AUDDIA INC. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission File No. 001-40071

AUDDIA INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(303) 219-9771

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) 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  ☐

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 ☐

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

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

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

As of May 12, 2022, 12,514,763 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, were outstanding.

AUDDIA INC.

2022 QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms “Auddia,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to Auddia Inc., a Delaware corporation.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. We make such forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, and are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q and are subject to business and economic risks. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which such statements were made, except to the extent required by law.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Auddia Inc.

Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

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

Auddia Inc.

Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

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

Auddia Inc.

Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

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

Auddia Inc.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

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

Auddia Inc.

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1 - Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Auddia Inc., formerly Clip Interactive, LLC, (the “Company”, “Auddia”, “we”, “our”) is a technology company that is reinventing how consumers engage with audio through the development of a proprietary AI platform for audio and innovative technologies for podcasts. Clip Interactive, LLC was initially formed as a Colorado limited liability company on January 14, 2012 and on November 25, 2019 changed its trade name to Auddia.

On February 16, 2021, the Company completed an initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 3,991,818 units, at $4.125 per unit, consisting of one share of common stock and one Series A warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $4.54 per share. In addition, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase 598,772 Series A warrants to cover over-allotments and were issued 319,346 in representative warrants at an exercise price of $5.15625 per share. After deducting underwriters commissions and expenses, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $15.1 million and its common stock commenced trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “AUUD”. Concurrently with the IPO, holders of the Company’s promissory notes, convertible notes, and related party notes, along with accrued interest, were converted into 6,814,570 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Concurrently with the IPO the Company converted from a Colorado limited liability company to a Delaware corporation. This accounting change has been given retrospective treatment in the condensed financial statements.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Unaudited interim financial information

The condensed financial statements of the Company included herein have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted from this Quarterly Report, as is permitted by such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The financial statements include some amounts that are based on management's best estimates and judgments. The most significant estimates relate to valuation of capital stock, warrants and options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, and the estimated recoverability and amortization period for capitalized software development costs. These estimates may be adjusted as more current information becomes available, and any adjustment could be significant.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is subject to various risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in the early stages of development. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, its limited operating history, competition from other companies, limited access to additional funds, dependence on key personnel, and management of potential rapid growth. To address these risks, the Company must, among other things, develop its customer base; implement and successfully execute its business and marketing strategy; develop follow-on products; provide superior customer service; and attract, retain, and motivate qualified personnel. There can be no guarantee that the Company will be successful in addressing these or other such risks.

Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had no cash equivalents at March 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021.

The Company maintains cash deposits at several financial institutions, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company’s cash balance may at times exceed these limits. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $3,861,550 and $5,845,291, respectively, in excess of federally insured limits. The Company continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions with which it invests.

Software Development Costs

The Company accounts for costs incurred in the development of computer software as software research and development costs until the preliminary project stage is completed, management has committed to funding the project, and completion and use of the software for its intended purpose is probable.

The Company ceases capitalization of development costs once the software has been substantially completed and is available for its intended use. Software development costs are amortized over a useful life estimated by the Company’s management of five years. Costs associated with significant upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality are capitalized. Capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenues and changes in software technologies.

Unamortized capitalized software development costs determined to be in excess of anticipated future net revenues are considered impaired and expensed during the period of such determination. Software development costs of $661,213 and $292,075 were capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software development costs were $168,036 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively and are included in depreciation and amortization expense.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue will be measured according to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and is recognized based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer, and excludes any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. We will recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over a service or product to a customer. We will report revenues net of any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is both imposed on, and concurrent with, a specific revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer in our condensed statements of operations. Collected taxes will be recorded within Other current liabilities until remitted to the relevant taxing authority.

Subscriber revenue will consist primarily of subscription fees and other ancillary subscription-based revenues. Revenue will be recognized on a straight-line basis when the performance obligations to provide each service for the period are satisfied, which is over time as our subscription services are continuously available and can be consumed by customers at any time. There is no revenue recognized for unpaid trial subscriptions.

Customers may pay for the services in advance of the performance obligation and therefore these prepayments are recorded as deferred revenue. The deferred revenue will be recognized as revenue in our statement of operations as the services are provided.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation arrangements with employees, directors, and consultants and recognizes the compensation expense for share-based awards based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant in accordance with ASC 718.

Compensation expense for all share-based awards is based on the estimated grant-date fair value and recognized in earnings over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The Company records share-based compensation expense related to non-employees over the related service periods.

Certain stock awards include a net-share settlement feature that provides the grantee an option to withhold shares to satisfy tax withholding requirements and are classified as a share-based compensation liability. Cash paid to satisfy tax withholdings is classified as financing activities in the condensed statements of cash flows.

Emerging Growth Company Status

The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with certain new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies.

Note 2 – Property & Equipment and Software Development Costs

Property and equipment and software development costs consisted of the following as of:

The Company recognized depreciation expense of $8,091 and $2,183 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively related to property and equipment and amortization expense of $168,036 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively related to software development costs.

Note 3 – Balance Sheet Disclosures

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following:

Note 4 – Line of Credit

On April 10, 2018 the Company refinanced its previous line of credit with a different bank and this agreement was amended in July 2019 and March 2021. The principal balance was repaid in full on July 8, 2021. Interest accrued at a variable rate based on the bank’s prime rate plus 1% (4.25% at December 31, 2020) but at no time less than 4.0%. Monthly interest payments were required, with any outstanding principal due on July 10, 2021. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0 and $47,296, respectively.

The line of credit was collateralized by all assets of the Company, including $2,000,000 of cash held in a control account at the lender. The Company also maintained a minimum balance at the lender to cover two months of interest payments. Prior to our IPO, the line of credit was collateralized by $6,000,000 of cash assets of two shareholders held in control accounts at the lender.

Following the Company’s IPO in February 2021 the line of credit was amended and the Company paid down the outstanding principal balance on its bank line of credit from $6,000,000 to $2,000,000 and the available principal balance for the line of credit was reduced from $6,000,000 to $2,000,000. Further, the $6,000,000 of cash collateral previously provided by the two shareholders was released. The remaining principal balance of $2,000,000 was repaid in full and the line of credit was terminated on July 8, 2021.

The outstanding balance on the line of credit at December 31, 2020 was $6,000,000. The shareholder who previously provided the $2,000,000 control account had a collateral agreement with the Company which is described in Note 6. This agreement was terminated in March 2021.

Note 5 – Convertible Notes Payable, Notes Payable to Related Parties and Promissory Notes

Convertible notes payable

During the year ended December 31, 2020 investors purchased an additional $404,601 of our convertible notes, such that at December 31, 2020 the balance of the convertible notes, including accrued interest, was $2,295,305. These convertible notes accrued interest at 6.0% per year and were scheduled to mature on December 31, 2021. In conjunction with the February 2021 IPO, the Notes automatically converted into 2,066,176 shares of common stock at discounts ranging from 50% to 75% of the IPO price. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0 and $16,586, respectively.

Accrued fees to a related party

The Company had an agreement with a shareholder to provide collateral for a bank line of credit described in Note 4 – Line of Credit. The amount of the cash collateral provided by the shareholder to the bank was $2,000,000. The collateral agreement required a commitment to pay collateral fees of $710,000 (comprised of annual interest of $660,000 plus the $50,000 renewal fee) to the shareholder and issue 3,454 common stock warrants. In January 2019, in connection with the collateral agreement, the Company converted accrued fees of $725,000 into an unsecured note payable, which bore interest at 33% annually and had a maturity date of December 31, 2021. The fees that accrued on the collateral arrangement were 33% percent of the collateral amount annually plus an annual renewal fee of $50,000. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0 and $208,727, respectively. The balance outstanding on the accrued collateral fees was $1,960,336 at December 31, 2020, excluding the $725,000 unsecured note payable. This collateral agreement terminated in March 2021.

In conjunction with the February 2021 IPO, the notes payable and accrued interest due to this shareholder were converted to 1,667,859 shares of common stock.

Promissory notes payable

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued, to a number of existing shareholders, in four separate tranches, $1,857,764 of Promissory Notes that accrue interest at a rate of 6% per year and were scheduled to mature on December 31, 2021. When issued, the notes incorporated the following attributes: interest on the Notes accrue at 6% and upon the successful completion of a qualified IPO by December 31, 2021, the notes and accrued interest would convert into equity at a per share valuation equal to $40.0 million. In addition, each investor in the Promissory Notes would receive shares and warrants based on a formula that takes into account the number of shares and warrants the investor owned before the investment in these Promissory Notes, as well as a portion of the bonus allocation of 1,038,342 shares made available to the investors. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0 and $14,454, respectively.

In conjunction with the February 2021 IPO, all of the Promissory Notes collectively converted into 3,080,535 shares of common stock.

The Company recognized a finance charge to interest expense of $8,141,424 related to the conversion of the convertible notes, notes payable to related parties and promissory notes during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Note 6 – Notes Payable

Notes payable to related parties and deferred salary

An executive officer of the Company agreed to defer receipt of compensation to preserve liquidity in the Company. The accumulated amount of compensation owed to this executive officer was approximately $631,000 at December 31, 2020. The Company paid this deferred compensation in the first quarter of 2021.

During 2019, the Company issued notes payable (the “Notes”) to three related parties for $80,000, $200,000 and $50,000, respectively. The Notes did not accrue interest or have a stated maturity date. The outstanding note payable for $80,000 was repaid in January 2020. In December 2019, the two other note holders elected to convert their notes into convertible Notes due December 31, 2021. Two other existing investors, who were owed a total of $17,197 for services by the Company, also agreed to convert their payables into convertible Notes. During 2019 the Company issued a note payable to a related party for consulting services incurred by the Company in the amount of $486,198. As of December 31, 2020, the outstanding balance for consulting services was $440,904. The Company paid these Notes in the first quarter of 2021.

In February 2020, the Company obtained a $500,000 short term loan from a related party. The Company was advanced $485,000, net of $15,000 in closing fees, and immediately placed $140,741 into an escrow account, owned and controlled by the shareholder to provide funds for the scheduled repayments. Repayment of the principal and loan financing fee occurs through weekly payments of $17,593 until the loan and financing fee is paid in full. The loan financing fee increased with the length of the payback period and was maximized at $165,000 after month five. The outstanding balance was repaid in February 2021.

Cares Act Paycheck Protection Program loan

In April 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note evidencing an unsecured loan (the “First Loan”) in the amount of $268,662 made to the Company under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). In January 2021, the Company entered into a second promissory note (the “Second Loan” or combined with the first loan, the “PPP Loans”) of $267,482 under the PPP. The PPP was established under the CARES Act and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The First Loan was set to mature in April 2022 and the Second Loan was set to mature in January 2023. The PPP Loans bore interest at a rate of 1% per annum. Beginning November 2020, the Company was required to make 18 monthly payments of principal and interest in the amount of $14,370 related to the First Loan. The PPP Loans may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The proceeds from the Loans may only be used for payroll costs (including benefits), interest on mortgage obligations, rent, utilities and interest on certain other debt obligations.

The PPP Loans contained customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, making materially false and misleading representations to the lender or breaching the terms of the Loan documents. The occurrence of an event of default will result in an increase in the interest rate to 18% per annum and provides the lender with customary remedies, including the right to require immediate payment of all amounts owed under the PPP Loans.

Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act and the PPP, the Company applied for forgiveness for both the PPP Loans. On June 15, 2021, the Company received confirmation that the First Loan was approved for forgiveness and the Company recorded $268,662 in PPP loan extinguishment to other income during the year ended December 31, 2021. On November 2, 2021, the Company received confirmation that the Second Loan was approved for forgiveness and the Company recorded $267,482 in PPP loan extinguishment to other income during the year ended December 31, 2021. The amount eligible for forgiveness was based on the amount of Loan proceeds used by the Company (during the eight-week period after the lender makes the first disbursement of Loan proceeds) for the payment of certain covered costs, including payroll costs (including benefits), interest on mortgage obligations, rent and utilities, subject to certain limitations and reductions in accordance with the CARES Act and the PPP. 

Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Lease

In April 2021, the Company entered into a lease agreement for a new primary office space in Boulder, Colorado comprising of 8,639 square feet. The lease commenced on May 15, 2021 and terminates after 12 months. The lease has an initial base rent of $7,150 per month, with the first 15 days rent free and includes three separate six month renewal options, subject to fixed rate escalation increases. The Company exercised it’s first six month renewal option to extend the lease through November 2022. The Company previously leased approximately 3,000 square feet of office space that expired on April 30, 2021. Rent expense was $21,449 and $18,053 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Litigation

In the normal course of business, the Company is party to litigation from time to time. The Company maintains insurance to cover certain actions and believes that resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Note 8 - Share-based Compensation

Stock Options

The following table presents the activity for stock options outstanding:

The following table presents the composition of options outstanding and exercisable:

________________________ 

* Price and Life reflect the weighted average exercise price and weighted average remaining contractual life, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company granted 293,750 stock options to certain executives and key employees. Under the terms of the option agreements, the options are subject to certain vesting requirements. The fair value of each award is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which values options based on the stock price at the grant date, the expected life of the option, the estimated volatility of the stock, and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option. The expected volatility was determined considering comparable companies historical stock prices as a peer group for the fiscal year the grant occurred and prior fiscal years for a period equal to the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate was the rate available from the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank with a term equal to the expected life of the option. The expected life of the option was estimated based on a mid-point method calculation.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table presents the activity for restricted stock units outstanding: 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company granted 150,000 restricted stock units. Under terms of the restricted stock agreements, the restricted stock units are subject to a certain vesting schedule.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, certain restricted stock unit holders elected a net-share settlement for vested shares to satisfy income tax requirements. The Company applied modification accounting in accordance with ASC 718, and reclassified these share-based awards from equity classification to liability classification. The Company recognized a share-based compensation liability as of March 31, 2022 of $39,812 related to the fair value of vested shares over the service period.

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock units of $385,908 and $16,131 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The remaining unvested share-based compensation expense of $2,598,005 is expected to be recognized over the next 47 months.

Warrants

The following table presents the activity for warrants outstanding:

In connection with the February 2021 IPO, the Company issued 3,991,818 warrants to purchase shares of common stock and issued to 598,772 warrants to its underwriters to cover over-allotments. The Company also issued 319,346 of representative warrants to its underwriters to purchase shares of common stock and these representative warrants contain a cashless exercise feature.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 certain holders of our Pre-IPO warrants exercised 148 warrants for 112 shares of common stock at the net exercise price of $0.87 per share.

All of the outstanding warrants are exercisable and have a weighted average remaining contractual life of approximately 3.69 years as of March 31, 2022.

Note 9 – Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss, which is allocated based upon the proportionate amount of weighted average shares outstanding, to each class of stockholder’s stock outstanding during the period. For the calculation of diluted net loss per share, net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for basic net loss per share is adjusted by the effect of dilutive securities, including awards under our equity compensation plans.

As of March 31, 2022 and 2021, 6,248,131 shares and 2,750,331 shares, respectively of potentially dilutive weighted average shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and our audited financial statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on February 17, 2022. This discussion and analysis and other parts of this Quarterly Report contain forward-looking statements based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and projections. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section of this Quarterly Report and of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see the section entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a technology company that is reinventing how consumers engage with audio through the development of a proprietary AI platform for audio and innovative technologies for podcasts. We are leveraging these technologies to bring to market two industry first Apps, Faidr and Vodacast.

The Faidr app gives consumers the opportunity to listen to any AM/FM radio station with no commercials while personalizing the listening experience through skips, the insertion of on-demand content and the programming of audio routines to customize listening sessions such as a daily commute. The Faidr App represents the first-time consumers can access the local content uniquely provided by radio in the commercial free and personalized manner many consumers have come to demand for media consumption.

We are leveraging our legacy business to bring to market a premium AM/FM radio listening experience through Faidr. The Faidr App is intended to be downloaded by consumers who will pay a subscription fee to listen to any streaming AM/FM radio station without commercials. Advanced features will allow consumers to skip any content heard on the station, request audio content on-demand, and program an audio routine. We believe Faidr represents a significant differentiated audio streaming product that will be the first to come to market since the emergence of popular streaming music apps such as Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. We believe that the most significant point of differentiation is that in addition to music, the App is intended to deliver non-music content that includes local sports, news, weather, traffic and the discovery of new music. Radio is the dominant audio platform for local content and new music discovery.

We recently launched the Faidr App to include all major U.S. radio stations on February 15, 2022. We are currently providing consumers a 90-day free trial of the App and expect to start converting users to paying subscribers during the second quarter. We are also continuing to enhance the listening experience for consumers by: 1) advancing the training of our proprietary AI technology primarily around talk stations and 2) exploring additional content choices that will become available in the App during the year.

The Faidr mobile App is available today through the iOS and Android App stores.

We also have developed a podcasting platform called Vodacast. Vodacast provides a unique suite of tools that helps Podcasters create additional digital content for their podcast episodes as well as plan their episodes, build their brand around their Podcast and monetize their content with new monetization channels. One innovative and proprietary part of the Vodacast platform is the availability of tools to create and distribute an interactive digital feed which supplements podcast episode audio with additional digital. These content feeds allow podcasters to tell deeper stories to their listeners while giving podcasters access to digital revenue for the first time. Podcasters will be able to build these interactive feeds using The Vodacast Hub, a content management system that also serves as a tool to plan and manage podcast episodes. The digital feed activates a new digital ad channel that turns every audio ad into a direct-response digital ad, increasing the effectiveness and value of their established audio ad model. The feed also presents a richer listening experience, as any element of a podcast episode can be supplemented with images, videos, text and web links. This feed appears fully synchronized in the Vodacast mobile App, and it also can be hosted and accessed independently (e.g., through any browser), making the content feed universally distributable.

Vodacast will also introduce a unique and industry first multi-channel, highly flexible set of revenue channels that podcasters can activate in combination to allow listeners to choose how they want to consume and pay for content. “Flex Revenue” allows podcasters to continue to run their standard audio ad model and complement those ads with direct response enabled digital ads in each episode content feed, increasing the value of advertising on any podcast. “Flex Revenue” will also activate subscriptions, on-demand fees for content (e.g., listen without audio ads for a micro payment fee) and direct donations from listeners. Using these channels in combination, podcasters can maximize revenue generation and exercise higher margin monetization models, beyond basic audio advertising.

The Vodacast mobile App is available today through the iOS and Android App stores.

We recently launched marketing campaigns for Vodacast to continue to grow our user base and encourage listeners to download the Vodacast App and listen to all their favorite shows. We are continuing to provide an immersive listening experience through digital feeds and additional content. We are also continuing to recruit podcast hosts to the Platform while we continue to develop and enhance monetization channels within the App.

We have funded our operations with proceeds from the February 2021 IPO and Series A warrants exercise in July 2021. Since inception we have incurred significant operating losses. As of March 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $66.6 million. Our ability to generate product revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend heavily on the successful development and commercialization of one or more of our Apps. We expect that our expenses and capital requirements will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly if and as we:

As a result, we may need substantial additional funding to support our continuing operations and pursue our growth strategy. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operations through the sale of equity, debt financings or other capital sources, which may include collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. We may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other agreements or arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all. If we fail to raise capital or enter into such agreements as and when needed, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development and commercialization of one or more of our product candidates.

Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses or when or if we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Even if we are able to generate product sales, we may not become profitable. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce or terminate our operations.

As of March 31, 2022, we had cash of approximately $4.4 million, which we believe should fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least December 31, 2022. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our available capital resources sooner than we expect. See “—Liquidity and capital resources.” To finance our operations beyond that point, we will need to raise additional capital, which cannot be assured. If we are unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, we may have to significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the development or commercialization of our Apps or other research and development initiatives. 

Components of our results of operations

Operating expenses

Direct costs of services

Direct cost of services consists primarily of costs incurred related to our technology and development of our Apps, including hosting and other technology related expenses. Historically, we had higher direct costs of services related to our legacy platform, however, since the termination of our legacy services and platform in August 2020, these costs have been reduced. We expect our direct costs of services to increase in the future as we continue to develop and enhance our technology related to the Faidr and Vodacast Apps.

Sales and marketing

Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and consulting services, related to the sales and promotion performed during the year related to our products. We expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase substantially as we continue to promote the national commercial launch of our Faidr product and look to generate revenue for our products through customer acquisition and retention.

Research and development

Since our inception, we have focused significant resources on our research and development activities related to the software development of our technology. We account for costs incurred in the development of computer software as software research and development costs until the preliminary project stage is completed, management has committed to funding the project, and completion and use of the software for its intended purpose is probable. We cease capitalization of development costs once the software has been substantially completed and is available for its intended use. Software development costs are amortized over a useful life estimated by the Company’s management of three years. Costs associated with significant upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality are capitalized. Capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenues and changes in software technologies. Unamortized capitalized software development costs determined to be in excess of anticipated future net revenues are impaired and expensed during the period of such determination.

We expect to continue to incur substantial research and development expenses and capitalization in the future as we continue to develop and enhance our Faidr and Vodacast Apps.

General and administrative

Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, including payroll taxes, benefits, stock-based compensation, and professional fees related to auditing, tax, general legal services, and consulting services. We expect our general and administrative expenses to continue to increase in the future as we expand our operating activities and prepare for commercialization of our products and support our operations as a public company, including increased expenses related to legal, accounting, insurance, regulatory and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with exchange listing and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements, directors and officers liability insurance premiums and investor relations activities.

Other income and expense

Our other income and expense consist of interest income related to our cash at financial institutions, debt extinguishment related to our PPP loans, interest expense from our line of credit, and a finance charge related to conversion of outstanding debt into shares of common stock related to the February 2021 IPO. We expect our other expense to decrease as we paid off our outstanding balance on our line of credit and will not incur any additional debt conversion charges.

Results of operations

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

The following table summarizes our results of operations:

Revenue

Total revenues were $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021. We are continuing to develop the new Faidr and Vodacast products to establish new revenue streams and expect to start generating revenue during the third quarter of 2022.

Direct cost of services

Direct Cost of Services decreased $4,832 or 8.4%, from $57,394 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $52,562 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. We continue to incur direct cost of services expense related to hosting and other music services related to our Faidr App and expect these costs to increase in the future.

Sales and marketing

Sales and marketing expenses increased by $233,608 or 189.2%, from $123,458 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to $357,066 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as we established and hired our internal marketing team during Q4 of 2021 and we significantly increased our promotion expenses during the first quarter of 2022 related to the national launch of our Faidr App and continued promotion and user acquisition for our Vodacast App.

Research and development 

Research and development expenses increased by $101,766 or 216.5%, from $46,997 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to $148,763 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily related to additional staffing on our development team as we continue to advance the Faidr and Vodacast Apps. Our research and development staffing costs were $809,976 and capitalized software expenses of $661,213 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to staffing costs of $339,072 and capitalized software expenses of $292,075 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Majority of development time was spent on our Faidr and Vodacast Apps. We started amortizing development expenses associated with Faidr during Q1 2022 and continue to amortize development expense related to Vodacast. We continue to make significant enhancements to both Apps and will continue to incur capitalized costs and additional amortization.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses increased by $380,022 or 59.6%, from $637,708 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $1,017,730 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase resulted primarily from increased stock compensation expense related to employee stock options granted in Q3 2021 and Q1 2022. Stock compensation expense was $385,908 and $16,131 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $173,944 or 7,968.1%, from $2,183 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $176,127 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase is entirely related to amortization of our Faidr and Vodacast Apps, which started amortization during Q1 2022 and Q4 2021, respectively.

Interest expense/Other expense, net

Total interest expense/other expense decreased by $8,427,748, from $8,428,758 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to $1,010 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was mostly related to a finance charge of $8,141,424 to interest expense related to the conversion of outstanding debt into 6.8 million shares of common stock related to the February 2021 IPO. In addition, we paid off and terminated our line of credit during 2021 and no longer are incurring interest related to the line of credit.

Liquidity and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

We have incurred operating losses since our inception and have an accumulated deficit as a result of ongoing efforts to develop and commercialize our Faidr and Vodacast Apps. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 we had cash of $4,361,550 and $6,345,291, respectively. We anticipate that operating losses and net cash used in operating activities will increase over the next 12 months as we continue to develop and market our products, perform commercial trials and work on nationally launching all stations on the Faidr App.

In February 2021, we completed an IPO of 3,991,818 units, at $4.125 per unit, consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $4.54 per share. After deducting underwriters’ commissions and expenses, we received net proceeds of approximately $15.2 million. Due to the successful completion of the IPO, all of our existing convertible debt, accrued interest, accrued fees payable to related parties, and promissory notes were converted into shares of common stock.

Following the Company’s IPO in February 2021, we paid down the outstanding principal balance on our bank line of credit from $6 million to $2 million. We and the bank agreed to reduce the maximum available balance for the line of credit to $2 million.

In July 2021, certain holders of our publicly traded Series A Warrants exercised approximately 1.1 million warrants for approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock at the cash exercise price of $4.5375 per share and as a result, we received additional cash proceeds of approximately $5.0 million. In addition, we paid the remaining $2.0 million, out of our restricted cash, to pay off and terminate our line of credit.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, we have reduced our bank debt by $6.0 million, paid down a significant percentage of our accounts payable, and eliminated all deferred compensation owed to a related party.

Cash Flow Analysis

Our cash flows from operating activities have historically been significantly impacted by revenues received, our investment in sales and marketing to drive growth, and research and development expenses. Our ability to meet future liquidity needs will be driven by our operating performance and the extent of continued investment in our operations. Failure to generate sufficient revenues and related cash flows could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our liquidity needs and achieve our business objectives.

The following table summarizes the statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

Operating activities

Cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $1,229,996, primarily resulting from our net loss of $1,753,258 and change in working capital of $38,773 related to an increase in prepaid expenses, partially offset by non-cash charges of $562,035 related to stock compensation expense and depreciation and amortization. Cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of personnel-related expenditures, payments included costs of operations, and other sales efforts, research and development and administrative costs.

Cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1,827,455, primarily resulting from our net loss of $9,296,498 and change in working capital of $690,695 primarily related to paying off outstanding accounts payable after our February 2021 IPO. This was partially offset by non-cash charges of $8,159,738 primarily related to a finance charge associated with the debt conversion from our February 2021 IPO. Cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of personnel-related expenditures, payments included costs of operations, and other sales efforts, research and development and administrative costs.

Investing activities

Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $665,023, primarily consisting of capitalization of software development expenses of $661,214.

Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $302,117, primarily consisting of capitalization of software development expenses of $292,075.

Financing activities

Cash flows used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $88,722 related to cash paid by us related to the net-share settlement of vested restricted stock units during the quarter.

Cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $10,174,305 primarily related to the issuance of common shares for $14,822,459, related to our February 2021 IPO and $267,482 related to proceeds from our PPP Loan, offset by a repayment of our line of credit of $4,000,000 and deferred salary and related party notes payable of $930,636.

Funding Requirements

We historically have incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception and had an accumulated deficit of $66.6 million and $64.8 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had cash of $4.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Our cash is comprised primarily of demand deposit accounts and money market funds. We believe our cash on hand should be sufficient to fund our current operating plans through at least December 31, 2022. We have based these estimates, however, on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could spend our available financial resources much faster than we currently expect and need to raise additional funds sooner than we anticipate. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on acceptable terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our technology development and commercialization efforts.

We expect our expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the development of the Faidr and Vodacast Apps. In addition, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company, including significant legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations not on our Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2022 and the effects that such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

Off-balance sheet arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our condensed financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these condensed financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we continually evaluate our estimates and assumptions believed to be reasonable under current facts and circumstances. Actual amounts and results may materially differ from these estimates made by management under different assumptions and conditions.

A summary of our critical accounting policies is presented in Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Emerging growth company and smaller reporting company status

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 permits an “emerging growth company” such as us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to not “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards at the time private companies adopt the new or revised accounting standard and will do so until such time that we either (i) irrevocably elect to “opt out” of such extended transition period or (ii) no longer qualify as an emerging growth company.

We are also a “smaller reporting company” meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were not effective at a reasonable assurance level due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosure. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In preparation of our financial statements to meet the requirements of our IPO, we determined that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting existed during fiscal 2018 and remained unremediated as of March 31, 2022. A material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual and interim financial statements will not be detected or prevented on a timely basis.

The material weaknesses we identified are related to the design and maintenance of an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Specifically, we lacked a sufficient complement of professionals with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, training and experience to appropriately analyze, record and disclose accounting matters timely and accurately and we did not design and maintain controls to ensure adequate segregation of duties within our financial reporting function including the preparation and review of journal entries.

Remediation Activities

Management has been actively engaged in remediating the above described material weaknesses. The following remedial actions have been taken during the quarter ended March 31, 2022:

The process of implementing an effective financial reporting system is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations. As we continue to evaluate and take actions to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may take additional actions to address control deficiencies or modify certain of the remediation measures described above.

While progress has been made to enhance our internal control over financial reporting, we are still in the process of implementing these processes, procedures and controls. Additional time is required to complete implementation and to assess and ensure the sustainability of these procedures. We believe the above actions will be effective in remediating the material weaknesses described above and we will continue to devote significant time and attention to these remedial efforts. However, the material weaknesses cannot be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded that these controls are operating effectively.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Other than the applicable remediation efforts described in “Remediation of Previously Reported Material Weaknesses” above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the first quarter of 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently aware of any such proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

In addition to the information set forth in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. There have been no material changes to our risk factors from those included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

In February 2021, upon the closing of our IPO, all of our outstanding pre-IPO equity and convertible debt securities automatically converted into 7,300,010 shares of common stock. The issuance of such common stock was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, involving an exchange of securities exchanged by the issuer with its existing security holders exclusively where no commission or other remuneration is paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting such exchange. No underwriters were involved in this issuance of shares.

Use of Proceeds

On February 16, 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective our registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-235891), as amended, filed in connection with our IPO. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our IPO from that described in the related prospectus dated February 16, 2021, filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act. As described in such IPO prospectus, we have used IPO proceeds to reduce our bank debt by $4.0 million, to fund a $2.0 million cash reserve to serve as collateral for our remaining $2.0 million of bank debt that replaced collateral previously provided by a related party, to pay down a significant percentage of our accounts payable as of December 31, 2020, and to pay deferred compensation owed to a related party.

In July 2021, certain holders of our publicly traded Series A Warrants exercised approximately 1.1 million warrants for approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock at the cash exercise price of $4.5375 per share and as a result, we received additional cash proceeds of approximately $5.0 million. In addition, we paid the remaining $2.0 million, out of our restricted cash, to pay off and terminate our line of credit.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

We did not repurchase any of our equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

None.

None.

The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and Item 15(b) of this Quarterly Report are listed in the Exhibit Index below. The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index are incorporated by reference herein.

___________________________

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  May 12, 2022