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EX-32.2 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. ?1350 BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.ex32-2.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, BY PRESIDENT - SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.ex31-1.htm
EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. ?1350 BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.ex32-1.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A)/15D-14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.ex31-2.htm
EX-10.1 - FORM OF CONVERTIBLE NOTE FOR NOTES DATED NOVEMBER 12, 2015, NOVEMBER 13, 2015, AND NOVEMBER 16, 2015 - SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.ex10-1.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: September 30, 2015
 
 
[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from N/A to N/A
 
Commission file number: 000-27145

SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.
 (Name of small business issuer in its charter)

Delaware
 
33-0756798
(State or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
805 Aerovista Pkwy, Suite 205
   
San Luis Obispo California
 
93401
(Address and of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(877) 541-8398
(Issuer’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 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  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  x   No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
 o
 Accelerated filer
 o
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 
 o
 Smaller reporting company
 x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x
 
As of November 10, 2015 there were 19,565,357 shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share. 

 
 



 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
     
 
 
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43

 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain statements relating to future results of SpendSmart Networks, Inc. (including certain projections and business trends) that is “forward-looking statements.” Our actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, without limitation, statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or achievements of our Company to be materially different from any future results or achievements of our Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, those set forth herein and those detailed from time to time in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings including those contained in our most recent Form 10-K. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. Our Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Our Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. Also, there can be no assurance that our Company will be able to raise sufficient capital to continue as a going concern.

 
ii

 
 
PART I: Financial Information
Item 1 – Financial Statements
 
SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 25,846     $ 1,242,155  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $272,187 at September 30, 2015 and $188,527 at December 31, 2014
    521,642       155,786  
Customer short-term notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $290,369 at September 30, 2015, and $286,571 at December 31, 2014
    449,419       473,846  
Third party short-term notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $172,472 at September 30, 2015
    150,000       416,133  
Prepaid insurance
    -       6,090  
    Total current assets
    1,146,907       2,294,010  
                 
Long-term assets:
               
Customer long-term notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $370,377 at September 30, 2015, and $349,954 at December 31, 2014
    451,942       678,851  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $268,838 on September 30, 2015 and $83,854 on December 31, 2014
    811,981       581,124  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $457,259 on September 30, 2015 and $288,700 on December 31, 2014
    2,844,481       3,097,700  
Goodwill
    3,202,276       3,202,276  
Other assets
    48,741       30,000  
Total long-term assets
    7,359,421       7,589,951  
                 
Other assets held for sale
    19,894       145,903  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 8,526,222     $ 10,029,864  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
     Convertible notes
  $ 1,044,890     $ -  
     Notes payable
    162,373       -  
     Due to related party
    100,000       -  
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    1,306,825       337,673  
     Accrued interest payable
    43,957       -  
     Deferred revenue
    633,586       791,704  
     Deferred acquisition related payable
    10,000       20,000  
     Derivative liabilities - convertible options
    207,376       -  
     Derivative liabilities - warrants
    -       47,209  
          Total current liabilities
    3,509,007       1,196,586  
                 
Long-term liabilities:
               
     Earn-out liablity
    535,462       594,216  
          Total long-term liabilities
    535,462       594,216  
                 
Other liabilities held for sale
    437,357       869,140  
                 
Total liabilities
    4,481,826       2,659,942  
                 
Stockholders equity:
               
Series C Preferred; $0.001 par value; 4,299,081 shares authorized; 3,709,729 and 3,757,229 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
    3,710       3,757  
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 19,158,572 and 18,435,239 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
    19,158       18,435  
Additional paid-in capital
    89,796,321       88,064,205  
Accumulated deficit
    (85,774,793 )     (80,716,475 )
          Total stockholders' equity
    4,044,396       7,369,922  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 8,526,222     $ 10,029,864  
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
-1-

 
 
SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
 
   
For the three months ended September 30,
   
For the nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Revenues:
                       
Mobile Marketing / Licensing
  $ 1,195,576     $ 1,187,278     $ 5,291,760     $ 2,864,513  
Total revenues
    1,195,576       1,187,278       5,291,760       2,864,513  
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling and marketing
    13,955       166,129       642,242       455,969  
Personnel related
    1,373,065       2,030,516       4,475,836       5,328,389  
Mobile Platform Processing
    433,468       245,097       1,036,965       663,397  
Amortization of intangible assets
    84,660       77,887       253,219       203,388  
General and administrative
    1,332,498       444,259       2,654,748       1,471,868  
Bad debt
    878,472       69,445       1,313,349       199,087  
Change in fair value of earn-out liability
    -       (380,358 )     (58,754 )     (276,257 )
Total operating expenses
    4,116,118       2,652,975       10,317,605       8,045,841  
                                 
Loss from operations
    (2,920,542 )     (1,465,697 )     (5,025,845 )     (5,181,328 )
                                 
Non-operating income (expense):
                               
Net interest income
    7,305       (711 )     60,202       (448 )
Amortization of debt discount
    (188,972 )     -       (325,910 )     -  
Change in fair value of financial instruments
    286,563       (200,237 )     233,235       (260,829 )
Total non-operating income (loss)
    104,896       (200,948 )     (32,473 )     (261,277 )
                                 
Net loss from continuing operations
    (2,815,646 )     (1,666,645 )     (5,058,318 )     (5,442,605 )
                                 
Discontinued operations:
                               
Loss from discontinued operations
    -       (719,893 )     -       (2,731,009 )
                                 
Net loss
  $ (2,815,646 )   $ (2,386,538 )   $ (5,058,318 )   $ (8,173,614 )
                                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share
                               
Net loss from continuing operations
  $ (0.15 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.36 )
Loss from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ (0.04 )   $ -     $ (0.18 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.15 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.53 )
                                 
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share
    18,840,637       16,431,339       18,667,766       15,292,898  
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
-2-

 
 
SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.
 
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015
 
                                           
   
Series C
Preferred Stock
   
Common Stock
   
Additional
Paid-In
         
Total
Stockholders'
 
               
Accumulated
     
   
Shares
   
Par Value
   
Shares
   
Par Value
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Equity
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
    3,757,229     $ 3,757       18,435,239     $ 18,435     $ 88,064,205     $ (80,716,475 )   $ 7,369,922  
Conversions of preferred stock to common stock
    (47,500 )     (47 )     190,000       190       (143 )     -       -  
Warrants issued in conjunction with convertible notes
    -       -       -       -       386,118       -       386,118  
Issuance of common stock for services
    -       -       533,333       533       292,633       -       293,166  
Stock based compensation from stock options and warrants
    -       -       -       -       1,053,508       -       1,053,508  
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       -       (5,058,318 )     (5,058,318 )
Balance as of September 30, 2015
    3,709,729     $ 3,710       19,158,572     $ 19,158     $ 89,796,321     $ (85,774,793 )   $ 4,044,396  
                                                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
             
   
For the nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (5,058,318 )   $ (8,173,614 )
Less:  Loss from discontinued operations
    -       (2,731,009 )
Net loss from continuing operations
    (5,058,318 )     (5,442,605 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
               
Depreciation expense
    807,002       34,558  
Amortization of intangible asset
    253,219       203,388  
Amortization of debt discount
    325,910       -  
Stock-based compensation
    1,053,508       3,659,869  
Issuance of common stock for services
    293,166       20,000  
Change in fair value of financial instruments
    (233,235 )     21,842  
Accrued interest income on notes receivable from third party
    (27,339 )     (708 )
Accrued interest expenses on notes payable
    28,648       -  
Change in earn-out liability
    (58,754 )     (276,257 )
Provision for bad debt
    1,313,349       199,087  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (783,913 )     (27,826 )
Customer short-term notes receivable
    (334,023 )     (570,946 )
Customer long-term notes receivable
    (137,461 )     (669,485 )
Deferred comp
    -       (26,977 )
Deferred revenue
    (158,118 )     368,477  
Prepaid insurance
    6,090       (12,145 )
Other assets
    (18,741 )     (10,000 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    994,461       286,098  
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations
    (1,734,549 )     (2,243,630 )
Net cash used in discontinued operations
    (305,774 )     (3,468,560 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (2,040,323 )     (5,712,190 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisition of TechXpress web business
    -       439,114  
Acquisition of Intellectual Capital Management LLC ("SMS")
    -       (1,000,000 )
Issuance of notes receivable to third party
    121,000       (410,000 )
Payment of deferred acquisition payable-Intellectual Capital Mgmt, LLC
    (10,000 )     (375,000 )
Payment on long-term liabilities (SBA Loans)
    -       (226,522 )
Software development costs
    (732,533 )     -  
Purchase of property and equipment
    (305,326 )     (396,447 )
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
    (926,859 )     (1,968,855 )
Net cash used in discontinued operations
    -       -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (926,859 )     (1,968,855 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, common stock, and warrants
    -       10,472,003  
Proceeds from issuance of notes
    200,000       -  
Repayment of notes
    (37,627 )     -  
Proceeds from issuance of related party financing
    100,000       -  
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debt
    1,488,500       -  
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations
    1,750,873       10,472,003  
Net cash used in discontinued operations
    -       -  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    1,750,873       10,472,003  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (1,216,309 )     2,790,958  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
    1,242,155       497,313  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $ 25,846     $ 3,288,271  
                 
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
The Company had conversion of 47,500 shares of Series C preferred stock into 190,000 shares of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
 
The Company recorded a debt discount of $730,520 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, of which $337,118 was the value of the 1,438,340 warrants issued and $393,402 was the fair value of the bifurcated conversion option.
 
The Company had conversion of two notes payable into 226,655 shares of Series C preferred stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
 
The Company issued 5,250,000 shares of common stock as part of of the SMS acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
 
     
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


SPENDSMART NETWORKS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
SpendSmart Networks, Inc. is a Delaware corporation (“the Company”).  The Company brings value added products and mobile marketing solutions to consumers, merchants and businesses.  The Company brings its products and services to market through a nationwide network of licensees who have been trained as “Masterminds” in mobile marketing. The licensees pay for the exclusive right to sell the Company’s products and services in a specific geographical area to small and medium sized businesses. The Company’s licensees pay an initial sum during the set up process as well as monthly sum.

The Company is a publicly traded company trading on the OTCQB under the symbol “SSPC.”  The Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Intellectual Capital Management LLC d/b/a SMS Masterminds (“SMS”) on February 11, 2014, and substantially all of the assets of TechXpress, Inc. on September 18, 2014.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary SpendSmart Networks, Inc., a California corporation (SpendSmart-CA). All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. These financial statements do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  All normal recurring adjustments which are necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the interim periods are reflected herein.  Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.
 
2. Liquidity and Going Concern
 
As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included an opinion containing an explanatory paragraph as to the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company has continued to incur net losses through September 30, 2015 and has yet to establish profitable operations. These factors among others create a substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2015 do not contain any adjustments for this uncertainty.
 
The Company plans to attempt to raise additional required capital through the sale of unregistered shares of the Company’s preferred or common stock or issuance of convertible debt with warrants. All additional amounts raised will be used for future investing and operating cash flow needs. However there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in consummating such financing. The description of recent financing and future plans for financing does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall such securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements and certificates evidencing such shares contain a legend stating the same.
 
3. Discontinued Operations
 
On November 26, 2014, as part of SpendSmart Networks, Inc.'s efforts to reduce expenses as well as focus its resources on its Mobile and Loyalty Marketing Division, the Company decided to wind down the operations of its Card Division. All Card Division related operations ceased on January 26, 2015. The Company corresponded with its customers to affect an orderly wind down of its operations.
 
As a result of the wind down, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes for the periods presented herein reflect the Card Division as a discontinued operation.

 
4. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Loans Receivable and Accounts Receivable

The Company sometimes extends credit to its licensees in the normal course of business and performs credit evaluations of its licensees, i.e. customers. Loans and accounts receivable are stated as amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time loan and accounts receivable are past due and the customer's current ability to pay its obligation to the Company. The Company writes off loans and accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.  When the company enters into contracts for license setup fees with terms to pay off the license setup fees within a six month period, the Company recognizes revenue on a cash received basis when the criteria of revenue recognition have been met.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, fair value of financial instruments, at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements include recoverability and useful lives of intangible assets, the valuation allowance related to the Company's deferred tax assets, the allowance for doubtful accounts related and notes and accounts receivable and the fair value of stock options and warrants granted to employees, consultants, directors, investors and placement agents.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company generates revenues primarily in the form of set up fees, license fees, messaging, equipment and marketing services fees and value added mobile marketing and mobile commerce services.  License fees are charged monthly for support services.  Set-up fees primarily consist of fees for website development services (including support and unspecified upgrades and enhancements when and if they are available), training and professional services that are not essential to functionality.  The Company offers two licenses consisting of our Engage license and our Thrive license.  The revenues for Engage and Thrive license set-up fees are recognized over the training and implementation periods of two and three months, respectively.

The Company recognizes revenues when all of the following conditions are met:

there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement;

the products or services have been delivered to the customer;

the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable; and

The collection of the related fees is probable.

Signed agreements are used as evidence of an arrangement. Electronic delivery occurs when we provide the customer with access to the software. The Company assesses whether a fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of the arrangement, primarily based on the payment terms associated with the transaction. The Company does offer extended payment terms with regards to the setup fee with typical terms of payment due between one and three years from delivery of license. The Company assesses collectability of the set-up fee based on a number of factors such as collection history and creditworthiness of the licensee. If the Company determines that collectability is not probable, revenue is deferred until collectability becomes probable, generally upon receipt of cash.


When contracts contain multiple elements wherein vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") exists for all undelivered elements and the services, if any, are not essential to the functionality of the delivered elements, the Company accounts for the delivered elements in accordance with the "Residual Method." Revenues related to term license fees are recognized ratably over the contract term beginning on the date the customer has access to the license and continuing through the end of the contract term.

License arrangements may also include set-up fees such as website development, delivery of tablets, professional services and training services, which are typically delivered within 90 days of the contract term. In determining whether set-up fee revenues should be accounted for separately from license revenues, the Company evaluates whether the set-up fees are considered essential to the functionality of the license using factors such as the nature of our products; whether they are ready for use by the customer upon receipt; the nature of our implementation services, which typically do not involve significant customization to or development of the underlying software code; the availability of services from other vendors; whether the timing of payments for license revenues is coincident with performance of services; and whether milestones or acceptance criteria exist that affect the realization of the license fee. Substantially all of our set-up fees arrangements are recognized as the services are performed. VSOE of fair value of set-up fees is based upon stand-alone sales of those services. Payments received in advance of services performed are deferred and recognized when the related services are performed.

The Company does not offer refunds and therefore have not recorded any sales return allowance for any of the periods presented. Upon a periodic review of outstanding accounts and notes receivable, amounts that are deemed to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Deferred revenue consists substantially of amounts invoiced in advance of revenue recognition for our products and services described above. The Company recognizes deferred revenue as revenue only when the revenue recognition criteria are met.  
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents primarily represent funds invested in money market funds, bank certificates of deposit and U.S. government debt securities whose cost equals fair market value.

From time to time, the Company has maintained bank balances in excess of insurance limits established by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has not experienced any losses with respect to cash. Management believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk with respect to its cash and cash equivalents.

Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment (including kiosks) had been recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (generally three to five years). Costs incurred for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred and expenditures for major replacements and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated remaining useful lives. Depreciation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $535,286 and $19,861, and $628,999 and $28,250, respectively.  The Company accelerated the depreciation in the amount of approximately $496,000 on the kiosks, which have seven inch screens, to reduce their net book value to zero due to technological obsolescence.  In the fourth quarter, they will be replaced by new ten inch screens and some new seven inch screens which will be able to run offline from Wi-Fi, have faster processors and ultra-sharp screens, and have licensee reporting tools..


Software Capitalization

The Company accounts for computer software used in the business in accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”. ASC 350 requires computer software costs associated with internal use software to be charged to operations as incurred until certain capitalization criteria are met. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage and the post-implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Certain qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized as property, equipment and software. These costs generally consist of internal labor during configuration, coding, and testing activities. Capitalization begins when (i) the preliminary project stage is complete, (ii) management with the relevant authority authorizes and commits to the funding of the software project, and (iii) it is probable both that the project will be completed and that the software will be used to perform the function intended.  We capitalized approximately $732,500 in software for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  Software depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $82,456 and $6,308, respectively. Software depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $178,003 and $6,308, respectively.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amount. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the estimated fair value of the assets. There has not been any impairment recorded as of September 30, 2015.
 
Income Tax Expense Estimates and Policies
 
As part of the income tax provision process of preparing the Company’s financial statements, the Company is required to estimate the Company’s provision for income taxes. This process involves estimating current tax liabilities together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Management then assesses the likelihood that the Company deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent believed that recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance is established. Further, to the extent a valuation allowance is established and changes occur to this allowance in a financial accounting period, such changes are recognized in the Company’s tax provision in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company’s use of judgment in making estimates to determine the Company’s provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance is recorded against our net deferred tax assets.
 
There are various factors that may cause these tax assumptions to change in the near term, and the Company may have to record a future valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. The Company has provided a valuation allowance for the full amount of deferred tax assets at September 30, 2015 and Deecember 31, 2014. The Company recognizes the benefit of an uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken on the Company’s income tax returns if it is “more likely than not” that such tax position will be sustained based on its technical merits.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company accounts for stock based compensation arrangements through the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock based payment awards to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of the Company’s stock options and warrants at the date of grant. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions to calculate the value of options and warrants. The Company uses historical company data among other information to estimate the expected price volatility and the expected forfeiture rate and not comparable company information.


Net Loss per Share
 
The Company calculates basic earnings per share (“EPS”) by dividing the Company’s net loss and comprehensive net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without considering common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income or net loss and comprehensive net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and the weighted average number of dilutive common stock equivalents, such as options and warrants. Options and warrants are only included in the calculation of diluted EPS when their effect is dilutive.

Derivatives - Warrant Liability
 
The Company accounts for the common stock warrants granted and still outstanding as of September 30, 2015 in connection with certain financing transactions (“Transactions”) in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40-15-7D, "Contracts in Entity's Own Equity" whereby under that provision they do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classifies the warrant instrument as a liability at its fair value and adjusts the instrument to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised or expires, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company's statements of operations. The fair value of the warrants issued by the Company in connection with the transactions has been estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation.

The Company accounts for certain of its outstanding warrants issued in fiscal 2010, 2012 and 2013 (“2010 Warrants,” “2012 Warrants” and “2013 Warrants, respectively) as derivative liabilities. The 2010 Warrants were determined to be ineligible for equity classification due to provisions of the respective instruments that may result in an adjustment to their conversion or exercise prices.   The Company recognized a gain of $47,209 and a loss of $27,787 in the fair value of derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized a gain of $19,221 and a gain of $38,750 in the fair value of derivatives for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These derivative liabilities which arose from the issuance of the 2010 Warrants resulted in an ending balance of derivative liabilities of $0 and $47,209 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Derivatives - Bifurcated Conversion Option in Convertible Notes

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow, market or foreign-currency risks. However, the Company has issued Convertible Notes with features that are either (i) not afforded equity classification, (ii) embody risks not clearly and closely related to host contracts, or (iii) may be net-cash settled by the counterparty. As required by ASC 815,  Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, in certain instances, these instruments are required to be bifurcated and carried as derivative liabilities, at fair value, in our financial statements.
 
The Convertible Notes issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are subject to anti-dilution adjustments that allow for the reduction in the Conversion Price, as defined in the agreement, in the event the Company subsequently issues equity securities including Common Stock or any security convertible or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock for a price less than the current conversion price. The Company bifurcated and accounted for the conversion option in accordance with ASC 815 as a derivative liability, since this conversion feature is not considered to be indexed to the Company’s own stock.

The Company’s derivative liability has been measured at fair value at September 30, 2015 using a Monte-Carlo Simulation. Inputs into the model require estimates, including such items as estimated volatility of the Company’s stock, estimated probabilities of additional financing, risk-free interest rate, and the estimated life of the financial instruments being fair valued. In addition, since the conversion price contains an anti-dilution adjustment, the probability that the Conversion Price of the Notes would decrease as the share price decreased was also incorporated into the valuation calculation.


The Company recognized a gain of $214,014 in the fair value of derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Company recognized a gain of $267,342 in the fair value of derivatives for the three months ended September 30, 2015.  These derivative liabilities which arose from the issuance of the convertible notes resulted in an ending balance of derivative liabilities of $207,376 as of September 30, 2015.  Subsequent changes to the fair value of the derivative liabilities will continue to require adjustments to their carrying value that will be recorded as other income (in the event that their value decreases) or as other expense (in the event that their value increases). In general (all other factors being equal), the Company will record income when the market value of the Company’s common stock decreases and will record expense when the value of the Company’s stock increases. The fair value of these liabilities is estimated using Monte Carlo simulation.
Fair value of assets and liabilities
 
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value for applicable assets and liabilities, we consider the principal or most advantageous market in which we would transact and we consider assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of nonperformance. This guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy to prioritize inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

·
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

·
Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

·
Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
 
The Company’s financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and derivative liabilities. The recorded values of cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate their fair values based on their short-term nature. The fair value of derivative liabilities is estimated using option pricing models that are based on the individual characteristics of our warrants, preferred and common stock, the derivative liability on the valuation date as well as assumptions for volatility, remaining expected life, risk-free interest rate and, in some cases, credit spread. The derivative liabilities and earn-out liabilities are the only Level 3 fair value measures.
 
A summary of quantitative information with respect to valuation methodology and significant unobservable inputs used for the Company’s warrant liabilities that are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

Date of Valuation
 
September 30,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
Stock Price
 
$
0.46
   
$
1.00
 
Volatility
 
66%
   
67%
 
Strike Price
 
$
0.75
   
$
0.75
 
Risk-free Rate
   
0.0
%
   
0.21
%
Maturity Date
 
11/24/15
   
8/13/15 to 11/24/15
 
 
A summary of quantitative information with respect to valuation methodology and significant unobservable inputs used for the Company’s conversion options that are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2015 is as follows:

Date of Valuation
 
September 30, 2015
 
Stock Price
 
$
0.46
 
Volatility
 
68%
 
Strike Price
 
$
0.75
 
Risk-free Rate
   
0.1
%
Maturity Date
 
6/26/16
 
 
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the estimated Level 3 fair values of the liabilities measured on a recurring basis are as follows:

         
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2015:
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Earn-out liability
  $ 535,462     $ -     $ -     $ 535,462  
Conversion option
    207,376       -       -       207,376  
Derivative liability – warrants
    -       -       -       -  
Total securities
  $ 742,838     $ -     $ -     $ 742,838  
               
           
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014:
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Earn-out liability
  $ 594,216     $ -     $ -     $ 594,216  
Derivative liability – warrants
    47,209       -       -       47,209  
Total securities
  $ 641,425     $ -     $ -     $ 641,425  
 
The following tables present the activity for Level 3 liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3 Inputs
                         
    WarrantDerivative Liability
 
 
Conversion Notes
   
Earn-out Liability
   
Total
 
Balance - December 31, 2014
 
$
47,209
     
-
     
594,216
   
$
641,425
 
Additions during the period
   
-
     
393,402
             
393,402
 
Total Unrealized (gains) or losses include in net loss
   
(47,209
)
   
(186,026
   
(58,754
   
(291,989
Balance - September 30, 2015
 
$
-
     
207,376
     
535,462
   
$
742,838
 
 
 Advertising
 
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred and is recorded in selling and marketing. The Company has no existing arrangements under which the Company provides or receives advertising services from others for any consideration other than cash. Advertising expenses from continuing operation (primarily in the form of Internet direct marketing) totaled $13,955 and $166,129 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Advertising expenses from continuing operations (primarily in the form of Internet direct marketing) totaled $642,242 and $455,969 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


Litigation
 
From time to time, the Company may become involved in litigation and other legal actions. The Company estimates the range of liability related to any pending litigation where the amount and range of loss can be estimated. The Company records its best estimate of a loss when the loss is considered probable. Where a liability is probable and there is a range of estimated loss with no best estimate in the range, the Company records a charge equal to at least the minimum estimated liability for a loss contingency when both of the following conditions are met: (i) information available prior to issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and (ii) the range of loss can be reasonably estimated. 
 
Goodwill

The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets under ASC 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 eliminates the amortization of goodwill and certain other intangible assets and requires an evaluation of impairment by assessing qualitative factors, and if necessary, applying a fair-value based test. The goodwill impairment test requires qualitative analysis to determine whether is it more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, including goodwill. An indication of impairment through analysis of these qualitative factors initiates a two-step process, which requires management to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculation. The first step of the process consists of estimating the fair value of the Company’s reporting units based on discounted cash flow models using revenue and profit forecasts and comparing the estimated fair values with the carrying values of the Company’s reporting units which include the goodwill. If the estimated fair values are less than the carrying values, a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill. The determination of the Company’s “implied fair value” requires the Company to allocate the estimated fair value to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. Any unallocated fair value represents the “implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared to the corresponding carrying value.  The Company tested goodwill impairment at December 31, 2014 and concluded that goodwill was not impaired.
 
Intangible assets

Intangible assets consist of intellectual property/technology, customer lists, and trade-name/marks acquired in business combinations under the purchase method of accounting are recorded at fair value net of accumulated amortization since the acquisition date. Amortization is calculated using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives at the following annual rates:
 
   
Useful Lives
 
IP/technology
    10  
Customer lists
    10  
Trade-name/marks
    10  

The Company reviews its finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of finite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of a finite-lived intangible asset is measured by a comparison of its carrying amount to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is determined based on discounted cash flows.

Segments
 
The Company operates in one reportable segment now due to the discontinuance of our Card Division. On November 26, 2014, the Company decided to wind down the operations of the Card Division and focus on its Mobile and Loyalty Marketing Division in an effort to reduce expenses and focus its resources elsewhere.

Accordingly, no segment disclosures have been presented herein.


5. Accounts Receivable, Short-Term and Long-Term Notes Receivable
 
Management reviews accounts receivable, short-term and long-term notes receivable on a quarterly basis to determine if any receivables are potentially uncollectible. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a combination of historical experience, length of time outstanding, customer credit worthiness, and current economic trends.  As of December 31, 2014, approximately $825,000 of our accounts were fully reserved.  We recorded a bad debt reserve of $1,140,877 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and wrote off uncollectable accounts during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 in the amount of $1,032,994, all of which were fully reserved.  As of September 30, 2015, the Company has recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $932,934.
 
Long-term receivables relate to notes receivable from the financing of set-up and license fees.  Initial set up and licensing fees are $22,500 for the Company’s Engage License and clients typically contribute cash upfront of 20% and the remaining 80% is financed over a 3 year term.  The Company’s Thrive License clients typically contribute cash upfront of 50% and the remaining 50% is financed over a 2 year term.
 
Notes receivable aged over 30 days past due are considered delinquent and notes receivable aged over 60 days past due with known collection issues are placed on non-accrual status. Interest revenue is not recognized on notes receivable while on non-accrual status. Cash payments received on non-accrual receivables are applied towards the principal. When notes receivable on non-accrual status are again less than 60 days past due, recognition of interest revenue for notes receivable is resumed.  The Company charges interest rates on notes receivable averaging 14% which approximates a fair value.  The Company recorded approximately $28,000 and $93,000 in interest income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively and approximately $15,000 and $35,000 in interest income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
 
The allowance for doubtful accounts on long-term receivables is the Company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses related to the Company's existing note receivables.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company's best estimate of probable credit losses related to trade receivables and notes receivable based upon the aging of the receivables, historical collection data, internal assessments of credit quality and the economic conditions in the business subprime industry, as well as in the economy as a whole. The Company charges off uncollectable amounts against the reserve in the period in which it determines they are uncollectable.

The Company determined that certain accounts with terminated services were uncollectable and wrote their remaining balances of $1,032,994 off to the reserve.  The Company identified those accounts with irregular payment histories and with low probabilities of collection. The Company established a reserve of $884,000 for the remaining balances of those accounts. Unearned income on notes receivable is amortized using the effective interest method.  Based upon the Company's methodology, the notes receivable balances with reserves and the reserves associated with those balances are as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2015
 
   
Gross Notes Receivable
   
Reserve
   
Net Notes Receivable
 
   
Current
   
Long-Term
   
Current
   
Long-Term
   
Current
   
Long-Term
 
Customer Notes Receivable
 
$
739,788
   
$
822,319
   
$
290,369
   
$
370,377
   
$
449,419
   
$
451,942
 
                                                 
Accounts Receivable
 
$
793,830
           
$
272,188
           
$
521,642
         
 
   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Gross Notes Receivable
   
Reserve
   
Net Notes Receivable
 
   
Current
   
Long-Term
   
Current
   
Long-Term
   
Current
   
Long-Term
 
Customer Notes Receivable
 
$
760,417
   
$
1,028,805
   
$
286,571
   
$
349,954
   
$
473,846
   
$
678,851
 
                                                 
Accounts Receivable
 
$
344,313
           
$
188,527
           
$
155,786
         
 
The roll forward of the allowance for doubtful accounts related to notes receivable and accounts receivable is as follows:

   
Notes Receivable
   
Accounts Receivable
 
   
Current
   
Long-Term
   
Current
   
Long-Term
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
286,571
   
$
349,954
   
$
188,527
   
$
-
 
     Incremental Provision
 
$
358,450
   
$
364,370
   
$
418,056
   
$
-
 
     Charge offs
 
$
(354,652
 
$
(343,947
 
$
(334,395
 
$
-
 
Balance at September 30, 2015
 
$
290,369
   
$
370,377
   
$
272,188
   
$
-
 
 
The allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of total receivables (which included accounts receivables and short and long-term notes receivables) was approximately 40% as of September 30, 2015 and approximately 39% as of December 31, 2014.

Short-term notes receivable

The Company received a Secured Convertible Promissory Note (the “Note”) for a principal amount of $410,000 from a third party in September 2014. The Note bears interest at the rate of 5.25% per annum and matured in four months. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company has recorded $18,461 and $27,381, respectively of interest income from this Note.  $90,000 of the principal amount was paid during first quarter of 2015, $20,000 was paid during the second quarter of 2015, $20,000 was paid during the third quarter.  For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded bad debt expense related to the Note of approximately $172,000.
 
6. Common Stock and Warrants
 
Common stock

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the company issued 533,333 shares of common stock in exchange for consulting services.  47,500 shares of Series C Stock converted to 190,000 common shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

7. Convertible Promissory Notes
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company closed on a private offering and issued and sold 22.25 units (the “Units”) to accredited investors with each such Unit consisting of a 9% Convertible Promissory Note with the principal face value of $50,000 (the “Notes”) and a warrant to purchase 66,667 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrant”). The Company also agreed to provide piggy-back registration rights to the holders of the Units. The Notes have a term of twelve (12) months, pay interest semi-annually at 9% per annum and can be voluntarily converted by the holder into shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.75 per share, subject to adjustments for stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events as described in the Notes. In addition, if the Company issues or sells common stock at a price below the conversion price then in effect, the conversion price of the Notes shall be adjusted downward to such price but in no event shall the conversion price be reduced to a price less than $0.50 per share. The Warrants have an exercise price of $.75 per share and have a term of four years. The holders of the Warrants may exercise the Warrants on a cashless basis for as long as the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants are not registered on an effective registration statement. The relative fair value ascribed to the 1,183,339 warrants issued was approximately $318,000 and was recorded to additional paid-in capital. The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the Units for general working capital. The Units were offered and sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company raised gross proceeds of $1,112,500 and issued warrants to acquire 1,483,340 shares of common stock.  Our CEO invested $150,000 in the Notes and received 200,001 Warrants related to the offering during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

The embedded conversion feature of the notes was bifurcated and accounted for as a derivative liability at approximately $393,000 on the day of issuance.  The remaining proceeds were allocated based on the relative fair value of the debt and the warrant, and accordingly, approximately $730,520 of debt discount was recorded and will be amortized over the term of the debt using the effective interest rate method.  As of September 30, 2015, the balance of the discount had been amortized down to approximately $425,000.

On July 15, 2015, the Company issued a Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of $400,000 inclusive of interest. The Note is for a term of six months. The Note bears interest at twelve percent per annum. The Note is secured by the assets of the Company. The Note may be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.75 per share. The Company also issued the holder warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The proceeds were allocated based on the relative fair value of the debt and the warrant.  The warrants have an exercise price of $0.75 per share and have a term of two years.  The relative fair value ascribed to the 500,000 warrants issued was approximately $49,000 and was recorded to additional paid-in capital.  This amount will be amortized over the term of the debt using the effective interest rate method. As of September 30, 2015, the balance of the discount has been amortized down to $29,000.
 
8. Notes Payable
 
On August 26, 2015, the Company entered into a Business Promissory Note and Security Agreement with Bank of Lake Mills for the principal sum of $200,000 and an interest rate of 22%. The Note is for a term of six months with a weekly repayment schedule ending February 22, 2016. The Note includes standard representations and warranties. The Note is secured by certain assets of the Company as well as a personal guarantee by chief executive officer Alex Minicucci. The total repayment amount including interest and principal is $244,637 to be paid pro-rata weekly ending February 22, 2016.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded interest expense related to the note of $8,584.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we have paid approximately $37,600 in principal repayments related to the Note.

9. Due to Related Party
 
On August 14, 2015 and September 28, 2015, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with our CEO, Alex Minicucci (who is a related party), for the principal sum of $65,000 and $35,000, respectively.  The Loan is to be paid off by December 31, 2015 and includes an interest rate of 5%.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded interest expense related to the loan of $271.
 
 
10. Convertible Preferred Stock

 Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
 
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had 3,709,729 and 3,757,229 shares, respectively, of Series C convertible preferred stock (“Series C Stock”) outstanding that were issued to investors for $3.00 per share.  Shareholders converted 47,500 shares of Series C Stock to 190,000 common shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
 
11. Agreements with Former Officers
 
Effective as of January 26, 2015 (the “Effective Date”), William Hernandez-Ellsworth resigned from his position as President of SpendSmart Networks, Inc. (the “Company”).
 
In conjunction with Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth’s resignation, on January 29, 2015 the Company entered into an Agreement with Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth (the “Agreement”). Pursuant to the Agreement, and in conjunction with the closing of the Company’s card business, Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth shall remain employed by the Company, on an as needed basis, for a one year term commencing on the Effective Date and shall be paid an annual salary of $120,000. Additionally, Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth will: (i) be permitted to participate in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans, health programs, retirement plans, fringe benefit programs and other benefits that may be available to employees of the Company; (ii) shall have 50,000 unvested shares of Non-Qualified Stock Options issued on March 19, 2014, and 112,500 unvested shares of Incentive Stock Options issued on March 21, 2014 (the “Incentive Stock Option”), become fully vested; and (iii) the provisions in Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth Incentive Option that requires he exercise all vested and unexercised options within ninety (90) days of his departure from the Company shall be deleted and shall no longer apply. The Agreement also contains customary confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions.
 
12. Net Loss per Share Applicable to Common Stockholders
 
Options, warrants, and convertible debt outstanding were all considered anti-dilutive for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 due to net losses.
 
The following securities were not included in the diluted net income (loss) per share calculation because their effect was anti-dilutive as of the periods presented:

   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Convertible notes
   
1,512,500
     
-
 
Common stock options
   
8,666,833
     
6,306,667
 
Investor warrants
   
23,861,368
     
21,987,562
 
Compensation warrants
   
1,895,000
     
3,750,653
 
Excluded potentially dilutive securities
   
35,935,701
     
32,044,882
 

13. Stockholders’ Equity
 
Stock Options and Warrants

Warrant activity (including warrants issued to investors and for consulting and advisory services) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

   
For the nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Beginning balance outstanding
   
23,933,922
     
7,977,990
 
Warrants issued during the year:
               
In connection with sales of common and preferred stock
   
-
     
17,918,675
 
In connection with issuance of convertible notes
   
1,983,340
     
-
 
Expired or cancelled during the year
   
(160,894
   
(158,450
Ending balance outstanding
   
25,756,368
     
25,738,215
 
 

Option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

   
For The Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Beginning balance outstanding
   
8,807,667
     
1,566,667
 
Issued during the year:
   
600,000
     
5,918,000
 
Expired or cancelled during the year
   
(740,834
)
   
(110,000
)
Ending balance outstanding
   
8,666,833
     
7,374,667
 
 
The numbers and exercise prices of all options and warrants outstanding at September 30, 2015 are as follows:

Shares Outstanding
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Expiration Fiscal Period
  478,312     7.53  
4th Qtr, 2015
  300,000     6.50  
1st Qtr, 2016
  1,465,833     6.75  
2nd Qtr, 2016
  625     9.00  
3rd Qtr, 2016
  666,811     7.55  
4th Qtr, 2016
  34,749     7.99  
1st Qtr, 2017
  1,709,810     7.05  
2nd Qtr, 2017
  576,430     1.53  
3rd Qtr, 2017
  1,542,338     6.71  
4th Qtr, 2017
  10,000     6.60  
1st Qtr, 2018
  22,275,623     1.09  
1st Qtr, 2019
  893,336     0.92  
2nd Qtr, 2019
  1,113,000     1.16  
3rd Qtr, 2019
  2,623,000     1.15  
 4th Qtr, 2019
  525,000     0.92  
1st Qtr, 2020
  75,000     0.65  
2nd Qtr, 2020
  133,334     7.05  
4th Qtr, 2022
  34,423,201          
 
Stock-based Compensation

Results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 include stock based compensation costs totaling $199,207 and $1,412,601, respectively, of which $199,207 and $1,296,473, respectively, was charged to personnel related expenses in connection with the issuance of stock options and warrants issued to employees, directors, advisors and consultants (not including shares of stock issued directly for services).  $0 and $116,128 were charged to discontinued operations, respectively.
 
Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 include stock based compensation costs totaling $1,053,508 and $4,505,545, respectively, of which $1,053,508 and $3,695,868, respectively, was charged to personnel related expenses in connection with the issuance of stock options and warrants issued to employees, directors, advisors and consultants (not including shares of stock issued directly for services).  $0 and $845,677 were charged to discontinued operations, respectively.


For purposes of accounting for stock based compensation, the fair value of each option and warrant award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula. Compensation expense is recognized upon actual vesting of the options. The following weighted average assumptions were utilized for the calculations during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

   
For The Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Expected life (in years)
 
2.89 years
   
4.23 years
 
Weighted average volatility
   
108.92
%
   
90.14
%
Forfeiture rate
   
14.21
%
   
11.43
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
.97
%
   
1.14
%
Expected dividend rate
   
0.00
%
   
0.00
%
 
The weighted average expected option and warrant term for employee stock options granted reflects the application of the simplified method set out in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment  (SAB 107). The simplified method defines the life as the average of the contractual term of the options and the weighted average vesting period for all options. The Company utilized this approach as its historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate an expected term. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company estimated the forfeiture rate based on our expectation for future forfeitures and (for the purpose of computing stock based compensation given the contractual vesting of the Company’s options and warrants outstanding) the Company assumes that all options and warrants will vest. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at or near the time of grant. The Company has never declared or paid dividends and has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future.

As of September 30, 2015, $643,576 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock based compensation arrangements is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 39.4 months.
 
14. Subsequent Events
 
Effective October 1, 2015, the Company entered into a strategic consulting agreement with Siskey Capital, LLC. Siskey Capital has over twenty years of seasoned executive level management, brand positioning, technology architecture and venture capital expertise. Siskey Capital, LLC will provide strategic guidance in the overall operations of the company including without limitation product development, engineering, sales, personnel and business development. The retention is for nine months. In connection with the retention the Company agreed to grant Siskey Capital (1) 750,000 shares of the Company's restricted common stock, 375,000 of which shall be issued immediately and the remaining 375,000 after completion of the first phase of the consulting project, and (2) 750,000 options to purchase shares of the Company's restricted common stock with an exercise price of $0.75 to be paid quarterly and subject to the completion of certain goals. Siskey Capital will also receive a monthly per diem of $9,800.

Effective October 1, 2015, Joseph Proto resigned his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Proto will remain a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Company's Compensation Committee.

Effective October 1, 2015, Jerold Rubinstein, currently a member of the Board of Directors, has been appointed Chairman of the Board. Mr. Rubinstein has served as a member of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Company's Audit Committee since October 1, 2013.

In connection with Mr. Rubinstein's appointment to the Board, the Company agreed to grant Mr. Rubinstein a stock option to purchase up to 1,358,696 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.46 per share and having a term of 5 years.
 
On November 12, 2015, the Company issued a Convertible Promissory Note to an investor, Dyke Rogers, in the principal amount of $150,000. The Note features a mandatory conversion feature obligating the holder to participate and apply the principal and interest into a “Qualified Financing” meaning a financing taking place prior to January 31, 2016, wherein the Company receives gross proceeds totaling at least $1,000,000. In the event the entire principal plus accrued interest under this Note is not eligible for conversion into a Qualified Financing, then any remaining balance of this Note shall be converted into restricted common stock at the price of the Qualified Financing and Holder shall receive three (3) times any warrant coverage provided for in the Qualified Financing.  The Note bears interest at nine percent per annum and has a maturity date of six months.

On November 13, 2015, the Company issued Convertible Promissory Notes to five investors;  Sol J Barer in the principal amount of $80,000, Isaac Blech in the principal amount of $34,000, West Charitable Remainder Unitrust in the principal amount of $80,000, River Charitable Remainder Trust in the principal amount of $53,333, and Liberty Charitable Remainder Trust in the principal amount of $40,000. The Notes feature a mandatory conversion feature obligating the holder to participate and apply the principal and interest into a “Qualified Financing” meaning a financing taking place prior to January 31, 2016, wherein the Company receives gross proceeds totaling at least $1,000,000.  In the event the entire principal plus accrued interest under this Note is not eligible for conversion into a Qualified Financing, then any remaining balance of this Note shall be converted into restricted common stock at the price of the Qualified Financing and Holder shall receive three (3) times any warrant coverage provided for in the Qualified Financing.  The Notes bears interest at nine percent per annum and has a maturity date of six months.

On November 16, 2015, the Company issued a Convertible Promissory Note to an investor, Windham-BMP Investment I, LLC, in the principal amount of $48,000. The Note features a mandatory conversion feature obligating the holder to participate and apply the principal and interest into a “Qualified Financing” meaning a financing taking place prior to January 31, 2016, wherein the Company receives gross proceeds totaling at least $1,000,000.   In the event the entire principal plus accrued interest under this Note is not eligible for conversion into a Qualified Financing, then any remaining balance of this Note shall be converted into restricted common stock at the price of the Qualified Financing and Holder shall receive three (3) times any warrant coverage provided for in the Qualified Financing.  The Note bears interest at nine percent per annum and has a maturity date of six months.
 

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

The following discussion and analysis is intended as a review of significant factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations for the periods indicated.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes presented herein.  In addition to historical information, the following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ significantly from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors discussed in this Quarterly Report and our other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Business Overview
 
We are a national full-service mobile and loyalty marketing agency that offers a means for small and large business owners alike to better connect with their consumers and generate sales. We do business under the name “SMS Masterminds.” The core of our business involves two licenses which include, among other things, a proprietary SaaS (software as a service) system, proprietary marketing and sales training materials and mobile-responsive website building software.

With our mobile and loyalty marketing programs and proprietary responsive website building software, we provide proprietary loyalty systems and a suite of digital engagement and marketing services that help local merchants build relationships with consumers and drive revenues. These services are sold, implemented and supported both internally and by a vast network of certified digital marketing specialists, aka “Certified Masterminds,” who drive revenue and consumer relationships for merchants via loyalty programs, custom mobile-responsive websites, review generation and management, social media engagement, mobile marketing, mobile commerce and financial tools, such as reward systems. We enter into licensing agreements for our proprietary loyalty and mobile marketing solutions and custom mobile-responsive website building tools with “Certified Masterminds” which sell and support the technology in their respective markets. We provide extensive training materials, best practice guides and other resources to our licensees, including access to a “Mentor”, who is an existing successful “Mastermind”. The licensees also utilize digital loyalty tablets provided to their merchants. The loyalty tablets are proprietary tablet devices set up in physical retail locations where Consumers can enter their mobile phone number to “opt-in” to receive notifications from the merchant and participate in the merchant’s loyalty program.

Our business strategy consists of delivering and managing:
 
 
(i)
Loyalty platforms
   
a.   Merchant funded rewards
   
b.   Loyalty rewards tablet/kiosk
   
c.   Proprietary rewards management system
     
 
(ii)
Mobile marketing technology
   
a.   Text and email promotion messaging
   
b.   Customer analytics and propensity marketing
   
c.   Patent pending ‘automated engagement’ engine
   
d.   Text2Win sweepstakes features
     
 
(iii)
Enterprise level loyalty and mobile marketing consulting
   
a.   Monthly hands on reviews by our “Certified Masterminds”
   
b.   Campaign creation and optimization
   
c.   Localized support
     
 
(iv)
Proprietary mobile-responsive website building platform
   
a.   Software allowing licensees and merchants to create and administer their websites
   
b.   Audits of existing merchant websites
   
c.   Integration of social media streams and consumer reviews into websites
 
Corporate History

On February 11, 2014, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Intellectual Capital Management, LLC, dba “SMS Masterminds.”  On September 18, 2014, we acquired substantially all of the web related assets of TechXpress, Inc., a California corporation. TechXpress provides personalized website, eCommerce and mobile app development services as well as marketing tools and analytics. On November 26, 2014, in an effort to reduce expenses as well as focus our resources on our mobile marketing and related software technology programs and platforms, we began the wind down of the prepaid card division of the company which was effectively completed in January 2015.

As part of the acquisition of Intellectual Capital Management, we retained its founder, Alex Minicucci as our Chief Executive Officer. Under Mr. Minicucci’s leadership, the company is now focused on providing mobile and loyalty marketing solutions and platforms.

Management Change

On May 13, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement appointing Bruce Neuschwander as Chief Financial Officer effective May 19, 2015. Mr. Neuschwander replaced David Horin who resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective May 14, 2015.

Results of Operations
 
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
The Company had total revenues of $1,195,576 and $1,187,278 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our revenues increased $8,298 over the prior year due to our acquisition of SMS and TechXpress and were comparable to the prior year.
 
Comparison of Operating Expenses for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
In order to better represent our financial results and to make them comparable to leading companies in the mobile marketing industry, we have classified our operating expenses into four major categories: (1) selling and marketing; (2) personnel related; (3) operations; and (4) general and administrative expenses. We do not allocate common expenses to any of these expense categories.
 
Selling and marketing expenses
  
Selling and marketing expenses were $13,955 and $166,129 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease of $152,174 was due to discontinuance of some marketing programs during the quarter.

Personnel related expenses
 
Personnel related expenses were $1,373,065 and $2,030,516 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. This amounted to a decrease of $657,451 or 32.4%.  Overall decreases in personnel related expenses were due to lower option grants made to employees and directors offset by higher staffing levels in 2015. Other personnel related expenses include employer taxes, employee benefits and other employee related costs.

Mobile platform processing expenses

Mobile platform processing expenses were $433,468 and $245,097 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase of $188,371 was the result of increased costs in our operations due to increased licensees during the third quarter of 2015.


Amortization of intangible assets

Amortization of intangible assets was $84,660 and $77,887 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

General and administrative expenses
 
General and administrative expenses totaled $1,332,498 and $444,259 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 2014, respectively. The increase of $888,239 was mainly due to increased legal fees investor relations expenses and depreciation expense.  The Company accelerated the depreciation in the amount of $439,000 on the kiosks, which have seven inch screens, to reduce their net book value to zero due to technological obsolescence.  In the fourth quarter, they will be replaced by ten inch screens and some new seven inch screens which will be able to run offline from Wi-Fi, have faster processors and ultra-sharp screens, and have licensee reporting tools.
 
Bad debt expense

Bad debt expenses totaled $878,472 and $69,445 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  We recorded bad debt write-offs due to non-performing accounts in our SMS division and our Note from a third party.
 
Earn-out liability expense

The change in fair value of earn-out liability expenses totaled $0 and $(380,358) for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  We recorded the change in earn-out liability due to our updated operating assumptions in the underlying valuation related to the SMS acquisition.

Non-operating income and expense

For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, net interest income totaled $7,305 and ($711), respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, amortization of debt discount totaled ($188,972) and $0, respectively.  The increase of ($188,972) was due to the convertible notes financings entered into during the three months ended June 30, 2015.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recognized a gain and a (loss) from the change in the fair value of derivative liabilities of $286,563 and ($200,237), respectively. These derivative liabilities are the fair value of warrants issued in fiscal 2010 with anti-dilution privileges and warrants issued in fiscal 2012 with certain registration privileges and the fair value of the bifurcated conversion options in convertible notes.

Discontinued operations

On November 26, 2014, as part of SpendSmart Networks, Inc.'s (the "Company") efforts to reduce expenses as well as focus its resources on its Mobile and Loyalty Marketing Division, we decided to begin a wind down of the operations of its Card Division.  We have classified this as discontinued operations.  For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the net loss from discontinued operations totaled $0 and $719,893, respectively.
 
 Net loss and net loss per share
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, our net loss was $2,815,646 and $2,386,538, respectively. Our basic and diluted net loss per share was $0.15 and $0.15 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Common stock equivalents and outstanding options and warrants were not included in the calculations due to their effect being anti-dilutive.


Comparison of Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
The Company had total revenues of $5,291,760 and $2,864,513 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our revenues increased $2,427,247 over the prior year due to our acquisition of SMS and TechXpress and the increased number of licensees.
 
Comparison of Operating Expenses for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
In order to better represent our financial results and to make them comparable to leading companies in the mobile marketing industry, we have classified our operating expenses into four major categories: (1) selling and marketing; (2) personnel related; (3) operations; and (4) general and administrative expenses. We do not allocate common expenses to any of these expense categories.
 
Selling and marketing expenses
  
Selling and marketing expenses were $642,242 and $455,969 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase of $186,276 was mostly due to our SMS acquisition during the first quarter 2014 and marketing spend to bring more brand awareness to our products during the first two quarters of 2015.

Personnel related expenses
 
Personnel related expenses were $4,475,836 and $5,328,389 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. This amounted to a decrease of $852,553 or a 16.0% decrease.  Overall decreases in personnel related expenses were due to significantly higher option grants in 2014 made to employees and directors offset by higher payroll related costs due to our SMS and TechXpress acquisition. Other personnel related expenses include employer taxes, employee benefits and other employee related costs.

Mobile platform processing expenses

Mobile platform processing expenses were $1,036,965 and $663,397 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase of $373,568 was the result of our SMS acquisition during the first quarter 2014

Amortization of intangible assets

Amortization of intangible assets was $253,219 and $203,388 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The increase of $49,831 was mainly due to our SMS and TechXpress acquisitions.

General and administrative expenses
 
General and administrative expenses totaled $2,654,748 and $1,471,868 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 2014, respectively. The increase of $1,182,880 was mainly due to the increased legal expenses, investor relations costs, and depreciation expense.  The Company accelerated the depreciation in the amount of $439,000 on the kiosks, which have seven inch screens, to reduce their net book value to zero due to technological obsolescence.  In the fourth quarter, they will be replaced by ten inch screens and some new seven inch screens which will be able to run offline from Wi-Fi, have faster processors and ultra-sharp screens, and have licensee reporting tools.
 
Bad debt expense

Bad debt expenses totaled $1,313,349 and $199,087 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  We recorded bad debt write-offs due to non-performing accounts in our SMS division and our Note from a third party.
 
Earn-out liability expense

The change in fair value of earn-out liability expenses totaled ($58,754) and ($276,257) for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  We recorded the change in earn-out liability due to our updated operating assumptions in the underlying valuation related to the SMS acquisition.

Non-operating income and expense

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, net interest income totaled $60,202 and ($448), respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, amortization of debt discount totaled ($325,910) and $0, respectively.  The increase was due to the convertible notes financings during the three months ended June 30, 2015.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recognized a gain and a (loss), respectively, from the change in the fair value of derivative liabilities of $233,235 and ($260,829), respectively. These derivative liabilities are the fair value of warrants issued in fiscal 2010 with anti-dilution privileges and warrants issued in fiscal 2012 with certain registration privileges and the fair value of the bifurcated conversion options in convertible notes

Discontinued operations

On November 26, 2014, as part of SpendSmart Networks, Inc.'s (the "Company") efforts to reduce expenses as well as focus its resources on its Mobile and Loyalty Marketing Division, we decided to begin a wind down of the operations of its Card Division.  We have classified this as discontinued operations.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the net loss from discontinued operations totaled $0 and $2,731,009, respectively.
 
Net loss and net loss per share
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, our net loss was $5,058,318 and $8,173,614, respectively. Our basic and diluted net loss per share was $0.27 and $0.53 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Common stock equivalents and outstanding options and warrants were not included in the calculations due to their effect being anti-dilutive and the fair value of the bifurcated conversion options in convertible note.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
We have primarily financed our operations to date through the sale of unregistered equity. At September 30, 2015, our total current assets were $1,146,907. Total current liabilities were $3,509,007, long-term liabilities were $535,462, and our stockholders’ equity totaled $4,044,396. At September 30, 2014, our total current assets were $4,570,158. Total current liabilities were $1,327,371, long-term liabilities were $960,986, and our stockholders’ equity totaled $10,349,381.  These liabilities represent the fair value of the warrants. Any future settlement of these securities could result either: (1) upon their expiration unexercised; or (2) upon their exercise and receipt of cash by our Company of the cash proceeds of their exercise (assuming the exercise is not affected on a cashless basis allowed by some of the outstanding warrants accounted for as derivatives).

We may raise additional funding through the sale of unregistered common stock and warrants although there can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising such funds. This description of our recent financing and our future plans does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy our securities, nor shall such securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements and certificates evidencing such shares contain a legend stating the same.
 
Our cash and cash equivalents balance at September 30, 2015 totaled $25,846.


Going Concern
 
As noted above (and by our independent registered public accounting firm in their report on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the two-year period ended December 31, 2014), there exists substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our condensed consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2015 do not contain any adjustments related to the outcome of this uncertainty.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We continually evaluate our estimates and judgments and we base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Materially different results can occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known.

Contractual Obligations
 
Our corporate offices are located in San Luis Obispo, CA, where we lease offices in two different locations with approximately 10,000 square feet of office space.  The monthly payment is approximately $10,572, including association and common area maintenance charges and we have lease payment obligations remaining through December 2017. The building that we lease at 805 Aerovista Parkway is owned by Alexander P Minicucci Trust, which is a related party transaction due to the trust being controlled by the Company's chief executive officer. The Company assumed the lease at or near the time of the asset purchase agreement between the Company and SMS Masterminds/Intellectual Capital at which time the office became the company's corporate headquarters.

On July 17, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement with Sea Oak, LP (the “Landlord”), under which the Company has agreed to lease approximately 2,913 square feet of office space to be utilized for additional sales personnel, the office to be located at 3450 Broad Street, Suite 104, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.  The term of the lease will commence on July 17, 2015 and continue for forty months. The Company has an option to renew the lease for two renewal terms of three years each. Under the lease agreement, the first four months are rent-free and then the base rent will be approximately $4,136 per month for the following twelve months.  The base rent will increase to approximately $4,748 per month for the twelve months thereafter and $4,864 per month for the twelve months thereafter.  In addition to monthly base rent, the Company will pay its pro rata share of the Landlord’s common area operating expenses associated with the premises. If the Company exercises its option to renew the lease, the base rent will be negotiated between the parties to determine the appropriate market rate at that time.
 
With the exception of employment agreements and lease agreements described elsewhere herein, we have no outstanding contractual obligations through the date of this report that are not cancellable at our Company’s option.

Critical Accounting Policies Involving Management Estimates and Assumptions
 
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We continually evaluate our estimates and judgments and we base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Materially different results can occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known.
  
 
In preparing our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we must make a variety of estimates that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures. We have identified the following accounting policies that we believe require application of management’s most subjective judgments, often requiring the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in the notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this filing. If actual results differ significantly from our estimates and projections, there could be a material effect on our financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We generate revenues primarily in the form of set up fees, recurring license fees, messaging, equipment and marketing services fees and value added mobile marketing and mobile commerce services.  License fees are charged monthly for our support services.  Set-up fees primarily consist of fees for website development services (including support and unspecified upgrades and enhancements when and if they are available), training and professional services that are not essential to functionality.
 
We recognize revenues when all of the following criteria are met:

there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; 
   
the products or services have been delivered to the customer; 
   
the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable; and 
   
the collection of the related fees is reasonably assured.

Signed agreements are used as evidence of an arrangement. Electronic delivery occurs when we provide the customer with access to the software via a username and password. We assess whether a fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of the arrangement, primarily based on the payment terms associated with the transaction. We do offer extended payment terms with regards to the setup fee with typical terms of payment due between one and three years from delivery of license. We assess collectability of the set-up fee based on a number of factors such as collection history and creditworthiness of the customer. If we determine that collectability is not probable, revenue is deferred until collectability becomes probable, generally upon receipt of cash.

When contracts contain multiple elements wherein vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") exists for all undelivered elements and the services, if any, are not essential to the functionality of the delivered elements, we account for the delivered elements in accordance with the "Residual Method." Revenues related to term license fees are recognized ratably over the contract term beginning on the date the customer has access to the license and continuing through the end of the contract term.

License arrangements may also include set-up fees such as website development, delivery of tablets, professional services and training services, which are typically delivered within 90 days of the contract term. In determining whether set-up fee revenues should be accounted for separately from license revenues, we evaluate whether the set-up fees are considered essential to the functionality of the license using factors such as the nature of our products; whether they are ready for use by the customer upon receipt; the nature of our implementation services, which typically do not involve significant customization to or development of the underlying software code; the availability of services from other vendors; whether the timing of payments for license revenues is coincident with performance of services; and whether milestones or acceptance criteria exist that affect the realization of the license fee. Substantially all of our set-up fees arrangements are recognized as the services are performed. VSOE of fair value of set-up fees is based upon stand-alone sales of those services. Payments received in advance of services performed are deferred and recognized when the related services are performed.


We do not offer refunds and therefore have not recorded any sales return allowance for any of the periods presented. Upon a periodic review of outstanding accounts receivable under the extended payment terms, amounts that are not being paid timely are deemed to be uncollectible and are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Deferred revenue consists substantially of amounts invoiced in advance of revenue recognition for our products and services described above. We recognize deferred revenue as revenue only when the revenue recognition criteria are met.
 
Stock Based Compensation
 
We account for stock based compensation arrangements through the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock based payment awards to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of our stock options and warrants at the date of grant. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions to calculate the value of options and warrants. We use historical company data among other information to estimate the expected price volatility and the expected forfeiture rate and not comparable company information, due to the lack of comparable publicly traded companies that exist in our industry.
 
Derivatives

We account for certain of our outstanding warrants and bifurcated conversion options as derivative liabilities. These derivative liabilities are ineligible for equity classification due to provisions of the instruments that may result in an adjustment to their conversion or exercise prices. The fair value of these liabilities is estimated using option pricing models that are based on the individual characteristics of our warrants, price for our preferred and common stock, on the valuation date as well as assumptions for volatility, remaining expected life, risk-free interest rate and, in some cases, credit spread.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. Based on the Board's decision, public organizations would apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements and have not yet determined the method by which we will adopt the standard.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205 40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Specifically, ASU 2014-15 provides a definition of the term substantial doubt and requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). It also requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans and requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated. The new standard will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Management does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-15 to have a material impact on our financial statements and disclosures.

 
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This ASU requires retrospective adoption and will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We expect the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU provides guidance about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the software license element of the arrangement should be accounted for consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. For public business entities, the amendments will be effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2015-05 on our financial statements and disclosures.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments." The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to estimated amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, rather than retrospectively adjusting amounts previously reported. The amendments require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the estimated amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.  Effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The amendments should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued.  This ASU will not have a material effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2015.
 
Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Intentionally omitted pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K.
 
Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission Act of 1934 reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. As required by Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not operating effectively as of September 30, 2015. Our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the “material weakness” described below.


Based on management's evaluation as of September 30, 2015, our management identified the material weaknesses set forth below in our internal control over financial reporting:
 
(i)
The Company's process for internally reporting material information in a systematic manner to allow for timely filing of material information is ineffective, due to its inherent limitations from being a small company, and there exist material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting that contribute to the weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures.  These weaknesses include:
 
insufficient segregation of duties and oversight of work performed in our finance and accounting function due to limited personnel; and
 
lack of controls in place to ensure that all material transactions and developments impacting the financial statements are reflected.
 
To remediate these control weaknesses, we intend to allow for segregation of duties, a system of internal reviews and checks and balances to strengthen our controls.  We intend to develop and implement a written set of policies and procedures for our operations.  We also intend to change our accounting system to one that provides for proper control over changes and for segregation of duties within the accounting system. 

Our company's management concluded that in light of the material weaknesses described above, our company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015 based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred for the three month period ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Part II: Other Information
 
Item 1 – Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time and in the course of business, we may become involved in various legal proceedings seeking monetary damages and other relief. The amount of any ultimate liability from such claims cannot be determined.   On January 1, 2014, Intellectual Capital Management, LLC dba SMS Masterminds was named in a potential class-action lawsuit titled Telford v. Intellectual Capital, et al, filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of New York relating to alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (the “TCPA”).  The Company believes the Plaintiff’s allegations have no merit but based upon the economics of continued litigation, the Company resolved the lawsuit in May 2015 for the sum of $34,612, and the action is no longer pending. On July 8, 2015, Intellectual Capital Management, LLC dba SMS Masterminds and SpendSmart Networks, Inc. were named in a potential class-action lawsuit entitled Peter Marchelos, et al v. Intellectual Capital Management, et al, filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of New York relating to alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. This litigation involves the same licensee and merchant as the Telford lawsuit and the same attorneys represent the plaintiffs in this action. The Company believes the Plaintiffs’ allegations have no merit and is vigorously defending the action.  Because this lawsuit is in an early stage, we are unable to predict the outcome of the lawsuit and the possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with its resolution or any potential effect the lawsuit may have on our operations.  There are no other legal claims currently pending or threatened against us that in the opinion of our management would be likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A – Risk Factors
 
Investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this herein before making an investment decision.  If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
 
Risks Related to Our Business

OUR FAILURE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL ADEQUATE FINANCING WOULD MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.

We cannot be certain that we will ever generate sufficient revenues and gross margin to achieve profitability in the future.  Our failure to significantly increase revenues or to raise additional adequate and necessary financing would seriously harm our business and operating results.  We have incurred significant costs in building, launching and marketing our Products as well as in our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of SMS Masterminds. We anticipate incurring additional expenses relating to customer account acquisitions, marketing, and building our infrastructure. We closed our offering of our Series C Preferred Stock on March 14, 2014, which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $10,500,000 in the aggregate. If we fail to achieve sufficient revenues and gross margin with our products and services, or our revenues grow more slowly than anticipated, or if our operating or capital expenses increased more than is expected or cannot be reduced in the event of lower revenues, our business will be materially and adversely affected and an investor could suffer the loss of a significant portion or all of his investment in our Company.

THERE ARE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF SMS MASTERMINDS.

An integral part of our current growth strategy was the consummation of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Intellectual Capital Management dba SMS Masterminds. The SMS Masterminds transaction involved a number of risks and presented financial, managerial and operational challenges, including: increased expenses, including legal, administrative and compensation expenses resulting from newly hired employees; increased costs to integrate personnel, customer base and business practices of the acquired assets; adverse effects on reported operating results due to possible write-down of goodwill associated with the acquisition; and dilution to stockholders due to the issuance of securities in the proposed transaction.

THERE ARE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE TECHXPRESS WEB BUSINESS.

Part of our growth strategy was the consummation of the acquisition of substantially all of the web assets of TechXpress. The TechXpress transaction involved a number of risks and presented financial, managerial and operational challenges, including: diversion of management’s attention from running the existing business; increased expenses, including legal, administrative and compensation expenses resulting from newly hired employees; increased costs to integrate personnel, customer base and business practices of the acquired assets; adverse effects on reported operating results due to possible write-down of goodwill associated with the acquisition; and dilution to stockholders due to the issuance of securities in the transaction.
 
WE FACE COMPETITION FROM OTHER MOBILE AND LOYALTY SYSTEMS.

We will face competition from other companies with similar product offerings.  Many of these companies have longer operating histories, greater name recognition and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us.  Many of these companies also have more extensive customer bases, broader customer relationships and broader industry alliances than us, including relationships with many of our potential customers. Increased competition from any of these sources could result in our failure to achieve and maintain an adequate level of customers and market share to support the cost of our operations.


WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES TO DEVELOP OUR PRODUCT OFFERINGS.

Our ability to successfully access the capital markets at the same time that our Company has required funding for the development and marketing of our product offerings is challenging.  This has caused and will likely continue to cause us to restrict funding of the development of our products and to favor the development of one product offering over the other based on their relative estimated potentials for commercial success as evaluated by our management.  We may require additional debt and/or equity financing to pursue our growth strategy. Given our limited operating history and existing losses, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining additional financing. Furthermore, the issuance by us of any additional securities pursuant to any future fundraising activities undertaken by us would dilute the ownership of existing shareholders and may reduce the price of our common stock.  Furthermore, debt financing, if available, will require payment of interest and may involve restrictive covenants that could impose limitations on our operating flexibility. Our current focus is our Mobile and Loyalty Marketing program.  The failure of this program to be commercially successful would substantially harm our business and results of operations.  Our failure to successfully obtain additional future funding may jeopardize our ability to continue our business and operations.  Furthermore, in the future we may determine that it is in the best interest of our Company to severely curtail, license, jointly develop with a third party or sell one of our product offerings, which may be on terms which limit the revenue potential of the product offering to our Company.
 
WE RELY ON THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTORS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO OUR BUSINESS SUCH AS CELLULAR SERVICE PROVIDERS, INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS, PROGRAMMERS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKS.

We will be dependent on other companies to provide necessary products and services in connection with key elements of our business. Any interruption in our ability to utilize these services, or comparable quality replacements would severely harm our business and results of operations.  Should any of these adverse contingencies result, they could substantially harm our business and results of operations and an investor could suffer the loss of a significant portion or all of his investment in our Company.

CHANGES IN LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO WHICH WE ARE SUBJECT, OR TO WHICH WE MAY BECOME SUBJECT, MAY INCREASE OUR COSTS OF OPERATION, DECREASE OUR OPERATING REVENUES AND DISRUPT OUR BUSINESS.

Changes in laws and regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof may occur that could increase our compliance and other costs of doing business, require significant systems redevelopment, or render our products or services less profitable or obsolete, any of which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. We face more stringent Telephone Consumer Protection Act regulations, as well as more stringent compliance which could be expensive and time consuming, and any failure to compy could result in litigation. Changes in laws and regulations governing the way our products and services are sold and utilized or in the way those laws and regulations are interpreted or enforced could adversely affect our ability to distribute our products and the cost of providing those products and services. If onerous regulatory requirements were imposed on the sale of our products and services, the requirements could lead to a loss of merchants and subscribers, which in turn could materially and adversely impact our operations.
 
THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT MAY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON OUR BUSINESS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
 
In July 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“DFA”). The DFA, as well as regulations promulgated thereunder, could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
The DFA has resulted in increased scrutiny and oversight of consumer financial services and products, primarily through the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) within the Federal Reserve. The CFPB has broad rulemaking and enforcement authority over providers of pre-paid cards, among other credit providers. The CFPB has the authority to write regulations under federal consumer financial protection laws, and to enforce those laws. The CFPB regulations have yet to be fully promulgated and depending on how the CFPB functions, it could have a material adverse impact on our business. The impact this new regulatory regime will have on the Company’s business is uncertain at this time.


Many provisions of the DFA require the adoption of rules to implement. In addition, the DFA mandates multiple studies, which could result in additional legislative or regulatory action. Therefore, the ultimate consequences of the DFA and its impact on our Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition remain uncertain.
 
WE ARE SUBJECT TO VARIOUS PRIVACY RELATED REGULATIONS, INCLUDING THE GRAMM-LEACH-BLILEY ACT WHICH MAY INCLUDE AN INCREASED COST OF COMPLIANCE.
 
We are subject to various laws, rules and regulations related to privacy, information security and data protection, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and we could be negatively impacted by these laws, rules and regulations. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act guidelines require, among other things, that each financial institution develop, implement and maintain a written, comprehensive information security program containing safeguards that are appropriate to the financial institution’s size and complexity, the nature and scope of the financial institution’s activities and the sensitivity of any customer information at issue. Our management believes that we are currently operating in compliance with these regulations. However, continued compliance with these laws, rules and regulations regarding the privacy, security and protection of customer and employee data, or the implementation of any additional privacy rules and regulations, could result in higher compliance and technology costs for our Company.
 
OUR BUSINESS COULD SUFFER IF THERE IS A DECLINE IN THE USE OF SMS SERVICES OR THERE ARE ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE SMS SERVICES INDUSTRY IN GENERAL.

As the mobile services industry evolves, consumers may find SMS services to be less attractive than other mobile messaging and communication services. Consumers might not use SMS services if less expensive services and technologies are offered.  If consumer acceptance of SMS services as a form of communication does not continue to develop or develops more slowly than expected or if there is a shift form of mobile communications it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

A DATA SECURITY BREACH COULD EXPOSE US TO LIABILITY AND PROTRACTED AND COSTLY LITIGATION, AND COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR REPUTATION AND OPERATING REVENUES.

We, the banks that issue our cards, network acceptance members and/or third-party processors receive, transmit and store confidential customer and other information in connection with the sale and use of our prepaid cards. Encryption software and the other technologies used to provide security for storage, processing and transmission of confidential customer and other information may not be effective to protect against data security breaches by third parties. The risk of unauthorized circumvention of such security measures has been heightened by advances in computer capabilities and the increasing sophistication of hackers. Improper access to our or these third parties’ systems or databases could result in the theft, publication, deletion or modification of confidential customer and other information. A data security breach of the systems on which sensitive cardholder data and account information are stored could lead to fraudulent activity involving our products and services, reputational damage and claims or regulatory actions against us. If we are sued in connection with any data security breach, we could be involved in protracted and costly litigation. If unsuccessful in defending that litigation, we might be forced to pay damages and/or change our business practices or pricing structure, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating revenues and profitability. We would also likely have to pay (or indemnify the banks that issue our cards for) fines, penalties and/or other assessments imposed as a result of any data security breach. Further, a significant data security breach could lead to additional regulation, which could impose new and costly compliance obligations. In addition, a data security breach at the bank that issues our cards, network acceptance members or third-party processors could result in significant reputational harm to us and cause the use and acceptance of our cards to decline, either of which could have a significant adverse impact on our operating revenues and future growth prospects.


OUR ABILITY TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY SURROUNDING OUR SMS MESSAGING, WEB TOOLS, WEBSITE BUILDING TOOLS AND PREPAID CARDS IS UNCERTAIN.

Our future success may depend significantly on our ability to protect our proprietary rights to the intellectual property upon which our products and services will be based.  Any patents we obtain in the future may be challenged by re-examination or otherwise invalidated or eventually be found unenforceable. Both the patent application process and the process of managing patent disputes can be time consuming and expensive. Competitors may attempt to challenge or invalidate our patents, or may be able to design alternative techniques or devices that avoid infringement of our patents, or develop products with functionalities that are comparable to ours. In the event a competitor infringes upon our patent or other intellectual property rights, litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend our patents against challenge, even if successful, could be expensive and time consuming and could require significant time and attention from our management. We may not have sufficient resources to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend our patents against challenges from others.

WE ARE DEPENDENT UPON CONSUMER TASTES WITH RESPECT TO PREFERRED METHODS OF MOBILE COMMUNICATION FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

Our product offerings’ acceptance by consumers and their consequent generation of revenues will depend upon a variety of unpredictable factors, including:
 
·
Public taste, which is always subject to change;
 
·
The quantity and popularity of other communication platforms; and
 
·
The fact that the sales methods chosen for the products and services we market may be ineffective.

For any of these reasons, our programs may be commercially unsuccessful.  If we are unable to market products which are commercially successful, we may not be able to recoup our expenses and/or generate sufficient revenues. In the event that we are unable to generate sufficient revenues, we may not be able to continue operating as a viable business and an investor could suffer the loss of a significant portion or all of his investment in our Company.
 
THE MOBILE ADVERTISING MARKET MAY DETERIORATE OR DEVELOP MORE SLOWLY THAN EXPECTED, WHICH COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS.

Advertising on mobile connected devices is an emerging industry sector. Advertisers have historically spent a smaller portion of their advertising budgets on mobile media as compared to traditional advertising methods, such as television, newspapers, radio and billboards, or internet advertising such banner ads.  Future demand and market acceptance for mobile advertising is uncertain. Many advertisers still have limited experience with mobile advertising and may continue to devote larger portions of their advertising budgets to more traditional offline or online personal computer-based advertising, instead of shifting additional advertising resources to mobile advertising. In addition, our current and potential advertiser clients may ultimately find mobile advertising to be less effective than traditional advertising media or marketing methods or other technologies for promoting their products and services, and they may even reduce their spending on mobile advertising from current levels as a result. If the market for mobile advertising deteriorates, or develops more slowly than expected, we may not be able to increase our revenue.


SMS MASTERMINDS IS ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS NAMED IN A POTENTIAL CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK RELATING TO ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT.
 
On July 8, 2015, Intellectual Capital Management, LLC dba SMS Masterminds and SpendSmart Networks, Inc. were named in a potential class-action lawsuit entitled Peter Marchelos, et al v. Intellectual Capital Management, et al, filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of New York relating to alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. This litigation involves the same licensee and merchant as the Telford lawsuit and the same attorneys represent the plaintiffs in this action.  The complaint alleges that SMS Masterminds sent unsolicited text messages to the plaintiff and other recipients without the prior express invitation or permission of the recipients and such plaintiff is now seeking unspecified monetary damages, injunctive relief, costs and attorneys’ fees.  We believe Plaintiff’s allegations have no merit and will vigorously defend against Plaintiff’s claims.  Litigation is subject to numerous uncertainties and we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of this or any other matter. Moreover, the amount of any potential liability in connection with this lawsuit will depend, to a large extent, on whether a class in a class action lawsuit is certified and, if one is certified, on the scope of the class, neither of which we can predict at this time. These and any future lawsuits that we may face regarding these issues could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, cause us to incur significant expenses and divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations.
 
IF MOBILE CONNECTED DEVICES, THEIR OPERATING SYSTEMS OR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS, INCLUDING THOSE CONTROLLED BY OUR PRIMARY COMPETITORS, DEVELOP IN WAYS THAT PREVENT OUR ADVERTISING FROM BEING DELIVERED TO OUR USERS, OUR ABILITY TO GROW OUR BUSINESS WILL BE IMPAIRED.

Our mobile marketing business model depends upon the continued compatibility of our mobile advertising platform with most mobile connected devices, as well as the major operating systems that run on them. The design of mobile devices and operating systems is controlled by third parties with whom we do not have any formal relationships. These parties frequently introduce new devices, and from time to time they may introduce new operating systems or modify existing ones.

OUR MOBILE MARKETING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS THAT ARE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THIRD PARTIES WHO WE DO NOT CONTROL AND THE FAILURE OF ANY OF THESE NETWORKS WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER OUR SERVICES TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

Our mobile marketing and advertising platform is dependent on the reliability of mobile operators who maintain sophisticated and complex mobile networks. Such mobile networks have historically, and particularly in recent years, been subject to both rapid growth and technological change. If the network of a mobile operator with which we are integrated should fail, including because of new technology incompatibility, the degradation of network performance under the strain of too many mobile consumers using it, or a general failure from natural disaster or political or regulatory shut-down, we will not be able provide our services to customers through such mobile network. This in turn, would impair our reputation and business, potentially resulting in a material, adverse effect on our financial results.
 
THE SUCCESS OF OUR MOBILE MARKETING BUSINESS DEPENDS, IN PART, ON WIRELESS CARRIERS CONTINUING TO ACCEPT OUR CUSTOMERS' MESSAGES FOR DELIVERY TO THEIR SUBSCRIBER BASE.

We depend on wireless carriers to deliver our customers' messages to their subscriber base. Wireless carriers often impose standards of conduct or practice that significantly exceed current legal requirements and potentially classify our messages as "spam," even where we do not agree with that conclusion. In addition, the wireless carriers use technical and other measures to attempt to block non-compliant senders from transmitting messages to their customers; for example, wireless carriers block short codes or Internet Protocol addresses associated with those senders. There can be no guarantee that our, or short codes registered to us, will not be blocked or blacklisted or that we will be able to successfully remove ourselves from those lists. Although our services typically require customers to opt-in to a campaign, minimizing the risk that its customers' messages will be characterized as spam, blocking of this type could interfere with its ability to market products and services of its customers and communicate with end users and could undermine the effectiveness of our customers' marketing campaigns. To date we have not experienced any material blocking of our messages by wireless carriers, but any such blocking could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.


MOBILE CONNECTED DEVICE USERS MAY CHOOSE NOT TO ALLOW ADVERTISING ON THEIR DEVICES.

The success of our mobile marketing business model depends on our ability to deliver targeted, highly relevant ads to consumers on their mobile connected devices. Targeted advertising is done primarily through analysis of data, much of which is collected on the basis of user-provided permissions. This data might include a device's location or data collected when device users view an advertisement or video or when they click on or otherwise engage with an advertisement. Users may elect not to allow data sharing for targeted advertising for a number of reasons, such as privacy concerns, or pricing mechanisms that may charge the user based upon the amount or types of data consumed on the device. Users may also elect to opt out of receiving targeted advertising from our platform. In addition, the designers of mobile device operating systems are increasingly promoting features that allow device users to disable some of the functionality, which may impair or disable the delivery of ads on their devices, and device manufacturers may include these features as part of their standard device specifications. Although we are not aware of any such products that are widely used in the market today, as has occurred in the online advertising industry, companies may develop products that enable users to prevent ads from appearing on their mobile device screens. If any of these developments were to occur, our ability to deliver effective advertising campaigns on behalf of our advertiser clients would suffer, which could hurt our ability to generate revenue.
 
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ENHANCE OUR MOBILE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING PLATFORM TO KEEP PACE WITH TECHNOLOGICAL AND MARKET DEVELOPMENTS, OR TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE AGAINST POTENTIAL NEW ENTRANTS IN OUR MARKETS.

The market for mobile marketing and advertising services is emerging and is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions and short product life cycles. Our current platform or platforms we may offer in the future may not be acceptable to marketers and advertisers. To keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasing customer requirements and achieve acceptance of our marketing and advertising campaigns, we will need to enhance our current mobile marketing solutions and continue to develop and introduce on a timely basis new, innovative mobile marketing services offering compatibility, enhanced features and functionality on a timely basis at competitive prices. Our inability, for technological or other reasons, to enhance, develop, introduce and deliver compelling mobile marketing services in a timely manner, or at all, in response to changing market conditions, technologies or customer expectations could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or could result in our mobile marketing services platform becoming obsolete. Our ability to compete successfully will depend in large measure on our ability to maintain a technically skilled development and engineering staff and to adapt to technological changes and advances in the industry, including providing for the continued compatibility of our mobile marketing services platform with evolving industry standards and protocols. In addition, as we believe the mobile marketing market is likely to grow substantially, other companies which are larger and have significantly more capital to invest than us may emerge as competitors.  New entrants could seek to gain market share by introducing new technology or reducing pricing. This may make it more difficult for us to sell our products and services, and could result in increased pricing pressure, reduced profit margins, increased sales and marketing expenses or the loss of market share or expected market share, any of which may significantly harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
OUR SALES EFFORTS WITH LICENSEES REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT TIME AND EXPENSE.

Attracting new licensees requires substantial time and expense, and we may not be successful in establishing new relationships or in maintaining or advancing current relationships. Further, it may be difficult for our licensees to identify, engage and market to potential merchant clients who do not currently spend on mobile advertising or are unfamiliar with our current services or platform. Furthermore, many merchant’s purchasing and design decisions typically require input from multiple internal constituencies.

The novelty of our services and our business model often requires us to spend substantial time and effort educating potential licensees about our offerings, including providing demonstrations and comparisons against other available services. This process can be costly and time-consuming. If we are not successful in streamlining our sales processes with licensees or successfully assisting licensees in selling to merchants, our ability to grow our business may be adversely affected.
 

IF WE CANNOT INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF OUR MOBILE ADVERTISING TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM TO MEET MERCHANT OR DEVICE USER DEMAND, OUR BUSINESS WILL BE HARMED.

We must be able to continue to increase the capacity of our technology platform in order to support substantial increases in the number of merchants and device users, to support an increasing variety of advertising formats and to maintain a stable service infrastructure and reliable service delivery for our mobile advertising campaigns. If we are unable to efficiently and effectively increase the scale of our mobile advertising platform to support and manage a substantial increase in the number of merchants and mobile device users, while also maintaining a high level of performance, the quality of our services could decline and our reputation and business could be seriously harmed. In addition, if we are not able to support emerging mobile advertising formats or services preferred by advertisers, we may be unable to obtain new advertising clients or may lose existing advertising clients, and in either case our revenue could decline.

SYSTEM FAILURES COULD SIGNIFICANTLY DISRUPT OUR OPERATIONS AND CAUSE US TO LOSE ADVERTISER CLIENTS OR ADVERTISING INVENTORY.

Our success depends on the continuing and uninterrupted performance of our own internal systems, which are utilized to send messages, and monitor the performance of advertising campaigns. Our revenue depends on the technological ability of our platform to deliver ads. Sustained or repeated system failures that interrupt our ability to provide services to clients, including technological failures affecting our ability to deliver ads quickly and accurately and to process mobile device users' responses to ads, could significantly reduce the attractiveness of our services to advertisers and reduce our revenue. Our systems are vulnerable to damage from a variety of sources, including telecommunications failures, power outages, malicious human acts and natural disasters. In addition, any steps we take to increase the reliability and redundancy of our systems may be expensive and may not be successful in preventing system failures.
 
ACTIVITIES OF LICENSEES OR MERCHANTS COULD DAMAGE OUR REPUTATION OR GIVE RISE TO LEGAL CLAIMS AGAINST US.

A merchant’s promotion of their products and services may not comply with federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations relating to mobile communications. Failure of a licensee or merchant to comply with federal, state or local laws or our policies could damage our reputation and expose us to liability under these laws. We may also be liable to third parties for content in the ads it delivers if the artwork, text or other content involved violates copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights of third parties or if the content is defamatory, unfair and deceptive, or otherwise in violation of applicable laws. Although we generally receive assurance from licensees that ads are lawful and that they have the right to use any copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property included in a communication, and although we are normally indemnified by the licensees, a third party or regulatory authority may still file a claim against us. Any such claims could be costly and time-consuming to defend and could also hurt our reputation within the mobile advertising industry. Further, if we are exposed to legal liability, we could be required to pay substantial fines or penalties, redesign our business methods, discontinue some of its services or otherwise expend significant resources.

SOFTWARE AND COMPONENTS THAT WE INCORPORATE INTO OUR MOBILE ADVERTISING PLATFORM MAY CONTAIN ERRORS OR DEFECTS, WHICH COULD HARM OUR REPUTATION AND HURT ITS BUSINESS.

We use a combination of custom and third-party software, including open source software, in building our mobile advertising platform. Although we test software before incorporating it into our platform, we cannot guarantee that all of the third-party technology that we incorporate will not contain errors, bugs or other defects. We continue to launch enhancements to our mobile advertising platform, and cannot guarantee any such enhancements will be free from these kinds of defects. If errors or other defects occur in technology that we utilize in our mobile advertising platform, it could result in damage to our reputation and losses in revenue, and we could be required to spend significant amounts of additional resources to fix any problems.


OUR INABILITY TO USE SOFTWARE LICENSED FROM THIRD PARTIES, OR OUR USE OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE UNDER LICENSE TERMS THAT INTERFERE WITH OUR PROPRIETARY RIGHTS, COULD DISRUPT OUR BUSINESS.

Our technology platform incorporates software licensed from third parties, including some software, known as open source software, which we use without charge. Although we monitor our use of open source software, U.S. or foreign courts have not interpreted the terms of many open source licenses to which we are subject, and there is a risk that such licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to provide our platform to our clients. In the future, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties in order to continue offering our platform, which licenses may not be available on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. Alternatively, we may need to re-engineer our platform or discontinue use of portions of the functionality provided by our platform. In addition, the terms of open source software licenses may require us to provide software that we develop to others on unfavorable license terms. Our inability to use third-party software could result in disruptions to our business, or delays in the development of future offerings or enhancements of existing offerings, which could impair our business.
 
IF OUR MOBILE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING SERVICES PLATFORM DOES NOT SCALE AS ANTICIPATED, OUR BUSINESS WILL BE HARMED.

We must be able to continue to scale to support potential ongoing substantial increases in the number of users in our actual commercial environment, and maintain a stable service infrastructure and reliable service delivery for our mobile marketing and advertising campaigns. In addition, we must continue to expand our service infrastructure to handle growth in customers and usage. If our mobile marketing services platform does not efficiently and effectively scale to support and manage a substantial increase in the number of users while maintaining a high level of performance, the quality of our services could decline and our business will be seriously harmed. In addition, if we are unable to secure data center space with appropriate power, cooling and bandwidth capacity, we may not be able to efficiently and effectively scale our business to manage the addition of new customers and overall mobile marketing campaigns.
 
IF A PORTION OF OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS DEEMED TO BE A FRANCHISE OUR BUSINESS COULD BE INTERUPTED.

Although our business model related to the Mobile and Loyalty Program is based upon a license, we cannot guarantee that any state’s franchise department will not find our model to be a franchise and require a transition to said model with possible associated penalties, fees, costs, and business delays and interruptions.

OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES WITH RESPECT TO DATA MAY GIVE RISE TO LIABILITIES OR REPUTATIONAL HARM AS A RESULT OF GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION, LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OR INDUSTRY STANDARDS RELATING TO CONSUMER PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION.

In the course of providing services, we transmit and store information related to mobile devices and the ads we place with that user's consent. Federal, state and international laws and regulations govern the collection, use, retention, sharing and security of data that we collect across our mobile marketing platform. We strive to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and legal obligations relating to privacy and data protection. However, it is possible that these requirements may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with U.S. federal, state, or international laws, including laws and regulations regulating privacy or consumer protection, could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others. From time to time, there are several ongoing lawsuits filed against companies in our industry alleging various violations of privacy-related laws. These proceedings could hurt our reputation, force us to spend significant amounts in defense of these proceedings, distract our management, increase our costs of doing business, adversely affect the demand for our services and ultimately result in the imposition of monetary liability.


The regulatory framework for privacy issues worldwide is evolving, and various government and consumer agencies and public advocacy groups have called for new regulation and changes in industry practices, including some directed at the mobile industry in particular. It is possible that new laws and regulations will be adopted in the United States and internationally, or existing laws and regulations may be interpreted in new ways, that would affect our business, particularly with regard to location-based services, collection or use of data to target ads and communication with consumers via mobile devices.

The U.S. government, including the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, and the Department of Commerce, has announced that it is reviewing the need for greater regulation of the collection of consumer information, including regulation aimed at restricting some targeted advertising practices. The FTC has also proposed revisions to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, that could, if adopted, create greater compliance burdens on us. COPPA imposes a number of obligations, such as obtaining parental permission, on website operators to the extent they collect certain information from children who are under 13 years old. The proposed changes would broaden the applicability of COPPA, including the types of information that would be subject to these regulations, and could apply to information that we or our clients collect through mobile devices or apps that is not currently subject to COPPA.
 
As we expand our operations globally, compliance with regulations that differ from country to country may also impose substantial burdens on its business. In particular, the European Union has traditionally taken a broader view as to what is considered personal information and has imposed greater obligations under data privacy regulations. In addition, individual EU member countries have had discretion with respect to their interpretation and implementation of the regulations, which has resulted in variation of privacy standards from country to country. In January 2012, the European Commission announced significant proposed reforms to its existing data protection legal framework, including changes in obligations of data controllers and processors, the rights of data subjects and data security and breach notification requirements. The EU proposals, if implemented, may result in a greater compliance burden if SMS Masterminds delivers ads to mobile device users in Europe. Complying with any new regulatory requirements could force us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner that could compromise our ability to effectively pursue its growth strategy.

In addition to compliance with government regulations, we voluntarily participate in several trade associations and industry self-regulatory groups that promulgate best practices or codes of conduct addressing the provision of location-based services, delivery of promotional content to mobile devices, and tracking of device users or devices for the purpose of delivering targeted advertising. We could be adversely affected by changes to these guidelines and codes in ways that are inconsistent with our practices or in conflict with the laws and regulations of U.S. or international regulatory authorities. If we are perceived as not operating in accordance with industry best practices or any such guidelines or codes with regard to privacy, our reputation may suffer and we could lose relationships with advertiser or developer partners.

WE DEPEND ON THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS FOR A RELIABLE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE FAILURE OF THESE THIRD PARTIES, OR THE INTERNET IN GENERAL, FOR ANY REASON WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS.

We outsource all of our data center facility management to third parties who host the actual servers and provide power and security in multiple data centers in each geographic location. These third party facilities require uninterrupted access to the Internet.  If the operation of our servers is interrupted for any reason, including natural disaster, financial insolvency of a third party provider, or malicious electronic intrusion into the data center, our business would be significantly damaged.  As has occurred with many Internet-based businesses, on occasion in the past, we have been subject to "denial-of-service" attacks in which unknown individuals bombarded its computer servers with requests for data, thereby degrading the servers' performance. While we have historically been successful in relatively quickly identifying and neutralizing these attacks, we cannot be certain that we will be able to do so in the future. If either a third party facility failed, or our ability to access the Internet was interfered with because of the failure of Internet equipment in general or we become subject to malicious attacks of computer intruders, our business and operating results will be materially adversely affected.


Financial Risks

OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED ASSUMING THAT OUR COMPANY WILL CONTINUE AS A GOING CONCERN.

The factors described herein raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from this uncertainty. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern in their audit report for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.   If we cannot generate the required revenues and gross margin to achieve profitability or obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, we will need to substantially revise our business plan or cease operations and an investor could suffer the loss of a significant portion or all of his investment in our Company.
 
CURRENT MACRO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF OUR COMPANY.

Continuing recessionary conditions in the global economy threaten to cause further tightening of the credit and equity markets and more stringent lending and investing standards. The persistence of these conditions could have a material adverse effect on our access to further needed capital. In addition, further deterioration in the economy could adversely affect our corporate results, which could adversely affect our financial condition and operations.
 
WE DO NOT EXPECT TO PAY DIVIDENDS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, AND WE MAY NEVER PAY DIVIDENDS AND, CONSEQUENTLY, THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTORS TO ACHIEVE A RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT IS IF A TRADING MARKET DEVELOPS AND INVESTORS ARE ABLE TO SELL THEIR SHARES FOR A PROFIT OR IF OUR BUSINESS IS SOLD AT A PRICE THAT ENABLES INVESTORS TO RECOGNIZE A PROFIT.

We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Our payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including but not limited to our financial condition, operating results, cash needs, growth plans and the terms of any credit agreements that we may be a party to at the time. In addition, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited by state law. Accordingly, we cannot assure investors any return on their investment, other than in connection with a sale of their shares or a sale of our business. At the present time there is a limited trading market for our shares. Therefore, holders of our securities may be unable to sell them. We cannot assure investors that an active trading market will develop or that any third party will offer to purchase our business on acceptable terms and at a price that would enable our investors to recognize a profit.

OUR NET OPERATING LOSS (“NOL”) CARRY-FORWARD IS LIMITED.

We have recorded a valuation allowance amounting to our entire net deferred tax asset balance due to our lack of a history of earnings, possible statutory limitations on the use of tax loss carry-forwards generated in the past and the future expiration of our NOL.  This gives rise to uncertainty as to whether the net deferred tax asset is realizable.  Internal Revenue Code Section 382, and similar California rules, place a limitation on the amount of taxable income that can be offset by carry-forwards after a change in control (generally greater than a 50% change in ownership).  As a result of these provisions, it is likely that given our acquisition of Intellectual Capital Management, future utilization of the NOL will be severely limited.  Our inability to use our Company’s historical NOL, or the full amount of the NOL, would limit our ability to offset any future tax liabilities with its NOL.


Corporate and Other Risks

LIMITATIONS ON DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF OUR COMPANY’S OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS BY US MAY DISCOURAGE STOCKHOLDERS FROM BRINGING SUIT AGAINST AN OFFICER OR DIRECTOR.

Our Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws provide, with certain exceptions as permitted by governing state law, that a director or officer shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud or knowing violation of law, or unlawful payments of dividends. These provisions may discourage stockholders from bringing suit against a director for breach of fiduciary duty and may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation brought by stockholders on our behalf against a director.
 
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INDEMNIFICATION OF OUR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.

Should our officers and/or directors require us to contribute to their defense, we may be required to spend significant amounts of our capital. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws as well as an indemnification agreement also provide for the indemnification of our directors, officers, employees, and agents, under certain circumstances, against attorney's fees and other expenses incurred by them in any litigation to which they become a party arising from their association with or activities on behalf of our Company. This indemnification policy could result in substantial expenditures, which we may be unable to recoup. If these expenditures are significant, or involve issues which result in significant liability for our key personnel, we may be unable to continue operating as a going concern.
 
OUR EMPLOYEES, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND INSIDER STOCKHOLDERS BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONTROL A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK, WHICH MAY LIMIT YOUR ABILITY AND THE ABILITY OF OUR OTHER STOCKHOLDERS, WHETHER ACTING ALONE OR TOGETHER, TO PROPOSE OR DIRECT THE MANAGEMENT OR OVERALL DIRECTION OF OUR COMPANY.

Additionally, this concentration of ownership could discourage or prevent a potential takeover of our Company that might otherwise result in an investor receiving a premium over the market price for his shares. Approximately half of our outstanding shares of common stock is beneficially owned and controlled by a group of insiders, including our employees, directors and executive officers. Accordingly, our employees, directors, executive officers and insider shareholders may have the power to control the election of our directors and the approval of actions for which the approval of our stockholders is required. If you acquire shares of our common stock, you may have no effective voice in the management of our Company.  Such concentrated control of our Company may adversely affect the price of our common stock. Our principal stockholders may be able to control matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors, mergers or other business combinations. Such concentrated control may also make it difficult for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock in the event we merge with a third party or enter into different transactions which require stockholder approval. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
 
WE ARE DEPENDENT FOR OUR SUCCESS ON A FEW KEY EMPLOYEES.

Our inability to retain those employees would impede our business plan and growth strategies, which would have a negative impact on our business and the value of your investment. Our success depends on the skills, experience and performance of key members of our Company.  Each of those individuals may voluntarily terminate his employment with our Company at any time. Were we to lose one or more of these key employees, we would be forced to expend significant time and money in the pursuit of a replacement, which would result in both a delay in the implementation of our business plan and the diversion of limited working capital. We do not maintain a key man insurance policy on any of our key employees.


SHOULD WE BE SUCCESSFUL IN TRANSITIONING TO A COMPANY GENERATING SIGNIFICANT REVENUES, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MANAGE OUR GROWTH EFFECTIVELY, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.

The ability to manage and operate our business as we execute our growth strategy will require effective planning. Significant rapid growth could strain our internal resources, leading to a lower quality of customer service, reporting problems and delays in meeting important deadlines resulting in loss of market share and other problems that could adversely affect our financial performance. Our efforts to grow could place a significant strain on our personnel, management systems, infrastructure and other resources. If we do not manage our growth effectively, our operations could be adversely affected, resulting in slower growth and a failure to achieve or sustain profitability.
 
Capital Market Risks

OUR COMMON STOCK IS THINLY TRADED, SO YOU MAY BE UNABLE TO SELL AT OR NEAR ASK PRICES OR AT ALL IF YOU NEED TO SELL YOUR SHARES TO RAISE MONEY OR OTHERWISE DESIRE TO LIQUIDATE YOUR SHARES.

There is limited market activity in our stock and we may be too small to attract the interest of many brokerage firms and analysts. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained. While we are trading on OTCQB, the trading volume we will develop may be limited by the fact that many major institutional investment funds, including mutual funds, as well as individual investors follow a policy of not investing in over-the-counter stocks and certain major brokerage firms restrict their brokers from recommending over-the-counter stocks because they are considered speculative, volatile, thinly traded and the market price of the common stock may not accurately reflect the underlying value of our Company.  The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in our revenues and operating expenses, announcements of new products or services by us, significant sales of our common stock, including “short” sales, the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, and news reports relating to trends in our markets or general economic conditions.
 
THE APPLICATION OF THE “PENNY STOCK” RULES TO OUR COMMON STOCK COULD LIMIT THE TRADING AND LIQUIDITY OF THE COMMON STOCK, ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND INCREASE YOUR TRANSACTION COSTS TO SELL THOSE SHARES.

As long as the trading price of our common stock is below $5 per share, our common stock will be subject to the “penny stock” rules, unless we otherwise qualify for an exemption from the “penny stock” definition. The “penny stock” rules impose additional sales practice requirements on certain broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally those with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 together with their spouse). These regulations, if they apply, require the delivery, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the associated risks. Under these regulations, certain brokers who recommend such securities to persons other than established customers or certain accredited investors must make a special written suitability determination regarding such a purchaser and receive such purchaser’s written agreement to a transaction prior to sale. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, has adopted sales practice requirements which may also limit a stockholder's ability to buy and sell our stock. In addition to the "penny stock" rules described above, FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer's financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. These regulations may have the effect of limiting the trading activity of our common stock, reducing the liquidity of an investment in our common stock and increasing the transaction costs for sales and purchases of our common stock as compared to other securities. The stock market in general and the market prices for penny stock companies in particular, have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our stock, regardless of our operating performance.  Stockholders should be aware that, according to SEC Release No. 34-29093, the market for penny stocks has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include 1) control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; 2) manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; 3) boiler room practices involving high-pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; 4) excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differential and markups by selling broker-dealers; and 5) the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the resulting inevitable collapse of those prices and with consequent investor losses. The occurrence of these patterns or practices as well as the regulatory disclosure requirements set forth above could increase the volatility of our share price, may limit investors’ ability to buy and sell our securities and have an adverse effect on the market price for our shares of common stock.


WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF MAJOR BROKERAGE FIRMS, WHICH COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE MARKET VALUE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Security analysts of major brokerage firms may not provide coverage of our common stock since there is no incentive to brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of our common stock. The absence of such coverage limits the likelihood that an active market will develop for our common stock. It will also likely make it more difficult to attract new investors at times when we require additional capital.

WE MAY BE UNABLE TO LIST OUR COMMON STOCK ON NASDAQ OR ON ANY SECURITIES EXCHANGE.

Although we intend to apply to list our common stock on NASDAQ in the future, we cannot assure you that we will be able to meet the initial listing standards, including the minimum per share price and minimum capitalization requirements, or that we will be able to maintain a listing of our common stock on this trading. Until such time as we qualify for listing on NASDAQ or another national securities exchange, our common stock will continue to trade on OTCQB or another over-the-counter quotation system where an investor may find it more difficult to dispose of shares or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock. In addition, rules promulgated by the SEC impose various practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell securities that fail to meet certain criteria set forth in those rules to persons other than established customers and accredited investors.  Consequently, these rules may deter broker-dealers from recommending or selling our common stock, which may further affect the liquidity of our common stock. It would also make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital.
 
FUTURE SALES OF OUR EQUITY SECURITIES COULD PUT DOWNWARD SELLING PRESSURE ON OUR SECURITIES, AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STOCK PRICE.

There is a risk that this downward pressure may make it impossible for an investor to sell his or her securities at any reasonable price, if at all. Future sales of substantial amounts of our equity securities in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could put downward selling pressure on our securities, and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None not previously disclosed.

Item 3 – Defaults upon Senior Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not applicable.


Item 5 – Other Information
 
Effective as of January 26, 2015 (the “Effective Date”), William Hernandez-Ellsworth resigned from his position as President of SpendSmart Networks, Inc. (the “Company”). Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth’s departure from his position as President was not the result of any disagreements with the Company.

In conjunction with Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth’s resignation, on January 29, 2015 the Company entered into an Agreement with Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth (the “Agreement”). Pursuant to the Agreement, and in conjunction with the closing of the Company’s card business, Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth shall remain employed by the Company, on an as needed basis, for a one year term commencing on the Effective Date and shall be paid an annual salary of $120,000. Additionally, Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth will: (i) be permitted to participate in any group life, hospitalization or disability insurance plans, health programs, retirement plans, fringe benefit programs and other benefits that may be available to employees of the Company; (ii) shall have 50,000 unvested shares of Non-Qualified Stock Options issued on March 19, 2014, and 112,500 unvested shares of Incentive Stock Options issued on March 21, 2014 (the “Incentive Stock Option”), become fully vested; and (iii) the provisions in Mr. Hernandez-Ellsworth Incentive Option that requires he exercise all vested and unexercised options within ninety (90) days of his departure from the Company shall be deleted and shall no longer apply. The Agreement also contains customary confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions.
 
Item 6 – Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
10.1*   Form of Convertible Note for Notes dated November 12, 2015, November 13, 2015, and November 16, 2015
31.1*
 
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, by President
31.2*
 
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, by Chief Financial Officer
32.1*
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 by Chief Executive Officer
32.2*
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 by Chief Financial Officer
     
     
*
 
Filed as an exhibit to this report
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
The SpendSmart Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation
 
 
By:
/s/ ALEX MINICUCCI        
 
   
Alex Minicucci, Chief Executive Officer
 
       
  November 16, 2015  
       
  By: /s/ BRUCE NEUSCHWANDER   
    Bruce Neuschwander, Chief Financial Officer  
       
  November 16, 2015  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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