Versus Systems Inc. 10-K

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. Overview We offer a suite of proprietary business-to-business software tools that are meant to drive user engagement through gamification and rewards. These tools allow our partners to offer in-game prizing and rewards, including merchandise, coupons, digital goods, and sweepstakes entries — inside their websites, their venues, or their streaming media content. 27 Our customers mostly sports teams (Professional and Collegiate), venues (Arenas, Football Stadiums, Baseball Stadiums), and advertising agencies, which typically use our products as part of their live events or as part of an advertising campaign with the goal of engaging fans, increasing consented first-party data, and increasing sales. At December 31, 2024, we had two active customers. At December 31, 2023, we had 16 active customers. Our products and games are designed so that end users of our products could earn prizes by registering on our system and completing in-content challenges like trivia, polls, or casual mobile games. Players could use our system to play a variety of games and earn a wide range of prize types, provided by advertisers and sponsors. Our products, include our in-venue XEO and Filter Fan Cam products for live events, and our new stand-alone “Winfinite” product line that can be used by brands, advertising agencies, and content partners to reach potential customers outside of sports venues, on mobile devices. We also have an IP portfolio that could create future licensing and product development opportunities including our recently allowed Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and Machine Learning (“ML”) series of patent claims. With the acquisition of Xcite Interactive in June 2021, we acquired a number of key pieces of technology and relationships that have helped to drive our engagement and rewards business, including a live events fan engagement business that has partnered with professional sports franchises in the National Football League (“NFL”), the National Basketball Association (“NBA”), the National Hockey League (“NHL”) and others to increase audience engagement using interactive gaming functions like trivia, polling, and casual games that can be played alongside live experiences whether a player is at-home, in a restaurant, or in-venue at the event itself. Our largest customers in 2024 were the Texas Rangers and San Jose Sharks. We now have three principal software products. Our eXtreme Engagement Online or “XEO” platform is designed primarily for in-venue main-board work in stadiums and arenas. Our Filter Fan Cam (FFC) platform is an Augmented Reality filtering tool that can be used for mobile and in-venue applications. In addition, we have a stand-alone gaming and prizing product that we call “Winfinite,” which allows brands, media companies, and advertising agencies to reach out to customers directly on their mobile devices. We license these three software products to teams, ad agencies, and other content creators. Significant Components of Our Results of Operations Revenue. In general, we recognize revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured, it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to us, where there is evidence of an arrangement, when the selling price is fixed or determinable, and when specific criteria have been met or there are no significant remaining performance obligations for each of our activities as described below. Foreseeable losses, if any, are recognized in the year or period in which the loss is determined. We earn revenue through the development and maintenance of custom-built software. We recognize revenues received from the development and maintenance of custom-built software and other professional services provided upon the satisfaction of our performance obligation in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those services. Performance obligations can be satisfied either at a single point in time or over time. For those performance obligations that are satisfied at a single point in time, the revenue is recognized at that time. For each performance obligation satisfied over time, we recognize revenue by measuring the progress toward complete satisfaction of that performance obligation. Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For these contracts, we account for individual performance obligations separately if they are capable of being distinct within the context of the contract. Determining which performance obligations are considered distinct may require significant judgment. Judgment is also required to determine the amount of revenue associated with each distinct performance obligation. Operating Expenses. We classify our operating expense as research and development, and selling, general and administrative. Personnel costs are the primary component of each of these operating expense categories, which consist of cash-based personnel costs, such as salaries, benefits and bonuses. Additionally, these categories include intangible amortization, amortization expense, interest expense, software costs, professional fees and share-based compensation. 28 Operating Results Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023: For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Data: Revenue $ 57,288 $ 271,169 Cost of revenues 40,277 103,067 Gross Margin 17,011 168,102 Expenses Research and development 246,019 1,107,235 Selling, general and administrative 4,310,218 5,944,909 Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles - 3,968,332 Total Operating Expenses 4,556,237 11,020,476 Operating loss (4,539,226 ) (10,852,374 ) Employee retention credit - (354,105 ) Other income/(expense) 11,384 13,888 Loss before tax provision (4,550,610 ) (10,512,157 ) Provision for income taxes 24,226 - Net loss $ (4,574,836 ) $ (10,512,157 ) Revenue Our revenues are derived from three primary sources: software licensing, professional services and advertising. Revenue was $57,288 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $213,881, or 79%, from $271,169 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a significant reduction in the number of clients from 16 active clients at December 31, 2023 to two active clients at December 31, 2024. Cost of revenues Cost of revenues was $40,277 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $62,790, or 61%, from $103,067 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to significant reductions in staff related to our company restructuring. Research and development Research and development was $246,019 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $861,216, or 78%, from $1,107,325 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in staffing levels, including a large portion of our engineering staff, and a reduction in software costs. 29 Selling, general and administrative Selling, general and administrative was $4,310,218 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $1,634,691, or 27%, from $5,944,909 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in staffing levels, from 16 employees at December 31, 2023 to 6 employees at December 31, 2024. Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets was none for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $3,968,332 or 100% from $3,968,332 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The $3,698,332 impairment as of December 31, 2023 was related to the impairment of capitalized software from our HP contract and platform. Loss from Operations Loss from operations was $4,539,226 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $6,313,148, or 58%, from $10,852,374 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Decreases in salaries because of reduced staffing levels resulted in the decrease in the loss. Other income (expense) Other income (expense) was an expense of $11,384 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $351,601, or 103%, from income of $340,217 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in income can be attributed to the $354,105 employee retention credit earned in 2023 with no credit earned in 2024. Income tax expense Income tax expense was $24,226 for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of 100% from no income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in income tax can be attributed to taxes owed in our Canadian jurisdiction in 2024. Inflation The effect of inflation on our revenue and operating results was not significant. Liquidity and Capital Resources Our financial condition and liquidity is and will continue to be influenced by a variety of factors, including: ● our ability to generate cash flows from our operations; ● future indebtedness and the interest we are obligated to pay on this indebtedness; ● the availability of public and private debt and equity financing; ● changes in exchange rates which will impact our generation of cash flows from operations when measured in CAD; and ● our capital expenditure requirements. 30 Overview Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we incurred net losses of approximately $4.6 million and $10.5 million, respectively. During such periods, we have financed our operations primarily through an initial public offering of our common shares in January 2021 and subsequent public offerings, registered direct offerings, convertible debt, warrant exercises and private placements. In October 2024 warrant holders exercised $0.9 million of warrants into common stock. Also, in November and December 2024 the Company raised $2.5 million of convertible debt. In February 2023, we completed a registered direct offering of our common shares in which we received gross proceeds of $2.25 million and net proceeds of approximately $2.0 million. In October 2023, we completed a public direct offering of our common shares in which we received gross proceeds of approximately $3.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $2.5 million. In November 2023, we completed a private placement of our equity securities in which we received gross proceeds of $2.6 million. Throughout 2023, we received approximately $4.6 million in proceeds from warrant exercises. Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024 was $3.1 million. Our primary cash needs are for working capital requirements, capital expenditures and to fund our operations. We are subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with a new business. We believe that our current resources and the expected revenues from operations will be insufficient to fund our planned operations for the next twelve months. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 stated that our recurring losses from operations, accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2024, inability to achieve positive cash flows from operations and inability to fund day to day activities through operations indicates that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern. We plan to increase our cash flow from our operations to address some of our liquidity concerns and are evaluating other strategic alternatives. However, to execute our business plan and implement our business strategy, we anticipate that we will need to obtain additional financing from time to time and may choose to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financings, a bank line of credit, borrowings from affiliates or other arrangements. We cannot be sure that any additional funding, if needed, will be available on terms favorable to us or at all. Furthermore, any additional capital raised through the sale of equity or equity-linked securities may dilute our current shareholders’ ownership in us and could also result in a decrease in the market price of our common shares. The terms of those securities issued by us in future capital transactions may be more favorable to new investors and may include the issuance of warrants or other derivative securities, which may have a further dilutive effect. Furthermore, any debt financing, if available, may subject us to restrictive covenants and significant interest costs. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital, when needed, to continue operations in their current form. If we cannot raise needed funds, we might be forced to make substantial reductions in our operating expenses, including reductions in our research and development expenses or headcount reductions, which could adversely affect our ability to implement our business plan and ultimately our viability as a company. Cash Flows The following summarizes the key components of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023: Year Ended December 31, 2024 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Net cash used in operating activities $ (4,971,948 ) $ (5,582,139 ) Net cash used in investing activities - (14,514 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 3,278,235 9,045,578 Effect of foreign exchange 70,620 61,235 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents $ (1,623,093 ) $ 3,510,160 Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $4,971,948 as compared to $5,582,139 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to a decrease in the net loss. 31 Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was none as compared to $14,514 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in cash flow used in investing activities was primarily attributable to a significant reduction in payroll capitalized for the development of intangible assets and proceeds of sale of equipment in the prior year. Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities was $3,278,235 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $9,045,578 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in cash flow provided by financing activities was mainly attributable to the decrease in proceeds we received from the issuance of common shares, exercise of warrants and options, and repayments on notes payable. The Company raised $3,278,235 for the year ended December 31, 2024 from debt issuances and warrant exercise compared to $11,693,973 attributed to equity and warrants issuances, net of offering cost offset by repayment of $2,519,835 related party notes payable for the year ended December 31, 2023. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and management’s assessment of current events and other facts and circumstances that are considered to be relevant. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of estimation uncertainty that management has made at the end of the reporting year, that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, relate to, but are not limited to, the following: Intangible assets Intangible assets acquired separately are measured upon initial recognition at cost, which comprises the purchase price plus any costs directly attributable to the preparation of the asset for its intended use. Intangible assets acquired through business combinations (Xcite Interactive) or asset acquisitions are initially recognized at fair value as at the date of acquisition. After initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment charges. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company completed an impairment analysis of its intangible assets and concluded the assets were impaired. As a result, the Company impaired the remaining carrying value of the intangible assets in the amount of $3,968,332. No new intangible assets were capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2024. Stock-based compensation The estimation of share-based payments (including warrants and stock options) requires the selection of an appropriate valuation model and consideration as to the inputs necessary for the valuation model chosen. We use the Black-Scholes valuation model at the date of the grant. We make estimates as to the volatility, the expected life, dividend yield and the time of exercise, as applicable. The expected volatility is based on the average volatility of share prices of similar companies over the period of the expected life of the applicable warrants and stock options. The expected life is based on historical data. These estimates may not necessarily be indicative of future actual patterns. 32 Revenue recognition The Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), the entity performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only recognizes revenue from contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect substantially all the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. The Company earns revenue in two primary ways: 1) the sales of software-as-a-service (SAAS) from its interactive production software platform or 2) development and maintenance of custom-built software or other professional services. The Company recognizes SAAS revenues from its interactive production sales over the life of the contract as its performance obligations are satisfied. Payment terms vary by contract and can be periodic or one-time payments. The Company determines that the customer receives and consumes the benefits of the service simultaneously as the service is provided. The transaction price is allocated to the contractual performance obligations and recognized ratably over the contract term. The Company recognizes revenues received from the development and maintenance of custom-built software and other professional services provided upon the satisfaction of its performance obligation in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those services. Performance obligations can be satisfied either at a single point in time or over time. For those performance obligations that are satisfied at a single point in time, the revenue is recognized at that time. For each performance obligation satisfied over time, the Company recognizes revenue by measuring the progress toward complete satisfaction of that performance obligation. The Company generally measures progress comparing hours incurred to total estimated hours. For revenues received from the sales of advertising, the Company is deemed the agent in its revenue agreements. The Company does not own or obtain control of the digital advertising inventory. The Company recognizes revenues upon the achievement of agreed-upon performance criteria for the advertising inventory, such as a number of views, or clicks. As the Company is acting as an agent in the transaction, the Company recognizes revenue from sales of advertising on a net basis, which excludes amounts payable to partners under the Company’s revenue sharing agreements. The Company’s contracts with customers may include promises to transfer multiple products and services. For these contracts, the Company accounts for individual performance obligations separately if they are capable of being distinct and distinct within the context of the contract. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations may require significant judgment. Judgment is also required to determine the stand-alone selling price, for each distinct performance obligation. License Revenue We recognize revenue when or as the performance obligations in the contract are satisfied. For performance obligations that are fulfilled at a point in time, revenue is recognized at the fulfillment of the performance obligation. Since the IP is determined to be a functional license, the value of the grant of use is recognized in the first period of the contract term in which the license agreement is in force. Since the costs incurred to satisfy the ASPIS technology performance obligations are incurred evenly throughout the year, the value of the technical support and new improvements services are recognized throughout the contract period as these performance obligations are satisfied. For the year ended December 31, 2024, no revenue was recognized on our functional IP as the Technology Agreement with ASPIS as the license had not been delivered to ASPIS during the year. Deferred Revenue Revenue recognition of sales is recorded on a monthly basis upon delivery or as the services are provided. Cash received in advance for services are recorded as deferred revenue based on the proportion of time remaining under the service arrangement as of the reporting date. Convertible Debt We may enter into negotiated short term convertible debt agreement to provide bridge capital in between equity raises. Our convertible debt agreements include a debt discount and a common stock conversation feature that may be exercised by the noteholder that is either at or out of the money. We evaluate the terms of convertible debt issue prior to accepting such agreements to determine whether there are embedded derivative instruments, including embedded conversion options, which are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as derivative financial instruments. We evaluate our convertible debt in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt with conversion and Other Options (“ASC 470-20”) and ASC 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815-40”). Under ASC 815-40, to qualify for equity classification (or nonbifurcation, if embedded) the instrument (or embedded feature) must be both (1) indexed to the issuer’s stock and (2) meet the requirements of equity classification guidance. Functional currency The functional currency for each of our subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the respective entity operates. Such determination involves certain judgements to identify the primary economic environment. We reconsider the functional currency of our subsidiaries if there is a change in events and/or conditions which determine the primary economic environment. 33 ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Not applicable.