Arena Group Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission file number 1-12471

THEMAVEN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(775) 600-2765

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.01 par value

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [  ] No [X]

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] or No [X]

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

As of May 17, 2020, the Registrant had 39,078,503 shares of common stock outstanding.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of TheMaven, Inc. (the “Company”) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These might include statements regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations, and assumptions and predictions about future product demand, supply, manufacturing costs, marketing and pricing factors are all forward-looking statements. These statements are generally accompanied by words such as “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “potential(ly)”, “continue”, “forecast”, “predict”, “plan”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “should”, “expect” or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, based on information available to it on the date hereof, but the Company cannot provide assurances that these assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct or that the Company will take any action that the Company may presently be planning. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or experience may differ materially from those expected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, regulatory policies or changes thereto, available cash, research and development results, competition from other similar businesses, and market and general economic factors. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The Company does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 – CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THEMAVEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization and Reverse Merger

On October 11, 2016, Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. (“Integrated”), a Delaware corporation incorporated on October 1, 1990, and Amplify Media Network, Inc. (“Amplify”), a Nevada corporation incorporated on July 22, 2016, executed a share exchange agreement, as amended, that provided for each outstanding common share of Amplify to be converted into 4.13607 common shares of Integrated (the “Exchange Ratio”), and for each outstanding warrant and stock option to purchase shares of Amplify common stock be cancelled in exchange for a warrant or stock option to purchase shares of Integrated common stock based on the Exchange Ratio (the “Recapitalization”).

On November 4, 2016 (the “Recapitalization Date”), the consummation of the Recapitalization became effective and Amplify became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Integrated. Pursuant to the Recapitalization, Integrated: (1) issued to the shareholders of Amplify an aggregate of 12,517,152 shares of Integrated common stock (see Note 14); and (2) issued to MDB Capital Group, LLC (“MDB”) as an advisory fee, warrants to purchase 1,169,607 shares of Integrated common stock. Existing Integrated stock options to purchase 175,000 shares of Integrated common stock were assumed pursuant to the Recapitalization. Amplify had no common stock options or warrants outstanding as of the Recapitalization Date.

Amplify’s Certificate of Incorporation was subsequently amended to change its name to Amplify Media Network, Inc. on July 27, 2016, to TheMaven Network, Inc. on October 14, 2016, and to Maven Coalition, Inc. on March 5, 2018 (Amplify is subsequently referred to herein as “Coalition”).

Integrated was originally incorporated in Delaware on October 1, 1990 under the name Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc, and its Certificate of Incorporation was subsequently amended to change its name to TheMaven, Inc. on December 2, 2016. Integrated is subsequently referred to herein as “Maven” (unless the context indicates otherwise, Maven, Coalition, and HubPages, Inc. (as described in Note 3) are together hereinafter referred to as the “Company”).

Business Operations

The Company operates a digital, distribution and monetization platforms that is shared by a coalition of independent, professionally managed online media publishers (“Maven(s)”). Each Maven joins the coalition by invitation-only and is drawn from professional journalists, subject matter experts, group evangelists and social leaders. Mavens 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. Generally, Mavens are independently owned strategic partners who receive a share of revenue from the interaction with their content. When they join, Mavens benefit from the state-of-the-art technology of the Company’s platform, allowing them to dramatically upgrade performance. At the same time, advertising revenue is dramatically improved due to the scale the Company has achieved by combining all Mavens onto a single platform and the large and experienced sales organization. They also benefit from the Company’s membership marketing and management systems to further enhance their revenue. Additionally, the lead brand within each vertical creates a halo benefit for all Mavens 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 save substantially in costs of technology, infrastructure, advertising sales and member marketing and management.

The Company’s growth strategy is to continue to expand the coalition by adding new Mavens 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, surround it with subcategory Maven specialists and further enhance coverage with individual expert contributors. The primary means of expansion is adding Mavens as independent strategic partners. However, in some circumstances the Company will acquire entities that bring crucial technology that will enhance the platform or branded content providers that may serve as the cornerstone of an important vertical.

The Company’s common stock is traded on the Over-the-Counter Market under the symbol “MVEN”

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2018, and for the three months and nine months ended, are unaudited. In the opinion of management of the Company, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2018, and the results of its operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017, has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements at such date.

The condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and other information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC on May 15, 2018.

Going Concern

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that the Company is a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company had revenues of $1,460,958 through September 30, 2018, and has experienced recurring net losses from operations, negative working capital, and negative operating cash flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company incurred a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $35,463,647, utilized cash in operating activities of $6,288,695, and had an accumulated deficit of $25,890,222 as of September 30, 2018. The Company has financed its working capital requirements since inception through the issuance of its debt and equity securities.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was reported in Wuhan, China. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 to constitute a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” Many national governments and sports authorities around the world have 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 have limited non-essential work activity, furloughed and/or terminated many employees and closed some operations and/or locations, all of which has had a negative impact on the economic environment.

As a result of these factors the Company has experienced a decline in revenues and earnings since early March 2020. While the Company has implemented cost reduction measures in an effort to offset such volume declines, the duration of these declines remains uncertain. If the volume declines do not stabilize over the next few months, the Company’s 2020 financial results and operations may be adversely impacted. The extent of the impact on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on the Company’s willingness and ability to take further cost reduction measures as well as future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, related group gathering and sports event advisories and restrictions, and the extent and effectiveness of containment actions taken, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at the time of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

As a result of the above factors, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date that the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are being issued. In addition, the Company’s previous independent registered public accounting firm, in their report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, had also expressed substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is impacted by the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and could therefore be dependent upon the Company’s ability to raise additional funds to ultimately achieve sustainable operating revenues and profitability. From October 2018 through April 2020, the Company has raised aggregate net proceeds of approximately $139 million through various debt and preferred stock private placements (see Note 18). The Company believes that based on its current assessment of the impact of COVID-19 it has sufficient resources to fully fund its business operations through April 30, 2021. However, due to the uncertainty regarding the duration of the impact of COVID-19 and its effect on the Company’s financial performance the Company estimates that it may require additional capital in capital markets today, which are less liquid given the lack of clarity surrounding COVID-19.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

Reclassifications

Certain comparative amounts as of December 31, 2017 and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications were immaterial, both individually and in the aggregate. These changes did not impact previously reported loss from operations or net loss.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the financial statements of Maven and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Coalition, and HubPages, a new wholly-owned subsidiary formed on March 13, 2018 to facilitate the acquisition transaction described in Note 3. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during 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 acquisition, 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; 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 differ from these estimates.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company has a limited operating history and has not generated significant revenues 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.

B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley FBR”) is a registered broker-dealer owned by B. Riley Financial, Inc., a diversified publicly-traded financial services company (“B. Riley”), which acted as placement agent for the Series H Preferred Stock financing (see Note 13). In consideration for its services as placement agent, the Company paid B. Riley FBR a cash fee of $575,000 (including a previously paid retainer of $75,000) and issued to B. Riley FBR 669 shares of Series H Preferred Stock. In addition, entities affiliated with B. Riley FBR purchased 5,592 shares of Series H Preferred Stock in the financing. John A. Fichthorn joined the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company in September 2018 and was elected as Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee in November 2018. Mr. Fichthorn currently serves as Head of Alternative Investments for B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, which is an SEC-registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley. Todd D. Sims also joined the Board of the Company in September 2018 and is also a member of the board of directors of B. Riley. Mr. Fichthorn and Mr. Sims serve on the Board of the Company as designees of B. Riley. Since August 2018, B. Riley FBR has been instrumental in providing investment banking services to the Company and in raising debt and equity capital for the Company. These services having included raising debt and equity capital to support the acquisitions of HubPages and Say Media, Inc. (“Say Media”), and the subsequent acquisition of TheStreet, Inc. and licensing agreement with ABG-SI LLC (as described in Note 18). These services have also included raising debt for refinancing and working capital purposes through the sale of the 10% Convertible Debentures (as described in Note 12), and the 10% OID Convertible Debentures, 12% Convertible Debentures, and equity capital through the sale of Series I and J Convertible Preferred Stock (as described in Note 18).

Digital Media Content and Channel Partners

The Company operates a coalition of online media channels and provides digital media (text, audio and video) over the internet that users may access on demand. As a broadcaster that transmits third party content owned by our Channel Partners via digital media, the Company applies the Financial Accounting Standards (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 920, Entertainment – Broadcasters. The Channel Partners generally receive variable amounts of consideration that are dependent upon the calculation of revenue earned by the channel in a given month, referred to as a “revenue share”, that are payable in arrears. In certain circumstances, there is a monthly fixed fee minimum or a fixed yield (“revenue per thousand visitors”) based on the volume of visitors. Information with respect to fixed dollar commitments for channel content licenses are disclosed in Note 17; Channel Partner agreements that include fixed yield based on the volume of visitors are not included in such disclosures because, although they are expected to be significant, they cannot be quantified at this time. Expenses related to Channel Partner agreements are reported in cost of revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The cash payments related to Channel Partner agreements are classified within operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as the accounting standard for revenue recognition, which was effective as of January 1, 2017. Since the Company had not previously generated revenue from customers, the Company did not have to transition its accounting method from ASC 605, Revenue Recognition.

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 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.

The following is a description of the principal activities from which the Company generates revenue:

Advertising – The Company enters into contracts with advertising networks to serve display or video advertisements on the digital media pages associated with its various channels. The Company recognizes revenue from advertisements at the point in time when each ad is viewed as reported by the Company’s advertising network partners. The quantity of advertisements, the impression bid prices and revenue are reported on a real-time basis. 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 Channel 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.

Membership Subscriptions – The Company enters into contracts with internet users that subscribe to premium content on the digital media channels. These contracts provide internet users with a membership subscription to access the premium content 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. Subscriber payments are initially recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. As the Company provides access to the premium content over the membership subscription term, the Company recognizes revenue and proportionately reduces the deferred revenue balance. The Company owes its independent publisher Channel 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.

Disaggregation of Revenue

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

Contract Balances

The Company receives payments from advertising customers based upon contractual payment terms; accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are generally collected within 90 days. The Company generally receives payments from membership 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. Contract assets include contract fulfillment costs related to revenue shares owed to Channel Partners, which are amortized to expense over the same period of the associated revenue. Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract and are recognized as revenue over time. The Company had no asset impairment charges related to contract assets during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Concentrations

Cash and Restricted Cash – The Company maintains cash and restricted cash at a bank where amounts on deposit may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit during the year. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk regarding its cash. The following table reconciles total cash and restricted cash as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

In January 2018, the Company raised pursuant to a private placement $3,000,000. The $3,000,000 was received by the Company prior to December 31, 2017 and was classified as restricted cash in the December 31, 2017 balance sheet and then subsequently reclassified to cash in January 2018 upon completion of the private placement. In addition, the $3,000,000 investment was classified as investor demand payable in the December 31, 2017 balance sheet and then subsequently reclassified to equity in January 2018 upon completion of the private placement.

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 during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are as follows:

Significant accounts receivable balances as a percentage of the Company’s total accounts receivable as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows:

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 the statement of operations when realized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Platform Development

In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company capitalizes 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 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company places capitalized platform development assets into service and commences depreciation and 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 platform development assets when the upgrade or enhancement will result in new or additional functionality.

The Company capitalizes internal labor costs, including payroll-based and stock based compensation, benefits and payroll taxes, that are incurred for certain capitalized platform 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.

Platform development costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over three years, which is the estimated useful life of the related asset and is recorded in cost of revenues in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Business 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 liabilities 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 condensed 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 condensed consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value of contingent payments are recorded in the condensed 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 tradenames, are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets, which is five years. 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. Tradename consists of trade names in affiliation with HubPages. 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. No impairment charges have been recorded in the periods presented.

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 has elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a 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 a 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 non-cash consideration paid to lenders and third parties with respect to convertible debt 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 or conversion of convertible debt into common stock, the pro rata portion of any related unamortized deferred financing costs are charged to operations.

Additional consideration in the form of warrants and other derivative financial instruments issued to lenders is accounted for at fair value utilizing information provided in reports prepared by an independent valuation firm. The fair value of warrants and derivatives is recorded as a reduction to the carrying amount of the related debt, and is 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, the pro rata portion of any related unamortized discount on debt is charged to operations.

Liquidated Damages

Obligations with respect to Registration Rights Damages (as described below) and Public Information Failure Damages (as described below) (collectively the “Liquidating Damages”) 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 Liquidating 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.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to operations in the period incurred. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, research and development costs were $411,268 and $30,776, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, research and development costs were $598,645 and $104,095, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for freestanding contracts that are settled in a company’s own stock, 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 of Financial Instruments

The authoritative guidance with respect to fair value established a fair value hierarchy that 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 Company 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 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.

The Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities at each reporting period end.

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments comprising of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, promissory notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”) (as described in Note 13) 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 the Preferred Stock assuming each balance sheet date is a redemption date.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company provides stock based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards to employees and directors, (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants, and (c) common stock warrants to Channel Partners (refer to Channel Partner Warrants below).

The Company accounts for restricted stock awards and stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants by measuring the cost of services received in exchange for the stock based payments as compensation expense in the Company’s financial statements. Restricted 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. Restricted 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.

The Company accounts for stock based payments to certain directors and consultants and its Channel Partners by determining the value of the stock compensation based upon the measurement date at either (a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached or (b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete.

The fair value of restricted stock awards which are time-vested is determined using the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. The fair value of restricted stock awards which provide for performance-vesting and a true-up provision (as described in Note 14) is determined through consultants with the Company’s independent valuation firm using the binomial pricing model at the grant date. The fair value of stock options granted and Channel Partner warrants granted as stock based payments are determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which 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 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 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 Company capitalizes the cost of stock based compensation awards based on the fair value of such awards for platform development and expenses the cost of stock based compensation awards based on the fair value of such awards to cost of revenues, general and administrative expense, or research and development expenses, as appropriate, in its condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Channel Partner Warrants

On December 19, 2016, the Company’s Board approved up to 5,000,000 stock warrants to issue shares of the Company’s common stock to provide equity incentive to its Channel Partners (the “Channel Partner Warrants”) 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. 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 Channel Partner Warrants is administered by management and approved by the Board.

The Channel 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 Channel Partner generated during the six-month period from the launch of the Channel 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 these equity-based payments as the services are received. The Company has specific objective criteria for determination of the period over which services are received and expense is recognized.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities at the applicable enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets by assessing its valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include the Company’s forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets.

The Company computes its year-to-date provision for income taxes by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to year to date pretax income or loss and adjusts the provision for discrete tax items recorded in the period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported a tax benefit of $91,633 on a pretax income related to recognition of a discrete tax benefit from a partial release of the valuation allowance in connection with the acquisition of HubPages. The net deferred tax liability from the acquisition of HubPages provided a source of additional income to support the realizability of the Company’s pre-existing deferred tax assets and as a result, the Company released a portion of its valuation allowance.

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Sections 382 and 383, use of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards may be limited if a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within any three-year period since the last ownership change. The Company believes that it did have a change in control under these Sections in connection with its Recapitalization on November 4, 2016 and may have experienced additional control changes under these Sections as a result of recent financing activities. However, the Company does not anticipate performing a complete analysis of the limitation on the annual use of the net operating loss carryforwards until the time that it anticipates it will be able to utilize these tax attributes.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit is measured 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 income 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 associated with uncertain tax positions for any of the periods presented in the financial statements. The Company files tax returns in the United States 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 2015 forward and the California returns from 2014 forward are subject to examination.

Income (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. All restricted stock is considered outstanding but is included in the computation of basic income (loss) per common share only when the underlying restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. Diluted income 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.

At September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company excluded the outstanding securities summarized below (capitalized terms are described herein), which entitle the holders thereof to acquire shares of common stock, from its calculation of net income (loss) per common share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 eliminates transaction- and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP and replaces it with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 requires that companies recognize revenue based on the value of transferred goods or services as they occur in the contract. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The FASB has recently issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2016-20, all of which clarify certain implementation guidance within ASU 2014-09. The Company began recognition of revenue from contracts with customers as a result of the launch of its network operations during the quarter beginning July 1, 2017; the Company had not previously generated revenues from customers prior to that date. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2014-09 in the quarter beginning July 1, 2017 using the modified retrospective approach, which requires that the Company apply the new guidance to all new contracts initiated on or after January 1, 2017. As the Company did not have any contracts which had remaining obligations as of the January 1, 2017 effective date, the Company was not required to record an adjustment to the opening balance of its retained earnings (accumulated deficit) account on such date. Under this method, the Company is not required to restate comparative periods in its financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 addresses diversity in practice due to a lack of guidance on how to classify and present changes in restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 does not define restricted cash and does not require any change in practice for what an entity reports as restricted cash. ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, in addition to changes in cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Consequently, transfers between cash and restricted cash will not be presented as a separate line item in the operating, investing or financing sections of the cash flow statement. ASU 2016-18 requires an entity to disclose information about the nature of the restrictions and amounts described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Further, when cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, an entity must reconcile these amounts to the total shown on the statement of cash flows, either in narrative or tabular format, and should be provided on the face of the cash flow statement or in the notes to the financial statements. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-18 in the quarter beginning January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not affect the presentation of the Company’s cash flow statement for the year ended December 31, 2017, however, the Company has expanded its disclosure with respect to restricted cash.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months, as well as the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 requires recognition in the statement of operations of a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight-line basis. ASU 2016-02 requires classification of all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. Disclosures are required to provide the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. ASU 2016-02 has subsequently been amended and modified by ASU 2018-10, 2018-11 and 2018-20. ASU 2016-02 (including the subsequent amendments and modifications) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Accordingly, the Company intends to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-02 in the quarter beginning January 1, 2019. The Company has not completed its analysis of the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures subsequent to adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The amendments broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually. The use of forecasted information incorporates more timely information in the estimate of expected credit loss, which will be more decision useful to users of the financial statements. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is allowed as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the implementation approach and the impact of adoption of this new standard, along with subsequent clarifying guidance, on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features; (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception (“ASU 2017-11”). ASU 2017-11 allows companies to exclude a down round feature when determining whether a financial instrument (or embedded conversion feature) is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments (or embedded conversion features) with down round features are no longer required to be accounted for as derivative liabilities. A company will recognize the value of a down round feature only when it is triggered, and the strike price has been adjusted downward. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, an entity will treat the value of the effect of the down round as a dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion features containing down round provisions, entities will recognize the value of the down round as a beneficial conversion discount to be amortized to earnings. ASU 2017-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company intends to adopt the provisions of ASU 2017-11 in the quarter beginning January 1, 2019. The Company has not completed its analysis of the impact that the adoption of ASU 2017-11 will have on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures subsequent to adoption.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”). ASU 2018-07 expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. ASU 2018-07 also clarifies that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2018-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Accordingly, the Company intends to adopt the provisions of ASU 2018-07 in the quarter beginning January 1, 2019. The Company has not completed its analysis of the impact that the adoption of ASU 2018-07 will have on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures subsequent to adoption.

Management does not believe 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.

3. Acquisition of HubPages, Inc.

On March 13, 2018, the Company and HubPages, together with HP Acquisition Co, Inc. (“HPAC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated in Delaware on March 13, 2018 in order to facilitate the acquisition of HubPages by the Company, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which HPAC would merge with and into HubPages, with HubPages continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). On June 1, 2018, the parties to the Merger Agreement entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”), pursuant to which the parties agreed, among other things, that on or before June 15, 2018 the Company would (i) pay directly to counsel for HubPages the legal fees and expenses incurred by HubPages in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as of the date of such payment (the “Counsel Payment”); and (ii) deposit into escrow the sum of (x) $5,000,000 minus (y) the amount of the Counsel Payment. On June 15, 2018, the Company made the requisite payment of $5,000,000 under the Merger Agreement.

On August 23, 2018, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of HubPages, a Delaware corporation, for total cash consideration of $10,569,904, pursuant to the Merger. 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 condensed consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date. The Company acquired HubPages to enhance the user’s experience by increasing content. HubPages is a digital media company that operates a network of 27 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.

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. Maven is the accounting acquirer and HubPages merged with Maven’s wholly owned subsidiary HPAC. The condensed consolidated financial statements of Maven for period prior to the Merger are considered to be the historical financial statements of the Company.

The Company paid cash consideration of $10,000,000 to the stockholders and holders of vested options of HubPages, including a $5,000,000 deposit paid on June 15, 2018, as well as additional cash consideration of $569,904, which consists of legal fees and costs incurred by HubPages, for total cash consideration of $10,569,904. The Company also issued a total of 2,399,997 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to vesting and a true-up provision (as described in Note 14), to certain key personnel of HubPages who agreed to continue their employment with HubPages subsequent to the closing of the transaction. The shares issued are for post combination services (see Note 14).

The Company incurred $95,393 in transaction costs related to the acquisition, which primarily consisted of banking, legal, accounting and valuation-related expenses. The acquisition related expenses were recorded in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The purchase price allocation resulted in the following amounts being allocated to the assets acquired (cash acquired of $1,537,308 is included in current assets) and liabilities assumed at the closing date of the acquisition based upon their respective fair values as summarized below:

The Company funded the closing of the Merger from the net proceeds from the Series H Preferred Stock financing (as described in Note 13).

The fair value of the intangible assets were determined as follows: developed technology was determined under the income approach; and tradename was determined by employing the relief from royalty approach. The useful life for the intangible assets is five years.

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. No portion of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

The amounts of HubPages revenue and earnings included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the period ended September 30, 2018, and the revenue and earnings of the combined entity had the acquisition date been January 1, 2018 and 2017, are as follows:

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, supplemental pro forma earnings were adjusted to exclude $95,393 of acquisition-related costs. The supplemental pro forma earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were adjusted for the vesting of restricted stocks awards to HubPages employees in connection with the Merger of $460,100 and $505,400, respectively, and the amortization of the acquired assets of $706,600 and $772,200, respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, supplemental pro forma earnings were adjusted to exclude $95,393 of acquisition-related costs. The supplemental pro forma earnings for three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were adjusted for the vesting of restricted stocks awards to HubPages employees in connection with the Merger of $104,600 and $177,200, respectively, and the amortization of the acquired assets by $203,500 and $261,200, respectively.

4. Promissory Notes Receivable

On March 19, 2018, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the “Letter of Intent”) to acquire Say Media, a media and publishing technology company. Pursuant to the Letter of Intent, Maven loaned Say Media $1,000,000 under a secured promissory note dated March 26, 2018 payable on the six month anniversary of the earlier of (i) the termination of the Letter of Intent, or (ii) if Maven and Say Media should execute a definitive agreement (as defined in the Letter of Intent), the termination of the definitive agreement (such date, the “Maturity Date”). Under the secured promissory note, interest shall accrue at a rate of 5% per annum, with all accrued and unpaid interest payable on the Maturity Date, with prepayment permitted at any time without premium or penalty. In the event of default, interest would accrue at a rate of 10%.

Additional promissory notes were issued as follows: (1) on July 23, 2018, a secured promissory note in the principal amount of $250,000, with a Maturity Date and interest terms as outlined above; (2) on August 21, 2018, a senior secured promissory note in the principal amount of $322,363, due and payable on February 21, 2019, with interest terms as outlined above; (3) subsequent to the balance sheet date, on November 30, 2018, a senior secured promissory note in the principal amount of $4,322,165 (as of September 30, 2018 the balance under such promissory note was $2,122,691), due and payable on or before the first business day following the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Closing, as defined under the Merger Agreements, as described below, and (ii) February 21, 2019, with interest terms as outlined above; totaling $3,695,054 in promissory notes as of September 30, 2018.

On December 12, 2018 pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into on October 12, 2018 and amended on October 17, 2018 (collectively the “Merger Agreements”), the Company settled the promissory notes receivable by effectively forgiving $1,166,556 of the balance due as of September 30, 2018 as reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The remaining balance due under the promissory notes receivable of $2,528,498 as of September 30, 2018 was reflected as an advance against the purchase price. See Note 16 and 18 for additional information concerning this transaction.

5. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment costs as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:

Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $7,096 and $2,663, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $19,341 and $7,990, respectively. Depreciation expense is included in research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses, as appropriate, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

6. Platform Development

Platform development costs as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:

A summary of platform development cost activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows:

Amortization expense for the platform development costs for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, was $488,565 and $173,000, respectively. Amortization expense for the platform development costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, was $1,271,281 and $226,000, respectively. Amortization expense for platform development is included in cost of revenues in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

7. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets subject to amortization as of September 30, 2018 consisted of the following: