Note 11 - Variable Interest Entity |
3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2025 | |
Notes to Financial Statements | |
Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block] |
11. Variable Interest Entity
A VIE is an entity that either (i) has insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or (ii) has equity investors who lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the party that has the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the operations of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the inception of the arrangement and as of the reporting date.
True North
On May 1, 2024, the Company and Caspian Ventures, LLC ("Caspian") entered into a membership interest purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company conveyed 100% of the membership interests of True North Loyalty, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, "True North") to Caspian (the "True North Conveyance"). True North is a subscription-based business that utilizes call center operations and other media channels to market third-party recurring revenue services to consumers. The deemed fair value of the consideration received was $989, which consisted of (i) the forgiveness of a $500 deferred payment owed by the Company in connection with the True North Acquisition on January 1, 2022, (ii) a share of the True North contribution margin after the closing until the Company has received an amount equal to the closing net working capital of approximately $168, and (iii) a continued share of the True North contribution margin of an additional amount at fair value of $321. The True North founder who entered into an employment agreement in connection with the True North Acquisition has remained an employee of the Company after the closing of the True North Conveyance. It was determined that True North did not meet the discontinued operations criterion under ASC 205-20, Discontinued Operations.
In accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810"), the Company had determined that True North was a VIE based upon the receivable for the consideration to be received. Initially, the majority membership owner of Caspian remained a full-time employee of the Company and had the power to unilaterally make significant decisions at True North, and it was determined that the Company was the primary beneficiary of Caspian and therefore should consolidate Caspian's operations going forward, under the de facto agent guidance. As a result, no gain or loss was to be recognized on the True North Conveyance. On September 1, 2024, as Caspian’s operating agreement was amended to require the consent of multiple members rather than a majority interest for major decisions, the Company determined that it was no longer the primary beneficiary, and under ASC 810, True North was no longer consolidated as of September 1, 2024. No gain or loss was recognized as a result of the change at that time. As of December 31, 2024, True North had ceased operations and the remaining receivable was fully written off.
TAPP
The Company determined that TAPP qualified as a VIE, as of January 9, 2023, in which the Company has a variable interest and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. This was the result of the Company determining it has significant influence over TAPP's key employees due to the employment agreements of key employees, as well as being responsible for a majority of TAPP's revenues as a customer. During the first quarter of 2025, TAPP’s key employee became a consultant to the Company. However, the Company concluded that it still had significant influence over TAPP, so the Company continues to consolidate TAPP's operations. As the Company does not have an equity interest in TAPP, 100% of the net assets and results of the operations of TAPP are attributable to non-controlling interests. |