Basis of Presentation

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and following the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting. As permitted under those rules, certain footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP can be condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the Company’s annual financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial information. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2022 or any other interim period or for any other future year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021, included in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

Presentation

During 2021, we adopted a change in presentation on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in order to present a gross profit line and allocate certain overhead expenses, the presentation of which is consistent with our peers. Under the new presentation, we began allocating overhead expenses related to cost of goods sold. Prior periods have been revised to reflect this change in presentation.

Presentation

During 2021, we adopted a change in presentation on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss in order to present a gross profit line and allocate certain overhead expenses, the presentation of which is consistent with our peers. Under the new presentation, we began allocating overhead expenses related to cost of goods sold. Prior periods have been revised to reflect this change in presentation.

Variable Interest Entities

Management performs an ongoing assessment of its noncontrolling interests from investments in unrelated entities to determine if those entities are variable interest entities (VIEs), and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. If an entity in such a transaction, by design, meets the definition of a VIE and the Company determines that it, or a condensed consolidated subsidiary is the primary beneficiary, the Company will include the VIE in its condensed consolidated financial statements. If such an entity is deemed to not be condensed consolidated, the Company records only its investment in equity securities as a marketable security or investment under the equity method, as applicable

Variable Interest Entities

Management performs an ongoing assessment of its noncontrolling interests from investments in unrelated entities to determine if those entities are variable interest entities (VIEs), and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. If an entity in such a transaction, by design, meets the definition of a VIE and the Company determines that it, or a consolidated subsidiary is the primary beneficiary, the Company will include the VIE in its consolidated financial statements. If such an entity is deemed to not be consolidated, the Company records only its investment in equity securities as a marketable security or investment under the equity method, as applicable

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

At times, cash balances may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or Financial Claims Scheme (“FCS”) insurable limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. The uninsured cash balance as of September 30, 2022, was $0. The Company does not believe it is exposed to significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

At times, cash balances may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or Financial Claims Scheme (“FCS”) insurable limits . The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, cash amounts in excess of $250,000 were not fully insured. The uninsured cash balance as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, was approximately $2.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively. The Company does not believe it is exposed to significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method (after taking into account their respective estimated residual values) over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:

Upon sale or retirement of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method (after taking into account their respective estimated residual values) over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:

Upon sale or retirement of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company follows subtopic 450-20 of the FASB ASC to report accounting for contingencies. Certain conditions may exist as of the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company, but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or un-asserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or un-asserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, and an estimate of the range of possible losses, if determinable and material, would be disclosed.

Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company follows subtopic 450-20 of the FASB ASC to report accounting for contingencies. Certain conditions may exist as of the date the consolidated financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company, but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or un-asserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or un-asserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, and an estimate of the range of possible losses, if determinable and material, would be disclosed.

Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed.

Derivative Liability

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

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

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

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

The Company utilizes a binomial option model for convertible notes that have an option to convert at a variable number of shares to compute the fair value of the derivative and to mark to market the fair value of the derivative at each balance sheet date. The inputs utilized in the application of the Binomial model included a stock price on valuation date, an expected term of each debenture remaining from the valuation date to maturity, an estimated volatility, and a risk-free rate. The Company records the change in the fair value of the derivative as other income or expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Derivative Liability

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

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

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

The Company adopted Section 815-40-15 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Section 815-40-15”) to determine whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to the Company’s own stock. Section 815-40-15 provides that an entity should use a two-step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions. The Company changed its method of accounting for the debt and warrants through the early adoption of ASU 2017-11 during the three months ended December 31, 2017, on a retrospective basis.

The Company utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation model for the make whole feature and a binomial option model for convertible notes that have an option to convert at a variable number of shares to compute the fair value of the derivative and to mark to market the fair value of the derivative at each balance sheet date. The inputs utilized in the application of the Monte Carlo model included a starting stock price, an expected term of each debenture remaining from the valuation date to maturity, an estimated volatility, drift, and a risk-free rate. The inputs utilized in the application of the Binomial model included a stock price on valuation date, an expected term of each debenture remaining from the valuation date to maturity, an estimated volatility, and a risk-free rate. The Company records the change in the fair value of the derivative as other income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition   

Under Topic 606, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.

We determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

Revenue disaggregated by revenue source for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 consists of the following:

The Company utilizes the output method to measures the results achieved and value transferred to a customer over time. Timing of revenue recognition for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 consists of the following:

Agency Revenue

Managed Services

The Company provides Studio/Agency Service offerings to business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) product and service brands which encompasses a full range of digital marketing and e-commerce solutions. The Company’s services include the setup and ongoing management of clients’ websites, Amazon and Shopify storefronts and listings, social media pages, search engine marketing, and other various tools and sales channels utilized by e-commerce sellers for sales and growth optimization. Contracts are broken into three categories: Partners, Monthly Services, and Projects. Contract amounts for Partner and Monthly Services clients range from approximately $500-$7,500 per month while Project amounts vary depending on the scope of work. Partner and Monthly clients are billed monthly for the work completed within that month. Partner Clients may or may not have an additional billing component referred to as Sales Performance Fee, which is a fee based upon a previously agreed upon percentage point of the client’s total sales for the month. Some Partners may also have projects within their contracts that get billed and recognized as agreed upon project milestones are achieved. Revenue is recognized over time as service obligations and milestones in the contract are met.

Branded Content

Branded content represents the revenue recognized from the Company’s obligation to create and publish branded articles and/or branded challenges for clients on the Vocal platform and promote said stories, tracking engagement for the client. In the case of branded articles, the performance obligation is satisfied when the Company successfully publishes the articles on its platform and meets any required promotional milestones as per the contract. In the case of branded challenges, the performance obligation is satisfied when the Company successfully closes the challenge and winners have been announced. The Company utilizes the completed contract method when revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed and any required milestones are met. Certain contracts contain separate milestones whereas the Company separates its performance obligations and utilizes the stand-alone selling price method and residual method to determine the estimate of the allocation of the transaction price.

Below are the significant components of a typical agreement pertaining to branded content revenue:

Talent Management Services

Talent Management represents the revenue recognized by WHE Agency, Inc. (“WHE”) from the Company’s obligation to manage and oversee influencer-led campaigns from the contract negotiation stage through content creation and publication. WHE acts in an agent capacity for influencers and collects a management fee of 20% of the value of an influencer’s contract with a brand. Revenue is recognized net of the 80% of the contract that is collected by the influencer and is recognized when performance obligations of the contract are met. Performance obligations are complete when milestones and deliverables of contracts are delivered to the client. 

Below are the significant components of a typical agreement pertaining to talent management revenue:

Platform Revenue

Creator Subscriptions

Vocal+ is a premium subscription offering for Vocal creators. In addition to joining for free, Vocal creators now have the option to sign up for a Vocal+ membership for either $9.99 monthly or $99 annually, though these amounts are subject to promotional discounts and free trials. Vocal+ subscribers receive access to value-added features such as increased rate of cost per mille (thousand) (“CPM”) monetization, a decreased minimum withdrawal threshold, a discount on platform processing fees, member badges for their profiles, access to exclusive Vocal+ Challenges, and early access to new Vocal features. Subscription revenues stem from both monthly and annual subscriptions, the latter of which is amortized over a twelve-month period. Any customer payments received are recognized over the subscription period, with any payments received in advance being deferred until they are earned.

The transaction price for any given subscriber could decrease based on any payments made to that subscriber. A subscriber may be eligible for payment through one or more of the monetization features offered to Vocal creators, including earnings through reads (on a cost per mille basis) and cash prizes offered to Challenge winners. Potential revenue offset is calculated by reviewing a subscriber’s earnings in conjunction with payments made by the subscriber on a monthly and/or annual basis.

Affiliate Sales Revenue

Affiliate sales represents the commission the Company receives when a purchase is made through affiliate links placed within content hosted on the Vocal platform. Affiliate revenue is earned on a “click through” basis, upon referring visitors, via said links, to an affiliate’s site and having them complete a specific outcome, most commonly a product purchase. The Company uses multiple affiliate platforms, such as Skimlinks, Amazon, and Tune, to form and maintain thousands of vendor relationships. Each vendor establishes their own commission percentage, which typically range from 2-20%. The revenue is recognized upon receipt as reliable estimates could not be made.

E-Commerce Revenue

The Company’s e-commerce businesses are housed under Creatd Ventures, and currently consists of four majority-owned e-commerce companies, Camp (previously Plant Camp), Dune Glow Remedy (“Dune”), Basis, and Brave. The Company generates revenue through the sale of Camp, Dune, and Basis, and Brave’s consumer products through its e-commerce distribution channels. The Company satisfies its performance obligation upon shipment of product to its customers and recognizes shipping and handling costs as a fulfillment cost. Customers have 30 days from receipt of an item to return unopened, unused, or damaged items for a full refund. All returns are processed within the relevant recording period and accounted for as a reduction in revenue. The Company runs discounts from time to time to promote sales, improve market penetration, and increase customer retention. Any discounts are run as coupon codes applied at the time of transaction and accounted for as a reduction in gross revenue. The Company assesses variable consideration using the most likely amount method.

Revenue Recognition  

Under Topic 606, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.

We determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

Revenue disaggregated by revenue source for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 consists of the following:

The Company utilizes the output method to measures the results achieved and value transferred to a customer over time. Timing of revenue recognition for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 consists of the following:

Agency Revenue

Managed Services

The Company provides Studio/Agency Service offerings to business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) product and service brands which encompasses a full range of digital marketing and e-commerce solutions. The Company’s services include the setup and ongoing management of clients’ websites, Amazon and Shopify storefronts and listings, social media pages, search engine marketing, and other various tools and sales channels utilized by e-commerce sellers for sales and growth optimization. Contracts are broken into three categories: Partners, Monthly Services, and Projects. Contract amounts for Partner and Monthly Services clients range from approximately $500-$7,500 per month while Project amounts vary depending on the scope of work. Partner and Monthly clients are billed monthly for the work completed within that month. Partner Clients may or may not have an additional billing component referred to as Sales Performance Fee, which is a fee based upon a previously agreed upon percentage point of the client’s total sales for the month. Some Partners may also have projects within their contracts that get billed and recognized as agreed upon project milestones are achieved. Revenue is recognized over time as service obligations and milestones in the contract are met.

Branded Content

Branded content represents the revenue recognized from the Company’s obligation to create and publish branded articles and/or branded challenges for clients on the Vocal platform and promote said stories, tracking engagement for the client. In the case of branded articles, the performance obligation is satisfied when the Company successfully publishes the articles on its platform and meets any required promotional milestones as per the contract. In the case of branded challenges, the performance obligation is satisfied when the Company successfully closes the challenge and winners have been announced. The Company utilizes the completed contract method when revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed and any required milestones are met. Certain contracts contain separate milestones whereas the Company separates its performance obligations and utilizes the stand-alone selling price method and residual method to determine the estimate of the allocation of the transaction price.

Below are the significant components of a typical agreement pertaining to branded content revenue:

Talent Management Services

Talent Management represents the revenue recognized by WHE Agency, Inc. (“WHE”) from the Company’s obligation to manage and oversee influencer-led campaigns from the contract negotiation stage through content creation and publication. WHE acts in an agent capacity for influencers and collects a management fee of 20% of the value of an influencer’s contract with a brand. Revenue is recognized net of the 80% of the contract that is collected by the influencer and is recognized when performance obligations of the contract are met. Performance obligations are complete when milestones and deliverables of contracts are delivered to the client. 

Below are the significant components of a typical agreement pertaining to talent management revenue:

Platform Revenue

Creator Subscriptions

Vocal+ is a premium subscription offering for Vocal creators. In addition to joining for free, Vocal creators now have the option to sign up for a Vocal+ membership for either $9.99 monthly or $99 annually, though these amounts are subject to promotional discounts and free trials. Vocal+ subscribers receive access to value-added features such as increased rate of cost per mille (thousand) (“CPM”) monetization, a decreased minimum withdrawal threshold, a discount on platform processing fees, member badges for their profiles, access to exclusive Vocal+ Challenges, and early access to new Vocal features. Subscription revenues stem from both monthly and annual subscriptions, the latter of which is amortized over a twelve-month period. Any customer payments received are recognized over the subscription period, with any payments received in advance being deferred until they are earned.

The transaction price for any given subscriber could decrease based on any payments made to that subscriber. A subscriber may be eligible for payment through one or more of the monetization features offered to Vocal creators, including earnings through reads (on a cost per mille basis) and cash prizes offered to Challenge winners. Estimates are utilized for payments made for earnings through reads, by establishing the lifetime a subscriber has had a Vocal account, determining the percentage of that lifetime that the subscriber has been a paying customer, and applying that percentage to payments for earnings through reads in the relevant reporting period. 

Affiliate Sales Revenue

Affiliate sales represents the commission the Company receives when a purchase is made through affiliate links placed within content hosted on the Vocal platform. Affiliate revenue is earned on a “click through” basis, upon referring visitors, via said links, to an affiliate’s site and having them complete a specific outcome, most commonly a product purchase. The Company uses multiple affiliate platforms, such as Skimlinks, Amazon, and Tune, to form and maintain thousands of vendor relationships. Each vendor establishes their own commission percentage, which typically range from 2-20%. The revenue is recognized upon receipt as reliable estimates could not be made.

E-Commerce Revenue

The Company’s e-commerce businesses are housed under Creatd Ventures, and currently consists of two majority-owned e-commerce companies, Camp (previously Plant Camp) and Dune Glow Remedy (“Dune”).  The Company generates revenue through the sale of Camp and Dune’s consumer products through its e-commerce distribution channels. The Company satisfies its performance obligation upon shipment of product to its customers and recognizes shipping and handling costs as a fulfillment cost. Customers have 30 days from receipt of an item to return unopened, unused items. The Company runs discounts from time to time to promote sales, improve market penetration, and increase customer retention.

Accounts Receivable and Allowances

Accounts receivable are recorded and carried when the Company has performed the work in accordance with managed services, project, partner, consulting and branded content agreements. For example, we bill a managed service client monthly when we have updated their Amazon store, modified SEO or completed the other services listed in the agreement. For projects and branded content, we will bill the client and record the receivable once milestones are reached that are set in the agreement. We make estimates for the allowance for doubtful accounts and allowance for unbilled receivables based upon our assessment of various factors, including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of our customers, current economic conditions, and other factors that may affect our ability to collect from customers. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded $124,186, as a bad debt expense. As of September 30, 2022, the Company has an allowance for doubtful accounts of $311,133. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has an allowance for doubtful accounts of $186,147.

Accounts Receivable and Allowances

Accounts receivable are recorded and carried when the Company has performed the work in accordance with managed services, project, partner, consulting and branded content agreements. For example, we bill a managed service client monthly when we have updated their Amazon store, modified SEO or completed the other services listed in the agreement. For projects and branded content, we will bill the client and record the receivable once milestones are reached that are set in the agreement. We make estimates for the allowance for doubtful accounts and allowance for unbilled receivables based upon our assessment of various factors, including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of our customers, current economic conditions, and other factors that may affect our ability to collect from customers. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $110,805 and $53,692, respectively as a bad debt expense. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has an allowance for doubtful accounts of $186,147 and $80,509, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity–based payments granted in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. Under fair value recognition provisions, the Company recognizes equity–based compensation over the requisite service period of the award. The company has a relatively low forfeiture rate of stock based compensation and forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the Company. These awards are restricted as to the transfer of ownership and generally vest over the requisite service periods.

The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the value of the underlying share, the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is volatility is derived from the Company’s historical data over the expected option life and other appropriate factors. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free rates for the appropriate term. The dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid or declared any cash dividends on its Common stock and does not intend to pay dividends on its Common stock in the foreseeable future. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards requires the input of the subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, our equity–based compensation could be materially different in the future. The Company issues awards of equity instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock units, to employees and certain non-employee directors. Compensation expense related to these awards is based on the fair value of the underlying stock on the award date and is amortized over the service period, defined as the vesting period. The vesting period is generally one to three years. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock units. Compensation expense is reduced for actual forfeitures as they occur.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity–based payments granted in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation”. Under fair value recognition provisions, the Company recognizes equity–based compensation over the requisite service period of the award. The company has a relatively low forfeiture rate of stock based compensation and forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the Company. These awards are restricted as to the transfer of ownership and generally vest over the requisite service periods.

The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the value of the underlying share, the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is volatility is derived from the Company’s historical data over the expected option life and other appropriate factors. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free rates for the appropriate term. The dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid or declared any cash dividends on its Common stock and does not intend to pay dividends on its Common stock in the foreseeable future. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards requires the input of the subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, our equity–based compensation could be materially different in the future. The Company issues awards of equity instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock units, to employees and certain non-employee directors. Compensation expense related to these awards is based on the fair value of the underlying stock on the award date and is amortized over the service period, defined as the vesting period. The vesting period is generally one to three years. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock units. Compensation expense is reduced for actual forfeitures as they occur.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto have been reclassified where necessary to conform to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications did not affect the prior period’s total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ deficit, net loss or net cash used in operating activities. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we adopted a change in presentation on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in order to present a gross profit line, the presentation of which is consistent with our peers. Under the new presentation, we began allocating payroll and related expenses, professional services and creator payouts. Prior periods have been revised to reflect this change in presentation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto have been reclassified where necessary to conform to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications did not affect the prior period’s total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ deficit, net loss or net cash used in operating activities. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we adopted a change in presentation on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in order to present a gross profit line, the presentation of which is consistent with our peers. Under the new presentation, we began allocating payroll and related expenses, professional services and creator payouts. Prior periods have been revised to reflect this change in presentation.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU-2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, and any other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses rather than incurred losses for financial assets. On October 16, 2019, FASB approved a final ASU delaying the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for small reporting companies to interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments to the Company’s financial position and results of operations and currently does not know or cannot reasonably quantify the impact of the adoption of the amendments as a result of the complexity and extensive changes from the amendments. The Company does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the guidance will affect disclosures and estimates around accounts receivable. 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. This ASU amends the guidance on convertible instruments and the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity, and also improves and amends the related EPS guidance for both Subtopics. ASU 2020-06 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In July 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-05, Lessors—Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments (Topic 842), Which requires a lessor to classify a lease with variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate (hereafter referred to as “variable payments”) as an operating lease on the commencement date of the lease if specified criteria are met. ASU 2021-05 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company expects that there would be no material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations — Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (Topic 805), Which aims to improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing diversity in recognition and payment terms that effect subsequent revenue recognition. ASU 2021-08 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company expects that there would be no material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU.

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. 

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU-2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, and any other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses rather than incurred losses for financial assets. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. This ASU amends the guidance on convertible instruments and the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity, and also improves and amends the related EPS guidance for both Subtopics. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those annual periods and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2021, the FASB issued authoritative guidance intended to clarify and reduce diversity in an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. (ASU 2021-04), “Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Topic 815). This guidance amendments provide measurement, recognition, and disclosure guidance for an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. This guidance is effective for annual periods after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-05, Lessors—Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments (Topic 842), Which requires a lessor to classify a lease with variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate (hereafter referred to as “variable payments”) as an operating lease on the commencement date of the lease if specified criteria are met. ASU 2021-05 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company expects that there would be no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations — Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (Topic 805), Which aims to improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing diversity in recognition and payment terms that effect subsequent revenue recognition. ASU 2021-08 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company expects that there would be no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU.

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided in accordance with ASC No. 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. A deferred tax asset or liability is recorded for all temporary differences between financial and tax reporting and net operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax expense (benefit) results from the net change during the period of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. 

Management makes judgments as to the interpretation of the tax laws that might be challenged upon an audit and cause changes to previous estimates of tax liability. In addition, the Company operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to audit in these jurisdictions. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for all years. If actual taxable income by tax jurisdiction varies from estimates, additional allowances or reversals of reserves may be necessary. 

During the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized a $275,213 and $507,242 respectively, benefit for research and development tax credits in other income on the Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The tax credits were claimed on our previous Australian tax returns and were based upon a research and development costs paid to an Australian company.