false 0001757715 0001757715 2022-05-09 2022-05-09

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 9, 2022

 

Aterian, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delaware

 

001-38937

 

83-1739858

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

Aterian, Inc.
37 East 18th Street, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10003

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

(347) 676-1681
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name, or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

 

ATER

 

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 


 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 9, 2022, Aterian, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 2.02, including the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, is intended to be furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 9.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

Number

Description

99.1

Press Release issued by Aterian, Inc., dated May 9, 2022

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL)

 


 

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

 

ATERIAN, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  May 9, 2022

By:

/s/ Yaniv Sarig

 

 

 

Name: Yaniv Sarig

 

 

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1


 

 

 

Aterian Reports First Quarter 2022 Results 

 

Reports First Quarter 2022 Net Revenue of $41.7 Million 

 

First Quarter Cash Balance of $44.3 Million

 

NEW YORK, May 9, 2022 – Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) (“Aterian” or the “Company”) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. 

 

First Quarter 2022 Highlights

 

First quarter 2022 net revenue declined 13.3% to $41.7 million, compared to $48.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.

 

First quarter 2022 gross margin improved to 56.6%, compared to 54.1% in the first quarter of 2021. 

 

First quarter 2022 contribution margin declined to 9.2% from 12.7% in the first quarter of 2021, primarily due to global supply chain disruptions and inflation. 

 

First quarter 2022 operating loss of $(36.3) million declined, compared to a loss of $(27.8) million in the first quarter of 2021.  First quarter 2022 operating loss includes a gain of $2.8 million from the net change in fair value and settlement of earn-out liabilities, $29.0 million of impairment loss on goodwill, and $2.9 million of non-cash stock compensation while first quarter 2021 included a $15.6 million charge from the change in fair-value of earn out liabilities and $6.9 million of non-cash stock compensation expense. 

 

First quarter 2022 net loss of $(42.8) million improved from $(82.6) million in the first quarter of 2021. First quarter 2022 net loss includes a gain on extinguishment of debt of $2.0 million and $7.7 million in net charges from the changes in fair-value of warrants and initial issuance of equity, while first quarter 2021 included $50.3 million of net charges from the changes in fair-value of warrants and cancellation of warrants.

 

First quarter 2022 adjusted EBITDA decreased to $(4.5) million from $(1.2) million in the first quarter of 2021.

 

As planned, due to supply chain concerns, no new products were launched in the first quarter of 2022 compared with 21 in the first quarter of 2021. 

 

Total cash balance at March 31, 2022 was $44.3 million.


 

 

 

 

 


 

Yaniv Sarig, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We enter the second quarter of 2022 with a strong balance sheet and a focus on retaining market share across our portfolio of brands despite the challenging macroeconomic conditions. Our efforts to optimize our financial strength and our investments in our team and infrastructure should allow us to weather the unpredictable environment and position us to drive growth both organically and through our accretive M&A strategy as the global supply chain stabilizes.”

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

For more information on our non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures, please see the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations” section below.

 

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Aterian will host a live conference call to discuss financial results today, May 9, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  To access the call, participants from within the U.S. should dial (877) 295-1077 and participants from outside the U.S. should dial (470) 495-9485 and provide the conference ID: 8791175.  Participants may also access the call through a live webcast at https://ir.aterian.io/investor-relations. Please visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary software. The archived online replay will be available for a limited time after the call in the Investor Relations section of the Aterian website.

 

About Aterian, Inc.

Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) is a leading technology-enabled consumer product platform that builds, acquires, and partners with best-in-class e-commerce brands by harnessing proprietary software and an agile supply chain to create top selling consumer products. The Company’s cloud-based platform, Artificial Intelligence Marketplace Ecommerce Engine (AIMEE™), leverages machine learning, natural language processing and data analytics to streamline the management of products at scale across the world’s largest online marketplaces, including Amazon, Shopify and Walmart. Aterian has thousands of SKUs across 14 owned and operated brands and sells products in multiple categories, including home and kitchen appliances, health and wellness, beauty and consumer electronics.

 

Forward Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements including, in particular, the statements regarding the strength of our balance sheet; our ability to retain market share; our ability to optimize our financial strength; our ability  to weather the current environment; global supply chain disruptions and any easing of constraints thereon or any stabilization thereof; our expectations around organic growth and our M&A strategy; and the global macroenvironment. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those related to the global shipping disruptions, our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to meet financial covenants with our lenders, our ability to create operating leverage and efficiency when integrating companies that we acquire, including through the use of our team’s expertise, the economies of scale of our supply chain and automation driven by our platform; those related to our ability to grow internationally and through the launch of products under our brands and the acquisition of additional brands; those related to the impact of COVID-19, including its impact on consumer demand, our cash flows, financial condition, forecasting and revenue growth rate; our supply chain including sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing and fulfillment; our ability to manage expenses, working capital and capital expenditures efficiently; our business model and our technology platform; the impact of intangible assets such as goodwill, and other impairments;  disruptions to the Company's information technology systems, including but not limited to potential or actual security breaches of systems protecting consumer and employee information or other types of cybercrimes or cybersecurity attacks; our ability to disrupt the consumer products industry; our ability to grow market share in existing and new product categories; our ability to generate profitability and stockholder value;


international tariffs and trade measures; inventory management, product liability claims, recalls or other safety and regulatory concerns; reliance on third party online marketplaces; seasonal and quarterly variations in our revenue; acquisitions of other companies and technologies and our ability to integrate such companies and technologies with our business; our ability to continue to access debt and equity capital (including on terms advantageous to the Company) and the extent of our leverage; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), all of which you may obtain for free on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.




Investor Contact:

 

Ilya Grozovsky 

Director of Investor Relations & Corp. Development

Aterian, Inc.

ilya@aterian.io

917-905-1699 

 


 

ATERIAN, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

30,317

 

 

$

44,281

 

Accounts receivable—net

 

 

10,478

 

 

 

5,870

 

Inventory

 

 

63,045

 

 

 

75,425

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

21,034

 

 

 

13,440

 

Total current assets

 

 

124,874

 

 

 

139,016

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—net

 

 

1,254

 

 

 

1,146

 

GOODWILL—net

 

 

119,941

 

 

 

90,921

 

OTHER INTANGIBLES—net

 

 

64,955

 

 

 

63,211

 

OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

2,546

 

 

 

2,726

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

313,570

 

 

$

297,020

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit facility

 

$

32,845

 

 

$

29,463

 

Accounts payable

 

 

21,716

 

 

 

22,894

 

Seller notes

 

 

7,577

 

 

 

4,081

 

Contingent earn-out liability

 

 

3,983

 

 

 

6,448

 

Warrant liability

 

 

 

 

 

20,861

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

 

17,621

 

 

 

15,412

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

83,742

 

 

 

99,159

 

OTHER LIABILITIES

 

 

360

 

 

 

509

 

CONTINGENT EARN-OUT LIABILITY

 

 

5,240

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

89,342

 

 

 

99,668

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share—500,000,000 shares authorized and 55,090,237 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021; 500,000,000 shares

   authorized and 62,348,318 shares outstanding at March 31, 2022

 

 

5

 

 

 

6

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

653,650

 

 

 

669,720

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(428,959

)

 

 

(471,735

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(468

)

 

 

(639

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

224,228

 

 

 

197,352

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

313,570

 

 

$

297,020

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 


 

ATERIAN, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

48,136

 

 

$

41,673

 

COST OF GOODS SOLD

 

 

22,073

 

 

 

18,066

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

26,063

 

 

 

23,607

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and distribution

 

 

25,069

 

 

 

22,974

 

Research and development

 

 

2,124

 

 

 

1,144

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,976

 

 

 

9,541

 

Impairment loss on goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

29,020

 

Change in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities

 

 

15,645

 

 

 

(2,775

)

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

53,814

 

 

 

59,904

 

OPERATING LOSS

 

 

(27,751

)

 

 

(36,297

)

INTEREST EXPENSE—net

 

 

4,420

 

 

 

802

 

GAIN ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF SELLER NOTE

 

 

 

 

 

(2,012

)

LOSS ON INITIAL ISSUANCE OF EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

5,835

 

CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF WARRANT LIABILITY

 

 

30,202

 

 

 

1,879

 

LOSS ON INITIAL ISSUANCE OF WARRANT

 

 

20,147

 

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSE

 

 

33

 

 

 

(25

)

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

(82,553

)

 

 

(42,776

)

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS

 

$

(82,553

)

 

$

(42,776

)

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

 

$

(3.15

)

 

$

(0.78

)

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted

 

 

26,225,383

 

 

 

55,141,448

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


ATERIAN, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(82,553

)

 

$

(42,776

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,204

 

 

 

1,846

 

Provision for sales returns

 

 

(100

)

 

 

109

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discounts

 

 

3,963

 

 

 

106

 

Change in fair value of warrants

 

 

 

 

 

1,879

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

6,899

 

 

 

2,865

 

Loss (Gain) from change in contingent liabilities fair value

 

 

15,645

 

 

 

(2,775

)

Loss in connection with warrant fair value

 

 

30,202

 

 

 

 

Loss on initial issuance of warrant

 

 

20,147

 

 

 

 

Gain in connection with settlement of note payable

 

 

 

 

 

(2,012

)

Loss on initial issuance of equity

 

 

 

 

 

5,835

 

Impairment loss on goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

29,020

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,445

)

 

 

4,608

 

Inventory

 

 

(15,355

)

 

 

(12,380

)

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

(4,675

)

 

 

410

 

Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities

 

 

17,573

 

 

 

95

 

Cash used in operating activities

 

 

(8,495

)

 

 

(13,170

)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of fixed assets

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(16

)

Purchase of Healing Solutions assets

 

 

(15,280

)

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

 

(15,300

)

 

 

(16

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from warrant exercise

 

 

8,939

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from cancellation of warrant

 

 

16,957

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

8,749

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from equity offering, net of issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

27,007

 

Repayments on note payable to Smash

 

 

(4,737

)

 

 

(1,084

)

Borrowings from MidCap credit facility

 

 

14,531

 

 

 

30,357

 

Repayments for MidCap credit facility

 

 

(12,325

)

 

 

(33,845

)

Deferred financing costs from MidCap credit facility

 

 

(151

)

 

 

 

Repayments for High Trail term loan

 

 

(5,400

)

 

 

 

Borrowings from High Trail term loan note 2

 

 

14,025

 

 

 

 

Debt issuance costs from High Trail Term Loan

 

 

(1,136

)

 

 

 

Insurance obligation payments

 

 

(951

)

 

 

(719

)

Cash provided by financing activities

 

 

38,501

 

 

 

21,716

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH

 

 

(99

)

 

 

(171

)

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH FOR PERIOD

 

 

14,607

 

 

 

8,359

 

CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

30,097

 

 

 

38,315

 

CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

44,704

 

 

$

46,674

 

RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH

 

$

34,995

 

 

$

44,281

 

RESTRICTED CASH—Prepaid and other assets

 

 

9,580

 

 

 

2,264

 

RESTRICTED CASH—Other non-current assets

 

 

129

 

 

 

129

 

TOTAL CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

 

$

44,704

 

 

$

46,674

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

252

 

 

$

357

 

Non-cash consideration paid to contractors

 

$

3,427

 

 

$

 

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt issuance costs not paid

 

$

246

 

 

$

 

Original issue discount

 

$

2,475

 

 

$

 

Fair value of contingent consideration liability

 

$

16,557

 

 

$

 

Discount of debt relating to warrants issuance

 

$

7,740

 

 

$

 

Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisition

 

$

39,454

 

 

$

 

Issuance of common stock for settlement of seller note

 

$

 

 

$

767

 

Fair value of warrants issued in connection with equity offering

 

$

 

 

$

18,982

 

Equity fundraising costs not paid

 

$

 

 

$

166

 

Common stock issued for warrants

 

$

1,125

 

 

$

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

In addition to disclosing financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release and accompanying tables include certain non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures contained herein are a supplement to the corresponding financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures presented exclude the items described below. Management believes that adjustments for these items assist investors in making comparisons of period-to-period operating results. Furthermore, management also believes that these items are not indicative of our on-going core operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures have certain limitations in that they do not reflect all of the costs associated with the operations of our business as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Therefore, investors should consider non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures presented by us may be different from the non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

We have presented the following non-GAAP measures to assist investors in understanding our core net operating results on an on-going basis: (i) Contribution Margin; (ii) Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue; (iii) EBITDA (iv) Adjusted EBITDA; and (v) Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue. These non-GAAP financial measures may also assist investors in making comparisons of our core operating results with those of other companies. 

As used herein, Contribution margin represents gross profit less amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold) and e-commerce platform commissions, online advertising, selling and logistics expenses (included in sales and distribution expenses).  As used herein, Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue represents Contribution margin divided by net revenue. As used herein, EBITDA represents net loss plus depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net and provision for income taxes. As used herein, Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus stock-based compensation expense, changes in fair-market value of earn-outs, amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold), changes in fair-market value of warrant liability, professional fees and transition costs related to acquisitions, loss from extinguishment of debt, impairment of goodwill, loss on initial issuance of equity, litigation reserve and other expenses, net.  As used herein, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenue. Contribution margin, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered as alternatives to loss from operations or net loss, as determined under GAAP.

We present Contribution margin and Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue, as we believe each of these measures provides an additional metric to evaluate our operations and, when considered with both our GAAP results and the reconciliation to gross profit, provides useful supplemental information for investors.  Specifically, Contribution margin and Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue are two of our key metrics in running our business.  All product decisions made by us, from the approval of launching a new product and to the liquidation of a product at the end of its life cycle, are measured primarily from Contribution margin and/or Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue.  Further, we believe these measures provide improved transparency to our stockholders to determine the performance of our products prior to fixed costs as opposed to referencing gross profit alone.

 

In the reconciliation to calculate contribution margin, we add e-commerce platform commissions, online advertising, selling and logistics expenses (“sales and distribution variable expense”), to gross margin to inform users of our financial statements of what our product profitability is at each period prior to fixed costs (such as sales and distribution expenses such as salaries as well as research and development expenses and general administrative expenses).  By excluding these fixed costs, we believe this allows users of our financial statements to understand our products performance and allows them to measure our products performance over time. 

 

We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue because we believe each of these measures provides an additional metric to evaluate our operations and, when considered with both our GAAP results and the reconciliation to net loss, provide useful supplemental information for investors. We use these measures with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as sales and gross margins, to assess our historical and prospective operating performance, to provide meaningful comparisons of operating performance across periods, to enhance our understanding of our operating performance and to compare our performance to that of our peers and competitors.  We believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue are useful to investors in assessing the operating performance of our business without the effect of non-cash items. 

 

Contribution margin, Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net loss, loss from operations or any other measure of financial performance calculated and prescribed in accordance with GAAP. Neither EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue should be considered a measure of


discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Our Contribution margin, Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue may not be comparable to similar titled measures in other organizations because other organizations may not calculate Contribution margin, Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue in the same manner as we do. Our presentation of Contribution margin and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by the expenses that are excluded from such terms or by unusual or non-recurring items.

 

We recognize that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue, have limitations as analytical financial measures. For example, neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA reflects:

 

our capital expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or mergers and acquisitions;

 

the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest expense or principal payments, associated with indebtedness;

 

depreciation and amortization, which are non-cash charges, although the assets being depreciated and amortized will likely have to be replaced in the future, or any cash requirements for the replacement of assets;

 

changes in cash requirements for our working capital needs; or 

 

changes in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities, warrant liabilities, and amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold).

Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-cash expense for stock-based compensation, which is and is expected to remain a key element of our overall long-term incentive compensation package.

We also recognize that Contribution margin and Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue have limitations as analytical financial measures. For example, Contribution margin does not reflect:

 

general and administrative expense necessary to operate our business; 

 

research and development expenses necessary for the development, operation and support of our software platform;

 

the fixed costs portion of our sales and distribution expenses including stock-based compensation expense; or 

 

changes in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities, warrant liabilities, and amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold).

 

Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net loss plus depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net and provision for income taxes.  Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus stock-based compensation expense, changes in fair-market value of earn-outs, amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold), change in fair-market value of warrant liability, professional fees and transition costs related to acquisitions, loss from extinguishment of debt, impairment of goodwill, loss on initial issuance of equity, litigation reserve and other expenses, net.  As used herein, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenue.

The following table provides a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, which is the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP:

 

 


 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Net loss

 

$

(82,553

)

 

$

(42,776

)

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

4,420

 

 

 

802

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,204

 

 

 

1,846

 

EBITDA

 

 

(76,929

)

 

 

(40,128

)

Other expense (income), net

 

 

33

 

 

 

(25

)

Impairment loss on goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

29,020

 

Change in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities

 

 

15,645

 

 

 

(2,775

)

Amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold)

 

 

1,808

 

 

 

 

Gain on extinguishment of seller note

 

 

 

 

 

(2,012

)

Loss on initial issuance of equity

 

 

 

 

 

5,835

 

Change in fair market value of warrant liability

 

 

30,202

 

 

 

1,879

 

Loss on initial issuance of warrant

 

 

20,147

 

 

 

 

Professional fees related to acquisitions

 

 

449

 

 

 

 

Litigation reserve

 

 

 

 

 

800

 

Transition cost from acquisitions

 

 

552

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

6,899

 

 

 

2,865

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

(1,194

)

 

$

(4,541

)

Net loss as a percentage of net revenue

 

 

(171.5

)%

 

 

(102.6

)%

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue

 

 

(2.5

)%

 

 

(10.9

)%

Contribution Margin


Contribution margin represents gross profit less amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold) and e-commerce platform commissions, online advertising, selling and logistics expenses (included in sales and distribution expenses). Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue represents Contribution margin divided by net revenue. The following table provides a reconciliation of Contribution margin to gross profit and Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue to gross profit as a percentage of net revenue, which are the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Gross Profit

 

$

26,063

 

 

$

23,607

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of inventory step-up from acquisitions (included in cost of goods sold)

 

 

1,808

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-commerce platform commissions, online advertising, selling and logistics expenses

 

 

(21,737

)

 

 

(19,777

)

Contribution margin

 

$

6,134

 

 

$

3,830

 

Gross Profit as a percentage of net revenue

 

 

54.1

%

 

 

56.6

%

Contribution margin as a percentage of net revenue

 

 

12.7

%

 

 

9.2

%

 

Each of our products typically goes through the Launch phase and depending on its level of success is moved to one of the other phases as further described below: 

i.      Launch phase: During this phase, we leverage our technology to target opportunities identified using AIMEE (Artificial Intelligence Marketplace e-Commerce Engine) and other sources. During this period of time, due to the combination of discounts and investment in marketing, our net margin for a product could be as low as approximately negative 35%. Net margin is calculated by taking net revenue less the cost of goods sold, less fulfillment, online advertising and selling expenses. These costs primarily reflect the estimated variable costs related to the sale of a product.

ii.     Sustain phase: Our goal is for every product we launch to enter the sustain phase and become profitable, with a target of positive 15% net margin for most products, within approximately three months of launch on average. Over time,


our products benefit from economies of scale stemming from purchasing power both with manufacturers and with fulfillment providers.

iii.    Milk phase or Liquidate phase: If a product does not enter the sustain phase or if the customer satisfaction of the product (i.e., ratings) is not satisfactory, then it will go to the liquidate phase and we will sell through the remaining inventory. In order to enter the milk phase, a product must be well received and become a strong leader in its category in both customer satisfaction and volume sold as compared to its competition. Products in the milk phase that have achieved profitability should benefit from pricing power and we expect their profitability to increase accordingly. To date, none of our products have achieved the milk phase and we can provide no assurance that any of our products will do so in the future.

The following tables break out our first quarter 2021 and 2022 results of operations by our product phases (in thousands):

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2021 (in thousands) (unaudited)

 

 

 

Sustain

 

 

Launch

 

 

Liquidate/Other

 

 

Fixed Costs

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

Total

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

41,994

 

 

$

2,599

 

 

$

3,543

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

48,136

 

COST OF GOODS SOLD

 

 

17,298

 

 

 

1,452

 

 

 

3,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,073

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

24,696

 

 

 

1,147

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,063

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and distribution

 

 

18,816

 

 

 

1,397

 

 

 

1,518

 

 

 

2,383

 

 

 

955

 

 

 

25,069

 

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,241

 

 

 

883

 

 

 

2,124

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,915

 

 

 

5,061

 

 

 

10,976

 

Change in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,645

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands) (unaudited)

 

 

 

Sustain

 

 

Launch

 

 

Liquidate/Other

 

 

Fixed Costs

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

Total

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

37,964

 

 

$

837

 

 

$

2,872

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

41,673

 

COST OF GOODS SOLD

 

 

15,749

 

 

 

411

 

 

 

1,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,066

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

22,215

 

 

 

426

 

 

 

966

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,607

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and distribution

 

 

17,479

 

 

 

535

 

 

 

1,762

 

 

 

2,851

 

 

 

347

 

 

 

22,974

 

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

870

 

 

 

274

 

 

 

1,144

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,297

 

 

 

2,244

 

 

 

9,541

 

Impairment loss on goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,020

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,020

 

Change in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,775

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,775

)