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Note 3 - Liquidity and Going Concern Considerations
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements  
Substantial Doubt about Going Concern [Text Block]

NOTE 3. LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN CONSIDERATIONS

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. We had net income attributable to common stockholders of approximately $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and a net loss attributable to common stockholders of approximately $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and have an accumulated deficit of approximately $183,123,628 and a positive working capital of approximately $2.9 million at June 30, 2021. A significant portion of this positive working capital at June 30, 2021 relates to amounts due from Mullen Technologies which remains unpaid (See Note 5 - Due from Mullen).

 

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in government authorities around the world implementing numerous measures to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, promotion of social distancing measures, “shelter-in-place,” “stay-at-home,” total lock-down orders, business limitations or shutdowns and similar orders.  More recently, many news agencies have reported the spread of new variants of COVID-19, such as the Delta variant, that are significantly more contagious than previous strains. The spread of these new strains are causing some government authorities to reimplement the aforementioned measures, and some businesses to implement their own restrictions, to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that had become less prevalent. 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and these measures have significantly impacted, and may continue to impact, the restaurant and hospitality industries. As a result, the Company’s revenues, which are largely tied to processing volumes in these verticals, were materially impacted during 2020. Since the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the Company has seen a significant recovery in its end-to-end payment volumes as some merchants began resuming their normal operations. However, while end-to-end volumes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 have exceeded those for the respective three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the ultimate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic and, in particular, the highly contagious Delta variant, will have on the Company’s consolidated results of operations in future periods remains uncertain and will depend on future developments, which are continuously evolving and cannot be predicted. This includes, but is not limited to, the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Delta variant, its severity, the emergence and severity of other variants, the availability and the efficacy of vaccines (particularly with respect to emerging strains of the virus) and potential hesitancy to utilize them, other protective actions taken to contain the virus or treat its impact, such as restrictions on indoor dining, travel and transportation, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions will continue. The Company will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of these potential impacts to its business, consolidated results of operations, and liquidity.

 

During March 2020, our Company evaluated its liquidity position, future operating plans, and its labor force, which included a reduction in the labor force and compensation to executives and other employees, in order to maintain current payment processing functions, capabilities, and continued customer service to its merchants. We are also seeking sources of capital to pay our contractual obligations as they come due, in light of these uncertain times. Management believes that its operating strategy will provide the opportunity for us to continue as a going concern as long as we are able to obtain additional financing. At this time, due to the unprecedented and rapid spread of COVID-19 and its variants, we cannot predict the impact of these conditions on our ability to obtain financing necessary for the Company to fund its future working capital requirements.  Our Company has also decided to explore strategic alternatives and potential options for its business, including sale of the Company or certain assets, licensing of technology, spin-offs, or a business combination. Accordingly, the Company has entered into a merger agreement in connection with the contemplated merger with Mullen Automotive (as defined below) and certain related transactions, including a divestiture of the Company’s existing business operations. See below and Note 14Subsequent Events for additional information. There can be no assurance, at this time, regarding the eventual outcome of our planned strategic alternatives, including such merger and the related transactions.

 

On March 27, 2020, our Company entered into a Master Exchange Agreement (the “ESOUSA Agreement”) with ESOUSA Holdings, LLC ("ESOUSA"), a related party. Prior to entering into the ESOUSA Agreement, ESOUSA agreed to acquire an existing promissory note that had been previously issued by the Company, of up to $2,000,000 in principal amount outstanding plus interest due to RBL Capital Group, LLC ("RBL"). Pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement, the Company had the right, at any time prior to March 27, 2021, to request ESOUSA, and ESOUSA agreed upon each such request, to exchange this promissory note in tranches on the dates when the Company instructs ESOUSA, for such number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) as determined under the ESOUSA Agreement based upon the number of shares of Common Stock (already in ESOUSA’s possession) that ESOUSA sold in order to finance its purchase of such tranche of the promissory note from RBL. ESOUSA will purchase each tranche of the promissory note equal to 88% of the gross proceeds from the shares of Common Stock sold by ESOUSA to finance the purchase of such exchange amount from RBL. Each such tranche to be $148,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and ESOUSA.

 

On April 23, 2020 and August 3, 2020, the Company entered into certain amendments to the ESOUSA Agreement, which together increased from $2,000,000 to $15,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement.

 

On March 27, 2020, the Company received its first tranche of RBL promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $148,000, less any fees, from ESOUSA to be exchanged for Common Stock pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement. Included in other accrued expenses at June 30, 2021 is approximately $145,000 in connection with this first tranche for which shares of Common Stock have not yet been issued. Concurrently with this transaction, the Company received an equivalent aggregate amount of $148,000 from RBL under the Loan and Security Agreement (“Credit Facility”) with RBL.

 

On April 28, 2020, the Company received its second tranche of RBL promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $143,000, less any fees, from ESOUSA to be exchanged for Common Stock pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement.  The Company issued 65,862 shares of Common Stock to ESOUSA in connection with this exchange.  Concurrently with this transaction, the Company received an equivalent aggregate amount of $143,000 from RBL under the Credit Facility. 

 

On August 11, 2020, the Company received its third tranche of RBL promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $707,000, less any fees, from ESOUSA to be exchanged for Common Stock pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement.  The Company issued 66,190 shares of Common Stock to ESOUSA in connection with this exchange.  Concurrently with this transaction, the Company received an equivalent aggregate amount of $707,000 from RBL under the Credit Facility. 

 

On August 21, 2020, the Company received its fourth tranche of RBL promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $401,000, less any fees, from ESOUSA to be exchanged for Common Stock pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement.  The Company issued 45,654 shares of Common Stock to ESOUSA in connection with this exchange.  Concurrently with this transaction, the Company received an equivalent aggregate amount of $401,000 from RBL under the Credit Facility. 

 

On September 25, 2020, the Company received its fifth tranche of RBL promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $426,000, less any fees, from ESOUSA to be exchanged for Common Stock pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement.  The Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock to ESOUSA in connection with this exchange.  Concurrently with this transaction, the Company received an equivalent aggregate amount of $426,000 from RBL under the Credit Facility. 

 

On December 30, 2020, the Company received its sixth tranche of RBL promissory notes in the aggregate amount of $1,960,000, less any fees, from ESOUSA to be exchanged for Common Stock pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement. The Company issued 200,000 shares of Common Stock to ESOUSA in connection with this exchange. Concurrently with this transaction, the Company received an equivalent aggregate amount of $1,960,000 from RBL under the Credit Facility.

 

On July 9, 2021, the Company entered into a new Master Exchange Agreement with ESOUSA.  See Note 14 - Subsequent Events for additional information.

 

Mullen Merger and Related Transactions

 

On August 4, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Mullen Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“Mullen”), and Mullen Acquisition, Inc., a California corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), which was amended on December 29, 2020, March 30, 2021 and April 30, 2021 (as amended, the “Original Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, the Original Merger Agreement, Merger Sub was to be merged with and into Mullen, with Mullen continuing as the surviving corporation in such merger.

 

On May 14, 2021, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Prior Restated Merger Agreement”) with Mullen, Merger Sub and Mullen Automotive, Inc. (“Mullen Automotive”), a California corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mullen, which amended, restated and replaced in its entirety the Original Merger Agreement.  On July 20, 2021, the parties entered into a Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Restated Merger Agreement”), which amended, restated and replaced in its entirety the Prior Restated Merger Agreement. Pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, the Restated Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Mullen Automotive (the “Merger”), with Mullen Automotive continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger (See Note 14 - Subsequent Events).

 

The Restated Merger Agreement contains termination rights for each of the Company and Mullen Automotive, including, among others, (i) in the event that the Merger has not been consummated by August 31, 2021, (ii) in the event that the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders is not obtained upon a vote thereon, (iii) in the event that any governmental authority shall have taken action to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the Merger, which action shall have become final and non-appealable and (iv) in the event that there is a breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, which breach is sufficiently material and not timely cured or curable. In addition, Mullen Automotive may terminate the Restated Merger Agreement if, prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders, the Company’s board of directors shall have changed their recommendation in respect of the Merger. Further, the Company may terminate the Restated Merger Agreement prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal (as such term is defined in the Restated Merger Agreement).

 

The consummation of the Merger is subject to (i) the Merger and the shares of Company common stock to be issued in connection with the Merger and other transactions contemplated by the Restated Merger Agreement being approved and authorized for the listing on Nasdaq and (ii) the Company’s and its subsidiaries aggregate cash and cash equivalents plus amounts lent by the Company to Mullen Automotive pursuant to the Restated Merger Agreement less accounts payable and debt (exclusive of unfunded warrant proceeds) is $10,000,000 less legal fees as set forth in the Restated Merger Agreement, the Late Fees (as defined below), $500,000 previously lent by the Company to Mullen pursuant to the Mullen Note (as defined below) together with all accrued interested thereon (the “Net Cash Position”). The parties to the Restated Merger Agreement intend that the Company will effect a private placement of the Company common stock prior to the Merger Effective Time (the “Private Placement”) in order to raise sufficient capital for the Net Cash Position.

 

The parties to the Restated Merger Agreement intend that the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after the Merger effective time on a fully diluted and fully converted basis will not exceed 75,000,000, with 15% of such common stock outstanding immediately after the Merger effective time on a fully diluted and fully converted basis to be allocated to the persons that hold shares of the Company common stock immediately prior to the Merger effective time (subject to upward adjustment described below).

 

The Company and Mullen Automotive may agree that the Company may raise additional capital beyond the Net Cash Position. In such event, Mullen Automotive and its pre-Merger shareholders shall solely absorb all of the dilution from such additional capital raise beyond the Net Cash Position for purposes of allocating ownership between the Company pre-Merger stockholders, on the one hand, and all other parties, on the other hand.

 

The parties to the Restated Merger Agreement intend that, prior to the Merger effective time but, subject to and after the Company’s stockholders’ approval, the Company will divest itself of its existing business operations to another party, and will cause such party to assume all liabilities of the Company directly related to its operations of its existing business immediately prior to the closing of such divestiture (the “Divestiture”).   On July 20, 2021, the Company entered into a divestiture agreement (the “Divestiture Agreement”) with RBL relating to the contemplated Divestiture.  See Note 14 - Subsequent Events for additional information.

 

As was contemplated by the Original Merger Agreement, on August 11, 2020, the Company as lender, entered into an unsecured Promissory Note, dated August 11, 2020 (the “Mullen Note”), with Mullen. Pursuant to the Mullen Note, Mullen borrowed from the Company $500,000. Prior to maturity of the loan, the principal amount of the loan will carry an interest rate of 14% per annum compounded monthly and payable upon demand. This loan will mature on the earlier of (i) the date that the merger agreement is terminated for any reason by any party thereto and (ii) the Merger effective time.

 

In addition, pursuant to the Original Merger Agreement, the Company, Mullen and Merger Sub agreed that, if the registration statement on Form S-4 (with the merger proxy statement included as part of the prospectus) was not filed with the Commission on or prior to January 15, 2021, then Mullen would pay the Company an agreed sum of $13,333 per day (the “Late Fee”) until the such registration statement (with the merger proxy statement included as part of the prospectus) is filed with the Commission. All accumulated Late Fees will be due and payable by Mullen on the 5th day of each calendar month commencing February 5, 2021 and on the 5th day of each month thereafter until the above-refenced filing has occurred. An initial Form S-4 registration statement was filed on May 14, 2021. The parties to the Restated Merger Agreement agreed that Mullen Automotive will pay the Late Fee as set forth in the Original Merger Agreement. At June 30, 2021, the Company is owed approximately $1.5 million from Mullen in connection with Late Fees, which remains unpaid.

 

Prior to the effective time of the Merger, (i) Mullen is contemplating to assign and transfer to Mullen Automotive all of its electric vehicle business related assets, business and operations, and Mullen Automotive is contemplating assuming certain debt and liabilities of Mullen and (ii) Mullen is contemplating a spin off, via share dividend, of all of the capital stock of Mullen Automotive to the stockholders of Mullen as of the effective date of such spin off. After such spin off and immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, the capital structure (including its issued and outstanding common and preferred stock) of Mullen Automotive shall mirror the capital structure of Mullen.

 

Consummation of the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement and the other transactions contemplated in the Restated Merger Agreement, is subject to customary conditions including, among others, the approval of the Company’s stockholders. There is no guarantee that the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement or the other transactions contemplated in the Restated Merger Agreement will be completed.

 

These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.