Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

 

For the transition period from ________ to _________

 

Commission File Number:  000-55585

 

Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida   82-2484160
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd. #6, Boca Raton, Florida     33431
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: ( 561) 287-5776

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: common stock, par value $0.001 per share

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No þ

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company þ
    Emerging growth company þ

 

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.  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨      No  þ

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter on June 30, 2018 was $4,300,293.

 

As of April 16, 2019, there were 144,926,927 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

  

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None

 

 

 

 

     
 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page
  PART I    
Item 1. Business   1
Item 1A. Risk Factors   13
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments   25
Item 2. Properties   25
Item 3. Legal Proceedings   25
Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures   25
       
  PART II    
       
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities   26
Item 6. Selected Financial Data   26
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   27
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   36
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   F-1
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   37
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures   37
Item 9B. Other Information   38
       
  PART III    
       
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance   39
Item 11. Executive Compensation   43
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters   45
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence   46
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services   47
       
  PART IV    
       
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules   49
       
Signatures   51
           

 

 

 

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Except for historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Such forward-looking statements include, among others, those statements including the words "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "estimates", "plans" and words of similar import. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, potential target businesses, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore that you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as statements of historical fact or as guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include our ability to raise capital when needed and on acceptable terms and conditions; our ability to make acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses into our company; our ability to attract and retain management with experience in the social media business; the intensity of competition; and changes in the political and regulatory environment and in business and fiscal conditions in the United States and overseas. These risks and others described under the section "Risk Factors" below are not exhaustive.

 

Given these uncertainties, readers of this Annual Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

 

All references in this Annual Report to the "Company", "we", "us", or "our", are to Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., a Florida corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida on April 14, 2014, as Illumination America, Inc. and changed our name to Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. on August 17, 2017.

 

Effective August 17, 2017, we consummated the acquisition of Grom Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Grom Holdings”) pursuant to the terms of a share exchange agreement (“Share Exchange”) entered into on May 15, 2017. In connection with the Share Exchange, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to increase its authorized capital from 100,000,000 shares to 200,000,000 shares of common stock and to change its name to “Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.” At the closing of the Share Exchange, the Company issued an aggregate of 110,853,883 shares of its common stock to the Grom Holdings shareholders, pro rata to their respective ownership percentage. Each share of Grom Holdings was exchanged for 4.17 shares of our common stock. As a result, the stockholders of Grom Holdings owned approximately 92% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock at such time.

 

All references to common stock totals or values in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) unless otherwise stated, have been adjusted, retroactively, to reflect the Share Exchange ratio of 4.17 as of August 17, 2017.

 

Business Summary

 

We operate our business through the following five wholly-owned subsidiaries:

 

  · Grom Social, Inc. (“Grom Social”) was incorporated in the State of Florida on March 5, 2012 and operates our social media network designed for children.

 

  · TD Holdings Limited (“TD Holdings”), which was acquired in July 2016, was incorporated in Hong Kong on September 15, 2005. Its operations are conducted through its subsidiary companies, Top Draw Animation Hong Kong Limited (“TDAHK”) and Top Draw Animation, Inc. (“Top Draw” or “TDA”). The group’s principal activities are the production of animated films based in Manila, the Philippines.

 

  · Grom Educational Services, Inc. (“GES”), was incorporated in the State of Florida on January 17, 2017, and operates our NetSpective Webfiltering services to schools and libraries.

 

  · Grom Nutritional Services, Inc. (“GNS”) was incorporated in the State of Florida on April 19, 2017. We intend to market and distribute four flavors of a nutritional supplement to children through GNS. GNS did not record any revenue in 2018.

 

  · Illumination America Lighting, Inc. (“IAL”), was incorporated in the State of Florida on August 21, 2017. IAL operates our LED lighting business that was our principal business prior to the Share Exchange.  IAL did not record any revenue in 2018.

 

Grom Social

 

Grom Social is a social media company for kids focused on producing original content and generating revenue from our website and synergistic subsidiary companies. Although we have only generated minimal revenue to date, our core business is our Grom Social media website for children, which we refer to as “Grom Social.” The concept for Grom Social was developed in 2012, by Zach Marks, who was 12 years old at the time and is the son of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Darren Marks.

 

 

 

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The name “Grom,” is derived from Australian surfing slang, and is defined by us to mean “a promising young individual who is quick to learn.” Visitors to our Grom Social website located at www.gromsocial.com may log on via mobile phone, desktop computer or tablet and chat with friends, view original content or play games created by us.

 

Grom Social’s business model which had generated nominal revenue to date is based upon providing children ages five through 16 with a safe environment on the Internet while promoting “fun,” “wholesomeness” and “family values.” We define a "user" as any child between the ages of five and 16 and any parent who sign up for a Grom Social account. We require that each child receive parental approval to gain full access to the Grom Social platform. In certain jurisdictions and circumstances, we allow parents, teachers and guardians (collectively, “parents”) to sign up groups of children at one time. If a child does not follow the sign-up process described above, he/she will have only limited access to the site. Limited access does not allow the child to chat with other children or visit certain sections of the site.

 

We define a "user" as any child between the ages of 5 and 16 who logs on or downloads Grom Social in the app stores. We require that each child receive parental approval to gain full access to the Grom Social platform. In certain jurisdictions and circumstance, we allow parents, teachers, and guardians (collectively, “parents”) to sign up groups of children at one time. As a result, instead of having an equal number of parents as users, we have a lesser number. If a parent’s approval is not given, the account will not be opened. The child will be considered a user but will have limited access to the Grom Social platform.

 

Since inception, based on data provided by Google Data Analytics and Joomla Management Systems (“Joomla’) we have generated in excess of 15 million users including parents and guardians, in over 200 countries and territories. Currently, there are approximately 876,000 monthly active users.

 

On April 4, 2019, we submitted our new mobile app to the Apple Store and the Google Play Store for approval. We have received approval from the Google Play Store into the “the Designed for Families program”. We expect approval shortly, from the Apple Store. Although there can be no assurances, we will continue to support our website until our new users can fully migrate to our mobile app which can also be used on tablets. This is a standard process for the development of any new app. Before an app can be offered to the public for a free download or for a charge, it is subject to a review process. The Apple store covers IOS or programs that can only be download on an Apple phone. The Google Play Store addresses apps that can only be downloaded on Android devices.

 

Previously we communicated with our database of users both actively, through email and a parent portal; and passively, through messaging on a child’s profile page and through seventeen unique Grom characters that offer the same engagement level with the children with many additional “fun” and safety features.

 

We believe our new mobile app is the only children’s app where kids can:

 

· Openly (free-form) chat with each other, without restriction as opposed to having to choose from pre-selected words to make sentences;
· Record videos of themselves to post in a social environment and use enhanced facial features, masks, and filters while doing so;
· View exclusive Grom TV content - Video on demand ( VOD) platform for kids which is free and curated to provide only safe and educational content for children. There is no user-generated Grom TV content so we don't run into problems that plague other social media sites;
· Message and chat with cartoon characters – currently this feature is not offered anywhere else;
· Communicate with users and parents (through Grom’s MamaBear app) regardless of where they may be navigating on our Grom Social website. This feature eliminates the need to leave the section of the site that they are engaged in.

 

 

We have established the following safeguards and procedures to ensure our Grom Social website is a safe place for children:

 

  · Account Approval: We have account creation procedures to help ensure that only children between the ages of five and sixteen can create an account. If a child submits a request to open an account on the Grom Social website, we send an email notification to his or her parents that their child has applied to create a Grom Social account. If the child’s parents approve the account, by using one of three methods that are approved by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act(“COPPA”) guidelines, the account is opened. If a parent’s approval is not given, the account will not be opened, and the child will have limited access to the Grom Social website.

 

  ·

Parental Involvement : By requiring parental approval for a child to open an account and to interact with other users on Grom Social, we hope to ensure that parents are aware of and involved with their child’s activity on the website. Further, we believe that parental involvement provides us with the ability to market products and services to parents.

 

  · Digital Citizenship Educational Conte nt – kids must take and pass an internet safety course and receive a Digital Citizen License (“DCL”) before having full access to the site.

 

  · Limited Data collection of Child and Parent – No digital profiles will be built for children or parents. Parent email, birthdate, gender and country locations is the most detailed profile we will build for a user, thus keeping them anonymous in our system. Information collected for analytical data only.

 

MamaBear

 

MamaBear is a mobile, all-in-one parenting app that we acquired in September 2016. By using MamaBear, a parent can follow and protect their child’s online presence by monitoring their social networking/media accounts, including, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. The app is available on iTunes and Google Play. MamaBear provides parents with a powerful all-in-one safety and awareness tool that we believe offers a unique set of social media monitoring features, family mapping, alerts and reputation management tools, as well as alerts to cyber threats toward their children. Moreover, the app offers a private place for families to communicate and stay abreast of family activities.

 

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  · Content Monitoring : We have software that monitors posts for inappropriate content using standard “keyword” filter technology. If a post contains inappropriate content, it will not appear on the website and the poster will be sent a warning about offensive content. We believe that through monitoring content we can promote social responsibility and digital citizenship.

 

  · Anti-bullying : We have software that monitors the Grom Social website for bullying. In addition to monitoring the interaction between children on the website, we also post messages that strongly emphasizes anti-bullying and actively promotes social responsibility and digital citizenship. Additionally, our website has received the “KidSafe Seal of Approval” from KidSafe, an independent safety certification service and seal-of-approval program designed exclusively for children-friendly websites and technologies, including online game sites, educational services, virtual worlds, social networks, mobile apps, tablet devices, connected toys, and other similar online and interactive services.

 

  · Use of “Gromatars”: Children on Grom Social create animated pictures, which we call “Gromatars,” to represent themselves on Grom Social without providing a real-life photograph. Gromatars are viewed as profile pictures on a user’s home wall, and when a user leaves a comment or “like” on a public page. Kids can build and customize their Gromatars by selecting over 200 different options such as the eyes, nose, hair, teeth, ears, skin color, hairstyle, and color.

 

We believe these safeguards are a critical component of our business model. We believe that children are increasingly accessing the Internet at younger ages and therefore the need for safe, age-appropriate web venues for younger children to browse and interact with other children is increasing. According to current statistics shown on GuardChild.com (“GuardChild”) a website, focused on providing software and applications to promote safe Internet browsing for children and statistics collected from various resources including: Pew Internet and American Life Project, Global Insights in Family Live Online, Norton/Symantec, Pew Research, FOSI, and McAfee Online Safety Study focused on providing software and applications to promote safe Internet browsing for children:

 

  · Approximately 81% of 9-17-year-olds say they visited a social networking site in the past three months,
     
  · Approximately 41% of teens had a negative experience as a result of using social networking; and

 

  · Approximately 88% of teens have seen someone be “mean or cruel” to another person on a social networking site.

 

Content

 

In addition to providing a safe, social media platform for children to interact with their peers, we create our own content consisting of animated characters, interactive chats, videos, blogs, and games. geared to provide wholesome family entertainment.  

 

According to Statista.com and Google Analytics, as of 2017, the average online duration of an Internet user between the ages of 6-11 has at a minimum doubled since 2014 from approximately 11-22 minutes in 2014 to 39 to 43 minutes in 2017. Based upon our login statistics provided by the Joomla management system, the average online duration of users logged onto our Grom Social website is approximately 47 minutes. We believe the longer duration time is a result of our ability to better engage users through our original content.

 

 

 

 

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Strategy

 

  · Advertising Revenue. We believe that the release of our new app will enable us immediately begin to generate advertising revenue and the growth of our database may attract high-profile companies to advertise on our Grom Social website and mobile platforms, although there can be no assurances of advertisers using Grom’s website or mobile app. We intend to emphasize to advertisers what we believe is the unique level of parental involvement on Grom Social. We currently have one advertising program in early non-revenue testing. We currently expect to enter into an advertising partnership that will allow advertisers to sponsor certain sections of the app. We intend to charge each advertiser a fee for each view/click and/or commission to advertise a particular brand/product or service on our platforms.

 

  · Subscription Based Premium Content. Although we currently do not charge a subscription fee, we feel that we will be able to move to a subscription model by the end of 2019 based on our analytics and reaction to our exclusive live-action content. We are continuously making software upgrades which will enable us to offer premium “VIP” content to users for which they will be charged a monthly subscription fee. Users that sign up for this VIP program will become Grom Club Members. We currently hope to offer Grom Club Memberships during the fourth quarter of 2019 which will enable Grom Club Members to utilize current and new features to:

 

  Ø Create and view interactive videos that can be shared with other Grom Club Members, with non-paying Grom users and with any other third parties in their approved network;

 

  Ø Receive exclusive Gromatar options and accessories such as: masks, voice modification, face modification, special effects, and numerous filters.

 

  Ø Have unlimited access to new premium games;

 

  Ø Receive free monthly screen savers and animated gifts;

 

  Ø Engage in exclusive chats with athletes and celebrities;

 

  Ø Collaborate, through a feature called ColabLab (only available on the desktop version) with Zach and other Grom Club Members with similar interests to create new Grom Social features;

 

  Ø Earn and collect “Grom Coin Packages” (only available on the desktop version) that can be used to purchase merchandise, play games or purchase other exclusive content on the Grom Social website. Grom Club Members will earn Grom Coin Packages by participating in activities on the Grom Social website; and

 

  Ø Receive discounts on Grom merchandise to be developed;

 

  Ø Turn off ads;

 

  Ø Enhanced feature sets-extended video recording time

 

Throughout our monetization efforts, we will maintain a free version of the app so we do not believe it will have any negative impact on our user base

 

  · Longer Term Revenue Opportunities. In addition to the foregoing near term initiatives, although there can be no assurances we will be successful, we currently expect to add the following features in the first half of 2020 to the Grom Social app:
         

 

  Ø Online Game Fees. The games currently available to users on our website are free. We intend to offer users an option to pay to play exclusive games and/or pay for game upgrades. These games may be developed by us, such as Grom Skate or obtained from outside developers, and adapted to use on our website.

 

  Ø Licensing Merchandise Revenue. We hope to create Grom apparel and other merchandise for purchase through our website and mobile app and enter into licensing and merchandise agreements.

 

 

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Grom’s multimedia mobile app enables children to interact with each other in a “safe” and “fun” environment. Features of the app include direct messaging, video recordings with face filters and effects, notifications, profiles with custom colors, Gromatar cartoon avatars, over 1,000 hours of Grom TV exclusive videos on demand, a search and discovery section, hashtags and mentions in post descriptions, liking, commenting, and sharing of content, and the ability to share photos, videos and doodle drawings in direct messages. With this feature set and the safety permissions in place, the app gives children their own social platform similar to the popular adult platforms, but in a safe controlled environment.

 

TD Holdings

 

TD Holdings conducts its operations through its subsidiary companies, TDHK and TDA. The group’s principal activities, based in Manila, Philippines, are the production of 30-minute animated films.

 

TDA is a full-service production and pre-production studio working with international clients. TDA specializes in producing 2D digital animation production services for series and movies, primarily for international television markets. TDA provides its services on a contract for services basis or under co-production arrangements.

 

For pre-production, TDA produces storyboards, location design, model and props design, background color and color styling. For production, TDA focuses on library creation, digital asset management, background layout scene assembly, posing, animation and after effects. TDA currently provides services to high-profile properties, including Tom and Jerry, My Little Pony and Disney Animation’s Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero. TDA produces over two hundred half-hour segments of animated content for television annually, which we believe makes it one of the top producers of animation for television worldwide.

 

TDA’s notable projects include:      
     
Show Client Number of Series in Years Period
Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs SLR Productions 2 2014-2015
Looped DHX Media 2 2014-2015
Exchange Student Zero Cartoon Network Asia 3 2012, 2014-2015
Transformers: Rescue Bots DHX Media 2 2014-2015
Julius Junior II Brain Power Studio 3 2013-2015
My Little Pony DHX Media 10 2010-2019
My Little Pony - Equestrian Girls DHX Media 7 2012-2013, 2015-2019
Guess How Much I Love You SLR Productions 4 2011, 2015-2017
Littlest Pet Shop DHX Media 5 2012-2016
Peabody & Sherman DHX Media 3 2014-2016
Supernoobs DHX Media 3 2015-2017
Jamie's Got Tentacles Samka Productions 3 2013, 2015-2016
Umigo 5 Wild Brain Entertainment 4 2012-2015
Titeuf Go-N Productions 1 2015
Tom and Jerry Slap Happy Cartoons 5 2015-2019

 

 

 

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Grom Educational Services

 

On January 2, 2017, we acquired web filtering assets including a proprietary Internet filtering software, NetSpective Webfilter ( the “NetSpective Web Filter”) from TeleMate.net. We have sold subscriptions for webfiltering software to approximately 3,700 schools and 2 million children where clients pay upfront for a period of one to five years. NetSpective products comply with The Children's Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”), which requires that K-12 schools and libraries in the United States use Internet filters and implement other technology protection measures to protect children from harmful online content as a condition for federal funding.

 

Grom Nutritional Services

 

GNS was formed in April 2017 with the intention of marketing and distributing four flavors of nutritional supplements to children.

 

In December 2016, Grom entered into an agreement with Bond Technology Systems, Inc. (“BondTech”) a manufacturer of proprietary liquid supplements to develop a drink formulation for Grom. Under the terms of the agreement, we formed GNS as a wholly-owned subsidiary to initially market and distribute four flavors (mixed berry, fruit punch, apple, and orange/vanilla) of a nutritional based supplement using the "Just Brilliant" brand name (TM application pending) to our user base of children and their parents. We intend to gear subsequent marketing efforts to the wholesale/retail grocery, convenience, and big box sectors.

 

The agreement also provides that BondTech will provide $200,000 in funding toward the formulation of the product, logistics, and manufacturing. The formulation will be owned by GNS with profits from the sale of the product split 50/50 between BondTech and GNS.

 

The development of the formulation has taken considerably longer than anticipated because the initial co-packer identified by BondTech was unable to provide an acceptable formulation that met our quality standards. We are in the process of developing a new formulation with a new co-packer. Although there can be no assurances, we currently believe that we will have a marketable product by the end of the second quarter of 2019, although there can be no assurance that there will not be further delays.

 

Illumination America Lighting

 

IAL is currently an inactive wholly-owned subsidiary. IAL acquired the LED lighting business formerly operated by Illumination America, Inc. prior to the Share Exchange. We expect IAL to remain inactive for the immediate future and do not plan to commit any Company resources to the IAL business.

 

Acquisition Strategy

 

Our acquisition strategy is to acquire synergistic companies, products or intellectual property that will help grow our Grom Social user base and also will become profitable as a stand-alone enterprise or division.

 

Acquisition of TD Holdings

 

On July 1, 2016, we entered into an acquisition agreement (the “TDH Acquisition Agreement”) for the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of TD Holdings for which we paid $4,000,000 in cash and issued a 5% secured promissory note, in the principal amount of $4,000,000, which originally matured on July 1, 2018 (the “Note”) and 7,367,001 shares of our common stock valued at $4,240,000, or approximately $0.58 per share, to the selling shareholders of TDA (“TDA Sellers”). Wayne Dearing, the founder, 50% owner and managing director of TD Holdings is currently one of our executive officers.

 

Under the terms of the TDH Acquisition Agreement, we are also required to make additional payments to the TDA Sellers, up to a maximum of $5,000,000 (“Earnout Payments”) if TD Holdings achieves certain adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA Targets”) during the three-year period following the acquisition (the “Earnout Period”). The Earnout Payments, if any, will be paid 25% in cash and the balance in shares of common stock. The number of shares issuable shall be determined by using a share price equal to the lower of a 10% discount to our last private placement price per share prior to making the Earnout Payment, to a bona fide investor, and priced at arm’s length; or if the shares are listed on a recognized stock exchange and publicly traded, at a 10% discount to the previous 20 day weighted average closing price per share.

 

 

 

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The applicable EBITDA Targets and Earnout Payments for each of the initial three years during the Earnout Period from 2016-2018 (and as extended to the year ended 2019 described below) are as follows:

 

EBITDA Target Earnout Payment
$2,400,000 $1,666,667
$3,700,000 $3,333,333

 

In the event that TD Holdings achieves an EBITDA in an Earnout Year greater than $2,400,000 but less than $3,700,000, the Earnout Payment is calculated by multiplying $3,333,333 by the sum of “A” divided by “B” where:

 

“A” equals the sum of $3,700,000 less the EBITDA earned; and

“B” equals $1,300,000 (being the difference between $2,400,000 and $3,700,000).

 

The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that TD Holding’s EBITDA in any 12-month period during the Earnout Years is equal to or greater than $3,700,000, the full amount of the Earnout Payment will be paid one month after that EBITDA Target is achieved and no further Earnout Payments shall be made.

 

No earnout has been achieved for the three-period period between 2016-2018. The original Earnout Period was extended to December 31, 2019, pursuant to the First Amendment described below.

 

First Amendment of TDH Acquisition Agreement

 

On January 3, 2018, we entered into an amendment to the TDH Acquisition Agreement with the TDA Sellers (the “First Amendment”). Under the terms of the First Amendment:

 

  · the maturity date of the Note was extended from July 1, 2018 until July 1, 2019 (the “First Note Extension Period”);

 

  · the interest rate on the Note was increased from 5% to 10% during the Note Extension Period;

 

  · during the Note Extension Period, the interest will be paid quarterly in arrears, instead of annually in arrears. The first such quarterly interest payment of $100,000 was due on September 30, 2018; and

 

  · the Earnout Period was extended to December 31, 2019.

 

Also, as consideration for the First Amendment, we issued an additional 800,000 shares of our common stock to the TDA Sellers.

 

Second Amendment of the TDH Acquisition Agreement

 

On January 15, 2019, we entered into a second amendment to the TDH Acquisition Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). Under the terms of the Second Amendment:

 

· the maturity date of the Note was extended from July 1, 2019 to April 2, 2020.

 

· the TDA Sellers shall have the right to convert the Note at a conversion price of $0.27 per share, either in whole or in part at any time prior to the maturity, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Amendment 

 

· in the event the Note is not repaid prior to July 2, 2019: (i) no management fee shall be paid by TDA to the Company as provided in the Share Sale Agreement. Management fees paid by TDA to the Company to date are approximately $100,000 per month. Non-payment of the management fees to the Company by TDA due to the non-payment of the Note would have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

 

 

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Acquisition of the MamaBear Mobile Software Application Assets of GeoWaggle, LLC (“MamaBear” )

 

On September 30, 2016, we purchased the online application and website “MamaBear”. As consideration therefor, we issued 208,500 shares of our common stock valued at approximately $162,500, or approximately $0.78 per share. MamaBear is intended to generate revenue through a paid subscription and advertising model. In 2018, the revenue generated by the MamaBear safety application has been nominal.

 

Acquisition of the NetSpective Webfilter Assets and Software from TeleMate.net

 

On January 1, 2017, we acquired the assets of NetSpective, a division of TeleMate.net Software, a Georgia corporation, (“Telemate”) pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement (the “APA” ). Under the terms of the APA, we issued a three-year 0.68% $1,000,000 redeemable, convertible promissory note (the “Telemate Note”) convertible into our common stock at a conversion rate of $0.78 per share. If not converted by Telemate by November 1, 2019, the Telemate Note may be converted by the Company into shares of the common stock at a conversion rate of $0.48 per share. In addition, we entered into a master services agreement (“MSA”) with TeleMate whereby Telemate provided engineering and sales support for a period of twelve months. Under the terms of the MSA, TeleMate assumed all of the risks of NetSpective losing cash measured on a GAAP basis, for a one-year period in operating Netspective in its customary fashion.

 

Additionally, TeleMate was entitled to an earn-out payment of up to $362,500, payable in our common stock at a price of $0.78 per share or 464,744 shares, if the NetSpective WebFilter generated $362,500 in “net cash flow” as defined by the APA Agreement for the one-year post-acquisition period ended December 31, 2017. Such cash flow was achieved by NetSpective, so they became entitled to receive the Earnout. However, TeleMate did not meet the terms of the MSA and failed to remit $146,882 collected on our behalf from NetSpective customers pursuant to the MSA. As a result, we entered into a First Modification to the APA (the “First Modification”).

 

Under the terms of the First Modification, TeleMate agreed to pay us $10,000 per month against their outstanding balance due to us of $146,822. The TeleMate Note may not be converted or any earnout shares issued by us until the outstanding balance is paid in full, and all interest payments due under the TeleMate Note have been suspended until all payments owing the Company has been made. If and when TeleMate is permitted to convert the TeleMate Note, the number of shares converted thereunder will be subject to a one-year leakout agreement.

 

We have received payment in full on the $146,822. If TeleMate does not convert the TeleMate Note to equity by October 1, 2019, the Company has the right to force conversion at a conversion price of $0.48 per share.

 

Acquisition of the Assets of Fyoosion LLC

 

On December 27, 2017, we acquired of all of the assets of Fyoosion LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Fyoosion”), which included primarily goodwill, its website, and source code, as well as all other documentation. Fyoosion’s proprietary software utilizes a digital automation marketing platform for businesses to enable companies to efficiently generate sales leads and improve customer retention.

 

In consideration, therefore, we issued an aggregate of 300,000 shares of our common stock to Fyoosion. Such shares are subject to a leakout agreement limiting the number of shares that can be sold during the one-year period following the date of the asset purchase agreement to 25% of the daily average trading volume during the period prior to such sale. The agreement also provides that if the Company’s proposed business utilizing the assets attains EBITDA of $125,000 in the first year of the agreement, Fyoosion will be entitled to an additional 200,000 shares. This threshold was not met in 2018 and is not expected to be met in the future.

 

 

 

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Business Strategy

 

We hope to grow our business through a combination of marketing initiatives and synergistic acquisitions in an effort to increase our Grom Social user base to a large enough size to enable us to attract advertisers and paid users for our VIP content. However, there can be no assurance that our strategy will be successful or that our revenues will increase as a result of our business strategies.

 

Our Growth Strategy

 

Our growth strategy is as follows:

 

·          Increase the size of our database of users at Grom Social. Comparable to other successful social media companies, we believe the key strategy to our future success is to grow the size of our database. Although the revenue from Grom Social is now nominal, the database continues to grow we believe due to our production of original content and through synergies from our subsidiary companies. For example, at GES our MamaBear application has in excess of 900,000 downloads since inception. We are in the process of making these users aware of the Grom social website. There can be no assurance that we can continue to grow the Grom website and that if we are successful in doing so, we will be able to generate revenues from the website and from the new mobile application which is expected to launch in May 2019 assuming approval by Apple Store. The Google Play app has already been accepted.

 

·         Expand Core Products. We manage our existing and new brands through strategic product development initiatives, including introducing new products and modifying our existing intellectual property. Our marketing team and development teams strive to develop enhanced products to offer added technological, aesthetic and functional improvements to our portfolio of products.

 

·         Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. We supplement our internal growth with selected strategic and synergistic acquisitions.  

 

Seasonality

 

We believe that seasonality does not have any impact on our operations. 

 

Competition

 

Grom Social

 

The markets in which we compete are characterized by innovation and new and rapidly evolving technologies. We believe we will face significant and intense competition in every aspect of our intended business, including from Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Google, which offer a variety of Internet products, services, and content, that will compete for our user's Internet time and spending dollars. In addition to facing general competition from these large, well-funded companies, we also face competition from smaller Internet companies that offer products and services that may compete directly with Grom Social for users, such as Yoursphere, Fanlala, Franktown Rocks, and Sweety High. Additionally, as we introduce new services and products, as our existing services and products evolve, or as other companies introduce new products and services, we may become subject to additional competition from:

 

  · Companies that offer products that replicate either partial or the full range of capabilities we intend to provide.

 

  · Companies that develop applications, particularly mobile applications, that provide social or other communications functionality, such as messaging, photo-and video-sharing, and micro-blogging.

 

  · Companies that provide web-and mobile-based information and entertainment products and services that are designed to engage our target audience and capture time spent on mobile devices and online.

 

 

 

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Many of these companies have substantially greater resources than us.

 

We believe that the following features differentiate us from our competitors and provide us with a possible competitive advantage with respect to our target market:

 

  · We provide children with a social media experience in a safe and controlled environment;

 

  · We encourage direct parental involvement and oversight;

 

  · We produce content developed by “kids and for kids”;

 

  · We have developed a comprehensive registration process to safely register children on the website;

 

  · We provide 24/7 live monitoring of the website by trained individuals to help protect children from malicious content found that may be found on other social networking sites available to children, supplemented by standard “bad word” filtering software; and

 

We believe that Grom Social is one of the only, if not the only, Internet platform that offers games, chatrooms, educational services, social interaction, exclusive content, global connectivity, and group collaboration to develop new content and activities based on user behavior in one platform.

 

TD Holdings

 

We have extensive competition in our animation business coming from Korea, Canada, India, Ireland and to a lesser degree, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Businesses in these countries may receive government subsidies which may make it difficult to compete due to artificially low pricing levels. 

 

We expect that TDA’s digitally animated features will compete with family-oriented, animated and live-action feature films and other family-oriented entertainment products produced by major movie studios, including Disney, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Warner Bros. Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fox Entertainment Group Inc., Paramount Pictures, Lucasfilm Ltd., Universal Studios, Inc., MGM/UA, and Studio Ghibli as well as numerous other independent motion picture production companies.

 

The primary competitors of TD Holdings in the Philippines are Toon City Animation, Snipple Animation Studio, and Synergy 88 Digital. Another significant competitor is Mercury Filmworks in Canada.

 

The competitive environment in the television industry has changed significantly over the past few years following the deployment of digital set-top boxes, the launch of numerous new television networks and the resulting fragmentation of the market. Competition is based primarily on consumer preferences and extends to the Company’s ability to generate and otherwise acquire popular entertainment and trademark properties and secure licenses to exploit, and effectively distribute and market, such properties.

 

Grom Educational Services

 

iBoss, Lightspeed, and Securly are GES’s main webfiltering competitors. There are other larger companies that have web filtering as a part of the larger product offering including Forcepoint (Websense), Bluecoat, Palo Alto Networks, Barracuda and Cisco. All of the larger companies are enterprise focused where they sell numerous products, and filtering is a minimal part of their portfolio.

 

 

 

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Grom Nutritional Services

 

Consumer awareness regarding the benefits of dietary supplements and new product availability are the major drivers for the market worldwide. The nutritional supplements markets is an extremely competitive market estimated to be a $175 billion global market by 2020 according to the FN Media Group LLC. The largest companies in this space are Axxess Pharma Inc., Celsius Holdings, Inc., GNC Holdings Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

 

Illumination America Lighting

 

Since we are a distributor and not a manufacturer of lighting products, we currently face very intense competition from both traditional lighting companies that provide general lighting products, including incandescent, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, metal halide, and neon lighting. We also have competitors from specialized lighting companies that are engaged in providing LED products. In general, we compete with both groups on the basis of our design, quality of light provided, maintenance costs, safety issues, energy consumption, price, product quality and brightness. Additionally, there are thousands of electrical contractors and lighting distributors of varying scales that install and distribute LED lighting products.

 

Government Regulation

 

We are subject to several U.S. federal and state and foreign laws and regulations that affect companies conducting business on the Internet. Many of these laws and regulations are still evolving and being tested in courts and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. These may involve user privacy and data protection, rights of publicity, content, intellectual property, advertising, marketing, distribution, data security, data retention and deletion, personal information, electronic contracts and other communications, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, telecommunications, product liability, taxation, economic or other trade prohibitions or sanctions, securities law compliance, and online payment services. In particular, we are subject to federal, state, and foreign laws regarding privacy and protection of data. Foreign data protection, privacy, and other laws and regulations can be more restrictive than those in the United States. U.S. federal and state and foreign laws and regulations, which in some cases can be enforced by private parties in addition to government entities, are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change. In addition, the application, interpretation, and enforcement of these laws and regulations are often uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate and may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current policies and practices. There are also a number of legislative proposals pending before federal, state, and foreign legislative and regulatory bodies. including data protection regulation.

 

In addition, some countries are considering or have passed legislation implementing data protection requirements or requiring local storage and processing of data or similar requirements that could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services.

 

Our website follows the guidelines of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, 15 U.S.C. 6501–6505. COPPA imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.

 

Additionally, we are subject to CIPA, which was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes certain requirements on schools or libraries that receive discounts for Internet access or internal connections through the E-rate program – a program that makes certain communications services and products more affordable for eligible schools and libraries. In early 2001, the FCC issued rules implementing CIPA and provided updates to those rules in 2011.

 

The Just Brilliant nutritional supplement we intend to market to children, is governed by the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). The FDA defines supplements as a product intended to increase its levels in the diet. These may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or other plant-based substances. Over-the-counter supplements do not undergo the same formal approval process as prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The FDA does not require supplement manufacturers to submit their products to the FDA for review nor receive FDA approval, however, before marketing, companies must ensure they are not making false claims on the product label to mislead consumers. Like other food substances, dietary supplements are not subject to the safety and efficacy testing requirements imposed on drugs, and unlike drugs they do not require prior approval by the FDA; however, they are subject to the FDA regulations regarding adulteration and misbranding.

 

 

 

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Intellectual Property

 

To establish and protect our proprietary rights we rely on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, including know-how, license agreements, confidentiality procedures, non-disclosure agreements with third parties, employee non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements, and other contractual rights. We do not believe that our proprietary website is dependent on any single copyright or groups of related patents or copyrights. We currently own 12 trademarks with two applications pending.

 

Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. - Trademark Status Report (Grouped by Date)

 

Client ID   Country   Mark   Status   Class Class 2 Class 3 Serial No   Filing Date   Reg No   Reg Date   Owner Name   Description   Due Date
4186U.000025   United States   LIGHT BULB DESIGN   Pending Application   006     87416574   04/19/2017       mm/dd/yyyy   Grom Social, Inc. (FL Corp.)   NOA - SOU/1st EXT Due   04/24/2018
4186U.000023   United States   JUST BRILLIANT   Pending Application   032     87094908   07/06/2016       mm/dd/yyyy   Grom Social, Inc. (FL Corp.)   NOA - SOU/2nd EXT Due   05/09/2018
4186U.000001   United States   GROM SOCIAL   Registered   045     85562637   03/07/2012   4236835   11/06/2012   Grom Social LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   11/06/2018
4186U.000003   United States   Grom Social and Design (2) (in color)   Registered   045     85632192   05/22/2012   4242103   11/13/2012   Grom Social LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   11/13/2018
4186U.000012   United States   GROMARAMA5   Registered   041     85865718   03/04/2013   4380377   08/06/2013   Grom Social, LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   08/06/2019
4186U.000013   United States   GROMHERO   Registered   041     85865868   03/04/2013   4380379   08/06/2013   Grom Social, LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   08/06/2019
4186U.000011   United States   GROMPOUND   Registered   041     85865569   03/04/2013   4380376   08/06/2013   Grom Social, LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   08/06/2019
4186U.000005   United States   GROM-ATAR   Registered   042     85808094   12/20/2012   4379762   08/06/2013   Grom Social LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   08/06/2019
4186U.000008   United States   GROMSTER   Registered   042     85808663   12/21/2012   4464934   01/14/2014   Grom Social LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   01/14/2020
4186U.000007   United States   GROMETTE   Registered   042     85808250   12/20/2012   4464932   01/14/2014   Grom Social LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   01/14/2020
4186U.000006   United States   GROM   Registered   042     85808178   12/20/2012   4464931   01/14/2014   Grom Social LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   01/14/2020
4186U.000009   United States   GROM-A-TRON   Registered   042     85808653   12/21/2012   4464933   01/14/2014   Grom Social LLC   8&15 (6th yr) Due   01/14/2020
4186U.000017   United States   SOLAR SKATE   Registered   009     86218046   03/11/2014   4646714   11/25/2014   Grom Social, Inc.   8&15 (6th yr) Due   11/25/2020
4186U.000018   United States   TECHTOPIA   Registered   009     86346608   07/24/2014   4820748   09/29/2015   Grom Social, Inc.   8&15 (6th yr) Due   09/29/2021

 

 

 

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Employees

  

The Company has 15 full-time employees and 8 part-time employees in the United States. TDA has approximately 500 full-time employees in the Philippines.

 

Item 1A Risk Factors

 

Risks Related to our Business

 

Our independent auditors have expressed their concern as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

On a consolidated basis, the Company has incurred significant operating losses since inception.

 

Because the Company does not expect that existing operational cash flow will be sufficient to fund presently anticipated operations, this raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the Company will need to raise additional funds and is currently exploring alternative sources of financing. Historically, the Company has raised capital through private placements, convertible debentures and officer loans as an interim measure to finance working capital needs and may continue to raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or other securities and obtaining some short-term loans. The Company will be required to continue to do so until its consolidated operations become profitable. Also, the Company has, in the past, paid for consulting services with its common stock to maximize working capital, and intends to continue this practice where feasible.

 

These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funding, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected, and we may be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

We have a $4,000,000 Note Payable due to the TDA Sellers on April 1, 2020 secured by all of the Assets of TDH.

 

In January 2019 we negotiated an extension of the TDA Sellers Note with a due date of July 2, 2019 to April 1, 2020. In the event the Note is not repaid prior to July 2, 2019: (i) no management fee shall be paid by TDA to the Company as provided in the Share Sale Agreement. Management fees paid by TDA to the Company to date are approximately $100,000 per month. Non-payment of the management fees to the Company by TDA due to the non-payment of the Note would have a material adverse impact on the Company. We are in discussion with numerous financing sources to re-finance the $4,000,000 before July 1, 2019, however there can be no assurance we will be successful. If Note is not paid by April 1, 2020, the TDA Sellers could foreclose on their collateral causing us to lose our TDH subsidiary. This would have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

Our future performance will depend on the continued engagement of key members of the management team of the Company.

 

Our future performance depends to a large extent on the continued services of members of the Company’s current management and other key personnel, including Zach Marks. While we have employment agreements with Messrs. Marks, Dearing and Leiner, the failure to secure the continued services of these or other key personnel for any reason, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, and prospects. We currently do not carry “key man insurance” on any of our executives.

 

 

 

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If we fail to retain existing users or add new users, or if our users decrease their level of engagement, our revenue, financial results, and business may be significantly harmed.

 

The size of our user base and our users’ level of engagement are critical to our success. We have approximately 7.5 million Grom Social users between the ages of five and 16 and an almost equal number of parents in our database as of April 5, 2019. Our future financial performance will be significantly determined by our success in adding, retaining, and engaging users. If people do not perceive our site and the content that we offer to be enjoyable, engaging, reliable, and trustworthy, we may not be able to attract or retain users or otherwise maintain or increase the frequency and duration of their interaction on our website. A number of other social networking companies that achieved early popularity have since seen their active user bases or levels of engagement decline, in some cases precipitously. There is no guarantee that we will not experience a similar erosion of our user base or engagement levels. A decrease in user retention, growth, or engagement could render us less attractive to developers and advertisers, which may have a material and adverse impact on our revenue, business, financial condition, and results of operations. Any number of factors could potentially negatively affect our ability to attract and retain user and to increase their engagement on the website, including, if:

 

  · our users decide to spend their time on competing sites;

 

  · we fail to introduce new and improved content or if we introduce new content or services that are not favorably received;

 

  · we are unable to successfully balance our efforts to provide a compelling user experience with the decisions we make with respect to the frequency, prominence, and size of ads and other commercial content that we display;

 

  · we are unable to continue to develop products for mobile devices that users find engaging, that work with a variety of mobile operating systems and networks, and that achieve a high level of market acceptance;

 

  · there are changes in user sentiment about the quality or usefulness of our products or concerns related to privacy and sharing, safety, security, or other factors;

 

  · we are unable to manage and prioritize information to ensure users are presented with content that is interesting, useful, and relevant to them;

 

  · there are adverse changes in our products that are mandated by legislation or regulatory authorities;

 

  · technical or other problems prevent us from delivering our products in a rapid and reliable manner or otherwise affect the user experience;

 

  · we adopt policies or procedures related to areas such as sharing or user data that are perceived negatively by our users or the general public; or

 

  · we fail to provide adequate customer service to users, developers, or advertisers;

 

If we are unable to maintain and increase our user base and user engagement, our revenue, financial results, and future growth potential may be adversely affected.

 

Our strategy at Grom Social to create new and original content, charge users for that content and attempt to secure advertisers to pay to advertise on our app, could fail to attract or retain users or generate revenue.

 

Our ability to retain, increase, and engage our user base and to increase our revenue will depend heavily on our ability to create successful new content, both independently and in conjunction with third parties. If new or enhanced content fails to engage users, developers, or advertisers, we may fail to attract or retain users or to generate sufficient revenue, operating margin, or other value to justify our investments, and our business may be adversely affected. In the future, we may invest in new products and initiatives to generate revenue, but there is no guarantee these approaches will be successful. If we are not successful with new approaches to monetization, we may not be able to maintain or grow our revenue as anticipated or recover any associated development costs, and our financial results could be adversely affected.

 

 

 

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If we are not able to maintain and enhance our brand, or if events occur that damage our reputation and brand, our ability to expand our user base may be impaired, and our business and financial results may be harmed.

 

We also believe that maintaining and enhancing the Grom Social brand is central to expanding our base of users and advertisers. Many of our new users are referred by existing users, and therefore we strive to ensure that our users remain favorably inclined towards our brand. Maintaining and enhancing our brand will depend largely on our ability to continue to provide age-appropriate, enjoyable, reliable, trustworthy, and innovative content and services, which we may not do successfully. We may introduce new content or terms of service that users do not like, which may negatively affect our brand. Additionally, the actions of third-party developers may affect our brand if users do not have a positive experience using third-party apps and websites integrated with our website. We also may fail to provide adequate customer service, which could erode confidence in our brand. Our brand may also be negatively affected by the actions of users that are deemed to be hostile or inappropriate to other users, or by users acting under false or inauthentic identities. Maintaining and enhancing our brand may require us to make substantial investments and these investments may not be successful. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain the Grom brand or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our business and financial results may be adversely affected.

 

Our Grom Social platform may be misused by users, despite the safeguards we have in place to protect against such behavior.

 

Users may be able to circumvent the controls we have in place to prevent abusive, illegal or dishonest activities and behavior on our website, and may engage in such activities and behavior despite these controls. For example, our Grom Social platform could be used to exploit children and to facilitate individuals seeking to engage in improper communications or contact with children. Such potential behavior of such users would injure our other users and would jeopardize the reputation and integrity of our Grom Social platform. Fraudulent users could also post fraudulent profiles or create false or unauthorized profiles on behalf of other, non-consenting parties. This behavior could expose us to liability or lead to negative publicity that could injure the reputation of our Grom Social platform and materially adversely affect our brand.

 

We could experience system failures or capacity constraints that could negatively impact our Grom Social platform and business.

 

Our ability to provide reliable service to our users largely depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our Grom Social platform, relying on people, processes, and technology to function effectively. Any significant interruption to, failure of, or security breaches affecting, our Grom Social platform could result in significant expense, a loss of users, and harm to our business and reputation. Interruptions, system failures or security breaches could result from a wide variety of causes, including disruptions to the Internet, malicious attacks or cyber incidents such as unauthorized access, loss or destruction of data (including confidential and/or personal customer information), account takeovers, computer viruses or other malicious code, and the loss or failure of systems over which we have no control. The failure of our Grom Social platform, or the loss of data, could result in disruption to our operations, damage to our reputation and remediation costs, which could individually or in the aggregate adversely affect our business and brand.

 

Improper access to or disclosure of our users’ information, or violation of our terms of service or policies, could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business.

 

Our efforts to protect the information that our users have chosen to share using Grom Social may be unsuccessful due to the actions of third parties, software bugs or other technical malfunctions, employee error or malfeasance, or other factors. In addition, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or users to disclose information in order to gain access to our data or our users’ data. If any of these events occur, our users’ information could be accessed or disclosed improperly. We have a privacy policy that governs the use of information that users have chosen to share using the Grom Social website and how that information may be used by us and third parties. Some third-party developers may store the information provided by our users through apps on the Grom Social platform or websites. If these third parties or developers fail to adopt or adhere to adequate data security practices or fail to comply with our terms and policies, or in the event of a breach of their networks, our users’ data may be improperly accessed or disclosed.

 

Any incidents involving unauthorized access to or improper use of the information of our users or incidents involving violation of our terms of service or policies, including our privacy policy, could damage our reputation and our brand and diminish our competitive position. In addition, the affected users or government authorities could initiate legal or regulatory action against us in connection with such incidents, which could cause us to incur significant expense and liability or result in orders or consent decrees forcing us to modify our business practices. Any of these events could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation, or financial results.

 

 

 

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We face intense competition in all aspects of our business including competition in the animation and webfiltering businesses. If we do not provide features and content that will engage and attract users, advertisers and developers we may not remain competitive, and our potential revenues and operating results could be adversely affected.

 

We face intense competition in almost every aspect of our business, including from companies such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Google, which offer a variety of Internet products, services, content, and online advertising offerings, as well as from mobile companies and smaller Internet companies that offer products and services that may compete directly with Grom Social for users, such as Yoursphere, Fanlala, Franktown Rocks and Sweety High. As we introduce new services and products, as our existing services and products evolve, or as other companies introduce new products and services, we may become subject to additional competition.

 

Some of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater resources and better competitive positions than we do. These factors may allow our competitors to respond more effectively than us to new or emerging technologies and changes in market requirements. Our competitors may develop products, features, or services that are similar to ours or that achieve greater market acceptance, may undertake more far-reaching and successful product development efforts or marketing campaigns, or may adopt more aggressive pricing policies. In addition, our users, content providers or application developers may use information shared by our users through Grom Social in order to develop products or features that compete with us. Certain competitors, including Facebook, could use strong or dominant positions in one or more markets to gain a competitive advantage against us in areas where we operate including: by creating a social networking experience similar to ours with similar content and features. As a result, our competitors may acquire and engage users at the expense of the growth or engagement of our user base, which may negatively affect our business and financial results.

 

We believe that our ability to compete effectively depends upon many factors, including:

 

  · the age appropriateness, attractiveness, safety, ease of use, performance, and reliability of the Grom Social platform, our content and products compared to our competitors;

 

  · the size and composition of our user base;

 

  · the engagement of our users with our products;

 

  · the timing and market acceptance of content, services, and products, including developments and enhancements to our or our competitors’ content, services and products;

 

  · our ability to monetize our products, including our ability to successfully monetize mobile usage;

 

  · the frequency, size, and relative prominence of the ads and other commercial content displayed by us or our competitors;

 

  · customer service and support efforts;

 

  · marketing and selling efforts;

 

  · responding to changes mandated by legislation or regulatory authorities, some of which may have a disproportionate effect on us;

 

  · acquisitions or consolidation within our industry, which may result in more formidable competitors;

 

  · our ability to attract, retain, and motivate talented employees, particularly programmers;

 

  · our ability to cost-effectively manage and grow our operations; and

 

  · our reputation and brand strength relative to our competitors.

 

 

 

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If we are not able to effectively compete, our user base and level of user engagement may decrease, which could make us less attractive to developers and advertisers and materially and adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.

 

Failure to manage our growth effectively could cause our business to suffer and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

 

Failure to manage our growth effectively could cause our business to suffer and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. We have experienced significant growth in a short period of time. To manage our growth effectively, we must continually evaluate and evolve our business and manage our employees, operations, finances, technology and development, and capital investments efficiently. Our efficiency, productivity and the quality of our Grom Social platform, TDA animation business and NetSpective user services and content may be adversely impacted if we fail to appropriately coordinate across our business operations. Additionally, our rapid growth may place a strain on our resources, infrastructure, and ability to maintain the quality of our Grom Social platform. If and when our structure becomes more complex as we add additional staff, we will need to improve our operational, financial and management controls as well as our reporting systems and procedures. Our failure to manage our growth could disrupt our operations and ultimately prevent us from generating revenues.

 

We collect, process, share, retain and use personal information and other data, which subjects us to governmental regulations and other legal obligations related to privacy, and our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business.

 

A variety of federal, state and foreign laws and regulations govern privacy and the collection, use, retention, sharing and security of personal information. We collect, process, use, share and retain personal information and other user data, including information about our users as they interact with our platform, and we have a privacy policy concerning our use of data on our platform. We are subject to COPPA which regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information from children under 13 years of age. Our Grom Social platform and our content are directed at children between the ages of five and sixteen years of age.

 

Additionally, we are subject to CIPA, which was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes certain requirements on schools or libraries that receive discounts for Internet access or internal connections through the E-rate program – a program that makes certain communications services and products more affordable for eligible schools and libraries. In early 2001, the FCC issued rules implementing CIPA and provided updates to those rules in 2011 .

 

Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with COPPA, CIPA, or other applicable privacy laws and regulations or with our privacy policy or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of sensitive information, which may include personally identifiable information or other user data, may result in governmental enforcement actions or litigation, which could be costly to defend and may require us to pay significant fines or damages. Such failures or perceived failures could also result in public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups, our users or others, which could harm our brand and could cause our users, and parents to lose trust in us which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, if third parties we work with, such as advertisers, vendors, content or platform providers, violate applicable laws or our policies, such violations may also put the information of our users at risk and could, in turn, have an adverse effect on our business.

 

We also are or may become required to comply with varying and complex privacy laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions, and laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions are sometimes more restrictive than those in the United States. For example, the European Union and its member states traditionally have taken broader views as to types of data that are subject to privacy and data protection and have imposed greater legal obligations on companies in this regard. Proposed legislation and regulations concerning data protection are currently pending at the U.S. federal and state level as well as in certain foreign jurisdictions, and this legislation may impose more stringent operational requirements on us and include significant penalties for non-compliance. In addition, the interpretation and application of privacy and data protection laws in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are still uncertain and in flux. It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our practices. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, this could result in an order requiring that we change our practices, which could have an adverse effect on our business. Complying with these laws as they evolve could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

 

 

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As a result of our collection, retention, and use of personal data, we are or may become subject to diverse laws and regulations in the United States and foreign jurisdictions mandating notification to affected individuals in the event that personal data (as defined in the various governing laws) is accessed or acquired by unauthorized persons. Complying with such numerous and complex regulations in the event of unauthorized access would be expensive and difficult, and failure to comply with these regulations could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and additional liability.

 

User trust regarding privacy and data security is very important to our brand and the growth of our business, and privacy or data security concerns relating to our Grom Social platform could damage our reputation and brand and deter current and potential users from using our platform, even if we are in compliance with applicable privacy and data security laws and regulations.

 

Users may curtail or stop their use of our Grom Social platform if our security measures are compromised, if our platform is subject to attacks that degrade or deny the ability of users to access our platform or if our member data is compromised.

 

Our Grom Social platform collects, processes, stores, shares, discloses and uses the information of our users and their communications. We are vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins, phishing attacks, and attempts to overload our servers with denial-of-service and other cyber-attacks and similar disruptions from unauthorized use of our computer systems. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance or otherwise. Several recent, highly publicized data security breaches and denial of service attacks at other companies have heightened public awareness of this issue and may embolden individuals or groups to target our systems. Any of the foregoing could lead to interruptions, delays or platform shutdowns, causing loss of critical data or the unauthorized disclosure or use of personally identifiable or other confidential or sensitive information, such as credit card information or information about our members. If our security is compromised, we could experience platform performance or availability problems, the complete shutdown of our platform or the loss or unauthorized disclosure of confidential or sensitive information. We could be subject to liability and litigation and reputational harm, and our users may be harmed, lose confidence in us and decrease or terminate the use of our platform.

 

We also rely on certain third parties to provide critical services and to store sensitive customer information. For example, our platform is hosted using data centers operated by third parties. However, we have little or no control over the security measures implemented by these parties, and if these measures are compromised, we could be exposed to similar risks and liabilities to those described above.

 

Unauthorized parties may also fraudulently induce employees or members to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our information or the information of our members or access this information through other means. They might also abuse our systems in other ways, such as by sending spam, which could diminish or otherwise degrade the experience of our members or by compromising or gaining unauthorized access to member accounts. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and are becoming increasingly sophisticated, they often are not recognized until launched against a target. Furthermore, such attacks may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, and we may be unable to proactively address these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any or all of these issues could negatively impact our ability to attract new members and increase engagement by existing members, cause existing members to stop using our platform or subject us to lawsuits, regulatory fines or other action or liability, thereby harming our business and operating results.

 

Moreover, if a high-profile security breach occurs with respect to another social media provider, our users and potential users may lose trust in the security of our platform generally, which could adversely impact our ability to retain existing users or attract new ones.

 

 

 

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Future business acquisitions, strategic investments or alliances, if any, as well as recently completed business acquisition transactions, could disrupt our business and may not succeed in generating the intended benefits and may, therefore, adversely affect our business, revenue and results of operations.

 

We completed the acquisition of TD Holdings in 2016 and we may in the future explore potential acquisitions of companies or technologies, strategic investments, or alliances to strengthen our business. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, any of which could harm our business, including:

 

  · our due diligence may fail to identify all of the problems, liabilities or other shortcomings or challenges of an acquired business, product or technology, including issues related to intellectual property, product quality or architecture, regulatory compliance practices, or accounting practices or employee issues;

 

  · failure to successfully integrate our recently acquired business;

 

  · diversion of management's attention from operating our business to addressing acquisition integration challenges;

 

  · difficulties in coordinating geographically disparate organizations and corporate cultures and integrating management personnel with different business backgrounds;

 

  · anticipated benefits may not materialize;

 

  · retention of employees from the acquired company;

 

  · integration of the acquired company's accounting, management information, human resources, and other administrative systems;

 

  · coordination of product development and sales and marketing functions;

 

  · liability for activities of the acquired company before the acquisition, including patent and trademark infringement, claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities; and

 

  · litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company, including claims from terminated employees, users, former stockholders or other third parties.

 

Failure to appropriately mitigate these risks or other issues related to such strategic investments and acquisitions could result in reducing or completely eliminating any anticipated benefits of transactions and harm our business generally. Future acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses or the impairment of goodwill, any of which could harm our business, financial condition, and operating results.

 

If any of our relationships with internet search websites terminate, if such websites' methodologies are modified or if we are outbid by competitors, traffic to our websites could decline.

 

We depend in part on various internet search websites, such as Google.com, Bing.com, Yahoo.com, and other websites to direct a significant amount of traffic to our websites. Search websites typically provide two types of search results, algorithmic and purchased listings. Algorithmic listings generally are determined and displayed as a result of a set of unpublished formulas designed by search engine companies in their discretion. Purchased listings generally are displayed if particular word searches are performed on a search engine. We rely on both algorithmic and purchased search results, as well as advertising on other internet websites, to direct a substantial share of visitors to our websites and to direct traffic to the advertiser customers we serve. If these internet search websites modify or terminate their relationship with us or we are outbid by our competitors for purchased listings, meaning that our competitors pay a higher price to be listed above us in a list of search results, traffic to our websites could decline. Such a decline in traffic could affect our ability to generate advertising revenue and could reduce the desirability of advertising on our websites.

 

 

 

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We may have difficulty scaling and adapting our existing network infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic and technology advances or changing business requirements, which could cause us to incur significant expenses and lead to the loss of users and advertisers.

 

To be successful, our network infrastructure has to perform well and be reliable. The greater the user traffic and the greater the complexity of our products and services, the more computer power we will need. We could incur substantial costs if we need to modify our websites or our infrastructure to adapt to technological changes. If we do not maintain our network infrastructure successfully, or if we experience inefficiencies and operational failures, the quality of our products and services and our users' experience could decline. Maintaining an efficient and technologically advanced network infrastructure is particularly critical to our business because of the pictorial nature of the products and services provided on our websites. A decline in quality could damage our reputation and lead us to lose current and potential users and advertisers. Cost increases, loss of traffic or failure to accommodate new technologies or changing business requirements could harm our operating results and financial condition.

 

We are a holding company organized in Florida, with no operations of our own, and we depend on our subsidiaries, incorporated in Hong Kong, Manila and Florida for cash to fund our operations.

 

Our operations are conducted entirely through our subsidiaries and our ability to generate cash to fund operations or to meet debt service obligations is dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from our subsidiaries. Deterioration in the financial condition, earnings or cash flow of TD Holdings and its subsidiaries for any reason could limit or impair their ability to make payments to us. Additionally, to the extent that we need funds and our subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

 

Future capital raises may dilute our existing stockholders’ ownership and/or have other adverse effects on our operations.

 

If we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders’ percentage ownership will be reduced, and these stockholders may experience substantial dilution. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt instruments, these debt instruments could impose significant restrictions on our operations, including liens on our assets. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some rights to our technologies or candidate products, or to grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us or could diminish the rights of our shareholders.

 

Our intellectual property rights are critical to our success, and the loss of such rights could materially adversely affect our business.

 

We regard our trademarks, copyrights, and similar intellectual property as critical to our success and attempt to protect such property with registered and common law trademarks and copyrights, restrictions on disclosure and other actions to prevent infringement. However, there can be no assurance that other third parties will not infringe or misappropriate our trademarks and similar proprietary rights. If we lose some or all of our intellectual property rights, our business may be materially adversely affected.

 

We may be subject to claims alleging the intellectual property subject to our licensing agreements is violating the intellectual property rights of others.

 

We may face significant expense and liability as a result of litigation or other proceedings relating to patents and intellectual property rights of others. We could be required to participate in interference proceedings involving issued patents and pending applications of another entity. The cost to us of any such proceeding could be substantial. An adverse outcome in an interference proceeding could require us to cease using the technology, substantially modify it or to license rights from prevailing third parties. There is no guarantee that any prevailing patent owner would offer us a license so that we could continue to engage in activities claimed by the patent, or that such a license is made available to us, could be acquired on commercially acceptable terms. In addition, third parties may, in the future, assert other intellectual property infringement claims against us with respect to our services, technologies or other matters.

 

 

 

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Risks Related to Grom Nutritional Services 

 

The Company’s supplement that it intends to market to children, will be subject FDA regulations.

 

Although the FDA does not require supplement manufacturers to submit their products to the FDA for review nor receive FDA approval before marketing, companies must ensure they are not making false or misleading claims on the product label. Like other food substances, dietary supplements are not subject to the safety and efficacy testing requirements imposed on drugs, and unlike drugs they do not require prior approval by the FDA; however, they are subject to FDA regulations regarding adulteration and misbranding. In the event we do not properly follow FDA regulation and guidelines we could be subject to regulatory action that would have a material adverse impact on the Company.

 

Risks Related to Top Draw Animation

 

Since Top Draw’s business operations are located in the Philippines, our results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected by economic or political developments in the Philippines.

 

Top Draw’s business operations are located in the Philippines. As a result, we are subject to certain risks presented by the Philippine economy and regulatory environment. We believe that the Philippine government exercises substantial control over virtually every sector of the Philippine economy through regulations and, in some cases, state-ownership. Our ability to operate Top Draw’s business in the Philippines may be harmed by changes in the local laws and regulations, including those relating to employment, taxation, business regulation, intellectual property rights, property, and other matters.

 

In the event of adverse weather conditions, calamity or epidemic that may occur in the Philippines, the lack of a fully developed infrastructure could have a material adverse impact on Top Draw’s business.

 

The vast majority of Top Draw’s employees do not own an automobile and must commute to work using public transportation. Additionally, the power grid in the Philippines is considered substandard compared to developed countries. Any negative event that impacts public transportation for power generation could result in Top Draw’s employees not being able to go to the office to perform their work thus potentially delaying projects.

 

Operating Top Draw in the Philippines subjects us to challenges and risks unique to operating a business in the Philippines and if we are unable to manage those challenges and risks, the growth of our business could be limited, and our business could suffer.

 

Operating Top Draw in the Philippines subjects us to a number of risks and challenges that specifically relate to our Philippine operations. Our Philippine operations may not be successful if we are unable to meet and overcome these challenges, which could limit the growth of our business and may have an adverse effect on our business, revenue and operating results. These risks and challenges include:

 

  · difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations, including any impairment to our relationship with employees caused by the change in ownership;

 

  · restrictions imposed by local labor practices and laws on our business and operations;

 

  · exposure to different business practices and legal standards;

 

  · unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

 

  · the imposition of government controls and restrictions;

 

  · political, social and economic instability and the risk of war, terrorist activities or other international incidents;

 

  · the failure of telecommunications and connectivity infrastructure;

 

  · natural disasters and public health emergencies;

 

  · potentially adverse tax consequences; and

 

  · lack of intellectual property protection.

 

 

 

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Although we report our results of operations in U.S. dollars, approximately 15% of our revenue is denominated in foreign currencies. We do not hedge against currency fluctuations and unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Such fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations .

 

Because our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate our Top Draw’s revenues, expenses, and income, as well as assets and liabilities, into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect during or at the end of each reporting period. Therefore, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies will affect our revenues, operating income and the value of balance-sheet items, including intercompany payables and receivables, originally denominated in other currencies. These changes cause our growth in consolidated earnings stated in U.S. dollars to be higher or lower than our growth in other currencies when compared against other periods.

 

An increase in the value of other currencies, against the U.S. dollar could increase costs for delivery of our digital animation services by increasing labor and other costs that are denominated in other currencies. Conversely, a decrease in the value of other currencies, against the U.S. dollar could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to service providers that benefit to a greater degree from such a decrease and can, as a result, deliver services at a lower cost.

 

Historically, Top Draw’s business has been reliant and concentrated upon a limited number of key clients, the loss of any one of which could have a material adverse effect on Top Draw’s and our revenue and financial condition.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, Top Draw accounted for approximately 91% of our consolidated revenue. During the same period, four of Top Draw’s clients accounted for approximately 50.1% of our consolidated revenue. Although the relative percentages by client may change from quarter to quarter the reliance upon a limited number of clients is not expected to change for the foreseeable future. As a result, a decrease in business or revenue from any one or more of these key clients could materially negatively impact Top Draw’s and our revenue, results of operation, and financial condition.

 

The success of Top Draw, and consequently our success, depends on certain key employees.

 

The success of Top Draw, and consequently our success depends to a significant extent on the performance of certain senior management personnel and other key employees. In particular, we are dependent upon the services of Wayne Dearing and Stella Dearing to operate and manage Top Draw. The loss of the services of Wayne or Stella Dearing could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenue, and results of operations.

 

In order for our digitally animated content and related products to be successful, we must develop appealing creative content.

 

The success of each digitally animated feature developed and produced by Top Draw depends in large part upon our ability to develop and produce compelling stories and characters that will appeal to our target audience. Traditionally, this process has been extremely difficult. While we believe Top Draw has enjoyed success with its digitally animated features, there can be no assurance that similar levels of success will be achieved by Top Draw’s subsequent features and our other future projects.

 

We expect to experience intense competition with respect to Top Draw’s digitally animated features and related content.

 

We expect that Top Draw’s digitally animated features will compete with family-oriented, animated and live-action feature films and other family-oriented entertainment products produced by major movie studios, including Disney, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Warner Bros. Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fox Entertainment Group Inc., Paramount Pictures, Lucasfilm Ltd., Universal Studios, Inc., MGM/UA, and Studio Ghibli as well as numerous other independent motion picture production companies.

 

We believe competition from animated feature films and family-oriented feature films will likely continue to intensify over the next several years. Some of the other movie studios with which we compete have significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. In addition to the box office and home video competition, other family-oriented features and films will compete with Top Draw Animation’s digital features.

 

 

 

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If we are not able to produce digital features and content that can compete successfully with offerings from our competitors, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, revenue, and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to our Common Stock

 

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future; therefore, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock, will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.

 

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, future loan arrangements, if any, may contain, terms prohibiting or limiting the amount of dividends that may be declared or paid on our common stock. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock, will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.

 

Our Board of Directors may authorize and issue shares of new classes of stock that could be superior to or adversely affect you as a holder of our common stock.

 

Our board of directors has the power to authorize and issue shares of classes of stock, including preferred stock that have voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and special rights, including preferred distribution rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation rights without further shareholder approval which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. In addition, our board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common stock or result in dilution to our existing common stockholders.

 

Any of the actions described in the preceding paragraph could significantly adversely affect the investment made by holders of our common stock. Holders of common stock could potentially not receive dividends that they might otherwise have received. In addition, holders of our common stock could receive less proceeds in connection with any future sale of the Company, whether in liquidation or on any other basis.

 

Our shares will be subordinate to all of our debts and liabilities, which increases the risk that you could lose your entire investment.

 

Our shares are equity interests that will be subordinate to all of our current and future indebtedness with respect to claims on our assets. In any liquidation, all of our debts and liabilities must be paid before any payment is made to our shareholders.

 

The market price of our shares of common stock is subject to fluctuation.

 

The market prices of our shares may fluctuate significantly in response to factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

 

  · The announcement of new products by our competitors
  · The release of new products by our competitors
  · Developments in our industry or target markets
  · General market conditions including factors unrelated to our operating performance

 

 

 

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Recently, the stock market, in general, has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Continued market fluctuations could result in extreme market volatility in the price of our shares of common stock which could cause a decline in the value of our shares.

 

There is a limited trading market for our shares.

 

There is currently only a limited trading market for our common stock. We cannot predict the extent investor interest will lead to the development of an active trading market or how liquid that trading market might become. If an active trading market does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for investors to sell shares of our common stock at a price that is attractive or at all. In such a case, you may find that you are unable to achieve any benefit from your investment or liquidate your shares.

 

Our Common Stock may be deemed a “penny stock” which may reduce the value of an investment in the stock.

 

Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require: (a) that a broker or dealer approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks; and (b) the broker or dealer receive from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased.

 

In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must: (a) obtain financial information and investment experience objectives of the person and (b) make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks.

 

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form: (a) sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination; and (b) confirms that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction. Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. If our Common Stock is or becomes subject to the “penny stock” rules, it may be more difficult for investors to dispose of our Common Stock and cause a decline in the market value of our Common Stock.

 

Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about commissions payable to both the broker or dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.

 

We qualify as an "emerging growth company" under the JOBS Act. As a result, we are permitted to and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:

 

  · have an auditor report on our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
  · comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor's report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis);
  · submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholder advisory votes, such as "say-on-pay" and "say-on-frequency;" and
  · disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the Chief Executive's compensation to median employee compensation.

 

 

 

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We will remain an "emerging growth company" for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our total annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a "large accelerated filer" as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which would occur if the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.

 

Until such time, however, we cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

  

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

In the United States, we lease approximately 1550 square feet of office space in Boca Raton, Florida for $4,227 per month pursuant to a three-year lease expiring on September 30, 2021. Our Florida office houses our corporate headquarters and administrative staff.

 

Our animation business leases portions of 3 floors comprising in the aggregate of approximately 28,800 square feet in the West Tower of the Philippine Stock Exchange Centre in Pasig City, Manila for administration and production purposes. We pay approximately $22,533 per month in the aggregate for such space (which increases by approximately 5% per year). These leases expire in December 2022.

 

We opened a 1,400 square foot office in Norcross, Georgia on January 1, 2018, to house our NetSpective division.  The monthly rent for 2018 was $2,055 which increases by approximately 3% annually,   pursuant to a five-year lease which expires in December 2023.

 

We believe our leased space for the present time is adequate and additional space at comparable prices is available at all locations.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There are no pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or in which any director, officer or affiliate of ours, any owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or security holder is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None

 

 

 

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The last reported sales price of our common stock which trades under the symbol “GRMM” on the OTCQB sheets on April 15, 2019, was $0.2438.

 

Holders

 

As of April 10, 2019, there were 545 stockholders of record of our common stock.

 

Dividends

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. As a result, the Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan

 

We currently do not have an equity compensation plan.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

Except as set forth below, there were no sales of equity securities during the period covered by this Annual Report that were not registered under the Securities Act and were not previously reported in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2018 we issued 3,854,869 shares of our common stock to seven accredited investors, and received proceeds of $608,718, or approximately $0.158 per share.

 

With respect to the sales of our securities described above, we relied on Section 4(a)(2) exemption from securities registration under the federal securities laws for transactions not involving any public offering and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

No advertising or general solicitation was employed in offering the securities. The securities were sold to accredited investors. The securities were offered for investment purposes only and not for the purpose of resale or distribution, and the transfer thereof was appropriately restricted by us.

 

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide this information.

 

 

 

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ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The following management's discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our historical financial statements and the related notes thereto. The management's discussion and analysis contain forward-looking statements, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect" and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those under "Risk Factors," above, that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Annual Report.

 

Overview

 

Effective August 17, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), we consummated the acquisition of Grom Holdings. Pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange, we amended our Articles of Incorporation to increase our capitalization to 200,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, as well as to change our name to “Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.” On the Effective Date, we issued an aggregate of 110,853,883 shares of our common stock to the Grom Holdings shareholders, pro rata to their respective ownership. Each share of Grom Holdings was exchanged for 4.17 shares of Illumination common stock. As a result, the stockholders of Grom Holdings are now stockholders of the Company and the Grom Holdings shareholders own approximately 92% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

  

We deemed the transfer of net assets to be a reverse acquisition in accordance with FASB ASC 805-40,  "Reverse Acquisitions" . The legal acquirer is Illumination America and the legal acquiree is Grom Holdings, Inc. However, the transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization effected by a share exchange, wherein Grom Holdings is considered the acquirer for accounting and financial reporting purposes. The assets and liabilities of the acquired entity have been brought forward at their book value and no goodwill has been recognized.

 

Results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 include the operations of Grom and its five wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

Retroactive Application of the Share Exchange Ratio

 

All references to common stock totals or values in this Annual Report, unless otherwise stated have been adjusted, retroactively, to reflect the Share Exchange ratio of 4.17 as of August 17, 2017.

  

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of Results of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

Revenue

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we generated revenues of $8,644,383 compared to revenues of $7,692,927 during the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $951,456. As discussed throughout this report, we adopted ASC 606 companywide using the modified retrospective method. As a result 2017 revenue was not changed or restated. The revenue for 2018 after applying ASC 606 resulted in an additional $528,822 in animation revenue in 2018. Excluding the additional animation revenue in 2018, animation revenues were $7,272,335 compared to $6,803,307 in 2017, an increase of $469,028, or approximately 6.9%. This increase is primarily attributable to larger contracts in 2018 compared to 2017. Revenue at Netspective for the year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately $811,000 compared to approximately $878,000 in 2017, a decline of approximately $67,000, or 7.6%.

 

 

 

 

 

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Subscription and advertising revenue generated by our gromsocial.com website and from our MamaBear safety application for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were nominal. We expect to start generating increased revenue from these sources in the second half of 2019. However, there can be no assurances we will be successful in generating increased revenue from these sources.

 

Gross margin

 

Gross margin is calculated by subtracting the cost of sales from revenue. Gross margin percentage is calculated by dividing gross margins by revenue. Our gross margins vary significantly by subsidiary. Margins at our largest subsidiary, TDA are approximately 45-55%, while margins for our NetSpective web filtering revenues are typically in the 75-78% range. Additionally, margins within subsidiary vary from quarter to quarter and from year to year due to the nature of the business of each subsidiary. Therefore, our consolidated blended gross margin will be subject to significant fluctuation from period to period until we increase our revenue to higher levels. Current gross margins percentages may not be indicative of future gross margin performance.

 

Gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were 49.3% and 44.8%, respectively. The increase in gross margin for the year ended 2018 compared to 2017, is primarily attributable to the increase in sales at TDA as a percentage of consolidated sales.

 

Operating expenses

 

Operating expenses were $8,141,496 for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $10,189,242 for same period ended in 2017, or a decrease of $2,047,746. The decrease in 2018 is primarily attributable to a reduction of $2,289,315 in stock-based compensation, a reduction of $665,223 in depreciation and amortization, a reduction in professional fees of $286,690; offset by an increase general and administrative expense (G&A expense). The increase in G&A expense is attributable to increase in all expenses categories with the exception of payroll expense which was reduced.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Other income (expense) for the period ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were other expense, net was ($986,665) in 2018 compared to net other income of $732,724 in 2017. The increase in net expense is primarily attributable to two factors. In 2017 we reduced the estimates for the earnout liability related to TD Holdings creating other income of $1,502,707. The earnout liability remained unchanged in 2018. The other significant component of other income (expense) is interest expense.

 

Interest expense is comprised of cash interest payable on the $4,000,000 TDA Note due to the TDA Sellers, as well as interest payable on convertible notes, and amortization of note discounts. Interest expense was $1,021,801 for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $659,293 during the year ended December 31, 2017, or an increase of $362,508. The increase is attributable to $200,000 in additional interest expense on the TDA note and an increase in the amortization of note discounts.

 

Net loss

 

Net loss for the period ended December 31, 2018 was $4,862,436 or ($0.04) per share compared to a net loss of $6,045,659 during the period ended December 31, 2017, or a decrease in net loss of $1,149,527. The decrease in net loss in 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 is attributable to an improvement in gross margin of $821,170 a decrease in operating expenses of $2,047,746, offset by a decrease in other income of $1,719,389.

 

 

 

 

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At December 31, 2018, we had $633,593 in cash.

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $1,865,601 for year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $1,410,015 for the same period ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $455,586 in cash used. The primary reason for the increase in net cash used was due to a change in operating assets and liabilities.

 

Cash used in investing activities was relatively unchanged at $581,975 in the period ended December 31, 2018 compared to $562,322 for the same period ended in 2017. Substantially all of the purchases were for fixed assets and leasehold improvements to increase our capacity at TDH in Manila.

 

Cash flows from financing activities were $2,499,919 for the period ended December 31, 2018 compared to $1,989,100 for the same period ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $510,819. The increase is attributable to proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $608,717 in 2018, compared to zero in 2017, and proceeds from the sales of debentures of $1,914,702 compared to $541,100 in 2017, offset by proceeds from warrant exercises of $1,566,000 in 2017 compared to $61,500 in 2018.

 

We currently have a monthly consolidated cash operating loss of approximately $150,000, or approximately $1,800,000. In order to fund our operations, we believe we will be required to raise approximately $2,000,000. As of the date of this Annual Report we have no commitment from any investment banker or other traditional funding sources and, while we have had discussions with various potential funding sources, we have no definitive agreement with any third party to provide us with financing, either debt or equity. The failure to obtain the financing necessary to allow us to continue to implement our business plan will have a significant negative impact on our anticipated results of operations.

 

We expect to reduce our monthly cash operating loss through improved profitability. However, there can be no assurance we will be successful in doing so. Historically we have funded our operations through equity issuances, debt issuances and through officer loans. We expect to be able to continue to fund our operating losses in a similar manner and believe that we can secure capital on reasonable terms, although there can be no assurances.

 

Inflation

 

Although our operations are influenced by general economic conditions, we do not believe that inflation had a material effect on our results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

  

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business for the twelve-month period following the date of these financial statements. On a consolidated basis, the Company has incurred significant operating losses since inception.

 

Because the Company does not expect that existing operational cash flow will be sufficient to fund presently anticipated operations, this raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the Company will need to raise additional funds and is currently exploring alternative sources of financing. Historically, the Company has raised capital through private placements, convertible debentures and officer loans as an interim measure to finance working capital needs and may continue to raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or other securities and obtaining some short-term loans. The Company will be required to continue to so until its consolidated operations become profitable.

 

 

 

 

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Basis of Presentation

 

The Company has deemed the transfer of net assets to be a reverse acquisition in accordance with FASB ASC 805-40,  "Reverse Acquisitions" . The legal acquirer is Illumination America and the legal acquiree is Grom Holdings, Inc. However, the transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization effected by a share exchange, wherein Grom Holdings is considered the acquirer for accounting and financial reporting purposes. The assets and liabilities of the acquired entity have been brought forward at their book value and no goodwill has been recognized.

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and are expressed in United States dollars. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Grom Social, TD Holdings, GES, and GNS. TD Holdings was acquired on July 1, 2016; and GES was formed in January 2017 to house the NetSpective assets and business which was acquired on January 1, 2017.

 

GNS, which was formed in April 2017, had not recorded any activity through the date of this Annual Report. The delay in producing the Just Brilliant cognitive drink for children is due to our strategic partner’s inability to produce a working agreement with a co-packer. The problem has now been rectified, and we anticipate launching the product in the third quarter of 2019.

 

All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, valuation of accounts receivable and inventories, purchase price allocation of acquired businesses, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, valuation of financial instruments, income taxes, and contingencies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known or expected trends and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable given the quality of information available as of the date of these financial statements. The results of these assumptions provide the basis for making estimates about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)  ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance provided in ASC Topic 606 ("ASC 606") requires entities to use a five-step model to recognize revenue by allocating the consideration from contracts to performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires new disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASC 606 also includes Subtopic 340-40,  Other Assets and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers , which requires the deferral of incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. This new guidance was initially effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption was not permitted. However, in July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of this ASU by one year for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date. As a result, the effective date for the Company is January 1, 2018.

 

Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the guidance. The Company adopted this ASU in accordance with the modified retrospective method, effective January 1, 2018 for all contracts not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with legacy GAAP.

 

 

 

 

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Animation revenue

 

Under the applicable revenue recognition guidance for fiscal years 2017 and prior, these transactions were recognized when the amounts were billed to the customer.

 

As a result of the Company’s transition to ASC 606, the Company recorded a net change in beginning retained earnings of $263,741 on January 1, 2018 due to the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606.  For year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a total of $7,801,157 of animation revenue from contracts with customers which include $ 528,822 in additional revenue as a result of the adoption of ASC 606.

 

Under ASC 606 our animation revenues are generated primarily from contracts with customers for preproduction and production services related to the development of animated movies and television series. TDA preproduction activities include producing storyboards, location design, model and props design, background color and color styling. For production, TDA focuses on library creation, digital asset management, background layout scene assembly, posing, animation and after effects. We provide our services under fixed-price contracts. Under fixed-price contracts, we agree to perform the specified work for a pre-determined price. To the extent our actual costs vary from the estimates upon which the price was negotiated, we will generate more or less profit or could incur a loss.

 

We account for a contract after it has been approved by all parties to the arrangement, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable.

 

We evaluate the services promised in each contract at inception to determine whether the contract should be accounted for as having one or more performance obligations. The services in our contracts are distinct from one another as the referring parties typically can direct all, limited, or single portions of the various preproduction and production activities required to create and design and entire episode to us and we therefore have a history of developing stand alone selling prices for all of these distinct components. Accordingly, our contracts are typically accounted for as containing multiple performance obligations.

 

We determine the transaction price for each contract based on the consideration we expect to receive for the distinct services being provided under the contract.

 

We recognize revenue

 

Webfiltering revenue

  

Revenue from subscription sales for webfiltering at NetSpective is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the subscription period. Typically, a subscriber purchases computer hardware and a service license for a period of use between one year to five years for software and support. The subscriber is billed in full at the time of the sale. The Company immediately recognizes any revenue attributable to the computer hardware as it is non-refundable and control of the hardware has passed to the customer. The advanced billing for software and service is initially recorded as deferred revenue and subsequently recognized as revenue over time evenly throughout the subscription period.  Adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on NetSpective s revenues.

 

Contract Assets and Liabilities

 

Revenues from NetSpective contracts are all billed in advance and therefore represent contract liabilities until fully recognized on a ratable basis over the contract life. Animation revenue contracts vary with movie contracts typically allowing for progress billings over the contract term while other episodic development activities are typically billable upon delivery of the performance obligation for an episode. These episodic activities typically create unbilled contract assets between episode delivery dates while movies can create contract assets or liabilities based on the progress of activities versus the arranged billing schedule. Approximately $468,277 of NetSpective revenue and $428,481 of animation revenue recognized during 2018 was included in the respective opening contract liability balance. Remaining revenue expected to be recognized on contracts with customers are as follows as of December 31, 2018:

 

The following table depicts the composition of our contract assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Animation contract assets   $ 1,040,309     $ 280,458  
NetSpective contract assets     74,743       157,593  
Other contract assets     8,441       7,337  
Total contract assets   $ 1,123,493     $ 445,388  
                 
Animation contract liabilities   $ 380,749     $ 428,481  
NetSpective contract liabilities     727,979       756,143  
Other contract liabilities     11,500        
Total contract liabilities   $ 1,120,228     $ 1,184,624  

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1  - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2  - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable.

 

Level 3  - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

 

Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The Company uses the market approach to measure fair value for its Level 1 financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The respective carrying value of certain balance sheet financial instruments approximates its fair value. These financial instruments include cash, trade receivables, related party payables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings. Fair values were estimated to approximate carrying values for these financial instruments since they are short term in nature, and they are receivable or payable on demand.

 

The estimated fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations and reporting units and long-lived assets used in the related asset impairment tests utilize inputs classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

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The Company determines the fair value of contingent consideration based on a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value remeasurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in the fair value hierarchy. In each period, the Company reassesses its current estimates of performance relative to the stated targets and adjusts the liability to fair value. Any such adjustments are included as a component of Other Income (Expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market or foreign currency risk. Terms of convertible and other promissory notes are reviewed to determine whether they contain embedded derivative instruments that are required to be accounted for separately from the host contract and recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of derivative liabilities is required to be revalued at each reporting date, with corresponding changes in fair value recorded in current period operating results.

 

Beneficial Conversion Features

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 470-20, “Debt with Conversion and Other Options” the Company records a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) related to the issuance of convertible debt or preferred stock instruments that have conversion features at fixed rates that are in-the-money when issued. The BCF for the convertible instruments is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. The intrinsic value is generally calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible. If certain other securities are issued with the convertible security, the proceeds are allocated among the different components. The portion of the proceeds allocated to the convertible security is divided by the contractual number of the conversion shares to determine the effective conversion price, which is used to measure the BCF. The effective conversion price is used to compute the intrinsic value. The value of the BCF is limited to the basis that is initially allocated to the convertible security.

 

Stock Purchase Warrants

 

The Company accounts for warrants issued to purchase shares of its common stock as equity in accordance with FASB ASC 480,  Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds, the fair value of which approximates cost. The Company maintains its cash balances with a high-credit-quality financial institution. At times, such cash may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and management believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents.

 

Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms which are recorded at net realizable value. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the collectability of trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the amount of the allowance. The Company makes judgments about the creditworthiness of each customer based on ongoing credit evaluations and monitors current economic trends that might impact the level of credit losses in the future. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, a specific allowance will be required.

 

 

 

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Recovery of bad debt amounts previously written off is recorded as a reduction of bad debt expense in the period the payment is collected. If the Company’s actual collection experience changes, revisions to its allowance may be required. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.

 

Inventory

 

Inventory consists of animation supplies used for the sole purpose of completing animation projects at Top Draw.

 

The Company believes that no reserve for obsolete inventory is necessary as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost or fair value if acquired as part of a business combination. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method and is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the related lease.

 

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the related lease.

 

The carrying amount and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts in the year of disposal and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:

 

 

Computers, software and office equipment 1 – 5 years
Machinery and equipment 3 – 5 years
Vehicles 5 years
Furniture and fixtures 5 – 10 years
Leasehold improvements Lesser of the lease term or estimated useful life

 

Construction in process is not depreciated until the construction is completed and the asset is placed into service.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill arising from the Company’s acquisitions is attributable to the value of the potential expanded market opportunity with new customers. Intangible assets have either an identifiable or indefinite useful life. Intangible assets with identifiable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their economic or legal life, whichever is shorter. The Company’s amortizable intangible assets consist of customer relationships and non-compete agreements. Their useful lives range from 1.5 to 10 years. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names.

 

 

 

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Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment testing unless circumstances dictate more frequent assessments. The Company performs an annual impairment assessment for goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year and more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than the carrying amount. Goodwill impairment testing is a two-step process performed at the reporting unit level. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined by considering both the income approach and market approaches. The fair values calculated under the income approach and market approaches are weighted based on circumstances surrounding the reporting unit. Under the income approach, the Company determines fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting unit, which are discounted to the present value using discount factors that consider the timing and risk of cash flows. For the discount rate, the Company relies on the capital asset pricing model approach, which includes an assessment of the risk-free interest rate, the rate of return from publicly traded stocks, the Company’s risk relative to the overall market, the Company’s size and industry and other Company-specific risks. Other significant assumptions used in the income approach include the terminal value, growth rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. The market approaches use key multiples from guideline businesses that are comparable and are traded on a public market. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, there is no impairment. If the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step must be completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. Step two calculates the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit as calculated in step one. In this step, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a hypothetical purchase price allocation as if the reporting unit had been acquired on that date. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

 

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates, strategic plans, and future market conditions, among others. There can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the goodwill impairment testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. Changes in assumptions and estimates could cause the Company to perform an impairment test prior to scheduled annual impairment tests.

 

The Company performed its annual fair value assessment at December 31, 2018 and 2017 on its subsidiaries with material goodwill and intangible asset amounts on their respective balance sheets and determined that no impairment exists.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that an asset may not be recoverable. The long-lived asset is grouped with other assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. If the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the assets, the assets are written down to the estimated fair value.

 

The Company evaluated the recoverability of its long-lived assets on December 31, 2018 and at December 31, 2017, respectively on its subsidiaries with material amounts on their respective balance sheets and determined that no impairment exists.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740,  “Accounting for Income Taxes” . Under FASB ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under FASB ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. FASB ASC 740-10-05,  “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”  prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

 

 

 

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The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company assesses the validity of its conclusions regarding uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis to determine if facts or circumstances have arisen that might cause it to change its judgment regarding the likelihood of a tax position’s sustainability under audit.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional and reporting currency of TD Holdings and TDAHK is the Hong Kong Dollar. The functional and reporting currency of Top Draw is the Philippine Peso. Management has adopted ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters” for transactions that occur in foreign currencies. Monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Average monthly rates are used to translate revenues and expenses.

 

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income for the respective periods.

 

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations are translated into the reporting currency, United States dollars, at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet dates. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting periods. Equity transactions are recorded at the historical rate when the transaction occurred. The resulting translation adjustment is reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders' equity in the statement of stockholders' equity.

 

Differences may arise in the amount of bad debt expense, depreciation expense and amortization expense reported in the Company's operating results as compared to the corresponding change in the allowance for doubtful accounts, accumulated depreciation, and accumulated amortization, respectively, due to foreign currency translation. These translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of the Company's stockholders' equity.

 

Comprehensive Gain or Loss

 

ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income,” establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. As of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the Company determined that it had items that represented components of comprehensive income and, therefore, has included a statement of comprehensive income (loss) in the financial statements.

 

Advertising expenses

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling and marketing expenses.

 

Shipping and handling costs

 

Shipping and handling costs related to the acquisition of goods from vendors are included in the cost of sales.

 

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260,  “Earnings per Share” . ASC 260 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

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The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact its financial statements and does not believe that there are any other new pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations except as noted below:

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  Under the update, revenue will be recognized based on a five-step model. The core principle of the model is that revenue will be recognized when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers is made in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the standard to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company implemented ASC 606 for the period ended December 31, 2018.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act, we meet the definition of an “emerging growth company.” We have irrevocably elected to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. As a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non- emerging growth companies.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,  Leases (Topic 842) , which establishes a new lease accounting model for lessees. The updated guidance requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01,  Codification Improvements , which clarifies certain aspects of the new lease standard. The FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases  in July 2018. Also, in 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases  (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, which provides an optional transition method whereby the new lease standard is applied at the adoption date and recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings. The amendments have the same effective date and transition requirements as the new lease standard.

 

ASC 842 will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2019. As of January 1, 2019, we will record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $365,000.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide this information.

 

 

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Page
   

Report of Independent Registered Accounting Firm

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

F-2

 

   
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 F-3
   
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 F-4
   
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 F-5
   
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 F-6
   
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  F- 1  

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the shareholders and the board of directors of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

Going Concern Uncertainty

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred significant operating losses since inception and has a working capital deficit which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

/s/ BF Borgers CPA PC                    

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2015.

Lakewood, CO

April 16, 2019

 

 

 

  F- 2  

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

    December 31,     December 31,  
    2018     2017  
             
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 633,593     $ 436,869  
Accounts receivable and contract assets, net     1,123,493       445,388  
Inventory, net     9,018       426,998  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     449,840       1,035,379  
Total current assets     2,215,944       2,344,634  
                 
Property and equipment, net     1,036,313       849,893  
Goodwill     8,853,261       8,800,761  
Intangible assets, net     6,340,171       6,768,857  
Deferred tax assets, net -- noncurrent     249,833       201,290  
Other assets     114,601       81,345  
Total assets   $ 18,810,123     $ 19,046,780  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 682,285     $ 882,504  
Accrued liabilities     1,433,037       1,592,726  
Contract liabilities     1,120,228       1,184,624  
Convertible debentures, net – current     676,223       75,000  
Senior secured promissory notes, net – current     3,828,818        
Related party payables     1,181,645       2,076,640  
Income taxes payable     41,097       46,963  
Total current liabilities     8,963,333       5,858,457  
                 
Convertible debentures, net of loan discounts     2,410,614       1,463,273  
Senior secured promissory notes, net of loan discounts           3,953,661  
Contingent purchase consideration     429,000       429,000  
Other noncurrent liabilities     224,797       237,495  
Total liabilities     12,027,744       11,941,886  
                 
Commitments and contingencies            
                 
Stockholders' Equity:                
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. 25,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding            
Common stock, $0.001 par value. 200,000,000 shares authorized; 138,553,655 and 124,373,548 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively     138,554       124,274  
Common stock held in treasury, at cost, nil and nil shares held at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively            
Additional paid-in capital     52,254,286       47,901,532  
Accumulated earnings (deficit)     (45,457,207 )     (40,843,568 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income     (153,254 )     (77,344 )
Total stockholders' equity     6,782,379       7,104,894  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 18,810,123     $ 19,046,780  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

  F- 3  

 


GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

 

    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2018     2017  
             
Sales   $ 8,644,383     $ 7,692,927  
Cost of goods sold     4,378,658       4,248,372  
Gross margin     4,265,725       3,444,555  
Operating expenses:                
Depreciation and amortization     473,360       1,138,583  
Selling and marketing     216,548       279,586  
General and administrative     5,559,389       4,302,869  
Professional fees     1,522,881       1,809,571  
Stock-based compensation     369,318       2,658,633  
Total operating expenses     8,141,496       10,189,242  
                 
Income (loss) from operations     (3,875,771 )     (6,744,687 )
                 
Other income (expense)                
Interest income (expense), net     (1,021,801 )     (659,293 )
Gain (loss) on settlement of debt            
Other gains (losses)     35,136       1,392,017  
Total other income (expense)     (986,665 )     732,724  
Income (loss) before income taxes     (4,862,436 )     (6,011,963 )
Provision for income taxes (benefit)     14,944       33,696  
Net income (loss)     (4,877,380 )     (6,045,659 )
                 
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.06 )
                 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:                
Basic and diluted     128,081,259       109,579,213  
                 
Comprehensive loss:                
Net income (loss)   $ (4,877,380 )   $ (6,045,659 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment     (75,910 )     (24,709 )
Comprehensive income (loss)   $ (4,953,290 )   $ (6,070,368 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

  F- 4  

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INC.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

                                              Accumulated        
                                  Additional           Other     Total  
    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Treasury     Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive     Stockholders'  
    Shares     Value     Shares     Value     Stock     Capital     Earnings     Income     Equity  
                                                       
Balance, December 31, 2016         $       101,452,789     $ 101,454     $     $ 41,195,941     $ (34,797,909 )   $ (54,656 )   $ 6,444,830  
                                                                         
Net income (loss)                                         (6,045,659 )           (6,045,659 )
Issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of common stock purchase warrants                 6,530,220       6,530             1,559,470                   1,566,000  
Issuance of common stock as compensation to employees, officers and/or directors                 1,156,931       1,157             834,068                   835,225  
Issuance of common stock in exchange for consulting, professional and other services                 3,264,965       3,265             1,889,470                   1,892,735  
Issuance of common stock in lieu of cash for loans payable and other accrued obligations                 1,045,870       1,046             531,954                   533,000  
Issuance of common stock in connection with the issuance of convertible debenture(s)                 150,305       150             78,172                   78,322  
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of a business                 300,000       300             146,700                   147,000  
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of certain intangible assets                 83,400       83             59,917                   60,000  
Conversion of convertible debentures and accrued interest into common stock                 24,324       24             17,475                   17,499  
Recapitalization                 10,264,744       10,265             (235,043 )                 (224,778 )
Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options                                   1,823,408                   1,823,408  
                                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2017         $       124,273,548     $ 124,274     $     $ 47,901,532     $ (40,843,568 )   $ (77,344 )   $ 7,104,894  

 

 

 

  F- 5  

 

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INC.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (continued)

 

                                              Accumulated        
                                  Additional           Other     Total  
    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Treasury     Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive     Stockholders'  
    Shares     Value     Shares     Value     Stock     Capital     Earnings     Income     Equity  
                                                       
                                                                         
Net income (loss)                                         (4,877,380 )           (4,877,380 )
Change in foreign currency translation                                               (75,910 )     (75,910 )
Adjustment due to the adoption of ASC 606                                         263,741             263,741  
Issuance of common stock in connection with sales made under private offerings                 3,854,869       3,855             604,863                   608,718  
Issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of common stock purchase warrants                 256,455       256             61,244                   61,500  
Issuance of common stock as compensation to employees, officers and/or directors                 1,200,321       1,200             457,618                   458,818  
Issuance of common stock in exchange for consulting, professional and other services                 2,385,505       2,386             822,784                   825,170  
Issuance of common stock in lieu of cash for accounts payable, loans payable and other accrued obligations                 3,995,304       3,995             1,317,381                   1,321,376  
Issuance of common stock in connection with the issuance of convertible debenture(s)                 1,432,653       1,433             522,168                   523,601  
Issuance of common stock in connection with the amendment of terms of promissory note(s)                 805,000       805             481,445                   482,250  
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of a business                 150,000       150             52,350                   52,500  
Conversion of convertible debentures and accrued interest into common stock                 200,000       200             29,800                   30,000  
Recognition of beneficial conversion features related to convertible debentures                                   801                   801  
Stock based compensation expense related to stock options                                   2,300                   2,300  
                                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2018         $       138,553,655     $ 138,554     $     $ 52,254,286     $ (45,457,207 )   $ (153,254 )   $

6,782,379

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

  F- 6  

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2018     2017  
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations:                
Net income (loss)   $ (4,428,964 )   $ (6,045,659 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     824,241       844,294  
Amortization of debt discount     628,423       141,278  
Common stock issued for financing costs     2,250       17,499  
Common stock issued in exchange for fees and services     753,170       956,705  
Deferred taxes     (48,544 )     (8,240 )
Stock-based compensation     461,118       2,376,835  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     (232,540 )     (245,867 )
Inventory     (212,259 )     (16,458 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     657,538       (200,558 )
Other assets     (33,256 )     (18,882 )
Accounts payable     (28,742 )     (74,775 )
Accrued liabilities     (230,081 )     318,547  
Advanced payments and deferred revenues     (64,396 )     406,721  
Income taxes payable and other noncurrent liabilities     (18,564 )     (36,689 )
Related party payables     105,005       315,520  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     (1,865,601 )     (1,269,729 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Cash acquired in acquisition of business           182  
Purchase of fixed assets     (581,975 )     (155,420 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (581,975 )     (155,238 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs     608,717        
Proceeds from exercise of common stock purchase warrants, net of issuance costs     61,500       1,511,000  
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures     1,914,702        
Repayments of senior secured promissory notes     (10,000 )      
Proceeds from issuance of senior, secured promissory notes           32,000  
Repayments of convertible debentures     (75,000 )     (125,000 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     2,499,919       1,418,000  
                 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents     144,381       (24,708 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     196,724       (31,675 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     436,869       443,494  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 633,593     $ 411,819  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Cash paid for interest   $ 277,149     $  
Cash paid for income taxes   $     $  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:                
Common stock issued related to acquisition of business   $ 52,500     $  
Common stock issued related to acquisition of intangible assets   $     $ 60,000  
Common stock issued for financing costs incurred in connection with convertible and promissory notes   $ 1,003,621     $  
Common stock issued in connection with long term service contracts   $ 72,000     $  
Common stock issued to reduce convertible and promissory notes payable   $ 30,000     $ 500,000  
Common stock issued to reduce accounts payable and other accrued liabilities   $ 1,321,376     $ 33,000  
Contingent purchase consideration   $     $ 362,500  
Debt issued related to acquisition of a business   $     $ 1,000,000  
Discount for beneficial conversion features on convertible debentures   $ 801     $ 60,123  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

  F- 7  

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

Effective August 17, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”, “Grom” “we”, “us” or “our”) a Florida corporation f/k/a Illumination America, Inc. (“Illumination”), consummated the acquisition of Grom Holdings, Inc. (“Grom Holdings”). Pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement (“Share Exchange”) that was entered into on May 15, 2017, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to increase its authorized capital to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, as well as to change its name to “Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.” On the Effective Date, the Company issued an aggregate of 110,853,883 shares of its common stock to the Grom Holdings shareholders, pro rata to their respective ownership percentage. Each share of Grom Holdings was exchanged for 4.17 shares of Illumination common stock. As a result, the stockholders of Grom Holdings are now stockholders of the Company and own approximately 92% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

  

As a result of the acquisition of Grom Holdings, Inc. the Company now operates its business through five wholly-owned subsidiaries, including:

 

  · Grom Social, Inc. (“Grom Social”) was incorporated in the State of Florida on March 5, 2012 and operates our social media network designed for children.

 

  · TD Holdings Limited (“TD Holdings”), which was acquired in July 2016, was incorporated in Hong Kong on September 15, 2005. Its operations are conducted through its subsidiary companies, Top Draw Animation Hong Kong Limited (“TDAHK”) and Top Draw Animation, Inc (“Top Draw” or “TDA”). The group’s principal activities are the production of animated films based in Manila, the Philippines.

 

  · Grom Educational Services, Inc. (“GES”), was incorporated in the State of Florida on  January 17, 2017, and operates our NetSpective Webfiltering services to schools and libraries.

 

  · Grom Nutritional Services, Inc. (“GNS”) was incorporated in the State of Florida on April 19, 2017. We intend to market and distribute four flavors of a nutritional supplement to children through GNS. GNS did not record any revenue in 2018.

 

  · Illumination America Lighting, Inc. (“IAL”), was incorporated in the State of Florida on August 21, 2017. IAL operates our LED lighting business that was our principal business prior to the Share Exchange.  IAL did not record any revenue in 2018.

 

Retroactive Application of the Share Exchange Ratio

 

All references to Common Share totals or values in this Form 10-K, unless otherwise stated, have been adjusted, retroactively, to reflect the Share Exchange ratio of 4.17 as of August 17, 2017.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business for the twelve-month period following the date of these financial statements. On a consolidated basis, the Company has incurred significant operating losses since inception.

 

 

 

  F- 8  

 

 

Because the Company does not expect that existing operational cash flow will be sufficient to fund presently anticipated operations, this raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Therefore, the Company will need to raise additional funds and is currently exploring alternative sources of financing. Historically, the Company has raised capital through private placements, convertible debentures and officer loans as an interim measure to finance working capital needs and may continue to raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or other securities and obtaining some short-term loans. The Company will be required to continue to so until its consolidated operations become profitable. Also, the Company has, in the past, paid for consulting services with its common stock to maximize working capital, and intends to continue this practice where feasible.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The Company deemed the transfer of net assets pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement to be a reverse acquisition in accordance with FASB ASC 805-40,  "Reverse Acquisitions" . The legal acquirer is Illumination America, Inc. and the legal acquiree is Grom Holdings, Inc. However, the transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization effected by a share exchange, wherein Grom Holdings is considered the acquirer for accounting and financial reporting purposes. The assets and liabilities of the acquired entity have been brought forward at their book value and no goodwill has been recognized.

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and are expressed in United States dollars. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company; and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Grom Social, TD Holdings, GES, GNS, and Illumination America Lighting. TD Holdings was acquired on July 1, 2016; and GES was formed in January 2017 to operate the NetSpective WebFiltering assets and business which was acquired on January 1, 2017.

 

GNS which was formed in April 2017, had not recorded any activity through the date of this Annual Report.

 

All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, valuation of accounts receivable and inventories, purchase price allocation of acquired businesses, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, valuation of financial instruments, income taxes, and contingencies. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known or expected trends and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable given the quality of information available as of the date of these financial statements. The results of these assumptions provide the basis for making estimates about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

 

 

 

  F- 9  

 

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)  ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance provided in ASC Topic 606 ("ASC 606") requires entities to use a five-step model to recognize revenue by allocating the consideration from contracts to performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires new disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASC 606 also includes Subtopic 340-40,  Other Assets and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers , which requires the deferral of incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. This new guidance was initially effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption was not permitted. However, in July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of this ASU by one year for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date. As a result, the effective date for the Company is January 1, 2018.

 

Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the guidance. The Company adopted this ASU in accordance with the modified retrospective method, effective January 1, 2018 for all contracts not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with legacy GAAP.

 

Under the applicable revenue recognition guidance for fiscal years 2017 and prior, these transactions were recognized when the amounts were billed to the customer.

 

As a result of the Company’s transition to ASC 606, the Company recorded a net change in beginning retained earnings of 263,741 on January 1, 2018 due to the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606. For year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a total of $7,801,157 of animation revenue from contracts with customers which include $ 528,822 in additional revenue as a result of the adoption of ASC 606. 

 

Under ASC 606 our animation revenues are generated primarily from contracts with customers for preproduction and production services related to the development of animated movies and television series. TDA preproduction activities include producing storyboards, location design, model and props design, background color and color styling. For production, TDA focuses on library creation, digital asset management, background layout scene assembly, posing, animation and after effects. We provide our services under fixed-price contracts. Under fixed-price contracts, we agree to perform the specified work for a pre-determined price. To the extent our actual costs vary from the estimates upon which the price was negotiated, we will generate more or less profit or could incur a loss.

 

We account for a contract after it has been approved by all parties to the arrangement, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable.

 

We evaluate the services promised in each contract at inception to determine whether the contract should be accounted for as having one or more performance obligations. The services in our contracts are distinct from one another as the referring parties typically can direct all, limited, or single portions of the various preproduction and production activities required to create and design and entire episode to us and we therefore have a history of developing stand alone selling prices for all of these distinct components. Accordingly, our contracts are typically accounted for as containing multiple performance obligations.

 

We determine the transaction price for each contract based on the consideration we expect to receive for the distinct services being provided under the contract.

 

We recognize revenue as performance obligations are satisfied and the customer obtains control of the services. In determining when performance obligations are satisfied, we consider factors such as contract terms, payment terms and whether there is an alternative future use of the product or service. Substantially all of our revenue is recognized over time as we perform under the contract due to the contractual terms present in each contract which irrevocably transfer control of the work product to the customer as the services are performed.

 

For performance obligations recognized over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation, generally using the percentage-of-completion cost-to-cost measure of progress for our contracts because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer as we incur costs on our contracts. Under the percentage-of-completion cost-to-cost measure of progress, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs to complete the performance obligation.

 

Webfiltering revenue

  

Revenue from subscription sales for webfiltering at NetSpective is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the subscription period. Typically, a subscriber purchases computer hardware and a service license for a period of use between one year to five years for software and support. The subscriber is billed in full at the time of the sale. The Company immediately recognizes any revenue attributable to the computer hardware as it is non-refundable and control of the hardware has passed to the customer. The advanced billing for software and service is initially recorded as deferred revenue and subsequently recognized as revenue over time evenly throughout the subscription period.  Adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on NetSpective’s revenues.

 

Substantially all of the revenue at TDA and Netspective comes from the North American in the form of animation and webfiltering services, respectively. Historically and going forward, TDA’s business is concentrated on five to eight key clients, that vary from year to year based upon discrete projects which become available based on the popularity of a particular TV series, or the expected acceptance of new animated series. TDA receives advance payments for a significant portion of the work it performs. Netspective, as consistent with industry practice receives full payment in advance of providing webfiltering services over a period of one to five years. Revenue recognition under ASC 606 and historically was unrelated to the timing of milestone or advance payments. Netspective’s business is focused on forty to fifty US-based school districts located in the US. Both TDA and Netspective earn revenue via services transferred over time to the client. Approximately 1/10 of Netspective’s business is recognized at a point time due to the non-refundable sale of computer hardware associated with web filtering services.

  

Contract Assets and Liabilities

 

Revenues from NetSpective contracts are all billed in advance and therefore represent contract liabilities until fully recognized on a ratable basis over the contract life. Animation revenue contracts vary with movie contracts typically allowing for progress billings over the contract term while other episodic development activities are typically billable upon delivery of the performance obligation for an episode. These episodic activities typically create unbilled contract assets between episode delivery dates while movies can create contract assets or liabilities based on the progress of activities versus the arranged billing schedule. Approximately $468,277 of NetSpective revenue and $428,481 of animation revenue recognized during 2018 was included in the respective opening contract liability balance. Remaining revenue expected to be recognized on contracts with customers are as follows as of December 31, 2018:

 

The following table depicts the composition of our contract assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Animation contract assets   $ 1,040,309     $ 280,458  
NetSpective contract assets     74,743       157,593  
Other contract assets     8,441       7,337  
Total contract assets   $ 1,123,493     $ 445,388  
                 
Animation contract liabilities   $ 380,749     $ 428,481  
NetSpective contract liabilities     727,979       756,143  
Other contract liabilities     11,500        
Total contract liabilities   $ 1,120,228     $ 1,184,624  

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1  - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2  - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable.

 

Level 3  - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

 

 

 

  F- 10  

 

 

Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The Company uses the market approach to measure fair value for its Level 1 financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The respective carrying value of certain balance sheet financial instruments approximates its fair value. These financial instruments include cash, trade receivables, related party payables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings. Fair values were estimated to approximate carrying values for these financial instruments since they are short term in nature, and they are receivable or payable on demand.

 

The estimated fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations and reporting units and long-lived assets used in the related asset impairment tests utilize inputs classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

The Company determines the fair value of contingent consideration based on a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value remeasurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in the fair value hierarchy. In each period, the Company reassesses its current estimates of performance relative to the stated targets and adjusts the liability to fair value. Any such adjustments are included as a component of Other Income (Expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

The following table summarizes the change in the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Earnout liability   $     $     $ 429,000  

 

The following table summarizes the change in the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

Fair value, December 31, 2016     1,931,707  
Fair value of contingent consideration issued during the period     362,500  
Change in fair value     (1,865,207 )
Fair value, December 31, 2017   $ 429,000  
Change in fair value      
Fair value, December 31, 2018   $ 429,000  

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market or foreign currency risk. Terms of convertible and other promissory notes are reviewed to determine whether they contain embedded derivative instruments that are required to be accounted for separately from the host contract and recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of derivative liabilities is required to be revalued at each reporting date, with corresponding changes in fair value recorded in current period operating results.

 

Beneficial Conversion Features

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 470-20, “Debt with Conversion and Other Options” the Company records a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) related to the issuance of convertible debt or preferred stock instruments that have conversion features at fixed rates that are in-the-money when issued. The BCF for the convertible instruments is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. The intrinsic value is generally calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible. If certain other securities are issued with the convertible security, the proceeds are allocated among the different components. The portion of the proceeds allocated to the convertible security is divided by the contractual number of the conversion shares to determine the effective conversion price, which is used to measure the BCF. The effective conversion price is used to compute the intrinsic value. The value of the BCF is limited to the basis that is initially allocated to the convertible security.

 

 

 

  F- 11  

 

 

Stock Purchase Warrants

 

The Company accounts for warrants issued to purchase shares of its common stock as equity in accordance with FASB ASC 480,  Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds, the fair value of which approximates cost. The Company maintains its cash balances with a high-credit-quality financial institution. At times, such cash may be more than the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and management believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents.

  

Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms which are recorded at net realizable value. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the collectability of trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the amount of the allowance. The Company makes judgments about the creditworthiness of each customer based on ongoing credit evaluations and monitors current economic trends that might impact the level of credit losses in the future. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, a specific allowance will be required.

 

Recovery of bad debt amounts previously written off is recorded as a reduction of bad debt expense in the period the payment is collected. If the Company’s actual collection experience changes, revisions to its allowance may be required. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.

 

Inventory

 

Inventory consists of animation supplies used for the sole purpose of completing animation projects at Top Draw.

 

 

 

  F- 12  

 

 

Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost or fair value if acquired as part of a business combination. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method and is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The carrying amount and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts in the year of disposal and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:

 

Computers, software, and office equipment 1 – 5 years
Machinery and equipment 3 – 5 years
Vehicles 5 years
Furniture and fixtures 5 – 10 years
Leasehold improvements Lesser of the lease term or estimated useful life

 

Construction in process is not depreciated until the construction is completed and the asset is placed into service.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill arising from the Company’s acquisitions is attributable to the value of the potential expanded market opportunity with new customers. Intangible assets have either an identifiable or indefinite useful life. Intangible assets with identifiable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their economic or legal life, whichever is shorter. The Company’s amortizable intangible assets consist of customer relationships and non-compete agreements. Their useful lives range from 1.5 to 10 years. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names.

 

Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment testing unless circumstances dictate more frequent assessments. The Company performs an annual impairment assessment for goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year and more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than the carrying amount. Goodwill impairment testing is a two-step process performed at the reporting unit level. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined by considering both the income approach and market approaches. The fair values calculated under the income approach and market approaches are weighted based on circumstances surrounding the reporting unit. Under the income approach, the Company determines fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting unit, which are discounted to the present value using discount factors that consider the timing and risk of cash flows. For the discount rate, the Company relies on the capital asset pricing model approach, which includes an assessment of the risk-free interest rate, the rate of return from publicly traded stocks, the Company’s risk relative to the overall market, the Company’s size and industry and other Company-specific risks. Other significant assumptions used in the income approach include the terminal value, growth rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. The market approaches use key multiples from guideline businesses that are comparable and are traded on a public market. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, there is no impairment. If the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step must be completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. Step two calculates the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit as calculated in step one. In this step, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a hypothetical purchase price allocation as if the reporting unit had been acquired on that date. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. 

 

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates, strategic plans, and future market conditions, among others. There can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the goodwill impairment testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. Changes in assumptions and estimates could cause the Company to perform an impairment test prior to scheduled annual impairment tests.

 

 

 

  F- 13  

 

 

The Company performed its annual fair value assessment at December 31, 2018, on its subsidiaries with material goodwill and intangible asset amounts on their respective balance sheets and determined that no impairment exists.  

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that an asset may not be recoverable. The long-lived asset is grouped with other assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. If the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the assets, the assets are written down to the estimated fair value.

 

The Company evaluated the recoverability of its long-lived assets on December 31, 2018 and at December 31, 2017, respectively on its subsidiaries with material amounts on their respective balance sheets and determined that no impairment exists.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740,  “Accounting for Income Taxes” . Under FASB ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under FASB ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. FASB ASC 740-10-05,  “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”  prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

 

The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company assesses the validity of its conclusions regarding uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis to determine if facts or circumstances have arisen that might cause it to change its judgment regarding the likelihood of a tax position’s sustainability under audit.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional and reporting currency of TD Holdings and TDAHK is the Hong Kong Dollar. The functional and reporting currency of Top Draw is the Philippine Peso. Management has adopted ASC 830 “Foreign Currency Matters” for transactions that occur in foreign currencies. Monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Average monthly rates are used to translate revenues and expenses.

 

Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income for the respective periods.

 

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations are translated into the reporting currency, United States dollars, at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet dates. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting periods. Equity transactions are recorded at the historical rate when the transaction occurred. The resulting translation adjustment is reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders' equity in the statement of stockholders' equity.

 

 

 

  F- 14  

 

 

Differences may arise in the amount of bad debt expense, depreciation expense and amortization expense reported in the Company's operating results as compared to the corresponding change in the allowance for doubtful accounts, accumulated depreciation, and accumulated amortization, respectively, due to foreign currency translation. These translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of the Company's stockholders' equity.

 

Comprehensive Gain or Loss

 

ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income,” establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. As of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the Company determined that it had items that represented components of comprehensive income (loss) and, therefore, has included a statement of comprehensive income (loss) in the financial statements.

 

Advertising expenses

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling and marketing expenses.

 

Shipping and handling costs

 

Shipping and handling costs related to the acquisition of goods from vendors are included in the cost of sales.

 

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260,  “Earnings per Share” . ASC 260 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. These potential dilutive shares include 6,630,103 shares from convertible notes, 14,814,815 shares related to the conversion rights of the TDH Sellers Note, 31,043,000 vested stock options and 781,910 stock purchase warrants. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact its financial statements and does not believe that there are any other new pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations except as noted below:

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,  Leases (Topic 842) , which establishes a new lease accounting model for lessees. The updated guidance requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01,  Codification Improvements , which clarifies certain aspects of the new lease standard. The FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases  in July 2018. Also, in 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases  (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, which provides an optional transition method whereby the new lease standard is applied at the adoption date and recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings. The amendments have the same effective date and transition requirements as the new lease standard.

 

ASC 842 will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2019. As of January 1, 2019, we will record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $365,000.

  

 

  F- 15  

 

 

3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

 

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Billed accounts receivable   $ 419,802     $ 445,338  
Unbilled accounts receivable     703,691        
Total accounts receivable, net   $ 1,123,493     $ 445,338  

 

As of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the Company evaluated its outstanding trade receivables and determined that no allowance for bad debts was required so as a result no bad debt expense was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had three customers that accounted for 50.1% of revenues and one customer that accounted for 9.2% of accounts receivable.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had four customers that accounted for approximately 71.6% of consolidated revenues and three customers that accounted for 77.3% of consolidated accounts receivable.

 

4.  PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Collaborative development agreement   $ 95,766     $ 191,531  
Prepaid rent     31,773       55,211  
Vendor advances     7,867       43,219  
Prepaid service agreements     174,920       578,732  
Employee advance and other payroll related items     16,208       15,734  
Other prepaid expenses and current assets     123,306       150,952  
Total   $ 449,840     $ 1,035,379  

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets represent prepayments made in the normal course and in which the economic benefit is expected to be realized within twelve months.

 

 

 

  F- 16  

 

 

5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s property and equipment at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2017  
    Cost     Accumulated Depreciation     Net Book Value     Cost     Accumulated Depreciation     Net Book Value  
Capital assets subject to depreciation:                                                
Computers, software and office equipment   $ 1,937,987     $ (1,508,104 )     429,883     $ 1,792,499     $ (1,319,388 )   $ 473,111  
Machinery and equipment     167,731       (99,900 )     67,831       95,356       (88,342 )     7,014  
Vehicles     153,927       (120,728 )     33,199       159,431       (110,098 )     49,333  
Furniture and fixtures     381,248       (284,410 )     96,838       305,855       (273,768 )     32,087  
Leasehold improvements     1,031,687       (623,125 )     408,562       654,309       (585,808 )     68,501  
Total fixed assets     3,672,580       (2,636,267 )     1,036,313     $ 3,007,450     $ (2,377,404 )   $ 630,046  
Capital assets not subject to depreciation:                                                
Construction in progress                       219,847             219,847  
Total fixed assets   $ 3,672,580     $ (2,636,267 )   $ 1,036,313     $ 3,227,297     $ (2,377,404 )   $ 849,893  

 

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $395,556 and $277,407 respectively.

 

6. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

Acquisition of NetSpective Webfiltering

 

On January 1, 2017, Grom Holdings acquired the assets of NetSpective Webfilter, a division of TeleMate.net Software (“TeleMate”). Under the terms of the agreement, Grom Holdings paid $1.0 million in consideration in the form of a $1.0 million redeemable, convertible promissory note. The note bears interest at 0.68% per annum. All note principal and accrued interest is payable January 1, 2020. The note is convertible at the election of TeleMate into the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate of $0.78 per share. Furthermore, if not previously converted by TeleMate, the note may be converted by the Company into shares of the Company’s common stock at a rate of $0.48 per share commencing on November 1, 2019.

 

TeleMate had the opportunity for contingent, earn-out payments of up to $362,500 if certain net cash flow thresholds are achieved during the one-year post-closing period. The earn-out payments, if made, shall be payable entirely in common stock.

  

Consideration Paid:      
Cash and cash equivalents   $  
Common stock, 41,700 shares paid with letter of intent     32,500  
Senior, secured promissory notes     1,000,000  
Financial liabilities assumed     521,735  
Contingent purchase consideration     362,500  
Fair value of total consideration   $ 1,916,735  

 

 

 

  F- 17  

 

 

Recognized amount of identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities assumed:      
Financial assets:      
Intangible asset      
Brand name   $ 69,348  
Software     1,134,435  
Customer relationships     74,004  
Financial liabilities:        
Deferred revenues     (521,735 )
Write-down of purchase consideration     463,978  
Goodwill     696,705  
    $ 1,916,735  

 

Additionally, since the valuation report reflected that the earnout threshold would not be reached, and the earnout was achieved, the Company recorded an additional expense of $362,500 related to the acquisition of Netspective.

 

In determining the fair value of the convertible promissory note issued, the Company considered, among other factors, the market yields on debt securities for similar time horizons and level of perceived risk of the investment. Based on the conversion factors and interest rate contained in the note, the Company believes the note represents fair value.

 

We used a lattice model to estimate the fair value of the contingent consideration. We forecast future up and down movements based on the 9.7% historical volatility of “Net Cash Flow” which includes the years 2014-2016. The weighted average probability of each scenario was calculated and since it did not reach the earnout threshold, we did not record any contingent consideration provision.

 

The fair value of the internally developed software was estimated using a replacement cost approach similar to the Constructive Cost Model (“COCOMO”) II.  The model is an algorithmic software cost estimation tool that estimates the cost, effort, and schedule of a hypothetical software project. We estimated costs based on total lines of code in the program and labor cost rates for the required personnel, in addition to a profit component.  Although this is a replacement cost model, we believe it represents fair value from a market participant perspective. The key assumptions used include average labor rates, total estimated labor hours, and an income tax rate of 40%.

  

In determining the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, how a market participant would likely use the acquired assets. The estimated fair value of intangible assets was based on the income approach for customer relationships and tradename and a replacement cost method for the software programs. The income approach requires a projection of the cash flow that the asset is expected to generate in the future. The projected cash flow is discounted to its present value using a rate of return, or discount rate, which accounts for the time value of money and the degree of risk inherent in the asset. The expected future cash flow that is projected should include all of the economic benefits attributable to the asset, including the tax savings associated with the amortization of the intangible asset value over the tax life of the asset. The income approach may take the form of a “relief-from-royalty” methodology, a cost savings methodology, a “with and without” methodology, or excess earnings methodology, depending on the specific asset under consideration. The replacement cost model uses estimated current costs at the Measurement Date, plus a profit component.

 

The “relief-from-royalty” method was used to value the trade names acquired from TeleMate. The “relief-from-royalty” method estimates the cost savings that accrue to the owner of an intangible asset that would otherwise be required to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. The royalty rate used is based on an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets. Typically, revenue is projected over the expected remaining useful life of the intangible asset. The key assumptions in the prospective cash flows include a 15% compound annual sales growth rate over the five years period subsequent to the acquisition. The royalty rate is then applied to estimate the royalty savings. The key assumptions used in valuing the existing trade names acquired were as follows: royalty rate of 1.0%, discount rate of 17.1%, and a tax rate of 40.0%. The trade names are expected to be used indefinitely and the value includes a terminal value, based on a long-term sustainable growth rate of 2.0%, of the after-tax royalty savings determined using a form of the Gordon Growth model.

 

 

 

  F- 18  

 

 

The fair value of customer relationships was valued using an income method. Net Operating Profit After Tax (“NOPAT”) per customer is a function of the gross profit margin of the Company, applicable contributory assets (i.e., working capital, fixed capital, workforce, brand, IPR&D) charges, and the discount rate reflecting the riskiness of the asset undervaluation. NOPAT per customer was used to estimate the value of customer relationships. The key assumptions used include a revenue attrition rate of 10%, an income tax rate of 40%, and a discount rate of 17.1%.

 

7.  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

  

       
       
Balance, December 31, 2016   $ 8,104,056  
Acquisition of Netspective Webfiltering     696,705  
Balance, December 31, 2017     8,800,761  
Acquisition of Bonnie Boat assets     52,500  
Balance, December 31, 2018   $ 8,853,261  

 

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s intangible assets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

      December 31, 2018       December 31, 2017  
      Amortization Period (Years)       Gross Carrying Amount       Accumulated Amortization       Net Book Value       Gross Carrying Amount       Accumulated Amortization       Net Book Value  
Intangible assets subject to amortization:                                                        
Customer relationships     10.00     $ 1,600,286     $ (396,371 )   $ 1,203,915     $ 1,600,286     $ (236,343 )   $ 1,363,943  
Mobile software applications     2.00       282,500       (282,500 )           282,500       (240,729 )     41,771  
NetSpective webfiltering software     5.00       1,134,435       (453,774 )     680,661        1,134,435        (226,887      907,548  
Noncompete agreements     2.00       846,638       (846,638 )           846,638       (846,638 )      
Subtotal           3,863,859       (1,979,283 )     1,884,576       3,863,859       (1,550,597)       2,313,262  
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:                                                        
Trade names           4,455,595             4,455,595       4,455,595             4,455,595  
Total intangible assets         $ 8,319,454     $ (1,979,283 )   $ 6,340,171     $ 8,319,454     $ (1,550,597 )   $ 6,768,857  

 

The Company recorded amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization of $428,686 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $1,092,592 during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

 

 

  F- 19  

 

 

The following table provides information regarding estimated amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the following years ending December 31:

 

  2019     $ 386,916  
  2020       386,916  
  2021       386,916  
  2022       160,029  
  2023       160,029  
  Thereafter       403,772  
        $ 1,884,578  

 

8. OTHER ASSETS

 

Other assets are comprised solely of guarantee deposits at TDA which are refundable upon termination of contract or delivery of subject matter of the contract. These are initially recorded at cost which is the fair value at the time of the transaction and are subsequently measured at amortized cost.

 

9.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Trade payables are recognized initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at the undiscounted amount of cash or other consideration expected to be paid. Accrued expenses are recognized based on the expected amount required to settle the obligation or liability.

 

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s accrued liabilities at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Earnout consideration payable in connection with Netspective acquisition   $ 362,500     $ 362,500  
Executive and employee compensation     792,402       838,689  
Interest on convertible debentures and promissory notes     210,221       356,599  
Other accrued expenses and liabilities     67,914       34,938  
Total accrued liabilities   $ 1,433,037     $ 1,592,726  

 

Accrued expenses for both periods include approximately $138,000 for an estimated compromise settlement relating to tax deductions against supplier invoices in the Philippines at TDA. The Company in accordance with ASC 740-10 has determined that the recording of this amount is required because it is more likely than not that the tax will be assessed.

 

10. 

RELATED PARTY PAYABLES AND ACTIVITY

 

The Company has engaged the Chief Executive Officer, Darren Mark’s family to assist in the development of the Grom Social website and to create original content for the site. Since these individuals have been responsible for creating in excess of 500 episodes of original content. Mr. Marks wife Sarah; his sons Zach the founder of Grom, Luke, Jack, Dawson, and his daughters Caroline and Victoria all work for the Company either as employees or contractors. The amount they were paid for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows: Sarah $33,600, Zach $90,000, Luke $33,800, Jack $5,400, Victoria $6,750 and Caroline $11,250. The total annual compensation payable to these six individuals for the periods ended December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, was $180,800 and $165,800, respectively, which the Company believes is below market rate for the value of the services performed. This expenditure for services provided by the Marks family is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Members of the Marks family are actively involved on a daily basis in creating all of the current content for the website which includes numerous videos on social responsibility, anti-bullying, digital citizenship, unique blogs, and special events.

 

 

 

 

  F- 20  
 

 

Liabilities Due to Executive and Other Officers

 

Messrs. Darren Marks and Melvin Leiner, both officers of the Company, have made numerous loans to Grom to help fund operations. These loans are non-interest bearing and callable on demand. No such loans were made to the Company during the years ended December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017. Neither Mr. Marks nor Mr. Leiner have any intention of calling these loans at present. The loan balances are classified as short-term obligations under Related Party Payables on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

During 2017 and 2018 Mr. Marks and Mr. Leiner on several occasions agreed to convert a portion of their loans into equity. These transactions are summarized as follows:

 

Name   Date     Amount of Loan Principal Converted to Equity    

Share Price Used for conversion

    Trading price of Grom stock on the date of conversion     Shares issued  
                               
Darren Marks     12/29/2017       333,333     $ 0.50       0.30       666,666  
      10/15/2018       333,333     $ 0.31       0.19       1,075,268  
                                         
Melvin Leiner     12/29/2017       166,667     $ 0.50       0.30       333,334  
      10/15/2018       166,667     $ 0.31       0.19       537,635  

 

The outstanding amount due to Mr. Marks and Mr. Leiner’s LLC’s were $469,506 and $1,215,442; and $451,944 and $861,198 as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Additionally, we owed $50,000 to Dr. Rutherford our director who extended a short-term loan to the Company, and $210,145 to Wayne and Stella Dearing who have extended loans to Top Draw animation to assist with its liquidity.

 

As of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the balances in related party payables were $1,181,645 and $2,076,640, respectively.

 

11.  OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Other noncurrent liabilities are comprised solely of retirement benefit costs. The Philippine Republic Act (RA) No. 7641, mandates all private employers to provide retirement benefits to employees who upon reaching the age of sixty years or more, but not beyond sixty-five years, have served at least five years in the said establishment. The amount of retirement benefit was defined as “at least one-half month salary for every year of service, a fraction of at least six months being considered as one whole year”.

 

The balance of the accrued retirement benefit cost as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 amounted to $224,797 and $237,496, respectively.

 

12.

DEBT

 

Convertible Debentures

 

The following tables set forth the components of the Company’s, convertible debentures as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

    December 31,
2018
    December 31,
2017
 
Redeemable unsecured convertible note -TeleMate   $ 1,000,000       1,000,000  
Principal value of secured convertible notes     2,822,708       676,223  
Loan discounts     (735,871 )     (137,950 )
Less: Current portion     (676,223 )     (75,000 )
Total convertible notes, net   $ 2,410,614     $ 1,463,273  

 

 

 

 

  F- 21  
 

 

Redeemable unsecured convertible note -TeleMate

 

On January 1, 2017, the Company issued a three-year 0.68% redeemable convertible note for $1,000,000 to TeleMate. net in connection with the acquisition of the NetSpective Webfiltering assets from them. All note principal and accrued interest is payable January 1, 2020. The note is convertible at the election of the noteholders into the Company’s’ common stock at a conversion rate of $0.78 per share. Furthermore, if not previously converted by the noteholders, the note may be converted by the Company into shares of the Company’s common stock at a rate of $0.48 per share commencing on November 1, 2019.

 

Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement in which TeleMate had the obligation to collect certain monies on behalf of the Company, TeleMate failed to remit $146,882 it had collected on the Company’s behalf from NetSpective customers. As a result of TeleMate’s non-payment, and to avoid litigation, on January 12, 2018, we entered into a First Modification to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Modification”).

 

Under the terms of the Modification, the TeleMate agreed to the following terms:

 

  · To pay the Company $10,000 per month against their outstanding balance of $146,822. To date, they have paid the Company $30,000 and are current on their monthly payment obligations.

 

  · They cannot exercise the conversion feature of their $1.0 million promissory note, nor will any of the $362,500 Earnout shares (464,744) until all payments are made in full.

 

  · The December 31, 2019 maturity date of the $1,000,000 convertible note is extended indefinitely until all payments are made in full.

 

  · All interest payments ($6,800 annually) due from the Company to TeleMate were suspended indefinitely until all payments are made in full.

 

Under the terms of the First Modification, TeleMate agreed to pay us $10,000 per month against their outstanding balance due to us of $146,822. The TeleMate Note may not be converted or any earnout shares issued by us until the outstanding balance is paid in full, and all interest payments due under the TeleMate Note have been suspended until all payments owing the Company has been made. If and when TeleMate is permitted to convert the TeleMate Note, the number of shares converted thereunder will be subject to a one-year leakout agreement.

 

Telemate has paid in full by April 2019. If TeleMate does not convert the TeleMate Note to equity by October 1, 2019, the Company has the right to force conversion at a conversion price of $0.48 per share.

 

Newbridge Offering

 

On November 30, 2018, the Company closed a private offering in which it sold 12% secured convertible promissory notes in an aggregate principal amount of $552,000 and issued an aggregate of 730,974 shares of its common stock to nine accredited investors pursuant to a private placement memorandum and subscription agreement. The Notes which are due and payable two years from issuance are secured by certain assets of the Company and rank senior to all other indebtedness of the Company except for the $4,000,000 promissory notes (the “TD Notes”) issued to TD Holdings in connection with the Share Sale Agreement, dated June 30, 2016, as amended. Messrs. Marks and Leiner also pledged an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares pursuant to a pledge and security agreement to secure the timely payment of the Notes. The Notes are convertible, in whole or in part, by the note holder at a conversion rate of $0.40 if the Company’s common stock trades or is quoted at more than $0.40 per share for 10 consecutive days. The conversion price is subject to adjustment resulting from certain corporate actions including the subdivision or combination of stock, payment of dividends, reorganization, reclassification, consolidations, merger or sale of the Company.

 

Interest on the Note is payable monthly in 21 equal installments commencing four months after the issuance of the Notes. Upon the occurrence of an “event of default” as described in the Notes, the interest rate will increase to 15% and the Notes shall become immediately due and payable. The Company may prepay the Notes in full at any time by paying accrued interest and 110% of the outstanding principal balance. Newbridge Securities Corporation acted as exclusive placement agent for the offering and received (i) $55,200, (ii) 113,586 shares of common stock (the “Placement Agent Shares”); and (iii) $11,040, representing a non-accountable expense allowance, for its services.

 

 

 

 

  F- 22  
 

 

Secured Convertible Notes 2018

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company privately placed a series of secured, convertible, original issue discount (OID) notes with accredited investors for gross proceeds of $1,238,485. The Notes were issued with OID discounts of 20.0%, or $247,697. The debentures carried an interest rate of 10% per annum, payable semiannually in cash, for a two-year term with a fixed conversion price of $0.50 if converted within one year of issuance and $0.78 per share thereafter.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company privately placed a series of secured, convertible, original issue discount (OID) notes with accredited investors for gross proceeds of $601,223. The Notes were issued with OID discounts of 10.0%, or $60,122. The debentures carried an interest rate of 10% per annum, payable semiannually in cash, for a two-year term with a fixed conversion price of $0.78.

 

In connection with the issuance of these convertible debentures, the Company issued to its noteholders an aggregate of 150,305 shares of common stock as an inducement to lend. These shares were valued at $78,321 with share prices ranging between $0.38 and $0.54 per share. The Company recorded the value of these shares as a loan discount to be amortized as interest expense over the term of the related convertible debentures. The related amortization expense was $4,543 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Additionally, at the end of 2017, there were two convertible notes outstanding amounting to $75,000 that had been issued in 2016 with a fixed conversion price of $1.19.

 

Senior Secured Promissory Notes

 

The following tables set forth the components of the Company’s senior, secured promissory notes at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

    December 31,
2018
    December 31,
2017
 
Principal value of promissory notes   $ 4,000,000     $ 4,000,000  
Loan discounts     (171,182 )     (86,339 )
Total promissory notes, net   $ 3,828,818     $ 3,953,661  

 

On June 20, 2016, the Company issued a secured promissory note to the TDA Sellers in connection with the share sale agreement. The note totaled $4.0 million, bears interest at 5.0% per annum and is due on the earlier of (i) April 1, 2020 or (ii) the date on which the Company successfully completes a qualified initial public offering as defined in the agreement. The note is collateralized by all of the assets of TD Holdings.

 

First Amendment of TDA Sellers Note

 

On January 3, 2018, we entered into an amendment to the acquisition agreement with the TDA Sellers (the “Amendment”):

 

  · The TDA Sellers agreed to extend the maturity date of the $4.0 secured promissory note one year until July 1, 2019 (see 2016 description below);

 

  · The interest rate on the Note during the one-year extension period from July 2, 2018 to July 1, 2019 was changed to 10%. The interest rate on the Note remained at 5%, payable annually in arrears, until June 30, 2018;

 

  · During the one-year extension period, the interest will be paid quarterly in arrears, instead of annually in arrears. The first such quarterly interest payment of $100,000 is due on September 30, 2018; and

 

  · Under the terms of the terms acquisition agreement, the Sellers had an opportunity to earn up to $5.0 million in contingent Earnout Payments (as described above). The original Earn out measurement period ended on December 31, 2018.  As part of the consideration for the Sellers agreeing to enter the Amendment, we agreed to extend the Earnout Period, one year, to December 31, 2019.

   

Also, as additional consideration, we issued an additional 800,000 restricted shares of our common stock to the TDA Sellers which were expensed in 2018.

 

 

 

 

  F- 23  
 

 

Second Amendment of TDA Sellers Note

 

On January 15, 2019, we entered into a second amendment to the TDH Acquisition Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). Under the terms of the Second Amendment:

 

  · the maturity date of the Note was extended from July 1, 2019 to April 2, 2020.
     
  · the TDA Sellers shall have the right to convert the Note at a conversion price of $0.27 per share, either in whole or in part at any time prior to the maturity, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Amendment 
     
  · in the event the Note is not repaid prior to July 2, 2019: (i) no management fee shall be paid by TDA to the Company as provided in the Share Sale Agreement. Management fees paid by TDA to the Company to date are approximately $100,000 per month. Non-payment of the management fees to the Company by TDA due to the non-payment of the Note would have a material adverse impact on the Company.
     
  · The earnout was modified for 50% cash and 50% stock, to 75% cash and 25% stock.
     
  · The Sellers received 800,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock.

 

Maturities of the Company’s borrowings for each of the next five years are as follows:

 

2019     $ 1,676,223  
2020     $ 7,146,285  
2021     $  

 

13. INCOME TAXES

 

The following table sets forth the components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

  

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Current:                
Federal   $     $  
State and local            
Foreign     74,356       70,457  
Total current     74,356       70,457  
Deferred:                
Federal            
State and local            
Foreign     (59,412 )     (36,851 )
Total deferred     (59,412 )     (36,851 )
Total   $ 14,944     $ 33,696  

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) at the federal statutory rate to recorded income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

    December 31,
2018
   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Tax benefit at the statutory federal rate     –%       –%
Increase (decrease) in rate(s) resulting from:                
Foreign operations, net     (0.3 )     (0.6 )
Change in deferred taxes     21.3       (26.6 )
Change in valuation allowance     (21.3 )     26.6  
Total     (0.3 )%     (0.6 )%

 

 

 

 

  F- 24  
 

 

The following tables set forth the components of income taxes payable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
Federal   $     $  
State and local            
Foreign    

41,907

      46,963  
Total   $ 41,907     $ 46,963  

 

(a) The reduction of the valuation allowance was due to the change in U.S. corporate tax rates from 34% to 21% starting in 2018.

 

The following tables set forth the components of deferred income taxes as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

  

   

December 31,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 
             
Non-current deferred tax assets:                
Retirement benefits   $ 67,439     $ 71,249  
Write down of investment(s)     62,421       65,958  
Deferred revenue net     96,090       43,193  
Other     23,833       20,890  
Net operating loss carryforwards     4,150,813       5,143,029  
Less: valuation allowance     (4,150,813 )     (5,143,029 )
Total non-current deferred tax asset     249,783       201,290  
Total deferred tax asset   $ 249,783     $ 201,290  

 

The deferred tax asset relates solely to the Company’s foreign operations at TDH. The company believes these assets are realizable in future periods due to the consistent historic profitability of TDH.

 

On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), which instituted fundamental changes to the taxation of multinational corporations, including a reduction the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% beginning in 2018. 

 

The TCJA also requires a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of the cumulative earnings of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. To determine the amount of this transition tax, the Company must determine the amount of earnings generated since inception by the relevant foreign subsidiaries, as well as the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid on such earnings, in addition to potentially other factors. The Company believes that no such tax will be due since TDH has paid taxes locally and that the cumulative undistributed earnings of TDH are not material.

  

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $19,765,774 that are available to offset future liabilities for income taxes. The Company has generally established a valuation allowance against these carryforwards based on an assessment that it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized in future years. The federal and state net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates through 2036.

 

The Company remains subject to examination in federal, state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company conducts its operations and files tax returns. These tax years range from 2013 through 2017. The Company believes that the results of current or any prospective audits will not have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations as adequate reserves have been provided to cover any potential exposures related to these ongoing audits.

 

The Company has made its assessment of the level of tax authority for each tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits and determined that no unrecognized tax benefits associated with the tax positions exist.

 

 

 

  F- 25  
 

 

14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock at a par value of $0.001. No shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

 

Common stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 and had 138,553,655 and 124,273,548 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

Common Stock Issued in Private Placements

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 3,854,869 shares and realized proceeds of $608,718.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not issue any shares of stock in private placements.

 

Common Stock Issued in Connection with the Exercise of Warrants

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 256,455 shares of common stock for proceeds of 61,500 under a series of stock warrant exercises with a share price of approximately $0.24 per share.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued 6,530,220 shares of common stock for proceeds of $1,566,000 under a series of stock warrant exercises with a share price of approximately $0.24 per share.

   

Common Stock Issued in Exchange for Consulting, Professional and Other Services

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company issued 1,200,321 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $458,918 to employees in lieu of cash payment. Additionally, the Company issued 2,385,505 shares of common stock with a fair value of $825,170 to consultants and other professionals in lieu of cash payments.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued 1,156,931 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $835,225 to employees, officers and directors in lieu of cash payment. Additionally, the Company issued 3,264,965 shares of common stock with a fair value of $1,892,735 to consultants and other professionals in lieu of cash payments.

  

Each share issuance made in exchange for services was valued based upon the private placement offering price of the Company’s common stock in place on its respective date of award.

 

Common Stock Issued In lieu of Cash for Loans Payable and Other Accrued Obligations

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 3,995,304 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $1,321,376 to satisfy loans payable and other accrued obligations.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued 1,045,870 shares of common stock with a fair market value of $533,000 to satisfy loans payable and other accrued obligations.

 

 

 

 

  F- 26  
 

 

Common Stock Issued in Connection with the Amendment of Terms of a Promissory Note

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 805,000 shares of common stock valued at $482,250 to amend the terms of a promissory note.

 

Common Stock Issued in Connection with the Issuance of Convertible Debentures

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company issued 1,432,653 shares of common stock valued at $523,601 in connection with the issuance of convertible notes.

 

Common Stock Issued in the Acquisition of a Business

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company issued 150,000 shares of common stock valued at $52,500 in connection with the acquisition of a business.

 

Conversion of Convertible Debentures and Accrued Interest into Common stock

 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock valued at $30,000 in connection with the conversion of convertible debentures and accrued interest into common stock.

 

Common Stock Issued in Connection with Secured convertible OID notes

 

In 2017, we issued $601,223 of secured convertible OID Notes at an interest rate of 10%. In connection with the issuance of these Notes and as an inducement to enter into these Notes we issued 150,305 shares valued at $78,321.

   

Stock Purchase Warrants

 

The stock purchase warrants have been accounted for as equity in accordance with FASB ASC 480, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and potentially settled in, a company’s own stock, distinguishing liabilities from equity.

 

The following table reflects all outstanding and exercisable warrants at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. All stock warrants are exercisable for a period of approximately five years from the date of issuance.

 

    Number of Warrants Outstanding     Weighted Avg. Exercise Price     Weighted Avg. Contractual Life (Yrs.)  
                   
Balance January 1, 2017     7,608,154     $ 0.26       0.75  
Warrants issued     567,166     $ 1.50       2.25  
Less: Warrants exercised     (7,107,765 )   $ 0.24          
Warrants forfeited     (29,190 )   $ 0.24          
December 31, 2017     1,038,365     $ 1.36       2.38  
Warrants issued                    
Warrants exercised     (256,455 )              
Balance 31, 2018     781,910     $ 1.36       1.38  

 

 

 

 

 

  F- 27  
 

 

Stock Options

 

The following table represents all outstanding and exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2018.

 

    Options
Issued
    Options
Forfeited
    Options
Outstanding
    Vested
Options
    Strike Price     Weighted Average Remaining Life (Yrs.)
                                         
      7,735,350             7,735,350       7,735,350     $ 0.24     4.27
      9,695,250       417,000       9,278,250       9,278,250     $ 0.36     0.44
      13,135,500       3,544,500       9,591,000       9,591,000     $ 0.72     1.25
      5,481,000       1,042,500       4,438,500       4,011,019     $ 0.78     2.20
Total     36,047,100       5,004,000       31,043,100       30,615,619     $ 0.50     1.90

 

The Company did not issue any stock options in 2018. The remaining stock-based compensation to be recorded on the above issuance was zero as of December 31, 2018.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded $2,300 and $1,823,408 in stock-based compensation expense related to these stock options.

 

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

In the United States, the Company leases approximately 1,550 square feet of office space in Boca Raton, Florida at the rate of $3,958 per month pursuant to a three-year lease which expired in October 2018. In October 2018, the Company entered into a new three-year lease at the same location and added an additional 513 sq. feet in space at a total rate of $4,223 per month. The Florida office houses the Company’s corporate headquarters and administrative staff.

 

The Company animation subsidiary TDH leases portions of 3 floors comprising in the aggregate approximately 28,800 square feet in the West Tower of the Philippine Stock Exchange Centre in Pasig City, Manila. The space is used for administration and production purposes and the Company pays approximately $22,533 per month in the aggregate for such space (which increases by approximately 5% per year. These leases expire in December 2022.

 

The Company opened a new 1,400 square foot office in Norcross, Georgia on January 1, 2018 to house its NetSpective Webfilter division. The monthly rent pursuant to a five-year lease which expires in December 2023, is $2,055 per month which increases by approximately 3% annually.

 

The future minimum payment obligations as of December 31, 2018, for operating leases are as follows:

 

2019     $ 97,859  
2020     $ 98,599  
2021     $ 90,892  
2022     $ 49,402  
2023     $ 27,619  

 

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On February 22, 2019, the Company designated 2,000,000 shares of its Preferred Stock as 10% Series A Convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series A”). On each of February 27, 2019 and March 11, 2019, the Company received $400,000, or a total of $800,000, in proceeds from the sale of 400,000 shares of Series A to each accredited investor in a private offering pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D, as promulgated under the Securities Act, As an inducement to purchase the Series A Stock, each investor also received 2,000,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

On April 2, 2019 we received an addition $125,000 in proceeds from the sale of 125,000 shares of Series A to one of the same accredited investors made the February 22 nd purchase. In connection with this purchase the investor received 625,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

The Series A Stock is convertible, at any time, into five shares of common stock of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

  F- 29  

 

 

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

 

None

 

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.

 

These controls are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial, as appropriate officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and the principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018.

 

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Those rules define internal control over financial reporting as a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and include those policies and procedures that:

 

  ·   Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
  ·   Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

 

  ·   Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in May 2013.

 

Based on its assessment, management has concluded that as of December 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were effective.

 

 

 

  37  

 

 

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report. 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting – There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our fourth fiscal quarter, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9b. Other Information

 

On November 30, 2018, the Company closed a private offering in which it sold 12% secured convertible promissory notes in an aggregate principal amount of $552,000 (the “Notes”) and issued an aggregate of 730,974 shares of its common stock (the “Shares”) to nine accredited investors pursuant to a private placement memorandum and subscription agreement.

 

The Notes which are due and payable two years from issuance are secured by certain assets of the Company and rank senior to all other indebtedness of the Company except for the $4,000,000 promissory notes (the “TD Notes”) issued to TD Holdings in connection with the Share Sale Agreement, dated June 30, 2016, as amended. Messrs. Marks and Leiner also pledged an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares pursuant to a pledge and security agreement to secure the timely payment of the Notes. The Notes are convertible, in whole or in part, by the note holder at a conversion rate of $0.40 if the Company’s common stock trades or is quoted at more than $0.40 per share for 10 consecutive days. The conversion price is subject to adjustment resulting from certain corporate actions including the subdivision or combination of stock, payment of dividends, reorganization, reclassification, consolidations, merger or sale of the Company.

 

Interest on the Note is payable monthly in 21 equal installments commencing four months after the issuance of the Notes. Upon the occurrence of an “event of default” as described in the Notes, the interest rate will increase to 15% and the Notes shall become immediately due and payable.

 

The Company may prepay the Notes in full at any time by paying accrued interest and 110% of the outstanding principal balance.

 

Newbridge Securities Corporation acted as exclusive placement agent for the offering and received (i) $55,200, (ii)113,586 shares of common stock (the “Placement Agent Shares”); and (iii) $11,040, representing a non-accountable expense allowance, for its services.

 

The Company agreed, subject to the terms of the subscription agreement, to file a registration statement to register for resale the Shares, the shares issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the “Conversion Shares”) and the Placement Agent Shares (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”) within 120 days of the closing of the offering and to respond the SEC comments, if any, within 30 days of receipt thereof. If the Company does not timely file such registration statement or respond to SEC comments, the Company will be obligated to pay the note holder as liquidated damages 1.5% of the amount invested by such note holder, up to 10%, to be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.31 per share. The Company failed to file a Registration Statement on March 31, 2019 and paid a 1.5% penalty valued at $8,280 in the form of 26,710 shares. Registrable Securities which are eligible for sale under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 will not be required to be included on a registration statement.

 

The Note and the Shares were offered and sold, and the Conversion Shares will be issued in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. The subscription agreement executed in connection therewith contains representations to support the Company's reasonable belief that the Buyer had access to information concerning the operations and financial condition of the Company, is acquiring the securities for its own account and not with a view to the distribution thereof, and is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule 501 (a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. At the time of their issuance, the Note and Shares and when issued Conversion Shares will be deemed to be restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 and the certificates representing the securities shall bear legends to that effect.  

 

 

 

  38  

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our current directors and executive officers:

 

Name   Age   Position
         
Darren Marks   52   Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President
         
Melvin Leiner   79   Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director
         
Wayne Dearing   61   Managing Director of TD Holdings Limited
         

Norman Rosenthal

 

66

 

Independent Director

         
Robert Stevens   53   Independent Director
         
Dr. Thomas Rutherford   63   Independent Director

 

Our directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Our officers are elected by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.

 

Biographies

 

Darren Marks, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President

 

Darren Marks has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board since June 2012 and as our President since the Share Exchange on August 17, 2017. From July 6, 2015 until the Share Exchange, Mr. Marks was chairman, chief executive officer, president and a director of Grom Holdings, Inc. From January 2011 to February 2016, Mr. Marks was the President of DNA Brands, Inc., a beverage distributor and formerly a public company quoted on the OTCBB (“DNA Brands”).  Mr. Marks has more than 20 years of executive management experience. In 1991 Mr. Marks co-founded and served as Vice-President of Sims Communications, Inc. a telecommunications company that formerly traded on the NASDAQ (“Sims”), where he was responsible for the creation, design, and funding of a national telecommunications program for clients such as Alamo Rental Car and the American Automobile Association. Mr. Marks attended the University of Florida/Santa Fe Community College from 1986 to 1988. Mr. Marks’ management and public company experience and his role as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director.

 

Melvin Leiner, Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director

 

Melvin Leiner has served as our Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since December 2012 and as our Chief Operating Officer as of the Share Exchange. From July 6, 2015, until the Share Exchange, Mr. Marks was vice chairman, executive vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and a director of Grom Holdings, Inc. Mr. Leiner was the co-founder of DNA Brands where, from January 2011 to February 2016, he served as executive vice president and a director. From August 2014 to August 2017, Mr. Leiner was a director of the Company. Mr. Leiner co-founded Sims in 1991 where he served as its chairman, president, and chief executive officer until his resignation in 1997. Mr. Leiner has 50 years of entrepreneurial domestic and international business experience ranging from product creation, development to sales and marketing for public and private companies. Mr. Leiner attended Marshall College where he studied business.

 

 

 

  39  

 

 

Mr. Leiner’s business experience including with public companies and his sales and marketing experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director.

 

Wayne Dearing, Managing Director of TD Holdings

 

Wayne Dearing founded TD Holdings in November 2002. Mr. Dearing has been the Managing Director of TD Holdings since July 1, 2016 when we acquired TDH. During Mr. Dearing’s career, he has also served as a financial and operations leader of Hanna-Barbera Australia and Hanna-Barbera Asia. He was previously General Manager of multiple divisions of Broadcom Australia, which at the time was one of Australia’s largest independent media companies.

 

Dr. Thomas J. Rutherford, Independent Director

 

Dr. Thomas J. Rutherford has served as a director since August 2017 and on the board of directors of Grom Holdings Inc. Since July 2015, Dr. Rutherford has been the Director of Oncology for South Florida University in Tampa, FL, Since January 2017. Dr. Rutherford serves as Chair of Gynecological Oncology at Yale University Medical School. Dr. Rutherford is a highly renowned and respected oncologist and a national expert in cancer, with more than 30 years of highly specialized surgical and clinical expertise in gynecologic cancer care. Dr. Rutherford has published in excess of 200 articles and case reports during his career and is a highly sought-after speaker and lecturer. Prior, from January 2015 through December 2016, he was the Director of Oncology for Connecticut Oncology, a Division of Women’s Health of Connecticut and Director of Cancer Services for Western Connecticut Health Network leading more than 100 physician subspecialists including surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. He served as a Member of Strategic Advisory Board at Mira Dx, Inc. Dr. Rutherford practiced at Yale Oncology and served as Professor of Oncology and Director of Oncology Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine from July 1993 through December 2014. Dr. Rutherford received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 from Roanoke College, a Master of Science degree from John Carroll University in 1979 and a Ph.D. from the Medical College of Ohio in 1989.

 

Mr. Rutherford’s operational experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director.

 

Robert Stevens, Independent Director

 

Robert Stevens has served as a director since June 2018. Mr. Stevens founded Somerset Capital Ltd., a private capital firm that employs industry-specific skillsets to make strategic investments in distressed and turnaround situations as well as merger and direct investments in private and pre-public companies and has served as its president and managing director since 2001. Mr. Stevens also serves as a court-appointed receiver. Mr. Stevens also served as Managing Director of Technology Partners, a private equity and M&A firm from 2010 to 2013.

 

Mr. Stevens financial experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director.

 

Norman Rosenthal, Independent Director

 

Norman Rosenthal has served as a director since June 2018. Mr. Rosenthal founded Tempest Systems Inc., a technology consultancy firm which offers business development, relationship management and competitive intelligence services. and has served as its chief executive officer since 1986. Mr. Rosenthal has also served in senior management/advisory positions at Micro Focus and Computer Associates.

 

Mr. Rosenthal’s financial experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director.

 

 

 

  40  

 

 

Board Committees

 

On June 1, 2018, concurrently with the appointment of two independent directors, Mr. Stevens and Mr. Rosenthal, we formed an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Stevens and Mr. Rosenthal are deemed “independent” non-employee directors as defined by NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2). Dr. Thomas Rutherford a director of the Company since August 17, 2018, also met the criteria as an independent director.

 

Mr. Stevens was appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Stevens was appointed the lead independent director of the Board of Directors, chair of the Audit Committee and “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

Mr. Rosenthal was appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Rosenthal was appointed the chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

 

Dr. Rutherford was appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Dr. Rutherford was appointed the chair of the Compensation Committee.

 

All three Committees held one meeting during the year, in which 100% of all directors attended.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities are to:

 

    review our accounting policies and issues which may arise in the course of our audit;
    select and retain our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

Compensation Committee

 

The general responsibilities of our Compensation Committee include:

 

    approve the compensation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and all other executive officers;
    approve all equity grants under our stock plans

  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members must satisfy the independence requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the rules adopted by the SEC thereunder and the corporate governance and other listing standards of the NASDAQ as in effect from time to time.

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include the following:

 

    develop and recommend to the Board of Directors a set of corporate governance guidelines and from time to time, review and reassess the adequacy of such guidelines;
    identify, review and recommend to the Board of Directors individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors; and
    recommend to the Board of Directors nominating policies and procedures.

 

 

 

  41  

 

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our principal executive, financial and accounting officers (or persons performing similar functions), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 14.1 to this Annual Report.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

Although we have not adopted a formal policy on whether the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions should be separate or combined, we have traditionally determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to combine these roles.   Due to the small size and early stage of the Company, we believe it is currently most effective to have the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions combined. In addition, having one person serve as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer eliminates the potential for confusion and provides clear leadership for the Company, with a single person setting the tone and managing our operations.  

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To our knowledge, our directors and executive officers have not been involved in any of the following events during the past ten years:

 

  1. any bankruptcy petition filed by or against such person or any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
     
  2. any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
     
  3. being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities or to be associated with any person practicing in banking or securities activities; 
     
  4. being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action, the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a Federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
     
  5. being subject of, or a party to, any Federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of any Federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
     
  6. being subject of or party to any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

 

 

 

  42  

 

 

Director Independence

 

As of December 31, 2018, our Board of Directors is currently composed of five members, three of whom, Dr. Thomas Rutherford, Robert Stevens, and Norman Rosenthal qualify as “independent” in accordance with the published listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The NASDAQ Capital Market independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the directors are not, and have not been for at least three years, one of our employees and that neither the directors nor any of their family members, have engaged in various types of business dealings with us.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors and persons beneficially owning more than ten percent of our equity securities (“Reporting Persons”), to file initial reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based solely on our review of copies of such reports and representations from the Reporting Persons, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Reporting Persons timely filed all such reports, except that William Andrews and Ismael Llera each failed to timely file a Form 5, due to delays in obtaining Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR codes. Messrs. Marks, Leiner and Rutherford each filed a Form 4 late when Grom Holdings became a public company. Additionally, Messrs. Stevens and Rosenthal filed a Form 3 late upon becoming directors of the Company. The Company filed Current Reports on Form 8-K disclosing each of these transactions on a timely basis.

 

ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION  

 

The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officer with compensation exceeding $100,000 during 2018 and 2017 (each a "Named Executive Officer").

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position   Year    

Salary

($)

   

Bonus

($)

   

Option Awards

($)(2)

   

All Other

Compensation ($)

   

Total

($)

 
                                     
Darren Marks     2018     $ 245,571     $     $     $     $ 245,571  
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President     2017     $ 250,339     $     $     $     $ 250,339  
                                                 
Melvin Leiner Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director     2018     $ 237,369     $    
$
    $     $ 237,369  
      2017     $ 242,479     $     $     $     $ 242,479  

 

Employment Agreements

 

On June 1, 2016, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Darren Marks pursuant to which Mr. Marks serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement is for an initial term of three years, which term shall be automatically extended for successive and additional two-year periods unless either party shall provide written notice of termination at least 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term. Under the agreement, Mr. Marks is entitled to an annual base salary of $245,000 (subject to a minimum 5% annual increase each year commencing on January 1, 2017) and an annual incentive bonus of up to an 80% of his base salary The employment agreement may be terminated by the Company for “cause” (as such term is defined in the agreement), in which case Mr. Marks shall be entitled to his base salary up to the date of termination, without “cause” by the Company or for “good reason”( as such term is defined in the agreement), by Mr. Marks upon 90 days’ prior written notice, in which case Mr. Marks shall be entitled to base salary and health benefits for 18 months from the expiration of the agreement and shall have 10 years to exercise any outstanding stock options. The agreement provides that Mr. Marks has the obligation to mitigate any such severance with any income he may subsequently receive. The agreement also provides that Mr. Marks shall not compete with the Company and shall keep all Company information confidential for one year after the term of the agreement.

 

 

 

  43  

 

 

On June 1, 2016, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Melvin Leiner pursuant to which Mr. Leiner serves as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The employment agreement is for an initial term of three years, which term shall be automatically extended for successive and additional two-year periods unless either party shall provide written notice of termination at least 90 days prior to the then current term Under the agreement Mr. Leiner is entitled to an annual base salary of $237,500 (subject to a minimum 5% annual increase each year commencing on January 1, 2017). and an annual incentive bonus of up to 80% of his base salary. The employment agreement may be terminated by the Company for “cause” (as such term is defined in the agreement), in which case Mr. Leiner shall be entitled to his base salary up to the date of termination, without “cause” by the Company or for “good reason”( as such term is defined in the agreement), by Mr. Leiner upon 90 days’ prior written notice, in which case Mr. Leiner shall be entitled to base salary and health benefits for 18 months from the expiration of the agreement and shall have 10 years to exercise any outstanding stock options. The agreement provides that Mr. Leiner has the obligation to mitigate any such severance with any income he may subsequently receive. The agreement also provides that Mr. Leiner shall not compete with the Company and shall keep all Company information confidential for one year after the term of the agreement.

 

Director Compensation

 

2018 Director Compensation Table

 

 

Name

  Year     Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
    Stock
Awards
    Option(1)
Awards
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
    Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
    All Other
Compensation
    Total  
                                                 
Robert Stevens(1)     2018     $ 3,500     $ 112,500                             $ 116,000  
Norman Rosenthal (2)     2018     $ 3,500     $ 67,500                             $ 71,000  

 

 

All directors are reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses related to their board duties. Our employee directors Mr. Marks and Mr. Leiner do not receive any compensation for their duties as directors. Our three independent directors receive $1,500 in cash per quarter for their services.

 

(1) Upon his appointment as a director, Mr. Stevens received 250,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock valued at $0.45 per share or $112,500, of which 70,000 shares vested immediately with 7,500 shares vesting in twenty-four (24) equal monthly installments commencing on July 1, 2018.

 

(2) Upon his appointment as director, Mr. Rosenthal received 150,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock valued at $0.45 per share or $67,500, of which 42,000 shares vested immediately and 4,500 shares will vest in 24 equal monthly installments commencing on the one-month anniversary of the grant date.

 

In order to compensate our Independent Director, Thomas Rutherford, on March 21, 2016, when we were still a private company, we granted Mr. Rutherford 834,400 stock options at the market price of $0.78 per share which was equivalent to the price of our most recent private place during that timeframe. The options were valued at $552,741 using the Black-Scholes Model. Under the terms of Mr. Rutherford’s option agreement, 50,000 shares vested immediately, the remaining 150,000 shares vested pro rata at the rate of 41,700 shares per month, commencing on July 1, 2016. As of the date of this Report, all of these shares have vested.

 

Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Company currently has no benefit plans in place for its employees.

 

 

 

  44  

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards

 

The table below reflects all outstanding equity awards made to each Named Executive Officer that were outstanding on December 31, 2018. 

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2018

 

Name Grant Date Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable

Option Exercise Price

($)

Option Expiration

Date

           
Darren Marks 6/11/2014 4,170,000 $0.36 6/11/2019
  4/15/2015 4,170,000 $0.72 4/15/2020
  2/15/2016 1,042,500 $0.78 2/15/2021
  Total 9,382,500      
           
Mel Leiner 6/11/2014 4,170,000 $0.36 6/11/2019
  4/15/2015 4,170,000 $0.72 4/15/2020
  2/15/2016 1,042,500 $0.78 2/15/2021
  Total 9,382,500      

 

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table lists, as of April 16, 2019, and was calculated based upon 144,926,927 shares outstanding and the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by (i) each person, entity or group (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock; (ii) each of our Named Executive Officers and (iii) all officers and directors as a group. Information relating to beneficial ownership of common stock by our principal stockholders and management is based upon information furnished by each person using "beneficial ownership" concepts under the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person directly or indirectly has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under the SEC rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she may not have any pecuniary interest. Except as noted below, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned and each stockholder's address is c/o Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., 2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd., #6, Boca Raton, Florida, 33431.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner   Shares     Percentage  
Executive Officers and Directors                
Darren Marks     26,528,417 (1)     17.2%  
Melvin Leiner     19,770,906 (2)     12.8%  
Robert Stevens     250,000       0.2%  
Norman Rosenthal     291,700       0.2%  
Dr. Thomas J. Rutherford     3,698,475 (3)     2.5%  
Wayne Dearing     4,988,220       3.4%  
All officers and directors as a group (6 persons)     55,527,718       33.7%  
5% or greater holders:                
Mark Arzoomanian
1 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10119
    7,545,278       4.6%  

 

 

 

 

 

  45  

 

  

(1) Represents (i) 17,145,917 shares held by Family Tys, LLC, a limited liability company (“Family Tys”) of which Mr. Marks is the Managing Member and has voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Family Tys. and (ii) 9,382,500 shares of common stock underlying vested stock options held by Mr. Marks that are exercisable at prices between $0.36 and $0.78 per share. As collateral for the issuance of convertible notes to Newbridge clients as described in 9B “Other Information”, Mr. Marks was required to pledge 5,000,000 shares of his common stock to Newbridge

 

(2) Represents (i) 10,388,406 shares held by 4 Life LLC, a limited liability company (“4 Life”) of which Mr. Leiner is the Managing Member and has voting and dispositive power over the shares held by 4 Life. and (ii) 9,382,500 vested shares of common stock underlying stock options held by Mr. Leiner that are exercisable at prices between $0.36 and $0.78 per share. As collateral for the issuance of convertible notes to Newbridge clients as described in 9B, “Other Information”, Mr. Leiner was required to pledge 5,000,000 shares of his common stock to Newbridge.

 

(3) Includes (i) 834,000 shares underlying vested stock options at an exercise price of $0.78 per share and (ii) 400,000 shares of common stock underlying warrants that are exercisable at $1.50 per share.

 

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Share Exchange

 

As described throughout this report, Illumination America and changed its name to Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. on August 17, 2017, when Illumination America consummated the acquisition of Grom Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation pursuant to the terms of a Share Exchange Agreement on May 15, 2017. At the time of the acquisition, the Board of Directors for both companies were the same with Mr. Marks., Mr. Leiner and Mr. Rutherford serving as directors for each company. Additionally, Ismael Llera who was the President of Illumination America at the time the acquisition is the brother-in-law of Mr. Leiner. Immediately subsequent to the acquisition Mr. Llera resigned his executive officer position as President of Illumination America and become the Treasurer of the Company.

 

Acquisition of TDH

 

Wayne Dearing the Managing Director of TD Holdings is considered an executive officer since he exercises significant control over the Company’s largest subsidiary Top Draw animation which accounts for approximately 91% of the Company’s revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018. Mr. Dearing is also one of the TDA Sellers are collectively owed $4,000,000 maturing on April 1, 2020. His ownership percentage in the $4,000,000 is 50 %. additionally, Mr. Dearing would receive 50% of any Earnout achieved-see “Acquisition of TD Holdings.” Additionally, Mr. Dearing’s spouse Stella Dearing is the Director of Operations at top Draw animation and receives an annual salary of $85,000 per year

 

The Marks Family

 

In recognition of the extensive work performed and to be performed in furthering the Grom brand name and website and producing content we have engaged Mr. Marks’ wife Sarah; his sons Zach the founder of Grom, Luke, Jack, Dawson, and his daughters Caroline and Victoria. The amount they were paid for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows: Sarah $33,600, Zach $90,000, Luke $33,800, Jack $5,400, Victoria $6,750 and Caroline 11,250. The total annual compensation payable to these five individuals for the periods ended December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, was $180,800 and $165,800, respectively which the Company believes is below market rate for the value of the services performed. This expenditure for services provided by the Marks family is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Members of the Marks family are actively involved on a daily basis in creating all of the current content for the website which includes numerous videos on social responsibility, anti-bullying, digital citizenship, unique blogs, and special events.

 

Liabilities Due to Executive and Other Officers

 

Messrs. Darren Marks and Melvin Leiner, both officers of the Company, have made numerous loans to Grom to help fund operations. These loans are non-interest bearing and callable on demand. No such loans were made to the Company during the years ended December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2018. Mr. Marks and Mr. Leiner informed the Company that they don’t have any intention of calling these loans at present. The loan balances are classified as short-term obligations under Related Party Payables on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

 

 

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During 2017 and 2018 Mr. Marks and Mr. Leiner on several occasions agreed to convert a portion of their loans into equity. These transactions are summarized as follows:

 

Name Date Amount of Loan Principal Converted to Equity  

Share Price

Used for conversion

 

Trading price of Grom stock on the date of conversion

Shares issued

               
Darren Marks 12/29/2017 333,333 $ 0.50 $ 0.30 666,666
  10/15/2018 333,333 $ 0.31 $
0.19 1,075,268
               
Melvin Leiner 12/29/2017 166,667 $ 0.50 $ 0.30 333,334
  10/15/2018 166,667 $ 0.31 $ 0.19 537,635

 

The outstanding amount due to Mr. Marks and Mr. Leiner’s LLC’s were $469,506 and $1,215,442; and $451,944 and $861,198 as of December 31, 2018. Additionally, we owed $50,000 to Dr. Rutherford our director who extended a short-term loan to the Company, and $210,145 to Wayne and Stella Dearing who have extended not interest bearing loans to Top Draw Animation to assist with its liquidity.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company’s two officers, Mr. Marks, Mr. Leiner, and Zach Marks each voluntarily agreed to defer a portion of their 2016 and prior salaries to help the Company’s liquidity. As of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the group was collectively owed $617,213 and $617,213 respectively, in accrued salaries. No salaries were deferred for these individuals for the years ending December 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board is currently composed of five members. We consider Dr. Thomas Rutherford, Robert Stevens and Norman Rosenthal to be independent directors.

 

We evaluated independence in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq, which generally provides that a director is not independent if: (i) the director is, or in the past three years has been, an employee of ours; (ii) a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, an executive officer of ours; (iii) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family has received more than $120,000 per year in direct compensation from us other than for service as a director (or for a family member, as a non-executive employee); (iv) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, employed in a professional capacity by our independent public accountants, or has worked for such firm in any capacity on our audit; (v) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is, or in the past three years has been, employed as an executive officer of a company where one of our executive officers serves on the compensation committee; or (vi) the director or a member of the director’s immediate family is an executive officer of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, us in an amount which, in any twelve-month period during the past three years, exceeds the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of that other company’s consolidated gross revenues.

 

ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

The following table reflects the fees paid or accrued to BF Borgers CPA PC, our independent auditors, in years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2017  
Audit Fees   $ 202,801     $ 153,890  
Audit-Related Fees            
Tax Fees            
All Other Fees            

 

 

 

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Audit Fees . Consists of amounts billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements included in our Annual Reports on Forms 10-K for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and reviews of our interim financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

 

Audit-Related Fees . Consists of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the audit. This category includes fees related to assistance consulting on financial accounting/reporting standards.

 

Tax Fees .  Consists of amounts billed for professional services rendered for tax return preparation, tax planning, and tax advice.

 

All Other Fees .  Consists of amounts billed for services other than those noted above.

 

We do not have an audit committee and as a result, our entire board of directors performs the duties of an audit committee.  Our board of directors evaluates the scope and cost of the engagement of an auditor before the auditor renders audit and non-audit services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15.     EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES.

 

The following exhibits are included with this Annual Report:

 

Exhibit

Number

Description
3.1 Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2016)
3.2 Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2016)
3.3 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2017)
4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2016)
10.1 Form of Sales Rep Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2016)
10.2 Consulting Agreement and Addendum (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2016)
10.3 Sublease Agreement with Grom Social, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2016)
10.4 Purchase and Sale Agreement with Forcefield (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2016)
10.5 Copy of Letter of Intent with Grom Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 17, 2017)
10.6 Share Exchange Agreement with Grom Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2017)
10.7* Employment Agreement with Darren Marks (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2017)
10.8* Employment Agreement with Melvin Leiner (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2017)
10.9 Acquisition Agreement of TD Holdings (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2017)
10.10 Memorandum of Understanding with Fyoosion LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2017)
10.11 Asset Purchase Agreement with Fyoosion LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 3, 2018)
10.12 Amending Agreement to the Share Sale Agreement for the Entire Issued Share Capital of TD Holdings Limited and the Secured Promissory Note (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2018)

 

 

 

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10.16** Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
10.17 ** $1.0 Million Convertible Promissory Note with TeleMate.net
10.18 ** Investment Banking Agreement with Newbridge Securities
10.19 ** Newbridge Pledge and Security Agreement
10.20 Newbridge Subscription Agreement
10.21 ** Purchase and Sale Agreement with TeleMate.Net
10.22 ** Grom Educational Services Peachtree Pointe Lease
10.23 ** Grom Social Enterprises Series A Subscription Agreement
14.1 Code of Conduct (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2018)
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2018)
31** Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act (filed herewith)
32 ** Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
101.INS** XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH** XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL** XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB** XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE** XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF** XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

 

* Management compensation agreement

** Filed herewith

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunder duly authorized.

 

 

 

  Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
     
Dated:   April 16, 2019 By: /s/ Darren Marks
   

Darren Marks

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Dated:   April 16, 2019 By: /s/ Melvin Leiner
   

Melvin Leiner

Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name   Title   Date
         
/s/ Darren Marks   Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman   April 16, 2019
Darren Marks   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Melvin Leiner   Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President,   April 16, 2019
Melvin Leiner   Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Dr. Thomas Rutherford   Director   April 16, 2019

Dr. Thomas Rutherford

       
         
/s/ Robert Stevens   Director   April 16, 2019
Robert Stevens        
         
/s/ Norman Rosenthal   Director   April 16, 2019
Norman Rosenthal        

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  51  

Exhibit 10.16

 

Articles of Amendment

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

OF

SERIES A 10% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

OF

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. (the “ Corporation ”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “ Act ”), does hereby certify that pursuant to the provisions of Sections 607.0821, 607.0602 and 607.0603 of the Act, the Corporation hereby states as follows:

 

1. The name of the Corporation is Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.

 

2. The Certificate of Designation of the Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock of the Corporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board ”), pursuant to its unanimous written consent, effective as of February 22, 2019.

 

3. The Certificate of Designation of the Series A Preferred Stock of the Corporation is as set forth below:

 

*********

 

1.        Designation and Number .

 

1.1       A series of Preferred Stock, designated as Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock (“ Series A Preferred Stock ”), is hereby established.  The number of authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall initially be Two Million (2,000,000) shares, $0.001 par value per share. The initial stated value amount per share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be $1.00 per share (as it may be adjusted from time-to-time, the “ Stated Value ”).

 

1.2       The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are being sold to “accredited investors” (as such term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”)) in a private placement offering pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D and/or Regulation S, as promulgated under the Securities Act, and any and all applicable state securities laws (the “ Offering ”). The Company expressly reserves the rights to increase the number of Series A Preferred Stock and to designate other classes or series of Preferred Stock from time to time that are senior or junior to, or pari pasu with, the Series A Preferred Stock, without consent of the Series A Preferred Stock holder.

 

1.3       As used in this Certificate, the term “ Holder ” shall mean one or more holder(s) of shares of Series A Preferred Stock .

 

1.4        No Maturity, Sinking Fund, Redemption . The Series A Preferred Stock shall have no maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless and until converted by the Holder, pursuant to Section 6 hereof, or the Corporation decides to redeem or otherwise repurchase the Series A Preferred Stock. The Corporation is not required to redeem, purchase or set aside funds to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

2.        Rank . All shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall rank (a) senior to the Corporation’s Common Stock and any other class of securities which is specifically designated as junior to the Series A Preferred Stock (collectively, with the Common Stock, the “ Junior Securities ”); (b) pari passu and on parity with any other class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation hereafter created specifically ranking, by its terms, on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Pari Passu Securities ”); and (c) junior to any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation hereafter created specifically ranking, by its terms, senior to the Series A Preferred Stock (collectively, the “ Senior Securities ”), in each case as to distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary.

 

 

 

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3. Dividends.

 

3.1       Commencing on the date that the Series A Preferred Stock is initially issued to the holder thereof (the “ Original Dividend Accrual Date ”), cumulative dividends shall accrue on each share of Series A Preferred Stock, at the rate of 10% (the “ Dividend Rate ”) of the Stated Value per annum (accrued daily, from but not including the next preceding Dividend Payment Date (as defined in Section 4(b) below), or, in the case of the first Dividend Payment Date, from the Original Dividend Accrual Date, to and including the respective Dividend Payment Date, on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve (12) 30-day months).

 

3.2       The dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Series A Dividend ”) shall be payable monthly in arrears, beginning on March 31, 2019 and thereafter on the last calendar day of each month (each a “ Dividend Payment Date ”), or if such day is not a Business Day (as hereinafter defined), on the next succeeding Business Day, to Holders of record as of the tenth (10 th ) Business Day preceding the respective Dividend Payment Date. Series A Dividends shall be payable in arrears and, at the discretion of the Corporation, may be paid in cash or in stock (the “ PIK Dividend ”) by issuance of Common Stock at a fixed value of $0.25 (per share as may be adjusted as a result of stock splits, reverse splits, combinations, or similar transactions from time to time, the “ Common Stock PIK Value ”). Any fractional shares of a PIK Dividend may, at the discretion of the Corporation, be paid in cash or rounded up to the nearest share. All shares of Common Stock issued in payment of a PIK Dividend will upon issuance thereof, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accumulate whether or not the Corporation has earnings. The term “ Business Day ” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

4.        Liquidation Preference .

 

4.1        Liquidation or Sale of All or Substantially all of Assets . In the event of a merger, sale (of substantially all assets or stock), any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, then, either (a) after any distribution or payment on Senior Securities, (b) simultaneous with any distribution or payment on Pari Passu Securities, and (c) before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of the Common Stock or any other Junior Securities, each Holder of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid, out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, an amount (the “ Liquidation Preference ”) equal to (i) aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding multiplied by its Stated Value per share; and (ii) any accrued but unpaid dividends. If the assets of the Corporation are not sufficient to generate cash sufficient to pay in full the Liquidation Preference, then the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall share ratably (together with holders of any Pari Passu Securities) in any distribution of cash generated by such assets in accordance with the respective amounts that would have been payable in such distribution as if the amounts to which the Holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled were paid in full.

 

4.2        Sale of Less Than All Assets, With Proceeds of Greater Than $1,500,000 . In the event of a sale of less than all or substantially all of the assets (by merger, asset sale, change of control, capital lease or long term license/lease spin off or otherwise of the Corporation or any subsidiary) with gross proceeds to the Corporation in excess of $1,500,000 whereby the assets sold exceeds the cost of assets acquired for GAAP purposes, then the Holder shall receive a “ Special Dividend” from the Company equivalent to 25% of the value of the Holder’s Series A Preferred Stock. This Special Dividend shall be paid by the Company within 10 business days of the Company’s receipt of funds or other form of consideration, in same form of consideration, as received by the Company. For example, if the Company receives cash, the Holder shall receive cash. If the Company’s receive common stock of the purchaser of the assets, the holder shall receive common stock.

 

4.3         Notice of Liquidation . Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to written notice of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation, trust or entity or of any other entity with or into the Corporation, or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business the Corporation, shall not be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

 

 

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5.        Voting Rights .  The Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together with the Common Stock and, except as otherwise set forth in Section 10 hereof, not as a separate class.  Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote with the Common Stock on an as converted basis (e.g. initially five votes for each share of Series A Preferred Stock). The Holder of each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation as amended from time to time, and shall vote with holders of the Common Stock upon the election of directors and upon any other matter submitted to a vote of stockholders.  Fractional votes by the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall not, however, be permitted and any fractional voting rights resulting from the above formula (after aggregating all shares into which shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by each Holder could be converted) shall be rounded to the nearest whole number (with one-half being rounded upward).

 

6.        Conversion.

 

6.1.        Conversion Ratio .  Each full share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time, into five (5) full shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation (the “ Conversion Rate ”).

 

6.2        Mechanics of Conversion .  Before any holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to convert the same into shares of Common Stock, such holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefore, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock, and shall give written notice to the Corporation at its principal corporate office, of the election to convert the same and shall state therein the name or names in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Series A Preferred Stock, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted (the “ Conversion Date ”), and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposed as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock as of such date. All shares of Series A Preferred Stock which shall have been surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares, including the rights, if any, to receive dividends and to vote, shall immediately cease and terminate on the Conversion Date, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange therefor.

 

6.3        Adjustment for Reclassification, Exchange, and Substitution .  If at any time or from time to time after the date upon which the first share of Series A Preferred Stock was issued by the Corporation (the “ Original Issue Date ”), the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation is changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of stock, whether by recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, merger, exchange, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise, then, (i) each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the right thereafter to convert such stock into the kind and amount of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, merger, exchange, consolidation, sale of assets or other change by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series A Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, merger, exchange, consolidation, sale of assets or other change, or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof and (ii) the PIK Dividend shall be paid in shares of such kind and amount of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, merger, exchange, consolidation, sale of assets or other change as would have been received as such PIK Dividend immediately prior to such recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, merger, exchange, consolidation, sale of assets or other change, or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof.

 

6.4        Adjustment of Conversion Rate and Common Stock PIK Value Upon Common Stock Event .   In the event that a Common Stock Event (as hereinafter defined) occurs at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date, the (i) aggregate number of shares of Common Stock into which the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted (the “ Conversion Shares ”) in effect immediately prior to such event, and (ii) the Common Stock PIK Dividend Rate shall, simultaneously with the occurrence of such Common Stock Event, be proportionately decreased or increased, as appropriate.  The Conversion Shares shall be readjusted in the same manner upon the happening of each subsequent Common Stock Event. As used herein, the term “ Common Stock Event ” shall mean: (a) the declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock, without consideration, payable to one or more stockholders in additional shares of Common Stock or other securities or rights convertible into, or entitling the holder thereof to receive, directly or indirectly, additional shares of Common Stock; (b) a subdivision (by stock split, reclassification or otherwise) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock; or (c) a combination or consolidation (by reverse stock split) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock.  

 

 

 

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6.5        Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion .  The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock. If the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose, including, without limitation, engaging in best efforts to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of any necessary amendment to the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

 

6.8.        Fractional Shares .  No fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of any share or shares of Series A Preferred Stock.  All shares of Common Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more than one share of Series A Preferred Stock by a holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional share.

  

7.        Redemption .  The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable.

 

8.        Amendment . This Certificate of Designation, or any provision hereof, may only be amended as set forth in Section 10 hereof.

 

9.        Prohibition on Transfer . The sale, offer to sell, contract to sell, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other transfer of the Series A Preferred Stock or the Common Stock issuable thereunder shall be restricted as provided in the Subscription Agreement for the shares between the Corporation and the purchaser therein or its successors and assigns. Any purported transfer of any of the Series A Preferred Stock that is not in accordance with this Section 12 shall be null and void, and shall not operate to transfer any right, title or interest in such Series A Preferred Stock to the purported transferee. Each Holder of Series A Preferred Stock agrees that the Corporation shall be entitled to prohibit the transfer of any Series A Preferred Stock to be made on its books unless the transfer is permitted hereunder and has been made in accordance herewith.

 

10.        Protective Provisions . So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not take any actions (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) without first obtaining the approval (by vote or written consent) of the Holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Majority Holders ”), voting separately as a single class, that would amend the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock in this Certificate of Designation.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no change pursuant to this Section 10 shall be effective to the extent that, by its terms, it applies to less than all of the Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.

 

11.        Miscellaneous .

 

11.1. Cancellation of Series A Preferred Stock If any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are converted pursuant to this Series A Certificate of Designation, or are returned, redeemed or unissued, then such shares shall at the discretion of the Board be canceled, shall return to the status of authorized, but unissued “blank check” Preferred Stock of no designated series, and may be designated and issued by the Board in subsequent issuances.

 

11.2. Lost or Stolen Certificates. Upon receipt by the Corporation of (a) evidence of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Series A Preferred Stock Certificate(s) and (b) (i) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, indemnity (without any bond or other security) reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, or (ii) in the case of mutilation, the Series A Preferred Stock Certificate(s) are surrendered for cancellation, the Corporation shall execute and deliver new Series A Preferred Stock Certificate(s) of like tenor and date. However, the Corporation shall not be obligated to reissue such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Series A Preferred Stock Certificate(s) if the Holder contemporaneously requests the Corporation to convert such Series A Preferred Stock.

 

 

 

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11.3. Waiver . Notwithstanding any provision in this Certificate of Designation to the contrary, any provision contained herein and any right of the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock granted hereunder may be waived as to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock (and the Holders thereof) upon the written consent of the Majority Holders, unless a higher percentage is required by applicable law, in which case the written consent of the Holders of not less than such higher percentage of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be required.

 

11.4 Notices. Any notices required or permitted to be given under the terms hereof shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications to the Corporation shall be sent to the corporate business address of the Corporation as set by the Board from time to time.

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

 

 

 

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[ Signature Page to Certificate of Designation of Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock ]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Designation is executed on behalf of the Corporation this 22nd day of February 2019.

 

  GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
   
   
  By:      /s/Darren Marks                                 
  Name: Darren Marks
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.17

 

 

NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT" OR "1933 ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS SECURITY AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.

 

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$1,000,000 U.S. January 12, 2017

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Grom Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of TeleMate.Net Software, LLC., a Georgia Limited Liability Company ("Holder"), or its successors and assigns, in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal amount of this Promissory Note, of $1,000,000 (one million dollars) with interest thereon at the rate of 0.68% per annum compounded annually, said principal and all accrued interest thereon being payable on January 1st of each year beginning with January 1, 2018 and principal plus unpaid accrued interest being due and payable on or before January 2, 2020, unless converted into shares of the Company's Common Stock as described herein below. Notwithstanding the above, the interest rate charged shall in no event exceed the maximum rate permitted by law.

 

The following is a statement of the rights of Holder and the conditions to which this Promissory Note is subject, and to which Holder, by the acceptance of this Promissory Note, agrees:

 

1.        Payment . Unless converted as described herein, all payments of interest and principal shall be made to the Holder by bank wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to the account so specified by the Holder in lawful money of the United States of America (or to such other account as the Holder hereof shall notify the Company in writing) at the time each payment is due. Under no circumstances shall the Company have the right to prepay the principal before the maturity date.

 

2.        Events of Default . The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this Promissory Note:

 

(a)        Failure to Pay. If Company shall fail to pay, when due, any interest or principal due such payment shall not have been made within ten business (10) days of Company's receipt of Holder's written notice to the Company of such failure to pay. In such event the entire principal and interest due shall accrue interest at the compounded rate equal to the lesser of (i) twelve percent (12%) per annum or (ii) the maximum rate allowably by law, and the failure to make any payment of principal or interest when due shall cause all amounts owing under the Promissory Note to become due at once.

 

(c)        Breach of Representations and Warranties. Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Company to the Holder herein is incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which such representation or warranty was made or deemed made.

 

(d)        Breach of Covenants. The Company fails to observe or perform any material covenant, obligation, condition or agreement contained in this Promissory Note and such failure continues for 5 days after written notice to the Company.

 

(e)        Voluntary Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings. If the Company shall (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or custodian of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its or any of its creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession of its property by any official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or (iv) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

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(f)      Involuntary Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings. If proceedings for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or custodian of the Company or of all or a substantial part of the property thereof, or an involuntary case or other proceedings seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company or the debts thereof under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or hereafter in effect shall be commenced, and an order for relief entered in such proceeding shall not be dismissed or discharged within thirty (30) days of the entry of such an order.

 

3.        Notice and Presentment . The Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

 

4.        Holder's Right to Convert .

 

(a)      In the sole discretion of the Holder, upon five (5) days' notice to the Company, Holder may convert any part of the Principal Sum due hereunder, plus accrued interest into shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Conversion Shares") at any time from the date hereof, at a conversion price equal to $3.25 per share. In the event of (i) any reclassification (including, without limitation, a reclassification effected by means of an exchange or tender offer by the Company), (ii) any consolidation, merger or combination of the Company with another corporation as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive securities or other property (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock or (iii) any sale or conveyance of the property of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety to any other corporation as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive securities or other property (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, then the Company or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, shall enter into an Amended and Restated Promissory Note providing that this Promissory Note shall be convertible into the kind and amount of securities or other property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance which the Holder of this Promissory Note would have received if this Promissory Note had been converted immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance. Such Amended and Restated Promissory Note shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for herein.

 

(c)        Upon providing to the Company or its designated attorney of a facsimile or original of the Holder's signed Notice of Conversion, the Company shall forward written instructions to its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates representing that number of shares of Common Stock into which this Promissory Note is convertible in accordance with the provisions regarding conversion set forth in this Promissory Note, with proper restrictive legend, in the name of Holder (or his nominee) and in such denominations to be specified at conversion representing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, as applicable. The date on which the Notice of Conversion is effective ("Conversion Date") shall be deemed to be the date on which the Holder has delivered to the Company at its address for notice a facsimile or original of the signed Notice of Conversion. This original Promissory Note to be converted shall be delivered to the Company by the Holder within ten (10) days thereafter, marked either "Paid in Full" or the Company shall issue a new Promissory Note to include the terms referenced herein, along with the new principal balance of this Note.

 

(d)       It shall be the Company's responsibility to take all necessary actions and to bear all such costs to issue the certificates for the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Promissory Note as provided herein, including the responsibility and cost for delivery of an opinion letter to the transfer agent, if so required. The person in whose name the certificate of Common Stock is to be registered shall be treated as a shareholder of record on and after the Conversion Date. Upon surrender of any Promissory Notes that are to be converted in part, the Company or its assigns shall issue to the Holder a new convertible Promissory Note equal to any remaining Principal Sum due plus the accrued interest on the Promissory Note through the Date of Conversion.

 

(e)           For purposes of this Promissory Note, "Common Stock" shall mean the class of common stock of the Company currently outstanding In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into capital stock with respect to such common stock), reorganization, reclassification, combination, recapitalization or other like change with respect to the Company shares (an "Adjustment Event"), the shares and number of shares of any class or series affected thereby, and all calculations provided for that are based upon numbers of shares of any class or series (or prices therefor) affected thereby, shall be equitably adjusted to the extent necessary to provide Holder the same economic effect as contemplated by this Promissory Note prior to such stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, reorganization, reclassification, combination, recapitalization or other like change. The Company shall promptly notify Holder of any Adjustment Event.

 

 

 

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5.        Company's Right to Convert .

 

(a)       If not previously converted by Holder, the Company, in its sole discretion, may also cause this Promissory Note to be converted at a conversion rate of $2.00 per share. The Company's right to cause this Note to convert into shares of its common stock shall only commence on or after November 2, 2019 through the due date of this Promissory Note. In the event of (i) any reclassification (including, without limitation, a reclassification effected by means of an exchange or tender offer by the Company), (ii) any consolidation, merger or combination of the Company with another corporation as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive securities or other property (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock or (iii) any sale or conveyance of the property of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety to any other corporation as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive securities or other property (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, then the Company or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, shall enter into an Amended and Restated Promissory Note providing that this Promissory Note shall be convertible into the kind and amount of securities or other property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance which the Holder of this Promissory Note would have received if this Promissory Note had been converted immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance. Such Amended and Restated Promissory Note shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for herein.

 

(b)       Upon providing to the Holder of a facsimile or original of the Company's signed Notice of Conversion, the Company shall forward written instructions to its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates representing that number of shares of Common Stock into which the Principal Sum is convertible in accordance with the provisions regarding conversion set forth in this Promissory Note, with proper restrictive legend, if an available exemption from registration is not then available, in the name of Holder (or his nominee) and in such denominations to be specified at conversion representing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, as applicable. The date on which the Notice of Conversion is effective ("Conversion Date") shall be deemed to be the date on which the Company has delivered to the Holder at its address for notice a facsimile or original of the signed Notice of Conversion. Upon receipt of the certificate representing the number of shares of Common Stock by the Holder, this original Promissory Note to be converted shall be delivered to the Company by the Holder within ten (10) days thereafter, marked either "Paid in Full" or the Company shall issue a new Promissory Note to include the terms referenced herein, along with the new principal balance of this Note.

 

(c)       It shall be the Company's responsibility to take all necessary actions and to bear all such costs to issue the certificates for the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Promissory Note as provided herein, including the responsibility and cost for delivery of an opinion letter to the transfer agent, if so required. The person in whose name the certificate of Common Stock is to be registered shall be treated as a shareholder of record on and after the Conversion Date. Upon surrender of any Promissory Notes that are to be converted in part, the Company or its assigns shall issue to the Holder a new convertible Promissory Note equal to any remaining Principal Sum due plus the accrued interest on the Promissory Note through the Date of Conversion.

 

6.         Rights of Holder Upon Default . Upon the occurrence or existence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, Holder may declare all outstanding obligations payable by Company hereunder to be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived. In addition to the foregoing remedies, upon the occurrence or existence of any Event of Default, Holder may exercise any other right, power or remedy granted to it or otherwise permitted to it by law, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both.

 

7.       Voting Rights of Holder. The Holder will have the same voting rights for the Conversion Shares as if the conversion has occurred.

 

8.         Successors and Assigns . The rights and obligations of the Company and the Holder of this Promissory Note shall be binding upon and benefit the successors, assigns, heirs, administrators and transferees of the parties.

 

9.         Waiver and Amendment . Any provision of this Promissory Note may be amended, waived or modified upon the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

 

 

 

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10.      Representations and Warranties . The Company or Holder, as applicable, represents and warrants as follows:

 

a)       Holder is acquiring this Convertible Note and, upon conversion, the Holder will acquire the Conversion Shares then issuable, for its own account for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, except pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the 1933 Act; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, such Holder reserves the right to dispose of Conversion Shares at any time in accordance with or pursuant to an effective registration statement covering such Conversion Shares or an available exemption under the 1933 Act.

 

(b)       Accredited Status. H older is an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.

 

(c)        Reliance on Exemptions . Holder understands that the Convertible Note is being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States Federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Holder's compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of such Holder set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Holder to acquire such securities.

 

(d)       Information . Holder and its advisors (and his or, its counsel), if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and information he deemed material to making an informed investment decision regarding his purchase of the Convertible Note and the Shares, which have been requested by such Holder. Such Holder and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and its management. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Holder or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect such Holder's right to rely on the Company's representations and warranties contained in Section 3 below. Such Holder understands that its investment in the Convertible Note and the Conversion Shares involves a high degree of risk. Holder is in a position regarding the Company, which, based upon employment, family relationship or economic bargaining power, enabled and enables Holder to obtain information from the Company in order to evaluate the merits and risks of this investment. Such Holder has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice, as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Convertible Note and the Conversion Shares.

 

(f)        Existence; Compliance with Laws . The Company is (i) a corporation duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its jurisdiction of organization and has the requisite power and authority, and the legal right, to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and (ii) in compliance with all laws and governmental orders.

 

(g)        Power and Authority . The Company has the power and authority, and the legal right, to execute and deliver this Promissory Note and to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(g)        Authorization; Execution and Delivery . The execution and delivery of this Promissory Note by the Company and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability action in accordance with all applicable laws. The Company has duly executed and delivered this Note.

 

(h)        No Approvals . No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by, or in respect of, any governmental authority or any other person is required in order for the Company to execute, deliver, or perform any of its obligations under this Promissory Note.

 

(i)         No Governmental Review . Holder understands that no United States Federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Convertible Note or the Conversion Shares, or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Convertible Note or the Conversion Shares, nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Convertible Note or the Conversion Shares.

 

 

 

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(f)        Transfer or. Resale . Holder understands that: (i) the Convertible Note has not been and is not being registered under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered there under, or (B) such Holder shall have delivered to the Company an opinion of counsel, in a generally acceptable form, to the effect that such securities to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements; (ii) any sale of such securities made in reliance on Rule 144 under the 1933 Act (or a successor rule thereto) ("Rule 144") may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of such securities under circumstances in which the seller (or the person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the 1933 Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC there under; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other person is under any obligation to register such securities under the 1933 Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption there under.

 

(g)         Legends . Holder understands that the certificates or other instruments representing the Convertible Note and or the Conversion Shares shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop transfer order may be placed against transfer of such stock certificates):

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED SOLELY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TOWARD RESALE AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

The legend set forth above shall be removed and the Company shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of the Conversion Shares upon which it is stamped, if, unless otherwise required by state securities laws, (i) in connection with a sale transaction, provided the Conversion Shares are registered under the 1933 Act or (ii) in connection with a sale transaction, such holder provides the Company with an opinion of counsel, in form acceptable to the Company and its counsel, to the effect that a public sale, assignment or transfer of the Conversion Shares may be made without registration under the 1933 Act.

 

(h)           Authorization, Enforcement . This Promissory Note has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of such Holder and is a valid and binding agreement of such Holder enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors' rights and remedies.

 

(i)            Receipt of Documents . Holder and his or its counsel has received and read in their entirety: (i) this Promissory Note and each representation, warranty and covenant set forth herein; (ii) all due diligence and other information necessary to verify the accuracy and completeness of such representations, warranties and covenants; (iii) and answers to all questions the Holder submitted to the Company regarding an investment in the Company; and the Holder has relied on the information contained therein and has not been furnished any other documents, literature, memorandum or prospectus.

 

(j)        Due Formation of Corporate and Other Holders . If the Holder(s) is a corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that is not an individual person, it has been formed and validly exists and has not been organized for the specific purpose of purchasing the Convertible Note and is not prohibited from doing so.

 

(k)        Due Authorization of Fiduciary Holders . If the Holder(s) is purchasing this in a fiduciary capacity for another person or entity, including without limitation a corporation, partnership, trust or any other entity, the Holder(s) has been duly authorized and empowered to execute this Agreement and such other person fulfills all the requirements for purchase of the Convertible Note and agrees to be bound by the obligations, representations, warranties, and covenants contained herein. Upon request of the Company, the Holder(s) will provide true, complete and current copies of all relevant documents creating the Holder(s), authorizing its investment in the Company and/or evidencing the satisfaction of the foregoing.

 

 

 

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(1)         No Legal Advice from the Company . The Holder(s) acknowledge that it had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with his or its own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. The Holder is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

 

11.        Affirmative Covenants . Until all amounts outstanding in this Promissory Note have been paid in full, the Company shall:

 

(a)           Maintenance of Existence . (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its corporate or organizational existence and (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business.

 

(b)           Compliance . Comply with (a) all of the terms and provisions of its organizational documents; (b) its obligations under its material contracts and agreements; and (c) all laws and governmental orders applicable to it and its business.

 

(c)           Payment Obligations . Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its material obligations of whatever nature.

 

(d)         Notice of Events of Default . As soon as possible and in any event within two (2) Business Days after it becomes aware that a Default or an Event of Default has occurred, notify the Holder in writing of the nature and extent of such Default or Event of Default and the action, if any, it has taken or proposes to take with respect to such Default or Event of Default.

 

(e)           Further Assurances . Upon the request of the Holder, execute and deliver such further instruments and do or cause to be done such further acts as may be necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Note.

 

12.        Governing Law . The descriptive headings of the several sections and paragraphs of this Promissory Note are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Promissory Note. This Promissory Note and all actions arising out of or in connection with this Promissory Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions of the State of Delaware, or of any other state.

 

13.        Expenses . The Company shall reimburse the Holder on demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and fees (including reasonable expenses and fees of its external counsel) incurred by the Holder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby including the negotiation, documentation and execution of this Promissory Note and the enforcement of the Holder's rights hereunder.

 

14.        No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising on the part of the Holder, of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

15.        Attorneys' Fees . In the event of any suit, action, or proceeding brought by Holder for collection of any payment in default hereunder, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, and litigation expenses in such action or proceeding. "Prevailing party," within the meaning of this Section, includes any party who agrees to dismiss an action upon payment by the other party of sums alleged to be owed.

 

16.        Severability . If any term or provision of this Promissory Note is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Promissory Note invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Promissory Note so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

 

 

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17.        Registration of Transfers and Exchanges .

 

a)            Different Denominations . This Promissory Note is exchangeable for an equal aggregate principal amount of promissory notes of different authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be payable for such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

b)            Investment Representations . This Promissory Note may be transferred or exchanged only in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations.

 

c)            Reliance on Note Register . Prior to due presentment for transfer to the Company of this Promissory Note, the Company and any agent of the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Promissory Note is duly registered on the Note Register as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided and for all other purposes, whether or not this Promissory Note is overdue, and neither the Company nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

18.        Notice . Any notice required by the provisions of this Promissory Note will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified; (b) when sent electronically by email, telex or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next business day; (c) Five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (d) One (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt.

 

If to Holder:

 

Telemate.Net Software LLC
Attn: Steven Tabaska, CEO
5555 Triangle Pkwy, Suite 150

 

Norcross, GA 30092

 

and

 

Telemate.Net Software LLC

Attn: John O'Reilly, President & COO
5555 Triangle Pkwy, Suite 150

Norcross, GA 30092

 

If to Company:

 

Attn: Melvin Leiner, Executive Vice President

2060 NW Boca Raton, Boulevard,

Suite #6, Boca Raton, Fl. 33431

 

Or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Promissory Note to be issued as of the date first written above.

 

GROM HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By: /s/ Melvin Leiner
Melvin Leiner, Executive Vice President

 

Accepted and agreed to by:

 

TELEMATE.NET SOFTWARE,LLC

 

By: /s/ Steven Tabaska      1/12/17

       Steven Tabaska, Manager of LLC and CEO

 

NetSpective WebFilter LLC

 

By: /s/ Steven Tabaska      1/12/17

Steven Tabaska, Manager of LLC and CEO

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 1

 

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

 

(To be executed by the Holder or Company in order to convert all or part of the Convertible Promissory Note into Shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Promissory Note.)

 

To: GROM HOLDINGS, INC.

 

The undersigned hereby converts $_________________ of the principal and $_____ of the interest due under the Convertible Promissory Note dated as of_____________ , 201_ (the "Note") issued by Grom Holdings, Inc. (the " Borrower ") by delivery of shares of Borrower's Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share on and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note.

 

1.   Date of Conversion

 

2.   Conversion Price

 

3. Total Shares To Be Delivered:

 

4.   Total number of certificates

 

  a.   Shares Certificate 1

 

  b.   Shares Certificate 2

 

  c.   Shares Certificate 3

 

 

   

By:_______________________

       Name:

       Title:

 

 

 

 

 

  8  

 

Exhibit 10.18

 

 

NEWBRIDGE SECURITIES

"SECURITIES CORPORATION

 

INVESTMENT BANKING ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

August 1, 2018

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

Darren M. Marks

Chief Executive Officer

Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.

2060 NW Boca Raton Boulevard, Suite 6

Boca Raton, FL I 33431 I United States

 

Dear Ms. Marks:

 

This letter (the "Agreement") confirms Newbridge Securities Corporation ("NSC") engagement as an exclusive placement agent for Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., a Florida corporation, in connection with the proposed Capital Raise (the "Offering") of up to two million ($2,000,000) of the Company's securities (the "Securities"). It is anticipated that the Securities will be sold only to "accredited investors" (the "Investors"), as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D, promulgated under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 506 of Regulation D.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby appoints NSC to act on a best efforts basis as its exclusive placement agent to privately place the Securities in an amount and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Company. NSC hereby accepts such engagement and agrees to use its best efforts to privately place the Securities with potential investors. The Company shall promptly refer to NSC all offers, inquiries and proposals relating to any placement of the Securities made at any time during the Term (as defined below).

 

1.       Services to be Rendered. In connection with the Offering, as requested, NSC will assist the Company in structuring the proposed Offering, identifying, contacting and evaluating potential purchasers, preparing executive summaries or business plans, facilitating potential purchasers' due diligence investigations, analyzing and advising on the financial implications of offers, preparing and making presentations to the Company's Board of Directors, formulating negotiation strategies and conducting negotiations, as appropriate, and in such other matters as may be agreed upon from time to time by NSC and the Company (the "Services").

 

In connection with this Agreement, the Company agrees to keep NSC up to date and apprised of all material business, market and current legal practices and developments related to the Company and its operations and management, including, but not limited to providing NSC with lists of current shareholders and investors and potential investors. NSC shall devote such time and effort, as it deems commercially reasonable under the circumstances in rendering the Services. NSC cannot guarantee results on behalf of the Company but shall use its best efforts to pursue all avenues that it deems reasonable through its network of contacts.

 

2.       Compensation. For NSC's services hereunder, the Company agrees to pay NSC the fees outlined below upon closing of a sale of any of the Securities (in each instance, a "Closing"), herein:

 

 

5200 Town Center Circle Tower One, Suite 306 Boca Raton, FL 33486 I Telephone: 561.395.1220 Fax: 561.229.1531
Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
www.newbridgesecurities.com

 

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(a)      a placement fee equal to ten percent (10.0%) of the gross purchase price paid for the Securities, payable in full, in cash, at a Closing for the sale of any of the Securities, and a nonaccountable expense allowance equal to two percent (2.00%) of the gross proceeds of the Offering.

 

(b)      at each Closing, the Company shall issue to NSC, or its permitted assigns, common stock (the "PA Shares") of the Company equal to twenty percent (20.0%) of the of the gross proceeds of the Offering. The number of PA Shares to be issued shall be based on the same formula as the share issuance to the investors as the common stock portion of the contemplated Unit sold in the Offering. The PA Shares shall be transferable by NSC to its representatives and agents at Closing.

 

An escrow account with a third-party agent approved by the parties hereto will be used for each closing during the Term. All consideration due NSC shall be paid to NSC directly from such escrow. Any fee charged by the escrow agent in the performance of its duties as escrow agent shall be borne by the Company.

 

In the event there are multiple partial closings prior to the final closing of the Transaction, the Company shall pay NSC a pro-rata portion of the cash portion of the fees set forth above and shall issue to NSC, or its designees, a pro-rata portion of the PA Shares as soon as is practicable after each such closing.

 

If, during the Term, the Company chooses to accept money from a different funding source, then the Company shall pay to NSC 1.5% of the total gross proceeds.

 

If the Company introduces other investors to NSC to participate in its Offering under the same terms, then NSC shall receive 50% of the fees (in cash and stock) that it would receive as described in Section 2a and 2b. NSC will process the investors introduced by the Company in the same way as it processes the other investors participating in the Offering.

 

3.       Expenses. Newbridge Securities will pre-approve with the Company, in writing, any expenses related to this engagement (including travel expenses, legal fees and other miscellaneous, etc.) incurred in connection with this assignment or otherwise arising out of this agreement. Once approved, the Company shall reimburse Newbridge for all expenses due to it within 10 days of receipt of all documentation of such expense. The Company agrees to pay for Newbridge's legal fees, up to a maximum of $10,000.

 

4.       Information. The Company will furnish NSC such information with respect to the Company and access to such Company personnel and representatives, including the Company's auditors and counsel, as NSC may request in order to permit NSC to advise the Company and to assist the Company in preparing offering materials for use in connection with the Offering (including, but not limited to: a business plan; executive summary; three (3) year historical income statement, statement of cash flows, and balance sheet; five (5) year projected financial statements; use of proceeds statement; investor presentation; valuation analysis) (collectively, the "Offering Materials"). The Company will be solely responsible for the contents of the Offering Materials and other information provided to investors in connection with the Offering. The Company represents and warrants to NSC that the Offering Materials will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company agrees to advise NSC promptly upon the Company becoming aware of the occurrence of any event or change in circumstance that results or might reasonably be expected to result in the Offering Materials containing any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company authorizes NSC to provide the Offering Materials to investors in connection with the Offering. The Company and NSC shall have the right to approve every form of letter, circular, notice, memorandum or other written communication from the Company or any person acting on its behalf in connection with the Offering.

 

 

5200 Town Center Circle Tower One, Suite 306 Boca Raton, FL 33486 I Telephone: 561.395.1220 Fax: 561.229.1531
Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
www.newbridgesecurities.com

 

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During the Term, the Company will inform NSC of any other capital market activities it is contemplating, including, but not limited to any conversations with other investment banking firms, or any funding sources, within 48 hours of their occurrence.

 

5.         Termination and Survival. The term of our engagement hereunder shall be for a period commencing on the date hereof and expiring on the earlier of five (5) months from the date hereof or the final closing of a Transaction, unless sooner terminated or extended pursuant to the following sentences (the "Term"). This Agreement may be terminated prior to expiration of the Term, by either party for any reason at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that the provisions of paragraphs 2 (to the extent fees are payable prior to termination), (to the extent fees are payable after termination), 3 (to the extent expenses have been incurred prior to termination), 4 (the second, third and fourth sentences only), and sections 6 through 18 of this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

In the event of termination, NSC shall be immediately paid in full on all items of compensation and expenses payable to NSC pursuant hereto, as of the date of termination.

 

6.         Investor Tail Period. NSC shall be entitled to compensation as set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement for any Qualified Financing (as defined below) that occurs at any time during the twelve (12) month period following the termination or expiration of this Agreement. "Qualified Financing" shall mean any investment from a person or entity if (a) such purchaser or purchasers (or affiliate thereof), were solicited by NSC concerning the Offering during the Term, or (b) NSC had documented discussions with such purchaser or purchasers (or affiliates thereof) concerning the Offering during the Term. Within ten (10) days after the termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Placement Agent shall provide to the Company a list of all persons solicited by NSC in connection with the Offering (the "Solicitation List"). For all purposes under this Agreement, the Solicitation List shall be deemed to include (x) potential purchasers (or affiliates thereof) that were otherwise identified in writing to the Company during the Term as being solicited in connection with the Offering, in each instance whether or not such person (or affiliate) is included on the Solicitation List and (y) NSC can prove through records or documentation that it solicited such investor with specific information about the Company of the Offering or NSC can prove it held an in person, electronic or telephonic meeting with the Purchaser. All compensation shall be paid to the Placement Agent on the date that the Company closes on the Qualified Financing.

 

7.            Right of Participation. In the event the NSC is successful in raising aggregate capital of $1,000,000, and Company determines, either during the Term or at any time during the twelve (12) month period following the end of the Term, that it will require the capital raising services of an investment banker, financial advisor or similar professional, NSC shall have the exclusive right to be included in such transaction, as either a manager, or placement agent with a minimum guaranteed of (fifteen percent) 15.0% of the gross fees generated by such transaction.

 

8.         Confidentiality of Advice. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, any written or other advice rendered by NSC pursuant to its engagement hereunder are solely for the use and benefit of the Company's executive management team and Board of Directors and shall not be publicly disclosed in whole or in part, in any manner or summarized, excerpted from or otherwise publicly referred to or made available to third parties, other than representatives and agents of the Company's executive management team and Board of Directors who also shall not disclose such information, in each case, without NSC's prior approval, unless in the opinion of counsel and after consultation with NSC, such disclosure is required by law. In addition, NSC may not be otherwise publicly referred to without its prior written consent. The Company acknowledges that NSC and its affiliates are in the business of providing financial services and consulting advice to others. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to limit or restrict NSC in conducting such business with respect to others, or in rendering such advice to others, except as such advice may relate to matters relating to the Company's business and properties and that might compromise confidential information delivered by the Company to NSC.

 

 

5200 Town Center Circle Tower One, Suite 306 Boca Raton, FL 33486 I Telephone: 561.395.1220 Fax: 561.229.1531
Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
www.newbridgesecurities.com

 

 

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9.       Obligations Limited. NSC shall have no obligation to make any independent appraisals of assets or liabilities or any independent verification of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided it in the course of this engagement and shall have no liability in regard thereto.

 

10.     Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is made solely for the benefit of the Board of Directors of the Company, NSC and other Indemnified Persons (as defined herein), and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.

 

11.     Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company.

 

The Placement Agent represents that it has an anti-money laundering program in place reasonably designed to comply with Section 352 of the USA Patriot Act, NASD Rule 3011, and NYSE Rule 445. The Placement Agent's anti-money laundering program includes: (i) Anti-Money Laundering/"Know Your Customer" policies and procedures (ii) the designation of an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer; (iii) recording-keeping and reporting practices in accordance with applicable law; (iv) reporting of suspicious activity to government authorities in accordance with applicable law; (v) anti-money laundering training; and (vi) independent testing for compliance. The Placement Agent will provide such periodic reports or certifications to the Company regarding this program as the Company may reasonably request.

 

12.Indemnification. In connection with and as part of the engagement contemplated herein, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold NSC harmless in accordance with the indemnification rider attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

13.Non-Circumvention. The Company agrees not to circumvent, avoid, bypass, or obviate, directly or indirectly, the intent of this Agreement, including the Company shall not permit its subsidiaries and its other affiliated entities to sell securities with the effect of avoiding payment of fees under this Agreement.

 

14.Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Florida or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Florida. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Palm Beach County, Florida, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

15.Legal Fees and Costs. If a legal action is initiated by any party to this Agreement against another, arising out of or relating to the alleged performance or non-performance of any right or obligation established hereunder, or any dispute concerning the same, any and all fees, costs and expenses reasonably incurred by each successful party or his, her or its legal counsel in investigating, preparing for, prosecuting, defending against, or providing evidence, producing documents or taking any other action in respect of such action shall be the joint and several obligation of and shall be paid or reimbursed by the unsuccessful party(ies).

 

5200 Town Center Circle Tower One, Suite 306 Boca Raton, FL 33486 I Telephone: 561.395.1220 Fax: 561.229.1531
Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
www.newbridgesecurities.com

 

 

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16. Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (a) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (b) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (c) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

17. Future Advertisements. The Company agrees that NSC has the right to place advertisements describing its services to the Company under this Agreement in its own marketing materials as well as financial and other newspapers and journals at its own expense following the final closing of the Offering.

 

18.     Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof, and any and all other written or oral agreements existing between the parties hereto are expressly cancelled; (b) Only an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto may amend this Agreement; (c) The failure of any party to insist upon strict performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent default of the same or similar nature, or any other nature; (d) This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one (1) instrument; (e) This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement may not be assigned or delegated without the prior written consent of both parties, and any purported assignment without such written consent shall be null and void.

 

The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.

 

 

5200 Town Center Circle Tower One, Suite 306 Boca Raton, FL 33486 I Telephone: 561.395.1220 Fax: 561.229.1531
Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
www.newbridgesecurities.com

 

 

 

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between NSC and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose within five business (5) days of the date hereof or this Agreement shall be withdrawn and become null and void. The undersigned parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their authorized representatives, pursuant to corporate board approval and intend to be legally bound.

 

NEWBRIDGE SECURITIES CORPORATION

 

By:_____________________________

Bruce Jordan

Managing Director— Investment Banking

 

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

By:_____________________________ 

Darren M. Marks

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

For purposes of this Exhibit A, unless the context otherwise requires, "NSC" shall include NSC, any affiliated entity, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, partners and controlling persons within the meaning of the federal securities laws and the successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the foregoing persons (collectively, the "Indemnified Persons").

 

The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold NSC harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against any action, claim, suit or proceeding, whether commenced or threatened and whether or not NSC is a party thereto, or in appearing or preparing for appearance as a witness), based upon, relating to or arising out of or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the transaction contemplated thereby or NSC's actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services or transaction (including, but not limited to, any liability arising out of (i) any misstatement or alleged misstatement of a material fact in any offering materials and (ii) any omission or alleged omission from any offering materials, including, without limitation of a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading), except to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability, cost or expense results solely from the gross negligence or bad faith of NSC in performing the services which are the subject of the Agreement. If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to NSC or insufficient to hold it harmless, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by NSC as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and its stockholders on the one hand and NSC on the other hand, or, if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and NSC, as well as any relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, NSC shall not be responsible for amounts which in the aggregate are in excess of the amount of all fees actually received from the Company in connection with the engagement. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (as such term has been interpreted under Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Relative benefits to NSC, on the one hand, and the Company and its stockholders, on the other hand, with respect to the engagement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (i) the total value paid or proposed to be paid or received or proposed to be received by the Company or its stockholders, as the case may be, pursuant to the potential transaction, whether or not consummated, contemplated by the engagement bears to (ii) all fees paid to NSC by the Company in connection with the engagement. NSC shall not have any liability to the Company in connection with the engagement, except to the extent of its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

The Company also agrees to promptly upon demand reimburse NSC for its legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating, preparing to defend, or defending any lawsuits, investigations, claims or other proceedings in connection with any matter referred to in or otherwise contemplated by the Agreement; provided, however, that in the event a final judicial determination is made to the effect that NSC is not entitled to indemnification hereunder, NSC will remit to the Company any amounts that have been so reimbursed.

 

The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any action, claim, suit or proceeding (or for any related losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses) if such settlement is effectuated without its written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company further agrees that it will not settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened action, claim, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not NSC is a party therein) unless the Company has obtained an unconditional release of NSC, from all liability arising therefrom. The reimbursement, indemnity and contribution obligations of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to NSC.

 

Any Indemnified Persons that are not signatories to this Agreement shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

 

 

5200 Town Center Circle Tower One, Suite 306 Boca Raton, FL 33486 I Telephone: 561.395.1220 Fax: 561.229.1531
Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
www.newbridgesecurities.com

 

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between NSC and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose within five business (5) days of the date hereof or this Agreement shall be withdrawn and become null and void. The undersigned parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their authorized representatives, pursuant to corporate board approval and intend to be legally bound.

 

NEWBRIDGE SECURITIES CORPORATION

 

 

By: /s/ Bruce Jordan

Bruce Jordan

Managing Director — investment Banking

 

 

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

By: / s/ Darren M. Marks

Darren M. Marks

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

5200 Town Center Circle Tower One, Suite 306 Boca Raton, FL 33486 I Telephone: 561.395.1220 Fax: 561.229.1531
Investment Advisory Services offered through Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
www.newbridgesecurities.com

 

 

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Exhibit 10.19

 

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated September __, 2018, made by and among of GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. (the “ Company ”) and the holders of Company’s common stock signatory hereto (collectively, the “ Pledgors ”) in favor of each of the holders of the Company’s 12% Secured Notes set forth on Schedule A hereto (as may be amended from time to time to reflect additional closings and assignments, each a Pledgee and collectively, the “ Pledgees ”) and Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc., as pledge holder of the Pledged Shares for the Pledgees (the “ Agent ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS , the Pledgees have acquired an aggregate of $______ of 12% Secured Notes of the Company (the “ Notes ”) in one or more closings pursuant to a Subscription Agreements entered into between the Pledgees and the Company (the “ Purchase Agreement ” and, all capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall be as defined in the Purchase Agreement);

 

WHEREAS , the Pledgors, as principals, employees and shareholders of the Company who will each personally directly benefit from the loan by the Pledgees to the Company, have agreed to make the pledge contemplated by this Agreement in order to induce Pledgees to perform their respective obligations under the Purchase Agreement and the Notes;

 

WHEREAS, Pledgors have agreed to pledge an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), set forth opposite the Pledgors’ names on Schedule A attached hereto;

 

WHEREAS , terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement that are defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York at that time (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Pledged Collateral) (the “ UCC ”) shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the UCC; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, covenants and promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. Pledge and Security Interest . Each Pledgor hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Pledgees, a continuing lien and security interest in favor of Pledgees (the “ Security Interest ”), to secure the complete and timely payment, performance and discharge in full, as the case may be, of all of the obligations pursuant to the Notes, the following (collectively, the “ Pledged Collateral ”):

 

(a)       the shares of Common Stock owned by such Pledgor and set forth on Schedule B attached hereto (the “ Pledged Shares ”) and all dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Pledged Shares; and

 

(b)       all proceeds of any and all of the foregoing Pledged Collateral, in whatever form (including, without limitation, proceeds that constitute property of the types described above).

 

SECTION 2. Security for Obligations . This Agreement secures the payment and performance of the following obligations (collectively, the “ Obligations ”): all present and future indebtedness, obligations, covenants, duties and liabilities of the Company to the Pledgees now existing or hereafter arising under or in connection with this Agreement, the Notes, the Purchase Agreement and all agreements and documents executed and delivered in connection therewith (collectively, the “ Transaction Documents ”).

 

SECTION 3. Delivery of Pledged Collateral . On or prior to the date hereof, each Pledgor shall deliver to the Agent the Pledged Shares, together with duly executed instruments of transfer and stock powers endorsed in blank. Agent shall hold the Pledged Shares, together with undated stock powers executed in blank, signature guaranteed suitable for transfer, for its benefit and Pledgor further agrees to execute such other documents and to take such other actions as Pledgee deems necessary or desirable to create and perfect the security interests intended to be created hereunder, to effect the foregoing and to permit Pledgee to exercise any of its rights and remedies hereunder.

 

 

 

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SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties . Each Pledgor, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)       The execution, delivery and performance by the Pledgor of this Agreement and the exercise by the Pledgees of any of their rights and remedies in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and applicable securities law will not contravene any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Pledgor or any of their properties

 

(b)       Such Pledgor is the legal, record and beneficial owner of the Pledged Collateral owned by such Pledgor, free and clear of any lien, security interest, restriction, option or other charge or encumbrance (collectively, “ Liens ”).

 

(c)       The pledge of the Pledged Collateral and the grant of the Security Interest pursuant to this Agreement create a valid and perfected first priority security interest in the Pledged Collateral, securing payment and performance of the Obligations.

 

(d)       No consent of any other person or entity and no authorization, approval, or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required (i) for the pledge by the Pledgor of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Pledgor, (ii) for the perfection or maintenance of the security interest created hereby, or (iii) for the exercise by the Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement (except as may be required in connection with any disposition of any portion of the Pledged Collateral by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally).

 

(e)       There are no conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement that have not been satisfied or waived.

 

(f)       Except for the filing of financing statements pursuant to the UCC with the proper filing and recording agencies in the relevant jurisdictions, no authorization or approval of or filing with or notice to any governmental authority or regulatory body is required either (i) for the grant by such Pledgor of, or the effectiveness of, the Security Interest granted hereby or for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Pledgor or (ii) for the perfection of or exercise by the Pledgees of their rights and remedies hereunder.

 

(g)       Effective on the date of execution of this Agreement, such Pledgor hereby authorizes the Agent to file one or more financing statements under the UCC with respect to the Security Interest with the proper filing and recording agencies in the relevant jurisdictions, and in such other jurisdictions as may be requested by the Pledgees.

 

(h)       Such Pledgor will not transfer, pledge, hypothecate, sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Pledged Collateral without the prior written consent of the Pledgees.

 

(i)       Such Pledgor shall promptly execute and deliver to the Pledgees such further assignments, security agreements, financing statements or other instruments, documents, certificates and assurances and take such further action as the Pledgees may from time to time request and may in its sole discretion deem necessary to perfect, protect or enforce its security interest in the Pledged Collateral.

 

(j)       Such Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgees, in sufficient detail, upon becoming aware of any attachment, garnishment, execution or other legal process levied against any Pledged Collateral and of any other information received by such Pledgor that may materially affect the Security Interest or the rights and remedies of the Pledgees hereunder.

 

(k)       All information heretofore, herein or hereafter supplied to the Pledgees by or on behalf of such Pledgor with respect to the Pledged Collateral is accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date furnished.

 

 

 

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SECTION 5. Further Assurances . Each Pledgor agrees that at any time and from time to time, at the expense of such Pledgor, the Pledgor shall promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Agent and/or the Pledgees may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Agent and/or Pledgee to exercise and enforce their rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Pledged Collateral. The Company agrees that at any time and from time to time, at the expense of the Company, the Company shall promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Agent and/or the Pledgees may reasonably request in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Agent and/or Pledgee to exercise and enforce their rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Pledged Collateral. The Company shall not issue any additional securities to any Pledgor, unless the contemporaneous with such issuance, such securities are delivered to the Agent and pledged hereunder. Upon any such issuance, any such new securities shall be “Pledged Collateral” hereunder.

 

SECTION 6. Dividends and Voting Rights

 

(a)       The Pledgees agree that unless an Event of Default, as defined in the Notes, shall have occurred and be continuing, the Pledgor may, to the extent the Pledgor has such right as a holder of the Pledged Collateral, vote and give consents, ratifications and waivers with respect thereto, and from time to time, upon request from the Pledgor, the Agent shall deliver to the Pledgor suitable proxies so that the Pledgor may cast such votes, consents, ratifications and waivers.

 

(b)       The Pledgee agrees that the Pledgor may, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, receive and retain all cash dividends and other distributions with respect to the Pledged Shares.

 

SECTION 7. Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . The Pledgors hereby appoints the Agent the Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgors and in the name of the Pledgors or otherwise, from time to time during the continuance of an Event of Default in the Agent's discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, to receive, endorse and collect all instruments made payable to the Pledgors representing any dividend, interest payment or other distribution in respect of the Pledges Shares or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same (but the Agent shall not be obligated to and shall have no liability to the Pledgor or any third party for failure to do so or take action). Such appointment, being coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable. The Pledgor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

SECTION 8. Pledgee May Perform . If any Pledgor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the Agent and/or Pledgees may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Agent and/or Pledgees incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by such Pledgor.

 

SECTION 9. The Agent's Duties . The duties and rights of the Agent are as set forth on Annex A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Any fees of the Agent for its services hereunder shall be paid by the Company. The powers conferred on the Agent hereunder are solely to protect the interests of the Pledgees in the Pledged Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Agent to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe custody of any Pledged Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys it actually received hereunder, neither the Agent nor Pledgees shall have any duty as to any Pledged Collateral, as to ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Pledged Collateral, whether or not such party has or is to have knowledge of such matters, or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties or any other rights pertaining to any Pledged Collateral. The Agent and Pledgees shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Pledged Collateral in its possession if such Pledged Collateral are accorded treatment substantially equal to that which such party accords its own property.

 

 

 

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SECTION 10. Remedies upon Event of Default . Upon and after the occurrence of any Event of Default:

 

(a)       The Agent may exercise in respect of the Pledged Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to the Agent, all the rights and remedies of Agent on default under the UCC, and may also sell the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof at public or private sale, at any exchange, broker's board or at any of the Agent's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, and upon such other terms as the Agent may deem commercially reasonable upon at least ten (10) days’ notice to such Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made. The Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Pledged Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that the Pledged Collateral consisting of the Pledged Shares, and/or any other shares of common stock of the Company, is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market, and accordingly that no notice of the sale thereof need be given. In addition, Agent may transfer all of the Pledged Collateral to Pledgees, who may hold all of such Pledged Collateral as payment in full of the Obligations.

 

(b)       Any cash held by the Agent or the Pledgees as Pledged Collateral and all cash proceeds received by the Agent or the Pledgees in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Pledged Collateral may, in the discretion of the Agent or the Pledgees, be held as collateral for, and/or then or at any time thereafter be applied (after payment of any amounts payable pursuant to Section 11) in whole or in part against, all or any part of the Obligations. Any surplus of such cash or cash proceeds held by the Agent or the Pledgees and remaining after payment in full of all the Obligations shall be paid over to the Pledgors, pro-rata, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus, within five business days after such determination has been made that a surplus exists.

 

SECTION 11. Expenses . The Company shall upon demand pay to the Agent and/or the Pledgees the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and the reasonable fees and expenses of any experts and agents, which the Agent and/or Pledgee may incur in connection with (a) the administration of this Agreement, (b) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Pledged Collateral, (c) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Agent and/or Pledgee hereunder or (d) the failure by any Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 12. Continuing Security Interest; Termination . This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Pledged Collateral and shall remain in full force and effect until the indefeasible payment in full of the Obligations (the “ Termination Date ”). On the Termination Date (i) the security interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Pledged Collateral shall revert to the Pledgors and (ii) the Agent shall deliver to each Pledgor their respective Pledged Shares and any and all necessary stock powers required to assign the Pledged Shares back into the name of each Pledgor. Upon any such termination, the Agent shall, at the Pledgors’ expense, return, pro-rata, to the Pledgors such of the Pledged Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof and execute and deliver to the Pledgors such documents as the Pledgors shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 

SECTION 13. Governing Law; Terms . For the convenience of the Agent, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. Each Pledgor agrees to submit to the in personam jurisdiction of the state and federal courts situated within the City of New York, State of New York with regard to any controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in Article 9 of the UCC are used herein as therein defined.

 

SECTION 14. Notice . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been received when delivered personally (which shall include, without limitation, via express overnight courier) or if mailed, three (3) business days after having been mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the addresses of the parties as set forth herein.

 

SECTION 15. Indemnity . Each Pledgor, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, the Pledgees and their respective heirs, successors and assigns against and from all liabilities, losses and costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to the taking or the failure to take action in respect of any transaction effected under this Agreement or in connection with the lien provided for herein, including, without limitation, any and all excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral, except to the extent resulting from their gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The liabilities of the Pledgors under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

 

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SECTION 16. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall not in any manner affect such provision or part thereof in any other jurisdiction, or any other provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

SECTION 18. Amendments; Entire Agreement . This Agreement is subject to modification only by a writing signed by the parties. To the extent any provision of this Agreement conflicts with any provision of the Notes, the provision giving Pledgees greater rights or remedies shall govern, it being understood that the purpose of this Agreement is to add to, and not detract from, the rights granted to Pledgees under the Notes. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 19. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided , however , that no Pledgor may, without the prior written consent of the Pledgees, assign or delegate any rights, powers, duties or obligations hereunder, and any such purported assignment or delegation without such consent shall be null and void.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  PLEDGORS:
   
  __________________________
  Print Name:  Darren Marks
  Address for Notice:
  5200 Town Center Circle, Tower One, Suite 306
  Boca Raton, FL 33486
   
   
  __________________________
  Print Name:  Melvin Leiner
  Address for Notice:
  5200 Town Center Circle, Tower One, Suite 306
  Boca Raton, FL 33486
   
  THE COMPANY:
   
  Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.  
   
  By: _________________________
  Name:  Darren Marks
  Title:  Chairman / CEO
   
THE AGENT:  
Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc.  
   
By: ______________________________  
Name:  Carylyn Bell  
Title: President  

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE A

 

Name of Pledgee Principal Amount of Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE B

 

Pledged Shares

 

Pledgor: Number of Shares: Certificate Number:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  8  

 

 

ANNEX A

 

to

 

PLEDGE

 

AGREEMENT

 

THE AGENT

 

1. Appointment . The Pledgees (all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings provided in the Pledge Agreement to which this Annex A is attached (the " Agreement ")), by their acceptance of the benefits of the Agreement, hereby designate Corporate Stock Transfer Inc. located in Denver, Colorado (the “ Agent ”) as the Agent to act as specified herein and in the Agreement. The Pledgee shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of the Agreement and any other Transaction Document (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees.

 

2. Nature of Duties . The Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in the Agreement. Neither the Agent nor any of its partners, members, shareholders, officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted by it as such under the Agreement or hereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, be responsible for the consequence of any oversight or error of judgment or answerable for any loss, unless caused solely by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final judgment (not subject to further appeal) of a court of competent jurisdiction. The duties of the Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; the Agent shall not have by reason of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Pledgor or any Pledgee; and nothing in the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon the Agent any obligations in respect of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document except as expressly set forth herein and therein.

 

3. Lack of Reliance on the Agent . Independently and without reliance upon the Agent, each Pledgee, to the extent it deems appropriate, has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with the Pledgee’s investment in the Company, the creation and continuance of the Obligations, the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and the taking or not taking of any action in connection therewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Company and its subsidiaries, and of the value of the Pledged Collateral from time to time, and the Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Pledgee with any credit, market or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before any Obligations are incurred or at any time or times thereafter. The Agent shall not be responsible to the Pledgors or any Pledgee for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any document, certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith, or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, perfection, collectibility, priority or sufficiency of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or for the financial condition of the Company or the value of any of the Pledged Collateral, or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or the financial condition of the Company, or the value of any of the Pledged Collateral, or the existence or possible existence of any default or Event of Default under the Agreement, the Note or any of the other Transaction Documents.

 

4. Certain Rights of the Agent . The Agent shall have the right to take any action with respect to the Pledged Collateral, on behalf of the Pledgees. To the extent practical, the Agent shall request instructions from the Pledgees with respect to any material act or action (including failure to act) in connection with the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, and shall be entitled to act or refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of a Majority in Interest; if such instructions are not provided despite the Agent’s request therefor, the Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action, and if such action is taken, shall be entitled to appropriate indemnification from the Pledgees in respect of actions to be taken by the Agent; and the Agent shall not incur liability to any person or entity by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, (a) no Pledgee shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of the Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the terms of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, and the Company or Pledgors shall have no right to question or challenge the authority of, or the instructions given to, the Agent pursuant to the foregoing and (b) the Agent shall not be required to take any action which the Agent believes (i) could reasonably be expected to expose it to personal liability or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or applicable law.

 

 

 

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5. Reliance . The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or telecopier message, cablegram, radiogram, order or other document or telephone message signed, sent or made by the proper person or entity, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to the Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and its duties thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it and upon all other matters pertaining to this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and its duties thereunder, upon advice of other experts selected by it. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Pledgee to assure that the Pledged Collateral exists or is owned by the Pledgors or is cared for, protected or insured or that the liens granted pursuant to the Agreement have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority.

 

6. Indemnification . To the extent that the Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Company or the Pledgors, the Pledgees will jointly and severally reimburse and indemnify the Agent from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent in performing its duties hereunder or under the Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in any way relating to or arising out of the Agreement or any other Transaction Document except for those determined by a final judgment (not subject to further appeal) of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the Agent's own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Prior to taking any action hereunder as Agent, the Agent may require each Pledgee to deposit with it sufficient sums as it determines in good faith is necessary to protect the Agent for costs and expenses associated with taking such action.

 

7. Resignation by the Agent .

 

(a) The Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties under the Agreement and the other Transaction Documents at any time by giving 30 days' prior written notice (as provided in the Agreement) to the Pledgors and the Pledgees. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below.

 

(b) Upon any such notice of resignation, the Pledgees shall appoint a successor Agent hereunder.

 

(c) If a successor Agent shall not have been so appointed within said 30-day period, the Agent shall then appoint a successor Agent who shall serve as Agent until such time, if any, as the Pledgees appoint a successor Agent as provided above. If a successor Agent has not been appointed within such 30-day period, the Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction or may interplead the Pledgors and the Pledgees in a proceeding for the appointment of a successor Agent, and all fees, including, but not limited to, extraordinary fees associated with the filing of interpleader and expenses associated therewith, shall be payable by the Pledgors on demand.

 

8. Rights with respect to Pledged Collateral . Each Pledgee agrees with all other Pledgees and the Agent (i) that it shall not, and shall not attempt to, exercise any rights with respect to its security interest in the Pledged Collateral, whether pursuant to any other agreement or otherwise (other than pursuant to this Agreement), or take or institute any action against the Agent or any of the other Pledgees in respect of the Pledged Collateral or its rights hereunder (other than any such action arising from the breach of this Agreement) and (ii) that such Pledgee has no other rights with respect to the Pledged Collateral other than as set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Agreement.  After any retiring Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, the provisions of the Agreement including this Annex A shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent.

 

 

 

 

 

  10  

Exhibit 10.21

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement is made as of the 12th of January 2017, nunc pro tunc January 1, 2017 (the "Effective Date") by and between Grom Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with a to be formed wholly owned subsidiary ("Newco") (Newco and Grom Holdings, Inc. hereinafter jointly referred to as the "Buyer" or "Grom"), 2060 NW Boca Raton, Boulevard, Suite #6, Boca Raton, Fl. 33431 and TeleMate.Net Software, LLC, together with its to be formed subsidiary, NetSpective WebFilter LLC, a Georgia Limited Liability Company jointly referred to as the "Seller", 5555 Triangle Parkway, Suite 150, Norcross, GA 30092, who hereby agree as follows:

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Seller owns good and marketable title to certain tangible and intangible assets including software and intellectual property of Seller's NetSpective Webfilter, its Net Auditor Reporter ("NetSpective"), its on-line services, related goodwill, patents, applications, domain names, trademarks, source codes, website, hardware appliances (inventory) and all other documentation, process, equipment, and know how necessary to operate the Seller's NetSpective Division in a manner consistent with its current operations. (the "Assets"), which are more fully described in Exhibit A" and attached hereto and incorporated herein as if set forth; and

 

WHEREAS, Buyer desires to purchase from Seller and Seller desires to sell the Assets to Buyer pursuant to the terms and conditions contained herein; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH, that in consideration of the premises and the covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and payments hereinafter contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

1.       PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS.

 

1.01. Purchase. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, the Seller agrees to sell, assign and transfer to the Buyer and the Buyer agrees to purchase from the Seller, all of the Seller's right, title and interest in the Assets. The form of Bill of Sale is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit "B". Additionally, and simultaneously with the execution of this agreement, the Seller and the Buyer shall enter into a Master Services Agreement ("MSA") and incorporated herein as Exhibit "G," enumerating the required services that the Seller shall provide to Newco post-closing.

 

1.02. Excluded Assets. Other than the sale and purchase of the Assets, Seller shall not sell or transfer to Buyer, and Buyer shall not purchase nor be entitled to receive, any other asset of Seller, including but not limited to: (a) all cash, cash equivalents, deposit accounts, bank accounts, accounts receivables, and notes receivables; (b) all licenses, permits, approvals, authorizations, consents, orders, or filings with any governmental authority, to the extent not transferable; (c) all insurance policies, and (d) Assets for Telemate and Predictive UC Analytics product lines included patents, applications, domain names, trademarks, source codes, website, hardware appliances, On-line service and all other documentation, process, equipment.

 

1.03 Assignment of Tradename. Upon execution hereof, Seller shall also execute and deliver to Buyer that certain Assignment of Tradename, attached hereto and incorporated herein as if set forth as Exhibit "C", in which Seller shall grant to Buyer an assignment of all of Seller's rights, title and interest in and to the tradename "NetSpective", whether filed or otherwise, in the State of Georgia, along with the applicable logo, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as if set forth as Exhibit "D".

 

2.         PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT.

 

2.01. Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Assets shall be $1,000,000 (One Million US dollars) (the "Purchase Price"), subject to additional earn outs provided to Seller as more fully described in Section 2.02, below herein.

 

 

 

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2.02 Payment. Buyer shall tender the Purchase Price to Seller as follows:

 

a.     Upon execution hereof, Buyer shall execute and deliver in favor of Seller that certain Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of One Million US Dollars ($1,000,000 USD) (the "Convertible Note"). The Convertible Note shall be convertible at the election of the Seller into shares of Grom's Common Stock (the "Common Stock") at a conversion rate of $3.25 per share, shall accrue interest at the rate of 0.68% per annum and all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable three (3) years from the Effective Date as defined herein. A copy of the Convertible Note is attached hereto as Exhibit "E". In the event of any inconsistency between the terms described herein and the terms included in the Convertible Note, the terms included in Convertible Note shall prevail.

 

b.    In addition to (a) above, the Convertible Note, if not previously converted by Seller, may also be converted at the election of the Buyer at a conversion rate of $2.00 per share, into shares of Grom's Common Stock commencing beginning on the 34 th month anniversary of the Convertible Note, through the due date of the Convertible Note.

 

c.     In addition to the Purchase Price described above, Seller shall be entitled to receive a contingent Earnout of up to $362,500, payable in shares of Grom Common Stock at a value of $3.25 per share if Newco achieves the following performance goals within the first twelve months of operations following the Effective Date:

 

(i)       Attaining $300,000 in Net Cash Flow for the twelve-month period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. "Net Cash Flow" is defined as all cash received by the NetSpective Division; less expenses related to the MSA and all other customary NetSpective expenses calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). In the event this threshold is attained, the Seller shall receive 61,539 shares of Grom Common Stock valued at $200,000.

 

(ii)       In the event Net Cash Flow exceeds $375,000 during the twelve-month period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, the Seller shall receive an additional 50,000 shares of Grom Common Stock valued at $162,500.

 

The payment of any Earnout in c(i) or c(ii) above is also expressly contingent on TeleMate providing to Grom monthly financial statements for the NetSpective Division in accordance with GAAP within twenty (20) days following the end of each month, as well providing the services in the MSA for the twelve-month period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. With respect to making the NetSpective Division's financial statements auditable, the Buyer agrees to provide their accounting expertise to the extent needed to assist the Seller to achieve GAAP financials. Additionally, the Buyer and Seller agree to split on a 50/50 basis any out of pocket costs incurred, if necessary, to hire any outside accounting assistance during this process capped at a maximum cost of $12,500 each to the Buyer and the Seller. The payment of these shares if earned will be made on a date concurrent with the issuance of audited Newco financial statements expected to be received on or about March 31, 2018.

 

If there is any dispute regarding the amount or payment of the Earnout, the dispute shall be referred to and definitively resolved by mandatory binding arbitration as set forth in Section 6.03(c) below.

 

3.         ASSUMED LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT TRANSFERS

 

3.01. ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES. The Buyer will not assume any liabilities of the Seller whatsoever with the exception that Buyer shall assume all of the liabilities under the contracts and agreements listed on Exhibit F.

 

3.02        CONTRACT TRANSFERS. The Seller will transfer the current contract with RULESSPACE for the Internet Content services necessary for the Buyer to operate NetSpective post-closing.

 

4.         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER.

 

The Seller represents and warrants to the Buyer as follows, with the intent that the Buyer shall rely thereon in entering into this Agreement and in concluding the purchase and sale contemplated herein.

 

 

 

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4.01. Corporate Status. The Seller is a Limited Liability Company duly filed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia and has the power and capacity to own and dispose of the Assets and to carry on the Seller's Business as now being conducted by it and to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its terms to the full extent.

 

4.02. Authority to Sell. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the completion of the transaction contemplated hereby has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Seller and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Seller, enforceable against the Seller in accordance with its terms except as may be limited by laws of general application affecting the rights of creditors.

 

4.03. Sale Will Not Cause Default. To the best of Seller's information, knowledge and belief, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the completion of the purchase and sale contemplated herein, will:

 

(a)         violate any of the terms and provisions of the Articles of Organization or Operating Agreement of the Seller, or any order, decree, statute, bylaw, regulation, covenant, or restriction applicable to the Seller or any of the Assets;

 

(b)        result in any fees, duties, taxes, assessments or other amounts relating to any of the Assets becoming due or payable other than sales tax payable by Buyer in connection with the purchase and sale.

 

4.04. Assets. The Seller owns and possesses and has a good and marketable title to the Assets, free and clear of all mortgages, liens, charges, pledges, security interests, encumbrances or other claims whatsoever, whether secured or unsecured and whether arising by reason of statute or otherwise howsoever.

 

4.05. Conformity with Laws. Seller has not sought and obtained any governmental licenses and permits required for the conduct in the ordinary course of the operations of the Seller's Business and the uses to which the Assets have been put.

 

4.06 Representations Relating to the Grom Common Stock to be Issued. The Seller hereby represents, warrants, covenants and agrees as follows relative to the Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Notes:

 

(a)       The Common Stock to be acquired herein are solely for Seller's account and for investment and Seller has no plan, intention, contract, understanding, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer to any person the Shares, or any portion thereof;

 

(b).         Management of Seller has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investments generally and of the investment in the Common Stock in particular and Seller is able to bear the economic risk of this investment with the full understanding that it can lose its entire investment;

 

(c).         Seller understands that the Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Note has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or under any state securities laws. Seller further understand that no registration statement has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor with any other regulatory authority and that, as a result, any benefit which might normally accrue to Seller by an impartial review of such a registration statement by the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authority will not be forthcoming. Seller understands that it cannot sell the Common Stock unless such sale is registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or exemptions from such registration become available. In this connection Seller understands that the shares of Common Stock are "restricted securities" under the 1933 Act and that they may not be transferred by me to any person without the prior consent of the Company, which consent of the Company will require an opinion of counsel to the effect that, in the event the shares of Common Stock are not registered under the 1933 Act, any transfer as may be proposed by Seller must be entitled to an exemption from the registration provisions of the 1933 Act. To this end, Seller acknowledges that a legend to the following effect will be placed upon the Convertible Note and if applicable, the certificate representing the Shares of Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY BE OFFERED AND SOLD ONLY IF REGISTERED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT OR IF AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER IS AVAILABLE, THE AVAILABILITY OF WHICH MUST BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COMPANY.

 

4.07. Accuracy of Representations. No certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Seller to the Buyer at the time of closing in respect of the representations, warranties or covenants of the Seller herein will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading and all of the representations and warranties of the Seller shall be true as at and as if made at the time of closing.

 

5.         COVENANTS OF THE SELLER.

 

5.01. Conduct of the Business. Until the time of closing, the Seller shall conduct the Seller's Business only in the ordinary course and will use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the Assets intact and to preserve for the Buyer its relationship with its lessors, suppliers, customers and others having business relations with it.

 

5.02. Access by Buyer. The Seller will give to the Buyer and Buyer's counsel, accountants and other representatives full access, during normal business hours throughout the period prior to the time of closing, to all of the properties, books, contracts, commitments and records of the Seller relating to all aspects of the Seller's business relevant to the Assets acquired herein and will furnish to the Buyer during such period all such information as the Buyer may reasonably request.

 

5.03. Covenants of Indemnity.

 

(a)       For a period of twenty-four months after the Effective Date (the "Indemnity Period"), Seller, its successors and assigns, will indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer from and against: any and all of Seller's liabilities, whether related to the Assets or otherwise, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, existing at the time of closing hereof, except those liabilities applicable to the assignments referenced in Section 1.01 and the assumptions referenced in Section 3.01, hereinabove;

 

(ii)          any and all damage or deficiencies resulting from any misrepresentation, breach of warranty, non-fulfillment of any covenant on the part of the Seller under this Agreement or from any misrepresentation in or omission from any certificate or other instrument furnished or to be furnished to the Buyer hereunder; and

 

(iii)          any and all actions, suits, proceedings, demands, assessments, judgments, costs and legal and other expenses incidental to any of the foregoing.

 

(b)       If Buyer ("Indemnified Party") believes that it has suffered or incurred or will suffer or incur any damages for which it is entitled to indemnification under this section, such Indemnified Party shall so notify the Seller during the Indemnity Period with reasonable promptness and reasonable particularity in light of the circumstances then existing (any such notice, an "Indemnification Claim Notice"). If any claim is instituted by or against a third party during the Indemnity Period with respect to which the Indemnified Party intends to claim any damages, the Indemnified Party additionally shall notify the Seller of such claim with reasonable promptness. Any Indemnification Claim Notice provided by an Indemnified Party to Seller shall describe each claim or the damages related thereto (each, an "Asserted Liability") in reasonable detail and shall indicate the amount (estimated, if necessary, and to the extent feasible) of the damages that have been or that the Indemnified Party reasonably believes at the time may be suffered by the Indemnified Party. If the Seller objects to indemnification of the Indemnified Party with respect to any Asserted Liability, the Seller must, within ten (10) days of receiving an Indemnification Claim Notice deliver to each Indemnified Party, a written notice to such effect in reasonable detail (an "Indemnification Claim Dispute Notice") and the Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party then shall, within the thirty (30)-day period commencing on the date of receipt by the Seller of such Indemnification Claim Dispute Notice, attempt in good faith to agree upon the rights of the respective parties with respect to each Asserted Liability to which the Indemnifying Party has objected in the Indemnification Claim Dispute Notice. If the Indemnified Party and the Seller succeed in reaching agreement on their respective rights with respect to any Asserted Liabilities, then the applicable parties shall promptly prepare and execute a memorandum setting forth such agreement with respect to each such Asserted Liability.

 

 

 

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(c)       If the Indemnified Party and the Seller do not succeed in reaching agreement on their respective rights with respect to any Asserted Liabilities, any dispute arising out of Asserted Liabilities shall be referred to and definitively resolved by mandatory binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or J.A.M.S. in accordance with their respective Commercial Arbitration Rules. The place of arbitration shall be an agreed upon location in Florida. The names of at least three possible arbitrators shall be promptly provided by AAA or JAMS to the parties soon after the demand for arbitration by either party. The parties shall agree on an arbitrator from the list provided, or either party may request that three additional names be provided from which they may select an arbitrator. If they are unable to reach agreement as to an arbitrator from the names provided, then AAA or JAMS may select an arbitrator from other impartials at AAA or JAMS. The arbitrator(s) shall comply with the laws of Florida. The judgment of the arbitrator(s) shall be accompanied by a written statement of the basis for such judgment and may be entered and enforced by any court having proper jurisdiction. The award of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to de novo judicial review. It is the express intent and understanding of the parties that each shall be entitled to enforce its respective rights under any provision hereof through specific performance, in addition to recovering damages caused by a breach of any provision hereof, and to obtain any and all other equitable remedies as may be awarded by the arbitrator. Notwithstanding the above, each party shall have the right to seek provisional remedies from a court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Under no circumstances shall the arbitrator be empowered to award punitive damages.

 

(d)       All Buyer indemnification claims for damages this Agreement shall be subject to indemnification by Seller under this Agreement only to the extent that the cumulative amount of such claims for damages by the Indemnified Party exceeds the sum of $5,000. Buyer's aggregate liability for claims under this Section 6.03 and other liabilities under or related to this Agreement shall not exceed the sum of the Purchase Price and earn out paid to Seller, except for claims based on actual fraud.

 

6.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER. The Buyer represents and warrants to the Seller as follows, with the intent that the Seller shall rely thereon in entering into this Agreement and in concluding the purchase and sale contemplated herein.

 

6.01. Status of Buyers. Grom is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the power and capacity to enter into this Agreement and carry out its terms. Newco is a to-be-formed wholly owned subsidiary of Grom.

 

6.02. Authority to Purchase. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the completion of the transaction contemplated hereby has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Buyer and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with its terms except as limited by laws of general application affecting the rights of creditors.

 

6.03. Sale Will Not Cause Default. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the completion of the purchase and sale contemplated herein, will:

 

(a)         violate any of the terms and provisions of the articles of Incorporation or bylaws of the Buyer, or any order, decree, statute, bylaw, regulation, covenant, or restriction applicable to the Buyer;

 

(b)         result in any fees, duties, taxes, assessments or other amounts relating to any of the Assets becoming due or payable other than sales tax payable by Buyer in connection with the purchase and sale.

 

6.04. Accuracy of Representations. No certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Buyer to the Seller at the time of closing in respect of the representations, warranties or covenants of the Buyer herein will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading and all of the representations and warranties of the Buyer shall be true as at and as if made at the time of closing.

 

6.05 Buyer's Indemnification of Seller. The Buyer, its successors and assigns, will indemnify and hold harmless the Seller and its shareholders (in the case of Seller's voluntary dissolution or liquidation), from and against any and all damage or deficiencies resulting from any misrepresentation, breach of warranty, non-fulfillment of any covenant on the part of Buyer under this Agreement or from any misrepresentation in or omission from any certificate or other instrument furnished or to be furnished to the Seller hereunder.

 

 

 

  5  

 

 

6.06 Authority to Issue Common Shares. The Buyer has taken all corporate actions necessary to duly and validly issue all Common Stock issuable under the Convertible Promissory Note and under Section 2.02 c. of this Agreement.

 

6.07 Valid Issuance. The Common Stock to be issued in connection with this Agreement will, when issued in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. If and when an exemption from registration becomes available the Buyer will, at its sole cost and one time only, arrange for the removal of any restrictive legend from any Grom stock certificate issued to the Seller relevant herein.

 

7.        SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.

 

7.01. Seller's Representations, Warranties and Covenants. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Seller pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by the Seller. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the Seller in this Agreement or pursuant hereto shall, unless otherwise expressly stated, survive the time of closing and any investigation at any time made by or on behalf of the Buyer and shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of the Buyer for a period of twenty-four months after the Effective Date.

 

7.02. Buyer's Representations, Warranties and Covenants. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Buyer pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by the Buyer. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the Buyer in this Agreement or pursuant hereto shall, unless otherwise expressly stated, survive the time of closing and any investigation at any time made by or on behalf of the Seller and shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of the Seller.

 

8.        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER. All obligations of the Buyer under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the time of closing of the conditions hereinafter enumerated.

 

8.01. Seller's Representations and Warranties. The Seller's representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or document delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be true at and as at the time of closing as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of such time.

 

8.02. Seller's Covenants. The Seller shall have performed and complied with all agreements, covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the time of closing. Grom shall ensure that its certificate of incorporation and all amendments to such certificate of incorporation authorizes sufficient shares of Common Stock that is unissued to cover the maximum amount of shares into which the Convertible Note may be converted.

 

The foregoing conditions are for the exclusive benefit of the Buyer and any such condition may be waived in whole or in part by the Buyer at or prior to the time of closing by delivering to the Seller a written waiver to that effect signed by the Buyer.

 

9.         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE SELLER. All obligations of the Seller under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, prior to the time of closing, of the conditions hereinafter enumerated.

 

9.01. Buyer's Representations and Warranties. The Buyer's representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or document delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be true at and as at the time of closing as if such representations and warranties were made at and as of such time. Each of the foregoing conditions are for the exclusive benefit of the Seller and any such condition may be waived in whole or in part by the Seller at or prior to the time of closing by delivering to the Buyer a waiver to that effect signed by the Seller.

 

9.02. Buyer's Covenants. The Buyer shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreement and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the time of closing.

 

 

 

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9.03. Closing Date. The Agreement shall have closed on or by January 15, 2017.

 

9.04. Buyer Approval. The transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been duly and validly approved by Grom's Board of Directors and this Agreement shall have been duly and validly adopted as required by Delaware Law.

 

9.05. Illegality. No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect, nor shall any action have been taken by any governmental entity or authority seeking any of the foregoing and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, that makes the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal.

 

9.06. Governmental Approvals. Grom and Newco shall have timely obtained from each governmental entity or authority all approvals, waivers and consents, if any, necessary for consummation of, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

9.07. Certificates. Grom and Newco shall have delivered to Seller certificates, dated as of the Closing Date, executed on behalf of Grom and Newco by duly authorized officers of Grom and Newco to the effect that each of the conditions set forth in this Section 10. has been satisfied.

 

9.08. Resolutions. Grom and Newco shall have delivered to Seller certificates, dated as of the Closing Date and executed on behalf of Grom and Newco by their Secretaries, certifying Grom's and Newco's (A) certificates of incorporation, (B) bylaws, (C) board resolutions approving this Agreement and declaring the advisability thereof, and (D) other matters in the Seller's reasonable discretion.

 

10.       CLOSING.

 

10.01. Time of Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the purchase and sale of the Assets shall be completed at a closing to be held on January 13th, 2017

 

10.02. Place of Closing. The closing shall take place at the offices of Telemate.Net Software, 5555 Triangle Pkwy, Suite 150, Norcross, GA 30092.

 

10.03. For Delivery by the Seller. Seller shall deliver to Buyer the following at Closing:

 

a.         a duly executed Bill of Sale;

 

b.       a duly executed Assignment of Tradename

 

10.04 For Delivery by the Buyer. Buyer shall deliver to Seller the following at Closing:

 

a.         a duly executed Convertible Promissory Note.

 

b.         Delivery of the Master Services Agreement

 

c.         the Certificates described in Sections 10.07 and 10.08.

 

11.        POST-CLOSING COVENANTS.

 

11.01 Notices of Certain Events. From and after the Closing Date, Grom and Newco shall promptly notify Seller of: (a) any notice or other communication from any Person challenging the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or making any claims in connection therewith or related thereto; (b) any notice or other oral or written communication from any governmental authority in connection with or relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or(c) any event, condition or circumstance that constitutes, or could be deemed to have constituted as of the Closing Date, a breach or violation of any representation, warranty, or covenant of a party under this Agreement. (d).

 

 

 

  7  

 

 

11.02 Post Closing Items.

 

(a)         Grom and Newco shall pay all sales and/or use taxes imposed on the sale of assets under this Agreement and all documentary state, county and local transfer taxes and recording taxes relating to the transactions and documents contemplated herein.

 

(b)         All covenants, representations and warranties given by Grom and/or Newco under this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing until the later of the date which is (x) six (6) years from the Closing Date or (y) ninety (90) days after the respective applicable statute of limitations has expired.

 

(c)         Within sixty (60) days after the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a schedule that allocates the value of the consideration among the assets sold to Newco (the "Purchase Price Allocation") in accordance with the principles of Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder ("Section 1060"). Any subsequent adjustments to the amount of the consideration for the assets shall be reflected in the Purchase Price Allocation in a manner consistent with Section 1060 as determined by Seller. Grom, Newco and Seller shall file the Asset Acquisition Statement prepared by Seller, and the parties hereby agree that no party shall take a position that is inconsistent with the Purchase Price Allocation in any filings, declarations or reports with the Internal Revenue Service, and such parties hereby agree to make consistent use of such allocation for all tax purposes.

 

12.         NOTICES. All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and personally delivered to the address of the intended recipient set forth on the first page hereof, or at such other address as may from time to time be notified by any of the parties hereto in the manner herein provided.

 

13.         ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties and there are no representations or warranties, express or implied, statutory or otherwise and no agreements collateral hereto other than as expressly set forth or referred to herein.

 

14.        TIME OF THE ESSENCE. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.

 

15.        APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

16.        SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

17.         CAPTIONS. The captions appearing in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18.         ATTORNEY FEES. If a dispute arises between the parties hereto and such dispute can only be resolved by litigation then, in such case, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to recover all costs of such action, including but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees.

 

19.       COUNTERPARTS FACSIMILE EXECUTION. For purposes of this Agreement, a document (or signature page thereto) signed and transmitted electronically or by facsimile machine or telecopier is to be treated as an original document. The signature of any party thereon, for purposes hereof, is to be considered as an original signature, and the document transmitted is to be considered to have the same binding effect as an original signature on an original document. At the request of any party, a facsimile or telecopy document is to be re-executed in original form by the parties who executed the facsimile or telecopy document. No party may raise the use of a facsimile machine or telecopier machine as a defense to the enforcement of the Agreement or any amendment or other document executed in compliance with this Section.

 

[Remainder of Page intentionally left blank

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

GROM HOLDINGS, I NC.

 

 

By: / s/ Melvin Leiner         Date        

Melvin Leiner, Executive Vice President

 

TELEMATE.NET SOFTWARE, LLC.

 

 

By: /s/ Steven Tabaska       Date 1/12/17

Its Steven Tabaska, Manager LLC & CEO

 

 

 

NetSpective WebFilter, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Steven Tabaska       Date 1/12/17

Its Steven Tabaska, Manager LLC & CEO

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A1

ASSETS - INVENTORY

 

NetSpective Appliance Inventory at Unicomm Engineering - NEI

 

Description/Issued Serial Number Model Qty Dollar Value
Finished Goods (NNG00162910261) 15H1 1 $5,338.31
Inland (NNG00142410127, NNG00142410128) 12H 2 $4,964.40
(NNG00144810025.26,28,29,30,NGG00 143210001) 12Q 5 $5,318.05
  Total Value $ 15,620.75

 

NetSpective Appliance Inventory - Evaluation Stock

 

Serial Number Model Qty Dollar Value
NNG00121610180 15R- Engineering 1 $1,278.11
NING00115210233 15H1- Engineering 1 $5,338.31
NNG00163010204 15R EVAL - Riverside 1 $1.278.11
NNG00162910092 15R EVAL- Riverside 1 $1,278.11
NNG00162710095 15R EVAL - Golden West Technologies 1 $1.278.11
NNG00151910018 15R EVAL - Ednetics Inc 1 $1.278.11
NNG00163010205 15R EVAL - Webb City Schools 1 $1,278.11
NNG00163010203 15R EVAL - Webb City Schools 1 $1,278.11
NNG001161210413 15R EVAL - PT Nusargara Utama 1 $1,278.11
NNG001613113008 15R EVAL - Mukilteo School District 1 $1278.11
  Total Value $ 16,141.30

 

 

 

 

  10  

 

Netpective Appliance Inventory - Equipment in Quality Assurance

 

Serial Number Model Qty Dollar Value
NNG00152710242 15R - QA 1 $1,278.11
NNG00134910375 12D - QA 1 $976.20
NNG00144810071 12D - QA 1 $976.20
  Total Value $3,230.51

 

Netspective Legacy Appliance Inventory - Evaluation Stock

 

Serial Number Model Oty Dollar Value
NNG00121610180 6D 1 $866.78
NNG000115210233 6Q

1 $966.72
NNG00142410098 12D 1 $976.20
NNG001334101540 12D 1 $976.20
NNG00123410332 D 6D 1 $866.78
NNG00121610182 6D 1 $866.28
NNG00122210296 6Q 1 $966.72
  Total Value $3,230.51

 

Ordered Inventory (not yet built, shipped, Invoiced or paid for) at Unicomm Engineering - NEI

 

Description/Issued Serial Number Model Qty Dollar Value
Work in Progress 15R 5 $6,390.55
Pending First Article 16HI 1 $4,650.00
Finished Goods (NNG00165210206, NNG00165210207) 16HI 2 $9,300.00
  Total Value $20,340.55

 

 

SUMMARY  
Inventory at the Manufacturer Facility   $15,680.76
Inventory at Customer Prospect - Evaluation   $16,840.30
Legacy Inventory for Repair/Return   $3,230.51
      $6,486.18
  Total Inventory $42,178.78
     
Ordered/Committed Inventory / not Invoiced   $20,340.55

 

 

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EXHIBIT A2

ASSETS - All Other Assets Excluding Inventory

 

1) Software for the NetSpective WebFilter
2)   Software for the NetAuditor
3) Software for On-Line Services (OLS) supporting NetSpective
4) Hardware Servers in the OLS supporting NetSpective
a) DELL PowerEdge R710, ESXi Server — ATLO2ESX04
b) DELL PowerEdge R720xd, ESXi Server — ATLO2ESX05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT "B"

FORM OF BILL OF SALE

 

BILL OF SALE dated January 12, 2017 from TeleMate.Net Software, LLC, a Georgia Limited Liability Company (the "Seller") to Grom Holdings, Inc., its successors and assigns, a Delaware corporation (the "Buyer").

 

WITNESSETH, that in exchange for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by Seller, Seller hereby sells, conveys, transfers, assigns and delivers to Buyer, its successors and assigns, to have and hold forever the following personal property in which Seller has good and marketable title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

 

See Exhibit "A" attached hereto

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Bill of Sale to be signed the day and year first above written.

 

   

SELLER: TeleMate.Net Software, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Steven Tabaska

Steven Tabaska, Manager of LLC & CEO

 

 

BUYER: GROM HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By: /s/ Melvin Leiner

 

Melvin Leiner, Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT "C"

ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION TRADE NAME

This Agreement is made as of the 1st of January 2017 ("Effective Date") by and between Grom Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with a to be formed wholly owned subsidiary ("Newco") (Newco and Grom Holdings, Inc. hereinafter jointly referred to as the "Assignee" or "Grom"), 2060 NW Boca Raton, Boulevard, Suite #6, Boca Raton, Fl. 33431 and TeleMate.Net Software, LLC, together with its duly formed subsidiary NetSpective WebFilter, a Georgia Limited Liability Company jointly referred to as the "Assignor", 5555 Triangle Parkway, Suite 150, Norcross, GA 30092, who hereby agree as follows:

Trade name to be assigned: NetSpective WebFilter

RECITALS

 

Whereas, TeleMate.Net Software LLC, 5555 Triangle Pkwy. Suite 150 Norcross GA 30092 has adopted, used and is using the trade name, which is registered with the Georgia Secretary of State, and whereas: Grom Holding Inc, 2060 NW Boca Raton, Boulevard, Suite #6, Boca Raton, Fl. 33431 desires to acquire said trade name and registration thereto; and

 

Whereas, TeleMate.Net Software LLC is the sole member of NetSpective WebFilter LLC and has the rights, title and interest in the trade name to be assigned; and

 

Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Assignor does hereby assign to the Assignee all right, title and interest in and to said trade name.

 

Assignor:

 

/s/ Steven Tabaska       1/12/17

Steven Tabaska, manager of LLC and CEO

 

Assignee:

 

______________________________

Melvin Leiner, Executive Vice President

 

1) TRADEMARK

 

The Seller has not registered the Trademark. The name NetSpective has been in uses by another company, unrelated to the Seller, since the product launch in 2001. The Seller has used "NetSpective Webfilter" as the product name and the only protection has been a copyright ©. The Seller assigns all rights to the copyright © to the Buyer. Seller agrees to execute all papers and to perform such other proper acts as Buyer may deem necessary to secure for Buyer or her successors and assigns the rights herein assigned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT "D"

 

ASSIGNMENT OF LOGO

 

This Copyright Assignment agreement is made between Telemate.Net Software LLC ("Seller") and Grom Holding Inc. ("Buyer"). Seller represents and warrants that they are the sole creator and owner of the logos and or website graphic elements designed and created for NetSpective WebFilter product line and attached hereto as an exhibit (the "Works") and Seller holds the complete and undivided copyright interest in and to the Works. For valuable consideration, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Buyer and Seller agree as follows:

 

1.    Seller does hereby assign and agree to assign and transfer to Buyer, its successors and assigns, the entire right, title and interest in and to the copyright in the Works and any registrations and copyright applications relating thereto and any renewals and extensions thereof, and in and to all works based upon, derived from, or incorporating the Works, and in and to all income, royalties, damages, claims and payments now or hereafter due or payable with respect thereto, and in and to all causes of action, either in law or in equity for past, present, or future infringement based on the copyrights, and in and to all rights corresponding to the foregoing throughout the world.

 

2.    Seller agrees to execute all papers and to perform such other proper acts as Buyer may deem necessary to secure for Buyer or her successors and assigns the rights herein assigned.

 

3.    No other rights are granted to or retained by the Seller.

 

4.    This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. A pdf copy of a signature shall be deemed an original.

 

In witness whereof, the parties have executed this Agreement.


SELLER: TeleMate.Net Software, LLC

 

By: /s/ Steven Tabaska       Date: 1/12/17

Steven Tabaska, Manager of LLC & CEO

 

 

 

BUYER: GROM HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By: / s/ Melvin Leiner       Date        

Melvin Leiner, Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT "E"

CONVERTIBLE NOTE

 

The Convertible Promissory Note is a separate document.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT "F"

ASSUMED LIABILITIES

 

The Total Assumed Liabilities from customer contracts prior to January 1st 2017 are $78,104.87.

 

Assumed Liabilities for 2017 are $51,015.44

Assumed Liabilities for 2018 and beyond are $27,089.43

 

Assumed Liabilities list will be delivered in a PDF format and will be included as part of this contract. Assumed liabilities for customer contracts are calculated by separating profit and liabilities to service contracts from total deferred revenues. The liabilities to service contracts is at a rate of 15%.

 

In witness whereof, the parties have acknowledged the receipt of the Assumed Liabilities PDF.

 

SELLER: TeleMate.Net Software, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Steven Tabaska       /s/ Steven Tabaska

Steven Tabaska, Manager of LLC & CEO

 

BUYER: GROM HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By: / s/ Melvin Leiner       Date        

Melvin Leiner, Executive Vice President

 

 

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EXHIBIT "G"

MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT ("MSA")

 

Post-closing and for a period of twelve months through the period ended December 31, 2017 Seller agrees to provide the following services to the Buyer as well as assume 100% of the cash risk in operating the NetSpective division in its customary fashion. Capitalized terms not defined in this MSA shall be defined as provided in the Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into by Seller and Buyer effective January 1, 2017 (the "Agreement").

 

1. Seller shall provide five (5) NetSpective team members encompassing customer service, software, accounting, support, office space and all other items needed to run the service (OLS, Co-lo space, backup, antivirus, Rulespase, Office Space) . The five team members are

 

a.   Mark Newton — Vice President

b.   Rene Campbell — Director, Engineering

c.   Mark Ivester — Software Engineer

d.   Dan - in Patterson — QA Engineer

e.   William (Bill) Babij — Sales Engineer

 

If any of these team members leave the employment of Seller during the term of this MSA, Seller will as promptly as reasonably possible replace the person with another person capable of providing the same service.

 

The price of these services and office facilities shall be fixed at $25,000 per month until December 31, 2017.

 

2. The Seller shall work with the Buyer to develop a monthly reporting system detailing all cash received and all expenses incurred. ("Monthly Report")

 

(ii) In the event that cash received by Newco is less than its expenses for any monthly, quarterly or annual period on a monthly or cumulative basis, any cash shortfall shall be assumed by the Seller. The Buyer will have no commitment to invest or lend any cash whatsoever, to support Newco operations through the period ended December 31, 2017.
(iii) In the event that the cash received by Newco is greater than its expenses, the excess cash calculated on a monthly and quarterly basis, will enure to the Seller until December 31, 2017 at which time the Seller and the Buyer shall calculate an annual report aggregating all Monthly Reports ("Annual Report")
(iv) If the cumulative cash received on the Annual Report exceeds expenses, the first $265,000 in cash shall belong to Seller, any excess above that amount shall belong to the Buyer

 

3. Sales Commission shall be paid at the rate of:

 

a. Sales to customers with renewal date after the Effective Date but invoiced prior to the Effective Date have a commission rate of 15%
b. Sales to customers after the Effective Date have a commission rate of 10%

 

4. In addition to operating NetSpective division in its customary fashion, they may be optional projects requested. These optional projects will need to be defined by the Buyer in a Statement Of Work (SOW) and scoped by Seller. If these optional projects are outside the customary operation of the NetSpective business and is approved by the Buyer, any expenses associated with these projects shall not be included in the calculation collected collimated cash in 2 (iii) above or in the Earnout provisions.

 

5. Buyer shall not take any action nor fail to take any action that materially adversely affects Seller's ability to perform under this MSA, including without limitation, selling, transferring or encumbering any of the Assets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.22

 

LEASE

 

THIS LEASE , made as of the _____ day of ___________, 2017, by and between REALCO GA 001, LLC , a Georgia limited liability company, hereinafter referred to as “Landlord,” and GROM EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, a _________________, hereinafter referred to as “Tenant” and Top Draw Animation, Inc ., “Guarantor.”

 

WITNESSETH: That for and in consideration of the rents, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, Landlord and Tenant hereby agree as follows:

 

1.        Premises and Common Areas . Landlord does hereby let, lease and demise unto the Tenant, and Tenant hereby takes and hires from Landlord, all that certain space containing approximately 1,897 rentable square feet (the “Premises”) belonging, situated and located in Suite 2500 of that certain building located at 3280 in the City of Peachtree Corners, State of Georgia (hereinafter the “Building”). The Premises is more particularly described on Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The parties stipulate and agree that the foregoing square footage measurement is conclusive for all purposes of this Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the measurement of the Premises shall be subject to adjustment in the event of an expansion or contraction of the Premises. As used herein, the term “Project” means the Building and the land on which the Building is situated and all “Common Areas” (as hereinafter defined).

 

1.2        Common Areas . Tenant shall have the right to use the “Common Areas” (as hereinafter defined) in common with others, and in accordance with the terms of this Lease. As used herein, “Common Areas” shall refer to those certain areas and facilities of the Project that are from time to time provided by Landlord, in its discretion, for the use of tenants of the Building and their employees, clients, customers, licensees and invitees, or for use by the public, which facilities and improvements might include exterior parking areas, access drives, driveways, curbs, lobby areas, stairways, landscaped areas, sidewalks, walkways, picnic areas and lighting standards and fixtures.

 

2.        Term . The term of this Lease (hereinafter referred to as the “Term”) will commence upon the full execution and delivery of this Lease (the “Commencement Date”); provided, however, that Tenant shall not be obligated to pay “Base Rent” or “Tenant’s Operating Expense Payment” (both as hereinafter defined) until the “Rent Commencement Date” (as hereinafter defined). As used herein, the term “Rent Commencement Date” means the later to occur of the following: (a) the date on which Tenant occupies any portion of the Premises and begins conducting business therein; (b) the date on which the “Tenant’s Work” (as hereafter defined) is substantially completed; or (c) November 1, 2017. The Lease shall expire at 11:59 pm on the last day of the calendar month in which the day immediately preceding the date that is sixty-five (65) months after the Rent Commencement Date occurs (the “Expiration Date”). If Tenant, for whatever reason, occupies the Premises prior to the Commencement Date, then all terms and conditions of this Lease shall apply to such occupancy, with the exception of Tenant’s obligation to pay Base Rent and Tenant’s Operating Expense Payment, which, as set forth above, shall not commence until the Rent Commencement Date.

 

3.        Rent . As used in this Lease, the term “Rent” refers to the “Base Rent,” all “Additional Rent” (both as hereinafter defined) and all other sums due from Tenant to Landlord hereunder. Tenant hereby covenants and agrees to pay to Landlord, without notice, demand, offset, deduction or counterclaim, in lawful money of the United States of America, the following: (a) commencing on the Rent Commencement Date, Base Rent and Tenant’s Operating Expense Payment; and (b) commencing on the Commencement Date, all other amounts payable under this Lease. Except as may be expressly set forth herein to the contrary, all such payments are due and payable in advance on or before the first day of each month. If the Term of the Lease begins on a date other than the first day of a month, rent from such other date to the first day of the month next following shall be prorated at the rate of one-thirtieth (1/30 th ) of the monthly amount for each day, payable in advance.

 

3.1        Base Rent . Commencing on the Rent Commencement Date, the Base Rent for the Premises shall be as follows:

 


Lease Year

 

Base Rent per Rentable Square Foot per Annum
Annual Base Rent

Monthly Base Rent
1 $13.00 $24,661.00 $2,055.08
2 $13.39 $25,400.83 $2,116.74
3 $13.79 $26,162.85 $2,180.24
4 $14.21 $26,947.74 $2,245.65
5 $14.63 $27,756.17 $2,313.01
6 $15.07 $28,588.86 $2,382.40
       

 

 

 

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Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Lease, provided that no event of default then exists beyond any applicable cure period, one hundred percent (100%) of Base Rental due for the first five (5) months in the first year during the term of this agreement (the “Rental Abatement”) shall be suspended. If an event of default occurs at any time between the Effective Date and the expiration of the Term, then the amounts for the Rental Abatement which were suspended, together with any other applicable charges, shall become immediately due and payable to Landlord. If no uncured event of default occurs between the Effective Date and the expiration of the Term and Tenant timely turns over possession of the Premises in the condition required upon expiration of the Lease, then the amounts for the Rental Abatement which were suspended will be deemed waived at the expiration of the Term.

 

As used herein, the term “Lease Year” means each twelve (12) month period beginning on the Rent Commencement Date; provided, however, if the Rent Commencement Date is not the first day of the month, the first Lease Year shall commence on the Rent Commencement Date and end on the last day of the twelfth (12 th ) month thereafter and the second and each succeeding Lease Year shall commence on the first day of the next calendar month.

 

3.2        Additional Rent . As used herein, the term “Additional Rent” means all sums other than Base Rent payable by Tenant to Landlord under this Lease, including, without limitation, Tenant’s Operating Expense Payment, late charges, overtime or excess service charges, damages, interest and other costs related to Tenant’s failure to perform any of its obligations under this Lease. Tenant shall have a base year (“Base Year”) of 2017. With respect to each calendar year (or portion thereof) after the Base Year, Tenant shall pay, as Additional Rent for each such year, Tenant’s pro rata share of Operating Expenses incurred with respect to such year as and when specified below based upon the Project being 95% occupied and fully assessed for real estate taxes (“Tenant’s Operating Expense Payment”). With respect to each such year after the Base Year, it is understood and agreed that Tenant shall initially pay to Landlord an estimate of Tenant’s Operating Expense Payment in the manner set forth below. Said estimate shall be adjusted, as necessary, based on the preceding year’s Operating Expenses. In the first quarter of each calendar year of the Term of this Lease (or as soon thereafter as is practicable), Landlord shall determine the total Operating Expenses for the preceding calendar year, on the basis of Landlord’s actual Operating Expenses for the preceding year, and calculate Tenant’s pro rata share thereof and apply the estimated payments previously made by Tenant for such period. If the actual Operating Expenses for the preceding year exceed the estimated amounts, Landlord shall invoice Tenant for such excess, which shall be considered Additional Rent due hereunder. Tenant’s pro rata share means the percentage determined by dividing the then-current rentable square footage of the Premises (the numerator) by the rentable square footage of the Building (16,974) (the denominator), and expressing the resulting fraction as a percentage. For example, the estimated Operating Expenses for calendar year 2018 would be based on the Landlord’s actual Operating Expenses for 2017 (January-December). The estimated Tenant’s Operating Expense Payment for each year shall be payable to Landlord in twelve equal monthly installments, due and payable on or before the first day of each month. For the purposes of this Lease, the term “Operating Expenses” shall mean all expenses and disbursements of every kind which Landlord incurs, pays or becomes obligated to pay in connection with the ownership, operation and maintenance of the Project, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

a.       real property taxes and assessments attributable to the Project;

 

b.       costs of Landlord’s insurance premiums for the insurance policies covering the Project;

 

c.       repair and maintenance costs, including to the extent applicable, but not limited to, the cost of repair and maintenance to such areas as public restroom facilities, lobbies, vestibules, stairwells, sidewalks, parking areas and driveways, as well as costs of lawn care and removal of snow, ice, leaves or other debris from the sidewalks, parking areas and public entrances;

 

d.       wages and salaries (including management fees) of all employees engaged in the operation, repair, replacement, maintenance and security of the Project, including taxes, insurance and benefits relating thereto;

 

e.       all supplies and materials used in the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement and security of the Project;

 

f.       the annual cost of all capital improvements made to the Project which, although capital in nature, can reasonably be expected to reduce the normal operating costs of the Project, as well as all capital improvements made in order to comply with any “Legal Requirements” (as hereinafter defined) promulgated by any governmental authority or which are designed to protect or enhance the health, safety or welfare of the tenants in the Building or their invitees, as amortized over the useful economic life of such improvements as determined by Landlord in its reasonable discretion (without regard to the period over which such improvements may be depreciated or amortized for federal income tax purposes);

 

 

 

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g.       the cost of all electricity, water and other utilities (other than the cost of utilities directly reimbursed to Landlord through submeters or comparable devices, as opposed to utility costs included as a component of Operating Expenses) provided to the Building’s tenants (including Tenant), or to the Common Areas or other non-leasable portions of the Project;

 

h.       a management fee and other expenses incurred for the general operation and management of the Project and the Building; and

 

i.       payments under any easement, license, operating agreement, declaration, restrictive covenant or instrument pertaining to the sharing of costs by the Project or the Building.

 

 

 

3.3       All installments of Rent, and all other amounts of money payable by Tenant to Landlord under this Lease, if not received by Landlord on the date due, shall: (a) be subject to a late fee equal to the greater of: (i) ten percent (10%) of the amount past due; or (ii) One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), which late fee represents an agreed upon charge for the administrative expense suffered by Landlord as a result of such late payment and not payment for the use of money or a penalty; and (b) the amount past due (excluding late fees), shall bear simple interest from the date due until paid at twelve percent (12%) per annum (the “Interest Rate”); and Tenant agrees to pay said late fee and interest immediately and without demand. However, if at the time such interest is sought to be imposed, the Interest Rate exceeds the maximum rate permitted under federal law or under the laws of the state in which the Premises are located, the Interest Rate shall be the maximum rate of interest then permitted by applicable law. Should Tenant make a partial payment of past due amounts, the amount of such partial payment shall be applied first to late fees, second to accrued but unpaid interest at the Interest Rate and third to past due amounts in the order of their due dates, starting with the earliest date, notwithstanding any contrary endorsement or statement on any check or other form of payment. The provision for such late charge shall be in addition to all of Landlord’s other rights and remedies hereunder or at law or in equity and shall not be construed as liquidated damages or as limiting Landlord’s remedies in any manner.

 

4.        Tenant’s Use of the Premises . Tenant shall use the Premises only for office purposes. Such use shall be in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements. Tenant shall not use the Premises for any unlawful purpose, or in violation of any Legal Requirements, or in any manner which constitutes a nuisance, and Tenant shall not do any act in or about the Premises, or bring anything onto or in the Premises or the Project, which will in any way increase the rate of insurance on, or cause the cancellation of any insurance relating to, the Premises or the Project, or deface or injure the Premises or the Project.

 

5.        Landlord’s Representation of Quiet Enjoyment . Tenant, while paying the Rent and performing its other covenants and agreements contained in this Lease, shall quietly enjoy the Premises for the Term without hindrance or disturbance from Landlord, subject to the terms and provisions of this Lease.

 

6.        Delivery and Condition of Premises . Tenant hereby acknowledges that it has inspected the Premises. Landlord shall deliver the Premises to Tenant and Tenant shall accept the Premises from Landlord in their then-existing, “as-is” condition, as of the Commencement Date. Neither Landlord nor Landlord’s agents have made any representations, warranties or promises with respect to the Project, the physical condition of the Building, or the Premises, or any matter or thing affecting or related to the Premises, except as may be expressly set forth in this Lease. Tenant, by taking possession of the Premises, shall be deemed to have agreed that the Premises are then in satisfactory order, repair and condition. If Landlord, for any reason whatsoever, fails to deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant on the Commencement Date, this Lease shall not be void or voidable, nor shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for any loss or damage resulting therefrom.

 

 

 

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6.1.        Tenant Work . Except as may be expressly set forth in this Lease, Landlord shall have no obligation to make any improvements or modifications to the Premises except those listed in Exhibit “C” (“Landlord’s Work”). After the Rent Commencement Date has been determined, Landlord shall send a “Commencement and Completion Lease Certificate,” in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “B” and by this reference made a part hereof, to Tenant and Tenant shall execute and return such Commencement and Completion Lease Certificate to Landlord within fifteen (15) days after Tenant’s receipt thereof. If Tenant fails to execute and return such Commencement and Completion Lease Certificate to Landlord, or to provide written notice to Landlord that it disputes the accuracy of the Commencement and Completion Lease Certificate prepared by Landlord within such fifteen (15) day period, the matters set forth in the Commencement and Completion Lease Certificate shall be conclusively presumed to be true and correct .

 

7.        Maintenance.

 

7.1        Tenant’s Maintenance . Tenant shall at its sole cost and expense keep and maintain the Premises and all improvements now or hereafter constructed on said Premises in good and tenantable condition, in clean, healthful and sanitary condition, including, without limitation, any Alterations (hereinafter defined) made by Tenant to the Premises and any fixtures or trade fixtures now or hereafter installed on the Premises, so that all of the foregoing shall at all times be in compliance with the requirements of all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and codes in effect as of the date hereof or at any time during the Term or any Renewal Term of this Lease, and in substantially as good a condition as existed on the Commencement Date, normal wear and tear excepted. Tenant’s obligations hereunder shall include performance of all necessary maintenance and repairs to the interior of the Premises and all improvements, fixtures, trade fixtures thereon and appliances therein, except those to be performed by Landlord as specified in subsection 7.2 below. In addition, Tenant shall be responsible for repairs and maintenance to the Premises caused by Tenant’s negligence or misuse of Tenant, its employees, agents, licensees, subcontractors or invitees or due the failure of Tenant to perform its obligations under this Lease.

 

7.2        Landlord Maintenance . Landlord shall be responsible for the repair and maintenance of: (a) the roof, foundation, permanent structural elements and exterior walls of the Building; (b) electrical lines, plumbing lines, fire prevention sprinkler system and other systems serving the Premises but located outside of the Premises; (c) any necessary replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system; and (d) repair and maintenance of the Common Areas. The costs of all of the foregoing shall be included in Operating Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall be obligated to reimburse to Landlord the cost of any maintenance or repairs to the extent the necessity therefor is caused by the negligence or misuse of Tenant, its employees, agents, licensees, subcontractors or invitees, or by the failure of Tenant to perform its obligations under this Lease. Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord in the event of learning of the occurrence or existence of any condition or damage to the Premises or otherwise obtaining knowledge of the need for any repairs or maintenance required to be made by Landlord to the Premises. No compensation or claim or diminution of Rent will be allowed or paid by Landlord by reason of inconvenience, annoyance or injury to business, arising from the necessity of repairing the Premises or any portion of the Premises or Project, however the necessity may occur, as determined in the sole discretion of Landlord. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Landlord shall: (i) have no obligation to replace or repair any personal property of Tenant; and (ii) not be liable for any failure to make any repairs or to perform any maintenance required of Landlord hereunder, unless such failure shall persist for an unreasonable period of time after written notice of the need for such repairs or maintenance is given to Landlord by Tenant in accordance with the “notices” provision of this Lease.

 

8.        Utilities and Services . Landlord shall be solely responsible for and shall make all arrangements for all utilities and services for the Premises. Landlord shall pay and Tenant shall reimburse as Operating Expenses all utilities, including gas, electricity, water, sanitary sewer, incinerator, garbage, fire service, including the cost of installation, maintenance, repair or replacement thereof. Tenant understands and is aware that all utilities and services shall be furnished to the Premises by third parties, and Tenant covenants and agrees that Landlord shall not be liable or responsible for any damage on account of the interruption of, or failure of the third parties to supply, such utilities and services for any reason.

 

8.1        Interruption of Services . Landlord does not warrant that any services Landlord supplies will not be interrupted. Services may be interrupted because of accidents, repairs, alterations, improvements or any reason beyond the reasonable control of Landlord. Any interruption shall not: (a) be considered an eviction or disturbance of Tenant’s use and possession of the Premises; (b) make Landlord liable to Tenant for any damages related thereto, including but not limited to, loss of income; (c) abate the Base Rent or Additional Rent; or (d) relieve Tenant from performing Tenant’s obligations under the Lease.

 

 

 

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9.        Taxes Payable by Tenant . Tenant shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes on Tenant’s personal property located or placed upon the Premises as the same become due and payable. Tenant shall pay Landlord upon demand (or monthly along with payments of Rent in the case of taxes measured by the Rent payable hereunder), as Additional Rent, for any and all taxes payable by Landlord (other than net income taxes) whether or not now customary or within the contemplation of the parties hereto: (a) upon, measured by or reasonably attributable to the cost or value of Tenant’s personal property or by the cost or value of any Alterations, regardless of whether title to such Alterations shall be in Tenant or Landlord; (b) upon or measured by the Rent payable hereunder, including, without limitation, any gross income tax, sales tax or excise tax with respect to the receipt of any form of Rent under this Lease, levied by any taxing authority or any other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Project, notwithstanding the fact that the law imposing the tax may endeavor to impose it on Landlord; (c) upon or with respect to the possession, leasing, operation, management, maintenance, alteration, repair, use or occupancy by Tenant of the Premises or any portion thereof; (d) upon this transaction or any document to which Tenant is a party creating or transferring an interest in the Premises. In the event that it shall not be lawful for Tenant so to reimburse Landlord, the monthly Base Rent payable to Landlord under this Lease shall be revised to net Landlord the same net Base Rent after imposition of any such tax upon Landlord as would have been payable to Landlord prior to the imposition of any such tax.

 

10.        Alterations and Improvements by Tenant .

 

10.1        General Requirements . Tenant shall not make any improvements, alterations, additions, remodeling or installations (“Alterations”) without Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld if such Alterations: (a) are non-structural and do not affect any Building systems; (b) affect only the Premises, and no other tenants or their premises, and are not visible from outside of the Premises; (c) do not affect the certificate of occupancy issued for the Building or the Premises; and (d) do not violate any Legal Requirements. Landlord may impose, as a condition of its consent to any Alterations, such requirements as Landlord in its sole discretion may deem desirable, including, but not limited to, the requirement that Tenant utilize for such purposes only contractors, subcontractors, materials, mechanics and/or materialmen acceptable to Landlord. Prior to making any Alterations, Tenant, at its expense, shall obtain all permits, approvals and certificates required under any Legal Requirements. In the event that Tenant makes any Alterations, prior to the commencement of such Alterations, Tenant shall provide Landlord with evidence that Tenant’s general contractor carries commercial general liability insurance (including property damage coverage), worker’s compensation insurance, and “Builder’s Risk” insurance in an amount approved by Landlord covering the construction of such Alterations, and such other insurance as Landlord may require. In addition, Landlord may, in its discretion, require Tenant to obtain lien, payment and performance bonds, or some alternate form of security satisfactory to Landlord, in an amount sufficient to ensure the lien-free completion of such Alterations and naming Landlord and any “Mortgagee” (as hereinafter defined) as co-obligees. All Alterations shall be performed: (i) in a diligent, good and workmanlike manner according to the customary standards of the trade and to the reasonable satisfaction of Landlord; (ii) substantially in accordance with the plans, and by the contractors, approved by Landlord; and (iii) in compliance with all Legal Requirements, the terms of this Lease and all construction procedures and regulations then prescribed by Landlord. Tenant shall pay promptly to Landlord, upon demand, all out-of-pocket costs actually incurred by Landlord in connection with any Alterations, including costs incurred in connection with Landlord’s review of any plans.

 

10.2        Legal Compliance . The approval of any plans relating to any Alterations, and consent by Landlord to the making of any Alterations, do not constitute Landlord’s representation that such plans or Alterations comply with any Legal Requirements. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant or any other party in connection with Landlord’s approval of any plans, or Landlord’s consent to Tenant’s performing any Alterations. In the event Tenant performs any Alterations in the Premises which require or give rise to governmentally required changes to any structural portions of the Building, Building systems or the Common Areas, then Landlord shall make such changes at Tenant’s cost and expense.

 

10.3        Removal . On or prior to the Lease Expiration Date, Tenant shall, unless otherwise directed by Landlord, at Tenant’s expense, remove all wiring, cabling, telecom and data equipment installed by or for Tenant, both within the Premises and outside the Premises. The removal of wiring and cabling shall be carried out by a qualified cabling contractor approved by Landlord, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. Furthermore, unless Tenant receives written approval from Landlord at the time Landlord approves such Alterations to surrender such Alterations with the Premises, Landlord may, by written notice to Tenant, require Tenant, at Tenant’s expense, to remove any Alterations. Tenant shall be required to repair any damage to the Premises and/or the Project caused by the removal of any items under this Paragraph 10.3. If Tenant fails to complete such removal and/or to repair any damage caused by such removal, Landlord may do so and may charge the cost thereof to Tenant. All other Alterations shall become Landlord’s property upon expiration or earlier termination of this Lease. Tenant’s obligations under this Paragraph 10.3 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

 

 

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10.4        Mechanic’s Liens . At all times, Tenant shall keep the Premises free from any and all mechanic’s, materialman’s, laborer’s and other liens, whether for material or work with respect to any Alterations or otherwise; provided, that in the event Landlord receives a notice of any such lien for material or work claimed to have been furnished to the Premises on Tenant’s behalf, Tenant shall be so notified and Tenant shall immediately either discharge the lien or cause such lien to be released of record by bonding off said lien of record (with a company reasonably satisfactory to Landlord) or the posting of adequate security with a court of competent jurisdiction as may be provided by the mechanics’ lien statutes of the state in which the Project is located. If Tenant posts a bond or security, it shall contest the validity of the lien. Tenant hereby agrees to indemnify Landlord for, and defend and hold Landlord harmless from and against, all liability, loss, damages, costs or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, expenses and court costs incurred in connection with any claims of any nature whatsoever for work performed for, or materials or supplies furnished or claimed to be furnished to Tenant, including lien claims of contractors, laborers mechanics or materialmen. If Tenant shall be delinquent in paying any charge for which such a lien or suit to foreclose such a lien has been recorded or filed and shall not have caused the lien to be released as aforesaid, Landlord may (but without being required to do so) pay such lien or claim and costs associated therewith, and the amount so paid, together with interest thereon at the Interest Rate from the date paid by Landlord until such sum is repaid by Tenant, and together with reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and court costs incurred in connection therewith, shall be immediately due from Tenant to Landlord as Additional Rent.

 

11.        Indemnity . To the full extent permitted by law, Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Landlord, its employees and agents, from and against any and all liabilities, claims, demands, losses, injuries, damages, costs and expenses of every kind and nature, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, caused by, arising or resulting from, relating to or in connection with: (a) any injury, death or damage of any person, property or business sustained for any reason in or about the Premises (unless resulting solely from the negligence of Landlord, its employees or agents); (b) the negligence or willful misconduct of Tenant, its employees, agents, servants, invitees or licensees; or (c) the failure of Tenant to perform its obligations under this Lease or otherwise. If any such proceeding is brought against Landlord, its employees or agents, Tenant covenants, if requested by Landlord, to defend such proceeding at Tenant’s sole cost by legal counsel selected by Landlord. The provisions of this Paragraph 11 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

12.        Subordination . Landlord represents to Tenant that the Building is not encumbered by any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or other similar security instrument, or subject to any ground lease (collectively, a “Mortgage”), as of the date of Landlord’s execution hereof. Tenant agrees that this Lease and the rights of Tenant hereunder are and will be subordinate to: (a) the lien, security title and provisions of any future Mortgage encumbering the Project, or any portion thereof; (b) all other encumbrances and matters of public record now or hereafter applicable to the Project or any part thereof, including without limitation, any reciprocal easement or operating agreements, covenants, conditions and restrictions; and (c) all renewals, extensions, amendments, modifications and restatements, and all replacements and substitutions, of any of the foregoing. Although the subordination created hereby is self-operative and no instrument or act on the part of the Tenant is necessary to effectuate such subordination, Tenant agrees to execute and deliver such further instruments to evidence and memorialize such subordination as may be requested by Landlord or Landlord’s lenders from time to time. Any holder of a Mortgage (a “Mortgagee”) may elect that this Lease shall have priority over the Mortgage held by such Mortgagee and, upon notification to Tenant by such Mortgagee, this Lease shall be deemed to have priority over such Mortgage, regardless of the date of this Lease. If the interest of Landlord under this Lease shall be transferred by reason of exercise of a power of sale, foreclosure or other proceeding for enforcement of any Mortgage, Tenant shall be bound to the transferee (hereinafter referred to as the “Purchaser”), at the option of the Purchaser, under the terms, covenants and conditions of this Lease for the balance of the Term remaining, and any extensions or renewals, with the same force and effect as if the Purchaser were the “landlord” hereunder, and, if requested by the Purchaser, Tenant shall attorn to such Purchaser and agrees to be bound and obligated hereunder to the Purchaser as the “landlord” under this Lease. Upon such attornment, this Lease shall continue in full force and effect as a direct lease between such Purchaser and Tenant upon all the terms, conditions and covenants set forth in this Lease, except that such Purchaser shall not be: (i) liable for any act or omission of Landlord (except to the extent such act or omission continues beyond the date when such Purchaser succeeds to Landlord’s interest and Tenant gives notice to the Purchaser of such act or omission); (ii) subject to any defense, claim, counterclaim, set-off or offset which Tenant may have against Landlord; (iii) bound by any prepayment of more than one (1) month’s Rent to any prior landlord; (iv) bound by any obligation to make any payment to Tenant which was required to be made prior to the time Purchaser succeeded to Landlord’s interest; (v) bound by any obligation to perform any work or to make improvements to the Premises except for repairs and maintenance required to be made by Landlord under this Lease (provided that, with respect to any damage by fire or other casualty or any condemnation, Purchaser’s obligation to make repairs will be limited to the extent that such repairs can reasonably be made from the net proceeds of any insurance or condemnation awards, respectively, actually made available to such Purchaser); (vi) bound by any modification, amendment or renewal of this Lease made without Purchaser’s consent; (vii) liable for the repayment of any security deposit, if any, unless and until the security deposit is actually paid to such Purchaser; or (viii) liable for the payment of any unfunded tenant improvement allowance, refurbishment allowance or similar obligation.

 

 

 

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13.        Insurance Requirements .

 

13.1.         Tenant’s Insurance . During the Term, Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall carry and maintain the following occurrence based (not “claims made”) policies of insurance without non-standard, special or unusual exclusions or restrictive endorsements (unless approved in advance by Landlord in writing):

 

a.       Commercial general liability insurance with respect to the use and occupation of the Premises by Tenant, naming Landlord as an additional insured, affording protection of not less than $2,000,000.00 per person, or $4,000,000.00 in the aggregate in respect of bodily injury or death arising out of any one occurrence, and not less than $2,000,000.00 for property damage arising out of any one occurrence.

 

b.       Property insurance on the Special Form (all risk) in an amount equal to the full replacement cost of all of Tenant’s equipment, trade fixtures, furnishings, inventory and personal property which may be in or upon the Premises. Landlord, its employees and agents, shall not be liable for loss of or damage to Tenant’s equipment, trade fixtures, furnishings, inventory and items of personal property placed in or upon the Premises from accidents, conditions, or casualty incurring in, on or about the Premises, including, but not limited to, the risks of fire, storm, water, earthquake and other casualties, theft and vandalism.

 

c.       All workers’ compensation insurance and similar employment compensation insurance in forms and amounts required by law for the Premises and Tenant’s business operations thereon.

 

13.2.         Requirements for Tenant’s Insurance . The above-referenced insurance shall be considered primary and non-contributory with coverage provided by Landlord. Landlord reserves the right to require additional coverage and increase limits as industry standards change. All Tenant’s policies of insurance shall be written in such form and by such insurance company or companies licensed to sell insurance in the state in which the Premises is located with a general policyholder’s rating of at least A and a financial rating of at least VIII in the most current Best’s Insurance Reports, and which is otherwise satisfactory to Landlord. Each policy must contain provisions that the insurer will give Landlord at least thirty (30) days written notice in advance of the alteration, lapse or cancellation of the policy. Tenant shall provide proof of insurance certificates to Landlord for each policy upon request of Landlord, but no less than annually.

 

13.3.        Landlord’s Insurance . Landlord shall keep the Building insured against fire and other casualties for the full replacement cost thereof; provided, however, that Landlord shall not be required to insure any item that Tenant is required to insure under the terms of this Lease. In addition, Landlord shall carry commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of not less than $4,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence for bodily and personal injury (including death) and property damage covering the Common Areas and its operations in and around the Building. The cost of such insurance shall be included in Operating Expenses. However, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for any increase in the cost of any of Landlord’s insurance pertaining to the Project if said increase is caused by or results from Tenant’s use or occupancy of the Premises, the breach of this Lease by Tenant or the acts, omissions or negligence of Tenant, its employees, officers, agents, licensees, invitees, visitors, customers, concessionaires, assignees, subtenants, contractors or subcontractors.

 

13.4        Waiver of Subrogation . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, each party hereto waives any and every claim which arises or may arise in its favor and against the other party hereto during the Term of this Lease for any and all loss of, or damage to, any of its property located within or upon, or constituting a part of, the Premises leased to Tenant hereunder, which loss or damage is covered by valid and collectible property insurance policies (or would have been covered by the policies required to be maintained by such party under this Lease), to the extent that such loss or damage is recoverable under said insurance policies (or would have been recoverable under the policies required to be maintained by such party under this Lease), and said waivers shall be in addition to, and not in limitation or derogation of, any other waiver or release contained in this Lease with respect to any loss of, or damage to, property of the parties hereto. Each party’s policies of property and business interruption insurance shall include a waiver of subrogation in favor of the other party, but in the event that either of the parties hereto is unable to cause such a clause to be so included on or before the appropriate date for coverage of such loss or damage, any such clause in any policy of insurance obtained by the other party hereto shall not be enforceable against the other party. The waivers in this paragraph will also apply as to the amount of any deductible under Landlord’s and Tenant’s insurance.

 

 

 

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14.        Damage or Destruction of Premises .

 

14.1        Restoration . Subject to Section 14.2 below, if the Premises are damaged by fire or other casualty, or if the Building is damaged such that Tenant is deprived of reasonable access to the Premises, the damage shall be repaired by Landlord to substantially the condition of the Premises prior to the damage (subject to the requirements of any Mortgagee); provided that Landlord shall have no obligation to repair or restore any of Tenant’s personal property or any other items with respect to which Tenant is obligated to carry property insurance under the terms of this Lease. So long as Tenant is not in default under this Lease, until the restoration of the Premises is substantially completed or would have been substantially completed but for delays caused by Tenant, the Rent shall be reduced in the proportion by which the area of the part of the Premises which is not usable (or accessible) and is not used by Tenant bears to the total rentable square footage of the Premises.

 

14.2        Termination Right . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Paragraph 14.1, if: (a) the Premises are totally damaged or are rendered wholly untenantable; (b) the Building shall be so damaged that, in Landlord’s reasonable opinion, substantial alteration, demolition, or reconstruction of the Building shall be required (whether or not the Premises are so damaged or rendered untenantable); (c) in Landlord’s reasonable judgment, repairs cannot reasonably be completed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of discovery of the damage (when such repairs are made without the payment of overtime or other premiums); (d) any Mortgagee requires that the insurance proceeds or any portion thereof be used to retire the Mortgage debt, or any ground lessor shall terminate the ground lease; (e) any damage to the Building is not fully covered by Landlord’s insurance policies; (f) Landlord decides to rebuild the Building or Common Areas so that they will be substantially different structurally or architecturally; or (g) any damage during the final eighteen (18) months of the Term renders the Premises wholly untenantable, then, in any of the foregoing events, Landlord may, not later than ninety (90) days following the date of discovery of the damage, terminate this Lease by notice to Tenant. If Landlord elects to exercise its right to terminate this Lease pursuant to this Paragraph 14.2: (i) the Term shall expire upon the thirtieth (30 th ) day after notice of such termination is given; (ii) Tenant shall vacate the Premises and surrender the same to Landlord; (iii) Tenant’s liability for Rent (except accrued Rent) shall cease as of the date of the damage; (iv) any prepaid Rent for any period after the date of the damage shall be refunded by Landlord to Tenant; and (v) those provisions of this Lease which are expressly stated to survive expiration or earlier termination of this Lease shall survive.

 

15.        Eminent Domain . In the event the entire Premises is taken by any entity (the “Condemning Authority”) for any public or quasi-public use by the exercise of the right of eminent domain or by private purchase in lieu thereof (a “Condemnation”), then this Lease shall terminate automatically as of the date that the Condemning Authority takes possession of the Premises. In the event of a Condemnation which affects a part of the Project, without regard to whether the Premises are part of such Condemnation, Landlord may terminate this Lease by giving notice to Tenant. All compensation awarded or paid in any Condemnation proceeding for a total or partial taking of the Premises, including compensation for diminution in the value of Tenant’s interest in the Premises, shall belong to and be the property of the Landlord, and Tenant hereby assigns to Landlord all of Tenant’s right, title and interest in and to any and all such compensation; provided, however, that Tenant may, at its sole cost and expense, make a separate claim against the Condemning Authority for: (a) the taking or damaging of Tenant’s personal property; (b) loss of or damage to Tenant’s business; or (c) cost of moving or relocating Tenant’s property from the Premises. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any condemnation award to Tenant will be available only to the extent such award is payable separately to Tenant and does not diminish the award available to Landlord or any Mortgagee.

 

16.        Sublease; Assignment .

 

16.1        Generally . Except for an assignment or sublease to a “Tenant Affiliate” (as hereinafter defined), Tenant shall not permit any assignment of this Lease or any interest hereunder by operation of law or otherwise, sublet the Premises or any part thereof, or enter into any license or concession agreements or otherwise permit the occupancy or use of the Premises or any part thereof by any persons other than Tenant and its employees (all of the foregoing are hereinafter sometimes referred to collectively as “Transfers,” and individually as a “Transfer,” and any person to whom any Transfer is made or sought to be made is hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “Transferee”) without Landlord’s prior written consent in each instance. In addition, Tenant shall not, without the prior written consent of Landlord, which may be withheld for any reason or for no reason, in the sole and absolute discretion of Landlord, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, or permit any lien to attach to this Lease or any interest hereunder. In the event of any such Transfer, the Transferee will be jointly and severally liable with Tenant for all payments and for the due performance of all terms, covenants and conditions herein contained which are required to be paid and performed by Tenant. No Transfer relating to this Lease, or agreement entered into with respect thereto, whether with or without Landlord’s consent, shall relieve Tenant or any guarantor of this Lease from any liability under this Lease. No collection or acceptance of Rent by Landlord from any Transferee shall be deemed a waiver of any provision of this Paragraph 16 or the approval of any Transferee. Whether or not Landlord consents to any proposed Transfer, Tenant shall pay Landlord’s review and processing fees, as well as any reasonable professional fees and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’, accountants’, architects’, engineers’ and consultants’ fees and expenses) incurred by Landlord. If requested by Landlord, such fees shall be due and payable to Landlord prior to Landlord’s execution of a consent to the proposed Transfer.

 

 

 

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16.2        Additional Transfers . For purposes of this Lease, the term “Transfer” shall also include: (a) a single transaction or a series of transactions in which more than a fifty percent (50%) interest in Tenant, any guarantor of this Lease, or any Transferee (whether stock, partnership interest, interest in a limited liability company or otherwise) is transferred, diluted, reduced or otherwise affected with the result that the present holder or owners of Tenant, such guarantor, or such Transferee have less than a fifty percent (50%) interest in Tenant, such guarantor or such Transferee; or (b) Tenant’s obligations under this Lease being taken over or assumed in consideration of Tenant leasing space in another office building. The transfer of the outstanding capital stock of any corporate Tenant, guarantor or Transferee through the “over-the-counter” market or any recognized national securities exchange [other than by persons owning five percent (5%) or more of the voting stock of such corporation] shall not be included in the calculation of such fifty percent (50%) interest in (a) above.

 

16.3        Permitted Transfers . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Paragraph 16, but subject to compliance with all other provisions of this Lease, Tenant shall have the right, upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Landlord (the “Affiliate Transfer Notice”), to assign this Lease or sublet the Premises, without Landlord’s consent, to any partnership, corporation or other entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Tenant (a “Tenant Affiliate”), provided that: (a) the tangible net worth (exclusive of goodwill) of the Tenant Affiliate is equal to or greater than Tenant’s net worth on the date of Landlord’s execution of this Lease; (b) in the case of an assignment, the Tenant Affiliate shall unconditionally assume, and shall be deemed to have assumed, this Lease and shall be jointly and severally liable with Tenant for all payments and for the due performance of all terms, covenants and conditions herein contained which are required to be paid and performed by Tenant; (c) no assignment shall be binding upon Landlord unless such assignee shall deliver to Landlord an instrument containing a covenant of assumption by such assignee, but the failure or refusal of such assignee to execute the same shall not release either the assignor or such assignee from its liability as set forth herein effective upon the consummation of such assignment; (d) the Tenant Affiliate must be of a character and reputation, be engaged in a business and propose to use the Premises in a manner in keeping with Landlord’s then-current standards in such respect for tenancies in the Building; (e) the Tenant Affiliate remains an affiliate meeting the definition of “Tenant Affiliate” above for the duration of the subletting or the balance of the Term in the event of an assignment; (f) Tenant and any guarantor of this Lease, or of any of the obligations of Tenant hereunder, are not dissolved as a matter of law as a consequence of the assignment or subletting or at any time thereafter; (g) no proposed assignment or sublease shall be effective unless any guarantor of this Lease, or of any of the obligations of Tenant hereunder, consents to such assignment or sublease and agrees in writing with Landlord that such transaction shall not affect such guarantor’s liability under its guaranty; (h) the proposed use of the applicable space by the Tenant Affiliate shall not violate any provision or restrictions herein or in any other leases in the Building; and (i) the primary purpose of such assignment or sublease is for legitimate business reasons unrelated to this Lease and such assignment or sublease is not, in whole or in part, a subterfuge to avoid the obligations or restrictions set forth in this Lease. Tenant shall provide, in the Affiliate Transfer Notice, a financial statement for the Tenant Affiliate, information which demonstrates that the proposed assignment or sublease meets the requirements of this Paragraph 16.3 and such other information as Landlord may reasonably require to assess compliance with these terms. As used in this Paragraph 16.3, the term “control” means ownership of at least fifty percent (50%) of the equity interests in, and the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of, the controlled entity. No assignment or subletting permitted by this Paragraph 16 shall relieve Tenant of its primary liability under this Lease.

 

 

 

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17.        Hazardous Substances; Compliance With Environmental and Other Laws .

 

17.1        Hazardous Substances. As used in this Lease, the term “Environmental Laws” refers to all present and future federal, state and local laws, orders, statutes, requirements and ordinances regulating, relating to or imposing liability (including, without limitation, strict liability) or standards of conduct concerning the protection of the environment or the keeping, use or disposition of “Hazardous Substances” (as defined below), or other hazardous substances or wastes, presently in effect or hereafter adopted, all amendments to any of them, and all rules and regulations issued pursuant to any of such laws or ordinances. During the Term, Tenant shall not install, store, use, recycle, treat, dispose of, discharge, release or otherwise locate in or upon the Premises any Hazardous Substances without first obtaining the prior written consent of Landlord, and then only in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws. Tenant acknowledges and agrees that Landlord may, in its sole discretion, either withhold consent to such usage or activity upon receipt of notice thereof from Tenant, or may require Tenant to obtain such insurance, bonding or other further assurances as Landlord in its sole discretion deems necessary in order to adequately protect the interests of Landlord. Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord, its directors, officers, employees, agents and contractors, harmless for any liability arising out of or connected with any claims, judgments, damages, penalties, fines, assessments, fees and other expenses related in any manner to the improper storage or discharge of Hazardous Substances on the Premises, whether actual or suspected, caused by the acts or omissions of Tenant, its directors, officers, agents, employees or invitees, and Tenant shall further indemnify and hold Landlord, its directors, officers, employees, agents and contractors, harmless from any violation of such applicable Environmental Laws or any breach of the foregoing representations and warranties. Tenant further agrees to pay any and all fines, charges, assessments, fees, damages, losses, claims, liabilities or response costs arising out of or any way connected with such applicable Environmental Laws, which indemnifications shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “Hazardous Substances” shall mean any hazardous or toxic material, substance or waste, pollutant or contaminant which is defined, prohibited, limited or regulated under any statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any local, state, regional or Federal authority having jurisdiction over the Premises, or its use, including but not limited to any material substance or waste that is: (a) defined, listed or otherwise classified as a hazardous substance, hazardous material, hazardous waste or other words of similar meaning under any Environmental Laws; (b) a petroleum hydrocarbon, including crude oil or any fraction thereof and all petroleum products; (c) PCBs; (d) lead; (e) urea formaldehyde; (f) asbestos or asbestos containing materials; (g) flammables and explosives; (h) infectious materials; (i) atmospheric radon at levels over 4 picocuries per cubic liter; (j) radioactive materials; (k) mold; or (l) defined, prohibited, limited or regulated as a hazardous substance or hazardous waste under any rules or regulations promulgated under any Environmental Laws. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Lease to the contrary, components incorporated in the following office equipment and systems, and small quantities of fluids, powders, toner and similar materials routinely used in the operation thereof which are properly used, handled, stored in appropriate containers and disposed of in accordance with any and all applicable Legal Requirements, shall not be deemed Hazardous Substances for the purposes of this Lease: photocopying equipment; word processors; printers; telephone systems; computers; scanners; facsimile machines; binders; televisions; refrigerators; microwave ovens; or any similar or related equipment or systems now or hereafter routinely employed in connection with general office use.

 

17.2        Legal Compliance . Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall be responsible at all times during the Term for the Premises, all improvements and any alterations thereto, and Tenant’s use thereof and activities conducted thereon, complying with all applicable Legal Requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Tenant shall, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, be responsible for making any modifications to the Premises that may be required pursuant to any Legal Requirements. Landlord shall be responsible for compliance of the Common Areas with applicable Legal Requirements to the extent non-compliance would materially impair Tenant’s use of the Premises for the uses permitted hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, as a result of Tenant’s use of the Premises, or the making of any Alterations by Tenant, Landlord shall be required to make any additions, alterations or improvements to any part of the Building or Common Areas in order to comply with any such Legal Requirements, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord upon demand for the costs incurred by Landlord to effect such compliance. As used in this Lease, the term “Legal Requirements” refers to all present and future federal, state and local laws, orders, statutes, requirements and ordinances, all building, plumbing, electrical, fire and other codes and rules and regulations of governmental entities, and any laws of like import, which are applicable to the Premises, Building or Project, or the maintenance, use or occupation thereof, including, but not limited to, all Environmental Laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”) and all regulations and orders promulgated pursuant to the ADA.

 

 

 

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18.        Landlord’s Right to Enter Premises .

 

18.1        Entry for Repairs and Services . Landlord and its agents, employees and independent contractors, or any lessor or Mortgagee, or any other party designated by Landlord, and their respective agents, shall have the right to enter the Premises at any time in the event of an emergency (in such event of emergency, Landlord shall have the right to use any means that Landlord may deem proper to open the doors in and to the Premises), and at reasonable hours in all other cases to perform maintenance and make repairs, additions, alterations and improvements that are required by this Lease or are otherwise desired by Landlord, to provide any services to be provided by Landlord under this Lease, and to inspect the Premises. During such time as work is being carried on in or about the Premises by Landlord, payments of Rent provided herein shall not abate and Tenant waives any claim or cause of action against Landlord for damages by reason of interruption of Tenant’s business or loss of profits therefrom because of the prosecution of any such work or any part thereof.

 

18.2        Entry to Exhibit Premises . Landlord and its agents, employees and independent contractors, and any lessor or Mortgagee or any other party designated by Landlord, and their respective agents, shall have the right to enter the Premises at reasonable hours to exhibit the Premises to prospective purchasers, lenders or tenants, to a current or prospective Mortgagee, to ground or underlying lessors or insurers, and to their respective agents and representatives, or others. Landlord shall, except in case of an emergency, afford Tenant such prior oral notification of an entry into the Premises for the purpose of exhibiting the Premises to a prospective purchaser or tenant as shall be reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

 

19.        Signs; Awnings . Tenant shall only erect such signs and/or awnings that comply with all applicable regulations and requirements of any governmental authorities and have been pre-approved by Landlord in its sole discretion. Tenant shall be solely responsible for obtaining any necessary permits or licenses for such signs and/or awnings, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. Tenant shall maintain all such signs in good condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall remove all such signs and shall repair or restore any damage to the Project resulting from the installation or removal of such signs and/or awnings. If Tenant fails to complete such removal and/or to repair any damage caused by such removal, Landlord may do so and may charge the cost thereof to Tenant.

 

20.        Removal of Personal Property . Upon expiration or termination of this Lease, Tenant shall, unless otherwise directed by Landlord, at Tenant’s expense, remove all of Tenant’s movable fixtures and movable partitions, telephone and other equipment, computer systems, trade fixtures, inventory, furniture, furnishings and other items of personal property which are removable without material damage to the Premises or the Project. Tenant shall repair and restore, in a good and workmanlike manner, any damage to the Premises or the Project caused by Tenant’s removal of any such items, and, upon default thereof, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for Landlord’s cost of repairing and restoring such damage. Any such items not so removed shall be deemed abandoned, notwithstanding that title to or a security interest in such personal property may be held by an individual or entity other than Tenant, and Landlord may remove and dispose of same in any manner it deems proper, in its sole discretion, and repair and restore any damage caused thereby, at Tenant’s cost and without accountability to Tenant. Tenant hereby waives and releases any claim against Landlord arising out of the removal or disposition of any such items, and Tenant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from and against the claims of all third parties resulting from such removal. Tenant’s obligations under this Paragraph 20 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

21.        Holding Over . Tenant will, at the expiration or termination of this Lease by lapse of time or otherwise, yield up immediate possession of the Premises to Landlord, in broom clean condition, with all repairs, maintenance and removal, if any, required herein to be performed by Tenant completed, and, except as may be expressly set forth herein to the contrary, otherwise in the same condition as when delivered to Tenant. Should Tenant continue to hold the Premises after the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, or after re-entry by Landlord without terminating this Lease, such holding over, unless otherwise agreed to by Landlord in writing, shall constitute and be construed as a tenancy at sufferance and not a tenancy at will, at monthly installments of Rent equal to one hundred fifty (150%) of the monthly portion of Rent in effect as of the Lease Expiration Date or date of earlier termination, as the case may be, and, subject to all of the other terms, charges and expenses set forth herein, except any right to renew this Lease or to expand the Premises or any right to additional services. Tenant shall have no right to notice under Official Code of Georgia Annotated §44-7-7 of the termination of its tenancy. Tenant shall also be liable to Landlord for all damage which Landlord suffers because of any holding over by Tenant, and Tenant shall indemnify Landlord against all claims made by any other tenant or prospective tenant against Landlord resulting from delay by Landlord in delivering possession of the Premises to such other tenant or prospective tenant. No holding over by Tenant, whether with or without consent of Landlord, shall operate to extend or renew the Term except as otherwise expressly provided in a written agreement executed by both Landlord and Tenant. The provisions of this Paragraph 21 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

 

 

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22.        Assignment by Landlord . In the event of a sale or assignment of this Lease, or any part thereof by Landlord, the same shall operate to release Landlord from any future liability upon any of the covenants or conditions, express or implied, herein contained in favor of Tenant, and in such event Tenant shall look solely to the successor in interest of Landlord. If any security shall be given by Tenant to secure the faithful performance of Tenant’s covenants in this Lease, Landlord may transfer the security, as such, to the purchaser or transferee of the Premises, and thereupon Landlord shall be discharged from any further liability in reference thereto.

 

23.        Security Deposit . Tenant has deposited with Landlord the sum of Two thousand three hundred eighty-two and 40/100 dollars ($2,382.40) (“Security Deposit”) to secure Tenant’s performance of its Lease obligations during the term and any renewals thereof. If Tenant defaults Landlord may, after giving five (5) days advance notice to Tenant, without prejudice to Landlord’s other remedies, apply part or all of the Security Deposit to cure Tenant’s Default. If so used, Tenant shall within ten (10) days after written demand, pay Landlord the amount used to restore the Security Deposit to its original amount. Upon termination of this Lease by reason of the uncured default by Tenant after notice, Landlord may retain the Security Deposit paid by Tenant at the time of the execution of this Lease. Otherwise, provided that Tenant is in complete compliance with the Lease terms at the time of the expiration or termination of the Lease, Landlord shall return the Security Deposit to Tenant within thirty (30) days after the date of such expiration or termination.

 

24.        Tenant’s Default .

 

24.1.        Event of Default . An “Event of Default” as used in this Lease shall include the following:

 

a.       Use of the Premises by Tenant for any purpose not allowed by the provisions of Paragraph 4 of this Lease;

 

b.       The Rent payable under this Lease (including any Additional Rent), or any sum of money due hereunder, is not paid when due, and such failure to pay continues for more than five (5) days after the due date;

 

c.       Tenant shall fail to return to Landlord a properly executed estoppel certificate in accordance with the provisions of, and within the time period specified in, Paragraph 31.11 hereof;

 

d.       A lien is filed against the Premises, Building or Project, or Landlord’s estate therein, and Tenant fails to cause the same to be vacated and canceled of record, or bonded off, in accordance with the provisions of, and within the time period specified in, Paragraph 10.4 hereof;

 

e.       Failure by Tenant to keep in full force and effect the insurance policies and coverages required under the provisions of Paragraph 13 of this Lease:

 

f.       Tenant attempts to enter into any Transfer in violation of the provisions of Paragraph 16 of this Lease;

 

g.       Failure of Tenant to comply with any of the terms and provisions of Paragraph 17.1 of this Lease relating to Hazardous Substances;

 

h.       Execution by Tenant of an assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

i.       The adjudication that Tenant is bankrupt or insolvent or the filing by or against Tenant of a petition to have Tenant adjudged to be bankrupt or a petition for the reorganization of Tenant under any law relating to bankruptcy;

 

j.       Appointment of a receiver for Tenant;

 

k.       The abandonment of the Premises by Tenant, unless Tenant continues to pay all Rent when due hereunder.

 

 

 

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l.       Tenant fails to observe, perform and keep each and every one of the other covenants, agreements, provisions, stipulations and conditions contained in this Lease to be observed, performed and kept by Tenant, including, without limitation, any rules and regulations promulgated by Landlord, and, unless otherwise specified herein, such failure continues for twenty (20) days after notice from Landlord to Tenant requiring that Tenant correct such failure; provided, however, that in the event any such failure is not reasonably susceptible of cure within such twenty (20) day period, Tenant shall have a reasonable time to cure such failure [but not more than forty (40) days, including the aforesaid initial twenty (20) day period], provided Tenant commences cure as soon as is reasonably possible, and prosecutes such cure diligently to completion.

 

24.2.        Remedies . Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the aforesaid Events of Default, or upon the occurrence of any other default or defaults by Tenant under this Lease, Landlord may, at Landlord’s option, without any demand or notice whatsoever (except as expressly required in this Paragraph 24.2):

 

a.       Terminate this Lease, and Tenant shall remain liable for all Rent and all other obligations under this Lease arising up to the date of such termination.

 

b.       Declare the difference, if any, between (A) the entire amount of Monthly Rental and Additional Rent which would become due and payable during the remainder of the Term, discounted to present value using a discount rate equal to the “Prime Rate” (as hereinafter defined) in effect as of the date of such declaration, and (B) the fair rental value of the Premises during the remainder of the Term (taking into account, among other factors, the anticipated duration of the period the Premises will be unoccupied prior to reletting and the anticipated cost of reletting the Premises), also discounted to present value using a discount rate equal to the Prime Rate in effect as of the date of such declaration, to be due and payable immediately and Tenant agrees to pay the same at once, together with all Base Rent, Additional Rent and other sums theretofore due; it being understood and agreed that such payment shall be and constitute Landlord’s liquidated damages, Landlord and Tenant acknowledging and agreeing that it is difficult or impossible to determine the actual damages Landlord would suffer from Tenant’s breach hereof and that the agreed upon liquidated damages are not punitive or penalties and are just, fair and reasonable, all in accordance with Official Code of Georgia Annotated §13-6-7. If Landlord exercises the election set out in this paragraph, Landlord hereby waives any right to assert that Landlord’s actual damages are greater than the amount calculated hereunder. “Prime Rate” means the Prime Rate published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time (adjusted daily) as being the base rate on corporate loans at large U.S. money center commercial banks. If The Wall Street Journal ceases to publish such a Prime Rate, the Prime Rate shall be the per annum interest rate which is publicly announced (whether or not actually charged in each instance) from time to time (adjusted daily) by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as its “prime rate” or similar corporate borrowing reference rate.

 

c.       Without terminating this Lease, Landlord may in its own name but as agent for Tenant enter into and upon and take possession of the Premises or any part thereof, and, at Landlord’s option, remove persons and property therefrom and such property, if any, may be removed and stored in a warehouse or elsewhere at the cost of, and for the account of Tenant, all without being deemed guilty of trespass or becoming liable for any loss or damage which may be occasioned thereby, and Landlord may, but has no obligation to, rent the Premises or any portion thereof as the agent of Tenant, with or without advertisement, and by private negotiations and for any term upon such terms and conditions as Landlord may deem necessary or desirable in order to relet the Premises. Upon each such reletting, all rentals received by Landlord from such reletting shall be applied: first, to the payment of any indebtedness (other than any Rent due hereunder) from Tenant to Landlord; second, to the payment of any costs and expenses of such reletting, including, without limitation, brokerage fees and attorney’s fees and costs of alterations and repairs; third, to the payment of Rent and other charges then due and unpaid hereunder; and the residue, if any, shall be held by Landlord to the extent of and for application in payment of future Rent, if any becomes owing, as the same may become due and payable hereunder. In reletting the Premises as aforesaid, Landlord may grant rent concessions and Tenant shall not be credited therefor. If such rentals received from such reletting shall at any time or from time to time be less than sufficient to pay to Landlord the entire sums then due from Tenant hereunder, Tenant shall pay any such deficiency to Landlord. Such deficiency shall, at Landlord’s option, be calculated and paid monthly. Notwithstanding any such reletting without termination, Landlord may at any time thereafter elect to terminate this Lease for any such previous default provided same has not been cured.

 

d.       Without terminating this Lease, and with or without notice to Tenant, Landlord may enter into and upon the Premises and without being liable for prosecution or any claim for damages therefor, maintain the Premises and repair or replace any damage thereto or do anything for which Tenant is responsible hereunder. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord immediately upon demand for any expenses which Landlord incurs in thus effecting Tenant’s compliance under this Lease, and Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for any damages with respect thereto.

 

 

 

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e.       Allow the Premises to remain unoccupied, and Tenant shall remain liable for the Rent and all other obligations accruing over the balance of the Term.

 

f.       Terminate the Tenant’s right to possession of the Premises, without terminating the Lease, and Tenant shall remain liable for the Rent and all other obligations accruing over the balance of the Term.

 

g.       Enforce the performance of Tenant’s obligations hereunder by injunction or other equitable relief, which remedy may be exercised upon any actual or threatened Event of Default by Tenant, without regard to whether Landlord may have an adequate remedy at law.

 

h.       Hold Tenant liable for (and Tenant shall pay to Landlord upon demand) all amounts paid by Landlord as leasing commissions or improvement allowances, or to perform any improvements to the Premises, as well as the value of any rental concession provided by Landlord, in connection with this Lease.

 

i.       Pursue any combination of the foregoing remedies permitted by law and such other remedies as are available at law or in equity. All remedies provided in this Lease are cumulative and may be exercised alternatively, successively or in any other manner. The exercise by Landlord of any one or more of the rights and remedies provided in this Lease shall not prevent the subsequent exercise by Landlord of one or more of the other rights and remedies herein provided.

 

Whenever Landlord terminates this Lease, it shall do so by giving Tenant written notice of termination, in which event this Lease shall expire and terminate on the date specified in such notice with the same force and effect as though the date specified were the date herein originally fixed as the Expiration Date, and all rights of Tenant under this Lease and in and to the Premises shall expire and terminate and Tenant shall surrender the Premises to Landlord on the date specified in such notice. Whenever Landlord terminates Tenant’s right to possession of the Premises without terminating this Lease, it shall do so by giving Tenant written notice of termination of its right of possession, in which event Tenant shall surrender the Premises to Landlord on the date specified in such notice. Tenant shall remain liable for all Rent and all other obligations as they accrue over the Term, even after any writ of possession as to the Premises is applied for or issued to Landlord in dispossessory proceedings, after an eviction is completed, and after Landlord terminates Tenant’s right of possession, unless Landlord terminates this Lease.

 

25. Lien for Rent . Landlord reserves a landlord’s lien upon all of Tenant’s personal property on the Premises to secure the payment of all Rent and Additional Rent under this Lease and all other sums which may become due to Landlord by Tenant hereunder.

 

26.        Attorney’s Fees . In any action, suit or proceeding brought by Landlord against Tenant under this Lease for the collection of any Rent or other indebtedness under this Lease, Landlord shall be entitled to recover from Tenant its reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and court costs in such action or proceeding. In any other action or proceeding between Landlord and Tenant, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all of its costs and expenses in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred from the non-prevailing party. Any reference in this Lease to “reasonable attorneys’ fees” (or similar terminology) shall be deemed to mean reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred, without regard to the applicability of O.C.G.A. § 13-1-11 or any other fee-limiting statute.

 

27.        Tenant’s Covenants . Tenant represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into this Lease as a binding obligation of Tenant and that Tenant is financially able to meet its obligations as set forth in this Lease. Tenant covenants and agrees to pay Landlord all rents and monies in a timely manner provided for herein, to perform and comply with all covenants, agreements, conditions and obligations herein contained, and to comply with all applicable Legal Requirements relating to Tenant’s specific use of the Premises now or hereafter in effect.

 

28.        Force Majeure . In the event that Landlord or Tenant shall be delayed or hindered in, or prevented from, the performance of any work, service or other act required under this Lease to be performed by either Landlord or Tenant and such delay or hindrance is due to strikes, lockouts, acts of God, governmental restriction, enemy act, civil commotion, unavoidable fire or other casualty, or other cause of a like nature beyond the reasonable control of Landlord or Tenant, then performance of such work, service, or other act shall be excused for the period of such delay, and the period for the performance of such work, service, or other act shall be extended for a period equivalent to the period of such delay; provided nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to excuse, delay or extend the time for performance of any of Tenant’s obligations to pay Rent or any other sums to be paid by Tenant hereunder, or to excuse or delay any obligations of Tenant to make any repairs required of Tenant under this Lease.

 

 

 

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29.        Waiver . Failure of Landlord to enforce the breach of any violation of the terms of this Lease shall not be considered as a waiver of any subsequent violation. No payment by Tenant or receipt by Landlord of a lesser amount than any installment or payment of Rent, Additional Rent, or any other money due hereunder, shall be deemed to be other than partial payment of the amount due. No endorsement or statement on any check or payment shall be deemed an accord and satisfaction. Landlord may accept such partial payment without prejudice to Landlord’s right to recover the balance of such installment or payment of Rent, or pursue any other remedies available to Landlord. Under no circumstances shall acceptance by Landlord of any partial payment be construed as acceptance of an offer of settlement by Landlord.

 

30.        Notice . Except for legal process, which may also be served as by law provided, all notices to be given hereunder by either party shall be in writing and shall be sent either by: (a) personal delivery service with charges therefor billed to shipper; (b) nationally recognized overnight delivery service (such as Federal Express, United Parcel Service, etc.) with charges therefor billed to shipper; or (c) U.S. Mail, Certified, Return Receipt Requested. Any notice or communication sent as above provided shall be deemed given or delivered: (i) upon receipt, if personally delivered (provided delivery is confirmed by the courier delivery service); (ii) on the date of delivery by any nationally recognized overnight delivery service; or (iii) if sent by United States Mail, on the date appearing on the return receipt therefor, or if there is no date on such return receipt, the receipt date shall be presumed to be the postmark date appearing on such return receipt. Notice shall be considered given and received on the latest original delivery or attempted delivery date to all persons and addresses to which notice is to be given, as indicated on the return receipt(s) of the United States Mail or delivery receipts of the personal delivery service or nationally recognized overnight delivery service. Any notice or communication which cannot be delivered because of failure to provide notice of a change of address as herein provided or for which delivery is refused shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of attempted delivery. Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be addressed to Landlord or Tenant (as applicable) at the addresses stated below, or at such other addresses as Landlord or Tenant may have designated by notice to the other given as provided herein:

 

Landlord :

REALCO GA 001, LLC

194 Summers Street

Charleston, WV 25301

 

With payments mailed to:

REALCO GA 001, LLC

3280 Pointe Parkway, Suite 2350

Norcross, GA 30092

 

Tenant :

GROM EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

3280 Pointe Parkway, Suite 2500

Norcross, GA 30092

 

Tenant shall not designate an address for notices which is outside the Continental United States. Any notice address designated by Tenant shall contain a street address, city, state and ZIP code.

 

31.        Miscellaneous .

 

31.1        Successors . Subject to Paragraph 16 of this Lease, the terms, conditions, covenants and agreements herein contained shall extend to, inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and assigns.

 

31.2        No Recording . Neither this Lease, nor any memorandum hereof, shall be recorded by Tenant without Landlord’s prior written consent to such recording.

 

 

 

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31.3        Rules and Regulations . Tenant, its employees and invitees, shall comply with any and all rules and regulations that may be adopted by Landlord from time to time (and as the same may be modified by Landlord from time to time), for the safety, care, order or cleanliness and operation of the Premises, the Common Areas and the use thereof. Any failure by Landlord to enforce any of the rules and regulations now or hereafter in effect, either against Tenant or any other tenant in the Building, shall not constitute a waiver of any such rules and regulations. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for failure or refusal by any other tenant, guest, invitee, visitor or occupant of the Building to comply with any of the rules and regulations.

 

31.4        Applicable Law . This Lease shall be governed by and construed under the internal laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to the conflicts of laws rules of such state.

 

31.5        Time . Time is of the essence of this Lease and the performance of all obligations hereunder.

 

31.6        Severability . The unenforceability and validity or illegality of any provision of this Lease shall not render the other provisions of the Lease unenforceable, invalid or illegal. Tenant's covenant and obligation to pay Rent is independent from any of Landlord's covenants, obligations, warranties or representations in this Lease.

 

31.7        Counterparts . This Lease may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Lease.

 

31.8        Captions . The captions appearing in this Lease are for the purposes of identification only and shall not be considered or construed as affecting, in any way, the meaning of the provisions of this Lease. Words of any gender used in this Lease shall be held and construed to include any other gender and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

31.9        Guaranty . Intentionally Deleted.  

 

31.10        No Waiver . No Event of Default or provision of this Lease shall be deemed to have been waived by Landlord unless such waiver is in writing and signed by Landlord. Landlord’s acceptance of Rent following an Event of Default hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver of such Event of Default, nor excuse any delay or partial payment upon subsequent occasions. No custom or practice which may develop between the parties in connection with the terms of this Lease shall be construed to waive or lessen Landlord’s right to insist upon strict performance of the terms of this Lease, without a written notice thereof to Tenant.

 

31.11        No Representations . Neither Landlord nor Landlord’s agents or brokers have made any representations, warranties or promises with respect to the Premises, the Building or any other portions of the Project except as herein expressly set forth and all reliance with respect to any representations, warranties or promises is based solely on those contained herein. No rights, easements or licenses are acquired by Tenant under this Lease by implication or otherwise except as, and unless, expressly set forth in this Lease. Any elimination or shutting off of light, air or view by any structure which may be erected on lands adjacent to the Building shall in no way affect this Lease and Landlord shall have no liability to Tenant with respect thereto.

 

31.12        Estoppel . Tenant agrees at any time and from time to time within ten (10) days of written request from Landlord, to execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord, or to any prospective purchaser, Mortgagee or assignee of any Mortgagee, or to any other party reasonably requested by Landlord (or to any combination of the foregoing), a statement in writing certifying that this Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect (or if there have been modifications, that the same is in full force and effect as modified, and stating the modification), the dates to which the rental and other charges have been paid in advance, if any, that it is not in default of the Lease and has no knowledge of any defaults by the Landlord, and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by Landlord or such other party, it being intended that any such statement delivered pursuant to this paragraph may be relied upon by the parties to whom the estoppel certificate is addressed.

 

 

 

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31.13        Lock Out . Should Landlord re-enter and take possession of said Premises due to Tenant non-payment or due to Tenant not performing any of the other covenants, conditions, obligations and agreements undertaken by Tenant under the terms of this Lease, Tenant shall pay $125.00 to Landlord for Landlord’s time and expense in having the locks changed should Landlord and Tenant come to an agreement to allow Tenant to retake possession of the Premises.

 

31.14        No Broker Claims . Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that the only brokers involved with this Lease transaction are: (a) Stream Realty Partners-Atlanta, L.P. representing the Landlord and Savills Studley, Inc. representing the Tenant (the “Brokers”). Such Brokers (if any) will be paid by Landlord pursuant to the terms of separate agreements. Landlord and Tenant hereby warrant and represent to each other that the party making said warranty and representation has not dealt with any broker, agent or finder, other than the Brokers, with respect to this Lease transaction. Landlord and Tenant covenant and agree to indemnify and hold the other harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, judgment, cost or expense (including but not limited to attorney’s fees and expenses and court costs) that may be incurred or suffered by the other because of any claim for any fee, commission or similar compensation with respect to this Lease, made by any broker, agent or finder, other than the Broker, claiming by, through or under the indemnifying party, whether or not such claim is meritorious. Such obligations shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

 

31.15        No Estate in Land . Tenant shall be granted a usufruct only in the Premises under this Lease and not a leasehold or other estate in land. Tenant’s interest hereunder is not subject to levy, execution and sale and is not assignable, except as expressly set forth herein.

 

31.16        Relocation Right . At any time during the Lease Term, and any extension thereof, Landlord shall have the right to relocate Tenant to a substitute premises within the property that is substantially similar to the size and layout of the Premises.

 

31.17        Parking . Tenant shall be provided with five (5) unreserved parking spaces in the Building’s parking areas at no charge throughout the Lease.

 

31.18        Entire Agreement . This Lease and the Exhibits attached hereto contain the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant concerning the Premises and there are no other agreements, either oral or written. This Lease may not be altered, changed or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by all parties hereto.

 

32.        Exculpation of Landlord’s Liability . IF LANDLORD SHALL BE IN DEFAULT UNDER THIS LEASE AND, IF AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SUCH DEFAULT, TENANT SHALL RECOVER A MONEY JUDGMENT AGAINST LANDLORD, SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL BE SATISFIED ONLY OUT OF THE RIGHT, TITLE AND INTEREST OF LANDLORD IN THE BUILDING AND COMMON AREAS AS THE SAME MAY THEN BE ENCUMBERED, AND NEITHER LANDLORD NOR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY NOW OR HEREAFTER OWNING OR COMPRISING LANDLORD SHALL BE LIABLE FOR SUCH JUDGMENT OR FOR ANY DEFICIENCY PERSONALLY. IN NO EVENT SHALL TENANT HAVE THE RIGHT TO LEVY EXECUTION AGAINST ANY PROPERTY OF LANDLORD NOR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY COMPRISING LANDLORD OTHER THAN LANDLORD’S INTEREST IN THE BUILDING AS HEREIN EXPRESSLY PROVIDED. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTNER, JOINT VENTURER, MEMBER, SHAREHOLDER OR OTHER OWNER OF OR IN LANDLORD, NOR ANY OFFICER, DIRECTOR OR SHAREHOLDER OF LANDLORD OR ANY SUCH PARTNER, JOINT VENTURER, MEMBER, SHAREHOLDER OR OTHER OWNER OF OR IN LANDLORD BE PERSONALLY LIABLE HEREUNDER. TENANT HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES AS FOLLOWS: (A) THAT LANDLORD’S OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITY TO TENANT WITH RESPECT TO THIS LEASE SHALL BE LIMITED SOLELY TO LANDLORD’S INTEREST IN THE BUILDING AND COMMON AREAS, AND NEITHER LANDLORD NOR ANY JOINT VENTURERS, PARTNERS, MEMBER, SHAREHOLDERS OR OTHER OWNERS, NOR ANY OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR EMPLOYEES OF OR IN LANDLORD SHALL HAVE ANY PERSONAL LIABILITY WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THIS LEASE; (B) THAT TENANT UNDERSTANDS AND ACCEPTS THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND RECOURSE BY TENANT AS PROVIDED FOR HEREIN, AND ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT LANDLORD WOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED INTO THIS LEASE WITHOUT THE INCLUSION OF THIS EXCULPATION PROVISION; AND (C) THAT TENANT IS ENTERING INTO THIS LEASE WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL AND OTHER EXPERTS OF ITS CHOOSING WITH RESPECT TO THE MEANING AND EFFECT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS LEASE, INCLUDING SPECIFICALLY BUT WITHOUT LIMITATION THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND EXCULPATION PROVISION.

 

[Signatures on the following page]

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Undersigned have caused this Lease to be executed by their duly authorized representative as of the date first above written:

 

LANDLORD: REALCO GA 001, LLC ,
  a Georgia limited liability company
   
  By:     Realco Limited Liability Company ,
           a West Virginia limited liability
           company, its manager
   
   
  By:______________________________
   
  Its: ______________________________
   
   
TENANT: Grom Educational Services, a _________
   
   
   By: ________________________________
   
   Its:   ________________________________
   
  Tax ID: ______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT “A”

Description of Leased Premises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT “B”

Commencement and Completion Lease Certificate

 

THIS LEASE CERTIFICATE , made as of this ____ day of _____________, 201____, by and between REALCO GA 001, LLC, as Landlord, and ____________________________ as Tenant, whereby the undersigned parties hereby agree and certify that:

 

1. Landlord and Tenant are parties to that certain Lease dated as of _____________ ____, 20____, covering certain leased space at _________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________.

 

2. The Tenant has entered into occupancy and possession of the Premises. The Commencement Date is _________________, ______, and the Rent Commencement Date is _________________, ______; and,

 

3. The Expiration Date of the Lease is on _________________, ______; and,

 

4. The Lease is in full force and effect and has not been assigned, modified, supplemented or amended in any way, and neither party thereto is in default thereunder; and,

 

5. The Premises contain approximately ____________ rentable square feet; and

 

6. Tenant has accepted the Premises, and the Premises are in good and tenantable condition and acceptable for Tenant’s intended use thereof as provided in the Lease.

 

7. The rent for the month of _______________, ___, has been paid.

 

 

[Signatures on the following page]

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Undersigned have executed this Lease Certificate as of the date first above written:

 

LANDLORD: REALCO GA 001, LLC ,
  a Georgia limited liability company
   
  By:     Realco Limited Liability Company ,
           a West Virginia limited liability
           company, its manager
   
   
  By:______________________________
   
  Its: ______________________________
   
   
TENANT: GROM EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, a _________
   
   
   By: ________________________________
   
   Its:   ________________________________
   

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT “C”

 

Landlord’s Work

 

Plans and Specifications

 

Landlord shall turnkey the Premises. Landlord’s work shall include the following:

 

1. Add IT-room

 

2. Install VCT to IT-room

 

3. Replace any damaged or stained ceiling tiles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT “D”

 

Rules and Regulations

 

 

1.                The sidewalks, halls, passages, exits, entrances, retail areas, elevators, escalators and stairways of the Building will not be obstructed by Tenant or used by Tenant for any purpose other than for ingress to and egress from the Premises.  The halls, passages, exits, entrances, elevators, escalators and stairwells are not for the general public, and Landlord will in all cases retain the right to control and prevent access to them by all persons whose presence, in the judgment of Landlord, would be prejudicial to the safety, character, reputation, and interests of the Building and its tenants; however, such access will be permitted to persons with whom Tenant normally deals in the ordinary course of its business, unless such persons are engaged in illegal activities. Tenant and its employees and invitees shall not go upon the roof of the Building.

 

2.                No sign, placard, picture, name, advertisement or notice visible from the exterior of Tenant's Premises will be inscribed, painted, affixed or otherwise displayed by Tenant on any part of the Building or the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord.  Landlord will adopt and furnish to Tenant guidelines relating to signs inside the Building on the office floors.  Tenant agrees to conform to such guidelines.  All approved signs or lettering on doors will be printed, painted, affixed or inscribed at the expense of Tenant by a person approved by Landlord.  Material visible from outside the Building will not be permitted.  Landlord may remove such materials without any liability, and may charge the expense incurred by such removal to Tenant.

 

3.                No curtains, draperies, blinds, shutters, shades, screens or other coverings, hangings or decorations will be attached to, hung, or placed in, or used in connection with any window of the Building or the Premises unless approved in writing by Landlord.

 

4.                The sashes, sash doors, skylights, windows, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning vents and doors that reflect or admit light and air into the halls, passageways or other public places in the Building will not be covered or obstructed by Tenant.

 

5.                No showcases or other articles will be put in front of or affixed to any part of the exterior of the Building, nor placed in the public halls, corridors or vestibules without the prior written consent of Landlord.

 

6.                Landlord reserves the right to exclude or expel from the Building any person who, in the judgment of Landlord, is under the influence of liquor or drugs, or who shall in any manner do any act of violence or violate any of the Rules and Regulations of the Building.

 

7.                Tenant will not occupy or permit any portion of the Premises to be occupied as an office for a public stenographer or typist, or for the possession, storage, manufacture, or sale of liquor, narcotics, dope, tobacco in any form, or as a barber or manicure shop, or as a public employment bureau or agency, or for a public finance (personal loan) business. 

 

8.                Tenant will not permit the Premises to be used for lodging or sleeping or for any immoral or illegal purpose. 

 

9.                Tenant will not use or permit the use of the Premises in any manner which involves the unusual risk of injury to any person. 

 

10.             No cooking will be done or permitted by Tenant on the Premises, except in area of the Premises which are specially constructed for cooking.  Approved microwave equipment or equipment for brewing coffee, tea, hot chocolate and similar beverages will be permitted so long as such use is in accordance with all applicable federal, state and city laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations.

 

11.             The toilet rooms, toilets, urinals, wash bowls and other plumbing fixtures will not be used for any purposes other than those for which they were constructed, and no sweepings, rubbish, rags or other foreign substances will be thrown in them.  All damages resulting from any misuse of the fixtures will be borne by Tenant who, or whose servants, employees, agents, visitors or licensees have caused the damage.

 

 

 

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12.             Tenant will not deface any part of the Premises or the Building of which they form a part. Without the prior written consent of Landlord, Tenant will not lay linoleum or other similar floor covering. If such floor covering is to be used, an interlining of builder's deadening felt will be first affixed to the floor, by a paste of other material soluble in water. The use of cement or other similar adhesive material is expressly prohibited.  In those portions of the Premises in which carpet has been provided directly or indirectly by Landlord, Tenant will at its own expense install and maintain pads to protect the carpet under all furniture having casters other than carpet casters.

 

13.             Tenant will see that the doors of the Premises are closed and locked and that all water faucets, water apparatus and utilities are shut off before Tenant or Tenant's employees leave the Premises, so as to prevent waste or damage, and for any default or carelessness in this regard Tenant will make good all injuries sustained by other tenants or occupants of the Building or Landlord.  On multiple-tenancy floors, all tenants will keep the doors to the Building corridors closed at all times except for ingress and egress.

 

14.             Tenant agrees that Landlord shall not be responsible for lost or stolen personal property, money or jewelry from the Premises or Building regardless of whether such loss occurs when the area is locked against entry or not.

 

15.             Smoking is not permitted in Building including, but not limited to, lobbies, common hallways, restrooms, vending areas, conference rooms and exercise facilities.  Smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of exterior doors to the Building.

 

16.             Tenant, its employees, agents, customers and invitees shall not loiter or solicit in the Common Areas, nor shall Tenant distribute any handbills or other advertising at the Building.

 

17.             Upon Tenant's taking possession of the Premises, Tenant shall supply to Landlord the name, address and phone number of an emergency contact.  Tenant authorizes Landlord to relinquish said information to the Police Department and Fire Department in case of an emergency.

 

18.             Landlord may from time to time adopt appropriate systems and procedures for the security or safety of the Building, any persons occupying, using, or entering the Building, or any equipment, furnishings or contents of the Building, and Tenant will comply with such systems and procedures.

 

19.             All persons entering or leaving the Building after standard hours of operation including Saturday, Sunday, and holidays will comply with such off-hours regulations as Landlord may establish and modify from time to time.  Landlord reserves the right to limit or restrict access to the Building during such time periods.

 

20.             The persons employed to move Tenant's equipment, material, furniture or other property in or out of the Building must be accepted by Landlord.  The moving company must be a locally recognized professional mover, whose primary business is the performing of relocation services, and must be bonded and fully insured. A certificate or other verification of such insurance must be received and approved by Landlord prior to the start of any moving operations.  Insurance must be sufficient, in Landlord's sole opinion, to cover all personal liability, theft or damage to the Building, including without limitation, floor coverings, doors, walls, elevators, stairs, foliage and landscaping.  Special care must be taken to prevent damage to foliage and landscaping during adverse weather.  All moving operations will be conducted at such times and in such a manner as Landlord may direct, and all moving will take place during non-business hours unless Landlord agrees in writing otherwise.  Tenant will be responsible for the provision of Building security during all moving operations, and will be liable for all losses and damages sustained by any party as a result of the failure to supply adequate security.  Landlord will have the right to prescribe the weight, size and position of all equipment, materials, furniture or other property brought into the Building.  Heavy objects will, if considered necessary by Landlord, stand on wood strips of such thickness as is necessary to distribute the weight properly.  Landlord will not be responsible for loss of or damage to any such property from any cause, and all damage done to the Building by moving or maintaining such property will be repaired at the expense of Tenant.  Landlord reserves the right to inspect all such property to be brought into the Building and to exclude from the Building all such property which violates any of these Rules and Regulations.  Supplies, goods, materials, packages, furniture and all other items of every kind delivered to or taken from the Premises will be delivered or removed through the entrance and route designated by Landlord. Landlord will not be responsible for the loss or damage of any such property, even if such loss or damage may occur through the carelessness or negligence of Landlord, its agents or employees.

 

 

 

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21.             Tenant will not use or keep in the Premises or the Building any kerosene, gasoline, or flammable or combustible or explosive fluid or material or chemical substance other than limited quantities reasonably necessary for the operation or maintenance of office equipment or limited quantities of cleaning fluids and solvents required in normal operation of the Premises.  Without Landlord's prior written approval, Tenant will not use any method of heating or air conditioning other than that supplied by Landlord.  Tenant will not use or keep or permit to be used or kept, any foul or noxious gas or substance in the Premises, or permit or suffer the Premises to be occupied or used in a manner offensive or objectionable to Landlord or other occupants of the Building by reason of noise, odors or vibrations, or interference in any way with other tenants or those having business in the Building.  Tenant will not place or install any object (including, without limitation, radio and television antenna, loudspeakers, sound amplifiers, microwave dishes, solar devices or similar devices) on the exterior of the Building or on the roof of the Building without Landlord’s prior written approval.

 

22.             Landlord may without notice and without liability to Tenant, change the name and street address of the Building.

 

23.             Landlord will have the right to prohibit any advertising by Tenant (mentioning the Building) which, in Landlord's reasonable opinion, tends to impair the reputation of the Building or its desirability as a building for offices, and upon written notice from Landlord, Tenant will discontinue such advertising.

 

24.             Tenant will not bring any animals or birds into the Building and will not feed any animals or birds that may come on the property. Tenant will not permit bicycles or other vehicles inside or on the sidewalks outside the Building except in areas designated from time to time by Landlord for such purposes. Tenant will not permit vehicles to be stored on the property overnight for multiple days at a time.

 

25.             Tenant will store all of its trash and garbage within the Premises.  No material will be placed in the trash boxes or receptacles if such material is of such nature that it may not be disposed of in the ordinary and customary manner of removing and disposing of trash and garbage without being in violation of any law or ordinance governing such disposal.  All garbage and refuse disposal will be made only through entryway and elevators provided for such purposes and at such times as Landlord may designate.  Removal of any furniture or furnishings, large equipment, packing crates, packing materials and boxes will be the responsibility of Tenant, and such items may not be disposed of in the Building trash receptacles, nor will they be removed by the Building's janitorial service, except at Landlord's sole option and at Tenant's expense.  No furniture, appliances, equipment or flammable products of any type may be disposed of in the Building trash receptacles.

 

26.             Canvassing, peddling, soliciting and distribution of handbills or any other written materials in the Building are prohibited, and Tenant will cooperate to prevent same.

 

27.             The requirements of tenants will be attended to only upon application by written, personal or telephone notice at the office of the Building.  Employees of Landlord will not perform any work or do anything outside of their regular duties unless under special instruction from Landlord.

 

28.             Whenever Tenant submits to Landlord any plan, agreement or other document for Landlord's consent or approval, Tenant agrees to pay Landlord as additional rent, on demand, a processing fee in the sum equal to the reasonable fee of the architect, engineer or attorney employed by Landlord to review the plan, agreement or document.

 

29.             Tenant will not conduct itself in any manner which is inconsistent with the character of the Building as a first quality building or which will impair the comfort and convenience of other tenants in the Building.

 

30.             No act or thing done or omitted to be done by Landlord or Landlord's agent during the term of the lease in connection with the enforcement of these Rules and Regulations will constitute an eviction by Landlord of Tenant nor will it be deemed an acceptance of surrender of the Premises by Tenant.  No agreement to accept such termination or surrender will be valid unless in a writing signed by Landlord.  The delivery of keys to any employee or agent of Landlord will not operate as a termination of the lease or a surrender of the Premises unless such delivery of keys is done in connection with a written instrument executed by Landlord approving the termination or surrender.

 

 

 

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31.             Tenant agrees that it shall not willfully do or omit to do any act or thing which shall discriminate or segregate upon the basis of race, color, sex, creed or national origin in the use and occupancy or in any subleasing or subletting in the Premises.

 

32.             Landlord reserves the right to amend and modify these Rules and Regulations from time to time, for the safety, care, order or cleanliness and operation of the Building in which the Premises are located, any common areas and the use thereof. .

 

33.             Tenant shall be deemed to have read these Rules and Regulations and to have agreed to abide by them as a condition of its occupancy of the Premises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT “E”

SPECIAL STIPULATIONS

 

 

1.           OPTION TO EXTEND TERM

 

a. Option to Renew. Provided Tenant is not in default in the performance of its obligations under this Lease, Tenant shall have the right and option to renew this Lease for two (2) additional terms of five (5) years each, such additional term to commence immediately upon the expiration of the original Term (each such additional term, a “Renewal Term”). If Tenant elects to exercise its option to renew this Lease, Tenant shall give written notice to Landlord of such election at least two hundred seventy (270) days prior to the date of expiration of the term then in effect.

 

b. Rent Adjustment. The rent shall be adjusted for each Renewal Term, effective on the commencement date of each Renewal Term to increase the rent due for each Renewal Term (the “Adjusted Rent”) to the then prevailing fair market rental rate. In no case shall the base rent be less than the last month’s rent of the initial Term. The Adjusted Rent due for any Renewal Term shall be payable to Landlord in consecutive equal monthly installments on the first day of each month of each such Renewal Term.

 

 

2.          TENANT INITIATED EXPANSION RIGHT

 

a. Landlord will provide Tenant with a Tenant initiated expansion option during the first twenty-four (24) months of lease term. Provided no event of default then exists and Tenant is then occupying all of the Premises, if Tenant desires to lease the space in the 3280 Building, Tenant shall notify Landlord in writing of its desire to lease such space. Within ten (10) business days thereafter, Landlord shall notify Tenant in writing of all space in the Building that is available to Tenant to Lease on the date of Landlord’s Availability Notice. If Tenant desires to lease any expansion space listed on Landlord’s availability notice, Tenant shall thereafter notify Landlord in writing within ten (10) business days following Landlord’s availability notice and shall designate the requested expansion space in Tenant’s expansion notice. Within three (3) business days after Landlord’s receipt of Tenant’s Expansion Notice, Landlord will notify Tenant in writing whether the requested Expansion Space is then available as of the date of Tenant’s Expansion Notice. Such terms will be coterminous with the current lease with leasing concessions prorated based upon remaining term.

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT “E”

 

GUARANTY

 

THIS GUARANTY (the “Guaranty”) made and entered into this                  day of                              , 2017, by TOP DRAW ANIMATION, INC., a _____________ (“Guarantor”), to and for the benefit of REALCO GA 001, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“Landlord”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, Landlord and GROM EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, an _______, as Tenant (together with its successors and assigns, “Tenant”) propose to enter into that certain Lease, dated of even date herewith (the “Lease”), pursuant to which Tenant will lease approximately 1,897 rentable square feet of space (the “Premises”) within that certain building located at 3280 Pointe Parkway in the City of Peachtree Corners, State of Georgia; and

 

WHEREAS, Guarantor, as the parent corporation of Tenant, is desirous that Landlord make and enter into the Lease with Tenant; and

 

WHEREAS, Landlord requires as a condition to its execution of the Lease that Guarantor guarantees the full performance of the obligations of Tenant under the Lease;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of Ten and No/100ths Dollars ($10.00), and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of all of which are hereby acknowledged by Guarantor, and to induce Landlord to enter into the Lease with Tenant, Guarantor does hereby agree as follows:

 

1.        Guaranty . Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees: (a) the full, faithful and punctual performance of each and all of the terms, covenants, agreements and conditions of the Lease to be kept and performed by Tenant, in accordance with and within the time prescribed by the Lease (such terms, covenants, agreements and conditions are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Covenants”); (b) the full and punctual payment and discharge of all Base Rent, Additional Rent, any Security Deposit, and all other sums of money, charges and liabilities due Landlord under the Lease (including any interest and late charges thereon) (such Base Rent, Additional Rent, Security Deposit, sums, charges, liabilities and interest are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “Rent”); and (c) all costs, expenses and damages suffered or incurred by Landlord as a result of or instant to any default or breach by Tenant under the Lease, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and other expenses incurred by Landlord in enforcing the Lease or this Guaranty (such costs, expenses and damages are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Expenses”) (the Rent, the Covenants and the Expenses are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Obligations”). Guarantor does hereby agree that if all or any part of the Obligations are not paid by Tenant pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Lease, Guarantor will immediately make such payments to Landlord. Any reference in this Guaranty to “reasonable attorneys’ fees” (or similar terminology) shall be deemed to mean reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred, without regard to the applicability of O.C.G.A. § 13-1-11 or any other fee-limiting statute.

 

2.        No Discharge . This Guaranty by Guarantor shall continue for the benefit of Landlord notwithstanding: (a) any extension, modification, amendment or alteration of the Lease; (b) any assignment of the Lease or sublease of all or part of the Premises, with or without the consent of Landlord; (c) any release, extension or modification of the liability of Tenant or any other party liable under the Lease or any other guaranty of the Lease; (d) any dissolution or liquidation of Tenant or change in the composition of the partners of Tenant; and no extension, modification, amendment, alteration or assignment of the Lease, sublease of all or part of the Premises, dissolution of Tenant, change in the composition of partners of Tenant, and no other agreements or releases between Landlord and Tenant or between Landlord and any other party liable under the Lease or any other guaranty of the Lease (with or without notice to or knowledge of Guarantor) shall in any manner release or discharge Guarantor, and Guarantor does hereby consent to any such extension, modification, amendment, alteration, release or assignment of the Lease, sublease of all or part of the Premises, dissolution or liquidation of Tenant or change in the composition of partners of Tenant. Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees that Landlord may at any time, and from time to time, without notice to or further consent from Guarantor, either with or without consideration, modify the terms of the Lease, or extend or renew the Term of the Lease for any period. No such action which Landlord shall take or fail to take in connection with the Lease, or any course of dealing by Landlord with Tenant or any other person shall release Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, affect this Guaranty in any way or afford Guarantor any recourse against Landlord. The provisions of this Guaranty shall extend and be applicable to all renewals, amendments, extensions or modifications of the Lease and shall be deemed to include any such renewals, amendments, extensions or modifications thereof. This Guaranty shall in all respects be a continuing, absolute and unconditional guaranty, and shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding, without limitation, the death or incompetency of Guarantor.

 

 

 

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3.        Unchanged by Bankruptcy . This Guaranty will continue unchanged notwithstanding any bankruptcy, reorganization, or insolvency of Tenant or any successor or assignee thereof or by any disaffirmance or abandonment by a trustee or Tenant.

 

4.        Transfer or Assignment . Landlord may without notice, assign or transfer this Guaranty in whole or in part and no such assignment or transfer of the Lease or this Guaranty shall operate to extinguish or diminish the liability of Guarantor hereunder.

 

5.        Primarily Liable . This Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. The liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be primary and direct and in any right of action which shall accrue to Landlord under the Lease, Landlord may, at its option, proceed against Guarantor without having commenced any action, or having obtained any judgment, against Tenant or any other party liable under the Lease or any other guaranty of the Lease.

 

6.        Default . In the event of a default by Tenant under the Lease that continues past the expiration of any applicable notice and cure periods, Landlord shall have the right to enforce its rights, powers and remedies under the Lease, any other guaranty of the Lease, and under this Guaranty and all rights, powers and remedies available to Landlord shall be non-exclusive and cumulative of all other rights, powers and remedies under the Lease, any other guaranty of the Lease or under this Guaranty or by law or in equity. The obligations of Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of Tenant or any other guarantor, and Landlord may proceed directly to enforce all rights under this Guaranty without proceeding against or joining Tenant, any other guarantor or any other person or entity. Guarantor hereby authorizes and empowers Landlord upon the occurrence of a default by Tenant under the Lease that continues past the expiration of any applicable notice and cure periods, at its sole discretion and without notice to Guarantor, to exercise any right or remedy which Landlord may have under the Lease and Guarantor shall be liable to Landlord for any deficiency resulting from the exercise by it of any such remedy, even though any right which Guarantor may have against Tenant or others may be lost or diminished by exercise of any such remedy. Guarantor hereby expressly waives the provisions of Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 13-6-5, and Landlord shall have no duty to mitigate, except to the extent, if any, that Landlord has an express duty to mitigate pursuant to the terms of the Lease. Until all of the Obligations have been performed and paid in full, Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation to Landlord and Guarantor hereby waives any rights to enforce any remedy which Landlord may have against Tenant.

 

7.        Proceeds . Guarantor hereby authorizes Landlord, without notice to Guarantor, to apply all payments and credits received from Tenant or realized from any personal property of Tenant on the Premises in such manner and in such priority as Landlord in its sole judgment shall see fit to the Obligations which are the subject of this Guaranty.

 

8.        Binding on Successors . Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall not be assigned or delegated but this Guaranty shall pass to and be fully binding upon any successors, heirs, assigns and/or trustees of Guarantor.

 

9.        Waivers . Guarantor expressly waives and agrees not to assert or take advantage of: (a) the defense of the statute of limitations in any action hereunder or in any action for collection of the Obligations; (b) any defense that may arise by reason of the failure of Landlord to file or enforce a claim against Tenant in bankruptcy or any other proceeding; (c) any defense based on the failure of Landlord to give notice of the creation, existence or incurring of any new obligations or on the action or non-action of any person or entity in connection with the Obligations; (d) any duty on the part of Landlord to disclose to Guarantor any facts it may know or hereafter acquire regarding Tenant; (e) any defense based on lack of diligence on the part of Landlord in the collection of any and all of the Obligations; and/or (f) demand for payment, presentment, notice of protest or dishonor, notice of acceptance of this Guaranty, and any and all other notices or demands to which Guarantor might otherwise be entitled by law. Guarantor hereby expressly waives the provisions of Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 10-7-24.

 

10.        No Oral Modification . This Guaranty may not be changed orally, and no obligation of Guarantor can be released or waived by Landlord except by a writing signed by Landlord.

 

 

 

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11.        Representations . Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that:

 

(a)       Guarantor is not in default under any agreement to which Guarantor is a party, the effect of which will impair performance by Guarantor of the Obligations;

(b)       There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or threatened against Guarantor before any court or any governmental, administrative, regulatory, adjudicatory or arbitrational body or agency of any kind that will affect performance by Guarantor of the Obligations; and

 

(c)       Neither this Guaranty nor any document, financial statement, credit information, certificate or statement heretofore furnished or required herein to be furnished to Landlord by Guarantor contains any untrue statement of facts or omits to state a fact material to this Guaranty as of the date of this Guaranty.

 

12.        Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability in any particular circumstances of any provision of this Guaranty shall not extend beyond such provision or circumstances, and no other provision of this instrument shall be affected thereby. This provision shall control every other provision of this Guaranty.

 

13.        Construction . Whenever used herein, the singular number shall include the plural, the plural the singular, and the use of any gender shall include all genders.

 

14.        Choice of Law . This Guaranty is to be performed in the State of Georgia and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

 

15.        Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in multiple counterparts, all of which shall be deemed originals, but all of which constitute one and the same instrument.

 

16.        Captions . The paragraph headings used in this Guaranty are for suggestive purposes only and are not intended to be an accurate or comprehensive summary of the terms and provisions of this Guaranty.

 

17.        Time of Essence . Time is of the essence of this Guaranty.

 

18.        Joint and Several Liability . The liability of Guarantor hereunder shall be joint and several with the liability of any other guarantor of the Lease and with the liability of any other party liable under the Lease.

 

19.        Consent to Jurisdiction . Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that this Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia. Guarantor hereby consents to personal jurisdiction in the State of Georgia for the enforcement of this Guaranty and hereby waives any and all claims of rights under the laws of the State of Georgia or of the United States or of any other state or country, to object to jurisdiction within the State of Georgia for the purpose of litigation to enforce this Guaranty. In the event such litigation is commenced, Guarantor agrees that service of process may be made and personal jurisdiction obtained over Guarantor by serving a copy of the summons and complaint upon Guarantor by a generally recognized express courier such as Federal Express or UPS at the address set forth below Guarantor’s signature or at any other address written notice of which is provided by Guarantor to Landlord. Nothing contained herein, however, shall prevent the Landlord from bringing any action or exercising any rights against Guarantor personally, or against any property of Guarantor, within any other county, state or country. The means of obtaining personal jurisdiction and perfecting service of process set forth above are not intended to be exclusive but are cumulative and in addition to all other means of obtaining personal jurisdiction and perfecting service of process now or hereafter provided by the laws of the State of Georgia, the United States or any other state or country.

 

20.        Notices . Any notice, demand or document required or permitted to be delivered by this Guaranty shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be delivered (whether or not actually received) when delivered personally or when delivered by a generally recognized express courier such as Federal Express, UPS or DHL, at the address set forth below Guarantor’s signature or at any other address notice of which is provided by Guarantor to Landlord.

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has hereunder caused this Guaranty to be executed under seal and delivered to Landlord the day and year first above written.

 

Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of:

 

GUARANTOR :

 

TOP DRAW ANIMATION, INC., a _______corporation

 

By:____________________________________

Name:__________________________________

Title:___________________________________

 

[CORPORATE SEAL]

 

Address:

_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

_______________________________________
Witness


_______________________________________
Notary Public

 

(NOTARIAL SEAL)

 

My Commission Expires:

_______________________________________

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.23

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

1.         SUBSCRIPTION .

 

(a)               Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the undersigned purchaser (the “ Purchaser ”) hereby subscribes for and agrees to purchase from GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC., a Florida corporation (the “ Company ”) (i) Four Hundred Thousand (400,000) shares of Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”) of the Company, and (ii) Two Million Shares (2,000,000) shares of common stock par value $0.001 per share of the Company (the “ Common Stock ” and, the Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock being acquired by Purchaser herein being sometimes collectively referred to as the “ Shares ”), and agrees to contribute to the Company a total cash consideration of $400,000.00 (the “ Purchase Price ”), payable upon execution and delivery of this agreement (the “ Agreement ”) in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company. The Company reserves the right to sell an aggregate of 2,000,000 Series A Preferred Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the within offering, on a best efforts, no minimum basis.

 

(b)              Upon acceptance of the Purchase Price in cleared funds and this Agreement by the Company, the Company shall (i) file with the Department of Corporations of the State of Florida, a Certificate of Designation of the Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock substantially in the form as annexed hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Certificate of Designation ”), and (ii) issue and deliver to Purchaser stock certificates in the name of the Purchaser representing the Shares acquired hereby. The terms of the Certificate of Designation which contains the rights, preferences, and privileges of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock are incorporated by reference herein.

 

2.         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . The Purchaser hereby represents to the Company as follows:

 

(a)        The Purchaser recognizes that the purchase of the Shares is extremely speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Such risks include, among others: (i) the Company’s present financial condition and need for additional capital; (ii) limited liquidity of the Purchaser's Shares and lack of trading market for the Shares; (iii) the low price of the Common Stock into which the Series A Preferred Stock are convertible, which results in difficulty in depositing and monetizing such securities; (iv) limited transferability of the Shares; and (v) the potential for sustaining a loss, including a loss of its entire investment in the Shares; and (vi) any other risks or risk factors contained in the Company’s periodic and other reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) and available on EDGAR (the “ SEC Reports ”). Purchaser is capable of bearing the economic impact of such loss including the loss of their entire investment.

 

(b)       The Purchaser has been advised of and acknowledges that (i) there is currently no market for the Series A Preferred Stock being purchased herein, and it is not intended that any market will develop for the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

(c)       The Purchaser has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that the Purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company.

 

(d)       The Purchaser has been furnished by the Company during the course of the Purchaser’s evaluation of an investment in the Shares with the Certificate of Designation, the Company’s SEC Reports available on Edgar and has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from duly authorized officers and/or other representatives of the Company and any additional information which the Purchaser had requested. The Purchaser has also reviewed all information including the terms hereof and of the Preferred Stock, with their counsel and professional tax or economic advisers and understands the risks relating hereto.

 

(e)        The Purchaser hereby acknowledges that the Purchaser has been advised that the offer of the Shares by the Company has not been registered with, or reviewed by, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) because such offer is intended to be a non-public offering pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), or applicable regulations thereunder. The Purchaser represents that the Shares are being purchased for the Purchaser's own account, for investment purposes only and not with a view towards distribution or resale to others. The Purchaser agrees that the Purchaser will not attempt to sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Shares unless they are registered under the Securities Act or unless in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company an exemption from such registration is available. The Purchaser understands and agrees that the following restriction and limitation is applicable to the Purchaser's investment in the Shares pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder (“ Regulation D ”) and that certificates evidencing the Shares will bear the following restrictive legend:

 

 

 

  1  

 

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER, WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO COUNSEL FOR THIS CORPORATION, IS AVAILABLE.

 

(f)        The Purchaser is not acquiring the Shares as a result of any form of general solicitation or general advertising as those terms are used in Regulation D, including, without limitation, any article, notice, advertisement or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television, radio or the internet or any seminar or meeting where the Purchaser was invited by general solicitation or general advertising.

 

(g)        The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement are within the powers of the Purchaser, have been duly authorized and will not constitute or result in a breach or default under, or conflict with, any order, ruling or regulation of any court or other tribunal or of any governmental commission or agency, or any agreement or other undertaking, to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound. The signatures on this Agreement are genuine; the Purchaser has legal competence and capacity to execute the same, and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(f)       The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of the Regulation D.

The foregoing representations and warranties are true and accurate as of the date hereof and shall survive the issuance and delivery of the Shares. If, in any respect, those representations and warranties shall not be true and accurate prior to delivery of the payment pursuant to Paragraph 1, the undersigned shall immediately give written notice to the Company specifying which representations and warranties are not true and accurate and the reason therefor. It is specifically understood and agreed by the Purchaser that neither the Company nor its officers or directors has made, nor by this Agreement shall be construed to make, directly or indirectly, explicitly or by implication, any representation, warranty, projection, assumption, promise, covenant, opinion, recommendation or other statement of any kind or nature with respect to the anticipated operations, investment returns, cash flows, profits or losses of the Company.

 

3.         MISCELLANEOUS .

 

(a)        This Subscription Agreement shall not be changed, modified or amended except by a writing signed by the parties to be charged, and this Agreement may not be discharged except by performance in accordance with its terms or by a writing signed by the party to be charged.

 

(b)        This Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any kind and every nature among them.

 

(c)        This Subscription Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of Florida exclusive of its conflict of laws provisions. IN THE EVENT OF A DISPUTE AMONG THE PARTIES RELATING TO THIS INVESTMENT OR THE PREFERRED SHARES, THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLE WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(d)       This Subscription Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties notwithstanding that all the parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Delivery between the parties hereto of a counterpart by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall not in any way impair the validity of such counterpart, and any counterpart so delivered shall be valid and binding as if an original.

 

 

 

  2  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Subscription Agreement on the day set forth below.

 

   
____________________________ ______________________________
Signature Tax ID Number
   
   
____________________________ _______________________________
Print address Line 1
   
_______________ _______________________________
Date Address Line 2

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

By:_________________________________

Name: Darren Marks

Title: President, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

Of

SERIES A 10% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  4  

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14 OR 15D-14 OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Darren Marks, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:  April 16, 2019 /s/ Darren Marks
  Darren Marks
 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned officers of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of our knowledge:

 

  1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company, as of, and for the periods presented in the Report.

 

Date:  April 16, 2019 /s/ Darren Marks
  Darren Marks
 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman

(Principal Executive Officer)

   
  /s/ Melvin Leiner
  Melvin Leiner
  Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)