially reasonable efforts to file a resale registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) pursuant to the Securities Act with the SEC for the resale of the Company’s common stock electShares, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to redeem in connection withhave such registration statement declared effective by the vote on the Transaction and the resulting reduction in funds available for contribution to Smaaash Private. On June 22, 2018, theCommission within 30 calendar days, but not more than 90 calendar days after March 31, 2021.

The Company Smaaash Private and the Smaaash Founders, entered into that certain Amendment Cum Addendum to the Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which the Subscription Agreement was amendedalso agreed to, among other things, increase(i) make and keep adequate current public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the numberSecurities Act, and (ii) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of Subscription Shares that the Company would receiveunder the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents as required for the full Investment Amount from 76,641,157 shares to 89,583,215 shares, which shares would represent approximately 27.53%applicable provisions of the equity capital of Smaaash Private. On August 2, 2018, the parties entered into the Second Amendment Cum Addendum Agreement to the Subscription Agreement to remove the arbitration provision of the Subscription Agreement and the First Addendum. The Subscription Agreement is still subject to shareholder approval.

NOTE 9 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurring through the date the balance sheet was available for issuance, require potential adjustment to or disclosure in the balance sheet and has concluded that all such events that would require recognition or disclosure have been recognized or disclosed, except as described below.Rule 144.

 

The Company’s boardobligations of directors has determinedTiger Trout to issue a common stock dividend on allconsummate the Second Closing is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to: (i) the Registration Statement shall have become effective, and (ii) from March 31, 2021 to the date of the Second Closing, trading in the shares of Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission of the Company’s common stock that are outstandingprincipal Trading Market (as defined in the Agreement), and, at the end of the day immediatelyany time prior to the date of the closingSecond Closing, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such services, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of Tiger Trout, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Second Tranche Shares at the Second Closing.

The Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the transaction,Company and the Purchaser and other customary covenants and agreements. The Agreement may be terminated by either the Company or Tiger Trout if the Second Closing has not occurred by the date that is 90 calendar days after March 31, 2021.

FMW Media Works

Effective April 1, 2021, in connection with compensation for services to each shareholder who beneficially owns suchbe rendered, the Company issued 12,500 shares as of such time, oncommon stock to FMW Media Works.

Maxim Note Payable

On April 14, 2021, the condition thatCompany and Maxim entered into the stockholderthird amendment to the Series A-2 Note with Maxim pursuant to which the Company and Maxim agreed to the following:

(i)The maturity date of the Series A-2 Note is extended to October 15, 2021.
(ii)The principal balance of the Series A-2 Note is increased by $50,000 as of April 14, 2021.
(iii)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before April 30, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $50,000.
(iv)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before May 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $50,000.
(v)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before July 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $100,000.
(vi)If the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety (in cash and/or shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to conversion(s) of the Series A-2 Note) on or before September 15, 2021, the principal balance of the Series A-2 Note will increase by an additional $100,000, representing a total cumulative increase in the principal balance of $350,000 if the Series A-2 Note is not repaid in its entirety on or before September 15, 2021.
(vii)The Company will, within five business days after the Company’s receipt of the Second Tranche Purchase Price of $999,996, pay $500,000 to Maxim, which will reduce the principal owed under the Series A-2 Note by $500,000.

While any portion of any such shares remains a stockholder immediately after the closing (the “Special Dividend”). The Sponsor, Maxim Group LLC,Series A-2 Note is outstanding, if the underwriterCompany receives cash proceeds from public offerings or private placements of the Company’s Initial Public Offering (“Maxim”),common stock to investors (except with respect to proceeds from officers and Maxim’s affiliates, all of whom own sharesdirectors of the Company common stock, have agreed to waive their respective rights to receive the Special Dividend. The number of shares to be issued in the Special Dividend for each outstanding share shall be equal to 600,000 divided by the number of shares of Common Stock eligible to receive such dividend, which shall not include the shares of Common Stock held by the Sponsor, Maxim and its affiliates. In connection with the Special Dividend, the Sponsor has agreed to cancel a number of founder shares equal to the aggregate number of shares issued in the dividend. The Special Dividend will only be paid if and when the transaction closes.


On August 21, 2018, the Company deposited into the Trust Account an aggregate of $303,610 (including interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account available for withdrawal), representing $0.058 per public share. As a result of such payment, the Company has extended the period of time it has to consummate a business combination by three months to November 21, 2018.

On November 20, 2018 (the “Closing Date”)Company), the Company and Smaaash Private, consummated the transactions (the “Transactions”) contemplated by the share subscription agreement (as the “Subscription Agreement”), following the approval at the special meetingwill, within five business days of the stockholdersCompany’s receipt of such proceeds, inform Maxim or such receipt, following which Maxim will have the Company held on November 9, 2018 (the “Special Meeting”).

Pursuantright in its sole discretion to the Subscription Agreement, the total purchase price of $150,000 was by paidrequire the Company to Smaaash Private in exchange for 300,000 newly issued equity sharesimmediately apply up to 25% of Smaaash Private atsuch proceeds received by the closing ofCompany to repay the Transactions (the “Closing”).outstanding amounts owed under the Series A-2 Note. The Company also issued 2,000,000 shares of its common stockparties understand that (a) each dollar applied toward repayment pursuant to this clause (viii) will reduce the balance owed under the Series A-2 Note by one dollar, and (b) this clause (viii) will not apply to the Smaaash Founders, as an upfront portion of the Transferred Company Shares (defined below).

In addition, AHA Holdings Private Limited (“AHA Holdings”) and Shripal Morakhia, (together with AHA Holdings, the “Smaaash Founders”) have agreed that within six months following the Closing Date, they will transfer all of their ownership interest in Smaaash Private (representing 33.6% of the share capital of Smaaash Private on a fully diluted basis as of June 22, 2018) (the “Additional Smaaash Shares”) to the Company in exchange for newly issued shares of our Common Stock (the “Transferred Company Shares”) in an amount which would enable the Smaaash Founders to retain their 33.6% ownership interest in Smaaash Private indirectly through their interest in the Company.


Tiger Trout transaction

SMAAASH ENTERTAINMENT INC.709,219 Units

 

7,309,150 Shares of Common Stock

261,500 Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

 

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

PROSPECTUS

________________________

 

[      ], 2019__________, 2021

Until      [     ]Through and including                       , 2019 (25 days2021 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus)offering), all dealers that effecteffecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwritersan underwriter and with respect to theiran unsold allotmentsallotment or subscriptions.subscription.

 

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13.Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.Distribution

 

The following table sets forth the variousall expenses to be incurredpaid by the registrant, other than estimated underwriting discounts and commissions, in connection with the registration of the securities being registered hereby, all of which will be borne by us.our public offering. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee.fee, the Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American listing fee and the FINRA filing fee:

Type Amount 
SEC Registration Fee $3,375 
FINRA Filing Fee  5,000 
Nasdaq Capital Market or NYSE American Listing Fee  50,000 
Legal Fees and Expenses  225,000 
Accounting Fees and Expenses  15,000 
Transfer agent and registrar’s fees and expenses  10,000 
Printing and engraving expenses  6,000 
Non-Accountable Expense Allowance  100,000 
Miscellaneous expense  70,000 
Total Expenses $474,107 

 

SEC registration fee$$8,035.48
Transfer agent’s fees and expenses$*
Printing expenses$*
Legal fees and expenses$*
Accounting fees and expenses$*
Miscellaneous$*
Total expenses$*

*           Estimated expenses not presently known.

Item 14.Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL.Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation LawDGCL concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.

 

Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.

 

(a)A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

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(b)A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

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(c)To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

(d)Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

(e)Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former officers and directors or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

(f)The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to such provision after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

(g)A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.

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(h)For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

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(i)For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.

(j)The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(k)The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, will provide that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except to the extent such limitation on or exemption from liability is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of this provision of our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.

 

If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, limiting or eliminating the liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.

 

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Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, will also provide that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.

 

The right to indemnification which will be conferred by our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, or otherwise.

 

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, may have or hereafter acquire under law, our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, will also permit us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation.incorporation, as amended.

 

Our bylaws, include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those which will be set forth in our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation.incorporation, as amended. In addition, our bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

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The registrant also intends to enter into indemnification agreements with its future directors and executive officers. The registrant has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. The registrant believes that this insurance is necessary to attract and retain qualified directors and officers.

 

Item 15.Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

Our initial stockholders currently own 1,437,500 sharesThe following is a summary of Common Stock (purchasedtransactions by us since our sponsorinception on April 17, 2017 involving sales of our securities that were not registered under the Securities Act.

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On May 31, 2017, we issued 179,688 (1,437,500 pre-reverse split) Founder Shares to I-AM Capital Partners LLC (“Sponsor”) in exchange for an aggregatea capital contribution of $25,000), up to 187,500$25,000. Upon the partial exercise of which are subject to forfeiture by our initial stockholders if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full. The number ofon September 13, 2017, 17,188 (137,500 pre-reverse split) Founder Shares issued was determined based onwere forfeited by the expectation that suchSponsor, for a balance of 162,500 (1,300,000 pre-reverse split) Founder Shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of this offering (not including the Private Placement Shares and the shares of Common Stock issuable to Maxim upon the consummation of this offering). Such securities were issued in connection withheld by our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.Sponsor. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.

 

SimultaneouslyOn August 22, 2017, we sold 5,000,000 units at a purchase price of $10.00 per unit in our initial public offering (“IPO”) of public units (“Public Units”), generating gross proceeds of $50.0 million. Each Public Unit consisted of one share of our Common Stock (“Public Shares”), one right to receive one-tenth of one share our Common Stock upon consummation of an initial business combination (“Public Right”), and one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrants”). Each warrant entitled the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) per share, subject to adjustment.

On August 22, 2017, simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO and the sale of the Public Units, we consummated the private placement of 254,500 units (“Private Placement UnitsUnits”) at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating total gross proceeds of $2,545,000. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of Common Stock, (ii) one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of Common Stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination (“Private Placement Rights”),and (iii) one 5-year warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $92.00 ($11.50 pre-reverse split) per share. The Private Placement Units, which were purchased by the Sponsor, are identical to the Public Units, except the Private Placement Warrants underlying the Private Placement Units will beare non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its affiliates or designees. If the Private Placement Units are held by someone other than the initial holder, or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants. The issuance of the Private Placement Units was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

On August 22, 2017, we issued 50,0006,250 (50,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock to Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”) in connection with its services as underwriter for the IPO. Such shares

Contained in the underwriting agreement for the IPO was an over-allotment option allowing the underwriters to purchase from the Company up to an additional 750,000 Public Units (the “Over-Allotment Units”) and, in addition, the Company received a commitment from the Sponsor to purchase up to an additional 26,250 Private Placement Units. On September 13, 2017, the underwriters partially exercised their option and purchased 200,000 Over-Allotment Units, which were sold at an offering price of Common Stock were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2)$10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of the Securities Act.$2,000,000.

 

On September 13, 2017, simultaneously with the underwriter’s partial exercise of the over-allotment option, we consummated the sale of an additional 7,000875 (7,000 pre-reverse split) Private Placement Units, generating gross proceeds of $70,000. The issuance of additional Private Placement Units was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

On September 13, 2018, the Company2017, we issued Maxim an additional 2,000250 (2,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our Common Stock upon partial exercise of the over-allotment. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

  

At the Special Meeting on November 20, 2018, holders of 556,033 (4,448,260 pre-reverse split) Public Shares exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at a price of $81.75 ($10.2187363 pre-reverse split) per share, for an aggregate of approximately $45,455,596. 

On November 20, 2018, (the “Closing Date”), Smaaash Entertainment Inc. (formerly known as I-AM Capital Acquisition Company) (the “Company”) and Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of India (“Smaaash Private”), consummated the transactions (the “Transactions”) contemplated by the share subscription agreement (as amended the “Subscription Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement the Company alsowe issued 2,000,000250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of its common stockour Common Stock to AHA Holdings Private Limited as an upfront portion of the Transferred Company Shares. Thesenewly issued shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2)of our Common Stock to be exchanged for all of the Securities Act.ownership interest in Smaaash Private within 6 months after the closing of the Business Combination.

 

On November 20, 2018, the Companywe issued 208,00026,000 (208,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) in consideration of services rendered. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The shares issued to Chardan are subject to the same lock-up and will have the same registration rights as the shares of the Company held by the Sponsor.

 

On November 20, 2018, we issued 65,000 (520,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Public Rights.

On November 20, 2018, upon the consummation of the transaction (“Business Combination”) with Smaaash Entertainment Private Limited (“Smaaash Private”), we issued 3,269 (26,150 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock underlying the Private Placement Rights to the holders of the Private Placement Rights.

In connection with the closing of the Acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC, we issued 37.500 (300,000 pre-reverse split), 87,500 (700,000 pre-reverse split), and 250,000 (2,000,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock, respectively, to the Simplicity Owners on January 4, 2019, January 7, 2019, and March 27, 2019 in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding equity interest of Simplicity Esports LLC held by Simplicity Owners.

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On January 4, 2019, upon the closing of the Acquisition of Simplicity Esports LLC, the Series A-1 Note in the amount of $500,000 and held by Maxim automatically converted into 24,206 (193,648 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock.

During the period from March 1, 2019 through July 1, 2019, we sold an aggregate of 987,500 units at a purchase price of $2.00 per unit to 12 accredited investors in exchange for receipt of $1,975,000. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of Common Stock, and (ii) a 5-year warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at a purchase price of $32.00 ($4.00 pre-reverse split).

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, 15,000 (120,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine month period. As of April 14, 2021, all of such shares have vested. Mr. Kaplan currently serves as our Chairman of the Board.

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors, 4,500 (36,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine month period. As of April 14, 2021, all of such shares have vested. Mr. Franklin currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors.

On March 27, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, we issued Steve Grossman, President of Simplicity Esports, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of our Company at such time, 3,000 (24,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Such shares vested over the succeeding nine month period. As of April 14, 2021 all of such shares have vested.

Each of the Restricted Stock Awards was entered into in connection with entry into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Kaplan, Franklin and Grossman on December 31, 2018.

On May 31, 2019, we issued 12,500 (100,000 pre-reverse split) shares of Common Stock to Polar in exchange for Polar Asset Management Partners Inc.’s (“Polar”) forgiveness of $143,476 owed by us to Polar under that that certain Debt Conversion Agreement entered into in May 2019 between Polar and us.

On July 30, 2019, in connection with the acquisition of a 100% interest in PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (“PLAYlive”) by way of merger, the Company issued 93,750 (750,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock from the owners of PLAYlive.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors, of 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Mr. Kaplan currently serves as our Chairman.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors, of 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. Mr. Franklin currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors.

On September 16, 2019, pursuant to a Restricted Award, we issued to Steven Grossman, our Corporate Secretary, of 1,750 (14,000 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock. These shares were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Mr. Grossman has informed the Company that he will resign as Corporate Secretary effective April 15, 2021.

On March 11, 2020, in connection with the execution of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Triton Funds, LP, the Company issued 625 (5,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to Triton Funds, LP (“Triton”) as a donation.

On April 9, 2020, the Company delivered a Purchase Notice to Triton pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement requiring Triton to acquire 15,625 (125,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock, which resulted in $87,700 in proceeds to the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, on April 9, 2020, the Company instructed the transfer agent to issue 15,625 (125,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to a custodial account of Triton. Unfortunately, the transfer agent erroneously transferred the entire 90,625 (725,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock under the Equity Line to the custodial account of Triton, resulting in an over-issuance of 75,000 (600,000 pre-reverse split) shares to Triton. The Company notified Triton of this error and that the Company terminated the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Triton. On November 18, 2020, the 75,000 (600,000 pre-reverse split) shares issued in error were returned by Triton and cancelled and returned to the treasury of the Company.

On May 4, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain 10% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note dated April 29, 2020 in the principal amount of $152,500 issued by the Company in favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC, the Company issued 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to Harbor Gates Capital, LLC as additional consideration for the purchase of such note.

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On May 7, 2020, we issued 2,977 (23,809 pre-reverse split) shares of our restricted Common Stock, at a price of 8.40 ($1.05 pre-reverse split) per share, to William H. Herrmann, Jr. a member of our board of directors, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000.

On June 4, 2020, we issued 10,739 (85,905 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock in connection with the conversion of $100,000 in principal of a convertible note issued in favor of Maxim.

On June 4, 2020, we issued 3,125 (25,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock in satisfaction of an outstanding balance owed to a vendor.

On June 18, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note in the principal amount of $550,000, the Company issued 6,875 (55,000 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock to such accredited investor as additional consideration for the purchase of such note.

On June 30, 2020, the Company issued 12,334 (98,672 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock at $7.76 ($0.97 pre-reverse split) per share to various employees of the Company as compensation. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $95,700.

On July 1, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of one its franchisee owned esports gaming centers located on the Fort Bliss U.S. Military base in El Paso, TX. In connection with the acquisition the Company issued 18,750 (150,000 pre-reverse split) restricted shares.

On July 29, 2020, the Board issued 41,875 (335,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Jed Kaplan, our then-Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer and a member of our board of directors. Mr. Kaplan now serves as our Chairman of the Board. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Kaplan to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Kaplan 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Kaplan 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The Kaplan 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,250 (10,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 8,750 (70,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Kaplan 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Kaplan of 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof.

On July 29, 2020, the Board also issued 34,813 (278,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to Roman Franklin, our then-President and a member of our board of directors. Mr. Franklin now serves as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors. Of these shares, (i) 31,250 (250,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to services provided by Mr. Franklin to the Company during the 2020 fiscal year, (ii) 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants that should have been, but were not, made pursuant to the Franklin 2018 Agreement (as hereinafter defined), and (iii) 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock related to grants made pursuant to the Franklin 2020 Agreement (as hereinafter defined). The Franklin 2018 Agreement provided for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 375 (3,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. For the months of January 2020 through July 2020, however, such shares had not been granted. Accordingly, the July 29, 2020 grant included an aggregate of 2,625 (21,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock that should have been granted for the months of January 2020 through July 2020. The Franklin 2020 Agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Franklin of 782 (6,250 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock per month. Such shares were fully vested and earned as of the issuance thereof.

On July 29, 2020, we issued an aggregate of 24,000 (192,000 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to an employee and the members of the Board of Directors of the Company. 

II-7

On July 31, 2020, we entered into a marketing agreement whereby we issued 3,472 (27,778 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock at $6.56 ($0.82 pre-reverse split) per share.

On August 7, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and an accredited investor pursuant to which we issued a 12% self-amortization promissory note in the principal amount of $333,333, the Company issued 4,167 (33,333 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock.

During the three months ended August 31, 2020, the Company issued 84,062 (672,496 pre-reverse stock split) shares of common stock to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. Additionally, the Company issued 19,779 (158,232 pre-reverse stock split) shares of common stock to employees for services rendered. The shares were valued at per share prices ranging from $6.56 ($0.82 pre-reverse stock split) to $14.72 ($1.84 pre-reverse stock split), based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, during the nine months ended November 30, 2020, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $54,395 and reduced prior accrued compensation by $669,215.

On September 16, 2020, we issued 13,209 (105,670 pre-reverse split) shares of common stock to employees and consultants.

On September 16, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,813 (22,500 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered. More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 938 (7,500 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $25,420, or $9.04 ($1.13 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

On September 22, 2020, in connection with an Asset Purchase agreement with Ignatious O’Riley, an existing franchisee to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 2,989 (23,912 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $29,416 or $9.84 ($1.23 pre-reverse split) per share.

On September 23, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Union Gap entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Five Point Legacy Corp., an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 4,506 (36,048 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $43,974 or $9.76 ($1.22 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 1, 2020, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Parryproject LLC., Owen Parry and Jennie Parry, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 3,688 (29,504 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $38,650 or $10.48 ($1.31 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 1, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Humble entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Team Centore Entertainment Corp., and Charles Centore, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 8,402 (67,216 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $88,052 or $10.48 ($1.31 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 12, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Frisco entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with JAR Mathis Holdings, Jared Mathis and Amy Mathis, an existing franchisee), to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 6,202 (49,616 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $74,423 or $12.00 ($1.50 pre-reverse split) per share.

II-8

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Santa Rosa entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with B&R Franchise Investments, LLC, Brian Chu and Richard Loo, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 4,202 (33,616 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $46,068 or $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Brea entered into an Asset Purchase agreement (“APA”) with Nextgen Gaming, LLC, Ajay Chunilal Shah and Shweta Shah, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 3,255 (26,040 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $37,237 or $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per share.

On October 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Simplicity Billings entered into an Asset Purchase agreement with Button Mashers, Inc, Jon Bessmer and Brandy Bessmer, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 4,697 (37,576 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $52,725 or $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per share.

During the three months ended November 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 9,844 (78,752 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. Of these shares, the Company issued 5,625 (45,000 pre-reverse split) shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 2,344 (18,750 pre-reverse split) shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $119,632, or per share prices ranging from $9.04 ($1.13 pre-reverse split) per share to $11.44 ($1.43 pre-reverse split) per common share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

On December 1, 2020, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity St. Louis, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Metta Gaming, LLC, Brian Paul Van Wyk, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 3,523 (28,184 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $52,845, or $15.00 ($1.875 pre-reverse split) per share.

On December 2,2020, the Company issued 5,000 (40,000 pre-reverse split) shares of its common stock in satisfaction of $50,000 in legal fees. These shares were valued at $80,000, or $16.00 ($2.00 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. In connection with the issuance of these shares, the Company reduced accounts payable by $50,000 and recorded legal fees of $30,000.

On March 11, 2021, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Fullerton, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Say K 2 Play, LLC a California limited liability company, Paresh Mital an individual and Smeeta Mital, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 1,600 (12,800 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $20,800 or $13.00 ($1.625 pre-reverse split) per share. 

During the three months ended February 28, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 108,641 (869,128 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers of the Company for services rendered. These shares were valued at $1,545,467, or per share prices ranging from $13.25 ($1.66 pre-reverse split) per share to $19.75 ($2.47 pre-reverse split) per common share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

On March 26, 2021, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplicity Vancouver, LLC, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Bhavin Shah, an individual and Parshwa, Inc., a Washington corporation, an existing franchisee, to acquire such franchisee’s assets in exchange for 2,900 (23,200 pre-reverse split) shares of the Company’s common stock with fair value of $42,900 or $16.50 ($2.0625 pre-reverse split) per share.

On April 6, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,657 (21,256 pre-reverse split) restricted common shares of the Company to executive officers and employees of the Company for services rendered.More specifically, the Company issued 1,875 (15,000 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Jed Kaplan and issued 782 (6,256 pre-reverse split) of these shares to Roman Franklin. These shares were valued at $34,488, or $12.98 ($1.6225 pre-reverse split) per share, based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.

The above issuances/sales were made pursuant to an exemption from registration as set forth in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

Item 16.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)Exhibits.The list of exhibits preceding the signature page of this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference.

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(b)Financial Statements. See page F-1 for an index to the financial statements and schedules included in the registration statement.

 

Item 17.Undertakings

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act “may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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(a)Rule 415 Offering. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakesundertakes:
(1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names asthis registration statement:
(i)To include any prospectus required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(b)Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising underSection 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 19331933;
(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised thatreflected in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(c)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1)For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed bywith the registrantCommission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under if, in the Securities Act shall be deemedaggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(iii)To include any material information with respect to be partthe plan of thisdistribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement as ofor any material change to such information in the time it was declared effective.registration statement;

(2)ForThat, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as partTo remove from registration by means of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modifypost-effective amendment any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(4)For the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of an undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardlesstermination of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

II-6

(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned registrant;

(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

II-7

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, New York, on the 19th day of December, 2018.

SMAAASH ENTERTAINMENT INC.offering.
   
 By:(i) /s/ F. Jacob CherianThe undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that it will:
F. Jacob Cherian
Chief Executive Officer and Director

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints F. Jacob Cherian and Suhel Kanuga, and each of them acting singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments including post-effective amendments to this registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on December 19, 2018.

NamePositionDate
/s/ F. Jacob CherianChief Executive Officer and DirectorDecember 19, 2018
F. Jacob Cherian(Principal Executive Officer)   
 a.for determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, treat the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant under Rule 424(b)(1), or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 as part of this registration statement as of the time the Commission declared it effective.
/s/ Suhel KanugaChief Financial Officer and DirectorDecember 19, 2018
Suhel Kanuga(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   
 b.
/s/ Donald R. Caldwell ChairmanDecember 19, 2018
Donald R. Caldwell
/s/ Roman FranklinDirectorDecember 19, 2018
Roman Franklin
/s/ Max HooperDirectorDecember 19, 2018
Max Hooper
/s/ Frank Leavy DirectorDecember 19, 2018

Frank Leavy

DirectorDecember – , 2018
Edward Lenoard Jaroski
DirectorDecember – , 2018

William H. Herrmann

DirectorDecember – , 2018
Shripal Morakhiafor determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, treat each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus as a new registration statement for the securities offered in the registration statement, and that offering of the securities at that time as the initial bona fide offering of those securities.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

 Exhibit
1.1Form of Underwriting Agreement **
2.1 Share Subscription Agreement, dated May 3, 2018, by and among the Company, Smaaash Private, and the Smaaash Founders, incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on September 19, 2018.
2.2 Amendment Cum Addendum to the Share Subscription Agreement Dated May 03, 2018, incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on September 19, 2018.
2.3 Second Amendment Cum Addendum to the Share Subscription Agreement Dated May 03, 2018, incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on September 19, 2018.
2.4 Third Amendment Cum Addendum to the Share Subscription Agreement Dated May 03, 2018, incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company’s Proxy Statement Supplement, which was filed with the SEC on November 5, 2018
2.5 Fourth Amendment Cum Addendum to the Share Subscription Agreement Dated May 03, 2018, dated as of November 15, 2018(1)
3.1 Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation(1)
3.2 3.3Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 2, 2019 (9)
3.3Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 17, 2020 (21)
3.4Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 18, 2020 (22)
3.5Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 29, 2020 (23)
3.6Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 12, 2020 (24)
3.7Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 2, 2020 (25)
3.8Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 17, 2020 (26)
3.3 Bylaws (2)
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (4)
4.2 Specimen Warrant Certificate (4)
4.3Warrant Agreement, dated August 16, 2017, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company (3)
4.4Form of Warrant (Annex C to the Form of Warrant Agent Agreement attached as Exhibit 4.5)**
4.5Form of Warrant Agent Agreement by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company**
4.6Form of Representative’s Warrant**
5.1 Opinion of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP*Anthony L.G., PLLC*
10.1 Master Franchise Agreement, dated November 20, 2018, by and between the Company and Smaaash Private(1)
10.2 Master License and Distribution Agreement, dated November 20, 2018, by and between the Company and Smaaash Private(1)
10.3 Settlement and Release Agreement, dated November 20, 2018, by and between the Company and Maxim Group LLC(1)
10.4 Demand Secured Promissory Note, dated November 20, 2018, issued to Maxim Group LLC(1)
10.5 Escrow Agreement, dated November 20, 2018, by and among the Company, Ellenoff Grossman and Schole LLP and Shripal Morakhia(1)
10.6 Smaaash Entertainment Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Annex F to the Company’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on September 19, 2018
10.7 Side Letter, dated November 16, 2018, by and between the Company and Chardan(1)Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (1)
10.8 Letter of Undertaking, dated November 16, 2018, by Smaaash Private and Smaaash Founders(1)
10.9 Addendum to Master Franchise Agreement, dated November 29, 2018, by and between the Company and Smaaash Private(1)
10.10 Promissory Note, dated May 31, 2017, issued to I-AM Capital Partners LLC, our sponsor (2)
10.11 Letter Agreement, dated August 16, 2017, by and between the Company, the Sponsor and the officers and directors of the Company (3)
10.12 Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 16, 2017, by and among the Company and our sponsor (1)(3)
10.13 Securities Subscription Agreement, dated May 31, 2017, among the Registrant and our sponsor (5)(2)
10.14 Amended and Restated Unit Purchase Agreement, dated August 11, 2017, between the Registrant and our sponsor (6)(5)

 II-11

10.15 Form of Indemnity Agreement (4)
10.16 Administrative Services Agreement, dated August 16, 2017, by and between the Company and our sponsor (3)
10.17 Shareholders’ Agreement, dated May 3, 2018, by and among the Company, FW Metis Limited, Mitesh R. Gowani, the Smaaash Founders, and Smaaash Private, incorporated by reference to Annex D to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on September 19, 2018.
10.18 14.1Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2018, by and between the Company and Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. (6)
10.19Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2018, by and between the Company and K2 Principal Fund L.P. (6)
10.20Amendment, dated December 20, 2018, by and among the Company, Polar Asset Management Partners Inc., and The K2 Principal Fund L.P. (7)
10.21Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 21, 2018, by and among Smaaash Entertainment Inc., Simplicity Esports, LLC, Jed Kaplan and each of the equity holders of Simplicity Esports, LLC (8)
10.22Amendment No. 1 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 28, 2018, by and among Smaaash Entertainment Inc., Simplicity Esports, LLC, Jed Kaplan and each of the equity holders of Simplicity Esports, LLC (8)
10.23Securities Exchange Agreement, dated December 20, 2018, by and between Smaaash Entertainment Inc. and Maxim Group LLC (8)
10.24Series A-1 Exchange Convertible Note (8)
10.25Series A-2 Exchange Convertible Note (8)
10.26Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 20, 2018, by and between Smaaash Entertainment Inc. and Maxim Group LLC (8)
10.27Lock-Up Agreement, dated December 20, 2018, by and between Smaaash Entertainment Inc. and Maxim Group LLC (8)
10.28Amendment No. 2 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 30, 2018, by and among the Company, Simplicity Esports, LLC, and Jed Kaplan (9)
10.29Voting Agreement, Dated December 31, 2018, between the Company and the stockholders of the Company party thereto (9)
10.30Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2018, between the Company and Jed Kaplan (9) †
10.32Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2018, between the Company and Roman Franklin (9) †
10.33Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2018, between the Company and Steven Grossman (9) †
10.34Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated March 27, 2019 between the registrant and Jed Kaplan (10) †
10.35Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated March 27, 2019 between the registrant and Roman Franklin (10) †
10.36Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated March 27, 2019 between the registrant and Steve Grossman (10) †
10.37Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 25, 2019, among the registrant, PLAYlive Nation, Inc., and owners of PLAYlive Nation, Inc. (11)
10.38Exclusive Trademark and Symbol Use License Agreement, and Other Covenants, dated November 4, 2019, among Simplicity One Brasil LTDA and Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (12)
10.39Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2020, between the Company and Triton Funds LP (13)
10.40Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2020, between the Company and Triton Funds LP (13)
10.4110% Fixed Convertible Promissory Note dated April 29, 2020 issued by the Company in favor of Harbor Gates Capital, LLC (14)
10.42Promissory Note dated May 12, 2020 issued by the Company in favor of Jed Kaplan (15)
10.43Form of Self-Amortization Promissory Note dated June 18, 2020 issued by the Company to an accredited investor (16)
10.44Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 18, 2020, by and between the Company and an accredited investor (16)
10.45First Amendment to the Series A-2 Exchange Convertible Note issued on December 20, 2018 (16)
10.462020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (17) †
10.47Employment Agreement dated July 29, 2020 by and between the Company and Jed Kaplan (18) †
10.48Employment Agreement dated July 29, 2020 by and between the Company and Roman Franklin (18) †
10.49Form of Self-Amortization Promissory Note dated August 7, 2020 issued by the Company to an accredited investor (19)
10.50Self-Amortization Promissory Note dated November 23, 2020, issued by the Company to an accredited investor (27)
10.51Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 23, 2020, by and between the Company and an accredited investor (27)
10.52Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated November 23, 2020, issued by the Company to an accredited investor (27)
10.53Promissory Note dated February 19, 2021, issued by the Company to the Holder (28)
10.54Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 19, 2021, by and between the Company and the Holder (28)
10.55Promissory Note dated March 10, 2021, issued by the Company to FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC (29)
10.56Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 10, 2021, by and between the Company and FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC (29)
10.57Employment Agreement, entered into on March 25, 2021 and effective March 29, 2021, by and between the Company and Roman Franklin (30) †
10.58Employment Agreement, entered into on March 23, 2021 and effective March 29, 2021, by and between the Company and Knicks Lau (30) †
10.59Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2021, by and between the Company and Tiger Trout Capital Puerto Rico, LLC (31)
10.60Third Amendment to the Series A-2 Exchange Convertible Note entered into on April 14, 2021, by and between the registrant and Maxim Group LLC (32)
14.1 Code of Ethics (4)
21.1List of Subsidiaries*
23.1 Consent of Prager Metis CPAs, LLCLLC*
23.2 Consent of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLPAnthony L.G., PLLC (included on Exhibit 5.1)*
24.1 Power of Attorney (contained(included on the signature page toof the registration statement)Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 10, 2020) (20)

 

II-9

* Filed herewith

** To be filed by amendment

† Includes management contracts and compensation plans and arrangements

(1)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2018
(2)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on July 12, 2017
(3)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2017.
(4)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on July 31, 2017

(5)

Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on August 14, 2017

(6)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2018
(7)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 26, 2018
(8)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 28, 2018
(9)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2019.
(10)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 2, 2019.
(11)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2019.
(12)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2020.
(13)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2020.
(14)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2018

5, 2020.
(6)(15)

Incorporated by reference to exhibits to Amendment No. 2the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2020.

(16)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 2020.
(17)Incorporated by reference to Appendix I Company’s Proxy Statement filed on June 9, 2020.
(18)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 13, 2020
(19)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2018.
(20)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form

S-1 filed on April 10, 2020.

(21)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 31, 2020.
(22)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 5, 2020.
(23)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2020.
(24)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2020.
(25)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2020.
(26)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2020.
(27)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 2, 2020.
(28)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2021.
(29)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2021.
(30)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 29, 2021.
(31)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2021.
(32)Incorporated by reference to exhibits to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 14, 2017

2021.

 

II-12

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, New York, on April 16, 2021.

SIMPLICITY ESPORTS AND GAMING COMPANY

By:/s/ Roman Franklin
Roman Franklin

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on April 16, 2021.

NamePositionDate
/s/ Roman FranklinChief Executive Officer and DirectorApril 16, 2021
Roman Franklin(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Knicks LauChief Financial OfficerApril 16, 2021
Knicks Lau(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Jed KaplanChairmanApril 16, 2021
Jed Kaplan
*DirectorApril 16, 2021
Donald R. Caldwell
*DirectorApril 16, 2021
Max Hooper
*DirectorApril 16, 2021
Frank Leavy
*DirectorApril 16, 2021
Edward Leonard Jaroski
*DirectorApril 16, 2021
William H. Herrmann

By:/s/ Jed Kaplan
Jed Kaplan
Attorney-in-fact*

II-13

II-10