Professional Diversity Network, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

or

For the transition period from ________ to________

Commission file number: 001-35824

Professional Diversity Network, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(312) 614-0950

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes [  ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

Yes [X] 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

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 accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [  ] No [X]

There were 12,819,843 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of November 13, 2020.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements concern expectations, beliefs, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Specifically, this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements regarding:

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:

The foregoing list of important factors may not include all such factors. You should consult other disclosures made by the Company (such as in our other filings with the SEC or in company press releases) for additional factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the Company. Please refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our 2019 Annual Report for additional information regarding factors that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. You should consider these factors, risks and uncertainties when evaluating any forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements represent our views as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date of this Quarterly Report.

PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY NETWORK, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

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

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)

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

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

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

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

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

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Description of Business

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The interim financial information includes all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments and transactions or events discretely impacting the interim periods, considered necessary by management to fairly state our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2019 Form 10-K.

Professional Diversity Network, Inc. is both the operator of the Professional Diversity Network (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “PDN Network,” “PDN” or the “Professional Diversity Network”) and a holding company for NAPW, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the operator of the National Association of Professional Women (the “NAPW Network” or “NAPW”). The PDN Network operates online professional networking communities with career resources specifically tailored to the needs of different diverse cultural groups including: Women, Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Disabled, Military Professionals, Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), and Students and Graduates seeking to transition from education to career. The networks’ purposes, among others, are to assist its registered users in their efforts to connect with like-minded individuals, identify career opportunities within the network and connect with prospective employers. The Company’s technology platform is integral to the operation of its business. The NAPW Network is networking organization for professional women, whereby its members can develop their professional networks, further their education and skills, and promote their business and career accomplishments. NAPW provides its members with opportunities to network and develop valuable business relationships with other professionals through its website, as well as at events hosted at its local chapters across the country.

In March 2020, our Board decided to suspend all China operations generated by the former CEO, Michael Wang. The results of China operations are presented in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as net loss from discontinued operations. On March 19, 2020, Jiangxi PDN Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Jiangxi PDN”), a company established under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and a variable interest entity (VIE) controlled by Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (“PDN”), issued a Notice of Termination of the Agreement of Acquisition and Equity Transfer (the “Termination”). This Notice was exercised under Jiangxi PDN’s unilateral right and was delivered on March 19, 2020. Under the terms of the Termination, no additional due diligence shall be completed, any materials shall be returned to the respective owners, and there shall be no breakup fee or penalty associated with this Termination. We expect no further involvement in this matter.

2. Going Concern and Management’s Plans

At September 30, 2020, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity were its cash and cash equivalents and the net proceeds from the sale of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

The Company had an accumulated deficit of ($92,943,915) at September 30, 2020. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company generated a net loss from continuing operations of approximately ($912,000) and ($4,116,000), and used cash in continuing operations for the nine months of approximately $2,834,000. At September 30, 2020, the Company had a cash balance of $2,685,451. Total revenues were approximately $1,305,000 and $3,240,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company had a working capital deficiency from continuing operations of approximately ($752,000) and ($2,114,000) at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan, raise capital, and generate revenues. The interim financial information does not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

Management believes that its available cash on hand and cash flow from operations may not be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements for the next twelve months. In order to accomplish our business plan objectives, the Company will need to continue its cost reduction efforts, increase revenues, raise capital through the issuance of common stock, or through a strategic merger or acquisition. However, there can be no assurances that our business plans and actions will be successful, that we will generate anticipated revenues, or that unforeseen circumstances will not require additional funding sources or impact plans to conserve liquidity. Future efforts to improve liquidity through the issuance of our common stock may not be successful, or if available, they may not be negotiable on acceptable terms.

On June 26, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with an existing investor, Malven Group Limited, in connection with the purchase of 312,500 shares of common stock of the Company at a price of $3.20 per share for gross proceeds of $1,000,000. The closing date of the transaction was June 29, 2020 and gross proceeds of $1,000,000 were received in July 2020.

On July 27, 2020, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with three institutional accredited investors. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company offered and sold 1,481,484 shares of its common stock at a per share price of $1.35 for gross proceeds of approximately $2,000,000 pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-227249) (the “Transaction”). The Transaction closed on July 29, 2020 and the Company received net proceeds of $1,814,353, after deducting financial advisory, legal and escrow related fees.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation - The interim financial information includes the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and a variable interest entity. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the interim financial information and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods then ended. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future intervening events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from estimates.

Significant estimates underlying the financial statements include the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities associated with acquisitions; the assessment of goodwill for impairment, intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment; allowances for doubtful accounts, and assumptions related to the valuation allowances on deferred taxes, impact of applying the revised federal tax rates on deferred taxes, the valuation of share-based compensation and the valuation of stock warrants.

Cash Equivalents - The Company considers cash equivalents to include all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and have original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivable represent receivables generated from fees earned from customers and advertising revenue. The Company’s policy is to reserve for uncollectible accounts based on its best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts receivable. The Company periodically reviews its accounts receivable to determine whether an allowance for doubtful accounts is necessary based on an analysis of past due accounts and other factors that may indicate that the realization of an account may be in doubt. Account balances deemed to be uncollectible are charged to the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $23,647 and $20,007.

Incremental Direct Costs - Incremental direct costs incurred in connection with enrolling members in the NAPW Network consist of sales commissions paid to the Company’s direct sales agents. Incremental direct costs associated with the PDN Network consists of commissions paid to third-party agencies. Commissions associated with the NAPW Network are deferred and amortized over the term of membership, which is a 12-month period and agency commissions associated with the PDN Network are deferred and amortized over the membership service period. Total incremental direct costs related to the NAPW and PDN Network during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $26,000 and $28,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, total incremental direct costs related to the NAPW and PDN Network was $78,000 and $90,000.

PDN Network sales commission agency commission over service capitalized

Property and Equipment - Property and equipment is stated at cost, including any cost to place the property into service, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets which currently range from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease. Maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are charged to operations as incurred; major replacements and betterments are capitalized. The cost of any assets sold or retired and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts at the time of disposition, and any resulting profit or loss is reflected in income or expense for the period.

Lease Obligations - The Company leases office space and equipment under various operating lease agreements, including an office for its corporate headquarters, as well as office spaces for its events business, sales and administrative offices under non-cancelable lease arrangements that provide for payments on a graduated basis with various expiration dates.

On September 23, 2020, the Company entered into a new office lease agreement for its corporate headquarters. The office lease is for 4,902 square feet of office space and the lease term is for 84 months, commencing on October 1, 2020. Additionally, the office lease required a security deposit of $66,340 and the lease agreement provided for a rent abatement of twelve months beginning in October 2020. In accordance with ASC 842, the right of use assets and current lease obligations were recognized in September 2020 based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the term of the lease agreement. As of September 30, 2020, the Company capitalized right of use assets of $503,478, short-term lease obligations of $31,556 and long-term lease obligations of $471,922 and will commence the amortization of the right of use asset in October 2020.

Capitalized Technology Costs - In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-40, Internal-Use Software, the Company capitalizes certain external and internal computer software costs incurred during the application development stage. The application development stage generally includes software design and configuration, coding, testing and installation activities. Training and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, while upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that such expenditures will result in additional functionality. Capitalized software costs are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software assets on a straight-line basis, generally not exceeding three years.

Business Combinations - ASC 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), applies the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations to all acquisitions where the acquirer gains a controlling interest, regardless of whether consideration was exchanged. ASC 805 establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer: a) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree; b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and c) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Accounting for acquisitions requires the Company to recognize, separately from goodwill, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in the interim financial information.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 requires that goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives should be tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of an asset has decreased below its carrying value.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis (December 31 for the Company) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company considers its market capitalization and the carrying value of its assets and liabilities, including goodwill, when performing its goodwill impairment test.

When conducting its annual goodwill impairment assessment, the Company initially performs a qualitative evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. If it is determined by a qualitative evaluation that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the Company then compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit to its carrying or book value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will measure any goodwill impairment losses as the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

Treasury Stock – Treasury stock is recorded at cost as a reduction of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition – Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions exist: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) services are performed, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Membership Fees and Related Services

Membership fees are collected up-front and member benefits become available immediately; however those benefits must remain available over the 12-month membership period. At the time of enrollment, membership fees are recorded as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue ratably over the 12-month membership period. Members who are enrolled in this plan may cancel their membership in the program at any time and receive a partial refund (amount remaining in deferred revenue) or due to consumer protection legislation, a full refund based on the policies of the member’s credit card company.

We also offer a monthly membership for which we collect fees on a monthly basis and we recognize revenue in the same month as we collect the monthly fees.

Revenue from related membership services are derived from fees for development and set-up of a member’s personal on-line profile and/or press release announcements. Fees related to these services are recognized as revenue at the time the on-line profile is complete and a press release is distributed.

Deferred Revenue – Deferred revenue includes customer payments which are received prior to performing services and revenues are recognized upon the completion of these services. Annual membership fees collected at the time of enrollment are recognized as revenue ratably over the membership period, which are typically for a 12-month membership period.

Recruitment Services

The Company’s recruitment services revenue is derived from the Company’s agreements through single and multiple job postings, recruitment media, talent recruitment communities, basic and premier corporate memberships, hiring campaign marketing and advertising, e-newsletter marketing and research and outreach services. Recruitment revenue includes revenue recognized from direct sales to customers for recruitment services and events, as well as revenue from the Company’s direct e-commerce sales. Direct sales to customers are most typically a twelve-month contract for services and as such the revenue for each contract is recognized ratably over its twelve-month term. Event revenue is recognized in the month that the event takes place and e-commerce sales are for one-month job postings and the revenue from those sales are recognized in the month the sale is made. Our recruitment services mainly consist of the following products:

Product Sales and Other Revenue

Products offered to members relate to custom made plaques. Product sales are recognized as deferred revenue at the time the initial order is placed. Revenue is then recognized at the time these products are shipped. The Company’s shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

Education and Training

The Company works with its business partners to provide education and training seminars to business people in China. Revenues are recognized in the month when the seminar takes place.

Consumer Advertising and Marketing Solutions

The Company provides career opportunity services to its various partner organizations through advertising and job postings on their websites. The Company works with its partners to develop customized websites and job boards where the partners can generate advertising, job postings and career services to their members, students and alumni. Consumer advertising and marketing solutions revenue is recognized as jobs are posted to their hosted sites.

The Company’s partner organizations include NAACP and National Urban League,VetJobs, among others.

Discontinued Operations

China Operations

On November 25, 2019, PDN China received a Seizure Decision Notice (the “Notice”) from the Yuexiu District Branch of the Police Department of Guangzhou City, the People’s Republic of China. The Notice stated that it is necessary to seize the assets of PDN China in connection with the criminal investigation of alleged illegal public fund raising by Gatewang Group (the “Gatewang Case”), a separate company organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (“Gatewang”), with which Mr. Maoji (Michael) Wang, the former Chairman and CEO of the Company (“Michael Wang”) is affiliated, who was subsequently held in custody by the local police department.

In response to such events, on December 12, 2019 the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) established the Special Committee to investigate the situation, and ‎retained the international law firm of King & Wood Mallesons (“KWM”) to assist the Special Committee in connection with the Special Committee’s investigation of the Company’s operations in the People’s Republic of China and related events, ‎ in collaboration with the Company’s external auditor Ciro E. Adams CPA LLC. KWM conducted extensive research into public records in China, and interviewed the relevant divisions of the Public Security Bureau in China and any related witnesses in relation to the operations and specific transactions that had some relationship to the Gatewang entities. On April 16, 2020, based upon the information obtained, the investigation team concluded that it did not find any evidence that the Company or PDN China engaged in any criminal activity of illegal fund raising as alleged against Gatewang.

The Investigation also revealed that three entities and two ‎individuals (the “Payors”), who appeared to be related to Gatewang, collectively paid RMB 14.25 million to PDN China on behalf of ‎EGBT Foundation Ltd., a private placement investor that purchased ‎1,265,823 shares of the Company’s common stock (approximately 11.6%) in September 2019 (the “EGBT Transaction”)‎. To the knowledge of the Investigation team, the bank account holding the proceeds of ‎the EGBT Transaction is still frozen by the Chinese authorities. The seizure of PDN ‎China office by the local police was lifted on March 23, 2020. These funds, approximately $2.89 million dollars (USD) continue to be subject to the PRC government’s jurisdiction. If the source of funds is actually (or perceived to be) connected to Gatewang, the Chinese authorities may not unfreeze PDN China’s bank account. If and when the bank account is unfrozen, the Company will consider whether the EGBT Transaction needs to be unwound or further documented to be in full compliance with applicable law.

The Company’s operations in China have been suspended since December 2019. On March 4, 2020 the Board decided to discontinue all of the Company’s operations in the People’s Republic of China, namely PDN (China) International Culture Development Co. Ltd.‎, a wholly owned subsidiary of ‎the Company, Jiangxi PDN Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“PDN Jiangxi”), a variable interest entity ‎‎controlled by of the Company‎, and the joint venture between PDN Jiangxi, Guangzhou ‎Zengcheng District Zhili Education ‎Training Center, and Guangzhou Angye Education ‎Consulting Co. Ltd.‎

All historical operating results for the Company’s China operations are included in a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the accompanying statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, loss from discontinued operations was approximately ($29,000) and ($157,000), compared to a loss from discontinued operations of ($133,000) and ($871,000) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Assets and liabilities of China operations are now included in current assets and long-term assets from discontinued operations, and current liabilities and long-term liabilities from discontinued operations. As of September 30, 2020, current assets from discontinued operations were approximately $2,200, compared to approximately $76,000 as of December 31, 2019, and long-term assets from discontinued operations were approximately $2,971,000 at September 30, 2020, compared to approximately $3,109,000 as of December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2020, current liabilities from discontinued operations were approximately $348,000, compared to approximately $564,000 as of December 31, 2019.

Operating Results of Discontinued Operations

The following table represents the components of operating results from discontinued operations, as presented in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

Advertising and Marketing Expenses – Advertising and marketing expenses are expensed as incurred or the first time the advertising takes place. The production costs of advertising are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred advertising and marketing expenses of approximately $174,000 and $149,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, advertising and marketing expenses were $511,000 and $385,000. These amounts are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.

Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions. At times, such amounts may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes that it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on the account.

Income Taxes - The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires that the Company recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company estimates the degree to which tax assets and credit carryforwards will result in a benefit based on expected profitability by tax jurisdiction. A valuation allowance for such tax assets and loss carryforwards is provided when it is determined to be more likely than not that the benefit of such deferred tax asset will not be realized in future periods. If it becomes more likely than not that a tax asset will be used, the related valuation allowance on such assets would be reduced.

ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with ASC 740-20 and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2020. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.

The Company may be subject to potential income tax examinations by federal or state authorities. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. Management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months. Tax years that remain open for assessment for federal and state tax purposes include the years ended December 31, 2016 through 2019.

The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is to record such expense as a component of income tax expense. There were no amounts accrued for penalties or interest as of September 30, 2020.

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities - Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts payable, are carried at cost. Management believes that the recorded amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Net Loss per Share - The Company computes basic net loss per share by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and excludes the effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted earnings per share, if presented, would include the dilution that would occur upon the exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive securities into common stock using the “treasury stock” and/or “if converted” methods as applicable. The computation of basic net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 excludes the potentially dilutive securities summarized in the table below because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (ASU 2019-02): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and by clarifying and amending existing guidance in order to improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption of this pronouncement guidance.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to certain contract modification and hedging relationships that reference London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance is effective upon issuance and generally can be applied through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this ASU on its interim financial information.

4. Capitalized Technology

Capitalized Technology, net is as follows:

For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, amortization expense was approximately $1,770 and $25,000, and was approximately $12,000 and $76,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Amortization of capitalized technology is recorded in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

5. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, net was as follows:

As of September 30, 2020, estimated amortization expense in future fiscal years is summarized as follows:

For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, amortization expense was approximately $19,000 and $183,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, amortization expenses was $57,000 and $550,000. Intangible amortization expense is recorded in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying statements of operations.

6. Loan

The CARES Act was enacted on March 27, 2020. Among the provisions contained in the CARES Act was the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) that provides for under the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Section 7(a) loans for qualified small businesses. PPP loan proceeds are available to be used to pay for payroll costs, including salaries, commissions, and similar compensation, group health care benefits, and paid leaves, rent, utilities and interest on certain other outstanding debt. The amount that will be forgiven will be calculated in part with reference to the Company’s full-time headcount during the eight-week period following the funding of the PPP loan. The Company applied for the PPP loan and on May 5, 2020, the Company received total proceeds of $651,077 from the SBA. In accordance with the loan forgiveness requirements under the CARES Act, the Company utilized the proceeds from the PPP Loan for payroll costs, rent and utilities.

The Company will be applying for loan forgiveness during the fourth quarter of 2020 and anticipates that 100% of the PPP Loan will be forgiven by the SBA. Until such time as the PPP Loan is fully or partially forgiven, the Company has recorded the receipts under the PPP Loan as a short-term and long-term loan in its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

7. Accrued Liabilities

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

8. Commitments and Contingencies

PDN China’s bank account with balance of approximately $2.9 million was frozen by Guangzhou Police due to the Gatewang Case. The Company has classified this entire cash balance as a long-term asset and is classified in discontinued operations.

Legal Proceedings

In a letter dated October 12, 2017, White Winston Select Asset Funds (“White Winston”) threatened to assert claims against the Company in excess of $2 million based on White Winston’s contention that the Company’s conduct delayed White Winston’s ability to sell shares in the Company during a period when the Company’s stock price was generally falling. On April 30, 2018, White Winston filed a lawsuit, entitled White Winston Select Asset Funds, LLC v. Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-10844, (the “Federal Action”) in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, asserting federal jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship. On October 28, 2020, the Company and White Winston agreed to settle its litigation by the Company paying $766,500 to White Winston as follows: cash payments of $600,000 and shares of the Company’s common issued valued at $166,500. The Company made a cash payment of $250,000 on October 29, 2020 and the final cash payment of $350,000 is due by February 16, 2021. The Company recorded this litigation settlement as an expense in the third quarter of 2020.

NAPW is a defendant in a Nassau County (NY) Supreme Court case, whereby TL Franklin Avenue Plaza LLC has sued NAPW Case index No. LT-000421/2018, with respect to NAPW’s former Garden City NY Premises. NAPW had surrendered the Premises to the Landlord, and the Landlord has obtained a judgment against NAPW in the amount of $746,142.41. As a result of the judgement order, the Company recorded a $780,000 litigation settlement reserve in the second quarter of 2020, which reflected the judgement order in addition to imputed interest costs and legal fees. NAPW is currently negotiating a settlement with the Landlord.

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, NAPW, Inc., are parties to a proceeding captioned Deborah Bayne, et al. vs. NAPW, Inc. and Professional Diversity Network, Inc., No. 18-cv-3591 (E.D.N.Y.), filed on June 20, 2018 and alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and certain provisions of the New York Labor Law. The Company disputes that it or its subsidiary violated the applicable laws or that either entity has any liability and intends to vigorously defend against these claims. The matter is in the final stages of discovery and we have completed depositions of relevant witnesses. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $450,000 litigation settlement reserve in the event of an unfavorable outcome in this proceeding. The Company is engaged in settlement discussions and anticipates entering into mediation proceedings in November 2020.

We are also generally subject to legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.

General Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is involved in legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company believes that such matters are currently not material, there can be no assurance that matters arising in the ordinary course of business for which the Company is, or could be, involved in litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

9. CFL Transaction

On August 12, 2016, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), with CFL, a Republic of Seychelles company wholly-owned by a group of Chinese investors. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue and sell to CFL (the “Share Issuance and Sale”), and CFL agreed to purchase, at a price of $9.60 per share (the “Per Share Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), such that CFL will hold shares of Common Stock equal to approximately 51% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, determined on a fully-diluted basis, after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, including the Tender Offer described below (the “CFL Transaction”).

On November 7, 2016, the Company consummated the Share Issuance and Sale of 1,777,417 shares of its common stock to CFL at a price of $9.60 per share, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, dated August 12, 2016. In addition, on November 7, 2016, the Company completed the purchase of 312,500 shares of its common stock at a price of $9.60 per share, net to the seller in cash, pursuant to the Tender Offer. The Company received approximately $9,000,000 in net proceeds from the Share Issuance and Sale, after the payment for the shares repurchased in the Tender Offer, the repayment of all amounts outstanding under the Master Credit Facility and the payment of transaction-related expenses.

At the closing of the CFL Transaction, the Company entered into a Stockholders’ Agreement, dated November 7, 2016 (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”) with CFL and each of its shareholders: Maoji (Michael) Wang, Jingbo Song, Yong Xiong Zheng and Nan Kou (the “CFL Shareholders”). The Stockholders’ Agreement sets forth the agreement of the Company, CFL and the CFL Shareholders relating to board representation rights, transfer restrictions, standstill provisions, voting, registration rights and other matters following the closing of the Share Issuance and Sale (see Note 13).

On November 15, 2019, CFL purchased additional 1,142,857 shares of the Company’s common stock for $1.75 per share for gross proceeds of $2,000,000 from an existing shareholder.

10. Related Party Transactions

In September 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for administrative services involving the spouse of a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the agreement expires on December 31, 2020. At September 30, 2020, the Company paid approximately $13,000 and estimates that the remaining consulting fees due under this agreement to be approximately $7,000.

11. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock – The Company has no preferred stock issued. The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include provisions that allow the Company’s Board of Directors to issue, without further action by the stockholders, up to 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock.

Common Stock – The Company has one class of common stock outstanding with a total number of shares authorized of 45,000,000. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had 12,819,843 shares of common stock outstanding.

On March 22, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with Malven Group Limited, a company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, in connection with the purchase of 1,939,237 shares of common stock of the Company at a price of $0.7735 per share for gross proceeds of $1,500,000. The closing of the transaction took place on March 30, 2020.

On June 26, 2020, Malven Group Limited, purchased an additional 312,500 shares of common stock of the Company at a price of $3.20 per share for gross proceeds of $1,000,000. The closing of the transaction took place on June 29, 2020.

On July 27, 2020, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with three institutional accredited investors, in which the Company sold 1,481,484 shares of our common stock at a per share price of $1.35 for gross proceeds of approximately $2,000,000 pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement filed on Form S-3. The transaction closed on July 29, 2020.

12. Share-Based Compensation

Equity Incentive Plans – The Company’s 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2013 Plan”) was adopted for the purpose of providing equity incentives to employees, officers, directors and consultants including options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, other equity awards, annual incentive awards and dividend equivalents. The Company amended the 2013 Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock under the Plan from 225,000 shares to 615,000 shares, which the Company’s stockholders approved on June 26, 2017. The Company further amended the 2013 Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock under the Plan by 300,000 shares, which the Company’s stockholders approved and ratified on November 8, 2018. The Company is now authorized to issue 915,000 shares under the amended 2013 Plan.