Filed 2024-04-15 · Period ending 2023-12-31 · 38,336 words · SEC EDGAR
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# VNUE, Inc. (RDCT) — 10-K
**Filed:** 2024-04-15
**Period ending:** 2023-12-31
**Accession:** 0001829126-24-002516
**Source:** [SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1376804/000182912624002516/)
**Origin leaf:** 46cafdb3721d9dbeeb8e0445d17d3c6aa26546787687404af15bf82a436a8fa0
**Words:** 38,336
---
**
UNITED
STATES**
**SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**
**Washington,
D.C. 20549**
**FORM10-K**
**ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**
For
the fiscal year ended **December 31, 2023**
or
**TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**
**Commission
File Number: 000-53462**
**VNUE, INC.**
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Nevada |
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98-0543851 | |
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(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) | |
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104 West 29th Street, 11th Floor |
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New York, NY |
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10001 | |
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(Address of Principal Executive
Offices) |
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(Zip Code) | |
**833-937-5493**
(Registrants
telephone number, including area code)
**Securities
registered pursuant to Section12(b) of the Act:**
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Title
of Each Class |
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Trading
Symbol |
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Name
of each Exchange on which registered | |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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N/A | |
Securities
registered pursuant to Section12(g) of the Act: **Common stock, $.001 par value**
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule405 of the Securities Act. YesNo
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section13 or Section15(d) of the Act. YesNo
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section13 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. YesNo
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule405
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). YesNo
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 Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer |
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Accelerated filer | |
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Non-accelerated Filer |
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Smaller reporting company | |
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Emerging growth company | |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its managements assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction
of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule12b-2 of the Act). YesNo
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting
common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June30, 2023, the last business day of the registrants last completed
second quarter, based upon the closing price of the common stock of $0.0014 on such date is $2,746,111. As of March31, 2024, there were
2,949,938,301
shares of the issuers common stock, par value $0.001, issued and outstanding.
**TABLE
OF CONTENTS**
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Page | |
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PART
I |
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1 | |
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Item1 |
Business |
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1 | |
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Item1A |
Risk
Factors |
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6 | |
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Item1B |
Unresolved
Staff Comments |
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18 | |
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Item 1C |
Cybersecurity |
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18 | |
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Item2 |
Properties |
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18 | |
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Item3 |
Legal
Proceedings |
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19 | |
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Item4 |
Mine
Safety Disclosures |
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19 | |
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PART
II |
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20 | |
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Item5 |
Market
for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
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20 | |
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Item6 |
Selected
Financial Data |
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23 | |
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Item7 |
Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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23 | |
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Item7A |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
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29 | |
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Item8 |
Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data |
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F-1 | |
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Item9 |
Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
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30 | |
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Item9A |
Controls
and Procedures |
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30 | |
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Item9B |
Other
Information |
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31 | |
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Item9C |
Disclosure
Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections |
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31 | |
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PART
III |
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32 | |
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Item10 |
Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
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32 | |
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Item11 |
Executive
Compensation |
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35 | |
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Item12 |
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
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37 | |
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Item13 |
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
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39 | |
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Item14 |
Principal
Accountant Fees and Services |
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40 | |
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PART
IV |
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41 | |
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Item15 |
Exhibit
and Financial Statement Schedules |
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41 | |
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Item16 |
Form10-K
Summary |
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42 | |
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Signatures |
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43 | |
i
**CAUTIONARY
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS**
Some
of the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form10-K of VNUE, Inc. (hereinafter the Company, VNUE
we, us or our) discuss future expectations, contain projections of our plan of operation or
financial condition or state other forward-looking information. In this Annual Report, forward-looking statements are generally identified
by the words such as anticipate, plan, believe, expect, estimate
and the like. Forward-looking statements involve future risks and uncertainties, there are factors that could cause actual results or
plans to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and
other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking
information is based on various factors and is derived using numerous assumptions. A reader should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Annual Report. Important factors that may cause actual results to
differ from projections include, for example:
|
| our
ability to successfully commercial the assets we acquired from Stage It |
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| the
success or failure of managements efforts to implement the Companys business plan; |
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| the
ability of the Company to fund its operating expenses; |
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| the
ability of the Company to compete with other companies that have a similar business plan; |
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| the
effect of changing economic conditions impacting our plan of operation; and |
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| the
ability of the Company to meet the other risks as described elsewhere in this filing and as may be described in future filings
with the SEC. |
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Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date hereof.
We believe the information contained in this Form10-K to be accurate as of the date hereof. Changes may occur after that date.
We will not update that information except as required by law in the normal course of our public disclosure practices. Additionally,
the discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements
and related notes included in this Form10-K.
ii
**PART
I**
**ITEM1.
BUSINESS.**
**Business
Overview**
We are a music technology
company that utilizes our platforms to record live concerts and commercializes the content by making the content immediately available
for purchase through our website and the website at Set.fm, a technology platform that enables
musical artists to capture, promote and sell high-fidelity recordings instantly. Our technology provides an income source to artists and
record labels from the recorded content. Additionally, we offer high-end collectible products such as CDs, USB drives and laminates, which
feature our fully mixed and mastered live concert content, through our exclusive partner DiscLive Network (the dba of RockHouse Live Media
Productions, Inc). To date, we have created content from live concerts, including Rob Thomas, Patty Smyth and Scandal, The White Buffalo,
Kings X, Paul Rodgers, Scott Stapp (of the band Creed), The Music of Cream, and many others.
Our
products and services include:
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| With
the addition of Stage It (Stage It.com), we have the ability to livestream concerts and other
events, adding to the pool of other live music-focused technology services that include concerts
or other live events that may be ticketed (just like an in-person event), and fans who pay
for tickets may enjoy a performance or other engagement by watching digital video as it occurs
on their web browser. For example, an artist can create an event through the platform, then, in advance, let their fans know they can purchase the ability to view the concerts
on the Stage It platform. Fans then purchase the ability to access these concerts, and at
the designated time, the fan may then observe the live performance on Stage It.com, | |
|
| Set.fm
/ DiscLive Network - Our consumer app platform allows customers to download and purchase,
via their individual mobile device, the concert they just attended. There are also physical
collectible products which are recorded and sold at shows as well as online through the Companys
exclusive partner DiscLive Network. The app itself is free to download and allows
for in app purchases regarding the content. (Currently, aside from Stage It, this is the
only platform that generates any revenue for the Company.) | |
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Soundstr - a comprehensive music identification and rights management Cloud platform that we are developing, when fully deployed, can accurately track and audit public performances of music, creating a more transparent ecosystem for general music licensing and associated royalty payments, which will help ensure the correct stakeholders are compensated through the use of our big data collection.Soundstr is not yet generating revenue but is being commercially deployed to early adopters. | |
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| While
Set.fm and Soundstr are proprietary marks of the Company, DiscLive, and its
related marks and names are not owned by the Company and are owned and utilized by RockHouse
Live Media Productions, Inc. The Company has not filed any formal trademark applications
relating to Set.fm with the United States US Patent and Trademark Office but has been
using these marks openly since 2017 and claims common law rights to them. | |
The Company currently
generates revenue from Set.fm and from DiscLive by (a) recording the audio of live concerts and then selling the content instantly
through its set.fm website, as well as the IOS Set.fm mobile application, and (b) selling content on physical products such as double
CD sets, which are burned on-site where customers can purchase them. Our customers are fans of live music and the bands which we record.
Furthermore the Company generates revenue via StageIt.com, through fans who purchase access to the site and redeems notes
to virtually attend performances of artists of their choice.
Customers want to take
home their experience of the concerts they attend. Our Company enters into agreements with certain bands and artists and record
labels if a particular artist is under contract with the label. Our teams then follow that artist or band while they are on tour and record
every show on that tour. Our Company uses its own recording and sound equipment while recording concerts, and in some cases, utilizes
assets own by RockHouse Live Media Productions, Inc.
As
we partner with both artists and labels, we market our services on their websites, social media platforms, and mailing lists, as well
as our own websites and social networks. Furthermore, partnerships with companies similar to Ticketmaster allow us to market to customers
when they buy tickets to see certain artists in concert.
On January9, 2020,
the Company entered into an artist agreement (the Artist Agreement) with recording and performance artist Matchbox Twenty
(MT) to record its 2020 tour and sell limited edition double CD sets, download cards, and digital downloads. Due to COVID-19,
the tour has been three times rescheduled, most recently to Summer2023 for the North American Leg and Spring 2024 for the Australian
leg. The tour generated approximately $175,000 in income for the Company.
1
**Corporate
History**
On
February13, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with VNUE Acquisition Inc.,
a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (MergerCo), Stage It Corp., a Delaware corporation (Stage
It), and the stockholders representative for Stage It, pursuant to which the Company contracted to acquire Stage It for
up to $10 million (the Merger Consideration), by merging MergerCo with and into Stage It, with Stage It continuing as the
surviving entity and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Merger). At the same time, Stage It and several of the
shareholders of Stage It entered into a voting agreement concerning the Merger.
Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger (the Closing), each of Stage Its outstanding shares (including
common and preferred shares) were converted into the right to receive the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration. $1,085,450
of the Merger Consideration was paid in cash and satisfaction of certain outstanding debt obligations of Stage It, as outlined in a Closing
Payment Certificate of the Merger Agreement, and the other portion was paid in shares of the Companys common stock or preferred
stock, with the actual number of such shares to be issued reduced by the cash component outlaid in the transaction. A portion of the
Merger Consideration, $1 million, was held back for the purposes of satisfying certain contingent obligations of Stage It.
The
Merger Agreement provides for the issuance of earn out shares provided that certain EBIDTA requirements are met until two years from
the date of acquisition. The Company has determined, as of December31, 2022, that the Earnout would not be achieved.
On
February14, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Stage It. As a result of the Closing, Stage It became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. For the acquisition, the Company issued the initial 135,000,000 shares, paid certain amounts to Stage It vendors
and will pay additional amounts as detailed under Merger Consideration in the Merger Agreement. The price to be paid in cash and stock
for the Earnout Shares and Holdback Shares are set forth in the Merger Agreement.
**Our
Revenue Model**
The live music and entertainment
space are constantly searching for ways to generate revenue. Music licensing and royalties are particular hot button issues
in the industry. We have developed solutions that create new revenue streams that simultaneously help to protect the rights of the artists.
Our business model helps to ensure that creators and artists are properly compensated for their work. We do this by selling recordings
on set.fm, hard-copy products such as CDs utilizing our partner DiscLive, and through live ticketed performances on our livestreaming
platform, StageIt.
**Our
Industry**
The
live music and entertainment space is constantly searching for new monetization outlets. We believe that we have developed solutions
that create new revenue streams.
Since
2003, half of the nations CD and record stores have closed. Annual data regarding downloads was not even collected until 2004,
yet in 2014 it accounted for 46% of total music industry sales. For most artists, digital sales and streaming revenues have not replaced
the income they earn from recording and publishing. However, streaming revenues create an additional income stream.
A recent study on musicians
online revenue streams, featured on www.lifeisbeautiful.com, suggests that the average payment to an artist is $0.0011 net per stream.
Artists that have their content on our Set.fm mobile app receive 30% or more of the net revenue generated from their specific music, and
artists typically received a generous net split from sales of DiscLive physical products, creating a more robust opportunity
for artists to monetize their live shows. Live music shows are seeing significant new commercial and experiential trends driven by technology.
More musicians engage directly with their fans via their web presence selling songs and even allowing them to vote on touring venues
bypassing the traditional record labels and ticket services. Additionally artists receive approximately 73% of ticket sales on
StageIt.com, with some variety depending on the scope of the deal and additional services provided by StageIt.
2
For
an industry with constantly evolving trends, musics live events have remained surprisingly static since the 1970s. VNUE
employs a unique platform that provides music lovers with an exciting new way to experience the live music events they attend. With Set.fm
and DiscLive, the customer can purchase the songs they just heard at the concert in excellent quality, mixed and mastered, and take
that unique magical moment home to be enjoyed for a lifetime.
Almost
everyone has a smartphone present with them when they attend live events. The widespread use of these mobile devices is changing the
ways customers behave before, during and after a live music event. Customers use their devices to search for live music events, buy tickets,
and share their experiences. Additionally, we have found that, even though the demise of CDs has been predicted for over a decade, there
is still a strong demand for physical, collectible CD sets.
The
rise of the mobile internet and smartphones have, in recent years, begun shaping and changing the live music concert experience for many
audience members. The ability to preserve and share moments of the show as they happento take photos and upload them instantly,
to capture videos is a growing trend. Everyone has a cell phone.
Our
Company reimagines the live event experience. We connect consumers, artists and venues with the VNUE Set.fm app as well as our physical,
collectible products. We create promotional and social opportunities that enhance the live concert experience. We offer certain venues
a partnership to help with their sales, and artists can get added revenue with their concerts. Our app allows artists to connect with
their fans at a different level.
Our
technology enhances our customers sensory experience at live events. It creates a natural extension of earlier concert culture,
allowing our customers to now have a piece of the live experience and own it forever.
**Competition**
Any
entity that offers, or has the ability to offer, live music recordings that can be uploaded to an app-based platform is considered a
direct competitor of our Company, regardless of whether the end-user is required to pay for those services or not. This also includes
applications that allow users to engage in streaming activities and download musical content, such as Amazon, Apple, SoundCloud, iTunes,
etc.
**Competitive
Strengths**
We believe our expertise and experience in Instant
Live content production and distribution is a competitive strength that differentiates us from our competitors, as well as unique
features built into Stageit, such as live chat and tipping the artist.
VNUEs
team members have been involved in the business of instant live content since 2003. The Companys Chief Executive Officer has vast experience with
this concept and how to commercialize it. Over the years, the Company has continued to develop the processes and methodologies it uses
to gain partnerships with certain artists and labels, which gives us a competitive advantage in the live content industry. We plan to
continue to develop our current business model as well as introduce new innovative and immersive software features to consumers.
**Intellectual
Property**
We
have pending patents for our Soundstr technology and expect to file more related patents around the Soundstr platform,
as well as Set.fm.
We
have patent-pending technology, USPTO Application US 2017/0316089, System and Method for Capturing, Archiving and Controlling
Content in a Performance Venue, which relates to our Soundstr technology.
3
**Our
Strategy for Growth**
Key
elements of our growth strategy include:
|
| Continued
rollout of the live recording business and further improvement to our software platforms. | |
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|
Rollout of the Soundstr technology, which is a key part of our Companys strategy going forward. Soundstr is in a space called Music Recognition Technology (MRT), that is a relatively new area of live music and addresses a large market with no known, established solution for recognizing music and then tracking this information in an automated fashion. By leveraging technology and automation, Soundstr will be in a position to help the company build a large database of music performed in public spaces, such as bars, restaurants, gyms, radio, and other businesses, which will be of value to a large group of businesses such as touring companies, marketing companies, performing rights organizations, and many more. | |
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|
The expansion of Stage Its customer database is expected to bring us considerably more fans of music and specifically, live music. There are thousands of artists and a large number of end users on the Stage It database. We expect to tap that database for our existing services, as well as future services and integration, as our funding allows us to do. | |
|
| We
intend to leverage technical development efforts to identify common threads across our Set.fm
and Soundstr platforms and combine backend technologies to streamline and more efficiently
utilize our platforms. | |
|
| Eventually,
we will explore further branding and expansion of the platform services. | |
|
| Plans
continue to be addressing Stage It debt to artists and to other vendors, as well as expansion
into other markets. The Company has been successful in bringing a good number of new artists
to the platform and continues to do so. | |
**Corporate
Information**
VNUE is a Nevada corporation.
Our principal offices are located at 104 W. 29th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001, and our telephone number is 833-937-5493. Our
website is VNUE.com. Information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this
annual report, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this annual report. We also have a distribution center
located in Memphis, TN.
**Employees**
We currently have 1 full-time
and 4 part-time employees. We also currently engage independent contractors in the areas of accounting, legal, and corporate finance,
as well as marketing and business development, as well as touring positions. The remuneration paid to our officers and directors will
be more completely described elsewhere in this annual report. We expect to take on more employees or independent contractors as needed.
**Legal
Proceedings**
In the matter of VNUE, Inc. v. Power Up Lending
Group, Ltd. On October6, 2021, the Company commenced an action against Power Up Lending Group, Ltd. Power Up) and
Curt Kramer (Kramer) (Power Up and Kramer together, the Power Up Parties) in the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint alleges that: (1) Power Up is an unregistered dealer acting in violation of Section15(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) and, pursuant to Section29(b) of the Act, the Company is entitled
to recessionary relief from certain convertible promissory notes (Notes) and securities purchase agreements (SPAs)
entered into by the Company and Power Up; (2) Kramer is liable to the Company as the control person of Power Up pursuant to Section20(a)
of the Act; and (3) Power Up is liable to the Company for unjust enrichment arising from the Notes and SPAs.
4
On December10, 2021, the Power Up Parties
filed their pre-motion conference request letter with the Court regarding their forthcoming motion to dismiss the Companys complaint.
On December17, 2021, the Company filed its opposition thereto. On January26, 2022, the Company filed its amended complaint,
which asserted the same causes of action set forth in the initial complaint, and further alleged that Power Up made material misstatements
in connection with the purchase and sale of the Companys securities in violation of Section10(b) of the Act and, thus, the
Company is entitled to recessionary relief from the Notes and SPAs pursuant to Section29(b) of the Act.
On
February9, 2022, the Court ordered an initial conference. The initial conference is currently scheduled for May16, 2022,
at 12:00 p.m. (EST). As of the date hereof, the Company intends to litigate its claims for relief against the Power Up Parties.
On June 7, 2022, the Company filed a voluntary dismissal of the action
because the parties reached a confidential settlement.
On September 29, 2021, Golock Capital, LLC
(Golock) and DBW Investments, LLC (DBW) (Golock and DBW together, the Golock Plaintiffs) commenced
an action against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Golock Plaintiffs alleged
that the Company was in breach of certain convertible promissory notes, securities purchase agreements and common stock warrants.
Following a bench trial, on June 1, 2023, the
District Court ruled in the Golock Plaintiffs favor on its breach of contract claims and against the Company. On the same day,
the Company appealed the District Courts decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Second Circuit).
On June 16, 2023, the District Court entered
a judgment in the Golock Plaintiffs favor and against the Company for: (1) $1,218,897.62 in favor of Golock, and (2) $268,211.18
in favor of DBW.
On July 5, 2023, the District Court entered
an amended judgment in favor of the Golock Plaintiffs favor and against -the Company. In addition to the amounts awarded on June
16, the District Court awarded the Golock Plaintiffs $223,328.20 for the attorneys fees incurred in connection with this action.
As of the date hereof, the Companys
appeal to the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit, however, has not yet rendered a decision on the appeal. The Company will continue to
vigorously defend itself in this matter.
On June 15, 2022, the Company commenced an
action against LG Capital, LLC, Joseph Lerman, Boruch Greenberg and Daniel Gellman (collectively, LG Defendants) in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The Companys complaint alleges that the LG Defendants (1) violated
the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act through the collection of an unlawful debt imposed under a certain convertible
promissory note, and (2) were unjust enriched by their collections of a certain convertible promissory note.
On March 7, 2023, the Company filed an amended
complaint against the LG Defendants. The amended complaint raises the same claims for relief as the initial complaint.
On January 12, 2024, the Magistrate Judge assigned
to this matter recommended that the LG Defendants motion to dismiss be denied.
As of the date hereof, the District Court has
not yet entered an order on the LG Defendants motion to dismiss.
The Company intends to vigorously pursue its
claims for relief and the damages it maintains that it is entitled to thereunder.
**Smaller
Reporting Company**
The
Company is a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule12b-2 under the Exchange Act. There are certain exemptions
available to us as a smaller reporting company, including: (1) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements
of Section404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act; (2) scaled executive compensation disclosures; and (3) the requirement to provide only
two years of audited financial statements, instead of three years. As long as we maintain our status as a smaller reporting company,
these exemptions will continue to be available to us.
5
**ITEM1A.
RISK FACTORS.**
*An
investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on
Form10-K, prospective investors should carefully consider the following risks before investing in our securities. If any of the
following risks actually occur, as well as other risks not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial, our business,
operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our common stock
could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment in our common stock. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking
statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See Cautionary
Note On Forward-Looking Statements in this Annual Report on Form10-K. In assessing the risks below, you should also refer
to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form10-K, including the financial statements and the related notes,
before deciding to purchase any of our securities.*
**Risks
Relating to Our Financial Condition**
**We cannot assure you that we will achieve
or maintain profitability, and our auditor has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.**
We will need to raise additional working capital
to continue our normal and planned operations. We will need to generate and sustain significant revenue levels in future periods in order
to become profitable, and even if we do, we may not be able to maintain or increase our level of profitability. Our efforts to build
and grow our business may be costlier than we expect, and we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to offset our operating expenses.
We are operating at a loss and may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including unforeseen expenses, difficulties,
complications and delays and other unknown events. Accordingly, substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern,
and we cannot assure you that we will achieve sustainable operating profits as we continue to expand our business and otherwise implement
our growth initiatives.
The financial statements included with this Form
10-K have been prepared on a going concern basis. We may not be able to generate profitable operations in the future and/or obtain the
necessary financing to meet our obligations and pay liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. The outcome
of these matters cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time. These factors raise substantial doubt that we will be able to continue
as a going concern. We plan to continue to provide for our capital needs through sales of our securities and/or related party advances.
Our financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary
should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
**We have a very limited operating history
of commercializing the IT assets and operations, and we have incurred losses since our inception and anticipate that we will continue
to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. We may never generate any revenue or become profitable, or if we achieve profitability,
we may not be able to sustain it.**
Because we acquired Stage It in February 2022,
we have a very limited operating history in commercializing its assets, upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects. We have
not yet demonstrated an ability to overcome many of the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in the entertainment
industry.
Investment in our common stock is highly speculative
because we require substantial upfront capital expenditures, which we do not have available. We are not profitable and have incurred losses
in the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we reported a
net loss of $1,136,776 and $22,762,622, respectively, and we had an accumulated deficit of $38,233,792 and $36,808,403, respectively.
We expect to continue to incur significant losses
for the foreseeable future, and we expect these losses to increase as we develop our operations and incorporate the business of Stage
It into our business.
6
**Because
we have a limited operating history, you may not be able to accurately evaluate our operations.**
We
have had limited operations to date and have generated limited revenues. Therefore, we have a limited operating history upon which to
evaluate the merits of investing in our company. Potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by new
companies and the high rate of failure of such enterprises. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses,
difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the operations that we plan to undertake. These potential problems
include but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to operate our business
and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. We expect to incur significant losses into the foreseeable future.
We recognize that if the effectiveness of our business plan is not forthcoming, we will not be able to continue business operations.
There is no history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and it is doubtful that we
will continue to generate operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks,
our business will most likely fail.
**We
are dependent on outside financing for continuation of our operations.**
Because
we have generated limited revenues and currently operate at a loss, we are completely dependent on the continued availability of financing
in order to continue our business. There can be no assurance that financing sufficient to enable us to continue our operations will be
available to us in the future.
**We
are dependent on outside financing for continuation of our operations.**
Because
we have generated limited revenues and currently operate at a loss, we are completely dependent on the continued availability of financing
in order to continue our business operations. There can be no assurance that financing sufficient to enable us to continue our operations
will be available to us in the future. As of December31, 2023, we had cash on hand of $25,430.
We
will need additional funds to complete further development of our business plan to achieve a sustainable level where ongoing operations
can be funded out of revenues. We anticipate that we must raise $2,500,000 for our operations for the next 18 months, and $15,000,000
to $20,000,000 million to fully implement our business plan to its fullest potential and achieve our growth plans, including new initiatives.
There is no assurance that any additional financing will be available or, if available, on terms that will be acceptable to us. Our failure
to obtain future financing or to produce levels of revenue to meet our financial needs could result in our inability to continue as a
going concern, and, as a result, our investors could lose their entire investment.
**Our
operating results may fluctuate, which could have a negative impact on our ability to grow our client base, establish sustainable revenues
and succeed overall.**
Our
results of operations may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited
to:
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| general economic conditions in the geographies and industries
where we sell our services and conduct operations; legislative policies where we sell our services and conduct operations; |
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the budgetary constraints
of our customers; seasonality; | |
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success of our strategic
growth initiatives; | |
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costs associated with the launching or integration of new or acquired businesses; timing of new product introductions by us, our
suppliers and our competitors; product and service mix, availability, utilization and pricing; | |
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the mix, by state and country,
of our revenues, personnel and assets; movements in interest rates or tax rates; | |
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changes in, and application
of, accounting rules; changes in the regulations applicable to us; and litigation matters; | |
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| As
a result of these factors, we may not succeed in our business and we could go out of business. |
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7
**As
a growing company, we have yet to achieve a profit and may not achieve a profit in the near future, if at all.**
We
have not yet produced any profit and may not in the near future, if at all. While we have generated limited revenue, all related party,
we cannot be certain that we will be able to realize sufficient revenue to achieve profitability. Further, many of our competitors have
a significantly larger industry presence and revenue stream but have yet to achieve profitability. Our ability to continue as a going
concern is dependent upon raising capital from financing transactions, increasing revenue and keeping operating expenses below our revenue
levels in order to achieve positive cash flows, none of which can be assured.
**Risks
Related to Intellectual Property**
**We
may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may be expensive to defend and may disrupt our business and operations.**
We
cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate intellectual
property rights held by third parties. We have not been, but in the future may be, subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the
intellectual property rights of others. There could also be existing intellectual property of which we are not aware that our products
may inadvertently infringe. We cannot assure you that holders of intellectual property purportedly relating to some aspect of our technology
or business, if any such holders exist, would not seek to enforce such intellectual property against us in the United States, or any
other jurisdictions. If we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be subject to liability for
our infringement activities or may be prohibited from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced
to develop alternatives of our own. In addition, we may incur significant expenses and may be forced to divert managements time
and other resources from our business and operations to defend against these infringement claims, regardless of their merits. Successful
infringement or licensing claims made against us may result in significant monetary liabilities and may materially disrupt our business
and operations by restricting or prohibiting our use of the intellectual property in question, and our business, financial position and
results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
**Our
commercial success depends significantly on our ability to develop and commercialize our services and platform without infringing the
intellectual property rights of third parties.**
Our
commercial success will depend, in part, on operating our business without infringing the trademarks or proprietary rights of third parties.
Third parties that believe we are infringing on their rights could bring actions against us, claiming damages and seeking to enjoin the
development, marketing and distribution of our services and platform. If we become involved in any litigation, it could consume a substantial
portion of our resources, regardless of the outcome of the litigation. If any of these actions are successful, we could be required to
pay damages and/or obtain a license to continue to develop or market our products, in which case we may be required to pay substantial
royalties. However, any such license may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
**Risks
Related to Legal Uncertainty**
**Compliance
with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses.**
Changing
laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
new SEC regulations, are creating uncertainty for companies such as ours. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject
to varying interpretations in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve
over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance
matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We are committed to maintaining high
standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, we intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations
and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and
attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations
and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to practice, our reputation
may be harmed.
8
**If
we fail to comply with the new rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act related to accounting controls and procedures, or if material weaknesses
or other deficiencies are discovered in our internal accounting procedures, our stock price could decline significantly.**
We
are exposed to potential risks from legislation requiring companies to evaluate internal controls under Section404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002. As a smaller reporting company, we are required to provide a report on the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial
reporting, and we will be exempt from auditor attestation requirements concerning any such report so long as we are a smaller reporting
company. There is a greater likelihood of material weaknesses in our internal controls, which could lead to misstatements or omissions
in our reported financial statements as compared to issuers that have conducted such evaluations.
In
its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December31, 2023, the Company determined
that there were deficiencies that constituted material weaknesses, as described below.
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Lack of proper segregation
of duties due to limited personnel. | |
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Lack of a formal review
process that includes multiple levels of review. | |
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Lack of adequate policies
and procedures for accounting for financial transactions. | |
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Lack of independent board
member(s) | |
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Lack of independent audit
committee | |
Material
weaknesses and deficiencies could cause investors to lose confidence in our company and result in a decline in our stock price and consequently
affect our financial condition. In addition, if we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we may not be
able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance
with Section404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal controls, particularly those related to revenue recognition,
are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to helping prevent financial fraud. If we cannot provide
reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our
reported financial information, and the trading price of our common stock could drop significantly. In addition, we cannot be certain
that additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls will not be discovered in the future.
**Risks
Related to Our Business**
**If
we fail to keep up with industry trends or technological developments, our business, results of operations and financial condition may
be materially and adversely affected.**
The
live music content industry is rapidly evolving and subject to continuous technological changes. Our success will depend on our ability
to keep up with the changes in technology and user behavior resulting from new developments and innovations. For example, as we provide
our product and service offerings across a variety of mobile systems and devices, we are dependent on the interoperability of our services
with popular mobile devices and mobile operating systems that we do not control, such as Android and iOS. If any changes in such mobile
operating systems or devices degrade the functionality of our services or give preferential treatment to competitive services, the usage
of our services could be adversely affected.
Technological
innovations may also require substantial capital expenditures in product development as well as in modification of products, services
or infrastructure. We cannot assure you that we can obtain financing to cover such expenditure. If we fail to adapt our products and
services to such changes in an effective and timely manner, we may suffer from decreased user base, which, in turn, could materially
and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
9
**Rapidly
evolving technologies could cause demand for our products to decline or could cause our products to become obsolete.**
Current
or future competitors may develop technological or product innovations that address live music content in a manner that is, or is perceived
to be, equivalent or superior to our products. In the technology market, in particular, innovative products have been introduced which
have the effect of revolutionizing a product category and rendering many existing products obsolete. If competitors introduce new products
or services that compete with or surpass the quality or the price/performance of our products, we may be unable to attract and retain
users or to maintain or increase revenues from our users. We may not anticipate such developments and may be unable to adequately compete
with these potential solutions. As a result of these or similar potential developments, in the future it is possible that competitive
dynamics in our market may require us to reduce prices for our paid for products, which could harm our net revenues, gross margin and
operating results or cause us to incur losses.
**Our
business depends on our users having continued and unimpeded access to the Internet. Companies providing access to the Internet may be
able to block or degrade our calls, or block access to our website or charge us or our users additional fees for our products.**
All
of our users rely on open, unrestricted access to the Internet to use our products. If they have limited, restricted or no access at
all to the Internet, or their connection to the Internet is interrupted or disturbed, they may be less likely to use our products as
a result.
Some
of these internet providers have stated that they may take measures that could increase the cost of customers use of our products
by restricting or prohibiting the use of their lines or access points to the Internet for our products, by filtering, blocking, delaying,
or degrading the packets of data used to transmit our communications, and by charging increased fees to our users for access to our products.
Some
Internet access providers have additionally, or alternatively, contractually restricted their customers access to Internet communications
products through their terms of service. Customers of these and other Internet access providers may not be aware that technical disruptions
or additional tariffs are the acts of other parties, which could harm our brand. Even if customers understand that we are not the source
of such disruptions, they may be less likely to use our products as a result.
In
the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions, regulatory authorities are in the process of examining the adoption of
network neutrality policies, which aim to treat all Internet traffic equally, and developing or considering laws and regulations
to codify acceptable behaviors on the part of network operators and access providers when providing consumers and businesses with access
to the Internet. Different regulatory authorities have different approaches to this policy area, both from a substantive and procedural
perspective. Any failure on the part of regulatory authorities to protect the accessibility of the Internet to all, or any particular
category of, Internet subscribers, or their failure to protect the delivery on a non-discriminatory basis of user communications over
the Internet, regardless of type or service, could harm our results of operations and prospects.
**Our
business depends on the continued reliability of the Internet infrastructure.**
If
Internet service providers and other third parties providing Internet services have outages or deteriorations in their quality of service,
our customers will not have access to our products or may experience a decrease in the quality of our products.
Furthermore,
as the rate of adoption of new technology increases, the networks on which our products rely in certain countries may not be able to
sufficiently adapt to the increased demand for their products and services. Frequent or persistent interruptions could cause current
or potential users to believe that our systems are unreliable, leading them to switch to our competitors or to avoid our products, and
could permanently harm our reputation and brands.
10
**We
cannot control internet-based delays and interruptions, which may negatively affect our customers and, thus, our revenues.**
Any
delay or interruption in the services by these third parties service providers could result in delayed or interrupted service to our
customers and could harm our business. Accordingly, we could be adversely affected if such third-party service providers fail to maintain
consistent and reliable services, or fail to continue to make these services available to us on economically acceptable terms, or at
all. These suppliers could also be adversely impacted by the future pandemics, which could affect their ability to deliver their services
to our customers in a satisfactory manner, or at all.
**If
we are unable to successfully manage growth, our operations could be adversely affected.**
Our
progress is expected to require the full utilization of our management, financial and other resources, which to date has occurred with
limited working capital. Our ability to manage growth effectively will depend on our ability to improve and expand operations, including
our financial and management information systems, and to recruit, train and manage personnel. There can be no absolute assurance that
management will be able to manage growth effectively.
If
we do not properly manage the growth of our business, we may experience significant strains on our management and operations and disruptions
in our business. Various risks arise when companies and industries grow quickly. If our business or industry grows too quickly, our ability
to meet customer demand in a timely and efficient manner could be challenged. We may also experience development delays as we seek to
meet increased demand for our services and platform. Our failure to properly manage the growth that we or our industry might experience
could negatively impact our ability to execute on our operating plan and, accordingly, could have an adverse impact our business,
our cash flow and results of operations, and our reputation with our current or potential customers.
**We
may fail to successfully integrate the acquisition of Stage It or otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions**.
We
believe there are meaningful opportunities to grow through acquisitions and joint ventures across all service categories and we expect
to continue a strategy of selectively identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary services. We may be unable to identify,
negotiate, and complete suitable acquisition opportunities on reasonable terms. There can be no assurance that any business acquired
by us will be successfully integrated with our operations or prove to be profitable to us. We may incur future liabilities related to
acquisitions. Should any of the following problems, or others, occur as a result of our acquisition strategy, the impact could be material:
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| difficulties
integrating personnel from acquired entities and other corporate cultures into our business; difficulties integrating information systems; |
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the
potential loss of key employees of acquired companies; | |
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the
assumption of liabilities and exposure to undisclosed or unknown liabilities of acquired companies; or the diversion of management attention
from existing operations. | |
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We recently
acquired our wholly-owned subsidiary, Stage It, and have been active in assimilating this business into VNUE. | |
11
**Risks
Related to Our Management and Control Persons**
**We
are dependent on the continued services of Zach Bair, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, and if we fail to keep him or fail to attract and retain qualified senior executive
and key technical personnel, our business will not be able to expand.**
We
are dependent on the continued availability of Zach Bair, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, and the availability of new employees to implement our business plans. The
market for skilled employees is highly competitive, especially for employees in our industry. Although we expect that our planned compensation
programs will be intended to attract and retain the employees required for us to be successful, there can be no assurance that we will
be able to retain the services of all our key employees or a sufficient number to execute our plans, nor can there be any assurance we
will be able to continue to attract new employees as required.
**Our
personnel may voluntarily terminate their relationship with us at any time, and competition for qualified personnel is intense. The process
of locating additional personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategy could be lengthy, costly
and disruptive.**
If
we lose the services of key personnel or fail to replace the services of key personnel who depart, we could experience a severe negative
effect on our financial results and stock price. The loss of the services of any key personnel, marketing or other personnel, or our failure
to attract, integrate, motivate and retain additional key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating and
financial results and stock price.
**Our
lack of adequate D&O insurance may also make it difficult for us to retain and attract talented and skilled directors and officers.**
Although the company plans (and has been planning) to obtain directors
and officers liability (D&O) insurance, lack of funding has prevented the company from doing so. In the future, we may
be subject to additional litigation, including potential class action and stockholder derivative actions. Risks associated with legal
liability are difficult to assess and quantify, and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time.
To date, we have not obtained D&O insurance. Without adequate D&O insurance, the amounts we would pay to indemnify our officers
and directors should they be subject to legal action based on their service to the Company could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Furthermore, our lack of adequate D&O insurance may make it difficult for
us to retain and attract talented and skilled directors and officers, which could adversely affect our business.
**The
elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under our Articles of Incorporation and the existence
of indemnification rights to our directors, officers and employees may result in substantial expenditures by our Company and may discourage
lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.**
Our Articles of Incorporation contain provisions
that eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages to our Company and shareholders, and furthermore, Nevada law further
insulates our officers and directors. Our bylaws also require us to indemnify our officers and directors. We may also have contractual
indemnification obligations under our agreements with our directors, officers and employees. The foregoing indemnification obligations
could result in our company incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors, officers
and employees that we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and resulting costs may also discourage our company from bringing a lawsuit
against directors, officers and employees for breaches of their fiduciary duties and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative
litigation by our shareholders against our directors, officers and employees even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise
benefit our Company and shareholders.
12
**Risks
Related to Our Securities and the Over-the-Counter Market**
**Since
we are traded on the OTC Pink Market, an active, liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained. If and when
an active market develops, the price of our common stock may be volatile.**
Presently,
our common stock is quoted on the OTC Markets, and the closing price of our stock on April7, 2023 was $0.0044. Presently, there is
limited trading in our stock, and in the absence of an active trading market, investors may have difficulty buying and selling or obtaining
market quotations, market visibility for shares of our common stock may be limited, and a lack of visibility for shares of our common
stock may have a depressive effect on the market price for shares of our common stock.
The
lack of an active market impairs your ability to sell your shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable.
The lack of an active market may also reduce the fair market value of your shares. An inactive market may also impair our ability to
raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares.
Trading
in stocks quoted on the OTC Pink Market is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices due to many factors that
may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. The securities market has, from time to time, experienced significant
price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may
also materially and adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock. Moreover, the OTC Markets is not a stock exchange,
and trading of securities is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on a quotation system like Nasdaq or a national
stock exchange like the NYSE. Accordingly, stockholders may have difficulty reselling any shares of common stock.
**There
is no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends to our shareholders, which means that you could receive little or no return on
your investment.**
Payment
of dividends from our earnings and profits may be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors. There is no assurance that we
will generate any distributable cash from operations. Our board may elect to retain cash for operating purposes, debt retirement, or
some other purpose. Consequently, you may receive little or no return on your investment.
**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 amount of any debt
financing we incur creates a substantial risk that in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, we may have no assets
remaining for distribution to our shareholders after payment of our debts.
**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 these actions 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.
13
**Our
existing stockholders will experience significant dilution from outstanding convertible notes, the acquisition of Stage It and conversion
of existing preferred stock to common stock and the exercise of warrants.**
The issuance of our
common stock will continue to have a dilutive impact on our shareholders. As a result, the market price of our common stock could decline.
In addition, the lower our stock price is at the time we the Series B Preferred converts to common stock, the more shares of our common
stock we will have to issue. If our stock price decreases, then our existing shareholders will experience greater dilution. The perceived
risk of dilution may cause our stockholders to sell their shares, which may cause a decline in the price of our common stock. Moreover,
the perceived risk of dilution and the resulting downward pressure on our stock price could encourage investors to engage in short sales
of our common stock. By increasing the number of shares offered for sale, material amounts of short selling could further contribute
to progressive price declines in the price of our common stock.
**Shares
eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, as the future sale of a substantial amount of outstanding
common stock in the public marketplace could reduce the price of our common stock.**
The
market price of our shares could decline as a result of sales of substantial amounts of our shares in the public market, or the perception
that these sales could occur. In addition, these factors could make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings
of our common stock.
**If
we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent
fraud.**
The
SEC, as required by Section404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management
report on such companys internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains managements assessment
of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.
Our
reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management and operational and financial resources and systems.
Effective internal controls, particularly those related to revenue recognition, are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports
and are important to prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting
may result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn may harm our business and
negatively impact the trading price of our stock. Furthermore, we anticipate that we will continue to incur considerable costs and use
significant management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act.
**We
may, in the future, issue additional common shares, which would reduce investors percent of ownership and may dilute our share
value.**
Our Articles of Incorporation authorizes the issuance
of 4,000,000,000 shares of common stock. As of March 25, 2024 we had 2,841,865,526 shares outstanding. The future issuance of common stock
will result in substantial dilution in the percentage of our common stock held by our then existing shareholders. We may value any common
stock issued in the future on an arbitrary basis. The issuance of common stock for future services or acquisitions or other corporate
actions may have the effect of diluting the value of the shares held by our investors and might have an adverse effect on any trading
market for our common stock.
**There
is a limited market for our common stock, which may make it difficult for holders of our common stock to sell their stock.**
Our
common stock currently trades on the OTC Pink under the symbol VNUE, and currently, there is limited trading activity
in our common stock and limited public information regarding our company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity
of any markets that may develop for our common stock, the ability of holders of our common stock to sell our common stock or the
prices at which holders may be able to sell our common stock. Further, many brokerage firms will not process transactions involving
low-priced stocks, especially those that come within the definition of a penny stock. If we cease to be quoted,
holders of our common stock may find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our
common stock, and the market value of our common stock would likely decline.
14
**The
trading price of our Common Stock is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.**
The
trading price of our common stock is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen
because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with
business operations located outside of the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for
our common stock may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:
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variations in our revenues,
earnings and cash flow; | |
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announcements
of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors; | |
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announcements
of new offerings, solutions and expansions by us or our competitors; | |
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changes in
financial estimates by securities analysts; | |
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detrimental
adverse publicity about us, our brand, our services or our industry; | |
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additions or
departures of key personnel; | |
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release of
lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities; and | |
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potential litigation
or regulatory investigations. | |
Any
of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our common stock will trade.
In
the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods
of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount
of our managements attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses
to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our
reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be
required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
**We
are subject to the penny stock rules, which will make shares of our common stock more difficult to sell.**
We are currently subject to, and, in the future, may continue to be subject to, the SECs penny stock rules if
our shares of common stock sell below $5.00 per share. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00.
The penny stock rules require broker-dealers to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, which provides
information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also provide the
customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson, and
monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customers account. The bid and offer
quotations and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior
to completing the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customers
confirmation.
In
addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that
the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchasers written agreement to the transaction. The
penny stock rules are burdensome and may reduce purchases of any offerings and reduce the trading activity for shares of our common stock.
As long as our shares of common stock are subject to the penny stock rules, the holders of such shares of common stock may find it more
difficult to sell their securities.
15
**The
sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our common stock could adversely affect their market price.**
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock
in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and
could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. Shares held by our existing shareholders
may be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions in Rule144 and Rule701 under the Securities. We
currently have 2,841,865,526 shares of common stock outstanding. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held
by our shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of
our common stock.
**Because
we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on a price appreciation of our common stock for return on
your investment.**
We
currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our
business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment
in our common stock as a source for any future dividend income.
Our
board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and
pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow,
our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition,
contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our
common stock will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our common stock. There is no guarantee that our common
stock will appreciate in value, or even maintain the price at which you purchased the common stock. You may not realize a return on your
investment in our common stock, and you may even lose your entire investment in our common stock.
**Short
sellers of our stock may be manipulative and may drive down the market price of our common stock.**
Short
selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed or intends to borrow from a third
party with the intention of buying identical securities at a later date to return to the lender. A short seller hopes to profit from
a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the
short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is, therefore, in the short sellers interest
for the price of the stock to decline, some short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, opinions or characterizations regarding
the relevant issuer, its business prospects and similar matters calculated to or which may create negative market momentum, which may
permit them to obtain profits for themselves as a result of selling the stock short. Issuers whose securities have historically had limited
trading volumes and/or have been susceptible to relatively high volatility levels can be particularly vulnerable to such short seller
attacks.
The
publication of any such commentary regarding us by a short seller may bring about a temporary, or possibly long-term, decline in the
market price of our common stock. No assurances can be made that we will not become a target of such commentary and declines in the market
price of our common stock will not occur in the future in connection with such commentary by short sellers or otherwise.
16
**Our
existing stockholders will experience significant dilution from the sale of our common stock pursuant to the GHS Financing Agreement.**
The
sale of our common stock to GHS Investments LLC (GHS) in accordance with the GHS Financing Agreement will have a dilutive impact on our shareholders. As a result,
the market price of our common stock could decline. In addition, the lower our stock price is at the time we exercise our put options,
the more shares of our common stock we will have to issue to GHS in order to exercise a put under the Financing Agreement. If our stock
price decreases, then our existing shareholders would experience greater dilution for any given dollar amount raised through the offering.
The
perceived risk of dilution may cause our stockholders to sell their shares, which may cause a decline in the price of our common stock.
Moreover, the perceived risk of dilution and the resulting downward pressure on our stock price could encourage investors to engage in
short sales of our common stock. By increasing the number of shares offered for sale, material amounts of short selling could further
contribute to progressive price declines in our common stock.
**The
issuance of shares pursuant to the Financing Agreement may have a significant dilutive effect.**
Depending
on the number of shares we issue pursuant to the GHS Financing Agreement, it could have a significant dilutive effect upon our existing
shareholders. Although the number of shares that we may issue pursuant to the Financing Agreement will vary based on our stock price
(the higher our stock price, the less shares we have to issue), there may be a potential dilutive effect to our shareholders, based on
different potential future stock prices, if the full amount of the Financing Agreement is realized. Dilution is based upon common stock
put to GHS and the stock price discounted to 80% of the lowest daily VWAP of our common stock during the ten (10) business days beginning
on the date on which we deliver a put notice to GHS.
**GHS
will pay less than the then-prevailing market price of our common stock, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline.**
Our
common stock to be issued under the GHS Financing Agreement will be purchased at 80% of the lowest daily VWAP of our common stock during
the ten (10) business days beginning on the date on which we deliver a put notice to GHS.
GHS
has a financial incentive to sell our shares immediately upon receiving them to realize the profit between the discounted price and the
market price. If GHS sells our shares, the price of our common stock may decrease. If our stock price decreases, GHS may have further
incentive to sell such shares. Accordingly, the discounted sales price in the Financing Agreement may cause the price of our common stock
to decline.
**If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports about our business,
our share price and trading volume could decline.**
The
trading market for our common stock will, to some extent, depend on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish
about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares
or change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or
fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading
volume to decline.
17
**ITEM1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.**
None.
**ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY.**
We continue to augment
the capabilities of our people, processes, and technologies in order to address our cybersecurity risks. Our cybersecurity risks, and
the controls designed to mitigate those risks, are integrated into our overall risk management governance and are reviewed yearly by our
Board of Directors.
**Risk Management
and Strategy**
We have implemented a
set of comprehensive cybersecurity and data protection policies and procedures. Risks from cybersecurity threats are regularly evaluated
as a part of our broader risk management activities and as a fundamental component of our internal control system. Our employees receive
annual cybersecurity awareness training, including specific topics related to social engineering and email frauds. We utilize an outsourced
information technology firm and consultants with significant expertise in cybersecurity. We invest in advanced technologies for continuous
cybersecurity monitoring across our information technology environment which are designed to prevent, detect, and minimize cybersecurity
attacks, as well as alert management of such attacks.
Our Information Technology
General Controls are firmly established based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity
framework and cover areas such as risk management, data backup, and disaster recovery. We have utilized an outsourced information technology
consultant to reduce and monitor security threats and vulnerabilities. As part of our gap analysis, identified vulnerabilities have
been, and will continue to be, promptly addressed with our senior business leadership and our Board of Directors.
****
**Governance**
Our Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing
our cybersecurity risk management and strategy. Our President regularly meets with and provides periodic briefings to our Board of Directors
regarding our cybersecurity risks and activities, including any recent cybersecurity incidents and related responses, cybersecurity systems
testing, activities of third parties, and the like.
**ITEM2.
PROPERTIES.**
We own no real property. We rent space at 104
W. 29th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Currently, rent at this location is approximately $681 per month. We believe this property
to be adequate to our needs for the time being. We also rent a small distribution center in Memphis, TN, which is approximately $1000
per month.
18
**ITEM3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.**
In
the matter of VNUE, Inc. v. Power Up Lending Group, Ltd. On October6, 2021, the Company commenced an action against Power Up Lending
Group, Ltd. Power Up) and Curt Kramer (Kramer) (Power Up and Kramer together, the Power Up Parties)
in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint alleges that: (1) Power Up is an unregistered
dealer acting in violation of Section15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) and, pursuant to Section29(b)
of the Act, the Company is entitled to recessionary relief from certain convertible promissory notes (Notes) and securities
purchase agreements (SPAs) entered into by the Company and Power Up; (2) Kramer is liable to the Company as the control
person of Power Up pursuant to Section20(a) of the Act; and (3) Power Up is liable to the Company for unjust enrichment arising
from the Notes and SPAs.
On
December10, 2021, the Power Up Parties filed their pre-motion conference request letter with the Court regarding their forthcoming
motion to dismiss the Companys complaint. On December17, 2021, the Company filed its opposition thereto. On January26,
2022, the Company filed its amended complaint, which asserted the same causes of action set forth in the initial complaint, and further
alleged that Power Up made material misstatements in connection with the purchase and sale of the Companys securities in
violation of Section10(b) of the Act and, thus, the Company is entitled to recessionary relief from the Notes and SPAs pursuant
to Section29(b) of the Act.
On
February9, 2022, the Court ordered an initial conference. The initial conference is currently scheduled for May16, 2022,
at 12:00 p.m. (EST). As of the date hereof, the Company intends to litigate its claims for relief against the Power Up Parties.
On June 7, 2022, the Company filed a voluntary dismissal of the action
because the parties reached a confidential settlement.
On September 29, 2021, Golock Capital, LLC
(Golock) and DBW Investments, LLC (DBW) (Golock and DBW together, the Golock Plaintiffs) commenced
an action against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Golock Plaintiffs alleged
that the Company was in breach of certain convertible promissory notes, securities purchase agreements and common stock warrants.
Following a bench trial, on June 1, 2023, the
District Court ruled in the Golock Plaintiffs favor on its breach of contract claims and against the Company. On the same day,
the Company appealed the District Courts decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Second Circuit).
On June 16, 2023, the District Court entered
a judgment in the Golock Plaintiffs favor and against the Company for: (1) $1,218,897.62 in favor of Golock, and (2) $268,211.18
in favor of DBW.
On July 5, 2023, the District Court entered
an amended judgment in favor of the Golock Plaintiffs favor and against the Company. In addition to the amounts awarded on June
16, the District Court awarded the Golock Plaintiffs $223,328.20 for the attorneys fees incurred in connection with this action.
As of the date hereof, the Companys
appeal to the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit, however, has not yet rendered a decision on the appeal. The Company will continue to
vigorously defend itself in this matter.
On June 15, 2022, the Company commenced an
action against LG Capital, LLC, Joseph Lerman, Boruch Greenberg and Daniel Gellman (collectively, LG Defendants) in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The Companys complaint alleges that the LG Defendants (1) violated
the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act through the collection of an unlawful debt imposed under a certain convertible
promissory note, and (2) were unjust enriched by their collections of a certain convertible promissory note.
On March 7, 2023, the Company filed an amended
complaint against the LG Defendants. The amended complaint raises the same claims for relief as the initial complaint.
On January 12, 2024, the Magistrate Judge assigned
to this matter recommended that the LG Defendants motion to dismiss be denied.
As of the date hereof, the District Court has
not yet entered an order on the LG Defendants motion to dismiss.
The Company intends to vigorously pursue its claims
for relief and the damages it maintains that it is entitled to thereunder.
**ITEM4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.**
Not
applicable.
19
**PART
II**
**ITEM5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.**
**Market
Price for our Common Stock**
There
is a limited public market for our common shares. Our common shares are quoted on the OTC Pink under the symbol VNUE. Trading
in stocks quoted on the OTC Pink is often thin and is characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices due to many factors that may
be unrelated to a companys operations or business prospects. We cannot assure you that there will be a market in the future for
our common stock.
OTC
Pink securities are not listed or traded on the floor of an organized national or regional stock exchange. Instead, OTC Pink securities
transactions are conducted through a telephone and computer network connecting dealers in stocks. OTC Pink issuers are traditionally
smaller companies that do not meet the financial and other listing requirements of a regional or national stock exchange.
Our
common stock became eligible for quotation on the OTC Pink in December2006. Over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer
prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
**Penny
Stock**
The
SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally
equity securities with a market price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or
quoted on the Nasdaq system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided
by the exchange or system. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock, to deliver a standardized
risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, that: (a) contains a description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny
stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading; (b) contains a description of the brokers or dealers duties to the
customer and of the rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to a violation of such duties or other requirements of
the securities laws; (c) contains a brief, clear, narrative description of a dealer market, including bid and ask prices for penny stocks
and the significance of the spread between the bid and ask price; (d) contains a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary
actions; (e) defines significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of trading in penny stocks; and (f) contains such
other information and is in such form, including language, type size and format, as the SEC shall require by rule or regulation.
The
broker-dealer also must provide, prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock, the customer with (a) bid and offer quotations
for the penny stock; (b) the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction; (c) the number of shares to which
such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to the depth and liquidity of the market for such stock; and
(d) a monthly account statement showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customers account.
In
addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, the broker-dealer
must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchasers
written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement as to transactions involving penny stocks,
and a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement.
These
disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity for our common stock. Therefore, stockholders may have difficulty
selling our securities.
**Holders**
As of December 31, 2023 there were 244 holders
of record of our Common Stock. The number of record holders does not include an indeterminate number of stockholders whose shares are
held by brokers in street name.
20
**Dividend
Policy**
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.
There
are no restrictions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that prevent us from declaring dividends. The Nevada Revised Statutes,
however, do prohibit us from declaring dividends where after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend:
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1. | We
would not be able to pay our debts, and they become due in the usual course of business; or |
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2. |
Our
total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the rights of shareholders
who have preferential rights superior to those receiving the distribution. | |
**Rule10B-18
Transactions**
None.
**Equity
Compensation Plans**
On
October4, 2022, the Company adopted an Equity Compensation Plan. The terms of the plan are as follows:
**PART
I GENERAL COMPENSATION (COMPENSATION LEVELS)**
Executives in VNUE are
be paid in accordance with similar companies, at similar levels, and at similar stages of development. Compensation levels, which will
become effective post-funding of $2,500,000 to $5,000,000, will be communicated and formalized via email. New salaries require full
time participation, meaning substantially all of the employees or contractors time devoted to furthering VNUEs
business objectives. Until which time the Company receives funding in the levels noted, executives will contue to be paid considerably
less than market rates.
**PART
II BONUS COMPENSATION (BONUS COMPENSATION)**
Bonus
Compensation will be rewarded, at the option of the recipient, in restricted shares of the Companys common securities, or cash,
in a strategic transaction, subsidiary, joint venture, contract right, intellectual property, merger, acquisition, royalties or other
asset, or in any combination of the above. This compensation will be rewarded based on identifying, negotiating, contracting or otherwise
playing a team role with other key personnel in the closing of (a) revenue deals, (b) funding deals, or (c) strategic deals, mergers
or acquisitions.
The
Bonus Compensation will be 20% of what the value is to the Company, will be shared equally between the key personnel who took a
direct role in securing the opportunity, and will be rewarded at the time the company either (a) closes a funding deal, (b)
completes an acquisition, or (c) when the company realizes revenues, profits, EBITDA, free cash flow, cash distributions, dividends,
sale proceeds, or other value of any kind. This includes goal-related acquisitions, whereby shares are awarded to acquisition
targets based on performance.
The Bonus Compensation
is based on the net consideration delivered to the company and will be paid quarterly in arrears. This means, if, for example, two employees
secure a deal worth $100,000, the Bonus Compensation would be 20,000. In another example, if an employee brings a revenue deal to StageIt,
and that deal generates $100,000 (in the current StageIt Model), the Company would net $20,000. Therefore, that employee would receive
$5,000 in performance-based incentive compensation.
For revenue deals, this
may be delivered in the Companys restricted common stock, cash (at the time it is realized), or a combination of the two. Performance-based
incentive compensation will be rewarded only when value is realized, or when transactions are complete, quarterly, in arrears (in some
cases, when possible, the Company may, at its discretion, accelerate these rewards).. As with all other transactions, when there is a
contingent nature to a transaction, performance-based compensation will only be paid on consideration actually paid, or value actually
received over time as the contingent nature of the transactions are actually satisfied. Additionally, performance-based incentive compensation
for funding deals shall only be paid in stock of the company, and the company will endeavor to issue the shares in as tax-advantaged a
way as possible.
21
**Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities**
The sales and issuances of the securities described below were made pursuant to the exemptions from registration contained in Section4(a)(2)
of the Securities Act and Regulation D under the Securities Act. Each purchaser represented that such purchasers intention to
acquire the shares for investment only and not with a view toward distribution. We requested our stock transfer agent to affix appropriate
legends to the stock certificate issued to each purchaser and the transfer agent affixed the appropriate legends. None of the securities
were sold through an underwriter, and accordingly, there were no underwriting, discounts or commissions involved.
During the 3-year period
prior to the filing of this Form10-K, the Company entered into the following transactions:
During the year ended
December31, 2023, the Company entered into the following transactions:
During the year ended
December31, 2022, the Company entered into the following transactions:
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On May25, 2022, we issued to each of Zach Bair, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Anthony Cardenas, our Chief Financial Officer and Director, and Lou Mann, our Executive Vice President and Director, 1,000 shares of our newly created Series C Preferred Stock for services rendered. | |
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On
June3, 2022, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with GHS Investments LLC (GHS), whereby GHS agreed to purchase 266 shares of the
Companys Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for retiring two convertible promissory notes held in our company
with principal and accrued but unpaid interest of $267,194. | |
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On April19, 2022,
the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with GHS, whereby GHS agreed to purchase 250 shares of the Companys
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for retiring two convertible promissory notes held in our Stock for $250,000. The
company issued 260 shares of Series B Preferred Stock with 10 commitment shares included. | |
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On June29, 2022,
the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with GHS, whereby GHS agreed to purchase 30 shares of the Companys
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for retiring two convertible promissory notes held in our Stock for $30,000. The
company issued 32 shares of Series B Preferred Stock with 2 commitment shares included. | |
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On January3, 2022,
and in February of 2022, we executed Securities Purchase Agreements with GHS whereby GHS agreed to purchase,
in tranches, shares of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. We have been able to raise $1,750,000 (less financing fees of $130,000
from the sale of 1,795 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with 100% warrant coverage. | |
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On February14, 2022,
the Company completed the acquisition of Stage It. Under the terms of the acquisition, the Company agreed to an initial share issuance
of 135,000,000 shares of common stock. | |
During
the year ended December31, 2021, the Company entered into the following transactions:
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Issued
75,195,174 shares upon the conversion of convertible notes resulting in a loss of $80,227 on the extinguishment of debt. | |
During
the year ended December31, 2020, the Company entered into the following transactions:
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Issued
500,000 shares to pay for services valued at $150.00. | |
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Issued
17,539,543 shares valued at $11,084 to pay interest expense. | |
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Issued
422,572,017 shares upon the conversion of convertible notes resulting in a paydown of $56,466 and a loss of $263,609 on the extinguishment
of debt. | |
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Issued
$453,708 in convertible notes with a fixed conversion price of $0.001 if a qualified offering occurs. | |
22
These
securities were issued pursuant to Section4(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule506 promulgated thereunder. The holders represented
their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view toward distribution. The investors were given adequate
information about us to make an informed investment decision. We did not engage in any general solicitation or advertising. We directed
our transfer agent to issue the stock certificates with the appropriate restrictive legend affixed to the restricted stock.
The
sales and issuances of the securities described below were made pursuant to the exemptions from registration contained in Section4(a)(2)
of the Securities Act and Regulation D under the Securities Act. Each purchaser represented that such purchasers intention to
acquire the shares for investment only and not with a view toward distribution. We requested our stock transfer agent to affix appropriate
legends to the stock certificate issued to each purchaser, and the transfer agent affixed the appropriate legends. Each purchaser was
given adequate access to sufficient information about us to make an informed investment decision.
**ITEM6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.**
Not
applicable to a smaller reporting company.
**ITEM7.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS**
**Forward-Looking
Statements**
The
statements in this quarterly report that are not reported financial results or other historical information are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the *Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995*, as amended. These statements appear
in a number of different places in this report and can be identified by words such as estimates, projects,
expects, intends, believes, plans, or their negatives or other comparable words.
Also, look for discussions of strategies that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements
regarding our business plans and availability of financing for our business. Some forward-looking statements that we may use include,
without limitation, those statements that relate to:
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Competition
and market acceptance of our product, | |
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Other
risks and uncertainties related to the music industry and our business strategy and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our operations, | |
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Our
ability to penetrate the market and continually innovate useful technologies, | |
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Our
ability to negotiate and enter into license agreements, | |
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Our
ability to raise capital, and | |
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Our
ability to protect our intellectual property rights. | |
You
are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees and may involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results
may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing us or due to facts differing from the assumptions
underlying our estimates. Some of these risks and assumptions include those set forth in reports and other documents we have filed with
or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We advise you that these cautionary remarks
expressly qualify in their entirety for all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. Unless required
by law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations. However,
you should carefully review the reports and other documents we file from time to time with the SEC.
23
**Presentation
of Information**
As
used in this quarterly report, the terms we, us, our and the Company mean VNUE,
Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
All
dollar amounts in this annual report refer to US dollars unless otherwise indicated.
**Overview**
We
were incorporated as a Nevada corporation on April4, 2006.
**Impact
of the Current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on the Company**
Covid-19
has had a material adverse effect on our live recording business and the music industry in general. Substantially all of our future set.fm
and DiscLive business is dependent on the success of public events and gatherings. We believe that the vaccination efforts throughout
the world are having a positive impact on the population that may enable more live music events to be held in the future, which would
be beneficial to our business; however, there can be no assurances on the timing of when this may occur or whether it will occur at all.
**Overview**
**Our
Business**
We
are a music technology company that utilizes our platforms to record live concerts and then sell the content to consumers. We make
the content we record available to the set.fm platform, as well as our website, immediately after the show is finished. Our
technology helps artists and record labels generate alternative income from the recorded content. We also offer high-end collectible
products such as CDs, USB drives and laminates, which feature our fully mixed and mastered live concert content.
Until
the acquisition of Stage It, described below, we had two products:
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Set.fm
/ DiscLive Network - Our consumer app platform allows customers to download and purchase, via their individual mobile device,
the concert they just attended. There are also physical collectible products which are recorded and sold at shows as well as online
through the Companys exclusive partner DiscLive Network. The app itself is free to download and allows for in app
purchases regarding the content. (Currently, this is the only platform that generates any revenue for the Company.) | |
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Soundstr - a comprehensive music identification and rights management Cloud platform that we are developing, when fully deployed, can accurately track and audit public performances of music, creating a more transparent ecosystem for general music licensing and associated royalty payments, which will help ensure the correct stakeholders are compensated through the use of our big data collection.Soudstr is not yet generating revenue but is being commercialy deployed to early adopters. | |
While
Set.fm and Soundstr are proprietary marks of the Company, DiscLive, and its related marks and names are not owned by the
Company and are owned and utilized by RockHouse Live Media Productions, Inc. The Company has not filed any formal trademark applications
relating to Set.fm with the United States US Patent and Trademark Office but has been using these marks openly since 2017 and
claims common law rights to them.
The Company currently
only generates revenue from Set.fm and from DiscLive by (a) recording the audio of live concerts and then selling the content instantly
through its set.fm website, as well as the IOS Set.fm mobile application, and (b) selling content on physical products such as CDs, which
are burned on-site where customers can purchase them. Our customers are fans of live music and the bands which we record. The Company
generates additional revenue via Stageit, which sells notes to users allowing them to utilize our system (license) to view performances
by artists registered on the site.
Customers
want to take home their experience of the concerts they attend. Our Company enters into agreements with certain bands and
artists and record labels, if a particular artist is under contract with the label. Our teams then follow that artist or band while they
are on tour and record every show on that tour. Our Company uses its own recording and sound equipment while recording concerts.
24
As
we partner with both artists and labels, we market our services on their websites, social media platforms, and mailing lists,
as well as our own websites and social networks. Furthermore, partnerships with companies similar to Ticketmaster allow us to market
to customers when they buy tickets to see certain artists in concert.
On
February13, 2022, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with VNUE Acquisition
Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (MergerCo), Stage It Corp., a Delaware corporation
(Stage It), and the stockholders representative for Stage It, pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire Stage
It for $10 million (the Merger Consideration), by merging MergerCo with and into Stage It, with Stage It continuing as
the surviving entity and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the Merger).
Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, each of Stage Its outstanding shares (including common and preferred shares) will be converted into the
right to receive the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration. A portion of the Merger Consideration will be paid in cash and take
the form of satisfying certain outstanding debt obligations of Stage It, as outlined in a Closing Payment Certificate to the Merger Agreement,
and the other portion will be paid in shares of the Companys common stock or preferred stock, with the actual number of such shares
to be issued reduced by the cash component outlaid in the transaction. A portion of the Merger Consideration, $1 million, will be held
back for the purposes of satisfying certain contingent obligations of Stage It. Though the period ended December31, 2022, the Company
has paid approximately $1,568,000 in purchase consideration and expenses related to the acquisition.
The Merger Agreement
also allows for the issuance of earn out shares, not to exceed the overall Merger Consideration, provided that certain EBIDTA requirements
are met over the course of 18 months. To date, StageIt has not met the certain EBITDA requirements necessary to issue any earn out shares.
On February14,
2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Stage It. As a result of the Closing, Stage It became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company. For the acquisition, the Company issued the initial 135,000,000 shares and has paid certain amounts as detailed under Merger
Consideration in the Merger Agreement. The price to be paid in cash and stock for the Earnout Shares and Holdback Shares are set forth
in the Merger Agreement.
With the addition of
Stage It (Stage It.com), VNUE has the ability to livestream concerts and other events, adding to the pool of other live music-focused
technology services. Stage It is an established platform where concerts or other live events may be ticketed (just like an in-person event),
and fans who pay for tickets may enjoy a performance or other engagement by watching digital video as it occurs on their web browser.
For example, an artist can create an event through the platform, then, in advance, let their fans know they can purchase the ability to
view the concerts on the Stage It platform. Fans then buy the ability to access these concerts, and at the designated time, the fan may
then observe the live performance on Stage It.com.
**Recent
Developments**
In late July 2022, we
announced that the Company is launching an aggressive campaign to deploy its Soundstr Music Recognition Technology in every bar, restaurant
and hotel in Key West, FL, and has brought on local resources to have boots on the ground for the rollout. Although this
effort has gone more slowly than anticipated, due to several factors unrelated to VNUE, the rollout continues.
Key West is one of the
most sought-after vacation spots in the world, attracting around five million tourists per year by planes, boats (including cruise ships),
and automobiles. It also boasts a large number of businesses that utilize music. In fact, the famed Duval Street is lined with no less
than 143 bars in less than two miles.
Interested businesses
may receive the Soundstr Pulse devices for no cost whatsoever. In addition to Key West, the rollout has also commenced in several other
geographic areas, including New York City, Memphis, TN, Jackson, TN, Southaven, MS, Clearwater Beach, FL, and others.
In June of 2023, VNUE
signed an MOU with PEX to form a strategic partnership in order to pursue several initiatives surrounding VNUE's groundbreaking Soundstr
music recognition technology and Pex's content identification technology, which identifies audio, melody, video, and lyrics in real time.
To date the Companny and PEX remain engaged and testing various scenarios and products, and expect to formalize a commercial relationship.
VNUE also announced in
September that it has brought on Victoria Vo and Haute Group International, as well as the Collective Sports Agency, in order to create
a new Sports division, which will focus on leveraging VNUEs assets in the sports world.
25
**Results
of Operations for the years ended December31, 2023, and 2022**
The following discussion
and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, should be read in conjunction
with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report.
**Revenues**
For the year ended December
31, 2023, we had revenue of $529,439 compared to $359,147 in revenue for the same period ended December31, 2022, an increase of
$170,293. The increase in revenue for the period is primarily attributable to approximately $175,000 in revenues from the Matchbox Twenty
tour in 2023 compared to zero in the 2022 period .
We expect that our revenues
will increase in future quarters as a result of the decreased impact of Covid-19 and the accompanying lockdowns on businesses, which has
been an obstacle for live performances; however, there can be no assurances.
**Direct Costs of Revenues**
For the year ended December
31, 2023, we had direct costs of revenue of $346,802 compared to $325,878 for the same period ended December31, 2022, representing
an increase of $20,923. The increase in the cost of revenue is attributable to the inclusion of expenses related to the Matchbox Twenty
tour offset by a reduction in the cost of revenue at Stage It
The increase in costs
is attributable to Stage It. We expect to generate positive gross margins from higher sales volumes in the future, although there can
be no assurances.
**Operating Expenses**
We incurred operating expenses in the amount of
$1,593,757 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared with $21,849,979 for the same period ended December31, 2022, a decrease
of $20,256,221 primarily as a result of a non-cash charge of $15,300,000 representing the fair market value of the Series C Preferred
Stock voting stock received as compensation by our management, amortization of intangible assets of $758,333 and due to the impairment
of goodwill and intangible assets of $4,261,683. We did incur those expenses in 2023 and we do not expect to have this expense in future
quarters.
The balance of our operating expenses for all
periods consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
|
| |
Year Ended December31, | | |
|
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
|
General and administrative expenses | |
$ | 350,325 | | |
$ | 500,633 | | |
|
Payroll expenses | |
$ | 452,620 | | |
$ | 302,277 | | |
|
Professional fees | |
$ | 409,312 | | |
$ | 727,052 | | |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 758,333 | | |
|
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 4,261,683 | | |
|
Stock based compensation in 2023, and in from the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock | |
$ | 381,500 | | |
$ | 15,300,000 | | |
|
| |
$ | 1,593,757 | | |
$ | 21,849,979 | | |
Excluding stock based compensation in both periods
and the impairment of goodwill and issuance of Series C voting stock, operating expenses were $1,212,257 for year ended December 31, 2023
compared to $1,529,962 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of $317,705 in operating expenses in the 2023 period is primarily
attributable to a reduction in professional fees and general and administrative expense offset by an increase in payroll expenses.
26
**Other Income / Expenses,
Net**
We recorded other income
of $274,344 in 2023 compared to other expense of $945,912 in 2022. The material improvement in other income in 2023 is due to the recording
of other income of $517,524 at Stage It due to abandoned notes that had expired, and due to significant reduction in interest expense
due to lowering of debt levels.
We expect to incur other
expenses in future quarters as a result of financing transactions.
****
**Net Income (Loss)**
As a result of the foregoing,
we recorded a net loss available to common shareholders of $1,425,389 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with a net loss available
to common shareholders of $22,973,109 for the year ended December31, 2022.
****
**Liquidity and Capital
Resources**
Since our inception,
we have funded our operations primarily through private offerings of our equity securities and loans.
The accompanying consolidated
financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities
and commitments in the normal course of business. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, during the year
ended December 31, 2023, the Company used cash in operations of $1,084,903 and as of December 31, 2023, had a stockholders deficit
of $38,233,792 and negative working capital of $6,582,006. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to
continue as a going concern within one year after the date of the financial statements being issued. The ability of the Company to continue
as a going concern is dependent upon the Companys ability to raise additional funds and implement its business plan. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
On December 31, 2023,
the Company had cash on hand of $25,430, as compared with cash on hand of $82,807 as of December31, 2022.
The continuation of the
Company as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain necessary debt or equity financing to continue operations until it
begins generating positive cash flow. Historically, the Company has been able to fund its operations from the proceeds of notes payable
and convertible notes.
More recently, the Company
has been relying on issuances of its preferred stock and its equity line of credit with GHS Investments, LLC (GHS), described
below, to fund its operations. All other financial commitments have been terminated, and we are looking for new opportunities to fund
the Company to supplement our preferred stock and credit line funding. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available
or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company. Even if the Company can obtain additional financing,
it may contain undue restrictions on our operations, in the case of debt financing, or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders,
in the case of equity financing.
During the year ended
December 31, 2023, the Company utilized its equity line of credit and received $704,527 in gross proceeds from the issuance of 467,106,433
shares of common stock. The Company intends to continue to use its credit line to fund its operations, although there can be no assurance
that there will be sufficient availability under the terms of the Equity Financing Agreement.
The Company is currently
looking for other opportunities to fund the Company to supplement its credit line. No assurance can be given that any future financing
will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company. Even if the Company can obtain additional
financing, it may contain undue restrictions on our operations, in the case of debt financing or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders,
in the case of equity financing.
27
**Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates**
Our
managements discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements,
which were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires
us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results
may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
While
our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus,
we believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to our financial results and to the understanding of our past and
future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving managements estimates and assumptions. We
consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) it requires us to make assumptions because the information was not available at
the time or it included matters that were highly uncertain at the time we were making our estimate; and (2) changes in the estimate could
have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
**Use
of Estimates and Assumptions and Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions**
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 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. Critical accounting estimates are estimates for which (a) the nature of the estimate is material due to the levels of subjectivity
and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change and (b) the impact of
the estimate on financial condition or operating performance is material. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and
on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole under the circumstances,
the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. Management regularly evaluates the key factors and assumptions used to develop the estimates utilizing currently
available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience, and reasonable assumptions. After such evaluations,
if deemed appropriate, those estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates
include the assumptions used to determine the value of the derivative liabilities, the valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset,
and the accruals for potential liabilities.
**Derivative
Financial Instruments**
The
Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded
derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded
at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated
statements of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities
or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet
as current or non-current based on whether or not the net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months
of the balance sheet date.
28
**Stock-Based
Compensation**
The
Company periodically issues stock options and warrants to employees and non-employees in non-capital raising transactions for services
and financing costs. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to employees based on the authoritative
guidance provided by FASB where the value of the award is measured on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense on the
straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees
in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the FASB where the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date
as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance
to earn the equity instruments is complete. Options granted to non-employees are revalued each reporting period to determine the amount
to be recorded as an expense in the respective period. As the options vest, they are valued on each vesting date and an adjustment is
recorded for the difference between the value already recorded and the then-current value on the date of vesting. In certain circumstances
where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, option grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based
compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.
The
fair value of the Companys stock option and warrant grants are estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing model,
which uses certain assumptions related to risk-free interest rates, expected volatility, expected life of the stock options or warrants,
and future dividends. Compensation expense is recorded based upon the value derived from the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing model,
and based on actual experience. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing model could materially affect compensation
expense recorded in future periods.
**Recent
Accounting Pronouncements**
See
Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statement herein for managements discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
**ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK**
Not applicable
29
**ITEM8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.**
**VNUE,
Inc.**
**December31,
2023**
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
|
F-2 | |
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|
F-3 | |
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations |
|
F-4 | |
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Deficit |
|
F-5 | |
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
|
F-6 | |
|
Notes
to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
F-7 | |
F-1
**Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm**
To the shareholders and the board of directors
of VNUE, Inc.
****
**Opinion on the Financial Statements**
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets
of VNUE, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), 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, 2023 and 2022, 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.
****
**Substantial Doubt about the Companys
Ability to Continue as a Going Concern**
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
suffered recurring losses from operations and has a significant accumulated deficit. In addition, the Company continues to experience
negative cash flows from operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. 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 audit in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged
to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys
internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit 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 audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
**Critical Audit Matter**
Critical audit matters are matters arising
from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee
and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging,
subjective, or complex judgments.
We determined that there are no critical audit
matters.
**/S/ BF Borgers CPA PC (PCAOB ID 5041)**
We have served as the Company's auditor since
2020
Lakewood, CO
April 15, 2024
| | F-2 | | |
VNUE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
December31, | | |
December31, | | |
|
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
|
Assets | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Current assets: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Cash | |
$ | 25,430 | | |
$ | 82,807 | | |
|
Prepaid expenses | |
| - | | |
| 130,000 | | |
|
Total current assets | |
| 25,430 | | |
| 212,807 | | |
|
Fixed assets, net | |
| - | | |
| 9,134 | | |
|
Total assets | |
$ | 25,430 | | |
$ | 221,941 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Liabilities and Stockholders Deficit | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Current liabilities: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | |
$ | 2,424,443 | | |
$ | 2,817,102 | | |
|
Shares to be issued | |
| 975,174 | | |
| 975,174 | | |
|
Accrued payroll-officers | |
| 221,850 | | |
| 212,250 | | |
|
Dividends payable | |
| 499,100 | | |
| 210,486 | | |
|
Notes payable | |
| 1,359,865 | | |
| 1,134,262 | | |
|
Deferred revenue | |
| 656,290 | | |
| 862,597 | | |
|
Convertible notes payable, net | |
| 470,714 | | |
| 470,714 | | |
|
Total current liabilities | |
| 6,607,435 | | |
| 6,682,586 | | |
|
Total liabilities | |
| 6,607,435 | | |
| 6,682,586 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Commitments and Contingencies | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Stockholders Deficit | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Preferred A stock, par value $0.0001: 20,000,000 shares authorized; 3,200,579 and 4,250,579 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | |
| 320 | | |
| 425 | | |
|
Preferred B stock, par value $0.0001: 2,500 shares authorized; 2,504 and 2,305 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
|
Preferred C stock, par value $0.0001: 10,000 shares authorized; 3,000 and -0- issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
|
Common stock, par value $0.0001, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized; 2,645,641,186and 1,676,014,753 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively | |
| 264,563 | | |
| 167,601 | | |
|
Additional paid-in capital | |
| 31,386,902 | | |
| 30,179,731 | | |
|
Accumulated deficit | |
| (38,233,792 | ) | |
| (36,808,403 | ) | |
|
Total stockholders deficit | |
| (6,582,006 | ) | |
| (6,460,646 | ) | |
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Deficit | |
$ | 25,430 | | |
$ | 221,941 | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-3
VNUE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
For the year ended | | |
|
| |
December31, | | |
|
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
|
Revenues - related party | |
$ | 182,773 | | |
$ | 11,818 | | |
|
Revenue, net | |
| 346,666 | | |
| 347,329 | | |
|
Total revenue | |
| 529,439 | | |
| 359,147 | | |
|
Direct costs of revenue | |
| 346,802 | | |
| 325,878 | | |
|
Gross profit | |
| 182,638 | | |
| 33,269 | | |
|
Operating expenses: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Stock-based compensation | |
| 381,500 | | |
| 15,300,000 | | |
|
General and administrative expense | |
| 350,325 | | |
| 500,633 | | |
|
Payroll expenses | |
| 452,620 | | |
| 302,277 | | |
|
Professional fees | |
| 409,312 | | |
| 727,052 | | |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | |
| - | | |
| 758,333 | | |
|
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | |
| - | | |
| 4,261,683 | | |
|
Total operating expenses | |
| 1,593,757 | | |
| 21,849,979 | | |
|
Operating loss | |
| (1,411,119 | ) | |
| (21,816,710 | ) | |
|
Other income (expense), net | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Other income | |
| 517,524 | | |
| - | | |
|
Loss on the extinguishment of debt | |
| - | | |
| (133,911 | ) | |
|
Financing costs | |
| (243,180 | ) | |
| (812,001 | ) | |
|
Other income (expense), net | |
| 274,344 | | |
| (945,912 | ) | |
|
Net loss | |
$ | (1,136,776 | ) | |
$ | (22,762,622 | ) | |
|
Preferred B Stock dividends | |
| (288,613 | ) | |
| (210,486 | ) | |
|
Net loss available to common shareholders | |
$ | (1,425,389 | ) | |
$ | (22,973,109 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Net loss per common share- basic and diluted | |
$ | (0.00 | ) | |
$ | (0.02 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Basic and diluted | |
| 2,000,429,712 | | |
| 1,495,043,842 | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-4
VNUE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT
FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND 2022
(Unaudited)
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Par
value $0.001 | | |
Additional | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| |
Preferred
A Shares | | |
Preferred
B Shares | | |
Preferred
C Shares | | |
Common
Shares | | |
Paid-
in | | |
Accumulated | | |
| | |
|
| |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Capital | | |
Deficit | | |
Total | | |
|
Balance
- December 31, 2021 | |
| 4,250,579 | | |
$ | 425 | | |
| - | | |
$ | - | | |
| - | | |
$ | - | | |
| 1,411,799,497 | | |
$ | 141,177 | | |
$ | 10,900,652 | | |
| (13,835,294 | ) | |
| (2,793,040 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Issuance
of Preferred B shares for cash | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 1,980 | | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 1,964,600 | | |
| | | |
| 1,964,600 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Conversion
of debt to Preferred B Shares | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 266 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 319,200 | | |
| | | |
| 319,200 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Financing
fee paid in Pref B shares | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 59 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 68,400 | | |
| | | |
| 68,400 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Beneficial
conversion feature of Pref B shares convertible notes | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 434,200 | | |
| | | |
| 434,200 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Shares
issued for services | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 6,000,000 | | |
| 600 | | |
| 56,200 | | |
| | | |
| 56,800 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
|
Shares
issued upon conversion of convertible notes payable | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Issuance
of Preferred C voting share to related parties | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 3,000 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 15,300,000 | | |
| | | |
| 15,300,000 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Acquisition
shares issued for Stage It purchase | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 62,973,578 | | |
| 6,297 | | |
| 629,736 | | |
| | | |
| 636,033 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Shares
issued pursuant to the Companys equity line of credit | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 195,261,678 | | |
| 19,526 | | |
| 506,743 | | |
| | | |
| 526,269 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Series
B dividends | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (210,486 | ) | |
| (210,486 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Net
loss | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (22,762,622 | ) | |
| (22,762,622 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Balance
- December 31, 2022 | |
| 4,250,579 | | |
$ | 425 | | |
| 2,305 | | |
$ | - | | |
| 3,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
| 1,676,034,753 | | |
$ | 167,601 | | |
$ | 30,179,731 | | |
$ | (36,808,403 | ) | |
$ | (6,460,646 | ) | |
|
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Par
value $0.001 | | |
Additional | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| |
Preferred
A Shares | | |
Preferred
B Shares | | |
Preferred
C Shares | | |
Common
Shares | | |
Paid-
in | | |
Accumulated | | |
| | |
|
| |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Number | | |
Amount | | |
Capital | | |
Deficit | | |
Total | | |
|
Balance
- December 31, 2022 | |
| 4,250,579 | | |
$ | 425 | | |
| 2,305 | | |
$ | - | | |
| 3,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
| 1,676,034,753 | | |
$ | 167,601 | | |
$ | 30,179,731 | | |
$ | (36,808,403 | ) | |
$ | (6,460,646 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Issuance
of Preferred B Shares for cash | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 184 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 202,012 | | |
| | | |
| 202,012 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Financing
fee paid in Preferred B shares | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 15 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 15,988 | | |
| | | |
| 15,988 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Conversion
of Series A Preferred stock to common stock | |
| (1,050,000 | ) | |
| (105 | ) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 52,500,000 | | |
| 5,250 | | |
| (5,145 | ) | |
| | | |
| - | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Shares
issued for services | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 450,000,000 | | |
| 45,000 | | |
| 336,500 | | |
| | | |
| 381,500 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Series
B dividends | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (288,613 | ) | |
| (288,613 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Shares
issued from the Companys equity line for cash | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 467,106,433 | | |
| 46,711 | | |
| 657,816 | | |
| | | |
| 704,527 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Net
loss | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| (1,136,776 | ) | |
| (1,136,776 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
|
Balance,
December 31, 2023 | |
| 3,200,579 | | |
$ | 320 | | |
| 2,504 | | |
$ | - | | |
| 3,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
| 2,645,641,186 | | |
$ | 264,563 | | |
$ | 31,386,902 | | |
$ | (38,233,792 | ) | |
$ | (6,582,006 | ) | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-5
VNUE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
For the Year Ended | | |
|
| |
December31, | | |
|
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Net loss | |
$ | (1,136,776 | ) | |
$ | (22,762,622 | ) | |
|
Stock based compensation | |
| 381,500 | | |
| 15,356,800 | | |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Depreciation | |
| 9,134 | | |
| 28,688 | | |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | |
| - | | |
| 758,333 | | |
|
Loss on the extinguishment of debt | |
| - | | |
| 133,911 | | |
|
Beneficial conversion feature of Preferred B stock | |
| 20,000 | | |
| 434,200 | | |
|
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | |
| - | | |
| 4,261,683 | | |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Prepaid expenses | |
| 130,000 | | |
| 334,336 | | |
|
Accounts payable and accrued interest | |
| (292,054 | ) | |
| 189,262 | | |
|
Deferred revenue | |
| (206,307 | ) | |
| 10,469 | | |
|
Accrued payroll officers | |
| 9,600 | | |
| (21,500 | ) | |
|
Net cash (used in) operating activities | |
| (1,084,903 | ) | |
| (1,276,439 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Purchase of fixed assets | |
| - | | |
| (940 | ) | |
|
Acquisition of a business net of cash received | |
| - | | |
| (977,761 | ) | |
|
Net cash (used in) investing activities | |
| - | | |
| (978,701 | ) | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Proceeds from the Companys equity line from the sale of common stock | |
| 704,527 | | |
| 526,269 | | |
|
Repayment of officer advance | |
| - | | |
| (10,000 | ) | |
|
Payments on promissory notes | |
| - | | |
| (261,280 | ) | |
|
Shares issued for financing costs | |
| 15,988 | | |
| 68,400 | | |
|
Proceeds from the sale of Series B Preferred Stock | |
| 202,012 | | |
| 1,964,600 | | |
|
Proceeds from the issuance of promissory notes | |
| 105,000 | | |
| | | |
|
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes | |
| - | | |
| 3,000 | | |
|
Net cash provided by investing activities | |
| 1,027,527 | | |
| 2,300,989 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash | |
| (57,377 | ) | |
| 45,849 | | |
|
Cash At The Beginning Of The Period | |
| 82,807 | | |
| 36,958 | | |
|
Cash At The End Of The Period | |
$ | 25,430 | | |
$ | 82,807 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Cash paid for interest | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
|
Cash paid for income taxes | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information: | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Common shares issued for the Stage It acquisition | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 572,738 | | |
|
Issuance of Preferred C voting shares | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 15,300,000 | | |
|
Preferred B shares issued upon the conversion of debt and accrued interest | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 176,410 | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-6
**VNUE,
INC.**
**YEARS
ENDED DECEMBER31, 2023 AND 2022**
**NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**NOTE
1 ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION**
*History
and Organization*
VNUE,
Inc. (formerly Tierra Grande Resources, Inc.) (VNUE, TGRI, or the Company) was incorporated
under the laws of the State of Nevada on April4, 2006.
On
May29, 2015, VNUE, Inc. entered into a merger agreement with VNUE Washington, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement,
all of the outstanding shares of any class or series of VNUE Washington were exchanged for an aggregate of 50,762,987 shares of TGRI
common stock. As a result of the Merger, VNUE Washington became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and the transaction was accounted
for as a reverse merger with VNUE Washington deemed the acquiring company for accounting purposes, and the Company deemed the legal acquirer.
The
Company is developing technology-driven solutions for Artists, Venues, and Festivals to automate the capturing, publishing, and monetization
of their content, as well as protection of their rights.
On
February13, 2022, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with VNUE Acquisition
Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (MergerCo), Stage It Corp., a Delaware corporation
(Stage It), and the stockholders representative for Stage It, pursuant to which the Company will acquire Stage It
for up to $10 million (the Merger Consideration), by merging MergerCo with and into Stage It, with Stage It continuing
as the surviving entity and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Merger).
On
February13, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with VNUE Acquisition Inc.,
a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (MergerCo), Stage It Corp., a Delaware corporation (Stage
It), and the stockholders representative for Stage It, pursuant to which the Company contracted to acquire Stage It for
up to $10 million (the Merger Consideration), by merging MergerCo with and into Stage It, with Stage It continuing as the
surviving entity and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Merger). At the same time, Stage It and several of the
shareholders of Stage It entered into a voting agreement concerning the Merger.
Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger (the Closing), each of Stage Its outstanding shares (including
common and preferred shares) were converted into the right to receive the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration. $1,085,450
of the Merger Consideration was paid in cash and satisfaction of certain outstanding debt obligations of Stage It, as outlined in a Closing
Payment Certificate of the Merger Agreement, and the other portion was paid in shares of the Companys common stock or preferred
stock, with the actual number of such shares to be issued reduced by the cash component outlaid in the transaction. A portion of the
Merger Consideration, $1 million, was held back for the purposes of satisfying certain contingent obligations of Stage It.
The
Merger Agreement provides for the issuance of earnout shares which the company estimates will not be achieved.
On
February14 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Stage It. As a result of the Closing, Stage It became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. For the acquisition, the Company issued the initial 135,000,000 shares, paid certain amounts to Stage It vendors
and will potentially pay additional amounts as detailed under Merger Consideration in the Merger Agreement.
F-7
**NOTE
2 GOING CONCERN**
The accompanying consolidated financial statements
have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments
in the normal course of business. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023, the Company
had $25,430 in cash on hand, had negative working capital of $6,582,006 and had an accumulated deficit of $38,233,792. Additionally for
the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company used $1,084,903 in cash from operating activities. These factors raise substantial doubt
about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date of the financial statements being issued.
The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Companys ability to raise additional funds and
implement its business plan. The Company does not have any commitments for additional capital. The financial statements do not include
any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern. In addition, the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm, in its report on the Companys December 31, 2023, consolidated financial statements, has raised
substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern.
The
continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain necessary debt or equity financing to continue
operations until it begins generating positive cash flow. Historically, the Company has been able to fund its operations from the proceeds
of notes payable and convertible notes. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that
it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company. Even if the Company can obtain additional financing, it may contain undue restrictions
on our operations, in the case of debt financing, or cause substantial dilution for our stockholders, in the case of equity financing.
**NOTE
3 SIGNIFICANT AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES**
*Basis
of Consolidation*
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
FASB Accounting Standard Codification (the Codification) which is the source of authoritative
accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States.
The
Company consolidates its results with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Stage It Corp.
*Revenue
Recognition*
The
Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, *Revenue from Contracts*.
ASC 606 creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of contracts, which includes
(1) identifying the contracts or agreements with a customer, (2) identifying our performance obligations in the contract or agreement,
(3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (5) recognizing
revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that
the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the services it transfers to its clients.
Stage
It receives revenue through a percentage of ticket sales and tipping. This show-based revenue creates a pool that is shared with the
performing artist. Once a show is completed the revenue that has been created through tickets and tips is allocated. Typically, Stage
It retains 20% of the revenue as an agent and the artist receives 80% of the revenue as the performer, however, there are occasions when
the profit split has different ratios. Revenue is recognized once a show is complete and the performance obligation to the consumer has
been met. Since Stage It acts as an agent, revenue is recorded on a net basis only on the 20% portion, less direct expenses such as broadcast
costs, merchant processing fees, bank services charges, license fees and the cost of production.
The
Company also recognizes revenue on the sale of CDs and USB drives that contain the recording of live concerts and are made available
to concert attendees immediately after the show and online. Revenue is recognized on the sale of a product when our performance obligation
is completed which is when the risk of loss transfers to our customers and the collection of the receivable is reasonably assured, which
generally occurs when the product is purchased.
F-8
As of December 31, 2023 and December31,
2022 deferred revenue amounted to $656,290 and $862,597 respectively. As of December 31, 2023, deferred revenue was comprised of solely
of $656,290 in unredeemed notes at Stage It that have been purchased by customers but not used toward any events. When these notes will
be redeemed, on average the performing artists will receive 73%, and the Company will record 23% of the value of these notes as revenue.
*Use
of Estimates*
The
preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the financial statement date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Significant
estimates include the assumptions used for the determination of goodwill and intangible assets, the valuation allowance for the deferred
tax asset and the accruals for potential liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
*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 Companys Own Stock, Distinguishing Liabilities
from Equity.*
*Fair
Value of Financial Instruments*
The
Company determines the fair value of its assets and liabilities based on the exchange price in U.S. dollars 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. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value maximize the
use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy with three levels of inputs,
of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, to measure fair value:
|
|
|
Level
1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Level
2 Inputs, other than Level 1, that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or
liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market
data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. | |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Level
3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets
or liabilities. | |
The
carrying amounts of financial instruments such as cash, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate the related fair values
due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The carrying values of our notes payable approximate their fair values because
interest rates on these obligations are based on prevailing market interest rates.
*Derivative
Financial Instruments*
The
Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded
derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded
at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements
of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or
as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as
current or non-current based on whether or not the net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within twelve months
of the balance sheet date. There were no derivative liabilities outstanding as of December31, 2023 and December31, 2022.
F-9
*Income
(Loss) per Common Share*
Basic
net income (loss) per share is computed by using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted
net income (loss) per share is computed giving effect to all dilutive potential shares of Common Stock that were outstanding during the
period. Diluted income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution, using the treasury stock method, that could occur if securities
or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that
is then shared in the income (loss) of the Company as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance
date, if later. In computing diluted income (loss) per share, the treasury stock method assumes that outstanding options and warrants
are exercised and the proceeds are used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Options and warrants
may have a dilutive effect under the treasury stock method only when the average market price of the common stock during the period exceeds
the exercise price of the options and warrants. Dilutive potential shares of Common Stock consist of incremental shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of stock options. No dilutive potential shares of Common Stock were included in the computation of diluted net
loss per share on December31, 2023, because their impact would have been anti-dilutive.
*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. 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 the results
of operations. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
|
Schedule of property plant equipment estimated useful lives |
|
| | |
|
Computers, software, and office equipment |
|
3 years | | |
|
Furniture and fixtures |
|
7 years | | |
As
of December31, 2023 and 2022, the Companys property, which consisted solely of computers at its Stage It subsidiary, amounted
to $-0- and $9,134,
respectively. Depreciation expense for the year ended December31, 2023, and 2022, amounted to $9,134 and $28,688
respectively.
*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 Companys acquisition 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 Companys amortizable intangible
assets consist primarily of customer relationships, trademarks, and product formulations. The useful life of these customer relationships
is estimated to be three years.
Goodwill
is not amortized but is 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
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
Companys risk relative to the overall market, the Companys 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 units carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an impairment loss is recognized in an
amount equal to the excess. As of December 31, 2022 the Company determined that its goodwill and intangibles were fully impaired,
and as a result recorded an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets amounting to $4,261,683
in its Statements Operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.
F-10
*Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements*
In
June2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU)
No. 2016-13, Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU
2016-13) and also issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, and ASU 2019-05 (collectively,
Topic 326). Topic 326 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. The Company
will be required to adopt this ASU for fiscal years beginning after December15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal
years. The adoption of Topic 326 is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys financial statements and financial
statement disclosures.
**NOTE
4 PREPAID EXPENSE**
As
of December31, 2023 and December31, 2022, the balances in prepaid expenses was $-0- and $130,000.
|
Schedule of prepaid expense | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
December31,
2023 | | |
December31,
2022 | | |
|
Matchbox Twenty agreement | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
|
Deposit with joint venture partner | |
| | |
| 30,000 | | |
|
Total prepaid expenses | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 130,000 | | |
**NOTE
5 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**
**DiscLive
Network**
On
July10, 2017, the Company entered into a Licensing Agreement with RockHouse Live Media Productions, Inc., DBA DiscLive
or DiscLive Network (DiscLive) to formalize the terms of the Strategic Alliance entered into by the Company
with DiscLive on July21, 2016. VNUE has acquired an exclusive license from DiscLive, for a period of three years unless earlier
terminated under the Agreement, for the use of all its assets, including but not limited to the DiscLive brand, website (including eCommerce
platform), intellectual property, inventory, equipment, trade secrets and anything related to its business of instant live
recording. Under the terms of the Agreement, DiscLive granted the Company a worldwide exclusive license.
In exchange for the license, DiscLive will receive
a license fee equal to five percent (5%) of any sales derived from the sale and use of the products and services. DiscLive is controlled
by our Chief Executive Officer. Revenues of $182,773 and $11,818 for the periods ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively, were
recorded using the assets licensed under this agreement. For the periods ended December 31, 2023, and 2021 the fees would have amounted
to $9,139 and $591 respectively. The Companys Chief Executive Officer agreed to waive the right to receive these license fees for
both years and has never taken any fees pursuant to this agreement.
**Advances
from Officers/Stockholders**
From
time to time, officers/stockholders of the Company advance funds to the Company for working capital purposes. During the year ended December31,
2021, the Companys Chief Executive Officer advanced $10,000 to the Company on an interest-free basis. That amount was repaid in the fourth quarter
of 2022.
F-11
**NOTE
6 BUSINESS ACQUISITION**
On
February13, 2022, VNUE, Inc. (the Company) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement)
with VNUE Acquisition Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (MergerCo), Stage It Corp.,
a Delaware corporation (Stage It), and the stockholders representative for Stage It, pursuant to which the Company
will acquire Stage It for up to $10 million (the Merger Consideration), by merging MergerCo with and into Stage It, with
Stage It continuing as the surviving entity and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the Merger).
Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, at the closing of the Merger (the Closing),
each of Stage Its outstanding shares (including common and preferred shares) will be converted into the right to receive the applicable
portion of the Merger Consideration. A portion of the Merger Consideration will be paid in cash and take the form of satisfying certain
outstanding debt obligations of Stage It, as outlined in a Closing Payment Certificate of the Merger Agreement, and the other portion
will be paid in shares of the Companys common stock or preferred stock, with the actual number of such shares to be issued reduced
by the cash component outlaid in the transaction. A portion of the Merger Consideration, $1 million, will be held back to satisfy certain
contingent obligations of Stage It.
The
Merger Agreement also allows for the issuance of earn-out shares, not to exceed the overall Merger Consideration, provided that certain
EBIDTA requirements are met over the course of 18 months.
On
February13, 2022, the Company, Stage It and the shareholders of Stage It entered into a voting agreement concerning the Merger.
On February14,
2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Stage It. As a result of the Closing, Stage It became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company. For the acquisition, the Company issued the initial 135,000,000 shares and pay certain amounts as detailed under Merger Consideration
in the Merger Agreement. The price to be paid in cash and stock for the Earnout Shares and Holdback Shares are set forth in the Merger
Agreement. To date, Stage It has not met EBITA targets to issue Earn Out shares.
The
Merger Agreement has been included to provide investors with information regarding its terms. The representations, warranties, and covenants
contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for the purposes of the Merger Agreement, were made as of specific dates, were made
solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, and may not have been intended to be statements of fact, but rather as
a method of allocating risk and governing the contractual rights and relationships among the parties to the Merger Agreement. In addition,
such representations, warranties, and covenants may have been qualified by certain disclosures not reflected in the text of the Merger
Agreement and may apply standards of materiality and other qualifications and limitations in a way that is different from what may be
viewed as material by the Companys shareholders. None of the Companys shareholders or any other third party should rely
on the representations, warranties, and covenants, or any descriptions thereof, as characterizations of the actual state of facts or
conditions of the Company, the Company, Merger Sub, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates
For
the acquisition of Stage It the following table summarizes the acquisition date fair value of the consideration paid, identifiable assets
acquired and liabilities assumed:
**Consideration
paid**
|
Schedule of fair value of consideration | |
| | | |
|
Common stock issued, 41,476,963 shares of the Companys restricted common stock valued at $0.0101 per share | |
$ | 418,917 | | |
|
Common stock issuable, 93,523,037 shares of the Companys restricted common stock valued at $0.0101 per share | |
| 944,583 | | |
|
Net liabilities assumed | |
| 2,871,066 | | |
|
Cash paid | |
| 1,085,450 | | |
|
Fair value of total consideration paid | |
$ | 5,320,016 | | |
F-12
**Net
assets acquired and liabilities assumed**
|
Schedule of net asset acquired and liabilities assumed | |
| | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents | |
$ | 107,689 | | |
|
Computer equipment | |
| 36,882 | | |
|
Total assets | |
| 144,571 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| 1,711,349 | | |
|
Notes payable | |
| 526,385 | | |
|
Deferred revenue | |
| 777,903 | | |
|
Total liabilities | |
$ | 3,015,637 | | |
|
| |
| | | |
|
Net liabilities assumed | |
$ | 2,871,066 | | |
The
Company has allocated the fair value of the total consideration paid of $10,400,000 to goodwill and $2,600,000 to intangible assets with
a life of three years. The value of goodwill represents Stage Its ability to generate profitable operations going forward. Management
estimated the provisional fair values of the intangible assets and goodwill on March31, 2022 and did not completed a valuation study with an independent third party
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded $758,333 in amortization expense.
On December 31, 2022 the Company, based on its internal analysis estimated that its Stage It subsidiary
would not achieve its Earnout and that all of the goodwill and intangible assets relating to the acquisition of Stage It was fully impaired.
As a result the Company recorded an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets charge net of the earnout reversal of $4,262,683 on its Statements of Operations
for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The amount of $4,262,683 was calculated as follows:
|
Schedule of net impairment | |
| | | |
|
Goodwill impairment | |
$ | 10,400,000 | | |
|
Intangible assets impairment | |
| 1,542,847 | | |
|
Reversal of Earnout liability | |
| (7,679,984 | ) | |
|
Net impairment | |
$ | 4,262,863 | | |
**NOTE 7 DEFERRED REVENUE**
As of December 31, 2023 and
December31, 2022 deferred revenue amounted to $656,290
and $862,597 respectively. As of
December 31, 2023, deferred revenue was comprised of $656,290 in unredeemed notes at Stage It that have been purchased by customers but not used toward any events. When these notes
will be redeemed, on average the performing artists will receive 73%, and the Company will record 27% of the value of these notes as
revenue.
**NOTE
8 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES**
Accounts
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 Companys accrued liabilities on December31, 2023, and December31,
2022:
|
Schedule of accrued liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
December31, 2023 | | |
December31, 2022 | | |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expense | |
$ | 1,974,487 | | |
$ | 2,389,231 | | |
|
Accrued interest | |
| 304,427 | | |
| 282,612 | | |
|
Soundstr Obligation | |
| 145,529 | | |
| 145,259 | | |
|
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
$ | 2,424,443 | | |
$ | 2,817,102 | | |
F-13
**NOTE
9 PURCHASE LIABILITY**
The
balance of the companys Purchase Liability at December31, 2022, and December31, 2021 was $-0- and $300,000, respectively.
Under
the terms of the business acquisition of Stage It described in Note 6, during the year ended December31, 2022 the Company had a
contingent Earnout Liability of $7,679,984 due to the shareholders of Stage It if Stage It operations achieve certain EBITDA operating milestones.
As of December 31, 2022 the Company estimated that the Earnout would not be achieved and wrote down the Earnout liability to zero as an offset against goodwill. See Note 6.
On
October16, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with PledgeMusic, Inc. (the Seller), whereby the Company acquired
the digital live music distribution platform Set.fm from PledgeMusic. The purchase price for the acquisition was comprised
of $50,000 paid in cash, and a purchase liability of $300,000.
The
purchase liability was payable on the net revenues derived from VNUEs live recording and content business and must be paid in
full to the Seller no later than the three (3) year anniversary of the date of the agreement, or October16, 2020. If the Company
fails to pay the Seller the purchase liability on time, the Seller may request at any time within one hundred eighty days (180) days
following the (3) year anniversary of the asset purchase agreement, that the Company immediately forfeit, convey, assign, and transfer
to the Seller all or any of the Purchased Assets so requested by the Seller for no additional consideration. The Company has had no correspondence
regarding this liability with Pledge Music, who declared bankruptcy in 2019.
**NOTE
10 SHARES TO BE ISSUED**
As of December 31, 2023 and December31,
2022 the balances of shares to be issued were 975,174 and $247,707. The balance as of December31, 2023 is comprised of the following:
|
|
|
As of December31, 2023 the Company had not yet issued 5,204,352 shares of common stock with a value of $247,707 for past services provided and for an acquisition in previous years. | |
|
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2023, pursuant to the acquisition of Stage It described throughout this Report, an additional 72,026,422 shares remain issuable to Stage It shareholders valued at $727,647. | |
**NOTE 11 NOTES PAYABLE**
The balance of the Notes Payable outstanding as
of December31, 2023, and December31, 2022, was $1,359,865and $1,134,262respectively. The balances as of December
31, 2023, were comprised of numerous8%notes for $1,082,761due to Ylimit, payable on September30, 2023, and $277,104in
notes due to former Stage It shareholders. During the three months ended September30, 2023 the company entered into a loan modification
agreement with Ylimit. Under the terms of the agreement Ylimit converted $102,603in accrued interest into loan principal, and extended
the maturity date of its outstanding promissory note toSeptember 30, 2024. Also during the six months ended September30, 2023
Ylimit advanced $80,000to the company in the form of new notes. This amount is included in the outstanding balance of $1,082,761.
F-14
**NOTE
12 CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE**
Convertible
notes payable consist of the following:
|
Schedule of convertible notes payable | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
| |
December31, 2022 | | |
December31, 2021 | | |
|
Various Convertible Notes | |
$ | 43,500 | | |
| 43,500 | | |
|
Golock Capital, LLC Convertible Notes (a) | |
| 339,011 | | |
| 339,011 | | |
|
Other Convertible Notes (b) | |
| 88,203 | | |
| 88,203 | | |
|
Total Convertible Notes | |
$ | 470,714 | | |
| 470,714 | | |
|
(a) | On
February2, 2018, the Company issued a convertible note to Golock Capital, LLC (Lender) in the principal amount of
$40,000 with an interest rate at 10% per annum and a maturity date of November2, 2018. The note included an original issue discount
of $5,000. The note is convertible into shares of the Companys common stock at $0.015 per share. As additional consideration for
the Lender to enter into this agreement with the Company, the Company issued warrants to the Lender to acquire in the aggregate 2,500,000
shares of the Companys common stock at an exercise price of $0.015 per share that expire three years from the date of grant. The
relative fair value of the warrants, the original issue discount, and the beneficial conversion feature totaling $40,000 was recorded
as a debt discount and will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the note. On November5, 2018, the Company amended
the notes above by changing the conversion feature for the aggregate notes to be convertible into shares of common stock of the Company
at the lower of (i) $0.015 per share or, (ii) 58% of the lowest closing bid price in the 20 trading days prior to the day that the Lender
requests conversion. This feature gave rise to a derivative liability of $553,000 at the date of issuance as discussed below. The amendment
also increased the principal face amount of notes to include accrued interest, and an additional $43,250 was added to principal, which
was recorded to financing costs. The aggregate balance of the notes outstanding, and the related debt discount was $302,067 and $0, respectively,
as of December31, 2018. |
|
On
April29, 2019, Golock entered into an amendment with the Company to extend the maturity of the Notes until July31, 2019.
In return, Golock received several concessions. They received (a) a warrant to purchase 12,833,333 shares of the Companys common
stock for 48 months exercisable at a strike price of $.00475. The Company recorded a financing charge of $28,227 related to these warrants
and (b) the conversion noted above was changed from 58% to 50% of the lowest closing bid price in the 20 trading days prior to that day
that the Lender requested conversion. During the year ending December31, 2019, the Company issued new notes payable of $53,331
and $23,102 of notes and accrued interest were converted into 100,000,000 shares of common stock. The balance of the notes outstanding
on December31, 2019, was $339,010. As of December31, 2019, $285,679 of these notes were past due. As of December31,
2023 all of the Golock notes amounting to $339,011 were past due.
As
a result Golock has assessed the Company additional penalties and interest of $1,172,782. The Company disagrees with the accrued interest
and penalties due to Golock. Initially, the Company recorded this amount as a liability on its balance during the period ended 2021.
Subsequent during the three month period ended September30, 2021, the Company obtained a legal opinion supporting its position
that these charges were egregious, and reversed the liability on its balance sheet The Company intends to litigate this amount as well
as the validity of the principal and interest outstanding, if a settlement on a vastly reduced amount, cannot be reached.
|
(b) | During
the year ended December31, 2021, GHS Investments funded an 8%, $165,000 convertible promissory note maturing on November16,
2021. This note was converted to equity during the three months ended June30, 2022. As of December31, $73,204 of these notes
due to one lender are past due. This lender is associated with Golock and the Company is disputing the validity of this note. |
|
F-15
**NOTE
13 STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT**
**Common
stock**
The Company has authorized 4,000,000,000 shares
of $0.0001 par value common stock. As of December 31, 2023, and December31, 2022, there were 2,645,641,186 and 1,676,014,753 and
shares of common stock issued and outstanding respectively.
**Preferred
Stock Series A**
On
July2, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment (the Charter Amendment) to the Companys Articles
of Incorporation (as amended to date, the Articles of Incorporation) with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada.
The Charter Amendment increased the Companys capitalization to 2,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, of which 5,000,000 were designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company had
20,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value preferred stock authorized and there were 3,200,579 and 4,250,579 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock issued and outstanding.
On
May22, 2019, the Company authorized and designated a class of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock),
in accordance with a Certificate of Designation filed with the State of Nevada (the Series A Designation). It subsequently
issued 4,126,776 restricted shares of Series A Preferred Stock to various employees and service providers to compensate and reward them
for services and to incentivize them to provide continued service to the Company. The Series A Preferred Stock receives relative rights
and preferences under terms and conditions set forth in the Certificate of Designation of the Preferred Stock.
Pursuant
to the Series A Designation, each share of Series A Preferred Stock may be converted into 50 shares of common stock of the Company. The
Series A Preferred Stockholders shall be entitled to share among dividends with the common stock shareholders of the Company on an as-converted
basis. The Series A Preferred Stockholders shall vote with the common stock as a single class, on a 100 to 1 basis, such that for every
share of Series A Preferred Stock held, such shares shall entitle the holder to cast 100 votes. The holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock have no liquidation or redemption preference rights but get treated as common stockholders on an as converted basis.
The
Company believes that the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock was exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended pursuant to Section4(a)(2) of the Act in that said transaction did not involve a public solicitation and
said restricted shares were issued to only a small number of employees and consultants with an ongoing relationship with the Company.
As
of December31, 2023, and December31, 2021, there were 3,200,579 shares of Series A Preferred issued and outstanding.
**Preferred
Stock Series B**
On
January3, 2022, the Company authorized and designated a class of 2,500 shares, par value $0.0001 of Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock (Series B Preferred Stock), in accordance with a Certificate of Designation filed with the State of Nevada (the Series
5 Designation).
During the year ended December 31, 2023 the Company issued 199 Preferred B shares to GHS. These share shares were valued as follows:
During the year ended December 31, 2022 the Company
issued 2,305 Preferred B shares to GHS. These share shares were valued as follows:
|
| 1,980
shares were used to raise $1,964,600 in gross proceeds |
|
|
| 266
shares were used to retire $319,200 in debt |
|
|
| 59
shares were used to pay financing fees -these shares were valued at $68,400 |
|
F-16
**Warrants**
In
connection with the issuance of Series B Preferred Stock to the Company described in Note 14, the Company has issued 335,440,817
warrants, with a five-year life, at an average strike price of $0.00694.
A
summary of warrants is as follows:
|
Schedule of warrants | |
| | |
|
|
| |
Number of Warrants | |
|
|
Balance outstanding, December31, 2020 | |
| 23,805,027 | |
|
|
Warrants expired or forfeited | |
| (8,004,708 | ) |
|
|
Balance outstanding and exercisable, December31, 2021 | |
| 15,800,319 | |
|
|
Warrants exercised or forfeited | |
| (15,800,319 | ) |
|
|
Warrants granted during the year ended December31, 2022 | |
| 279,655,690 | |
|
|
Balance outstanding and exercisable, December31, 2022 | |
| 279,655,690 | |
|
|
Warrants exercised or forfeited | |
| - | | |
|
Warrants granted during the year ended December 31, 2023 | |
| 55,875,127 | | |
|
Balance outstanding and exercisable, December 31, 2023 | |
| 335,440,817 | | |
|
(a) | The strike price on these warrants range between $0.00264 and $0.01122 and are subject to adjustment based on the market price of the
Companys stock price. |
|
Information
relating to outstanding warrants on December31, 2023, summarized by exercise price, is as follows:
The
weighted-average remaining contractual life of all warrants outstanding and exercisable on December31, 2023 is approximately 3.43
years. As of December 31, 2023 these warrants
has no intrinsic value.
**Preferred
Stock Series C**
On
May 25, 2022 the Company authorized and designated a class of10,000shares of Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001.The
holders of the Series C Preferred Stock shall have the right to cast one million (1,000,000) votes for each share held of record on all
matters submitted to a vote of holders of the Companys common stock.On the same date, the Company issued to each of Zach
Bair, CEO & Chairman, AnthonyCardenas, CCO and Director,andLou Mann, EVP and Director, 1,000 shares of this newly
created Series C Preferred Stock for services rendered.These share which represented 3,000,000,000 (billion) votes was valued at
the trading price of the Companys securities of $0.0051 on the date of Board of Director approval.As a result the Company
recorded a non-cash charge of $15,300,000on its Statement of Operation for the three months ended June 30, 2022. As of December
31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the were 3,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding.
F-17
**NOTE
14 COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES**
**Litigation**
**Legal
Matters**
In the matter of VNUE, Inc. v. Power Up Lending
Group, Ltd. On October6, 2021, the Company commenced an action against Power Up Lending Group, Ltd. Power Up) and
Curt Kramer (Kramer) (Power Up and Kramer together, the Power Up Parties) in the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint alleges that: (1) Power Up is an unregistered dealer acting in violation of Section15(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act) and, pursuant to Section29(b) of the Act, the Company is entitled
to recessionary relief from certain convertible promissory notes (Notes) and securities purchase agreements (SPAs)
entered into by the Company and Power Up; (2) Kramer is liable to the Company as the control person of Power Up pursuant to Section20(a)
of the Act; and (3) Power Up is liable to the Company for unjust enrichment arising from the Notes and SPAs.
On December10, 2021, the Power Up Parties
filed their pre-motion conference request letter with the Court regarding their forthcoming motion to dismiss the Companys complaint.
On December17, 2021, the Company filed its opposition thereto. On January26, 2022, the Company filed its amended complaint,
which asserted the same causes of action set forth in the initial complaint, and further alleged that Power Up made material misstatements
in connection with the purchase and sale of the Companys securities in violation of Section10(b) of the Act and, thus, the
Company is entitled to recessionary relief from the Notes and SPAs pursuant to Section29(b) of the Act.
On February9, 2022, the Court ordered an
initial conference. The initial conference is currently scheduled for May16, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. (EST). As of the date hereof, the
Company intends to litigate its claims for relief against the Power Up Parties.
On June 7, 2022, the Company filed a voluntary
dismissal of the action because the parties reached a confidential settlement.
On September 29, 2021, Golock Capital, LLC (Golock)
and DBW Investments, LLC (DBW) (Golock and DBW together, the Golock Plaintiffs) commenced an action against
the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Golock Plaintiffs alleged that the Company
was in breach of certain convertible promissory notes, securities purchase agreements and common stock warrants.
Following a bench trial, on June 1, 2023, the
District Court ruled in the Golock Plaintiffs favor on its breach of contract claims and against the Company. On the same day,
the Company appealed the District Courts decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Second Circuit).
On June 16, 2023, the District Court entered a
judgment in the Golock Plaintiffs favor and against the Company for: (1) $1,218,897.62 in favor of Golock, and (2) $268,211.18
in favor of DBW.
On July 5, 2023, the District Court entered an
amended judgment in favor of the Golock Plaintiffs favor and against -the Company. In addition to the amounts awarded on June 16,
the District Court awarded the Golock Plaintiffs $223,328.20 for the attorneys fees incurred in connection with this action.
As of the date hereof, the Companys appeal
to the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit, however, has not yet rendered a decision on the appeal. The Company will continue to vigorously
defend itself in this matter.
F-18
On June 15, 2022, the Company commenced an action
against LG Capital, LLC, Joseph Lerman, Boruch Greenberg and Daniel Gellman (collectively, LG Defendants) in the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The Companys complaint alleges that the LG Defendants (1) violated
the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act through the collection of an unlawful debt imposed under a certain convertible
promissory note, and (2) were unjust enriched by their collections of a certain convertible promissory note.
On March 7, 2023, the Company filed an amended
complaint against the LG Defendants. The amended complaint raises the same claims for relief as the initial complaint.
On January 12, 2024, the Magistrate Judge assigned
to this matter recommended that the LG Defendants motion to dismiss be denied.
As of the date hereof, the District Court has
not yet entered an order on the LG Defendants motion to dismiss.
The Company intends to vigorously pursue its claims
for relief and the damages it maintains that it is entitled to thereunder.
**NOTE
15 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS**
Subsequent to December 31, 2023 the Company issued 157,050,725 shares
and received $95,585 in gross proceeds pursuant to draws on its equity line of credit.
F-19
**ITEM9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.**
None.
**ITEM9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.**
**Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures**
In
connection with the preparation of this annual report, an evaluation was carried out by our management, with the participation of our
principal executive officer and principal accounting officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Rules13a-15c and 15d-15c under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) as of December31,
2023. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and
forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Based
on that evaluation, and the material weaknesses outlined below under Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, our principal executive
officer and principal accounting officer concluded, as of December31, 2023, due to weaknesses in our internal controls described
below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting information required
to be disclosed, within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and that such information may not be accumulated
and communicated to our principal executive officer and principal accounting officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
**Internal
Control over Financial Reporting**
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision
of our principal executive officer and principal accounting officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting as of December31, 2023 using the criteria established in *Internal Control-Integrated
Framework* issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
A
material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a
reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Companys annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented
or detected on a timely basis. In its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December31,
2023, the Company determined that there were deficiencies that constituted material weaknesses, as described below.
|
1. | Lack
of proper segregation of duties due to limited personnel. |
|
|
|
2. |
Lack of a formal
review process that includes multiple levels of review. | |
|
|
3. |
Lack of adequate
policies and procedures for accounting for financial transactions. | |
|
|
4. |
Lack of independent
board member(s). | |
|
|
5. |
Lack of independent audit committee. | |
Management
is currently evaluating remediation plans for the above material weaknesses.
30
In
light of the existence of these material weaknesses, management concluded that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement
of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by the companys internal controls.
As a result, management has concluded that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December31,
2023 based on criteria established in *Internal Control-Integrated Framework* issued by COSO.
BF
Borgers CPA PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, is not required to and has not issued a report concerning the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting as of December31, 2023, pursuant to rules of the SEC.
**Changes
in Internal Control**
During
the year ended December31, 2023, there were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected,
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
**ITEM9B.
OTHER INFORMATION.**
None.
**ITEM9C.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.**
None.
31
**PART
III**
**ITEM10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.**
The
following table sets forth the names and ages of our officers and directors. Our executive officers are elected annually by our Board
of Directors. Our executive officers hold their offices until they resign, are removed by the Board, or a successor is elected and qualified.
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position | |
|
M. Zach Bair |
|
60 |
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting
Officer | |
|
Anthony Cardenas |
|
56 |
|
Director, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
of Artist Development | |
|
Louis Mann |
|
71 |
|
Executive Vice President and Director | |
**M.
Zach Bair,**61, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer joined VNUE, Inc. in May2016.
Prior to his employment with VNUE, Mr. Bair was Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer for DiscLive Network/RockHouse Live Media
Productions, Inc. from January2007 to May2016. From March2001 to December2006, Mr. Bair was Founder, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Immediatek, Inc., a music technology company Mr. Bair took public in 2002. Mr. Bair is an accomplished
audio and video producer, and has been a voting member of the Recording Academy (the Grammys) since 2012. Mr. Bair has significant
experience in implementing and commercializing an instant media business model. After selling the original DiscLive in
2006 as part of Immediatek, Mr. Bair started a similar instant media company in 2007 under the RockHouse brand. Mr. Bairs extensive
experience in the instant media space led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of VNUE.
**Anthony
Cardenas**, 56, Director, Chief Creative Officer and Vice President of Artist Relations, joined VNUE, Inc. in May 2016. Prior to Mr.
Cardenas role with our Company, he was employed by DiscLive Network/RockHouse Live Media Productions, Inc. from January2012
to May2016 in product development and marketing. From January2002 to January2012, Mr. Cardenas was employed as the
President and Co-Founder of DiskFactory.com. Mr. Cardenas background makes him well qualified to serve as a director.
**Significant
Employees**
**Louis
Mann**, 71, the Companys Executive Vice President and Director, joined VNUE in September2017. Prior to joining VNUE, Mr. Mann was the
President of the Media Properties division of House of Blues International since June1999. During his musical career, Mr. Mann
was involved with the development of new artists such as Whitney Houston, The Alan Parsons Project, and Barry Manilow. He served as Senior
Vice President and General Manager of Capital Records, Inc. from October1988 to December2002, where he was in charge of developing
the strategic vision for the company. Mr. Mann also founded the Third Day Partnership, LLC.
**Jeff
Zakim**, 49, our Vice President of Business Development and Content Curation, joined VNUE, Inc. in October2017. Prior to his
employment with the Company, Mr. Zakim acted as a consultant from July2015 to October2017 for his own consultancy firm, Zakim
Digital LLC. Prior to this, Mr. Zakim was employed with NAPC from September2014 to July2015. Mr. Zakim was employed by Eleven
Seven Music Group, Inc. from January2014 to August2015 and Razor and Tie Enterprises, LLC from October2012 to December2013.
From January2011 to November2011, Mr. Zakim was employed by Ruckus Media Group, LLC, and from 2001 to November2011, he
was employed by EMI Music, Inc. Mr. Zakim has a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Towson State University.
32
**Term
of Office**
Our
directors are appointed and shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, in accordance with our bylaws.
**Family
Relationships**
There
are no family relationships between or among the directors, executive officers or persons nominated or chosen by us to become directors
or executive officers.
**Involvement
in Certain Legal Proceedings**
During
the past 10 years, none of our current directors, nominees for directors or current executive officers has been involved in any legal
proceeding identified in Item401(f) of Regulation S-K, including:
1.
Any petition under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law filed by or against, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar
officer was appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he or she was a general partner
at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he or she was an executive
officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;
2.
Any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being named a subject of 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 or her from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:
i.
Acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage
transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing,
or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment
company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection
with such activity;
ii.
Engaging in any type of business practice; or
iii.
Engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of
Federal or State securities laws or Federal commodities laws;
4.
Being subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring,
suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any type of business regulated by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission, securities, investment, insurance or banking activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any
such activity;
5.
Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any Federal or State securities law,
and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated;
6.
Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any
Federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently
reversed, suspended or vacated;
33
7.
Being subject to, 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:
i.
Any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; or
ii.
Any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent
injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or
prohibition order; or
iii.
Any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
8.
Being subject to, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization
(as defined in Section3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section1(a)(29)
of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary
authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
34
**ITEM11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.**
The
table below summarizes all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our former or current executive officers for the fiscal years
ended December31, 2023 and 2022.
|
Name
and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary
($) |
|
|
Bonus
($) |
|
|
Stock Awards
($) |
|
|
Option Awards
($) |
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation |
|
|
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($) |
|
|
All Other Compensation
($)(3) |
|
|
Total
($) |
|
|
|
Zach
Bair, | |
2023 | | |
| 170,000 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 170,000 | | |
|
CEO(2) | |
2022 | | |
| 170,000 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 170,000 | | |
|
| |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Louis
Mann, | |
2023 | | |
60,000 | | |
| | | |
| 100,000 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 160,000 | | |
|
EVP(1)(4) | |
2022 | | |
60,000 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 60,000 | | |
|
| |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Anthony
Cardenas | |
2023 | | |
- | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 64,000 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 64,000 | | |
|
| |
2022 | | |
- | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| - | | |
**Equity
Incentive Plan**
On
October4, 2022, the Company adopted an Equity Compensation Plan. The terms of the plan are as follows:
**PART
I GENERAL COMPENSATION (COMPENSATION LEVELS)**
Executives
in VNUE will be paid in accordance with similar companies, at similar levels, and at similar stages of development. Compensation levels,
which will become effective post-funding of $2,500,000 to $5,000,000, will be communicated and formalized via email. New salaries require
full time participation, meaning substantially all of the employees or contractors time devoted to furthering
VNUEs business objectives.
**PART
II BONUS COMPENSATION (BONUS COMPENSATION)**
Bonus
Compensation will be rewarded, at the option of the recipient, in restricted shares of the Companys common securities, or cash,
in a strategic transaction, subsidiary, joint venture, contract right, intellectual property, merger, acquisition, royalties or other
asset, or in any combination of the above. This compensation will be rewarded based on identifying, negotiating, contracting or otherwise
playing a team role with other key personnel in the closing of (a) revenue deals, (b) funding deals, or (c) strategic deals, mergers
or acquisitions.
The
Bonus Compensation will be 20% of what the value is to the Company, will be shared equally between the key personnel who took a direct
role in securing the opportunity, and will be rewarded at the time the company either (a) closes a funding deal, (b) completes an acquisition,
or (c) when the company realizes revenues, profits, EBITDA, free cash flow, cash distributions, dividends, sale proceeds, or other value
of any kind. This includes goal-related acquisitions, whereby shares are awarded to acquisition targets based on performance.
The
Bonus Compensation is based on the net consideration delivered to the company and will be paid quarterly in arrears.
For revenue deals, this
may be delivered in the Companys restricted common stock, cash (at the time it is realized), or a combination of the two. Performance-based
incentive compensation will be rewarded only when value is realized, or when transactions are complete, quarterly, in arrears (in some
cases, when possible, the Company may, at its discretion, accelerate these rewards). As with all other transactions, when there is a
contingent nature to a transaction, such as StageIt, or like the equity finance line, performance-based compensation will only be paid
on consideration actually paid, or value actually received over time as the contingent nature of the transactions are actually satisfied.
Additionally, performance-based incentive compensation for funding deals shall only be paid in stock of the company, and the company will
endeavor to issue the shares in as tax-advantaged a way as possible.
35
**Employment
Agreements**
None
**Director Compensation**
There
is currently no agreement or arrangement to pay any of our directors for their services as our directors. The Board of Directors may
award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on behalf of our company other than services ordinarily required
of a director. No director has received and/or accrued any compensation for his services as a director, including committee participation
and/or special assignments.
**Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End**
None
**Long-Term
Incentive Plans**
There
are no arrangements or plans in which we provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors or executive officers.
**Compensation
Committee**
We
currently do not have a compensation committee of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors as a whole determines executive compensation.
**Audit
Committee**
We
do not have an audit committee. The entire Board of Directors performs the functions of an audit committee, but no written charter governs
the actions of the Board of Directors when performing the functions of what would generally be performed by an audit committee. The Board
of Directors approves the selection of our independent accountants and meets and interacts with the independent accountants to discuss
issues related to financial reporting. In addition, the Board of Directors reviews the scope and results of the audit with the independent
accountants, reviews with management and the independent accountants our annual operating results, considers the adequacy of our internal
accounting procedures and considers other auditing and accounting matters, including fees to be paid to the independent auditor and the
performance of the independent auditor.
**Compensation
of Directors**
For
the years ended December31, 2023 and 2022, no members of our board of directors received compensation in their capacity as directors.
36
**ITEM12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.**
The
following table sets forth the ownership, as of the date of this Annual Report, of our common stock by each person known by us to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, our directors, and our executive officers and directors as a group.
To the best of our knowledge, the persons named have sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares, except as otherwise
noted. There are not any pending or anticipated arrangements that may cause a change in control.
The
information presented below regarding beneficial ownership of our voting securities has been presented in accordance with the rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not necessarily indicative of ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, a person
is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of
the security or the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the security even though they may not rightfully own
those shares. A person is deemed to own beneficially any security as to which such person has the right to acquire sole or shared voting
or investment power within 60 days through the conversion or exercise of any convertible security, warrant, option, or other right. More
than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities. The percentage of beneficial ownership by any person as
of a particular date is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person, which includes the number of shares
as to which such person has the right to acquire voting or investment power within 60 days, by the sum of the number of shares outstanding
as of such date plus the number of shares as to which such person has the right to acquire voting or investment power within 60 days.
Consequently, the denominator used for calculating such percentage may be different for each beneficial owner. Except as otherwise indicated
below, we believe that the beneficial owners of our common stock listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the
shares shown. The mailing address for all persons is at 104 W. 29th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
This table is based
upon information derived from our stock records as of March 31, 2024. The shareholder named in this table has sole or shared voting
and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based upon 2,949,938,301
shares of common stock, 3,200,579 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 3,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding as of
March 31,2024. GHS Investments LLC holds 100% of the 2,504 shares of Series B convertible shares, which can be converted into
approximately 859,000,000 shares of common stock.
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Series A Preferred Stock |
|
|
Series C Preferred Stock |
| |
|
|
|
Numberof Shares Owned |
|
|
Percent of Class(1)(2) |
|
|
Numberof Shares Owned |
|
|
Percentof Class(1)(2) |
|
|
Numberof Shares Owner |
|
|
Percentageof Class |
| |
|
Zach Bair |
|
|
105,000,980 |
(1) |
|
|
3.4 |
% |
|
|
1,498,347 |
|
|
|
46.8 |
% |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
33.3 |
% | |
|
Anthony Cardenas |
|
|
95,001,000 |
(2) |
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
260,000 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
% |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
33.3 |
% | |
|
Louis Mann |
|
|
177,501,021 |
(3) |
|
|
5.8 |
% |
|
|
748,429 |
|
|
|
23.4 |
% |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
33.3 |
% | |
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (3 persons) |
|
|
377,503,001 |
(4) |
|
|
12.3 |
% |
|
|
2,505,776 |
|
|
|
78.3 |
% |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% | |
|
5% Holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Thomas Jackson Weaver III |
|
|
160,000,000 |
|
|
5.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
* | Less
than 1% |
|
37
|
(1) | Includes 30,082,630 shares
of common stock owned by Mr. Bair, 1,498,347 Series A Preferred Stock owned by Mr. Bair, which converts into 74,917,350 shares of
common stock, and 1,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned by Mr. Bair, which converts into 1,000 shares of common
stock. |
|
|
(2) | Includes
81,000,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Cardenas, 260,000 Series A Preferred Stock owned by Mr. Cardenas, which converts into 13,000,000 shares of common stock,
and 1,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned by Mr. Cardenas, which converts into 1,000 shares of common stock. |
|
|
(3) | Includes 140,078,571
shares of common stock owned by Mr. Mann, 748,429 shares of Series A Preferred Stock owned by Mr. Mann, which converts into
37,421,450 shares of common stock, and 1,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned by Mr. Mann, which converts into 1,000 shares
of common stock. |
|
|
(4) | Includes
all common stock held by such directors or officers as a group, as well as the voting power of all Series A Preferred Stock owned by
such persons. |
|
**Director
Independence**
We
are not subject to listing requirements of any national securities exchange or national securities association, and, as a result, we are
not at this time required to have our Board comprised of a majority of Independent Directors. We do not believe that our
directors currently meet the definition of independent as promulgated by the rules and regulations of NASDAQ.
38
**ITEM13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.**
Other
than described below or the transactions described under the heading Executive Compensation, there have not been, and there
is not currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a participant in which the amount
involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two
completed fiscal years, and in which any director, executive officer, holder of 5% or more of any class of our capital stock or any member
of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
On
July10, 2017, the Company entered into a Licensing Agreement with RockHouse Live Media Productions, Inc., DBA DiscLive
or DiscLive Network (DiscLive) to formalize the terms of the Strategic Alliance entered into by the Company
with DiscLive on July21, 2016. VNUE has acquired an exclusive license from DiscLive, for a period of three years unless earlier
terminated under the Agreement, for the use of all its assets, including but not limited to the DiscLive brand, website (including eCommerce
platform), intellectual property, inventory, equipment, trade secrets and anything related to its business of instant live
recording. Under the terms of the Agreement, DiscLive granted the Company a worldwide exclusive license. In exchange for the license,
DiscLive will receive a license fee equal to five percent (5%) of any sales derived from the sale and use of the products and services.
DiscLive is controlled by our Chief Executive Officer, Zach Bair.
Revenues of $359,147 and $100,476 for the periods
ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, were recorded using the assets licensed under this agreement. For the periods ended December
31, 2023 and 2021, the fees would have amounted to $591 and $5,024, respectively. The Companys Chief Executive Officer agreed to
waive the right to receive these license fees for both years and has never taken any fees pursuant to this agreement.
**Accrued
Payroll to Officers and Advances from Officers**
Accrued payroll due to two officers was $212,250
and $233,750 as of December 31, 2023, and December31, 2022, respectively. Zach Bairs compensation is $170,000 per year.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Companys
Chief Executive Officer, Zach Bair, advanced $10,000 to the Company. This loan was made on an interest-free basis and is payable on demand.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a balance of $-0- due to its Chief Executive Officer.
39
**ITEM14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.**
The
following table sets forth the fees billed to our company for the years ended December31, 2023 and 2022 for professional services
rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm
|
| |
Year Ended December31, 2022 | | |
Year Ended December31, 2021 | | |
|
Audit fees | |
$ | 95,000 | | |
$ | 84,000 | | |
|
Total | |
$ | | | |
$ | 84,000 | | |
**Audit
Fees**
Audit
fees were for professional services rendered for the audits of our annual financial statements and for review of our quarterly financial
statements during the 2023 and 2022 fiscal years.
**Audit-related
Fees**
This
category consists of assurance and related services by the independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related
to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under Audit Fees.
**Tax
Fees**
As
our independent registered public accountants did not provide any services to us for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning during
the fiscal years ended December31, 2023 and 2022, no tax fees were billed or paid during those fiscal years.
**All
Other Fees**
Our
independent registered public accountants did not provide any products and services not disclosed in the table above during the 2022
and 2021 fiscal years. As a result, there were no other fees billed or paid during those fiscal years.
**Pre-Approval
Policies and Procedures**
Our
board of directors, which acts as our audit committee, pre-approves all services provided by our independent auditors. All of the above
services and fees were reviewed and approved by our board of directors before the respective services were rendered.
Our
board of directors has considered the nature and amount of fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm and believes
that the provision of services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining their respective independence.
40
**PART
IV**
**ITEM15.
EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.**
None
Exhibits
|
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description
of Document | |
|
2.1 |
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger(7) | |
|
3.1 |
|
Articles of Incorporation(1) | |
|
3.2 |
|
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation(2) | |
|
3.3 |
|
Bylaws(2) | |
|
3.4 |
|
Certificate of Designation Series A Preferred Stock(5) | |
|
3.5 |
|
Certificate of Designation Series B Preferred Stock(6) | |
|
4.1 |
|
2012 Stock Incentive Plan(3) | |
|
4.2 |
|
Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated January3, 2022(6) | |
|
10.1** |
|
License Agreement by and between VNUE, Inc. and RockHouse Media Productions, Inc., dated July10, 2017(4) | |
|
10.2** |
|
Experimental Joint Venture and Development Agreement by and between VNUE, Inc. and Music Reports, Inc., dated September1, 2018 | |
|
10.3** |
|
Bill of Sale and Assignment and Assumption Agreement by and between VNUE, Inc. and MusicPlay Analytics, LLC (d/b/a Soundstr, LLC) dated April23, 2018 | |
|
10.4** |
|
Promissory Note dated as of November13, 2017 in the original principal Amount of $36,750 issued to GoLock Capital, LLC | |
|
10.5** |
|
Promissory Note dated as of February2, 2018 in the original principal Amount of $40,000 issued to GoLock Capital, LLC | |
|
10.6** |
|
Promissory Note dated as of September1, 2018 in the original principal Amount of $105,000 issued to GoLock Capital, LLC | |
|
10.7** |
|
Promissory Note dated January11, 2021 in the original principal amount of $50,000 issued to Jeffery Baggett | |
|
10.8** |
|
Promissory Note dated February16, 2021 in the original principal amount of $165,000 issued to GHS Investments, LLC | |
|
10.9** |
|
Conversion and Cancellation of Debt Agreement by and between VNUE, Inc. and Jeffery Baggett, dated June11, 2021 | |
|
10.10** |
|
Amendment to Original Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued to YLimit, LLC dated January15, 2021 | |
|
10.11** |
|
Conversion and Cancellation of Debt Agreement by and between VNUE, Inc. and YLimit, LLC, dated May17, 2021 | |
|
10.12** |
|
Form of Artist Agreement by and between VNUE, Inc. and Artist dated January9, 2020 | |
|
10.13** |
|
Securities Purchase Agreement by and between VNUE, Inc. and GHS Investments, LLC, dated June21, 2021 | |
|
10.14 |
|
Securities Purchase Agreement by and between VNUE Inc. and GHS Investments, LLC, dated January3, 2022(6) | |
|
21.1** |
|
List of subsidiaries of VNUE, Inc. | |
|
31.1* |
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to Section302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act | |
|
32.1* |
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to Section906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act | |
|
* |
Filed herein | |
|
** |
Incorporated by reference
to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed June23, 2021 | |
|
|
| |
|
(1) |
Included as
an exhibit with our Form SB-2 filed October13, 2006. | |
|
(2) |
Included as
an exhibit with our Form8-K filed February1, 2011. | |
|
(3) |
Included as
an exhibit with our Form8-K filed April11, 2013. | |
|
(4) |
Included as
an exhibit with our Form8-K filed on July14, 2017. | |
|
(5) |
Included as
an exhibit with our Form8-K filed on June26, 2019. | |
|
(6) |
Included as
an exhibit with our Form8-K filed on January6, 2022. | |
|
(7) |
Included as an exhibit
with our Form8-K filed on February14, 2022. | |
41
**ITEM16.
FORM10-K SUMMARY.**
None.
42
**SIGNATURES**
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section13 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, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
VNUE, INC | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Date: April 15, 2024 |
By: |
/s/
Zach Bair |
|
|
|
|
Zach Bair |
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer |
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Exchange Act this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
SIGNATURES |
|
TITLE |
|
DATE | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
/s/
Zach Bair |
|
Chief Executive Officer,
Principal |
|
April
15, 2024 | |
|
Zach Bair |
|
Accounting Officer and
Chairman |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
/s/
Anthony Cardenas |
|
Director |
|
April 15, 2024 | |
|
Anthony Cardenas |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
/s/
Louis Mann |
|
Director |
|
April 15, 2024 | |
|
Louis Mann |
|
|
|
| |
43