Risk Factors - CNFN

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$CNFN Risk Factor changes from 00/05/13/22/2022 to 00/04/11/24/2024

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.” YOU SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE UPON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW, WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS OR OTHERWISE. UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, THE TERMS “CFN”, THE “COMPANY”, “WE”, “OUR”, “REGISTRANT”, AND “US” MEANS CFN ENTERPRISES INC. AND ITS CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES. CFN ENTERPRISES INC. CFN ENTERPRISES INC. 2023 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K Table of Contents PART I Item 1. 2021 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K Table of Contents PART I Item 1. Business Overview We own and operate CFN Media, a digital marketing agency specializing in compliant, turnkey ad campaigns for the global cannabis, hemp and wellness industries, or the CFN Business, and a white label manufacturing and co-packing business for the global cannabis, hemp and wellness industries, or the Ranco Business. Our ongoing operations currently consist primarily of the CFN Business and the Ranco Business and we will continue to pursue strategic transactions and opportunities. Our ongoing operations currently consist primarily of CNP Operating and the CFN Business and we will continue to pursue strategic transactions and opportunities. We are currently in the process of launching an e-commerce network focused on the sale of general wellness CBD products. We also own CNP Operating which is a cannabidiol manufacturer. In the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, the Company took steps to wind down the operations of CNP Operating and focus on the CFN and Ranco Businesses (beginning in July 2023). On July 1, 2023, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, RANCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or Ranco, acquired assets from RAN CoPacking Solutions LLC, a California limited liability company, or the Acquisition, which consists of assets for co-packing and white label manufacturing services, including comprehensive solutions for third party logistics (3PL) related areas such as storage, order fulfillment, solutions for custom packaging and hardware needs for many different industries, and media and design services, along with strategic marketing support, to help clients establish and enhance their brand presence in the market. Also on July 1, 2023, Ranco entered into the Packwoods Private Label Services and Intellectual Property Licensing Agreement, or the Licensing Agreement, with PW Industries LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company, or PW, RS Distributions LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or RS, and Packaging Innovations LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company, or PI, and together with PW and RS, the Licensors, for the exclusive manufacturing, packaging and distribution of, and wholesale and retail sales of a variety hemp-based inhalable (pre-roll and vaporizer), edible products, and disposable nicotine-based inhalable vaporizer products, and the purchase of packaging materials to be used with Packwoods-branded cannabis products (containing more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight) and the distribution of those packaging materials to licensed cannabis manufacturers designated by PW, using the Licensor’s licensed property for a 5 year exclusive term, subject to certain exclusions. The CFN Business generates revenue by setting up and managing compliant, turnkey ad campaigns on behalf of its clients. The CFN Business also generates revenue through sponsored content, including articles, press releases, videos, podcasts, advertisements and other media, email advertisements and other marketing campaigns run on behalf of public and private companies in the cannabis, hemp and wellness industries, helping them reach accredited, retail and institutional investors. The CFN Business generates revenue through sponsored content, including articles, press releases, videos, podcasts, advertisements and other media, email advertisements and other marketing campaigns run on behalf of public and private companies in the cannabis industry, helping them reach accredited, retail and institutional investors. Most revenue is generated through contracts involving a monthly cash payment. The CFN Business’ primary expenses come from advertising on platforms like X (f/k/a Twitter) and Facebook and from employee salaries and contractor fees. The CFN Business’ primary expenses come from advertising on platforms like Twitter and Facebook and from employee salaries and contractor fees. The CFN Business’ content is primarily produced by a team of freelance writers and video content is produced through various vendors. The CFN Business also incurs hosting and development costs associated with maintaining and improving its website, web applications, and mobile applications. The CFN Business operates several media platforms, including CannabisFN.com, CFNMediaNews.com, and other venues. These properties are designed to educate and inform investors interested in the cannabis industry, as well as provide a platform for the clients of the CFN Business to reach investors. The CFN Business distributes content across numerous online platforms, including the CannabisFN.com website, press releases, financial news syndicates, search engines, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram, X (f/k/a Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and others.com website, press releases, financial news syndicates, search engines, YouTube, iTunes, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others. The CFN Business targets the legal cannabis, hemp and wellness industries. The CFN Business targets the legal cannabis industry. According to Grand View Research, the global cannabis industry alone is expected to reach $134. According to Grand View Research, the global cannabis industry is expected to reach $146. 4 billion by 2030, driven by the legalization of medical and adult-use cannabis across a growing number of jurisdictions. The CFN Business’ services are designed to help companies in these highly regulated industries increase sales with compliant, turnkey online ad campaigns. The CFN Business’ services are designed to help private companies prepare to go public and public companies grow their shareholder base through sponsored content and marketing outreach. Our principal offices are located at 600 E. 8th Street, Whitefish, Montana 59937. Our telephone number there is: (833) 420-2636. Our corporate website is: www.cfnenterprisesinc.com, the contents of which are not part of this annual report. Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol "CNFN. Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol “CNFN. " 3 How we market our services Ranco’s products and services are sold through our direct sales force and by attending industry related trade shows. How we market our services CNP Operating’s products are sold through our direct sales force and by attending industry related trade shows. CFN Enterprises markets its services through its proprietary network of websites, including www.cfnmedianews.com and www.cannabisfn.com, social media channels and through its internal sales team. Competition CFN Enterprises competes with other public relations firms for clients, as well as online publishers for investors. Public relations competition includes investor awareness firms like Stockhouse Publishing, Catalyst Xchange, Stonebridge Partners and Midan Ventures. Online publisher competition includes firms like New Cannabis Ventures, Leafly and High Times. Ranco competes with other product manufacturers and sellers in the hemp and wellness industries. The market for these products is fragmented and intensely competitive. The market for the sale of CBD-based products is fragmented and intensely competitive. Our competitors of these products include a combination of public and private companies who operate as combination of ecommerce and wholesale brands as well as brick and mortar retail operations. Our competitors of CBD-based products include a combination of public and private companies who operate as combination of ecommerce and wholesale brands as well as brick and mortar retail operations. Government Regulation CFN Business The CFN Business is regulated by rules established by the SEC, FINRA, and certain federal and state cannabis regulations. Ranco Business On December 20, 2018, the President of the United States signed the United States of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the “Farm Bill,” into law. CNP Operating Business On December 20, 2018, the President of the United States signed the United States of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the “Farm Bill,” into law. Among other things, this new law changed certain federal authorities relating to the production and marketing of hemp, defined as cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), and hemp products containing less than 0.3 percent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, including removing hemp and derivatives of hemp from the Controlled Substance Act. January 15, 2021 the USDA issued its final rule regarding the Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program which authorized hemp to be grown and processed legally in the United States and made it legal to transport in interstate commerce. The Farm Bill recognizes hemp as distinct from its genetic cousin, marijuana, and specifically industrial hemp has been excluded from U.S. drug laws. The Farm Bill allows for each individual state to regulate industrial hemp and industrial hemp-based products or accept the USDA rules. Although no longer a controlled substance under federal law, cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp (other than THC) are still subject to a patchwork of state regulations. We are actively monitoring the regulations and proposed regulations in each state to ensure our operations are compliant. We are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws, including laws protecting the privacy of customer non-public information and the handling of customer complaints and regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices. The growth and demand for online commerce has and may continue to result in more stringent consumer protection laws that impose additional compliance burdens on online companies. These laws may cover issues such as user privacy, spyware and the tracking of consumer activities, marketing e-mails and communications, other advertising and promotional practices, money transfers, pricing, product safety, content and quality of products and services, taxation, electronic contracts and other communications and information security. 4 There is also great uncertainty over whether or how existing laws governing issues such as sales and other taxes, auctions, libel, and personal privacy apply to the internet and commercial online services. There is also great uncertainty over whether or how existing laws governing issues such as sales and other taxes, auctions, libel, and personal privacy apply to the internet and commercial online services. These issues may take years to resolve. For example, tax authorities in a number of states, as well as a Congressional advisory commission, are currently reviewing the appropriate tax treatment of companies engaged in online commerce, and new state tax regulations may subject us to additional state sales and income taxes. New legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business or the application of existing laws and regulations to the internet and commercial online services could result in significant additional taxes or regulatory restrictions on our business. These taxes or restrictions could have an adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations and overall financial condition. Furthermore, there is a possibility that we may be subject to significant fines or other payments for any past failures to comply with these requirements. Employees As of December 31, 2023,we had 14 full-time employees, including all of our executive officers. Employees As of December 31, 2021, we had 14 full-time employees, including all of our executive officers. However, this figure does not include independent contractors that are utilized. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and we believe our relationships with our employees to be good. Item 1A. Risk Factors Our business faces risks. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer, and the trading price of our common stock could decline. Our investors and prospective investors should consider the following risks and the information contained under the heading “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements” before deciding to invest in our common stock. Our resources are limited and it may impact how we implement our growth strategy which may impact our operations. Our resources are limited. Our working capital deficit at December 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $14,376,718 and $8,802,958, respectively. As we implement our growth strategy, poor strategic design or execution could impact negatively our operations and our cash flows. We expect that our expenses will continue to increase as we continue to develop and implement our products and services. Our capital requirements may vary materially from those currently planned if, for example, we incur unforeseen capital expenditures, incur unforeseen operating expenses, or make investments to maintain our competitive position. If this is the case, we may have to delay or abandon some or all of our development plans or otherwise forego market opportunities. We will need to generate significant revenues to be profitable in the future, and we may not generate sufficient revenues to be profitable on either a quarterly or annual basis in the future. We have a history of losses. We have a history of losses. We have a history of losses and negative cash flows from operations. We had a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $15.4 million in 2023 and a net loss of approximately $10.1 million in 2022.2 million in 2020. Our operations have been financed primarily through proceeds from the issuance of equity, borrowing money through the issuance of promissory notes and use of a credit facility. We may continue to incur losses in the future. We have substantial indebtedness and obligations to pay interest. We currently have, and will likely continue to have, a substantial amount of indebtedness and obligations to pay interest from our preferred stock. Our indebtedness and interest obligations could, among other things, make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt obligations, require us to use a large portion of our cash flow from operations to repay and service our debt and preferred stock or otherwise create liquidity problems, limit our flexibility to adjust to market conditions, place us at a competitive disadvantage and expose us to interest rate fluctuations. As of December 31, 2023 we had total debt outstanding of $7,400,800, of which $7,272,357 was short term. As of December 31, 2021, we had total debt outstanding of approximately $3,537,573, of which $2,219,882 was short term. As of December 31, 2023, we had 500 shares of Series A Preferred, Stock, each with a stated value of $1,000 per share which bears interest at 12% per annum, and 3,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, each with a stated value of $1,000 per share which bears interest at 6% per annum. 5 We expect to obtain the money to pay our expenses and pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, interest on our preferred stock, and tax liabilities from cash flow from our operations and potentially from securities offerings. We expect to obtain the money to pay our expenses and pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, interest on our preferred stock, and tax liabilities from cash flow from our operations and potentially from securities offerings. Accordingly, our ability to meet our obligations depends on our future performance and capital raising activities, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our cash flow and capital resources prove inadequate to allow us to pay the principal and interest on our debt, interest on our preferred stock and meet our other obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations, restructure or refinance our debt, which we may be unable to do on acceptable terms, and forego attractive business opportunities. In addition, the terms of our existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from pursuing any of these alternatives. Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed in its report to our 2023 audited consolidated financial statements a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We have not generated sufficient revenues from our operations to fund our activities and are therefore dependent upon external sources for financing our operations. There is a risk that we will be unable to obtain the necessary financing to continue our operations on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed in its auditors’ report on the consolidated financial statements for December 31, 2023, a substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. This going concern opinion could materially limit our ability to raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or debt securities or otherwise. Future reports on our financial statements may include an explanatory paragraph with respect to our ability to continue as a going concern. If we cannot continue as a going concern, our stockholders may lose their entire investment in the common stock. Our quarterly financial results will fluctuate, making it difficult to forecast our results of operation. Our revenues and operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including: Our current and future levels of expenditures are based primarily on our growth plans and estimates of expected future revenues. If our operating results fall below the expectation of investors, our stock price will likely decline significantly. We face risks related to the macro economy. We face risks related to the macro economy. Continued uncertainty in global economic conditions continues to pose a risk to the overall economy and has adversely affected the online advertising market, which is now highly competitive. These economic conditions have impacted consumer confidence and customer demand for our products, as well as our ability to borrow money to finance our operations, to maintain our key employees, and to manage normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers and creditors. For example, customers have spent less on online advertising and other services. Although the economic outlook has improved since the credit crisis, if a worsening of current conditions or another economic crisis were to occur, our business and results of operations will continue to be negatively impacted. 6 The CFN Business provides services to persons engaged in the cannabis industry. The CFN Business provides services to persons engaged in the cannabis industry. Cannabis remains illegal under Federal law. Despite the development of a regulated cannabis industry under the laws of certain states, these state laws regulating medical and adult cannabis use are in conflict with the Federal Controlled Substances Act, which classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance and makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Federal government has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes, and thus Federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis preempts state laws that regulate its use. If the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) did take action against the cannabis industry, those of our clients operating in the legal cannabis industry would be lost to us. To analyze this risk, we are relying heavily upon the various U.S. federal governmental memos issued in the past (including the memorandum issued by the DOJ on October 19, 2009, known as the “Ogden Memorandum”, the memorandum issued by the DOJ on August 29, 2013, known as the “Cole Memorandum” and other guidance), to remain acceptable to those state and federal entities that regulate, enforce, or choose to defer enforcement of certain current regulations regarding cannabis and that the U.S. federal government will not change its attitude to those practitioners in the cannabis industry as long as they comply with their state and local jurisdictional rules and authorities. The legal cannabis industry is not yet well-developed, and many aspects of this industry’s development and evolution cannot be accurately predicted, and therefore losing any clients may have a material adverse effect on our business. While we have attempted to identify our business risks in the legal cannabis industry, you should carefully consider that there are other risks that cannot be foreseen or are not described in this annual report, which could materially and adversely affect our business and financial performance. As the possession and use of cannabis is illegal under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, we may be deemed to be aiding and abetting illegal activities through the services and data that we provide to cannabis dispensaries, cultivators and consumers. As a result, we may be subject to enforcement actions by law enforcement authorities, which would materially and adversely affect our business. Under Federal law, and more specifically the Federal Controlled Substances Act, the possession, use, cultivation, and transfer of cannabis is illegal. The CFN Business provides services to customers that are engaged in the business of possession, use, cultivation, and/or transfer of cannabis. As a result, law enforcement authorities, in their attempt to regulate the illegal use of cannabis, may seek to bring an action or actions against us, including, but not limited, to a claim of aiding and abetting another’s criminal activities. The Federal aiding and abetting statute provides that anyone who “commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal.” As a result of such an action, we may be forced to cease operations and our investors could lose their entire investment. Such an action would have a material negative effect on our business and operations. Costs associated with compliance with numerous laws and regulations could impact our financial results. Costs associated with compliance with numerous laws and regulations could impact our financial results. In addition, we could become subject to increased litigation risks associated with the CBD industry. The manufacture, labeling and distribution by us of the hemp-based cannabinoid products is regulated by various federal, state and local agencies. These governmental authorities may commence regulatory or legal proceedings, which could restrict the permissible scope of our product claims or the ability to sell products in the future. We are subject to regulation by the federal government and other state and local agencies as a result of our hemp-based cannabinoid products. The shifting compliance environment and the need to build and maintain robust systems to comply with different compliance in multiple jurisdictions increases the possibility that we may violate one or more of the requirements. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply to our company, we may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, any of which could adversely affect the ability to operate our business and our financial results. Failure to comply with the various federal, state and local requirements may result in, among other things, injunctions, product withdrawals, recalls, product seizures, fines and criminal prosecutions. We are seeing increasing state-level labeling requirements that may increase our costs with respect to monitoring and adhering to unique label requirements in addition to potential product and packaging 7 obsolescence costs. Our advertising is subject to regulation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, and is subject to various state regulations enforced by state agencies and state attorneys general. Additionally, some states also permit advertising and labeling laws to be enforced by private attorneys general who may seek relief for consumers, seek class-action certifications, seek class-wide damages and product recalls of products sold by us. Any actions against our company by governmental authorities or private litigants could be time consuming, costly to defend and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Uncertainty caused by potential changes to legal regulations could impact the use of CBD products. There is substantial uncertainty and different interpretations among federal, state and local regulatory agencies, legislators, academics and businesses as to the scope of operation of Farm Bill-compliant hemp programs relative to the emerging regulation of cannabinoids. These different opinions include, but are not limited to, the regulation of cannabinoids by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and/or the FDA and the extent to which manufacturers of products containing Farm Bill-compliant cultivators and processors may engage in interstate commerce. The uncertainties cannot be resolved without further federal, and perhaps even state-level, legislation, regulation or a definitive judicial interpretation of existing legislation and rules. If these uncertainties continue, they may have an adverse effect upon the introduction of our products in different markets. We face intense competition from other marketing service providers. We compete with many marketing service providers for consumers’ attention and spending. We compete with many marketing service providers for consumers’ attention and spending. Our competitors may have substantially greater capital, longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Our competitors may also engage in more extensive development of their technologies and may adopt more comprehensive marketing and advertising campaigns than we can. Our competitors may develop products and service offerings that we do not offer or that are more sophisticated or more cost effective than our own. For these and other reasons, our competitors’ products and services may achieve greater acceptance in the marketplace than our own, limiting our ability to gain market share and customer loyalty and to generate sufficient revenues to achieve a profitable level of operations. Our failure to adequately address any of the above factors could harm our business and operating results. In addition, as the barriers to entry in our market segment are not substantial, an unlimited number of new competitors could emerge, thereby making our goal of establishing a market presence even more difficult. Because our management expects competition in our market segment to continue to intensify, there can be no assurances we will ever establish a competitive position in our market segment. The market for CBD products is highly competitive. The market for CBD products is highly competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively in the market, our business and operating results could be materially and adversely affected. The market for CBD products is a competitive and rapidly evolving market. There are numerous competitors in the industry, some of whom are more well-established with longer operating histories and greater financial resources than we have. We expect competition in the CBD industry to continue to intensify. We believe we will be able to compete effectively because of the quality of our products and customer service. However, there can be no assurance that we will effectively compete with existing or future competitors. Increased competition may also drive the prices of our products down, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in future periods. Given the rapid changes affecting the global, national and regional economies generally, and the CBD industry specifically, we may experience difficulties in establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Our success will depend on our ability to keep pace with any changes in such markets, especially legal and regulatory changes. Our success will depend on our ability to respond to, among other things, changes in the economy, market conditions and competitive pressures. Any failure to anticipate or respond adequately to such changes could have a material adverse effect on the our business, financial condition and results of operations. 8 If we are unable to attract new customers or sell additional services and functionality to our existing customers, our revenue growth will be adversely affected. If we are unable to attract new customers or sell additional services and functionality to our existing customers, our revenue growth will be adversely affected. To increase our revenues, we must add new customers, encourage existing customers to renew their agreements on terms favorable to us, increase their usage of our solutions, and sell additional functionality to existing customers. As our industry matures, as interactive channels develop further, or as competitors introduce lower cost and/or differentiated products or services that are perceived to compete with ours, our ability to sell and renew based on pricing, technology and functionality could be impaired. As a result, we may be unable to renew our agreements with existing customers or attract new customers or new business from existing customers on terms that would be favorable or comparable to prior periods, which could have an adverse effect on our revenue and growth, as well as our profitability and financial condition. We may not be successful in increasing our brand awareness. We believe that developing and maintaining awareness of the CFN brand is critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our existing and future services and is an important element in attracting new customers. In order to build brand awareness, we must succeed in our marketing efforts and provide high quality services. Our efforts to build our brand will involve significant expense. Brand promotion activities may not yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incurred in building our brand. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand, or incur substantial expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to promote and maintain our brand, we may fail to attract enough new customers or retain our existing customers to the extent necessary to realize a sufficient return on our brand-building efforts, and our business could suffer. We depend on receipt of timely feeds from our content providers. We depend on Web browsers, ISPs and online service providers to provide access over the Internet to our product and service offerings. We depend on Web browsers, ISPs and online service providers to provide access over the Internet to our product and service offerings. Many of these providers have experienced significant outages or interruptions in the past, and could experience outages, delays and other difficulties due to system failures unrelated to our systems. These types of interruptions could continue or increase in the future. We rely on third-party computer hardware and software that may be difficult to replace or which could cause errors or failures of our service. We rely on computer hardware purchased or leased and software licensed from third parties in order to offer our services. This hardware and software may not continue to be available to us at reasonable prices, or on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of this hardware or software could significantly increase our expenses and otherwise result in delays in the provisioning of our service until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained and integrated, which could harm our business. Any errors or defects in third-party hardware or software could result in errors or a failure of our service which could harm our business. If our security measures are breached and unauthorized access is obtained to a customer’s data or our data or our information technology systems, our service may be perceived as not being secure, customers may curtail or stop using our service and we may incur significant legal and financial exposure and liabilities. If our security measures are breached and unauthorized access is obtained to a customer’s data or our data or our information technology systems, our service may be perceived as not being secure, customers may curtail or stop using our service and we may incur significant legal and financial exposure and liabilities. Our service involves the storage and transmission of customers’ proprietary information, and security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss of this information, and to litigation and possible liability. These security measures may be breached as a result of third-party action, including intentional misconduct by computer hackers, by employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, during the transfer of data to additional data centers or at any time, and may result in someone obtaining unauthorized access to our customers’ data or our data, including our intellectual property and other confidential business information, or our information technology systems. Additionally, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or customers into disclosing sensitive information such as user names, passwords or other information in order to gain access to our customers’ data or our data, including our intellectual property and other confidential business information, or our information technology systems. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative 9 measures. In addition, our customers may authorize third party technology providers, via our various Application Programming Interfaces, to access their customer data. Because we do not control the transmissions between our customers and third-party technology providers, or the processing of such data by third-party technology providers, we cannot ensure the complete integrity or security of such transmissions or processing. Any security breach could result in a loss of confidence in the security of our service, damage our reputation, disrupt our business, lead to legal liability and negatively impact our future sales. Our future performance and success depends on our ability to retain our key personnel. Our future performance and success is heavily dependent upon the continued active participation of our current senior management team, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Ross. The loss of any of their services could have a material adverse effect on our business development and our ability to execute our growth strategy, resulting in loss of sales and a slower rate of growth. We do not maintain any “key person” life insurance for any of our employees. We may be subject to infringement claims on proprietary rights of third parties for software and other content that we distribute or make available to our customers. We may be liable or alleged to be liable to third parties for software and other content that we distribute or make available to our customers: Any alleged liability could harm our business by damaging our reputation. Any alleged liability could also require us to incur legal expenses in defense and could expose us to awards of damages and costs including, but not limited to, treble damages for willful infringement, and would likely divert management’s attention which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We cannot assure you that third parties will not claim infringement by us with respect to past, current, or future technologies. Participants in our markets may be increasingly subject to infringement claims as the number of services and competitors in our industry segment grows. In addition, these risks are difficult to quantify in light of the continuously evolving nature of laws and regulations governing the Internet. Any claim relating to proprietary rights, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, cause service upgrade delays or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, and we cannot assure you that we will have adequate insurance coverage or that royalty or licensing agreements will be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. Further, we plan to offer our services and applications to customers worldwide, including to customers in foreign countries that may offer less protection for our intellectual property than the United States. Our failure to protect against misappropriation of our intellectual property and claims against us that we are infringing the intellectual property of third parties could have a negative effect on our business, revenues, financial condition and results of operations. Evolving government regulation could adversely affect our business prospects. We do not know with certainty how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership copyright and other intellectual property issues, taxation, illegal or obscene content, regulated industries, retransmission of media, personal privacy and data protection will apply to the Internet or to the distribution of multimedia and other proprietary content over the Internet. Most of these laws were adopted before the advent of the Internet and related technologies and therefore do not address the unique issues associated with the Internet and related technologies. Depending on how these laws developed and are interpreted by the judicial system, they could have the effect of: 10 Because of this rapidly evolving and uncertain regulatory environment, both domestically and internationally, we cannot predict how existing or proposed laws and regulations might affect our business. In addition, as Internet commerce continues to evolve, increasing regulation by federal, state or foreign agencies becomes more likely. In addition, taxation of services provided over the Internet or other charges imposed by government agencies or by private organizations for accessing the Internet may also be imposed. Any regulation imposing greater fees for Internet use or restricting information exchange over the Internet could result in a decline in the use of the Internet and the viability of Internet-based services, which could harm our business. Dilutive securities may adversely impact our stock price. As of December 31, 2023, the following securities exercisable into shares of our Common Stock were outstanding: ● 11,988,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of warrants These securities represent, as of December 31, 2023, approximately 14.6% of our Common Stock on a fully diluted, as exercised basis. In addition, our preferred stock is convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion price to be mutually determined between us and the holders in the future, and could result in the issuance of a significant number of shares of common stock. The exercise of any of these options or warrants, both of which have fixed prices, or conversion of our preferred stock, may materially adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and will have a dilutive effect on our existing stockholders. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm the value of our stock. Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports, effectively prevent fraud and operate as a public company. We have discovered areas of our internal control over financial reporting that need improvement. If we are unable to adequately maintain or improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may report that our internal controls are ineffective. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be negatively impacted. Ineffective internal control over financial reporting could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information which could have a negative effect on the market price of our Common Stock and which could result in regulatory proceedings against us by, among others, the SEC. 11 We have not voluntarily implemented various corporate governance measures, in the absence of which stockholders may have more limited protections against interested director transactions, conflicts of interest and similar matters. We have not voluntarily implemented various corporate governance measures, in the absence of which stockholders may have more limited protections against interested director transactions, conflicts of interest and similar matters. Federal legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and The Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, has resulted in the adoption of various corporate governance measures designed to promote the integrity of the corporate management and the securities markets. Some of these measures have been adopted in response to legal requirements. Others have been adopted by companies in response to the requirements of national securities exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market. Among the corporate governance measures that are required under the rules of national securities exchanges are those that address the board of directors’ independence, audit committee oversight, and the adoption of a code of ethics. We have not yet adopted some of these corporate governance measures and, since our securities are not listed on a national securities exchange, we are not required to do so. We have not adopted corporate governance measures such as an audit committee or other independent committees of our Board of Directors. In the absence of audit, nominating and compensation committees comprised of at least a majority of independent directors, decisions concerning matters such as compensation packages to our senior officers and recommendations for director nominees may be made by a majority of directors who have an interest in the outcome of the matters being decided. Prospective investors should bear in mind our current lack of corporate governance measures in formulating their investment decisions. The limited market for our Common Stock will make our stock price more volatile. The limited market for our Common Stock will make our stock price more volatile. Therefore, you may have difficulty selling your shares. The market for our Common Stock is limited and we cannot assure you that a larger market will ever be developed or maintained. Currently, our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace. Securities quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace typically have low trading volumes. Market fluctuations and volatility, as well as general economic, market and political conditions, could reduce our market price. As a result, this may make it difficult or impossible for our shareholders to sell our Common Stock. There are generally no restrictions on the resale of our outstanding Common Stock. Sales by existing shareholders may depress the share price of our Common Stock and may impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities when needed. The possibility that substantial amounts of outstanding Common Stock may be sold in the public market may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Common Stock. This could negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock and could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities. Sales of shares of our Common Stock to the public may adversely impact our stock price. Sales of shares of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our Common Stock and may make it more difficult for our stockholders to sell their common stock at desirable prices. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our Common Stock. Some of the shares issued and options granted under our stock plan may have been issued in transactions that were not exempt from registration under certain state securities laws, the result of which is that the holders of these shares and/or options may have rescission rights that could require us to reacquire the shares and/or options. Some of the shares issued and options granted under our equity compensation plan may not have been exempt from registration or qualification under the securities laws of certain states. We previously became aware that we may not have had a valid exemption for the issuance of these options and shares exercised upon exercise of these options under certain state laws. Because of the lack of registration and, potentially, the lack of a valid exemption from registration, the options we granted and the shares issued upon exercise of these options may have been issued in violation of certain state securities laws and may be subject to rescission. 12 If such shares and options are subject to rescission, we could be required to make payments to the holders of these shares and options in an amount not yet determinable by us. If any or all of the offerees reject the rescission offer, we may continue to be liable under state securities laws for payments to the offerees. If it is determined that we offered securities without properly registering them under state law, or securing an exemption from registration, regulators could impose monetary fines or other sanctions as provided under these laws. Our Common Stock is subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC, and the trading market in our Common Stock is limited. Our Common Stock is subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC, and the trading market in our Common Stock is limited. This makes transactions in our Common Stock cumbersome and may reduce the value of your shares. The SEC has adopted Rule 3a51-1 which 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, Rule 15g-9 requires: In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must: 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: Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, Rule 15g-9 requires: In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must: 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: Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our Common Stock and cause a decline in its market value. Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the broker-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 could become subject to litigation that could be costly, result in the diversion of management’s attention and require us to pay damages. From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings. Though we are not currently subject to any legal proceedings that we expect to result in a material adverse impact on our business, adverse outcomes in such proceedings may result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business and could divert management’s attention. Though we are not currently subject to any such proceedings, adverse outcomes in such proceedings may result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business and could divert management’s attention. 13 Item 1B. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. None. Item 1C. Item 1A. Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy We recognize the critical importance of developing, implementing, and maintaining robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard our information systems and protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data. We have established policies and processes for assessing, identifying, and managing material risk from cybersecurity threats. We assess risks from cybersecurity threats against our information systems that may result in adverse effects on our information systems or any information residing therein. We conduct periodic and ad-hoc assessments to identify cybersecurity threats. Following these risk assessments, we evaluate whether and how to re-design, implement, and maintain reasonable safeguards to mitigate identified risks and reasonably address any identified gaps in existing safeguards. IT leadership reports to our CEO and CFO to manage the risk assessment and mitigation process. We monitor and test our safeguards and train our employees on these safeguards, in collaboration with human resources, IT, and management. We promote a company-wide culture of cybersecurity risk management. This ensures that the senior management are kept abreast of the cybersecurity posture and potential risks faced by the Company. We have not encountered cybersecurity challenges that have materially impaired our operations or financial standing during the financial year ended December 31, 2023. Governance Our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure. Our board of directors administers its cybersecurity risk oversight function directly as a whole. Our executive management will update the board of directors on cybersecurity risks on a periodic basis, with a minimum frequency of once per year. .