10-Q 1 form10-q.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

 

or

 

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

 

Commission file number 000-52522

 

SURGE HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   98-0550352

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I. R. S. Employer

Identification No.)

     
3124 Brother Blvd, Suite 104    
Bartlett TN   38133
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

901-302-9587

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
N/A   N/A   N/A

 

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 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,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [X] Smaller reporting company [X]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Emerging growth company [  ]

 

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

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of June 18, 2020 was 104,426,173 shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

On March 25, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued an order and guidance (collectively, the “Order”) providing regulatory relief to public companies whose operations may be affected by the novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”). The Order provided public companies with a 45-day extension to file certain disclosure reports, including their Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”), that would otherwise have been due between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2020.

 

Due to its operations being impacted by COVID-19, the Company was unable to meet its filing deadline with respect to its Quarterly Report and on May 15, 2020 submitted a Current Report on Form 8-K in accordance with and reliance upon the Order.

 

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), starting from early March 2020, the Company’s employees and external auditors have been asked to work remotely. As a result, communication among internal financial staff and external auditors has been challenging, resulting in a delay in preparation, review and completion of the Quarterly Report. Based on the foregoing, on May 15, 2020, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K to avail itself of a 45-day extension to file this Form 10-Q relying on the exemptions provided by the SEC Order. This Form 10-Q is being filed in reliance on the Order.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 4
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 31
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 38
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 38
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION  
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 38
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 39
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 39
     
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities 39
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 39
     
Item 5. Other Information 39
     
Item 6. Exhibits 40

 

 3 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SURGE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   March 31, 2020   December 31, 2019 
    (unaudited)      
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $438,546   $346,040 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $774,841 and $774,841, respectively   3,733,368    3,056,213 
Notes receivable   14,959    14,959 
Lifeline revenue due from USAC   209,934    60,790 
Prepaid expenses   59,973    96,883 
Total current assets   4,456,780    3,574,885 
Property and Equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $53,907 and $38,656, respectively   259,191    294,616 
Intangible assets less accumulated amortization of $769,444 and $519,404, respectively   4,984,077    4,769,117 
Goodwill   866,782    866,782 
Investment in Centercom   236,069    203,700 
Operating lease right of use asset, net   519,485    210,816 
Other long-term assets       66,457 
Total assets  $11,322,384   $9,986,373 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses - others  $5,402,918   $3,637,577 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses - related party   1,253,103    998,517 
Credit card liability   388,343    449,158 
Loss contingency       38,040 
Deferred revenue   684,950     
Derivative liability   1,362,142    190,846 
Operating lease liability   170,301    90,944 
Line of credit   912,870    912,870 
Convertible notes payable and current portion of long-term debt, net   205,272     
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt, net   231,451    736,172 
Total current liabilities   10,611,350    7,054,124 
Long-term debt less current portion – related party   2,205,440    2,205,440 
Operating lease liability – net   349,184    119,872 
Trade payables - long term   869,868    869,868 
Convertible promissory notes payable - net   4,163,986    4,436,684 
Total liabilities   18,199,828    14,685,988 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ deficit:          
           
Series A preferred stock: $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 13,000,000 and 13,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively   13,000    13,000 
Series C convertible preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 721,598 and 721,598 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively   722    722 
Common stock: $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 104,922,150 shares and 102,193,579 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively   104,922    102,193 
Additional paid in capital   6,931,790    6,055,042 
Accumulated deficit   (13,927,878)   (10,870,572)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (6,877,444)   (4,699,615)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  $11,322,384   $9,986,373 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 4 
 

 

SURGE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
         
Revenue  $15,787,799   $3,938,773 
           
Cost of revenue   14,806,579    2,479,567 
           
Gross profit   981,220    1,459,206 
           
Cost and expenses          
Depreciation and amortization   265,464    10,538 
Selling, general and administrative   3,480,995    2,560,780 
Total costs and expenses   3,746,459    2,571,318 
           
Operating loss   (2,765,239)   (1,112,112)
           
Other income (expense):          
Interest expense, net   (482,722)   (45,949)
Change in fair value of derivative liability   (31,816)   - 
Derivative expense   (348,334)   - 
Gain on investment in Centercom   32,369    21,966 
Gain (loss) on settlement of liabilities   538,436   (507,500)
Total other expense   (292,067)   (531,483)
           
Net loss before provision for income taxes   (3,057,306)   (1,643,595)
           
Provision for income taxes   -    - 
           
Net loss  $(3,057,306)  $(1,643,595)
           
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted  $(0.03)  $(0.02)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   103,821,561    88,496,653 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 5 
 

 

SURGE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months ended March 31, 2020

 

   Series A   Series C       Additional         
  

Preferred

   Preferred   Common Stock   Paid-in   Accumulated     
   Shares   Amount    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Total 
                                     
Balance, January 1, 2020   13,000,000   $13,000    721,598   $722    102,193,579   $102,193   $6,055,042   $(10,870,572)  $(4,699,615)
                                              
Issuance of Common Stock and options for services rendered   -    -    -    -    -    -    16,901         16,901 
                                              
Sale of Common Stock and warrants   -    -    -    -    428,571    429    149,571         150,000 
                                              
Issuance of Common Stock with debt recorded as debt discount   -    -    -    -    1,750,000    1,750    533,050         534,800 
                                              
Issuance of Common Stock for an acquisition   -    -    -    -    550,000    550    177,226    -    177,776 
                                              
Issuance of Series C Preferred Stock in exchange for Common Stock   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                              
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    (3,057,306)   (3,057,306)
                                              
Balance, March 31, 2020   13,000,000    13,000    721,598    722    104,922,150    104,922    6,931,790    (13,927,878)   (6,877,444)

 

Three Months ended March 31, 2019

 

          Series C           Additional              
    Preferred Stock     Preferred     Common Stock     Paid-in     Accumulated        
    Shares     Amount      Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Total  
                                                       
Balance, January 1, 2019     13,000,000     $ 13,000       643,366     $ 643       88,046,391     $ 88,047     $ 333,623     $ (2,423,546 )   $ (1,988,233 )
                                                                         
Issuance of common stock and warrants for services rendered     -       -       -       -       21,000       21       99,352       -       99,373  
                                                                         
Issuance of common stock for settlement of accounts payable     -       -       -       -       875,000       875       506,625       -       507,500  
                                                                         
Sale of common stock and warrants     -       -       -       -       1,671,428       1,671       563,329       -       565,000  
                                                                         
Issuance of Series C Preferred Stock for investment in Centercom     -       -       72,000       72       -       -       178,436       -       178,508  
                                                                         
Issuance of Series C Preferred Stock for conversion of related party advances     -       -       6,232       7       -       -       389,495       -       389,502  
                                                                         
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (1,643,595 )     (1,643,595 )
Balance, March 31, 2019     13,000,000     $ 13,000       721,598     $ 722       90,613,819     $ 90,614     $ 2,070,860     $ (4,067,141 )   $ (1,891,945 )

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 6 
 

 

SURGE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
         
Operating activities          
Net loss  $(3,057,306)  $(1,643,595)
Adjustments to reconcile net income loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   265,464    10,539 
Amortization of right of use assets   46,534    - 
Amortization of debt discount   313,297    - 
Stock-based compensation   16,901    99,373 
Change in fair value of derivative liability   31,816    - 
Derivative expense   348,334    - 
(Gain) loss on settlement of liabilities   (582,806)   507,500 
Gain on equity investment in Centercom   (32,369)   (21,966)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (677,155)   (558,712)
Lifeline revenue due from USAC   (149,144)   363,479 
Customer phone supply   -    676,716 
Prepaid expenses   36,910    (704)
Other assets   66,457    - 
Credit card liability   (60,815)   67,240 
Deferred revenue   684,950    - 
Loss contingency   (38,040)   30,000 
Current portion of operating lease liability   (46,534)   - 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   1,789,584    (407,820)
Net cash used in operating activities   (1,043,922)   (877,950)
           
Investing activities          
Purchase of equipment   (3,072)   - 
Net cash used in investing activities   (3,072)   - 
           
Financing activities          
Issuance of Common Stock and warrants   150,000    565,000 
Note payable - repayments   (27,500)   (20,000)
Convertible promissory notes - borrowings   1,350,000      
Convertible promissory notes - repayments   (233,000)   - 
Cash paid for debt issuance costs   (100,000)   - 
Line of credit - advances   -    1,130,973 
Line of credit - repayments   -    (200,000)
Loan proceeds under related party financing arrangement   -    674,000 
Loan repayments under related party financing arrangement   -    (300,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities   1,139,500    1,849,973 
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   92,506    972,023 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   346,040    444,612 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $438,546   $1,416,635 
           
Supplemental cash flow information          
Cash paid for interest and income taxes:          
Interest  $27,509   $16,953 
Income taxes  $-   $- 
           
Non-cash investing and financing activities:          
Exchange of related party advances for Series C Preferred Stock  $-   $389,502 
Exchange of investment in CenterCom for Series C Preferred Stock  $-   $178,508 
Common Stock issued for an acquisition  $165,000   $ 
Common Stock and warrants issued with debt recorded as debt discount  $534,000   $- 
Derivative liability on convertible notes recorded as debt discount  $981,382   $- 
Operating lease liability  $355,203   $- 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 7 
 

 

SURGE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2020

 

1 BUSINESS

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Surge Holdings, Inc. (“Surge”), formerly Ksix Media Holdings, Inc., incorporated in Nevada on August 18, 2006, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Ksix Media, Inc. (“Media”), incorporated in Nevada on November 5, 2014; Ksix, LLC (“KSIX”), a Nevada limited liability company that was formed on September 14, 2011; Surge Blockchain, LLC (“Blockchain”), formerly Blvd. Media Group, LLC (“BLVD”), a Nevada limited liability company that was formed on January 29, 2009; DigitizeIQ, LLC (“DIQ”) an Illinois limited liability company that was formed on July 23, 2014; Surge Cryptocurrency Mining, Inc. (“Crypto”), formerly North American Exploration, Inc. (“NAE”), a Nevada corporation that was incorporated on August 18, 2006 (since January 1, 2019, this has been a dormant entity that does not own any assets); Surge Logics Inc (“Logics”), an Nevada corporation that was formed on October 2, 2018; SurgePays Fintech Inc (“Tech”), an Nevada corporation that was formed on August 22, 2019; Surge Payments LLC (“Payments”), an Nevada corporation that was formed on December 17, 2018; SurgePhone Wireless LLC (“Surge Phone”), an Nevada corporation that was formed on August 29, 2019 and True Wireless, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation (formerly True Wireless, LLC) (“TW”), (collectively the “Company” or “we”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Recent Developments

 

On September 30, 2019, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with GBT Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation (“GBT”).

 

Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company has purchased substantially all of the assets, and specified liabilities, of GBT’s ECS Prepaid business, Electronic Check Services business, and the Central State Legal Services business (collectively the “ECS Business”). The Purchase Agreement provides that the Company assumed GBT’s liabilities incurred after the effective date of the Purchase Agreement, but only to the extent such obligations and liabilities were not caused by or related to any action or inaction by GBT prior to the effective date of the Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Agreement provides, among other things, that on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets related to the ECS Business for total consideration of five million dollars ($5,000,000). The Purchase Agreement provides that the consideration is to be paid by the Company through the issuance of a convertible promissory note in the amount of four million dollars ($4,000,000) to GBT (the “Note”), and through the issuance of three million three hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-three (3,333,333) restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock to GBT (the “Shares”). GBT may not convert the Note to the extent that such conversion would result in beneficial ownership by GBT and/or its affiliates of more than 4.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company.

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement

 

On January 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “MIPA”) by and among the Company, ECS Prepaid, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company (“ECS Prepaid”), Dennis R. Winfrey, an individual, and Peggy S. Winfrey, an individual (together, the “Winfreys”), whereby the Company purchased from the Winfreys all of the Membership Interests of ECS Prepaid owned by the Winfreys (the “ECS Prepaid Membership Interests”). In consideration for the ECS Prepaid Membership Interests, the Company issued to Suray Holdings LLC, an entity jointly controlled by the Winfreys, 450,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

ECS and CSLS Stock Purchase Agreement

 

On January 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ECS and CSLS SPA”) by and among the Company, Electronic Check Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“ECS”), Central States Legal Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“CSLS”), and the Winfreys, whereby the Company purchased from the Winfreys all of the issued and outstanding stock of each of ECS and CSLS (the “ECS and CSLS Stock”). In consideration for the ECS and CSLS Stock, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock to Suray (the “ECS and CLS Purchase Share Issuance”).

 

 8 
 

 

Business Overview

 

Surge Holdings, Inc. (“Surge Holdings” or “the Company”), incorporated in Nevada on August 18, 2006, is a company focused on Telecom, Media, and FinTech applications serving customers worldwide online and across social media, gaming and mobile platforms.

 

The Company’s current focus is the provision of financial and telecommunications services to the financially underserved (i.e. persons who have little or no access to credit) within the population. The Company provides a suite of services which are primarily marketed through small retail establishments which are utilized by members of its target market.

 

Commencing in 2018, the Company has significantly expanded its suite of services to include the pursuit of the following business models:

 

Surge Telecom

 

SurgePhone Wireless offers discounted talk, text, and 4G LTE data wireless plans at prices that average 30% – 50% lower than competitors. Available nationwide, SurgePhone Wireless utilizes ad impression revenue to help offset and, in many cases, eliminate the monthly wireless plans for low income customers (free service for the customer is paid for by ad revenue). Additionally, SurgePhone also offers strategic discounts such as the Surge Heroes campaign that rewards teachers, first responders, active military and veterans with a free Android smartphone.

 

Additionally, through the use of the SurgeRewardsApp, the Company is able to more aggressively rollout the SurgePhoneWireless service. Customers earn rewards from the ad impressions while unlocking their phone and also by opening the SurgeRewardsApp to watch videos and ads, as well as participate in short surveys in order to receive reward points that can be converted into statement credits for free cell phone service or cash.

 

True Wireless is licensed to provide subsidized wireless service to qualifying low income customers in 5 states. Utilizing all 4 major USA wireless backbones, True Wireless provides discounted and free wireless service to over 25,000 veterans and other customers who qualify for certain federal programs such as SNAP (EBT) and Medicaid.

 

The SurgePhone Android Volt 5XL provides a large screen smartphone option to those unable to afford a more expensive phone.

 

Surge Fintech

 

SurgePays Visa was launched late in the third quarter of 2019. We believe this card could be life enhancing by serving as a virtual checking account for the unbanked, underbanked, credit challenged or those unable to access traditional financial services. The SurgePays card will offer safety, security and convenience of using the card anywhere that accepts Visa and customers will be able to load their card via direct deposit or loading cash directly at 110,000 locations nationwide. Customers will be able to access and manage their accounts from the connected app. In addition, customers will also be able to take a picture of their paycheck and load the cash to their cards (eliminating costly check cashing fees).

 

Surge Software

 

SurgePays Portal is a multi-purpose software interface for convenience stores, bodegas and other corner merchants providing goods and services to the underbanked community. The merchant or clerk is able to use the portal interface – similar to a website – with image driven navigation to add wireless minutes to any prepaid wireless carrier’s phone and access to other services such as bill payment and loading debit cards. We believe what makes SurgePays unique is that it also offers the merchant the ability to order wholesale goods through the portal with one touch ease. SurgePays is essentially a wholesale e-commerce storefront that allows manufactures and distribution companies to have access to merchants while cutting out the middleman. The goal of the SurgePays Portal is to provide as many commonly sold consumable products as possible to convenience stores, corner markets, bodegas, and supermarkets. These products include energy drinks, dry foods, frozen foods, bagged snacks, processed meats, automotive parts and many more goods, all in one convenient e-commerce storefront.

 

 9 
 

 

Surge Digital Media

 

Surge Logics is a full-service digital advertising agency, specializing in lead generation, Pay Per Call, landing page optimization and managed ad spending. Our primary media buying platforms are Google AdWords, Facebook, Instagram and Bing. We have a call center that can handle Live Call Transfers, Customer Service Support, Lead Verification and Attorney Case Support.

 

Through the launch of Surge Intake Logistics (“InTake”), a proprietary CRM software solution that delivers signed retainer services to clients, InTake is proving to be a direct benefit to clients that do not have the staff and infrastructure to handle the volume of leads Surge Logics generates. Surge Logics has taken this a step further to provide qualified leads utilizing a strategic partnership with Centercom to be first in class for online lead generation This partnership and new software have significantly contributed to Surge Logic’s revenue which has grown to approximately $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Lead generation describes the marketing process of stimulating and capturing interest in a product or service for the purpose of developing sales pipeline.

 

Pay-per-call (PPCall, also called cost-per-call) is an advertising model in which the rate paid by the advertiser is determined by the number of telephone calls made by viewers of an ad. Pay Per Call providers charge per call, per impression or per conversion.

 

Media buying is the process of buying media placements for advertising (on TV, in publications, on the radio, digital signage, apps or on websites).

 

A call center - centralized office used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of requests by telephone.

 

Centercom Global, S.A. de C.V.

 

On January 17, 2019, the Company announced the completion of an agreement to acquire a 40% equity ownership of Centercom Global, S.A. de C.V (“Centercom”). Centercom is a dynamic operations center currently providing Surge sales support, customer service, IT infrastructure design, graphic media, database programming, software development, revenue assurance, lead generation, and other various operational support services. Anthony N. Nuzzo, a director and officer and a 10% shareholder of the Company’s voting equity has a controlling interest in CenterCom Global. Centercom also provides call center support for various third-party clients. Centercom is involved with:

 

  On-boarding the SurgePays Portal into over 40,000 retail locations and subsequent ongoing support;
  Aggressively marketing the Company’s new “Free Wireless Service” program to substantially grow customer base while enhancing customer service;
  Supporting the Company’s IT infrastructure including database management; and
  Upselling-related FinTech products to our existing customer base to increase revenue.

 

Due to the fact that a director, officer, and minority owner of the Company has a controlling interest in CenterCom Global, the Company recorded its investment in Centercom of $178,508, which is the Company’s 40% ownership of Centercom’s net book value upon close of the completion of the transaction, as “Investment in Centercom” in long term assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded its equity interest in Centercom’s results of operations as “Gain on investment in Centercom” in other income (expense) on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company periodically reviews its investment in Centercom for impairment. Management has determined that no impairment was required as of March 31, 2020.

 

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ECS Business

 

On September 30, 2019, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreement with GBT Technologies Inc. (“GBT”) of the ECS Prepaid LLC business, Electronic Check Services business and the Central States Legal Services business (collectively, “ECS”). Through its proprietary Fintech software platform, ECS is a leading provider of prepaid wireless load and top-ups, check cashing and wireless SIM activation to convenience stores and bodegas nationwide. Since 2008, ECS has grown to a network of over 9,800 retail locations and 160 independent sales organizations (“ISO”) processing over 18,000 transactions per day. Surge will integrate the ECS software with its SurgePays Network in order to offer both wholesale products from third-party manufacturers, as well as Surge products, including the SurgePays Reloadable Debit Card, SurgePhone Wireless and SIM Starter Kits. See Note 4.

 

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not contain all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all of the adjustments necessary (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) to present the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2020 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on May 12, 2020.

 

Use of Estimates and Assumptions and Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions

 

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

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company operates in an industry that is subject to intense competition and change in consumer demand. The Company’s operations are subject to significant risk and uncertainties including financial and operational risks including the potential risk of business failure.

 

The Company has experienced, and in the future expects to continue to experience, variability in sales and earnings. The factors expected to contribute to this variability include, among others, (i) the cyclical nature of the industry, (ii) general economic conditions in the various local markets in which the Company competes, including a potential general downturn in the economy, and (iii) the volatility of prices in connection with the Company’s distribution of the product. These factors, among others, make it difficult to project the Company’s operating results on a consistent basis.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. The Company is exposed to credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents in the event of default by the financial institutions to the extent account balances exceed the amount insured by the FDIC, which is $250,000. Accounts receivables potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk. Company closely monitors extensions of credit. Estimated credit losses have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Recent credit losses have been within management’s expectations. One customer accounted for more than 16% of revenues in 2019. No customer accounted for more than 10% of revenues in 2020.

 

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Method of Accounting

 

Investments held in stock of entities other than subsidiaries, namely corporate joint ventures and other non-controlled entities usually are accounted for by one of three methods: (i) the fair value method (addressed in Topic 320), (ii) the equity method (addressed in Topic 323), or (iii) the cost method (addressed in Subtopic 325-20). Pursuant to Paragraph 323-10-05-5, the equity method tends to be most appropriate if an investment enables the investor to influence the operating or financial policies of the investee.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company held no cash equivalents at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

The Company minimizes its credit risk associated with cash by periodically evaluating the credit quality of its primary financial institution. The balance at times may exceed federally insured limits.

 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. The Company generally does not require collateral to support customer receivables. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a review of the outstanding accounts receivable, historical collection information and existing economic conditions. The Company determines if receivables are past due based on days outstanding, and amounts are written off when determined to be uncollectible by management. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had reserves of $774,841.

 

Concentrations

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, one customer represented approximately 69% and 80% of total gross outstanding receivables, respectively.

 

Leases

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases” (Topic 842) which amended guidance for lease arrangements to increase transparency and comparability by providing additional information to users of financial statements regarding an entity’s leasing activities. Subsequent to the issuance of Topic 842, the FASB clarified the guidance through several ASUs; hereinafter the collection of lease guidance is referred to as ASC 842. The revised guidance seeks to achieve this objective by requiring reporting entities to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for substantially all lease arrangements.

 

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective approach and recognized a right of use (“ROU”) asset and liability in the consolidated balance sheet related to the operating lease for office space. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the legacy accounting guidance under ASC Topic 840, Leases.

 

As part of the adoption the Company elected the practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the Company to:

 

  1. Not separate non-lease components from lease components and instead to account for each separate lease component and the non-lease components associated with that lease component as a single lease component.
     
  2. Not to apply the recognition requirements in ASC 842 to short-term leases.
     
  3. Not record a right of use asset or right of use liability for leases with an asset or liability balance that would be considered immaterial.

 

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Refer to Note 12. Leases for additional disclosures required by ASC 842.

 

Fair value measurements

 

The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value as used in numerous accounting pronouncements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements.

 

The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are carried at historical cost basis, which approximates their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying amounts of our short and long term credit obligations approximate fair value because the effective yields on these obligations, which include contractual interest rates taken together with other features such as concurrent issuances of warrants and/or embedded conversion options, are comparable to rates of returns for instruments of similar credit risk.

 

ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

  Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable.
  Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions).

 

Derivative Liabilities

 

The Company evaluates its options, warrants, convertible notes, or other contracts, if any, to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for in accordance with paragraph 815-10-05-4 and Section 815-40-25 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the embedded derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as either an asset or a liability. The change in fair value is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as other income or expense. Upon conversion, exercise or cancellation of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the date of conversion, exercise or cancellation and then the related fair value is reclassified to equity.

 

In circumstances where the embedded conversion option in a convertible instrument is required to be bifurcated and there are also other embedded derivative instruments in the convertible instrument that are required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.

 

The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification are reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date. Derivative instrument liabilities will be classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument is expected within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

 

The Company adopted Section 815-40-15 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Section 815-40-15”) to determine whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to the Company’s own stock. Section 815-40-15 provides that an entity should use a two-step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions.

 

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The Company utilizes a binomial option pricing model to compute the fair value of the derivative liability and to mark to market the fair value of the derivative at each balance sheet date. The Company records the change in the fair value of the derivative as other income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company had derivative liabilities of $1,362,141 and $190,846 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

Revenue recognition

 

The Company adopted ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method which would require a cumulative effect adjustment for initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings and the comparative information would not require to be restated and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.

 

Based on the Company’s analysis the Company did not identify a cumulative effect adjustment for initially applying the new revenue standards. The Company principally generates revenue through providing product, services and licensing revenue.

 

The adoption of ASC 606 represents a change in accounting principle that will more closely align revenue recognition with the delivery of the Company’s services and will provide financial statement readers with enhanced disclosures. In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these services. To achieve this core principle, the Company applies the following five steps:

 

1) Identify the contract with a customer

 

A contract with a customer exists when (i) the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer that defines each party’s rights regarding the services to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these services, (ii) the contract has commercial substance and, (iii) the Company determines that collection of substantially all consideration for services that are transferred is probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration. The Company applies judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay, which is based on a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience or, in the case of a new customer, published credit and financial information pertaining to the customer.

 

2) Identify the performance obligations in the contract

 

Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the services that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from the Company, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the services is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. To the extent a contract includes multiple promised services, the Company must apply judgment to determine whether promised services are capable of being distinct and distinct in the context of the contract. If these criteria are not met the promised services are accounted for as a combined performance obligation.

 

3) Determine the transaction price

 

The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company will be entitled in exchange for transferring services to the customer. To the extent the transaction price includes variable consideration, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the transaction price utilizing either the expected value method or the most likely amount method depending on the nature of the variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in the Company’s judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. None of the Company’s contracts as of December 31, 2019 contained a significant financing component.

 

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4) Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract

 

If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. However, if a series of distinct services that are substantially the same qualifies as a single performance obligation in a contract with variable consideration, the Company must determine if the variable consideration is attributable to the entire contract or to a specific part of the contract. For example, a bonus or penalty may be associated with one or more, but not all, distinct services promised in a series of distinct services that forms part of a single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price basis unless the transaction price is variable and meets the criteria to be allocated entirely to a performance obligation or to a distinct service that forms part of a single performance obligation. The Company determines standalone selling price based on the price at which the performance obligation is sold separately. If the standalone selling price is not observable through past transactions, the Company estimates the standalone selling price taking into account available information such as market conditions and internally approved pricing guidelines related to the performance obligations.

 

5) Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation

 

The Company satisfies performance obligations either over time or at a point in time. Revenue is recognized at the time the related performance obligation is satisfied by transferring a promised service to a customer.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The following table disaggregates gross revenue by entity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

   For the Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2020   March 31, 2019 
True Wireless, Inc.  $290,705   $2,374,472 
Surge Blockchain, LLC   229,802    890,181 
Surge Logics, Inc.   5,451,919    673,713 
ECS   9,746,773    - 
Other   68,600    407 
Total revenue  $15,787,799   $3,938,773 

 

True Wireless is licensed to provide wireless services to qualifying low income customers in five states. Revenues are recognized when the services have been provided and the government subsidy has been earned.

 

Surge Blockchain revenues are generated through the SurgePaysPortal multi-purpose software are recognized when the goods and services have been delivered and earned.

 

Surge Logics is a full-service digital advertising agency and revenues are recognized at a period in time once performance obligations are met and services are provided as customer deposits are received in advance.

 

ECS is a leading provider of prepaid wireless load and top-ups, check cashing and wireless SIM activation to convenience stores and bodegas nationwide.

 

Deferred Revenue

 

Certain amounts are received pursuant to agreements or contracts and may only be used in the conduct of specified transactions or the related services are yet to be performed. These amounts are recorded as unearned or deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue in the year/period the related expenses are incurred, or services are performed. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had $684,950 and $0 in deferred revenue.

 

Earnings per Share

 

Earnings per share (“EPS”) is the amount of earnings attributable to each share of common stock. For convenience, the term is used to refer to either earnings or loss per share. EPS is computed pursuant to Section 260-10-45 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Pursuant to ASC Paragraphs 260-10-45-10 through 260-10-45-16, basic EPS shall be computed by dividing income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) during the period. Income available to common stockholders shall be computed by deducting both the dividends declared in the period on preferred stock (whether or not paid) and the dividends accumulated for the period on cumulative preferred stock (whether or not earned) from income from continuing operations (if that amount appears in the income statement) and also from net income. The computation of diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued during the period to reflect the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through contingent shares issuance arrangement, stock options or warrants.

 

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The following table shows the outstanding dilutive common shares excluded from the diluted net income (loss) per share calculation as they were anti-dilutive:

 

   Contingent shares issuance
arrangement, stock options
or warrants
 
   For the Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2020
   For the Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2019
 
           
Convertible note   12,461,539    - 
Common stock options   850,176    - 
Common stock warrants   7,063,919    2,491,072 
           
Total contingent shares issuance arrangement, stock options or warrants   20,375,634    2,491,072 

 

Income taxes

 

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, “Income Taxes”. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if based on the weight of the available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

Through December 23, 2014, KSIX and BLVD operated as limited liability companies and all income and losses were passed through to the owners. Through October 12, 2015, DIQ operated as a limited liability company and all income and losses were passed through to its owner. Subsequent to the acquisition dates, these limited liability companies were owned by Surge and became subject to income tax.

 

Through April 1, 2018, TW operated as a limited liability company and all income and losses were passed through to the owners. In order to facilitate the merger discussed above, TW converted from a limited liability company to a Subchapter C Corporation.

 

ASC Topic 740-10-30 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740-10-40 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We have no material uncertain tax positions for any of the reporting periods presented.

 

The Company is no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2017.

 

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law in March 2020. The CARES Act lifts certain deduction limitations originally imposed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“2017 Tax Act”). Corporate taxpayers may carryback net operating losses (NOLs) originating between 2018 and 2020 for up to five years, which was not previously allowed under the 2017 Tax Act. The CARES Act also eliminates the 80% of taxable income limitations by allowing corporate entities to fully utilize NOL carryforwards to offset taxable income in 2018, 2019 or 2020. Taxpayers may generally deduct interest up to the sum of 50% of adjusted taxable income plus business interest income (30% limit under the 2017 Tax Act) for 2019 and 2020. The CARES Act allows taxpayers with alternative minimum tax credits to claim a refund in 2020 for the entire amount of the credits instead of recovering the credits through refunds over a period of years, as originally enacted by the 2017 Tax Act.

 

In addition, the CARES Act raises the corporate charitable deduction limit to 25% of taxable income and makes qualified improvement property generally eligible for 15-year cost-recovery and 100% bonus depreciation. The enactment of the CARES Act did not result in any material adjustments to our income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

Recent adopted accounting pronouncements

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax-deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and an entity should apply the amendments of ASU 2017-04 on a prospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. This update is to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements by facilitating clear communication of the information required by U.S. GAAP that is most important to users of each entity’s financial statements. The amendments in this update apply to all entities that are required, under existing U.S. GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the new standard during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Recent issued accounting pronouncements

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions to account for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate if certain criteria are met. The amendments of ASU No. 2020-04 are effective immediately, as of March 12, 2020, and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is evaluating the impact that the amendments of this standard would have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements

 

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In December 2019, the FASB issued authoritative guidance intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes (ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”). This guidance eliminates certain exceptions to the general approach to the income tax accounting model and adds new guidance to reduce the complexity in accounting for income taxes. This guidance is effective for annual periods after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Management has evaluated all recent accounting pronouncements as issued by the FASB in the form of Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) through the date these financial statements were available to be issued and found no recent accounting pronouncements issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, when adopted, will have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company.

 

3 LIQUIDITY

 

The Company had a net loss of approximately $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and working capital deficit of approximately $439,000 and $6.2 million, respectively.

 

Management’s 2019 strategic decision to invest and allocate millions of dollars into software development, product development and its infrastructure has enabled the company to be position for immediate rapid growth. The Company continues to add stores to the ECS and Wholesale Marketplace platforms while aggressively exploring new distribution channels and acquisitions. This is enabling the addition of products from manufacturers in market specific categories in conjunction with national rollouts of proprietary brands such as LocoRabbit Wireless, Max CBD and Essential products needed in today’s world.

 

The September 2019 asset purchase agreement of the ECS Business gives the Company access to a network of over 9,800 retail locations and 160 independent salespeople processing over 18,000 transactions per day (see Note 1). ECS generates approximately $46,500,000 in annualized revenue through third party wireless services.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Surge software development team has successfully implemented the merging of the SurgePays and ECS software to more efficiently and cost effectively increase synergized revenue and profitability moving forward. In addition, management made the decision to expedite programming, software development and integration to enable the successful launch of the SurgePays Prepaid Visa card.

 

The development of the Surge Logistics Intake software and the infrastructure at CenterCom BPO have enabled rapid scaling growth and evidenced in Surge Logics revenue trajectory.

 

To support the significant growth inflection, the Company has reorganized its human resources department, including building the administrative, legal and finance office in Bartlett, TN and the operations center in El Salvador which will be able to now host 300 employees. Management believes the Company now has the ability to scale to support its expected growth in 2020, which was a major goal for fiscal year 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2019 and the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company was able to continue the utilization of the internal controls and operating procedures and techniques employed by the Company’s management in order to enhance the business by creating operating efficiencies and controlling costs. Lastly, the Company has significantly restructured its balance sheet to be an effective platform for growth as the Company continues to work towards listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market in the near term.

 

In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. COVID-19 could disrupt the economy, the Company’s supply chain, and access to capital sources thus adversely affecting the Company’s ability to continue its operations.

 

These factors, among others, were addressed by management in determining whether the Company could continue as a going concern. The Company projects that it should be cash flow positive by the end of Quarter 3 2020 through increased cash flow from ongoing operations the collection of outstanding receivables and the restructuring of the current debt burden. While management believes it is more likely than not the Company has the ability to continue as a going concern, this is dependent upon the ability to further implement the business plan, generate sufficient revenues and to control operating expenses.

 

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Additionally, if necessary, based on the Company’s history of being able to raise capital from both internal and external sources coupled with current favorable market conditions, management believes that debt and/or equity financing can be obtained from both related parties (management and members of the Board of Directors of the Company) and external sources to pay down existing debt obligations, cover short term shortfalls, meet the shareholders equity requirements for Nasdaq, and complete proposed acquisitions. Although the Company believes in the viability of management’s strategy to generate sufficient revenue, control costs and the ability to raise additional funds if necessary, there can be no assurances to that effect. Therefore, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.

 

4 ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

On September 30, 2019, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreement with GBT.

 

Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company has purchased substantially all of the assets, and specified liabilities, of GBT’s ECS Prepaid business, Electronic Check Services business, and the Central State Legal Services business. The Purchase Agreement provides that the Company assumed GBT’s liabilities incurred after the effective date of the Purchase Agreement, but only to the extent such obligations and liabilities were not caused by or related to any action or inaction by GBT prior to the effective date of the Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Agreement provides, among other things, that on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets related to the ECS Business for total consideration of five million dollars ($5,000,000). The Purchase Agreement provides that the consideration is to be paid by the Company through the issuance of a convertible promissory note in the amount of four million dollars ($4,000,000) to GBT, and through the issuance of three million three hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-three (3,333,333) restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock to GBT. As of the date of this report, the purchase price allocation has yet to be valued. GBT may not convert the Note to the extent that such conversion would result in beneficial ownership by GBT and/or its affiliates of more than 4.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company.

 

The Note has an effective date of September 27, 2019 and has a term of eighteen (18) months until the maturity date. The Note shall not bear interest and shall be convertible at the option of GBT starting from the sixth month anniversary of the effective date. The conversion price of the Note shall equal the volume weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock on the trading market which the common stock is then trading over the previous twenty (20) days prior to the conversion date, provided that the conversion price shall never be lower than $0.10 or higher than $0.70. The Note provides that the Company retains the right to prepay all or any portion of the principal without any prepayment penalty. In addition, in connection with the issuance of the Note, GBT agreed that, for the eighteen (18) months following the effective date, GBT will not dispose of the Shares or shares issued as a result of the conversion of the Note, in an amount greater than seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the trading volume of the Company’s shares of Common Stock during the previous month.

 

Following the closing of the merger transaction, the Company’s investment in ECS consisted of the following:

 

Purchase Price     
Convertible note  $4,000,000 
Common stock   1,000,000 
Total purchase price  $5,000,000 
      
Allocation of purchase price     
Cash  $210,348 
Equipment   63,289 
Intangibles   4,903,876 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (177,513)
Total allocation of purchase price  $5,000,000 

 

  (1) The 3,333,333 restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued at closing of the merger transaction had a closing price of approximately $0.30 per share on the date of the transaction.

 

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Following the closing of the merger transaction, TW’s financial statements as of the closing were consolidated with the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

The following presents the unaudited pro-forma combined results of operations of the Company with the ECS Business as if the entities were combined on January 1, 2019.

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 2019 
Revenues  $15,359,052 
Net loss  $(1,854,270)
Net loss per share  $(0.02)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding   88,496,653 

 

5 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation, consisted of the following:

 

   March 31, 2020   December 31, 2019 
Computer Equipment and Software  $311,306   $309,080 
Furniture and Fixtures   1,792    1,416 
Leasehold Improvements   -    25,193 
    313,098    335,689 
Less: Accumulated Depreciation   (53,907)   (41,073)
   $259,191   $294,616 

 

Depreciation expense was $15,424 and $1,375 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

6 CREDIT CARD LIABILITY

 

The Company previously utilized a credit card issued in the name of DIQ to pay for certain of its trade obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company utilized a credit card issued in the name of Surge Holdings, Inc. to pay certain trade obligations totaling $87,382 and $55,185, respectively. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s total credit card liability was $388,343 and $449,157, respectively.

 

7 NOTES PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY

 

In December 2018, the Company executed a promissory note payable agreement with SMDMM Funding, LLC (“SMDMM”), an entity that is owned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The promissory note was for a principal sum up to $1.0 million at an annual interest rate of 6%, due on December 27, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company did not withdraw any net advances on the note.

 

In August 2019, the Company executed a promissory note payable agreement with SMDMM. The promissory note was for a principal sum up to $217,000 at an annual interest rate of 6%, due on August 15, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company did not withdraw any net advances on the note.

 

 20 
 

 

During the fourth quarter 2019, the Company executed a promissory note payable agreement with SMDMM. The promissory note was for a principal sum up to $883,000 at an annual interest rate of 15%, due on November 21, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company did not withdraw any net advances on the note.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company made accrued interest payments of $10,000. The outstanding principal balance under the promissory notes due to SMDMM was $2,205,440 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Accrued interest owed to SMDMM was $107,555 and $64,741 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

8 NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, notes payable and long-term debt consists of:

 

   March 31, 2020   December 31, 2019 
Notes payable to seller of DigitizeIQ, LLC due as noted below 1   -    485,000 
Convertible note payable to River North Equity LLC dated July 13, 2016 with interest at 10% per annum; due April 13, 2017; convertible into Common Stock 2   -    27,500 
Promissory note payable to a lender dated November 4, 2019; accruing interest at 18% per annum; due November 3, 2020; 100,000 shares of restricted Common Stock granted on execution recorded as a debt discount – net of debt discount of $18,549 3   231,451    223,672 
   $231,451   $736,172 

 

  1 Notes due seller of DigitizeIQ, LLC includes a series of notes as follows:

 

  A second non-interest-bearing promissory note made payable to the seller in the amount of $250,000, which was due on January 12, 2016; (Balance at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 - $0 and $235,000).
     
  A third non-interest-bearing promissory note made payable to the seller in the amount of $250,000, which was due on March 12, 2016 and was repaid as of March 31, 2020.

 

In January 2020, the Company and the sellers settled the outstanding promissory notes and a gain on settlement for the outstanding principal balance $485,000 and related accrued interest of $97,806, was recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

2 Convertible note payable to River North Equity, LLC (“RNE”) - The Company evaluated the embedded conversion for derivative treatment and recorded an initial derivative liability and debt discount of $23,190. The debt discount is fully amortized. In February 2020, the Company and RNE settled the outstanding debt.

 

3 Promissory note – The Company evaluated the 100,000 restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock granted with the note and recorded a debt discount of $31,200. The debt discount is amortized over the earlier of (i) the term of the debt or (ii) conversion of the debt, using the effective interest method. The amortization of debt discount is included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. There was unamortized debt discount of $18,549 and $26,328 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded amortization of debt discount totaling $7,779.

 

 21 
 

 

9 CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTES

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, convertible promissory notes payable consists of:

 

   March 31, 2020   December 31, 2019 
Convertible note payable to GBT Technologies Inc. dated September 27, 2019 with no interest; due March 27, 2021; convertible into Common Stock 1  $4,000,000   $4,000,000 
Convertible note payable to Power Up Lending Group Ltd. dated September 18, 2019 with at 12% per annum; due September 18, 2020; convertible into Common Stock 2   -    233,000 
Convertible note payable to BHP Capital NY dated October 7, 2019 with interest at 8% per annum; due April 7, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 3   135,000    135,000 
Convertible note payable to Armada Capital Partners LLC dated October 7, 2019 with interest at 8% per annum; due April 7, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 3   135,000    135,000 
Convertible note payable to Jefferson Street Capital LLC dated October 7, 2019 with interest at 8% per annum; due April 7, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 3   135,000    135,000 
Convertible note payable to BHP Capital NY dated January 30, 2020 with interest at 14% per annum; due February 5, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 4   180,000    - 
Convertible note payable to Armada Capital Partners LLC dated January 30, 2020 with interest at 14% per annum; due February 5, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 4   180,000    - 
Convertible note payable to Jefferson Street Capital LLC dated January 30, 2020 with interest at 14% per annum; due February 5, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 4   180,000    - 
Convertible note payable to GS Capital Partners dated February 7, 2020 with interest at 14% per annum; due February 6, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 5   216,000    - 
Convertible note payable to Fourth Man LLC dated February 7, 2020 with interest at 14% per annum; due February 6, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 5   216,000    - 
Convertible note payable to GS Capital Partners dated March 5, 2020 with interest at 14% per annum; due February 6, 2021; convertible into shares of Common Stock 6   378,000    - 
    5,755,000    4,638,000 
Less: Debt discount   (1,385,742)   (201,316)
   $4,369,258   $4,436,684 

 

1 As discussed above in Note 4, the Purchase Agreement provides that the consideration is to be paid by the Company through the issuance of a convertible promissory note in the amount of $4,000,000 to GBT, and through the issuance of three million three hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred thirty-three restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The conversion price of the note shall equal the volume weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock on the trading market which the Common Stock is then trading over the previous twenty (20) days prior to the conversion date, provided that the conversion price shall never be lower than $0.10 or higher than $0.70. The note provides that the Company retains the right to prepay all or any portion of the principal without any prepayment penalty.

 

2 The Company executed a convertible note with Power Up Lending Group (“PowerUp”) on September 18, 2019 and identified certain features embedded in the conversion feature of the note requiring the Company to classify it as a derivative liability. The conversion price of the note shall equal 65% the average price of the two lowest trading prices of the Company’s Common Stock on the trading market which the Common Stock is then trading over the previous twenty (20) days prior to the conversion date. On March 6, 2020, Surge Holdings, Inc. the Company prepaid $332,027 in cash to fully satisfy the note which would have matured on September 18, 2020. No shares of the Company’s Common Stock were issued or conveyed to PowerUp as a result of the prepayment.

 

 22 
 

 

 

3 On October 7, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”), severally and not jointly, with BHP Capital NY Inc., a New York Corporation (“BHP”), Armada Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Armada”), and Jefferson Street Capital LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company (“Jefferson”), (“Buyer” or collectively the “Buyers”). In connection with the SPA, the Company issued three (3) notes, one to each Buyer, and three (3) warrants to purchase the Company’s Common Stock, one to each Buyer. The aggregate purchase price of the notes is $375,000 and the aggregate principal amount of the notes is $405,000.

 

Pursuant to the SPA, each of the Buyers purchased from the Company, for a purchase price of $125,000, a convertible promissory note, in the principal amount of $135,000. The purchase of each note was accompanied by the Company’s issuance of a warrant to purchase 125,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to each Buyer. On October 7, 2019, each Buyer delivered the purchase price to the Company as payment for each note.

 

Each note became effective as of October 7, 2019 and is due and payable on April 7, 2021. The notes entitle the Buyers to 8% interest per annum. Upon an Event of Default (as defined in the notes), the notes entitle the Buyers to interest at the rate of 18% per annum. The notes may be converted into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to 0.75 (representing a 25% discount) multiplied by the lesser of (i) the lowest one day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) for the Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the latest complete trading day prior to the conversion date, and (ii) the lowest one day VWAP for the Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the latest complete trading day prior to the issue date. In the event of a default, without demand, presentment or notice, the note shall become immediately due and payable.

 

The warrants were issued to the Buyers by the Company on October 7, 2019 in connection with the SPA. The warrants entitle the Buyers, respectively, to exercise purchase rights represented by the warrants up to 125,000 shares per warrant. The warrants permit the Buyers to exercise the purchase rights at any time on or after October 7, 2019 through October 7, 2022. Each warrant contains an exercise price per share of $0.80, subject to adjustment, and also contains a provision permitting the cashless exercise of such exercise rights as defined therein. The Company has maintained the right to redeem each warrant in full at any time following payment in full of the amounts owing under each respective note.

 

The Company valued the warrants using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing model and accounted for it as debt discount on the consolidated balance sheet. The debt discount is amortized over the earlier of (i) the term of the debt or (ii) conversion of the debt, using the effective interest method. The amortization of debt discount is included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. There was unamortized debt discount of $60,321 and $75,078 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, related to the warrants issued. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded amortization of debt discount related to these warrants totaling $14,757.

 

4 On January 30, 2020, the Company entered into Securities Purchase Agreements (the “January 2020 SPAs”), with three (3) accredited investors (the “January 2020 Investors”), pursuant to which the January 2020 Investors purchased from the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000 (the “January 2020 Purchase Price”), Promissory Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $540,000 (the “January 2020 Notes”). The January 2020 Notes will be repaid according to a schedule of fixed interest and principal payments beginning in August 2020. As additional consideration for the January 2020 Investors loaning the January 2020 Purchase Price to the Company, the Company issued to each of the January 2020 Investors 250,000 shares of Common Stock for a total of 750,000 shares (the “January 2020 Share Issuance”). In connection with the January 2020 SPAs, the Company paid issuance costs of $40,000 which is accounted for as a debt discount on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

 

The January 2020 Notes shall accrue interest at a rate of fourteen percent (14%) per annum and will mature on February 5, 2021. No payments of principal or interest are due through July 2020 (five (5) months following issuance) and then there are seven (7) fixed payments of principal and interest due on a monthly basis until maturity.

 

 23 
 

 

In the event of default as defined in the agreements, the notes may be converted into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to 0.65 (representing a 35% discount) multiplied by the lesser of (i) the lowest one day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) for the Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the latest complete trading day prior to the conversion date, and (ii) the lowest one day VWAP for the Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the latest complete trading day prior to the issue date. In the event of a default, without demand, presentment or notice, the note shall become immediately due and payable. The Company recorded a $260,001 debt discount relating to the conversion feature of the notes. The debt discount is being accreted over the life of these notes to accretion of debt discount and issuance cost.

 

The Company valued the 750,000 shares upon day of grant with a fair value of $240,000 and accounted for it as debt discount on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The debt discount is amortized over the earlier of (i) the term of the debt or (ii) conversion of the debt, using the effective interest method. The amortization of debt discount is included as a component of interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

There was total unamortized debt discount related to the January 2020 SPAs of $451,453 as of March 31, 2020. During the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded amortization of debt discount totaling $88,548.

 

5 On February 3 and February 6, 2020, the Company entered into Securities Purchase Agreements (the “February 2020 SPAs”), with two (2) accredited investor (the “February 2020 Investors”), pursuant to which the February 2020 Investors purchased from the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of $400,000 (the “February 2020 Purchase Price”), Promissory Notes in the principal amount of $432,000 (the “February 2020 Notes”). The February 2020 Notes will be repaid according to a schedule of fixed interest and principal payments beginning in August 2020. As additional consideration for the February 2020 Investors loaning the February 2020 Purchase Price to the Company, the Company issued to each of the February 2020 Investors 300,000 shares of Common Stock for a total of 600,000 shares (the “February Share Issuance”). In connection with the February 2020 SPAs, the Company paid issuance costs of $32,000 which is accounted for as a debt discount on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

 

The terms of the February 2020 Notes are substantially the same as the terms of the January 2020 Notes. The Company recorded a debt discount of $214,000 relating to the conversion feature of the notes. The debt discount is being accreted over the life of these notes to accretion of debt discount and issuance cost.

 

The Company valued the 600,000 shares upon day of grant with a fair value of $186,000 and accounted for it as debt discount on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The debt discount is amortized over the earlier of (i) the term of the debt or (ii) conversion of the debt, using the effective interest method. The amortization of debt discount is included as a component of interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

There was total unamortized debt discount related to the February 2020 SPAs of $363,988 as of March 31, 2020. During the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded amortization of debt discount totaling $68,012.

 

6 On March 5, 2020, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “March 2020 SPA”), with an accredited investor (the “March 2020 Investor”), pursuant to which the March 2020 Investor purchased from the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of $350,000 (the “March 2020 Purchase Price”), a Promissory Note in the principal amount of $378,000 (the “March 2020 Note”). The March 2020 Note will be repaid according to a schedule of fixed interest and principal payments beginning in September 2020. As additional consideration for the March 2020 Investor loaning the March 2020 Purchase Price to the Company, the Company issued to the March 2020 Investor 400,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company. In connection with the March 2020 SPAs, the Company paid issuance costs of $28,000 which is accounted for as a debt discount on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and is being amortized over the life of the notes.

 

The March 2020 Note shall accrue interest at a rate of fourteen percent (14%) per annum and will mature on March 5, 2021. No payments of principal or interest are due through August 2020 (five (5) months following issuance) and then there are seven (7) fixed payments of principal and interest due on a monthly basis until maturity.

 

 24 
 

 

In the event of default as defined in the agreements, the notes may be converted into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to 0.65 (representing a 35% discount) multiplied by the lesser of (i) the lowest one day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) for the Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the latest complete trading day prior to the conversion date, and (ii) the lowest one day VWAP for the Common Stock during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the latest complete trading day prior to the issue date. In the event of a default, without demand, presentment or notice, the note shall become immediately due and payable. The Company recorded a debt discount of $241,200 relating to the conversion feature of the notes. The debt discount is being accreted over the life of these notes to accretion of debt discount and issuance cost.

 

The Company valued the 400,000 shares upon day of grant with a fair value of $108,800 and accounted for it as debt discount on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The debt discount is amortized over the earlier of (i) the term of the debt or (ii) conversion of the debt, using the effective interest method. The amortization of debt discount is included as a component of interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

There was total unamortized debt discount related to the March 2020 SPAs of $328,677 as of March 31, 2020. During the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded amortization of debt discount totaling $49,323.

 

Future maturities of all debt (excluding debt discount discussed above in Notes 8 and 9) are as follows:

 

For the Years Ending December 31,    
2020 (remainder of year)  $1,162,870 
2021   6,860,000 
2022   1,100,440 
   $9,123,310 

 

10 DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

 

As discussed above in Note 9, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company executed convertible notes with lenders and received gross proceeds of $1,350,000. The Company identified certain features embedded in the notes requiring the Company to classify the features as derivative liabilities. The conversion price of the notes are subject to adjustment for issuances of the Company’s Common Stock or any equity linked instruments or securities convertible into the Company’s Common Stock at a purchase price of less than the prevailing conversion price or exercise price. Such adjustment shall result in the conversion price and exercise price being reduced to such lower purchase price.

 

The table below provides a summary of the changes in fair value, including net transfers in and/or out, of all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2020:

 

  

Fair Value

Measurement
Using Level 3
Inputs

 
   Total 
Balance, December 31, 2019  $190,846 
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities   32,125 
Derivative liabilities recorded on issuance of convertible notes   1,330,017 
Write-off of derivative liabilities upon settlement of debt   (190,846)
Balance, March 31, 2020  $1,362,142 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the fair value of the derivative feature was calculated using the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 25 
 

 

   March 31, 2020 
Risk-free interest rate   0.14 – 1.51%
Expected life of grants   1 year   
Expected volatility of underlying stock   96 - 110%
Dividends   0%

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the derivative liability was $1,362,142 and $190,846, respectively. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded $32,125 as a loss on the change in fair value of the derivative on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company determined that upon measuring the fair value of the derivative features, the total amount recorded as a debt discount exceed the face value of the notes issued and the Company therefore recorded derivative expense of $348,634 on the condensed consolidated income statements.

 

11 LINE OF CREDIT

 

On January 25, 2018 the Company obtained a $500,000 line of credit (LOC) with a Bank. The LOC bears interest at 5% per annum and is secured by essentially all of the Company’s assets. The note is personally guaranteed by the owner of the majority of the Company’s voting shares. On December 21, 2018, the Company and the bank agreed to increase the LOC to $1,000,000 at an interest rate of 6% per annum. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the outstanding balance on the LOC was $912,870.

 

12 LEASES

 

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.

 

The Company leases office space in Memphis, TN and a call center space in El Salvador. The term of the office is for 2 years beginning on November 1, 2019 commencing with monthly payments of $1,600. The term of the call center lease is for 3 years beginning on March 1, 2019 commencing with monthly payments of $6,680. As part of the ECS transaction discussed above, the Company acquired office space in Springfield, MO. The term of the lease is for 3 years commencing on January 1, 2020 with monthly payments of $12,000.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid lease obligations of $80,570 and $8,080, respectively, under the leases.

 

The Company utilized a portfolio approach in determining the discount rate. The portfolio approach takes into consideration the range of the term, the range of the lease payments, the category of the underlying asset and the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company also considered its recent debt issuances as well as publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics when calculating the incremental borrowing rates.

 

The lease terms include options to extend the leases when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. These operating leases contain renewal options for periods ranging from three to five years that expire at various dates with no residual value guarantees. Future obligations relating to the exercise of renewal options is included in the measurement if, based on the judgment of management, the renewal option is reasonably certain to be exercised. Factors in determining whether an option is reasonably certain of exercise include, but are not limited to, the value of leasehold improvements, the value of the renewal rate compared to market rates, and the presence of factors that would cause a significant economic penalty to the Company if the option is not exercised. Management reasonably plans to exercise all options, and as such, all renewal options are included in the measurement of the right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities.

 

 26 
 

 

Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet, per the election of the practical expedient noted above.

 

The Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company recognizes variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate are initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date, otherwise variable lease payments are recognized in the period incurred.

 

The components of lease expense were as follows:

 

  

Three Months
Ended

March 31, 2020

 
     
Operating leases  $70,070 
Interest on lease liabilities   14,306 
Total net lease cost  $84,376 

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

 

   March 31, 2020 
Operating leases:     
Operating lease ROU assets - net  $519,485 
      
Current operating lease liabilities, included in current liabilities  $170,301 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities, included in long-term liabilities   349,184 
Total operating lease liabilities  $519,485 

 

Supplemental cash flow and other information related to leases was as follows:

 

   Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2020
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:     
Operating cash flows from operating leases  $53,534 
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):     
Operating leases   2.44 
Weighted average discount rate:     
Operating leases   10.9%

 

Total future minimum payments required under the lease obligations as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

Twelve Months Ending December 31,    
2020 (remainder of year)  $182,520 
2021   240,160 
2022   171,038 
Total lease payments  $593,718 
Less: amounts representing interest   (74,233)
Total lease obligations  $519,485 

 

 27 
 

 

13 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Preferred Stock

 

Series “A” Preferred Stock

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 13,000,000 shares of Series A issued and outstanding.

 

Series “C” Convertible Preferred Stock

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 721,598 shares of Series C issued and outstanding.

 

Common Stock

 

As discussed above in Note 1, on January 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement with ECS Prepaid, ECS, CSLS and the Winfreys. Pursuant to the agreements, the Company acquired all of the membership interests of ECS Prepaid and all of the issued and outstanding stock of each ECS and CSLS. The agreements provide that the consideration is to be paid by the Company through the issuance of 500,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. In addition, the agreements called for 25,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Winfreys on a monthly basis over a 12-month period. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the agreements.

 

As discussed in Note 9 above, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to debt agreements executed with various lenders. The shares were valued on execution date and recorded as a debt discount on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company sold an aggregate of 428,571 shares of Common Stock and 214,284 warrants, with each warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.75, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $150,000.

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 104,922,150 and 102,193,579 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, respectively.

 

Stock Warrants

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s warrant activity:

 

    Warrants   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
          
Outstanding – December 31, 2019    6,849,635   $0.71 
Exercisable – December 31, 2019    6,849,635   $0.71 
Granted    214,284   $- 
Exercised    -   $- 
Forfeited/Cancelled    -   $- 
Outstanding – March 31, 2020    7,063,919   $0.71 
Exercisable – March 31, 2020    7,063,919   $0.71 

 

Warrants Outstanding  Warrants Exercisable
Exercise Price  Number
Outstanding
  

Weighted
Average
Remaining

Contractual Life
(in years)

  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Number
Exercisable
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
                         
$ 0.41 – 3.00    7,063,919   1.76 years  $0.71   7,063,919  $0.71 

 

 28 
 

 

At March 31, 2020 the total intrinsic value of warrants outstanding and exercisable was $0.

 

On February 15, 2019, the Company executed a consulting agreement with a third party for professional services. Upon execution of the agreement, the Company agreed to issue 100,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s Common Stock with an exercise price of $3.00 per share, a term of 3 years, and immediate vesting. In addition, the consultant is eligible to receive 150,000 warrants upon achievement of certain milestones as discussed in the agreement. The 250,000 warrants have an aggregated fair value of approximately $30,782 that was calculated using the Black-Scholes.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, when computing fair value of share-based payments, the Company has considered the following variables:

 

   March 31, 2019 
Risk-free interest rate   2.50%
Expected life of grants   3 years 
Expected volatility of underlying stock   168.71%
Dividends   0%

 

The estimated warrant life was determined based on the “simplified method,” giving consideration to the overall vesting period and the contractual terms of the award.

 

The Company did not issue any warrants as compensation for services during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense related to the warrants of $0 and $33,673, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense at March 31, 2020 was approximately $0.

 

14 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company’s former Chief Executive Officer has advanced the Company various amounts on a non-interest-bearing basis, which is being used for working capital. The advance had no fixed maturity. As noted, Mr. Matzinger elected to exchange outstanding non-interest-bearing debt totaling $389,502 owed by the Company into 6,232 shares of Preferred C stock. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the outstanding balance due was $0.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, outsourced management services fees of $255,000 was paid to Axia Management, LLC (“Axia”) as compensation for services provided. These costs are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Axia is owned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had trade payables to Axia of $859,716 and $666,112, respectively.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company purchased telecom services and access to wireless networks from 321 Communications in the amount of $88,974 and $146,690, respectively. These costs are included in Cost of revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is a minority owner of 321 Communications.

 

At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had trade payables to 321 Communications of $113,291 and $140,923, respectively.

 

The Company contracted with CenterCom Global, S.A. de C.V. (“CenterCom Global”) to provide customer service call center services, manage the sales process to include handling incoming orders, the collection and verification of all documents to comply with FCC regulations, monthly audit of all subscribers to file the USAC 497 form, yearly audit of all subscribers that have been active over one year to file the USAC 555 form (Recertification), information technology professionals to maintain company websites, sales portals and server maintenance. Billings for these services in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were $580,271 and $581,073, respectively, and are included in Cost of revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s President has a controlling interest in CenterCom Global.

 

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At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had trade payables to CenterCom Global of $250,930 and $282,159, respectively.

 

See Note 7 long-term debt due to related parties.

 

15 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

On November 1, 2013, The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture to the Company for requesting and/or receiving support for ineligible subscriber lines between the months of October 2012 and May 2013 and proposed a monetary forfeiture of $5,501,285. The Company has annual compliance audits with FCC approved audit firms that have found no compliance deficiencies. Management believes the proposed monetary forfeiture is without merit and if anything should result from this notice, the amount would not materially affect the financial position of the Company.

 

On January 15, 2020, the Company and Carter Matzinger (a member of the Company’s Board of Directors) (collectively, the “Surge Party”), and the former owners of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, DigitizeIQ, LLC (collectively, the “DigitizeIQ Party” and, together with the Surge Party, the “Parties”), entered into a settlement agreement (the “DigitizeIQ Settlement Agreement”) to settle any claims the Parties may have had against each other. The parties made claims against each other with regard to alleged breaches of an Exchange Agreement, a Non-Compete Agreement, and promissory notes issued by the Company to the DigitzeIQ Party (the “DigitzeIQ Promissory Notes”). Pursuant to the DigitizeIQ Settlement Agreement, the Parties, in addition to releasing all claims against each other, agreed to cooperate to ensure the complete transfer and assignment of the domain “digitizeiq.com” to the Company and agreed that the DigitizeIQ Promissory Notes are deemed terminated. As a result of the DigitizeIQ Promissory Notes being terminated, on an unaudited basis, the Company reduced its liabilities by approximately $580,000.

 

On March 1, 2020, in connection with Mr. Evers’ appointment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company and Mr. Evers entered into an employment agreement (the “Evers Employment Agreement”), whereby as compensation for his services, the Company shall pay Mr. Evers a salary of $270,000 per year. Pursuant to the terms of the Evers Employment Agreement, the Company will pay the full cost of Mr. Evers’ health insurance premiums. In the event Mr. Evers’ employment with the Company shall terminate, Mr. Evers shall be entitled to a severance payment of a full year of salary and benefits. In addition, Mr. Evers is eligible for equity awards as approved by the Board as defined in the agreement.

 

16 SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision–making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Company evaluated performance of its operating segments based on revenue and operating profit (loss). Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 and as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, are as follows:

 

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   Surge   TW   ECS    Total 
Three Months ended March 31, 2020                    
Revenue  $5,750,321   $290,705   $9,746,773   $15,787,799 
Cost of revenue   (4,789,705)   (491,557)   (9,525,317)   (14,806,579)
Gross margin   960,616    (200,852)   221,456    981,220 
Costs and expenses   (2,312,355)   (1,049,910)   (384,194)   (3,746,459)
Operating loss   (1,351,739)   (1,250,762)   (162,738)   (2,765,239)
                     
Three Months ended March 31, 2019                    
Revenue  $1,141,751   $2,797,022   $-   $3,938,773 
Cost of revenue   (739,408)   (1,740,159)   -    (2,479,567)
Gross margin   402,343    1,056,863    -    1,459,206 
Costs and expenses   (1,547,194)   (1,024,124)   -    (2,571,318)
Operating loss   (1,144,851)   32,739    -    (1,112,112)
                     
March 31, 2020                    
Total assets  $5,607,253   $580,339   $5,134,792   $11,322,384 
Total liabilities   13,546,251    4,318,402    335,175    18,199,828 
                     
December 31, 2019                    
Total assets  $3,636,624   $1,339,577   $5,010,172   $9,986,373 
Total liabilities   10,850,674    3,815,175    20,139    14,685,988 

 

17 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

April Securities Purchase Agreement and Note

 

On April 1, 2020, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “April 2020 SPA”), with an accredited investor (the “April 2020 Investor”), pursuant to which the April 2020 Investor purchased from the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of $150,000 (the “April 2020 Purchase Price”), a Promissory Note in the principal amount of $162,000 (the “April 2020 Note”). The April 2020 Note will be repaid according to a schedule of fixed interest and principal payments beginning in September 2020. As additional consideration for the April 2020 Investor loaning the April 2020 Purchase Price to the Company, the Company issued to the April 2020 Investor 172,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

The April 2020 Note shall accrue interest at a rate of fourteen percent (14%) per annum and will mature on March 15, 2021. No payments of principal or interest are due through August 2020 (five (5) months following issuance) and then there are seven (7) fixed payments of principal and interest due on a monthly basis until maturity.

 

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

 

On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted and included a provision for the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to implement its Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight (8) weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. Funds received under the PPP may also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Subject to certain criteria being met, all or a portion of the loan may be forgiven. The loans bear interest at an annual rate of one percent (1%), are due two (2) years from the date of issuance, and all payments are deferred for the first six (6) months of the loan. Any unforgiven balance of loan principal and accrued interest at the end of the six (6) month loan deferral period is amortized in equal monthly installments over the remaining 18-months of the loan term. On April 17, 2020, the Company closed a $498,082 SBA guaranteed PPP loan with Bank3. The Company expects to use the loan proceeds as permitted and apply for and receive forgiveness for the entire loan amount.

 

June Stock Purchase Agreements

 

In June 2020, the Company entering into Stock Purchase Agreements with third parties for the purchase of 1,442,857 shares of Common Stock of the Company for a purchase price of $0.35 per share. The sales resulted in aggregate proceeds to the Company of $505,000.

 

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act. Discussions containing such forward-looking statements may be found throughout this statement. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the matters set forth in this statement. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the three months then ended includes the accounts of Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries during the period owned by Holdings.

 

Surge Holdings, Inc. (“Surge Holdings” or “the Company”), incorporated in Nevada on August 18, 2006, is a company focused on Telecom, Media, and FinTech applications serving customers worldwide online and across social media, gaming and mobile platforms.

 

The Company’s current focus is the provision of financial and telecommunications services to the financially underserved (i.e. persons who have little or no access to credit) within the population. The Company provides a suite of services which are primarily marketed through small retail establishments which are utilized by members of its target market.

 

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Commencing in 2018, the Company has significantly expanded its suite of services to include the pursuit of the following business models:

 

Surge Telecom

 

SurgePhone Wireless offers discounted talk, text, and 4G LTE data wireless plans at prices that average 30% – 50% lower than competitors. Available nationwide, SurgePhone Wireless utilizes ad impression revenue to help offset and, in many cases, eliminate the monthly wireless plans for low income customers (free service for the customer is paid for by ad revenue). Additionally, SurgePhone also offers strategic discounts such as the Surge Heroes campaign that rewards teachers, first responders, active military and veterans with a free Android smartphone.

 

Additionally, through the use of the SurgeRewardsApp, the Company is able to more aggressively rollout the SurgePhoneWireless service. Customers earn rewards from the ad impressions while unlocking their phone and also by opening the SurgeRewardsApp to watch videos and ads, as well as participate in short surveys in order to receive reward points that can be converted into statement credits for free cell phone service or cash.

 

True Wireless is licensed to provide subsidized wireless service to qualifying low income customers in 5 states. Utilizing all 4 major USA wireless backbones, True Wireless provides discounted and free wireless service to over 25,000 veterans and other customers who qualify for certain federal programs such as SNAP (EBT) and Medicaid.

 

The SurgePhone Android Volt 5XL provides a large screen smartphone option to those unable to afford a more expensive phone.

 

Surge Fintech

 

SurgePays Visa was launched late in the third quarter of 2019. We believe this card could be life enhancing by serving as a virtual checking account for the unbanked, underbanked, credit challenged or those unable to access traditional financial services. The SurgePays card will offer safety, security and convenience of using the card anywhere that accepts Visa and customers will be able to load their card via direct deposit or loading cash directly at 110,000 locations nationwide. Customers will be able to access and manage their accounts from the connected app. In addition, customers will also be able to take a picture of their paycheck and load the cash to their cards (eliminating costly check cashing fees).

 

Surge Blockchain, LLC is focused on expanding development and licensing for a Blockchain type Service as a Software (SaaS) Payments Platform in order to deliver a real product that improves people’s lives.

 

Surge Software

 

SurgePays Portal is a multi-purpose software interface for convenience stores, bodegas and other corner merchants providing goods and services to the underbanked community. The merchant or clerk is able to use the portal interface – similar to a website – with image driven navigation to add wireless minutes to any prepaid wireless carrier’s phone and access to other services such as bill payment and loading debit cards. We believe what makes SurgePays unique is that it also offers the merchant the ability to order wholesale goods through the portal with one touch ease. SurgePays is essentially a wholesale e-commerce storefront that allows manufactures and distribution companies to have access to merchants while cutting out the middleman. The goal of the SurgePays Portal is to provide as many commonly sold consumable products as possible to convenience stores, corner markets, bodegas, and supermarkets. These products include energy drinks, dry foods, frozen foods, bagged snacks, processed meats, automotive parts and many more goods, all in one convenient e-commerce storefront.

 

Surge Digital Media

 

Surge Logics is a full-service digital advertising agency, specializing in lead generation, Pay Per Call, landing page optimization and managed ad spending. Our primary media buying platforms are Google AdWords, Facebook, Instagram and Bing. We have a call center that can handle Live Call Transfers, Customer Service Support, Lead Verification and Attorney Case Support.

 

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Through the launch of Surge Intake Logistics (“InTake”), a proprietary CRM software solution that delivers signed retainer services to clients, InTake is proving to be a direct benefit to clients that do not have the staff and infrastructure to handle the volume of leads Surge Logics generates. Surge Logics has taken this a step further to provide qualified leads utilizing a strategic partnership with Centercom to be first in class for online lead generation This partnership and new software have significantly contributed to Surge Logic’s revenue which has grown to approximately $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Lead generation describes the marketing process of stimulating and capturing interest in a product or service for the purpose of developing sales pipeline.

 

Pay-per-call (PPCall, also called cost-per-call) is an advertising model in which the rate paid by the advertiser is determined by the number of telephone calls made by viewers of an ad. Pay Per Call providers charge per call, per impression or per conversion.

 

Media buying is the process of buying media placements for advertising (on TV, in publications, on the radio, digital signage, apps or on websites).

 

A call center - centralized office used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of requests by telephone.

 

Centercom Global, S.A. de C.V.

 

On January 17, 2019, the Company announced the completion of an agreement to acquire a 40% equity ownership of Centercom Global, S.A. de C.V (“Centercom”). Centercom is a dynamic operations center currently providing Surge sales support, customer service, IT infrastructure design, graphic media, database programming, software development, revenue assurance, lead generation, and other various operational support services. Anthony N. Nuzzo, a director and officer and a 10% shareholder of the Company’s voting equity has a controlling interest in CenterCom Global. Centercom also provides call center support for various third-party clients. Centercom is involved with:

 

  On-boarding the SurgePays Portal into over 40,000 retail locations and subsequent ongoing support;
  Aggressively marketing the Company’s new “Free Wireless Service” program to substantially grow customer base while enhancing customer service;
  Supporting the Company’s IT infrastructure including database management; and
  Upselling-related FinTech products to our existing customer base to increase revenue.

 

Due to the fact that a director, officer, and minority owner of the Company has a controlling interest in CenterCom Global, the Company recorded its investment in Centercom of $178,508, which is the Company’s 40% ownership of Centercom’s net book value upon close of the completion of the transaction, as “Investment in Centercom” in long term assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded its equity interest in Centercom’s results of operations as “Gain on investment in Centercom” in other income (expense) on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company periodically reviews its investment in Centercom for impairment. Management has determined that no impairment was required as of March 31, 2020.

 

ECS Business

 

On September 30, 2019, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreement with GBT Technologies Inc (“GBT”) of the ECS Prepaid business, Electronic Check Services business and the Central States Legal Services business (collectively, “ECS”). Through its proprietary Fintech software platform, ECS is a leading provider of prepaid wireless load and top-ups, check cashing and wireless SIM activation to convenience stores and bodegas nationwide. Since 2008, ECS has grown to a network of over 9,800 retail locations and 160 independent sales organizations (“ISO”) processing over 18,000 transactions per day. Surge will integrate the ECS software with its SurgePays Network in order to offer both wholesale products from third-party manufacturers, as well as Surge products, including the SurgePays Reloadable Debit Card, SurgePhone Wireless and SIM Starter Kits.

 

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On January 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, ECS Prepaid, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company (“ECS Prepaid”), Dennis R. Winfrey, an individual, and Peggy S. Winfrey, an individual (together, the “Winfreys”), whereby the Company purchased from the Winfreys all of the Membership Interests of ECS Prepaid owned by the Winfreys (the “ECS Prepaid Membership Interests”). In consideration for the ECS Prepaid Membership Interests, the Company issued to Suray Holdings LLC, an entity jointly controlled by the Winfreys, 450,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

On January 30, 2020, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ECS and CSLS SPA”) by and among the Company, Electronic Check Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“ECS”), Central States Legal Services, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“CSLS”), and the Winfreys, whereby the Company purchased from the Winfreys all of the issued and outstanding stock of each of ECS and CSLS (the “ECS and CSLS Stock”). In consideration for the ECS and CSLS Stock, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock to Suray (the “ECS and CLS Purchase Share Issuance”).

 

As of January 30, 2020, the bank accounts of ECS Prepaid, ECS, and CSLS collectively had balances of $300,000 (the “Bank Accounts Balance”). The Company will issue 25,000 shares of Common Stock to a trust controlled by the Winfreys on a monthly basis until the Bank Accounts Balance is returned to the Winfreys (the “Ongoing Share Issuance”). During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock as part of the Ongoing Share Issuance. The Company has to repay the Bank Accounts Balance to the Winfreys by January 30, 2021. Mr. Cox signed a Guaranty to repay the Bank Accounts Balance. As consideration for Mr. Cox’s guarantee of repayment, the Company and Mr. Cox signed a Guarantor Fee Agreement whereby the Company will pay Mr. Cox a fee of $2,500 per month until the Bank Accounts Balance is repaid.

 

COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019

 

Revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:

 

   2020   2019 
Revenue  $15,787,799   $3,938,773 
Cost of revenue   14,806,579    2,479,567 
Gross profit  $981,220   $1,459,206 

 

Revenue increased $11,859,026 (302%) primarily as a result of the addition of the ECS revenues of $9,746,773 and an increase of $4,778,206 in Surge Logics LLC offset by decreases of $2,506,317 in True Wireless, Inc. and $660,379 in Surge Blockchain LLC while gross profit decreased $477,986 (33%) primarily as a result of a decrease in gross profit of $1,257,714 in True Wireless, Inc that offset the gross profit gains from the increased revenues.

 

Costs and expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:

 

   2020   2019 
Depreciation and amortization  $265,464   $10,538 
Selling, general and administration   3,480,995    2,560,780 
Total  $3,746,459   $2,571,318 

 

Depreciation and amortization increased $221,426 primarily as a result of the addition of the ECS assets.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:

 

   2020   2019 
Telecom operations center  $595,678   $494,916 
Contractors and consultants   695,963    445,936 
Compensation   729,918    365,807 
Webhosting/internet   187,146    153,978 
Professional services   579,976    418,468 
Advertising and marketing   100,552    375,861 
Other   591,762    305,814 
Total  $3,480,995   $2,560,780 

 

 34 
 

 

Selling, general and administrative costs (S, G & A) increased by $920,215 (36%). The 2020 period includes $217,652 in expenses for the ECS companies that are not included in the 2019 expenses. The detail changes are discussed below:

 

* Telecom operations center expenses increased from $494,916 in 2019 to $595,678 in 2020 primarily as a result of the contracting vendor providing additional services for Surge Blockchain, LLC.
   
* Contractors and consultants increased to $695,963 in 2020 from $445,936 in 2019 primarily due to outside IT services on the SurgePays portal. The 2020 period includes $60,570 in expenses of the ECS companies that are not included in the 2019 expenses.
   
* Compensation increased from $365,807 in 2019 to $729,918 in 2020 primarily as a result of the increase in staff support positions to support the expected increase in revenue in the coming months. The 2020 period includes $52,655 in expense of the ECS companies that are not included in the 2019 expenses.
   
* Webhosting/internet costs increased to $187,146 in 2020 from $153,978 in 2019.
   
* Professional services increased from $418,468 in 2019 to $579,976 in 2020 primarily as a result of increased audit and legal fees.
   
*

Advertising and marketing costs decreased to $100,552 in 2020 from $375,861 in 2019 primarily due to the Company implementing new advertising and marketing campaigns.

 

* Other costs increased to $591,762 in 2020 from $305,814 in 2019 primarily due to an increase in fidelity, cyber security and professional liability insurance required for the issuance of the SurgePays Visa debit card, shareholder communications and travel. The 2020 period includes $82,339 in expenses of the ECS companies that are not included in 2019 expenses.

 

Other (expense) income during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:

 

   2020   2019 
Interest, net  $(482,722)  $(45,949)
Change in fair value of derivative liability   (31,816)   - 
Derivative expense   (348,334)   - 
Gain on equity investment in Centercom   32,369    21,966 
Gain (loss) on settlement of liabilities   538,436    (507,500)
   $(292,067)  $(531,483)

 

Interest expense increased to $482,722 in 2020 from $45,949 in 2018 primarily due to an increase in total borrowings.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company identified certain embedded features within its borrowings that required the Company to classify the features as derivative liabilities. The Company recognized a change in fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2020 of $31,816. In addition, the Company recorded a derivative expense of $348,334 which represents the debt discount and derivative features that exceed the face value of the notes.

 

The gain on equity investment in Centercom of $32,369 in 2020 compared to $21,966 in 2019.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company settled outstanding liabilities through the issuance of 875,000 shares of Common Stock and recorded a loss on settlement of $507,500. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company settled outstanding liabilities and recorded a gain on settlement of $538,436.

 

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND GOING CONCERN

 

At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our current assets were $4,456,780 and $3,574,885, respectively, and our current liabilities were $10,611,350 and $7,054,124, respectively, which resulted in a working capital deficit of $6,154,570 and $3,479,239, respectively.

 

Total assets at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 amounted to $11,322,384 and $9,986,373, respectively. At March 31, 2020, assets consisted of current assets of $4,456,780 net property and equipment of $259,191, net intangible assets of $4,984,077, goodwill of $866,782, equity investment in Centercom of $236,069, and operating lease right of use asset of $519,485, as compared to current assets of $3,574,885, net property and equipment of $294,616, net intangible assets of $4,769,117, goodwill of $866,782, equity investment in Centercom of $203,700, operating lease right of use asset of $210,816 and other long-term assets of $66,457 at December 31, 2019.

 

At March 31, 2020, our total liabilities of $18,199,828 increased $3,535,839 from $14,685,988 at December 31, 2019.

 

At March 31, 2020, our total stockholders’ deficit was $6,877,444 as compared to $4,699,615 at December 31, 2019. The principal reason for the increase in stockholders’ deficit was the impact of the net loss of $3,057,306 offset by equity issuances during 2020.

 

The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

   2020   2019 
         
Net cash used in operating activities  $(1,043,922)  $(877,950)
Net cash used in investing activities   (3,072)   - 
Net cash provided by financing activities   1,139,500    1,849,973 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  $92,506   $972,023 

 

At March 31, 2020, the Company had the following material commitments and contingencies.

 

Notes payable – related party - See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Notes payable and long-term debt - See Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Convertible promissory notes - See Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Advances from related party - See Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Cash requirements and capital expenditures – At the current level of operations, the Company has to borrow funds to meet basic operating costs.

 

Known trends and uncertainties – The Company is planning to acquire other businesses that are similar to its operations. The uncertainty of the economy may increase the difficulty of raising funds to support the planned business expansion.

 

Liquidity – The Company had a net loss of approximately $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and working capital deficit of approximately $439,000 and $6.2 million, respectively.

 

 36 
 

 

Management’s 2019 strategic decision to invest and allocate millions of dollars into software development, product development and its infrastructure has enabled the company to be position for immediate rapid growth. The Company continues to add stores to the ECS and Wholesale Marketplace platforms while aggressively exploring new distribution channels and acquisitions. This is enabling the addition of products from manufacturers in market specific categories in conjunction with national rollouts of proprietary brands such as LocoRabbit Wireless, Max CBD and Essential products needed in today’s world.

 

The September 2019 asset purchase agreement of the ECS Business gives the Company access to a network of over 9,800 retail locations and 160 independent salespeople processing over 18,000 transactions per day (see Note 1). ECS generates approximately $46,500,000 in annualized revenue through third party wireless services.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Surge software development team has successfully implemented the merging of the SurgePays and ECS software to more efficiently and cost effectively increase synergized revenue and profitability moving forward. In addition, management made the decision to expedite programming, software development and integration to enable the successful launch of the SurgePays Prepaid Visa card.

 

The development of the Surge Logistics Intake software and the infrastructure at CenterCom BPO have enabled rapid scaling growth and evidenced in Surge Logics revenue trajectory.

 

To support the significant growth inflection, the Company has reorganized its human resources department, including building the administrative, legal and finance office in Bartlett, TN and the operations center in El Salvador which will be able to now host 300 employees. Management believes the Company now has the ability to scale to support its expected growth in 2020, which was a major goal for fiscal year 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2019 and the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company was able to continue the utilization of the internal controls and operating procedures and techniques employed by the Company’s management in order to enhance the business by creating operating efficiencies and controlling costs. Lastly, the Company has significantly restructured its balance sheet to be an effective platform for growth as the Company continues to work towards listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market in the near term.

 

In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. COVID-19 could disrupt the economy, the Company’s supply chain, and access to capital sources thus adversely affecting the Company’s ability to continue its operations.

 

These factors, among others, were addressed by management in determining whether the Company could continue as a going concern. The Company projects that it should be cash flow positive by the end of Quarter 3 2020 through increased cash flow from ongoing operations the collection of outstanding receivables and the restructuring of the current debt burden. While management believes it is more likely than not the Company has the ability to continue as a going concern, this is dependent upon the ability to further implement the business plan, generate sufficient revenues and to control operating expenses.

 

Additionally, if necessary, based on the Company’s history of being able to raise capital from both internal and external sources coupled with current favorable market conditions, management believes that debt and/or equity financing can be obtained from both related parties (management and members of the Board of Directors of the Company) and external sources to pay down existing debt obligations, cover short term shortfalls, meet the shareholders equity requirements for Nasdaq, and complete proposed acquisitions. Although the Company believes in the viability of management’s strategy to generate sufficient revenue, control costs and the ability to raise additional funds if necessary, there can be no assurances to that effect. Therefore, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.

 

On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted and included a provision for the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to implement its Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight (8) weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. Funds received under the PPP may also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Subject to certain criteria being met, all or a portion of the loan may be forgiven. The loans bear interest at an annual rate of one percent (1%), are due two (2) years from the date of issuance, and all payments are deferred for the first six (6) months of the loan. Any unforgiven balance of loan principal and accrued interest at the end of the six (6) month loan deferral period is amortized in equal monthly installments over the remaining 18-months of the loan term. On April 17, 2020, the Company closed a $498,082 SBA guaranteed PPP loan with Bank3. The Company expects to use the loan proceeds as permitted and apply for and receive forgiveness for the entire loan amount.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

Under the PCAOB standards, a control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit the attention by those responsible for oversight of the company’s financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), as of March 31, 2020. Our management has determined that, as of March 31, 2020, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are not effective due to a lack of segregation of duties, lack of an audit committee, and lack of documented controls. The Company has undergone a complete change of management and is in process of developing the necessary controls and procedures.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer determined that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to a lack of segregation of duties, lack of an audit committee and lack of documented controls. There have been no other significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls during the quarter ended September 30, 2019, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of our Company, threatened against or affecting our Company or our Common Stock, in which an adverse decision could have a material adverse effect. The previously disclosed litigation involving Wayne Coy (Eight Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada, case # D- 539906) was settled in November 2019 with a one-time payment of $15,000 by the Company to Mr. Coy.

 

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ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

 

Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in our future financial and operating results include those discussed in the risk factors set forth in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The risks described in our Form 10-K and this Report are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we do not currently consider significant may also have an adverse effect on the Company. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition could suffer.

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 other than the following:

 

We face risks related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) which could significantly disrupt our research and development, operations, sales, and financial results.

 

Our business could be adversely impacted by the effects of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to global macroeconomic effects, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and any other related adverse public health developments could cause disruption to our operations and sales activities. Our third-party manufacturers, third-party distributors, and our customers have been and will be disrupted by worker absenteeism, quarantines and restrictions on employees’ ability to work, office and factory closures, disruptions to ports and other shipping infrastructure, border closures, or other travel or health-related restrictions which could adversely affect our business, operations and customer relationships. In addition, we have experienced and will experience disruptions to our business operations resulting from quarantines, self-isolations, or other movement and restrictions on the ability of our employees to perform their jobs that may impact our ability to develop and design our products and services in a timely manner or meet required milestones or customer commitments.

 

ITEM 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

There were no unregistered sales of the Company's equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 that were not previously reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K except as listed below. Except where noted, all of the securities discussed in this Part II, Item 2 were all issued in reliance on the exemption under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company sold an aggregate of 428,571 shares of common stock and 214,284 warrants, with each warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.75, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $150,000.

 

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None

 

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None

 

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ITEM 6: EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit       Incorporated by Reference  

Filed or

Furnished

Number   Exhibit Description   Form   Exhibit   Filing Date   Herewith
10.1   Form Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 29, 2020   10-K   10.12   05/12/2020    
10.2   Form Promissory Note, dated January 29, 2020   10-K   10.13   05/12/2020    
10.3   Form Securities Purchase Agreement, dated February 3, 2020   10-K   10.14   05/12/2020    
10.4   Form Promissory Note, dated February 3, 2020   10-K   10.15   05/12/2020    
10.5   Form Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 5, 2020   10-K   10.16   05/12/2020    
10.6   Form Promissory Note, dated March 5, 2020   10-K   10.17   05/12/2020    
10.7   Guaranty Agreement   10-K   10.18   05/12/2020    
10.8   Form Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 13, 2020   10-K   10.19   05/12/2020    
10.9   Form Promissory Note, dated March 13, 2020   10-K   10.20   05/12/2020    
10.10   Employment Agreement, dated March 1, 2020, by and between Surge Holdings, Inc. and Anthony Evers   10-K   10.21   05/12/2020    
31.1*   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Chief Executive Officer               X
31.2*   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Chief Financial Officer               X
32.1**   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Chief Executive Officer               X
32.2**   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Chief Financial Officer               X
101.INS*   XBRL Instance Document               X
101.SCH*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document               X
101.CAL*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document               X
101.DEF*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document               X
101.LAB*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document               X
101.PRE*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document               X

 

*Filed herewith.

 

** In accordance with SEC Release 33-8238, Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are being furnished and not filed.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  SURGE HOLDINGS, INC.
Date: June 22, 2020    
  By: /s/ Kevin Brian Cox
    Kevin Brian Cox
    Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: June 22, 2020 /s/ Anthony Evers
  Anthony Evers
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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