0001705338FALSE00017053382022-08-052022-08-050001705338us-gaap:CommonStockMember2022-08-052022-08-050001705338lov:AmericanDepositaryShareADSMember2022-08-052022-08-05

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): August 5, 2022
Spark Networks SE
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Germany 001-38252 N/A
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Kohlfurter Straße 41/43
Berlin Germany 10999
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (+49) 30 868000
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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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 classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
American Depository Shares each representing one-tenth of an ordinary shareLOV
The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC
Ordinary shares, €1.00 nominal value per share*
* Not for trading purposes, but only in connection with the registration of American Depository Shares pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
As previously disclosed, on March 11, 2022, Spark Networks SE (the “Company”) entered into a Financing Agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with Zoosk, Inc. (“Zoosk”) and Spark Networks, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and MGG Investment Group LP, as administrative agent and collateral agent, providing for senior secured term loans in the aggregate principal amount of $100 million.
On August 5, 2022, the Company entered into Amendment No.1 (the “Amendment”) to the Financing Agreement, which revised certain financial covenants related to quarterly testing of the Company’s quarterly leverage ratio. The Amendment also requires that the Company’s minimum marketing spend for the twelve consecutive month period ending at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, not to be less than $80.0 million, and amended the margin for the term loan interest to be set at the levels based on the period for which the leverage ratio is calculated.
The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which is filed hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On August 9, 2022, the Company issued a press release reporting second quarter of 2022 financial results. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information provided in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is intended to be “furnished” 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 into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 4.02 Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review
On August 5, 2022, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”), after consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances and after consultation with management and the Company’s independent public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP, concluded that the Company’s unaudited consolidated interim financial statements as of March 31, 2022 and for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022 included in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 10, 2022 (the “Original Report”) should be restated (the “Restatement”), and that such financial statements previously filed with the SEC should no longer be relied upon as a result of a system error which resulted in the Company’s consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 being overstated by $2.5 million in the Original Report. Similarly, related earnings releases and investor communications describing the Company’s financial statements for that period should no longer be relied upon.
The Company plans to file Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022 with the SEC (the “Amended Report”). The Company expects that the Restatement will decrease the Company's reported revenue by $2.5 million and increase the reported net loss by $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Accordingly, reported accumulated deficit will increase by $2.1 million as of March 31, 2022. The following sections in the Original Report are expected to be revised in the Amended Report, solely as a result of, and to reflect, the Restatement:

    ●    Part I – Item 1. Financial Information
    ●    Part I – Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    ●    Part II – Item 6. Exhibits and Signatures
In connection with the Restatement, the Company’s management evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, and based on that evaluation, concluded that, as of March 31, 2022, the Company continued to have material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting as previously identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2021, and that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. This conclusion remains the same as disclosed in “Part I, Item 4. Controls and Procedures” included in the Original Report. The remediation plan for the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting was disclosed in the same section in the Original Report.
The Company’s management and the Audit Committee have discussed the matters disclosed in this Item 4.02 in this Current Report on Form 8-K with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, LLP.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits




(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
99.1
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)



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.
Spark Networks SE
Dated: August 9, 2022
By:/s/ Frederic Beckley
 Frederic Beckley
 General Counsel & Chief Administrative Officer

EXECUTION VERSION 132654221v6 AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FINANCING AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FINANCING AGREEMENT, dated as of August 5, 2022 (this "Amendment"), to the Financing Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2022 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Financing Agreement”), by and among Spark Networks SE, a Societas Europaea (Europäische Gesellschaft) with registered seat in Munich, Federal Republic of Germany, registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany under HRB 232591 (the “Parent”), Spark Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Spark Networks”), Zoosk, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Zoosk”, and together with the Parent, Spark Networks, and each other Person that executes a joinder agreement and becomes a “Borrower” thereunder, each, a “Borrower” and, collectively, the “Borrowers”), each subsidiary of the Parent listed as a “Guarantor” on the signature pages thereto (together with each other Person that executes a joinder agreement and becomes a “Guarantor” thereunder, each, a “Guarantor” and, collectively, the “Guarantors”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (each, a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”), MGG Investment Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“MGG”), as collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”), and MGG, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent” and, together with the Collateral Agent, each, an “Agent” and, collectively, the “Agents”). WHEREAS, the Loan Parties have requested that the Agents and the Required Lenders amend certain terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Agents and the Required Lenders are willing to amend such terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows: 1. Definitions. All terms used herein that are defined in the Financing Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Financing Agreement. 2. Amendments. (a) New Definitions. Section 1.01 of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following definitions in appropriate alphabetical order: ““Amendment No. 1” means Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2022, by and among the Loan Parties, the Agents and the Required Lenders party thereto.” ““Amendment No. 1 Effective Date” means the 'Amendment Effective Date' as set forth in Amendment No. 1.” ““Marketing Spend” means, for any period, the direct marketing expenses (as included in the “Cost of Goods Sold” line item in the Loan Parties’ income statement) incurred by such Loan Parties during such period, calculated in a manner consistent with the calculations provided to the Agents prior to the Effective Date.” Exhibit 10.1


 
- 2 - 132654221v6 ““TTM Marketing Spend” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate dollar amount of the Marketing Spend for the twelve consecutive month period most recently ended.” (b) Existing Definitions. (i) The definition of “Applicable Margin” in Section 1.01 of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: ““Applicable Margin” means, (1) on or prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, as of any date of determination, with respect to the interest rate of (a) any Reference Rate Loan or any portion thereof, 6.50% per annum and (b) any LIBOR Rate Loan or any portion thereof, 7.50% per annum. (2) after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the relevant Applicable Margin shall be set at the respective level indicated below based upon the period for which the Leverage Ratio is calculated and the Leverage Ratio set forth opposite thereto, which ratio shall be calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for which financial statements and a Compliance Certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Parent are received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in accordance with Section 7.01(a)(ii) and Section 7.01(a)(iv): Level Leverage Ratio Reference Rate Loans LIBOR Rate Loans For the period commencing after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date until June 30, 2023: I Greater than or equal to 4.25 to 1.00 7.50% 8.50% II Less than 4.25 to 1.00 7.00% 8.00% For the period commencing after June 30, 2023: I Greater than or equal to 3.75 to 1.00 7.50% 8.50% II Less than 3.75 to 1.00 7.00% 8.00% (3) Subject to clause (4) below, the adjustment of the Applicable Margin (if any) will occur two (2) Business Days after the date the Administrative Agent receives the financial statements and a Compliance Certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Parent in accordance with Section 7.01(a)(ii) and Section 7.01(a)(iv) for the most recent fiscal quarter of the Parent and its Subsidiaries. (4) Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) the Applicable Margin shall be set at Level I in the table above (A) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, or (B) if for any period, the Administrative Agent does not receive the financial statements and Compliance Certificate described in clause (3) above, for the period commencing on the date such financial statements and Compliance


 
- 3 - 132654221v6 Certificate were required to be delivered through the date on which such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are actually received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; and (ii) in the event that any financial statement or certificate described in clause (3) above is inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or any Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any fiscal period, then the Applicable Margin for such fiscal period shall be adjusted retroactively (to the effective date of the determination of the Applicable Margin that was based upon the delivery of such inaccurate financial statement or certificate) to reflect the correct Applicable Margin, and the Borrowers shall promptly make payments to the Agents and the Lenders to reflect such adjustment.” (c) Clause (b)(vii) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” in Section 1.01 of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: “(vii) (1) fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with (A) the consummation of the Transactions, (B) any amendments, modifications or waivers of the Loan Documents after the Effective Date, (C) the consummation of any Permitted Acquisitions and (D) the consummation of issuances of Indebtedness or Capital Stock and Dispositions to the extent permitted by this Agreement and (2) fees, costs and expenses accrued or incurred in connection with the transaction previously disclosed to the Agent as “Project Courtship”, provided, that the amount added back pursuant to this clause (vii)(2) shall not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate during any twelve month period;” (d) Financial Covenants. Section 7.03 of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: (1) Section 7.03(a) of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: “(a) Leverage Ratio. Permit the Leverage Ratio of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent and its Subsidiaries ending on the date set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth opposite such date: Fiscal Quarter End Leverage Ratio June 30, 2022 5.25 to 1.00 September 30, 2022 5.50 to 1.00 December 31, 2022 5.75 to 1.00 March 31, 2023 5.50 to 1.00 June 30, 2023 4.25 to 1.00 September 30, 2023 3.75 to 1.00 December 31, 2023 3.75 to 1.00 March 31, 2024 3.75 to 1.00


 
- 4 - 132654221v6 June 30, 2024 3.75 to 1.00 September 30, 2024 3.25 to 1.00 December 31, 2024 3.25 to 1.00 March 31, 2025 3.25 to 1.00 June 30, 2025 3.25 to 1.00 September 30, 2025 2.75 to 1.00 December 31, 2025 2.75 to 1.00 March 31, 2026 2.75 to 1.00 June 30, 2026 2.75 to 1.00 September 30, 2026 2.25 to 1.00 December 31, 2026 2.25 to 1.00 (2) Section 7.03 of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended by inserting a new clause (d), to read as follows: “(d) Minimum Marketing Spend. Permit the TTM Marketing Spend of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the twelve (12) consecutive month period ending at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, to be less than $80,000,000.” (e) Notices. Section 12.01(a) of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the notice information for Spark Networks, Inc. set forth therein with the following: “Spark Networks, Inc. RiverPark Fourteen, 10808 South River Front Parkway, Suite 398 South Jordan, UT 84095 Attention: David Clark Email: david.clark@spark.net” 3. Representations and Warranties. Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants to the Agents and the Lenders as follows: (a) Representations and Warranties; No Event of Default. (i) The representations and warranties herein, in Article VI of the Financing Agreement and in each other Loan Document, certificate or other writing delivered to any Secured Party pursuant to the Financing Agreement or any other Loan Document on or immediately prior to the Amendment Effective Date are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations


 
- 5 - 132654221v6 or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to "materiality" or "Material Adverse Effect" in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such date as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates solely to an earlier date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to "materiality" or "Material Adverse Effect" in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such earlier date), and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the Amendment Effective Date or would result from this Amendment becoming effective in accordance with its terms. (b) Organization, Good Standing, Etc. Each Loan Party (i) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated, and to execute and deliver this Amendment, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Financing Agreement, as amended hereby, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary except (solely for the purposes of this subclause (iii)) where the failure to be so qualified and be in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (c) Authorization, Etc. The execution and delivery by each Loan Party of this Amendment, and the performance by it of the Financing Agreement, as amended hereby, (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary action, (ii) do not and will not contravene (A) any of its Governing Documents, (B) any applicable material Requirements of Law or (C) any Material Contract binding on or otherwise affecting it or any of its properties, (iii) do not and will not result in or require the creation of any Lien (other than pursuant to any Loan Document) upon or with respect to any of its properties, and (iv) do not and will not result in any default, noncompliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to its operations or any of its properties, except (solely for the purposes of this subclause (iv)) to the extent that such default, noncompliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (d) Enforceability of Loan Documents. This Amendment is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity, and for the avoidance of doubt in the case of the English Loan Parties and the English Security Documents, subject to the Legal Reservations. (e) Governmental Approvals. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by any Loan Party of this Amendment other than authorizations or approvals that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect as of the Amendment Effective Date. 4. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective only upon satisfaction in full, in a manner satisfactory to the Agents, or waiver of the following conditions precedent


 
- 6 - 132654221v6 (the first date upon which all such conditions shall have been satisfied or waived being hereinafter referred to as the "Amendment Effective Date"): (a) Payment of Fees, Etc. The Borrowers shall have paid on or before the Amendment Effective Date an amendment fee to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in an amount equal to $250,000, which fee shall be deemed earned in full on the Amendment Effective Date and shall be non-refundable. (b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in this Amendment and in Article VI of the Financing Agreement and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to "materiality" or "Material Adverse Effect" in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of the Amendment Effective Date as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates solely to an earlier date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date). (c) No Default; Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the Amendment Effective Date or result from this Amendment becoming effective in accordance with its terms. (d) Delivery of Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received on or before the Amendment Effective Date, this Amendment, duly executed by the Loan Parties, each Agent and the Required Lenders. (e) Liens; Priority. The Agents shall be satisfied that the Collateral Agent has been granted, and holds, for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, a perfected, first priority Lien on and security interest in all of the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, to the extent such Liens and security interests are required pursuant to the Loan Documents to be granted or perfected on or before the Amendment Effective Date. (f) Approvals. All consents, authorizations and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, any Governmental Authority or other Person required in connection with any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated thereby or the conduct of the Loan Parties' business shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full force and effect. There shall exist no claim, action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, shareholder or derivative litigation) pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority which (i) relates to the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, or (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 5. Continued Effectiveness of the Financing Agreement and Other Loan Documents. Each Loan Party hereby (a) acknowledges and consents to this Amendment, (b) confirms and agrees that the Financing Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, except that on and after the Amendment Effective Date, all references in any such Loan Document to "the Financing Agreement", the "Agreement", "thereto", "thereof", "thereunder" or words of like import referring to the Financing Agreement shall mean the Financing Agreement as amended by this Amendment, and (c) confirms and agrees that, to the extent that any such Loan Document purports to assign or pledge to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, or to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the


 
- 7 - 132654221v6 Agents and the Lenders, a security interest in or Lien on any Collateral as security for the Obligations of the Loan Parties from time to time existing in respect of the Financing Agreement (as amended hereby) and the other Loan Documents, such pledge, assignment and/or grant of the security interest or Lien is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects. This Amendment does not and shall not affect any of the obligations of the Loan Parties, other than as expressly provided herein, including, without limitation, the Loan Parties' obligations to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of Financing Agreement or the obligations of the Loan Parties under any Loan Document to which they are a party, all of which obligations shall remain in full force and effect. Except as expressly provided herein, the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Agent or any Lender under the Financing Agreement or any other Loan Document nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Financing Agreement or any other Loan Document. 6. No Novation. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as a substitution or novation of the Obligations outstanding under the Financing Agreement or instruments securing the same, which shall remain in full force and effect, except as modified hereby. 7. No Representations by Agents or Lenders. Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges that it has not relied on any representation, written or oral, express or implied, by any Agent or any Lender, other than those expressly contained herein, in entering into this Amendment. 8. Release. Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that: (a) neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries has any claim or cause of action against any Agent or any Lender (or any of the directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or consultants of any of the foregoing), and (b) the Agents and the Lenders have heretofore properly performed and satisfied in a timely manner all of their obligations to the Loan Parties, and all of their Subsidiaries and Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agents and the Lenders wish (and the Loan Parties agree) to eliminate any possibility that any past conditions, acts, omissions, events or circumstances would impair or otherwise adversely affect any of their rights, interests, security and/or remedies. Accordingly, for and in consideration of the agreements contained in this Amendment and other good and valuable consideration, each Loan Party (for itself and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and the successors, assigns, heirs and representatives of each of the foregoing) (collectively, the "Releasors") does hereby fully, finally, unconditionally and irrevocably release, waive and forever discharge the Agents and the Lenders, together with their respective Affiliates and Related Funds, and each of the directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and consultants of each of the foregoing (collectively, the "Released Parties"), from any and all debts, claims, allegations, obligations, damages, costs, attorneys' fees, suits, demands, liabilities, actions, proceedings and causes of action, in each case, whether known or unknown, contingent or fixed, direct or indirect, and of whatever nature or description, and whether in law or in equity, under contract, tort, statute or otherwise, which any Releasor has heretofore had or now or hereafter can, shall or may have against any Released Party by reason of any act, omission or thing whatsoever done or omitted to be done, in each case, on or prior to the Amendment Effective Date directly arising out of, connected with or related to this Amendment, the Financing Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any act, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, or the agreements of any Agent or any Lender contained therein, or the possession, use, operation or control of any of the assets of any Loan Party, or the making of any Loans or other advances, or the management of such Loans or other advances or the Collateral. 9. Further Assurances. The Loan Parties shall execute any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all further actions, as may be required under Applicable Law or as any Agent may reasonably request, in order to effect the purposes of this Amendment.


 
- 8 - 132654221v6 10. Miscellaneous. (a) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile or electronic mail shall be equally effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment. (b) Section and paragraph headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment for any other purpose. (c) This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York. (d) Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Amendment constitutes a "Loan Document" under the Financing Agreement. Accordingly, it shall be an immediate Event of Default under the Financing Agreement if (i) any representation or warranty made by any Loan Party under or in connection with this Amendment shall have been incorrect in any respect when made or deemed made, or (ii) any Loan Party shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in this Amendment. (e) Any provision of this Amendment that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining portions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. (f) To the extent invoiced to the Borrowers on or prior to the date of this Amendment, within ten (10) Business Days of the Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowers shall pay, or cause to be paid, all other fees (other than the amendment fee in connection with this Amendment, which shall be paid on or prior to the Amendment Effective Date), costs, expenses and taxes payable, if any, pursuant to Section 2.06 or 12.04 of the Financing Agreement. [Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]


 
[Signature Page to First Amendment] IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered as of the date set forth on the first page hereof. BORROWERS: SPARK NETWORKS SE By: Name: Eric Eichmann Title: Managing Director SPARK NETWORKS, INC. By: Name: Eric Eichmann Title: Chief Executive Officer and President ZOOSK, INC. By: Name: Eric Eichmann Title: President GUARANTORS: SPARK NETWORKS SERVICES GMBH By: Name: David Clark Title: Managing Director SPARK NETWORKS USA, LLC By: Name: Eric Eichmann Title: Chief Executive Officer and President SMOOCH LABS INC. By: Name: Eric Eichmann Title: Chief Executive Officer and President


 
[Signature Page to First Amendment] MINGLEMATCH, INC. By: Name: Eric Eichmann Title: Chief Executive Officer and President SPARK NETWORKS LIMITED By: Name: Yoon Um Title: Director LOV USA, LLC By: Name: Eric Eichmann Title: Chief Executive Officer and President


 
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1] ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT: MGG INVESTMENT GROUP LP By: MGG GP, LLC, its general partner By: Name: Kevin Griffin Title: Chief Executive Officer


 
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1] REQUIRED LENDERS: MGG SPECIALTY FINANCE FUND II LP MGG SF EVERGREEN FUND LP MGG SF EVERGREEN UNLEVERED FUND LP MGG INSURANCE FUND SERIES INTERESTS OF THE SALI MULTI-SERIES FUND, LP MGG SF EVERGREEN MASTER FUND (CAYMAN) LP MGG SF EVERGREEN UNLEVERED MASTER FUND II (CAYMAN) LP MGG CANADA FUND LP MGG (BVI) LIMITED MGG SF DRAWDOWN UNLEVERED FUND II (LUXEMBOURG) SCSp MGG SF DRAWDOWN UNLEVERED FUND III (LUXEMBOURG) SCSp MGG US DIRECT LENDING FUND 2019 LP MGG SF EVERGREEN FUND 2020 LP MGG SF DRAWDOWN UNLEVERED FUND III LP MGG SF DRAWDOWN UNLEVERED MASTER FUND III (CAYMAN) LP By: MGG Investment Group LP, on behalf of each of the above, as Authorized Signatory By: Name: Kevin Griffin Title: Chief Executive Officer


 

EXHIBIT 99.1

Spark Networks Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results, Continued Subscriber Growth for Zoosk

Total Paid Subscribers Grew from 831,000 to 838,000 Sequentially
Zoosk Grew New Subscribers 17% Year Over Year and 7% Sequentially
Zoosk Grew Organic Traffic 19% Year Over Year
Strategic Alternatives Review In Progress

BERLIN, August 9, 2022 -- Spark Networks SE (NASDAQ: LOV), a leading social dating platform for meaningful relationships, today reported financial results for its 2022 second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Eric Eichmann, CEO of Spark Networks, commented, “We saw new subscriber growth of 17% year over and a 19% increase in organic traffic year over year for our largest brand Zoosk in the second quarter, as we began scaling our user acquisition spend, supporting Zoosk's trajectory back to revenue growth. We continue to make good progress on improving the Zoosk user experience, which we believe will drive increased adoption and renewals. As the fourth largest online subscription-based dating company across North America and Europe by revenue, we remain focused on successfully executing the well-developed roadmap of strategies and investments we have in place to drive revenue growth and ultimately shareholder value.”

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Revenue was $48.0 million, compared to $55.3 million in the second quarter of 2021. On a constant currency basis (1), revenue would have been $50.3 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Net loss was $8.8 million, compared to $49.0 million in the second quarter of 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA loss(2) was $1.7 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $8.6 million in the second quarter of 2021.

Please see the table captioned “Reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA” included at the end of this release for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP measure, to U.S. GAAP.

Business Highlights

Total Paid Subscribers: Total paid subscribers grew from 831,000 to 838,000 sequentially in the second quarter. Zoosk end of period subscribers grew 4% year over year and 5% sequentially in the second quarter.
Zoosk Delivered Improving Growth Metrics: Zoosk new subscribers grew 17% year over year and 7% sequentially in the second quarter. Zoosk organic traffic grew 19% year over year.
Product and Marketing Improvements: Spark successfully expanded TV and radio ads during the quarter and is adding other channels, including TikTok. Spark plans to roll out new mobile apps by year-end.
Strategic Review: A robust and active strategic alternatives review process has been underway since June 2022.





Financial Outlook
“As we look to the rest of the year, due to a number of factors, the largest of which is the appreciation of the U.S. dollar, we are revising down our guidance for our full-year 2022 revenue,” said David Clark, Chief Financial Officer of Spark Networks. "We now expect total revenue for the year to be down low to mid-single digits on a percentage basis as compared to 2021. On a constant currency basis, we expect full-year 2022 revenue to be consistent with full-year 2021 revenue. On the profitability side, although we expect full-year Adjusted EBITDA to be lower than previously anticipated, we expect to deliver low double-digit Adjusted EBITDA margins for the full year. It is important to note that in periods of subscriber growth, revenue and Adjusted EBITDA tend to lag as we recognize revenue over the entire subscription length, while 100% of the user acquisition cost is recognized ahead of this growth in the quarter that it is incurred.”




Investor Conference Call
Spark Networks management will host a conference call and live webcast for analysts and investors today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific Time) to discuss the Company's financial results.

To access the live call, dial 1-800-225-9448 (US and Canada) or +1 203-518-9708 (International) and ask to join the Spark Networks' call.

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be accessible on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investor.spark.net/investor-relations/home. In addition, a phone replay will be available approximately two hours following the end of the call and will remain available for one week. To access the call replay, dial 1-877-481-4010 (US) or +1 919-882-2331 (International) and enter the replay passcode: 46271.

About Spark Networks SE

Spark Networks SE (NASDAQ: LOV) is a leading social dating platform for meaningful relationships focusing on the 40+ demographic and faith-based affiliations. Spark’s widening portfolio of premium and freemium dating apps include Zoosk, EliteSingles, SilverSingles, Christian Mingle, Jdate, and JSwipe, among others. Spark is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with offices in New York and Utah.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, statements involving known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Spark Networks performance or achievements to be materially different from those of any expected future results, performance, or achievements. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding leading indicators revenue growth; our focus on successfully executing the well-developed roadmap of strategies and investments we have in place to drive revenue growth and ultimately shareholder value in 2022 and beyond; our expectations with respect to financial outlook for full year 2022 including with respect to revenue and Adjusted EBITDA; Zoosk's trajectory back to revenue growth; the scaling of our user acquisition spend; improvements to the Zoosk user experience; increased adoption and renewals for Zoosk; our plans to roll out new mobile apps by year end; the expansion of our marketing channels; and the impact of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar on our business.





Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be considered to be forward-looking statements. Written words, such as “believes,” “hopes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “guides,” and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements and forecasts involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the near future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the risk that the benefits from the acquisition of Zoosk, Inc. may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; risks related to the degree of competition in the markets in which Spark Networks operates; risks related to the ability of Spark Networks to retain and hire key personnel, operating results and business generally; the timing and market acceptance of new products introduced by Spark Networks’ competitors; Spark Networks’ ability to identify potential acquisitions; Spark Networks’ ability to comply with new and evolving regulations relating to data protection and data privacy; general competition and price measures in the market place; risks related to the duration and severity of COVID-19 and its impact on Spark Networks’ business; and general economic conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Spark Networks’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other sections of Spark Networks’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and in Spark Networks’ other current and periodic reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

For More Information
Investor contact:
MKR Investor Relations, Inc.
Todd Kehrli
lov@mkr-group.com

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: constant currency revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. These measures are derived on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

1 We provide a constant currency revenue amount to present a period-to-period comparison of business performance that excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. We define non-GAAP constant currency revenue as total revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements. Non-GAAP constant currency revenue are calculated by translating current quarter revenues using prior period exchange rates.





2 Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our business, budget, forecast and compensate management. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a consistent view, period to period, of the core earnings generated from the ongoing operations and allows for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by senior leadership in its financial and operational decision-making. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings (loss) excluding interest expense, (gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation and amortization, asset impairments, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition related costs and other costs. Adjusted EBITDA has inherent limitations in evaluating the performance of the Company,and you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing the Company’s results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations include:

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash capital expenditures during the measurement period;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any changes in working capital requirements during the measurement period;
Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the cash tax payments during the measurement period; and
Adjusted EBITDA may be calculated differently by other companies in our industry, thus limiting its value as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to other financial performance measures, including net income (loss) and our other U.S. GAAP results. A reconciliation of the Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 can be found in the table below captioned “Reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA.”







Spark Networks SE
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
June 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$11,350 $16,141 
Accounts receivable, net5,584 6,261 
Goodwill and intangible assets163,418 164,113 
Other assets24,313 23,286 
Total assets$204,665 $209,801 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current portion of long-term debt$1,182 $17,593 
Accounts payable8,319 11,474 
Deferred revenue34,877 36,973 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities25,690 27,042 
Long-term debt, net of current portion93,343 64,531 
Other liabilities18,828 19,495 
Total liabilities182,239 177,108 
Total shareholders' equity22,426 32,693 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$204,665 $209,801 




Spark Networks SE
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2022202120222021
Revenue$48,035 $55,253 $97,942 $111,632 
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization36,356 32,881 70,602 69,799 
Other operating costs and expenses15,097 49,308 31,135 67,749 
Total operating costs and expenses51,453 82,189 101,737 137,548 
Operating loss(3,418)(26,936)(3,795)(25,916)
Other expense, net(5,150)(3,220)(12,536)(8,404)
Loss before income taxes(8,568)(30,156)(16,331)(34,320)
Income tax (expense) benefit(193)(18,871)99 (21,211)
Net loss$(8,761)$(49,027)$(16,232)$(55,531)

Reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited):
Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)2022202120222021
Net loss$(8,761)$(49,027)$(16,232)$(55,531)
Interest expense2,706 3,802 9,588 7,242 
Loss (gain) on foreign currency transactions2,441 (584)3,208 1,144 
Income tax expense (benefit)193 18,871 (99)21,211 
Depreciation and amortization577 2,298 1,180 4,588 
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets— 32,086 — 32,086 
Stock-based compensation expense490 580 992 1,616 
Other costs(1)
614 615 636 1,410 
Adjusted EBITDA$(1,740)$8,641 $(727)$13,766 

(1) Includes primarily consulting and advisory fees related to special projects, as well as non-cash acquisition related expenses, post-merger integration activities and long-term debt transaction and advisory fees.








Spark Networks SE
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30,
20222021
Net loss$(16,232)$(55,531)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Non-cash items and other non-operating charges12,536 64,183 
Change in operating assets and liabilities(6,999)(4,023)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities(10,695)4,629 
Capital expenditures(1,268)(661)
Net cash used in investing activities(1,268)(661)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities7,774 (13,610)
Effects of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash(613)(275)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash(4,802)(9,917)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period16,279 21,117 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$11,477 $11,200