Bridgeline Digital, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

Bridgeline Digital, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2022

Index

Bridgeline Digital, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period ended March 31, 2022

Statements contained in this Report on Form 10-Q, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. These statements appear in a number of places in this Form 10-Q and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Bridgeline Digital, Inc.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic and related public health measures that may affect our financial results; business operations and the business of our customers, suppliers and partners; our ability to retain and upgrade current customers; increasing our recurring revenue; our ability to attract new customers; our revenue growth rate; our history of net loss and our ability to achieve or maintain profitability, our liability for any unauthorized access to our data or our users’ content, including through privacy and data security breaches; any decline in demand for our platform or products; changes in the interoperability of our platform across devices, operating systems, and third-party applications that we do no control; competition in our markets; our ability to respond to rapid technological changes, extend our platform, develop new features or products, or gain market acceptance for such new features or products, particularly in light of potential disruptions to the productivity of our employees resulting from remote work; our ability to manage our growth or plan for future growth, and our acquisition of other businesses and the potential of such acquisitions to require significant management attention, disrupt our business, or dilute stockholder value; the volatility of the market price of our common stock; the ability to maintain our listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market; or our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls as well as other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Any of such risks could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Bridgeline Digital, Inc. assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. We urge readers to review carefully the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, and in the other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can read these documents at www.sec.gov.

Where we say “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or “Bridgeline Digital” we mean Bridgeline Digital, Inc.

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.          Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited) 

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

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

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

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

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

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

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

1.   Description of Business

Overview

Bridgeline Digital is a marketing technology software company that helps companies grow online revenue and share information with customers, partners and employees.

Bridgeline’s Unbound platform is a Digital Experience Platform that includes Web Content Management, eCommerce, eMarketing, Social Media management, and Web Analytics.

Bridgeline’s Unbound platform, combined with its professional services, assists customers in driving lead generation, increasing revenue, improving customer service and loyalty, enhancing employee knowledge, and reducing operational costs. 

Our Unbound Franchise product empowers large franchises, brand networks, and other multi-unit organizations to manage a large hierarchy of digital properties at scale.

OrchestraCMS is the only content and digital experience platform built 100% native on Salesforce and helps customers create websites and intranets for their customers, partners, and employees; uniquely combining content with business data, processes and applications across any channel or device, including Salesforce Communities, social media, portals, intranets, websites, applications and services.

Celebros Search is a commerce-oriented site search product that provides for Natural Language Processing with artificial intelligence to present relevant search results based on long-tail keyword searches in seven languages.

Woorank SRL (“Woorank”) is a Search Engine Optimization (“SEO”) audit tool that generates an instant audit of the site’s technical, on-page and off-page SEO.  Woorank’s clear, actionable insights help companies increase their search ranking, website traffic, audience engagement, conversion, and customer retention rates.

Hawk Search, Inc. (“Hawk Search”) is a search, recommendation, and personalization application built for marketers, merchandisers and developers that enhances, normalizes and enriches a customer's site search and browse experience. Hawk Search leverages advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning and industry-leading analyzers to deliver accurate results from federated data sources.

All of Bridgeline’s software is available through a cloud-based software as a service (“SaaS”) model, whose flexible architecture provides customers with hosting and support.  Additionally, Unbound and Hawk Search are available via a traditional perpetual licensing business model, in which the software resides on a dedicated infrastructure in either the customer’s facility, or manage-hosted by Bridgeline via a cloud-based hosted services model.

Bridgeline Digital was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 28, 2000.

Locations

The Company’s corporate office is located in Woburn, Massachusetts.  The Company maintains regional field offices serving the following geographical locations: Boston, Massachusetts; Woodbury, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Raleigh, North Carolina; Ontario, Canada; and Brussels, Belgium.

The Company has four wholly-owned subsidiaries: Bridgeline Digital Pvt. Ltd., located in Bangalore, India; Bridgeline Digital Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada; Hawk Search Inc. located in Illinois, United States; and Bridgeline Digital Belgium BV, located in Brussels, Belgium.

2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X, and in the opinion of the Company’s management, these condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary for their fair presentation. The operating results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending September 30, 2022. The accompanying September 30, 2021 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 20, 2021.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation in the current period financial statements.  These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net loss.

Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for smaller reporting companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Derivatives and Hedging

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The amendments in ASU No. 2020-06 simplify the complexity associated with applying U.S. GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. More specifically, the amendments focus on the guidance for convertible instruments and derivative scope exceptions for contracts in an entity’s own equity. ASU No. 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Business Combinations

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 606): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts. Generally, this should result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements, if the acquiree prepared financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The amendment in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The guidance should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendment in this update. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this adoption on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

All other Accounting Standards Updates issued but not yet effective are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s future consolidated financial statements.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

3.   Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of the following:

As of March 31, 2022, one customer represented approximately 14% of accounts receivable. As of September 30, 2021, two customers represented approximately 13% and 10% of accounts receivable. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, no customers exceeded 10% of the Company’s total revenue. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, one customer represented approximately 10% of the Company’s total revenues. For the six months ended March 31, 2022, no customers exceeded 10% of the Company’s total revenue. For the six months ended March 31, 2021, one customer represented approximately 10% of the Company’s total revenue.

4.   Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of accounts receivable, accounts payable, warrant liabilities, contingent consideration and long-term debt arrangements. The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, under U.S. GAAP, companies are required to provide disclosure and categorize assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the assumptions (i.e., inputs) used in the valuation. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined as follows:

Level 1—Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3—Valuations are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

The carrying value of the Company’s accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.

The Company’s warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in earnings during the period. The fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities are valued utilizing Level 3 inputs. Warrant liabilities are valued using a Monte Carlo option-pricing model, which takes into consideration the volatilities of comparable public companies, due to the relatively low trading volume of the Company’s common stock. The Monte Carlo option-pricing model uses certain assumptions, including expected life and annual volatility. The range and weighted average volatilities of comparable public companies utilized was 29.5% - 61.4% and 57.3%, respectively, as of March 31, 2022, and 28.8% - 66.2% and 55.8%, respectively, as of September 30, 2021. The volatility utilized in the Monte Carlo option-pricing model was determined by weighing 60% to Company-specific volatility and 40% to comparable public companies.

The significant inputs and assumptions utilized were as follows:

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company recognized gains/(losses) of $434 and ($418) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $2,875 and ($1,859) for the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to the change in fair value of warrant liabilities. The changes in fair value of warrant liabilities were due to changes in inputs to the Monte Carlo option-pricing model, primarily from changes in the stock price and risk-free rate.

The Company’s contingent consideration obligations are from arrangements resulting from acquisitions that involve potential future payment of consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of revenue targets and operational goals. Contingent consideration is recognized at its estimated fair value at the date of acquisition based on the Company’s expected probability of future payment, discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital in accordance with accepted valuation methodologies.

The Company reviews and re-assesses the estimated fair value of contingent consideration liabilities at each reporting period and the updated fair value could differ materially from the initial estimates. The Company measures contingent consideration recognized in connection with acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified as Level 3 inputs. The Company uses a simulation-based model to estimate the fair value of contingent consideration on the acquisition date and at each reporting period. The simulation model uses certain inputs and assumptions, including revenue projections, an estimate of revenue discount and volatility rate based on comparable public companies’ data, and risk-free rate. Significant increases or decreases to any of these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly higher or lower liability with a higher liability limited to the contractual maximum of the contingent consideration liabilities. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate on the acquisition date and each reporting period and the amount ultimately paid will be recognized in earnings. The significant inputs and assumptions utilized were as follow as of:

Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, are as follows:

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The following table provides a rollforward of the fair value, as determined by Level 3 inputs, as follows:

5.   Intangible Assets

The components of intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, are as follows:

Total amortization expense was $396 and $223 related to intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $797 and $441 for the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and is reflected in operating expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated amortization expense for fiscal year 2022 (remaining), 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 and thereafter is $687, $1,422, $1,036, $738, $673 and $2,406, respectively. 

6.   Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

7.   Long-term debt

On March 1, 2021, the Company assumed the outstanding long-term debt obligations of an acquired business and issued a seller note to one of the selling shareholders (see Note 14). The assumed debt obligations and seller note are denominated in Euros.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

At March 31, 2022, future maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

8.   Stockholders’ Equity

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, we are authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and our Charter, to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Our Board of Directors can increase or decrease the number of shares of any series, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock.   

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company has designated 264,000 shares of its preferred stock as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The shares of Series A Preferred Stock may be converted, at the option of the holder at any time, into such number of shares of common stock equal to (i) the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $10 and (ii) divided by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had no shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding.

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company has designated 5,000 shares of its preferred stock as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”). The shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be converted, at the option of the holder at any time, into such number of shares of common stock equal to (i) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $1,000 and (ii) divided by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had no shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding. 

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company has designated 11,000 shares of its preferred stock as Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”). The shares of Series C Preferred Stock may be converted, at the option of the holder at any time, into such number of shares of common stock equal to (i) the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $1,000 and (ii) divided by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion. Series C Preferred Stock vote on an as-converted basis along with shares of the Company’s common stock, are not entitled to receive dividends, unless specifically declared by our Board of Directors, and in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company the holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive in preference to the holders of common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and any other stock, the amount equal to the stated value per share of Series C Preferred Stock. The Company may not effect, and a holder will not be entitled to, convert the Series C Preferred Stock or exercise any Series C Preferred Warrants, which, upon giving effect to such conversion or exercise, would cause the aggregate number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the Purchaser (together with its affiliates) to exceed 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise. As of March 31, 2022, the Company had 350 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding, which were convertible into an aggregate of 38,889 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Registered Offering of Common Stock and Private Placement of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “ May 2021 Offerings”)

On May 14, 2021, the Company offered and sold a total of 1,060,000 shares of its common stock to certain institutional investors at a public offering price of $2.28 per share in a registered direct offering (“RD Offering”). The RD Offering was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company's currently effective registration statement on Form S-3.

Additionally, on May 14, 2021, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with certain institutional investors pursuant to which the Company offered and sold a total of 2,700 units (“Units”) at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit (“Private Placement”). Each Unit consisted of (i) one share of the Company’s newly designated Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) and (ii) warrants to purchase common stock up to one-half of the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock as a part of the Units. In total, the Company issued 2,700 shares of Series D Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 592,106 shares of common stock.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Joseph Gunnar & Company, LLC acted as lead placement agent for both the RD Offering and the Private Placement (collectively, the “May 2021 Offerings”) and Taglich Brothers, Inc. acted as co-placement agent for the May 2021 Offerings (the "Placement Agents"). As compensation for their services, the Company paid to the Placement Agents a fee equal to 8% of the aggregate purchase price paid and reimbursed the Placement Agents for certain expenses incurred in connection with the May 2021 Offerings. In addition, the Company issued to the Placement Agents warrants, in substantially the same form as the Series D Preferred Warrants, to purchase an aggregate of 179,536 shares of common stock.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company has designated 4,200 shares of its preferred stock as Series D Convertible Preferred Stock.  The shares of Series D Preferred Stock may be converted, at the option of the holder at any time, into such number of shares of common stock equal to (i) the number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $1,000 and (ii) divided by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion.  Holders of Series D Preferred Stock were prohibited from converting Series D Preferred Stock into conversion shares if, as a result of such conversion, the holder, together with its affiliates, would own more than 4.99% (or 9.99% upon the election of the holder prior to the issuance of the Series D Preferred Stock) of the total number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding. At the original issuance date, shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued in Private Placement were convertible into an aggregate of 1,184,211 shares of common stock.

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, and, as such, it is subject to the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, including Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a), which requires stockholder approval in connection with the acquisition of another company (see Note 13) if the Nasdaq-listed company will issue 20% or more of its common stock. For purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a), the issuance of any common stock in the Acquisition (see Note 14) and the May 2021 Offerings would be aggregated together. Thus, to permit the issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock and upon exercise of the warrants issued in the Private Placement, the Company had to obtain stockholder approval of these issuances. Upon issuance, the Company had determined that such prohibition did not represent an inability for the Company to satisfy its obligation to deliver shares upon conversion, as the holders’ conversion option itself was contingent upon Stockholder Approval. On September 16, 2021, the Company obtained Stockholder Approval. The Company determined that the Series D Preferred Stock should be classified as permanent equity.

The Series D Preferred Stock contained an embedded conversion feature that could affect the ultimate settlement of the Series D Preferred Stock. The Company determined that the embedded conversion feature’s economic characteristics and risks were clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the Series D Preferred Stock. As a result, the embedded conversion feature was not required to be bifurcated from the Series D Preferred Stock.

The Series D Preferred Stock issued contained a beneficial conversion feature, which arises when a debt or equity security is issued with an embedded conversion option that is deemed beneficial to the investor, that is, in-the-money, at inception, as the conversion option has an effective conversion price that is less than the market price of the underlying stock at the commitment date. An embedded beneficial conversion feature is required to be recognized separately by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value, at the commitment date, of the feature to additional paid-in capital. As discussed below, the May 2021 Offerings cash proceeds allocated to the Series D Preferred Stock based on its relative fair value resulted in an effective conversion price of $1.41, which was below the commitment date fair value of the underlying shares of common stock of $2.50, resulting in a beneficial conversion feature measured at $1.3 million. As discussed in Note 14, upon the acquisition of Hawk Search during the third quarter of fiscal 2021, Series D Preferred Stock was issued as part of consideration transferred in which the intrinsic value of the embedded conversion feature was calculated at $724 as of the acquisition date.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company recognized the impact of the beneficial conversion feature upon Stockholder Approval, as the beneficial conversion feature became immediately exercisable, at the option of the holder. The Company recognized full accretion of the beneficial conversion feature as a deemed dividend of $2.0 million to the Series D Preferred Stock. Such deemed dividend was recognized as an increase to accumulated deficit and an increase to additional paid-in capital and was included as a component of net loss attributable to common stockholders. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, all Series D Preferred Stock was converted to common shares with no remaining Series D Preferred Stock outstanding at March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021.

As noted above, in connection with the May 2021 Offerings, the Company issued Series D Preferred Warrants and Placement Agents Warrants to purchase up to 592,106 and 179,536 shares of common stock, respectively. The Series D Preferred and Placement Agents Warrants (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Series D Warrants”) are puttable at the option of the holder in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, as defined in the respective warrant agreements. The put feature requires the Company to pay holders an amount of cash equal to the Black-Scholes Value, as defined in the respective warrant agreements, of the remaining unexercised portion of the Series D Warrants on the date of consummation of such Fundamental Transaction. The Company determined that the Series D Warrants are required to be classified as liabilities measured at fair value at their issuance date and to be subsequently remeasured at fair value each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in period earnings (see Note 4).

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

As the common stock in the RD Offering was sold concurrently with the Units sold in the Private Placement, for any common purchasers, inclusive of purchaser affiliated entities, the aggregate proceeds from the May 2021 Offerings were allocated, on an investor-by-investor basis, to the Series D Preferred Warrants based on their fair value and the residual proceeds to the common stock and Series D Preferred Stock based on their relative fair values. Accordingly, the May 2021 Offerings proceeds, net of certain fees due to placement agents, inclusive of the fair value of warrants issued to placement agents, and transaction-related expenses, of approximately $4.3 million were allocated $1.0 million to the Series D Preferred Warrants based on their issuance-date fair value, $1.9 million to common stock and $1.3 million to Series D Preferred Stock based on their respective relative fair values.

The issuance-date fair value of the Series D Warrants issued to placement agents was determined to be incremental cost directly attributable to the May 2021 Offerings and was charged by the Company against proceeds along with other fees paid to the Placement Agents.

Registered Offering and Sale of Common Stock

On February 4, 2021, the Company offered and sold a total of 880,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, to certain institutional and accredited investors at a public offering price of $3.10 per share in a registered direct offering (the “Offering”). The Offering was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company’s currently effective registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-239104), which was initially filed with the SEC on June 12, 2020, and was declared effective on June 25, 2020. The Company filed the final prospectus supplement for the Offering on or about February 5, 2021. The Offering closed on February 8, 2021, and resulted in proceeds, net of certain fees due to placement agents and transaction expenses, to the Company of approximately $2.5 million. The net proceeds received by the Company will be used for general corporate purposes, including general working capital.

Joseph Gunnar & Company, LLC acted as lead placement agent for the Offering, and Taglich Brothers, Inc. acted as co-placement agent for the Offering. As compensation for their services, the Company paid to the Placement Agents a fee equal to 8% of the aggregate purchase price paid for shares placed by the Placement Agents at closing and reimbursed the Placement Agents for certain expenses incurred in connection with the Offering. In addition, the Company issued to the Placement Agents warrants to purchase an aggregate of 58,169 shares of common stock (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). The Placement Agent Warrants have a term of five years from the date of issuance and an exercise price of $3.875 per share.

Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan

The Company has granted common stock, common stock warrants, and common stock option awards (the “Equity Awards”) to employees, consultants, advisors and former debt holders of the Company and to former owners and employees of acquired companies that have become employees of the Company. The Company’s Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provided for the issuance of up to 5,000 shares of common stock. This Plan expired in August 2016. As of March 31, 2022, there were 1,452 options outstanding under the Plan. On April 29, 2016, the stockholders approved a new stock incentive plan, the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). The 2016 Plan authorizes the award of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, performance shares, stock appreciation rights and any combination thereof to employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company. At the annual meeting held on September 20, 2019, the Company’s stockholders voted to amend the 2016 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance as awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan from 10,000 to 800,000 shares. At the annual meeting help on March 30, 2022, the Company’s stockholders voted to further amend the 2016 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance as awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan from 800,000 to 1,650,000 shares. As of March 31, 2022, there were 691,506 options outstanding and 909,148 shares available for future issuance under the 2016 Plan.

Compensation Expense

Compensation expense is generally recognized on a graded accelerated basis over the vesting period of grants. Compensation expense is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations with a portion charged to Cost of revenue and a portion to Operating expenses, depending on the employee’s department.

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, compensation expense related to share-based payments was as follows:

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $269 of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Common Stock Warrants

The Company typically issues warrants to individual investors and placement agents to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with public and private placement fund raising activities. Warrants may also be issued to individuals or companies in exchange for services provided to the Company. The warrants are typically exercisable six months after the issue date, expire in five years, and contain a cashless exercise provision and piggyback registration rights.

Montage Warrant - As additional consideration for a prior loan arrangement which was paid in full in a prior period not presented, the Company issued to Montage Capital an eight-year warrant (the “Montage Warrant”) to purchase the Company’s common stock at a price equal to $132.50 per share. The Montage Warrant contains an equity buy-out provision upon the earlier of (1) dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (2) any sale or distribution of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (3) a “Change in Control” as defined within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Montage Capital has the right to receive an equity buy-out of $250. If the equity buy-out is exercised, the Montage Warrant will be surrendered to the Company for cancellation.

Series A and C Preferred Warrants - In March 2019, in connection with the issuance of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock, the Company issued warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock. These warrants were designated as (i) Series A Warrants with an initial term of 5.5 years and an exercise price of $4.00; (ii) Series B Warrants, which expired unexercised during the Company’s 2021 fiscal year, with an initial term of 24 months and an exercise price of $4.00; and (iii) Series C Warrants with an initial term of 5.5 years and an exercise price of $0.05 (collectively, hereinafter referred to as the “Series C Preferred Warrants”). The Company also issued warrants with an exercise price of $4.00 to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to the Placement Agents. The Company may not effect, and a holder will not be entitled to convert, the Series C Preferred Stock or exercise any Series C Preferred Warrants, which, upon giving effect to such conversion or exercise, would cause (i) the aggregate number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the Purchaser (together with its affiliates) to exceed 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise.

As of March 31, 2022, the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the (i) Series A Warrants were 872,625 shares; (ii) Series C Warrants were 13,738 shares; (iii) the Placement Agent Warrants issued in connection with the Series C Preferred Stock were 11,992 shares; and (iv) Investor Warrants were 41,621 shares.

Series D Preferred Warrants - The Units sold in Private Placement on May 14, 2021 also consisted of Series D Warrants to purchase up to 592,106 shares of common stock. The Series D Preferred Warrants issued on May 14, 2021 have an initial exercise date of November 14, 2021, with a term of five and a half years which ends on November 16, 2026. Series D Preferred Warrants have an exercise price of $2.51.

In addition, pursuant to the May 2021 Offerings, the Company issued to the Placement Agents warrants to purchase an aggregate of 179,536 shares of common stock. The Placement Agents Warrants issued on May 14, 2021 have an initial exercise date of November 14, 2021, with a term of five years which ends on May 12, 2026. The Placement Agent Warrants have an exercise price of $2.85.

The Company may not effect, and a holder will not be entitled to convert, the Series D Preferred Stock or exercise any May 2021 Offering Warrants, which, upon giving effect to such conversion or exercise, would cause (i) the aggregate number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the Purchaser (together with its affiliates) to exceed 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise. As of March 31, 2022, no Series D Warrants have been exercised and the aggregate number of shares issuable upon exercise was 592,106 and 179,536 shares for investors and placement agents, respectively.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Montage Warrants, Series C Preferred Warrants, the Placement Agent Warrants issued in connection with the Series C Preferred Stock, and the Series D Warrants were all determined to be derivative liabilities and are subject to remeasurement each reporting period (see Note 4).

During six months ended March 31, 2022, 26,605 Placement Agent Warrants were exercised. 

Total warrants outstanding as March 31, 2022, were as follows:

Summary of Option and Warrant Activity and Outstanding Shares

There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company granted options to purchase 5,000 shares at an exercise price of $3.99, which vest ratably over a three-year period commencing on October 1, 2021. There were no options granted during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021.

During the third fiscal quarter of 2022, the Company, (i) issued 120,000 total options to Board members at an exercise price of $1.85, which vested immediately upon issuance and (ii) issued 362,000 total options to its Chief Executive Officer at an exercise price of $1.85, which vest ratably over a 3-year period.

The weighted-average option fair values, as determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, and the assumptions used to estimate these values for stock options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2022 are as follows:

The expected option term is the number of years the Company estimates the options will be outstanding prior to exercise based on historical trends of employee turnover. Expected volatility is based on historical daily price changes of the Company’s common stock for a period equal to the expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. The expected dividend yield is zero since the Company does not currently pay cash dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.

A summary of combined stock option and warrant activity for the six months ended March 31, 2022, is as follows:

As of March 31, 2022, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $225 and $154, respectively, and the weighted-average remaining contractual term was 8.2 and 8.0 years, respectively.
 

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

9.   Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and warrants using the “treasury stock” method and convertible preferred stock using the “as-if-converted” method. The computation of diluted earnings per share does not include the effect of outstanding stock options, warrants and convertible preferred stock that are considered anti-dilutive.

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is computed as follows:

Potential common stock equivalents excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive were as follows (in shares):

10.  Revenues and Other Related Items

Disaggregated Revenues

The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers by geography and product grouping, as it believes this best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company’s revenue by geography (based on customer address) is as follows:

The largest concentration within the Company’s international revenue geography is within Canada.

Long-lived assets located in foreign jurisdictions aggregated approximately $7.0 million and $7.5 million as of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively.

The Company’s revenue by type is as follows:

Deferred Revenue

Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and deferred revenue or revenue, depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met. Deferred revenue represents amounts billed for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Deferred revenue that is expected to be recognized during the succeeding 12-month period is recorded as current deferred revenue, and the remaining portion is recorded as noncurrent deferred revenue included in Other long-term liabilities.  

The following table summarizes the classification and net change in deferred revenue as of and for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2022:

11.  Income Taxes

Income tax expense consists of the estimated liability for state income taxes owed by the Company.  Net operating loss carryforwards are estimated to be sufficient to offset any potential taxable income for all periods presented. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized an income tax expense of $5 and $7, respectively, and during the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized an income tax expense of $8 and $1, respectively.

12.  Leases

The Company leases facilities in the United States for its corporate and regional field offices. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company was also a lessee/sublessor for certain office locations.

Determination of Whether a Contract Contains a Lease

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception, or upon modification of a contract and classify each lease as either an operating or finance lease at commencement. The Company reassesses lease classification subsequent to commencement upon a change to the expected lease term or a modification to the contract. Operating leases represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset as lessee for the lease term and lease obligations represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

A contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of the identified property or equipment, explicitly or implicitly, for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control of an underlying asset is conveyed if we obtain the rights to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from the use of the underlying asset. At commencement, contracts containing a lease are further evaluated for classification as an operating lease or finance lease based on their terms.

ROU Model and Determination of Lease Term

The Company uses the Right-of-Use (“ROU”) model to account for leases, which requires an entity to recognize a lease liability and ROU asset on the lease commencement date. A lease liability is measured equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term and is discounted using the incremental borrowing rate, as the rates implicit in the Company’s leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease payments include payments made before the commencement date and any residual value guarantees, if applicable. The initial ROU asset consists of the initial measurement of the lease liability, adjusted for any payments made before the commencement date, initial direct costs and lease incentives earned. When determining the lease term, the Company includes option periods when it is reasonably certain that those options will be exercised.

Lease Costs

For operating leases, minimum lease payments, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as operating lease costs on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease terms. Some operating lease arrangements include variable lease costs, including real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance or increases in rental costs related to inflation. Such variable payments, other than those dependent upon a market index or rate, are excluded from the measurement of the lease liability and are expensed when the obligation for those payments is incurred.

Significant Assumptions and Judgments

Management makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding each new lease and sublease agreement, renewal and amendment, including, but not limited to, property values, market rents, useful life of the underlying property, discount rate and probable term, all of which can impact (1) the classification as either an operating or finance lease, (2) measurement of lease liabilities and ROU assets and (3) the term over which the ROU asset and leasehold improvements are amortized. The amount of depreciation and amortization, interest and rent expense would vary if different estimates and assumptions were used.

The components of net lease costs were as follows:

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities was $93 and $117 for the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, all of which represents operating cash flows from operating leases. As of March 31, 2022, the weighted average remaining lease term was 2.9 years and the weighted average discount rate was 7%.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

At March 31, 2022, future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year were as follows:

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had no lease commitments that extend past 2026.

13.   Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases certain of its buildings under noncancelable lease agreements. Refer to the Leases footnote (Note 12) of the Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements for additional information.

The Company frequently warrants that the technology solutions it develops for its clients will operate in accordance with the project specifications without defects for a specified warranty period, subject to certain limitations that the Company believes are standard in the industry. In the event that defects are discovered during the warranty period, and none of the limitations apply, the Company is obligated to remedy the defects until the solution that the Company provided operates within the project specifications. The Company is not typically obligated by contract to provide its clients with any refunds of the fees they have paid, although a small number of its contracts provide for the payment of liquidated damages upon default. The Company has purchased insurance policies covering professional errors and omissions, property damage and general liability that reduce its monetary exposure for warranty-related claims and enable it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid.

The Company’s contracts typically provide for testing and client acceptance procedures that are designed to mitigate the likelihood of warranty-related claims, although there can be no assurance that such procedures will be effective for each project.  The Company has not paid any material amounts related to warranties for its solutions.  The Company sometimes commits unanticipated levels of effort to projects to remedy defects covered by its warranties.  The Company’s estimate of its exposure to warranties on contracts is immaterial as of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021.

The Company’s agreements with customers generally require the Company to indemnify the customer against claims in which the Company’s products infringe third-party patents, copyrights, or trademarks and indemnify against product liability matters. As of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021, the Company has not experienced any losses related to the indemnification obligations and no significant claims with respect thereto were outstanding.  The Company does not expect significant claims related to the indemnification obligations and, consequently, concluded that the fair value of these obligations is negligible, and no related reserves were established.

Litigation

The Company is subject to ordinary routine litigation and claims incidental to its business. As of March 31, 2022, the Company was not engaged with any material legal proceedings.

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

14.   Acquisitions

Woorank Acquisition

On March 1, 2021, the Company, pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Woorank Purchase Agreement”), acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Woorank, an entity located in Belgium. The Company accounted for the Woorank transaction as a business combination in accordance with the Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price consisted of (1) cash paid at closing, (2) deferred cash payable in installments post-closing, (3) a seller note issued to one of the selling shareholders, and (4) amounts payable to one selling shareholder as consideration for assistance with certain matters related to the acquisition for a period of one year from the closing date of the acquisition. The Woorank Purchase Agreement also provides for additional consideration, in the event of achievement of certain revenue targets and operational goals, to the selling shareholders pursuant to three separate earn-out provisions. On the closing date, the Company issued 29,433 shares of its common stock for a portion of the purchase price.

The Company accounted for the Woorank transaction as a business combination. The Company determined that the fair value of the gross assets acquired was not concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar assets. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been recognized at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair value of common stock issued as part of consideration transferred was determined based on the acquisition date closing market price of the Company’s common stock. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on the Company’s expected probability of future payment, discounted using a weighted average cost of capital. The fair value of the contingent consideration is included within ‘Purchase price and contingent consideration payable’ on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of intangible assets was based on valuations using a discounted cash flow model (Level 3 inputs) which requires significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future revenues and costs. The fair value of debt obligations assumed was based on the interest rates underlying these instruments in relation to the market rates available for similar instruments. The excess of the purchase price over the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recognized as goodwill. The goodwill is attributable to expected synergies and customer cross-selling opportunities between the Company and Woorank.

Hawk Search Acquisition

On May 28, 2021, the Company, pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Hawk Purchase Agreement”), acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Hawk Search, an Illinois corporation. The purchase price consisted of (1) an initial cash payment at closing, (2) issuance of 1,500 shares of the Company’s newly designated Series D Preferred Stock, and (3) deferred cash payable on or before December 31, 2021. The Hawk Purchase Agreement also provides for additional consideration, in the event of achievement of certain revenue targets, to the selling shareholders as an additional earn-out, payable no later than January 2023.

The Company accounted for the Hawk Search transaction as a business combination. The Company determined that the fair value of the gross assets acquired was not concentrated in a single identifiable asset of a group of similar assets. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been recognized at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair value of Series D Preferred Stock issued as part of consideration transferred was determined based on the price paid by third-party investors in the Private Placement (see Note 8) which occurred in close proximity to the acquisition date. As more fully described in Note 8, the Series D Preferred Stock contains an embedded beneficial conversion feature. The intrinsic value of $724 was calculated as of the acquisition date. The fair value of contingent consideration was determined based on the probability of achievement of the revenue targets and operational goals, which includes estimating future revenues. The fair value of intangible assets was based on valuations using a discounted cash flow model (Level 3 inputs) which requires significant estimates and assumptions, including estimating future revenues and costs. The excess of the purchase price over the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recognized as goodwill. The goodwill is attributable to expected synergies and customer cross-selling opportunities between the Company and Hawk Search.

The acquisition date fair value of consideration transferred was as follows:

The acquisition date fair value of assets acquired, and liabilities assumed was as follows: