0000894871 us-gaap:SeriesHPreferredStockMember 2019-12-31

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 2017February 9, 2022

Registration No. 333-262111

 

Registration No. 333-217992

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

AMENDMENT #2FORM S-1

TO(Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3)

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

THEMAVEN, INC.The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.

(formerly known as theMaven, Inc.)

(Exact nameName of registrantRegistrant as specifiedSpecified in its charter)Its Charter)

 

Delaware484168-0232575

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

7373

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

   68-0232575
(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)Number)

2125 Western Avenue, Suite 502200 Vesey Street

Seattle, WA 9812124th Floor
(775) 600-2765

New York, New York10281

(212)321-5002

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

 

James C. Heckman, Jr.Ross Levinsohn

President and Chief Executive Officer

theMaven,The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.

2125 Western Avenue, Suite 502200 Vesey Street
Seattle, WA 98121
(775) 600-2765

24th Floor

New York, New York10281

(212)321-5002

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

 

Copies to:

Jeffrey P. Berg, Esq.

Baker & Hostetler LLP

11601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400

Los Angeles, California 90025-0509

(310) 442-8850

Andrew Hudders
Carl Van Demark
Golenbock Eiseman Assor
Bell

Alissa K. Lugo, Esq.

Baker & PeskoeHostetler LLP
711 Third

200 South Orange Avenue, 17th Suite 2300

Orlando, Florida 32801

(407) 649-4015

Julie R. Fenster, Esq.

General Counsel

The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.

200 Vesey Street

24th Floor

New York, NY 10017
New York 10281

(212) 907-7300321-5002

 

Sara L. Terheggen, Esq.

The NBD Group, Inc.

350 N. Glendale Avenue,

Suite B522

Glendale, California

91206

(310) 890-0110

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.Registration Statement is declared effective

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 (the “Securities Act”) check the following box:ý

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

Large accelerated filer¨Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer¨Accelerated filer¨Smaller reporting companyý
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

Emerging growth company¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE 

Title of each class of securities to be registered(1) Amount to be
registered(2)
 Proposed
maximum offering
price per security(3)
  Proposed
maximum aggregate
offering price(3)
  Amount of
registration fee(3)
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share 7,863,048 shares $1.15  $9,042,505  $1,048.03 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, underlying Warrants 1,169,607 shares $1.15  $1,345,048  $155.89 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, underlying Options 175,000 shares $1.15  $201,250  $23.32 
               
Total: 9,207,655 shares $1.15  $10,588,803  $1,227.24 
Total Paid:           $1,227.24 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Proposed

maximum aggregate

offering

price(1)(2)

  

Amount of

registration fee (3)

 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (4) $34,500,000  $3,198.15 
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (4)(5)  -   - 
Total $34,500,000  $

3,198.15

(6)

 

(1)The shares being registered hereunder consist of 7,863,048 shares of common stock, 1,169,607 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of warrants and 175,000 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of options, in each case, which shares of common stock may be sold from time to time by the selling stockholders.
(2)Pursuant toIn accordance with Rule 416457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the number of shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate numberand the proposed maximum offering price per share are not included in this table.
(2)The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act, and includes shares of common stock, $0.01 per share, (the “Common Stock”) of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriter option to purchase additional shares.
(3)Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the securities registered hereunder.
(4)Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act, there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issuable with respectissued to the shares being registered hereunder as a result ofprevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.
(5)The Common Stock currently includes certain preferred stock purchase rights issued pursuant to that certain Rights Agreement, dated May 4, 2021 (the “Rights Agreement”), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent. Until the occurrence of certain events specified in the Rights Agreement, none of which have occurred, the preferred stock purchase rights are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificate for the common stock and will be transferred along with and only with and are not severable from, the common stock. The value attributable to the preferred stock purchase rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of the common stock. No separate consideration will be payable for the preferred stock purchase rights.
(3)(6)Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,Previously paid $3,198.15 on January 11, 2022 and January 31, 2022, based on the averagea proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the high and low per share pricesshares of the registrant’s common stock as report on the OTCQB on May 9, 2017.Common Stock.

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

 

 

The information contained in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholderssecurities described herein may not sell these securitiesbe sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is declared effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor doesthese securities and it seekis not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUSSUBJECT TO COMPLETIONDATED FEBRUARY 9, 2022

PROSPECTUSTHE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

Subject to Completion,Dated July 21, 20172,371,541 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

 

9,207,655Shares

Common Stock

This prospectus relates solely to the offer and sale from time to time of up to an aggregate of 9,207,655 shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus or a supplement hereto. These shares consist of (i) shares of our common stock that we issued to certain selling stockholders pursuant to a private placement of shares of our common stock and (ii) shares of our common stock, and shares of our common stock underlying warrants and options, held by certain selling stockholders whoWe are exercising their “piggyback” registration rights.

This prospectus describes the general manner in which theoffering 2,371,541 shares of common stock, may be offered and sold by$0.01 par value per share (our “common stock”), of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), in a firm commitment underwritten public offering for whom B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley Securities”) is acting as representative of the selling stockholders. If necessary,underwriters in the specific manner in which shares ofoffering (collectively, the “Underwriter”).

On February 9, 2022, our common stock may be offered and sold will be described in a supplementbegan trading on the NYSE American (the “NYSE American”) under the symbol “AREN.” Prior to this, prospectus.

We are not offering any shares ofour common stock for sale under this prospectus, and we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the shares of common stock offered hereby.

Our common stock iswas quoted on the OTCQBOTC Markets Group Inc.’s OTCQX® Best Market (the “OTCQX”) under the symbol “MVEN.” On July 20, 2017,As of January 26, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common stock as reported on the OTCQBOTCQX (on which date, our common stock was $1.45.still quoted on the OTCQX) was $12.65 per share (as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split). There is a limited public trading market for our stock. We have assumed a public offering price of $12.65 (as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split), which represents the last reported bid price of our common stock as reported on the OTCQX on January 26, 2022, and as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split (as defined below). The final public offering price of our common stock in this offering will be determined through negotiation between us and the Underwriter and may be issued at a discount to the then-current per share market price of our common stock. Further, the assumed public offering price of our common stock used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final offering price.

Unless otherwise noted, and except in our financial statements and the notes thereto and the financial information contained in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, the share and per-share information in this prospectus reflects a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock at an assumed one-for-twenty-two (1-for-22) ratio that was effective at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2022, and implemented at the beginning of trading on the NYSE American on February 9, 2022 (the “Reverse Stock Split”).

 

B. Riley Securities and/or its affiliates have indicated an interest in purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. However, indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase and such persons may determine to purchase fewer shares than they have indicated an interest in purchasing or may determine not to purchase any shares in this offering. In addition, the Underwriter could determine to sell fewer shares to B. Riley Securities and/or its affiliates than such persons indicate an interest in purchasing or could determine not to sell any shares to such persons.

This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed or have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described in this prospectus under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Investing in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Seesignificant risks. You should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 49 for a discussion of informationcertain risk factors that you should be considered in connection with an investmentconsider before investing in our securities.common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of thesethe securities to be issued under this prospectus or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Per ShareTotal Without Exercise of Underwriter Option

Total With

Exercise of

Underwriter Option

Public offering price$$$
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)$$$
Offering proceeds, before expenses, to us$$$

(1)See “Underwriting” on page 83 for additional information on the compensation payable to the Underwriter

We have granted to the Underwriter an option to purchase up to a maximum of 355,731 additional shares of our common stock from us at the public offering price above, less underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days of the date of the prospectus.

The Underwriter expects to deliver the shares of our common stock to purchasers on or before _______, 2022.

Sole Book-Running Manager

B. Riley Securities

 

Lead Manager

Lake Street

The date of this prospectus is , 2017________________, 2022.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Page
EXPLANATORY NOTEi
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY1
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSTHE OFFERING37
RISK FACTORS49
USE OF PROCEEDS1224
SELLING STOCKHOLDERSMarket Price and Dividend Information1325
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTIONCapitalization1526
BUSINESSDilution1727
BUSINESS28
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS2235
For the Period from July 22, 2016 to December 31, 2016MANAGEMENT2253
For the Quarter ended March 31, 201730
MANAGEMENT38
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION4259
DIVIDEND POLICYSECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT4666
MARKET INFORMATION FOR COMMON STOCK47
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTYPERSON TRANSACTIONS4869
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERSDescription of Securities4973
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCKShares Available for Future Sales5078
Material U.S. Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders79
Underwriting (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)83
LEGAL MATTERS5291
EXPERTS5291
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MOREADDITIONAL INFORMATION5291
FINANCIAL STATEMENTSF-1
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSAPPENDIX A – INVESTOR POWERPOINTF-1A-1

We may provide a prospectus supplement containing specificYou should rely only on the information about the terms of a particular offering by the selling stockholders, or their transferees. The prospectus supplement may add, update or change informationcontained in this prospectus. If information in a prospectus supplement is inconsistent withNeither we nor the information in this prospectus, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and, if applicable, any prospectus supplement hereto. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for more information.

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus theMaven, Inc. (“Parent”) and theMaven Network, Inc. (“Subsidiary”) shall collectively be referred to as “theMaven”, “the Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” unless otherwise noted.

Our logo and some of our trademarks are used in this prospectus, which remain our sole intellectual property. This prospectus also includes trademarks, tradenames, and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, our trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus appear without theTM symbol, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and tradenames.

WeUnderwriter have not, and the selling stockholders have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different information, different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus,you should not rely on it. We are not, and neither we nor the selling stockholder take any responsibility for any other information that others may give you. This prospectusUnderwriter is not, making an offer to sell nor is it a solicitation of an offer to buy, thethese securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of any date other than the date on the front cover of those documents,this prospectus. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made in connection with this prospectus shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus or that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any documenttime after its date. Information contained on our website, or any other website operated by us, is not part of this prospectus.

This prospectus incorporates by reference market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery ofinto this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

i 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should carefully read

On January 31, 2022 and February 1, 2022, we furnished a PowerPoint as Exhibit 99.2 (“Original PowerPoint”) to a Current Report on Form 8-K and a Current Report on Form 8-K/A, respectively. We have included a revised PowerPoint as an appendix to this prospectus in its entirety before investing in our common stock, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

Prior to founding theMaven in 2016, its founding team worked on a variety of digital media platforms, with the common thread of achieving economies of scale by assembling a network of publishers, covering particular niche media interests, on a unified technology and business platform. One of the founders and the Chief Executive Officer of theMaven, Mr. James C. Heckman, created the first version of this model in 1991, leveraging early digital technology for NFL teams for “NFL Exclusive,” and later founded Rivals.com, which is still operated today by Yahoo!. theMaven’s founders have worked together since 1999, building many different socially focused, single platform media models, including Scout.com, Rivals.com, Rivals.net (Europe), Zazzle, and 5to1.com.

theMaven was founded as an entirely new enterprise to build and operate an exclusive network of professionally managed media channels and interest groups, each operated by a group of experts, reporters, group evangelists and social leaders as “Channel Partners.” These Channel Partners will be able to leverage theMaven’s proprietary, socially-driven, mobile-enabled, video-focused technology platform to engage niche audiences within a single network (“theMaven Platform”).

We believe that our media model will appeal to the users and subscribers of theMaven Platform in a way similar to how the model has previously appealed to sports fans in our founders’ previous ventures. We intend theMaven Platform to appeal to professional publishers who currently struggle to monetize on their existing platforms, or are operating with less-than-world-class features in one or more areas (mobile, video, community, etc.(the “Revised PowerPoint”). Typically, onlyIt is possible that despite our intentions, the largest national publishers are ableOriginal PowerPoint may have constituted the communication of an “offer to affordbuy or recruit the level of technical expertise and achieve the scale that theMaven Network is seeking to have. We believe that we will be able to provide professional publishers with an ability to monetize their content that is superior to their current operations due to our economies of scale and proprietary experiencesell” in optimizing content and community interaction. The consumer-facing product of theMaven Platform will be made available on the web and as iOS (Apple) and Android mobile applications for multiple device form factors.

Our platform and media channel operations were launched in beta stage with eight initial channel partners on June 1, 2017. We do not expect to have any customers during the beta stage of our technology or at the commencement of business operations establishing a media audience.

The Preview Channels: Thirteen coalition partners are previewing theMaven platform, as of July 19 and are now in beta, with another several dozen to debut in later in the third quarter. These twelve channels are currently active and can be accessed by users. The content on our Channel Partners channel pages are not incorporated herein by reference.

Human Rights Foundation - themaven.net/humanrightsfoundation

The Global Lead - themaven.net/globallead

The Black Wealth Channel - themaven.net/blackwealthchannel

REIT Maven - themaven.net/reitmaven

On the Road with Scotty - themaven.net/ontheroadwithscotty

Being Liberal - themaven.net/beingliberal

The Chocolate Life - themaven.net/TheChocolateLife

The Fathers’ Rights Movement - themaven.net/TFRM

Roaming Millennial - themaven.net/roamingmillennial

Sean Hyman – themaven.net/SeanHyman

Prudent Money – themaven.net/PrudentMoney

Big Blended family – themaven.net/bigblendedfamily

Asphalt & Dirt -themaven.net/asphaltanddirt

Once full operations are launched in the third quarter, we believe that there will be two primary revenue sources, one of which will be online advertising and sponsorships and one of which will be paid memberships (subscriptions). Because we have not yet generated revenue, we do not have definitive estimates regarding the relative magnitude of advertising and membership revenue, although we expect that advertising will comprise the majority of our total revenues.We expect that advertising and sponsorships will be sold primarily by theMaven and/or major media partner(s), including trading desks on a programmatic basis, to companies to promote their brands, products and services, amplify their visibility and to target an audience based on the professionally managed media channels and interest groups on theMaven platform.

At this stage of the Company’s development, operations have primarily consisted of software development, building a list of selective, invite-only Channel Partners, reaching out to those Channel Partners for discussion, and launching the beta stage. Our immediate focus will be further development of the technology platform and continuing to grow the number of channel partners operating on theMaven platform. During the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, net cash used for operations and investing activities were $536,000 and $432,000, respectively. The aggregate net cash used of $968,000 is expected to continue at this level or more for at least the next several quarters as we continue further development and launch operations. We will seek additional capital late in 2017 or early 2018 in order to complete the initial stages of our business plan, however, we have not determined the amount of the capital raise required, the terms of any capital to be sought and have no agreements for any capital raise at this time.

Corporate Information

Our business office is located at 5048 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Our executive offices are located at 2125 Western Avenue, Suite 502, Seattle, WA 98121. At this location we also carry out the website development and other operational activities of the Company. The current telephone number is (775) 600-2765.

1

THE OFFERING

The following is a brief summary of certain terms of this offering.

Shares offered by the Selling Stockholders9,207,655 shares
Offering PriceDetermined at the time of sale by the selling stockholders
Use of ProceedsWe will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock by selling stockholders covered by this prospectus
Common Stock Outstanding as of July 19, 201725,983,461 shares
Risk FactorsInvesting in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” of this prospectus.
OTCQB Trading SymbolMVEN

2

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus by theMaven, Inc. (“Parent”) and theMaven Network, Inc. (“Subsidiary”) (collectively “theMaven,” “Company” or “we”) contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaningpotential violation of Section 27A5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”),. The Original PowerPoint did not contain complete information regarding us and Section 21Eour business, including discussions of various risks and uncertainties regarding an investment in us, which are described in this prospectus. You should instead make your investment decision only after reading this entire prospectus carefully. The information in this prospectus clarifies, supersedes and replaces the information set forth in the Original PowerPoint. Please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” for additional information.

In an effort to provide more consistent disclosure across conformed time periods, we have updated certain of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,information contained in the Original PowerPoint and have reflected such updates in this prospectus and have included the Revised PowerPoint as amended (the “Exchange Act”).an appendix to this prospectus. This necessarily resulted in certain variances that we believe are immaterial.

We urge investors to carefully review the information set forth in this prospectus prior to making an investment decision.

i

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and include, without limitation, statements concerning the Company’sour business strategy, future revenues, market growth, capital requirements, product introductions, and expansion plans and the adequacy of the Company’sour funding. Other statements contained in this prospectus that are not historical facts are also forward-looking statements. The Company hasWe have tried, wherever possible, to identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates”“estimates,” and other comparable terminology.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-lookingForward-looking statements presented in this prospectus or that the Companyand in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company. Suchinclude, for example, statements about:

the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic;
our ability to attract new subscribers and to persuade existing subscribers to renew their subscriptions;
our ability to attract new advertisers and to persuade existing advertisers to continue to advertise on our digital media platform;
our ability to manage our growth effectively, including through strategic acquisitions;
our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting;
our ability to grow market share in our existing markets or any new markets we may enter;
our ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel;
our ability to respond to general economic conditions;
our ability to attract, develop, and retain capable publisher partners and expert contributors;
our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future;
the success of strategic relationships with third parties; and
other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, andinformation available as of the actual outcome will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond the Company’s control or ability to predict. Although the Company believes that its assumptions are reasonable, they are not guaranteesdate of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, the Company’s actual future results can be expected to differ from its expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements, which are based only on known results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends. Certain risks are discussed in this prospectus and also from time to time in the Company’s other filings with the Securitiescurrent expectations, forecasts, and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

This prospectusassumptions, and all subsequent writteninvolve a number of judgments, risks, and oraluncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements attributable to the Company orshould not be relied upon as representing our views as of any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. The Company doessubsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to itsupdate 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.

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. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

ii

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you in making an investment decision. Before investing in our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes included in this prospectus and the information set forth under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” See also the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “The Arena Group,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. and our subsidiaries.

Our Company

We are a data-driven media company that focuses on building deep content verticals powered by a best-in-class digital media platform (the “Platform”), empowering premium publishers who impact, inform, educate and entertain. Our strategy is to focus on key verticals where audiences are passionate about a topic category (e.g., sports, finance) and where we can leverage the strength of our core brands to grow our audience and monetization both within our core brands as well as our media publishers (each, a “Publisher Partner”). Our focus is on leveraging the Platform and iconic brands in targeted verticals to maximize the audience, improve engagement and optimize monetization of digital publishing assets for the benefit of our users, our advertiser clients, and our 35 owned and operated properties as well as properties we run on behalf of independent Publisher Partners. We operate the media businesses for Sports Illustrated (as defined below), own and operate TheStreet, Inc. (“TheStreet”) and College Spun Media Incorporated (“The Spun” and, collectively, Sports Illustrated, TheStreet and The Spun are hereinafter referred to as our “Owned and Operated Businesses”), and power more than 200 independent Publisher Partners, including Biography, History, and the many team sports sites that comprise FanNation, among others. Each Publisher Partner joins the Platform by invitation-only and is drawn from premium media brands and independent publishing businesses with the objective of augmenting our position in key verticals and optimizing the performance of the Publisher Partner. Publisher Partners incur the costs in content creation on their respective channels and receive a share of the revenue associated with their content.Because of the state-of-the-art technology and large scale of the Platform and our expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), social media, subscription marketing and ad monetization, Publisher Partners continually benefit from our ongoing technological advances and bespoke audience development expertise. Additionally, we believe the lead brand within each vertical creates a halo benefit for all Publisher Partners in the vertical on both the content and technology sides. While they benefit from these critical performance improvements, they also may save substantially in technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, member marketing, and management costs. In addition, they benefit from recirculation across our Platform, which, according to Comscore, reaches 140 million users, as well as syndication to more than 25 third-party sites.

Our Corporate History and Background

We were originally incorporated in Delaware as Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. (“Integrated”) in 1990. On October 11, 2016, Integrated and TheMaven Network, Inc. (“Maven Network”) entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”), whereby the stockholders of Maven Network agreed to exchange all of the then-issued and outstanding shares of common stock for shares of common stock of Integrated. On November 4, 2016, the parties consummated a recapitalization pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and, as a result, Maven Network became a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated. Integrated changed its name to theMaven, Inc. on December 2, 2016.

On September 20, 2021, we re-branded to “The Arena Group.”

NYSE American Listing, Reverse Stock Split, and Name Change

On February 9, 2022, our common stock began trading on the NYSE American.

In order to obtain NYSE American listing approval, we implemented a Reverse Stock Split of our common stock at a 1-for-22 ratio following approval of the Reverse Stock Split by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Reverse Stock Split became effective at 8:00 p.m. on February 8, 2022, with implementation at the open of trading on February 9, 2022. The Reverse Stock Split combined each 22 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, among other things, reduced the number of shares of our common stock subject to outstanding options, warrants, and convertible securities by a factor of 22, and increased the exercise price or conversion price by a factor of 22. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, and any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split will be rounded up to the nearest whole share. Except as otherwise indicated, and except in our financial statements and the notes thereto and the financial information in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, all historical share and per-share amounts in this prospectus have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-22 Reverse Stock Split, as if it was effective and as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

Finally, effective at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2022, our corporate name changed to The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. in conjunction with our filing a Certificate of Amendment and Certificate of Corrections with the State of Delaware and obtaining FINRA’s approval of the Reverse Stock Split.

Recent Developments

Preliminary and Unaudited Financial Results for the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Unaudited Financial Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 and Audited Financial Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2020

This section contains certain financial results for the following periods: (i) three months ended December 31, 2021 (“Fourth Quarter of 2021”); (ii) year ended December 31, 2021 (“Fiscal 2021”); (iii) three months ended December 31, 2021 (“Fourth Quarter of 2020”); and (iv) year ended December 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”). The financial results for the Fourth Quarter of 2021 are preliminary and unaudited financial results (“Preliminary and Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2021 Results”). The financial results for Fiscal 2021 are presented as preliminary and unaudited financial results (“Preliminary and Unaudited Fiscal 2021”). The financial results for the Fourth Quarter of 2020 are presented as unaudited financial results (“Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2020 Results”). The financial results for Fiscal 2020 are presented as audited financial results (“Audited Fiscal 2020 Results”).

Accordingly, the tables below contain (i) consolidated statements of operations, (ii) revenue by category, (iii) cost of revenue by category and (iv) operating expenses on the following basis: Preliminary and Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2021 Results, Preliminary and Unaudited Fiscal 2021 Results, Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2020 Results, and Audited Fiscal 2021 Results.

The Preliminary and Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2021 Results and Preliminary and Unaudited Fiscal 2021 Results are subject to completion of our customary year-end closing, review and audit procedures and are not a comprehensive statement of our financial results for those periods. The Preliminary and Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2021 Results and Preliminary and Unaudited Fiscal 2021 Results should not be viewed as a substitute for complete financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and they are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved in any future period. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the Preliminary and Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2021 Results and Preliminary and Unaudited Fiscal 2021 Results. The Preliminary and Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2021 Results, Preliminary and Unaudited Fiscal 2021 Results, Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2020 Results included below have been prepared by and are the responsibility of our management. Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), our independent registered public accounting firm, have not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the accompanying Preliminary and Unaudited Fourth Quarter of 2021 Results and Preliminary and Unaudited Fiscal 2021 Results. Accordingly, Marcum does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

The following table sets forth the statements of operations:

  Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 (preliminary and unaudited)  Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
(unaudited)
  $ Change  % Change  Year
Ended December 31, 2021
(preliminary and unaudited)
  Year
Ended December 31, 2020
  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $57,064,503  $42,438,611  $14,625,892   34.5% $185,000,004  $128,032,397  $56,967,607   44.5%
Cost of revenue  27,484,434   26,741,492   742,942   2.8%  111,462,484   103,063,445   8,399,039   8.1%
Gross profit  29,580,069   15,697,119   13,882,950   88.4%  73,537,520   24,968,952   48,568,568   194.5%
Operating expenses                          -     
Selling and marketing  27,990,221   15,891,057   12,099,164   76.1%  83,112,578   43,589,239   39,523,339   90.7%
General and administrative  18,183,021   11,154,347   7,028,674   63.0%  62,413,381   36,007,238   26,406,143   73.3%
Depreciation and amortization  3,038,407   4,003,485   (965,078)  -24.1%  15,020,405   16,280,475   (1,260,070)  -7.7%
Total operating expenses  49,211,649   31,048,889   18,162,760   58.5%  160,546,364   95,876,952   64,669,412   67.5%
Loss from operations  (19,631,580)  (15,351,770)  (4,279,810)  27.9%  (87,008,844)  (70,908,000)  (16,100,844)  22.7%
Other (expense) income                          -     
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  (462,320)  631,215   (1,093,535)  -173.2%  34,492   496,305   (461,813)  -93.1%
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   398,004   (398,004)  -100.0%  -   2,571,004   (2,571,004)  -100.0%
Interest expense  (2,600,747)  (4,327,902)  1,727,155   -39.9%  (10,296,064)  (16,497,217)  6,201,153   -37.6%
Interest income  - 376,527   (376,527)  -100.0%  471  381,026   (380,555)  -99.9%
Loss on conversion of convertible debt  -   (3,297,539)  3,297,539   -100.0%  -   (3,297,539)  3,297,539   -100.0%
Liquidated damages  (480,307)  -   (480,307)      (2,677,922)  (1,487,577)  (1,190,345)  80.0%
Gain upon debt extinguishment  -   (247,282)  247,282   -100.0%  5,716,697   (279,133)  5,995,830   -2148.0%
Total other expense  (3,543,374)  (6,466,977)  2,923,603   -45.2%  (7,222,326)  (18,113,131)  10,890,805   -60.1%
Loss before income taxes  (23,174,954)  (21,818,747)  (1,356,207)  6.2%  (94,231,170)  (89,021,131)  (5,210,039)  5.9%
Income taxes  -   (210,832)  210,832   -100.0%  229,699   (210,832)  440,531   -208.9%
Net loss (23,174,954) (22,029,579) (1,145,375)  5.2% (94,001,471) (89,231,963) (4,769,508)  5.3%
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock  -   (15,509,932)  15,509,932   

-100.0

%  -   (15,642,595)  15,642,595   -100.0%
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(23,174,954) $(37,539,511) $14,364,557   -38.3% $(94,001,471) $(104,874,558) $10,873,087   -10.4%

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The following table sets forth revenue by category:

Revenue by Category Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 (preliminary and unaudited)  Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 (unaudited)  $ Change  % Change  Year
Ended December 31, 2021 (preliminary and unaudited)
  Year
Ended December 31, 2020
  $ Change  % Change 
Digital Revenue                                
Digital advertising $22,033,894  $11,937,683  $10,096,211   84.6% $61,429,971  $34,596,838  $26,833,133   77.6%
Digital subscriptions  6,659,413   8,399,036   (1,739,623)  -20.7%  29,132,364   28,495,676   636,688   2.2%
Other revenue  2,747,513   1,929,443   818,070   42.4%  8,583,195   4,596,686   3,986,509   86.7%
Total digital revenue  31,440,820   22,266,162   9,174,658   41.2%  99,145,530   67,689,200   31,456,330   46.5%
Print Revenue                                
Print advertising  2,042,376   3,633,508   (1,591,132)  -43.8%  8,947,273   9,762,984   -815,711   -8.4%
Print subscriptions  23,581,307   16,538,941   7,042,366   42.6%  76,907,201   50,580,213   26,326,988   52.0%
Total print revenue  25,623,683   20,172,449   5,451,234   27.0%  85,854,474   60,343,197   25,511,277   42.3%
Total revenue $57,064,503  $42,438,611   14,625,892   34.5%  185,000,004   128,032,397   56,967,607   44.5%

Total preliminary and unaudited revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2021 increased approximately 34.5% to approximately $57.1 million, as compared to approximately $42.4 million for the unaudited three months ended December 31, 2020. Total preliminary and unaudited digital revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2021 increased approximately 41.2% to approximately $31.4 million as compared to approximately $22.3 million for the unaudited three months ended December 31, 2020. The increase in digital revenue period-over-period was primarily due to an approximately $10.1 million increase in digital advertising.

Total preliminary and unaudited revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased approximately 44.5% to approximately $185.0 million as compared to approximately $128.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Total preliminary and unaudited digital revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased approximately 46.5% to approximately $99.1 million as compared to approximately $67.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase in revenues was attributable to management’s decision to make a strategic shift to focus on premium content providers and reduced reliance on publisher guarantees in September 2020. As a result of this prospectus.change, our revenue from Publisher Partners increased by 74.1% to approximately $34.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to approximately $20.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Our compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) for revenue from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2021 was approximately 86.3%. Our CAGR for digital revenue from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2021 was approximately 64.3%. For additional information, please see this section entitled “Recent Developments” and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

The following table sets forth cost of revenue by category:

Cost of Revenue by Category Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 (preliminary and unaudited)  Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 (unaudited)  $ Change  % Change  Year
Ended December 31, 2021 (preliminary and unaudited)
  Year
Ended December 31, 2020
  $ Change  % Change 
Publisher Partner revenue share payments $6,285,605  $5,394,863  $890,742   16.5% $22,043,444  $19,427,196  $2,616,248   13.5%
Hosting, bandwidth, and software licensing fees  521,837   625,292   (103,455)  -16.5%  2,163,417   2,419,143   (255,726)  -10.6%
Fees paid for data analytics and to other outside services providers  761,385   804,850   (43,465)  -5.4%  2,883,405   3,222,869   (339,464)  -10.5%
Royalty fees  3,750,000   3,750,000   -   0.0%  15,000,000   15,000,000   -   0.0%
Content and editorial expenses  5,921,728   7,466,383   (1,544,655)  -20.7%  31,618,234   29,080,353   2,537,881   8.7%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs  3,484,098   4,444,867   (960,769)  -21.6%  14,385,212   15,706,519   (1,321,307)  -8.4%
Amortization of our Platform  3,292,711   2,202,333   1,090,378   49.5%  9,858,311   8,550,952   1,307,359   15.3%
Stock-based compensation  1,861,739   776,225   1,085,514   139.8%  6,791,447   4,339,916   2,451,531   56.5%
Other cost of revenue  1,605,331   1,276,679   328,652   25.7%  6,719,014   5,316,497   1,402,517   26.4%
Total cost of revenue $27,484,434  $26,741,492  $742,942   2.8% $111,462,484  $103,063,445  $8,399,039   8.1%

Total preliminary and unaudited cost of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2021 increased approximately 2.8% to approximately $27.5 million as compared to approximately $26.7 million for the unaudited three months ended December 31, 2020. The increase in cost of revenue is primarily attributable to costs associated with the amortization of our Platform, stock-based compensation and Publisher Partner revenue share payments partially offset by a decrease in content and editorial expenses and printing, distribution and fulfillment costs.

Total preliminary and unaudited cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased approximately 8.1% to approximately $111.5 million as compared to approximately $103.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in cost of revenue is primarily attributable to Publisher Partner revenue share payments, content and editorial expenses and stock-based compensation.

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RISK FACTORS

The following table sets forth operating expenses:

 

Operating Expenses Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 (preliminary and unaudited)  Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 (unaudited)  $ Change  % Change  Year
Ended December 31, 2021 (preliminary and unaudited)
  Year
Ended December 31, 2020
  $ Change  % Change 
Selling and marketing $27,990,221  $15,891,057  $12,099,164   76.1% $83,112,578  $43,589,239  $39,523,339   90.7%
General and administrative  18,183,021   11,154,347   7,028,674   63.0%  62,413,381   36,007,238   26,406,143   73.3%
Depreciation and amortization  3,038,407   4,003,485   (965,078)  -24.1%  15,020,405   16,280,475   (1,260,070)  -7.7%
Total operating expenses $49,211,649  $31,048,889  $18,162,760   58.5% $160,546,364  $95,876,952  $64,669,412   67.5%

Operating expenses increased 58.5% to approximately $49.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to approximately $31.0 million in the prior year period. The primary driver of the increase in operating expenses was attributable to increases in selling and marketing expenses of approximately $12.1 million and general and administrative expenses of approximately $7.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization of approximately $1.0 million.

Operating expenses increased 67.5% to approximately $160.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to approximately $95.9 million the prior year period. The primary driver of the increase in operating expenses was attributable to increases in selling and marketing expenses of approximately $39.5 million and general and administrative expenses of approximately $26.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization of approximately $1.3 million.

4

InvestingKey Performance Indicators

Our management reviews several key performance indicators (“KPIs”). They are mostly non-financial indicators which inform our management of business performance and aids in determining our operating strategy and actions. These KPIs include revenue per page view (“RPM”), cost per thousand (“CPM”), the number of unique users, the number of video views on our Platform, and the number of impressions on our Platform. RPM represents the advertising revenue earned per 1,000 pageviews; CPM represents the advertising revenue earned per 1,000 advertising impressions; unique users is based on the number of unique individuals who visit a site in a given period (usually on a monthly basis); impressions is a count of the number of advertisements viewed by users; and video views is a count of the number of videos viewed by users. Unique users, impressions and video views are measures that inform management about the activity on a particular website and potential inventory of digital display and video advertisements which are available for sale. RPM and CPM are indications of yield and pricing driven by both the advertising density and demand from advertisers. These KPIs are critical for management as they provide insights into our digital revenue generation and overall business performance.  This information also provides feedback on the content on the website and its ability to attract and engage users, which allows us to make strategic business decisions as our engagement increases and drives advertising revenue across all our platforms.

RPM increased 39% to $18.95 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $13.63 for the three months ended December 31, 2020, which included a 13% increase in RPM attributable to Sports Illustrated. RPM grew 71% to $15.21 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $8.90 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Overall CPM increased 9% to $2.89 for the three months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $2.66 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. CPM for programmatic advertising revenue increased 36% to $1.86 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $1.36 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Lastly, our monthly average unique users grew 16% for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, according to Comscore.

Sports partners impressions increased 255% to 1.7 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to 484.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Video views increased 137% to 232.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to 97.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Please also see the section entitled “Business” for additional information regarding unique users and pageviews.

5

Stock Purchase Agreements

On January 24, 2022, after negotiations with certain of our current purchasers of previous securities issued by us (the “Investors”), we entered into several Stock Purchase Agreements with the Investors (collectively, the “Stock Purchase Agreements”), pursuant to which we agreed to issue an aggregate of 505,671 shares (11,124,278 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) at a price equal to $13.86 ($0.63 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, which price was based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days, to the Investors in lieu of an aggregate of approximately $7.01 million owed in liquidated damages, which includes accrued but unpaid interest, for our failure to meet certain covenants in prior Registration Rights Agreements and related Securities Purchase Agreements with the Investors. On February 9, 2022, we terminated the Stock Purchase Agreement with B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC and cancelled the 206, 275 shares that were to be issued to them. By negotiating the Stock Purchase Agreements with the Investors, the per share price at which the shares of our common stock were issued pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreements was higher than the assumed offering price of $12.65 ($0.575 pre-Reverse Stock Split). If, the price used to derive the number of shares of our common stock was the assumed offering price of $0.575, we would have been required to issue an aggregate of 554,015 shares (12,188,337 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares). We also agreed that we would prepare and file as soon as reasonably practicable, a registration statement covering the resale of these shares of our common stock issued in lieu of payment of these liquidated damages in cash.

Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement

On January 23, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement (the “Second A&R NPA”) with BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, in its capacity as agent and a purchaser, pursuant to which the parties agreed to extend the maturity dates in the event that we consummate an offering of our common stock of at least $20.0 million prior to February 14, 2022, as well as excluding from the mandatory prepayment provisions proceeds received from such offering.

Proposed Acquisition

We have entered into a letter of intent to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests (the “Proposed Acquisition”) of Athlon Holdings, Inc. (“Athlon”) for an anticipated purchase price of $16 million, comprised of (i) a cash portion of $13 million, with $10 million to be paid at closing and $3 million to be paid post-closing and (ii) an equity portion of $3 million to be paid in shares of our common stock. The acquisition of Athlon is subject to the preparation and negotiation of definitive documents, our completion of due diligence, and the agreement of a certain number of key employees of Athlon to remain as employees post-closing, among other items. We can provide no assurances that we will consummate the acquisition of Athlon on a timely or cost-effective basis, if at all.

Athlon develops and distributes premium content on digital, video, and print platforms in the lifestyle, celebrity, food, health and wellness, sports, and outdoor verticals. Its brands include Athlon Sports, Athlon Outdoors, Parade, Relish and Spry Living. Athlon Sports is the leading publisher of preseason annuals for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, and college football and basketball, including draft and fantasy issues. Athlon Outdoors publishes twelve titles for outdoor enthusiasts. Athlon Sports’ digital presence is already on our Platform and has over 3 million monthly unique users and Athlon Outdoors has 1 million unique uses. Parade has a circulation of over 16 million via weekly distribution in over 600 newspapers in the U.S. Spry Living and Relish each have a circulation of 9 million. Parade.com is a popular lifestyle digital publication with over 14 million monthly average unique users, placing it in the top 30 of all lifestyle publications in the U.S.

Corporate Information

We are a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive office is located at 200 Vesey Street, 24th Floor, New York, New York, 10281. Our telephone number is (212) 321-5002. Our website address is www.thearenagroup.net. Information on or accessed through our website is not incorporated into this prospectus and is not a part of this prospectus.

6

THE OFFERING

Issuer:The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.
Securities Being Offered by Us:2,371,541 shares of our common stock (or 2,727,272 shares of our common stock if the Underwriter exercises their option to purchase additional shares in full).
Offering Price:Assumed offering price of $12.65 per share (which represents the last reported bid price of our common stock as reported on the OTCQX on January 26, 2022; and as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split). The actual offering price will be determined between the Underwriter and us at the time of pricing and may be issued at a discount to the current market price of our common stock.
Risk Factors:The shares of our common stock offered hereby involve a high degree of risk and should not be purchased by investors who cannot afford the loss of their entire investment. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before making an investment decision.
Shares of Our Common Stock Issued and Outstanding Prior to the Offering:12,632,929 shares (277,924,445 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) (1) (2)
Shares of Our Common Stock to be Outstanding After the Offering:15,004,470 shares (or 15,360,201 shares if the Underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full) (1) (2)
Underwriter Option:We have granted the Underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 355,731 shares of our common stock at the public offering price, less estimated underwriting discounts and commissions.
Use of Proceeds:

Based on an assumed offering price of $12.65 per share, we estimate that the gross proceeds to us from this offering will be up to $30.0 million (or $34.5 million if the Underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full). We estimate the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $27.3 million ($31.6 million if the Underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares of our common stock is exercised in full), assuming a public offering price of $12.65 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the OTCQX on January 26, 2022 and as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the initial cash portion of $10 million of the purchase price of the acquisition of Athlon and our working capital and general corporate purposes. For a more complete description of our intended use of the net proceeds from this offering, see “Use of Proceeds.”

Conflicts of Interest:

Affiliates of B. Riley Securities, representative of the Underwriter in this offering, beneficially own 27.18% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, B. Riley Securities is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121.

In addition, B. Riley Securities and/or its affiliates have indicated an interest in purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. However, indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase and such persons may determine to purchase fewer shares than they have indicated an interest in purchasing or may determine not to purchase any shares in this offering. In addition, the Underwriter could determine to sell fewer shares to B. Riley Securities and/or its affiliates than such persons indicate an interest in purchasing or could determine not to sell any shares to such persons.

Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 5121. Rule 5121 requires that no sale be made to discretionary accounts by underwriters having a conflict of interest without the prior written approval of the account holder and that a “qualified independent underwriter,” as defined in the rule, has participated in the preparation of the registration statement and prospectus and exercised the usual standards of due diligence with respect thereto. Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC (“Lake Street”) is assuming the responsibilities of acting as the “qualified independent underwriter” in this offering. Lake Street will not receive any additional compensation for acting as a qualified independent underwriter.

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Lock-Ups:We and our executive officers, directors, and certain holders of outstanding shares of our common stock have agreed with the Underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any of their shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 90 days, in the case of certain stockholders, or 120 days, in the case of us and our executive officers and directors, after the date of this prospectus.
Reverse Stock Split:Our Board of Directors (our “Board”) and stockholders approved of 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-hundred (1-for-100), which ratio is to be selected by our Board. Our Board set the ratio of the Reverse Stock Split at 1-for-22. The Reverse Stock Split became effective following approval by FINRA of the Reverse Stock Split on February 8, 2022, with implementation at the open of trading on February 9, 2022. Except as otherwise indicated, and except in our financial statements and notes thereto and the financial information contained in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, all references to our common stock, share data, per share data, and related information depict a Reverse Stock Split ratio of 1-for-22 as if it was effective and as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.
Trading Symbol:On February 9, 2022, our common stock began trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “AREN.”

(1)Unless we indicate otherwise, the number of shares of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering is based on 12,632,930 shares (277,924,445 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock outstanding on January 26, 2022, and excludes the following: (i) 1,157,225 shares (25,458,950 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon exercises of outstanding warrants; (ii) 2,075,684 shares (45,665,046 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon conversions of the Series H Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series H Preferred Stock”); (iii) 5,626,711 shares (123,787,630 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon exercises of outstanding option awards; (iv) 1,870,862 shares (41,158,945 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock either to be issued that are vested or issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units; (v) 8,582 shares (188,791 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon conversion of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G Preferred Stock”), (vi) 1,234,480 shares (27,158,543 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), (vii) 144,565 shares (3,180,409 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”), (viii) 49,134 shares (1,080,930 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock held in reserve to be issued pursuant to completion of documentation related to transactions from 2018; (ix) 505,671 shares (11,124,278 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under Stock Purchase Agreements entered into on January 24, 2022 in connection with the conversion of liquidated damages; and (x) 14,619 shares (321,607 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to be issued pursuant to various agreements. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering includes 194,806 shares (4,285,714 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issued pursuant to restricted stock awards that remain subject to forfeiture.
(2)On a fully diluted basis, we have 16,022,083 shares (352,485,199 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) outstanding as of January 26, 2022, which includes 12,632,930 shares (277,924,445 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock outstanding as of such date, as well as 569,424 shares (12,526,815 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock that we are required to issue pursuant to agreements, 2,075,684 shares (45,665,046 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares Series H Preferred Stock, 8,582 shares (188,791 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of Series G Preferred Stock, 503,166 shares (11,069,650 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon vested restricted stock units, 86,466 shares (1,902,210 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of vested outstanding warrants on a cashless exercise basis, and 145,831 shares (3,208,242 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock of our common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of vested outstanding options on a net exercise basis.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stocksecurities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together withbefore making an investment decision. Our business, prospects, financial condition, or operating results could be harmed by any of these risks, as well as other risks not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and, as a result, you may lose all or part of your investment.

In the course of conducting our business operations, we are exposed to a variety of risks. Any of the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statementsrisk factors we describe below have affected or could materially and related notes, before investing in our common stock. If any of the following risks materialize,adversely affect our business, financial condition, operatingand results and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, theof operations. The market price of shares of our common stock could decline, possibly significantly or permanently, if one or more of these risks and you could lose part uncertainties occurs. Certain statements in “Risk Factors” are forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION

Our business operations have been and may continue to be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 emerged in late 2019 and has spread globally. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic based on the rapid increase in global exposure. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world. Many national governments and sports authorities around the world made the decision to postpone/cancel high attendance sports events in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In addition, many governments and businesses limited non-essential work activity, furloughed, and/or terminated many employees and closed some operations and/or locations, all of your investment.which has had a negative impact on the economic environment.

Risks RelatedBeginning in March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our revenue and earnings began to Our Businessdecline largely due to the cancellation of high attendance sports events and the resulting decrease in traffic to the Platform and advertising revenue. This initial decrease in revenue and earnings were partially offset by revenues generated by TheStreet, as well as some recovery of sporting events (including, in some cases, limited in-person attendance) that have generated content for the media business (the “Sports Illustrated Licensed Brands”) of Sports Illustrated (“Sports Illustrated”) that we have the right to operate pursuant to the licensing agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated September 1, 2019, Amendment No. 2 dated April 1, 2020, Amendment No. 3 dated July 28, 2020, Amendment No. 4 dated June 4, 2021, and side letter dated June 4, 2021 (collectively, the “Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement”), we previously entered into with ABG-SI LLC (“ABG”). Through 2021, we increasingly saw sports leagues and events return to pre-pandemic scheduling, as well as additional lifting of restrictions on in-person attendance at sporting events, which have continued to result in some recovery of our operational and financial performance. Despite this initial recovery, the future impact, or continued impact, from the COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain.

The extent of the impact on our operational and financial performance will depend, in part, on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, related group gathering and sports event advisories and restrictions, and the extent and effectiveness of containment actions taken, all of which remain uncertain at the time of issuance of our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

These and other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other pandemics or epidemics, could have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part under this “Risk Factors” section.

Because we are an early growth company, we face many obstacles as a new venture,of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and thereforethe uncertainty about their persistence, we may neverneed to raise more capital to continue operations. At September 30, 2021, we had cash of approximately $8.2 million. We have seen stabilization in our markets since May 2020 and believe that based on our current assessment of the impact of COVID-19, we have sufficient resources to fully fund our business operations through 12 months from the filing date of this registration statement. However, due to the continuing uncertainty regarding the duration of the impact of COVID-19 and its effect on our financial performance and the potential that our traffic and advertising revenue becomes destabilized again, we may require additional capital. We did not have difficulties accessing the capital markets during 2020 and 2021, however, due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, we may experience difficulties in the future.

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As market conditions present uncertainty as to our ability to secure additional capital, there can be no assurances that we will be able to fully executesecure additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, as and when necessary to continue to conduct operations. Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the success of our offerings and competing technological and market developments. We may need to raise funds through public or private financings, strategic relationships, or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Furthermore, any equity financing may be dilutive to existing stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that may limit our operating flexibility with respect to certain business plan. To date,matters. Strategic arrangements may require us to relinquish our operationsrights or grant licenses to some or substantial parts of our intellectual property. If funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders will be reduced, stockholders may experience additional dilution in net book value per share, and such equity securities may have focused on research and development and initial business development efforts. We have no revenuesrights, preferences, or privileges senior to date.those of the holders of our existing capital stock. If weadequate funds are not able to develop our revenues, obtain additional capital as needed from time to time, and achieve market acceptance for our technology platform, we will have to reduce or curtail our business operations. In such case, investors will lose all or a portion of their investment.

Because our business and marketing plans may be unsuccessful,available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to continue operations as a going concern. Our abilityoperating, develop or enhance products, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our generating cash flow that is sufficient to fund operations or finding adequate investment or borrowed capital to support our operations. To date we have relied entirely on equity financing and loans from our shareholders and related parties to fund our operations. Our platform and product development objectives and our business and marketing plans may not be successful in achieving a sustainable business and generating revenues. We have no arrangements in place for sufficient financing to be able to fully implement our business plan. If we are unable to continue as planned currently, we may have to curtail some or allcompetitive pressures, any of our business plan and operations. In such case, investors will lose all or a portion of their investment.

We currently have been generating operating losses, and we may never achieve profitability. We have had and we expect to continue to have losses in the near term and will rely on capital funding or borrowings to fund our operations. To date, capital funding has been limited in amount. We cannot predict whether or not we will ever become profitable or be able to continue to find capital to support our development and business plan.

We have a limited operating history, which makes it difficult to forecast whether or not our business will be successful. Since founding of theMaven in July 2016, the management team has focused entirely on the theMaven Platform development and product strategy, hiring technological talent, and signing channel partners. Accordingly, we have only a limited operating history in the development stage and no market oriented operations; this limited operating experience makes it difficult to forecast our future operating results. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in an early stage of development and product introduction, particularly companies engaged in rapidly evolving technology offerings and markets. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing these risks and keeping pace with developments, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

We have incurred losses since our inception, have yet to achieve profitable operations, and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We have had losses from inception, and as a result, have relied on capital funding or borrowings to fund our operations. Our operating resultsaccumulated deficit as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $162.3 million. Our accumulated deficit as of September 30, 2021 was approximately $233.1 million. While we anticipate generating positive cash flow in fiscal 2022, the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic yields some doubt as to our ability to do so and could require us to raise additional capital. We cannot predict whether we will be able to continue to find capital to support our business plan if the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue longer than anticipated.

We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we do not adequately address these material weaknesses or if other material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered, our financial statements could contain material misstatements and our business, operations and stock price may be variable,adversely affected. As disclosed under Item 9A, Controls and thereforeProcedures, of our future prospectsAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report”), our management identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2020. We continued to have material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting at March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, and September 30, 2021. We expect to have remediated our material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting by December 31, 2021, which would be determined and disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, of which there can be no assurance. Under standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Although no material misstatement of our historical financial statements was identified, the existence of these material weaknesses or significant deficiencies could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and we could be required to restate our financial statements. Further, significant costs and resources may be difficult for investorsneeded to remediate the identified material weaknesses or any other material weaknesses or internal control deficiencies. If we are unable to remediate, evaluate, and analysis to assess. Our operating results are likely to fluctuate significantlytest our internal controls on a timely basis in the future, duemanagement will be unable to conclude that our internal controls are effective and our independent registered public accounting firm will be unable to express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports, investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting, the price of our common stock could be adversely impacted and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

As of the date of filing this registration statement, we currently lack certain internal controls over our financial reporting. While we have six independent directors serving on our Board, have added to our accounting staff, and have hired a Chief Technology Officer, we are still implementing such internal controls at this time. The lack of such controls makes it difficult to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed and submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported as and when required. 

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We cannot assure you that we will be able to develop and implement the necessary internal controls over financial reporting. The absence of such internal controls may inhibit investors from purchasing our shares and may make it more difficult for us to raise debt or equity financing.

If we fail to retain current users or add new users, or if our users decrease their level of engagement with the Platform, our business would be seriously harmed. The success of our business heavily depends on the size of our user base and the level of engagement of our users. Thus, our business performance will also become increasingly dependent on our ability to increase levels of user engagement in existing and new markets. We are continuously subject to a variety of factors. Due to the potential breadth of the marketshighly competitive market in which we plan to deploy our platform and seek market acceptance and our limited operating history, we believe it will be difficult to accurately forecast our revenues and operating results in our market launch phases. Factors that may slow or harm our business or cause our operating results to fluctuate include the following:

The market acceptance of, and demand for, our products;

Our inability to attract new Channel Partners and Internet unique visitors or maintain existing users satisfaction at a reasonable cost;

The revenue based on our technology;

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Changes in alternative technologies, industry standards and customer or end user preferences;

The length of our advertising and membership sales cycles;

The timing of customer payments and payment defaults by customers;

Our inabilityorder to attract and retain key personnel, including experienced software developers;

our users’ attention. A gain or lossnumber of significant customers and publishers or their confidence in our platform;

Software design, development and operational defects and other quality problems;

Significant security breaches, technical difficulties, or interruptions to our technology platform;

Economic conditions affecting our potential customers;

Extraordinary expenses such as litigation;

The number, timing and significance of product enhancements and new product introductions by competitors; and

Our failure to increase sales and or penetrate new markets.

Any change in one or more of these factors, as well as others, could cause our annual or quarterly operating results to fluctuate. Any change in one or more of these factors could reducenegatively affect user retention, growth, and engagement, including if:

users increasingly engage with competing platforms instead of ours;
we fail to introduce new and exciting products and services, or such products and services do not achieve a high level of market acceptance;
we fail to accurately anticipate consumer needs, or we fail to innovate and develop new software and products that meet these needs;
we fail to price our products competitively;
we do not provide a compelling user experience because of the decisions we make regarding the type and frequency of advertisements that we display;
we are unable to combat spam, bugs, malwares, viruses, hacking, or other hostile or inappropriate usage on our products;
there are changes in user sentiment about the quality or usefulness of our existing products in the short-term, long-term, or both;
there are increased user concerns related to privacy and information sharing, safety, or security;
there are adverse changes in our products or services that are mandated by legislation, regulatory authorities, or legal proceedings;
technical or other problems frustrate the user experience, particularly if those problems prevent us from delivering our products in a fast and reliable manner;
we, our Publisher Partners, or other companies in our industry are the subject of adverse media reports or other negative publicity, some of which may be inaccurate or include confidential information that we are unable to correct or retract; or
we fail to maintain our brand image or our reputation is damaged.

Any decrease in user retention, growth, or engagement could render our gross marginsproducts less attractive to users, advertisers, or our Publisher Partners, thereby reducing our revenues from them, which may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in future periods.developing products and services that eventually become widely accepted, that we will be able to timely release products and services that are commercially viable, or that we will establish ourselves as a successful player in a new business area. Our inability to do so would have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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The market in which we participate is intensely competitive, and if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.The digital media industry is fragmented and highly competitive. There are many players in the digital media market. The market, offerings range from groupsmany with greater name recognition and financial resources, which may give them a competitive advantage. Some of similar media to some that are unique, but quickly replicable.our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution, and other resources than we do. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly and effectively than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards, customer, and user requirements and trends. With the introduction of new technologies, the evolution of our platform, and new market entrants, we expect competition to intensify in the future. Some of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution and other resources than we do. As a result, they may be able to respond more rapidly than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards or customer requirements. In addition, our customers and strategic partners may become competitors in the future. Certain of our competitors may be able to negotiate alliances with strategic partners on more favorable terms than we are able to negotiate. Pricing pressures and increased competition generally could result in reduced sales, reduced margins, losses, or the failure of our platformthe Platform to achieve or maintain more widespread market acceptance, any of which could adversely affect our revenues and operating results.

We are dependent upon With the acceptanceintroduction of theMaven platform. The market for our media platform is constantly evolving and is characterized by rapid change and competitor entrants. Our future operating results depend onnew technologies, the development and growthevolution of the Platform, and new market for our media platforms. We intendentrants, we expect competition to spend considerable resources educating potential channel partners andintensify in the ultimate users about our platforms. However, we cannot provide assurance that such expenditures will enable our platform to achieve or maintain any significant degree of market acceptance.future.

We may have difficulty managing our growth. As we approach the launch of our technology platform, weWe have added, and expect to continue to add, channel partnerPublisher Partner and end-user support capabilities, to continue software development activities, and to expand our administrative operations. This expansion isIn the past two years, we have entered into multiple strategic transactions. These strategic transactions, which have significantly expanded our business, have and are expected to place a significant strain on our management,managerial, operational, and financial resources. To manage any further growth, we will be required to improve existing, and implement new, operational, customer service, and financial systems, procedures and controls and expand, train, and manage our growing employee base. We also will be required to expand our finance, administrative, technical, and operations staff. There can be no assurance that our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures, and controls will be adequate to support our anticipated growth, that management will be able to hire, train, retain, motivate, and manage required personnel or that our management will be able to successfully identify, manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities. If we are unable to manage growth effectively, our business could be harmed.

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The strategic relationships that we may be able to develop and on which we may come to rely may not be successful. We will seek to develop strategic relationships with advertising, media, technology, and other companies to enhance the efforts of our market penetration, business development, and advertising sales revenues. These relationships are expected to, but may not, succeed. There can be no assurance that these relationships will develop and mature, or that potential competitors will not develop more substantial relationships with attractive partners. Our inability to successfully implement our strategy of building valuable strategic relationships could harm our business.

If our efforts to attract and retain users are not successful, our business will be adversely affected.We are currently developing our platforms and do not yet have any users of our services. In the future, our ability to attract users will depend in partrely heavily on our ability to providecollect and disclose data and metrics in order to attract new advertisers and retain existing advertisers. Any restriction, whether by law, regulation, policy, or other reason, on our users with uniqueability to collect and focused content choices. The relative service levels, content offerings, pricing and related features of competitors todisclose data that our service and products may adversely impactadvertisers find useful would impede our ability to attract and retain users. If users do not perceive our service offering toadvertisers. Our advertising revenue could be seriously harmed by many other factors, including:

a decrease in the number of active users of the Platform;
our inability to create new products that sustain or increase the value of our advertisements;
our inability to increase the relevance of targeted advertisements shown to users;
adverse legal developments relating to advertising, including changes mandated by legislation, regulation, or litigation; and
difficulty and frustration from advertisers who may need to reformat or change their advertisements to comply with our guidelines.

The occurrence of value,any of these or other factors could result in a reduction in demand for advertisements, which may reduce the prices we may not be able to attract and retain users and may not be able to get any revenue from paid membership. Furthermore, if we cannot build a meaningful membership base, we may not be able to engender interest from potential advertisers and generate any revenue from advertising and sponsorship. Even if we can successfully attract users to subscribereceive for our services, users will be ableadvertisements or cause advertisers to cancel our service for many reasons. We must continually add new users both to replace canceled memberships and to growstop advertising with us altogether, either of which would negatively affect our business, beyond the then current user base. If we are unable to successfully attract users, our business will be adversely affected.financial condition, and results of operations.

 

The sales and payment cycle for online advertising is long, and such sales, which were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and the beginning of 2021, may not occur when anticipated or at all. The decision process is typically lengthy for brand advertisers and sponsors to commit to online campaigns. Some of their budgets are planned a full year in advance. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the amount and pricing of advertising throughout the media industry during 2020 and to a lesser extent in 2021. It is still uncertain when and to what extent advertisers will return to pre-pandemic spending levels. The decision process for such purchases, even in normal business situations, is subject to delays and aspects that are beyond our control. In addition, some advertisers and sponsors take months after the campaign runs to pay, and some may not pay at all, or require partial “make-goods” based on performance. As we have not commenced substantive approaches to the Channel Partners, we cannot yet determine the terms of use they will demand or their payment behavior. Any delay or loss in sales of online advertising could adversely affect our operating results.

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The sales cycle for paid memberships may be longer than currently anticipated. We anticipate selling the memberships directly to consumers via online methodologies. It may take longer than we currently anticipate to start generating a significant volume of subscribers. We understand that we will have to convince consumers to purchase memberships, which in turn will depend on their perception of the value provided by our channel partners’ content and communities. Such value perception is subject to aspects that are beyond our control. Sales will usually be through online credit card transactions; these types of transactions are subject to chargebacks and cancellations that may reduce revenues. Any delay in generating membership sales or losses in sales of online memberships could adversely affect our operating results.

We are dependent on the continued services and on the performance of our seniorkey executive officers, management team, and other key personnel.personnel, the loss of which could adversely affect our business. Our future success largely depends upon the continued services of our key executive officers, management team, and other key personnel. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers, such as Messrs. Heckman, Sornsin, Joldersma, Jacobs and Heimbigner or other key employeespersonnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. We depend on the continued services of our key personnel as they work closely with both our employees and our Publisher Partners. Such key personnel are also responsible for our day-to-day operations. Although we have employment contractsagreements with some of our key personnel, these are at willat-will employment agreements, albeit with non-competition and confidentiality provisions and other rights typically associated with employment agreements. We do not believe that any of our executive officers are planning to leave or retire in the near term; however, we cannot be certain that our executive officers or members of our management team will remain with us. We also depend on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain, and motivate other highly skilled technical, managerial, sales, operational, business development, and customer service personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate, or retain sufficiently qualified personnel. The failureloss or limitation of the services of any of our executive officers, members of our management team, or key personnel, including our regional and country managers, or the inability to attract and retain necessary skilledadditional qualified key personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

We are dependent on the continued services and on the performance of key third party content contributors, the loss of which could adversely affect our business. We rely on content contributed by third party providers, which has in turn attracted users that drive advertising and subscription revenue. The loss of the services of any of such key contributors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Although we have service agreements with some of our key contributors, many are short term in nature or have cancelation clauses in the agreements. We also depend on our ability to identify, attract, and retain other highly skilled third-party content contributors. Competition for such contributors is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate or retain them. The loss or limitation of the services of any of our key third party contributors, or the inability to attract and retain additional qualified key contributors, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our revenues could decrease if our platforms dothe Platform does not continue to operate as intended. Our platform technologies will performThe Platform performs complex functions and areis vulnerable to undetected errors or unforeseen defects that could result in a failure to operate or inefficiency.efficiently. There can be no assurance that errors and defects will not be found in current or new products or, if discovered, that we will be able to successfully correct them in a timely manner or at all. The occurrence of errors and defects could result in loss of or delay in revenue, loss of market share, failure to achieve market acceptance, increased development costs, diversion of development resources and injury to our reputation or damage to our efforts to buildexpand brand awareness.

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Interruptions or performance problems associated with our technology and infrastructure may adversely affect our business and operating results.Our growth will depend in part on the ability of our users and channel partnersPublisher Partners to access our technology platformthe Platform at any time and within an acceptable amount of time. We believe that our platformthe Platform is proprietary and we rely on the expertise of members of our engineering, operations, and software development teams for their continued performance. It is possible that once theMaven platforms are up and running, wethe Platform may experience performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, introductions of new functionality, human or software errors, capacity constraints due to an overwhelming number of users accessing our platformthe Platform software simultaneously, denial of service attacks, or other security related incidents. Until we have operating experience, weWe may not be able to identify the cause or causes of any performance problems within an acceptable period of time. It may be that it will be difficult to maintain and/or improve our performance, especially during peak usage times and as our platformthe Platform becomes more complex and our user traffic increases. If our platformthe Platform software is unavailable or if our users are unable to access it within a reasonable amount of time, or at all, our business would be negatively affected. Therefore, in the event of any of the factors described above, or certain other failures of our infrastructure, partner or user data may be permanently lost. Moreover, we expectthe partnership agreements (“Partnership Agreements”) with our channel partner agreements toPublisher Partners include service level standards that obligate us to provide credits or termination rights in the event of a significant disruption in our platform.the Platform. To the extent that we do not effectively address capacity constraints, upgrade our systems as needed, and continually develop our technology and network architecture to accommodate actual and anticipated changes in technology, our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

 

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We intend to operate our exclusive networkcoalition of professional-managed online media channels on third party cloud platforms and data center hosting facilities. We will rely on software and services licensed from, and cloud platforms provided by, third parties in order to offer our digital media services. Any errors or defects in third-party software or cloud platforms could result in errors in, or a failure of, our digital media services, which could harm our business. Any damage to, or failure of, these third-party systems generally could result in interruptions in the availability of our digital media services. As a result of this third-party reliance, we may experience the aforementioned issues, which could cause us to render credits or pay penalties, could cause channel partnersour Publisher Partners to terminate their contractual arrangements with us, and could adversely affect our ability to grow our audience of unique visitors, all of which could reduce our ability to generate revenue. Our business would also be harmed if our customersusers and potential customersusers believe our product and services offerings are unreliable. In the event of damage to, or failure of, these third-party systems, we would need to identify alternative channels for the offering of our digital media services, which would consume substantial resources and may not be effective. We are also subject to certain standard terms and conditions with Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud related to data storage purposes. These providers have broad discretion to change their terms of service and other policies with respect to us, and those changes may be unfavorable to us. Therefore, we believe that maintaining successful partnerships with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and other third-party suppliers is critical to our success.

Real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in our technology platformsthe Platform could adversely affect our operating results and growth prospects.Because our technology platform will bethe Platform is complex, undetected errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs may occur, especially when updates are deployed. Despite testing by us, errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs may not be found in our technology platformthe Platform until after they are deployed to our customers. We expect from time to time to discover software errors, failures, vulnerabilities, and bugs in our technology platformsthe Platform and anticipate that certain of these errors, failures, vulnerabilities, and bugs will only be discovered and remediated after deployment to channel partnersour Publisher Partners and used by subscribers. Real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in our software could result in negative publicity, loss of or delay in market acceptance of our technology platforms,the Platform, loss of competitive position, or claims by channel partnersour Publisher Partners or subscribers for losses sustained by them. In such an event, we may be required, or may choose, for customer relations or other reasons, to expend additional resources in order to help correct the problem.

Malware, viruses, hacking attacks, and improper or illegal use of the Platform could harm our business and results of operations. Malware, viruses, and hacking attacks have become more prevalent in our industry and may occur on our systems in the future. Any security breach caused by hacking, which involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or systems, or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware, or other computer equipment, and the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could harm our business, financial condition, and operating results. Any failure to detect such attack and maintain performance, reliability, security and availability of products and technical infrastructure to the satisfaction of our users may also seriously harm our reputation and our ability to retain existing users and attract new users.

Our information technology systems are susceptible to a growing and evolving threat of cybersecurity risk. Any substantial compromise of our data security, whether externally or internally, or misuse of agent, customer, or employee data, could cause considerable damage to our reputation, cause the public disclosure of confidential information, and result in lost sales, significant costs, and litigation, which would negatively affect our financial position and results of operations. Although we maintain policies and processes surrounding the protection of sensitive data, which we believe to be adequate, there can be no assurances that we will not be subject to such claims in the future.

 

If we are unable to develop and maintain successful relationships with channel partners and publishers,protect our intellectual property rights, our business operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected.suffer. We believe that growth in our business is dependent upon identifying, developing, and maintaining strong relationships with channel partners that can drive substantial revenue by delivering strong content and communities to end users. If we fail to identify channel partners that provide the right content and foster the communities we need for growth and branding, in a timely and cost-effective manner, or at all, or are unable to assist our channel partners in delivering great content and communities that drive both advertising and membership and subscription revenue, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. If our channel partners do not effectively deliver great content and communities, or fail to meet the needs of end users, our reputation and ability to grow our business may also be adversely affected.

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If the protection of trademark, brands and other proprietary rights is inadequate, we could lose our proprietary right, suffer a diminution of reputations and experience a loss of revenues.Our success significantly depends on our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, employee and third-party non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements and other methods to protect our proprietary technology. DespiteHowever, these precautions, itonly afford limited protection, and unauthorized parties may be possible for unauthorized third partiesattempt to copy portionsaspects of our productsthe Platform’s features and functionality, or reverse engineer or obtain andto use information that we regard as proprietary.consider proprietary or confidential. There can be no assurance that our platformsthe Platform will be protectable by patents, but if they are, any efforts to obtain patent protection that is not successful may harm our business in that others will be able to use our technologies. For example, previous disclosures or activities unknown at present may be uncovered in the future and adversely impact any patent rights that we may obtain. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by us to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate or that third parties will not infringe or misappropriate our trademarks, copyrights, and similar proprietary rights. If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our IPintellectual property rights, those proceedings could be expensive and time-consuming and could distract our management from our business operations.

The brand “TheMaven®” Our business, profitability and any related trademarks willgrowth prospects could be an important partadversely affected if we fail to receive adequate protection of our sales effort.proprietary rights.

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We believe that establishing and maintaining the “TheMaven®” brand name and any related trade and service marks willcould be importantrequired to our success and crucial in gaining new users and new channel partners and publishers. The importance of brand recognition may increasecease certain activities and/or incur substantial costs as a result of establishedany claim of infringement of another party’s intellectual property rights. Some of our competitors, and new competitors offering serviceother third parties, may own technology patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and products similarwebsite content, which they may use to ours. To the extent we are able, with our limited funding and personnel, we intend to increase our marketing and branding expenditures in an effort to increase awareness of “TheMaven®” brand. If our brand-building strategy is unsuccessful, these expenses may never be recovered, we may be unable to obtain sponsorships or generate any revenue, and our business could be harmed.

Intellectual propertyassert claims against us can be costly and could impair our business.us. We cannot predict whether third partiesassure you that we will assertnot become subject to claims of infringement against us, or whether any future assertions or prosecutions will harm our business. Although we take significant steps to make sure that our technologies do not infringe on the rights of others, as our employees have worked in our industry for many years, there is always the possibility that another person or company may assert that we have built on their proprietarymisappropriated or misused other parties’ intellectual property rights. IfAny claim or litigation alleging that we are forced to defend against any such claims, whether they arehave infringed or otherwise violated intellectual property or other rights of third parties, with or without merit, and whether or arenot settled out of court or determined in our favor, could be time-consuming and costly to address and resolve, and could divert the time and attention of our management and technical personnel.

The results of any intellectual property litigation to which we might become a party may face costly litigation, diversionrequire us to do one or more of technical and management personnel,the following:

cease making, selling, offering, or using technologies or products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;
make substantial payments for legal fees, settlement payments, or other costs or damages;
obtain a license, which may not be available on reasonable terms, to sell or use the relevant technology; or
redesign technology to avoid infringement.

If we are required to make substantial payments or product launch delays,undertake any of which could adversely impact our business. Asthe other actions noted above, as a result of such a dispute, we may have to develop non-infringing technology or enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may be unavailable on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If there is a successful claim ofany intellectual property infringement claims against us, and we are unable to develop non-infringing technologysuch payments or to license the infringed or similar technology oncosts could have a timely basis,material adverse effect upon our business could be impaired.and financial results.

We will beare subject to a wide rangevariety of privacy laws and other internet laws. A number of government authorities, bothregulations in the United States and abroad that involve matters central to our business, including privacy, data protection, and private parties are increasing their focus on privacy issues, thepersonal information, rights of publicity, content, intellectual property, advertising, marketing, distribution, data security, data retention and deletion, personal information, electronic contracts and other communications, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, telecommunications, employee classification, product liability, taxation, economic or other trade prohibitions or sanctions, securities law compliance, and online payment services. The collection, use, retention and sharing of personal information market collection databy us and activities that might be considered spam. Enforcement may be by state attorney general offices andour third-party service providers is subject to international, federal, prosecutors acting under a wide range of state, and federal laws aboutlocal data privacy, data collectionprotection and use of the internet in certain ways, some of which laws may be applicable to us through our users and clients, such as our advertisers, within our communities. Some laws require encryption systems which may make our operations more costly to develop and monitor for continuing compliance. Overall, all of these laws will require substantial compliance efforts, which will be at an economic cost to us. If we violate these laws, we may be subject to monetary penalties and other civil fines. Some statutes may have criminal liability associated with violations. These laws are under constant review and amendment or addition as issues are seen to develop as the internet continues to become a more active part of the way we do business and interact. Our business could be adversely affected if there are newsecurity laws and regulations, or decisions thatwhich have become increasingly stringent, are restrictive or impose difficult or expensive operations processesrapidly evolving, and are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. All states have enacted some form of data privacy legislation, including data security and breach notification laws in all 50 states, and some form of regulation regarding the storage, transmission,collection, use and/orand disclosure of personal information at the federal level and in several states. These laws are not consistent and compliance in the event of a widespread data breach could be costly. In addition, foreign data protection, privacy, competition, and other laws and regulations can impose different obligations or be more restrictive than those in the United States. Many of these laws and regulations are still evolving and could be interpreted or applied in ways that could limit or harm our business, require us to make certain fundamental and potentially detrimental changes to the products and services we offer, or subject us to claims. For example, laws relating to the liability of providers of online services for activities of their users and other third-parties are currently being tested by a number of claims, including actions based on invasion of privacy and other torts, unfair competition, copyright, trademark infringement, and other theories based on the nature and content of the materials searched, the ads posted, or the content provided by users. In addition, there have been calls by members of Congress, from both parties, to limit the scope of the current immunities and safe harbors afforded online publishers with regard to user content and communications under the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the federal Communications Decency Act. Any material reduction of those protections would make us more vulnerable to third party claims arising out of user content published by our online services. Finally, the introduction of new products, expansion of our activities in certain jurisdictions, or other actions that we may take may subject us to additional laws, regulations, monetary penalties, or other government scrutiny.

United States federal and state and foreign laws and regulations, which in some cases can be enforced by private parties in addition to government entities, are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change, which could adversely affect our business. The application, interpretation, and enforcement of federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations are often uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate and may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current policies and practices. Any change in legislation and regulations could affect our business. For example, regulatory or legislative actions affecting the manner in which we display content to our users or obtain consent to various practices could adversely affect user growth and engagement. Such actions could affect the manner in which we provide our services or adversely affect our financial results.

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Furthermore, significant penalties could be imposed on us for failure to comply with various statutes or regulations. Violations may result from:

ambiguity in statutes;
regulations and related court decisions;
the discretion afforded to regulatory authorities and courts interpreting and enforcing laws;
new regulations affecting our business; and
changes to, or interpretations of, existing regulations affecting our business.

While we prioritize ensuring that our business and compensation model are compliant, and that any product or income related claims are truthful and non-deceptive, we cannot be certain that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) or similar regulatory body in another country will not modify or otherwise amend its guidance, laws, or regulations or interpret them in a way that would render our current practices inconsistent with the same.

Our services involve the storage and transmission of digital information; therefore, cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by unintentional errors and those intentionally caused by third parties, may expose us to a risk of loss, unauthorized disclosure or other misuse of this information, litigation liability and regulatory exposure, reputational harm and increased security costs. We and our third-party service providers experience cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis. We expect to incur significant costs in ongoing efforts to detect and prevent cybersecurity-related incidents and these costs may increase in the event of an actual or perceived data breach or other cybersecurity incident. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased opportunities for cyber-criminals and the risk of potential cybersecurity incidents, as more companies and individuals work online. We cannot ensure that our efforts to prevent cybersecurity incidents will succeed. An actual or perceived breach of our cybersecurity could impact the market perception of the effectiveness of our cybersecurity controls. If our users or business partners, including our Publisher Partners, are harmed by such an incident, they could lose trust and confidence in us, decrease their use of the social media aspectsour services or stop using them entirely. We could also incur significant legal and financial exposure, including legal claims, higher transaction fees and regulatory fines and penalties, which in turn could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation and operating results. While our insurance policies include liability coverage for certain of these types of matters, a significant cybersecurity incident could subject us to liability or other damages that exceed our platforms and products or otherwise affect our users, advertisers and media partners. We cannot currently indicate what new legislation or regulation that might be that would impose new or additional technology requirements on us, limit our ability to collect, transmit, store and use the information, or if government authorities or private parties challenge our privacy and business practices.insurance coverage.

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Prior employers of our employees may assert violations of past employment arrangements. Our employees are highly experienced, partly because they havehaving worked in our industry for many years; prioryears. Prior employers may try to assert that our employees are breaching restrictive covenants and other limitations imposed by past employment arrangements. We believe that all of our employees are free to work for us in their various capacities and have not breached past employment arrangements. Notwithstanding our care in our employment practices, a prior employer may assert a claim. Such claims will be costly to contest, and highly disruptive to our work environment, and may result in abe detrimental effect onto our operations.

 

Our products may require availability of components or known technology from third parties and their non-availability can impede our growth.We license/buy certain technology integral to our products from third parties, including open-source and commercially available software. Our inability to acquire and maintain any third-party product licenses or integrate the related third-party products into our products in compliance with license arrangements, could result in delays in product development until equivalent products can be identified, licensed, and integrated. We also expect to require new licenses in the future as our business grows and technology evolves. We cannot provide assurance that these licenses will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

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Government regulations may increase our costs of doing business.The adoption or modification of laws or regulations relating to online media, communities, commerce, security, and privacy could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition by increasing our costs and administrative burdens. It may take years to determine whether and how existing laws such as those governing intellectual property, privacy, security, libel, consumer protection, and taxation apply. Laws and regulations directly applicable to Internet activities are becoming more diverse and prevalent in all global markets. We must comply with regulations in the United States, as well as any other regulations adopted by other countries where we may do business. The growth and development of Internet content, commerce and communities may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws, privacy laws and data protection laws, both in the United States and abroad, as well as new laws governing the taxation of these activities. Compliance with any newly adopted laws may prove difficult for us and may harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

We will require additional capitalmay face lawsuits or incur liabilities in the future in connection with our businesses. In the future, we may face lawsuits or incur liabilities in connection with our businesses. For example, we could face claims relating to information that is published or made available on the Platform. In particular, the nature of our business exposes us to claims related to defamation, intellectual property rights and rights of publicity and privacy. We might not be able to monitor or edit a significant portion of the content that appears on the Platform. This risk is enhanced in certain jurisdictions outside the United States where our protection from liability for third-party actions may be unclear and where we may be less protected under local laws than we are in the United States. We could also face fines or orders restricting or blocking our services in particular geographies as a result of content hosted on our services. If any of these events occur, our business could be seriously harmed.

RISKS RELATED TO AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES

You should rely only on statements made in this prospectus in determining whether to purchase our shares. We furnished the Original PowerPoint as Exhibit 99.2 to a Current Report on Form 8-K and Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on January 31, 2022 and February 1, 2022, respectively. As described in the risk factor below, the Original PowerPoint may have constituted the communication of an “offer to buy or sell” in potential violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. The Original PowerPoint did not contain complete information regarding us, including a discussion of various risks and uncertainties regarding an investment in us, described in this prospectus. As a result, we have included the Revised PowerPoint as an appendix to this prospectus. You should make your investment decision only after reading this entire prospectus carefully. The information in this prospectus clarifies, supersedes and replaces the information set forth in the Original PowerPoint.

We may have contingent liability arising out of a possible violation of the Securities Act, in connection with the Original PowerPoint which we furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, and the Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the Commission on January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022, respectively. On January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022, we furnished, as Exhibit 99.2 to a Current Report on Form 8-K, and a Form 8-K/A, respectively, a copy of the Original PowerPoint. The furnishing of the Original PowerPoint publicly may have constituted the communication of an “offer to sell” as described in Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act and the Original PowerPoint may be deemed to be a prospectus that does not meet the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, resulting in a potential violation of Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act.

If the Original PowerPoint is proven to be a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act because it is deemed to be a prospectus that does not meet the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, we could have a contingent liability arising out of such violation. Any liability would depend upon the number of shares purchased by the “recipients” of the Original PowerPoint that may have constituted a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. If a claim were brought by any such recipients of the Original PowerPoint and a court were to conclude that the public dissemination of such Original PowerPoint constituted a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, we could be required to repurchase the shares sold to investors who reviewed such Original PowerPoint, at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest from the date of purchase, for claims brought during a period of one year from the date of their purchase of our common stock. We could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. Further, if our use of the Original PowerPoint is deemed to be a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, the Commission and/or relevant state regulators could impose monetary fines or other sanctions under relevant federal and state securities laws. Such payments, expenses and fines, if required, could significantly reduce the amount of working capital we have available for our operations and business plan, delay or prevent us from completing our plan of operations, or force us to raise additional funding, which funding may not be available on favorable terms, acceptable to us, orif at all. Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including Additionally, the successvalue of our offerings and competing technological and market developments. Wesecurities will likely decline in value in the event we are deemed to needhave liability, or are required to raise funds through publicmake payments, pay expenses or private financings, strategic relationships or other arrangements. face sanctions in connection with the potential claim described above.

There canmay be no assurance that such funding, will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Furthermore, any equity financing will be dilutive to existing stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that may limit our operating flexibility with respect to certain business matters. Strategic arrangements may require us to relinquish our rights or grant licenses to some or substantial parts of our intellectual property. If funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders will be reduced, stockholders may experience additional dilution in net book value per share, and such equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the holders of our existing capital stock. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to continue operating, develop or enhance products, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Management has the right to vote a substantial amount of the Common Stock, and will be able to influence the business of the Company. Management, including the directors and officers of the Company, beneficially own about 13,511,714 shares of Common Stock, representing about 50% of the Common Stock. As a result of this amount of ownership, management will be able to influence the election of directors and will be able to influence the business plan and overall business direction of the Company.

There is not an activeliquid market for the Common Stock.our common stock. We provide no assurances of any kind or nature whatsoever that an active market for the Common Stockour common stock will ever develop. There has been no sustained activity in the market for the Common Stock.our common stock. Investors should understand that there may be no alternative exit strategy for them to recover or liquidate their investments in the Common Stock.our common stock. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to bear the entire economic risk of an investment in the Companyus for an indefinite period of time. IfEven if an active market ever develops for the Common Stock, we anticipate that our then financial condition, platform and product offerings, and our roll out strategy and implementation will greatly impact the market value of the Common Stock. The market value at any point in time may not reflect the value of the business or our business prospects.

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There may be no liquid market for our Common Stock. Even if a trading market develops over time, we cannot predict how liquid that market might become. Our common stock is newly traded on the NYSE American (and previously was quoted on the OTCM’s OTCQX). Trading in stock quoted on over-the-counter markets is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors that may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. The trading price of the Common Stockour common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.

These factors include:

Quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our competitors;
Announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, new products and services, significant contracts, commercial relationships, or capital commitments;
Disruption or substantive changes to our operations, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Variations in our sales and earnings from period to period;
Commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation;
Any major change in our board or management;

Changes in governmental regulations or in the status of our regulatory approvals; and
General market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our own operating performance.

Quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our competitors;
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Announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, new products and services, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;

Disruption or substantive changes to our operations;

Variations in our sales and earnings from period to period;

Commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation;

Any major change in our board or management;

Changes in governmental regulations or in the status of our regulatory approvals; and

General market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our own operating performance.

In addition, the stock market in general experiences price and volume fluctuations that often are unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of public companies. These broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of the Common Stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This type of litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the United States securities laws, which will require expenditure of capital and other resources.resources, and may divert management’s attention.We are a public reporting company subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934 and other federal securities laws, including, without limitation, compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Sarbanes”). The costs of preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, and other informationapplicable securities rules and regulations. Complying with the SECthese rules and furnishing auditedregulations have caused us and will continue to cause us to incur additional legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, be time-consuming or costly, and continue to increase demand on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to stockholdersour business and operating results. The cost of maintaining current financial reporting has been, and will cause our expensescontinue to be, substantially higher than they would otherwise be if we were privately-held. It will be difficult, costly, and time-consuminga financial burden for us to develop and implement internal controls and reporting procedures required by Sarbanes, and we will require additional staff and third-party assistance to develop and implement appropriate internal controls and procedures.us. If we fail to or are unable to comply with Sarbanes, we will not be able to obtain independent accountant certifications that the Sarbanes requires publicly-tradedpublicly traded companies to obtain.

Investor confidence Further, by complying with public disclosure requirements, our business and market price of our sharesfinancial condition are more visible, which we believe may be adversely impacted because we are unable to attest to the adequacy of the internal controls over our financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The SEC, as directed by Section 404 of Sarbanes, adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management of their internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K that contains an assessment by management of the effectiveness of their internal controls over financial reporting. We have reportedresult in the Annual Reportlikelihood of increased threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. Compliance with these additional requirements may also divert management’s attention from operating our business. Any of these may adversely affect our operating results.

Once our common stock is listed on Form 10-K, filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, that management concludedNYSE American, there is a material weakness in our internal controls and procedures. The material weakness relates to the lack of segregation of duties in our financial reporting process and our utilization of outside third party consultants. We do not have a separately designated audit committee. These weaknesses are also due to our lack of additional accounting and operational staff. To remedy this material weakness, we plan to engage an internal accounting staff to assist with financial reporting.

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We may not be able to attract the attention of major brokerage firms or securities analysts in our efforts to raise capital. In due course, we plan to seek to have the Common Stock quoted on a national securities exchange in the United States. There can be no assurance that we will be able to garnermaintain compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards. As a quote forcondition to consummating this offering, our common stock offered in this prospectus must be listed on the Common StockNYSE 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 on an exchange. Even ifthe NYSE American under the symbol “AREN.” Assuming our common stock is listed and after the consummation of this offering, and assuming we are successful in doing so,able to maintain such listing, security analysts and major brokerage houses may not provide coverage of us. We may also not be able to attract any brokerage houses to conduct secondary offerings with respect to our securities. Neither we nor the Underwriter can provide any assurance that an active and liquid trading market in our securities will develop or, if developed, that such markets will continue.

BecauseIf the NYSE American approves our application to list our common stock and we are subjectnot able to comply with the “Penny Stock” rules asapplicable continued listing standards of the NYSE American, the NYSE American could delist our shares are quotedcommon stock. We applied to list our common stock on the over-the-counter bulletin board,NYSE American. Should our common stock be listed on the level of trading activityNYSE American, in our stock mayorder to maintain that listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements. There can be reduced. If a trading market does develop for our stock, it is likelyno assurances that our stockwe will be subjectable to comply with such applicable continued listing standards.

Our common stock is categorized as “penny stock,” which may make it more difficult for investors to sell their shares of our common stock due to suitability requirements. In the regulations applicablepast (including immediately prior to "Penny Stock." The regulations of the SEC promulgated under the Exchange Act that require additional disclosure relating to the market for penny stocks in connection with trades in anythis offering), our common stock definedwas categorized as a penny“penny stock. The SEC regulations define penny stocksadopted Rule 15g-9, which generally defines “penny stock” to be any non-exchange equity security that has a market price (as defined) of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Unless an exceptionHistorically, the price of our common stock has been significantly less than $5.00 per share and we did not qualify for any of the other exceptions; therefore, our common stock is available, those regulationsconsidered “penny stock.” While our common stock will not be considered “penny stock” following this offering since it will be listed on the NYSE American, if we are unable to maintain that listing and our common stock is no longer listed on the NYSE American, our common stock will return to being a “penny stock.” This designation imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors.” The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5.0 million or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1.0 million or annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 jointly with his or her spouse. The penny stock rules require thea broker-dealer to deliver,buying our securities, prior to anya transaction involvingin a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure scheduledocument in a form prepared by the SEC tothat provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the purchaser’s account,customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s transaction confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser'spurchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity if any, in the secondary market for athe stock that becomesis subject to thethese penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability and/or willingness of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe thatsecurities, either directly or on behalf of their clients, may discourage potential investor’s from purchasing our securities, or may adversely affect the penny stock rules discourage market investor interest in and limit the marketabilityability of the Common Stock.our stockholders to sell their shares.

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In addition to the "penny stock"“penny stock” rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, theSEC, FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low pricedlow-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer'scustomer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives, and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, the FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low pricedlow-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. TheThus, FINRA requirements makehistorically has made it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy the Common Stock,our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our common stock.

Because future sales byWe effected the Reverse Stock Split of our stockholders could cause the stock price to decline, our investors may lose money on their investment in our stock.No predictions can be made of the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of the Common Stock or the availability of such shares for sale will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of significant amounts of the Common Stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of theoutstanding common stock as well as impair our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional equity securities.

Risks Relatingprior to the Offering by the Selling Stockholders

We may become obligated to pay liquidated damages if we fail to file, obtain effectiveness and maintain effectivenesseffective date of a registration statement under a registration rights agreement we entered into with the selling stockholders.

We have granted to the selling stockholders resale registration rights pursuant to the terms of a registration rights agreement. In addition to the registration rights, the selling stockholders are entitled to receive liquidated damages upon the occurrence of a number of events relating to filing, becoming effective and maintaining an effective registration statement covering the securities being registered. The liquidated damages will be payable upon the occurrence of each of those events and each monthly anniversary thereof until cured. The amount of liquidated damages payable per monthly period is equal to 1.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by each selling stockholder, provided, however, the maximum aggregate liquidated damages payable to a selling stockholder is 7.5% of the aggregate subscription amount paid by a selling stockholder pursuant to the private placement.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling stockholders.

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

2017 Private Placement Financing

On April 4, 2017, we closed on securities purchase agreements with 25 purchasers (the “Investors”), which provided for the sale by us of an aggregate of 3,765,000 shares of our common stock, at a price of $1.00 per share.

In connection with the private placement, we entered into a registration rights agreement, dated April 4, 2017, with the Investors, pursuant to which we agreed to register for resale by the Investors the shares of common stock purchased by them pursuant to the purchase agreements. We have committed to file the registration statement no later than 45 days after the closing and to cause the registration statement to become effective no later than the earlier of (i) seven business days after the SEC informs us that no review of the registration statement will be made or that the SEC has no further comments on the registration statement or (ii) July 30, 2017. The registration rights agreement provides for liquidated damages upon the occurrence of certain events, including our failure to file the registration statement or cause it to become effective by the deadlines set forth above. The amount of liquidated damages payable to an Investor would be 1% of the aggregate amount invested by such Investor for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, during which the default continues, up to a maximum amount of 7.5% of the aggregate amount invested by such Investor. We filed the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The Reverse Stock Split increased the market price of our common stock and enabled us to meet the minimum market price requirement of the listing rules of the NYSE American. However, the effect of the Reverse Stock Split upon the market price of our common stock cannot be predicted with certainty, and the results of reverse stock splits by companies in similar circumstances have been varied. It is a partpossible that the market price of our common stock following the Reverse Stock Split will not increase sufficiently for us to be in compliance with the SEC pursuant to the registration rights agreement.

MDB Capital Group LLC acted as placement agent in the financing. For its services as placement agent, we agreed to pay to MDB Capital Group LLC a cash commission equal to 5%minimum market price requirement of the gross proceedsNYSE American, or another national securities exchange, or if it does, that such price will be sustained. If we are unable to maintain our stock price such that it falls below the minimum stock price required by the NYSE American, our shares may be delisted.

We may be unable to comply with other continued listing standards of the NYSE American, or another national securities exchange. Our common stock is newly listed on the NYSE American. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to comply with the other standards that we are required to meet to maintain a listing of our common stock on the NYSE American. Our failure to meet the NYSE American’s continue listing requirements may result in our common stock being delisted from the private placement and issue 162,000NYSE American, or another national securities exchange.

The Reverse Stock Split may decrease the liquidity of the shares of our common stock. MDB Capital Group The liquidity of the shares of our common stock may be affected adversely by the Reverse Stock Split given the reduced number of shares that are outstanding following the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split may increase the number of stockholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares) of our common stock, creating the potential for such stockholders to experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares and greater difficulty effecting such sales.

Our Board is authorized to issue additional shares of our common stock that would dilute existing stockholders. We are authorized to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of our common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (our “Preferred Stock”) of which 12,632,930 shares (277,924,445 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock and 15,234 shares of our Preferred Stock, consisting of 15,066 shares of Series H Preferred Stock and approximately 168 shares of Series G Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding as of January 26, 2022. The number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of January 26, 2022 excludes 5,626,711 shares (123,787,630 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding option awards, 1,870,862 shares (41,158,945 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock either(i) that are vested and to be issued or (ii) issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units, 1,157,225 shares (25,458,950 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants, 2,075,684 shares (45,665,046 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon conversion of Series H Preferred Stock, 8,582 shares (188,791 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon conversion of Series G Preferred Stock, 144,565 shares (3,180,409 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2016 Plan, 1,234,480 shares (27,158,543 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan, 49,134 shares (1,080,930 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock held in reserve to be issued pursuant to completion of documentation related to transactions from 2018, 505,671 shares (11,124,278 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under Stock Purchase Agreements entered into on January 24, 2022 in connection with the conversion of liquidated damages, and 14,619 shares (321,607 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to be issued pursuant to various agreements. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering includes 194,806 shares (4,285,714 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issued pursuant to restricted stock awards that remain subject to forfeiture. We expect to seek additional financing in order to provide working capital to our business in the future. Our Board has the power to issue any or all such authorized but unissued shares of our common stock at any price and, in respect of our Preferred Stock, at any price and with any attributes our Board considers sufficient, without stockholder approval. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock in the future will reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of current stockholders and may negatively impact the market price of our common stock.

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We may issue additional securities with rights superior to those of our common stock, which could materially limit the ownership rights of our stockholders. We may offer additional debt or equity securities in private and/or public offerings in order to raise working capital or to refinance our debt. Our Board has the right to determine the terms and rights of any debt securities and Preferred Stock without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. It is possible that any debt securities or Preferred Stock that we sell would have terms and rights superior to those of our common stock and may be convertible into shares of our common stock. Any sale of securities could adversely affect the interests or voting rights of the holders of our common stock, result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders, or adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers, and employees under Delaware law and the existence of indemnification rights for our obligations to our directors, officers, and employees may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers, and employees. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (our “Certificate of Incorporation”), and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”) contain provisions permitting us to eliminate the personal liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for damages for the breach of a fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the extent provided by Delaware law. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under any future employment agreements with our officers. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in us incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors and officers, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and the resulting costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors and officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors and officers even through such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.

Because we are a “smaller reporting company,” we will not be required to comply with certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors. We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. As a smaller reporting company, we are eligible for exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including, but not limited to:

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements, and registration statements;
not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and
reduced disclosure obligations for our annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, and registration statements.

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We will remain a smaller reporting company until the end of the fiscal year in which (1) we have a public common equity float of more than $250 million, or (2) we have annual revenues for the most recently completed fiscal year of more than $100 million plus we have any public common equity float or public float of more than $700 million. We also would not be eligible for status as smaller reporting company if we become an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company.

Sales by our stockholders of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. A substantial portion of the total outstanding shares of our common stock may be sold into the market at any time. Some of these shares are owned by our executive officers and directors, and we believe that such holders have no current intention to sell a significant number of shares of our stock. If all of the major stockholders were to decide to sell large amounts of stock over a short period of time, such sales could cause the market price of our common stock to drop significantly, even if our businesses were doing well.

Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware law may discourage a takeover attempt even if a takeover might be beneficial to our stockholders. Provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws impose various procedural and other requirements, which could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions. For example, our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board to determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of unissued series of our Preferred Stock without any vote or action by our stockholders. Thus, our Board can authorize and issue shares of our Preferred Stock with voting or conversion rights that could dilute the voting power of holders of other series of our capital stock. These rights may have the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control of us. Additionally, our Certificate of Incorporation and/or Bylaws establish limitations on the removal of directors and include advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board and for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings.

Moreover, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits an “interested stockholder” owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which such stockholder acquired in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a prescribed manner. See “Description of Securities – Certain Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws, and the DGCL.” These provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

The terms of our Rights Agreement, dated May 4, 2021 (the “Rights Agreement”) and Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock may discourage a takeover attempt even if a takeover might be beneficial to our stockholders. Features of our Rights Agreement will make it difficult for a party to acquire control of our Company in a transaction not approved by our Board. On May 4, 2021, we adopted a Rights Agreement, which provided for a dividend distribution of a right to purchase from us one-thousandth of a share of our Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock for: (i) each outstanding share of our common stock and (ii) each share of our common stock issuable upon conversion of each share of our Series H Preferred Stock. The description of such rights is set forth in the Rights Agreement, between America Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, and us. The Rights Agreement is set to expire on May 3, 2022; however, our Board may elect to extend the termination date at any time, subject to ratification by our stockholders. See “Description of Securities – Rights Agreement and Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock.” This Rights Agreement could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

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Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, Section 145 of the DGCL or our Certificate of Incorporation provides that:

We will indemnify our directors and officers for serving us in those capacities or for serving other business enterprises at our request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that a corporation may indemnify such person if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such 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 such person’s conduct was unlawful.
We may, in our discretion, indemnify employees and agents in those circumstances where indemnification is permitted by applicable law.
We are required to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding, except that such directors or officers shall undertake to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.
The rights conferred in our Certificate of Incorporation are not exclusive, and we are authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors, officers, employees, and agents and to obtain insurance to indemnify such persons.
We may not retroactively amend our Certificate of Incorporation or indemnification agreement, if any, to reduce our indemnification obligations to directors, officers, employees, and agents.

Risks Related to the Proposed Acquisition

If we fail to raise sufficient net proceeds from this offering to fund the anticipated cash portion purchase price, and cannot obtain alternative sources of financing, we will be unable to consummate the Proposed Acquisition. If we are unable to raise sufficient funds from this offering, we will need to seek alternative sources of financing to fund the anticipated purchase price. We may not be able to obtain alternative sources of financing sufficient to fund the purchase price on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient financing, we may be unable to pursue and, ultimately, consummate the Proposed Acquisition. See “The Proposed Acquisition,” above.

Cash expenditures associated with the Proposed Acquisition may create significant liquidity and cash flow risks for us. We expect to incur significant transaction costs and some integration costs in connection with the Proposed Acquisition. While we have assumed that this level of expense will be incurred, there are many factors beyond our control that could affect the total amount or the timing of the Proposed Acquisition and integration expenses. Moreover, many of the expenses that will be incurred are, by their nature, difficult to estimate accurately. To the extent these Proposed Acquisition and integration expenses are higher than anticipated, we may experience liquidity or cash flow issues.

Failure to complete the Proposed Acquisition could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and the market price of our common stock. Our consummation of the Proposed Acquisition is subject to many contingences and conditions, including the negotiation, execution, and delivery of the definitive agreements necessary to consummate the Proposed Acquisition, and raising the financing required to pay the anticipated cash portion of the purchase price. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully consummate the Proposed Acquisition as currently contemplated or at all. Risks related to the failure of the Proposed Acquisition to be consummated include, but are not limited to, the following:

we would not realize any of the potential benefits of the transaction, which could have a negative effect on our stock price;
we expect to incur, and have incurred, significant fees and expenses regardless of whether the Proposed Acquisition is consummated, including due diligence fees and expenses and legal fees and expenses;
we may experience negative reactions to the Proposed Acquisition from customers, clients, business partners, lenders, and employees;
the trading price of our common stock may decline to the extent that the current market price of our stock reflects a market assumption that Proposed Acquisition will be completed; and
the attention of our management may be diverted to the Proposed Acquisition rather than to our own operations and the pursuit of other opportunities that could have been beneficial to us.

The occurrence of any of these events individually or in combination could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and the market price of our common stock.

If the Proposed Acquisition is consummated, the combined company may not perform as we or the market expects, which could have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Even if the Proposed Acquisition is consummated, the combined company may not perform as we or the market expects. Risks associated with the combined company following the Proposed Acquisition include:

integrating businesses is a difficult, expensive, and time-consuming process, and the failure to integrate successfully our businesses with the business of Athlon in the expected time frame would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations;
the Proposed Acquisition will materially increase the size of our operations, and, if we are not able to manage our expanded operations effectively, our common stock price may be adversely affected;
it is possible that certain key employees of the Athlon might decide not to remain with us after the Proposed Acquisition is completed, and the loss of such personnel could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects of the combined company; and
the success of the combined company will also depend upon relationships with third parties and Athlon’s or our pre-existing customers, which relationships may be affected by customer preferences or public attitudes about the Proposed Acquisition. Any adverse changes in these relationships could adversely affect the combined company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The obligations and liabilities of Athlon, some of which may be unanticipated or unknown, may be greater than we have anticipated, which may diminish the value of Athlon to us.

Athlon’s obligations and liabilities, some of which may not have been disclosed to us or may not be reflected or reserved for in Athlon’s historical financial statements, may be greater than we have anticipated. The obligations and liabilities of Athlon could have a selling stockholder.material adverse effect on Athlon’s business or Athlon’s value to us or on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Even in cases where we are able to obtain indemnification, we may discover liabilities greater than the contractual limits or the financial resources of the indemnifying party. In the event that we are responsible for liabilities substantially in excess of any amounts recovered through rights to indemnification or alternative remedies that might be available to us, or any applicable insurance, we could suffer severe consequences that would substantially reduce our earnings and cash flows or otherwise materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

22

 

2016 Share Exchange

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from our issuance and sale of 2,371,541 shares of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $27.3 million, or approximately $31.6 million if the Underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full, assuming an offering price of $12.65 per share (post-Reverse Stock Split), the last reported sale price of our common stock as quoted on the OTCQX on January 26, 2022, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed offering price of $12.65 per share (on a post-Reverse Stock Split based on the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on January 26, 2022), would increase or decrease, respectively, the net proceeds to us by approximately $2.4 million. A ten percent (10%) increase or decrease in the assumed number of shares of our common stock sold in this offering would increase or decrease, respectively, the net proceeds to us by approximately $3.0 million.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of shares under this prospectus to fund the initial $10.0 million cash portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of Athlon and for our working capital and general corporate purposes.

Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses of the proceeds from this offering. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the use of such proceeds.

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MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

Market Information

Beginning on December 1, 2016 until September 20, 2021, our common stock was quoted on the OTCM’s Pink Open Market trading under the symbol “MVEN.” Beginning on September 21, 2021 until February 8, 2022, our common stock was quoted on the OTCM’s OTCQX. Beginning on February 9, 2022, our common stock began to be traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “AREN.”

Historically, our common stock was still experiencing limited or sporadic quotations; thus, we do not consider the OTCM’s OTCQX an established trading market for purposes of this disclosure. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices during the periods indicated, as reported by the OTCM. Such prices reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. Prices in the table below have been presented to reflect the assumed Reverse Stock Split of our outstanding shares of common stock as well as the pre-Reverse Stock Split prices.

  Post-Reverse  Pre-Reverse 
  High  Low  High  Low 
2022                
First Quarter(1) $15.40  $10.78  $0.70  $0.49 
2021                
First Quarter $66.00  $9.24  $3.00  $0.42 
Second Quarter $22.88  $12.32  $1.04  $0.56 
Third Quarter $17.82  $6.60  $0.81  $0.30 
Fourth Quarter $17.60  $6.82  $0.80  $0.31 
2020                
First Quarter $21.78  $6.82  $0.99  $0.31 
Second Quarter $17.60  $6.60  $0.80  $0.30 
Third Quarter $24.64  $11.00  $1.12  $0.50 
Fourth Quarter $19.80  $11.00  $0.90  $0.50 
2019                
First Quarter $16.50  $8.80  $0.75  $0.40 
Second Quarter $15.40  $8.14  $0.70  $0.37 
Third Quarter $22.00  $11.00  $1.00  $0.50 
Fourth Quarter $20.68  $12.32  $0.94  $0.56 

(1)As of January 26, 2022.

Holders

As of January 26, 2022, there were approximately 263 holders of record of our common stock. We believe that there are additional holders of our common stock who have their stock in “street name” with their brokers. Currently, we cannot determine the approximate number of those street name holders. As of such date, 12,632,930 shares (277,924,445 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock were issued and outstanding.

Dividends

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock, and our present policy is to retain any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization assumed as of September 30, 2021:

On an actual basis;
On a pro forma basis, giving effect to this offering of 2,371,541 shares of our common stock at an assumed public offering price of $12.65 per share on a post-Reverse Stock Split basis, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions, and estimated offering expenses payable to us; and
On a pro forma as-adjusted basis, giving effect to this offering of 2,371,541 shares of our common stock at an assumed public offering price of $12.65 per share on a post-Reverse Stock Split basis, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions, and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and after giving effect to the proposed acquisition of Athlon as follows: (i) the cash portion of the purchase price due at closing, or $10.0 million; (ii) the equity portion of the purchase price due at closing, or $3.0 million in shares of our common stock based on the average closing price for the 10 trading days before the closing (or, as of September 30, 2021, an assumed price of $11.22 per share on a post-Reverse Stock Split basis ($0.51 pre-Reverse Stock Split basis); and (iii) the estimated acquisition related expenses.

The as-adjusted information below is illustrative only, and our capitalization following the closing of this offering will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this information in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our audited financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

  

As of September 30, 2021

 
  

Actual

(unaudited)

  

Pro Forma

(unaudited)

  

Pro Forma

As Adjusted

(unaudited)

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents $8,227,840  $35,576,829  $25,126,821 
Total Liabilities  219,456,970   219,456,970   219,456,970 
Mezzanine Equity            
Series G redeemable and convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 1,800 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $168,496; Series G shares issued and outstanding: 168.496; common shares issuable upon conversion: 188,791 at September 30, 2021  168,496   168,496   168,496 
Series H convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 23,000 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value; $19,546,000; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 19,546; common shares issuable upon conversion: 59,243,926 at September 30, 2021  18,197,496   18,197,496   18,197,496 
Total Mezzanine Equity  18,365,992   18,365,992   18,365,992 
Stockholders’ Deficit            
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 264,246,777 shares at September 30, 2021  2,642,467   2,666,182   2,668,856 
Common stock to be issued  10,809   10,809   10,809 
Additional paid-in capital  182,787,419   210,112,693   213,110,011 
Accumulated deficit  (233,099,803)  (233,099,803)  (233,549,803)
Total Stockholders’ Deficit  (47,659,108)  (20,310,119)  (17,760,127)
Total Capitalization and Indebtedness $190,163,854  $217,512,843  $220,062,835 

The number of shares of our common stock is based on 12,011,218 shares (264,246,777 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2021, and excludes as of such date: (i) 5,694,610 shares (125,281,403 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock underlying outstanding stock options; (ii) 125,989 shares (2,771,743 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2016 Plan; (iii) 1,258,427 shares (27,685,386 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan; (iv) 2,692,906 shares (59,243,926 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock; (v) 8,582 shares (188,791 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series G Preferred Stock; (vi) 1,157,225 shares (25,458,950 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants; (viii) 49,134 shares (1,080,930 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock held in reserve to be issued pursuant to completion of documentation related to transactions from 2018; and (ix) 1,814,043 shares (39,908,945 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering includes 203,982 shares (4,487,591 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issued pursuant to restricted stock awards that remain subject to forfeiture.

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed offering price of $12.65 per share of our common stock (which was the closing price per share of our common stock on January 26, 2022 as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split) would increase or decrease, respectively, each of additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity (deficit), and total capitalization by approximately $2,371,541, assuming that the assumed offering of 2,371,541 shares of our common stock remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

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DILUTION

If you invest in our shares of common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the as-adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.

Our historical net tangible book deficit as of September 30, 2021 was $120,033,500, or approximately $9.99 per share of our common stock (as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split). Historical net tangible book deficit per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of our shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2021.

After giving effect to the issuance and sale of 2,371,541 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $12.65 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on January 26, 2022 (as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split), and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions, and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as-adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2021 would have been $92,684,511, or $6.44 per share. This represents an immediate decrease in net tangible book value per share of $3.55 to existing stockholder and immediate dilution of $19.09 per share to new investors in this offering. Dilution per share to new investors is determined by subtracting (i) the pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2021, after this offering from (ii) the assumed public offering price per share paid by new investors. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per-share basis:

Assumed public offering price per share paid by new investors     $12.65 
Less:        
Historical net tangible book deficit per share as of September 30, 2021, before this offering $9.99     
Decrease in pro forma net tangible book deficit per share attributable to new investors participating in this offering $(3.55)     
Pro forma net tangible book deficit per share as of September 30, 2021, after this offering     $6.44
Dilution per share to new investors in this offering     $19.09 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $12.65 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on January 26, 2022 (as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split), would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book deficit per share after this offering by approximately $2,371,541, and the dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering by $1.00, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares to be issued in this offering. Each ten percent (10%) increase (decrease) of shares offered by us would increase (decrease) our net tangible book value per share by $0.29 and the dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering by $0.29, assuming that the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the Underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in full, the net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $6.00 per share, the increase in net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $3.99 per share, and the dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this offering would be $18.65 per share.

The information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering, as determined between us and the Underwriter at pricing.

The number of shares of our common stock shown above to be outstanding after this offering is based on 12,011,218 shares (264,246,777 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) outstanding as of September 30, 2021, and excludes:

5,694,610 shares (125,281,403 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock underlying outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of $15.30 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share;
1,258,427 shares (27,685,386 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan as of September 30, 2021;
125,989 shares (2,771,743 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2016 Plan as of September 30, 2021;
2,692,906 shares (59,243,926 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2021;
8,582 shares (188,791 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series G Preferred Stock outstanding as of September 30, 2021;
1,157,225 shares (25,458,950 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of $10.11 ($0.46 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share;
1,814,043 shares (39,908,945 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units as of September 30, 2021;
49,134 shares (1,080,930 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock held in reserve to be issued pursuant to completion of documentation related to transactions from 2018 as of September 30, 2021; and
355,731 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the Underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares granted in connection with this offering.

To the extent that these outstanding options or warrants are exercised, the Series H Preferred Stock or Series G Preferred Stock are converted, or we issue additional shares of our common stock in the future, whether pursuant to the 2019 Plan or 2016 Plan, pursuant to outstanding restricted stock unit awards or stock options, pursuant to exercises of outstanding warrants, or otherwise, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital because of market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in future dilution to our stockholders.

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BUSINESS

General

We are a data-driven media company that focuses on building deep content verticals powered by a best-in-class digital media platform empowering premium publishers who impact, inform, educate, and entertain. Our strategy is to focus on key verticals where audiences are passionate about a topic category (e.g., sports and finance) and where we can leverage the strength of our core brands to grow our audience and monetization both within our core brands as well as our Publisher Partners. Our focus is on leveraging our Platform and iconic brands in targeted verticals to maximize the audience, improve engagement and optimize monetization of digital publishing assets for the benefit of our users, our advertiser clients, and our 35 owned and operated properties as well as properties we run on behalf of independent Publisher Partners. We operate the media businesses for Sports Illustrated, own and operate TheStreet and The Spun, and power more than 200 independent Publisher Partners, including Biography, History, and the many sports team sites that comprise FanNation, among others. Each Publisher Partner joins the Platform by invitation-only and is drawn from premium media brands and independent publishing businesses with the objective of augmenting our position in key verticals and optimizing the performance of the Publisher Partner. Publisher Partners incur the costs in content creation on their respective channels and receive a share of the revenue associated with their content. Because of the state-of-the-art technology and large scale of the Platform and our expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), social media, subscription marketing and ad monetization, Publisher Partners continually benefit from our ongoing technological advances and bespoke audience development expertise. Additionally, we believe the lead brand within each vertical creates a halo benefit for all Publisher Partners in the vertical while each of them adds to the breadth and quality of content. While they benefit from these critical performance improvements they also may save substantially in costs of technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, and member marketing and management. In addition, they benefit from recirculation across our Platform, which, according to Comscore, currently reaches approximately 140 million users, as well as syndication to more than 25 third-party sites. During 2021, we added more than 40 new Publisher Partners and had an aggregate of 4.1 billion page views across our Platform.

Corporate History

We were originally incorporated in Delaware as Integrated in 1990. On October 14,11, 2016, Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.and Maven Network entered into athe Share Exchange Agreement, whereby the stockholders of Maven Network agreed to exchange all of the then-issued and outstanding shares of common stock for shares of common stock of Integrated. On November 4, 2016, the parties consummated a recapitalization pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and, as a result, Maven Network became a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated. Integrated changed its name to theMaven, Inc. on December 2, 2016.

In 2018, we acquired HubPages and Say Media. In 2019, we acquired TheStreet. Also, in 2019, we entered into the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement with theMaven Network,ABG, pursuant to which we have the exclusive right and license in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand to operate the Sports Illustrated media business (in the English and Spanish languages), including to (i) operate the digital and print editions of Sports Illustrated (including all special interest issues and the swimsuit issue) and Sports Illustrated for Kids, (ii) develop new digital media channels under the Sports Illustrated brands, and (iii) operate certain related businesses, including without limitation, special interest publications, video channels, bookazines, and the licensing and/or syndication of certain products and content under the Sports Illustrated brand.

In 2020, we acquired substantially all the assets of Petametrics Inc., and the shareholders of theMaven Network, holdingdoing business as LiftIgniter, a Delaware corporation (“LiftIgniter”). In 2021, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of theMaven Network. In connectioncapital stock of The Spun.

On September 20, 2021, we re-branded to “The Arena Group.”

The Platform

We developed the Platform, a proprietary online publishing platform that provides our owned and operated media businesses, Publisher Partners, who are third parties producing and publishing content on their own domains, and individual creators contributing content to our owned and operated sites (“Expert Contributors”), the ability to produce and manage editorially focused content through tools and services provided by us. We have also developed proprietary advertising technology, techniques and relationships that allow us, our Publisher Partners and Expert Contributors to monetize online, editorially focused content through various display and video advertisements and tools and services for driving a subscription or membership based business and other monetization services (the “Monetization Solutions” and, together with the Share Exchange Agreement, Christopher Marlett, Robert LevandePlatform, the “Platform Services”). Our Platform offers audiences bespoke content with optimized design and Peter Mills, all then directorspage construction. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company,digital audience on our Platform grew by approximately 71%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, based on data from Comscore, primarily due to our search engine optimization, social distribution, and Gary Schuman, the Company’s then Chief Financial Officer, were granted, piggyback registration rights, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 4, 2016, to permit them to have their securities included in a registration statement for resale by the them when filed by the Company.

Selling Stockholder Table

our in-content recommendations. The following table sets forth for each selling stockholder, the name, the number and percentage of shares of common stock beneficially owned as of July 19, 2017, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus and the number and percentage of shares of common stock that would be beneficially owned after the sale of the maximum number of shares of common stock, and is based upon information provided to us by each selling stockholder for use in this prospectus. The information presented in the table is based on 25,983,461 shares of our common stock outstanding on July 19, 2017.

Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment powermonthly average unique users with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subjectour sports vertical, according to community property laws where applicable.Comscore increased by 104% in 2021, compared to 2020.

  Shares Beneficially Owned  Maximum
Number of
Shares to be
  Shares Beneficially Owned
After the Sale of the
Maximum Number of Shares
 
NAME OF SELLING STOCKHOLDER Number  Percentage  Sold Hereunder  Number  Percentage 
                
Andrew Schwartzberg  500,000   1.9%  500,000   0   * 
Brian Weitman  100,000   *   100,000   0   * 
Candlestick Lane Investments, LP(1)  15,000   *   15,000   0   * 
Dominador D. Tolentino, Jr.  18,000   *   18,000   0   * 
Erick Richardson  250,000   *   250,000   0   * 

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  Shares Beneficially Owned  Maximum
Number of
Shares to be
  Shares Beneficially Owned
After the Sale of the
Maximum Number of Shares
 
NAME OF SELLING STOCKHOLDER Number  Percentage  Sold Hereunder  Number  Percentage 
                
Francis Y L Chen and Peierh Penny Yang  35,000   *   35,000   0   * 
George Brandon(12)  111,340   *   111,340   0   * 
George Treperinas  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
Gregory Witter  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
Jason Cavalier  100,000   *   100,000   0   * 
Jason Kim  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
John Francis and Susanne Meline  100,000   *   100,000   0   * 
John Stanley and Beth Stanley  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
Josh Jacobs  25,000   *   25,000   0   * 
Jonathan Nelson  250,000   *   250,000   0   * 
Kevin Leung  97,000   *   97,000   0   * 
Matthew Antoun  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
Michael Cavalier  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
Parker Ferguson  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
Peter A. Appel  500,000   1.9%  500,000   0   * 
Robert Edward Beaudine  75,000   *   75,000   0   * 
The Steven and Kristin Chapin Family Trust(2)  100,000   *   100,000   0   * 
GFLT 1999(3)  50,000   *   50,000   0   * 
The Mark and Tammy Strome Family Trust(4)  1,000,000   3.8%  1,000,000   0   * 
Troy Capital Partners Fund I LP(5)  100,000   *   100,000   0   * 
MDB Capital Group LLC(6)  630,715   2.4%  630,715   0   * 
Gary Schuman(7)  139,948   *   139,948   0   * 
Christopher Marlett(8)  3,205,026   12.3%  3,205,026   0   * 
Robert Levande(9)  1,308,829   4.9%  1,308,829   0   * 
Peter Mills(10)  135,457   *   135,457   0   * 
Kevin Cotter(11)  11,340   *   11,340   0   * 

The Platform comprises state-of-the-art publishing tools, video platforms, social distribution channels, newsletter technology, machine learning content recommendations, notifications, and other technology that deliver a complete set of features to drive a digital media business in an entirely cloud-based suite of services. Our software engineering and product development teams are experienced at delivering these services at scale. We continue to develop the Platform software by combining proprietary code with components from the open-source community, plus select commercial services as well as identifying, acquiring, and integrating other platform technologies, where we see unique long-term benefits to us.

__________

The Platform Services include:

*1.Represents beneficial ownershipContent management, machine learning driven content recommendations, traffic redistribution, hosting and bandwidth;
2.Video publishing, hosting, and player solution via an integrated set of less than one percent.third-party providers;
3.Dashboards for our Publisher Partners as well as integration with leading analytics services like Google Analytics;
4.Digital subscriptions and membership with paywalls, exclusive member access, and metering, credit card processing and reporting;
5.User account management;
6.User account migration to platform, including emails and membership data;
7.Technical support team to train and support our Publisher Partners and staff (if applicable) on the Platform;
8.Advertising serving, trafficking/insertion orders, yield management, and reporting and collection;
9.Dedicated customer service and sales center to assist our Publisher Partners with customer support, sign-ups, cancellations, and “saves;”
10.Services for maintaining evergreen content to Expert Contributors;
11.Various syndication integrations (e.g., Apple News, Facebook Instant Articles, Google AMP, Google news and RSS feeds);
12.Structured data objects (i.e., structured elements such as recipes or products); and
13.Other features, as they may be added to the Platform from time to time.

(1)Daniel Verret exercises voting and investment authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder.

(2)Steve Chapin exercises voting and investment authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder.

(3)Steve Gubner exercises voting and investment authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder.

(4)Mark Strome exercises voting and investment authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder.

(5)Josh Berman exercises voting and investment authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder.

(6)Includes 549,715 shares issuable under a warrant held by MDB Capital Group LLC. Does not include 3,205,026 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Christopher Marlett, the principal owner of MDB Capital Group LLC. As principal owner, Mr. Marlett exercises voting and investment authority over these shares. MDB Capital Group LLC is a member of FINRA and may be deemed to be an underwriter of the shares being sold.

(7)Includes 35,088 shares issuable under a warrant and 100,000 shares issuable under stock options. Mr. Schuman was the former Company’s Chief Financial Officer and an associated person of MDB Capital Group LLC, a member of FINRA.

(8)Includes 292,402 shares issuable under a warrant and 25,000 shares issuable under stock options. Mr. Marlett is a Director of the Company and the principal owner of MDB Capital Group LLC, a member of FINRA. Does not include 630,715 shares of common stock beneficially owned by MDB Capital Group LLC.

(9)Includes 292,402 shares issuable under a warrant and 25,000 shares issuable under stock options. Mr. Levande was a Director of the Company until July 5, 2017 and an associated person of MDB Capital Group LLC, a member of FINRA.

(10)Includes 25,000 shares issuable under stock options. Mr. Mills is a Director of the Company.

(11)Mr. Cotter is an associated person of MDB Capital Group LLC, a member of FINRA

(12)Mr. Brandon is an associated person of MDB Capital Group LLC, a member of FINRA.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock received afterOur Platform partners use the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from timePlatform Services to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all ofproduce, manage, host and monetize their shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares 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 stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

an exchange distributioncontent in accordance with the rulesterms and conditions of partner agreements between each of our Publisher Partners and us (the “Partnership Agreements”). Our Publisher Partners incur the applicable exchange;

privately negotiated transactions;

short sales effected aftercosts with respect to creating their content; thus, not requiring capital expenditures by us. Pursuant to the datePartnership Agreements, we and our Publisher Partners split revenue generated from the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC;

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; and

a combination of any such methods of sale.

The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interestPlatform Services used in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, 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 stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock 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 ofPublisher Partner’s content based on certain metrics such as whether the revenue was from direct sales, was generated by our common stock,Publisher Partner or us, was generated in connection with a subscription or a membership, was based on standalone or bundled subscriptions or whether the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders 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-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).revenue was derived from affiliate links.

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The aggregate proceedsSubject to the selling stockholders fromterms and conditions of each Partnership Agreement and in exchange for the salePlatform Services, our Publisher Partners grant us, for so long as our Publisher Partner’s assets are hosted on the Platform, (i) exclusive control of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders 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 common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common stock by the selling stockholders.

15

The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.

The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discountsads.txt with respect to our Publisher Partner’s domains and (ii) the exclusive right to include our Publisher Partner’s website domains and related URLs in our coalition in a particularconsolidated listing assembled by third party measurement companies such as comScore, Nielsen and/or other similar measuring services selected by us. As such, the Platform serves as the primary digital media and social platform with respect to each of our Publisher Partners’ website domains during the applicable term of each Partnership Agreement.

Our Brands and Growth Strategy

Our business model is to grow our Platform audience while striving to diversify revenue and drive gross margin through traditional media brands as well as new digital-first brands. We believe our vertical model allows us and our partners to leverage audience growth, technological efficiencies and cost savings across all of our brands. Our vertical model consists of (i) acquiring and/or partnering with powerful brands that can offer willour audience bespoke content and domain authority, (ii) forming key strategic partnerships with like-minded partners of high quality content, (iii) partnering with entrepreneurial publishers to drive local content at variable cost tied to performance, and (iv) growing our Publisher Partners on our network to expand our content offerings and add scale to the ecosystem. While projections are subject to a high degree of risk and uncertainty, we believe that in the long-term, pursuing these strategies would yield growth in our digital revenue of between 30% and 40%, which could help improve gross profit margins to in excess of 50%. There can be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplementno assurances as to whether we can achieve this digital revenue growth and gross profit margin, or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendmentso, the timing of such achievements. In late 2021, both Sports Illustrated and TheStreet increased its focus on producing data-driven breaking and trending news packaged specifically for Facebook News. During the fourth quarter of 2021, Sports Illustrated experienced its highest social traffic, substantially increasing its social page views as compared to the registration statementthird quarter of 2021.

Our growth strategy is to continue to expand the coalition by adding new Publisher Partners in key verticals that includes this prospectus.

management believes will expand the scale of unique users interacting on the Platform. In ordereach vertical, we seek to complybuild around a leading brand, such as Sports Illustrated (for sports) and TheStreet (for finance), surround it with subcategory specialists, and further enhance coverage with individual expert contributors. The primary means of expansion is adding independent Publisher Partners and/or acquiring publishers that have premium branded content and can broaden the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is availablereach and is complied with.

We have advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activitiesimpact of the selling stockholdersPlatform. As our digital  revenue and their affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicablegross margin grows, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirementsbelieve we can further accelerate our growth. Specifically, our 2022 growth initiatives include: (i) increasing syndication of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involvingcontent on our Platform through the salere-publishing the content on third-party websites, (ii) offering of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Actpodcasts and state securities laws, relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus.

16

BUSINESS

The Company ise-commerce through our Platform, (iii) growing Sports Illustrated sportsbook (“SI Sportsbook”), (iv) acquiring and/or developing an exclusive network of professionally-managed online media channels, based on a Company developed technology platform. Each channel will be operated by an “invite only” “Channel Partner” drawn from subject matter experts, reporters, group evangelistsnew verticals for our users, and social leaders. As of July 19, 2017 we have signed agreements with fifty-five (55) Channel Partners. As further described below in the Business Overview section we are in the process of beta testing with an initial eight Channel Partners. We plan to advance to full operations in the third quarter. Channel Partners will publish content and oversee an online community for their respective channels, leveraging the Company’s proprietary, socially-driven, mobile-enabled, video-focused technology platform to engage niche audiences within a single network. Our approach to the selection and invitation of Channel Partners is(v) continuing to identify through proprietary online and offline methods, leading experts or mavens, in particular categories of interest to users/consumers. Given the expertise of the founding teampartner with similar social media focused platforms, the Company has developed a set of proprietary criteria against which we evaluate whether a prospective Channel Partner will likely be a good fit for optimization on theMaven Network.new Publisher Partners.

The Arena Group

We operate a website at www.themaven.net. The information contained on our official websitebest-in-class digital media platform empowering premium publishers who impact, inform, educate, and information aboutentertain. We operate the Company on any other personal, viral, social network informational websites or software applications, will not constitute part of this prospectus.

The shares of Common Stock are traded in the over-the-counter market (OTCQB), under the trading symbol “MVEN.” Historically the frequency of tradesmedia businesses for Sports Illustrated and TheStreet, and power more than 200 independent brands, including Biography, History, and the volumemany team sports sites that comprise FanNation, among others. These brands range from niche media businesses to world-leading independent publishers, operating on the Platform, a shared digital publishing, monetization, and distribution platform.

Sports Illustrated

We assumed management of trading has been low, and there can be no assurance that an active or sustained public market for our shares will develop.

Corporate History

Our Subsidiary, theMaven Network, Inc., was incorporated in Nevada on July 22, 2016 (“Inception”), undercertain Sports Illustrated media assets (pursuant to the name “Amplify Media, Inc.” On July 27, 2016, the corporate name was amended to “Amplify Media Network, Inc.” andSports Illustrated License Agreement) on October 14, 2016, the corporate name was changed to “theMaven Network, Inc.”

theMaven, Inc., the parent4, 2019. Sports Illustrated is owned by ABG, a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company was formerly known as Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.,that owns a Delaware corporation (“Integrated”). From June 2007 until November 4, 2016, Integrated was a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulationsglobal portfolio of the SEC. On August 11, 2016, Integrated entered into a loan to Subsidiary that provided initial funding totaling $735,099 for the Subsidiary’s operations. On October 14, 2016 Integrated entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (“Share Exchange Agreement”) with the Subsidiarymedia, entertainment, and the shareholders of the Subsidiary holding all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Subsidiary (collectively, “Subsidiary Shareholders”). The Share Exchange Agreement was amended on November 4, 2016, to include certain newly issued shares of the Subsidiary in the transaction and make related changes to the agreement and the Share Exchange was consummated. The transaction resulted in the Company acquiring Subsidiary by the exchange of all of the outstanding shares of Subsidiary for 12,517,152 newly issued shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value ( “Common Stock”) of Parent, representing approximately 56.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately after the transaction. We refer to this transaction as the “Recapitalization.” The Recapitalization was consummated on November 4, 2016, as a result of which theMaven Network, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated (“Closing”). The note payable between Integrated and Subsidiary was an interdependent transaction with the Recapitalization and was ultimately cancelled upon closing of the Recapitalization. On December 2, 2016, Integrated amended its Certificate of Incorporation to change its name from “Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.” to “theMaven, Inc.”

Our executive offices are located at 2125 Western Avenue, Suite 502, Seattle, WA 98121. At this location we also carry out the software development and other operational activities of the Company. The current telephone number is (775) 600-2765.

Recapitalization Accounting

From June 2007 until the closing of the Recapitalization, Integrated was a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulations of the SEC and, accordingly, the Recapitalization was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization rather than a business combination. As the Subsidiary is deemed to be the purchaser for accounting purposes under reverse recapitalization accounting, the Company’s financial statements are presented as a continuation of Subsidiary, and the accounting for the Recapitalization is equivalent to the issuance of stock by Subsidiary for the net monetary assets of Parent as of the Closing accompanied by a recapitalization. In making the accounting conclusion the primary factor was determining which party, directly or indirectly holds greater than 50 percent of the voting shares has control and considered to be the acquirer. Because the former shareholders of the Subsidiary received 56.7 percent voting control of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company after the transaction, the transaction was considered to be a reverse recapitalization for accounting purposes. Other factors that indicated that the control of the Company after the transaction included, (1) fully diluted equity interests, (2) composition of senior management, (3) former officers of the Parent ceded day-to-day responsibilities to officers of the Subsidiary, and (4) composition of Board of Directors. On a fully diluted basis, the former shareholders of the Subsidiary received 53.5 percent of the equity interests in the Company. All the members of seniorlifestyle brands. Since assuming management of the Company, other thanSports Illustrated media assets, we have implemented significant changes to rebuild the part-time Chief Financial Officer, were former shareholdershistoric brand and beacon of sports journalism, to evolve and expand the business, and to position it for growth and continued success going forward.

SI Sportsbook was launched in 2021 in Colorado. We provide the content for SI Sportsbook and our partner, 888, one of the Subsidiary.world’s leading online betting and gaming companies, provides the gambling engine.   The former officersSI Sportsbook covers the NFL, CFB, NCAAMB, MLB, NBA, NHA, PGA, Horse Racing, UCF, Boxing. The content we provide includes: (i) Sports Illustrated winners club newsletter, live NFL pre-game show and twitter spaces, (ii) 50,000 NFL and CFB game betting previews and player props, (iii) five new betting articles series, and (iv) four new video on-demand betting series. SI Sportsbook intends to expand into 10 more markets by the end of 2023.

We have added more than 47 million unique users since we assumed management of certain Sports Illustrated media assets   Our monthly average unique users grew by approximately 217% during the non-active shell ceded day-to-day managementfourth quarter of 2021, compared to officersthe fourth quarter of 2020 based on data from Comscore and our video views grew by approximately 274% during the Subsidiary. The Boardfourth quarter of Directors, immediately after2021, compared to the Recapitalization included three members fromfourth quarter of 2020. Our social traffic to the Parent,Sports Illustrated website grew by approximately 186% during the fourth quarter of which two were associated2021, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Our page views on the Sports Illustrated website grew to 193.4 million, or 121%, in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $87.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. All of these factors contributed to Sports Illustrated’s total digital advertising revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 increasing 194% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Sports Illustrated moved up to number 5 in Comscore’s Sports Ranking for 2021, compared to number 10 for 2020.  In addition, according to Crowdtangle, Sports Illustrated ranked number one “share of voice on Facebook” among sports publishers for linked stories, compared to its previous ranking of between six and twelve.

With respect to SI Swim, we have continued to transition it to a female-focused lifestyle brand, with the investment banking firm MDB Capital and one was an independent director, and two membersannual content release in July 2021. We increased revenue from the Subsidiary. Because the former shareholders of the Subsidiary did not have any voting restrictions, they could voteSI Swim to make changes$11.2 million, or 133%, during 2021 as compared to $4.8 million in 2020, primarily through increasing our star talent featured in the Board composition. SI Swim annual content, and increasing diversity. With respect to our fan-facing event to celebrate our annual content release and ongoing digital sponsorships, we partnered with Hard Rock, Diageo, and Vita Coco.

TheStreet

TheStreet is a leading financial news and information provider to investors and institutions worldwide and has produced business news and market analysis for individual investors. TheStreet brings its editorial tradition, strong subscription platform, and valuable membership base to us, and benefits from our mobile-friendly CMS, social, video, and monetization technology. As such,we previously described, our agreement with Jim Cramer expired in September 2021 and we have refocused our efforts to broaden our targeted user base to a more diverse demographic profile. In the conclusion was that controlfourth quarter of 2021, TheStreet’s page views decreased by 26%, compared to the Board, in substance, was vestedfourth quarter of 2020, and our digital subscribers decreased by 14%, from approximately 80,500 paying subscribers in the former shareholdersfourth quarter of 2020, to approximately 69,600 paying subscribers in the Subsidiary.”

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theMaven Overview

theMaven Business

Priorfourth quarter of 2021. The number of average monthly unique users in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased by 24%, compared to founding theMaven in 2016, its founding team workedthe fourth quarter of 2020, based on data from Comscore. However, our focus on a varietymore diverse user base has contributed to TheStreet’s Facebook engagement increased by 514% in the fourth quarter of digital media platforms, with2021, compared to the common threadfourth quarter of achieving economies2020. Based on data from Crowdtangle, as compared to Yahoo! Finance, TheStreet had approximately 69% more total engagement on Facebook in the fourth quarter of scale2021.

HubPages

We acquired HubPages to enhance the user’s experience by assemblingincreasing content, including from Expert Contributors. HubPages operates a network of 28 premium content channels that act as an open community for writers, explorers, knowledge seekers, and conversation starters to connect in an interactive and informative online space. HubPages operates in the United States.

Say Media

We acquired Say Media to enhance the user’s experience by increasing content. Now fully integrated into the Platform, Say Media’s technology provides a comprehensive online media publishing platform and enables brand advertisers to engage today’s social media consumer through rich advertising experiences across its network of web properties. Say Media operates in the United States.

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LiftIgniter

LiftIgniter provides a distribution and recommendation engine for premium publishers. The LiftIgniter platform connects users efficiently to hundreds of professional content creators, with custom recommendations of content aligned with users’ personal passions. Aided by machine-learning technology, publishers covering particular niche media interests,can identify and target those interested in their content. LiftIgniter activates the value of hosting hundreds of premium journalists on a single platform by interconnecting them through unified technology and business platform. Onecontent distribution.

The Spun

The Spun (thespun.com), founded in September 2012, is an online independent sports publication that brings readers the most interesting athletic stories of the foundersday. Currently, The Spun produces more than 30,000 annual content pieces. The Spun reaches approximately 35 million unique readers per month and focuses on the social media aspect of the industry. The former Chief Executive Officer of theMaven, Mr. James C. Heckman, createdThe Spun is now serving as our Vice President of Growth for Sports, a role we believe will continue to assist us in growing our sports vertical business. The Spun increased its page views by approximately 192% in the first versionfourth quarter of this model2021, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 (which was prior to our acquisition of The Spun), and increased its unique users by approximately 238% in 1991, leveraging early digital technology for NFL teams for “NFL Exclusive,”the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, based on data from Comscore. All of these factors contributed to The Spun’s revenue increasing 422% in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Other Publisher Partners

We have over 100 team specific and later founded Rivals.com,niche sports sites under the brand FanNation. FanNation increased its page views by approximately 100% in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase in page views has increased its revenue 164% in the fourth quarter of 2021, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Additionally, Fadeaway World joined our Platform in May 2021, which is still operated todaya sports-oriented Publisher Partner, and is a fast-growing online basketball media brand focused on breaking news and commentary. Fadeaway World joined our Platform in May 2021.  It increased its page views by Yahoo!. theMaven’s founders have worked together since 1999, building many different socially focused, single platform media models, including Scout.com, Rivals.com, Rivals.net (Europe), Zazzle, and 5to1.com.

theMaven was founded as an entirely new enterprise to build and operate an exclusive networkapproximately 261% in the fourth quarter of professionally managed media channels and interest groups, each operated by a group of experts, reporters, group evangelists and social leaders as “Channel Partners.” These Channel Partners will be able to leverage theMaven’s proprietary, socially-driven, mobile-enabled, video-focused technology platform to engage niche audiences within a single network (“theMaven Platform”).

We believe that our media model will appeal2021, compared to the users and subscribersfourth quarter of theMaven Platform2020 (at which time it was operating independently). Our monetization capabilities have driven a 488% increase in a way similar to how the model has previously appealed to sports fans in our founders’ previous ventures. We intend theMaven Platform to appeal to professional publishers who currently struggle to monetize on their existing platforms, or are operating with less-than-world-class features in one or more areas (mobile, video, community, etc.). Typically, only the largest national publishers are able to afford or recruit the level of technical expertise and achieve the scale that theMaven Network is seeking to have. We believe that we will be able to provide professional publishers with an ability to monetize their content that is superior to their current operations due to our economies of scale and proprietary experience in optimizing content and community interaction. The consumer-facing product of theMaven Platform will be made available on the web and as iOS (Apple) and Android mobile applications for multiple device form factors.

Our platform and media channel operations were launched in beta stage with eight initial channel partners on June 1, 2017. We do not expect to have any customers during the beta stage of our technology or at the commencement of business operations establishing a media audience.

The Preview Channels: Thirteen coalition partners are previewing theMaven platform, as of July 19 and are now in beta, with another several dozen to debut in laterrevenue in the third quarter. These eight channels are currently active and can be accessed by users. The content onfourth quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 (which was prior to Fadeaway World joining our Channel Partners channel pages are not incorporated herein by reference.Platform.

Human Rights Foundation - themaven.net/humanrightsfoundation

The Global Lead - themaven.net/globallead

The Black Wealth Channel - themaven.net/blackwealthchannel

REIT Maven - themaven.net/ReitMaven

On the Road with Scotty - themaven.net/ontheroadwithscotty

Being Liberal - themaven.net/beingliberal

The Chocolate Life - themaven.net/TheChocolateLife

The Fathers’ Rights Movement - themaven.net/TFRM

Roaming Millennial - themaven.net/roamingmillennial

Sean Hyman – themaven.net/SeanHyman

Prudent Money – themaven.net/PrudentMoney

Big Blended family – themaven.net/bigblendedfamily

Asphalt & Dirt -themaven.net/asphaltanddirt

Once full operations are launched in the third quarter, we believe that there will be two primary revenue sources, one of which will be online advertising and sponsorships and one of which will be paid memberships (subscriptions). Because we have not yet generated revenue, we do not have definitive estimates regarding the relative magnitude of advertising and membership revenue, although we expect that advertising will comprise the majority of our total revenues.We expect that advertising and sponsorships will be sold primarily by theMaven and/or major media partner(s), including trading desks on a programmatic basis, to companies to promote their brands, products and services, amplify their visibility and to target an audience based on the professionally managed media channels and interest groups on theMaven platform.

At this stage of the Company’s development, operations have primarily consisted of software development, building a list of selective, invite-only Channel Partners, reaching out to those Channel Partners for discussion, and launching the beta stage. Our immediate focus will be further development of the technology platform and continuing to grow the number of channel partners operating on theMaven platform. During the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, net cash used for operations and investing activities were $536,000 and $432,000, respectively. The aggregate net cash used of $968,000 is expected to continue at this level or more for at least the next several quarters as we continue further development and launch operations. We will seek additional capital late in 2017 or early 2018 in order to complete the initial stages of our business plan, however, we have not determined the amount of the capital raise required, the terms of any capital to be sought and have no agreements for any capital raise at this time.

Technology and Intellectual Property

theMaven Platform, which is currentlyWe have seven patent registrations in beta stage and subject to ongoing development, incorporates state-of-the-art mobile, video, communications, social, notifications and other technology, including modern DevOps processes with continuous integration/continuous deployment and an entirely cloud-based back-end. theMaven platform will be designed to operate on (1) smart phone sized mobile devices, (2) tablet sized mobile devices and (3) full desktop sized devices. We are targeting mobile devices with both a web browser application (currently in beta) and native applications for both iOS and Android (anticipated later in 2017). It has been an industry trend that media applications, such as theMaven Network, are increasingly accessed by users on mobile devices. Thus, we expect that over time that mobile will be the primary way consumers/users access our media channels.

We believe that innovation is one of the keys to its competitiveness and will be necessary for future sustained growth. Currently, theMaven relies on the confidentiality of its operations, proprietary know-how and business secrets. All theMaven employees have entered into confidentiality agreements and it considers its employees’ work to be proprietary and owned by theMaven. There can be no assurance that theMaven will be able to enforce its rights if its intellectual property is improperly taken by theMaven’s employees or adopted by its competitors without the approval of theMaven.

The competitive position of theMaven may be seriously damaged if it cannot maintain and obtain patent protection for important differentiating aspects of its products or otherwise protect its intellectual property rights in its technology. theMaven relies on a combination of contracts, patent and trade secret laws to establish and protect its proprietary rights in its technology. However, it may not be able to prevent misappropriation of its intellectual property, its competitors may be able to independently develop similar technology and the agreements it enters into to protect its proprietary rights may not be enforceable.

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In the future, when necessary and where practical, we will take additional steps to protect our intellectual property interests under the laws of the United States in connection with our technology. All of our patent registrations are owned by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Maven Coalition, Inc. (“Maven Coalition”).

Maven and Key Design

We currently have trademark registrations directed to our key design logo and the jurisdictionsMAVEN name in whichthe United States, Australia, China, the European Union (the “EU”), the United Kingdom, India, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as international Madrid Protocol registrations. We have trademark applications directed to our key design logo and the MAVEN name pending in Canada.

Moreover, we operate. Ashave a United States trademark registration for the business develops, we plan to develop specific trademarksword mark MAVEN COALITION, trademark registrations in the EU and the United Kingdom for our productsthe word mark THEMAVEN, and seeka United States trademark registration for the word mark A MAVEN CHANNEL. We have trademark registrations for the work mark A MAVEN CHANNEL in Australia, New Zealand, the EU, and the United Kingdom, and applications for the word mark A MAVEN CHANNEL pending in Canada and Mexico, as well as an international Madrid Protocol registration.

Other Marks

We have trademark registrations for the word marks ACTION ALERTS PLUS, ALPHA RISING, BANKING MY WAY, BULL MARKET FANTASY, INCOME SEEKER, LIFTIGNITOR, MAIN ST. (logo), REAL MONEY, REALMONEY, STREETLIGHTNING, THE SPUN, TEMPEST, THESTREET, THESTREET.COM, THESTREET.COM, THE STREET (logo), and TEMPEST in the United States. We also have trademark applications for the marks ACTION ALERTS PLUS, BULL MARKET FANTASY, REAL MONEY, and THESTREET pending in Canada.

We have trademark applications for the marks THE ARENA, THE ARENA GROUP, and THE ARENA GROUP (logo) pending in the United States. We also have Madrid Protocol applications pending for the word mark THE ARENA GROUP and for THE ARENA GROUP logo mark, each seeking registration of thosethe marks with government authorities for their protection. in Australia, Canada, China, EU, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

We also plan to seek opportunities to obtain patent protection. We do not currently hold any patents.

The Company hashave a federally registeredUnited States trademark registration for the Company’s name, “theMaven”; US TM App. No. 87/196,910, Filing Date: October 7, 2016 (serial number 87196910).word mark HUBPAGES, and trademark registrations for the HUBPAGES mark in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the EU, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, as well as an international Madrid Protocol registration.

SeasonalityWe continue to file updated trademark applications to reflect our branding evolution and intend to continue strengthening our trademark portfolio as financial resources permit.

OnceOur Publisher Partners and Licensing

In connection with our Partnership Agreements and any other applicable agreements between us and our Publisher Partners, (i) we are providing servicesand our affiliates own and retain (a) all right, title, and interest in and to the Platform, Monetization Solutions and data collected by us, and (b) we and our customer base,licensors’ trademarks and branding and all software and technology we use to provide and operate the Platform and Monetization Solutions, and (ii) each Publisher Partner owns and retains (a) all right, title, and interest in and to the Publisher Partner’s assets, content, and data collected by Publisher Partner and (b) each Publisher Partner’s trademarks and branding.

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Seasonality

We expect to experience typical media company adadvertising and sponsorshipmembership sales seasonality, which is strong in the fiscal fourth quarter and slower in the fiscal first quarter.

Competition

Currently, we believe that there are dozens of competitors delivering niche media content on the web and on mobile devices.devices and an even broader array of general media companies and major media brands. All those competitors use mobile alerts, invest heavily in video, and leverage social media. We believe that theMaven haswe have developed distribution, production, and technology tactics that are superior because our management team’s tactics in the past with prior companies have proven to be highly engaging and effective for our particular model, which organizes channels into interest groups, led by its expert partners –key brands, such as Sports Illustrated in the Channel Partners.sports vertical and TheStreet in the finance vertical.

The web provides unlimited access to the market by niche or general media companies, so there are a large number and variety of direct competitors of theMavenours competing for audience and ad and sponsorshipmembership dollars. The general business of online media, combined with some level or method of leveraging community attracts many potential entrants, and in the future, there may be strong competitors that will compete with theMavenus in general or in selected markets. These and other companies may be better financed and be able to develop their markets more quickly and penetrate those market more effectively. BelowThe following is a list of possible competitors and their respective categories:

Vice – niche content, leveraging
Vice, Buzzfeed, Business Insider, et al. – niche content, leverages social, mobile, and video, and competes for ad dollars;
Fortune, CNN, ESPN, Yahoo!, Google, et al. – general content, major media companies, and competes for ad dollars;
WordPress, Medium, RebelMouse, Arc – content management software, open to all including experts and professionals, and competes for publishers;
Leaf Group Ltd. and Future PLC – competes for partners and ad dollars;
YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit – social platforms open to all including experts and professionals; and
Affiliate networks such as Liberty Alliance – competes for ad dollars.

In addition, even though do not compete in the same market, we view Nexstar Media Group, Inc. and video

Buzzfeed – socially enabled content

Business Insider – expert, niche content, leveraging social, mobile and video

WordPress, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook – open platform to all, also includes experts and professionals

Medium - publishing

Reddit – community, UBC focused, including deliveryZiff Davis as peer companies for purposes of niche content

Affiliate “networks” such as Liberty Alliance – publishing, advertising

Fortune, CNN, Yahoo!, Google, et al - all major media companies are investing in deep content for users and leveraging social media in their own way, to reach and engage users more effectively.

comparing our performance.

We anticipatebelieve that theMaven willwe compete on the basis of itsour technology, substantial scale in traffic, ease of use, value delivered to both consumers and Channel Partners,recognized lead media brands, and platform evolution through a continuing development and acquisition program. We believe that theMavenour scale, methods, technology, and experience will enable itus to compete for a material amount of market share of media dollars and subscriptionmembership revenue. We also believe theMaven will rapidly establish a reputation for its business, distribution and technology methods within selected initial markets, which can be enhanced over time as theMaven gains customer awareness and channel partner success. Concurrent with the growth of its customer base, we believe theMaven will develop brand awareness, which translates to sponsorship support, and will obtain data from its users that will allow theMaven to expand our content and advertising offerings.

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Research and Development

We believe that innovation is one of the keys to our competitiveness, and innovation will be necessary for future sustained growth. To the extent it is able, and given the limited financial resources at our disposal, the Company is investing in core technical competencies to be able to do more product development. Furthermore, we will file to protect our intellectual property in appropriate market segments.

In the period since Inception on July 22, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Company has spent $951,887, including $207,217 of stock-based compensation, for software development, of which $540,146 was capitalized as Website Development Costs and $411,741 was expensed as Research and Development Costs. The Company expects that in future periods it will continue to use a substantial amount of its financial resources for software development of its platform and products. We will evaluate each reporting period the amount of software development that is capitalized as Website Development Costs and the amount expensed as Research and Development

Employees

As of July 19, 2017, the Company had twenty-five full-time employees, of which five were in senior executive positions, eleven were in software development, testing, and operations, six were in business and network development, two were in user experience and design and one in administration. None of the employees are covered by any collective bargaining agreement. In the future, theMaven expects to expand its management employees for financial compliance, and add operational employees as the channel partner network expands. Its future success will depend in part on its ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified technical and management personnel.

Government Regulations

Our operations once commenced in the public sphere will beare subject to a number of U.S.United States federal and state laws and regulations that involve privacy, rights of publicity, data protection, content regulation, intellectual property, or other subjects. Many of these laws and regulations are still evolving and being tested in courts and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. In addition, the application and interpretation of these laws and regulations often are uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate.

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A number of government authorities, both in the United States and abroad, and private parties are increasing their focus on privacy issues and the use of personal information. MostAll states have enacted some form of data privacy legislation, including data security and breach notification laws in all 50 states, and laws penalizingsome form of regulation regarding the misusecollection, use and disclosure of personal information at the federal level and in violationseveral states. California has been the most active in the area of publishedconsumer privacy policies.legislation, including passing a comprehensive law requiring transparency, access, and choice known as the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”), which was amended in November 2020 by a ballot measure known as the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CPRA”). The CCPA went into effect January 1, 2020, with enforcement having begun in June 2020. The CPRA goes into effect over time, with enforcement to begin July 2023. Other states are also considering comprehensive consumer privacy legislation. Certain states have also enacted legislation requiring certain encryption technologies for the storage and transmission of personally identifiable information, including credit card information, and more states are considering laws for or have enacted laws about information security, regulations andwhich may require the adoption of written information security policies that are consistent with state laws if businesses have personal information of residents of theirthose states. Data privacy and information security legislation is also is being considered at the federal level, among other statutes and regulations concerning the privacy of individuals and use of internet and marketmarketing information. In the United States, the FTCFederal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and attorneys general in several states have oversight of business operations concerning the use of personal information and breaches of the privacy laws under existing consumer protection laws. In particular, an attorney general or the FTC may examine privacy policies to ensure that a company discloses all material practices and fully complies with representations in the policies regarding the manner in which the information provided by consumers and other visitors to a website is used and disclosed by it, and the failure to do so could give rise to a complaint under state or federal unfair competition or consumer protection laws. The California Attorney General has begun aggressively investigating companies, especially those with websites, with respect to CCPA compliance and these investigations reportedly include inquiries into issues for which there has not yet been clear guidance issued by the state, such as regarding third party cookies that collect personal information from users when they visit our and other websites.

We will have to review our privacy policies and our overall operations on a regular basis to assureensure compliance with applicable U.S.United States federal and state laws, and to the extent applicable, any foreign laws. Our business could be adversely affected if new regulations or decisions regardingWe launched a CCPA compliance program in January 2020 and at the storage, transmission, use and/or disclosureend of personal information are implemented in such ways that impose new or additional technology requirements on us, limit our ability2020 reviewed the program and made adjustments to collect, transmit, store and use the information, or if government authorities or private parties challenge our privacy notice and compliance program practices to account for our evolving practices and the new CCPA regulations, which were promulgated in July 2020 and continue to be subject to ongoing rulemaking. We believe the position we take regarding various CCPA issues, including third party cookies, is based on sound and good faith interpretations of the law based on consultation with legal counsel. However, there are conflicting interpretations of the law that resulthave been adopted by various parties in restrictionsthe digital media industry, and given the lack of guidance to date on us, or we experience a significant data or information breach which would require public disclosure under existing notification laws and for which we may be liable for damages or penalties.

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The United States Congress enacted the Controlling the Assaultmany of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, or CAN-SPAM, regulating “commercial electronic mail messages” (i.e., e-mail), the primary purpose of which is to promote a product or service. The FTC has promulgated various regulations applying CAN-SPAM and has enforcement authority for violations of CAN-SPAM. Any entity that sends commercial e-mail messages for itself and clients, and those who re-transmit such messages, must adhere to the CAN-SPAM requirements. Violations of its provisions may result in civil money penalties and criminal liability. Compliance with these provisions may limitissues, our ability to send certain types of e-mailscompliance posture on our own behalf and on behalf of our advertising clients. While we intend to operate our businesses in a manner that complies with the CAN-SPAM provisions, we maysome issues might not be successful in so operating. If it turns out we have violated the provisions of CAN-SPAM we may face enforcement actionsaccepted by the FTC or FCC or face civil penalties, eitherState of which could adversely affect our business.California.

In addition to the federal CAN-SPAM regulations, many stateslaws of the United States, we may be subject to foreign laws regulating web sites and online services, and the laws in some jurisdictions outside of the United States are stricter than the laws in the United States. For instance, in May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) went into effect in the EU and European Economic Area and Switzerland. The GDPR includes operational requirements for companies that receive or process personal data of residents of the EU that include significant penalties for non-compliance. In addition, some EU countries are considering or have comparable legislation. There have beenpassed legislation implementing additional data protection requirements or requiring local storage and processing of personal data or similar requirements that could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services. How the GDPR will be fully applied to online services, including cookies and digital advertising, is still being determined through ongoing rulemaking and evolving interpretation by applicable authorities. We operate a number of cases brought as class actionsGDPR compliance program that we believe, based on the federal and state statutes. At the state level the courts have tended to decide in favorour good faith interpretation of the plaintiffsGDPR in consultation with counsel, is consistent with our obligations under that law. The highest court in the EU recently ruled that the United States/EU Privacy Shield was inadequate under GDPR and awarded substantial damages. An awardquestioned the viability or legality of damages, at eitherany EU to United States personal data transfer methods. We are working to address this issue, for instance, including standard contractual clauses as part of our Data Processing Agreements, and we continue to monitor the federal or state level could have a detrimental impact on our financial results.development of EU to United States personal data transfer methods and the law relating thereto.

Social networking websites are under increasing scrutiny. Legislation has been introduced on the state and federal level that could regulate social networking websites. Some rules call for more stringent age-verification techniques, attempt to mandate data retention or data destruction by Internet providers, and impose civil and/or criminal penalties on owners or operators of social networking websites.

The FTC regularly considers issues relating to online behavioral advertising (a/k/a interest-based advertising), which is a significant revenue source for us, and has issued reports containing a new set of “guidelines” for industry self-regulation. The FTC’s reports and issue consideration may result in future regulation at the federalCongress and state levelslegislatures are frequently asked to regulate this type of the collectionadvertising, including requiring consumers to provide express consent for tracking purposes, so that advertisers may know their interests and useare, therefore, able to serve them more relevant, targeted ads. Targeted ads generate higher per impression fees than non-targeted ads. New laws, or new interpretations of online consumer data, whichexisting laws, could potentially place restrictions on our ability to utilize our database and other marketing data (e.g., from third parties) on our own behalf and on behalf of our advertising clients, which may adversely affect our business.

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Legislation concerning the above describedabove-described online activities has either been enacted or is in various stages of development and implementation in other countries around the world and could affect our ability to make our websites available in those countries as future legislation is made effective. It is possible that state and foreign governments might also attempt to regulate our transmissions of content on our website or prosecute us for violations of their laws. United States law offers limited safe harbors and immunities to publishers for certain liability arising out of user-posted content, but other countries do not. Further, there are a number of legislative proposals in the United States and internationally, that could impose new obligations in areas affecting our business, such as liability for copyright infringement by third parties and liability for defamation or other claims arising out of user-posted content. Our business could be negatively impacted if applicable laws subject us to greater regulation or risk of liability.

GovernmentsOur business could also be adversely affected if regulatory enforcement authorities, such as the California Attorney General or EU/EEA data protection authorities, take issue with any of statesour approaches to compliance, or foreign countriesif new laws, regulations or decisions regarding the collection, storage, transmission, use and/or disclosure of personal information are implemented in such ways that impose new or additional technology requirements on us, limit our ability to collect, transmit, store and use or disclose the information, or if government authorities or private parties challenge our data privacy and/or security practices that result in liability to, or restrictions, on us, or we experience a significant data or information breach which would require public disclosure under existing notification laws and for which we may be liable for damages and/or penalties.

Furthermore, governments of applicable jurisdictions might attempt to regulate our transmissions or levy sales or other taxes relating to our activities even though we do not have a physical presence and/or operate in those jurisdictions. As our platforms, products and advertisement activities are available over the Internet anywhere in the world, multiple jurisdictions may claim that we are required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in each of those jurisdictions and pay various taxes in those jurisdictions. We address state and local jurisdictions where we believe we have nexus, however, there can be no assurance that we have complied with all jurisdictions that may assert that we owe taxes.

PropertyEmployees

theMaven currently subleases

Our total number of employees as of January 26, 2022, was 370, of which 336 were full-time employees, 23 were part-time employees, and 11 were interns. Roughly 25% of our workforce (92 employees) is represented by a union named The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003 (the “Guild”) pursuant to a binding Memorandum of Agreement executed by and between the Guild and Maven Media Brands, LLC (“Maven Media”) on December 31, 2021 (the “MOA”), which covers Sports Illustrated editorial staff. The MOA is intended to be finalized in the form of a collective bargaining agreement before April 1, 2022. The MOA comprehensively addresses the terms of employment for covered employees and non-employees regarding, among other things, wages, raises, bonuses, severances, benefits, discipline and the like. We have incorporated the terms of the MOA into our fiscal 2022 employment practices.

Available Information

Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, are available free of charge after we electronically file or furnish them to the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically. We also maintain a website, www.thearenagroup.net, through which you can obtain copies of the documents that we have filed with the SEC. The information set forth on, or accessible from, our website is not part of this prospectus.

Properties

Effective October 1, 2019, we entered into an office lease (the “Santa Monica Lease”) of approximately 2,9005,258 rentable square feet at 301 Arizona Avenue, 4th Floor, Santa Monica, California 90401. The Santa Monica Lease has a term of 5 years, expiring on September 30, 2024. The initial monthly rent was approximately $36,800 and increased to approximately $37,900 in October 2020. We entered into a sublease of the Santa Monica Lease under which, for its executive officesa period beginning January 1, 2022 and operational facilities onthrough the end of the term, the sublessee will pay rent of $20,000 for the first 12 months (with the sublessee receiving a month-to-month basis50% abatement of rent for 7 months so long as the sublessee is not in breach of the sublease), increasing to $21,000 for the next 12 months, and $22,500 for the remainder of the lease term. We remain responsible to the original lessor for the difference between the sublease payments and the amount due under the Santa Monica Lease.

On January 14, 2020, we entered into an office sublease agreement (the “Liberty Street Sublease”) of approximately 40,868 rentable square feet at 2125 Western Avenue, Suite 502, Seattle, WA 98121. The annual225 Liberty Street, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10281, with an effective date of February 1, 2020, with lease payments aggregatecommencing November 1, 2020, and expiring on November 30, 2032. Monthly lease payments from November 1, 2020, through October 31, 2025, are approximately $252,000. On September 1, 2021, we entered into a termination and surrender agreement (the “Liberty Surrender Agreement”) pursuant to which we agreed, as of October 1, 2021, to surrender the premises. Pursuant to the Liberty Surrender Agreement, we agreed to pay approximately $72,000. The Company believes$11.5 million to the sublandlord over a period of four years.

We have begun to re-evaluate our property leases and, to the extent feasible and in our best interests, have either surrendered leased properties to the landlord prior to the expiration of such leases or not renewed certain leases. We expect that the rateswe will continue this trend of not leasing properties and, instead, continue to encourage our work force to work remotely, provided, that it is paying under its property lease are competitivecontinues to be feasible to do so in the Seattle real estate market, and itfuture. To the extent we need to lease physical properties in the future, we believe we would be able to find comparable leasesuitable properties at market rates.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the event it changed locations.

Legal Proceedings

The Company isordinary course of business. We are not currently a partysubject to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that it believeswe believe would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’sour business, financial condition, or results of operations. operations or cash flows.

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

For the Period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016 

The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 2020 and the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019 should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements includingand related notes and the notes thereto, appearingother financial information that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion may contain certainincludes forward-looking statements based onupon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties.uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts, and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control and many of which, with respect to future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us, or on our behalf. We disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements. Actual results and the timing of certain events maycould differ significantlymaterially from those projectedanticipated in suchthese forward-looking statements due toas a result of a number of factors, including those set forth elsewhereunder the “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Business” sections in the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. We and our representatives may from time to time make written or oral statements that are “forward-looking,” including statements contained in this prospectus.

Overview

The Company was incorporated under the name of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. in Delaware in 1990. It was founded to design, manufacture, sellprospectus and service image-directed, computer-controlled robotic software and hardware products for use in orthopedic surgical procedures. On June 28, 2007, Integrated completed the sale of substantially all of its operating assets. After completion of the sale, the Integrated no longer engaged in any business activities and then sought to locate a suitable acquisition target to complete a business combination. From June 2007 until the closing of the Recapitalization on November 4, 2016, the Integrated was a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulations of the SEC. As a result of the Recapitalization, on a going forward basis, the Company will continue to file its public reportsother filings with the SEC, reports to our stockholders, and news releases. All statements that express expectations, estimates, forecasts, or projections are forward-looking statements. In addition, other written or oral statements which constitute forward-looking statements may be made by us or on an operating company basis.our behalf. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “may,” “should,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in or suggested by such forward-looking statements. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto that are included in this prospectus.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2021, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash of approximately $8.2 million. As of January 26, 2022, our cash and cash equivalents were approximately $6.0 million. In addition, we had the use of additional proceeds from our working capital facility with FPP Finance LLC (“FastPay”) in the amount of approximately $8.3 million. As of January 26, 2022, the outstanding balance of the FastPay working capital facility was approximately $12.3 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, we generated positive cash flows from operations in the amount of approximately $1.7 million. We experience seasonality with respect to our revenues, with the fourth quarter typically generating a larger portion of our revenues compared to other quarters. On December 2, 2016,6, 2021, we entered into an amendment to the corporate nameFastPay line of credit, pursuant to which (i) the maximum amount of advances available was changedincreased from “Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.”$15.0 million to “theMaven, Inc.”$25.0 million, (ii) the margin applicable to the interest rate decreased from 8.50% per annum to 6.00% per annum, and (iii) the maturity date was extended to February 28, 2024. There is approximately $5.4 million of principal payment due on the 15% delayed draw term note (the “Term Note”) on March 31, 2022, with the remaining principal balance will be due on the Term Note on December 31, 2022. Also, on December 31, 2022, a principal payment in the amount of approximately $62.7 million will be due under the 12% senior secured notes. In addition, to the principal payments, interest is due on both the Term Note and the 12% senior secured notes on a quarterly basis during fiscal 2022. The outstanding principal balance of the Term Note as of January 26, 2022 was approximately $9.9 million. The outstanding principal balance of the 12% senior secured notes as of January 26, 2022 was approximately $62.7 million.

 

theMaven Network, Inc. was incorporatedOn January 23, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Second A&R NPA, pursuant to which the parties agreed to extend the maturity dates in Nevada on July 22, 2016, under the name “Amplify Media, Inc.” On July 27, 2016,event that we consummate an offering of our common stock of at least $20.0 million of gross proceeds prior to February 14, 2022, as well as excluding from the corporate name was amended to “Amplify Media Network, Inc.” and on October 14, 2016,mandatory prepayment provisions proceeds received from such offering. As of January 26, 2022, the corporate name was changed to “theMaven Network, Inc.” theMaven Network, Inc. is a 100% owned subsidiaryoutstanding principal balance of the theMaven, Inc.

Going Concern

The Company’s consolidated financial statements12% senior secured notes was approximately $62.7 million. Historically, we have been presentedrelied on equity and debt offerings, to the basis that it isextent available and, to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s activitieslesser extent, cash from operations to satisfy our liquidity needs. If we are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the need for additional capital, as described below.

The Company has not generated any operating revenues since July 22, 2016 (Inception) and has financed its operations through (i) the Recapitalization transaction with Parent, (ii) a loan from Parent that was cancelled upon closing of the Recapitalization, and (iii) a private placement of common stock in April 2017. The Company has incurred operating losses and negative operating cash flows since July 22, 2016 (Inception), and it expectsunable to continue to incur operating losses and negative operatinggenerate positive cash flows, for at leastor otherwise extend the next few years. As a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern,maturity date of our line of credit and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm,Term Note, we may need to seek additional capital. Should capital not be available to us at reasonable terms, other actions may become necessary in its reportaddition to cost control measures and continued efforts to increase revenue.

In addition, we continue to be focused on growing our existing operations and seeking accretive and complementary strategic acquisitions as part of our growth strategy. We believe, that with additional sources of liquidity and the Company’s consolidated financial statements, has raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 

In April 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, raising proceeds of $3,765,000 in gross proceeds. The Company believes that it does not have sufficient funds to support its operations through the end of the first quarter of 2018. In order to continue business operations past that point, the Company currently anticipates that it will need to raise additional debt and/capital or equity capital. There can be no assurances that the Companyincur additional indebtedness to supplement our internal projections, we will be able to secureexecute our growth plan and finance our working capital requirements.

Finally, we may have a contingent liability arising out of possible violations of the Securities Act in connection with the Original PowerPoint, which we furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K and Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on January 31, 2022 and February 1, 2022, respectively. Specifically, the furnishing of the Original PowerPoint publicly may have constituted an “offer to sell” as described in Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act and the Original PowerPoint may be deemed to be a prospectus that does not meet the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, resulting in a potential violation of Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act. Any liability would depend upon the number of shares purchased by investors who reviewed and relied upon such Original PowerPoint that may have constituted a potential violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. If a claim were brought by any additional financing on acceptable termssuch ‘recipients’ of such Original PowerPoint and conditions, or at all. If cash resources become insufficienta court were to satisfyconclude that the Company's ongoing cash requirements,public disclosure of such PowerPoint constituted a violation of Section 5 of the Company wouldSecurities Act, we could be required to scale backrepurchase the shares sold to the investors who reviewed such Original PowerPoint at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest. We could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. As of the date of this prospectus, no legal proceedings or discontinue its technology development programs,claims have been made or obtain funds,threatened by any investors in our offering. Such payments and expenses, if required, could significantly reduce the amount of working capital we have available (although there canfor our operations and business plan, delay or prevent us from completing our plan of operations, or force us to raise additional funding, which funding may not be no certainty), oravailable on favorable terms, if at all. See also the “Risk Factor” entitled “We may have contingent liability arising out of a possible violation of the Securities Act, in connection with the Original PowerPoint which we furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to discontinue its operations entirely.our Current Report on Form 8-K, and the Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the Commission on January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022, respectively” herein.

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ResultsWe have financed our working capital requirements since inception through issuances of Operations for 2016

For the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) toequity securities and various debt financings. Our working capital deficit as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2016, total net loss2020 was as follows:

  As of 
  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Current assets $79,380,241  $73,846,465 
Current liabilities  (130,386,757)  (107,562,825)
Working capital deficit  (51,006,516)  (33,716,360)

As of September 30, 2021, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $2,187,758, or $0.65 loss per basic and diluted share.

Operations

Results of Operations for the Company for period from July 22, 2016 (Inception)$51.0 million, as compared to December 31, 2016

Research and development expenses $411,741 
General and administrative expenses $1,772,169 
Loss from operations $(2,183,910)

Research and development expenses

In the period since its inception on July 22, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Company spent $951,887 including 207,217 of stock-based compensation, for software development, of which $540,146 was capitalizedapproximately $33.7 million as Website Development Costs incurred during the application development stage and $411,741 was expensed as Research and Development Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses for the period July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016 were $1,772,169 including primarily stock based compensation of $1,037,927, wages and benefits paid in cash of $407,364 and professional fees of $152,940. Our expenses are due to our general administrative expenses of carrying on a business, including administrative compensation, office space lease expense, and legal and accounting expenses.

Liquidity

Working Capital

   As of
December 31, 2016
 
    
Current Assets $719,881 
Current Liabilities $(346,327)
Working Capital $373,554 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had working capital $373,554, $719,8812020, consisting of approximately $79.4 million in total current assets and $346,327approximately $130.4 million in total current liabilities. Included in current assets as of September 30, 2021, was approximately $0.5 million of restricted cash. Also included in our working capital deficit are noncash current liabilities, consisting of approximately $0.7 million of warrant derivative liabilities, leaving a working capital deficit that requires cash payments of approximately $50.9 million.

  Period from
Inception
July 22, 2016 to
December 31, 2016
 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities $(1,137,913)
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities  518,532 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $1,217,675 
Increase in Cash during the Period $598,294 
     
Cash, End of Period $598,294 

From inception on July 22, 2016 to December 31, 2016,Our cash flows during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 2020 consisted of the following:

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2021  2020 
Net cash used in operating activities $(8,261,324) $(20,273,407)
Net cash used in investing activities  (10,673,872)  (4,286,469)
Net cash provided by financing activities  18,129,164   20,821,378 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $(806,032) $(3,738,498)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period $8,728,649  $5,734,592 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $1,137,913.approximately $8.3 million, consisting primarily of: approximately $125.1 million of cash received from customers (including payments received in advance of performance obligations); less (i) approximately $132.5 million of cash paid (a) to employees, Publisher Partners, expert contributors, suppliers, and vendors, and (b) for revenue share arrangements and professional services; and (ii) approximately $0.9 million of cash paid for interest; as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, where net cash used in operating activities was approximately $20.3 million, consisting primarily of: approximately $82.1 million of cash received from customers (including payments received in advance of performance obligations); less (y) approximately $102.0 million of cash paid (a) to employees, Publisher Partners, suppliers, and vendors, and (b) for revenue share arrangements, advance of royalty fees and professional services; and (z) approximately $0.4 million of cash paid for interest.

23

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was approximately $10.7 million, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $7.4 million used to acquire a business; (ii) approximately $0.3 million for property and equipment; and (iii) approximately $3.0 million for capitalized costs for our Platform; as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, where net cash used in investing activities was approximately $4.3 million consisting primarily of: (x) approximately $0.3 million used for the acquisition of a business; (y) approximately $1.1 million for property and equipment; and (z) approximately $2.9 million for capitalized costs for our Platform.

We anticipate needing a substantial amount of additional capital to sustain our current operations and implement

For the current business plan of the Company as now budgeted. We do not believe that thenine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash used by financing activities was approximately $18.1 million, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $19.8 million in net proceeds offrom the private placement issuance of common stock; less (ii) approximately $0.5 million from repayment under our line of credit; and (iii) approximately $1.2 million in payments of restricted stock liabilities; as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, where net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $20.8 million, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $6.1 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Series H Preferred Stock and Series J convertible preferred stock (the “Series J Preferred Stock”); (ii) approximately $11.7 million in net proceeds from the Term Note and the Payroll Protection Program Loan; and (iii) approximately $3.3 million in borrowings of our line of credit; less (iv) approximately $0.3 million in payments for taxes relating to repurchase of restricted shares.

36

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $59,573,508  $32,089,993  $27,483,515   85.6%
Cost of revenue  32,173,859   24,708,941   7,464,918   30.2%
Gross profit  27,399,649   7,381,052   20,018,597   271.2%
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  22,712,193   9,928,901   12,783,292   128.7%
General and administrative  23,023,883   7,172,175   15,851,708   221.0%
Depreciation and amortization  4,055,432   4,053,184   2,248   0.1%
Total operating expenses  49,791,508   21,154,260   28,637,248   135.4%
Loss from operations  (22,391,859)  (13,773,208)  (8,618,651)  62.6%
Total other (expense)  (2,544,494)  (7,491,223)  4,946,729   -66.0%
Loss before income taxes  (24,936,353)  (21,264,431)  (3,617,922)  17.3%
Income taxes  229,699   -   229,699   100.0%
Net loss  (24,706,654)  (21,264,431)  (3,442,223)  16.2%
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   (132,663)  132,663   -100.0%
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(24,706,654) $(21,397,094) $(3,309,560)  15.5%
Basic and diluted net loss per common stock $(0.10) $(0.55) $0.45   -81.8%
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding – basic and diluted  252,811,058   39,186,432   213,624,626   545.1%

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the total net loss was approximately $24.7 million. The total net loss increased by approximately $3.3 million as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020, which had a net loss of approximately $21.4 million. The primary reasons for the increase in the total net loss is a lease termination charge of approximately $7.3 million and an increase in stock-based compensation of approximately $4.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021. The basic and diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2021, of $0.10 decreased from $0.55 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily because of our net loss per common share decreased along with the increase of the daily weighted average shares outstanding to 252,811,058 shares from 39,186,432 shares.

Revenue

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

  Three Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect cost of revenue as a

percentage of total revenue)

       
Revenue $  59,573,508   100.0% $  32,089,993   100.0% $  27,483,515   85.6%
Cost of revenue  32,173,859   54.0%  24,708,941   77.0%  7,464,918   30.2%
Gross profit $27,399,649   46.0% $7,381,052   23.0% $20,018,597   271.2%

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we had revenue of approximately $59.6 million, as compared to revenue of approximately $32.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020.

37

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

  Three Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect category as a percentage of total revenue)       
Digital revenue                        
Digital advertising $18,321,133   30.8% $7,885,615   24.6% $  10,435,518   132.3%
Digital subscriptions  7,698,359   12.9%  8,469,943   26.4%  (771,584)  -9.1%
Other revenue  4,222,816   7.1%  1,336,445   4.2%  2,886,371   216.0%
Total digital revenue  

30,242,308

   

50.8

%  

17,692,003

  

55.1

%  

12,550,305

   

70.9

%
Print revenue                        
Print advertising  3,357,347   5.6%  1,523,416   4.7%  1,833,931   120.4%
Print subscriptions  25,973,853   43.6%  12,874,574   40.1%  13,099,279   101.7%
Total print revenue  

29,331,200

   

49.2

%  

14,397,990

   

44.9

%  

14,933,210

   

103.7

%
Total revenue $59,573,508   100.0% $32,089,993   100.0% $27,483,515   85.6%

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the primary sources of revenue were as follows: (i) digital advertising of approximately $18.3 million; (ii) digital subscriptions of approximately $7.7 million; (iii) approximately $4.2 million from other revenue; (iv) print advertising of approximately $3.4 million; and (v) print subscriptions of approximately $26.0 million. Our digital advertising revenue increased by approximately $10.4 million, due a doubling of advertising sponsorships of the SI Swim business and approximately $5.5 million generated as a result of The Spun, which was acquired during the second quarter of 2021. Our digital subscriptions decreased by approximately $0.8 million. Our print advertising revenue increase by approximately $1.8 million, largely due to the improvement in SI Swim. Our print subscriptions increased by approximately $13.1 million reflecting a drive to increase subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the diminishing effect of acquisition accounting adjustments on the subscribers that existed when we began operating the Sports Illustrated media business. Our other revenue, primarily consisting of licensing and e-commerce revenue, increased by approximately $2.9 million due to additional revenue primarily for certain licensing agreements related to SI Swim and other Sports Illustrated media businesses.

Cost of Revenue

The following table sets forth cost of revenue by category and the corresponding percent of total cost of revenue:

  Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect costs as a percentage of total cost of revenue)       
Publisher Partner revenue share payments $4,911,713   15.3% $4,840,964   19.6% $70,749   1.5%
Hosting, bandwidth, and software licensing fees  482,794   1.5%  640,268   2.6%  (157,474)  -24.6%
Fees paid for data analytics and to other outside services providers  734,125   2.3%  590,929   2.4%  143,196   24.2%
Royalty fees  3,750,000   11.7%  3,750,000   15.2%  -   0.0%
Content and editorial expenses  10,583,561   32.9%  7,129,972   28.9%  3,453,589   48.4%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs  5,118,504   15.9%  3,095,272   12.5%  2,023,232   65.4%
Amortization of our Platform  2,241,243   7.0%  2,089,286   8.5%  151,957   7.3%
Stock-based compensation  1,732,139   5.4%  1,270,498   5.1%  461,641   36.3%
Other cost of revenue  2,619,780   8.1%  1,301,752   5.3%  1,318,028   101.3%
Total cost of revenue $32,173,859   100.0% $24,708,941   100.0% $7,464,918   30.20%

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized cost of revenue of approximately $32.2 million, which represented a 46% gross profit percentage, compared to approximately $24.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2020, representing a 23% gross profit percentage. The increase in the cost of revenue of approximately $7.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 is primarily from increases in: (i) printing, distribution, and fulfillment costs of approximately $2.0 million; (ii) content and editorial expenses of approximately $3.5 million; (iii) other costs of revenue related to SI Swim of approximately $1.3 million; (iv) stock-based compensation of approximately $0.5 million; and (v) amortization of our Platform of approximately $0.2 million. The improvement in gross profit percentage was due to a decrease in partner revenue shares from 61% of digital advertising revenue in the third quarter of 2020 to 27% in the third quarter of 2021, as a result of the elimination of most partner guarantees near the end of fiscal year 2020.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we capitalized costs related to our Platform of approximately $1.5 million, as compared to approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the capitalization of our Platform consisted of: (i) approximately $1.0 million in payroll and related expenses, including taxes and benefits; and (ii) approximately $0.5 million in stock-based compensation for related personnel.

Operating Expenses

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

  Three Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect expense as a

percentage of total revenue)

       
Selling and marketing $22,712,193   38.1% $9,928,901   30.9% $12,783,292   60.4%
General and administrative  23,023,883   38.6%  7,172,175   22.4%  15,851,708   74.9%
Depreciation and amortization  4,055,432   6.8%  4,053,184   12.6%  2,248   0.0%
Total operating expenses $  49,791,508      $  21,154,260      $  28,637,248   135.4%

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Selling and Marketing. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we incurred selling and marketing costs of approximately $22.7 million, as compared to approximately $9.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in selling and marketing costs of approximately $12.8 million is primarily from increases in circulation costs of approximately $9.4 million; advertising costs of approximately $1.4 million; professional and marketing service costs of approximately $0.7 million; payroll of selling and marketing account management support teams, along with the related benefits and stock-based compensation of approximately $1.3 million; office and occupancy costs of approximately $0.1 million; less a decrease in other selling and marketing related costs of approximately $0.1 million.

General and Administrative. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we incurred general and administrative costs of approximately $23.0 million from payroll and related expenses, professional services, occupancy costs, stock-based compensation of related personnel, depreciation and amortization, and other corporate expense, as compared to approximately $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $15.9 million is primarily from an increase in our payroll, along with the related benefits and stock-compensation of approximately $5.5 million; an increase in professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance of approximately $2.2 million; an increase in facilities costs related to the lease termination of approximately $7.3 million and an increase in other general corporate expenses of approximately $0.9 million.

Other (Expenses) Income

The following table sets forth other (expense) income:

  Three Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect other (expense)

income as a percentage of the total)

       
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities $801,755   -31.5% $(517,405)  6.9% $1,319,160   -17.6%
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   0.0%  (2,370,000)  31.6%  2,370,000   -31.6%
Interest expense  (2,512,637)  98.7%  (4,253,180)  56.8%  1,740,543   -23.2%
Interest income  -   0.0%  1,116   0.0%  (1,116)  0.0%
Liquidated damages  (833,612)  32.8%  (319,903)  4.3%  (513,709)  6.9%
Other income  -   0.0%  (31,851)  0.4%  31,851   -0.4%
Total other (expense) $(2,544,494)  100.0% $(7,491,223)  100.0% $4,946,729   -66.0%

Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. There was approximately $1.3 million increase in noncash income related the change in the valuation of the warrant derivative liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year period.

Change in Valuation of Embedded Derivative Liabilities. There was approximately $2.4 million increase in noncash income related the change in the valuation of the embedded derivative liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year period.

Interest Expense. We incurred interest expense of approximately $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to approximately $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense of approximately $1.8 million is primarily from an increase of approximately $0.2 million of other interest; less a decrease of accrued interest of approximately $0.8 million and a decrease from the amortization of debt discount on notes payable of approximately $1.2 million.

39

Liquidated Damages. We recorded liquidated damages of approximately $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of approximately $0.5 million as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily from issuance of our 12% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures (the “Debentures”), Series H Preferred Stock, Series I convertible preferred stock (the “Series I Preferred Stock”), Series J Preferred Stock, and Series K convertible preferred stock (“Series K Preferred Stock”). The liquidated damages were recognized because we determined that: (i) registration statements covering the shares of common stock completed on April 4, 2017, willissuable upon conversion under the aforementioned instruments would not be sufficient to allow us to implement our business plan todeclared effective within the point where our revenues will cover our operating costsrequisite time frame; and the expansion of our offerings. Without additional funding, we will have to modify our longer-term business plan. The funds(ii) that we will need may be raised through equity financing, debt financing, or other sources, which may result in further dilution in the equity ownership of our shares. We anticipate thereafter that we will need additional capital as we expand our operations, and do not anticipate that our income will cover our full operating expenses for the foreseeable future. We have no contracts or arrangements for any additional funding at this time. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise any funding or will be able to meet our accrued obligations. If we are not able to obtain the additional financing on a timely basis, we will be unable to conduct our operations as planned, and we willwould not be able to meetfile our periodic reports in the requisite time frame with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under the securities purchase agreements.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021, and 2020

  Nine Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $127,935,501  $85,593,786  $42,341,715   49.5%
Cost of revenue  83,978,050   76,321,953   7,656,097   10.0%
Gross profit  43,957,451   9,271,833   34,685,618   374.1%
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  55,122,357   27,698,182   27,424,175   99.0%
General and administrative  44,230,360   24,852,891   19,377,469   78.0%
Depreciation and amortization  11,981,998   12,276,990   (294,992)  -2.4%
Total operating expenses  111,334,715   64,828,063   46,506,652   71.7%
Loss from operations  (67,377,264)  (55,556,230)  (11,821,034)  21.3%
Total other (expense)  (3,678,952)  (11,646,154)  7,967,202   -68.4%
Loss before income taxes  (71,056,216)  (67,202,384)  (3,853,832)  5.7%
Income taxes  229,699   -   229,699   100.0%
Net loss $(70,826,517) $(67,202,384) $(3,624,133)  5.4%
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   (132,663)  132,663   -100.0%
Net loss attributable to common stockholders  (70,826,517)  (67,335,047)  (3,491,470)  5.2%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(0.29) $(1.72) $1.43   -83.1%
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted  244,209,151   39,177,864   205,031,287   523.3%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the total net loss was approximately $70.8 million. The total net loss increased by approximately $3.5 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which had a net loss of approximately $67.3 million. The primary reasons for the increase in the total net loss is a lease termination charge of approximately $7.3 million and an increase in stock-based compensation of approximately $10.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The basic and diluted net loss per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, of $0.29 decreased from $1.72 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily because our net loss per common share decreased along with the increase of the daily weighted average shares outstanding to 244,209,151 shares from 39,177,864 shares.

Revenue

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

  Nine Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect cost of revenue as a

percentage of total revenue)

       
Revenue $  127,935,501   100.0% $  85,593,786   100.0% $  42,341,715   49.5%
Cost of revenue  83,978,050   65.6%  76,321,953   89.2%  7,656,097   10.0%
Gross profit $43,957,451   34.4% $9,271,833   10.8% $34,685,618   374.1%

40

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we had revenue of approximately $127.9 million, as compared to revenue of approximately $85.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

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

  Nine Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect category as a percentage of total revenue)       
Digital revenue                        
Digital advertising $39,396,077   30.8% $22,659,155   26.5% $16,736,922   73.9%
Digital subscriptions  22,472,951   17.6%  20,096,640   23.5%  2,376,311   11.8%
Other revenue  5,835,682   4.6%  2,667,243   3.1%  3,168,439   118.8%

Total digital revenue

  

67,704,710

  

52.9

%  

45,423,038

   

53.1

%  

22,281,672

   

49.1

%
Print revenue                        
Print advertising  6,904,897   5.4%  6,129,476   7.2%  775,421  12.7%
Print subscriptions  53,325,894   41.7%  34,041,272   39.8%  19,284,622   56.7%
Total print revenue  

60,230,791

   

47.1

%  

40,170,748

   

46.9

%  

20,060,043

   

49.9

%
Total revenue $127,935,501   100.0% $85,593,786   100.0% $42,341,715   49.5%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the primary sources of revenue were as follows: (i) digital advertising of approximately $39.4 million; (ii) digital subscriptions of approximately $22.5 million; (iii) approximately $5.8 million from other revenue; (iv) print advertising of approximately $6.9 million; and (v) print subscriptions of approximately $53.3 million. Our digital advertising revenue increased by approximately $16.7 million due to additional revenue of approximately $10.0 million generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business, approximately $6.5 million generated as a result of The Spun, which was acquired during the second quarter 2021, and approximately $3.2 million in revenue generated from our other obligationsbusiness. Our digital subscriptions increased by approximately $2.4 million due to additional revenue generated by TheStreet. Our print advertising revenue increased by $0.8 million as they become due. In such event, we will be forceda result of the Sports Illustrated media business. Our print subscriptions increased by approximately $19.3 million reflecting a drive to scale down or perhaps even cease our operations. These estimates may change significantly dependingincrease subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the diminishing effect of acquisition accounting adjustments on the naturesubscribers that existed when we began operating the Sports Illustrated media business. Our other revenue, primarily consisting of licensing and ecommerce revenue, increased by approximately $3.2 million, due to additional revenue of approximately $3.6 generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business, offset by an approximately $0.4 million decrease in revenue from our other business.

Cost of Revenue

The following table sets forth cost of revenue by category and the corresponding percent of total cost of revenue:

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect costs as a percentage of total cost of revenue)       
Publisher Partner revenue share payments $15,757,839   18.8% $14,032,333   18.4% $1,725,506   12.3%
Hosting, bandwidth, and software licensing fees  1,641,580   2.0%  1,793,851   2.4%  (152,271)  -8.5%
Fees paid for data analytics and to other outside services providers  2,122,020   2.5%  1,940,153   2.5%  181,867   9.4%
Royalty fees  11,250,000   13.4%  11,250,000   14.7%  -   0.0%
Content and editorial expenses  25,696,506   30.6%  21,315,611   27.9%  4,380,895   20.6%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs  10,901,114   13.0%  11,261,652   14.8%  (360,538)  -3.2%
Amortization of our Platform development  6,565,600   7.8%  6,348,619   8.3%  216,981   3.4%
Stock-based compensation  4,929,708   5.9%  4,339,916   5.7%  589,792   13.6%
Other cost of revenue  5,113,683   6.1%  4,039,818   5.3%  1,073,865   26.6%
Total cost of revenue $83,978,050   100.0% $76,321,953   100.0% $7,656,097   10.0%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized cost of revenue of approximately $84.0 million, a 34% gross profit percentage, compared to approximately $76.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, representing a 11% gross profit percentage. The increase of approximately $7.7 million in cost of revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 is primarily from increases in: (i) our Publisher Partner revenue share payments of approximately $1.7 million; (ii) content and editorial expenses of approximately $4.4 million; (iii) stock-based compensation of approximately $0.6 million; (iv) other costs of revenue of approximately $1.1 million; (v) amortization of our business activitiesPlatform of approximately $0.2 million; and offset by (vi) printing, distribution, and fulfillment costs of approximately $0.4 million. The improvement in gross profit percentage was due to a decrease in partner revenue shares from 74% of digital advertising revenue in the third quarter of 2020 to 40% in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of the elimination of most partner guarantees near the end of fiscal year 2020.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we capitalized costs related to our abilityPlatform of approximately $4.4 million, as compared to raise capitalapproximately $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the capitalization of our Platform consisted of: (i) approximately $3.0 million in payroll and related expenses, including taxes and benefits; and (ii) approximately $1.3 million in stock-based compensation for related personnel.

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Operating Expenses

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

  Nine Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect expense as a

percentage of total revenue)

       
Selling and marketing $55,122,357   43.1% $27,698,182   32.4% $27,424,175   42.3%
General and administrative  44,230,360   34.6%  24,852,891   29.0%  19,377,469   29.9%
Depreciation and amortization  11,981,998   9.4%  12,276,990   14.3%  (294,992)  -0.5%
Total operating expenses $  111,334,715      $  64,828,063      $  46,506,652   71.7%

Selling and Marketing. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we incurred selling and marketing costs of approximately $55.1 million, as compared to approximately $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in selling and marketing costs of approximately $27.4 million is primarily from an increase in circulation costs of approximately $22.4 million; payroll of selling and marketing account management support teams, along with the related benefits and stock-based compensation of approximately $3.3 million; an increase in advertising costs of approximately $1.8 million; an increase in professional and marketing service costs of approximately $1.2 million; an increase in office, travel, conferences and occupancy costs of approximately $0.3 million; less a decrease in other selling and marketing related costs of approximately $1.0 million.

General and Administrative. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we incurred general and administrative costs of approximately $44.2 million from payroll and related expenses, professional services, occupancy costs, stock-based compensation of related personnel, depreciation and amortization, and other corporate expense, as compared to approximately $24.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $19.4 million is primarily from an increase in our shareholders orpayroll, along with the related benefits and stock-compensation of approximately $8.4 million; an increase in professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance of approximately $3.1 million; an increase in facilities costs related to the lease termination of approximately $7.1 million; and an increase in other sources.general corporate expenses of approximately $0.8 million.

Other (Expenses) Income

The following table sets forth other (expense) income:

  Nine Months Ended September 30,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect other (expense)

income as a percentage of the total)

       
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities $496,812   -13.5% $(134,910)  1.2% $631,722   -5.4%
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   0.0%  2,173,000   -18.7%  (2,173,000)  18.7%
Interest expense  (7,695,317)  209.2%  (12,169,315)  104.4%  4,473,998   -38.4%
Interest income  471   0.0%  4,499   0.0%  (4,028)  0.0%
Liquidated damages  (2,197,615)  59.7%  (1,487,577)  12.8%  (710,038)  6.1%
Other expense  -   0.0%  (31,851)  0.3%  31,851   -0.3%
Gain upon debt extinguishment  5,716,697   -155.4%  -   0.0%  5,716,697   -49.1%
Total other (expense) $(3,678,952)  100.0% $(11,646,154)  100.0% $7,967,202   -68.4%

Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. There are no assuranceswas approximately $0.6 million increase in noncash income related the change in the valuation of the warrant derivative liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year period.

Change in Valuation of Embedded Derivative Liabilities. There was approximately $2.2 million decrease in noncash income related the change in the valuation of the embedded derivative liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the prior year period.

Interest Expense. We incurred interest expense of approximately $7.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to approximately $12.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in interest expense of approximately $4.5 million is primarily from an increase of approximately $0.5 million of other interest; less a decrease of approximately $1.6 million of accrued interest and a decrease of the amortization of debt discount on notes payable of approximately $3.4 million.

42

Liquidated Damages. We recorded liquidated damages of approximately $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily from issuance of the Debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock, and Series J Preferred Stock issued during 2020. The liquidated damages were recognized because we determined that: (i) registration statements covering the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion under the aforementioned instruments would not be declared effective within the requisite time frame; and (ii) that we will be able to obtain further funds required for our continued operations. We will pursue various financing alternatives to meet our immediate and long-term financial requirements. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to us when needed or, if available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. If we are not able to obtain the additional financing on a timely basis, we will be unable to conduct our operations as planned, and we willwould not be able to meetfile our other obligationsperiodic reports in the requisite time frame with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under the securities purchase agreements.

Gain Upon Debt Extinguishment. We recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment of approximately $5.7 million (including accrued interest) pursuant to the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program Loan for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to Fiscal 2019

  Years Ended December 31,  2020 versus 2019 
  2020  2019  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $128,032,397  $53,343,310  $74,689,087   140.0%
Cost of revenue  103,063,445   47,301,175   55,762,270   117.9%
Gross profit (loss)  24,968,952   6,042,135   18,926,817   313.2%
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  43,589,239   12,789,056   30,800,183   240.8%
General and administrative  36,007,238   29,511,204   6,496,034   22.0%
Depreciation and amortization  16,280,475   4,551,372   11,729,103   257.7%
Total operating expenses  95,876,952   46,851,632   49,025,320   104.6%
Loss from operations  (70,908,000)  (40,809,497)  (30,098,503)  73.8%
Total other (expenses) income  (18,113,131)  (17,232,999)  (880,132)  5.1%
Loss before income taxes  (89,021,131)  (58,042,496)  (30,978,635)  53.4%
Income taxes  (210,832)  19,541,127   (19,751,959)  -100.1%
Net loss  (89,231,963)  (38,501,369)  (50,730,594)  131.8%
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock  (15,642,595)  -   (15,642,595)  0.0%
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(104,874,558) $(38,501,369) $(66,373,189)  172.4%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(2.28) $(1.04) $(1.24)  119.2%
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted  45,981,029   37,080,784   8,900,245   24.0%

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $104.9 million. The total net loss attributable to common stockholders increased by approximately $66.4 million from the year ended December 31, 2019, net loss of approximately $38.5 million. The primary reasons for the increase in the total net loss is that our operations continued to rapidly expand during the year ended December 31, 2020, as they become due.did in 2019. In such event,particular, during the year ended December 31, 2020, we will be forced to scale down or perhaps even ceaseoperated our operations.

Contractual Obligations

As a “smaller reporting company”,Sports Illustrated Licensed Brands that we are not required to provide tabular disclosure obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, including any outstanding derivative financial instruments, off-balance sheet guarantees, interest rate swap transactions or foreign currency contracts. We do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts.

Seasonality

Once we are actively providing services to our customer base, we expect to experience typical media company ad and sponsorship sales seasonality, which is strong inacquired during the fourth quarter of 2019. The basic and slowerdiluted net loss per common share for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $2.28 increased from $1.04 for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily because of: (i) the weighted average basic and diluted shares increased as the net loss per common share increased along with the calculation of the daily weighted average shares outstanding increase to 45,981,029 shares from 37,080,784 shares; (ii) the deemed dividend on the convertible preferred stock of approximately $15.6 million; and (iii) the other expenses of approximately $18.1 million.

Our growth strategy is principally focused on adding new publisher partners to our Platform. In addition, if the right opportunity exists, we may also acquire related online media, publishing, and technology businesses. This combined growth strategy has expanded the scale of unique users interacting on our Platform with increased revenues during 2020. We expect revenues increases in subsequent years will come from organic growth in operations, addition of more publisher partners, and mergers and acquisitions.

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Revenue

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

  Years Ended December 31,  2020 versus 2019 
  2020  2019  Change  % Change 
  

(percentage reflect cost of revenue as a

percentage of total revenue)

       
Revenue $  128,032,397   100.0% $  53,343,310   100.0% $  74,689,087   140.0%
Cost of revenue  103,063,445   80.5%  47,301,175   88.7%  55,762,270   117.9%
Gross profit $24,968,952   19.5% $6,042,135   11.3% $18,926,817   313.2%

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we had gross profit of approximately $25.0 million, as compared to gross profit of approximately $6.0 million for year ended December 31, 2019.

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

  Years Ended December 31,  2020 versus 2019 
  2020  2019  $ Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect category as a percentage of total revenue)       
Digital revenue                        
Digital advertising $34,596,838   27.0% $28,280,148   53.0% $6,316,690   22.3%
Digital subscriptions  28,495,676   22.3%  6,855,038   12.9%  21,640,638   315.7%
Other revenue  4,596,686   3.6%  1,523,429   2.9%  3,073,257   201.7%
Total digital revenue  

67,689,200

  

52.9

%  

36,658,615

  

68.7

%  

31,030,585

   

84.6

%
Print revenue                        
Print advertising  9,762,984   7.6%  7,638,222   14.3%  2,124,762   27.8%
Print subscriptions  50,580,213   39.5%  9,046,473   17.0%  41,533,740   459.1%
Total print revenue  

60,343,197

   

47.1

%  

16,684,695

   

31.3

%  

43,658,502

   

261.7

%
Total revenue $128,032,397   100.0% $53,343,310   100.0% $74,689,087   140.0%

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the primary sources of revenue were as follows: (i) digital advertising of approximately $34.6 million; (ii) digital subscriptions of approximately $28.5 million; (iii) approximately $4.6 million from other revenue; (iv) print advertising of approximately $9.8 million; and (v) print subscriptions of approximately $50.6 million. Our total advertising revenue increased by approximately $8.4 million, due to additional revenue of approximately $3.2 million generated as a result of TheStreet, which we acquired during the second quarter of 2019, and approximately $11.5 million generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business, which we acquired during the fourth quarter of 2019, and offset by an approximately $6.3 million decrease in revenue from our legacy business. Our digital subscriptions increased by approximately $21.6 million, due to additional revenue of approximately $16.8 million generated as a result of TheStreet, which we acquired during the second quarter of 2019 and approximately $4.3 million generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business, which we acquired during the fourth quarter of 2019. Our print subscriptions contributed approximately $41.5 million as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business acquired during the fourth quarter of 2019. Our other revenue increased by approximately $3.1 million; due to additional revenue of approximately $0.3 million generated as a result of TheStreet, which we acquired during the second quarter of 2019, approximately $0.4 million generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business, which we acquired during the fourth quarter of 2019; and approximately $2.3 million generated by from our legacy business.

Cost of Revenue

The following table sets forth cost of revenue by category and the corresponding percent of total cost of revenue:

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019  $ Change  % Change 
  (percentages reflect costs as a percentage of total cost of revenue)       
Publisher Partner revenue share payments $19,427,196   18.8% $14,649,894   31.0% $4,777,302   32.6%
Hosting, bandwidth, and software licensing fees  2,419,143   2.3%  1,154,321   2.4%  1,264,822   109.6%
Fees paid for data analytics and to other outside services providers  6,953,794   6.7%  3,291,395   7.0%  3,662,399   111.3%
Royalty fees  15,000,000   14.6%  3,750,000   7.9%  11,250,000   300.0%
Content and editorial expenses  25,349,428   24.6%  8,480,967   17.9%  16,868,461   

198.9

%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs  15,706,519   15.2%  7,248,551   15.3%  8,457,968   

116.7

%
Amortization of our Platform development  8,550,952   8.3%  6,191,965   13.1%  2,358,987   38.1%
Stock-based compensation  4,339,916   4.2%  993,752   2.1%  3,346,164   336.7%
Other cost of revenue  5,316,497   5.2%  1,540,330   3.3%  3,776,167   245.2%
Total cost of revenue $103,063,445   100.0% $47,301,175   100.0% $55,762,270   117.9%

For the years ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, we recognized cost of revenue of approximately $103.1 million and approximately $47.3 million, respectively. The increase of approximately $55.8 million in cost of revenue is primarily from: (i) our Publisher Partner revenue share payments of approximately $4.8 million; (ii) content and editorial expenses of approximately $16.9 million; (iii) stock-based compensation of approximately $3.3 million; (iv) amortization of our Platform of approximately $2.4 million (which includes our Platform spending and amortization related to acquired developed technology from our acquisitions); (v) royalty fees of approximately $11.3 million; (vi) hosting, bandwidth, and software licensing fees of approximately $1.3 million; (vii) printing, distribution, and fulfilment costs of approximately $8.5 million; (viii) fees paid for data analytics and to other outside services providers of approximately $3.7 million and (ix) other costs of revenue of approximately $3.8 million.

44

For the year ended December 31, 2020, we capitalized costs related to our Platform of approximately $5.4 million, as compared to approximately $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. In fiscal 2020, the capitalization of our Platform development consisted of approximately $3.8 million in payroll and related expenses, including taxes and benefits, approximately $1.6 million in stock-based compensation for related personnel, and amortization of approximately $8.6 million. In fiscal 2019, the capitalization of our Platform development consisted of approximately $2.5 million in payroll and related expenses, including taxes and benefits, approximately $1.3 million in stock-based compensation for related personnel, and amortization of approximately $6.2 million.

Operating Expenses

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

  Years Ended December 31,  2020 versus 2019 
  2020  2019  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect expense as a

percentage of total revenue)

       
Selling and marketing $  43,589,239   34.0% $  12,789,056   24.0% $  30,800,183   65.7%
General and administrative  36,007,238   28.1%  29,511,204   55.3%  6,496,034   13.9%
Depreciation and amortization  16,280,475   12.7%  4,551,372   8.5%  11,729,103   25.0%
Total operating expenses $95,876,952      $46,851,632      $49,025,320   104.6%

Selling and Marketing. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred selling and marketing costs of approximately $43.6 million, as compared to approximately $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in selling and marketing cost of approximately $30.8 million is primarily from payroll costs for the selling and marketing account management support teams, along with the related benefits and stock-based compensation of approximately $8.2 million; circulation costs of approximately $14.2 million; office and occupancy costs of approximately $0.7 million; advertising costs of approximately $5.9 million and other selling and marketing related costs of approximately $1.7 million.

General and Administrative. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred general and administrative costs of approximately $36.0 million from payroll and related expenses, professional services, occupancy costs, stock-based compensation of related personnel, depreciation and amortization, and other corporate expense, as compared to approximately $29.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $6.5 million is primarily from our increase in professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance of approximately $4.8 million; facilities costs of approximately $1.1 million; and other general corporate expenses of approximately $2.0 million.

Other (Expenses) Income

The following table sets forth other (expenses) income:

  Years Ended December 31,  2020 versus 2019 
  2020  2019  Change  % Change 
  

(percentages reflect other expense (income)

as a percentage of the total)

       
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities $496,305   -2.7% $(1,015,151)  5.9% $1,511,456   -8.8%
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  2,571,004   -14.2%  (5,040,000)  29.2%  7,611,004   -44.2%
Loss on conversion of convertible debentures  (3,297,539)  18.2%  -   0.0%  (3,297,539)  19.1%
Interest expense  (16,497,217)  91.1%  (10,463,570)  60.7%  (6,033,647)  35.0%
Interest income  381,026   -2.1%  13,976   -0.1%  367,050   -2.1%
Liquidated damages  (1,487,577)  8.2%  (728,516)  4.2%  (759,061)  4.4%
Other (expense) income  (279,133)  1.5%  262   0.0%  (279,396)  1.6%
Total other expenses $(18,113,131)  100.0% $(17,232,999)  100.0% $(880,132)  5.1%

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Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. The change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2020, was the result of the decrease in the first quarter.fair value of the warrant derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2020, as compared to the change in the valuation for the year ended December 31, 2019, where the change was from an increase in the fair value of the warrant derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2019.

EffectsChange in Valuation of InflationEmbedded Derivative Liabilities. The change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2020, was the result of the decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2020, as compared to the change in the valuation for the year ended December 31, 2019, where the change was from an increase in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2019.

To date inflation hasInterest Expense. We incurred interest expense of approximately $16.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to approximately $10.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily consisting of approximately $6.6 million from amortization of debt discount on notes payable; approximately $9.2 million of accrued interest; and approximately $0.6 million of other interest. In fiscal 2019, interest expense primarily consisted of approximately $4.5 million of amortization of accretion of original issue discount and debt discount on notes payable; $3.1 million of accrued interest; and $2.9 million of other interest.

Liquidated Damages. We recorded approximately $1.5 million of liquidating damages, including the accrued interest thereon, during the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily from the issuance of the Debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock and Series J Preferred Stock in fiscal 2020 since we determined that: (1) the registration statements registering for resale the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Debentures, Series I Preferred Stock and Series J Preferred Stock would not hadbe declared effective within the requisite time frame; and (2) that we would not be able to become current in our periodic filing obligations with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under the applicable securities purchase agreements. We recorded liquidated damages, including the accrued interest thereon, of approximately $0.7 million in fiscal 2019 primarily from issuance of Debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock, and Series J Preferred Stock, which liquidated damages were based upon the reasons set forth above.

Deemed Dividend on Convertible Preferred Stock

Series H Preferred Stock. During fiscal 2020, in connection with the issuance of 108 shares (issued on August 19, 2020) and 389 shares (issued on October 31, 2020) of our Series H Preferred Stock, we recorded a material impactbeneficial conversion feature of approximately $0.1 million and approximately $0.4 million, respectively (totaling approximately $0.7 million), for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $0.33 was lower than our common stock trading price of $0.86 and $0.77 at the issuance dates of August 19, 2020 and October 31, 2020, respectively). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

Series I Preferred Stock. On December 18, 2020, all of the shares of our Series I Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of our common stock as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock. Upon conversion, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $0.50 was lower than our common stock trading price of $0.61 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

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Series J Preferred Stock. On December 18, 2020, all of the shares of our Series J Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of our common stock as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock. Upon conversion, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the effective conversion price of $0.40 for the issuance of our Series J Preferred Stock on September 4, 2020 (these shares were issued at a discount) was lower than our common stock trading price of $0.61 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

Series K Preferred Stock. On December 18, 2020, all of the shares of our Series K Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of our common stock as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock. Upon conversion, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $0.40 was lower than our common stock trading price of $0.61 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2020, the following transactions, obligations, or relationships represent our off-balance sheet arrangements:

Strome Warrants. On June 15, 2018, we modified the securities purchase agreements entered into in January and March 2018 with The Mark and Tammy Strome Family Trust (the “Strome Trust”). The Strome Trust was also granted observer rights on our businessBoard. As consideration for such modification, we issued warrants to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of our common stock, exercisable at price of $0.50 per share (as amended) (as further described in Note 21, Stockholders’ Equity, in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020), which are carried on our consolidated balance sheets as a derivative liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end since, among other criteria, delivery of unregistered shares is precluded upon exercise. The warrants are exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event there is no effective registration statement covering the resale of the warrant shares, be exercised on a cashless basis in certain circumstances. The warrants exercisable for up to 1,500,000 shares of our common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2020, with a derivative liability fair value of $704,707. In the event Strome Trust or its designee decided to exercise the warrants, since shares of our common stock were available to settle the instrument, there would be no impact to our cash resources.

B. Riley Warrants. On October 18, 2018, we issued the warrants to B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley FBR”) and one of its affiliates to purchase up to 875,000 shares of our common stock, with an initial exercise price of $1.00 per share (as further described in Note 21, Stockholders’ Equity, in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020), which exercise price was subsequently adjusted to $0.33, and which are carried on the consolidated balance sheets as a derivative liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end since, among other criteria, delivery of unregistered shares is precluded upon exercise. The warrants are exercisable for a period of seven years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, if at any time after the six-month anniversary of the issuance of the warrants there is no effective registration statement covering the re-sale of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants, be exercised on a cashless basis. The warrants exercisable for up to 875,000 shares of our common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2020, with a derivative liability fair value of $443,188. In the event B. Riley FBR or its affiliate decided to exercise the warrants (which are subject to certain contractual exercise limitations), since shares of our common stock were available to settle the instrument after considering the contractual exercise limitations, there would be no impact to our cash resources.

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our principal cash operating results.obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2020, aggregating to approximately $49.5 million.

     Payments due by Year 
  Total  2021  2022  2023  2024  2025  Thereafter 
Operating leases $  41,948,685  $  3,804,853  $  3,525,158  $  3,528,696  $  3,526,406  $  3,740,591  $  23,822,981 
Employment contracts  2,375,000   1,461,842   913,158   -   -   -   - 
Consulting agreement  5,146,499   4,554,399   592,100   -   -   -   - 
Total $49,470,184  $9,821,094  $5,030,416  $3,528,696  $3,526,406  $3,740,591  $23,822,981 

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SignificantCritical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’spreparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. The more critical accounting estimates include estimates related to revenue recognition, platform development, impairment of long-lived assets, and stock-based compensation. We also have other key accounting policies, which involve the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are significant to understanding our results, which are described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Our discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s auditedour consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company believesGAAP. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the Company’sour more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

PrinciplesRevenue

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenues are recognized when control of Consolidationthe promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We generate all of our revenue from contracts with customers. We account for revenue on a gross basis, as compared to a net basis, in our statement of operations. We made this determination based on our taking the credit risk in our revenue-generating transactions and because we are also the primary obligor responsible for providing the services to the customer. Cost of revenues is presented as a separate line item in the statement of operations.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements includefollowing is a description of the financial position, resultsprincipal activities from which we generate revenue:

Advertising Revenue

Digital Advertising. We recognize revenue from digital advertisements at the point when each ad is viewed. The quantity of operationsadvertisements, the impression bid prices, and cash flowsrevenue are reported on a real-time basis. We enter into contracts with advertising networks to serve display or video advertisements on the digital media pages associated with its various channels. Although reported advertising transactions are subject to adjustment by the advertising network partners, any such adjustments are known within a few days of Subsidiarymonth end. We owe our independent Publisher Partners a revenue share of the advertising revenue earned, which is recorded as service costs in the same period in which the associated advertising revenue is recognized.

Advertising revenue that is comprised of fees charged for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception)placement of advertising on the websites that we own and operate, is recognized when the advertising or sponsorship is viewed, provided that collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

Print Advertising. Advertising related revenues for print advertisements are recognized when advertisements are published (defined as an issue’s on-sale date), net of provisions for estimated rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts.

Subscription Revenue

Digital Subscriptions. We enter into contracts with internet users that subscribe to December 31, 2016premium content on our owned and operated media channels and facilitate such contracts between internet users and our Publisher Partners. These contracts provide internet users with a membership subscription to access the premium content. For subscription revenue generated by our independent Publisher Partners’ content, we owe our Publisher Partners a revenue share of the membership subscription revenue earned, which is initially deferred and recorded as deferred contract costs. We recognize deferred contract costs over the membership subscription term in the same pattern that of Integrated after the Closing (see Note 2). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.associated membership subscription revenue is recognized.

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Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimatesDigital subscription revenue generated from our websites that we own and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Major improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairsoperate are charged to expensecustomers’ credit cards or are directly billed to corporate subscribers, and are generally billed in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. We calculate net subscription revenue by deducting from gross revenue an estimate of potential refunds from cancelled subscriptions as incurred. Gains and losses from dispositionwell as chargebacks of property and equipment are included in income and expense when realized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line methoddisputed credit card charges. Net subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the followingsubscription periods. Unearned revenue relates to payments for subscription fees for which revenue has not been recognized because services have not yet been provided.

Circulation Revenue

Circulation revenues include magazine subscriptions and single copy sales at newsstands.

Print Subscriptions. Revenue from magazine subscriptions are deferred and recognized proportionately as products are distributed to subscribers.

Newsstand. Single copy revenue is recognized on the publication’s on-sale date, net of provisions for estimated useful lives:returns. We base our estimates for returns on historical experience and current marketplace conditions.

Licensing Revenue

Content licensing-based revenues are accrued generally monthly or quarterly based on the specific mechanisms of each contract. Generally, revenues are accrued based on estimated sales and adjusted as actual sales are reported by partners. These adjustments are typically recorded within three months of the initial estimates and have not been material. Any minimum guarantees are typically earned evenly over the fiscal year.

Contract Modifications

We occasionally enter into amendments to previously executed contracts that constitute contract modifications. We assess each of these contract modifications to determine:

Office equipmentif the additional services and computers3-5 yearsgoods are distinct from the services and goods in the original arrangement; and
Furniture and fixtures5-8 years
Website development costs2-3 yearsif the amount of consideration expected for the added services or goods reflects the stand-alone selling price of those services and goods.

Intangible AssetsA contract modification meeting both criteria is accounted for as a separate contract. A contract modification not meeting both criteria is considered a change to the original contract and is accounted for on either a prospective basis as a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract, or a cumulative catch-up basis.

The intangible assets consistCost of Revenue

Our cost of revenue represents the cost of a purchased website domain name with an indefinite useful life.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The long-lived assets, consisting of fixed assetsproviding our digital media network channels and intangible assets, heldadvertising and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment no less frequently than annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that themembership services. The cost of any long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed. Management has determinedrevenue that there was no impairmentwe have incurred in the value of long-lived assets during the period ended December 31, 2016.periods presented primarily include:

Publisher Partner revenue share payments;
amortization of our developed technology and platform development;
royalty fees;
hosting, bandwidth and software license fees;
printing, distribution, and fulfillment costs;
Content and editorial expenses;
fees paid for data analytics and to other outside service providers; and
stock-based compensation of related personnel.

Website Development Costs

 

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In accordance with authoritative guidance,Platform Development

For the Company begins to capitalize website and softwareyears presented, substantially all of our technology expenses are development costs for internal use when planning and design efforts are successfully completed and development is ready to commence. Costs incurred during planning and design, together withthe Platform that were capitalized as intangible costs. Technology costs incurred for training and maintenance, are expensed as incurred or capitalized into property and recordedequipment in researchaccordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This ASC requires that costs incurred in the preliminary project and post-implementation stages of an internal use software project be expensed as incurred and that certain costs incurred in the application development expense within the consolidated statementstage of comprehensive loss. The Company places capitalized website and software development assets into service and commences depreciation/amortization when the applicablea project or asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Once placed into service, the Company capitalizes qualifying costs of specified upgrades or enhancements to capitalized website and software development assets when the upgrade or enhancement will result in new or additional functionality.be capitalized.

The Company capitalizesWe capitalize internal labor costs, including compensation, benefits and payroll taxes, incurred for certain capitalized website and softwareplatform development projects related to the Company’s technology platform. The Company’sprojects. Our policy with respect to capitalized internal labor stipulates that labor costs for employees working on eligible internal use capital projects are capitalized as part of the historical cost of the project when the impact, as compared to expensing such labor costs, is material. Platform development capitalized during the application development stage of a project include:

payroll and related expenses for personnel; and
stock-based compensation of related personnel.

ResearchSelling and DevelopmentMarketing

ResearchSelling and development costsmarketing consist primarily of expenses incurred in selling and marketing our products. Our selling and marketing expenses include:

payroll and employee benefits of selling and marketing account management support teams;
professional marketing services;
office and occupancy costs;
circulation costs;
advertising costs; and
stock-based compensation of related personnel.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of:

payroll and employee benefits for executive and administrative personnel;
professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance;
office and occupancy costs;
conferences;
other general corporate expenses; and
stock-based compensation of related personnel.

Leases

We have various lease arrangements for certain equipment and its offices. Leases are charged to operationsrecorded as an operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. At inception, we determine whether an arrangement that provides control over the use of an asset is a lease. When it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the renewal period, we include the impact of the renewal in the period incurredlease term for purposes of determining total future lease payments. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), in order to increase transparency and amountedcomparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under prior GAAP. We adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, which resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets of approximately $1.7 million, lease liabilities for operating leases of approximately $1.8 million, with no cumulative effect adjustment on retained earnings on our consolidated balance sheets, with no material impact to $411,741our consolidated statements (as further described in Note 7, Leases, in our consolidated financial statements filed as part of this prospectus).

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Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets of businesses acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is tested for impairment at least annually on December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. We adopted ASU 2017-04 (as further described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our consolidated financial statements for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) toyear ended December 31, 2016.

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Fair Value Measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” clarifies2020) during the first quarter of 2020 which eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. We operate as one reporting unit, therefore, the impairment test is performed at the consolidated entity level by comparing the estimated fair value of the Company to its carrying value. We have elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its single reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis of determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If we determine that it is more likely than not that its fair value is an exit price, representingless than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test will be performed. The quantitative goodwill impairment test identifies goodwill impairment and measures the amount that wouldof goodwill impairment loss to be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such,recognized by comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, no further analysis is required; otherwise, any excess of the goodwill carrying amount over the implied fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricingrecognized as an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizesimpairment loss, and the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

·Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

·Level 2 - Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

·Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the Company measures its derivative liability at fair value. The Company’s derivative liability is classified within Level 3.

The carrying value of other current assets and liabilities are consideredgoodwill is written down to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.value.

Concentrations of Credit RiskStock-Based Compensation

Cash

The Company maintains cash at a bank where amounts on deposit may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit throughout the year. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk regarding its cash.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company providesWe provide stock-based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards to employees (b) vestedand directors, comprised of restricted stock grants to directors, (c)awards and restricted stock units, (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and independent contractors,consultants, (c) common stock warrants to Publisher Partners (as further described in Note 22, Stock-Based Compensation, in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020), and (d) common stock warrants to Channel PartnersABG (as further described in Note 22, Stock-Based Compensation, in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020).

We account for stock awards and other independent contractors.

The Company applies FASB ASC 718, “Stock Compensation,” when recording stock based compensationoption grants to employees, directors, and directors. The estimated fair valueconsultants by measuring the cost of stock based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award. We have adopted ASU 2016-09 in 2016 with early application and account for actual forfeitures of awards as they occur.

The fair value of restricted stock awards by Subsidiary at Inception was estimated on the date of the award using the exchange value used by Integrated and the Subsidiary to establish the relative voting control ratio in the Recapitalization.

Restricted stock that was subject to an escrow arrangement and/or a performance condition in conjunction with the Recapitalization was remeasured and fair value was estimated using the quoted price of our common stock on the date of the Recapitalization. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow.

The fair value of fully vested stock awards is estimated using the quoted price of our common stock on the date of the grant. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life.

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The Company accounts for stock issued to non-employees in accordance with provisions of FASB ASC 505-50, “Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees.” FASB ASC 505 -50 states that equity instruments that are issuedservices received in exchange for the receipt of goods or services should bestock-based payments as compensation expense in our consolidated financial statements. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees which are time-vested are measured at fair value on the grant date and charged to operations ratably over the vesting period. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees which are performance-vested are measured at fair value on the grant date and charged to operations when the performance condition is satisfied.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2018-07 (as further described in Note 22, Stock-Based Compensation, in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020), we accounted for stock-based payments to certain directors and consultants, and Publisher Partners (collectively the “non-employee awards”) by determining the value of the consideration received orstock compensation based upon the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliability measurable. The measurement date occurs as of the earlier ofat either (a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached or (b) absent a performance commitment,at the date at which the necessary performance necessary to earn the equity instruments is complete, (thatresulting in financial reporting period adjustments to stock-based compensation during the vesting terms for changes in the fair value of the awards. After adoption of ASU 2018-07, the measurement date for non-employee awards is the vesting date). Equity grants with performance conditions that do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance may be measured atlater of the adoption date of ASU 2018-07, or the date of grant, without change in the fair value of the award. There was no cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. For stock-based awards granted to non-employees subject to graded vesting that only contain service conditions, we have elected to recognize stock-based compensation expense using the straight-line recognition method.

The fair value measurement of equity awards and grants used for stock-based compensation is not fixed until performanceas follows: (1) restricted stock awards and restricted stock units which are time-vested are determined using the quoted market price of our common stock at the grant date; (2) stock option grants which are time-vested and performance-vested are determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at the grant date; (3) restricted stock awards which provide for performance-vesting and a true-up provision are determined through consultants with our independent valuation firm using the binomial pricing model at the grant date; (4) stock option grants which provide for market-based vesting with a time-vesting overlay are determined through consultants with our independent valuation firm using the Monte Carlo model at the grant date; (5) Publisher Partner warrants are determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model; and (6) ABG Warrants are determined utilizing the Monte Carlo model (as further described in Note 22, Stock-Based Compensation, in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020).

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Fair value determined under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and Monte Carlo model is complete. affected by several variables, the most significant of which are the life of the equity award, the exercise price of the stock option or warrants, as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, and the estimated volatility of the common stock over the term of the equity award. Estimated volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock and is evaluated based upon market comparisons. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair market value of common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of our common stock.

The fair value of the stock options granted were probability weighted effective January 1, 2019 under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or Monte Carlo model as determined through consultants with our independent valuation firm since the value of the units or options, among other things, depend on the volatility of the underlying shares of our common stock, warrantsunder the following two scenarios: (1) scenario one assumes that our common stock will be up-listed on a national stock exchange (the “Exchange”) on a certain listing date (the “Up-list Date”); and (2) scenario two assumes that our common stock is estimated at grantnot up-listed on the Exchange prior to the final vesting date usingof the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life. The Company recognizes expense for equity based paymentsgrants (the “No Up-list”), collectively referred to non-employees as the services“Probability Weighted Scenarios”.

We classify stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s cash compensation costs are received. The Company has specific objective criteria, such asclassified.

Income Taxes

We utilize the dateasset and liability method of launchaccounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of a Channel onexisting assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the Company’s platform, for determination of the period overyears in which servicesthose temporary differences are received and expense is recognized.

The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be earned by Channel Partners basedrecovered or settled. The effect on performance obligationsdeferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax law is recognized in results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We periodically evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be satisfied overheld and used when events or circumstances warrant such a defined period which will commence at the launchreview. The carrying value of a Channel onlong-lived asset to be held and used is considered impaired when the Company’s platform.

The Company issues common stock upon exerciseanticipated separately identifiable undiscounted cash flows from such an asset are less than the carrying value of equity awards and warrants.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes the tax effects of transactions in the year in which such transactions enter into the determination of net income regardless of when reported for tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided in the financial statements to give effect to the temporary differences which may arise from differences in the bases of fixed assets, depreciation methods and allowancesasset. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the income taxes expected to be payable in future years. Deferred tax assets arisingamount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily as a result of net operating loss carry-forwards, and research and development credit have been offset completely by a valuation allowance duereference to the uncertainty of their utilization in future periods.

The Company recognizes interest accrued relative to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expense. During the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016, the Company recognized no income tax related interest and penalties. The Company had no accruals for income tax related interest and penalties at December 31, 2016.

Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share 

Basic income or loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as options, restricted stock, and warrants. Restricted stock is considered outstanding and included in the computation of basic income or loss per share when underlying restrictions expire and the shares are no longer forfeitable. Diluted income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Unvested but outstanding restricted stock (which are forfeitable) are included in the diluted income per share calculation. In a period where there is a net loss, the diluted loss per share is computed using the basic share count. At December 31, 2016, potentially dilutive shares outstanding amounted to 14,510,126.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company has a limited operating history and has not generated revenue to date. The Company's business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the U.S. and worldwide. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the U.S. and world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company's control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and the results of its operations.

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In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded projects, marketing and sales operations as well as extensive human capital. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company's industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company's products, services, and/or expertise may become obsolete and/or unmarketable. The Company's future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.

Recently Adopted Standards

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 (ASU 2014-15), Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-10). ASU 2014-15 provided guidance as to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In connection with preparing these consolidated financial statements management evaluated whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. As fully described in Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements, the Company believes that it does not have sufficient funds to support its operations through the end of first quarter of 2018.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  ASU 2016-09 changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows.  ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual periods. Management has adopted this standard early in 2016 and it did not have a material effect on the financial statements and related disclosures.

Recent Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 (ASU 2015-17), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 is not expected to have any impact on Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes all existing guidance on accounting for leases in ASC Topic 840.  ASU 2016-02 is intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet.  ASU 2016-02 will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted.  ASU 2016-02 is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented with various optional practical expedients.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  ASU 2016-15 refines how companies classify certain aspects of the cash flow statement in regards to debt prepayment, settlement of debt instruments, contingent consideration payments, proceeds from insurance claims and life insurance policies, distribution from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows.  ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  No early adoption is permitted.  Management is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-15 on the financial statements and related disclosures.

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In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (ASC 606) - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, and most industry specific guidance. The standard's core principle is that revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The guidance in ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. ASC 606 requires the Company to make significant judgments and estimates. ASC 606 also requires more extensive disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue andanticipated cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

The FASB has also issued several additional ASUs which amend ASU 2014-09. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in ASC 606.

Public business entities are required to apply the guidance of ASC 606 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (2018 for calendar year end reporting companies), including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted.

The Company has not yet estimated the financial statement impact of the expected changes. The Company will continue to assess the impact of ASC 606 as it works through the adoption in 2017.

Management believes that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would not havediscounted at a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.

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

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2017

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunctionrate commensurate with the Company’s financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.  This discussion may contain certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results and timing of certain events may differ significantly from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth elsewhere in this prospectus.risk involved.

OverviewSeasonality

The Company was incorporated under the name of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. (“Integrated”) in Delaware in 1990. It was founded to design, manufacture, sell and service image-directed, computer-controlled robotic software and hardware products for use in orthopedic surgical procedures. On June 28, 2007, Integrated completed the sale of substantially all of its operating assets. After completion of the sale, the Integrated no longer engaged in any business activities and then sought to locate a suitable acquisition target to complete a business combination. From June 2007 until the closing of the Recapitalization (as defined in Note 2 of Item 1. Financial Statements) on November 4, 2016, Integrated was a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulations of the SEC. As a result of the Recapitalization, on a going forward basis, the Company continued to file its public reports with the SEC on an operating company basis. On December 2, 2016, the corporate name was changed from “Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.” to “theMaven, Inc.”

theMaven Network, Inc. was incorporated in Nevada on July 22, 2016, under the name “Amplify Media, Inc.” On July 27, 2016, the corporate name was amended to “Amplify Media Network, Inc.” and on October 14, 2016, the corporate name was changed to “theMaven Network, Inc.” theMaven Network, Inc. is a 100% owned subsidiary of the theMaven, Inc.

Going Concern

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the need for additional capital, as described below.

The Company has not generated any operating revenues since July 22, 2016 (Inception) and has financed its operations through (a) the Recapitalization transaction with Parent, (b) a loan from Parent that was cancelled upon closing of the Recapitalization, and (c) a private placement of common stock in April 2017. The Company has incurred operating losses and negative operating cash flows since July 22, 2016 (Inception), and it expects to continue to incur operating losses and negative operating cash flows for at least the next few years. As a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, in its report on the Company’s 2016 consolidated financial statements, has raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 

In April 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, raising proceeds of $3,765,000 in gross proceeds. The Company believes that it does not have sufficient funds to support its operations through the end of the first quarter of 2018. In order to continue business operations past that point, the Company currently anticipates that it will need to raise additional debt and/or equity capital. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to secure any additional financing on acceptable terms and conditions, or at all. If cash resources become insufficient to satisfy the Company’s ongoing cash requirements, the Company would be required to scale back or discontinue its technology development programs, or obtain funds, if available (although there can be no certainty), or to discontinue its operations entirely.

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Results of Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, total net loss was approximately $1,004,828 or $0.11 loss per basic and diluted share.

Research and development expenses $64,022 
General and administrative expenses $947,970 
Loss from operations $(1,011,992)

Research and development expenses

In the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company spent $691,006 including $212,156 of stock-based compensation, for software development, of which $626,984 was capitalized as Website Development Costs incurred during the application development stage and $64,022 was expensed as Research and Development Costs. The Company was actively developing the software and the underlying technology platform for an exclusive network of professionally managed online media channels. As of March 31, 2017, the online media network had not launched and no capitalized Website Development Costs were amortized to expense.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $947,970 including primarily stock based compensation of $286,149, wages and benefits paid in cash of $279,275 and professional fees of $168,175. Our expenses are due to our general administrative expenses of carrying on a business, including administrative compensation, office space lease expenses, and legal and accounting expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital

The Company had working capital of approximately $2.3 million as of March 31, 2017. This was an increase of approximately $2 million due to the receipt of gross proceeds of $3.5 million received during the quarter from the private placement, net of stock issuance costs and cash used in operations and for investment during the quarter.

  March 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 
       
Current Assets $3,230,210  $719,881 
Current Liabilities $(886,229) $(346,327)
Working Capital $2,343,981  $373,554 

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2017:

  March 31,
2017
 
    
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities $(535,471)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (432,419)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  3,483,935 
Increase in Cash during the Period $2,516,045 
     
Cash at Beginning of Period  598,294 
     
Cash at End of Period $3,114,339 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash used in operating activities was $535,471 which was due to the net loss reduced by non-cash expenses for stock-based compensation of approximately $286,000 and working capital changes of approximately $196,000 of expenses accrued and paid after the end of the quarter.

We anticipate needing a substantial amount of additional capital to sustain our current operations and implement the current business plan of the Company as now budgeted. We do not believe that the proceeds of the private placement of common stock completed on April 4, 2017, will be sufficient to allow us to implement our business plan to the point where our revenues will cover our operating costs and the expansion of our business offerings. Without additional funding, we will have to modify our longer-term business plan. The funds that we will need may be raised through equity financing, debt financing, or other sources, which may result in further dilution in the equity ownership of our shares. We anticipate thereafter that we will need additional capital as we expand our operations, and do not anticipate that our income will cover our full operating expenses for the foreseeable future. We have no contracts or arrangements for any additional funding at this time. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise any funding or will be able to meet our accrued obligations. If we are not able to obtain the additional financing on a timely basis, we will be unable to conduct our operations as planned, and we will not be able to meet our other obligations as they become due. In such event, we will be forced to scale down or perhaps even cease our operations. These estimates may change significantly depending on the nature of our business activities and our ability to raise capital from our shareholders or other sources.

There are no assurances that we will be able to obtain further funds required for our continued operations. We will pursue various financing alternatives to meet our immediate and long-term financial requirements. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to us when needed or, if available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. If we are not able to obtain the additional financing on a timely basis, we will be unable to conduct our operations as planned, and we will not be able to meet our other obligations as they become due. In such event, we will be forced to scale down or perhaps even cease our operations.

Contractual Obligations

As a “smaller reporting company”, we are not required to provide tabular disclosure obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, including any outstanding derivative financial instruments, off-balance sheet guarantees, interest rate swap transactions or foreign currency contracts. We do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts.

Seasonality

Once we are actively providing services to our customer base, we expect to experience typical media company adadvertising and sponsorshipmembership sales seasonality, which is strong in the fiscal fourth quarter and slower in the fiscal first quarter.

Effects of Inflation

To dateAs of December 31, 2020, inflation has not had ano material impact on our business or operating results.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, and Estimates

The Company’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s audited in our consolidated financial statements includedfor the year ended December 31, 2020, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect the Company’s more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.includes Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.

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Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Subsidiary for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016 and that of Integrated after the Closing of the Recapitalization. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Major improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses from disposition of property and equipment are included in income and expense when realized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Office equipment and computers3-5 years
Furniture and fixtures5-8 years
Website development costs2-3 years

Intangible Assets

The intangible assets consist of the cost of a purchased website domain name with an indefinite useful life.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The long-lived assets, consisting of fixed assets and intangible assets, held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment no less frequently than annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed. Management has determined that there was no impairment in the value of long-lived assets during the period ended March 31, 2017.

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Website Development CostsMANAGEMENT

In accordance with authoritative guidance,The following table includes the Company begins to capitalize websitenames, ages and software development costs for internal use when planning and design efforts are successfully completed and development is ready to commence. Costs incurred during planning and design, together with costs incurred for training and maintenance, are expensed as incurred and recorded in research and development expense within the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. The Company places capitalized website and software development assets into service and commences depreciation/amortization when the applicable project or asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Once placed into service, the Company capitalizes qualifying costs of specified upgrades or enhancements to capitalized website and software development assets when the upgrade or enhancement will result in new or additional functionality.

The Company capitalizes internal labor costs, including compensation, benefits and payroll taxes, incurred for certain capitalized website and software development projects related to the Company’s technology platform. The Company’s policy with respect to capitalized internal labor stipulates that labor costs for employees working on eligible internal use capital projects are capitalized as part of the historical cost of the project when the impact, as compared to expensing such labor costs, is material.

Research and Development Expenses

In the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company spent $691,006 including $212,156 of stock-based compensation of which $626,984 was capitalized as Website Development Costs incurred during the application development stage and $64,022 was expensed as Research and Development Costs. 

Fair Value Measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

·Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
·Level 2 - Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
·Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the Company measures its derivative liability at fair value. The Company’s derivative liability is classified within Level 3.

The carrying value of other current assets and liabilities are considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

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Concentrations of Credit Risk

Cash

The Company maintains cash at a bank where amounts on deposit may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit throughout the year. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk regarding its cash.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company provides stock-based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards to employees, (b) vested stock grants to directors, (c) stock option grants to employees, directors and independent contractors, and (d) common stock warrants to Channel Partners and other independent contractors.

The Company applies FASB ASC 718, “Stock Compensation,” when recording stock based compensation to employees and directors. The estimated fair value of stock based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award. We have adopted ASU 2016-09 in 2016 with early application and account for actual forfeitures of awards as they occur.

The fair value of restricted stock awards by Subsidiary at Inception was estimated on the date of the award using the exchange value used by Integrated and the Subsidiary to establish the relative voting control ratio in the Recapitalization.

Restricted stock that was subject to an escrow arrangement and/or a performance condition in conjunction with the Recapitalization was remeasured and fair value was estimated using the quoted pricetitles of our common stock on the date of the Recapitalization. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow.

The fair value of fully vested stock awards is estimated using the quoted price of our common stock on the date of the grant. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life.

The Company accounts for stock issued to non-employees in accordance with provisions of FASB ASC 505-50, “Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees.” FASB ASC 505 -50 states that equity instruments that are issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services should be measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliability measurable. The measurement date occurs as of the earlier of (a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached or (b) absent a performance commitment, the date at which the performance necessary to earn the equity instruments is complete (that is, the vesting date). Equity grants with performance conditions that do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance may be measured at fair value that is not fixed until performance is complete. The fair value of common stock warrants is estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life. The Company recognizes expense for equity based payments to non-employees as the services are received. The Company has specific objective criteria, such as the date of launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform, for determination of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.

The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be earned by Channel Partners based on performance obligations to be satisfied over a defined period which will commence at the launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform.

The Company issues common stock upon exercise of equity awards and warrants.

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Income Taxes

The Company recognizes the tax effects of transactions in the year in which such transactions enter into the determination of net income regardless of when reported for tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided in the financial statements to give effect to the temporary differences which may arise from differences in the bases of fixed assets, depreciation methods and allowances based on the income taxes expected to be payable in future years. Deferred tax assets arising primarily as a result of net operating loss carry-forwards, and research and development credit have been offset completely by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of their utilization in future periods.

The Company recognizes interest accrued relative to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized no income tax related interest and penalties. The Company had no accruals for income tax related interest and penalties at March 31, 2017.

Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share 

Basic income or loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as options, restricted stock, and warrants. Restricted stock is considered outstanding and included in the computation of basic income or loss per share when underlying restrictions expire and the shares are no longer forfeitable. Diluted income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Unvested but outstanding restricted stock (which are forfeitable) are included in the diluted income per share calculation. In a period where there is a net loss, the diluted loss per share is computed using the basic share count. At March 31, 2017, potentially dilutive shares outstanding amounted to 16,439,723.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company has a limited operating history and has not generated revenue to date. The Company’s business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the U.S. and worldwide. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the U.S. and world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company’s control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and the results of its operations.

In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded projects, marketing and sales operations as well as extensive human capital. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company’s industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company’s products, services, and/or expertise may become obsolete and/or unmarketable. The Company’s future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.

Recently Adopted Standards

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 (ASU 2015-17), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 did not have any impact on Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

Recent Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 (ASU 2015-17), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 is not expected to have any impact on Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes all existing guidance on accounting for leases in ASC Topic 840.  ASU 2016-02 is intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet.  ASU 2016-02 will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted.  ASU 2016-02 is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented with various optional practical expedients.  The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on its financial statements and related disclosures.

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In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  ASU 2016-15 refines how companies classify certain aspects of the cash flow statement in regards to debt prepayment, settlement of debt instruments, contingent consideration payments, proceeds from insurance claims and life insurance policies, distribution from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  No early adoption is permitted.  Management is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-15 on the financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (ASC 606) - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, and most industry specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is that revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The guidance in ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. ASC 606 requires the Company to make significant judgments and estimates. ASC 606 also requires more extensive disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

The FASB has also issued several additional ASUs which amend ASU 2014-09. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in ASC 606.

Public business entities are required to apply the guidance of ASC 606 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (2018 for calendar year end reporting companies), including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted.

The Company has not yet estimated the financial statement impact of the expected changes. The Company will continue to assess the impact of ASC 606 as it works through the adoption in 2017.

Management believes that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Set forth below is information regarding the current directors and executive officers of theMaven.officers. Directors are to be elected each year by our stockholders at an annual meeting. Each director holds his or her office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or resignation or removal. Executive officers are appointed by our board of directors.Board. Each executive officer holds his or her office until he or she resigns or is removed by the board of directorsour Board or his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

NameAgeCurrent TitleDates in Position or Office
James C. HeckmanRoss Levinsohn5158President, Chief Executive Officer and DirectorChair of our Board (1)August 26, 2020 – Present
Joshua JacobsPaul Edmondson4647Executive Co-ChairPresident, Platform (2)October 10, 2019 – Present
Martin L. HeimbignerDouglas Smith5861Chief Financial Officer and SecretaryMay 3, 2019 – Present
William SornsinAndrew Kraft5548Chief Operating Officer and Secretary(3)October 1, 2020 – Present
Benjamin JoldersmaAvi Zimak3847Chief TechnologyRevenue and Strategy OfficerDecember 19, 2019 – Present
Ross LevinsohnJill Marchisotto5345DirectorChief Marketing OfficerOctober 1, 2020 – Present
Christopher MarlettH. Robertson Barrett5255DirectorPresident, MediaFebruary 18, 2021 – Present
Peter MillsTodd Sims6152Director (4)August 23, 2018 – Present
Daniel Shribman37Director (5)June 11, 2021 – Present
Carlo Zola43Director (6)June 11, 2021 – Present
Christopher Petzel50Director (7)October 7, 2021 – Present
Laura Lee46Director (8)October 7, 2021 – Present
H. Hunt Allred37Director (9)October 7, 2021 – Present

(1)Mr. Levinsohn held the title of Chief Executive Officer of Sports Illustrated from September 2019 until his appointment as our Chief Executive Officer and a director on August 26, 2020. Mr. Levinsohn was appointed as the Chair of our Board on October 12, 2021.
(2)Mr. Edmondson previously held the title of our Chief Operating Officer from August 2018 until December 2019. Mr. Edmondson also served as President from October 10, 2019, until February 18, 2021; however, on February 18, 2021, the role of President was split into two offices, President, Platform, which Mr. Edmondson holds, and President, Media.
(3)Mr. Kraft previously held the title of Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer from December 2018 until December 2019.
(4)Mr. Sims is the Chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (“Nomination Committee”) and serves on our Special Finance and Governance Committee (“Special Finance Committee”).
(5)Mr. Shribman serves on our Audit Committee and Nomination Committee.
(6)Mr. Zola serves on our Audit Committee and is Chair of our Special Finance Committee.
(7)Mr. Petzel serves on our Compensation Committee and Nomination Committee.
(8)Ms. Lee is the Chair of our Audit Committee and serves on our Compensation Committee.
(9)Mr. Hunt is the Chair of our Compensation Committee and serves on our Special Finance Committee.

Biographical Information on Officers and Directors

Each of the directors on our Board of Directors was elected because he has demonstrated an ability to make meaningful contributions to our business and affairs, has a reputation for honesty and ethical conduct, has strong communication and analytical skills, and has skills, experience and background that are complementary to those of our other Board members. Mr. Marlett has extensive financing and investment banking experience and other managerial experience with development and early stage operating companies and helping those companies define their business strategies and implementing business plans. Messrs. Heckman andRoss Levinsohn have extensive experience in the media, internet media, advertising and online communities, which are the business focuses of the Company. Mr. Mills has decades of experience in the high-technology products businesses and involvement with early stage companies.

James C. Heckman has been the Chief Executive Officer and President and a director of the Company since November 2016, and was the Chief Executive Officer and President and a director of theMaven from July 2016. Mr. Heckman has extensive experience in Internet media, advertising, video and online communities. He was the CEO of North American Membership Group, Inc., including its subsidiary Scout Media, Inc., from October 2013 to May 2016, and Chairman of the Board from May 2016 to July 2016. From April 2011 to August 2012, Mr. Heckman served as Head of Global Media Strategy for Yahoo!, leading all significant transactions and revenue strategy under Ross Levinsohn, where he architected the AOL/MSN/Yahoo! partnership. He was previously Founder and CEO of 5to1, an advertising platform, from August, 2008 through its 2011 sale to Yahoo!; Chief Strategy Officer of Zazzle.com 2007-2008; Chief Strategy Officer at FOX Interactive Media 2005 2007, where he architected the Myspace/Google ad alliance and was instrumental in the formation of what is now Hulu; Founder/CEO of Scout.com, from April 2001 through to its sale to Fox in September 2005; Founder/CEO of Rivals.com from 1997 to 2000; and President and Publisher of NFL Exclusive, official publication for every NFL team, from 1991 to 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Washington.

Josh Jacobs was appointed as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, effective as of May 31, 2017 and as an officer of the Company with the position of Executive Co-Chair. Before joining TheMaven, Mr. Jacobs was President, Services at Kik Interactive (“Kik”) from May 2015 to December 2016. From June 2011 to April 2014, Mr. Jacobs was Chief Executive Officer of Accuen Media, an Omnicom Company (NYSE:OMC). From September 2009 to April 2011 Mr. Jacobs was Senior Vice President of Marketing for Glam Media. From July 2007 to October 2009 Mr. Jacobs was VP/GM Advertising Platforms at Yahoo, Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO). He has also held leadership positions at X1 Technologies and Bigstep, Inc.

Martin Heimbigner was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective as of May 15, 2017. He has been employed by the Company from March 20, 2017 in a non-officer role. Before joining the Company, Mr. Heimbigner was a partner at Pacific CFO Group, LLC from June 2016 to March 2017, and from November 2012 to October 2014, where he served as an advisor and senior finance and accounting executive at client companies of the firm. From November 2014 to May 2016, Mr. Heimbigner was Chief Financial Officer of BSQUARE Corporation (NASDAQ:BSQR). From January 2003 to November 2012 Mr. Heimbigner was a consultant with Tatum LLC, where he similarly served in senior finance and accounting executive roles with client companies. From January 2009 to April 2010 Mr. Heimbigner was President,our Chief Executive Officer and a director since August 26, 2020. Mr. Levinsohn joined us on June 14, 2019, as the Chief Executive Officer of Sports Illustrated. Mr. Levinsohn also served as one of our directors briefly in 2017. Mr. Levinsohn was an executive with Tribune Publishing from August 21, 2017, until January 17, 2019, serving first as the Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Times and then as the Chief Executive Officer of Tribune Interactive. He was the managing partner of Whisper Advisors, LLC, an advisory firm, from June 2016 to August 2017. Mr. Levinsohn also previously served as Chief Executive Officer at City Bank, headquarteredGuggenheim Digital Media from January 2013 to June 2014, overseeing brands including The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard Magazine. He served in Lynnwood, WA (NASDAQ:CTBK). He has held other senior partner or financial leadershipvarious executive positions earlierat Yahoo! Inc. (“Yahoo!”), a global Internet company, from October 2010 to August 2012, including as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, Head of Global Media and Head of the Americas. Mr. Levinsohn co-founded and served as managing director at Fuse Capital, an investment and strategic equity management firm focused on investing in and building digital media and communications companies, from 2007 to 2010. Prior to his time at Fuse Capital, Mr. Levinsohn spent six years at News Corporation, serving in roles including President of Fox Interactive Media and Senior Vice President of Fox Sports Interactive. Earlier in his career, Mr. Levinsohn held senior management positions with AltaVista, CBS Sportsline and HBO. We believe that Mr. Levinsohn is qualified to serve as one of our directors because of his vast executive experience with various media companies and his understanding of our business through his service as our Chief Executive Officer.

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Paul Edmondson has served as President of Platform since February 16, 2021, the date on which we split our President role into two separate officer roles. Prior to this appointment, he served as our President since October 10, 2019. Beginning on February 16, 2021, Mr. Edmondson’s role as President will be overseeing the Platform operations. Mr. Edmondson also served as our Chief Operating Officer from August 23, 2018, until December 9, 2019. Mr. Edmondson oversees our Platform business that offers the core content management system, programmatic advertising technology and multitenant subscription stack for publishers serving partner publishers and our owned and operated properties. Mr. Edmondson joined the Company with the acquisition of HubPages, where he served as Founder and Chief Executive Officer beginning in January 2006. Prior to HubPages, he served as the Group Product Manager for Microsoft Corporation’s MSN Entertainment. He joined Microsoft Corporation with the acquisition of MongoMusic, Inc., and prior to that he developed applications for Hewlett-Packard Company.

Douglas Smith has served as our Chief Financial Officer since May 3, 2019. Before joining us, Mr. Smith served as the Chief Financial Officer of Ashworth College from March 2016 to April 2019. Mr. Smith also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Scout Media from May 2015 to March 2016, GLM Shows from November 2011 to May 2014, EducationDynamics from July 2009 to November 2011, Datran Media from June 2005 to December 2008, and Peppers & Rogers Group from October 2000 to May 2005. From May 1993 to October 2000, Mr. Smith served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Primedia. Prior to his corporate experience, Mr. Smith served as the Senior Vice President of the Bank of New York from June 1982 to May 1993. Mr. Smith earned his Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Connecticut College.

Andrew Kraft has served as our Chief Operating Officer since October 1, 2020. Mr. Kraft joined us in December 2018 and served in a variety of senior leadership roles before transitioning to a consulting role from April 2020 through October 2020, when he rejoined us as a full-time employee. Prior to joining us, Mr. Kraft served in a variety of roles on the executive team of Xandr, a division of AT&T Inc., formerly known as AppNexus, for seven years, including as the head of Business and Corporate Development, as a co-founder of the company’s publisher business and head of Publisher Strategy, and as the Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Mr. Kraft was the Senior Vice President, AMP & Publisher Solutions for Collective, where he led business development for the company’s audience management and monetization platform. Mr. Kraft studied Physics and Theater at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Avi Zimak has served as our Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Global Strategic Partnerships since December 9, 2019. Before joining us, Mr. Zimak served as the Chief Revenue Officer & Publisher of New York Media from March 2017 to December 2019. From September 2012 to January 2015, Mr. Zimak served as the Vice President of Sales of North America for Outbrain. Mr. Zimak also served as the General Manager of The Americas for Outbrain from January 2015 to February 2017. He served on various management teams at Hearst Corporation from August 2007 to September 2012 and worked toward the launch and oversight of the Hearst App Lab. Mr. Zimak served in national sales roles for Condé Nast from 2003 to 2007, Time Inc. from 2001 to 2003, Advance Publications American City Business Journals from 1998 to 2001, and Ziff Davis from 1997 to 1998. Mr. Zimak received his Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Potsdam in 1997.

Jill Marchisotto has served as our Chief Marketing Officer since October 1, 2020. She also served as our Chief Consumer Marketing & Membership Officer from November 2019 until October 2020. Ms. Marchisotto joined us in 2019 with our acquisition of TheStreet, Inc., where she led the consumer subscription business and marketing strategy for the brand’s suite of products, including Jim Cramer’s popular investment club. Her roles with TheStreet included Executive Director, Consumer Marketing from October 2017 until October 2019; Senior Director of Marketing from February 2017 until October 2017; and Director of Marketing from May 2016 until January 2017. From May 2013 to May 2016, Ms. Marchisotto worked on the Consumer Marketing, Retention, and Gift Program for Bloomberg L.P. Prior to that, Ms. Marchisotto worked extensively in both digital and print media and served in various marketing roles at Conde Nast and Wenner Media.

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H. Robertson Barrett has served as our President of Media since February 16, 2021. Before joining us, Mr. Barrett served as the President, Digital of Hearst Newspapers from January 2016 to February 2021. From February of 2014 to December of 2015, Mr. Barrett served as the Vice President of Media Strategy and Operations at Yahoo!, and from May 2011 through January of 2014, as Vice President of Yahoo! News and Yahoo! Finance. Mr. Barrett served as Chief Strategy Officer of Perfect Market, Inc., an IdeaLab company, from January 2010 through May 2011. He served in general management positions at Tribune Company from 2005 to 2009, including Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital, for The Los Angeles Times from January 2005 through May 2008 and Executive Vice President, Tribune Interactive, from May 2008 through December 2009. Mr. Barrett had earlier digital management roles as Vice President and General Manager of Primedia Inc.’s ChannelOne.com from 1998 to 1999, as Vice President and General Manager of The FeedRoom, Inc., a broadband video venture backed by NBC and Tribune, from 1999 to 2001, and as a co-founder of Time.com, as Deputy Editor, in 1994 and 1995 and of ABCNews.com, as Managing Producer from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Barrett received a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Greek from Duke University in 1988 and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1994.

Todd Sims has served as a member of our Board since August 23, 2018. Mr. Sims has served as the President of B. Riley Venture Capital (“BRVC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. Prior to his current position with BRVC, Mr. Sims served as a member of B. Riley’s board of directors from 2016 to 2020. Prior to his role at BRVC, Mr. Sims spent 10 years as Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy of Anschutz Entertainment Group, Inc., one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world, overseeing business and corporate development for its ticketing business, AXS Digital, LLC. Prior to that, Mr. Sims spent more than 15 years building Internet businesses. In the mid-1990s, Mr. Sims served as ESPN’s executive producer of NFL.com, NBA.com, and NASCAR Online. Mr. Sims also served on the management team of eCompanies, LLC, an incubator which has incubated a number of companies including Demand Media (NYSE:DMD), Intelligent ResultsJamdat Mobile Inc. (acquired by First Data, NYSE:FSD)Electronic Arts Inc.), AirbiquityBusiness.com Inc., Washington Energy Company (NYSE:WECO) (acquired by R.H. Donnelley Corp.), and KPMG.Boingo Wireless, Inc. Mr. Heimbigner holdsSims serves as an Executive MBA degree fromadvisor to the Los Angeles Dodgers Tech Accelerator and was a guest lecturer at the University of Washington,Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. Mr. Sims graduated from Colorado College in 1992. Mr. Sims’ digital media experience provides an important resource to our Board and qualifies him for service as a director.

Daniel Shribman has served as one of our directors since June 11, 2021. He has served as the Chief Investment Officer of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”) since 2019 and President of its B. Riley Principal Investments subsidiary, which acquires, invests, and operates companies with a focus on maximizing cash flows through operational expertise, since 2018. Mr. Shribman has served as a member of the board of directors of Alta Equipment Group Inc. (NYSE: ALTG) since February 2020 and as a member of the board of directors and audit committee chair of Eos Energy Enterprises (Nasdaq: EOSE) since November 2020. ALTG and EOSE previously completed successful business combinations with two special purpose acquisition companies (or SPACs), B. Riley Principal Merger and B. Riley Principal Merger II, sponsored by a subsidiary of B. Riley. Mr. Shribman has served as the Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp. and B. Riley Principal 250 Merger Corp. since April 2021 and May 2021, respectively. Prior to joining B. Riley, Mr. Shribman was a Portfolio Manager at Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C., a special situation asset manager with over $15 billion in assets under management, from 2010 until 2018. During his tenure, he led investments in dozens of public and private opportunities across the general industrials, transportation, automotive, aerospace, gaming, hospitality and real estate industries. These investments ranged from public equities and bonds to deeply distressed securities, par bank debt, minority owned private equity, and majority owned private equity. Mr. Shribman obtained a MA degree in Economics and History from Dartmouth College. We believe that Mr. Shribman is qualified to serve as a director because of his previous experience working in close collaboration with management teams and boards to maximize shareholder value in the form of operational turnarounds, capital markets financings and communication and capital deployment initiatives.

Carlo Zola has served as one of our directors since June 11, 2021. He is an investment professional with over 19 years of active experience in the financial markets. Mr. Zola started his professional career in 2002 as a research analyst at Intermonte SIM in Milan, the leading independent Italian investment bank. In 2004, Mr. Zola started working at the largest fund management company in the world with over $2 trillion under management, Capital Group, where he held positions as analyst and portfolio manager in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and London. During his 13 years at Capital Group, Mr. Zola successfully managed a portfolio of over $1 billion in assets, with responsibilities in global and income mandates as well as more focused mandates in Media, Metals and Mining, Chemicals and Real Estate (REITs). During the last 3 years at Capital Group, Mr. Zola also served as Research Portfolio Coordinator (RPC) overseeing investments by a team of over 20 analysts for one of its Growth and Income funds. An early investor in cryptocurrencies, Mr. Zola left Capital Group in 2018 and has been a founding partner at Paladin Trust, a leading Trust and Custodian business dedicated to the crypto markets founded in 2018. Since January 2020, Mr. Zola is a founding partner at Percival Ventures, an investment firm based in Puerto Rico, focused on early stage blockchain investments and cryptocurrencies. In late 2020, Mr. Zola was among the founding partners of Atlas Capital Team, L.P. an asset management company in which he retains an active position as Portfolio Manager with a mandate focused on Real Estate and ESG investments. Finally, Mr. Zola serves as a principal of Warlock Partners, LLC (“Warlock”) and of Roundtable Media L.L.C. Mr. Zola holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business AdministrationEconomics from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2002 and Accountinga Master degree in management from Washington State University.CEMS, the Community of European Management Schools, which he attended at ESADE in Barcelona, Spain. We believe that Mr. Zola is qualified to serve as a director because of his extensive financial market experience.

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Christopher Petzel has served as one of our directors since October 7, 2021. He is a Certified Public Accountantpartner at Percival Ventures, an investment firm based in Washington State.Puerto Rico, focused on early stage blockchain investments and crypto currencies. Since August 2019, he has served as Chairman of Byte to Bite Industries, Inc., a delivery-focused hospitality and technology venture, as Chairman of Broadside Enterprises, Inc. (OTC:BRSE), an entertainment and media company, and as Chairman of Chancellor Group, Inc. (OTC:CHAG), a small cap vehicle. Mr. Petzel has broad experience with media, technology, hospitality, and corporate finance, including transactions with publicly-traded companies and has produced and/or financed several hundred million dollars of entertainment assets. Mr. Petzel worked for investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey in Los Angeles, where his clients included DreamWorks, Pacific Data Images (now DreamWorks Animation), Centropolis Effects, Sundance Productions, Constantin Film AG and Castle Music. In 1999, he was one of the principal members of the team representing The Walt Disney Company in valuation matters pertaining to a much-publicized arbitration with Jeffrey Katzenberg. Mr. Petzel also previously worked for the media finance department of Berliner Bank AG (London Branch). Mr. Petzel is fluent in German, English, French and Spanish. He studied finance and economics at the Universities of Barcelona (Spain) and Fribourg (Switzerland), where he graduated summa cum laude. We believe that Mr. Petzel is qualified to serve as a director because of his experience with media, technology, hospitality, and corporate finance, as well as his experience in building a technology platform for the entertainment industry and working with small cap companies, including with respect to their reporting requirements.

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William SornsinLaura Lee has served as one of our directors since October 7, 2021. Ms. Lee is a seasoned technology and media executive, advisor, and board director. Since 2018, Ms. Lee has been the Chief Operating Officeradvising growth companies like Patreon Inc., Xoogler.co (ex-Googler network), and McKinsey & Company, Inc. Previously, she held senior positions at various media, technology, and consumer companies, including Executive Vice President of theMaven since July 2016 and became the Chief Operating Officer of Integrated at the Recapitalization. Mr. Sornsin was CTO of North American Membership Group, Inc., including its subsidiary Scout Media, Inc. from October 2013 to January 2016, and COO from January 2016 to July 2016. Mr. Sornsin ran MSN's Core Technology team before joining Heckman in 1999 as co-founder and CTO of Rivals.com. In 2001 he became co-founder and CTO and COO for the original Scout.com, and served as VP EngineeringContent, Strategy, and Operations at Fox InteractiveNBC Universal Media after Scout's 2005 acquisition.LLC in 2017, where she oversaw over $2 billion in key digital investments and relationships with Snap Inc., BuzzFeed, Inc., Vox Media, Inc., and YouTube LLC (“YouTube”), new business opportunities, and digital content production. From 2015 to 2016, Ms. Lee was the Chief Digital Officer and President of Media at Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC (“Margaritaville”), Jimmy Buffett’s lifestyle brand, where she grew Margaritaville’s digital footprint by 300% through original content, lowered the average fan age by 20 years, implemented CRM, digital and marketing infrastructures, and signed multi-million dollar deals for the new media business unit. From 2007 to 2015, Ms. Lee worked at YouTube where she oversaw North American Content, the top revenue-generating division of YouTube (more than $5 billion), launched the global transaction (VOD/EST) business for YouTube and Google Play, and created the Global Top Creator team, which oversaw the relationships with YouTube’s most popular digital-native influencers. Ms. Lee was instrumental in helping both established and digital-native publishers create sizable YouTube audiences with strong links to their owned and operated properties, leading to greater than 200% increases in revenue for key partners. Prior to Rivalsher time with YouTube, Ms. Lee held various roles at Viacom Media Networks, Inc. from 2003 to 2007, including Vice President of Business Development and Scout, Sornsin held a varietyOperations at MTV Networks where she launched the first digital video business with Vice (VBS.TV) and acquired Harmonix Music Systems, the developer of iconic gaming hits Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Ms. Lee currently serves on the board of MediaCo Holding Inc. (NASDAQ: MDIA) (“MediaCo”) where she chairs several committees, including Audit, Digital M&A, and the COVID Task Force, and serves on the Compensation Committee. At MediaCo, she is helping the company reimagine its business model, expand its media asset portfolio, and deepen its digital footprint. She previously was an independent director on the board of American Apparel LLC where she served on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, led digital transformation, and helped conduct the Chief Executive Officer search. Ms. Lee also serves on the board of WatchMojo, one of the top global entertainment networks on YouTube with over 45 million subscribers and 18 billion views (www.youtube.com/watchmojo). She provides strategic advice around content, product, and programbusiness expansion. She also sits on the board of Womensphere, a social enterprise business focused on empowering women and girls globally. She is an industry expert and has been recognized as a top executive by Variety, NACD, Crain’s New York, and Multichannel News. Ms. Lee proudly serves as a class officer for her Brown University class and is an active alumna of Harvard Business School. We believe that Ms. Lee’s demonstrated experience corporate finance, strategy, digital content and marketing, as well as in the technology and media industries qualifies her to serve as a director.

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H. Hunt Allred has served as one of our directors since October 7, 2021. Mr. Allred currently serves as Director of Alternative Investments, leading investments on behalf of various Hunt Family entities, doing business as Petro-Hunt LLC (“Petro-Hunt”). Petro-Hunt is primarily focused on investing in technology, healthcare, and other venture opportunities. Mr. Allred has served in this position since May 2017. He also serves in management positions across several portfolio companies, including RedCap Investments, LP, Mill Iron Operations and mLife Diagnostics. Prior to joining Petro-Hunt, Mr. Allred held roles at Microsoft.hedge funds Citadel, from December 2016 to April 2017, and Vollero Beach Capital Partners, from June 2012 to September 2016, where he focused on public equity investing across the industrial, energy and utility sectors. Prior to his position with Vollero Beach Capital Partners, Mr. Allred served as an industrial public equity analyst at Aptigon Capital, a division of Citadel LLC, from October 2016 to April 2017. He holdsheld various roles at Commerce Street Capital, a private equity fund centered on investing in regional financial institutions. He began his career at ORIX USA, holding roles in both the corporate finance group, financing sponsored backed leverage buyouts, and the real estate structured credit group, working out distressed real estate assets. Mr. Allred received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Computer EngineeringBusiness Administration from Texas Christian University and Master of Business Administration from the University of IowaTexas at Austin. Because of his extensive investment experience across multiple asset classes, with expertise including private equity, public equity, venture capital, credit origination, and structured credit resolutions, we believe Mr. Allred is qualified to serve as a Mastersdirector.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of Business Administration from UCLA.our directors or executive officers.

Benjamin JoldersmaInvolvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

None of our directors, director nominees, and executive officers has been involved in any legal or regulatory proceedings, as set forth in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, during the past ten years.

Director Qualifications

The Nomination Committee determines the qualifications, qualities, skills, and other expertise required to be a director and to develop, and recommend to our Board for its approval, criteria to be considered in selecting nominees for director. The Nomination Committee and our Board believe that at this time, it is unnecessary to adopt criteria for the selection of directors. Instead, the Nomination Committee and our Board believe that the desirable background of a new individual member of our Board may change over time and that a thoughtful, thorough selection process is more important than adopting criteria for directors.

Director Independence

Our common stock is not currently listed for trading on a national securities exchange and, as such, we are not subject to any director independence standards. However, in light of our listing application with the NYSE American, we have evaluated independence in accordance with the rules of the NYSE American Company Guide and the SEC with respect to each director and director nominee. Based on these standards, our Board has determined that each of the following non-employee directors are independent and has no relationship with us, except as one of our directors and stockholders.

Todd SimsCarlo Zola
Daniel ShribmanChristopher Petzel
Laura LeeH. Hunt Allred

All of the members of the Audit, Nomination, and Compensation Committees are also independent.

Based on these standards, our Board determined Ross Levinsohn was not independent.

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Committees of Our Board

The Board has established the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, Nomination Committee, and the Special Finance Committee.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee currently consists of Laura Lee (Chair), Carlo Zola, and Daniel Shribman. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by our Board, a copy of which can be accessed at https://investors.thearenagroup.net/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters.

The Audit Committee assists our Board in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee (i) the integrity of our financial statements, our accounting and financial reporting processes and financial statement audits, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) our systems of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, (iv) the independent auditor’s engagement, qualifications, performance, compensation, and independence, (v) review and approval of related party transactions, and (vi) the communication among our independent auditors, our financial, and senior management and our Board. Our Board has determined that the Audit Committee is comprised entirely of independent members as defined under applicable listing standards set out by the SEC and the NYSE American. Our Board has determined that Ms. Lee, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC rules.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee currently consists of H. Hunt Allred (Chair), Christopher Petzel, and Laura Lee. The Compensation Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by our Board, a copy of which can be accessed at https://investors.thearenagroup.net/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters.

The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to evaluate, recommend, approve, and review our executive officer and director compensation arrangements, plans and programs and to administer our cash-based and equity-based plans for employees and consultants. The Compensation Committee’s principal functions are to: (i) review and approve all forms of our non-equity and equity-based compensation of executive officers and directors; and (ii) administer our equity-based compensation plans, including administering our 2019 Plan, pursuant to which incentive awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights are granted to our directors, executive officers, and key employees. The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining executive compensation, including approving recommendations regarding equity awards for all of our executive officers, setting base salary amounts, and fixing compensation levels. This includes reviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding corporate goals and objectives relevant to Chief Executive Officer compensation, evaluating, at least annually, the Chief Technology OfficerExecutive Officer’s performance in light of these goals and objectives, and reviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on such evaluation.

The Compensation Committee also annually reviews director compensation to ensure non-employee directors are adequately compensated for the time expended in fulfilling their duties to us, as well as the skill-level required by us of members of our Board. After the Compensation Committee completes their annual review, they make recommendations to our Board regarding director compensation.

The Compensation Committee is authorized to engage compensation consultants, if they deem necessary, to assist with the Compensation Committee’s responsibilities related to our executive compensation program and the director compensation program.

Our Board has determined that the Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of independent members as defined under applicable listing standards set out by the SEC and the NYSE American.

Nomination Committee. The Nomination Committee currently consists of Todd Sims (Chair), Christopher Petzel, and Daniel Shribman. The Nomination Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by our Board, a copy of which can be accessed at https://investors.thearenagroup.net/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters. The purpose of the Company since November 2016Nomination Committee is to exercise general oversight with respect to the governance of our Board by (i) identifying, reviewing the qualifications of, and recommending to our Board proposed nominees for election to our Board, consistent with criteria approved by our Board, and (ii) selecting, or recommending that our Board select, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of theMaven since July 2016.stockholders. The Nomination Committee provides advice, counsel, and direction to management on the basis of the information it receives, discussions with management, and the experience of the Nomination Committee members.

Special Finance Committee. The Special Finance Committee was formed in fiscal 2021 and consists of Carlo Zola (Chair), Todd Sims, and H. Hunt Allred. The purpose of the Special Finance Committee is to: (i) respond to and address any stockholder activism activities that may be directed to our stockholders and us; (ii) oversee the preparation and adoption of the rights plan that was adopted by our Board in fiscal 2021; and (iii) oversee strategic financing negotiations.

Code of Ethics

A Business Code of Ethics and Conduct (“Code of Ethics”) that applies to our executive officers, directors, and other employees was approved and adopted by our Board on March 9, 2021. The Board also approved the Code of Ethics for Finance Officers (the “Senior Code of Ethics”), which applies to our financial officers, on March 9, 2021. Copies of the Code of Ethics and the Senior Code of Ethics may be accessed on our website at https://investors.thearenagroup.net/corporate-governance/documents-and-charters.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our executive officers currently serve, or have served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity, other than us, that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Named Executive Officers – Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to (i) any individuals serving as our Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2021 (Mr. Levinsohn), (ii) our two other most highly compensated executive officers serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal 2020 (Mr. Edmondson and Mr. Joldersma has developed a deep expertiseZimak), and (iii) any individuals for whom disclosure would have been required but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer as of the end of fiscal 2021 (no individuals met this criteria during fiscal 2021). Some of the information set forth in large-scale systems, rapid development and online product innovation. Hethis section entitled “Executive Compensation” with respect to compensation earned during fiscal 2021 is based on financial results for fiscal 2021 that have not yet been audited. We will provide any updates with respect to the information set forth in this section after our audit of the financial results for fiscal 2021 is complete.

(a)

Name and Principal Position

 (b) Year (c) Salary  (d) Bonus  

(e)

Stock Awards

  (f) Option Awards (1)  (j) Total Compensation 
Ross Levinsohn 2021 $581,352  $250,000  $7,580,487  $2,315,634  $10,727,473 
Chief Executive Officer and Director (2) 2020  412,585   200,000       -   612,585 
Avi Zimak 2021  450,000   416,790   1,997,561   589,829   3,454,180 
Chief Revenue Officer(3) 2020  412,585   77,175       -   489,760 
Paul Edmondson 2021  400,000   245,112   2,663,415   786,439   4,094,966 
President, Platform (4) 2020  -   -      -   - 

(1)The fair value of option awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2020 was calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (refer to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 in Note 22, Stock-Based Compensation, filed as part of this prospectus for valuation assumptions).

The fair value for the options granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was CTO of North American Membership Group, Inc., including its subsidiary Scout Media, Inc., from January 2016 to July 2016, and Chief Product Officer (responsiblecalculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for product vision and all software engineering) from October 2013 to January 2016. Mr. Joldersma was a Senior Software Engineer at Google from December 2012 to October 2013, working on imagery related productsthe time-based awards under the Geo organization, and Principal Software Engineer at Yahoo! from June 2011Probability Weighted Scenarios utilizing the following assumptions:

  December 31, 2021 
  Up-list  No Up-list 
Risk-free interest rate  0.16% - 1.48%  0.16% - 1.48%
Expected dividend yield  0.00%  0.00%
Expected volatility  65.00% - 90.00%  133.00% - 143.00%
Expected life  3 - 6 years   3 - 6 years 

(2)Mr. Levinsohn was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer in August 2020.
(3)Mr. Zimak was appointed as Chief Revenue Officer in December 2019.
(4)Mr. Edmondson previously held the title of our Chief Operating Officer from August 2018 until December 2019. Mr. Edmondson also served as President from October 10, 2019, until February 18, 2021; however, on February 18, 2021, the role of President was split into two offices, President, Platform, which Mr. Edmondson holds, and President, Media.

Narrative Discussion of Summary Compensation Table of Named Executive Officers

The following is a narrative discussion of the material information that we believe is necessary to December 2012, working on advertising platform technology. He was System Architect at 5to1 from August 2008 through its June 2011 sale to Yahoo!. Earlier Mr. Joldersma held software architecture and engineering positions at Skull Squadron from 2007to2009 (also its founder); All-In-One Creations from 2004to2007 (co-founder); aQuantiveunderstand the information disclosed in 2006 (contract position); Pacific Edge Software in 2005; Scout.com from 2001 to2005; Rivals.com from 1999 to2001; and Microsoft from 1998 to1999 (contract position). He studied Computer Science at the Universityforegoing Summary Compensation Table. The following narrative disclosure is separated into sections, with a separate section for each of Puget Sound.our named executive officers.

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Ross Levinsohn has been a director of

Employment Agreements

On May 1, 2020, we amended the Company since November 2016.employment agreement with Mr. Ross Levinsohn dated September 16, 2019 (the “Amended Levinsohn Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amended Levinsohn Employment Agreement Mr. Levinsohn was to be paid a salary of $427,500 per annum. It also serves as a directorprovided for various termination events under which he would be entitled to eighteen months of Tribune Media company, a diversified media and entertainment business. Previously,salary continuance, including quarterly bonuses for the eighteen-month period. Pursuant to the Amended Levinsohn Employment Agreement, Mr. Levinsohn servedwas to continue to serve as chief executive officer at Guggenheim Digital Media, an affiliate of Guggenheim Securities, from January 2013 to June 2014. Mr. Levinsohn served as interim chief executive officer from May 2012 to August 2012 and executive vice president, head of global media at Yahoo! Inc., a multinational internet company, from March 2012 to August 2012. Prior to that post he was executive vice president of the Americas region for Yahoo from October 2010 until 2012. Mr. Levinsohn co-founded Fuse Capital, an investment and strategic equity management firm focused on investing in and building digital media and communications companies. Prior to Fuse Capital, Mr. Levinsohn served as President of Fox Interactive Media, a wholly owned unit of News Corporation. Prior to this post, he served as senior vice president and general manager of Fox Sports Interactive Media. Mr. Levinsohn also held senior management positions with AltaVista, CBS Sportsline and HBO. Mr. Levinsohn currently serves on the board of Zefr, Inc., which provides solutions for professional content owners on YouTube, and the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), and previously held board positions with Freedom Communications, Inc., Napster, Inc., Generate, BBE Sound, Crowd Fusion and True/Slant. Mr. Levinsohn received a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications from American University.

Christopher A. Marlett has been a director of the Company since April 2008, and was the Chief Executive Officer from April 2008 through November 2016.of Sports Illustrated; President of Maven Media; and a director.

On February 18, 2021, we entered into the second amended and restated executive employment agreement (the “Second A&R Employment Agreement”), which was effective as of August 26, 2020, the date on which Mr. Marlett is, and has been since 1997,Levinsohn was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the co-founder, chairman andterms of the Second A&R Employment Agreement, Mr. Levinsohn will continue to serve as our Chief Executive Officer through December 31, 2023, subject to automatic renewal for an additional one-year term, or until the Second A&R Employment Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. The Second A&R Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Levinsohn will be paid an annual base salary of MDB Capital Group LLC (“MDB”),$550,000, subject to annual review by our Board and, should any member of our leadership receive an investment banking firm focusedincrease in their annual salary, he will receive an increase in base salary equal to that percentage increase. Mr. Levinsohn is also eligible to earn an annual bonus based on equity financingsa target bonus amount of $1.0 million, which will be earned and capital formation for growth-oriented technology companies.  Mr. Marlett has over twenty-seven years of investment banking experience, including all phases of corporate finance, such aspayable upon the completion of initial public offerings, secondary offerings, PIPEs and strategic consulting.certain performance thresholds. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

39

Peter B. Mills has been a director of the Company since September 2006. Mr. Mills is an entrepreneuralso eligible to participate in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was CEO of Cimbal, Inc., a startup company developing a mobile payments system in Los Altos, CA, from June 2014 to December 2015. From May 2004 until December 2012, he was Vice President of Sales at Speck Design, a leading product design firm with offices in Palo Alto, California.  From July 2007 to April 2008, Mr. Mills served as President, Chief Executive Officer,2019 Plan and Chairman of the Board of Integrated.  He has spent 15 years selling sophisticated industrial robotics and automation systems with Adept Technology, the leading U.S. manufacturer of industrial robots, and Hewlett-Packard Company. He has also served as the Vice President of Sales from October 2000 to September 2001 at Softchain, an enterprise supply chain software company acquired by RiverOne, Inc. in 2001, which was later acquired by i2 Technologies, Inc. in 2006.  Mr. Mills has significant experience with respectis entitled to the designsame employment benefits available to our employees, as well as to the reimbursement of business expenses during his term of employment. The Second A&R Employment Agreement provides for various termination events, including termination without cause or for good reason (both as defined in the agreement), under which Mr. Levinsohn would be entitled to annual bonuses earned but not yet paid and manufacturing needssalary continuation through December 31, 2023, or the end of any renewal term, if applicable, but in no event will he be eligible to less than twelve months of salary continuation and reimbursement of 18 consecutive months of COBRA costs. Mr. Levinsohn is also subject to restrictive covenants on solicitation of employees, solicitation of customers, use of trade secrets, non-disparagement, and competition.

On October 6, 2021, Mr. Levinsohn and we entered into a variety of industries including medical devices, disk drives, consumer products, food packaging, printers, computers and networking, and semiconductor equipment. He has extensive international business experience in Japan, Singapore, and Korea. Mr. Mills earned a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and an A.B. in engineering, cum laude, from Dartmouth College.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers, directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a class of the equity securities of the Company that is registeredBonus Letter (the “Bonus Letter”), pursuant to Section 12which we agreed to pay Mr. Levinsohn a one-time bonus in the amount of $300,000 in the Exchange Act within specified time periodsevent our common stock was listed on the Nasdaq.

On December 22, 2021, we entered into Amendment No. 1 to file certain reports of ownershipSecond Amended & Restated Executive Employment Agreement (“Levinsohn Amendment No. 1”) with Mr. Levinsohn, pursuant to which (i) the Bonus Letter was terminated and changes(ii) Mr. Levinsohn’s target bonus amount for calendar year 2021 in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and ten-percent stockholders are required by regulationSecond A&R Employment Agreement was amended, whereby Mr. Levinsohn is eligible to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solelyearn an annual bonus based on a reviewtarget bonus amount of copies$1 million, (a) $333,333 of which shall become earned on the reports furnisheddate that either (1) we submit a formal application to the Company and written representations from persons concerning the necessity to file these reports, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Company islist our common stock on a nationally recognized stock exchange or (2) our Board determines that we should not aware of any failure to file reports or report transactions in a timely manner.

Board; Committees of the Board of Directors; Financial Expert; and Independence

The board of directors is currently composed of six persons. The Company does not have securitiesbecome listed on a national securities exchange in 2021 or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system that has director independence2022; and (b) up to $667,667 of which shall become earned and payable if we achieve 70% or committee independence requirements. Accordingly, the Company is not required to comply with any director independence requirements.

Notwithstanding the foregoing lackmore of applicable independence requirements, the board of directors currently has two members that qualify as "independent" as the term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv)(B) of Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 5605 of The Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Rules. These persons are Mr. Ross Levinsohn, and Mr. Peter B. Mills.

We are not required to have and we do not have currently an Audit Committee. The Company's board of directors performs the same functions of an Audit Committee, including: recommending a firm of independent certified public accountants to audit the financial statements; reviewing the auditors' independence, the financial statements and their audit report; and reviewing management's administrationour EBITDA target (with $333,333 earned if 70% of the systemEBITDA target is achieved, and for every 1% in excess of internal accounting controls. The Company does not currently have a written audit committee charter or similar document.

Although70% of the EBITDA target, an additional $11,111 is earned). If we do not have and are not requiredachieve less than 70% of its EBITDA target, our Board has the discretion to have an Audit Committee,determine the directors have determinedamount of the bonus earned, if any. In addition, the Levinsohn Amendment No. 1 provides that Mr. Peter Mills qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” This director has financial statement preparationLevinsohn will be eligible to receive a bonus of up to $1.0 million in calendar years 2022 and interpretation ability obtained over2023 based on achievement of EBITDA targets set by our Board. The Levinsohn Amendment No. 1 contemplates that any bonus that is earned will be paid quarterly based on quarterly results and provides for a reconciliation to occur at the years from past business experience and education.end of the fiscal year.

4060

 

Our board of directors currently does not have nominating or compensation committees nor does it have a written nominating or compensation committee charter. Our directors believe that it is not necessary to have such committees, at this time, becauseAvi Zimak

Employment Agreement

On June 14, 2020, the functions of such committees can be adequately performed by the board of directors.

Code of Ethics

A Code of Ethics that appliesparties entered into an Amended & Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “Zimak Amended Agreement”). Pursuant to the executive officers and the other employeesterms of the Company,Zimak Amended Agreement, Mr. Zimak’s annual salary was approvedreduced to $427,500 effective April 1, 2020, and adopted bythen further reduced to $363,375, effective June 14, 2020 until December 31, 2020. Beginning January 1, 2021, Mr. Zimak’s annual salary was set at $450,000. Pursuant to the Board of Directors on April 8, 2004. Copiesterms of the CodeZimak Amended Agreement, Mr. Zimak would be entitled to an annual base bonus equal to $375,000 for fiscal 2020 and $450,000 for fiscal 2021 and beyond, which bonus could be earned based on certain annual revenue targets. The Zimak Amended Agreement contemplated that to the extent earned, the annual bonus would be paid quarterly based on the achievement in a quarter of Ethics may be obtained freea portion of charge by written requestthe annual revenue target then in effect. The Zimak Amended Agreement provided for various termination events under which he was entitled to theMaven, Inc., attention Chief Financial Officer, 2125 Western Avenue, Suite 502, Seattle, WA 98121.

Conflict of Interest

We have not adopted any policies or proceduressalary continuance for the review, approval, or ratificationlonger of any transaction between(i) the Company and any executive officer, director, nominee to become a director, 10% shareholder, or family member of such persons, required to be reported under paragraph (a) of Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

Limitation of Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that corporations may include a provision in their certificate of incorporation relieving directors of monetary liability for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breachremainder of the director’s dutyterm of loyaltythe Zimak Amended Agreement or (ii) one year following the date of the termination, and all of the shares of our common stock underlying the restricted stock units awarded to Mr. Zimak pursuant to his employment agreement dated November 2, 2019, would automatically vest. He was also subject to a restrictive covenant on solicitation of employees for a period of one year after the termination of his employment and a restrictive covenant on solicitation of customers during his employment and for a period of one year following the termination of his employment.

On February 22, 2021, effective January 1, 2021, the parties entered into a Second Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement (the “A&R Zimak Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase or redemption, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors are not liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition to the foregoing, our bylaws provide that we may indemnify directors, officers, employees or agents to the fullest extent permitted by law and we have agreed to provide such indemnification to each of our directors.

The above provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and in the written indemnity agreements may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders. However, we believe that the foregoing provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinionterms of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policyA&R Zimak Employment Agreement, Mr. Zimak will serve as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

41

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth, for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016, the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to those persons who were the Company’s Chief ExecutiveRevenue Officer Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer,for a two-year period beginning on January 1, 2021, subject to automatic renewal for one-year terms, or until the A&R Zimak Employment Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. The A&R Zimak Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Zimak will be paid an annual base salary of $450,000, subject to annual review by our Board. Mr. Zimak is also eligible to earn an annual bonus based on a target bonus amount of $450,000 with respect to calendar years 2021 and Chief Technology Officerbeyond, subject to certain performance conditions. Mr. Zimak received a one-time signing bonus in 2016 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).  There were noamount of $250,000, which must be repaid to us in the event Mr. Zimak is terminated for cause or resigns other executive officersthan for good reason. He is also eligible to participate in the 2019 Plan and is entitled to the same employment benefits available to the employees, as well as to the reimbursement of business expenses during his term of employment. The A&R Zimak Employment Agreement provides for various termination events, including termination without cause or for good reason (both as defined in the agreement), under which Mr. Zimak would be entitled to salary continuation for up to one year. Mr. Zimak is also subject to restrictive covenants on solicitation of employees, solicitation of customers, use of trade secrets, and competition with us for a period of up to one year after termination of the Company whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016.A&R Zimak Employment Agreement.

Name and
Principal Position
 Year Stock
Awards
(1), (2), (3) & (6)
  Option
Awards
  All Other
Compensation
  Total
Compensation
(4)(5)
 
               
James C. Heckman (1)                  
Chief Executive Officer 2016 $817,819  $-  $137,503  $955,322 
                   
Gary A. Schuman (7)                  
Chief Financial Officer 2016  -  $-  $5,700  $5,700 
                   
William Sornsin (2)                  
Chief Operating Officer 2016  359,345  $-  $114,584  $473,929 
                   
Benjamin Joldersma (3)                  
Chief Technology Officer 2016  408,910  $-  $114,584  $523,494 

(1)Mr. Heckman, Chief Executive Officer, exchanged approximately $1,000 for 4,094,708 shares at Inception on August 1, 2016. These shares are subject to repurchase agreement entered into at the time of the Recapitalization of November 4, 2016, providing that if he leaves employment of the Company prior to three years. These shares vest over the three-year service period with one-third vesting after the one year anniversary and the balance ratably over the remaining 24 months.

(2)Mr. Sornsin, Chief Operating Officer, exchanged approximately $400 for 1,799,191 shares at Inception on August 1, 2016. These shares are subject to repurchase agreement entered into in August 2016, providing that if he leaves employment of the Company prior to three years. These shares vest over the three-year service period with one-third vesting after the one year anniversary and the balance ratably over the remaining 24 months.

(3)Mr. Joldersma, Chief Technology Officer, exchanged approximately $500 for 2,047,354 shares at Inception on August 1, 2016. These shares are subject to repurchase agreement entered into in August 2016, providing that if he leaves employment of the Company prior to three years. These shares vest over the three-year service period with one-third vesting after the one year anniversary and the balance ratably over the remaining 24 months.

(4)The compensation set forth in the above table is for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016.

(5)Mr. Schuman’s compensation is for the period from November 4, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

(6)The fair value of the stock awards was estimated for financial reporting purposes under ASC 718 using the exchange value used by Integrated and the Subsidiary to establish the relative voting control ratio in the Recapitalization.  See also Note 2, Note 8 and Note 9 in the consolidated financial statements.

(7)Mr. Schuman was Chief Financial Officer until May 14, 2017, at which time Martin L. Heimbigner was appointed as Chief Financial Officer.

42

Employment AgreementsPaul Edmondson

 

The CompanyEmployment Agreement

Effective January 1, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. James C. HeckmanPaul Edmondson (the “Edmondson Employment Agreement”). The Edmondson Employment Agreement contemplates a term that commences on January 1, 2021 and continues indefinitely until it is terminated in accordance with an expiration date in July 2019.the provisions of the Edmondson Employment Agreement. The agreementEdmondson Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Edmondson will continue to serve as our President of Platform, a position that he will actassumed in February 2021. Prior to that, Mr. Edmondson served as the Chief Executive Officer,our President, and a director of the Company.position he assumed in October 2019. Mr. HeckmanEdmondson will be paid aan annual base salary of $300,000 per annum$400,000, subject to annual review by our Board and an annual increase of at least 5%. Mr. Edmondson is also eligible to earn an annual bonus in accordance with the executive cash bonus plan, with a target bonus amount equal to 75% of his annual salary as of the last day of the applicable year. He is also eligible to participate in the 2019 Plan and is entitled to the regular employeesame employment benefits ofavailable to our employees, as well as to the company and reimbursement of business expenses. He also may be awarded merit based performance increases.expenses during his term of employment. The agreementEdmondson Employment Agreement provides for various termination events under which he isMr. Edmondson would be entitled to one year’s severance equal to his annual salary amount. Heand bonus amounts based on achievement of 100% of his personal goals. Mr. Edmondson is also subject to restrictive covenants on competitive employmentsolicitation of employees, solicitation of customers, use of trade secrets, and competition with us for a period of up to two years so longone year after termination of the Edmondson Employment Agreement.

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-of-Control

Mr. Levinsohn

The Second A&R Employment Agreement provides for various termination events, including termination without cause or for good reason (both as defined in the agreement), under which Mr. Levinsohn would be entitled to annual bonuses earned but not yet paid and salary continuation through December 31, 2023, or the end of any renewal term, if applicable, but in no event will he is paid his annualbe eligible for less than twelve months of salary amountcontinuation and reimbursement of 18 consecutive months of COBRA costs. In addition, he would be entitled to the acceleration of vesting of outstanding equity awards.

Mr. Zimak

Effective January 1, 2021, the A&R Zimak Employment Agreement provides for various termination events, including termination without cause or for good reason (both as defined in the agreement), under which Mr. Zimak would be entitled to salary continuation for up to one year for non-solicitation of employees, customers and vendors of the company.year.

Mr. Edmondson

The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. William Sornsin with an expiration date in July 2019. The agreement provides that he will act as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Sornsin will be paid a salary of $250,000 per annum and is entitled to the regular employee benefits of the company and reimbursement of business expenses. He also may be awarded merit based performance increases. The agreementEdmondson Employment Agreement provides for various termination events under which he isMr. Edmondson would be entitled to three month’sone year’s severance at a rate equal to his monthlyannual salary amount. He is alsoand bonus amounts based on achievement of 100% of his personal goals.

Retirement Benefits

We offer a qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan. All of our employees are eligible to participate in this plan, including our named executive officers, subject to restrictive covenants on competitive employment forlimitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We currently match 100% of contributions made by participants in the 401(k) up to two years so long as he is paid his4% of eligible annual salary amountcompensation.

Other Compensation

In 2020 and for up2021, we provided our employees, including each of our named executive officers, with health insurance coverage.

62

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following tables provide information concerning options to one year for non-solicitationpurchase shares of employees, customers and vendors of the company.

theMaven entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Benjamin Joldersma with an expiration date in July 2019. The agreement provides that he will act as the Chief Technology Officer of theMaven Network. Mr. Joldersma will be paid a salary of $250,000 per annum and is entitled to the regular employee benefits of the company and reimbursement of business expenses. He also may be awarded merit based performance increases. The agreement provides for various termination events under which he is entitled to three month’s severance at a rate equal to his monthly salary amount. He is also subject to restrictive covenants on competitive employment for up to two years so long as he is paid his annual salary amount and for up to one year for non-solicitation of employees, customers and vendors of the company.

theMaven entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Martin Heimbigner in March 2017. The agreement provides that he will act as the Chief Financial Officer of theMaven. Mr. Heimbigner will be paid a salary of $220,000 per annum and is entitled to the regular employee benefits of the Company and reimbursement of business expenses. He also may be awarded merit based performance increases. He is also subject to restrictive covenants regarding customary confidentiality, non-compete, non-solicitation and invention assignment provisions.

theMaven entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Joshua Jacobs in May 2017. The agreement provides that he will act as the Co-Executive Chair of theMaven Network. Mr. Jacobs will be paid a salary of $225,000 per annum, a performance based bonus opportunity up to $75,000 and is entitled to the regular employee benefits of the Company and reimbursement of business expenses. He also may be awarded merit based performance increases. The agreement provides for various termination events under which he is entitled to severance and acceleration of vesting of equity grants. The employment agreement includes standard provisions for assignment of intellectual property developed while an employee, protection of Company confidential information, and non-competition and non-solicitation of employees.

All employees of the Company who were employed by theMaven Network, Inc. prior to the Recapitalization and have shares in the Company as a result of the Recapitalization have entered into stock agreements which permit the Company to repurchase some of their share ofour common stock received in the Recapitalization if they leave employment prior to their third anniversary of employment. The repurchase payment amount is nominal. The repurchase agreement permits the Company to buy back all the shares prior to the one year anniversary of employment, and thereafter two thirds of the shares less 1/36th for each month of employment after the one year anniversary. Each of these persons has also signed a one year lock up of any shares that they own in the Company, which expires on the one year anniversary of the consummation of the Recapitalization. The repurchase agreements also provide to the Company or its assignee a right of first refusal on the shares. All shares arestock awards held in escrow so as to be able to allow enforcement of the foregoing repurchase right of the Company, and additionally, 35% of the shares are held in escrow for the indemnification provisions of the Share Exchange Agreement and performance conditions of that agreement for a one year period after the Recapitalization.

All employees of theMaven have entered into employment letters which set forth their salary amounts and entitlement to benefits. Additionally, each person has also entered into an Employee Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement. This latter agreement also provides that the person may not work for certain designated competitors for a 12-month period after termination of employment. The provisions of the agreement also contain work for hire provisions and assignment of inventions, but the latter are subject to Washington state law provisions that may limit the Company right to inventions developed by the employee using its own resourcesnamed executive officers on non-company time. The agreement also imposes limitations on disparagement and publicity by the employee. Independent contractors have similar provisions for the protection of the Company during the course and after their engagement by the company.December 31, 2021.

  Option Awards

(a)

Name

 

(b)

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable

  

(c)

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable

  

(d)

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options
(#)

  

(e)

Option exercise price
($)

  

(f)

Option expiration date

Ross Levinsohn  472,892   59,112(1)  -   0.46  4/10/2029
Ross Levinsohn  1,666,667   333,333(2)  -   0.42  6/11/2029
Ross Levinsohn  1,500,000   500,000(3)  -   0.81  9/16/2029
Ross Levinsohn  1,463,415   731,707(4)  -   0.79  2/18/2031
Ross Levinsohn  -   2,195,122(5)  -   0.79  2/18/2031
Avi Zimak  750,000   375,000(6)  -   0.77  12/2/2029
Avi Zimak  750,000   375,000(7)     0.77  12/2/2029
Avi Zimak  -   1,097,561(8)  -   0.79  2/18/2031
Paul Edmondson  100,000(9)  -   -   0.56  9/12/2028
Paul Edmondson  4,299,024   537,378(1)  -   0.46  4/10/2029
Paul Edmondson  -   1,463,415(8)  -   0.79  2/18/2031

(1)On January 8, 2021, our Board approved an amendment to the option award grant, such that the stock options vests one-third on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the balance vesting, on a monthly basis, over a two-year period.
(2)The shares of our common stock underlying the options vest one-third on June 11, 2020, with the balance vesting monthly over the next 24 months.
(3)On January 8, 2021, our Board approved an amendment to the option award grant, which eliminated the revenue vesting conditions, therefore, the award continues to vest solely on the time vesting condition, with one-third of the award vesting after one year of continuous service, with the balance vesting monthly for each month of continuous service.
(4)As of December 31, 2021, the shares of our common stock underlying the options were to vest one-third upon the grant date, one-third to vest on August 26, 2021, with the remaining one-third vesting on August 26, 2022.

4363

(5)The shares of our common stock underlying the options vest upon certain performance conditions, including achievement of certain stock targets.
(6)The shares of our common stock underlying the options vest one-third on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the balance vesting monthly over the next 24 months.
(7)On January 8, 2021, our Board approved an amendment to the option award grant, which eliminated the revenue vesting conditions, therefore, the award continues to vest solely on the time vesting condition.
(8)The shares of our common stock underlying the options vest one-third on January 1, 2022, with the balance vesting monthly over the next 24 months.
(9)As of December 31, 2021, the shares are fully vested.

  Stock Awards 

(a)

Name

 

(g)

Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested

(#)

  

(h)

Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested

($)

  

(i)

Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested
(#)

  

(j)

Equity incentive plan awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other units or other rights that have not vested
($)

 
Ross Levinsohn  1,707,317  $1,092,683(1)  -   - 
Ross Levinsohn  -   -   5,121,951(2)  3,278,049 
Avi Zimak  2,560,976   1,639,025(3)  -   - 
Paul Edmondson  3,414,634   2,185,366(3)  -   - 

(1)Two-thirds of the shares underlying the restricted stock units have vested; the remaining one-third will vest on August 26, 2022, so long as he is employed.
(2)Shares underlying the restricted stock units vest upon the achievement of each of the following (1) our common stock is listed on a national securities exchange and (2) the price of our common stock is at least 20% of our “free float.”
(3)One-third of the shares of our common stock underlying the restricted stock units vested on January 1, 2022, with the balance vesting in equal installments for twenty-four months.

Director Compensation

We compensateIn fiscal 2021, we compensated our non-employeeindependent directors with cash fees and/or equity awards. We do not plan at this time to providealso provided additional compensation for any committee participation, if there area director who acts as chairperson of one or more committees of the board of directors.our Board. A director who is also one of our executives or employees, including employed through our subsidiary,an executive officer does not and will not receive any additional compensation for these services as a director while providing service as an executive or employee. In those instances, directors that are also named executive officers ofofficer. The following table sets forth, for the Company will have their total compensation reported in the summary compensation table that otherwise provided in our public reports.

Director Compensation Table

The table below reflectsyear ended December 31, 2021, the compensation paid to directors during the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016.members of our Board.

Name of Director (1) (4) Fees  Stock
Awards
  Option
Awards
  Total 
             
Peter B. Mills $4,167  $-  $-  $4,167 
                 
Robert M. Levande (2) $2,084  $2,083  $-  $4,167 
                 
Christopher A. Marlett (3) $-  $4,167   -  $4,167 
                 
Ross Levinsohn $12,500  $49,252  $-  $61,752 

(a)

Name of Director(1)

 (c) Stock Awards(2)  (f) Total 
Todd D. Sims (3) $100,000  $100,000 
Carlo Zola (4)  47,006   47,006 
Daniel Shribman (5)  34,506   34,506 
Christopher Petzel (6)  12,500   12,500 
Laura Lee (7)  25,000   25,000 
H. Hunt Allred (8)  25,000   25,000 

(1)(1)Mr. HeckmanLevinsohn is a Named Executive Officer,named executive officers and, in accordance with SEC rules,accordingly, his compensation as a director is included in the “Summary Compensation Table” above. Mr. Levinsohn did not receive any compensation for his service as a director for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(2)Restricted stock awards were issued pursuant to the 2019 Plan and the 2020 Compensation Policies (as defined below). Each of these restricted stock awards were fully vested as of December 31, 2021. The table reflects the fair value amount in accordance with ASC Topic 718.

(3)As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate shares of our common stock underlying the stock awards in column (c) were 166,667 shares
(4)As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate shares of our common stock underlying the stock awards in column (c) were 72,329 shares
(5)As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate shares of our common stock underlying the stock awards in column (c) were 41,079 shares
(6)As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate shares of our common stock underlying the stock awards in column (c) were 31,250 shares
(7)As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate shares of our common stock underlying the stock awards in column (c) were 62,500 shares
(8)As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate shares of our common stock underlying the stock awards in column (c) were 62,500 shares

64
 (2)Mr. Levande has elected to receive one half of his quarterly fee in the form of shares of common stock of the Company.  The number of shares issued was determined by dividing, for each quarter, the compensation earned by the closing price of the Company’s stock as of the issue date. Mr. Levande resigned from

Director Compensation Policies

On January 1, 2020, our Board approved and adopted the 2020 Outside Director Compensation Policy (the “January 2020 Compensation Policy”). The January 2020 Compensation Policy applied to non-employee directors (the “Outside Directors”), providing that the Outside Directors would be granted annually a restricted stock award of a number of shares of our common stock equal in value to $50,000. It also provided that any Outside Director who serves as the chairperson of one or more committees of our Board of Directors on July 5, 2017.

(3)Mr. Marlett has elected to receive his quarterly fee in the form of shares of common stock of the Company.  The number of shares issued was determined by dividing, for each quarter, the compensation earned by the closing price of the Company’s stock as of the issue date.

(4)Joshua Jacobs was appointed to the Board of Directors in May 2017 and did not have compensation in 2016.

Equity Awards

The Company has adopted an equity award plan for the company and its subsidiaries, which will be usedgranted annually a restricted stock award of a number of shares of our common stock equal in value to supplement$50,000. However, each Outside Director may only receive one award for their service as a chairperson, regardless of the number of committees chaired. The shares of our common stock underlying each award vests in 12 equal monthly installments.

The January 2020 Compensation Policy included annual cash compensation to each Outside Director of $25,000 and to the Chairman of our Board of $30,000, payable quarterly. However, on May 27, 2020, our Board approved and adopted a new 2020 Outside Director Compensation Policy (the “May 2020 Compensation Policy” and, together with the January 2020 Compensation Policy, the “2020 Compensation Policies”). The May 2020 Compensation Policy includes the same provisions of the January 2020 Compensation Policy, except that it removed the cash compensation to Outside Directors.

Director Agreements

We previously entered into a Director Agreement with Todd Sims. The Director Agreement set forth the services required to serve as a director, that the compensation will be set from time to time in accordance with our then-compensation policies, the coverage of its directors, officers, employeesdirector and consultants, so asofficer liability insurance, and rights to tieindemnification.

Golden Parachute Compensation

For a portiondescription of theirthe terms of any agreement or understanding, whether written or unwritten, between any officer or director and us concerning any type of compensation, whether present, deferred, or contingent, that will be based on or otherwise will relate to an acquisition, merger, consolidation, sale, or other type of disposition of all or substantially all assets of our company, see above under the headings “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation Table.”

Risk Assessment in Compensation Programs

During fiscal 2021 and 2020, we paid compensation to the overall success of the Company. On December 19, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2016 Stock Option Plan, which authorizes the issuance of up to a maximum of 1,670,867 shares of Common Stock. The Company has issued awards to itsour employees, including executive and consultants for up to 1,224,137 shares of common stock. The awards vest over three years, have a per share exercise price ranging from $1.02 per share to $1.23 per share, and expire during the period from December 28, 2026 to May 1, 2027. The shareholders have not yet approved this plan.

On December 19, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program to be administered by management that authorized the Company to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to warrants to provide equity incentive to its Channel Partners in order to motivate and reward them for their servicesnon-executive officers. Due to the Companysize and to align the interests of the Channel Partners with those of the stockholders of the Company. The Company in late December 2016 issued awards has issued awards to six of the Channel Partners for up to 350,000 shares of common stock with an average exercise price of. The awards vest over three years, have a per share exercise price ranging from $0.95 to $1.09 with a weighted average of $1.05, and expire in five years from issuance. From January 1, 2017 to May 5, 2017, the Company has issued warrants to Channel Partners for an additional 1,725,000 shares of common stock with an average exercise price of $1.14 and ranging from $1.00 to $1.33. In addition to the three-year vesting condition, the warrants have performance conditions that determine how many warrants are earned. The performance conditions are generally based on the average number of unique visitors on the Channel operated by the Channel Partner or the revenue generated during the period from July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. These performance conditions do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance such that the fair value measure is not fixed until performance is complete as of December 31, 2017.The Company recognizes expense for equity based payments to non-employees as the services are received.  The Company has specific objective criteria, such as the date of launch on the Company’s platform, for determination of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized. This program has not been approved by the shareholders of the Company.

44

In addition to the equity awards under the foregoing 2016 plan and Channel Partner program, the Company also has outstanding options not issued under any plan issued to directors to acquire 175,000 shares of common stock, which are fully vested, with an exercise price of $0.17 per share and expire on May 15, 2019.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2016 Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information concerning options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock held by the Named Executive Officers on December 31, 2016.

  Option Awards
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#) Exercisable
  Option Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration Date
           
Gary A. Schuman  100,000  $0.17  5/15/2019

45

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operationscope of our business, and dothe amount of compensation, we did not anticipate payinghave any dividendsemployee compensation policies and programs to determine whether our policies and programs create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our common stock in the foreseeable future, if at all. Any future determination to declare dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.us.

4665

MARKET INFORMATION FOR COMMON STOCKSECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The Company’s common stock started trading on March 2, 2017 over-the-counter with quotation on the OTCQB, under the trading symbol “MVEN”.  Between December 1, 2016 and March 1, 2017, the Company’s common stock traded over-the-counter on the OTC “Pink Sheets” under the trading symbol “MVEN”. And prior to December 1, 2016, the Company’s common stock was traded over-the-counter on the OTC “Pink Sheets” under the trading symbol “ISSM”.

Common Stock

The following table sets forth the highinformation regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock: (i) by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) by our directors and low bid prices for each quarterly period in the past two fiscal years,our “named executive officers;” and (iii) by all of our directors and executive officers as reported by the NASDAQ on-line web site www.otcmarkets.com for shares of the Company’s common stock for the periods indicated. Such prices reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.a group.

  High  Low 
2017        
         
First Quarter $1.38  $0.80 
Second Quarter $2.00  $1.00 
Third Quarter (up to July 20, 2017) $1.68  $1.15 

  Common Stock 
  (MVEN) 
  High  Low 
2016        
         
First Quarter $0.19  $0.12 
Second Quarter $0.20  $0.15 
Third Quarter $0.20  $0.16 
Fourth Quarter $1.25  $0.15 
         
2015        
         
First Quarter $0.17  $0.09 
Second Quarter $0.20  $0.14 
Third Quarter $0.19  $0.10 
Fourth Quarter $0.20  $0.11 

Holders

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner * Pre-Reverse Stock Split Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)  Post-Reverse Stock Split Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)  

Percent of Class

(Pre-Offering) (2)

  Post-Offering Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)  

Percent of Class

(Post-Offering) (2)

 
Five Percent Stockholders:                    
B. Riley Financial, Inc. (3)  75,537,691   3,433,532   27.18%  3,433,532   19.28%
180 Degree Capital Corp. (4)  25,281,744   1,149,172   9.02%  1,149,172   7.60%
Warlock Partners, LLC (5)  32,749,548   1,488,617   11.66%  1,488,617   9.83%
Athletes First Media LLC (6)  16,755,695   761,624   5.99%  761,624   5.05%
TCS Capital Management LLC  20,714,286   941,559   7.45%  941,559   6.28%
Directors and Named Executive Officers (7):                    
Ross Levinsohn (8)  10,915,309   496,153   3.80%  496,153   3.21% 
Todd Sims  890,032   40,457   **   40,457   ** 
Carlo Zola (9)  72,329   3,288   **   3,288   ** 
Daniel Shribman   41,079   1,868   **   1,868   ** 
Avi Zimak (10)  3,110,265   141,367   1.11%  141,376   ** 
H. Hunt Allred (11)  1,788,254   81,286   **   81,286   ** 
Laura Lee   62,500   2,841   **   2,841   ** 
Christopher Petzel   31,250   1,421   **   1,421   ** 
Paul Edmondson(12)  6,917,505   314,434   2.43%  314,434   2.05%
Total Executive Officers and Directors, as a group (13 persons)  34,052,263   1,547,826   11.06%  1,547,830   9.46% 

*The address for each person listed above is 200 Vesey Street, 24th Floor, New York, New York, 10281, unless otherwise indicated.
**Less than 1.0%.
(1)Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares indicated, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Includes any securities that such person has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of January 26, 2022, pursuant to options, warrants, conversion privileges, or other rights.
(2)Based on 12,632,930 shares (277,924,445 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issued and outstanding, plus the number of shares each person has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of January 26, 2022 (on a pre-Reverse Stock Split and post-Reverse Stock Split basis). Percentage of class owned post-offering assumes that we issue 2,371,541 shares of our common stock and that the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of January 26, 2022, remains the same. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering includes 194,806 shares (4,285,714 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issued pursuant to restricted stock awards that remain subject to forfeiture.

As of July 19, 2017, there were approximately 125 holders of record of the common stock. The Company believes that there are additional holders of the common stock who have their stock in “street name” with their brokers. Currently, we cannot determine the approximate number of those street name holders.

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(3)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of 3,433,532 shares (75,537,691 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) beneficially held by BRF Investments, LLC (3,247,409 shares or 71,442,983 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) and B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC (186,124 shares or 4,094,708 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) (collectively, the “B. Riley Entities”). Shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the B. Riley Entities does not consist of (i) 134,329 shares (2,955,225 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) issuable upon conversion of 975 shares of Series H Preferred Stock; and (ii) 28,410 shares (625,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants. Each share of Series H Preferred Stock has voting rights equivalent to the number of shares of our common stock on an as-converted basis. Our Series H Preferred Stock and warrants are subject to a “conversion block,” such that the holder cannot convert or vote any portion of our Series H Preferred Stock or exercise the warrants that would result in the holder and its affiliates holding more than 4.99% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of our common stock following such conversions (which “conversion block” can be increased to 9.99% upon at least 61 days’ prior written notice to us). This does not include 346,005 shares (7,612,089 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock and 2,500 shares of Series H Preferred Stock beneficially held by BRC Partners Opportunity Fund LP, which is no longer considered an affiliated entity of the B. Riley Entities based on the B. Riley Entities’ Schedule 13D, Amendment No. 3, filed on November 1, 2021, and Form 4 filed on October 29, 2021.
(4)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of: (i) 1,042,372 shares (22,932,170 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares); and (ii) 106,799 shares (2,349,574 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under Stock Purchase Agreements entered into on January 24, 2022, in connection with the conversion of liquidated damages.
(5)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of: (i) 1,353,742 shares (29,782,316 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) and (ii) 134,875 shares (2,967,232 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under Stock Purchase Agreements entered into on January 24, 2022, in connection with the conversion of liquidated damages. Shares of our common stock beneficially owned does not consist of 303,100 shares (6,668,200 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) issuable upon conversion of 2,200 shares of Series H Preferred Stock. Each share of Series H Preferred Stock has voting rights equivalent to the number of shares of our common stock on an as-converted basis. Our Series H Preferred Stock is subject to a “conversion block,” such that the holder cannot convert any portion of our Series H Preferred Stock that would result in the holder and its affiliates holding more than 4.99% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock following such conversions (which “conversion block” can be increased to 9.99% upon at least 61 days’ prior written notice to us).
(6)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of: (i) 681,819 shares (15,000,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares); and (ii) 79,805 shares (1,755,695 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under a Stock Purchase Agreement entered into on January 24, 2022, in connection with the conversion of liquidated damages.
(7)Our “named executive officers” are as of December 31, 2021.
(8)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of: (i) 56,611 shares (1,245,434 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares); (ii) 7,655 shares (168,400 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under Stock Purchase Agreements entered into on January 24, 2022, in connection with the conversion of liquidated damages; (iii) 249,121 shares (5,480,641 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) issuable upon the exercise of vested options issued under the 2019 Plan; (iv) 155,211 shares (3,414,634 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under restricted stock units; and (v) 27,555 shares (606,200 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) issuable upon conversion of 200 shares of Series H Preferred Stock. Each share of Series H Preferred Stock has voting rights equivalent to the number of shares of our Common Stock on an as-converted basis. Our Series H Preferred Stock is subject to a “conversion block,” such that the holder cannot convert or vote any portion of our Series H Preferred Stock that would result in the holder and its affiliates holding more than 4.99% of the then-issued and outstanding shares of our common stock following such conversions (which “conversion block” can be increased to 9.99% upon at least 61 days’ prior written notice to us).

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

theMaven, Inc. (“Parent”) entered into an Investment Banking Advisory Services agreement in November 2007 with MDB Capital Group LLC (“MDB”), and the parties extended the agreement indefinitely in April 2009. The agreement terminated on completion of the Recapitalization. Under the agreement, MDB acted as an advisor to the Parent in connection with the Recapitalization. At the closing of the Recapitalization, the Parent paid MDB a cash fee of $54,299 (including $4,299 to reimburse MDB’s expenses in connection with the Recapitalization) and issued to MDB and its designees, Mr. Christopher A. Marlett, Robert Levande, and Mr. Schuman, a 5-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,169,607 shares of Common Stock, with an exercise price of $0.20 per share, representing 5% of the number of shares of the Parent on a fully diluted basis immediately after the Closing. The fair value of the warrants using Black Scholes Option Pricing model was determined to be $744,105. These amounts were recorded in the financial statements of the Parent prior to the Recapitalization.

The Company entered into a registration rights agreement with each of MDB and Messrs. Marlett, Levande, Mills and Schuman, to permit them to have their securities in the Company as of the completion of the Recapitalization included in a registration statement for resale by the holder when filed by Integrated on a piggyback basis and one demand registration right, which cannot be exercised until November 4, 2017. The registration rights, however, will not apply to those securities that may be sold under Rule 144, without restriction. Integrated is responsible for bearing the costs of any of these acts of registration of the securities.

On April 4, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, selling 3,765,000 shares at $1.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,765,000. In connection with the offering, the Company paid $188,250 and issued 162,000 shares of common stock to MDB Capital Group LLC, which acted as placement agent.

Mr. Christopher Marlett, a director of the Company, is also the Chief Executive Officer of MDB. Mr. Gary Schuman, who was the former Chief Financial Officer of the Company, is also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of MDB. The Company compensates Mr. Schuman for his services at the rate of $3,000 per month. Mr. Robert Levande, who was a director of the Company until his resignation on July 5, 2017, is also a senior managing director of MDB, Mr. Levande was compensated $6,250 in 2016 (from the date of the Recapitalization through December 31, 2016), which was paid in a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.

Prior to the closing of the Recapitalization, the Company provided a series of advances for an aggregated amount of approximately $735,000 to the Subsidiary under a promissory note (the “Term Note”). The Term Note was personally guaranteed by Mr. Heckman and secured by a mortgage held by the Company on certain properties owned by Mr. Heckman located in the State of Washington and the Province of British Columbia (“Mortgage”). A portion of the Term Note was secured by a corporate guarantee from MDB. At the Closing of the Recapitalization, the Term Note was cancelled and the Personal Guarantee, the Mortgage and the MDB Guarantee were terminated.

4867

(9)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of 3,288 shares (72,329 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock. Shares of our common stock beneficially owned does not includes shares beneficially owned by Warlock over which Mr. Zola does not have any voting or investment power.
(10)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of (i) 96,106 shares (2,114,330 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested options issued under the 2019 Plan; and (ii) 45,270 shares (995,935 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under restricted stock units. Does not include 11,364 shares (250,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) underlying vested restricted stock units but which are not issued until the earlier of (a) the 5th anniversary of the grant date and (b) the date of any change in control of us.
(11)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of: (i) 75,982 shares (1,671,597 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock of which 60,222 shares (1,324,875 pre-Reverse Stock Split) are beneficially held by RedCap Investments, LP; and (ii) 5,303 shares (116,657 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock of which 4,428 shares (97,399 pre-Reverse Stock Split) are beneficially held by RedCap Investments, LP issuable under Stock Purchase Agreements entered into on January 24, 2022, in connection with the conversion of liquidated damages. Mr. Allred maintains an account in which his broker trades on margin. It is possible that shares of our common stock held in that account is used as collateral.
(12)Shares of our common stock beneficially owned consist of: (i) 9,929 shares (218,428 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares); (ii) 4,546 shares (100,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested options issued under the 2016 Plan; (iii) 60,360 shares (1,327,913 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock issuable under restricted stock units; and (iv) 239,599 shares (5,271,164 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) issuable upon the exercise of vested options issued under the 2019 Plan.

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERSSeries H Preferred Stock

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of the CommonSeries H Preferred Stock as of July 19, 2017 (i) by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the CommonSeries H Preferred Stock; and (ii) by our current officers and directors and currentour “named executive officers”; and (iii) by all of officers andour current directors and “named executive officers”officers as a group. The address of each ofinformation reflects beneficial ownership, as determined in accordance with the persons set forth below is 2125 Western Avenue, Suite 502, Seattle, WA 98121, unless otherwise indicated.

Name of Beneficial Owner Director or Officer Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
  Percentage(2) 
         
James C. Heckman Director, Chief Executive Officer, President  4,094,708   15.76 
           
Joshua Jacobs (3) Executive Co-Chair  45,000    -0.17 
           
Martin L. Heimbigner (4) Chief Financial Officer  -0-   -0- 
           
William Sornsin Chief Operating Officer  1,799,191   6.92 
           
Benjamin Joldersma Chief Technology Officer  2,047,354   7.88 
           
Ross Levinsohn Director  245,434   0.94 
           
Christopher Marlett (5)(6) Director  3,835,741   14.29 
           
Peter Mills (6)(8) Director  135,457   0.52 
           
Directors, officers and “named executive officers” as a group (8 persons) (9)    12,202,885   45.37% 
           
Robert Levande (6)(7) FormerDirector  1,308,829   4.98 

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investmentSEC’s rules and voting power with respect to the shares indicated, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Includes any securities that such person has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of June 16, 2017 pursuant to options, warrants, conversion privileges or other rights.

(2) Basedare based on 25,983,46115,066 shares of the Commonour Series H Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, plus the number of shares each person has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.

(3) Does not include 300,000 shares that may be acquired under an option exercisable commencing May 31, 2018.

(4) Does not include 300,000shares that may be acquired under an option exercisable commencing March 20, 2018.

(5) Includes 827,541 shares held by the Christopher A. Marlett Living Trust, 1,027,541 shares held in his IRA, 985,650 shares held in a joint account with Terri Marlett, his spouse, 81,000 shares are held by MDB Capital Group LLC, a company that Mr. Marlett is the principal owner (“MDB”), and 46,892 shares are held in his name. Also includes (i) 25,000 shares that may be acquired under an option, and (ii) a total of 842,117 shares that may be acquired under two warrants, of which 549,715 are held by MDB and 292,402 are held by Mr. Marlett individually.

(6) Address is c/o 2425 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75201.

(7) Includes 25,000 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Levande under an option grant and 292,402 shares that may be acquired under a warrant issued to him, and 991,427 shares held in his own name. Mr. Levande resigned from the Board of Directors on July 5, 2017.

(8) Includes 25,000 shares that may be acquired by Mr. Mills under an option grant and 110,457 shares held in his own name.

(9) Includes 1,224,659 shares that may be acquired under options and warrants. See notes 3, 4, 6 and 7 above.

49

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Common Stock

We are authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0. 01 per share, of which 25,983,461 shares were issued and outstanding as of January 26, 2022.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner * 

Amount and Nature of Beneficial

Ownership (1)

  Percent of Class 
Five Percent Stockholders:        
Mark E. Strome (2)  6,425   

42.65

%
BRC Partners Opportunity Fund LP  2,500   

16.59

%
BRF Investments, LLC  

865

   

5.74

%
B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC  

110

   ** 
Warlock Partners, LLC  

2,200

   

14.60

%
Pegasus Capital, II LP  

1,500

   

9.96

%
Directors and Named Executive Officers:        
Ross Levinsohn  200   

1.33

%
Todd Sims  -   - 
Carlo Zola  -   - 
Daniel Shribman  -   - 
Paul Edmondson  -   - 
Avi Zimak  -   - 
H. Hunt Allred (2)  -   -
Laura Lee  -   - 
Christopher Petzel  -   - 
Total Executive Officers and Directors, as a group (13 persons)  200   

1.33

%

*The address for each person listed above is 200 Vesey Street, 24th Floor, New York, New York, 10281, unless otherwise indicated.
**Less than 1%.

(1)Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares indicated, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Includes any securities that such person has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of January 26, 2022 pursuant to options, warrants, conversion privileges, or other rights.
(2)Shares of our Series H Preferred Stock beneficially owned consist of 6,425 shares beneficially held by Strome Mezzanine Fund LP (4,800 shares), Mark E. Strome Living Trust (1,600 shares); and Ross Strome (25 shares) (collectively, “Mark E. Strome”).

Change-in-Control Arrangements

We do not know of any arrangements which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change in control.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Related Party Transactions

When we are contemplating entering into any transaction in which any executive officer, director, director nominee, or any family member of the foregoing would have any direct or indirect interest, regardless of the amount involved, the terms of such transaction have to be presented to the full Board (other than any interested director) for approval or disapproval. Our Board has not adopted a written policy for reviewing related party transactions but when presented with such transaction, the transaction is discussed by our Board and documented in its meeting minutes.

The Code of Ethics also requires our employees, officers, and directors to provide prompt and full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate person. These conflicts of interest may be specific to the individual or may extend to his or her family members. Any officer who has a conflict of interest with respect to any matter is required to disclose the matter to our Compliance Director, or in the case of the Chief Financial Officer, to the Audit Committee. All other employees are required to make prompt and full disclosure of any conflict of interest to the Head of Internal Audit (who is our Chief Financial Officer, unless our Board designates some other person). Directors are required to disclose any conflict of interest to the Chairman of our Board and to refrain from voting on any matter(s) in which they have a conflict. Employees and officers are not permitted to participate in any matter in which he or she has a conflict of interest unless authorized by an appropriate Company official and under circumstances that are designed to protect the interests of the Company and its stockholders and to avoid any appearance of impropriety. In addition, directors and executive officers are required to disclose, in an annual questionnaire, any current or proposed conflict of interests (including related party transactions).

Except as disclosed below, from the period beginning January 1, 2019 and ending January 26, 2022, there were no current or proposed related party transactions.

Financings

On March 18, 2019, we completed a private placement of the Debentures in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.7 million to three accredited investors. Included in the total was an investment of approximately $1.5 million by Strome Mezzanine Fund II, LP (“Strome II”), an affiliate of Mark Strome, who previously beneficially owned more than 10% of the shares our common stock and currently beneficially owns more than 10% of the shares of our Series H Preferred Stock, $100,000 by John Fichthorn, the then-Chairman of our Board, and $96,000 by B. Riley FBR. We paid a placement agent fee of $96,000 to B. Riley FBR. The Debentures were due and payable on December 31, 2020. Interest accrued at the rate of 12% per annum, payable on the earlier of conversion or December 31, 2020. Our obligations under the Debentures were secured by a security agreement, dated as of October 18, 2018, by and among us and each investor thereto. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of B. Riley Alternatives, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock.

On April 8, 2019, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with an accredited investor, Todd D. Sims, a member of our Board, pursuant to which we issued a Debenture in the aggregate principal amount of $100,000. The Debentures were due and payable on December 31, 2020. Interest accrued at the rate of 12% per annum, payable on the earlier of conversion or December 31, 2020. Our obligations under the Debentures were secured by a security agreement, dated as of October 18, 2018, by and among us and each investor thereto.

On June 16, 2017.10, 2019, we entered into a note purchase agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance Co., LLC (“BRF Finance”), an affiliated entity of B. Riley, pursuant to which we issued to the investor a 12% senior secured note, due July 31, 2019, in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $20.0 million, which after taking into account BRF Finance’s placement fee of approximately $1.0 million and its legal fees and expenses, resulted in the receipt by us of net proceeds of approximately $18.9 million. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of B. Riley Alternatives, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock.

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On June 14, 2019, we entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, which amended and restated the note purchase agreement dated June 10, 2019, and the 12% senior secured note, due July 31, 2019, issued thereunder. In connection with the amended and restated 12% senior secured note, we paid BRF Finance approximately $2.4 million as placement agent and B. Riley FBR $3.5 million as a success fee in the offering. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of B. Riley Alternatives, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley. On August 27, 2019, we entered into a first amendment to the amended and restated note purchase agreement with BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, which amended the amended and restated 12% senior secured note due June 14, 2022. Pursuant to this first amendment, we received additional gross proceeds of approximately $3.0 million, which, after taking into account BRF Finance’s placement fee of $150,000 and its legal fees and expenses, resulted in us receiving net proceeds of approximately $2.8 million. On February 27, 2020, we entered into a second amendment to the amended and restated note purchase agreement dated as of June 14, 2019, with BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, which further amended the amended and restated 12% senior secured note due June 14, 2022. Pursuant to the second amendment to the amended and restated note purchase agreement, BRF Finance issued a letter of credit in the amount of approximately $3.0 million to our landlord for our lease of the premises located at 225 Liberty Street, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10281. On October 8, 2019, we issued the third amended and restated 12% senior secured note due June 14, 2022, in connection with a partial paydown of the second amended and restated 12% senior secured note due June 14, 2022. We also issued 5,000 shares of our Series J Preferred Stock to BRF Finance as a partial payment of approximately $4.8 million of the outstanding balance. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of B. Riley Alternatives, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock. As of January 26, 2022, approximately $62.7 million in principal remained outstanding and accrued but unpaid interest was approximately $452,800. Since issuing the 12% senior secured note in June 2019, we have paid approximately $22.2 million in principal and approximately $2.5 million in interest.

On June 28, 2019, we entered into securities purchase agreements with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 23,100 shares of Series I Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 2,100,000 shares (46,200,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $11.00 ($0.50 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $23.1 million. Of the shares of our Series I Preferred Stock issued, Ross Levinsohn, then the Chief Executive Officer of Sports Illustrated and currently our Chief Executive Officer, purchased 500 shares for $500,000. B. Riley FBR, acting as placement agent for our Series I Preferred Stock financing, was paid in cash approximately $1.4 million for its services and reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of B. Riley Alternatives, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock.

On October 7, 2019, we entered into securities purchase agreements with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of our Series J Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 1,298,702 shares (28,571,428 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $15.40 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $20.0 million. Of the shares of our Series J Preferred Stock issued, Luke E. Fichthorn III, an immediate family member of John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board and who served as Head of B. Riley Alternatives, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley, purchased 100 shares, and B. Riley, or an affiliated entity, purchased 5,000 shares. B. Riley FBR, acting as placement agent for our Series J Preferred Stock financing, was paid in cash approximately $525,000 for its services and reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020.

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On March 24, 2020, we entered into the Second A&R NPA with BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, in its capacity as agent and a purchaser. Pursuant to the Second A&R NPA, we issued the Term Note, in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $12.0 million to the purchaser. Up to $8.0 million in principal amount under the Term Note was originally due on March 31, 2021, with the balance thereunder due on June 14, 2022. Interest on amounts outstanding under the Term Note are payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter. On March 25, 2020, we drew down approximately $6.9 million under the Term Note, and after payment of commitment and funding fees paid to BRF Finance in the amount of approximately $793,100 and other legal fees and expenses of BRF Finance that we paid, we received net proceeds of approximately $6.0 million. Pursuant to Amendment No. 1 to the Second A&R NPA, interest payable on the notes on September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021, will be payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of such fiscal quarter. Alternatively, at the option of the holder, such interest amounts can be converted into shares of our common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments. In addition, approximately $3.4 million, including approximately $3.3 million of principal amount of the Term Note and approximately $71,600 of accrued interest, was converted into shares of our Series K Preferred Stock and the maturity date of the Term Note was changed from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of Alternative Investments for B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR, an affiliate of B. Riley, and its affiliates also beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock. On January 23, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Second A&R NPA, pursuant to which the parties agreed to extend the maturity dates in the event that we consummate an offering of our common stock of at least $20,000,000 prior to February 14, 2022, as well as excluding from the mandatory prepayment provisions proceeds received from such offering. As of January 26, 2022, approximately $9.9 million in principal remained outstanding and accrued but unpaid interest was approximately $71,000. Since issuing the Term Note in March 2020, we have paid approximately $3.3 million in principal and approximately $71,600 in interest.

Between August 14, 2020 and August 20, 2020, we entered into securities purchase agreements for the sale of Series H Preferred Stock with certain accredited investors, including, among others, Strome and Strome Alpha Fund, L.P. (“Strome Alpha”), affiliates of Mark Strome, who previously beneficially owned more than 10% of the shares of our common stock and currently beneficially owns more than 10% of the shares of our Series H Preferred Stock, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 2,253 shares, at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 310,228 shares (6,825,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $7.26 ($0.33 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.7 million for working capital and general corporate purposes. B. Riley FBR, acting as a placement agent for these issuances, waived its fee for these services and was reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. On October 28, 2020, we entered into a mutual rescission agreement with Strome and Strome Alpha, pursuant to which the stock purchase agreements entered into by Strome and Strome Alpha between August 14, 2020, and August 20, 2020 were rescinded and deemed null and void.

On September 4, 2020, we entered into securities purchase agreements with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 10,500 shares of our Series J Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into shares of our common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $15.40 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6.0 million. Of the shares of Series J Preferred Stock issued, B. Riley Securities, Inc., an affiliate of B. Riley, purchased 5,250 shares, and B&W Pension Trust, of which 180 Degree Capital Corp. (“180 Degree”) is the Investment Adviser, purchased 5,250 shares. 180 Degree beneficially owns more than 5% of our common stock. B. Riley FBR, acting as placement agent for these issuances, waived its fee for these services and was reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of B. Riley Alternatives, a division of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock.

Between October 23, 2020 and November 11, 2020, we entered into securities purchase agreements with accredited investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 18,042 shares of Series K Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 2,050,228 shares (45,105,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $8.80 ($0.40 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $18.0 million. B. Riley FBR, acting as a placement agent for these issuances, was paid in cash $560,500 for its services and reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, served as Head of Alternative Investments for B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock.

On May 20 and 25, 2021, and June 2, 2021, we entered into securities purchase agreements with accredited investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 1,299,027 shares (28,578,575 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock, at a per share price of $15.40 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split), for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $20.0 million in a private placement. Among the investors were B. Riley and its affiliates, Warlock, and TCS Capital Management LLC (“TCS Capital Management”). John A. Fichthorn, the former Chairman of our Board, previously served as Head of Alternative Investments of B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley, Todd Sims, one of our directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020, and Dan Shribman, one of our directors, currently serves as Chief Investment Officer of B. Riley and President of its B. Riley Principal Investments subsidiary. Carlo Zola, one of our directors, serves as a principal of Warlock. Finally, Eric Semler, who at the time of the investment was one of our directors, is the Managing Member of TCS Capital Management.

On January 24, 2022, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with BRC Partners Opportunity Fund, LP, pursuant to which we agreed to issue 50,501 shares (1,111,015 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock at a price equal to $13.86 ($0.63 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, representing the volume-weighted average price of our common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days, to such stockholder in lieu of an aggregate of approximately $0.70 million owed in liquidated damages, which includes accrued but unpaid interest, for our failure to meet certain covenants in prior Registration Rights Agreements and related Securities Purchase Agreements for our Series H Preferred Stock, Series J Preferred Stock, Series K Preferred Stock and debenture offerings.

On January 24, 2022, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with 180 Degree, pursuant to which we agreed to issue 106,800 shares (2,349,574 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock at a price equal to $13.86 ($0.63 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, representing the volume-weighted average price of our common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days, to such stockholder in lieu of an aggregate of approximately $1.48 million owed in liquidated damages, which includes accrued but unpaid interest, for our failure to meet certain covenants in prior Registration Rights Agreements and related Securities Purchase Agreements for our Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock and Series J Preferred Stock offerings.

On January 24, 2022, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Warlock, pursuant to which we agreed to issue 134,875 shares (2,967,232 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock at a price equal to $13.86 ($0.63 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, representing the volume-weighted average price of our common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days, to such stockholder in lieu of an aggregate of approximately $1.87 million owed in liquidated damages, which includes accrued but unpaid interest, for our failure to meet certain covenants in prior Registration Rights Agreements and related Securities Purchase Agreements for our Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock and debenture offerings.

On January 24, 2022, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Athletes First Media, LLC, pursuant to which we agreed to issue 79,805 shares (1,755,695 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock at a price equal to $13.86 ($0.63 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, representing the volume-weighted average price of our common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days, to such stockholder in lieu of an aggregate of approximately $1.11 million owed in liquidated damages, which includes accrued but unpaid interest, for our failure to meet certain covenants in prior Registration Rights Agreements and related Securities Purchase Agreements for our Series I Preferred Stock offering.

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Other Agreements

On May 1, 2020, Josh Jacobs and we entered into a Strategic Financing Addendum (the “Addendum”) to his Director Agreement dated January 1, 2020 (the “Jacobs Director Agreement”). Pursuant to the Addendum, Mr. Jacobs agreed to provide additional services to us in exchange for compensation in the amount of $20,000 per month. The holdersservices to be provided were again amended in July 2020. During fiscal 2020, we paid Mr. Jacobs $120,000 for these services. Josh Jacobs was a former director and, before that, an officer.

On August 26, 2020, Maven Coalition, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a consulting agreement with James Heckman, our former Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which Maven Coalition agreed to pay to Mr. Heckman a monthly fee of approximately $29,167 (to be increased to approximately $35,417 once our senior executive officer salaries are returned to the levels in place prior to March 2020). Mr. Heckman was also entitled to bonus payments of up to one hundred percent of the monthly fees payable in the then-current year upon satisfaction of certain performance goals. Mr. Heckman may also be awarded additional equity incentive awards. The initial term of the consulting agreement commenced on August 26, 2020 and was to end on August 26, 2021, which term may be extended for an additional 12-month period unless our then-Chief Executive Officer notifies Mr. Heckman of a decision not to extend at least 90 days in advance. On June 3, 2021, Maven Coalition and Mr. Heckman entered into the Heckman Amendment to provide that Mr. Heckman would be paid approximately $57,895 per month from February 2021 through August 2022 in exchange for certain strategic advisory services provided by Mr. Heckman to Maven Coalition. The terms of the Heckman Amendment were conditioned upon the execution of a mutual release by Mr. Heckman, Maven Coalition, Maven Media, TheStreet, and Heckman Media, LLC. We also amended that certain 2016 Stock Incentive Plan Option Agreement dated September 14, 2018 (the “Original 2016 Option”) and that certain 2019 Equity Incentive Plan Option Agreement dated April 10, 2019 (the “Original 2019 Option”). The amendment to the Original 2016 Option (the “2016 Amendment”) clarifies that the option qualifies as a non-statutory stock option and that it remains exercisable for the remainder of the term of the option. The amendment to the Original 2019 Option (the “2019 Amendment”) clarifies that the option qualifies as a non-statutory stock option and that it remains exercisable for the remainder of the term of the option. The 2019 Amendment also changed the vesting schedule of the option to provide for immediate vesting of a portion of the option, with the remainder of the option being subject to performance-based vesting that is tied to the price of our common stock.

Effective September 4, 2020, we entered into a separation and advisory agreement with William Sornsin (the “Sornsin Separation Agreement”), who served as our Chief Operating Officer from January 2020 until September 2020, pursuant to which we agreed to pay him salary continuation in the amount of $275,000, which is the equivalent of one full year of Mr. Sornsin’s salary as of the date of the separation. Pursuant to the Sornsin Separation Agreement, we will continue to pay Mr. Sornsin a consulting fee of $100 per hour of consulting services performed.

On October 5, 2020, we entered into a separation agreement with Benjamin Joldersma, who served as our Chief Technology Officer from November 2016 through September 2020, pursuant to which we agreed to pay him approximately $111,000 as a severance payment, as well as any COBRA premiums.

Repurchases

On December 15, 2020, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 15, 2020, pursuant to which we agreed to repurchase from certain key personnel of HubPages, including Paul Edmondson, one of our officers, and his spouse, an aggregate of approximately 764 shares (16,802 pre-Reverse Stock Split) shares of our common stock at a price of $88.00 ($4.00 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share each month for a period of 24 months, for aggregate proceeds to Mr. Edmondson and his spouse of approximately $67,207 per month.

Officer Promissory Notes

In May 2018, Mr. Heckman, our then Chief Executive Officer began advancing funds to us in order to meet minimum operating needs. Such advances were made pursuant to promissory notes that were due on demand, with interest at the minimum applicable federal rate, which ranged from 2.18% to 2.38%. As of December 31, 2019, the total principal amount of advances outstanding were $319,351 (including accrued interest of $12,574). On October 31, 2020, we entered into an Exchange Agreement with Mr. Heckman pursuant to which he converted the outstanding principal amount due, together with accrued but unpaid interest under the promissory notes, into 389 shares of our Series H Preferred Stock. Nothing was outstanding as of December 31, 2020.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES

The following is a summary of all material characteristics of our capital stock as set forth in our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws. The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws, each of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). We encourage you to review complete copies of our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws, and the applicable provisions of the DGCL for additional information.

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 1,001,000,000 shares, divided into 1,000,000,000 shares of our common stock and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our Board has the authority to issue such shares of our common stock and Preferred Stock in one or more classes or series, with such voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, as shall be provided for in a resolution or resolutions adopted by our Board and filed as designations.

Common Stock

As of January 26, 2022, 12,632,930 shares (277,924,445 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock were outstanding.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote perfor each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors.directors, and are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our Board out of funds legally available therefore for distribution to stockholders and to share ratably in the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders in the event of the liquidation or dissolution, whether voluntary or involuntary, of the Company. We have not paid any dividends and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. It is our present policy to retain earnings, if any, for use in the development of our business. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not provide forcommon stockholders have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. directors and have no preemptive, subscription, or conversion rights. Our common stock is not subject to redemption by us.

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC.

Preferred Stock

Of the 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized, our Board has previously designated:

1,800 shares of Preferred Stock as Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G Preferred Stock”); of which approximately 168 shares remain outstanding as of January 26, 2022;
23,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Series H Preferred Stock; of which 15,066 shares remain outstanding as of January 26, 2022; and
600,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock, none of which is currently outstanding.

Of the 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, 375,200 shares of Preferred Stock remain available for designation by our Board as of January 26, 2022. Accordingly, our Board is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue Preferred Stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock could have the effect of restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock, or delaying or preventing a change in control of us, all without further action by our stockholders.

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Series G Preferred Stock

The Series G Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock, at the option of the holder, subject to certain limitations. We may require holders to convert all (but not less than all) of the Series G Preferred Stock or buy out all outstanding shares of Series G Preferred Stock at the liquidation value of approximately $168,500. Holders of Series G Preferred Stock are not entitled to dividends and have no voting rights, unless required by law or with respect to certain matters relating to the Series G Preferred Stock.

Upon a change in control, sale of or similar transaction, as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series G Preferred Stock, the holder of the Series G Preferred Stock has the option to deem such transaction as a liquidation and may redeem the approximately 168 shares outstanding at the liquidation value of $1,000 per share, or an aggregate amount of approximately $168,500. The sale of all our assets on June 28, 2007, triggered the redemption option.

Series H Preferred Stock

The Series H Preferred Stock has a stated value of $1,000, convertible into shares of our common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $7.26 per share ($0.33 per share pre-Reverse Stock Split). In addition, if at any time prior to the nine month anniversary of the closing date, we sell or grant any option or right to purchase or issue any shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into shares of our common stock, with net proceeds in excess of $1.0 million in the aggregate, entitling any person to acquire shares of our common stock at an effective price per share that is lower than the then conversion price (such lower price, the “Base Conversion Price”), then the conversion price will be reduced to equal the Base Conversion Price. All the shares of Series H Preferred Stock automatically convert into shares of our common stock on the fifth anniversary of the closing date at the then-conversion price. The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock will be adjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares, and similar transactions. Each share of Series H Preferred Stock is entitled to vote on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to beneficial ownership blocker provisions and other certain conditions.

Rights Agreement and Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock

On May 4, 2021, the Special Finance & Governance Committee of our Board declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right (each, a “Right”) for (i) each outstanding share of our common stock and (ii) each share of our common stock issuable upon conversion of each share of our Series H Preferred Stock. The dividend was paid to stockholders of record as of May 14, 2021. Each Right entitles the registered holder, subject to the terms of the Rights Agreement to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of our Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a price of $4.00, subject to certain adjustments (the “Exercise Price”).

In general terms, and subject to certain exceptions, the Rights Agreement works by significantly diluting the stock ownership of any person or group of affiliated or associated persons who, at any time after the date of the Rights Agreement, acquires, or obtains the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock, on a fully diluted basis without the approval of our Board.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Rights will not be exercisable until the earlier to occur of (i) the close of business on the tenth business day after a public announcement or filing that a person has, or group of affiliated or associated persons have, become an Acquiring Person (as defined below) or (ii) the close of business on the tenth business day after the commencement by any person of, or the first public announcement of the intention of any person to commence, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any person becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates being called the “Distribution Date”). “Acquiring Person” is a person or group of affiliated or associated persons who, at any time after the date of the Rights Agreement, have acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding shares of our common stock, including through such person’s ownership of the Preferred Stock. No such person or group of affiliated or associated persons having beneficial ownership of 15% or more of such outstanding shares at the time of the first announcement of adoption of the Rights Agreement will be deemed an Acquiring Person until such time as such person or group becomes the beneficial owner of additional shares of our common stock (other than by reason of a stock dividend, stock split or other corporate action effected by us in which all holders of our common stock are treated equally).

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Each share of Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to a preferential per share quarterly dividend payment equal to the greater of (i) $1.00 per share or (ii) 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, as may be declared, if any, by our Boardand 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of Directors from funds available. Upon liquidation, dissolutionall non-cash dividends or winding up of our company, theother distributions, in each case, paid to holders of our common stock during such period. Each share of Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock will entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. In the event of any merger, consolidation, or other transaction in which shares of our common stock are converted or exchanged, each share of Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive pro rata all assets available for distribution to1,000 times the holders. There are no pre-emptive, conversion, or redemption rights attached toamount received per one share of our common stock.

Registration RightsBecause of the nature of the Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock’s dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a share of Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of common stock.

On April 4, 2017, in connection withIn the closingevent that any person or group of persons becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a private placementRight, other than the Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of our common stock, we entered intothe Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof (which will thereupon become null and void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a registration rights agreement with the investors, pursuant to which we agreed to register for resale theRight that number of shares of common stock purchased by(or at our option, other of our securities) having a market value of two times the investorsExercise Price, unless the Rights were earlier redeemed or exchanged.

Our Board may amend or supplement the Rights Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights, including, without limitation, in order to (a) cure any ambiguity, (b) correct inconsistent provisions, (c) alter time period provisions, including, without limitation, the private placement. We also committed to register the 162,000 shares issuedexpiration date, or (d) make additional changes to the placement agent in the private placement. We have committed to file the registration statement no later than 45 daysRights Agreement that our Board deems necessary or desirable. However, from and after the closing and to causetime when any person or group of persons becomes an Acquiring Person, the registration statement to become effective no laterRights Agreement may not be supplemented or amended in any manner that would adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights (other than the earlierholders of (i) seven business days afterRights that have become null and void in accordance with the SEC informs us thatRights Agreement).

Until a Right is exercised or exchanged, the holder thereof, as such, will have no reviewrights as one of our stockholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

Certain Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws, and the DGCL

Certain provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as certain provisions of the registration statement willDGCL, may be madedeemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter, or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might result in a premium being paid over the SEC has no further comments on the registration statement or (ii) July 30, 2017. The registration rights agreement provides for liquidated damages upon the occurrence of certain events, including the Company’s failure to file the registration statement or cause it to become effective by the deadlines set forth above. The amount of liquidated damages payable to an investor would be 1%market price of the aggregate amount investedshares held by such investor for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, during whichstockholders. These provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws include the default continues, up to a maximum amountitems described below.

Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our Bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by a majority of our Board, the Chairman of our Board, our Chief Executive Officer or President (in the absence of our Chief Executive Officer).
Stockholder Advance Notice Procedures. Our Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice in writing and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may delay or preclude stockholders from bringing matters before a meeting of our stockholders or from making nominations for directors at a meeting of stockholders, which could delay or deter takeover attempts or changes in our management.
Exclusive Forum. Our Bylaws provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts in the State of Delaware are, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the sole and exclusive forum for any claims, including claims in the right of the Company, any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation, or our Bylaws, any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws, or any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

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No Action by Written Consent. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly constituted annual or special meeting of the stockholders.
Amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation. Any amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation requires a supermajority vote unless our Board recommends to our stockholders that they approve such amendment.
Undesignated Preferred Stock. Because our Board has the power to establish the preferences and rights of the shares of any additional series of Preferred Stock, it may afford holders of any Preferred Stock preferences, powers, and rights, including voting and dividend rights, senior to the rights of holders of our common stock, which could adversely affect the holders of our common stock and could discourage a takeover of us even if a change of control of the Company would be beneficial to the interests of our stockholders.

These, other provisions contained in our Certificate of 7.5% of the aggregate amount invested by such investor.

On October 14, 2016, Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. entered into a Share Exchange Agreement with theMaven Network, Inc.,Incorporation and Bylaws, and the shareholdersRights are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of theMaven Network, holding allus to first negotiate with our Board. However, these provisions could delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in control of us, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current prices. Such provisions could also limit the issued and outstanding sharesability of theMaven Network. stockholders to remove current management or approve transactions that stockholders may deem to be in their best interests.

In connection with the Share Exchange Agreement, Christopher Marlett, Robert Levande and Peter Mills, all then directors of the Company, and Gary Schuman, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer, were granted, piggyback registration rights, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 4, 2016, to permit them to have their securities included in a registration statement for resale by the them when filed by the Company.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

Weaddition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regulating corporate takeovers. In general,DGCL. Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly heldpublicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging under certain circumstances, in a business combination“business combination” with an interested stockholder“interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the dateafter the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

·The board of directors of the corporation approved the business combination or other transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder prior to the date of the transaction, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;other transaction;

·upon completion
Upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholderperson becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholderperson owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stocknumber of shares outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, (1) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers of the corporation and (2) shares owned by employee stock plans inissued under which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

·at
on or subsequent to the date the person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the transaction,corporation approved the business combination is approved by our boardand the stockholders of directors andthe corporation authorized the business combination at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

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Generally, a business combinationA “business combination” includes a merger,mergers, asset or stock sale, orsales, and other transactiontransactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholderSubject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the prior three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock. Section 203 of the DGCL could depress our stock price and delay, discourage, or prohibit transactions not approved in advance by our Board, such as takeover attempts that might otherwise involve the payment to our stockholders of a premium over the market price of our common stock.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, a director cannot be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty. DGCL provides that such a provision may not limit the liability of directors:

for any breach of their duty of loyalty to us or to our stockholders;

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for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock repurchase or redemption, as provided under Section 174 of the DGCL; or
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Any amendment, repeal, or modification of these provisions will be prospective only and would not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions that occurred prior to any such amendment, repeal or modification.

Further, our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, 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 our right to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of our, or is or was a director or officer of ours serving at our request 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 such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests; except that no indemnification will be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person will have been adjudged to be liable to us unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines 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. Subject to the requires in our Bylaws and the DGCL, we are not obligated to indemnify any person in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding:

for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote, or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;
for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or similar provision of federal, state, or local statutory law, or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
for any reimbursement by such person or any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of our securities, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement pursuant to Section 304 of Sarbanes, or the payment to us of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person or securities in violation of Section 306 of Sarbanes, if such is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
initiated by such person, including any proceeding (or any part of any proceeding) initiated by such person against us or our directors, officers, employees, agents, or other indemnitees, unless (i) our Board authorized the proceeding or the relevant part of the proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) we provide indemnification, in our sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in us under appliable law, (iii) otherwise required to be made pursuant to our Bylaws, or (iv) otherwise required by applicable law; or
if prohibited by applicable law; provided, however, that if any provision or provisions of our Bylaws be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of our Bylaws (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provisions held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of our Bylaws (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) will be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provisions held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.

Our Bylaws also requires us to pay any expenses incurred by any director or officer in defending against any such action, suit, or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such matter upon receipt of a written request to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to the receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by our Bylaws or otherwise. We believe that the limitation of liability provision in our Bylaws facilitates our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent’s address isLLC at 6201 15th15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, and its11219. The transfer agent’s telephone number is (718) 921-8200.(800) 937-5449.

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SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE SALES

Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the availability of such shares for sale in the public market, could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time. As described below, the sale of a portion of our shares will be limited after this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Nevertheless, sales of our common stock in the public market after such restrictions, lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price at such time and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of January 26, 2022, upon the completion of this offering, 15,004,471 shares of our common stock will be outstanding (on a post-Reverse Stock Split basis), assuming 2,371,541 shares are issued in this offering and assuming no exercise of the Underwriter’s option, or 15,360,202 shares of our common stock will be outstanding (on a post-Reverse Stock Split basis), assuming 2,727,272 are issued in this offering and the Underwriter’s option is exercised in full. Of those outstanding shares, 936,791 shares (20,609,390 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock are freely tradable, without restriction, as of January 26, 2022.

Rule 144 - Generally

In general, under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are required to be aggregated), who is not our affiliate at any time during the preceding three months, and who has beneficially owned the relevant shares of our common stock for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates, would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of shares of our common stock into the public markets; provided, that current public information about us is available and, after owning such shares for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our affiliates, would be entitled to sell an unlimited number of shares of our common stock into the public markets without restriction.

A person who may be deemed an “affiliate” of us or who was our affiliate at any time during the preceding three months, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities for at least six months, including the affiliates, is entitled to sell within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of: (1) 1% of the then-outstanding shares of our common stock, which equals approximately 126,330 shares (2,779,244 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of January 26, 2022, or (2) if and when our common stock is listed on a national securities exchange, the average weekly trading volume of our common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of such sale was filed under Rule 144.

Sales of shares held by our affiliates that are not “restricted” are subject to such volume limitations, but are not subject to the holding period requirement. Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates are also subject to certain requirements as to the manner of sale, notice, and availability of current public information about us. A person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale by such person, and who has beneficially owned the restricted shares for at least one year, is entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144 without regard to any of the restrictions described above. We cannot estimate the number of shares of our common stock that our existing stockholders will elect to sell under Rule 144.

Rule 144 – Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies

Because we may be deemed previously to have been a “shell company,” under such circumstances sales of our securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may not be made unless, among other things, at the time of a proposed sale, we are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and have filed all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months, other than Form 8-K reports. Because, as a possible former shell company, the reporting requirements of Rule 144(i) will apply regardless of holding period, restrictive legends on certificates for shares of our common stock cannot be removed except in connection with an actual sale that is subject to an effective registration statement under, or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of, the Shares. Because under such circumstances our unregistered securities may not be sold pursuant to Rule 144 unless we continue to meet such requirements, any unregistered securities we issue will have limited liquidity unless we continue to comply with such requirements.

Lock-up Agreements

See the section entitled “Underwriting” below for a detailed discussion.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND

ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock to Non-U.S. Holders (defined below), but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. These authorities may be changed or subject to differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This summary also does not address the tax considerations arising under the laws of any United States state or local or any non-United States jurisdiction, the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, or any alternative minimum tax consequences. In addition, this discussion does not address tax considerations applicable to a Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances or to a Non-U.S. Holder that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:

banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions;
tax-exempt or government organizations;
brokers of or dealers in securities or currencies;
traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;
persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than five percent of our capital stock;
certain United States expatriates, citizens or former long-term residents of the United States;
persons who hold our common stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction,” synthetic security, other integrated investment, or other risk reduction transaction
persons who do not hold our common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, for investment purposes);
persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;
real estate investment trusts or regulated investment companies;
pension plans;
partnerships, or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes, or investors in any such entities;
persons for whom our stock constitutes “qualified small business stock” within the meaning of Section 1202 of the Code;
integral parts or controlled entities of foreign sovereigns;
tax-qualified retirement plans;
controlled foreign corporations;

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passive foreign investment companies and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid United States federal income tax; or
persons that acquire our common stock as compensation for services.

In addition, if a partnership, including any entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership, and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships that hold our common stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock.

You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of the United States federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock arising under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax rules or under the laws of any United States state or local or any non-United States or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

Definition of a Non-U.S. holder

For purposes of this summary, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a “U.S. person,” and is not a partnership, or an entity disregarded from its owner, each for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any person that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

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) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or
a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

As discussed in the section entitled “Market Price and Dividend Information” beginning on page 25 of this prospectus, we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. If we make distributions on our common stock, those payments will constitute dividends for United States income tax purposes to the extent we have current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed both our current and our accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s basis in our common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under the “Gain on Sale or Other Disposition of common stock” section. Any such distributions would be subject to the discussions below regarding back-up withholding and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA.

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, any dividend paid to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax either at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. To receive a reduced treaty rate, a Non-U.S. Holder must provide us or our agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN (generally including a United States taxpayer identification number), IRS Form W-8-BEN-E or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 (or a successor form), which must be updated periodically, and which, in each case, must certify qualification for the reduced rate. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

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Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business within the United States and that are not eligible for relief from United States (net basis) income tax under the business profits article of an applicable income tax treaty, generally are exempt from the (gross basis) withholding tax described above. To obtain this exemption from withholding tax, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with an IRS Form W-8ECI or successor form or other applicable IRS Form W-8 certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Such effectively connected dividends, if not eligible for relief under the business profits article of a tax treaty, would not be subject to a withholding tax, but would be taxed at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. persons, net of certain deductions and credits and if, in addition, the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

If you are eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty, you may be able to obtain a refund of any excess amounts currently withheld if you timely file an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Gain on Sale or Other Disposition of Our Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and FATCA, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be required to pay United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our Common Stock unless:

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States and not eligible for relief under the business profits article of an applicable income tax treaty, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, and for a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation, such Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items;
the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to pay a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which tax may be offset by U.S. source capital losses (even though the Non-U.S. Holder is not considered a resident of the United States) (subject to applicable income tax or other treaties); or
our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest by reason of our status as a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or a USRPHC, at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common stock. We believe we are not currently and do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our United States real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a USRPHC in the future. Even if we become a USRPHC, however, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock will not be subject to United States federal income tax as long as our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and such Non-U.S. Holder does not, actually or constructively, hold more than five percent of our common stock at any time during the applicable period that is specified in the Code. If the foregoing exception does not apply, then if we are or were to become a USRPHC a purchaser may be required to withhold 15% of the proceeds payable to a Non-U.S. Holder from a sale of our common stock and such Non-U.S. Holder generally will be taxed on its net gain derived from the disposition at the graduated United States federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons (as defined in the Code).

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Generally, we must file information returns annually to the IRS in connection with any dividends on our common stock paid to a Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. A similar report will be sent to the Non-U.S. Holder. Pursuant to applicable income tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make these reports available to tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence.

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Payments of dividends or of proceeds on the disposition of stock made to a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to additional information reporting and backup withholding at a current rate of 24% unless such Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption, for example by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8ECI, or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 (or a successor form). Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that a holder is a U.S. person.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, the U.S. income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may generally be obtained from the IRS, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

FATCA imposes withholding tax on certain types of payments made to foreign financial institutions and certain other non-United States entities. The legislation imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below), on or after January 1, 2019, gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or to certain “non-financial foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements. If the country in which a payee is resident has entered into an “intergovernmental agreement” with the United States regarding FATCA, that agreement may permit the payee to report to that country rather than to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible impact of these rules on their investment in our common stock, and the possible impact of these rules on the entities through which they hold our common stock, including, without limitation, the process and deadlines for meeting the applicable requirements to prevent the imposition of this 30% withholding tax under FATCA.

While, beginning on January 1, 2019, withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Federal Estate Tax

Common Stock owned (or treated as owned) by an individual who is not a citizen or a resident of the United States (as defined for United States federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes unless an applicable estate or other tax treaty provides otherwise, and therefore may be subject to United States federal estate tax.

The preceding discussion of United States federal tax considerations is for general information only. It is not tax advice. Each prospective investor should consult its tax advisor regarding the particular United States federal, state, and local and non-United States tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of our common stock, including the consequences of any proposed change in applicable laws.

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

We are offering the shares of our common stock described in this prospectus through the Underwriter. B. Riley Securities is acting as representative of the Underwriter. Lake Street is acting as the “qualified independent underwriter”. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the Underwriter. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the Underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of shares of our common stock listed next to its name in the following table:

NameNumber of Shares
B. Riley Securities, Inc.
Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC
TOTAL

The Underwriter is committed to purchase all the shares of our common stock offered by us if they purchase any shares. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The Underwriter proposes to offer the shares of our common stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $   per share. After the initial offering of the shares to the public, if all of the shares of our common stock are not sold at the public offering price, the Underwriter may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Sales of shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the Underwriter. The offering of the shares by the Underwriter is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the Underwriter’s right to reject any order in whole or in part.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares

The Underwriter has an option to buy up to 355,731 additional shares of our common stock from us to cover sales of shares by the Underwriter, which exceed the number of shares specified in the table above. The Underwriter has 30 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option to purchase additional shares. If any shares are purchased with this option to purchase additional shares, the Underwriter will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of our common stock are purchased, the Underwriter will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.

Underwriting Discounts and Expenses

The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of our common stock less the amount paid by the Underwriter to us per share of our common stock. The underwriting fee is $              per share. The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the Underwriter assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the Underwriter option to purchase additional shares.

Per Share

Total Without

Underwriter

Option

Total With

Underwriter

Option

Public offering price
Underwriting discounts and commissions paid
Proceeds to us, before expenses
Total

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $701,011. We have agreed to reimburse the representative of the Underwriter for certain offering expenses.

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Right of First Refusal

 

Over-the-counter TradingFor a period of six months beginning January 10, 2022, the Representative shall have a right of first refusal to act as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner in connection with any public offering of equity, equity-linked or debt securities or other capital markets financing and sole placement agent in any private offering of equity or equity-linked, or debt or debt-like, securities or other capital markets financing and sole book runner or placement in connection with any rights offering.

 

Our

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage accountholders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Lock-Up

We and our officers, directors, and certain holders of outstanding shares of our common stock trades over-the-counterhave agreed with the Underwriter, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any of their common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 90 days, in the case of those certain stockholders, or 120 days, in the case of us and is quotedour officers and directors, after the date of this prospectus. This agreement does not apply to any existing employee benefit plans. See “Shares Available for Future Sale” for a discussion of certain transfer restrictions.

Listing

We have applied to list our common stock on the OTCQBNYSE American under the symbol “MVEN.“AREN. There is no assurance that our listing application will be approved by the NYSE American. The approval of our listing on the NYSE American is a condition of closing this offering.

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

In connection with this offering, the Underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling shares of our common stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of our common stock, which involves the sale by the Underwriter of a greater number of shares of our common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering and purchasing shares of our common stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the Underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The Underwriter may close out any covered short position either by exercising its option to purchase additional shares, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the Underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the Underwriter may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the Underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the Underwriter creates a naked short position, it will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position.

The Underwriter has advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act, it may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids. This means that if the representative of the Underwriter purchases our common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representatives can require the Underwriter that sold those shares as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock, and, as a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the Underwriter commences these activities, it may discontinue them at any time. The Underwriter may carry out these transactions on the NYSE American, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

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LEGAL MATTERSNew Issue of Securities

Prior to this offering, there has only been a limited public market for our common stock. The validitypublic offering price will be determined by negotiations between us and the representative of the Underwriter. In determining the public offering price, we and the representative of the Underwriter expects to consider a number of factors including:

the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representative;
our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;
an assessment of our management;
our prospects for future earnings;
the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;
the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies; and
other factors deemed relevant by the Underwriter and us.

Neither we nor the Underwriter can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our common stock, or that the shares will trade in the public market at or above the public offering price.

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the Underwriter that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations 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 an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Conflicts of Interest

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the Underwriter and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may purchase, sell, or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps, and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of the issuer and/or persons and entities with relationships with the issuer. The Underwriter and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities, or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long, and/or short positions in such assets, securities, and instruments.

Entities affiliated with B. Riley Securities, representative of the Underwriter in this offering, beneficially own approximately 27.18% as of January 26, 2021. In addition, B. Riley Securities and/or its affiliates have indicated an interest in purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. However, indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase and such persons may determine to purchase fewer shares than they have indicated an interest in purchasing or may determine not to purchase any shares in this offering. In addition, the Underwriter could determine to sell fewer shares to B. Riley Securities and/or its affiliates than such persons indicate an interest in purchasing or could determine not to sell any shares to such persons.

As a result, B. Riley Securities is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 5121. Rule 5121 requires that no sale to be made to discretionary accounts by underwriters having a conflict of interest without the prior written approval of the account holder and that a “qualified independent underwriter,” as defined in the rule, has participated in the presentation of the registration statement and prospectus and exercised the usual standards of due diligence with respect thereto. Lake Street is assuming the responsibilities of acting as the “qualified independent underwriter” in this offering and will not receive any additional compensation for acting as a qualified independent underwriter.

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Selling Restrictions

This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy from, anyone in any country or jurisdiction (a) in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized; (b) in which any person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so; or (c) in which any such offer or solicitation would otherwise be unlawful. No action has been taken that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the shares of common stock offered herebyor possession or distribution of this prospectus or any other offering or publicity material relating to the shares in any country or jurisdiction (other than the United States) where any such action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, each underwriter has undertaken that it will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any shares or have in its possession, distribute or publish any prospectus, form of application, advertisement or other document or information in any country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will, to the best of its knowledge and belief, result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and all offers and sales of shares by it will be made on the same terms.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec Only)

This document constitutes an “exempt offering document” as defined in and for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of shares of our common stock described herein (the “Securities”). No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this document or on the merits of the Securities and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

Canadian investors are advised that this document has been prepared in reliance on section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (“NI 33-105”). Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33-105, this document is exempt from the requirement that the issuer and the underwriters in the offering provide Canadian investors with certain conflicts of interest disclosure pertaining to “connected issuer” and/or “related issuer” relationships as may otherwise be required pursuant to subsection 2.1(1) of NI 33-105.

Resale Restrictions

The offer and sale of the Securities in Canada are being made on a private placement basis only and are exempt from the prospectus requirement under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of Securities acquired by a Canadian investor in this offering must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the Securities outside of Canada.

Representations of Purchasers

Each Canadian investor who purchases the Securities will be deemed to have represented to us, the selling stockholder and each dealer from whom a purchase confirmation is received, as applicable, that the investor (i) is purchasing as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (ii) is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or, in Ontario, as such term is defined in subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario); and (iii) is a “permitted client” as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.

Taxation and Eligibility for Investment

Any discussion of taxation and related matters contained in this document does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a Canadian investor when deciding to purchase the Securities and, in particular, does not address any Canadian tax considerations. No representation or warranty is hereby made as to the tax consequences to a resident, or deemed resident, of Canada of an investment in the Securities or with respect to the eligibility of the Securities for investment by such investor under relevant Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations.

Rights of Action for Damages or Rescission

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Personal Information

Prospective Canadian purchasers are advised that: (a) we may be required to provide personal information pertaining to the purchaser as required to be disclosed in Schedule 1 of Form 45-106F1 under NI 45-106 (including its name, address, telephone number, email address, if provided, and the number and type of securities purchased, the total purchase price paid for such securities, the date of the purchase and specific details of the prospectus exemption relied upon under applicable securities laws to complete such purchase) (“personal information”), which Form 45-106F1 may be required to be filed by us under NI 45-106, (b) such personal information may be delivered to the securities regulatory authority or regulator in accordance with NI 45-106, (c) such personal information is being collected indirectly by Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP, New York, New York.the securities regulatory authority or regulator under the authority granted to it under the securities legislation of the applicable legislation, (d) such personal information is collected for the purposes of the administration and enforcement of the securities legislation of the applicable jurisdiction, and (e) the purchaser may contact the applicable securities regulatory authority or regulator by way of the contact information provided in Schedule 2 to Form 45-106F1. Prospective Canadian purchasers that purchase securities in this offering will be deemed to have authorized the indirect collection of the personal information by each applicable securities regulatory authority or regulator, and to have acknowledged and consented to such information being disclosed to the Canadian securities regulatory authority or regulator, and to have acknowledged that such information may become available to the public in accordance with requirements of applicable Canadian laws.

Language of Documents

Upon receipt of this document, each Canadian investor hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the Securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque investisseur canadien confirme par les présentes qu’il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d’achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglais seulement.

 

EXPERTS

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each an “EEA State”), no shares of our common stock have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that EEA State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares of our common stock that has been approved by the competent authority in that EEA State or, where appropriate, approved in another EEA State and notified to the competent authority in that EEA State, all in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation, except that it may make an offer to the public in that EEA State of any shares of common stock at any time under the following exemptions under the EU Prospectus Regulation:

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation;
to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representative for any such offer; or
in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the EU Prospectus Regulation; provided, that no such offer of the shares of common stock shall require the company or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the EU Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the EU Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares of our common stock in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares of our common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares of our common stock, and the expression “EU Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded).

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

In relation to the United Kingdom, no shares of our common stock have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares of our common stock that has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in accordance with the UK Prospectus Regulation, except that it may make an offer to the public in the United Kingdom of any shares of our common stock at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation:

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation;
to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representative for any such offer; or
in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the UK Prospectus Regulation; provided; that, no such offer of the shares of our common stock shall require us or the Underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the UK Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

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In the United Kingdom, the offering is only addressed to, and is directed only at, “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, who are also (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of “investment professionals” in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); (ii) high net worth bodies corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2) of the Order; or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares of our common stock in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offering and any shares of our common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares of our common stock, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 2017/1129 as amended by The Prospectus (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Notice to Prospective Investors in France

Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the shares of our common stock described in this prospectus has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or by the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The shares of our common stock have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the shares of our common stock has been or will be:

released, issued, distributed, or caused to be released, issued, or distributed to the public in France; or
used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the shares of our common stock to the public in France.

Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) as defined by Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs) investing for their own account in accordance with Article L.411-2 of the French Code monétaire et financier;
to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or
in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1°-or-2°-or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (offre au public de titres financiers).

The shares of our common stock may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412- 1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The shares of our common stock may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation, or document relating to the shares of our common stock may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares of our common stock which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

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Notice to Investors in Switzerland

The shares of our common stock may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares of our common stock or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, us, the shares of our common stock have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares of our common stock will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of shares of our common stock has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement, or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement, or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

89

Any offer in Australia of the shares of common stock may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares of our common stock without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The shares of our common stock applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares of our common stock must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives, and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The shares of our common stock have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, the shares of our common stock were not offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not be offered or sold or caused to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares of our common stock, has not been circulated or distributed, nor will it be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares of our common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares of our common stock pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
where the transfer is by operation of law; or
as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA.

In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the Capital Markets Products (the “CMP”) Regulations 2018, the shares of our common stock are prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in Monetary Authority of Singapore Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and Monetary Authority of Singapore Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

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LEGAL MATTERS

Baker & Hostetler LLP, Los Angeles, California has passed upon the validity of our common stock offered by this prospectus and certain other legal matters related to this prospectus. The NBD Group, Inc., Los Angeles, California, is acting as counsel to the Underwriter.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (formerly theMaven, Inc.), and Subsidiaryits subsidiaries as of December 31, 20162020 and 2019, and for each of the two years in the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) throughended December 31, 2016,2020, included in this prospectus, and thewhich constitutes a part of this registration statement, have been audited by Gumbiner Savett Inc., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of suchby Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein and in this registration statement, given upon itson said firm’s authority as an expertexperts in accountingauditing and auditing.accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MOREADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We have also filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits, and schedules, under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock to be sold inoffered by this offering.prospectus. This prospectus which constitutes ais part of the registration statement, containsbut does not contain all of the information set forthincluded in the registration statement or the exhibitsexhibits. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the internet at a website maintained by the SEC located at http://www.sec.gov. Those filings are also available to the public on, or accessible through, our website at https://investors.thearenagroup.net/financial-information/sec-filings. The information on our web site, however, is not, and schedulesshould not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

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THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Index to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

PAGE
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020F-2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020F-3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficiency (Unaudited) - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020F-4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020F-6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)F-7

PAGE
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-26
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019F-27
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019F-28
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficiency for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019F-29
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019F-30
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-31

F-1

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  

September 30, 2021

(unaudited)

  December 31, 2020 
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $8,227,840  $9,033,872 
Restricted cash  500,809   500,809 
Accounts receivable, net  19,519,147   16,497,626 
Subscription acquisition costs, current portion  31,257,268   28,146,895 
Royalty fees, current portion  15,000,000   15,000,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  4,875,177   4,667,263 
Total current assets  79,380,241   73,846,465 
Property and equipment, net  668,663   1,129,438 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  2,048,900   18,292,196 
Platform development, net  8,011,707   7,355,608 
Royalty fees, net of current portion  -   11,250,000 
Subscription acquisition costs, net of current portion  18,682,545   13,358,585 
Acquired and other intangible assets, net  57,817,905   71,501,835 
Other long-term assets  692,021   1,330,812 
Goodwill  22,861,872   16,139,377 
Total assets $190,163,854  $214,204,316 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $9,443,576  $8,228,977 
Accrued expenses and other  21,287,989   14,718,193 
Line of credit  6,705,391   7,178,791 
Unearned revenue  71,305,655   61,625,676 
Subscription refund liability  4,379,364   4,035,531 
Operating lease liabilities  282,011   1,059,671 
Liquidated damages payable  11,765,706   9,568,091 
Convertible debt      - 
Current portion of long-term debt  4,565,982   - 
Warrant derivative liabilities  651,083   1,147,895 
Embedded derivative liabilities        
Total current liabilities  130,386,757   107,562,825 
Unearned revenue, net of current portion  19,207,736   23,498,597 
Restricted stock liabilities, net of current portion  521,621   1,995,810 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  1,972,165   19,886,083 
Other long-term liabilities  8,072,442   753,365 
Deferred tax liabilities  577,960   210,832 
Promissory notes, including accrued interest  -   - 
Convertible debt, net of current portion  -   - 
Long-term debt, net of current portion  58,718,289   62,194,272 
Total liabilities  219,456,970   216,101,784 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)  -   - 
Mezzanine equity:        
Series G redeemable and convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 1,800 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $168,496; Series G shares issued and outstanding: 168,496; common shares issuable upon conversion: 188,791 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020  168,496   168,496 
Series H convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value; aggregate liquidation value $19,546,000 and $19,596,000; Series H shares designated: 23,000; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 19,546 and 19,596; common shares issuable upon conversion: 59,243,926 and 59,395,476 shares at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively  18,197,496   18,247,496 
Total mezzanine equity  18,365,992   18,415,992 
Stockholders’ deficiency:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 264,246,777 and 229,085,167 shares at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively  2,642,467   2,290,851 
Common stock to be issued  10,809   10,809 
Additional paid-in capital  182,787,419   139,658,166 
Accumulated deficit  (233,099,803)  (162,273,286)
Total stockholders’ deficiency  (47,659,108)  (20,313,460)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency $190,163,854  $214,204,316 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

F-2

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

                 
  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  2021  2020  2021  2020 
Revenue $59,573,508  $32,089,993  $127,935,501  $85,593,786 
Cost of revenue (includes amortization of developed technology and platform development for three months ended 2021 and 2020 of $2,241,243 and $2,089,286, respectively, and for nine months ended 2021 and 2020 of $6,565,600 and $6,348,619, respectively)  32,173,859   24,708,941   83,978,050   76,321,953 
Gross profit  27,399,649   7,381,052   43,957,451   9,271,833 
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  22,712,193   9,928,901   55,122,357   27,698,182 
General and administrative  23,023,883   7,172,175   44,230,360   24,852,891 
Depreciation and amortization  4,055,432   4,053,184   11,981,998   12,276,990 
Total operating expenses  49,791,508   21,154,260   111,334,715   64,828,063 
Loss from operations  (22,391,859)  (13,773,208)  (67,377,264)  (55,556,230)
Other (expense) income                
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  801,755   (517,405)  496,812   (134,910)
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   (2,370,000)  -   2,173,000 
Loss on conversion of convertible debt                
Interest expense  (2,512,637)  (4,253,180)  (7,695,317)  (12,169,315)
Interest income  -  1,116   471  4,499 
Liquidated damages  (833,612)  (319,903)  (2,197,615)  (1,487,577)
Other expenses  -   (31,851)  -   (31,851)
Other (expenses) income  -   (31,851)   -   (31,851) 
Gain upon debt extinguishment  -   -   5,716,697   - 
Total other expense  (2,544,494)  (7,491,223)  (3,678,952)  (11,646,154)
Loss before income taxes  (24,936,353)  (21,264,431)  (71,056,216)  (67,202,384)
Income taxes  229,699   -   229,699   - 
Net loss  (24,706,654)  (21,264,431)  (70,826,517)  (67,202,384)
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   (132,663)  -   (132,663)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(24,706,654) $(21,397,094) $(70,826,517) $(67,335,047)
Basic and diluted net loss per common stock $(0.10) $(0.55) $(0.29) $(1.72)
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding – basic and diluted  252,811,058   39,186,432   244,209,151   39,177,864 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-3

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

                           
  Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued  Additional Paid-in  Accumulated  Total Stockholders’ 
                                         Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  

Capital

  Deficit  

Deficiency

 
Balance at January 1, 2021   229,085,167  $   2,290,851   1,080,930  $      10,809  $139,658,166  $(162,273,286) $(20,313,460)
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  805,165   8,052   -   -   (8,052)  -   - 
Repurchase restricted stock classified as liabilities  (133,068)  (1,331)  -   -   1,331   -   - 
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun  -                  
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun, shares                            
Cashless exercise of common stock options                            
Cashless exercise of common stock options, shares                            
Common stock withheld for taxes                            
Common stock withheld for taxes, shares                            
Proceeds from common stock private placement                            
Proceeds from common stock private placement, shares                            
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  256,661   2,567   -   -   (2,567)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  312,500   3,125   -   -   121,875   -   125,000 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock, shares                            
Issuance of common stock in connection with vesting of restricted stock units                            
Issuance of common stock in connection with vesting of restricted stock units, shares                            
Forfeiture of unvested restricted stock awards                            
Forfeiture of unvested restricted stock awards, shares                            
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Say Media                            
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Say Media, shares                            
Beneficial conversion feature on Series H convertible preferred stock                            
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock                            
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   5,408,207   -   5,408,207 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (25,463,305)  (25,463,305)
Balance at March 31, 2021  230,326,425   2,303,264   1,080,930   10,809   145,178,960   (187,736,591)  (40,243,558)
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun  4,285,714   42,857   -   -   (42,857)  -   - 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  82,158   822   -   -   (822)  -   - 
Cashless exercise of common stock options  84,891   849   -   -   (849)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (49,952)  (490)  -   -   (40,630)  -   (41,120)
Repurchase of restricted stock classified as liabilities  (133,068)  (1,331)  -   -   1,331   -   - 
Proceeds from common stock private placement  28,578,575   285,786   -   -   19,551,971   -   19,837,757 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   8,665,939   -   8,665,939 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (20,656,558)  (20,656,558)
Balance at June 30, 2021  263,175,743   2,631,757   1,080,930   10,809   173,313,043   (208,393,149)  (32,437,540)
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock  151,515   1,515   -   -   48,485   -   50,000 
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of Fulltime Fantasy  750,000   7,500   -   -   495,000   -   502,500 
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units  500,000   5,000   -   -   (5,000)  -   - 
Forfeiture of unvested restricted stock awards  (150,557)  (1,505)  -   -   1,505   -   - 
Repurchase of restricted stock classified as liabilities  (133,068)  (1,331)  -   -   1,331   -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (46,856)  (469)  -   -   (28,649)  -   (29,118)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   8,961,704   -   8,961,704 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (24,706,654)  (24,706,654)
Balance at September 30, 2021  264,246,777  $2,642,467   1,080,930  $10,809  $182,787,419  $(233,099,803) $(47,659,108)

F-4

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

  Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  

Paid-in

Capital

  Accumulated Deficit  Stockholders’
Deficiency
 
 Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued  Additional Paid-in  Accumulated  Total
Stockholders’
 
  Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  

Capital

  Deficit  Deficiency 
Balance at January 1, 2020  37,119,117  $    371,190   3,938,287  $      39,383  $35,562,766  $(73,041,323) $(37,067,984)
Issuance of restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   -   -   -   500,000   -   500,000 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  562,500   5,625   -   -   (5,625)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (206,881)  (2,069)  -   -   (167,412)  -   (169,481)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   3,930,172   -   3,930,172 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (22,776,624)  (22,776,624)
Balance at March 31, 2020  37,474,736  374,746   3,938,287   39,383  39,819,901  (95,817,947) (55,583,917)
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Say Media  1,350,394   13,504   (1,350,394)  (13,504)  -   -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (234,767)  (2,348)  -   -   (109,992)  -   (112,340)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   4,283,066   -   4,283,066 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (23,161,329)  (23,161,329)
Balance at June 30, 2020  38,590,363  385,902   2,587,893   25,879  43,992,975  (118,979,276) (74,574,520)
Beginning balance, value  38,590,363  $385,902   2,587,893   25,879  $43,992,975  $(118,979,276) $(74,574,520)
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Say Media  1,107,378   11,074   (1,107,378)  (11,074)  -   -   - 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock  909,090   9,091   -   -   290,909   -   300,000 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (58,628)  (586)  -   -   (40,371)  -   (40,957)
Beneficial conversion feature on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   132,663   -   132,663 
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (132,663)  -   (132,663)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   4,231,878   -   4,231,878 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (21,264,431)  (21,264,431)
Balance September 30, 2020  40,548,203  $405,481   1,480,515  $14,805  $48,475,391  $(140,243,707) $(91,348,030)

Ending balance, value40,548,203$405,4811,480,51514,805$48,475,391$(140,243,707)$(91,348,030)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-5

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

  2021  2020 
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2021  2020 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(70,826,517) $(67,202,384)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation of property and equipment  333,891   536,729 
Amortization of platform development and intangible assets  18,213,707   18,088,880 
Loss on disposition of assets  862,442   105,123 
Loss upon lease termination  7,344,655   - 
Gain upon debt extinguishment  (5,716,697)  - 
Amortization of debt discounts  1,533,537   4,899,625 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  (496,812)  134,910 
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   (2,173,000)
Loss on conversion of 12% convertible debentures        
Accrued and noncash converted interest
        
Accrued interest  5,273,159   6,832,376 
Liquidated damages  2,197,615   1,487,577 
Stock-based compensation  21,688,226   11,185,953 
Deferred income taxes  (229,699)  - 
Other  (1,014,932)  (296,019)
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of acquisitions:        
Accounts receivable  (173,266)  4,893,512 
Factor receivables        
Subscription acquisition costs  (8,434,333)  (11,053,054)
Royalty fees  11,250,000   11,250,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  (78,347)  327,088 
Other long-term assets  638,791   (376,142)
Accounts payable  1,214,599   (968,581)
Accrued expenses        
Accrued expenses and other  5,566,243   (2,484,525)
Unearned revenue  5,389,118   2,871,080 
Subscription refund liability  343,833   (169,693)
Operating lease liabilities  (2,448,282)  1,837,138 
Other long-term liabilities  (692,255)  - 
Net cash used in operating activities  (8,261,324)  (20,273,407)
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of property and equipment  (299,999)  (1,085,392)
Capitalized platform development  (3,016,924)  (2,885,788)
Proceeds from sale of intangible asset        
Payments for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired  (7,356,949)  (315,289)
Net cash used in investing activities  (10,673,872)  (4,286,469)
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from long-term debt  -   11,702,725 
Repayments of long-term debt        
Payment of debt issuance costs on long-term debt        
Proceeds from (repayments of) convertible debt        
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options        
Borrowings (repayments) under line of credit  (473,400)  3,328,431 
Proceeds from common stock private placement  20,005,000   - 
Proceeds from issuance of Series H convertible preferred stock  -   113,000 
Proceeds from issuance of Series J convertible preferred stock  -   6,000,000 
Proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock  -   - 
Payments of issuance costs from common stock private placement  (167,243)  - 
Payment for taxes related to repurchase of restricted common stock  (70,238)  (322,778)
Payment of issuance costs of convertible preferred stock        
Repayment of promissory notes        
Payment of restricted stock liabilities  (1,164,955)  - 
Net cash provided by financing activities  18,129,164   20,821,378 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  (806,032)  (3,738,498)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of period  9,534,681   9,473,090 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of period $8,728,649  $5,734,592 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest $896,580  $437,314 
Cash paid for income taxes  -   - 
Noncash investing and financing activities        
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development $1,347,624  $1,259,163 
Debt discount on long-term debt        
Discount on convertible debt allocated to embedded derivative liabilities        

Exercise of warrants for issuance common stock

        
Payment of long-term debt for issuance of Series J convertible preferred stock        
Liquidated damages recognized upon issuance of convertible debt        
Liquidated damages liability recorded against cash proceeds for Series I convertible preferred stock        
Conversion of convertible debt into common stock        
Conversion of embedded derivative liabilities into common stock        
Conversion of convertible preferred stock into common stock        
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  125,000   - 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisition of The Spun  905,109   - 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of The Spun  1,500   - 
Debt discount on delayed draw term note  -   913,865 
Restricted stock units issued in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   500,000 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   140,381 
Restricted stock issued in connection with acquisition of Fulltime Fantasy  502,500   - 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisition of Fulltime Fantasy  419,367     
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   132,663 
Payment of long-term debt for issuance of Series K convertible preferred stock        
Payment of promissory note for issuance for Series H convertible preferred stock        
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock  -   - 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-6

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

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

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

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

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

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

F-7

Contract Modifications

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

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

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

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

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

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

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

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which updates various codification topics to simplify the accounting guidance for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, with a specific focus on convertible instruments and the derivative scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity and amends the diluted EPS computation for these instruments. The Company will adopt n as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this new accounting standard would have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires an acquirer to account for revenue contracts acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts. The acquirer may assess how the acquiree applied Topic 606 to determine what to record for the acquired contracts. This update should lead to recognition and measurement consistent with what’s reported in the acquiree’s financial statements, provided that the acquiree prepared financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The new standard marks a change from current U.S. GAAP, under which assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts, are generally recognized at fair value at the acquisition date. ASU 2021-08 is effective for the Company in the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within the fiscal year, and should be applied prospectively to business combinations on or after the effective date of the amendment. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this new accounting standard would have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Loss per Common Share

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

F-8

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

Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

  As of September 30, 
  2021  2020 
Series G convertible preferred stock  188,791   188,791 
Series H Preferred Stock  59,243,926   58,206,061 
Series I Preferred Stock  -   46,200,000 
Series J Preferred Stock  -   43,584,500 
Indemnity shares of common stock  -   412,500 
Restricted Stock Awards  4,147,936   3,674,996 
Financing Warrants  2,882,055   2,882,055 
ABG Warrants  21,989,844   21,989,844 
AllHipHop warrants  125,000   - 
Publisher Partner Warrants  789,541   789,541 
Common Stock Awards  6,861,973   8,033,936 
Common Equity Awards  161,367,349   82,400,952 
Outside Options  3,050,000   2,982,111 
Total  260,646,415   271,345,287 

2. Acquisitions

Fulltime Fantasy Sports, LLC – On July 15, 2021, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Fulltime Fantasy Sports, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Fulltime Fantasy”), where it purchased certain intellectual property (including databases, documents and certain rights related to the registration statement.intellectual property) and subscriber and customer records (collectively the “Purchased Assets”) and assumed certain liabilities related to the Purchased Assets. The purchase price consisted of: (1) a cash payment of $335,000 (paid in advance) including transaction related costs of $35,000, (2) the issuance of 750,000 shares the Company’s common stock (subject to certain vesting earn-out provisions and certain buy-back rights), with 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that vested at closing; and the remaining consideration subject to certain terms and conditions for material breach of certain agreements and acceleration provisions under certain conditions consisting of: (3) a cash earn-out payment of $225,000 and the vesting of 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2021, and (4) a cash earn-out payment of $225,000 and the vesting of 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on June 30, 2022.

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

     
Total purchase consideration $1,256,887 
Cash (including $35,000 of transaction related costs) $335,000 
Restricted stock  167,500 
Deferred cash payments  419,387 
Deferred restricted stock  335,000 
Total purchase consideration $1,256,887 

The purchase price resulted in $1,256,887 (including $35,000 of transaction related costs) being assigned to a database acquired at the closing date of the acquisition. The useful life for the database is three years (3.0 years).

F-9

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

The composition of the preliminary purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

     
Cash $10,829,893 
Deferred cash payments  905,109 
Total purchase consideration $11,735,002 

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

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

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

     
Cash $3,772,944 
Accounts receivable  1,833,323 
Other current assets  4,567 
Goodwill  6,722,495 
Accrued expenses  (1,500)
Deferred tax liabilities  (596,827)
Net assets acquired $11,735,002 

 

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

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

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

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

F-10

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

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

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

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

3. Balance Sheet Components

The components of certain balance sheet amounts are as follows:

Accounts Receivable – Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $675,806 and $892,352, respectively.

Subscription Acquisition Costs – Subscription acquisition costs include the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, paid to external parties, if it expects to recover those costs. The current portion of the subscription acquisition costs as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $31,257,268and $28,146,895, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The noncurrent portion of the subscription acquisition costs as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $18,682,545 and $13,358,585, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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

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

Schedule of Property and Equipment

  As of 
  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Office equipment and computers $1,267,898  $1,341,292 
Furniture and fixtures  1,005   19,997 
Leasehold improvements  -   345,516 
   1,268,903   1,706,805 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  (600,240)  (577,367)
Net property and equipment $668,663  $1,129,438 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $114,165 and $102,067, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $333,891 and $536,729, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense is included in selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses, as appropriate, on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

F-11

Platform Development – Platform development costs are summarized as follows:

Summary of Platform Development Costs

  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
  As of 
  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Platform development $19,497,520  $16,027,428 
Less accumulated amortization  (11,485,813)  (8,671,820)
Net platform development $8,011,707  $7,355,608 

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

Summary of Platform Development Cost Activity

  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
  As of 
  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Platform development beginning of period $16,027,428  $10,678,692 
Payroll-based costs capitalized during the period  3,016,924   3,750,541 
Total capitalized costs  19,044,352   14,429,233 
Stock-based compensation  1,347,624   1,608,995 
Dispositions  (894,456)  (10,800)
Platform development end of period $19,497,520  $16,027,428 

Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, was $1,143,673 and $909,631, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, was $3,272,890 and $2,868,289, respectively.

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

Schedule of Intangible Assets Subjects to Amortization

  As of September 30, 2021  As of December 31, 2020 
  Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount  

 

Carrying Amount

  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount 
Developed technology $19,070,857  $(11,576,450) $7,494,407  $19,070,857  $(8,283,740) $10,787,117 
Noncompete agreement  480,000   (480,000)  -   480,000   (480,000)  - 
Trade name  3,328,000   (712,292)  2,615,708   3,328,000   (503,342)  2,824,658 
Subscriber relationships  73,458,799   (28,992,944)  44,465,855   73,458,799   (18,105,041)  55,353,758 
Advertiser relationships  2,240,000   (510,922)  1,729,078   2,240,000   (332,515)  1,907,485 
Database  2,396,887   (904,030)  1,492,857   1,140,000   (531,183)  608,817 
Subtotal amortizable intangible assets  100,974,543   (43,176,638)  57,797,905   99,717,656   (28,235,821)  71,481,835 
Website domain name  20,000   -   20,000   20,000   -   20,000 
Total intangible assets $100,994,543  $(43,176,638) $57,817,905  $99,737,656  $(28,235,821) $71,501,835 

Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $5,038,837 and $5,093,076, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $14,940,817 and $15,220,591, respectively. NaN impairment charges have been recorded during the nine months September 30, 2021 and 2020.

Other Long-term Liabilities – Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following:

Schedule of Other Long-term Liabilities

  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
  As of 
  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Lease termination payments $7,269,469  $541,381 
Deferred cash payments  666,677   - 
Other  136,296   211,984 
Other long-term liabilities $8,072,442  $753,365 

F-12

4. Leases

The Company’s leases are primarily comprised of real estate leases for the use of office space, with certain lease arrangements that contain equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement that provides control over the use of an asset is a lease at inception. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized upon commencement of the lease based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term includes options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Substantially, all of the leases are long-term operating leases for facilities with fixed payment terms between 1.5 and 7.9 years.

The table below presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Operating Leases

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021   
Operating cash flows for operating leases $2,901,529 
Noncash lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating leased assets during the period $- 
Weighted-average remaining lease term  6.00 
Weighted-average discount rate  9.90%

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

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

Operating lease costs recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $642,926 and $982,414, respectively. Operating lease costs recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $2,458,229 and $3,082,499, respectively.

Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of September 30, 2021 are summarized as follows:

Summary of Maturity of Lease Liabilities

Years Ending December 31,   
2021 (remaining three months of the year) $140,134 
2022  472,084 
2023  486,247 
2024  500,834 
2025  512,019 
Thereafter  896,034 
Minimum lease payments  3,007,352 
Less imputed interest  (753,176)
Present value of operating lease liabilities $2,254,176 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities $282,011 
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities  1,972,165 
Total operating lease liabilities $2,254,176 

Effective September 30, 2021, the Company terminated a certain lease arrangement for office space and as a result, relinquished the space and derecognized a right-of-use asset of $15,673,474, a lease liability of $17,934,940 and recorded a penalty upon termination of $9,606,121 (as discounted since the amount of the liability and timing of the Cash Payments, as defined below, are fixed), resulting in a net loss upon termination of $7,344,655, which has been reflected in general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the termination, the Company agreed to pay the landlord cash of $10,000,000 (the “Cash Payments”) and $1,475,000 in market rate advertising. The Cash Payments are due as follows: $1,000,000 on December 1, 2021; $1,000,000 on October 1, 2022; $4,000,000 on October 1, 2023; and $4,000,000 on October 1, 2024.

F-13

5. Line of Credit

FastPay Credit Facility – On February 27, 2020, the Company entered into a financing and security agreement with FPP Finance LLC (“FastPay”), pursuant to which FastPay extended a $15,000,000 line of credit for working capital purposes secured by a first lien on all of the Company’s cash and accounts receivable and a second lien on all other assets. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the LIBOR Rate plus 8.50% and have a final maturity of February 6, 2022. The balance outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $6,705,391 and $7,178,791, respectively. As of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued the balance outstanding was approximately $9,400,000.

6. Restricted Stock Liabilities

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

The following table presents the components of the restricted stock liabilities:

Schedule of Components of Restricted Stock Liabilities

  As of 
  September 30, 2021  December 31, 2020 
Restricted stock liabilities recorded upon modification of the restricted stock awards and units (1,064,549 restricted stock to be purchased at $4.00 per share) $4,258,196  $4,258,196 
Less imputed interest  (457,462)  (457,462)
Present value of restricted stock liabilities  3,800,734   3,800,734 
Less payments (excluding imputed interest)  (1,342,379)  (177,425)
Restricted stock liabilities $2,458,355  $3,623,309 
Current portion of restricted stock liabilities (included in accrued expenses and other) $1,936,734  $1,627,499 
Long-term portion of restricted stock liabilities  521,621   1,995,810 
Total restricted stock liabilities $2,458,355  $3,623,309 

7. Fair Value Measurements

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

The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels of inputs that may read, without charge,be used to measure fair value, which are described below:

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

F-14

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

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

Warrant Derivative Liabilities

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

Schedule of Warrant Derivative Liabilities

  As of September 30, 2021  As of December 31, 2020 
  Strome Warrants  B. Riley Warrants  Strome Warrants  B. Riley Warrants 
Expected life  1.70   4.50   2.45   4.79 
Risk-free interest rate  0.28%  0.76%  0.13%  0.36%
Volatility factor  153.59%  142.59%  150.55%  140.95%
Dividend rate  0%  0%  0%  0%
Transaction date closing market price $0.38  $0.38  $0.60  $0.60 
Exercise price $0.50  $0.33  $0.50  $0.33 

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

Schedule of Valuation Activity for Warrants Accounted for Derivative Liability

  As of and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021  As of and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 
  Carry Amount at Beginning of Period  Change in Valuation  Carrying Amount at End of Period  Carry Amount at Beginning of Period  Change in Valuation  Carrying Amount at End of Period 
Strome Warrants $704,707  $(339,924) $364,783  $1,036,687  $63,160  $1,099,847 
B. Riley Warrants  443,188   (156,888)  286,300   607,513   71,750   679,263 
Total $1,147,895  $(496,812) $651,083  $1,644,200  $134,910  $1,779,110 

For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities recognized as other (expense) income on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, was $801,755 and ($517,405), respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities recognized as other (expense) income on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, as described in the above table, was $496,812 and ($134,910), respectively.

Embedded Derivative Liabilities

For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities recognized as other (expense) on the condensed consolidated statements of operations was ($2,370,000). For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities recognized as other income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $2,173,000.

F-15

8. Long-term Debt

12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes

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

Amended and restated note issued on June 14, 2019, where the Company received gross proceeds of $48,000,000, together with the $20,000,000 gross proceeds received on June 10, 2019 for total gross proceeds of $68,000,000, due June 14, 2022;

First amendment to the amended and restated note issued on August 27, 2019, where the Company received gross proceeds of $3,000,000;

Second amendment to the amended and restated note issued on February 27, 2020, where the Company issued a $3,000,000 letter of credit to the Company’s landlord for leased premises; and

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

First amendment to second amended and restated note issued on March 24, 2020 was entered into on October 23, 2020 (“Amendment 1”), where the maturity date was changed to December 31, 2022, subject to certain acceleration conditions and interest payable on the notes on September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021 will be payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of such fiscal quarter. Alternatively, at the option of the holder, such interest amounts originally could have been paid in shares of Series K convertible preferred stock (the “Series K Preferred Stock”); however, after December 18, 2020, the date the Series K Preferred Stock converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, such interest amounts can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination, which eliminated designation of the Series K Preferred Stock.

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

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

Delayed Draw Term Note

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

F-16

On March 24, 2020, the Company drew down $6,913,865 under the Delayed Draw Term Note, and after payment of commitment and funding fees paid of $793,109, and other of its legal fees and expenses that were incurred, the Company received net proceeds of $6,000,000. The net proceeds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Additional borrowings under the Delayed Draw Term Note requested by the Company may be made at prescribed rates,the option of the purchasers, subject to certain conditions. Up to $8,000,000 in principal amount under the note was originally due on March 31, 2021. Interest on amounts outstanding under the note was payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter.

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

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

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

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

On June 22, 2021, the SBA authorized full forgiveness of $5,702,725 under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan; thus, the Company will not need to make any reports,payments on the Paycheck Protection Program Loan that JPMorgan Chase facilitates as an SBA lender. JPMorgan Chase will apply the forgiveness amount the SBA authorized, plus all accrued interest, to the Company’s Paycheck Protection Program Loan. The requirements under this program are established by the SBA. All requests for Paycheck Protection Program Loan forgiveness are subject to SBA eligibility. The Company recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 of $5,716,697 (including accrued interest) pursuant to the forgiveness in other (expense) income on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Further details as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued are provided under the heading Long-term Debt in Note 15.

F-17

The following table summarizes the long-term debt:

Schedule of Long Term Debt

  As of September 30, 2021  As of December 31, 2020 
  Principal Balance (including accrued interest)  Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs  Carrying Value  Principal Balance (including accrued interest)  Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs  Carrying Value 
12% Second Amended Senior Secured Note, as amended, due on December 31, 2022 $61,131,882  $(2,413,593) $58,718,289  $56,296,091  $(3,739,690) $52,556,401 
Delayed Draw Term Note, as amended, due on March 31, 2022  4,717,714   (151,732)  4,565,982   4,294,318   (359,172)  3,935,146 
Paycheck Protection Program Loan, scheduled to mature April 6, 2022, however, fully forgiven on June 22, 2021  -   -   -   5,702,725   -   5,702,725 
Total $65,849,596  $(2,565,325) $63,284,271  $66,293,134  $(4,098,862) $62,194,272 

The current portion of long-term debt as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $4,565,982 and none, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The noncurrent portion of long-term debt as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $58,718,289 and $62,194,272, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

9. Preferred Stock

Series H Preferred Stock

On August 17, 2021, 50 shares of Series H convertible preferred stock (the “Series H Preferred Stock”) were converted into 151,515 shares of the Company’s common stock.

F-18

Series L Preferred Stock

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

10. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

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

Common Stock Private Placement

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

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register the shares of the Company’s common stock issued in the files at the public reference room at the SEC’s principal office at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20549. You may request copies of these documents, for a copying fee, by writingprivate placements. The Company committed to the SEC. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its public reference room. Our filings, includingfile the registration statement will also be available to you on the Internet website maintainedearlier of: (i) in the event the Company does not obtain a waiver from the holders of the shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued upon the conversion of the Series K Preferred Stock (the “Waiver”), within ten (10) calendar days following the date the Company’s registration statement(s) on Form S-1, registering for resale shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued in connection with offerings prior to the date of the registration rights agreement (the “Prior Registration Statements”), is declared effective by the SEC; and (ii) in the event the Company does obtain the Waiver, the earliest practicable date on which the Company is permitted by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.guidance to file the initial registration statement following the filing of the Prior Registration Statements (the “Filing Date”). The Company also committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after the Filing Date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 120 days following the Filing Date). The registration rights agreement provides for Registration Rights Damages upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested pursuant to the securities purchase agreements.

52F-19

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

Common Stock Warrants

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

The Financing Warrants outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2021 are summarized as follows:

Summary of Warrant Activity

       Outstanding    
  Exercise Price  Expiration Date Classified as Derivative Liabilities (Shares)  Classified within Stockholders’ Equity (Shares)  Total Exercisable (Shares) 
MDB Warrants $0.20  November 4, 2021  -   327,490   327,490 
Strome Warrants  0.50  June 15, 2023  1,500,000   -   1,500,000 
B. Riley Warrants  0.33  October 18, 2025  875,000   -   875,000 
MDB Warrants  1.15  October 19, 2022  -   119,565   119,565 
MDB Warrants  2.50  October 19, 2022  -   60,000   60,000 
Total outstanding and exercisable        2,375,000   507,055   2,882,055 

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money stock warrants as of September 30, 2021 was $102,698, based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $0.38 per share on September 30, 2021.

F-20

11. Compensation Plans

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

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

Summary of Stock-based Compensation

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
During the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021                            
Cost of revenue $11,808  $23,217  $1,696,147  $967  $-  $-  $1,732,139 
Selling and marketing  -   3,970   1,341,948   75,193   -   -   1,421,111 
General and administrative  414,163   78,017   4,081,766   -   -   745,636   5,319,582 
Total costs charged to operations  425,971   105,204   7,119,861   76,160   -   745,636   8,472,832 
Capitalized platform development  2,328   -   483,854   2,690   -   -   488,872 
Total stock-based compensation $428,299  $105,204  $7,603,715  $78,850  $-  $745,636  $8,961,704 
                             
During the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020                            
Cost of revenue $35,610  $53,149  $1,178,276  $2,471  $992  $-  $1,270,498 
Selling and marketing  323,164   42,695   734,391   43,900   -   -   1,144,150 
General and administrative  80,306   127,786   855,390   -   -   364,248   1,427,730 
Total costs charged to operations  439,080   223,630   2,768,057   46,371   992   364,248   3,842,378 
Capitalized platform development  88,619   32,680   267,013   1,188   -   -   389,500 
Total stock-based compensation $527,699   256,310  $3,035,070  $47,559  $992  $364,248  $4,231,878 

F-21

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

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021                            
Cost of revenue $60,838  $169,482  $4,694,925  $4,463  $-  $-  $4,929,708 
Selling and marketing  -   13,899   3,820,996   224,371   -   -   4,059,266 
General and administrative  559,505   297,283   10,344,247   -   -   1,498,217   12,699,252 
Total costs charged to operations  620,343   480,664   18,860,168   228,834   -   1,498,217   21,688,226 
Capitalized platform development  11,276   5,071   1,324,805   6,472   -   -   1,347,624 
Total stock-based compensation $631,619  $485,735  $20,184,973  $235,306  $-  $1,498,217  $23,035,850 
                             
During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020                            
Cost of revenue $108,936  $150,915  $3,261,542  $5,644  $36,654  $-  $3,563,691 
Selling and marketing  920,566   102,206   2,114,595   142,767   -   -   3,280,134 
General and administrative  238,558   437,614   2,430,553   150,577   -   1,084,826   4,342,128 
Total costs charged to operations  1,268,060   690,735   7,806,690   298,988   36,654   1,084,826   11,185,953 
Capitalized platform development  234,611   154,445   864,656   5,451   -   -   1,259,163 
Total stock-based compensation $1,502,671   845,180  $8,671,346  $304,439  $36,654  $1,084,826  $12,445,116 

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

Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Expense

  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
Unrecognized compensation expense $2,750,000  $-  $54,255,910  $135,741  $-  $3,788,429  $60,930,080 
Expected weighted-average period expected to be recognized (in years)  1.68   -   2.14   0.44   -   1.63   2.08 

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

Further details as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued are provided under the heading Compensation Plans in Note 15.

F-22

12. Revenue Recognition

Disaggregation of Revenue

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

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  2021  2020  2021  2020 
Revenue by product line:                
Advertising $21,678,480  $9,409,031  $46,300,974  $28,788,631 
Digital subscriptions  7,698,359   8,469,943   22,472,951   20,096,640 
Magazine circulation  25,973,853   12,874,574   53,325,894   34,041,272 
Other  4,222,816   1,336,445   5,835,682   2,667,243 
Total $59,573,508  $32,089,993  $127,935,501  $85,593,786 
Revenue by geographical market:                
United States $57,762,726  $29,964,150  $123,697,063  $81,295,916 
Other  1,810,782   2,125,843   4,238,438   4,297,870 
Total $59,573,508  $32,089,993  $127,935,501  $85,593,786 
Revenue by timing of recognition:                
At point in time $51,875,149  $23,620,050  $105,462,550  $65,497,146 
Over time  7,698,359   8,469,943   22,472,951   20,096,640 
Total $59,573,508  $32,089,993  $127,935,501  $85,593,786 

Contract Balances

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

The following table provides information about contract balances:

Schedule of Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

  As of 
  September 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
 
Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $15,708,139  $14,870,712 
Magazine circulation  49,244,783   46,586,345 
Advertising and other  6,352,733   168,619 
  $71,305,655  $61,625,676 
Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $1,593,724  $593,136 
Magazine circulation  17,444,012   22,712,961 
Other  170,000   192,500 
  $19,207,736  $23,498,597 

Unearned Revenue – Unearned revenue, also referred to as contract liabilities, include payments received in advance of performance under the contracts and are recognized as revenue over time. The Company records contract liabilities as unearned revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Digital subscription and magazine circulation revenue of $42,893,297 was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 from unearned revenue at the beginning of the year.

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

F-23

13. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes in interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that arise during the period. Each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of its annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the Company makes a cumulative adjustment in such period. The quarterly provision for income taxes, and estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, are subject to variation due to several factors, including variability in pre-tax income (or loss), the mix of jurisdictions to which such income relates, changes in how the Company conducts business, and tax law developments.

The effective tax rate benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was 0.29% and 0.00%, respectively. The tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily due to discrete items.

The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon a variety of factors, including the generation of future taxable income, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies. Based upon the Company’s historical operating losses and the uncertainty of future taxable income, the Company has provided a valuation allowance against most of the deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

Revenue Guarantees

On a select basis, the Company has provided revenue share guarantees to certain independent publishers that transition their publishing operations from another platform to theMaven.net or maven.io. These arrangements generally guarantee the publisher a monthly amount of income for a period of 12 to 24 months from inception of the publisher contract that is the greater of (a) a fixed monthly minimum, or (b) the calculated earned revenue share.For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized publisher partner guarantees of $214,286 and $2,539,055, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized publisher partner guarantees of $3,781,240 and $7,541,619, respectively.

Claims and Litigation

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

F-24

15. Subsequent Events

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

Compensation Plans

From October 1, 2021 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued, the Company granted approximately 90,000 restricted stock awards to employees and 910,000 common stock options exercisable for shares of its common stock to employees.

Long-term Debt

12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes – The balance outstanding under the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued was approximately $61.7 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $48.8 million, payment of in-kind interest of approximately $12.3 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance, and unpaid accrued interest of approximately $0.5 million.

Delayed Draw Term NoteThe balance outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Note as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued was approximately $4.7 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $3.6 million, and payment of in-kind interest of approximately $1.1 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance.

Business Membership Agreement

Effective October 1, 2021, the Company entered into a business membership agreement with York Factory LLC, doing business as SaksWorks, that permits access to certain office space with furnishings, referred to as SaksWorks Memberships (each membership provides a certain number of accounts that equate to the use of the space granted). The term of the agreement is for twenty-seven months, with an initial period of three months at $25,000 per month for 30 accounts and secondary period for the remaining twenty-four months at $56,617 per month for 110 accounts. The agreement also provides for: (1) additional accounts at predetermined pricing; (2) early termination date of June 30, 2023 providing the Company gives notice by December 31, 2022; and (3) renewal of agreement at the end on the term for a twelve-month period at the then-current market price and pricing structure on such renewal date.

F-25

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

PAGE
For the Period from July 22, 2016 to December 31, 2016:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF – 2
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016F – 3
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss for the Period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016F – 4
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016F – 5
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016F – 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF – 7
For the Quarter ended March 31, 2017
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)F – 23
Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)F – 24
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity (Unaudited)F – 25
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)F – 26
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)F – 27

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors and Stockholders of

theMaven,TheMaven, Inc. and SubsidiarySubsidiaries

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets of theMaven,TheMaven, Inc. (formerly Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.) and SubsidiarySubsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016,2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive loss,operations, stockholders’ equity,deficiency and cash flows for each of the two years in the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) throughended December 31, 2016. The Company’s management is responsible for these2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements.statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on thesethe Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit.audits. 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 auditaudits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the auditaudits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.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. Our audit included considerationAs part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 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.  An audit also includes

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessingstatements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statement presentation.statements. We believe that our audit providesaudits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

InCritical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Evaluation of the Contract Modification to Certain Subscription Contacts

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, referredthe Company modified certain digital and magazine subscription contracts. The Company determined that the contract modification was a termination of the existing contract and a creation of a new contract with each individual subscriber. The Company accounted for the contract modification on a prospective basis.

The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures relating to above present fairly,these contract modifications is a critical audit matter, are there is significant audit judgment by management in all material respects,determining the impact related to revenue recognition, contract assets and contract liabilities and classification of short-term and long-term presentation to the Company’s future period balance sheets.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. The procedures included, amongst others, (i) gaining an understanding of the Company’s estimation process related to contract modification (ii) testing the number of future unserved subscription copies at the contract modification date to estimate the financial positionimpact of the contract modification to both the current period and future period earnings (iii) testing management’s analysis of the financial impact of the contract modification to contract asset and contract liabilities balances as of end of the year and the impact to current period earnings (iv) testing the mathematical accuracy of the analysis prepared by management (v) evaluating the appropriateness of the presentation to the consolidated financial statements.

/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.

Los Angeles, California

August 16, 2021

F-26

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  2020  2019 
  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $9,033,872  $8,852,281 
Restricted cash  500,809   620,809 
Accounts receivable, net  16,497,626   16,233,955 
Subscription acquisition costs, current portion  28,146,895   3,142,580 
Royalty fees, current portion  15,000,000   15,000,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  4,667,263   4,310,735 
Total current assets  73,846,465   48,160,360 
Property and equipment, net  1,129,438   661,277 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  18,292,196   3,980,649 
Platform development, net  7,355,608   5,892,719 
Royalty fees, net of current portion  11,250,000   26,250,000 
Subscription acquisition costs, net of current portion  13,358,585   3,417,478 
Acquired and other intangible assets, net  71,501,835   91,404,144 
Other long-term assets  1,330,812   1,085,287 
Goodwill  16,139,377   16,139,377 
Total assets $214,204,316  $196,991,291 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $8,228,977  $9,580,186 
Accrued expenses and other  14,718,193   16,483,201 
Line of credit  7,178,791   - 
Unearned revenue  61,625,676   32,163,087 
Subscription refund liability  4,035,531   3,144,172 
Operating lease liabilities  1,059,671   2,203,474 
Liquidated damages payable  9,568,091   8,080,514 
Convertible debt  -   741,197 
Warrant derivative liabilities  1,147,895   1,644,200 
Embedded derivative liabilities  -   13,501,000 
Total current liabilities  107,562,825   87,541,031 
Unearned revenue, net of current portion  23,498,597   31,179,211 
Restricted stock liabilities, net of current portion  1,995,810   - 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  19,886,083   2,616,132 
Other long-term liabilities  753,365   242,310 
Deferred tax liabilities  210,832   - 
Promissory notes, including accrued interest  -   319,351 
Convertible debt, net of current portion  -   12,497,765 
Long-term debt  62,194,272   44,009,745 
Long-term debt, net of current portion  62,194,272   44,009,745 
Total liabilities  216,101,784   178,405,545 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 26)        
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)  -    -  
Mezzanine equity:        
Series G redeemable and convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 1,800 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $168,496; Series G shares issued and outstanding: 168,496; common shares issuable upon conversion: 188,791 at December 31, 2020 and 2019  168,496   168,496 
Series H convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 23,000 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $19,597,000 and $19,399,250; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 19,597 and 19,400; common shares issuable upon conversion: 59,384,849 and 58,787,879 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively  18,247,496   18,045,496 
Series I convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 25,800 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $0 and $23,100,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively; Series I shares issued and outstanding: 23,100; common shares issuable upon conversion: 46,200,000 at December 31, 2019  -   19,699,742 
Series J convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 25,000 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $0 and $20,000,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively; Series J shares issued and outstanding: 20,000; common shares issuable upon conversion: 28,571,428 at December 31, 2019  -   17,739,996 
Total mezzanine equity  18,415,992   55,653,730 
Stockholders’ deficiency:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 229,085,167 and 37,119,117 shares at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively  2,290,851   371,190 
Common stock, value  2,290,851   371,190 
Common stock to be issued  10,809   39,383 
Additional paid-in capital  139,658,166   35,562,766 
Accumulated deficit  (162,273,286)  (73,041,323)
Total stockholders’ deficiency  (20,313,460)  (37,067,984)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency $214,204,316  $196,991,291 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-27

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  2020  2019 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Revenue $128,032,397  $53,343,310 
Cost of revenue (includes amortization for developed technology and platform development for 2020 and 2019 of $8,550,952 and $6,191,965, respectively)  103,063,445   47,301,175 
Cost of revenue  103,063,445   47,301,175 
Gross profit  24,968,952   6,042,135 
Operating expenses        
Selling and marketing  43,589,239   12,789,056 
General and administrative  36,007,238   29,511,204 
Depreciation and amortization  16,280,475   4,551,372 
Total operating expenses  95,876,952   46,851,632 
Loss from operations  (70,908,000)  (40,809,497)
Other (expenses) income        
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  496,305   (1,015,151)
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  2,571,004   (5,040,000)
Loss on conversion of convertible debt  (3,297,539)  - 
Interest expense  (16,497,217)  (10,463,570)
Interest income  381,026   13,976 
Liquidated damages  (1,487,577)  (728,516)
Other (expenses) income  (279,133)  262 
Total other expenses  (18,113,131)  (17,232,999)
Loss before income taxes  (89,021,131)  (58,042,496)
Income taxes  (210,832)  19,541,127 
Net loss  (89,231,963)  (38,501,369)
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock  (15,642,595)  - 
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  (15,642,595)  - 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(104,874,558) $(38,501,369)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(2.28) $(1.04)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted  45,981,029   37,080,784 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-28

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

  Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  Capital  Deficit    Deficiency 
  Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued  Additional Paid-in  Accumulated  Total Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Par Value  Shares  Par Value  Capital  Deficit    Deficiency 
Balance at January 1, 2019  35,768,619  $         357,685   5,127,167            51,272  $23,413,077  $(34,539,954) $(10,717,920)
Issuance of common stock in connection with the merger of Say Media  1,188,880   11,889   (1,188,880)  (11,889)  -   -   - 
Cashless exercise of common stock warrants  539,331   5,393   -   -   729,793   -   735,186 
Forfeiture of restricted stock  (825,000)  (8,250)  -   -   8,250   -   - 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  833,333   8,333   -   -   (8,333)  -   - 
Cashless exercise of common stock options  16,466   165   -   -   (165)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (402,512)  (4,025)  -       (252,033)      (256,058)
Issuance of restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of 12% convertible debentures                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of 12% convertible debentures, shares                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of related embedded derivative liabilities of 12% convertible debentures                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock, shares                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series I convertible preferred stock                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series I convertible preferred stock, shares                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series J convertible preferred stock                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series J convertible preferred stock, shares                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series K convertible preferred stock                            
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series K convertible preferred stock, shares                            
Reclassification of restricted stock awards and units from equity to liability classified upon modification                            
Exercise of common stock options                            
Exercise of common stock options, shares                            
Deemed dividend on Series I convertible preferred stock                            
Deemed dividend on Series J convertible preferred stock                            
Deemed dividend on Series K convertible preferred stock                            
Beneficial conversion feature on Series H convertible preferred stock                            
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock                            
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   11,672,177   -   11,672,177 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (38,501,369)  (38,501,369)
Balance at December 31, 2019  37,119,117  $371,190   3,938,287   39,383  $35,562,766  $(73,041,323) $(37,067,984)
Beginning balance, value  37,119,117  $371,190   3,938,287   39,383  $35,562,766  $(73,041,323) $(37,067,984)
Issuance of restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   -   -   -   500,000   -   500,000 
Issuance of common stock in connection with the merger of Say Media  2,857,357   28,574   (2,857,357)  (28,574)  -   -   - 
Forfeiture of restricted stock  (399,998)  (4,000)  -   -   4,000   -   - 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  562,500   5,625   -   -   (5,625)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of 12% convertible debentures  53,887,470   538,875   -   -   20,863,613   -   21,402,488 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of related embedded derivative liabilities of 12% convertible debentures  -   -   -   -   10,929,996   -   10,929,996 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock  909,090   9,091   -   -   290,909   -   300,000 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series I convertible preferred stock  46,200,000   462,000   -   -   24,319,742   -   24,781,742 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series J convertible preferred stock  43,584,500   435,845   -   -   23,890,696   -   24,326,541 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series K convertible preferred stock  45,105,000   451,050   -   -   26,502,500   -   26,953,550 
Reclassification of restricted stock awards and units from equity to liability classified upon modification  -   -   -   -   (3,800,734)  -   (3,800,734)
Common stock withheld for taxes  (746,813)  (7,468)  -   -   (512,976)  -   (520,444)
Exercise of common stock options  6,944   69   -   -   3,698   -   3,767 
Deemed dividend on Series I convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (5,082,000)  -   (5,082,000)
Deemed dividend on Series J convertible preferred stock  -   -   -       (586,545)  -   (586,545)
Deemed dividend on Series K convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (9,472,050)  -   (9,472,050)
Beneficial conversion feature on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   502,000   -   502,000 
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (502,000)  -   (502,000)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   16,250,176   -   16,250,176 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (89,231,963)  (89,231,963)
Balance at December 31, 2020  229,085,167  $2,290,851   1,080,930  $10,809  $139,658,166  $(162,273,286) $(20,313,460)
Ending balance, value  229,085,167  $2,290,851   1,080,930  $10,809  $139,658,166  $(162,273,286) $(20,313,460)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-29

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  2020  2019 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(89,231,963) $(38,501,369)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation of property and equipment  638,796   276,791 
Amortization of platform development and intangible assets  24,192,631   10,466,546 
Amortization of debt discounts  6,607,212   4,545,675 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  (496,305)  1,015,151 
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  (2,571,004)  5,040,000 
Loss on conversion of 12% convertible debentures  3,297,539   - 
Accrued and noncash converted interest  9,244,324   3,065,633 
Liquidated damages  1,487,577   728,516 
Stock-based compensation  14,641,181   10,364,787 
Deferred income taxes  210,832   (19,541,127)
Other  (245,285)  (363,147)
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of business combinations:        
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of business combinations:        
Accounts receivable  362,460   (1,685,948)
Factor receivables  -   (6,130,674)
Subscription acquisition costs  (34,945,422)  (5,008,080)
Royalty fees  15,000,000   (41,250,000)
Prepayments and other current assets  (356,528)�� (1,702,064)
Other long-term assets  (245,525)  (276,145)
Accounts payable  (1,404,703)  3,323,196 
Accrued expenses  (3,392,507)  11,986,442 
Unearned revenue  21,695,088   9,201,586 
Subscription refund liability  891,359   (2,283,351)
Other long-term liabilities  511,055   - 
Operating lease liabilities  1,814,601   (226,724)
Net cash used in operating activities  (32,294,587)  (56,954,306)
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of property and equipment  (1,212,003)  (150,763)
Capitalized platform development  (3,750,541)  (2,537,402)
Proceeds from sale of intangible asset  350,000   - 
Payments for acquisition of businesses, net of cash  (315,289)  (16,331,026)
Net cash used in investing activities  (4,927,833)  (19,019,191)
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from long-term debt  11,702,725   71,000,000 
Repayments of long-term debt  -   (17,307,364)
Payment of debt issuance costs on long-term debt  (560,500)  (7,162,382)
Proceeds from issuance of Series H convertible preferred stock  113,000   - 
Proceeds from (repayments of) convertible debt  (1,130,903)  2,000,000 
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options  3,767   - 
Proceeds from issuance of Series I convertible preferred stock  -   23,100,000 
Proceeds from issuance of Series J convertible preferred stock  6,000,000   15,000,000 
Proceeds from issuance of Series K convertible preferred stock  14,675,000   - 
Proceeds from issuance convertible preferred stock        
Payment of issuance costs of Series I convertible preferred stock  -   (1,459,858)
Payment of issuance costs of Series J convertible preferred stock  -   (580,004)
Payment of issuance costs of convertible preferred stock        
Proceeds (repayments), net of borrowings, under line of credit  7,178,791   (1,048,194)
Payment for taxes related to repurchase of restricted common stock  (520,444)  (256,058)
Payment of restricted stock liabilities  (177,425)  - 
Repayment of promissory notes  -   (366,842)
Net cash provided by financing activities  37,284,011   82,919,298 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  61,591   6,945,801 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of year  9,473,090   2,527,289 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of year $9,534,681  $9,473,090 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest $645,681  $2,852,262 
Cash paid for income taxes  -   - 
Noncash investing and financing activities        
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development $1,608,995  $1,307,390 
Debt discount on long-term debt  913,865   - 
Discount on convertible debt allocated to embedded derivative liabilities  -   1,074,000 
Exercise of warrants for issuance common stock  -   735,186 
Payment of long-term debt for issuance of Series J convertible preferred stock  -   4,853,933 
Liquidated damages recognized upon issuance of convertible debt  -   84,000 
Liquidated damages liability recorded against cash proceeds for Series I convertible preferred stock  -   1,940,400 
Restricted common stock units issued in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  500,000   - 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  140,381   - 
Liquidated damages liability recorded against cash proceeds for Series J convertible preferred stock  -   1,680,000 
Liquidated damages liability recorded against cash proceeds for convertible preferred stock        
Conversion of convertible debt into common stock  21,402,488   - 
Conversion of embedded derivative liabilities into common stock  10,929,996   - 
Conversion of Series I convertible preferred stock into common stock  19,699,742   - 
Conversion of Series J convertible preferred stock into common stock  23,739,996   - 
Conversion of Series K convertible preferred stock into common stock  17,481,500   - 
Conversion of convertible preferred stock into common stock        
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  502,000   - 
Deemed dividend on Series I convertible preferred stock  5,082,000   - 
Deemed dividend on Series J convertible preferred stock  586,545   - 
Deemed dividend on Series K convertible preferred stock  9,472,050   - 
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock        
Payment of long-term debt for issuance of Series K convertible preferred stock  3,367,000   - 
Payment of promissory note for issuance for Series H convertible preferred stock  389,000     

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-30

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

1.Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

TheMaven, Inc. (the “Maven” or “Company”), was incorporated in Delaware on October 1, 1990. On October 11, 2016, the predecessor entity now known as Maven exchanged its shares with another entity that was incorporated in Delaware on July 22, 2016. On November 4, 2016, these entities consummated a recapitalization. This resulted in Maven becoming the parent entity, and the other Delaware entity becoming the wholly owned subsidiary. On December 19, 2019, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries Maven Coalition, Inc., and HubPages, Inc., a Delaware corporation that was acquired by the Company in a merger during 2018 (“HubPages”), were merged into another of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Say Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation that was acquired by the Company in a merger during 2018 (“Say Media”), with Say Media as the surviving corporation. On January 6, 2020, Say Media changed its name to Maven Coalition, Inc. (“Coalition”). As of December 31, 2016,2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries consist of Coalition, Maven Media Brands, LLC (“Maven Media” formed during 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Maven) and TheStreet, Inc. (“TheStreet” acquired by the resultsCompany in a merger during 2019 as further described in Note 3).

Unless the context indicates otherwise, Maven, Coalition, and TheStreet, are together hereinafter referred to as the “Company.”

Business Operations

The Company operates a best-in-class technology platform empowering premium publishers who impact, inform, educate and entertain. The Company operates a significant portion of the media businesses for Sports Illustrated (as defined below), own and operate TheStreet, Inc. (the “TheStreet”), and power more than 200 independent brands. The Maven technology platform (the “Maven Platform”) provides digital publishing, distribution, and monetization capabilities for the Sports Illustrated and TheStreet businesses as well as a coalition of independent, professionally managed, online media publishers (each a “Publisher Partner”). Each Publisher Partner joins the media-coalition by invitation-only and is drawn from premium media brands and independent publishing businesses. Publisher Partners publish content and oversee an online community for their respective sites, leveraging our proprietary technology platform to engage the collective audiences within a single network. Generally, Publisher Partners are independently owned, strategic partners who receive a share of revenue from the interaction with their content. When they join, the Company believes Publisher Partners will benefit from the proprietary technology of the Maven Platform, techniques and relationships. Advertising revenue may improve due to the scale we have achieved by combining all Publisher Partners onto a single platform and a large and experienced sales organization. They may also benefit from our membership marketing and management systems, which we believe will enhance their revenue. Additionally, the Company believes the lead brand within each vertical creates a halo benefit for all Publisher Partners in the vertical while each of them adds to the breadth and quality of content. While they benefit from these critical performance improvements they also may save substantially in costs of technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, and member marketing and management.

F-31

The Company’s growth strategy is to continue to expand the coalition by adding new Publisher Partners in key verticals that management believes will expand the scale of unique users interacting on the Company’s technology platform. In each vertical, the Company seeks to build around a leading brand, such as Sports Illustrated (for sports) and TheStreet (for finance), surround it with subcategory publisher specialists, and further enhance coverage with individual expert contributors. The primary means of expansion is adding independent Publisher Partners and/or acquiring publishers that have premium branded content and can broaden the reach and impact of the Company’s technology platform.

In June 2019, the Company entered into a licensing agreement (the “Initial Licensing Agreement”) with ABG-SI LLC (“ABG”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Licensing Agreement, dated September 1, 2019 (the “First Amendment”), Amendment No. 2 to Licensing Agreement, dated April 1, 2020 (the “Second Amendment”), and Amendment No. 3 to Licensing Agreement, dated July 28, 2020 (the “Third Agreement” and, together with the Initial Licensing Agreement, First Amendment, and Second Amendment, the “Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement”) to license certain Sports Illustrated (“Sports Illustrated”) brands as part of its operationsgrowth strategy. In August 2019, the Company acquired TheStreet. For addition information, see Note 3.

The Company’s common stock is quoted on the OTC Markets Group Inc.’s Pink Open Market under the symbol “MVEN”.

Seasonality

The Company experiences typical media company advertising and its cash flows for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) through December 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally acceptedmembership sales seasonality, which is strong in the United States of America.fiscal fourth quarter and slower in the fiscal first quarter.

Going Concern

The accompanyingCompany performed an annual reporting period going concern assessment. Management is required to assess its ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if it is unable to continue as a going concern.

The Company has a history of recurring losses. The Company’s recurring losses from operations and net capital deficiency have been evaluated by management to determine if the significance of those conditions or events would limit its ability to meet its obligations when due. The operating loss realized in fiscal 2020 was primarily a result of the impact on our business from the COVID-19 pandemic and the related shut down of most professional and collegiate sports, which reduced user traffic and advertising revenue. The operating loss realized in fiscal 2019 was primarily a result of a marketing investment in customer growth, together with investment in people and technology as we continued to expand our operations, and operations rapidly expanding during fiscal 2019 with the TheStreet Merger and the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement.

As more fully discussedreflected in Note 3 to thethese consolidated financial statements, the Company is subject tohad revenues of $128,032,397 for the risksyear ended December 31, 2020, and uncertainties associated with a new business and has incurredexperienced recurring net losses from operations, since Inception. The Company’s operations are dependent upon it raising additional funds throughnegative working capital, and negative operating cash flows. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $104,874,558, utilized cash in operating activities of $32,294,587, and as of December 31, 2020, had an equity offering or debt financing.accumulated deficit of $162,273,286. The Company has no committed sourcesfinanced its working capital requirements since inception through the issuance of capitaldebt and is not certainequity securities.

F-32

The negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021 has been to a lesser extent than in 2020. Beginning in 2021, restrictions on non-essential work activity have begun to lift and sporting and other events have begun to be held, with attendance closer to pre-pandemic levels, which has resulted in an increase in traffic to the Maven Platform and, thereby an increase in advertising revenue. The ultimate extent of the impact on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether additional financingrelated group gathering and sports event advisories and restrictions will be available when needed on termsput in place again, and the extent and effectiveness of containment and other actions taken, including the percentage of the population that are acceptable, ifreceives COVID-19 vaccinations, all of which remain uncertain at all. Thesethe time of issuance of our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Management has evaluated whether relevant conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Substantial doubt exists when conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate it is probable that a company will not be able to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the issuance date of its financial statements. Management’s plans regardingassessment is based on the relevant conditions that are known or reasonably knowable as of the date these mattersconsolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued.

Management’s assessment of the Company’s ability to meet its future obligations is inherently judgmental, subjective and susceptible to change. The factors that the Company considered important in its going concern analysis, include, but are not limited to, the Company’s fiscal 2021 cash flow forecast and its fiscal 2021 operating budget. Management also considered the Company’s implementation of additional measures, if required, related to potential revenue and earnings declines from COVID-19. These factors consider information including, but not limited to, the Company’s financial condition, liquidity sources, obligations due within one year after the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements, the funds necessary to maintain operations and financial conditions, including negative financial trends or other indicators of possible financial difficulty.

In particular, the Company’s plan for the: (1) 2021 cash flow forecast, considered the use of its working capital line with FastPay (as described in Note 3. The14) to fund changes in working capital, under which the Company has available credit of approximately $8.5 million as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements dofor the year ended December 31, 2020, and that the Company does not includeanticipate the need for any adjustmentsfurther borrowings that might resultare subject to the approval of the holders of the Term Note (as described in Note 19) under which the Company may be permitted to borrow up to an additional $5.0 million; and (2) 2021 operating budget, considered that approximately fifty-eight percent of the Company’s revenue is from recurring subscriptions, generally paid in advance, and that digital subscription revenue, that accounts for approximately thirty percent of subscription revenue, grew approximately thirty percent in 2020 demonstrating the outcomestrength of this uncertainty.its premium brand, and the plan to continue to grow its subscription revenue from its acquisition of TheStreet in 2019 (as described in Note 3) and to grow premium digital subscriptions from its Sports Illustrated Licensed Brands (as described in Note 3), in which were launched in February 2021.

/s/ Gumbiner Savett Inc.

Santa Monica, California

May 10, 2017

F-2

theMaven, Inc.The Company has considered both quantitative and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheet

  As at
December 31,
 
  2016 
Assets    
     
Current assets:    
Cash $598,294 
Prepayments and other current assets  121,587 
Total current assets  719,881 
     
Fixed assets, net  547,804 
Intangible assets  20,000 
     
Total Assets $1,287,685 
     
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity    
     
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $154,361 
Accrued expenses  54,789 
Conversion feature liability  137,177 
Total current liabilities  346,327 
     
Commitments and contingencies    
     
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 168 shares issued and outstanding ($168,496 aggregate liquidation value)  168,496 
     
Stockholders’ equity:    
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,047,531 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016  220,475 
Common stock to be issued  9,375 
Additional paid-in capital  2,730,770 
Accumulated deficit  (2,187,758)
Total stockholders’ equity  772,862 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $1,287,685 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statementqualitative factors as part of Comprehensive Loss

  Period from July
22, 2016 (Inception)
to December 31,
2016
 
    
Revenue $- 
Operating Expenses:    
     
Research and development  411,741 
General and administrative  1,772,169 
Total operating expenses  2,183,910 
     
Loss from operations  (2,183,910)
     
Other income (loss):    
Interest and dividend income, net  11,173 
Change in fair value of conversion feature  1,385 
Realized loss on available-for-sale securities  (16,406)
Total other loss  (3,848)
     
Net loss  (2,187,758)
     
Other Comprehensive Loss    
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities before reclassification, net of tax  16,406 
Reclassification adjustment for loss, net of tax  (16,406)
Other Comprehensive Loss  - 
Comprehensive Loss $(2,187,758)
     
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(0.65)
     
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted  3,353,282 

See accompanying notes tothe assessment that are known or reasonably knowable as of the date these consolidated financial statements.

F-4

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

Period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) were issued or were available to December 31, 2016

        Common Stock  Additional     Total 
  Common Stock  To Be Issued  Paid-in  Accumulated  Stockholders' 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
                      
Balance at July 22, 2016 (Inception)  -  $-   -  $-  $-  $-  $- 
Issuance of common stock of Subsidiary for cash  12,517,152   125,171   -   -   (122,219)  -   2,952 
Reverse recapitalization for net assets of Parent  9,530,379   95,304   2,976   3,125   878,997      977,426 
Conversion of notes payable to Parent  -   -   -   -   735,099   -   735,099 
Stock based compensation -stock to be issued  -   -   5,953   6,250   -   -   6,250 
Stock based compensation  -   -   -   -   1,238,893   -   1,238,893 
Comprehensive loss                            
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (2,187,758)  (2,187,758)
Other comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Comprehensive loss  -   -   -   -   -   (2,187,758)  (2,187,758)
                             
Balance at December 31, 2016  22,047,531  $220,475   8,929  $9,375  $2,730,770  $(2,187,758) $772,862 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-5

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

  For the
Period from
July 22, 2016
(Inception) to
December 31,
2016
 
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net loss $(2,187,758)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:    
Change in fair value of conversion feature  (1,385)
Stock based compensation  1,105,769 
Realized loss on available-for-sale securities  16,406 
Depreciation  390 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of reverse recapitalization:    
Prepayments and other current assets  (117,830)
Accounts payable  116,171 
Accrued expenses  (69,676)
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,137,913)
     
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Proceeds received from sales of available-for-sale securities  947,351 
Website development costs and other fixed assets  (408,819)
Purchases of intangible assets  (20,000)
Net cash provided by investing activities  518,532 
     
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuances of common stock of Subsidiary  2,952 
Cash acquired upon reverse recapitalization  479,624 
Cash received from Parent prior to reverse recapitalization  735,099 
Proceeds from shareholder loan  35,000 
Repayment of shareholder loan  (35,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities  1,217,675 
     
Net increase in cash  598,294 
     
Cash at beginning of period  - 
     
Cash at end of period $598,294 
     
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities:    
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to website development costs $139,375 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-6

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016

1. Nature of Operations

theMaven, Inc. (“Parent”) and theMaven Network, Inc. (“Subsidiary”) (collectively “theMaven” or the “Company”) are developing an exclusive network of professionally managed online media channels, with an underlying technology platform. Each channel will be operated by a “invite only” “Channel Partner” drawn from subject matter experts, reporters, group evangelists and social leaders. Channel Partners will publish content and oversee an online community for their respective channels, leveraging a proprietary, socially-driven, mobile-enabled, video-focused technology platform to engage niche audiences within a single network.

2. Basis of Presentation

theMaven Network, Inc. was incorporated in Nevada on July 22, 2016, under the name “Amplify Media, Inc.” On July 27, 2016, the corporate name was amended to “Amplify Media Network, Inc.” and on October 14, 2016, the corporate name was changed to “theMaven Network, Inc.”.

theMaven, Inc. was formerly known as Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Integrated”). From June 2007 until November 4, 2016, Integrated was a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On August 11, 2016, Integrated entered into a loan to Subsidiary that provided initial funding totalling $735,099 for the Subsidiary’s operations. On October 14, 2016 Integrated entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with Subsidiary and the shareholders of Subsidiary, holding all of the issued and outstanding shares of Subsidiary (collectively, “Subsidiary Shareholders”). The Share Exchange Agreement was amended on November 4, 2016 to include certain newly issued shares of Subsidiaryconcluded that conditions and events considered in the transaction and make related changes to the agreement and the Share Exchange was consummated. The transaction resulted in Parent acquiring Subsidiary by the exchange of all of the outstanding shares of Subsidiary for 12,517,152 newly issued shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Common Stock”) of Parent, representing approximately 56.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately after the transaction. The transaction is referred to as the “Recapitalization.” The Recapitalization was consummated on November 4, 2016, as a result of which theMaven Network, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated (the “Closing”). The note payable between Integrated and Subsidiary was an interdependent transaction with the Recapitalization and was ultimately cancelled upon closing of the Recapitalization. On December 2, 2016, Integrated amended its Certificate of Incorporation to change its name from “Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.” to “theMaven, Inc.”

From June 2007 until the closing of the Recapitalization, Integrated was a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulations of the SEC and, accordingly, the Recapitalization was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization rather than a business combination. As the Subsidiary is deemed to be the purchaser for accounting purposes under reverse recapitalization accounting, the Company’s financial statements are presented as a continuation of Subsidiary, and the accounting for the Recapitalization is equivalent to the issuance of stock by Subsidiary for the net monetary assets of Parent as of the Closing accompanied by a recapitalization.  See Note 9 for summary of the assets acquired, transaction costs and the consideration exchanged in the Recapitalization.

3. Going Concern

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the need for additional capital, as described below.

The Company hasaggregate, do not generated any operating revenues since July 22, 2016 (Inception) and has financed its operations through (a) the Recapitalization transaction with Parent, (b) a loan from Parent that was cancelled upon closing of the Recapitalization and (c) a private placement of common stock in April 2017. The Company has incurred operating losses and negative operating cash flows, and it expects to continue to incur operating losses and negative operating cash flows for at least the next few years. As a result, management has concluded that there israise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a one-year period following the financial statement issuance date.

Reclassifications

Certain comparative amounts as of and for the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm,year ended December 31, 2019 have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications were immaterial, both individually and in its report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, has raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.aggregate. These changes did not impact previously reported loss from operations or net loss.

F-7F-33

As fully described in Note 13, in April 2017, the Company completed a private placement2.Summary of its common stock, raising proceeds of $3.5 million net of cash offering costs. The Company believes that it does not have sufficient funds to support its operations through the end of the first quarter of 2018. In order to continue business operations past that point, the Company currently anticipates that it will need to raise additional debt and/or equity capital. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to secure any such additional financing on acceptable terms and conditions, or at all. If cash resources become insufficient to satisfy the Company's ongoing cash requirements, the Company will be required to scale back or discontinue its technology development programs, or obtain funds, if available (although there can be no certainty), or to discontinue its operations entirely.

4. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements includeof the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Subsidiary for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016 and that of Integrated after the Closing (see Note 2). All intercompany transactions and balancesCompany have been eliminatedprepared in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformityaccordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the financial statements of Maven and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Coalition, and TheStreet. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currencies (U.K. pounds sterling and Canadian dollar), as it is the monetary unit of account of the principal economic environment in which the Company’s foreign subsidiaries operate. All assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the period, and revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. The gain or loss resulting from the process of translating foreign currencies financial statements into U.S. dollars was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, therefore, a foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment was not reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss was omitted from the consolidated statements of cash flows. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, if any, resulting from or expected to result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in other income, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses forduring the reporting period. Significant estimates include those related to the selection of useful lives of property and equipment, intangible assets, capitalization of platform development and associated useful lives; assumptions used in accruals for potential liabilities; fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business acquisitions, the fair value of the Company’s goodwill and the assessment of acquired goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment; determination of the fair value of stock-based compensation and valuation of derivatives liabilities; and the assumptions used to calculate contingent liabilities, and realization of deferred tax assets. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company has a limited operating history and has not generated significant revenues to date to cover its operating expenses. The Company’s business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the U.S. and worldwide. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the U.S. and world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company’s control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and the results of its operations.

In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded projects, marketing and sales operations as well as extensive human capital. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company’s industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company’s products, services, and/or expertise may become obsolete and/or unmarketable. The Company’s future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.

F-34

With the initial onset of COVID-19, the Company faced significant change in its advertisers’ buying behavior. The Company’s advertising revenue from Sports Illustrated was impacted as a result of sports authorities around the world making the decision to postpone/cancel high attendance sports events in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Since May 2020, there has been a steady recovery in the advertising market in both pricing and volume, which coupled with the return of professional and college sports yielded steady growth in revenues through the balance of 2020 and the first half of 2021. The Company expects a continued modest growth in advertising revenue back toward pre-pandemic levels. As a result of the Company’s advertising revenue declining in early 2020, the Company is vulnerable to a risk of loss in the near term and it is at least reasonably possible that events or circumstances may occur that could cause a significant impact in the near term, that depend on future developments, including the duration of COVID-19, future sport event advisories and restrictions, and the extent and effectiveness of containment actions taken.

Since August 2018, B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley FBR”), a registered broker-dealer owned by B. Riley Financial, Inc., a diversified publicly-traded financial services company (“B. Riley”), has been instrumental in providing investment banking services to the Company and in raising debt and equity capital for the Company. These services have included raising debt and equity capital to support various acquisitions, including TheStreet, the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement with ABG (as described in Note 3) and the acquisition of the College Spun Media Incorporated (as described in Note 27). The raising debt and equity capital for the acquisitions, refinancing and working capital purposes included the sale of the 12% Convertible Debentures (as described in Note 18), 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes (as described in Note 19), Preferred Stock (as described in Note 20), and subsequent equity offerings of common stock (as described in Note 27).

Revenue Recognition

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those estimates.goods or services. The Company generates all of its revenue from contracts with customers. The Company accounts for revenue on a gross basis, as compared to a net basis, in its statement of operations. Cost of revenues is presented as a separate line item in the statement of operations. The Company has made this determination based on it taking the credit risk in its revenue-generating transactions and it also being the primary obligor responsible for providing the services to the customer.

Fixed AssetsThe following is a description of the principal activities from which the Company generates revenue:

FixedAdvertising Revenue

Digital Advertising – The Company recognizes revenue from digital advertisements at the point when each ad is viewed. The quantity of advertisements, the impression bid prices and revenue are reported on a real-time basis. The Company enters into contracts with advertising networks to serve display or video advertisements on the digital media pages associated with its various channels. Although reported advertising transactions are subject to adjustment by the advertising network partners, any such adjustments are known within a few days of month end. The Company owes its independent Publisher Partners a revenue share of the advertising revenue earned, which is recorded as service costs in the same period in which the associated advertising revenue is recognized.

Advertising revenue that is comprised of fees charged for the placement of advertising, on the Company’s flagship website, TheStreet.com, is recognized as the advertising or sponsorship is displayed, provided that collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

Print Advertising – Advertising related revenues for print advertisements are recognized when advertisements are published (defined as an issue’s on-sale date), net of provisions for estimated rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts.

F-35

Subscription Revenue

Digital Subscriptions – The Company enters into contracts with internet users that subscribe to premium content on the owned and operated media channels and facilitate such contracts between internet users and our Publisher Partners. These contracts provide internet users with a membership subscription to access the premium content. The Company owes its independent Publisher Partners a revenue share of the membership subscription revenue earned, which is initially deferred and recorded as deferred contract costs. The Company recognizes deferred contract costs over the membership subscription term in the same pattern that the associated membership subscription revenue is recognized.

Subscription revenue generated from the Company’s flagship website TheStreet.com from institutional and retail customers is comprised of subscriptions and license fees for access to securities investment information, stock market commentary, director and officer profiles, relationship capital management services, and transactional information pertaining to mergers and acquisitions and other changes in the corporate control environment. Subscriptions are charged to customers’ credit cards or are directly billed to corporate subscribers, and are generally billed in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. The Company calculates net subscription revenue by deducting from gross revenue an estimate of potential refunds from cancelled subscriptions as well as chargebacks of disputed credit card charges. Net subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription periods. Unearned revenue relates to payments for subscription fees for which revenue has not been recognized because services have not yet been provided.

Circulation Revenue

Circulation revenues include magazine subscriptions and single copy sales at newsstands.

Print Subscriptions – Revenues from magazine subscriptions are deferred and recognized proportionately as products are distributed to subscribers.

Newsstand – Single copy revenue is recognized on the publication’s on-sale date, net of provisions for estimated returns. The Company bases its estimates for returns on historical experience and current marketplace conditions.

Licensing Revenue

Content licensing-based revenues are accrued generally monthly or quarterly based on the specific mechanisms of each contract. Generally, revenues are accrued based on estimated sales and adjusted as actual sales are reported by partners. These adjustments are typically recorded within three months of the initial estimates and have not been material. Any minimum guarantees are typically earned evenly over the fiscal year.

Nature of Performance Obligations

At contract inception, the Company assesses the obligations promised in its contracts with customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer a good or service or bundle that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers all the promises in the contract, whether explicitly stated or implied based on customary business practices. For a contract that has more than one performance obligation, the Company allocates the total contract consideration to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when, or as, the performance obligations are satisfied and control is transferred to the customer.

F-36

Digital Advertising – The Company sells digital advertising inventory on its websites directly to advertisers or through advertising agencies. The Company’s performance obligations related to digital advertising are generally satisfied when the advertisement is run on the Company’s platform. The price for direct digital advertising is determined in contracts with the advertisers. Revenue from the sale of direct digital advertising is recognized when the advertisements are delivered based on the contract. The customer is invoiced the agreed-upon price in the month following the month that the advertisements are delivered with normal trade terms. The agreed upon price is adjusted for estimated provisions for rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts. As part of the Company’s customary business practices, digital advertising contracts may include a guaranteed number of impressions and sales incentives to its customers including volume discounts, rebates, value added impressions, etc. For all such contracts that include these types of variable consideration, the Company estimates the variable consideration and factors in such an estimate when determining the transaction price.

Print AdvertisingThe Company provides advertisement placements in print media directly to advertisers or through advertising agencies. The Company’s performance obligations related to print advertising are satisfied when the magazine in which an advertisement appears is published, which is defined as an issue’s on-sale date. The customer is invoiced the agreed-upon price when the advertisements are published under normal industry trade terms. The agreed upon price is adjusted for estimated provisions for rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts. As part of the Company’s customary business practices, print advertising contracts include guaranteed circulation levels of magazines, referred to as rate base, and a number of sales incentives to its customers including volume discounts, rebates, bonus pages, etc. For all such contracts that include these types of variable consideration, the Company estimates such when determining the transaction price.

Digital Subscriptions – The Company recognizes revenue from each membership subscription to access the premium content over time based on a daily calculation of revenue during the reporting period, which is generally one year. Subscriber payments are initially recorded as unearned revenue on the balance sheets. As the Company provides access to the premium content over the membership subscription term, the Company recognizes revenue and proportionately reduces the unearned revenue balance.

Print Subscriptions – The Company sells magazines to consumers through subscriptions. Each copy of a magazine is determined to be a distinct performance obligation that is satisfied when the publication is sent to the customer. The majority of the Company’s subscription sales are prepaid at the time of order. Subscriptions may be canceled at any time for a refund of the price paid for remaining issues. As the contract may be canceled at any time for a full refund of the unserved copies, the contract term is determined to be on an issue-to-issue basis as these contracts do not have substantive termination penalties. Revenues from subscriptions are deferred and recognized proportionately as subscribers are served. Some magazine subscription offers contain more than one magazine title in a bundle. The Company allocates the total contract consideration to each distinct performance obligation, or magazine title, based on a standalone-selling price basis.

Newsstand – The Company sells single copy magazines, or bundles of single copy magazines, to wholesalers for ultimate resale on newsstands primarily at major retailers and grocery/drug stores, and in digital form on tablets and other electronic devices. Publications sold to magazine wholesalers are sold with the right to receive credit from the Company for magazines returned to the wholesaler by retailers. Revenue is recognized on the issue’s on-sale date as the date aligns most closely with the date that control is transferred to the customer. The Company bases its estimates for returns on historical experience and current marketplace conditions.

Licensing – The Company has entered into various licensing agreements that provide third-party partners the right to utilize the Company’s content. Functional licenses in national media consist of content licensing.

F-37

Timing of Satisfaction of Performance Obligations

Point-in-Time Performance Obligations – For performance obligations related to certain digital advertising space and sales of print advertisements, the Company determines that the customer can direct the use of and obtain substantially all the benefits from the advertising products as the digital impressions are served or on the issue’s on-sale date. For performance obligations related to sales of magazines through subscriptions, the customer obtains control when each magazine issue is mailed to the customer on or before the issue’s on-sale date. For sales of single copy magazines on newsstands, revenue is recognized on the issue’s on-sale date as the date aligns most closely with the date that control is transferred to the customer. Revenues from functional licenses are recognized at a point-in-time when access to the completed content is granted to the partner.

Over-Time Performance ObligationsFor performance obligations related to sales of certain digital advertising space, the Company transfers control and recognizes revenue over time by measuring progress towards complete satisfaction using the most appropriate method.

For performance obligations related to digital advertising, the Company satisfies its performance obligations on some flat-fee digital advertising placements over time using a time-elapsed output method.

Determining a measure of progress requires management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. The Company has determined that the above method provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of goods or services to the customer. For performance obligations recognized using a time-elapsed output method, the Company’s efforts are expended evenly throughout the period.

Performance obligations related to subscriptions to premium content on the digital media channels provides access for a given period of time, which is generally one year. The Company recognizes revenue from each membership subscription over time based on a daily calculation of revenue during the reporting period.

Transaction Price and Amounts Allocated to Performance Obligations

Determining the Transaction Price – Certain advertising contracts contain variable components of the transaction price, such as volume discounts and rebates. The Company has sufficient historical data and has established processes to reliably estimate these variable components of the transaction price.

Subscription revenue generated from the flagship website TheStreet.com is subject to estimation and variability due to the fact that, in the normal course of business, subscribers may for various reasons contact the Company or their credit card companies to request a refund or other adjustment for a previously purchased subscription. With respect to many of the Company’s annual newsletter subscription products, the Company offers the ability to receive a refund during the first 30 days but none thereafter. Accordingly, the Company maintains a provision for estimated future revenue reductions resulting from expected refunds and chargebacks related to subscriptions for which revenue was recognized in a prior period. The calculation of this provision is based upon historical trends and is reevaluated each quarter.

The Company typically does not offer any type of variable consideration in standard magazine subscription contracts. For these contracts, the transaction price is fixed upon establishment of the contract that contains the final terms of the sale including description, quantity and price of each subscription purchased. Therefore, the Company does not estimate variable consideration or perform a constraint analysis for these contracts.

A right of return exists for newsstand contracts. The Company has sufficient historical data to estimate the final amount of returns and reduces the transaction price at contract inception for the expected return reserve.

There is no variable consideration related to functional licenses.

F-38

Estimating Standalone-Selling PricesFor contracts that contain multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone-selling price basis. The standalone-selling price is the price at which the Company would sell a promised good or service separately to the customer. In situations in which an obligation is bundled with other obligations and the total amount of consideration does not reflect the sum of individual observable prices, the Company allocates the discount to (1) a single obligation if the discount is attributable to that obligation or (2) prorates across all obligations if the discount relates to the bundle. When standalone-selling price is not directly observable, the Company estimates and considers all the information that is reasonably available to the Company, including market conditions, entity specific factors, customer information, etc. The Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and applies estimation methods consistently in similar circumstances.

Measuring Obligations for Returns and Refunds – The Company accepts product returns in some cases. The Company establishes provisions for estimated returns concurrently with the recognition of revenue. The provisions are established based upon consideration of a variety of factors, including, among other things, recent and historical return rates for both specific products and distributors and the impact of any new product releases and projected economic conditions.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, a subscription refund liability of $4,035,531 and $3,144,172, respectively, was recorded for the provision for the estimated returns and refunds on the consolidated balance sheets.

Contract Modifications

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

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

A contract modification meeting both criteria is accounted for as a separate contract. A contract modification not meeting both criteria is considered a change to the original contract and is accounted for on either a prospective basis as a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract, or a cumulative catch-up basis (further details are provided under the headings Contract Balances and Subscription Acquisition Costs).

F-39

Disaggregation of Revenue

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

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Revenue by product line:        
Advertising $44,359,822  $35,918,370 
Digital subscriptions  28,495,676   6,855,038 
Magazine circulation  50,580,213   9,046,473 
Other  4,596,686   1,523,429 
Total $128,032,397  $53,343,310 
Revenue by geographical market:        
United States $122,570,712  $52,611,255 
Other  5,461,685   732,055 
Total $128,032,397  $53,343,310 
Revenue by timing of recognition:        
At point in time $99,536,721  $47,557,652 
Over time  28,495,676   5,785,658 
Total $128,032,397  $53,343,310 

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue represents the cost of providing the Company’s digital media network channels and advertising and membership services. The cost of revenue that the Company has incurred in the periods presented primarily include: Publisher Partner guarantees and revenue share payments; amortization of developed technology and platform development; royalty fees; hosting and bandwidth and software license fees; printing and distribution costs; payroll and related expenses for customer support, technology maintenance, and occupancy costs of related personnel; fees paid for data analytics and to other outside service providers; and stock-based compensation of related personnel and stock-based compensation related to Publisher Partner Warrants (as described in Note 22).

Contract Balances

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

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The following table provides information about contract balances:

Schedule of Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $15,039,331  $8,634,939 
Magazine circulation  46,586,345   23,528,148 
  $61,625,676  $32,163,087 
Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities):        
Digital subscriptions $593,136  $478,557 
Magazine circulation  22,712,961   30,478,154 
Other  192,500   222,500 
  $23,498,597  $31,179,211 

Unearned Revenue – Unearned revenue, also referred to as contract liabilities, include payments received in advance of performance under the contracts and are recognized as revenue over time. The Company records contract liabilities as unearned revenue on the consolidated balance sheets. Digital subscription and magazine circulation revenue of $32,163,087 was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020 from unearned revenue at the beginning of the year.

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

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

The Company maintains cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at banks where amounts on deposit may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit during the year. Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and highly liquid investments with an original contractual maturity at the date of purchase of three months. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of checking, savings deposits and money market accounts. These deposits exceeded federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk regarding its cash and cash equivalents.

The following table reconciles total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:

Schedule of Cash and Restricted Cash

   2020   2019 
  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Cash and cash equivalents $9,033,872  $8,852,281 
Restricted cash  500,809   620,809 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $9,534,681  $9,473,090 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had restricted cash of $500,809, which serves as collateral for certain credit card merchant accounts with a bank. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had restricted cash of $620,809 of which (1) $500,000 served as collateral for an outstanding letter of credit for a security deposit for office space leased at 14 Wall Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York (see Note 7), and (2) $120,809 served as collateral for certain credit card merchant accounts with a bank.

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Accounts Receivable

The Company receives payments from advertising customers based upon contractual payment terms; accounts receivable is recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are generally collected within 90 days. The Company generally receives payments from digital and print subscription customers at the time of sign up for each subscription; accounts receivable from merchant credit card processors are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are generally collected weekly. Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 of $16,497,626 and $16,233,955, respectively, are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $892,352 and $287,902, respectively

Subscription Acquisition Costs

Subscription acquisition costs include the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, paid to external parties, if it expects to recover those costs. The Company has determined that sales commissions paid on all third-party agent sales of subscriptions are direct and incremental and, therefore, meet the capitalization criteria. Direct mail costs also meet the requirements to be capitalized as assets if they are proven to be recoverable. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are amortized as revenue is recognized or over the term of the agreement.

Incremental costs of obtaining a contract also included contract fulfillment costs related to the revenue share to the Publisher Partners. The contract fulfillment costs were amortized over the same period as the associated revenue. The Company records incremental costs of obtaining a contract as subscription acquisition costs on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company had 0 asset impairment charges related to the subscription acquisition costs during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The Contract Modifications resulted in subscription acquisition costs to be recognized on a prospective basis in the same proportion as the revenue that has not yet been recognized.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, subscription acquisition costs were $41,505,480 (short-term of $28,146,895 and long-term of $13,358,585) and $6,560,058 (short-term of $3,142,580 and long-term of $3,417,478), respectively. Subscription acquisition cost as of December 31, 2020 presented as current assets of $28,146,895 are expected to be amortized during the year ending December 31, 2021 and $13,358,585 presented as long-term assets are expected to be amortized after the year ending December 31, 2021.

Concentrations

Significant Customers – Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited to customers to whom the Company makes significant sales. While a reserve for the potential write-off of accounts receivable is maintained, the Company has not written off any significant accounts to date. To control credit risk, the Company performs regular credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.

Revenue from significant customers as a percentage of the Company’s total revenue are as follows:

Schedule of Concentration of Credit Risk

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Customer 1  -   22.4%

There were no significant accounts receivable balances as a percentage of the Company’s total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Significant Vendors – Concentrations of risk with respect to third party vendors who provide products and services to the Company are limited. If not limited, such concentrations could impact profitability if a vendor failed to fulfill their obligations or if a significant vendor was unable to renew an existing contract and the Company was not able to replace the related product or service at the same cost.

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Significant accounts payable balances as a percentage of the Company’s total accounts payable are as follows:

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Vendor 1 *  -   61.7%

*The significant accounts payable balance as of December 31, 2019 related to the service agreements with Meredith Corporation (“Meredith”) (as described in Note 3).

Leases

The Company has various lease arrangements for certain equipment and its offices. Leases are recorded as an operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. At inception, the Company determines whether an arrangement that provides control over the use of an asset is a lease. When it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the renewal period, the Company includes the impact of the renewal in the lease term for purposes of determining total future lease payments. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under prior GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet, initially measured at cost.the present value of the lease payments, for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective transition method through a cumulative-effect adjustment. The Company has elected the package of practical expedients, which allows the Company not to reassess (1) whether any expired or existing contracts as of the adoption date are or contain a lease, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases as of the adoption date and (3) initial direct costs for any existing leases as of the adoption date. The Company did not elect to apply the hindsight practical expedient when determining lease term and assessing impairment of right-of-use assets. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets of $1,003,221, lease liabilities for operating leases of $1,069,745, with no cumulative effect adjustment on retained earnings on its consolidated balance sheets, and with no material impact to its consolidated statements of operations (as further described in Note 7).

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses from disposition of property and equipment are included in income and expensethe statement of operations when realized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization, Useful Lives of Assets

Office equipment and computers3-513 years
Furniture and fixtures5-815 years
Website development costsLeasehold improvements2-3 yearsShorter of remaining lease term or estimated useful life

Intangible AssetsPlatform Development

The intangible assets consist of the cost of a purchase website domain name with an indefinite useful life.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The long-lived assets, consisting of fixed assets and intangible assets, held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment no less frequently than annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed. Management has determined that there was no impairment in the value of long-lived assets during the period ended December 31, 2016.

Website Development Costs

In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company begins to capitalize website and softwarecapitalizes platform development costs for internal use when planning and design efforts are successfully completed, and development is ready to commence. Costs incurred during planning and design, together with costs incurred for training and maintenance, are expensed as incurred and recorded in research and development expense within the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. The Company places capitalized website and softwareplatform development assets into service and commences depreciation/amortization when the applicable project or asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Once placed into service, the Company capitalizes qualifying costs of specified upgrades or enhancements to capitalized website and softwareplatform development assets when the upgrade or enhancement will result in new or additional functionality.

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The Company capitalizes internal labor costs, including payroll-based and stock-based compensation, benefits and payroll taxes, that are incurred for certain capitalized website and softwareplatform development projects related to the Company’s technology platform. The Company’s policy with respect to capitalized internal labor stipulates that labor costs for employees working on eligible internal use capital projects are capitalized as part of the historical cost of the project when the impact, as compared to expensing such labor costs, is material.

ResearchPlatform development costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over three years, which is the estimated useful life of the related asset and Developmentis recorded in cost of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations.

ResearchBusiness Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires that the purchase price, including the fair value of contingent consideration, of the acquisition be allocated to the assets acquired and developmentliabilities assumed using the estimated fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill to the extent the Company identifies adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the Company identifies acquisition-related contingent payments and determines their respective fair values as of the acquisition date, which are recorded as accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value of contingent payments are recorded on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company expenses transaction costs related to the acquisition as incurred.

Intangible Assets

Intangibles with finite lives, consisting of developed technology and trade names, are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets. A finite lived intangible asset is tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Intangibles with an indefinite useful life are not being amortized.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events or circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset to be held and used is considered impaired when the anticipated separately identifiable undiscounted cash flows from such an asset are less than the carrying value of the asset. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily by reference to the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved.

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Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets of businesses acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is tested for impairment at least annually on December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 (as further described below under the heading Recent Accounting Pronouncements) during the first quarter of 2020 which eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The Company operates as one reporting unit, therefore, the impairment test is performed at the consolidated entity level by comparing the estimated fair value of the Company to its carrying value. The Company has elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its single reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis of determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test will be performed. The quantitative goodwill impairment test identifies goodwill impairment and measures the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized by comparing the fair value of the Company’s single reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, no further analysis is required; otherwise, any excess of the goodwill carrying amount over the implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss, and the carrying value of goodwill is written down to fair value.

Deferred Financing Costs and Discounts on Debt Obligations

Deferred financing costs consist of cash and noncash consideration paid to lenders and third parties with respect to convertible debt and other financing transactions, including legal fees and placement agent fees. Such costs are deferred and amortized over the term of the related debt. Upon the settlement of debt or conversion of convertible debt into common stock, under certain circumstances, the pro rata portion of any related unamortized deferred financing costs are charged to operationsoperations.

Additional consideration in the period incurredform of warrants and amountedother derivative financial instruments issued to $411,741lenders is accounted for at fair value utilizing information determined by consultants with the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception)Company’s independent valuation firm. The fair value of warrants and derivatives are recorded as a reduction to the carrying amount of the related debt and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of such debt, with the initial offsetting entries recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. Upon the settlement or conversion of convertible debt into common stock, under certain circumstances, the pro rata portion of any related unamortized discount on debt is charged to operations.

Amortization of debt discount during the years ended December 31, 2016.2020 and 2019, was $6,607,212 and $4,545,675, respectively.

Liquidated Damages

Liquidated damages are provided as a result of the following: (i) certain registration rights agreements provide for damages if the Company does not register certain shares of the Company’s common stock within the requisite time frame (the “Registration Rights Damages”); and (ii) certain securities purchase agreements provide for damages if the Company does not maintain its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) within the requisite time frame (the “Public Information Failure Damages”). Obligations with respect to the Registration Rights Damages and the Public Information Failure Damages (collectively, the “Liquidated Damages”) are accounted for as contingent obligations when it is deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied at the time a financing is completed and are subsequently reviewed at each quarter-end reporting date thereafter. When such quarterly review indicates that it is probable that the Liquidated Damages will be incurred, the Company records an estimate of each such obligation at the balance sheet date based on the amount due of such obligation. The Company reviews and revises such estimates at each quarter-end date based on updated information.

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Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing expenses consist of compensation, employee benefits and stock-based compensation of selling and marketing, account management support teams, as well as commissions, travel, trade show sponsorships and events, conferences and advertising costs. The Company’s advertising expenses relate to direct-mail costs for magazine subscription acquisition efforts, print, and digital advertising. Advertising costs that are not capitalized are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred advertising expenses of $3,583,116 and $859,802, respectively, which are included within selling and marketing on the consolidated statements of operations.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll for executive personnel, technology personnel incurred in developing conceptual formulation and determination of existence of needed technology, and administrative personnel along with any related payroll costs; professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance; facilities costs; conferences; other general corporate expenses; and stock-based compensation of related personnel.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for freestanding contracts that are settled in the Company’s equity securities, including common stock warrants, to be designated as an equity instrument, and generally as a liability. A contract so designated is carried at fair value on a company’s balance sheet, with any changes in fair value recorded as a gain or loss in a company’s results of operations.

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value, adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect any material changes in fair value, with any such changes classified as changes in derivatives valuation in the statement of operations. The calculation of the fair value of derivatives utilizes highly subjective and theoretical assumptions that can materially affect fair values from period to period. The recognition of these derivative amounts does not have any impact on cash flows.

At the date of exercise of any of the warrants, or the conversion of any convertible debt or preferred stock into common stock, the pro rata fair value of the related warrant liability and any embedded derivative liability is transferred to additional paid-in capital.

Fair Value Measurementsof Financial Instruments

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” clarifies thatThe authoritative guidance with respect to fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transferestablished a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurementhierarchy that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, as presented below. Disclosure as to transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2, and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, is also required.

Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset or liability that the valuation methodologiesCompany has the ability to access as of the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include active-exchange traded securities and exchange-based derivatives.

Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include fixed income securities, non-exchange-based derivatives, mutual funds, and fair-value hedges.

Level 3. Unobservable inputs in measuring fair value:which there is little or no market data for the asset or liability which requires the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include infrequently traded non-exchange-based derivatives and commingled investment funds and are measured using present value pricing models.

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 ·Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

·Level 2 - Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable

The Company determines the level in the marketplace.

·Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entitywithin which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based on the lowest level input that is significant to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimizefair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820,appropriate levels, the Company measures its derivative liability at fair value. The Company’s derivative liability is classified within Level 3.

The carrying valueperforms an analysis of other currentthe assets and liabilities are considered to be representativeat each reporting period end.

The carrying amount of their respectivethe Company’s financial instruments comprising of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair valuesvalue because of the short-term naturematurity of thosethese instruments.

 

ConcentrationsPreferred Stock

Preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”) (as described in Note 20) is reported as a mezzanine obligation between liabilities and stockholders’ equity. If it becomes probable that the Preferred Stock will become redeemable, the Company will re-measure the Preferred Stock by adjusting the carrying value to the redemption value of Credit Riskthe Preferred Stock assuming each balance sheet date is a redemption date.

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Cash

The Company maintains cash at a bank where amounts on deposit may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit throughout the year. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk regarding its cash.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company provides stock-based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards to employees (b) vestedand directors, comprised of restricted stock grants to directors, (c)awards and restricted stock units, (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and independent contractors,consultants, (c) common stock warrants to Publisher Partners (further details are provided under the heading Publisher Partner Warrants in Note 22), and (d) common stock warrants to Channel Partners and other independent contractors.ABG (further details are provided under the heading ABG Warrants in Note 22).

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The Company applies FASB ASC 718, “Stock Compensation,” when recording stock based compensation to employees and directors. The estimated fair value of stock based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award. We have adopted ASU 2016-09 in 2016 with early application and account for actual forfeitures of awards as they occur.

The fair value of restricted stock awards by Subsidiary at Inception was estimated on the date of the award using the exchange value used by Integrated and the Subsidiary to establish the relative voting control ratio in the Recapitalization.

Restricted stock that was subject to an escrow arrangement and/or a performance condition in conjunction with the Recapitalization was remeasured and fair value was estimated using the quoted price of our common stock on the date of the Recapitalization. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow.

The fair value of fully vested stock awards is estimated using the quoted price of our common stock on the date of the grant. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life.

The Company accounts for stock issuedawards and stock option grants to non-employees in accordance with provisionsemployees, directors and consultants by measuring the cost of FASB ASC 505-50, “Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees.” FASB ASC 505 -50 states that equity instruments that are issuedservices received in exchange for the receipt of goods or services should be measured atstock-based payments as compensation expense in the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliability measurable. The measurement date occurs as of the earlier of (a) the date atCompany’s consolidated financial statements. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees which a performance commitment is reached or (b) absent a performance commitment, the date at which the performance necessary to earn the equity instruments is complete (that is, the vesting date). Equity grants with performance conditions that do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance may beare time-vested, are measured at fair value that is not fixed until performance is complete. Theon the grant date, and charged to operations ratably over the vesting period. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees which are performance-vested, are measured at fair value of common stock warrants is estimated aton the grant date usingand charged to operations when the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life.performance condition is satisfied.

The Publisher Partner Warrants granted are subject to a performance condition, which is generally based on the average number of unique visitors on the channel operated by the Publisher Partner generated during the six-month period from the launch of the Publisher Partner’s operations on Maven’s platform or the revenue generated during the period from issuance date through a specified end date. The Company recognizes expense for equity based payments to non-employeesthese Publisher Partner Warrants as the services are received. The Company has specific objective criteria such as the date of launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform, for determination of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.

ThePrior to the adoption of ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, the Company usesaccounted for stock-based payments to certain directors and consultants, and Publisher Partners (collectively the “non-employee awards”) by determining the value of the stock compensation based upon the measurement date at either (a) the date at which a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be earned by Channel Partners based on performance obligations to be satisfied over a defined period which will commencecommitment is reached or (b) at the launchdate at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete, resulting in financial reporting period adjustments to stock-based compensation during the vesting terms for changes in the fair value of a Channelthe awards. After adoption of ASU 2018-07, the measurement date for non-employee awards is the later of the adoption date of ASU 2018-07, or the date of grant, without change in the fair value of the award. There was no cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. For stock-based awards granted to non-employees subject to graded vesting that only contain service conditions, the Company’s platform.Company has elected to recognize stock-based compensation using the straight-line recognition method.

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The Company issues common stock upon exercisefair value measurement of equity awards and warrants.

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Income Taxes

The Company recognizesgrants used for stock-based compensation is as follows: (1) restricted stock awards and restricted stock units which are time-vested, are determined using the tax effectsquoted market price of transactions in the year inCompany’s common stock at the grant date; (2) stock option grants which such transactions enter intoare time-vested and performance-vested, are determined utilizing the determination of net income regardless of when reportedBlack-Scholes option-pricing model at the grant date; (3) restricted stock awards which provide for tax purposes. Deferred taxesperformance-vesting and a true-up provision, are determined through consultants with the Company’s independent valuation firm using the binomial pricing model at the grant date; (4) stock option grants which provide for market-based vesting with a time-vesting overlay, are determined through consultants with the Company’s independent valuation firm using the Monte Carlo model at the grant date; (5) Publisher Partner Warrants are determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model; and (6) ABG warrants are determined utilizing the Monte Carlo model (further details are provided in Note 22).

Fair value determined under the financial statements to give effectBlack-Scholes option-pricing model and Monte Carlo model is affected by several variables, the most significant of which are the life of the equity award, the exercise price of the stock option or warrants, as compared to the temporary differences which may arise from differences infair market value of the basescommon stock on the grant date, and the estimated volatility of fixed assets, depreciation methods and allowancesthe common stock over the term of the equity award. Estimated volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and is evaluated based upon market comparisons. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair market value of common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock.

The fair value of the stock options granted were probability weighted effective January 1, 2019 under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or Monte Carlo model as determined through consultants with the Company’s independent valuation firm since the value of the stock options, among other things, depend on the volatility of the underlying shares of the Company’s common stock, under the following two scenarios: (1) scenario one assumes that the Company’s common stock will be up-listed on a national stock exchange (the “Exchange”) on a certain listing date (the “Up-list”); and (2) scenario two assumes that the Company’s common stock is not up-listed on the Exchange prior to the final vesting date of the grants (the “No Up-list”), collectively referred to as the “Probability Weighted Scenarios”.

The Company classifies stock-based compensation in its consolidated statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s cash compensation cost is classified.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between financial statement bases of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be payablerecovered or settled. The effect of a change in future years. Deferredthe income tax rates on deferred tax asset and liability balances is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such rate change. A valuation allowance is recorded for loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets arising primarily as a result of net operatingwhen it is determined that it is more likely than not that such loss carry-forwards,carryforwards and research and development credit have been offset completely by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of their utilization in future periods.deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company recognizes interest accrued relativefollows accounting guidance that sets forth a threshold for financial statement recognition, measurement, and disclosure of a tax position taken or expected to unrecognizedbe taken on a tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expense. During the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016,return. Such guidance requires the Company recognized no incometo determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related interest and penalties. The Company had no accruals for income tax related interest and penalties at December 31, 2016.appeals or litigation processes, based on technical merits of the position.

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Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share

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

The Company excluded the outstanding restrictedsecurities summarized below (capitalized terms are described herein), which entitle the holders thereof to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock, (which are forfeitable) are included in the dilutedfrom its calculation of net income per share calculation. In a period where there is a net loss, the diluted loss per common share, is computed using the basic share count. At December 31, 2016, potentially dilutive shares outstanding amounted to 14,510,126.as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Series G Preferred Stock  188,791   188,791 
Series H Preferred Stock  59,384,849   58,787,879 
Series I Preferred Stock  -   46,200,000 
Series J Preferred Stock  -   28,571,429 
Indemnity shares of common stock  -   412,500 
Restricted Stock Awards  316,667   2,391,665 
Financing Warrants  2,882,055   2,882,055 
AllHipHop Warrants  125,000   - 
Publisher Partner Warrants  789,541   939,540 
ABG Warrants  21,989,844   21,989,844 
Restricted Stock Units  -   2,399,997 
Common Stock Awards  6,902,337   8,064,561 
Common Equity Awards  82,062,314   65,013,645 
Outside Options  3,052,000   3,724,667 
Total  177,693,398   241,566,573 

Risks and UncertaintiesRecent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company has a limited operating history and has not generated revenue to date. The Company's business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the U.S. and worldwide. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the U.S. and world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company's control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and the results of its operations.

In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded projects, marketing and sales operations as well as extensive human capital. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company's industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company's products, services, and/or expertise may become obsolete and/or unmarketable. The Company's future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In August 2014,June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 (ASU 2014-15)ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Presentationwhich introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses for certain financial instruments, including loans, accounts receivable and debt securities. The new model requires an estimate of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-10).expected credit losses over the life of exposure to be recorded through the establishment of an allowance account, which is presented as an offset to the related financial asset. The expected credit loss is recorded upon the initial recognition of the financial asset. The Company adopted ASU 2014-15 provided guidance2016-13 as to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In connection with preparing theseof the reporting period beginning January 1, 2020. No impact on the consolidated financial statements management evaluated whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continuewas recorded as a going concern within one year afterresult of the date that the financial statements are issued. As fully described in Note 3, the Company believes that it does not have sufficient funds to support its operations through the endadoption of first quarter of 2018.ASU 2016-13.

In March 2016,January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 718)350): ImprovementsSimplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, that simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. The Step 2 test requires an entity to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, an entity will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value determined in Step 1. This update also eliminates the qualitative assessment requirements for a reporting unit with zero or negative carrying value. Prospective adoption is required and the Company adopted ASU 2016-092017-04 as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2020. No impact on the consolidated financial statements was recorded as a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-04.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which changes how companies accountthe fair value measurement disclosure requirements. The update removes, modifies, and adds certain additional disclosures. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2020. The adoption of this update required a change in disclosures and had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also clarifies and simplifies other areas of ASC 740. Certain amendments in this update must be applied on a prospective basis, certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective basis, and certain amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings/(deficit) in the period of adoption. ASU 2019-12 will be effective beginning in the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which updates various codification topics to simplify the accounting guidance for certain aspectsfinancial instruments with characteristics of share-based payment awards to employees, includingliabilities and equity, with a specific focus on convertible instruments and the accountingderivative scope exception for income taxes, forfeiturescontracts in an entity’s own equity and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification inamends the statement of cash flows.diluted EPS computation for these instruments. ASU 2016-092020-06 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including2021, with early adoption permitted for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company will adopt ASU 2020-06 as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20 – Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, which clarifies that a reporting entity should assess whether a callable debt security purchased at a premium is within those annual periods. Management has adoptedthe scope of ASC 310-20-35-33 each reporting period, which impacts the amortization period for nonrefundable fees and other costs. The Company will adopt ASU 2020-08 as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard early in 2016 and it didupdate will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements, which updates various codification topics by clarifying or improving disclosure requirements to align with the SEC’s regulations. The Company will adopt ASU 2020-10 as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2021. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.statements.

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Recent Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 (ASU 2015-17), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 is not expected to have any impact on Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

In February 2016,May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 842)260), which supersedes all existingDebt-Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options, a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF), to provide explicit guidance on accounting by issuers for leases in ASC Topic 840.modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after the modification or exchange. ASU 2016-02 is intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet.  ASU 2016-02 will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income.  ASU 2016-022021-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted.  ASU 2016-02 is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented with various optional practical expedients.31, 2021. The Company is currently assessingevaluating the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-02this update will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  ASU 2016-15 refines how companies classify certain aspects of the cash flow statement in regards to debt prepayment, settlement of debt instruments, contingent consideration payments, proceeds from insurance claims and life insurance policies, distribution from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows.  ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  No early adoption is permitted.  Management is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-15 on the financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (ASC 606) - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, and most industry specific guidance. The standard's core principle is that revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The guidance in ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. ASC 606 requires the Company to make significant judgments and estimates. ASC 606 also requires more extensive disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

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The FASB has also issued several additional ASUs which amend ASU 2014-09. The amendments dodoes not change the core principle of the guidance in ASC 606.

Public business entities are required to apply the guidance of ASC 606 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (2018 for calendar year end reporting companies), including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted.

The Company has not yet estimated the financial statement impact of the expected changes. The Company will continue to assess the impact of ASC 606 as it works through the adoption in 2017.

 Management believesbelieve that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

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3.Acquisitions

2020 Acquisitions

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting, which is based on ASC, Business Combinations (Topic 805), and uses the fair value concepts which requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date.

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

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

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

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

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

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

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

2019 Acquisitions

TheStreet, Inc. – On June 11, 2019, the Company, TST Acquisition Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TSTAC”), a newly-formed indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and TheStreet, entered into an agreement and plan of merger, as amended (the “TheStreet Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which TSTAC merged with and into TheStreet, with TheStreet continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger and as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“TheStreet Merger”). TheStreet Merger Agreement provided that all issued and outstanding shares of common stock of TheStreet would be exchanged for an aggregate of $16,500,000 in cash. Pursuant to the terms of TheStreet Merger Agreement, on June 10, 2019, the Company deposited $16,500,000 into an escrow account pursuant to an escrow agreement.

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On August 7, 2019, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of TheStreet for total cash consideration of $16,500,000, pursuant to TheStreet Merger Agreement. The results of operation of the acquired business and the estimated fair market values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been included in the consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date. TheStreet’s addition to the Company’s premium media coalition highlights its strategic growth and adds a flagship to the portfolio of major media brands. The Company acquired TheStreet to enhance the user’s experience by increasing content through the Company’s industry-leading technology, distribution and monetization platform. TheStreet is a digital financial media company that provides reporting on investment trends and analysis and operates a network of 28 premium content channels that act as an open community for writers, explorers, knowledge seekers and conversation starters to connect in an interactive and informative online space. In connection with TheStreet Merger, the Company entered into an arrangement with a co-founder to continue certain services (further details are provided under the heading Cramer Digital, Inc. Agreement in Note 25). TheStreet operates primarily in the United States.

The Company funded the cash consideration pursuant to TheStreet Merger from the net proceeds from the 12% Senior Secured Note financing (as described in Note 19).

The Company incurred $199,630 in transaction costs related to the acquisition, which primarily consisted of banking, legal, accounting and valuation-related expenses. The acquisition related expenses were recorded within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

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

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

Accounts receivable $1,586,031 
Prepaid expenses  1,697,347 
Restricted cash  500,000 
Other current assets  53,001 
Other long-term assets  689,512 
Property and equipment  718,475 
Operating right-of-use assets  1,395,474 
Developed technology  4,388,104 
Trade name  2,580,000 
Subscriber relationships  2,150,000 
Advertiser relationships  2,240,000 
Database  1,140,000 
Goodwill  8,815,090 
Accounts payable  (1,313,223)
Accrued expenses  (1,129,009)
Other current liabilities  (373,836)
Unearned revenues  (6,242,335)
Operating lease liabilities  (2,394,631)
Net assets acquired $16,500,000 

The Company utilized an independent appraisal, as well as other available market data, to assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which required certain significant management assumptions and estimates. The fair value of the intangible assets were determined as follows: developed technology was determined under the cost approach with a useful life of three years (3.0 years); trade name was determined using the relief from royalty method of the income approach with a useful life of twenty years (20.0 years); subscriber relationships and advertising relationships were determined using the multi-period excess earnings method of the income approach with a useful life of eight and four tenths years (8.4 years) and nine and four tenths years (9.4 years), respectively; and data base was determined using the replacement cost method of the cost approach with a useful life of fifteen years (15.0 years). The weighted-average useful life for the intangible assets is eight and six tenths years (8.6 years). The fair value of the unearned revenues was determined with the following inputs: (1) projection of when unearned revenue will be earned; (2) expense necessary to fulfill the subscriptions; (3) gross up of the fulfillment costs to include a market participant level of profitability; (4) slight premium to the fulfillment-costs plus a reasonable profit metric; and (5) reduce projected future cash flows to present value using an appropriate discount rate.

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The excess of purchase price over the fair value amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill from the acquisition. Goodwill is recorded as a non-current asset that is not amortized but is subject to an annual review for impairment. The Company believes the factors that contributed to goodwill include the acquisition of a talented workforce that expands the Company’s expertise and synergies that are specific to the Company’s consolidated business and not available to market participants.

Licensing Agreement with ABG-SI LLC – On June 14, 2019, the Company and ABG, a Delaware limited liability company and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Authentic Brands Group, entered into the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, pursuant to which the Company has the exclusive right and license in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand to operate the Sports Illustrated media business (in the English and Spanish languages), including to (i) operate the digital and print editions of Sports Illustrated (including all special interest issues and the swimsuit issue) and Sports Illustrated for Kids, (ii) develop new digital media channels under the Sports Illustrated brands, and (iii) operate certain related businesses, including without limitation, special interest publications, video channels, bookazines and the licensing and/or syndication of certain products and content under the Sports Illustrated brand (collectively, the “Sports Illustrated Licensed Brands”).

The initial term of the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement commenced on October 4, 2019 upon the termination of the Meredith License Agreement (as defined below) and continues through December 31, 2029. The Company has the option, subject to certain conditions, to renew the term of the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement for nine consecutive renewal terms of 10 years each (collectively with the initial term, the “Term”), for a total of 100 years. The Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement provides that the Company will pay to ABG annual royalties in respect of each year of the Term based on gross revenues (“Royalties”) with guaranteed minimum annual amounts. On the execution of the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, the Company prepaid ABG $45,000,000 against future Royalties upon (see Note 5). In addition, ABG will pay to the Company a share of revenues relating to certain Sports Illustrated business lines not licensed to the Company, such as all gambling-related advertising and monetization, events, and commerce. The Company funded the prepaid Royalties from the net proceeds from the 12% Senior Secured Notes financing (as described in Note 19). The Company entered into the Licensing Agreement as part of its growth strategy to serve as a cornerstone of vertical content.

Pursuant to a publicly announced agreement, dated May 24, 2019, between ABG and Meredith, Meredith previously operated the Sports Illustrated Licensed Brands under license from ABG (the “Meredith License Agreement”). On October 3, 2019, Maven and Meredith entered into a Transition Services Agreement and an Outsourcing Agreement (collectively, the “Transition Agreement”), whereby the parties agreed to the terms and conditions under which Meredith continued to operate certain aspects of the business and provide certain services during the fourth quarter of 2019 as all activities were transitioned over to Maven. Through these agreements, Maven took over operating control of the Sports Illustrated Licensed Brands, and the Transition Agreement was terminated.

In connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, the Company issued ABG warrants to acquire common stock of the Company (the “ABG Warrants”) for performance of future services (see Note 22).

As consideration for entering into the Licensing Agreement, the Company agreed to retain the responsibility and lead the negotiations with Meredith to provide for the transfer of the Sports Illustrated Licensed Brands from Meredith, including an arrangement where Meredith retains responsibility for producing and distributing the physical publications Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated for Kids (the “Magazines”) and subscriber marketing, as well as to retain responsibility for paying the deferred subscription revenue, described in the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, as the total liability to subscribers to fulfill unfulfilled subscriptions to the print and electronic editions of the Magazines, accrued as of October 4, 2019, and the obligation to issue to each subscriber requesting a refund in connection therewith the amount of such liability owing to that subscriber. No cash was paid to ABG in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement.

The Company concluded that the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement entered into to conduct the licensed brands was an asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, Subtopic 50, Related Issues (ASC 805-50), as substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired by the Company is concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets. All direct acquisition related costs of $331,026 are assigned to the assets in relation to the relative fair value of the acquired assets and recorded as part of the consideration transferred.

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In accordance with the above guidance, the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the effective date of the acquisition based upon their respective fair values are summarized below:

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

Accounts receivable $337,481 
Prepaid expenses  1,534,922 
Subscriber relationships  71,308,799 
Other current liabilities  (632,056)
Unearned revenues  (47,249,470)
Subscription refund liability  (5,427,523)
Deferred tax liabilities  (19,541,127)
Net assets acquired $331,026 

The Company utilized an independent appraisal, as well as other available market data, to assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which required certain significant management assumptions and estimates. The fair value of the intangible asset was determined by an independent appraisal in accordance with ASC 805-50 by allocating the fair value of an assumed liability to the individual assets acquired based on their relative fair values, with the fair value of the assumed liabilities (or unearned revenues and subscription refund liability) assigned to the subscriber relationships asset as the subscribers are sufficiently similar and can be valued together as a single identifiable asset acquired. The fair value of the unearned revenues was determined with the following inputs: (1) projection of when unearned revenue will be earned; (2) expense necessary to fulfill the subscriptions; (3) gross up of the fulfillment costs to include a market participant level of profitability; (4) slight premium to the fulfillment-costs plus a reasonable profit metric; and (5) reduce projected future cash flows to present value using an appropriate discount rate. The fair value of the subscription refund liability was established based upon the historical return rates for specific products. The subscriber relationships (the customer-based intangible assets) useful life was determined by establishing the average term of the issues served taking into account expected subscription renewals, which is five years (5.0 years).

The Company concluded and recognized deferred tax liabilities, consistent with the guidance for an asset acquisition, at the Licensing Agreement effective date in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, based on the difference between the book and tax basis of the assets acquired calculated under the simultaneous equation model using the initial measurement guidance in accordance with ASC 805.

4.Prepayments and Other Current Assets

Prepayments and other current assets are summarized as follows:

Schedule of Prepayments and Other Current Assets

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Prepaid expenses $3,400,080  $3,370,757 
Prepaid software license  378,488   89,822 
Refundable income and franchise taxes  733,553   733,553 
Security deposits  92,494   96,135 
Other receivables  62,648   20,468 
 $4,667,263  $4,310,735 

5.Royalty Fees

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, $26,250,000 and $41,250,000, respectively, of prepaid Royalties fees was unamortized from the $45,000,000 guaranteed minimum annual Royalties that was paid to ABG in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement. The Royalties are being recognized over a period of three-years starting October 4, 2019. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the current portion of $15,000,000 was reflected within royalty fees on the consolidated balance sheets and the long-term portion of $11,250,000 and $26,250,000, respectively, was reflected within royalty fees, net of current portion on the consolidated balance sheets.

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6.Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are summarized as follows:

Schedule of Property and Equipment

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Office equipment and computers $1,341,292  $476,233 
Furniture and fixtures  19,997   193,914 
Leasehold improvements  345,516   307,550 
   1,706,805   977,697 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  (577,367)  (316,420)
Net property and equipment $1,129,438  $661,277 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $638,796 and $276,791, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense is included in selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses, as appropriate, on the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charges have been recorded in the periods presented.

7.Leases

The Company adopted the comprehensive new lease accounting standard effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company elected the package of practical expedients under the new lease standards, which includes (i) not reassessing whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain a lease, (ii) not reassessing lease classification for any expired or existing leases, (iii) not reassessing initial direct costs for any existing leases, and (iv) account for a lease and non-lease component as a single component for certain classes of assets. The Company will not adopt the practical expedient to use hindsight in determining the lease term. Adoption of the new standard resulted in recording operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of on the consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of the standard was immaterial and did not result in an impact as of January 1, 2019. The standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows.

The Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.leases are primarily comprised of real estate leases for the use of office space, with certain lease arrangements that contain equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized upon commencement of the lease based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term includes options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Substantially all of the leases are long-term operating leases for facilities with fixed payment terms between 1.5 and 12.8 years, which expire at various dates through 2032.

5.  Fixed AssetsThe table below presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Operating Leases

   2020   2019 
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Operating lease costs during the year $4,054,423  $1,112,362 
Cash payments included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities during the year $3,188,986  $1,212,800 
Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining lease right-of-use assets during the year $16,617,790  $3,853,500 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) as of year-end  11.25   5.03 
Weighted-average discount rate during the year  13.57%  9.85%

AtAs most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company is required to use its incremental borrowing rate. The Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date to determine present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate used is the rate the Company would have to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

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On February 7, 2020, under the terms of the first amendment to the 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes (as further amended and described in Note 19), BRF Finance Co., LLC (“BRF Finance”), an affiliated entity of B. Riley, issued a letter of credit for $3,024,232 to one of the Company’s landlords. In the event BRF Finance is required to make a draw on the letter of credit, the amount paid will automatically be added to principal of the outstanding notes. As of December 31, 2016, fixed2020 and 2019, security deposits under letters of credit or cash deposited with banks under the terms of the lease arrangements were $185,606 and $160,910, respectively, reflected within other assets neton the consolidated balance sheets.

Maturity of Lease Liabilities

The present value of the Company’s operating leases consisted of the following:

Office equipment and computers $8,048 
Website development costs  540,146 
   548,194 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (390)
Fixed assets, net $547,804 

Atfollowing as of December 31, 2016,2020:

Summary of Maturity of Lease Liabilities

   1 
Year Ending December 31,    
2021 $3,804,853 
2022  3,525,158 
2023  3,528,696 
2024  3,526,406 
2025  3,740,591 
Thereafter  23,822,981 
Minimum lease payments  41,948,685 
Less imputed interest  (21,002,931)
Present value of operating lease liabilities $20,945,754 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities $1,059,671 
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities  19,886,083 
Total operating lease liabilities $20,945,754 

8.Platform Development

Platform development costs are summarized as follows:

Summary of Platform Development Costs

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Platform development $16,027,428  $10,678,692 
Less accumulated amortization  (8,671,820)  (4,785,973)
Net platform development $7,355,608  $5,892,719 

A summary of platform development activity for the Companyyears ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Summary of Platform Development Cost Activity

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Platform development beginning of year $10,678,692  $6,833,900 
Payroll-based costs capitalized during the year  3,750,541   2,537,402 
Total capitalized costs  14,429,233   9,371,302 
Stock-based compensation  1,608,995   1,307,390 
Dispositions during the year  (10,800)  - 
Platform development end of year $16,027,428  $10,678,692 

Amortization expense for platform development for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, was $3,890,966 and $2,660,029, respectively, is included within cost of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations.

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9.Intangible Assets

Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

Schedule of Intangible Assets Subjects to Amortization

  Weighted Average As of December 31, 2020  As of December 31, 2019 
  Useful Life (in years) Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount  Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount 
Developed technology 4.70 $19,070,857  $(8,283,740) $10,787,117  $19,138,104  $(4,090,359) $15,047,745 
Noncompete agreement 2.00  480,000   (480,000)  -   480,000   (252,000)  228,000 
Trade name 16.63  3,328,000   (503,342)  2,824,658   3,328,000   (224,745)  3,103,255 
Subscriber relationships 5.10  73,458,799   (18,105,041)  55,353,758   73,458,799   (3,587,837)  69,870,962 
Advertiser relationships 9.42  2,240,000   (332,515)  1,907,485   2,240,000   (94,635)  2,145,365 
Database 3.00  1,140,000   (531,183)  608,817   1,140,000   (151,183)  988,817 
Subtotal amortizable intangible assets    99,717,656   (28,235,821)  71,481,835   99,784,903   (8,400,759)  91,384,144 
Website domain name -  20,000   -   20,000   20,000   -   20,000 
Total intangible assets   $99,737,656  $(28,235,821) $71,501,835  $99,804,903  $(8,400,759) $91,404,144 

Developed technology, noncompete agreement, trade name, subscriber relationships, advertiser relationships, and database intangible assets subject to amortization were recorded as part of the Company’s business acquisitions. The website domain name has an infinite life and is not yet launched its websitebeing amortized. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and accordingly no amortization2019 was $20,301,665 and $7,806,517, respectively. Amortization expense for developed technology and platform development of capitalized website development$4,659,986 and $3,531,936 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are included within cost wasof revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. NaN impairment charges have been recorded during the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016.

6.  Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities

The Company maintained an investment portfolio consisting of available-for-sale-securities during the periodyears ended December 31, 2016,2020 and 2019.

Estimated total amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter related to the Company’s intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Schedule of Future Estimated Amortization Expenses for Intangible Assets

 1 
Year Ending December 31,
2021 $19,803,965 
2022  19,209,117 
2023  17,460,073 
2024  11,397,870 
Thereafter  3,610,810 
 Intangible assets, net $71,481,835 

10.Other Assets

Other assets are summarized as follows:

Summary of Other Assets

   2020   2019 
  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Security deposit $110,418  $110,418 
Other deposits  15,400   65,764 
Prepaid expenses  732,309   867,467 
Note receivable  -   41,638 
Prepaid supplies  472,685   - 
 Other assets $1,330,812  $1,085,287 

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11.Goodwill

The changes in carrying value of goodwill as follows:

Schedule of Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Carrying value at beginning of year $16,139,377  $7,324,287 
Goodwill acquired in acquisition of TheStreet  -   8,815,090 
Carrying value at end of year $16,139,377  $16,139,377 

The Company performs its annual impairment test at the reporting unit level, which is the operating segment or one level below the operating segment. Management determined that the Company would be aggregated into a single reporting unit for purposes of performing the impairment test for goodwill.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company as part of its annual evaluations utilized the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it was necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment assessment. As part of this assessment, the Company reviews qualitative factors which include, but are not limited to, economic, market and industry conditions, as well as the financial performance of its reporting unit. In accordance with applicable guidance, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of its reporting unit if, after assessing these qualitative factors, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is greater than its respective carrying amount. The annual impairment test was performed on December 31, 2020. NaN impairment of goodwill has been identified during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

12.Restricted Stock Liabilities

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment for certain restricted stock awards and units that were previously issued to certain employees in connection with the HubPages merger. Pursuant to the amendment:

the restricted stock awards ceased to vest and all unvested shares were deemed unvested and forfeited, leaving an aggregate of 1,064,549 shares vested;
the restricted stock units were modified to vest on December 31, 2020, and as of the close of business on December 31, 2020, each restricted stock unit was terminated and deemed forfeited, with no shares vesting thereunder; and
subject to certain conditions, the Company agreed to purchase the vested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, at a price of $4.00 per share in 24 equal monthly installments on the second business day of each calendar month beginning on January 4, 2021.

As a result of the modification of the equity-based awards, the Company recognized $334,328 of incremental stock-based compensation costs at the time of the modification and recorded $3,800,734 as a reclassification of restricted stock awards and units from equity to liability classified upon modification, as reflected within additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

The following table presents the components of the restricted stock liabilities as of December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Components of Restricted Stock Liabilities

Total restricted stock liabilities $3,623,309 
Restricted stock liabilities recorded upon modification of the restricted stock awards and units (1,064,549 restricted stock to be purchased at $4.00 per share) $4,258,196 
Less imputed interest  (457,462)
Present value of restricted stock liabilities  3,800,734 
Less prepayments on December 31, 2020  (177,425)
Restricted stock liabilities $3,623,309 
Current portion of restricted stock liabilities $1,627,499 
Long-term portion of restricted stock liabilities  1,995,810 
Total restricted stock liabilities $3,623,309 

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13.Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses are summarized as follows:

Schedule of Accrued Expenses

   2020   2019 
  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
General accrued expenses $4,116,875  $7,665,518 
Accrued payroll and related taxes  2,519,903   968,782 
Accrued publisher expenses  3,956,114   1,550,669 
Sales tax liability  1,063,515   801,930 
Due to Meredith  -   701,734 
Due to ABG  -   4,000,000 
Restricted stock liabilities  1,627,499   - 
Other  1,434,287   794,568 
 Total accrued expenses $14,718,193  $16,483,201 

14.Line of Credit

FastPay Credit Facility – On February 27, 2020, the Company entered into a financing and security agreement with FPP Finance LLC (“FastPay”), pursuant to which FastPay extended a $15,000,000 line of credit for working capital purposes secured by a first lien on all of the Company’s cash and accounts receivable and a second lien on all other assets. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the LIBOR Rate plus 8.50% and have a final maturity of February 6, 2022. As of December 31, 2020, the balance outstanding under the FastPay facility was $7,178,791. As of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued the balance outstanding was approximately $6.5 million.

SallyPort Credit Facility – During November 2018, the Company entered into a factoring note agreement, with a $3,500,000 maximum facility limit, with Sallyport Commercial Finance, LLC (“Sallyport”) to increase working capital through accounts receivable factoring. The note provided for maximum borrowing up to 85% of the eligible accounts receivable (the “Advance Rate”) and the Company was permitted to adjust the amount advanced up or down at any time. The note was subject to a minimum monthly sales shortfall fee in the event the monthly sales volume is below $1,000,000. The note bore interest at the prime rate plus 4.00% (the “Interest Rate”) (8.75% as of December 31, 2019) and provided for a floor rate of 5.00% with a default rate of 3.00% plus the Interest Rate. In addition, the note provided for an initial factoring fee of 0.415% with an annual per day fee of $950. As of December 31, 2019, Sallyport collected accounts receivable in excess of the balance outstanding under the note, therefore, the Company was due $626,532 from Sallyport which was reflected within accounts receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Effective January 30, 2020, the Company’s factoring facility with Sallyport was closed and funds were no longer available for advance.

15.Liquidated Damages Payable

Liquidated Damages payable are summarized as follows:

Summary of Liquidated Damages

  As of December 31, 2020 
  MDB Common
Stock to be
Issued (1)
  Series H Preferred Stock  12% Convertible
Debentures
  Series I Preferred Stock  Series J Preferred Stock  Total 
Registration Rights Damages $15,001  $1,163,955  $-  $1,386,000  $1,200,000  $3,764,956 
Public Information Failure Damages  -   1,163,955   905,490   1,386,000   1,200,000   4,655,445 
Accrued interest  -   481,017   134,466   332,185   200,022   1,147,690 
  $15,001  $2,808,927  $1,039,956  $3,104,185  $2,600,022  $9,568,091 

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  As of December 31, 2019 
  MDB Common Stock to be Issued (1)  Series H Preferred Stock  12% Convertible
Debentures
  Series I Preferred Stock  Series J Preferred Stock  Total 
Registration Rights Damages $15,001  $1,163,955  $-  $1,108,800  $840,000  $3,127,756 
Public Information Failure Damages  -   1,163,955   893,190   1,039,500   840,000   3,936,645 
Accrued interest  -   481,017   132,888   262,193   140,015   1,016,113 
  $15,001  $2,808,927  $1,026,078  $2,410,493  $1,820,015  $8,080,514 

(1)Consists of shares of common stock issuable to MDB Capital Group, LLC (“MDB”).

Information with respect to the Liquidated Damages recognized on the consolidated statements of operations is provided in Note 23, and for amounts contingently liable in Note 26.

16.Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s financial instruments consist of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents of $9,033,872 and $8,852,281, respectively, were Level 1 assets and included savings deposits, overnight investments, and other liquid funds with financial institutions.

Financial instruments measured at fair value during the year consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments

  Year Ended December 31, 2020 
  Fair Value  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Long-term debt:                
12% Amended Senior Secured Notes $52,556,401  $-  $52,556,401  $- 
Warrant derivative liabilities:                
Strome Warrants $704,707  $-  $-  $704,707 
B. Riley Warrants  443,188   -   -   443,188 
Total warrant derivative liabilities $1,147,895  $-  $-  $1,147,895 

  Year Ended December 31, 2019 
  Fair Value  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Long-term debt:                
12% Amended Senior Secured Notes $44,009,745  $-  $44,009,745  $- 
Warrant derivative liabilities:                
Strome Warrants $1,036,687  $-  $-  $1,036,687 
B. Riley Warrants  607,513   -   -   607,513 
Total warrant derivative liabilities $1,644,200  $-  $-  $1,644,200 
Embedded derivative liabilities $13,501,000  $-  $-  $13,501,000 

The carrying value of the Company’s 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) approximates fair value based on current market interest rates for debt instruments of similar credit standing and, consequently, their fair values are based on Level 2 inputs.

The quantitative information utilized in the fair value calculation of the Level 3 liabilities are as follows:

The Company accounts for certain warrants and the embedded conversion features of the 12% Convertible Debentures (as described in Note 18) as derivative liabilities, which require the Company carry such amounts on its consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each reporting period-end.

The Company determined the fair value of the L2 Warrants, Strome Warrants and B. Riley Warrants (all as described in Note 21) utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model as further described below. These warrants and the embedded conversion features are classified as Level 3 within the fair-value hierarchy. Inputs to the valuation model include the Company’s publicly-quoted stock price, the stock volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the remaining life of the warrants and debentures, the exercise price or conversion price, and the dividend rate. The Company uses the closing stock price of its common stock over an appropriate period of time to compute stock volatility. These assumptions are summarized as follows:

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L2 Warrants – 2019 assumptions: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 3.75 years; risk-free interest rate: 1.56%; volatility factor: 130.46%; dividend rate: 0.0%; transaction date closing market price: $0.89; exercise price: $0.50.

Strome Warrants – 2020 assumptions: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 2.45; risk-free interest rate: 0.13%; volatility factor: 150.55%; dividend rate: 0.0%; transaction date closing market price: $0.60; exercise price: $0.50; and 2019 assumptions: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 3.45; risk-free interest rate: 1.62%; volatility factor: 144.56%; dividend rate: 0.0%; transaction date closing market price: $0.80; exercise price: $4.50.

B. Riley Warrants – 2020 assumptions: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 4.79 years; risk-free interest rate: 0.36%; volatility factor: 140.95%; dividend rate: 0.0%; transaction date closing market price: $0.60; exercise price: $1.00 (subsequently adjusted to $0.33); and 2019 assumptions: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 5.80 years; risk-free interest rate: 1.76%; volatility factor: 127.63%; dividend rate: 0.0%; transaction date closing market price:$0.80; exercise price: $1.00 (subsequently adjusted to $0.33).

The following table represents the carrying amount, valuation and roll-forward of activity for the Company’s warrants accounted for as a derivative liability and classified within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Schedule of Valuation Activity for Warrants Accounted for Derivative Liability

  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Carrying amount at beginning of year:        
L2 Warrants $-  $418,214 
Strome Warrants  1,036,687   587,971 
B. Riley Warrants  607,513   358,050 
Subtotal carrying amount at beginning of year  1,644,200   1,364,235 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities:        
L2 Warrants  -   316,972 
Strome Warrants  (331,980)  448,716 
B. Riley Warrants  (164,325)  249,463 
Subtotal change in valuation during the year  (496,305)  1,015,151 
Exercise of warrants during the year:        
L2 Warrants  -   735,186 
Carrying amount at end of year:        
Strome Warrants  704,707   1,036,687 
B. Riley Warrants  443,188   607,513 
Carrying amount at end of year $1,147,895  $1,644,200 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities recognized within other (expense) income on the consolidated statement of operations, as described in the above table of $496,305 and ($1,015,151), respectively. The L2 Warrants were fully exercised on a cashless basis during the year ended December 31, 2019, resulting in a $735,186 offset within additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

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The following table represents the carrying amount, valuation and a roll-forward of activity for the conversion option features, buy-in features, and default remedy features, as deemed appropriate for each instrument (collectively the embedded derivative liabilities), for the 12% Convertible Debentures (refer to Note 18) accounted for as embedded derivative liabilities and classified within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Schedule of Valuation Activity for the Embedded Conversion Feature Liability

  December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Recognition of embedded derivative liabilities (conversion feature, buy-in feature, and default remedy feature):        
Carrying amount at beginning of year $13,501,000  $7,387,000 
Issuance date of March 18, 2019  -   822,000 
Issuance date of March 27, 2019  -   188,000 
Issuance date of April 8, 2019  -   64,000 
Change in fair value of embedded derivative liabilities  (2,571,004)  5,040,000 
Fair value of embedded derivative liabilities recorded within additional paid-capital upon conversion of 12% convertible debentures  (10,929,996)  - 
Carrying amount at end of year $-  $13,501,000 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities as described in the above table of $2,571,004 was recognized as other income on the consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities as described in the above table of $5,040,000 was recognized as other expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

In addition, the fair value requirement at each period-end for the Series G Preferred Stock embedded conversion feature was no longer required for the year ended December 31, 2019 since it is not considered a derivative liability, therefore, the carrying amount of $72,563 as of January 1, 2018 was recognized as other income of $72,563 during the year ended December 31, 2019 on the consolidated statements of operations.

As a result of the conversion of certain 12% Convertible Debentures into shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company recorded the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of the conversion option features, buy-in features, and default remedy features of $10,929,996 within additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency (as further described in Note 18).

There have been no transfers in Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 and no changes in valuation techniques for these assets or liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

17.Promissory Notes

In May 2018, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer began advancing funds to the Company in order to meet minimum operating needs. Such advances were made pursuant to promissory notes that were due on demand, with interest at the minimum applicable federal rate, which ranged from 2.18% to 2.38%. As of December 31, 2019, the total principal amount of advances outstanding were $319,351 (including accrued interest of $12,574) (see Note 25). As of December 31, 2020, the note was repaid (further details are provided in Note 20).

18.Convertible Debt

During 2018 and 2019, the Company had acquiredvarious financings through the Recapitalization. All available-for-sale-securities either maturedissuance of the 12% senior subordinated convertible debentures which were due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “12% Convertible Debentures”). Interest accrued at the rate of 12% per annum, payable on the earlier of conversion or December 31, 2020. The Company’s obligations under the 12% Convertible Debentures were liquidatedsecured by a security agreement, dated as of October 18, 2018, by and among the Company and each investor thereto. The 12% Convertible Debentures were subject to the Company receiving stockholder approval to increase its authorized shares of common stock before conversion. Principal on the 12% Convertible Debentures were convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, at the option of the investor at any time prior to December 31, 2016.2020, at either a per share conversion price of $0.33 (with respect to the 12% Convertible Debentures issued in 2018) or $0.40 (with respect to the 12% Convertible Debentures issued in 2019), subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and similar transactions, and certain beneficial ownership blocker provisions. Further, the 12% Convertible Debentures were subject to Liquidated Damages (as further described below and in Note 23 and Note 26).

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7.  RedeemableThe 12% Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation authorized 1,000,000Debentures were issued and convertible into shares of undesignated, serial preferred stock. Preferredthe Company’s common stock may beas follows: (1) gross proceeds of $13,091,528 on December 12, 2018, convertible into 39,671,297 shares; (2) gross proceeds of $1,696,000 on March 18, 2019, convertible into 4,240,000 shares; (3) gross proceeds of $318,000 on March 27, 2019, convertible into 795,000 shares; and (4) gross proceeds of $100,000 on April 8, 2019, convertible into 250,000 shares. Upon issuance of the various financings, the Company accounted for the embedded conversion option feature, buy-in feature, and default remedy feature (as further described below and in Note 16) as embedded derivative liabilities, which required the Company to carry such amount on its consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end (see Note 16).

The Company also incurred debt issuance cost. The embedded derivative liabilities and debt issuance cost were treated as a debt discount and amortized over the term of the debt.

The 12% Convertible Debentures issued during the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

On March 18, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with two accredited investors, including John Fichthorn, the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), pursuant to which the Company issued 12% Convertible Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $1,696,000, which included a placement fee of $96,000 paid to B. Riley FBR in the form of a 12% Convertible Debenture, for acting as the Company’s placement agent in the offering. The Company received net proceeds of $1,600,000 and paid legal fees and expenses of $10,000 in cash. This financing of the 12% Convertible Debentures was subject to an issuance limitation, which fully limited the conversion of the 12% Convertible Debentures into shares of common stock by the holders (outside of the issuance limitation these 12% Convertible Debentures were convertible into 4,240,000 shares of the Company’s common stock), subject to certain conditions as described below.

On March 27, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with an accredited investor pursuant to which the Company issued 12% Convertible Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $318,000, which included a placement fee of $18,000 paid to B. Riley FBR in the form of a 12% Convertible Debenture for acting as the Company’s placement agent in the offering. The Company received net proceeds of $300,000. This financing of the 12% Convertible Debentures was subject to an issuance limitation, which fully limited the conversion of the 12% Convertible Debentures into shares of common stock by the holder (outside of the issuance limitation these 12% Convertible Debentures were convertible into 795,000 shares of the Company’s common stock), subject to certain conditions as described below.

On April 8, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with an accredited investor, Todd D. Sims, a member of the Board, pursuant to which the Company issued a 12% Convertible Debenture in the aggregate principal amount of $100,000 and received $100,000 from the proceeds. This financing of the 12% Convertible Debenture was subject to an issuance limitation, which fully limited the conversion of the 12% Convertible Debentures into shares of common stock by the holder (outside of the issuance limitation this 12% Convertible Debenture was convertible into 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock), subject to certain conditions as described below.

Upon issuance of the various financings of the 12% Convertible Debentures, the Company recognized the following embedded derivative liabilities that were bifurcated from the note instruments:

Conversion option – (1) At any time after the original issue date until the 12% Convertible Debenture is no longer outstanding, the 12% Convertible Debenture is convertible, in whole or in part, into shares of common stock at the option of the holder at the aforementioned conversion price, and (2) at any time and from time to time subject to: (i) an issuance limitation until the Company has an authorized share increase, and (ii) a beneficial ownership limitations, which prevents conversion if the common stock shares held by the holder exceeds 4.99% of the common stock outstanding (subject to increase by the holder to 9.99%).
Buy-in feature – (1) The 12% Convertible Debenture is puttable for a certain buy-in amount where it gives the holder the right, if the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the holder the conversion shares, to a cash settlement for the difference between the cost of the Company’s common stock in the open market and the conversion price; and (2) the put is contingent if the Company fails to deliver conversion shares pursuant to a buy-in event.

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Default remedy feature – (1) The 12% Convertible Debenture is puttable in the event of default where it gives the holder the right to repayment, in cash, the greater of (i) the outstanding principal amount due divided by the then conversion price times the daily volume weighted average price of the common stock; or (ii) the outstanding principal debt amount, plus unpaid but accrued interest and other amounts owing in the notes; and (2) the put is contingent upon a Change of Control (as described below) or Fundamental Transaction (as described below).

Change in Control – Change in Control, in general, means: (a) an acquisition in excess of 50% of the voting securities of the Company; (b) the Company merges into or consolidates whereby the Company stockholders own less than 50% of the aggregate voting power after the transaction; (c) the Company sells or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to whereby the Company stockholders own less than 50% of the aggregate voting power after the transaction; (d) a replacement at one time or within a three year period of more than one-half of the Board, which is not approved by a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board on the original issue date, subject to certain conditions; or (e) the execution by the Company of an agreement for any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above.

Fundamental Transaction – Fundamental Transaction, in general, means: (a) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more series. related transactions effects any merger or consolidation; (b) the Company, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions; (c) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer is completed pursuant to which the Company common stock holders are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock; (d) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Company’s common stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the common stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (e) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination whereby such transaction results in an acquisition of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain other conditions. Further, if a Fundamental Transaction occurs, the holders have the right to their conversion shares as if the beneficial ownership limitation or the issuance limitation was not in place, subject to certain terms as additional consideration.

The Board12% Convertible Debentures also provided that as long as the debt remains outstanding, unless investors holding at least 51% in principal amount of Directorsthe then-outstanding 12% Convertible Debentures otherwise agree, the Company was not permitted to enter into, incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness, except for certain permitted indebtedness.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the 12% Convertible Debentures for resale by the holders within a certain timeframe and subject to certain conditions. The registration rights agreement provides for a cash payment equal to 1.0% per month of the amount invested as partial liquidated damages upon the occurrence of certain events, on each monthly anniversary, up to a maximum amount of 6.0% of the aggregate amount invested, subject to interest at 12.0% per annum, accruing daily, until paid in full. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements also included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

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The Company recognized a portion of the Public Information Failure Damages pursuant to the securities purchase agreements in connection with the 12% Convertible Debentures at the time of issuance as it was deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied when the financings were completed (see Note 15 and Note 26).

On December 31, 2020, certain holders converted the 12% Convertible Debentures representing an aggregate of $18,104,949 of the then-outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest into 53,887,470 shares of the Company’s common stock at effective conversion per-share prices ranging from $0.33 to $0.40. Further, the Company repaid an aggregate of $1,130,903 of the 12% Convertible Debentures, including the then-outstanding principal and accrued interest, in cash. With respect to the conversion of the accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company recognized a loss on conversion of $3,297,539 at the time of conversion on the consolidated statements of operations. Upon conversion of the 12% Convertible Debentures, the Company recorded the aggregate outstanding principal and loss on conversion of the accrued interest of $21,402,488 within additional paid-capital on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

The following table represents the various financings of the 12% Convertible Debentures recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 and carrying value as of December 31, 2019:

Schedule of 12% Convertible Debentures

  Issuance Date  Total 12% 
  December 12, 2018  

March 18,

2019

  

March 27,

2019

  

April 8,

2019

  Convertible Debentures 
Principal amount of debt $9,540,000  $1,696,000  $318,000  $100,000  $11,654,000 
Less issuance costs  (590,000)  (96,000)  (18,000)  -   (704,000)
Net cash proceeds received $8,950,000  $1,600,000  $300,000  $100,000  $10,950,000 
Principal amount of debt (excluding original issue discount) $9,540,000  $1,696,000  $318,000  $100,000  $11,654,000 
Add conversion of debt from convertible debentures  3,551,528   -   -   -   3,551,528 
Add: accrued interest  1,711,273   164,083   29,754   8,933   1,914,043 
Principal amount of debt including accrued interest  14,802,801   1,860,083   347,754   108,933   17,119,571 
Debt discount:                    
Allocated embedded derivative liabilities  (4,760,000)  (822,000)  (188,000)  (64,000)  (5,834,000)
Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance  (706,944)  (67,200)  (12,600)  (4,200)  (790,944)
Issuance costs  (590,000)  (106,000)  (18,000)  -   (714,000)
Subtotal debt discount  (6,056,944)  (995,200)  (218,600)  (68,200)  (7,338,944)
Less amortization of debt discount  2,927,248   414,465   89,422   27,200   3,458,335 
Unamortized debt discount  (3,129,696)  (580,735)  (129,178)  (41,000)  (3,880,609)
Carrying value at December 31, 2019  11,673,105   1,279,348   218,576   67,933   13,238,962 
Less current portion  (534,993)  -   (206,204)  -   (741,197)
Carry value at December 31, 2019, net of current portion $11,138,112  $1,279,348  $12,372  $67,933  $12,497,765 

For additional information for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 with respect to interest expense related to the 12% Convertible Debentures is authorizedprovided in Note 19.

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19.Long-term Debt

12% Senior Secured Note

On June 10, 2019, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, pursuant to determinewhich the rights, preferences, privileges,Company issued to the investor a 12% senior secured note, due July 31, 2019 (the “12% Senior Secured Note”), in the aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000, which after taking into account a B. Riley FBR placement fee of $1,000,000 and restrictions grantedlegal fees and expenses of the investor of $135,000, resulted in the Company receiving net proceeds of $18,865,000, of which $16,500,000 was deposited into escrow to fund TheStreet Merger consideration and imposedthe balance of $2,365,000 was to be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The balance outstanding under the note purchase agreement was no longer outstanding as of June 14, 2019 (refer to 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes below).

12% Amended Senior Secured Notes

On June 14, 2019, the Company entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, which amended and restated the note purchase agreement and the 12% Senior Secured Note issued by the Company thereunder. All borrowings under the amended and restated note purchase agreement are collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. Pursuant to the amended and restated note purchase agreement, the Company issued an amended and restated 12% senior secured note, due June 14, 2022, in the aggregate principal amount of $68,000,000, which amended, restated, and superseded that $20,000,000 12% Senior Secured Note issued by the Company to the investor (the “12% Amended Senior Secured Note(s)”). The Company received additional gross proceeds of $48,000,000, which after taking into account a B. Riley FBR placement of $2,400,000, the Company received net proceeds of $45,600,000, of which $45,000,000 was paid to ABG against future Royalties in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement with ABG, and the balance of $600,000 was used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes. In addition, the Company paid B. Riley FBR, in cash, a success fee of $3,400,000 and legal fees of the investor of $50,000.

On August 27, 2019, the Company entered into a first amendment to amended note purchase agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, which amended the 12% Amended Senior Secured Note. Pursuant to this first amendment, the Company received gross proceeds of $3,000,000, which after taking into account a B. Riley FBR placement fee of $150,000, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $2,850,000, which was used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes. In addition, the Company paid B. Riley FBR in cash legal fees of the investor of $17,382.

On February 27, 2020, the Company entered into a second amendment to the amended and restated note purchase agreement, which further amended the amended and restated note purchase agreements dated as of June 14, 2019. Pursuant to the second amendment to the amended and restated note purchase agreement, the Company replaced its previous $3,500,000 working capital facility with Sallyport with a new $15,000,000 working capital facility with FastPay; and (ii) BRF Finance issued a letter of credit in the amount of approximately $3,000,000 to the Company’s landlord for the property lease located at 225 Liberty Street, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10281.

The balance outstanding under the note purchase agreement was no longer outstanding as of March 24, 2020 (refer to 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes below).

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12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes

On March 24, 2020, the Company entered into a second amended and restated note purchase agreement, which further amended and restated the 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes (collectively, with all previous amendments and restatements, the “12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes”). Pursuant to the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes, interest on amounts outstanding under the existing 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes with respect to (i) interest that was payable on March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and (ii) at the Company’s option, with the consent of requisite purchasers, interest that was payable on September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020, in lieu of the payment in cash of all or any portion of the interest due on such dates, was payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of such applicable fiscal quarter.

On October 23, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes (“Amendment 1”), pursuant to which the maturity date of the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes was changed to December 31, 2022, subject to certain acceleration conditions. Pursuant to Amendment 1, interest payable on the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes on September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021 will be payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of such fiscal quarter. Alternatively, at the option of the holder, such interest amounts originally could have been paid in shares of Series K Preferred Stock; however, after December 18, 2020, the date the Series K Preferred Stock converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, all such interest amounts can be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments.

Further details subsequent to the date of these consolidated financial statements are provided under the heading Long-Term Debt in Note 27.

Delayed Draw Term Note

On March 24, 2020, the Company entered into a 15% delayed draw term note (the “Term Note”) pursuant to the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes, in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000.

On March 24, 2020, the Company drew down $6,913,865 under the Term Note, and after payment of commitment and funding fees paid to BRF Finance in the amount of $793,109, and other of its legal fees and expenses that were incurred, the Company received net proceeds of $6,000,000. The net proceeds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Additional borrowings under the Term Note requested by the Company may be made at the option of the purchasers, subject to certain conditions. Up to $8,000,000 in principal amount under the Term Note was originally due on March 31, 2021. Interest on amounts outstanding under the Term Note was payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter.

Pursuant to the terms of Amendment 1, the maturity date was changed from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Amendment 1 also provided that BRF Finance, as holder, could originally elect, in lieu of receipt of cash for payment of all or any wholly unissued seriesportion of the interest due or cash payments up to a certain conversion portion (as further described in Amendment 1) of the Term Note, to receive shares of Series K Preferred Stock; however, after December 18, 2020, the date the Series K Preferred Stock converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, the holder may elect, in lieu of receipt of cash for such interest amounts, shares of the Company’s common stock Company’s common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments.

On October 23, 2020, $3,367,000, including principal and accrued interest of the Term Note, converted into shares of the Company’s Series K Preferred Stock (see Note 20).

Further details subsequent to the date of these consolidated financial statements are provided under the heading Long-Term Debt in Note 27.

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Paycheck Protection Program Loan

On April 6, 2020, the Company entered into a note agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase”) under the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) (the “PPP Loan”). The Company received total proceeds of $5,702,725 under the PPP Loan. In accordance with the requirements of the CARES Act, the Company used proceeds from the PPP Loan primarily for payroll costs. The PPP Loan was scheduled to mature on April 6, 2022, with a 0.98% interest rate and is subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the SBA under the CARES Act. The PPP Loan was fully forgiven on June 22, 2021 (further details are provided under the heading Long-Term Debt in Note 27).

The following table represents the components of long-term debt recognized during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the carrying value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Schedule of Components of the 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes and Carrying Values

  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
  12% Second
Amended
Senior
Secured
Notes
Components
  Delayed
Draw Term
Note
Components
  Paycheck
Protection
Program
Loan
Components
  Total
Long-term
Debt
Components
  12% Second
Amended
Senior
Secured
Notes
Components
 
Principal amount of debt:                    
Principal amount of debt received on June 10, 2019 $20,000,000  $-  $-  $20,000,000  $20,000,000 
Principal amount of debt received on June 14, 2019  48,000,000   -   -   48,000,000   48,000,000 
Principal amount of debt received on August 27, 2019  3,000,000   -   -   3,000,000   3,000,000 
Principal amount of debt received on March 26, 2020  -   6,913,865   -   6,913,865   - 
Principal amount of debt received on April 6, 2020  -   -   5,702,725   5,702,725   - 
Subtotal principal amount of debt  71,000,000   6,913,865   5,702,725   83,616,590   71,000,000 
Add accrued interest  7,457,388   675,958   -   8,133,346   1,082,642 
Less principal payment paid in Series J Preferred Stock (net of interest of $146,067)  (4,853,933)  -   -   (4,853,933)  (4,853,933)
Less principal payment paid in Series K Preferred Stock (net of interest of $71,495)  -   (3,295,505)  -   (3,295,505)  - 
Less principal payments paid in cash  (17,307,364)  -   -   (17,307,364)  (17,307,364)
Principal amount of debt outstanding including accrued interest  56,296,091   4,294,318   5,702,725   66,293,134   49,921,345 
Debt discount:                    
Placement fee to B. Riley FBR  (3,550,000)  (691,387)  -   (4,241,387)  (3,550,000)
Commitment fee (2% of unused commitment)  -   (101,723)  -   (101,723)  - 
Success based fee to B. Riley FBR  (3,400,000)  -   -   (3,400,000)  (3,400,000)
Legal and other costs  (202,382)  (120,755)  -   (323,137)  (202,382)
Subtotal debt discount  (7,152,382)  (913,865)  -   (8,066,247)  (7,152,382)
Less amortization of debt discount  3,412,692   554,693   -   3,967,385   1,240,782 
Unamortized debt discount  (3,739,690)  (359,172)  -   (4,098,862)  (5,911,600)
Carrying value at end of year $52,556,401  $3,935,146  $5,702,725  $62,194,272  $44,009,745 

Information for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 with respect to interest expense related to long-term debt is provided below under the heading Interest Expense.

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Interest Expense

The following table represents interest expense:

Summary of Interest Expense

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Amortization of debt discounts:        
12% Convertible Debentures $3,880,609  $3,304,893 
12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes  2,171,910   1,240,782 
Term Note  554,693   - 
Total amortization of debt discount  6,607,212   4,545,675 
Accrued and noncash converted interest:        
12% Convertible Debentures  2,116,281   1,831,130 
12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes  6,374,746   1,228,709 
Term Note  747,453   - 
Promissory Note  5,844   5,794 
Total accrued and noncash converted interest  9,244,324   3,065,633 
Cash paid interest:        
12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes  -   2,351,904 
Promissory Note  -   983 
Other  645,681   499,375 
Total cash paid interest expense  645,681   2,852,262 
Total interest expense $16,497,217  $10,463,570 

20.Preferred Stock

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, and designation$0.01 par value per share, consisting of any such series without any further vote authorized and/or action by the Company’s stockholders.

Asoutstanding shares as of December 31, 2016,2020 as follows:

2,000 authorized shares designated as “Series F Convertible Preferred Stock,” none of which are outstanding;
1,800 authorized shares designated as “Series G Convertible Preferred Stock” (as further described below), of which 168.496 shares are outstanding;
23,000 authorized shares designated as “Series H Convertible Preferred Stock” (as further described below), of which 19,597 shares are outstanding;
25,800 authorized shares designated as “Series I Convertible Preferred Stock” on June 27, 2019, none of which are outstanding (as further described below);
35,000 authorized shares designated as “Series J Convertible Preferred Stock” on October 4, 2019, none of which are outstanding (as further described below); and
20,000 authorized shares designated as “Series K Convertible Preferred Stock” on October 22, 2020, none of which are outstanding (as further described below)

Series G Preferred Stock

On May 30, 2000, the Company’s only outstanding seriesCompany sold 1,800 shares of convertible preferred stock is theits Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G”).

The Series(the “Series G stock hasPreferred Stock”), of which 1,631.504 were converted prior to November 2001 and 168.496 shares continue to be outstanding, at a stated value of $1,000$1,000 per share, andconvertible into 188,791 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Series G Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock at a conversion price equal to 85% of the lowest sale price of the common stock on its quoted/listed market over the five trading days preceding the date of conversion ("Beneficial Conversion Feature"), subject to a maximum conversion price. The number of shares of common stock, that may be converted is determined by dividingat the stated valueoption of the numberholder, subject to certain limitations. The Company may require holders to convert all (but not less than all) of the Series G Preferred Stock or buy out all outstanding shares of Series G Preferred Stock at the liquidation value of $168,496. Holders of Series G Preferred Stock are not entitled to be converteddividends and have no voting rights, unless required by the conversion price. The Company may electlaw or with respect to paycertain matters relating to the Series G holder in cash at the current market price multiplied by the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion.Preferred Stock.

F-13F-69

For the period ended December 31, 2016, no shares of Series G were converted into shares of common stock.  At December 31, 2016, the outstanding Series G shares were convertible into a minimum of 198,231 shares of common stock.

Upon a change in control, sale of or similar transaction, as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series G eachPreferred Stock, the holder of the Series G Preferred Stock has the option to deem such transaction as a liquidation and may redeem his or hertheir 168.496 shares at the liquidation value of $1,000,$1,000 per share, foror an aggregate amount of $168,496.$168,496. The sale of all the assets of the Company on June 28, 2007 triggered the preferred stockholders’ redemption option. As such redemption iswas not in the control of the Company, the Series G stockPreferred Stock has been accounted for as if it wasis redeemable preferred stock and is classified on the consolidated balance sheetsheets as a mezzanine obligation between liabilities and stockholders’ equity.

The conversion featureSeries H Preferred Stock

On August 10, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of the preferred stock is considered19,400 shares of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series H Preferred Stock”) at a derivative according to ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, therefore, the fairstated value of the derivative is reflected in the financial statements as a liability, which was determined to be $137,177 as of December 31, 2016, and has been included as “conversion feature liability” on the accompanying balance sheets. As of the Closing, the fair value of the derivative was determined to be $137,177.

The fair value of the conversion feature liability is calculated under a Black-Scholes Model, using the market price$1,000, initially convertible into 58,787,879 shares of the Company’s common stock, on each of the balance sheet dates presented, the expected dividend yield, the expected life of the redemption and the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock.

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and considering factors specific to the conversion feature liability. Since some of the assumptions used by the Company are unobservable, the conversion feature liability is classified within the level 3 hierarchy in the fair value measurement.

The expected volatility of the conversion feature liability was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected life assumption was based on the expected remaining life of the underlying preferred stock redemption. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the conversion feature liability was based on the average market rate on U.S. treasury securities in effect during the applicable quarter. The dividend yield reflected historical experience as well as future expectations over the expected term of the underlying preferred stock redemption. Therefore, the fair value of the conversion feature liability is sensitive to changes in above assumptions and changes of the Company’s common stock price.

The table below shows the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of level 3 conversion feature liability at December 31, 2016:

Expected life of the redemption in years1.0
Risk free interest rate0.85%
Expected annual volatility174.84%
Annual rate of dividends0%

The changes in the fair value of the derivative are as follows:

Beginning as of November 4, 2016 (Closing) $138,562 
Decrease in fair value  (1,385)
     
Ending balance as of December 31, 2016 $137,177 

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8. Recapitalization

As described in Note 2, the Company has accounted for the Recapitalization, which closed on November 4, 2016, as a reverse recapitalization. Because Integrated was a non-operating public shell corporation the transaction is considered to be a capital transaction in substance rather than a business combination. The transaction is equivalent to the issuance of stock by the Subsidiary for the net monetary assets of the Parent accompanied by a recapitalization.

Prior to the Recapitalization, Integrated had 9,530,379 issued and outstanding shares of common stock. In the Recapitalization, holders of Subsidiary’s common stock received 4.13607 shares of Parent common stock for each Subsidiary share, totaling 12,517,152 shares. After the Recapitalization a total of 22,047,531 shares of Parent common stock are outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

Integrated and Subsidiary agreed to the terms of Recapitalization to reflect the arms-length negotiated fair value of the Subsidiary as $2.5 million relative to the fair value of Integrated’s cash and available for sale investment securities. This resulted in the former shareholders of Subsidiary obtaining 56.7% voting control of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. The intent of the Recapitalization was to provide funding for Subsidiary’s operations initially under a loan that was canceled upon closing of the Recapitalization.

The following table summarizes the calculation of the relative voting control:

  Shares  Per Share  Fair Value  Voting % 
Integrated shareholders pre-Recapitalization  9,530,379  $0.20   1,903,464   43.3%
Integrated options pre-Recapitalization  175,000       -   0.0%
Warrant issued to MDB Capital Group  1,169,607       -   0.0%
TheMaven Network, Inc. shareholders  12,517,152  $0.20   2,500,000   56.7%
Total fully diluted shares  23,392,138       4,403,464   100.0%
                 
Shares issued and outstanding  22,047,531             

In accordance with the Investment Banking Advisory Agreement more fully described in Note 11, Integrated issued warrants to MDB Capital Group, LLC to purchase 1,169,607 shares of Parent common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.20 per share and expire on November 4, 2021. Integrated incurred transaction costs of $921,698 consisting of $744,105 for the fair value of warrants issued to MDB and $177,593 in cash for legal and related transaction costs. The costs incurred by Integrated were recorded in financial statements of the Parent prior to Recapitalization and reduced the net monetary assets acquired. The aggregate intrinsic value of the warrants at December 31, 2016 is $994,000.

The transaction resulted in the acquisition of gross assets of $1,447,000 consisting primarily of cash and available for sale investment securities and the assumption of $470,000 of liabilities. Included in the total liabilities assumed was 168 shares of Class G Preferred Stock, which is reported as a liability at aggregated liquidation value of $168,496 because it is a redeemable instrument at the option of the holder (see Note 7).

Priorsubject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the closingstated value divided by the conversion price of $0.33 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $19,399,250 (net proceeds of $18,045,496 after taking into consideration issuance costs).

Between August 14, 2020 and August 20, 2020, the Company entered into additional securities purchase agreements for the sale of Series H Preferred Stock with accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued 108 shares (after it rescinded the issuance of 2,145 shares that were deemed null and void and repaid to certain holders on October 28, 2020), at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 327,273 shares of the Recapitalization,Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the Subsidiary had received $735,099 in multiple borrowings from Integrated on a note payable beginning on August 11, 2016stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.33 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $130,896 (net proceeds of $113,000 after taking into consideration issuance costs), which was used for working capital and ending on November 4, 2016. The note payable was cancelled as partgeneral corporate purposes.

On October 31, 2020, the Company issued 389 shares of Series H Preferred Stock to James Heckman at the stated value of $1,000, convertible into 1,178,788 shares of the Recapitalization andCompany’s common stock, at the proceeds fromoption of the borrowing from Integrated is considered as cash received dueholder subject to certain limitations at a conversion rate equal to the Recapitalizationstated value divided by the conversion price of $0.33 per share. The shares of Series H Preferred Stock were issued in connection with the cancellation of promissory notes payable to Mr. Heckman in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $389,000.

The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock will be adjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions. Each Series H Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to beneficial ownership blocker provisions and other certain conditions. In addition, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any common stock equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the net assets acquired. Legal and transaction costs incurred by Subsidiaryrecord holders of $50,000 related to the capital transaction were expensed and charged to General and Administrative expense.

9. Stockholders’ Equity

The Company has authorized 100,000,000any class of shares of common stock $0.01 par value, of which 22,047,531 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

Restricted Stock Awards

On August 11, 2016, management and employees of Subsidiary in conjunction with the incorporation on July 22, 2016 received 12,209,677 shares of common stock as adjusted for the Recapitalization exchange ratio of 4.13607. These shares are subject to(the “Purchase Rights”), then a Company option to buy back the shares at the original cash consideration paid, which totaled $2,952 or approximately $0.0002 per share. A total of 7,966,070 shares were subject to the Company buy back right as of August 1, 2016 and 4,094,708 were made subject to the Company buy back right on November 4, 2016 in conjunction with the Recapitalization. The employees vest their ownership in these shares over a three-year period beginning August 1, 2016 with one-third vesting on August 1, 2017 and the balance monthly over the remaining two years. The fair value of these shares of Subsidiary stock was estimated on the dateholder of the award using the exchange value used by Integrated and the Subsidiary to establish the relative voting control ratio in the Recapitalization (See Note 8). Because these shares require continued service to the Company the estimated fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

On October 13, 2016, Subsidiary granted 62,041 shares of common stock to an employee. On October 16, 2016 an additional 245,434 shares of Subsidiary common stock were granted to a director. The fair value of these shares of Subsidiary stock was estimated on the date of the awards based on the quoted closing stock price on November 4, 2016 since the Recapitalization was pending. These shares are subject to a Company option to buy back the shares at the original cash consideration paid.

F-15

As a condition of the Recapitalization, a total of 4,094,708 shares were required to be placed into an escrow arrangement for purposes of enforcement of the Company option to buy back shares for the balance of the three-year service period. A total of 4,381,003 shares, which includes 35% of the 4,094,708 shares added to the buy back option, are escrowed and subject to a performance condition requiring the Company to achieve certain operating metrics regarding monthly unique users by December 31, 2017. Pursuant to a negotiated schedule the performance condition can be satisfied in partial increments up to the full number of shares escrowed. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow. At December 31, 2016 it was estimated that 72.5% of the shares subject to the performance conditionSeries H Preferred Stock will be released. Pursuantentitled to FASB ASC 718, escrowed share arrangements in a capital raising transaction are considered to be compensatory, as such,acquire the shares subject to these escrow provisions were remeasured as of November 4, 2016,aggregate Purchase Rights which the date ofholder could have acquired if the Recapitalization. The estimated fair value of these shares was determined based onholder had held the quoted closing stock price on November 4, 2016. Because these shares require continued service to the Company the estimated fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

Restricted stock award activity for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016 was as follows:

  Shares  Shares
Remeasured
  Weighted-
Average
Price
 
Stock awards granted at Inception  12,209,677       0.20 
Granted October 13, 2016  62,041       0.70 
Granted October 16, 2016  245,434       0.70 
Remeasurement at November 4, 2016  -   5,837,788*  0.43 
Vested  -       - 
Forfeited  -       - 
   -         
Unvested at December 31, 2016  12,517,152       0.41 
             
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016  12,517,152       0 

*The number of shares Remeasured as of November 4, 2016 reflect the effect of the Monte Carlo simulation determination of the estimated number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow. This estimate will be reevaluated at each quarter end until the final outcome of the performance condition is satisfied on December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2016, total compensation cost related to restricted stock awards but not yet recognized was $3,953,000. This cost will be amortized on a straight-line method over a period of approximately 2.6 years.

Stock Options

On December 19, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”) and reserved 1,670,867 shares of common stock for issuance under the Plan, including options and restricted performance stock awards. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors and there were no grants prior to the formation of the Plan. Shares of common stock that are issued under the Plan or subject to outstanding incentive awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of common stock remaining availableacquirable upon complete conversion of such holder’s Series H Preferred Stock immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance under the Plan, provided, however, that that sharesor sale of such Purchase Rights, subject to an incentive award that expire willcertain conditions, adjustments, and limitations. All the shares of Series H Preferred Stock automatically become available for issuance. Options issued under the Plan may have a term of up to ten years and may have variable vesting provisions.

The estimated fair value of stock-based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the number ofconvert into shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the datefifth anniversary of grant. The fair value of stock option awards are estimatedthe Closing Date at the grant date as calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life. The fair values of our stock option grants were estimated with the following average assumptions:

F-16

The fair value of stock options granted during 2016 were estimated with the following assumptions:

2016
Expected life6.0 years
Risk-free interest rate2.17%
Expected annual volatility113.79%
Dividend yield0.00%

For the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016 option activity was as follows:

  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
  Average
Intrinsic
Value
 
             
Outstanding at July 22, 2016 (Inception)  -   -   -     
Assumed through Recapitalization  175,000   0.17   2.38     
Granted  100,137   1.02   9.99     
Exercised  -   -         
Forfeited  -   -         
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016  275,137   0.48   5.15   157,000 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2016  275,137   0.48   5.15   157,000 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2016  175,000   0.17   2.38   154,000 

The Company has granted 100,137 options under the Plan at an exerciseconversion price of $1.02$0.33 per share, with an expirationshare.

The shares of December 28, 2026, and vests over three years. None of these options are yet vested. In 2016, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $5,542 relatedSeries H Preferred Stock were subject to this grant. At December 31, 2016, total compensation cost related to stock option granted under the Plan but not yet recognized was $82,816. This cost will be amortizedlimitations on a straight-line method over a period of approximately 2.8 years. The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise priceconversion into shares of the underlying options and the quoted price of ourCompany’s common stock foruntil the date that increased the number of options that were in-the-moneyauthorized shares of its common stock to at year end.least a number permitting all the Series H Preferred Stock to be converted in full, which was filed on December 18, 2020, therefore this limitation was removed (as further described in Note 21).

F-70

In addition,Pursuant to the Company assumed 175,000 fully-vested optionsregistration rights agreement entered into on August 10, 2018, in connection with the Recapitalizationsecurities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock for resale by the holders. The Company committed to file the registration statement by no later than 75 days after the closing date and to cause the registration statement to become effective, in general, by no later than 120 days after the closing date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 150 days following the closing date). The registration rights agreement provides for a cash payment equal to 1.0% per month of the amount invested as partial liquidated damages, on each monthly anniversary, payable within 7 days of such event, and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6.0% of the aggregate amount invested, subject to interest at 12.0% per annum, accruing daily, until paid in full. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements entered into on August 10, 2018, included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with an exercise pricethe SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of $0.17the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per share which expire on May 15, 2019.month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

F-17

The following table summarizesrepresents the components of the Series H Preferred Stock for the year ended December 31, 2020 and as of December 31, 2019:

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

  Shares  Series H Preferred Stock Components 
Series H Preferred Stock at December 31, 2019  19,400  $18,045,496 
Issuance of Series H Preferred Stock on August 19, 2020:        
Issuance of Series H Preferred Stock  108   130,896 
Less issuance costs netted from the proceeds      (17,896)
Net proceeds received upon issuance of Series H Preferred Stock      113,000 
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock into common stock on September 21, 2020  (300)  (300,000)
Issuance of Series H Preferred Stock upon conversion of promissory note on November 13, 2020  389   389,000 
Net issuance of Series H Preferred Stock  197   202,000 
Series H Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  19,597  $18,247,496 
Beneficial conversion feature recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020 (as described below) upon issuance of Series H Preferred Stock     $502,000 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, in connection with the issuance of 108 shares (issued on August 19, 2020) and 389 shares (issued on October 31, 2020) of Series H Preferred Stock, the Company recorded a beneficial conversion feature in the amount of $113,000 and $389,000 (totaling $502,000), respectively, for the underlying common shares since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $0.33 was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $0.86 and $0.77 at the issuance date of August 19, 2020 and October 31, 2020, respectively). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

Series I Preferred Stock

On June 28, 2019, the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 23,100 shares of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series I Preferred Stock”) at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 46,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.50 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $23,100,000. Each Series I Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to certain conditions.

F-71

In consideration for its services as placement agent, the Company paid B. Riley FBR a cash fee of $1,386,000 plus $73,858 in reimbursement of legal fees and other transaction costs. The Company used approximately $18.3 million of the net proceeds from the financing to partially repay the amended and restated 12% Amended Senior Secured Note dated June 14, 2019, and to pay deferred fees of approximately $3.4 million related to that borrowing facility.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements on June 28, 2019, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series I Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files (i) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, (ii) all its required quarterly reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018 through September 30, 2019, and (iii) current Form 8-K in connection with the acquisitions of TheStreet and its license with ABG, with the SEC, but in no event later than December 1, 2019. The Company committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after December 1, 2019, subject to certain conditions and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information about stock options:requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

  2016 
    
Weighted average grant-date fair value for options granted during the year $0.88 
     
Vested options in-the-money at December 31, 2016  175,000 
     
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the year $- 

The Company recognized a portion of the Liquidated Damages pursuant to the registration rights and securities purchase agreements in connection with the Series I Preferred Stock at the time of issuance as it was deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied when the financing was completed (further details are presented in the table below).

The following table summarizesrepresents the components of the Series I Preferred Stock for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

  Shares  Series I Preferred Stock Components 
Issuance of Series I Preferred Stock on June 28, 2019  23,100  $23,100,000 
Less issuance costs:        
Cash paid to B. Riley FBR as placement fee      (1,386,000)
Legal fees and other costs      (73,858)
Total issuance costs      (1,459,858)
Less Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance      (1,940,400)
Total issuance costs and Liquidated Damages      (3,400,258)
Net issuance of Series I Preferred Stock at December 31, 2019  23,100  19,699,742 
Conversion of Series I Preferred Stock to common stock on December 18, 2020  (23,100)  (19,699,742)
Series I Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  -  $- 
Beneficial conversion feature recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020 (as described below) upon conversion of Series I Preferred Stock     $5,082,000 

All of the shares of Series I Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock on December 18, 2020, as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock (as further described in Note 21). Upon conversion the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying common shares reserved for future issuance undersince the Plan:nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $0.50 was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $0.61 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

Stock options outstanding100,137F-72
Stock options available for future grant1,570,730
1,670,867 

CommonSeries J Preferred Stock

On October 7, 2019, the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Series J Convertible Preferred Stock Warrants – Channel Partner Program

On December 19, 2016,(the “Series J Preferred Stock”) at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 28,571,428 shares of the Company’s Boardcommon stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of Directors approved$0.70 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $20,000,000.

In consideration for its services as placement agent, the Company paid B. Riley FBR a programcash fee of $525,240 plus $43,043 in reimbursement of legal fees and other transaction costs. The Company used $5.0 million of the net proceeds from the financing to partially repay the amended and restated 12% Senior Secured Note dated June 14, 2019, and to use net proceeds of approximately $14.4 million for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements on October 7, 2019, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series J Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files (i) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, (ii) all its required quarterly reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018 through September 30, 2019, and (iii) current Form 8-K in connection with the acquisition of TheStreet, and other acquisitions during 2018, and its license with ABG, with the SEC, but in no event later than March 31, 2020. The Company committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after March 31, 2020, subject to certain conditions and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

On September 4, 2020, the Company closed on securities purchase agreements with two accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 10,500 shares of Series J Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 15,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.70, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,000,000, which was used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements on September 4, 2020, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series J Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement by no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files its (a) Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, (b) all its required Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018, through the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and (c) any Form 8-K Reports that the Company is required to file with the SEC; but in no event later than April 30, 2021 (the “Filing Date”). The Company also committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 60 days after the Filing Date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 120 days following the Filing Date) and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series J Preferred Stock will be administered by managementadjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions. Each share of Series J Convertible Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to certain conditions.

The securities purchase agreements included a provision that authorizedrequires the Company to issuemaintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to 5,000,000a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

F-73

The Company recognized a portion of the Liquidated Damages pursuant to the registration rights and securities purchase agreements in connection with the Series J Preferred Stock at the time of issuance as it was deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied when the financing was completed (further details are presented in the table below).

The following table represents the components of the Series J Preferred Stock for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

  Shares  Series J Preferred Stock Components 
Issuance of Series J Preferred Stock on October 7, 2019  20,000  $20,000,000 
Less shares issued for payment of 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes  (5,000)  (5,000,000)
Net issuance of Series J Preferred Stock  15,000  $15,000,000 
Issuance of Series J Preferred Stock  20,000  $20,000,000 
Less issuance costs:        
Cash paid to B. Riley FBR as placement fee      (525,240)
Legal fees and other costs      (54,764)
Total issuance costs      (580,004)
Less Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance      (1,680,000)
Total issuance costs and Liquidated Damages      (2,260,004)
Net issuance of Series J Preferred Stock at December 31, 2019     17,739,996 
Issuance of Series J Preferred Stock on September 4, 2020  10,500   6,000,000 
Net Issuance of Series J Preferred Stock prior to conversion on December 18, 2020  30,500   23,739,996 
Conversion of Series J Preferred Stock to common stock on December 18, 2020 (as further described below)  (30,500)  (23,739,996)
Series I Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  -  $- 
Beneficial conversion feature recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020 (as described below) upon conversion of Series J Preferred Stock     $586,545 

All of the shares of Series J Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock warrants to provide equity incentive to its Channel Partners to motivate and reward them for their services toon December 18, 2020, as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock (as further described in Note 21). Upon conversion the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying common shares since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the effective conversion price of $0.40 for the issuance of Series J Preferred Stock on September 4, 2020 (these shares were issued at a discount) was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $0.61 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

Series K Preferred Stock

Between October 23, 2020 and November 11, 2020, the Company closed on several securities purchase agreements with accredited investors, pursuant to align the interests of the Channel Partners with those of stockholders of the Company.

  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
  Average
Intrinsic
Value
 
             
Outstanding at July 22, 2016 (Inception)  -   -   -     
Granted  350,000   1.05   4.98     
Exercised  -   -         
Forfeited  -   -         
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016  350,000   1.05   4.98   - 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2016  239,000   1.05   4.98   - 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2016  -   -   -   - 

In December 2016,which the Company issued 350,000an aggregate of 18,042 shares of Series K Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series K Preferred Stock”) at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 45,105,000 shares of the Company’s common stock warrantsat a conversion rate equal to sixthe stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.40 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $18,042,000. The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Channel Partners.Series K Preferred Stock will be adjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions. Each Series K Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to certain conditions.

In consideration for its services as placement agent, the Company paid B. Riley FBR a cash fee of $560,500. The warrants haveCompany used approximately $3.4 million of the net proceeds from the financing to partially repay the Term Note and used approximately $2.6 million for payment on a performance conditionprior investment, with the remainder of approximately $11.5 million for working capital and vest over three yearsgeneral corporate purposes.

F-74

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series K Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement by no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files its (a) Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and expireDecember 31, 2019, (b) all its required Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018, through the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and (c) any Form 8-K Reports that the Company is required to file with the SEC; provided, however, if such 30th calendar day is on or after February 12, 2021, then such 30th calendar date shall be tolled until the 30th calendar day following the date that the Company files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Filing Date”). The Company also committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after the Filing Date (or, in five years from issuance.the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 120 days following the Filing Date) and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The exercise prices range from $0.95registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company to $1.09maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a weighted averagecash payment equal to 1.0% of $1.05.the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The performance conditionssecurities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are generally basedprovided in Note 15).

The following table represents the components of the Series K Preferred Stock for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

  Shares  Series K Preferred Stock Components 
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock:        
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock on October 23, 2020  6,750  $6,750,000 
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock on October 28, 2020  5,292   5,292,000 
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock on November 11, 2020  6,000   6,000,000 
Subtotal issuance of Series K Preferred Stock  18,042   18,042,000 
Less issuance costs:        
Cash paid to B. Riley FBR as placement fee      (440,500)
Legal fees and other costs      (120,000)
Total issuance costs      (560,500)
Net issuance of Series K Preferred Stock prior to conversion on December 18, 2020     17,481,500 
Conversion of Series K Preferred Stock to common stock on December 18, 2020  (18,042)  (17,481,500)
Series K Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  -  $- 
Beneficial conversion feature recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020 (as described below) upon conversion of Series k Preferred Stock     $9,472,050 
         

All of the shares of Series K Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock on December 18, 2020, as a result of the averageincrease in the number of unique visitors onauthorized shares of the Channel operated byCompany’s common stock (as further described in Note 21). Upon conversion the Channel Partner generated duringCompany recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the period from July 1, 2017underlying common shares since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $0.40 was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $0.61 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to December 31, 2017 or the revenue generated during the period from issuance date through June 30, 2019.additional paid-in capital.

F-75

21.Stockholders’ Equity grants with performance conditions that do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance may be measures at fair value that is not fixed until performance is complete. The Company recognizes expense for equity based payments to non-employees as the services are received.

Common Stock

The Company has specific objective criteria, suchthe authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share as the dateresult of launchfiling on December 18, 2020, a Certificate of a Channel onAmendment with the Company’s platform, for determinationSecretary of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.

F-18

The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation modelState of Delaware to determineincrease the number of shares expected to be earned by Channel Partners based on performance obligations to be satisfied over a defined period which will commence at the launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform. As of December 31, 2016, the Monte Carlo simulation determined that an estimated 239,000 shares will be earned. The estimate will be reevaluated each quarter end until the final outcome of the performance condition is satisfied on December 31, 2017. The Company did not record compensation related to Channel Partner warrants in 2016.

In accordance with the Investment Banking Advisory Agreement more fully described in Note 11, Integrated issued warrants to MDB Capital Group, LLC to purchase 1,169,607authorized shares of Parentits common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.20 per share and expire on November 4, 2021. The aggregate intrinsic value of the warrants at December 31, 2016 is $994,000.stock from 100,000,000 shares to 1,000,000,000 shares.

Common Stock to be Issued

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, in connection with the merger of Say Media, the Company issued 2,857,357 shares and 1,188,880 shares, respectively, of its common stock out of total shares required to be issued of 5,067,167 as of January 1, 2019, and has remaining shares to be issued of 1,020,930 as of December 31, 2020.

In connection with a closing of a private placement on January 4, 2018, MDB, as the placement agent, was entitled to receive 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that have not been issued as of December 31, 2020. Further, the 60,000 shares of common stock to be issued were subject to Liquidated Damages (see Note 15).

Restricted Stock Awards

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, a net of 12,312,417 restricted stock awards for shares of the Company’s common stock issued during 2016 remain outstanding and are fully vested. The awards contained a buy-back right that was waived by the Board on March 12, 2018, which resulted in a modification of the restricted stock awards upon the waiver. The shares vest over a three-year period starting on the beginning of the month of the issuance date, with one-third vesting in one year, and the balance monthly over the remaining two years. Because these shares require continued service to the Company, the estimated fair value of the shares is being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

In connection with the merger of HubPages, the Company issued a total of 2,399,997 shares of common stock to certain key personnel of HubPages who agreed to compensate its four non-management directors by issuingcontinue their employment, as restricted stock awards, subject to a repurchase right and vesting. The repurchase right, which expired in March 2019 unexercised, gave the Company the option to repurchase a certain number of shares at par value based on a performance condition as defined in the terms of the merger agreement. The shares were subject to vesting over twenty-four equal monthly installments beginning September 23, 2019, and ending September 23, 2021, with the estimated fair value of these shares was recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award. The restricted stock awards provided for a true-up period that if the common stock was sold for less than $2.50 the holder would receive, subject to certain conditions, additional shares of common stock up to a maximum of the number of shares originally received (or 2,400,000in additionaggregate to cashall holders) for services renderedthe shares that re-sold for less than $2.50. The true-up provision was settled on May 31, 2019 (as further described in 2016. TwoNote 22). The true-up period, in general, was 13 months after the consummation of these directors are affiliatedthe merger until 90 days following completion of vesting, or July 30, 2021. The restricted stock awards were fair valued upon issuance by an independent appraisal firm.

On January 1, 2019, the Company issued 833,333 shares of its common stock as restricted stock awards to certain members of the Board subject to continued service with the advisory service s firm that provided investment banking services to the Company. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the grant date and the estimated fair value of these shares is being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award (see Note 22).

On December 11, 2019, the Company modified the vesting provisions of 2,000,000 restricted stock awards, issued in connection with the Say Media merger, to remove certain repurchase rights, such that they will vest six equal installments at four-month intervals on the twelfth of each month, starting on December 12, 2019, with the final vesting date on August 12, 2021. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the awards.

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On January 1, 2020, the Company issued 562,500 shares of its common stock as restricted stock awards to certain members of the Board subject to continued service with the Company. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the grant date and the estimated fair value of these shares is being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award (see Note 22).

Unless otherwise stated, the fair value of a restricted stock award is determined based on the number of shares issued to each director was determined based upongranted and the equivalent cash compensation accrued divided by the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date issued.

A summary of the compensationrestricted stock award activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is fully earned each quarter, which is the last dayas follows:

Summary of such quarter. Restricted Stock Award Activity

  Number of Shares  Weighted Average Grant-Fair 
  Unvested  Vested  Value Date 
Restricted stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2019  6,309,874   10,484,046  $0.50 
Issued  833,333   -   0.48 
Vested  (3,926,542)  3,926,542     
   -   -     
Forfeited  (825,000)  (402,512)    
Restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2019  2,391,665   14,008,076   0.56 
Issued  562,500   -   0.18 
Vested  (2,237,500)  2,237,500     
Restricted stock awards subject to repurchase  -   (1,064,549)    
Forfeited  (399,998)  (746,813)    
Restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2020  316,667   14,434,214   0.42 

The Company recorded forfeited unvested restricted stock awards and/or forfeited vested restricted stock awards used for tax withholding of 1,146,811 (399,998 forfeited awards and 746,813 used for tax withholding) and 1,227,512 (825,000 forfeited awards and 402,512 used for tax withholding) during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

On December 31, 2020, the Company modified certain vested restricted stock awards where the Company agreed to repurchase the underlying common stock at a specified price and forfeited any unvested awards (as further described in Note 12)

Information with respect to stock-based compensation expense and unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation in Note 22.

Common Stock Warrants

Warrants issued to purchase shares of $6,250the Company’s common stock to MDB, L2, Strome, and B. Riley (collectively the “Financing Warrants”) are described below.

MDB Warrants – On November 4, 2016, in conjunction with the recapitalization, the Company issued warrants to MDB (the “MDB Warrants”) to purchase shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.20 per share, of which 327,490 warrants remain outstanding under this instrument as of December 31, 2020, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and exercisable for a period of five years.

On October 19, 2017, the Company issued warrants to MDB who acted as placement agent in connection with a private placement of its common stock, to purchase 119,565 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.15 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and exercisable for a period of five years.

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On January 4, 2018, the Company issued warrants to MDB which acted as placement agent in connection with a private placement of its common stock, to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.50 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event there is no effective registration statement covering the re-sale of the warrant shares, be exercised on a cashless basis, exercisable for a period of five years.

MDB Warrants exercisable for a total of 507,055 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2020 (as further detailed below).

L2 Warrants – Effective as of August 3, 2018, pursuant to a reset provision, the Company issued additional warrants to L2 Capital, LLC (“L2”) to purchase 640,405 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per share (the “L2 Warrants”), which were carried on the consolidated balance sheets as a derivative liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end since, among other criteria, delivery of unregistered shares is precluded upon exercise (see Note 16).

The L2 Warrants were exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event there was no effective registration statement covering the resale of the warrant shares, be exercised on a cashless basis in certain circumstances. On September 10, 2019, the L2 Warrants were fully exercised on a cashless basis, resulting in the issuance of 539,331 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Strome Warrants – On June 15, 2018, the Company modified the two securities purchase agreements dated January 4, 2018 and March 30, 2018 with Strome Mezzanine Fund LP (“Strome”). As consideration for such modification, the Company issued warrants to Strome (the “Strome Warrants”) to purchase 1,500,000 shares of common stock, exercisable at price of $0.50 per share (as amended), which are carried on the consolidated balance sheets as a derivative liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end since, among other criteria, delivery of unregistered shares is precluded upon exercise (see Note 16). Strome was also granted observer rights on the Board.

The Strome Warrants are exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event there is no effective registration statement covering the resale of the warrant shares, be exercised on a cashless basis in certain circumstances.

B. Riley Warrants – On October 18, 2018, the Company issued warrants to B. Riley (the “B. Riley Warrants”) to purchase up to 875,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $1.00 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, which are carried on the consolidated balance sheets as a derivative liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end since, among other criteria, delivery of unregistered shares is precluded upon exercise (see Note 16).

The B. Riley Warrants are exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event, at any time after the six-month anniversary of the issuance of the warrants, if there is no effective registration statement covering the re-sale of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants, the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis.

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A summary of the Financing Warrants activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Summary of Warrant Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Financing Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2019  3,949,018  $0.64   4.81 
Exercised  (1,066,963)  -      
Financing Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2019  2,882,055   0.80   3.95 
Financing Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2020  2,882,055   0.60   2.94 
Financing Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2020  2,882,055   0.60   2.94 

During 2019, the exercise of the 1,066,963 warrants in September 2019 on a cashless basis resulted in the issuance of 539,331 net shares of common stock when the common stock price was $0.80 per share.

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money Financing Warrants as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $280,996, based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $0.60 per share on December 31, 2020.

The Financing Warrants outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows:

Schedule of Common Stock Financing Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable

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

AllHipHop Warrants – On October 26, 2020, the Company exchanged 150,000 of Publisher Partner Warrants (as further described under the heading Publisher Partner Warrants) granted to AllHipHop, LLC (“AllHipHop”) for shares of the Company’s common stock that were originally granted on December 20, 2017 with an exercise price of $2.08, for an aggregate of 125,000 new warrants for shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.65 (the “AllHipHop Warrants”) for the surrender and termination of the original warrants granted (the “Exchange”) (further details are provided in Note 22).

The AllHipHop Warrants are exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may be exercised on a cashless basis.

Publisher Partner Warrants – On December 19, 2016, the Board approved up to 5,000,000 stock warrants to issue shares of the Company’s common stock to provide equity incentive to its Publisher Partners (the “Publisher Partner Warrants”) to motivate and reward them for their services to the Company and to align the interests of the Publisher Partners with those of stockholders of the Company. On August 23, 2018, the Board approved a reduction of the number of warrant reserve shares from 5,000,000 to 2,000,000. The issuance of the Publisher Partner Warrants is administered by management and approved by the Board.

Information with respect to stock-based compensation expense and unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the Publisher Partner Warrants is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation in Note 22.

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ABG Warrants – On June 14, 2019, the Company issued 21,989,844 warrants to acquire the Company’s common stock to ABG in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, expiring in ten years. Half the warrants have an exercise price of $0.42 per share (the “Forty-Two Cents Warrants”). The other half of the warrants have an exercise price of $0.84 per share (the “Eighty-Four Cents Warrants”). The warrants provide for the following: (1) 40% of the Forty-Two Cents Warrants and 40% of the Eighty-Four Cents Warrants vest in equal monthly increments over a period of two years beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of issuance of the warrants (any unvested portion of such warrants to be forfeited by ABG upon certain terminations by the Company of the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement); (2) 60% of the Forty-Two Cents Warrants and 60% of the Eighty-Four Cents Warrants vest based on the achievement of certain performance goals for the licensed brands in calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023; (3) under certain circumstances the Company may require ABG to exercise all (and not less than all) of the warrants, in which case all of the warrants will be vested; (4) all of the warrants automatically vest upon certain terminations of the Licensing Agreement by ABG or upon a change of control of the Company; and (5) ABG has the right to participate, on a pro-rata basis (including vested and unvested warrants, exercised or unexercised), in any future equity issuance of the Company (subject to customary exceptions).

Information with respect to stock-based compensation expense and unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the ABG Warrants is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation in Note 22.

22. Stock-Based Compensation

Common Stock Awards

2016 Plan – On December 19, 2016, the Board adopted the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). The purpose of the 2016 Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals through opportunities for equity participation in the Company, and to reward those individuals who contribute to the Company’s achievement of its economic objectives. The 2016 Plan allows the Company to grant statutory and non-statutory common stock options, and restricted stock awards (collectively the “common stock awards”) to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company’s employees, directors and consultants. Shares subject to an award that lapse, expire, are forfeited or for any reason are terminated unexercised or unvested will automatically again become available for issuance under the 2016 Plan. Stock awards issued under the 2016 Plan may have a term of up to ten years and may have variable vesting provisions consisting of time-based and performance-based.

On March 28, 2018, the Board approved an increase in the number of shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for grant pursuant to the 2016 Plan from 3,000,000 shares to 5,000,000 shares. On August 23, 2018, the Board increased the authorized number of shares of common stock under the 2016 Plan from 5,000,000 shares to 10,000,000 shares. The Company’s stockholders approved the increase in the number of shares authorized under the 2016 Plan on April 3, 2020. The issuance of common stock awards under the 2016 Plan is administered by the Company and approved by the Board.

The estimated fair value of the common stock awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

The fair value of common stock awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2020 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model under the Probability Weighted Scenarios utilizing the following assumptions:

Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions

  Up-list  No Up-list 
Risk-free interest rate  0.45%  0.45%
Expected dividend yield  0.00%  0.00%
Expected volatility  71.00%  132.00%
Expected life  6.0 years   6.0 years 

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A summary of the common stock award activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Summary of Stock Option Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Common stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2019  9,405,541  $0.61   9.30 
Exercised  (25,000)  0.17     
   -   -     
Forfeited  (1,197,776)  0.73     
Expired  (118,204)  1.09     
Common stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2019  8,064,561   0.62   8.34 
Granted  234,000   0.90     
Exercised  (6,944)  0.56     
Forfeited  (601,179)  1.09     
Expired  (788,101)  0.53     
Common stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2020  6,902,337   0.86   7.50 
Common stock awards exercisable at December 31, 2020  6,027,418   0.90   7.47 
Common stock awards not vested at December 31, 2020  874,919         
Common stock awards available for future grants at December 31, 2020  3,097,663         

The aggregate grant date fair value of common stock awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2020 was $117,000.

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money common stock awards as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $185,413 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $0.60 per share on December 31, 2020.

The exercise prices under the 2016 Plan for the common stock awards outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise  Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price  (Shares)  (Shares) 
 Under $1.00   4,825,750   3,982,816 
$1.01 to $1.25   780,751   779,843 
$1.51 to $1.75   250,000   229,479 
$1.76 to $2.00   924,169   913,613 
$2.01 to $2.25   121,667   121,667 
     6,902,337   6,027,418 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation expense and unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the common stock awards is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

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Common Equity Awards

2019 Plan – On April 4, 2019, the Board adopted the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The purpose of the 2019 Plan is to retain the services of our directors, employees, and consultants and align the interests of these individuals with the interests of our stockholders through awards of stock options, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights (collectively the “common equity awards”). Certain common equity awards require the achievement of certain price targets of the Company’s common stock. Shares subject to a common equity award that lapse, expire, are forfeited or for any reason are terminated unexercised or unvested will automatically again become available for issuance under the 2019 Plan. Common stock options issued under the 2019 Plan may have a term of up to ten years and may have variable vesting provisions consisting of time-based, performance-based, or market-based.

The Company’s stockholders approved the 2019 Plan and the maximum number of shares authorized of 85,000,000 under the 2019 Plan on April 3, 2020 (further details subsequent to the Recapitalization, whichissuance date of these consolidated financial statements are provided under the heading 2019 Equity Incentive Plan in Note 27). The issuance of common equity awards under the 2019 Plan is recorded asadministered by the Company and approved by the Board. Prior to December 18, 2020, the Company did not have sufficient authorized but unissued shares of common stock to be issued.allow for the exercise of these common equity awards granted; accordingly, any common equity awards granted were considered unfunded and were not exercisable until sufficient common shares were authorized (further details are provided in Note 21).

Stock-based CompensationThe estimated fair value of the common equity awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

The impactfair value of common equity awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the time-based and performance-based awards by an independent appraisal firm under the Probability Weighted Scenarios utilizing the following assumptions:

Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions

  December 31, 2020  December 31, 2019 
  Up-list  No Up-list  Up-list  No Up-list 
Expected life  0.20% - 0.79%  0.20% - 0.79%  1.51% - 2.59%  1.51% - 2.59
Risk-free interest rate  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%
Volatility factor  61.00% - 91.00%  61.00% - 142.00%  69.00% - 95.00%  119.00% - 149.00%
Dividend rate  3.06.7 years   3.06.7 years   3.06.0 years   3.06.0 years 

The fair value of common equity awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 were calculated using the Monte Carlo model for the market-based awards by an independent appraisal firm under the Probability Weighted Scenarios utilizing the following assumptions:

  Up-list  No Up-list 
Expected life  2.20% - 2.70%  2.16% - 2.71%
Risk-free interest rate  0.00%  0.00%
Volatility factor  140.00% - 146.00%  110.00%
Dividend rate  10.0 years   10.0 years 

F-82

A summary of the common equity award activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Summary of Stock Option Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Common equity awards outstanding at January 1, 2019  -  $-   - 
Granted  68,180,863   0.53     
   -   -     
Forfeited  (3,167,218)  0.53     
Common equity awards outstanding at December 31, 2019  65,013,645   0.53   9.43 
Granted  25,393,768   0.71     
Forfeited  (8,342,377)  0.61     
Expired  (2,722)  0.56     
Common equity awards vested at December 31, 2020  82,062,314   0.58   8.65 
Common equity awards exercisable at December 31, 2020  13,608,686   0.54   8.49 
Common equity awards not vested at December 31, 2020  68,453,628         
Common equity awards available for future grants at December 31, 2020  2,937,686         

The aggregate grant date fair value for the common equity awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $11,180,642 and $30,864,185, respectively.

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money common equity awards as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $1,416,000 based on our resultsa fair market value of operationsthe Company’s common stock of recording$0.60 per share on December 31, 2020.

The exercise prices under the 2019 Plan for the common equity awards outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price (Shares)  (Shares) 
No exercise price  250,000   250,000 
Under $1.00  81,812,314   13,358,686 
   82,062,314   13,608,686 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation expense and unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the common equity awards is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

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Outside Options

The Company granted stock options outside the 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan during the year ended December 31, 2020 to certain officers, directors and employees of the Company as approved by the Board and administered by the Company (the “outside options”). The stock options were to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock and were subject to: (1) time-based vesting; (2) certain performance-based targets; and (3) certain performance achievements. Options to purchase common stock issued pursuant to the Outside Plan may have a term of up to ten years. The issuance of outside options is administered by the Company and approved by the Board. Prior to December 18, 2020, the Company did not have sufficient authorized but unissued shares of common stock to allow for the exercise of these outside options granted; accordingly, any common stock options granted were considered unfunded and were not exercisable until sufficient common shares were authorized (further details are provided in Note 21).

The fair value for the outside options granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the time-based and performance-based awards by an independent appraisal firm under the Probability Weighted Scenarios utilizing the following assumptions:

Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions

  Up-list  No Up-list 
Risk-free interest rate  2.49% –2.57%  2.49% – 2.57%
Expected dividend yield  0.00%  0.00%
Expected volatility  74.00% – 95.00%  122.00% – 142.00%
Expected life  3.05.8 years   3.05.8 years 

A summary of outside option activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Summary of Stock Option Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Outside options outstanding at January 1, 2019  2,414,000  $0.36   9.94 
Granted  1,500,000   0.57     
Exercised  (2,000)  0.35     
Forfeited  (180,000)  0.35     
Expired  (7,333)  0.35     
Outside options outstanding at December 31, 2019  3,724,667   0.21   9.04 
Forfeited  (195,333)  0.46     
Expired  (477,334)  0.39     
Outside options outstanding at December 31, 2020  3,052,000   0.46   8.07 
Outside options exercisable at December 31, 2020  2,376,333   0.43   6.20 
Outside options not vested at December 31, 2020  675,667         

The aggregate grant date fair value of outside options granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $675,000.

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money outside options as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $401,583 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $0.60 per share on December 31, 2020.

F-84

The exercise prices of outside options outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price (Shares)  (Shares) 
 Under $1.00  3,052,000   2,376,333 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation expense and unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the outside options is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

Publisher Partner Warrants

On December 19, 2016, as amended on August 23, 2017, and August 23, 2018, the Board approved the Channel Partner Warrant Program to be administered by management that authorized the Company to grant Publisher Partner Warrants. As of December 31, 2020, Publisher Partner Warrants to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for grant.

The Publisher Partner Warrants had certain performance conditions. Pursuant to the terms of the Publisher Partner Warrants, the Company would notify the respective Publisher Partner of the number of shares earned, with one-third of the earned shares vesting on the notice date, one-third of the earned shares vesting on the first anniversary of the notice date, and the remaining one-third of the earned shares vesting on the second anniversary of the notice date. The Publisher Partner Warrants had a term of five years from issuance and could also be exercised on a cashless basis. Performance conditions are generally based on the average of number of unique visitors on the channel operation by the Publisher Partner generated during the six-month period from the launch of the Publisher Partner’s operations on the Company’s technology platform or the revenue generated during the period from the issuance date through a specified end date.

A summary of the Publisher Partner Warrants activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Summary of Warrant Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2019  1,017,140  $1.47   3.26 
Forfeited  (77,599)  1.62     
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2019  939,541   1.46   2.57 
Forfeited  (150,000)        
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2020  789,541   1.34   1.50 
Publisher Partner Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2020  463,041   1.31   1.52 
Publisher Partner Warrants not vested at December 31, 2020  326,500         
Publisher Partner Warrants available for future grants at December 31, 2020  1,210,459         

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized incremental compensation costs as a result of the Exchange of $27,754 (see Note 21).

There was 0 intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money Publisher Partner Warrants since the fair market value of $0.60 per share of the Company’s common stock was lower than the exercise prices on December 31, 2020.

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The exercise prices of the Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2020.

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise  Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price  (Shares)  (Shares) 
 Under $1.00   40,000   40,000 
$1.01 to $1.25   465,419   275,419 
$1.26 to $1.50   68,277   68,277 
$1.51 to $1.75   110,318   27,818 
$1.76 to $2.00   104,449   50,449 
$2.01 to $2.25   1,078   1,078 
     789,541   463,041 

Information with respect to compensation expense and unrecognized compensation expense related to the Publisher Partner Warrants is provided below.

Restricted Stock Units

On May 31, 2019, the Company issued 2,399,997 restricted stock units to certain employees in settlement of the true-up provisions of the restricted stock awards issued at the time of the HubPages merger. Each restricted stock unit represented the right to receive a number of the shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a grant agreement, subject to certain terms and conditions, and was to be credited to a separate account maintained by the Company in certain circumstances. All amounts credited to the separate account will be part of the general assets of the Company. The restricted stock units were to vest in accordance with the grant agreement in six equal installments at four-month intervals on the first of each month, starting on June 1, 2019, with the final vesting date on February 1, 2021. In addition to the vesting schedule as aforementioned, the restricted stock units would not vest until the Company increased its authorized shares of the Company’s common stock. Each restricted stock unit granted and credited to the separate account for the employee will be issued by the Company upon the authorized shares of the Company’s common stock increased (further details are provided in Note 21). Further, unless otherwise specified in an employee’s grant agreement, vesting will cease upon the termination of the employees continuous service.

The fair value of a restricted stock award is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date issued during the year ended December 31, 2019.

A summary of the restricted stock unit activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity

  Number of Shares  Weighted Average Grant-Date 
  Unvested  Vested  Fair Value 
Restricted stock units outstanding at January 1, 2019  -   -  $- 
Granted  2,399,997   -   0.45 
Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2019  2,399,997   -   0.45 
Forfeited  (2,399,997)  -     
Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2020  -   -   - 

As aforementioned (see Note 12), the restricted stock units were forfeited on December 31, 2020.

Information with respect to stock-based compensation expense and unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the restricted stock units is included within the Restricted Stock Awards caption under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

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ABG Warrants

In connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement and issuance of the ABG Warrants to purchase up to 21,989,844 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company recorded the issuance of the warrants as stock-based compensation with the fair value of the warrants measured at the time of issuance and expensed over the requisite service period.

The fair value of the ABG Warrants issued during the year ended December 31, 2019 were calculated using the Monte Carlo model by an independent appraisal firm under the Probability Weighted Scenarios utilizing the following assumptions:

Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions

  Up-list  No Up-list 
Risk-free interest rate  2.00% – 2.10%  2.00% – 2.10%
Expected dividend yield  0.00%  0.00%
Expected volatility  51.00% – 52.00%  121.00% – 123.00%
Expected life  6.07.3 years   6.27.3 years 

A summary of the ABG Warrant activity during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Schedule of Warrants Activity

  Number of Shares  

Weighted Average

Exercise

  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life 
  Unvested  Vested  Price  (in years) 
ABG Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2019  -   -  $-     
Issued  21,989,844   -   0.63     
ABG Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2019  21,989,844   -   0.63   9.46 
Vested  (2,198,985)  2,198,985   0.63     
ABG Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2020  19,790,859   2,198,985   0.63   8.46 

The aggregate issue date fair value of the ABG Warrants issued during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $5,458,979.

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money ABG Warrants as of December 31, 2020 was approximately $197,909 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $0.60 per share on December 31, 2020.

Information with respect to compensation expense and unrecognized compensation expense related to the ABG Warrants is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

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Stock-Based Compensation

Stock–based compensation and equity-based expense charged to operations or capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized as follows:

Summary of Stock-based Compensation

  Year Ended December 31, 2020 
  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
Cost of revenue $163,181  $156,043  $3,975,625  $8,394  $36,673  $-  $4,339,916 
Selling and marketing  1,486,722   114,640   2,454,432   272,431   -   -   4,328,225 
General and administrative  317,982   615,604   3,439,803   150,577   -   1,449,074   5,973,040 
Total costs charged to operations  1,967,885   886,287   9,869,860   431,402   36,673   1,449,074   14,641,181 
Capitalized platform development  361,519   178,284   1,062,792   6,400   -   -   1,608,995 
Total stock-based compensation $2,329,404   1,064,571  $10,932,652  $437,802  $36,673  $1,449,074  $16,250,176 

  Year Ended December 31, 2019 
  Restricted  Common  Common     Publisher       
  Stock  Stock  Equity  Outside  Partner  ABG    
  Awards  Awards  Awards  Options  Warrants  Warrants  Totals 
Cost of revenue $122,192  $44,520  $774,632  $1,580  $50,828  $-  $993,752 
Selling and marketing  34,393   100,388   455,280   242,399   -   -   832,460 
General and administrative  2,541,468   1,660,607   3,383,338   157,359   -   795,803   8,538,575 
Total costs charged to operations  2,698,053   1,805,515   4,613,250   401,338   50,828   795,803   10,364,787 
Capitalized platform development  535,004   175,837   590,618   5,931   -   -   1,307,390 
Total stock-based compensation $3,233,057   1,981,352  $5,203,868  $407,269  $50,828  $795,803  $11,672,177 

Unrecognized compensation expense related to the stock-based compensation awards and equity-based awards as of December 31, 2020 was as follows:

Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Expense

  Restricted
Stock at
Inception
  Stock
Options
  Channel
Partner
Warrants
  Common
Stock to
be Issued
  Total 
Research and development  67,842   -   -   -   67,842 
General and administrative  1,026,135   5,542   -   6,250   1,037,927 
   1,093,977   5,542   -   6,250   1,105,769 
  As of December 31, 2020 
  Restricted Stock Awards  Common Stock Awards  Common Equity Awards  Outside Options  Publisher Partner Warrants  ABG Warrants  Totals 
Unrecognized compensation expense $81,620  $371,932  $19,874,675  $283,388  $-  $3,214,102  $23,825,717 
Weighted average period expected to be recognized (in years)  0.95   0.67   1.87   1.18   -   2.38   1.91 

 

In addition, during 2016 stock-based compensation totaling $139,375 during the application and development stage was capitalized for website development.

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23.Restricted
Stock
Capitalized website development costs139,375Liquidated Damages

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The following tables summarize the Liquidated Damages recognized during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, with respect to the registration rights agreements and securities purchase agreements:

Schedule of Recognized Liquidated Damages

  Year Ended December 31, 2020 
  12% Convertible Debentures  Series I Preferred Stock  Series J Preferred Stock  Total Liquidated Damages 
Registration Rights Damages $-  $277,200  $360,000  $637,200 
Public Information Failure Damages  12,300   346,500   360,000   718,800 
Accrued interest  1,578   69,992   60,007   131,577 
Balance $13,878  $693,692  $780,007  $1,487,577 

  Year Ended December 31, 2019 
  12% Convertible Debentures  Series I Preferred Stock  Series J Preferred Stock  Total Liquidated Damages 
Registration Rights Damages $-  $138,600  $-  $138,600 
Public Information Failure Damages  102,246   69,300   -   171,546 
Accrued interest  16,162   262,193   140,015   418,370 
Balance $118,408  $470,093  $140,015  $728,516 

 

24.Income Taxes

10.  Income Taxes

The Company accountscomponents of the (provision) benefit for income taxes under FASB ASC 740 “Accountingconsist of the following:

Schedule of Income Taxes

         
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Current tax benefit:        
Federal $-  $- 
State and local  -   - 
Total current tax benefit  -   - 
Deferred tax (provision) benefit:        
Federal  20,677,960   9,802,070 
State and local  

5,279,879

   3,053,709 
Change in valuation allowance  (26,168,671)  6,685,348 
Total deferred tax (provision) benefit  (210,832)  19,541,127 
Total income tax (provision) benefit $(210,832) $19,541,127 

The CARES Act, was enacted March 27, 2020. Among the business provisions, the CARES Act provided for Income Taxes.”  Deferredvarious payroll tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences andincentives, changes to net operating loss carryback and tax credit carryforwards,carryforward rules, business interest expense limitation increases, and deferred tax liabilities are recognizedbonus depreciation on qualified improvement property. Additionally, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was signed on December 27, 2020 which provided additional COVID-19 relief provisions for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences arebusinesses. The Company has evaluated the differences betweenimpact of both the reported amountsActs and has determined that any impact is not material to its financial statements.

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The components of assets and liabilities in the Company’s financial statements and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effectswere as follows:

Schedule of changes in tax lawsComponents of Deferred Tax Assets and rates on the date of enactment.Liabilities

         
  As of December 31, 
  2020  2019 
Deferred tax assets:        
Net operating loss carryforwards $35,535,941  $20,998,172 
Tax credit carryforwards  263,873   263,873 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  458,506   450,116 
Accrued expenses and other  

677,909

   64,494 
Liquidated damages  1,549,313   1,078,235 

Unearned revenue

  2,356,111   - 
Stock-based compensation  2,158,080   1,055,083 
Operating lease liability  691,228   223,596 
Depreciation and amortization  4,341,983   3,921,952 
Deferred tax assets  

48,032,944

   28,055,521 
Valuation allowance  (29,653,417)  (3,484,746)
Total deferred tax assets  18,379,527   24,570,775 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
Prepaid expenses  (144,704)  (148,051)

Unearned revenue

  -  (67,295)
Acquisition-related intangibles  (18,445,655)  (24,355,429)
Total deferred tax liabilities  (18,590,359)  (24,570,775)
Net deferred tax liabilities $(210,832) $- 

The Parent’s net operating loss carryforwards (NOL) and credit carryforwards are subject to limitations on the use of the NOLs by the Company in consolidated tax returns after the Reverse Recapitalization. Where there is a “change in ownership” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Parent’s net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation. The Company believes that such an ownership change occurred because the shareholders of the Subsidiary acquired 56.7 percent of the Parent’s stock. Because the Parent’s value at the date of recapitalization was attributable solely to non-business assets, the utilization of the carryforwards is limited such that the majority of the carryforwards will never be available. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded those NOL carryforwards and credit carryforwards in its deferred tax assets.

The Parent is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012. The Company currently is not under examination by any tax authority.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had deferred tax assets primarily consisting of its current year net operating losses and accrued liabilities not currently deductible. However, because of the current loss since Inception, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance such that its net deferred tax asset is zero.

Deferred tax assets consist of the following components:

  2016 
Deferred tax assets:    
Accrued liabilities not currently deductible $64,210 
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards  506,259 
Gross deferred tax assets  570,469 
Valuation allowance  (417,581)
Gross deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance  152,888 
     
Deferred tax liabilities    
Stock-based compensation  16,625 
Website development costs and fixed assets  136,263 
     
Net deferred tax asset $- 

The Company must make judgmentsjudgements as to whether the realization of deferred tax assets will be recovered fromthat are dependent upon a variety of factors, including the generation of future taxable income.income, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies. To the extent that the Company believes that recovery is not likely, it must establish a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance has been established for deferred tax assets which the Company does not believe meet the “more likely than not” criteria. The Company’s judgments regarding future taxable income may change due to changes in market conditions, changes in tax laws, tax planning strategies or other factors. If the Company’s assumptions and consequently its estimates change in the future, the valuation allowances it has established may be increased or decreased, resulting in a respective increase or decrease in income tax expense.

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At Based upon the Company’s historical operating losses and the uncertainty of future taxable income, the Company has provided a valuation allowance primarily against its deferred tax assets up to the deferred tax liabilities, except for deferred tax liabilities on indefinite lived intangible assets, as of December 31, 2016,2020 and 2019.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had federal, state, and local net operating loss carryforwards available of approximately $1.5$131.17 million, $100.61 million, and $31.15 million, respectively, to offset future taxable income. Net operating losses forU.S. federal tax purposes of $60.67 million do not expire (limited to 80% of taxable income in a given year) and $70.50 million will expire, if not utilized, through 2037 in various amounts. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had federal, state, and local net operating loss carryforwards available of approximately $75.00 million, $59.66 million, and $22.66 million, respectively, to offset future taxable income.

Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes restrictions on the use of a corporation’s net operating losses, as well as certain recognized built-in losses and other carryforwards, after an ownership change occurs. A section 382 ownership change occurs if one or more stockholders or groups of stockholders who own at least 5% of the Company’s common stock increase their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. Future issuances or sales of the Company’s common stock (including certain transactions involving the Company’s common stock that are outside of the Company’s control) could also result in an ownership change under section 382. If an ownership change occurs, Section 382 would impose an annual limit on the amount of pre-change net operating losses and other losses the Company can use to reduce its taxable income generally equal to the product of the total value of the Company’s outstanding equity immediately prior to the ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) and the long-term tax exempt interest rate for the month of the ownership change.

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The Company believes that it did have a change in control under these sections in connection with its recapitalization on November 4, 2016 and utilization of the carryforwards would be limited such that the majority of the carryforwards will never be available. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded those net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards in its deferred tax assets. The Company completed a preliminary section 382 analysis as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 and concluded it may have experienced an ownership change as a result of certain equity offerings during the rolling three-year period of 2018 to 2020. The Company concluded that its federal net operating loss carryforwards, including any net operating loss carryforwards as a result of the mergers during 2018 and 2019, resulted in annual limitations on the overall net operating loss carryforward and that the ownership change during 2018, 2019 and 2020 would impose an annual limit on the net operating loss carryforwards and could cause federal income tax purposes.taxes (similar provisions apply for state and local income taxes) to be paid earlier than otherwise would be paid if such limitations were not in effect. The NOL carryforward may be used to reduce taxable income, iffederal, state, and local net operating loss carryforwards are stated net of any in future years through their expiration in 2036.such anticipated limitations as of December 31, 2020.

The provision (benefit) for income taxes on the statement of comprehensive lossoperations differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory Federalfederal income tax rate to incomeloss before the provisionbenefit for income taxes, as follows:

Schedule of Tax Benefit and Effective Income Tax

  2016     
       
Federal expense expected at statutory rate $(743,838)  34.0%
Permanent differences  373,367   -17.1%
Change in valuation allowance  370,470   -16.9%
         
Tax benefit and effective tax rate $-     
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2020  2019 
  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent 
Federal benefit expected at statutory rate $(18,694,437)  21.0% $(12,188,924)  21.0%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit  (5,279,879)  5.9%  (3,053,709)  5.3%
Stock-based compensation  1,768,735   (2.0)%  1,591,202   (2.7)%
Unearned revenue  (5,120,330)  5.8%  (1,969,056)  3.4%
Interest expense  1,173,535   (1.3)%  1,015,199   (1.7)%
Other differences, net  152,294   (0.2)%  199,643   (0.4)%
Valuation allowance  26,168,671   (29.4)%  (6,685,348)  11.5%
Other permanent differences  42,243   0.0%  1,549,866   (2.7)%
Tax provision (benefit) and effective income tax rate $210,832   (0.2)% $(19,541,127)  33.7%

The Company recognizes the tax benefitsbenefit from an uncertain positiontax positions only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable,tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on itsthe technical merits. merits of the position. The Company’s policytax benefit is to includemeasured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in general and administrative expenses.  There were noincome tax expense. The Company is also required to assess at each reporting date whether it is reasonably possible that any significant increases or decreases to its unrecognized tax benefits will occur during the next 12 months.

The Company did not recognize any uncertain tax positions or any accrued interest and penalties recorded for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to December 31, 2016.  The Company has evaluated and concluded that there are noassociated with uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s financial statements for the periodyears ended December 31, 2016.2020 and 2019. The Company files tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and New York, California, and other states. The Company is generally subject to examination by income tax authorities for three years from the filing of a tax return, therefore, the federal and certain state returns from 2017 forward and the California returns from 2016 forward are subject to examination. The Company currently is not under examination by any tax authority.

25.Related Party Transactions

11.  Related Party TransactionsOn June 10, 2019, the Company entered into the 12% Senior Secured Note agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, pursuant to which the Company issued to the investor a 12% senior secured note, due July 31, 2019. In connection with the 12% Senior Secured Note, B. Riley FBR received a placement fee from the proceeds of $1,000,000 and legal fees and expenses of $135,000.

On June 14, 2019, the Company entered into the 12% Amended Senior Secured Note agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, which amended and restated the 12% Senior Secured Note dated June 10, 2019. In connection with the 12% Amended Senior Secured Note the Company paid B. Riley FBR cash of $2,400,000 as placement agent and $3,500,000 as a success fee in the offering.

F-91

On June 28, 2019, the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which it issued an aggregate of 23,100 shares of Series I Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 46,200,000 shares of its common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.50 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $23,100,000. Of the shares of Series I Preferred Stock issued, Ross Levinsohn purchased 500 shares for $500,000. B. Riley FBR, acting as placement agent for the Series I Preferred Stock financing, was paid in cash $1,386,000 for its services and reimbursed for certain legal and other costs.

On August 27, 2019, the Company entered into a first amendment to amended note purchase agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, with respect to the 12% Amended Senior Secured Notes. In connection with the 12% Amended Senior Secured Note, B. Riley FBR received a closing fee from the proceeds of $150,000 and legal fees and expenses.

On October 7, 2019, the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which it issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Series H Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 28,571,428 shares of its common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.70 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $20,000,000. Of the shares of Series H Preferred Stock issued, Luke E. Fichthorn III, an immediate family member of John A. Fichthorn, purchased 100 shares, and B Riley, or an affiliated entity, purchased 5,000 shares. B. Riley FBR, acting as placement agent for the Series J Preferred Stock financing, was paid in cash $525,240 for its services and reimbursed for certain legal and other costs.

On March 24, 2020, the Company entered into a second amended and restated note purchase agreement with BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, in its capacity as agent and a purchaser, which further amended and restated the amended and restated note purchase agreement dated June 14, 2019, as amended. Pursuant to the second amended and restated note purchase agreement, the Company issued the Term Note, in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000 to the purchaser. Up to $8,000,000 in principal amount under the Term Note was due on March 31, 2021, with the balance thereunder due on June 14, 2022. Interest on amounts outstanding under the Term Note are payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter. On March 25, 2020, the Company drew down $6,913,865 under the Term Note, and after payment of commitment and funding fees paid to BRF Finance in the amount of $793,109, and other legal fees and expenses of BRF Finance that the Company paid, it received net proceeds of approximately $6,000,000. Pursuant to Amendment 1 to the second amended and restated note purchase agreement, dated October 23, 2020, interest payable on the notes on September 30, 2020, December 31,2020, March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021 will be payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of such fiscal quarter. Alternatively, at the option of the holder, such interest amounts can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments. In addition, $3,367,000, including $3,295,506 of principal amount of the Term Note and $71,494 of accrued interest, was converted into shares of Series K Preferred Stock and the maturity date of the Term Note was changed from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022. John A. Fichthorn, the Executive Chairman, served as Head of Alternative Investments for B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of the Company’s directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of our common stock. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of the Company’s common stock.

Between August 14, 2020 and August 20, 2020, the Company entered into several securities purchase agreements for the sale of Series H Preferred Stock with certain accredited investors, including, among others, Strome and Strome Alpha Fund, L.P. (“Strome Alpha”), affiliates of Mark Strome, who previously beneficially owned more than 10% of the shares of the Company’s common stock and currently beneficially owns more than 10% of the shares of Series H Preferred Stock, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 2,253 shares, at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 6,825,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.33 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,730,000 for working capital and general corporate purposes. B. Riley FBR, acting as a placement agent for these issuances, waived its fee for these services and was reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. On October 28, 2020, the Company entered into a mutual rescission agreement with Strome and Strome Alpha, pursuant to which the stock purchase agreements entered into by Strome and Strome Alpha between August 14, 2020 and August 20, 2020 were rescinded and deemed null and void.

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On September 4, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 10,500 shares of Series J Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.70 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,000,000. Of the shares of Series J Preferred Stock issued, B. Riley Securities, Inc., an affiliate of B. Riley, purchased 5,250 shares, and B&W Pension Trust, of which 180 Degree Capital Corp. is the Investment Adviser, purchased 5,250 shares. B. Riley FBR, acting as placement agent for these issuances, waived its fee for these services and was reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. Todd Sims, one of the Company’s directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of the Company’s common stock.

Between October 23, 2020 and November 11, 2020, the Company entered into several securities purchase agreements with accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 18,042 shares of Series K Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 45,105,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $0.40 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $18,042,090. B. Riley FBR, acting as a placement agent for these issuances, was paid in cash $520,500 for its services and reimbursed for certain legal and other costs. John A. Fichthorn, the Executive Chairman, served as Head of Alternative Investments for B. Riley Capital Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd Sims, one of the Company’s directors, has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. B. Riley FBR and its affiliates also beneficially owns more than 10% of the Company’s common stock.

Cramer Digital, Inc. Agreement

On August 7, 2019, in connection with TheStreet Merger, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “Original Cramer Agreement”) with finance and stock market expert Jim Cramer, who co-founded TheStreet, which sets forth the terms of the Cramer Services (defined below) to be provided by Mr. Cramer and Cramer Digital, Inc. (“Cramer Digital”), a production company owned and controlled by Mr. Cramer, featuring the digital rights and content created by Mr. Cramer and his team of financial experts. A second letter agreement providing additional terms was entered into on April 16, 2020 (the “Second Cramer Agreement”). The ParentCompany entered into a third letter agreement on January 25, 2021, which extended the notice date to cancel the third year of the term of the Original Cramer Agreement from February 7, 2021 to April 9, 2021 (the “Third Cramer Agreement” and, together with the Original Cramer Agreement and the Second Cramer Agreement, the “Cramer Agreement”).

The Cramer Agreement provides for Mr. Cramer and Cramer Digital to create content for the Company on each business day during the term of the Cramer Agreement, prepare special content for the Company, make certain personal appearances and provide other services as reasonably requested and mutually agreed to (collectively, the “Cramer Services”). In consideration for the Cramer Services, the Company pays Cramer Digital a commission on subscription revenues and net advertising revenues for certain content (the “Revenue Share”). In addition, the Company pays Cramer Digital approximately $3,000,000 as an annualized guaranteed payment in equal monthly draws, recoupable against the Revenue Share. The Company also issued two options to Cramer Digital pursuant to the 2019 Plan. The first option was to purchase up to 2000000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.72, the closing stock price on August 7, 2019, the grant date. This option vests over 36 months. The second option was to purchase up to 3000000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.54, the closing stock price on April 21, 2020, the grant date. In the event Cramer Digital and the Company agree to renew the term of the Cramer Agreement for a minimum of three years from the end of the second year of the current term, 900,000 shares will vest on the first day of the third year of the term as so extended (the “Trigger Date”). The remaining shares will vest equally on the 12-month anniversary of the Trigger Date, the 24-month anniversary of the Trigger Date and the 36-month anniversary of the Trigger Date.

In addition, the Company provides Cramer Digital with a marketing budget, access to personnel and support services, and production facilities. Finally, the Cramer Agreement provides that the Company will reimburse fifty percent of the cost of the rented office space by Cramer Digital, up to a maximum of $4,250 per month.

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Board of Directors and Finance Committee

During September 2018, John A. Fichthorn joined the Board and during November 2018 he was elected as Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Company’s Finance Committee. Until April 2020, Mr. Fichthorn served as Head of Alternative Investments for B. Riley Capital Management, which is an SEC-registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley. From April 2020 to November 2020, Mr. Fichthorn served as a consultant to B. Riley. Further, Mr. Fichthorn serves on our Board as a designee of the holders of our Series H Preferred Stock.

During September 2018, Todd D. Sims joined the Board and is also a member of the board of directors of B. Riley. Mr. Sims has served as the President of BRVC, a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley since October 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Sims served as a member of the board of directors of B. Riley from 2016 to 2020. Mr. Sims serves on the Company’s Board as a designee of B. Riley.

Since August 2018, B. Riley FBR has been instrumental in raising debt and equity capital for the Company to support its acquisitions of HubPages, Say Media, TheStreet, and the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement with ABG, with continued support for subsequent refinancing of debt, equity capital, and working capital purposes (see Note 27).

As of December 31, 2020, our Board was composed of seven persons – Ross Levinsohn, John Fichthorn, Peter Mills, Todd Sims, B. Rinku Sen, David Bailey, and Joshua Jacobs.

Service and Consulting Contracts

Ms. Rinku Sen joined the Board in November 2017 and has provided consulting services and operates a channel on the Company’s technology platform. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid Ms. Sen $12,050 and $39,650, respectively, for these services.

Mr. Josh Jacobs has provided consulting services and operates a channel on the Company’s platform. During the years ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid Ms. Jacobs $120,000 for these services.

On January 1, 2019, the Company entered into an Investment Banking Advisory Servicesamended consulting agreement with William Sornsin, the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay a monthly fee of $10,000, plus various incentive payments for launching certain sites on the Company’s platform from January 2019 through September 2019.

On August 26, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with James C. Heckman, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay to Mr. Heckman a monthly fee of approximately $29,167 (to be increased to approximately $35,417 once the Company’s senior executive officer salaries are returned to the levels in November 2007 with MDB Capital Group LLC (“MDB”), and the parties extended the agreement indefinitely in April 2009. The agreement terminated on completionplace prior to March 2020). Mr. Heckman is also entitled to bonus payments of up to one hundred percent of the Recapitalization. Undermonthly fees payable in the then-current year upon satisfaction of certain performance goals. Mr. Heckman may also be awarded additional equity incentive awards. The initial term of the consulting agreement MDB actedcommenced on August 26, 2020 and ends on August 26, 2021, which term may be extended for an additional 12-month period unless our then-Chief Executive Officer notifies Mr. Heckman of a decision not to extend at least 90 days in advance.

On October 5, 2020, the Company entered into a separation agreement with Benjamin Joldersma, who served as an advisorthe Company’s Chief Technology Officer from November 2016 through September 2020, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Mr. Joldersma approximately $111,000 as a severance payment, as well as any COBRA premiums.

Promissory Notes

In May 2018, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer began advancing funds to the ParentCompany in order to meet minimum operating needs. Such advances were made pursuant to promissory notes that were due on demand, with interest at the minimum applicable federal rate, which ranged from 2.18% to 2.38%. As of December 31, 2019, the total principal amount of advances outstanding was $319,351 (includes accrued interest of $12,574) (see Note 17). On October 31, 2020, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with Mr. Heckman pursuant to which Mr. Heckman converted the outstanding principal amount due, together with accrued but unpaid interest under the promissory notes, into 389 shares of Series H Preferred Stock (see Note 20).

Repurchases of Restricted Stock

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment for certain restricted stock awards and units that were previously issued to certain employees in connection with the Recapitalization. AtHubPages merger, pursuant to which the closingCompany agreed to repurchase from certain key personnel of HubPages, including Paul Edmondson, one of the Recapitalization, the Parent paid MDB a cash fee of $54,299 (including $4,299 to reimburse MDB’s expenses in connection with the Recapitalization)Company’s officers, and issued to MDB and its designees, Mr. Christopher A. Marlett, Robert Levande, and Mr. Schuman, a 5-year warrants to purchasehis spouse, an aggregate of 1,169,607 shares of Common Stock, with an exercise price of $0.20 per share, representing 5% of the number ofapproximately 16,802 shares of the Parent onCompany’s common stock at a fully dilutedprice of $4 per share each month for a period of 24 months, for aggregate proceeds to Mr. Edmondson and his spouse of approximately $67,207 per month (see Note 12).

F-94

26.Commitments and Contingencies

Revenue Guarantees

On a select basis, immediately after the Closing. The fair valueCompany has provided revenue share guarantees to certain independent publishers that transition their publishing operations from another platform to theMaven.net or maven.io. These arrangements generally guarantee the publisher a monthly amount of income for a period of 12 to 24 months from inception of the warrants using Black Scholes Option Pricing model was determined to be $744,105. These amounts were recorded inpublisher contract that is the financial statementsgreater of (a) a fixed monthly minimum, or (b) the Parent prior tocalculated earned revenue share. During the Recapitalization.

On April 4, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, selling 3,765,000 shares at $1.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,765,000. In connection with the offering,years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid $188,250Publisher Partner guarantees of $9,391,135 and issued 162,000 shares of common stock to MDB Capital Group LLC, which acted as placement agent.$7,111,248, respectively.

Mr. Christopher Marlett, a director of the Company, is also the Chief Executive Officer of MDB. Mr. Gary Schuman, who is the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, is also the Chief Financial OfficerClaims and Chief Compliance Officer of MDB. The Company compensates Mr. Schuman for his services at the rate of $3,000 per month. Mr. Robert Levande, who is director of the Company, is also a senior managing director of MDB, Mr. Levande was compensated $6,250 in 2016 (from the date of the Recapitalization through December 31, 2016), which was paid in a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.Litigation

Prior to and interdependent upon the closing of the Recapitalization, the Parent provided a series of advances for an aggregated amount of approximately $735,000 to the Subsidiary under a promissory note (the “Term Note”). The Term Note was guaranteed by MDB in the amount of $150,000 and Mr. Heckman in the amount of $350,000 and secured by a mortgage held by the Parent on certain properties owned by Mr. Heckman located in the State of Washington and the Province of British Columbia (“Mortgage”). At the Closing of the Recapitalization, the Term Note was cancelled and the Personal Guarantee, the Mortgage and the MDB Guarantee were terminated.

On August 17, 2016 the Subsidiary borrowed $35,000 from a shareholder on demand. This loan was non-interest bearing and repaid on September 16, 2016 with proceeds from a loan from Integrated.

F-21

12.  Commitments and Contingencies

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

Liquidated Damages

The Company may have a liabilitydetermined that it is contingently liable for additional state franchise taxes payablecertain for the Registration Rights Damages and Public Information Failure Damages (collectively the “Liquidated Damages”) covering the instruments in the amount of approximately $44,000, plustable below, therefore, a contingent obligation (including interest computed at 18%1% per annum,month based on the balance outstanding for the years 2008-2014. Because of state statutory provisions, the underpaid amount will only be due once assessed and demanded by the state.  The tax liability and associated interest has not been includedeach Liquidating Damages) exist as an accrued liability because management has determined that the likelihood of the state makingissuance date of these consolidated financial statements as follows:

Schedule of Liquidating Damages

  Series H Preferred Stock  Series J Preferred Stock  Series K Preferred Stock  Total Liquidated Damages 
Registration Rights Damages $-  $360,000  $-  $360,000 
Public Information Failure Damages  7,854   360,000   1,082,520   1,450,374 
Accrued interest  153   7,437   2,817   10,407 
  $8,007  $727,437  $1,085,337  $1,820,781 

27.Subsequent Events

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the assessment is low.  Dependingdate of filing of these consolidated financial statements with the SEC. Other than the below described subsequent events, there were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures on circumstances, management may change its estimatethe consolidated financial statements.

2019 Equity Incentive Plan

From January 2021 through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued, the Company granted common stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards totaling 83,590,165 (includes 11,158,049 stock options and 26,048,781 restricted stock units issued on February 18, 2021, see below for further details) shares of the probabilityCompany’s common stock, of an assessmentwhich 83,565,415 remain outstanding as of the date these consolidated financial statements were issued or were available to be issued, to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock to officers, directors, employees and establish either an accrual or record a payment for the tax liability if assessed.consultants.

F-95

13.  Subsequent Events

On January 18, 2017,8, 2021, the Company issued 2,976 sharesamended certain grants of common stock options under its 2019 Plan to one director, and 5,953remove certain vesting conditions for the performance-based awards, in general, the amendment provides that:

the common stock options will vest with respect to one-third of the grant when the option holder completes one year of continuous service beginning on the grant date; and
the remaining common stock options will vest monthly over twenty-four months when the option holder completes each month of continuous service thereafter.

On February 18, 2021, the Board approved an amendment to the Company’s 2019 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, available for issuance under the 2019 Plan from 85,000,000 shares to 185,000,000 shares. Further, the Board approved up to an aggregate amount of 26,200,000 stock options to be made on or before March 18, 2021 for shares of the Company’s common stock to certain executive officers of the Company under the 2019 Plan. A total of 11,158,049 stock options were granted and designated as a non-qualified stock options, subject to certain terms and conditions.

On February 18, 2021, the Board approved the issuance of restricted stock units to certain executive officers of the Company under the 2019 Plan. A total of 26,048,781 restricted stock units were granted, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Appointments and Departures

On February 16, 2021, the Company announced the appointment of H. Robertson Barrett as the President of Maven Media Brands, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Maven.

On March 9, 2021, the Company announced the appointment of Eric Semler as a director of the Company. On June 8, 2021, Mr. Semler resigned as a director of the Company.

On March 9, 2021, Josh Jacobs resigned as a director of the Company.

On June 10, 2021, David Bailey resigned as a director of the Company.

On June 11, 2021, the Company announced the appointment of Carlo Zola and Daniel Shribman as directors of the Company.

Preferred Stock

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

F-96

Long-Term Debt

12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes – On May 19, 2021, the Company entered into an amendment to second directoramended and restated note purchase agreement (“Amendment 2”) with BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley, in its capacity as compensationagent for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Thesepurchasers and as purchaser, which further amended the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes, dated March 24,2020, as amended. Pursuant to Amendment 2: (i) the interest rate on the 12% Second Amended Senior Secured Notes decreased from a rate of 12% per annum to a rate of 10% per annum; (ii) the interest rate on the Term Note decreased from a rate of 15% per annum to a rate of 10% per annum; and (iii) the Company agreed that within one (1) business day after receipt of cash proceeds from any issuance of equity interests, it will prepay the certain obligations in an amount equal to such cash proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions; provided, that, this mandatory prepayment obligation does not apply to any proceeds that the Company received from shares totaling 8,929of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to the securities purchase agreement (as further described below under the heading Common Stock) during the 90-day period commencing on May 20, 2021.

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

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

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

Paycheck Protection Program Loan– On June 22, 2021, the SBA has authorized full forgiveness of $5,702,725 under the PPP Loan, where the Company will not need to make any payments on the PPP Loan that JPMorgan Chase facilitates as an SBA lender. JPMorgan Chase will apply the forgiveness amount the SBA authorized, plus all accrued interest, to the Company’s PPP Loan. The requirements under this program are established by the SBA. All requests for PPP Loan forgiveness are subject to SBA eligibility.

Common Stock

On May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with several accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 21,435,718 shares of its common stock, at a per share price of $1.05, or$0.70 for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $15.0 million in a total of $9,375.private placement.

On April 4, 2017,June 2, 2021, the Company completedentered into a private placementsecurities purchase agreement with an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 7,142,857 shares of its common stock, selling 3,765,000 shares at $1.00a per share price of $0.70for total gross proceeds of $3,765,000.  Inapproximately $5.0 million in a private placement that was in addition to the closings that occurred on May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021 as referenced above. The Company intends to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the offering,securities purchase agreements, the Company paid $188,250 and issued 162,000agreed to register the shares of the Company’s common stock issued in the private placements. The Company committed to MDB Capital Group LLC, which acted as placement agent.  The approximate transaction costsfile the registration statement on the earlier of: (i) in the event the Company does not obtain a waiver from the holders of $424,000, including $201,000the shares of non-cash expenses, have been recorded as a reductionthe Company’s common stock that were issued upon the conversion of the Series K Preferred Stock (the “Waiver”), within ten (10) calendar days following the date the Company’s registration statement(s) on Form S-1, registering for resale shares of the Company’s common stock that were issued in paid-in capital.  The net cash proceeds were approximately $3.5 million.  The shares issued through this offering haveconnection with offerings prior to the date of the registration rights agreement (the “Prior Registration Statements”), is declared effective by the SEC; and it(ii) in the event the Company does obtain the Waiver, the earliest practicable date on which the Company is expected thatpermitted by the SEC guidance to file the initial registration will be filled within forty-five daysstatement following the filing of the offering completion date.Prior Registration Statements (the “Filing Date”). The Company also committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after the Filing Date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 120 days following the Filing Date). The registration rights provideagreement provides for liquidated damagesRegistration Rights Damages upon the occurrence of certain events includingup to a maximum amount of 6% of the Company’s failureaggregate amount invested pursuant to file the registration statement or cause it to become effective by the deadline.securities purchase agreements.

F-97

From January 1, 2017 to May 5, 2017,The security purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company has issued warrants to thirty-sixmaintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Channel PartnersSecurities Act. If the Company fails for upany reason to 1,725,000 shares of common stock with an average exercise price of $1.14, and ranging from $1.00 to $1.33. The warrants vest over three years and expire in five years from issuance. In addition tosatisfy the three-year vesting condition, the warrants have performance conditions that determine how many warrants are earned. The performance conditions are generally based on the average number of unique visitors on the Channel operated by the Channel Partnercurrent public information requirement at any time during the period commencing from July 1, 2017the twelve (12) month anniversary of the date the Company becomes current in its filing obligations and ending at such time that all of the common stock may be sold without the requirement for the Company to December 31, 2017be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) and otherwise without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144, if the revenue generatedCompany (i) shall fail for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) or (ii) has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) or becomes an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any consecutive 12-month periodcondition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) (a “Public Information Failure”) then, in addition to such purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to a purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount in cash equal to one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate subscription amount of the purchaser’s shares then held by the purchaser on the day of a Public Information Failure and on every thirtieth (30th) day (pro-rated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the earlier of (a) the date such Public Information Failure is cured up to a maximum of five (5) 30-day periods and (b) such time that such public information is no longer required for the purchasers to transfer the shares pursuant to Rule 144. Public Information Failure Damages shall be paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Public Information Failure Damages are incurred and (ii) the period from issuance datethird (3rd) business day after the event or failure giving rise to the Public Information Failure Damages is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Public Information Failure Damages in a timely manner, such Public Information Failure Damages shall bear interest at the rate of 1.0% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.

Heckman Stock Option Modifications

On June 30, 2019. These performance conditions do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance such3, 2021, the Company and Mr. Heckman, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, entered into an amendment to certain option grants under the Company’s 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan. The amendment to the 2016 Plan options, clarifies that the fair value measureoption qualifies as a non-statutory stock option and that it remains exercisable for the remainder of the term of the option. The amendment to the 2019 Plan options, clarifies that the option qualifies as a non-statutory stock option and that it remains exercisable for the remainder of the term of the option. The 2019 Plan amendment also changed the vesting schedule of the option to provide for immediate vesting of 2,000,000 shares of options, with the remainder of the options being subject to performance-based vesting that is not fixed until performance is complete.The Company recognizes expense for equity based paymentstied to non-employees as the services are received.  The Company has specific objective criteria, such as the dateprice of launch on the Company’s platform, for determinationcommon stock.

Acquisition of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.College Spun Media Incorporated

From January 1, 2017 to May 5, 2017,On June 4, 2021, the Company has granted options under the Stock Incentive Plan to nine employees for up to 1,124,000 shares with exercise prices ranging from $1.15 to $1.23 per share. The plan has not been approved by the shareholders of the Company at this time.

F-22

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheet

  March 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 
  (Unaudited)    
Assets        
         
Current assets:        
Cash  3,114,339   598,294 
Prepayments and other current assets  115,871   121,587 
Total current assets  3,230,210   719,881 
         
Fixed assets, net  1,191,498   547,804 
Intangible assets  20,000   20,000 
         
Total Assets  4,441,708   1,287,685 
         
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable  228,879   154,361 
Accrued expenses  527,283   54,789 
Conversion feature liability  130,067   137,177 
Total current liabilities  886,229   346,327 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 168 shares issued and outstanding ($168,496 aggregate liquidation value)  168,496   168,496 
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,056,461 and 22,047,531 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016  220,564   220,475 
Common stock to be issued  3,120,644   9,375 
Additional paid-in capital  3,238,361   2,730,770 
Accumulated deficit  (3,192,586)  (2,187,758)
Total stockholders’ equity  3,386,983   772,862 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  4,441,708   1,287,685 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-23

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2017
(Unaudited)
Revenue
Operating Expenses:
Research and development64,022
General and administrative947,970
Total operating expenses1,011,992
Loss from operations(1,011,992)
Other income (loss):
Interest and dividend income, net54
Change in fair value of conversion feature7,110
Total other income7,164
Net loss(1,004,828)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share(0.11)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted9,537,523

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-24

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

        Common Stock     Additional     Total 
  Common Stock  To Be Issued     Paid-in  Accumulated  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Equity 
                      
Balance at January 1, 2017  22,047,531  $220,475   8,929  $9,375  $2,730,770  $(2,187,758) $772,862 
                             
Issuance of common stock  8,930   89   (8,929)  (9,375)  9,286       - 
Private placement common stock to be issued, net of issuance costs          3,515,000   3,120,644   -       3,120,644 
Stock based compensation                  498,305       498,305 
Net loss                      (1,004,828)  (1,004,828)
Balance at March 31, 2017  22,056,461  $220,564   3,515,000  $3,120,644  $3,238,361  $(3,192,586) $3,386,983 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-25

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2017
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss(1,004,828)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Change in fair value of conversion feature(7,110)
Stock based compensation286,149
Depreciation881
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepayments and other current assets5,716
Accounts payable74,518
Accrued expenses109,203
Net cash used in operating activities(535,471)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Website development costs and other fixed assets(432,419)
Net cash used in investing activities(432,419)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from stock to be issued3,483,935
Net cash provided by financing activities3,483,935
Net increase in cash2,516,045
Cash at beginning of period598,294
Cash at end of period3,114,339
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities:
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to website development costs212,156
Accrual of stock issuance costs363,291

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-26

theMaven, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2017

(Unaudited)

1. Nature of Operations

theMaven, Inc. (“Parent”) and theMaven Network, Inc. (“Subsidiary”) (collectively “theMaven” or the “Company”) are developing an exclusive network of professionally managed online media channels, with an underlying technology platform. Each channel will be operated by a “invite only” “Channel Partner” drawn from subject matter experts, reporters, group evangelists and social leaders. Channel Partners will publish content and oversee an online community for their respective channels, leveraging a proprietary, socially-driven, mobile-enabled, video-focused technology platform to engage niche audiences within a single network.

2. Basis of Presentation

theMaven Network, Inc. was incorporated in Nevada on July 22, 2016, under the name “Amplify Media, Inc.” On July 27, 2016, the corporate name was amended to “Amplify Media Network, Inc.” and on October 14, 2016, the corporate name was changed to “theMaven Network, Inc.”.

theMaven, Inc. was formerly known as Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Integrated”). From June 2007 until November 4, 2016, Integrated was a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On August 11, 2016, Integrated entered into a loan to Subsidiary that provided initial funding totaling $735,099 for the Subsidiary’s operations. On October 14, 2016 Integrated entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with Subsidiary and the shareholders of Subsidiary, holdingacquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Subsidiary (collectively, “Subsidiary Shareholders”). The Share Exchange Agreement was amended on November 4, 2016 to include certain newly issued sharescapital stock of SubsidiaryCollege Spun Media Incorporated for an aggregate of $11.0 million in the transaction and make related changes to the agreementcash and the Share Exchange was consummated. The transaction resulted in Parent acquiring Subsidiary by the exchangeissuance of allan aggregate of the outstanding shares of Subsidiary for 12,517,152 newly issued4,285,714 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Common Stock”) of Parent, representing approximately 56.7%with one-half of the issuedshares vesting on the first anniversary of the closing date and outstandingthe remaining one-half of the shares vesting on the second anniversary of Common Stock immediately after the transaction.closing date. The transaction is referred to as the “Recapitalization.” The Recapitalization was consummated on November 4, 2016, as a result of which theMaven Network, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated (the “Closing”). The note payable between Integrated and Subsidiary was an interdependent transaction with the Recapitalization and was ultimately cancelled uponcash payment consists of: (i) $10.8 million paid at closing (additional cash paid at closing of $0.8 million represents adjusted cash pursuant to the Recapitalization. On December 2, 2016, Integrated amended its Certificateagreement), and (ii) $0.5 million to be paid on the first anniversary of Incorporation to change its name from “Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.” to “theMaven, Inc.”

From June 2007 until the closing and $0.5 million to be paid on the second anniversary date of the Recapitalization, Integrated wasclosing, subject to a non-active “shell company” as defined by regulations of the SECcustomary working capital adjustment based on cash and accordingly, the Recapitalization was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization rather than a business combination. As the Subsidiary is deemed to be the purchaser for accounting purposes under reverse recapitalization accounting, the Company’s financial statements are presented as a continuation of Subsidiary, and the accounting for the Recapitalization is equivalent to the issuance of stock by Subsidiary for the net monetary assets of Parentaccounts receivable as of the Closing accompanied by a recapitalization.  See Note 9 for summaryclosing date. The vesting of shares of the assets acquired, transaction costs andCompany’s common stock is subject to the consideration exchanged in the Recapitalization.continued employment of certain selling employees.

F-98

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for Form 10-Q. The Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements.ANNEX A – INVESTOR POWERPOINT

 

In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal recurring, and other adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year or any other future periods.

 

3. Going Concern

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the need for additional capital, as described below.

F-27A-1

 

 

The Company has not generated any operating revenues since July 22, 2016 (Inception) and has financed its operations through (a) the Recapitalization transaction with Parent, (b) a loan from Parent that was cancelled upon closing of the Recapitalization and (c) a private placement of common stock in April 2017. The Company has incurred operating losses and negative operating cash flows, and it expects to continue to incur operating losses and negative operating cash flows for at least the next few years. As a result, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, in its report on the Company’s 2016 consolidated financial statements, has raised substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

As fully described in Note 9, in April 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, raising proceeds of $3.5 million net of cash offering costs. The Company believes that it does not have sufficient funds to support its operations through the end of the first quarter of 2018. In order to continue business operations past that point, the Company currently anticipates that it will need to raise additional debt and/or equity capital. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to secure any such additional financing on acceptable terms and conditions, or at all. If cash resources become insufficient to satisfy the Company’s ongoing cash requirements, the Company will be required to scale back or discontinue its technology development programs, or obtain funds, if available (although there can be no certainty), or to discontinue its operations entirely.

4. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Major improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses from disposition of property and equipment are included in income and expense when realized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Office equipment and computers3-5 years
Furniture and fixtures5-8 years
Website development costs2-3 years

Intangible Assets

The intangible assets consist of the cost of a purchase website domain name with an indefinite useful life.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The long-lived assets, consisting of fixed assets and intangible assets, held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment no less frequently than annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of any long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed. Management has determined that there was no impairment in the value of long-lived assets during the period ended March 31, 2017.

F-28A-2

 

 

Website Development Costs

In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company begins to capitalize website and software development costs for internal use when planning and design efforts are successfully completed and development is ready to commence. Costs incurred during planning and design, together with costs incurred for training and maintenance, are expensed as incurred and recorded in research and development expense within the consolidated statement of operations. The Company places capitalized website and software development assets into service and commences depreciation/amortization when the applicable project or asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Once placed into service, the Company capitalizes qualifying costs of specified upgrades or enhancements to capitalized website and software development assets when the upgrade or enhancement will result in new or additional functionality.

 

The Company capitalizes internal labor costs, including compensation, benefits and payroll taxes, incurred for certain capitalized website and software development projects related to the Company’s technology platform. The Company’s policy with respect to capitalized internal labor stipulates that labor costs for employees working on eligible internal use capital projects are capitalized as part of the historical cost of the project when the impact, as compared to expensing such labor costs, is material.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to operations in the period incurred and amounted to $64,022 for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Fair Value Measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

·Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
·Level 2 - Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
·Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the Company measures its derivative liability at fair value. The Company’s derivative liability is classified within Level 3.

The carrying value of other current assets and liabilities are considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Cash

The Company maintains cash at a bank where amounts on deposit may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit throughout the year. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk regarding its cash.

F-29A-3

 

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

The Company provides stock-based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards to employees, (b) vested stock grants to directors, (c) stock option grants to employees, directors and independent contractors, and (d) common stock warrants to Channel Partners and other independent contractors.

The Company applies FASB ASC 718, “Stock Compensation,” when recording stock based compensation to employees and directors. The estimated fair value of stock based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award. We have adopted ASU 2016-09 in 2016 with early application and account for actual forfeitures of awards as they occur.

The fair value of restricted stock awards by Subsidiary at Inception was estimated on the date of the award using the exchange value used by Integrated and the Subsidiary to establish the relative voting control ratio in the Recapitalization.

Restricted stock that was subject to an escrow arrangement and/or a performance condition in conjunction with the Recapitalization was remeasured and fair value was estimated using the quoted price of our common stock on the date of the Recapitalization. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow. Each quarter the Company reevaluates the number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow until the final determination is made as of December 31, 2017.

The fair value of fully vested stock awards is estimated using the quoted price of our common stock on the date of the grant. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life.

The Company accounts for stock issued to non-employees in accordance with provisions of FASB ASC 505-50, “Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees.” FASB ASC 505-50 states that equity instruments that are issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services should be measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliability measurable. The measurement date occurs as of the earlier of (a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached or (b) absent a performance commitment, the date at which the performance necessary to earn the equity instruments is complete (that is, the vesting date). Equity grants with performance conditions that do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance may be measured at fair value that is not fixed until performance is complete. The fair value of common stock warrants is estimated at grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life. The Company recognizes expense for equity based payments to non-employees as the services are received. The Company has specific objective criteria, such as the date of launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform, for determination of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.

The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be earned by Channel Partners based on performance obligations to be satisfied over a defined period which will commence at the launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform.

The Company issues common stock upon exercise of equity awards and warrants.

F-30A-4

 

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company recognizes the tax effects of transactions in the year in which such transactions enter into the determination of net income regardless of when reported for tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided in the financial statements to give effect to the temporary differences which may arise from differences in the bases of fixed assets, depreciation methods and allowances based on the income taxes expected to be payable in future years. Deferred tax assets arising primarily as a result of net operating loss carry-forwards, and research and development credit have been offset completely by a valuation allowance due to the uncertainty of their utilization in future periods.

The Company recognizes interest accrued relative to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized no income tax related interest and penalties. The Company had no accruals for income tax related interest and penalties at March 31, 2017.

Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share

Basic income or loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as options, restricted stock, and warrants. Restricted stock is considered outstanding and included in the computation of basic income or loss per share when underlying restrictions expire and the shares are no longer forfeitable. Diluted income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Unvested but outstanding restricted stock (which are forfeitable) are included in the diluted income per share calculation. In a period where there is a net loss, the diluted loss per share is computed using the basic share count. At March 31, 2017, potentially dilutive shares outstanding amounted to 16,439,723.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company has a limited operating history and has not generated revenue to date. The Company’s business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the U.S. and worldwide. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the U.S. and world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company’s control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and the results of its operations.

In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded projects, marketing and sales operations as well as extensive human capital. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company’s industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company’s products, services, and/or expertise may become obsolete and/or unmarketable. The Company’s future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.

Recently Adopted Standards

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 (ASU 2015-17), Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 did not have any impact on Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

F-31

Recent Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes all existing guidance on accounting for leases in ASC Topic 840.  ASU 2016-02 is intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet.  ASU 2016-02 will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted.  ASU 2016-02 is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented with various optional practical expedients. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  ASU 2016-15 refines how companies classify certain aspects of the cash flow statement in regards to debt prepayment, settlement of debt instruments, contingent consideration payments, proceeds from insurance claims and life insurance policies, distribution from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows.  ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  No early adoption is permitted.  Management is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2016-15 on the financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (ASC 606) - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, and most industry specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is that revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The guidance in ASU 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. ASC 606 requires the Company to make significant judgments and estimates. ASC 606 also requires more extensive disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

The FASB has also issued several additional ASUs which amend ASU 2014-09. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in ASC 606.

Public business entities are required to apply the guidance of ASC 606 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (2018 for calendar year end reporting companies), including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted.

The Company has not yet estimated the financial statement impact of the expected changes. The Company will continue to assess the impact of ASC 606 as it works through the adoption in 2017.

 Management believes that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.

F-32A-5

 

 

5.  Fixed Assets

 

At March 31 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, fixed assets, net consisted of the following:

  March 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
Office equipment and computers $11,772  $8,048 
Furniture and Equipment  13,867   0 
Website development costs  1,167,130   540,146 
   1,192,769   548,194 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (1,271)  (390)
Fixed assets, net $1,191,498  $547,804 

At March 31, 2017, the Company has not yet launched its website and accordingly no amortization of capitalized website development cost was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

6.  Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities

The Company maintained an investment portfolio consisting of available-for-sale-securities during the period ended December 31, 2016, which it had acquired through the Recapitalization. All available-for-sale-securities either matured or were liquidated prior to December 31, 2016.

7.  Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation authorized 1,000,000 shares of undesignated, serial preferred stock. Preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is authorized to determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions granted to and imposed upon any wholly unissued series of preferred stock and designation of any such series without any further vote or action by the Company’s stockholders.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s only outstanding series of convertible preferred stock is the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series G”).

The Series G stock has a stated value of $1,000 per share, and is convertible into common stock at a conversion price equal to 85% of the lowest sale price of the common stock on its listed market over the five trading days preceding the date of conversion (“Beneficial Conversion Feature”), subject to a maximum conversion price. The number of shares of common stock that may be converted is determined by dividing the stated value of the number of shares of Series G to be converted by the conversion price. The Company may elect to pay the Series G holder in cash at the current market price multiplied by the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion.

F-33A-6

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, no shares of Series G were converted into shares of common stock.  At March 31, 2017, the outstanding Series G shares were convertible into a minimum of 163,827 shares of common stock.

 

Upon a change in control, sale of or similar transaction, as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series G, each holder of the Series G has the option to deem such transaction as a liquidation and may redeem his or her shares at the liquidation value of $1,000, per share, for an aggregate amount of $168,496.  The sale of all the assets on June 28, 2007 triggered the preferred stockholders’ redemption option.  As such redemption is not in the control of the Company, the Series G stock has been accounted for as if it was redeemable preferred stock and is classified on the balance sheet between liabilities and stockholders’ equity.

The conversion feature of the preferred stock is considered a derivative according to ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, therefore, the fair value of the derivative is reflected in the financial statements as a liability, which was determined to be $130,067 and $137,177 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively and has been included as “conversion feature liability” on the accompanying balance sheets.

The fair value of the conversion feature liability is calculated under a Black-Scholes Model, using the market price of the Company’s common stock on each of the balance sheet dates presented, the expected dividend yield, the expected life of the redemption and the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock.

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and considering factors specific to the conversion feature liability. Since some of the assumptions used by the Company are unobservable, the conversion feature liability is classified within the level 3 hierarchy in the fair value measurement.

The expected volatility of the conversion feature liability was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected life assumption was based on the expected remaining life of the underlying preferred stock redemption. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the conversion feature liability was based on the average market rate on U.S. treasury securities in effect during the applicable quarter. The dividend yield reflected historical experience as well as future expectations over the expected term of the underlying preferred stock redemption. Therefore, the fair value of the conversion feature liability is sensitive to changes in above assumptions and changes of the Company’s common stock price.

The table below shows the quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of level 3 conversion feature liability at March 31, 2017:

Expected life of the redemption in years1.0
Risk free interest rate1.03%
Expected annual volatility168.93%
Annual rate of dividends0%

The changes in the fair value of the derivative are as follows:

Beginning as of January 1, 2017 $137,177 
Decrease in fair value  (7,110)
     
Ending balance as of March 31, 2017 $130,067 

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8. Recapitalization on November 4, 2016

 

As described in Note 2, the Company has accounted for the Recapitalization, which closed on November 4, 2016, as a reverse recapitalization. Because Integrated was a non-operating public shell corporation the transaction is considered to be a capital transaction in substance rather than a business combination. The transaction is equivalent to the issuance of stock by the Subsidiary for the net monetary assets of the Parent accompanied by a recapitalization.

Prior to the Recapitalization, Integrated had 9,530,379 issued and outstanding shares of common stock. In the Recapitalization, holders of Subsidiary’s common stock received 4.13607 shares of Parent common stock for each Subsidiary share, totaling 12,517,152 shares. After the Recapitalization a total of 22,047,531 shares of Parent common stock are outstanding as of December 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, a total of 22,056,461 shares of Parent common stock are issued and outstanding.

Integrated and Subsidiary agreed to the terms of Recapitalization to reflect the arms-length negotiated fair value of the Subsidiary as $2.5 million relative to the fair value of Integrated’s cash and available for sale investment securities. This resulted in the former shareholders of Subsidiary obtaining 56.7% voting control of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. The intent of the Recapitalization was to provide funding for Subsidiary’s operations initially under a loan that was canceled upon closing of the Recapitalization.

The following table summarizes the calculation of the relative voting control:

  Shares  Per Share  Fair Value  Voting % 
Integrated shareholders pre-Recapitalization  9,530,379  $0.20   1,903,464   43.3%
Integrated options pre-Recapitalization  175,000       -   0.0%
Warrant issued to MDB Capital Group  1,169,607       -   0.0%
TheMaven Network, Inc. shareholders  12,517,152  $0.20   2,500,000   56.7%
Total fully diluted shares  23,392,138       4,403,464   100.0%
                 
Shares issued and outstanding  22,047,531             

In accordance with the Investment Banking Advisory Agreement more fully described in Note 11, Integrated issued warrants to MDB Capital Group, LLC to purchase 1,169,607 shares of Parent common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.20 per share and expire on November 4, 2021. Integrated incurred transaction costs of $921,698 consisting of $744,105 for the fair value of warrants issued to MDB and $177,593 in cash for legal and related transaction costs. The costs incurred by Integrated were recorded in financial statements of the Parent prior to Recapitalization and reduced the net monetary assets acquired. The aggregate intrinsic value of the warrants at March 31, 2017 is $1,216,000.

The Recapitalization resulted in the acquisition of gross assets of $1,447,000 consisting primarily of cash and available for sale investment securities and the assumption of $470,000 of liabilities. Included in the total liabilities assumed was 168 shares of Class G Preferred Stock, which is reported as a liability at aggregated liquidation value of $168,496 because it is a redeemable instrument at the option of the holder (see Note 7).

Prior to the closing of the Recapitalization, the Subsidiary had received $735,099 in multiple borrowings from Integrated on a note payable beginning on August 11, 2016 and ending on November 4, 2016. The note payable was cancelled as part of the Recapitalization and the proceeds from the borrowing from Integrated is considered as cash received due to the Recapitalization in addition to the net assets acquired. Legal and transaction costs incurred by Subsidiary of $50,000 related to the capital transaction were expensed and charged to General and Administrative expense in 2016.

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9. Stockholders’ Equity

 

The Company has authorized 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, of which 22,056,461 shares were issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017.

Restricted Stock Awards

On August 11, 2016, management and employees of Subsidiary in conjunction with the incorporation on July 22, 2016 received 12,209,677 shares of common stock as adjusted for the Recapitalization exchange ratio of 4.13607. These shares are subject to a Company option to buy back the shares at the original cash consideration paid, which totaled $2,952 or approximately $0.0002 per share. A total of 7,966,070 shares were subject to the Company buy back right as of August 1, 2016 and 4,094,708 were made subject to the Company buy back right on November 4, 2016 in conjunction with the Recapitalization. The employees vest their ownership in these shares over a three-year period beginning August 1, 2016 with one-third vesting on August 1, 2017 and the balance monthly over the remaining two years. The fair value of these shares of Subsidiary stock was estimated on the date of the award using the exchange value used by Integrated and the Subsidiary to establish the relative voting control ratio in the Recapitalization (See Note 8). Because these shares require continued service to the Company the estimated fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

On October 13, 2016, Subsidiary granted 62,041 shares of common stock to an employee. On October 16, 2016 an additional 245,434 shares of Subsidiary common stock were granted to a director. The fair value of these shares of Subsidiary stock was estimated on the date of the awards based on the quoted closing stock price on November 4, 2016 since the Recapitalization was pending. These shares are subject to a Company option to buy back the shares at the original cash consideration paid.

As a condition of the Recapitalization, a total of 4,094,708 shares were required to be placed into an escrow arrangement for purposes of enforcement of the Company option to buy back shares for the balance of the three-year service period. A total of 4,381,003 shares, which includes 35% of the 4,094,708 shares added to the buy back option, are escrowed and subject to a performance condition requiring the Company to achieve certain operating metrics regarding monthly unique users by December 31, 2017. Pursuant to a negotiated schedule the performance condition can be satisfied in partial increments up to the full number of shares escrowed. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow.

Pursuant to FASB ASC 718, escrowed share arrangements in a capital raising transaction are considered to be compensatory, as such, the shares subject to these escrow provisions were remeasured as of November 4, 2016, the date of the Recapitalization. The estimated fair value of these shares was determined based on the quoted closing stock price on November 4, 2016. Because these shares require continued service to the Company the estimated fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

At December 31, 2016, it was estimated that 72.5% of the shares subject to the performance condition will be released. At March 31, 2017, the expected achievement of the performance condition was reevaluated and it was determined that the shares estimated to be released had increased to 95.5%.

F-36A-9

 

 

Restricted stock award activity for the period from July 22, 2016 (Inception) to March 31, 2017, including the reevaluation of the shares estimated to be release, was as follows:

  Shares  Shares
Remeasured
  Weighted-
Average
Price
 
Stock awards granted at Inception  12,209,677       0.20 
Granted October 13, 2016  62,041       0.70 
Granted October 16, 2016  245,434       0.70 
Remeasurement at November 4, 2016  -   5,837,788*  0.43 
Vested  -       - 
Reevaluation of shares expected to be released as of March 31, 2017  -   1,007,633   0.06 
   -         
Unvested at March 31, 2017  12,517,152       0.47 
             
Expected to vest after March 31, 2017  12,517,152       0 

*The number of shares Remeasured as of November 4, 2016 reflect the effect of the Monte Carlo simulation determination of the estimated number of shares expected to be released from the performance condition escrow. This estimate will be reevaluated at each quarter end until the final outcome of the performance condition is satisfied on December 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2017, total compensation cost related to restricted stock awards but not yet recognized was $4,175,000. This cost will be amortized on a straight-line method over a period of approximately 2.4 years.

Stock Options

 

On December 19, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (“Plan”) and reserved 1,670,867 shares of common stock for issuance under the Plan, including options and restricted performance stock awards. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors and there were no grants prior to the formation of the Plan. Shares of common stock that are issued under the Plan or subject to outstanding incentive awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of common stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan, provided, however, that that shares subject to an incentive award that expire will automatically become available for issuance. Options issued under the Plan may have a term of up to ten years and may have variable vesting provisions.

The estimated fair value of stock-based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock option awards are estimated at the grant date as calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life. The fair values of our stock option grants were estimated with the following average assumptions:

F-37A-10

 

 

The fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 were estimated with the following assumptions:

Expected life6.0 years
Risk-free interest rate2.13%
Expected annual volatility114.20%
Dividend yield0.00%

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 option activity was as follows:

  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
  Average
Intrinsic
Value
 
             
Outstanding at January 1, 2017  275,137   0.48   5.15     
           .     
Granted  664,000   1.17   9.88     
Exercised  -   -         
Forfeited  -   -         
                 
Outstanding at March 31, 2017  939,137   0.97   8.41   253,000 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at March 31. 2017  939,137   0.97   8.41   253,000 
                 
Exercisable at March 31, 2017  175,000   0.17   2.12   187,000 

The Company has granted 764,137 options under the Plan. None of these options are yet vested. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $17,278 related to the grants. Of the total stock-based compensation, $15,496 was expensed in General and Administrative expenses and $1,782 was capitalized as Website Development Costs. At March 31, 2017, total compensation cost related to stock options granted under the Plan but not yet recognized was $538,000. This cost will be amortized on a straight-line method over a period of approximately 2.87 years. The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the quoted price of our common stock for the number of options that were in-the-money at March 31, 2017.

 

In addition, the Company assumed 175,000 fully-vested options in connection with the Recapitalization with an exercise price of $0.17 per share which expire on May 15, 2019.

F-38A-11

 

 

The following table summarizes certain information about stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

Weighted average grant-date fair value for options granted during the year $1.01 
     
Vested options in-the-money at March 31, 2017  175,000 
     
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the year $- 

The following table summarizes the common shares reserved for future issuance under the Plan:

Stock options outstanding764,137
Stock options available for future grant906,730
1,670,867

Common Stock Warrants – Channel Partner Program

 

On December 19, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program to be administered by management that authorized the Company to issue up to 5,000,000 common stock warrants to provide equity incentive to its Channel Partners to motivate and reward them for their services to the Company and to align the interests of the Channel Partners with those of stockholders of the Company. The following table summarizes the activity in Channel Partner Warrants during the three months ended March 31, 2017:

  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
  Average
Intrinsic
Value
 
             
Outstanding at January 1, 2017  350,000   1.05   4.75     
Granted  1,280,000   1.11   4.82     
Exercised  -   -         
Forfeited  -   -         
                 
Outstanding at March 31, 2017  1,630,000   1.10   4.79   - 
                 
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2017  1,100,000   1.10   4.79   - 
                 
Exercisable at March 31, 2017  -   -   -   - 

In the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company issued 1,280,000 common stock warrants to 28 of the Channel Partners. The warrants have a performance condition and vest over three years and expire in five years from issuance. The exercise prices range from $1.05 to $1.33 with a weighted average of $1.11. The performance conditions are generally based on the average number of unique visitors on the Channel operated by the Channel Partner generated during the period from July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 or the revenue generated during the period from issuance date through June 30, 2019. Equity grants with performance conditions that do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance may be measures at fair value that is not fixed until performance is complete. The Company recognizes expense for equity based payments to non-employees as the services are received. The Company has specific objective criteria, such as the date of launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform, for determination of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.

F-39A-12

 

 

The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the number of shares expected to be earned by Channel Partners based on performance obligations to be satisfied over a defined period which will commence at the launch of a Channel on the Company’s platform. The Company did not record compensation related to Channel Partner warrants in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

Other Warrants

In accordance with the Investment Banking Advisory Agreement more fully described in Note 11, Integrated issued warrants to MDB Capital Group, LLC to purchase 1,169,607 shares of Parent common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.20 per share and expire on November 4, 2021. The aggregate intrinsic value of the warrants at March 31, 2017 is $1,216,000.

On March 21, 2017, the Company issued a warrant with performance conditions to be completed prior to June 21, 2017 to purchase 20,000 shares of Parent common stock with an exercise price of $1.18. Equity grants with performance conditions that do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance may be measured at fair value that is not fixed until performance is complete. No expense was recognized related to this warrant since at quarter end it was not probable that the performance conditions would be satisfied.

Common Stock to be Issued – Private Placement of Common Stock

On April 4, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, selling 3,765,000 shares at $1.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,765,000. A total of $3,515,000 of the gross proceeds was received prior to March 31, 2017.  In connection with the offering, the Company paid $188,250 and issued 162,000 shares of common stock to MDB Capital Group LLC, which acted as placement agent.  The approximate transaction costs of $424,000, including $201,000 of non-cash expenses, have been recorded as a reduction in paid-in capital.  The proceeds received prior to March 31, 2017, net of a proportionate share of the transaction costs, in the amount of $3,120,644 have been recorded as Common Stock to be Issued as of March 31, 2017.

Stock-based Compensation

The impact on our results of operations of recording stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was as follows:

  Restricted     Channel  Common    
  Stock at  Stock  Partner  Stock to    
  Inception  Options  Warrants  be Issued  Total 
Research and development  -   -   -   -   - 
General and administrative  270,653   15,496   -   -   286,149 
   270,653   15,496   -   -   286,149 

In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2017 stock-based compensation totaling $212,156 during the application and development stage was capitalized for website development.

10.  Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the Company’s financial statements and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

F-40A-13

 

 

The Parent’s net operating loss carryforwards (NOL) and credit carryforwards are subject to limitations on the use of the NOLs by the Company in consolidated tax returns after the Reverse Recapitalization. Where there is a “change in ownership” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Parent’s net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation. The Company believes that such an ownership change occurred because the shareholders of the Subsidiary acquired 56.7 percent of the Parent’s stock. Because the Parent’s value at the date of recapitalization was attributable solely to non-business assets, the utilization of the carryforwards is limited such that the majority of the carryforwards will never be available. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded those NOL carryforwards and credit carryforwards in its deferred tax assets.

 

The Parent is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012. The Company currently is not under examination by any tax authority.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had deferred tax assets primarily consisting of net operating losses and accrued liabilities not currently deductible. However, because of the current loss since Inception, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance such that its net deferred tax asset is zero.

Deferred tax assets consist of the following components:

  March 31,
2017
 
Deferred tax assets:    
Accrued liabilities not currently deductible $74,355 
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards  882,892 
Gross deferred tax assets  957,247 
Valuation allowance  (663,317)
Gross deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance  293,930 
     
Deferred tax liabilities    
Stock-based compensation  16,625 
Website development costs and fixed assets  277,305 
     
Net deferred tax asset $- 

The Company must make judgments as to whether the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent that the Company believes that recovery is not likely, it must establish a valuation allowance.  A valuation allowance has been established for deferred tax assets which the Company does not believe meet the “more likely than not” criteria.  The Company’s judgments regarding future taxable income may change due to changes in market conditions, changes in tax laws, tax planning strategies or other factors.  If the Company’s assumptions and consequently its estimates change in the future, the valuation allowances it has established may be increased or decreased, resulting in a respective increase or decrease in income tax expense.

F-41A-14

 

 

At March 31, 2017, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2.6 million for federal income tax purposes.  The NOL carryforward may be used to reduce taxable income, if any, in future years through their expiration in 2036 and 2037.

 

The provision for income taxes on the statement of comprehensive loss differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to income before the provision for income taxes for the three months ended, as follows:

  March 31,
2017
    
       
Federal expense expected at statutory rate $(344,010)  34.0%
Permanent differences  97,895   -9.7%
Change in valuation allowance  246,115   -24.5%
         
Tax benefit and effective tax rate $-   0%

The Company recognizes tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties in general and administrative expenses.  There were no interest and penalties recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  The Company has evaluated and concluded that there are no uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

11.  Related Party Transactions

On April 4, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, selling 3,765,000 shares at $1.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,765,000. In connection with the offering, the Company paid $188,250 and issued 162,000 shares of common stock to MDB Capital Group LLC, which acted as placement agent.

Mr. Christopher Marlett, a director of the Company, is also the Chief Executive Officer of MDB. Mr. Gary Schuman, who was the Chief Financial Officer of the Company until May 15, 2017, is also the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of MDB. The Company compensates Mr. Schuman for his services at the rate of $3,000 per month. Mr. Robert Levande, who is director of the Company, is also a senior managing director of MDB.

12.  Commitments and Contingencies

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

The Company may have a liability for additional state franchise taxes payable in the amount of approximately $44,000, plus interest at 18% per annum, for the years 2008-2014. Because of state statutory provisions, the underpaid amount will only be due once assessed and demanded by the state.  The tax liability and associated interest has not been included as an accrued liability because management has determined that the likelihood of the state making the assessment is low.  Depending on circumstances, management may change its estimate of the probability of an assessment and establish either an accrual or record a payment for the tax liability if assessed.

F-42A-15

 

 

13.  Subsequent Events

 

On April 4, 2017, the Company completed a private placement of its common stock, selling 3,765,000 shares at $1.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $3,765,000. A total of $3,515,000 of the gross proceeds was received prior to March 31, 2017.  In connection with the offering, the Company paid $188,250 and issued 162,000 shares of common stock to MDB Capital Group LLC, which acted as placement agent.  The approximate transaction costs of $424,000, including $201,000 of non-cash expenses, have been recorded as a reduction in paid-in capital.  The net cash proceeds were approximately $3.5 million.  The shares issued through this offering have registration rights, and a registration statement on Form S-1 was timely filed on May 15, 2017 within forty-five days of the offering completion date. The registration rights provide for liquidated damages upon the occurrence of certain events, including the Company’s failure to file the registration statement or cause it to become effective by the deadline.

From April 1, 2017 to May 19, 2017, the Company has issued warrants to ten of the Channel Partners to purchase up to 555,000 shares of common stock with an average exercise price of $1.23, and ranging from $1.19 to $1.25. The warrants vest over three years and expire in five years from issuance. In addition to the three-year vesting condition, the warrants have performance conditions that determine how many warrants are earned. The performance conditions are generally based on the average number of unique visitors on the Channel operated by the Channel Partner during the period from July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 or the revenue generated in any consecutive 12-month period during the period from issuance date to June 30, 2019. These performance conditions do not have sufficiently large disincentive for non-performance such that the fair value measure is not fixed until performance is complete. The Company recognizes expense for equity based payments to non-employees as the services are received.  The Company has specific objective criteria, such as the date of launch on the Company’s platform, for determination of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.

From April 1, 2017 to May 19, 2017, the Company has granted options under the Stock Incentive Plan to five employees for up to 485,000 shares with exercise prices ranging from $1.19 to $1.23 per share. The plan has not been approved by the shareholders of the Company at this time.

F-43A-16

 

 

PART II

 

A-17

 

A-18

 

A-19

 

A-20

 

A-21

 

A-22

 

A-23

 

A-24

 

A-25

 

A-26

 

A-27

 

A-28

 

A-29

 

A-30

2,371,541 shares of common stock

PROSPECTUS

Sole Book-Running Manager

B. RILEY SECURITIES

Lead Manager

LAKE STREET

Through and including ___________, 2022 (the 25th day after the date of this offering), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

PART II: INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 13.Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table lists the costs andare our expenses payable by the Companyto be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement, all of securities coveredwhich will be paid by this prospectus, other than any sales commissions or discounts.us. All of the amounts shown are estimatesestimated except for the SEC registration fee and allthe NYSE American listing fee. All fees shall be added by amendment.

SEC registration fee $3,198.15 
NYSE American Initial Listing Fee 75,000.00 
FINRA Filing Fee 5,000.00 
Accounting fees and expenses 235,000.00 
Legal fees and expenses 

350,000.00

 
Financial printing 7,000.00 
Transfer Agent Fee 20,813.00 
Miscellaneous fees and expenses 5,000.00 
Total $

701,011.15

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our Certificate of Incorporation, as may be further amended and restated and in effect from time to time, provides that our directors shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

Under the feesDGCL, our directors have a fiduciary duty to us that is not eliminated by this provision of our Certificate of Incorporation and, expensesin appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will be borne by the Company.remain available. This provision also does not affect our directors’ responsibilities under any other laws, such as federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

SEC registration fee $1,227 
Accounting fees and expenses  20,000 
Legal fees and expenses  10,000 
Printing expenses  5,000 
Miscellaneous expenses  500 
Total $36,727 

ITEM 14.Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizesDGCL empowers a corporation’s board of directorscorporation to grant, and authorizes a court to award, indemnity to officers, directors and other corporate agents.

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation include provisions that eliminate the personal liability ofindemnify its directors and officers for monetary damages for breachagainst expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the fact that they were or are directors or officers of the corporation, if they acted in good faith, in a manner they 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 that their fiduciary duty asconduct was unlawful. The DGCL provides further that the indemnification permitted thereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the directors and officers.

In addition, as permitted by Section 145officers may be entitled under the corporation’s bylaws, any agreement, a vote of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Registrant providesstockholders or otherwise. Our Bylaws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law,DGCL, we will indemnify any person who is or was a party or threatened to be made a party to any proceedings by the reason of the fact that such person is or was a director shall not be personally liableor officer of us, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against the expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceedings. Our Bylaws also provide that we will indemnify, to the Registrantfullest extent permitted by the DGCL, we will indemnify any person who was or its stockholders for monetary damages for breachis a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceedings by or in our right to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of fiduciary dutythe fact that such person is or was a director or officer of us, or is or was serving at our request as a director.director, officer, or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against the expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceedings.

These indemnification provisionsIn addition, we have entered into agreements with some of our directors under which, among other things, we have agreed to indemnify such director or officer against expenses and damages in connection with claims to the fullest extent permitted by our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws, and the DGCL. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director or officer as to which indemnification agreements entered into betweenwill be required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for such indemnification.

Section 145 of the Registrant andDGCL also empowers a corporation to purchase insurance for its officers and directors may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Registrant’sfor such liabilities. We maintain liability insurance for our officers and directorsdirectors.

II-1

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or the Securities Act.

ITEM 15.Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

On April 4, 2017, the Registrant sold 3,765,000 shares of its common stock to 25 accredited investors at a price of $1.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,765,000. The Company also issued to MDB Capital Group LLC, in partial consideration for its services as placement agent for the offering, 162,000 shares of common stock. The shares of common stock issuedotherwise, we have been advised that in the offering and toopinion of the placement agent were offered and sold exclusively to accredited investorsSEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a transaction not involving a public offering, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506is, therefore, unenforceable.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.Unregistered Securities.

During the previous three calendar years, we have made sales of the following unregistered securities:

2019

On December 19, 2016,January 1, 2019, we issued 37,879 shares (833,333 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock as restricted stock awards to five members of our board of directors subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the Registrant’s Board of Directors approved the ability of management to issue warrants to Channel Partners that would allow the warrant holders to purchase up to a maximum of 5,000,000 warrants in the aggregate.grant date. The warrants will be issued to individual Channel Partners with individualized vesting criteria under a program designed to encourage the Channel Partner to drive user traffic and generate new Channel Partner participants on TheMaven Platform. The warrants have a composition of vesting that is time based and performance based. The Registrant has granted since inception of the program an aggregate of 2,075,000 warrants through May 5, 2017 at exercise prices ranging from $0.95 to $1.33 per share with expiration periods ending from December 19, 2021 to May 5, 2022. These Channel Partner warrants have no registration rights, and vest over three years. None of the Channel Partner warrants are yet vested. The warrants were issuedfair value on the basis of being a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended.

II-1

We believe the offers, sales, and issuances of the above securities by us weregrant date was $10.56 ($0.48 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration underrequirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On March 18 and 27, 2019, we entered into the March 2019 SPAs with accredited investors, including John Fichthorn, our former Chairman, pursuant to which we issued the Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $2.0 million. We received net proceeds of approximately $1.9 million, after payment of fees and expenses. The Debentures were convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $8.80 ($0.40 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, subject to adjustment. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D as promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On April 8, 2019, we entered into the April 2019 SPA with an accredited investor, pursuant to which we issued the Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $100,000. The recipientsDebentures were convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $8.80 ($0.40 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, subject to adjustment. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the securities in eachSecurities Act by virtue of theseSection 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D as promulgated thereunder as transactions represented their intentionsnot involving a public offering.

On May 31, 2019, we granted 109,091 restricted stock units (2,399,997 pre-Reverse Stock Split) for shares of our common stock to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for saleholders of the restricted stock awards issued in connection with any distributionthe merger of HubPages as consideration for an amendment to the true-up provisions. The fair value price per share was $9.90 ($0.45 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates, notes and warrantsas transactions not involving a public offering.

On June 10, 2019, we entered into a note purchase agreement with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, pursuant to which we issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about our company. The sales of these securities were made without any general solicitation or advertising.

ITEM 16.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)       Exhibits. We have filed the exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index of this Registration Statement.

(b)       Financial Statement Schedules. All financial statement schedules are omitted because the information called for is not required or is shown eithera 12% senior secured note, originally due July 31, 2019, in the consolidated financial statements oraggregate principal amount of $20.0 million. We received net proceeds of approximately $18.9 million, after payment of fees and expenses, of which approximately $16.5 million was deposited into escrow to pay the consideration for an acquisition. On June 14, 2019, we entered into an amended and restated note purchase agreement with an accredited investor, BRF Finance, which amended and restated the note purchase agreement, dated June 10, 2019, pursuant to which we issued an amended and restated 12% senior secured note, due June 14, 2022, in the notes thereto.aggregate principal amount of $68.0 million. We received additional gross proceeds of $48.0 million, which after deducting fees and expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $45.5 million. On August 27, 2019, we entered into an amendment to the amended and restated note purchase agreement with an accredited investor, BRF Finance, pursuant to which we issued a second amended and restated 12% senior secured promissory note, due June 14, 2022, in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $53.7 million, which amended, restated, and superseded the $68.0 million 12% senior secured note issued by us on June 14, 2019. We received gross proceeds of $3.0 million and after payment of fees and expenses, received net proceeds of approximately $2.8 million. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

II-2
 

On June 14, 2019, we granted warrants to acquire 999,539 shares (21,989,844 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) our common stock to ABG in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, expiring in ten years. Half the warrants have an exercise price of $9.24 ($0.42 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share (the “$9.24 Warrants”). The other half of the warrants have an exercise price of $18.48 ($0.84 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share (the “$18.48 Warrants”). The warrants provide for the following: (1) 40% of the $9.24 Warrants and 40% of the $18.48 Warrants vest in equal monthly increments over a period of two years beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of issuance of the warrants (any unvested portion of such warrants to be forfeited by ABG upon certain terminations by us of the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement); (2) 60% of the $9.24 Warrants and 60% of the $18.48 Warrants vest based on the achievement of certain performance goals for the licensed brands in calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023; (3) under certain circumstances we may require ABG to exercise all (and not less than all) of the warrants, in which case all of the warrants will be vested; (4) all of the warrants automatically vest upon certain terminations of the Licensing Agreement by ABG or upon a change of control of us; and (5) ABG has the right to participate, on a pro-rata basis (including vested and unvested warrants, exercised or unexercised), in any future equity issuance of the Company (subject to customary exceptions). Pursuant to Fourth Amendment to the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, the exercise price of fifty percent (50%) of the $18.48 Warrants was changed to $9.24 ($0.42 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share in exchange for additional benefits under the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

On June 28, 2019, we entered into the Series I SPAs with several accredited investors, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 23,100 shares of Series I Preferred Stock, initially convertible into 2,100,000 shares (46,200,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock based on a stated value of $1,000 per share divided by the conversion price of $11.00 ($0.50 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $23.1 million and, after payment of fees and expenses, net proceeds of approximately $21.7 million. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On September 10, 2019, L2 exercised it warrants previously granted in June 2019 on a cashless basis for the issuance of 24,516 shares (539,331 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as transactions not involving a public offering.

On October 7, 2019, we entered into the 2019 Series J SPAs with several accredited investors, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Series J Preferred Stock, initially convertible into 1,298,702 shares (28,571,428 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) based on a stated value of $1,000 divided by the conversion price of $15.40 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split). We received gross proceeds of approximately $20.0 million and, after payment of fees and expenses, received net proceeds of approximately $14.4 million. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

Between March 16, 2019 and December 2, 2019, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to 3,097,176 shares (68,137,863 pre-Reverse Stock Split) shares of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Plan as payment for services. The exercise prices per share range from $8.80 to $19.58 ($0.40 to $0.89 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On or about December 2, 2019, Mr. Zimak was granted an option to purchase up to an aggregate of 102,273 shares (2,250,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of common stock, with an exercise price of $16.94 ($0.77 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, in connection with his appointment as an officer. At the commencement of his employment, he was awarded restricted stock units for 11,364 shares (250,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of common stock. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, in connection with the Say Media merger, we issued 54,040 shares (1,188,880 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock out of total shares required to be issued of 230,326 shares (5,067,167 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

2020

On January 1, 2020, we issued 25,569 (562,500 pre-Reverse Stock Split) shares of our common stock as restricted stock awards to certain members of our Board subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the grant date. The per share value on the grant date was $3.96 ($0.18 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

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On March 24, 2020, we entered into the Second A&R NPA with BRF Finance, an accredited investor, which amended and restated the amended and restated note purchase agreement, dated as of June 14, 2019, as amended, pursuant to which we issued the Term Note in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $12.0 million to the investor. On March 25, 2020, we drew down approximately $6.9 million under the Term Note and, after payment of fees and expenses, received net proceeds of approximately $6.0 million. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On May 18, 2020 and June 5, 2020, we granted restricted stock units representing 147,728 shares (3,250,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Plan as payment for services. The fair value per share ranged from $9.68 to $11.00 ($0.44 to $0.50 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

 

Between August 14, 2020 and August 20, 2020, we entered into the 2020 Series H SPAs with accredited investors, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of approximately 2,253 shares of Series H Preferred Stock, for gross proceeds of approximately $2.7 million. The shares of Series H Preferred Stock are initially convertible into 310,228 shares (6,825,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock based on a stated value of $1,000 per share divided by the conversion price of $7.26 ($0.33 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On September 4, 2020, we entered into the 2020 Series J SPAs with two accredited investors, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 10,500 shares of Series J Preferred Stock, for gross proceeds of $6.0 million. The Series J Preferred Stock is initially convertible into 681,819 shares (15,000,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock based on a stated value of $1,000 per share divided by the conversion price of $15.40 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On October 23, 2020, October 28, 2020, and November 11, 2020, we entered into the Series K SPAs with several accredited investors, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 18,042 shares of Series K Preferred Stock, initially convertible into 2,050,228 shares (45,105,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock based on a stated value of $1,000 divided by the conversion price of $8.80 ($0.40 pre-Reverse Stock Split). We received gross proceeds of approximately $18.0 million and paid placement agent fees of $560,500. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On December 18, 2020, upon the filing of the Certificate of Amendment, we issued approximately 6,131,352 shares (134,889,726 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock upon conversion of the Series I Preferred Stock, the Series J Preferred Stock, and the Series K Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of each respective Certificate of Designation. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On December 31, 2020, noteholders converted the Debentures representing an aggregate of approximately $18.1 million of the then-outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest into 2,449,431 shares (53,887,470 pre- Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock at conversion per-share prices ranging from $7.26 to $8.80 ($0.33 to $0.40 pre-Reverse Stock Split) in accordance with the terms of the debentures. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

Between January 2, 2020 and December 31, 2020, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to approximately 1,006,535 shares (22,143,768 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to participants under our 2019 Plan as payment for services. The exercise prices per share ranged from $7.48 to $20.46 ($0.34 to $0.93 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

2021

On January 1, 2021, we issued 34,091 shares (750,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock as restricted stock awards to six members of our board of directors subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value was $13.20 ($0.60 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

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Between January 1, 2021 and December 21, 2021, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to 2,330,818 shares (51,277,982 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to participants under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The exercise prices per share ranged from $7.92 to $21.34 ($0.36 to $0.97 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On January 11, 2021, we issued 14,205 shares (312,500 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) to Whisper Advisors, LLC as payment for services provided pursuant to that certain Services Agreement dated December 22, 2020. The shares had a fair market value of $125,000. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Between February 18, 2021 and September 20, 2021, we granted restricted stock units representing 1,677,680 shares (36,908,945 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to participants under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The fair values per share ranged from $10.34 to $19.80 ($0.47 and $0.90 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On March 9, 2021, we issued 2,508 shares (55,165 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock as restricted stock awards to one new member of our Board subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a ten-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $16.28 ($0.74 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On March 9, 2021, we issued 11,667 shares (256,661 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to LiftIgniter as part of the consideration owed under the asset purchase agreement. The fair value per share on the date of issuance was $17.38 ($0.79 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021, we entered into the May 2021 SPAs with several accredited investors, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 974,351 shares (21,435,718 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock, at a per share price of $15.40 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split) for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $15.0 million in a private placement. On June 2, 2021, we entered into the June 2021 SPA with an accredited investor, pursuant to which we sold an aggregate of 324,676 shares (7,142,857 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock, at a per share price of $15.40 ($0.70 pre-Reverse Stock Split) for gross proceeds of approximately $5.0 million in a private placement that was in addition to the closings that occurred on May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021. After payment of legal fees and expenses the investors of approximately $167,000, of which $100,000 was paid in cash to B. Riley, we received net proceeds of approximately $19.8 million The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On June 4, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 194,806 restricted shares (4,285,714 pre-Reverse Stock Split restricted shares) of our common stock in connection with our acquisition of The Spun, with one-half of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the closing date and the remaining one-half of the shares vesting on the second anniversary of the closing date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $16.94 ($0.77 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On June 14, 2021, we issued 3,735 shares (82,158 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock as restricted stock awards to two new members of our Board subject to continued service with us. The awards vest over a seven-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $18.48 ($0.84 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On August 17, 2021, we issued 6,888 shares (151,515 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock upon the conversion of Series H Preferred Stock. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On August 18, 2021, we issued 34,091 shares (750,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock in connection with a payment owed as additional consideration under an asset purchase agreement. The per share fair value on the issuance date was $14.74 ($0.67 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On October 7, 2021, we issued 8,523 shares (187,500 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock as restricted stock awards to four directors subject to continued service with us. The one-third of the awards vests over a three-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $8.80 ($0.40 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Between November 22, 2021 and December 21, 2021, we issued 617,222 shares (13,578,880 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock upon the conversion of Series H Preferred Stock. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

2022

On January 24, 2022, we entered into several Stock Purchase Agreements, pursuant to which we agreed to issue an aggregate of 505,671 shares (11,124,278 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) at a price equal to $13.86 ($0.63 pre-Reverse Stock Split) per share, or the volume-weighted average price of our common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days, to such stockholders in lieu of an aggregate of approximately $9.87 million owed in liquidated damages, which includes accrued but unpaid interest, for our failure to meet certain covenants in prior Registration Rights Agreements and related Securities Purchase Agreements with such stockholders. We also granted registration rights to these stockholders with respect to the shares of our common stock issued in lieu of these liquidated damages. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

Between January 1, 2022 and January 26, 2022, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to 79,760 shares (1,754,720 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to participants under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The exercise prices per share ranged from $14.08 to $14.96 ($0.64 to $0.68 pre-Reverse Stock Split). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On January 1, 2022, we granted restricted stock units representing 68,182 shares (1,500,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) of our common stock to a participant under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The fair value per share was $14.08 ($0.64 per-Reverse Stock Split). The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On January 12, 2022, we entered into a Stock Issuance Agreement with Borden Media Consulting, LLC, pursuant to which we agreed to issue an aggregate of 1,134 shares (25,000 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) for services rendered. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

On or about January 26, 2022, we agreed to issue 13,483 shares (296,607 pre-Reverse Stock Split shares) for services rendered pursuant to a Services Agreement with Whisper Advisors, LLC. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

The financial statements filed as part of this registration statement are listed in the index to the financial statements immediately preceding such financial statements, which index to the financial statements is incorporated herein by reference.

ExhibitITEM 17.UndertakingsDescription
1.1**Form of Underwriting Agreement
2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 13, 2018, by and among the Company, HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2018.
2.2Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 25, 2018, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 2.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
2.3Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on June 4, 2018.
2.4Third Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2019, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 2.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
2.5Fourth Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 15, 2020, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2020.
2.6Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2018, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., and Say Media, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2018.
2.7Amendment to Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2018, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., and Say Media, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2018.
2.8Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 12, 2018, by and among the Company, SM Acquisition Co., Inc., Say Media, Inc., and Matt Sanchez as the Securityholder Representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2018.
2.9Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 17, 2018, by and among the Company, SM Acquisition Co., Inc., Say Media, Inc., and Matt Sanchez as the Securityholder Representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2018.
2.10Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 11, 2019, by and among the Company, TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and TheStreet, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2019.
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021.
3.2Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, which was filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021.
3.3Certificate of Elimination of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.
3.4Certificate of Elimination of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.

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3.5Certificate of Elimination of Series J Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.
3.6Certificate of Elimination of Series K Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.
3.7Certificate of Amendment as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 20, 2022, which was filed Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 26, 2022.
3.8Certificate of Correction of the Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 26, 2022, which was filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 26, 2022.
3.9*Certificate of Correction of the Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 3, 2022.
4.1Specimen Common Stock Certificate, which was filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2/A (Registration No. 333-48040) on September 23, 1996.
4.22016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
4.3Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued on June 6, 2018 to L2 Capital, LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2018.
4.4Form of 10% Convertible Debenture due June 30, 2019, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2018.
4.5Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued on June 15, 2018 to Strome Mezzanine Fund LP, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2018.
4.6Form of 10% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Convertible Debenture due October 31, 2019, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2018.
4.7Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued on October 18, 2018, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2018.
4.8Form of 12% Senior Secured Subordinated Convertible Debenture due December 31, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2018.
4.9Form of 12% Senior Secured Subordinated Convertible Debenture due December 31, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2019.
4.10Form of 12% Senior Secured Subordinated Convertible Debenture due December 31, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2019.
4.11Form of 12% Senior Secured Subordinated Convertible Debenture due December 31, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2019.
4.12Form of Warrant for Channel Partners Program, which was filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
4.13Form of MDB Warrant issued in connection with the Share Exchange Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 7, 2016.
4.14Common Stock Purchase Warrant (exercise price $0.42 per share), dated June 14, 2019, issued to ABG-SI LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 4.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on August 16, 2021.
4.15Common Stock Purchase Warrant (exercise price $0.84 per share), dated June 14, 2019, issued to ABG-SI LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 4.17 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
4.16Form of 2019 Warrant for Channel Partners Program, which was filed as Exhibit 4.18 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
4.17Form of 2020 Warrant for Channel Partners Program, which was filed as Exhibit 4.19 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
4.18Rights Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2021, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certificate of Designations, the Form of Right Certificate, and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares attached thereto as Exhibits A, B, and C, respectively, which was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2021.
5.1Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP as to the legality of the securities registered hereby, which was filed as Exhibit 5.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-262111) filed with the SEC on January 31, 2022.
10.1Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 4, 2018, by and between the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2018.

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10.2Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 4, 2018, by and between the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2018.
10.3Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 30, 2018, by and among the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.4Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 30, 2018, by and among the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.12 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.5Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2018, by and between the Company and L2 Capital, LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2018.
10.6Promissory Note, issued as of June 6, 2018 by the Company in favor of L2 Capital, LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2018.
10.7Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 15, 2018, between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2018.
10.8Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 15, 2018, by and between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2018.
10.9Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2018, by and between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2018.
10.10Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2018, by and between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2018.
10.11Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 18, 2018, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2018.
10.12Security Agreement, dated October 18, 2018, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., SM Acquisition Co., Inc., and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2018.
10.13Subsidiary Guarantee, dated October 18, 2018, by Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., and SM Acquisition Co., Inc., in favor of each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2018.
10.14Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 12, 2018, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2018.
10.15Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 12, 2018, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2018.
10.16Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 18, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2019.
10.17Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 18, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2019.
10.18Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 27, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2019.
10.19Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 27, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2019.
10.20Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 8, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2019.
10.21Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 8, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2019.

II-8

10.22Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 10, 2019, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., Say Media, Inc., TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and the investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2019.
10.23Form of 12% Note due July 31, 2019, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2019.
10.24Pledge and Security Agreement, dated June 10, 2019, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., Say Media, Inc., TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and the investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2019.
10.25Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 14, 2019, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., Say Media, Inc., TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and the investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2019.
10.26Form of 12% Note due June 14, 2022, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2019.
10.27Confirmation and Ratification Agreement, dated June 14, 2019, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., Say Media, Inc., TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and the investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2019.
10.28Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2019.
10.29Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2019.
10.30First Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 27, 2019, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc. Say Media, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., f/k/a TST Acquisition Co., Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, and the investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 3, 2019.
10.31Form of Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note due June 14, 2022, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 3, 2019.
10.32Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2019.
10.33Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2019.
10.34Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 24, 2020, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc. Maven Media Brands, LLC, the agent and the purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2020.
10.35Form of 15% Delayed Draw Term Note, issued on March 24, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2020.
10.36Form of Series H Securities Purchase Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2020.
10.37Form of Series J Securities Purchase Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2020.
10.38Form of Series J Registration Rights Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2020.
10.39Form of Series K Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2020.
10.40Form of Series K Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2020.
10.41Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated October 23, 2020, among the Company, the guarantors from time to time party thereto, each of the purchasers named therein, and BRF Financial Co., LLC, in its capacity as agent for the purchasers, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2020.

II-9

10.42Sublease, dated January 14, 2020, by and between Saks & Company LLC and Maven Coalition, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.51 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.43Sublease Agreement, dated April 25, 2018, by and between Hodgson Meyers Communications, Inc. and Maven Coalition, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.56 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.42Office Lease Agreement, dated October 25, 2019, by and between Street Retail West I, LP and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 10.54 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.44Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 9, 2020, by and among Maven Coalition, Inc., Petametrics Inc., doing business as LiftIgniter, and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 10.59 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.45+Consulting Agreement, dated August 26, 2020, by and between Maven Coalition, Inc. and James C. Heckman, Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.62 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.46+Separation Agreement, effective as of September 2, 2020, by and between the Company and James C. Heckman, Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.61 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.47+Form of Stock Option Award Agreement – 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.62 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.48+Form of Stock Option Award Agreement – 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.63 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.49Note, dated April 6, 2020, issued by TheStreet, Inc. in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., which was filed as Exhibit 10.64 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.50+Independent Director Agreement, effective as of September 3, 2018, by and between the Company and Todd D. Sims, which was filed as Exhibit 10.71 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.51+First Amendment to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.80 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.52+Second Amendment to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.81 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.53+Form of Restricted Equity Award Grant Notice – 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.82 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.54+Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice – 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.83 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.55+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated March 11, 2019, by and between the Company and Douglas B. Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.84 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.56+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated March 11, 2019, by and between the Company and Douglas B. Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.85 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.57Assignment Agreement, dated October 3, 2019, by and among, the Company, ABG-SI LLC, Meredith Corporation, and TI Gotham Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.106 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.58Employee Leasing Agreement, dated October 3, 2019, by and between the Company and Meredith Corporation, which was filed as Exhibit 10.107 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.59Outsourcing Agreement, dated October 3, 2019, by and between the Company and Meredith Corporation, which was filed as Exhibit 10.108 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.60Transition Services Agreement – theMaven, dated October 3, 2019, by and between the Company and Meredith Corporation, which was filed as Exhibit 10.109 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.61Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated October 3, 2019, by and among Meredith Corporation, TI Gotham Inc., and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 10.110 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.62Channel Partners Warrant Program adopted on March 10, 2019, which was filed as Exhibit 10.111 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.

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10.63Channel Partners Warrant Program adopted on May 20, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.112 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.64+2020 Outside Director Compensation Policy, adopted as of January 1, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.113 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.65+Amendment to 2020 Outside Director Compensation Policy, dated May 27, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.114 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.66+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated January 16, 2019, by and between the Company and Andrew Q. Kraft, which was filed as Exhibit 10.119 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.67+Stock Award Agreement, dated January 16, 2019, by and between the Company and Andrew Q. Kraft, which was filed as Exhibit 10.120 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.68+Maven Executive Bonus Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2021.
10.69Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 12, 2019, by and among the Company, TheStreet, Inc., and TST Acquisition Co., Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.122 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.70+Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Paul Edmondson, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.71+Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Douglas B. Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.72+Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company and Paul Edmondson, which was filed as Exhibit 10.127 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.73+Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company and James Heckman, which was filed as Exhibit 10.128 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.74+Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company B. Rinku Sen, which was filed as Exhibit 10.129 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.75+Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company and Douglas Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.130 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.76+Form of Amendment to Stock Option Award Agreement, by and between the Company and certain grantees awarded stock options on April 10, 2019, which was filed as Exhibit 10.131 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.77+Executive Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Jill Marchisotto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.78+Executive Employment Agreement, effective as of February 18, 2021, by and between the Company and Robertson Barrett, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.79Services Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and between the Company and Whisper Advisors, LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.134 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.80+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated September 14, 2018, by and between the Company and Paul Edmondson, which was filed as Exhibit 10.135 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.81+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated September 14, 2018, by and between the Company and James Heckman, which was filed as Exhibit 10.136 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.82+Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice, effective January 1, 2019, by and between the Company and B. Rinku Sen, which was filed as Exhibit 10.137 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.83+Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Andrew Kraft, which was filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.84+Second Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Avi Zimak, which was filed as Exhibit 10.7 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.85+Second Amendment to theMaven, Inc.’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, dated February 18, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 24, 2021.
10.86+First Amendment to theMaven, Inc.’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, dated March 16, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.141 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.

II-11

10.87+2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.142 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.88Financing and Security Agreement, dated February 2020, by and among Maven Coalition, Inc., theMaven, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet, Inc., and FPP Finance LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.8 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.
10.89First Amendment to Financing and Security Agreement, dated March 24, 2020, by and among Maven Coalition, Inc., theMaven, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet, Inc., and FPP Financing LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.9 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.
10.90Intercreditor Agreement, dated February 24, 2020, by and between FPP Finance LLC and BRF Finance Co., LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.10 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.
10.91Amendment No. 1 to Intercreditor Agreement, dated March 24, 2020, by and between FPP Finance LLC and BRF Finance Co., LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.11 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.
10.92Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2021, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, and the Agent, and the Purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
10.93Form of Securities Purchase Agreement among the Company and each of the several purchasers signatory thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
10.94Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Company and each of the several purchasers signatory thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
10.95Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 4, 2021, by and among the Company, Maven Media Brands, LLC, College Spun Media Incorporated, Matthew Lombardi, Alyson Shontell Lombardi, Timothy Ray, Andrew Holleran, and the Representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2021.
10.96+Amended & Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated June 14, 2020, by and between the Company and Avi Zimak, which was filed as Exhibit 10.140 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.97Amended Consulting Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.103 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.98General Release and Continuing Obligations Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet Inc., Heckman Media, LLC, and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.104 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.99+Amendment to 2016 Stock Incentive Plan Option Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.105 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.100+Amendment to 2019 Equity Incentive Plan Option Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.106 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.101+Executive Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Spiros Christoforatos, dated October 4, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 18, 2021.
10.102Second Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective August 26, 2020, by and between the Company and Ross Levinsohn, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.103Third Amendment to Financing and Security Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2021, by and among theMaven, Inc., Maven Coalition, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet, Inc., College Spun Media Incorporated, and Fast Pay Partners LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2021.
10.104Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2021, by and among theMaven, Inc., Maven Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, College Spun Media Incorporated, and BRF Finance Co., LLC, as Agent and Purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2021.
10.105+Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended & Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2021, by and between the Company and Ross Levinsohn, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2022.
10.106+Bonus Letter, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and between the Company and Ross Levinsohn, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2022.
10.107Form of Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and certain investors, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2022.
10.108Amendment No. 4 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated January 23, 2022, by and between theMaven, Inc., Maven Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, College Spun Media Incorporated, and BRF Finance Co., LLC, as Agent and Purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2022.
14.1Amended and Restated Business Code of Ethics and Conduct, which was filed as Exhibit 14.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
14.2Code of Ethics for Financial Officers, which was filed as Exhibit 14.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
21.1Subsidiaries, which was filed as Exhibit 21.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-262111) filed with the SEC on January 31, 2022.
23.1*Consent of Marcum LLP.

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23.2Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included on Exhibit 5.1), which was filed as Exhibit 5.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-262111) filed with the SEC on January 31, 2022.
24Power of Attorney, which was included on the signature page to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-262111) filed with the SEC on January 11, 2022.

101.INS XBRL*Instance Document.
101.SCH XBRL*Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL XBRL*Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF XBRL*Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB XBRL*Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE XBRL*Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.
104*Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
107*Calculation Filing Fee

*Filed herewith
**To the extent applicable, to be filed by an amendment to this registration statement or incorporated by reference pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with the offering of securities registered hereunder.
+Employment Agreement

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendmentundertakes to this registration statement:

(i)to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(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 reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relatingprovide 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) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsoldUnderwriter at the termination ofclosing specified in the offering.underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(4) 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 of 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.

(5) For determining liability of theThe undersigned registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser:Registrant hereby undertakes that:

(i)1.That eachFor purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 undersignedRegistrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5),(1) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii),(4) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statementthis Registration Statement as of the earliertime it was declared effective.
2.For the purpose of determining any liability under the date suchSecurities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates,offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 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 effective date, supersede or modify 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 effective date.

(iii)Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part 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 modify 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.II-13

 II-3

SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to its registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Seattle,Los Angeles, State of Washington,California, on July 21, 2017.February 9, 2022.

THEMAVEN,THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
By:/s/ James C. Heckman, Jr.
By:James C. Heckman,

/s/ Ross Levinsohn

Name:Ross Levinsohn
Title:Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.indicated

SignatureTitleDateTitle
   
/s/ James C. Heckman, Jr.
James C. Heckman, Jr.ROSS LEVINSOHN

President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Ross Levinsohn(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: February 9, 2022July 21, 2017
   
/s/ Martin L. Heimbigner
Martin L. Heimbigner*

Chief Financial Officer

Douglas B. Smith(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Date: February 9, 2022July 21, 2017
   
/s/ Christopher A. Marlett
Christopher A. Marlett*
DirectorJuly 21, 2017Chief Accounting Officer
Spiros Christoforatos(Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: February 9, 2022
   
/s/ Peter B. Mills
Peter B. Mills*
DirectorJuly 21, 2017Director
H. Hunt Allred
Date: February 9, 2022
   
/s/ Ross Levinsohn
Ross Levinsohn*
DirectorJuly 21, 2017Director
Carlo Zola
Date: February 9, 2022
   
/s/ Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs*
DirectorJuly 21, 2017

 II-4Director
Laura Lee 

EXHIBIT INDEX

ExhibitDate: February 9, 2022 Description
   
3.1* Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended (5)Director
3.2Christopher Petzel Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Change of name – December 2016) (7)
3.3Date: February 9, 2022 By-laws of the Registrant, as amended (1)
3.4 Certificate of Designations for Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (3)
4.1* Specimen Common Stock Certificate (2)Director
4.3Daniel Shribman Channel Partners Stock Program – Form of Warrants (5)
4.4Date: February 9, 2022 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (5)
5.1** Opinion of Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP
10.1* Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (3)Director
10.2Todd D. Sims James C. Heckman Employment Agreement (6) (8)
10.3Date: February 9, 2022 William Sornsin Employment Agreement (6) (8)
10.4Benjamin Joldersma Employment Agreement (6) (8)
10.5Share Exchange Agreement, dated October 14, 2016 (8)
10.6Amendment to the Share Exchange Agreement, dated November 4, 2016 (8)
10.7Form of MDB Warrant issued in connection with the Share Exchange Agreement (8)
10.8Form of Indemnification Escrow Agreement dated November 4, 2016 (8)
10.9Form of Employee Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement (8)
10.10Form of Lock Up Agreement (8)
10.11Form of Registration Rights Agreement for the shares of pre-merger shareholders (8)
10.12Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 4, 2017 between the Registrant and the Investors listed on the schedule of buyers attached thereto (9)
10.13Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 4, 2017, between the Registrant and the Investors party thereto (9)
10.14Martin L. Heimbigner Employment Agreement (6) (10)
10.15Joshua Jacobs Employment Agreement (6) (11)
21.1Subsidiaries (5)
23.1*Consent of Gumbiner Savett, Inc.
23.2**Consent of Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1Updated Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
101*The following material formatted in XBRL: (i) Balance Sheets, (ii) Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (iv) Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to Financial Statements.

*Filed Herewith
**Previously Filed

(1)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

(2)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 333-48040) declared effective on October 31, 2000.

(3)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-40710), declared effective on July 28, 2000.

(4)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

(5)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed on May 10, 2017.

(6)Management employment agreement.

(7)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 9, 2016.

(8)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 7, 2016.

(9)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 10, 2017.

(10)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 19, 2017.

(11)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 2, 2017.

EX-1 

*By:  /s/ Ross Levinsohn
Ross Levinsohn, as attorney-in-fact

II-14