v3.25.2
Note 11 - Variable Interest Entity
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 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 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. The Company 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 determined that True North was a VIE based upon the consideration to be received. Initially, the controlling member of Caspian remained a full-time employee of the Company and had the power to unilaterally make significant decisions at True North, so the Company determined that it 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, however, Caspian’s operating agreement was amended to require the consent of multiple members rather than a majority interest for major decisions. As a result, 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

 

As of January 9, 2023, the Company initially determined that TAPP qualifies as a VIE because it held a variable interest and was the primary beneficiary. This conclusion was based on the Company’s significant influence over TAPP’s key employees through their employment agreements and its role as the primary source of TAPP’s revenue. 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 continued to consolidate TAPP's operations. As the Company did not have an equity interest in TAPP, 100% of the net assets and results of the operations of TAPP were attributable to non-controlling interests. On May 20, 2025, the Company entered into an updated agreement with the key employee and TAPP, terminating all prior agreements. As a result, the Company determined that it was no longer the primary beneficiary, and under ASC 810, TAPP was no longer being consolidated under ASC 810. The Company recognized a loss of $698 in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, mainly related to the write-off of the intangible assets, as discussed in Note 3Intangible assets.