UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 001-40992
SURGEPAYS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
901-302-9587
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not applicable
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Smaller reporting 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 to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(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 any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2026 was 25,121,895 shares.
As of June 30, 2025, the aggregate market value of the shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $41,752,369 based on the $3.11 closing price of the registrant’s common stock on that date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements contained in this Annual Report, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future operating results and financial position, our business strategy and plans, potential growth or growth prospects, future research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continues,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “could,” “would,” “projects,” “plans,” “targets,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in the “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Annual Report and in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that disclose risks and uncertainties that may affect our business. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for us to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, the future events and circumstances discussed in this Annual Report may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. In addition, the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are made as of the date of this filing, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim any duty, to update such statements for any reason after the date of this Annual Report or to conform statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law.
You should read this Annual Report and the documents that we reference herein and have filed with the SEC as exhibits to this Annual Report with the understanding that our actual future results, performance, and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.
This Annual Report also contains or may contain estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business and the markets for our products, including data regarding the estimated size of those markets and their projected growth rates. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances reflected in this information. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained these industry, business, market and other data from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by third parties, industry and general publications, government data and similar sources. In some cases, we do not expressly refer to the sources from which these data are derived.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Company Overview and History
About SurgePays, Inc.
SurgePays, Inc. (“SurgePays”, “we”, the “Company”) is a wireless and point of sale technology company focused on serving underserved and value-conscious consumers through a combination of retail distribution and digital acquisition channels.
The Company provides mobile connectivity, financial technology services, and transaction processing solutions through an integrated platform that combines wireless services with point of sale software and nationwide retail distribution.
SurgePays operates a network of more than 9,000 independently owned convenience stores and similar retail locations, which serve as a primary distribution channel for its products and services. In addition, the Company acquires customers through digital channels, including ProgramBenefits.com, which enables direct-to-consumer engagement and expands the Company’s ability to acquire and monetize customer relationships beyond the point of sale.
Through these channels, the Company enables in-store and online activation of wireless services, prepaid top-ups, and financial transactions, allowing consumers to access essential services in both local and digital environments.
The Company’s operating model is designed to be capital efficient. Subscriber acquisition is driven through both its retail distribution network and digital acquisition channels, including ProgramBenefits.com. Revenue is generated through recurring wireless services, transaction fees, and other value-added services delivered through the Company’s platform.
SurgePays generates revenue across multiple channels, including subsidized wireless programs, prepaid wireless services, wholesale wireless enablement, point of sale transaction processing, and in-store digital advertising through its Managed Marketing Services platform. These channels operate on shared infrastructure and are designed to reinforce one another through customer acquisition, retention, and cross-selling opportunities.
The Company has established direct carrier relationships and operates its own mobile virtual network platform, enabling it to provide wireless services directly to consumers as well as to third-party providers. This capability allows the Company to participate in both retail and wholesale wireless markets.
The Company is in an execution phase, with infrastructure, carrier relationships, and distribution already established. Growth is driven primarily by subscriber acquisition and expansion of services across the existing customer base.
Our Business Segments
SurgePays operates through three primary business lines: wireless services or MVNO Telecommunications, platform services or MVNE Enablement Platform (HERO), and wholesale enablement or Comprehensive Platform Services.
The wireless segment includes both subsidized and non-subsidized offerings. Subsidized services are provided through government-supported programs such as Lifeline, which offer eligible consumers discounted or free wireless service. These programs provide access to a recurring customer base and support stable demand. The Company previously participated in the Affordable Connectivity Program, which ended in 2024. Following the conclusion of that program, the Company transitioned a portion of its subscriber base into Lifeline and continued to expand its subsidized customer base through that program.
Non-subsidized services are offered through prepaid wireless brands, including LinkUp Mobile. These services provide contract-free plans with predictable pricing and are distributed through the Company’s retail network and digital channels. The Company’s model allows customers to activate and manage service through local retail locations or online, providing flexibility and accessibility.
The Company’s platform services segment includes point of sale transaction processing and related software solutions for retail partners. These services enable convenience store operators to process prepaid wireless top-ups, activate SIM cards, and facilitate financial transactions, including debit and gift card services. This platform generates transaction-based revenue and provides real-time data that informs customer acquisition and retention strategies.
In addition, the Company has deployed its Managed Marketing Services platform, which utilizes in-store digital displays, including smart televisions, installed at retail partner locations. These displays are positioned within high-traffic areas of stores where purchasing decisions are made, providing a direct channel to engage consumers at the point of sale.
The Managed Marketing Services platform allows the Company to deliver digital content and advertising to consumers within its retail network. The Company expects to generate revenue from this platform through the sale of advertising and marketing services to third-party brands seeking to reach consumers in these locations.
This platform is designed to leverage existing store traffic and infrastructure to create an additional revenue stream with limited incremental cost.
The Company’s wholesale enablement business leverages its direct carrier relationships and technology platform to provide wireless services to third-party providers. As a mobile virtual network enabler, the Company offers SIM provisioning, billing, and network access to companies that do not have direct carrier agreements.
Growth Strategies
The Company’s growth strategy is centered on expanding subscriber acquisition, increasing revenue per customer, and improving capital efficiency.
Subscriber growth is driven through both retail and digital channels, including ProgramBenefits.com.
Revenue per customer is increased through cross-selling additional services and digital monetization opportunities, including in-store advertising delivered through the Managed Marketing Services platform.
Operational efficiency is achieved through cost management, optimization of acquisition channels, and leveraging existing infrastructure.
MVNO Communications
Subsidized Services:
Prepaid Services:
Comprehensive Platform Services
SurgePays Prepaid Wireless Top-Ups:
ClearLine:
Synergy Across Business Units
Our integrated approach means all units work in unison, creating efficiency and value that is hard to replicate. By aligning technology, data, and market expansion strategies, we are building a cohesive platform with a unique value proposition:
Market Opportunity
Subsidized Services
A substantial portion of the U.S. population continues to lack access to reliable high-speed internet, representing a significant and persistent market opportunity. As of 2024, approximately 7.9 million U.S. households lacked an internet connection, and millions more—particularly in rural and underserved communities—remain without access to broadband infrastructure capable of supporting modern digital needs.
The Company’s initiative is to address this gap in connectivity, with a particular focus on rural and underserved regions. By targeting these communities, SurgePays is positioned to meet a critical need while participating in a market characterized by sustained and recurring demand. Government-supported programs such as Lifeline provide access to a consistent base of eligible customers, supporting predictable demand and recurring revenue opportunities.
Our strategy aligns with these government-backed programs, enabling us to serve value-conscious households that remain disproportionately affected by connectivity gaps. Lower-income Americans continue to face structural barriers to broadband adoption. According to Pew Research Center data (2023–2024), approximately 15% of U.S. adults are “smartphone-dependent,” relying on mobile devices rather than fixed broadband for internet access, and only 57% of adults in households earning less than $30,000 annually have home broadband service. These trends underscore the ongoing need for affordable and accessible mobile connectivity solutions.
By focusing on this underserved segment, we believe we are well positioned to capture incremental market share while supporting digital inclusion. The combination of persistent connectivity gaps, government program support, and continued reliance on mobile-first internet access creates a durable foundation for long-term growth and resilience in our subsidized services business.
Prepaid Services
The U.S. wireless market continues to demonstrate strong demand for flexible and affordable connectivity solutions, supported by the widespread adoption of mobile services. As of 2024, there were approximately over 400 million mobile connections in the United States, reflecting continued growth and high penetration of wireless services.
Within this broader market, the prepaid wireless segment represents a significant and expanding opportunity, driven by consumers seeking cost control, flexibility, and no-contract service options. Industry forecasts indicate continued growth in the prepaid segment, with the market expected to expand at a 5.2% compound annual growth rate through 2030.
SurgePays’ prepaid offerings are designed to directly address this demand, particularly among cost-conscious and underserved consumers. Targeting rural markets—where competition may be more limited and pricing often higher—provides a strategic advantage and supports customer acquisition opportunities. Rural populations account for approximately 18% of the U.S. population, representing a meaningful and underpenetrated market segment.
Additionally, multicultural populations—particularly Hispanic Americans—continue to be among the fastest-growing demographics in the United States, contributing to long-term demand for accessible and value-oriented wireless services. By aligning our prepaid offerings with the needs of these expanding and underserved populations, we believe we are well positioned to capture additional market share.
The combination of sustained demand for prepaid services, favorable demographic trends, and targeted geographic focus supports our expectation for continued growth and scalability within our prepaid services business.
SurgePays Prepaid Wireless Top-ups
We believe there is a strong market for prepaid wireless top-ups through convenience stores, bodegas, and neighborhood retail locations. Our approach aims to leverage the more than over 150,000 convenience stores (according to the National Association of Convenience Stores dated February 5, 2025) in the U.S. to deliver accessible prepaid wireless top-ups and essential services, creating a potential for a broad distribution network and we believe this high-transaction environment will become a significant revenue driver for the Company. The U.S. prepaid card market alone was valued at $542 billion in 2023, reaching approximately $749 billion by 2025, according to Research and Markets, and our platform is designed to captures value from every transaction in which it is utilized. Using transaction data to drive targeted marketing further enhances engagement, retention, and customer lifetime value.
ClearLine
Through our ClearLine channel, we are transforming traditional payment terminals into high-impact engagement and marketing tools that increase merchant revenue and customer satisfaction. Digital engagement can increase customer spending by up to 20% (according to McKinsey’s annual Digital Payments Consumer Survey from November 25, 2020), while personalized offers and loyalty programs improve retention by up to 10% and lifetime value by 25% (according to the article titled, A Guide on Impact of Personalization on Customer Lifetime Value dated February 27, 2025). We believe ClearLine solutions can be utilized across more retail locations to maximize market penetration and revenue potential, growing alongside the digital signage market expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% through 2028 (according to PR Newswire dated June 28, 2023).
Marketing and Sales
Our marketing strategies are meticulously designed for each business segment, anchored in three strategic pillars: strengthening retail partnerships, amplifying digital engagement, and extending market reach through direct and channel sales teams dedicated to customer retention.
Our retail distribution portfolio is the backbone of our MVNO business units. Being able to reach consumers where they are is our strength. Through software enhancements, we are able to reach potential MVNO subscribers in wireless retail stores, convenience stores, markets, and online sites. By collaborating with third-party partners, we facilitate Lifeline enrollments and offer a range of non-subsidized prepaid wireless plans. Through targeted education and proactive engagement, we maximize subscriber acquisition in underserved regions. By delivering tailored, incentivized plans to existing Lifeline, we enhance retention and create enduring value within this critical market segment.
For Comprehensive Platform Services, we prioritize building strong retail partnerships that ensure extensive distribution and easy access to our solutions. Our approach integrates the convenience of our expansive store network with powerful digital engagement tools, enabling us to reach a broad audience and deliver consistent customer value. To support this growth, we have and will continue as necessary to scale our national sales and distribution teams to deepen market penetration and deliver personalized, high touch support, driving for customer satisfaction and long-term growth.
Competition
The Company operates in a large and growing market for wireless connectivity and financial services.
A significant portion of the U.S. population can be characterized as subprime, broadly defined as consumers who are credit-constrained, underbanked, or otherwise underserved by traditional financial and telecommunications providers. This segment represents a large and durable market opportunity and includes consumers who rely on prepaid wireless services and alternative financial products to meet their needs.
These consumers often depend on mobile devices as their primary means of connectivity and prefer prepaid wireless services due to flexibility, cost control, and the absence of long-term contractual obligations. As a result, the prepaid wireless segment continues to demonstrate sustained demand, supported by consumers seeking predictable pricing and accessible service options.
Government-supported programs such as Lifeline serve a subset of this broader subprime market by providing eligible consumers with discounted or subsidized wireless service. These programs support recurring demand and provide access to a consistent base of eligible customers.
The Company’s strategy is aligned with serving this broader subprime and value-conscious consumer segment through both subsidized and non-subsidized offerings. By addressing the needs of these consumers across multiple channels, including retail and digital acquisition, the Company is positioned to participate in a large and recurring market opportunity.
The Company’s retail distribution strategy targets convenience stores and similar locations, which serve as important access points for cash-based and underbanked consumers. These locations operate in high-transaction environments and provide a natural interface for delivering wireless and financial services to this customer base.
SurgePays operates in a competitive market that includes national wireless carriers, mobile virtual network operators, financial technology companies, and traditional prepaid service distributors.
Competition is based on pricing, service quality, distribution reach, product offering, and customer experience. Larger competitors may have greater financial and operational resources, while smaller competitors may focus on niche markets or geographic regions.
The Company’s competitive position is based on its integrated platform, retail distribution network, and ability to combine wireless services with transaction processing and digital advertising. By operating across multiple channels, the Company seeks to differentiate itself from single-product competitors.
Differentiation
At SurgePays, our competitive edge is rooted in relentless adaptability, a tightly integrated service ecosystem, and robust retail partnerships. These strengths allow us to bring our communication and technology platform products to market with speed and precision, creating a clear path to success.
We stand apart by offering a seamless blend of telecommunications and transactions services on a single platform—a one-stop solution that delivers both convenience and exceptional value to our customers. By targeting underserved and rural communities, often overlooked by larger players, we provide vital services where people live, shop, and work. Through our network of convenience stores, bodegas, and local retail spots, we bring affordable, accessible solutions to the neighborhoods that need them most.
Owning the transaction software for processing, activations, and top-ups allows us to offer prepaid wireless and financial products at lower prices right at the community level. This structure not only captures a significant, value-conscious segment but also leverages efficiencies that drive down costs and improve margins.
In a fragmented distribution landscape where no single player offers top consumables alongside essential services like prepaid wireless, gift cards, bill payments, and reloadable debit cards, we see a major opportunity. Our partnerships with distributors enable broad market reach and higher customer engagement. Our vision extends to building a wholesale e-commerce platform that unites these services under one roof—a scalable model that enhances customer loyalty and operational efficiency.
Agility is our backbone. We continuously adapt our offering to stay ahead of customer needs. Using a combination of information gathered by extracting data from our customer service system and comparing it with industry marketing trends and offerings, we are able to offer targeted social media engagement and personalized offers. Incorporating these solutions helps us drive customer acquisition and retention by allowing our product offering to meet the market where we uncover the need.
With these strengths—an integrated platform, a focus on underserved markets, robust retail partnerships, and a commitment to data-driven insights—we believe SurgePays is well-positioned to thrive in a competitive market. Our approach is built to drive for long-term growth and profitability, supported by a foundation of innovation and customer focus that we believe is unmatched in the industry.
Internal Development Activities
At SurgePays, innovation is not a department—it is our DNA. We are relentlessly focused on enhancing our products to deliver efficient, secure, and lightning-fast transactions at convenience stores. Our software platform, hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud, leverages the power of world-class infrastructure to enable our goal of unmatched reliability and scalability.
Success demands a mindset of continuous improvement. We have developed integrated software solutions for popular point-of-sale systems from such companies as Clover, PAX, and Landi. These integrations provide additional opportunities to operate our platform in various types of retail businesses without the need for additional hardware, with a single goal in mind: to create powerful tools that help our retail partners operate more efficiently and serve their customers better. By embracing technology’s rapid evolution, we are not just keeping pace with change, we are shaping it.
Seasonality
Our diverse product portfolio helps mitigate any significant fluctuations, and as we continue to expand our offerings, we expect the impact of seasonality to diminish further.
SurgePays Team
At SurgePays, our people are the driving force behind everything we accomplish. As of April 2026, our team of over 125 dedicated professionals—across various areas such as accounting and finance (4), human resources (5), programming (11), customer service (49), sales (20), and operations (36)—is committed to solving real problems and delivering value to our customers and shareholders every day.
Our leadership team brings over a century of combined experience across telecommunications, technology, and national distribution. This depth of expertise fuels our ability to innovate, think long-term, and make bold bets that set us apart in the market.
We know that a business only grows by hiring exceptional talent and empowering them with a culture that prizes continuous improvement and ownership. We focus on attracting the best, building an environment that nurtures growth, and aligning incentives to performance through equity and cash plans. These plans not only reward high performance but are designed to create alignment with our long-term vision, fostering a team that acts like owners, not employees.
At SurgePays, we think in decades, not quarters. By investing in our people and cultivating a culture of excellence, we are building a foundation that will support our growth for years to come.
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at 3124 Brother Blvd, Suite 410, Bartlett, TN 38133. Our telephone is (901) 302-9587. Our corporate website is www.surgepays.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this report, and the inclusion of our website address in this report is an inactive textual reference only. Please note that our website and the information contained in, or accessible through, it will not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Annual Report and does not constitute a part of this Annual Report.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a great deal of risk. Careful consideration should be made of the following factors as well as other information included in this Annual Report before deciding to purchase our securities. There are many risks that affect our business and results of operations, some of which are beyond our control. Our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed by any of these risks. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also affect our business and the results of operations.
Risks Related to Government Regulation and Legal Proceedings
The United States Government’s dissolution of the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) has had a substantial adverse effect on our business operations and profitability.
Following the introduction of the ACP, we derived over 70% of our revenue during 2023 from reimbursement payments from the federal government under the ACP. According to the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”), the government entity that oversees the ACP, the ACP wound down and stopped accepting new applications and enrollments as of February 7, 2024, and June 2024 was the last funded month of the ACP due to lack of additional funding from Congress. The expiration of the ACP and the cessation in reimbursement payments had a substantial adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results during the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2025. Without revenue from the ACP, we have shifted our focus to other business segments, including our MVNO Communications and Comprehensive Platform Services further described herein, however there is no guarantee that we will be able to successfully replicate our revenues from the ACP or past profitability, which may have a substantial adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Additionally, there is no guarantee whether or for how long the FCC or other federal agencies will continue to provide funding for the Lifeline program. As a material component of our current business operations and source of revenue, any decrease or end to funding of the Lifeline program would likely have a substantial adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Changes in the regulatory framework under which we operate could adversely affect our business prospects or results of operations.
Our operations are subject to regulation by the FCC and other federal, state and local agencies. These regulatory regimes frequently restrict or impose conditions on our ability to operate in designated areas and provide specified products or services. We are frequently required to maintain licenses for our operations and conduct our operations in accordance with prescribed standards. We are often involved in regulatory and other governmental proceedings or inquiries related to the application of these requirements. It is impossible to predict with any certainty the outcome of pending federal and state regulatory proceedings relating to our operations, or the reviews by federal or state courts of regulatory rulings. Without relief, existing laws and regulations may inhibit our ability to expand our business and introduce new products and services. Similarly, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful in obtaining the licenses needed to carry out our business plan or in maintaining our existing licenses. For example, the FCC grants wireless licenses for terms generally lasting ten (10) years, subject to renewal. The loss of, or a material limitation on, certain of our licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
New laws or regulations or changes to the existing regulatory framework at the federal, state and local level, such as those described below, could restrict the ways in which we manage our wireline and wireless networks and operate our business, impose additional costs, impair revenue opportunities and potentially impede our ability to provide services in a manner that would be attractive to us and our customers.
The further regulation of broadband, wireless and our other activities and any related court decisions could restrict our ability to compete in the marketplace and limit the return we can expect to achieve on past and future investments in our networks.
We could be impacted by unfavorable results of legal proceedings, and may, from time to time, be involved in future litigation in which substantial monetary damages are sought.
We are currently subject to a number of litigation matters as described under the heading “Legal Proceedings.” In connection with certain of these litigation matters, we may be required to pay significant monetary damages. Defending against the current litigations is or can be time-consuming, expensive and cause diversion of our management’s attention.
In addition, we may from time to time be involved in future litigation in which substantial monetary damages are sought. Litigation claims may relate to intellectual property, contracts, employment, securities and other matters arising out of the conduct of our current and past business activities. Any claims, whether with or without merit, could be time-consuming, expensive to defend and could divert management’s attention and resources. We may maintain insurance against some, but not all, of these potential claims, and the levels of insurance we do maintain may not be adequate to fully cover any and all losses.
With respect to any litigation, our insurance may not reimburse us, or may not be sufficient to reimburse us for the expenses or losses we may suffer in contesting and concluding such lawsuit. The results of any future litigation or claims are inherently unpredictable and substantial litigation costs, including the substantial self-insured retention that we are required to satisfy before any insurance applies to a claim, unreimbursed legal fees or an adverse result in any litigation may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash from operating activities or financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Business, Industry and Operations
Low demand for our products and services, and the inability to develop and introduce new products and services at favorable margins, could adversely impact our performance and prospects for future growth.
Without revenue from the ACP, we have shifted our focus to other business segments, including our MVNO Communications and Comprehensive Platform Services further described herein, however we will need to continue to develop our products and services, and introduce new products and services in a timely manner at favorable margins. There are numerous uncertainties associated with developing and introducing new products and services, including higher costs, limited market opportunity, and low demand. An increase in costs, which may continue indefinitely or until increased demand and greater availability of our products and services are available, could adversely affect our results of operations and profitability. Market acceptance of the new products and services may not meet sales expectations due to various factors, such as the failure to accurately predict consumer demands, end-user preferences, evolving industry standards, or the emergence of new or disruptive technologies. Moreover, the ultimate success and profitability of the new products and services may depend on our ability to resolve technical and technological challenges in a timely and cost-effective manner.
If we are not able to adapt to changes and disruptions in technology and address changing consumer demand on a timely basis, we may experience a decline in the demand for our services, be unable to implement our business strategy and experience reduced profits.
Our industries are rapidly changing as modern technologies are developed that offer consumers an array of choices for their communications needs and allow new entrants into the markets we serve. In order to grow and remain competitive, we will need to adapt to future changes in technology, enhance our existing offerings and introduce new offerings to address our customers’ changing demands. If we are unable to meet future challenges from competing technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost, we could lose customers to our competitors. We may not be able to accurately predict technological trends or the success of new services in the market. In addition, there could be legal or regulatory restraints on our introduction of new services. If our services fail to gain acceptance in the marketplace, or if costs associated with the implementation and introduction of these services materially increase, our ability to retain and attract customers could be adversely affected. Additionally, we must phase out outdated and unprofitable technologies and services. If we are unable to do so on a cost-effective basis, we could experience reduced profits. In addition, there could be legal or regulatory restraints on our ability to phase out current services.
We have, and may continue to expand through investments in, acquisitions of, or the development of new products with assistance from, other companies, any of which may not be successful and may divert our management’s attention.
In the past, we completed several strategic acquisitions. We also may evaluate and enter into discussions regarding an array of potential strategic transactions, including acquiring complementary products, technologies, or businesses. An acquisition, investment or business relationship may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. In particular, we may encounter difficulties integrating the businesses, technologies, products, personnel or operations of the acquired companies, particularly if the key personnel of the acquired company choose not to be employed by us, and we may have difficulty retaining the customers of any acquired business due to changes in management and ownership. Acquisitions may also disrupt our ongoing business, divert our resources and require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our business. Moreover, we cannot assure you that the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, investment or business relationship would be realized timely, if at all, or that we would not be exposed to unknown liabilities. In connection with any such transaction, we may:
We have undertaken in the past, and may in the future undertake, strategic acquisitions. Failure to integrate acquisitions could adversely affect our value.
One of the ways we have grown our business in the past is through strategic acquisitions of other businesses, products, and technologies. We may, from time to time, evaluate additional acquisition opportunities, and may, in the future, strategically make further acquisitions of, and investments in, businesses, products and technologies when we believe the opportunity is advantageous to our prospects, such as the acquisition of Clearline Mobile, Inc (“Clearline”) assets. There can be no assurance that in the future we will be able to find appropriate acquisitions or investments. In connection with these acquisitions or investments, we may:
We also may be unable to find suitable acquisition candidates and may not be able to complete acquisitions on favorable terms, if at all, or obtain adequate financing for such acquisitions. If we do complete an acquisition, such as with Clearline, we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired business into our preexisting business, and we may not ultimately strengthen our competitive position or ensure that we will not be viewed negatively by customers, financial markets or investors. Further, acquisitions could also pose numerous additional risks to our operations, including:
Our business could be adversely affected if we fail to implement and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.
If we are unable to implement or maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures, or if there are identified significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the future, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements and public reports could be impaired, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, investors may lose confidence in our reported information and the market price of our common stock may decline.
Our success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our senior management.
Our success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Kevin Brian Cox, and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Chelsea Pullano. We do not carry key person life insurance on any of our management, which would leave us uncompensated for the loss of any of its management. The loss of the services of any of our senior management personnel could make it more difficult to successfully operate our business and achieve our business goals. In addition, competition in our industry for senior management and other key personnel is intense. If we are unable to retain our existing personnel, or attract and train additional qualified personnel, either because of competition in our industry for such personnel or because of insufficient financial resources, our product development capabilities and customer and employee relationships growth may be harmed and overall growth may be limited.
We offer competitive compensation packages in order to retain the services of our senior management, and we could be required to pay significant compensation payments in the case we are unable to retain our senior management.
As the continued employment of our executive officers is critical to the Company’s success, we have entered into competitive employment agreements in order to retain the services of our existing officers. In addition to guaranteed base compensation, we have offered our CEO incentive compensation upon the Company’s completion of milestones including achieving certain annual revenue, annual EBITDA, and market capitalization goals, that could require the Company to make large equity grants for the achievement of each milestone completed.
In the case our CEO were to terminate their employment agreement due to breach of contract, a substantial downturn in the Company’s business or personnel, a reduction in officer’s role, responsibilities, or compensation, or significant change in the Company’s location of business and operations, the Company would be required to pay a severance package that, in combination with the compensation that would need to be paid to a replacement executive, could have a severe strain on the Company’s finances.
We may not have sufficient resources to effectively introduce and market our services and products, which could materially harm our operating results.
Continuation of market acceptance for our existing services and products requires substantial marketing efforts and will require our sales account executives and contract partners to make significant expenditures of time and money. In some instances, we will be significantly or totally reliant on the marketing efforts and expenditures of our contract partners, outside sales agents and distributors.
Commercialization of our products and services requires us to expand our own marketing and sales capabilities or consider collaborating with additional third parties to perform these functions. We may, in some instances, rely significantly on sales, marketing and distribution arrangements with collaborative partners and other third parties. In these instances, our future revenue will be materially dependent upon the success of the efforts of these third parties.
Should we determine that expanding our own marketing and sales capabilities continues to be required, we may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel to serve in our sales and marketing organization, to develop an effective distribution network or to otherwise effectively support our commercialization activities. The cost of establishing and maintaining a more comprehensive sales and marketing organization may exceed its cost effectiveness. If we fail to further develop our sales and marketing capabilities, if sales efforts are not effective or if costs of increasing sales and marketing capabilities exceed their cost effectiveness, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.
We operate in a highly competitive industry.
We may encounter competition from local, regional, or national entities, some of which have superior resources or other competitive advantages in the larger wireless services space. Intense competition may adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. These competitors may be larger and more highly capitalized, with greater name recognition. We will compete with such companies on brand name, quality of services, level of expertise, advertising, product and service innovation and differentiation of product and services. As a result, our ability to secure significant market share may be impeded.
We may require additional financing to sustain or grow our operations. Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our existing stockholders and investors, or restrict our operations.
We may need to seek additional capital through a variety of means, including through private and public equity offerings and debt financings, collaborations, or strategic alliances and acquisitions. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, or through the issuance of shares under other types of contracts, the ownership interests of our stockholders may be diluted, and the terms of such financings may include liquidation or other preferences, anti-dilution rights, conversion and exercise price adjustments and other provisions that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders, including rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our holders of common stock in terms of the payment of dividends or in the event of a liquidation. In addition, debt financing, if available, could include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take certain actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures, entering into contractual arrangements, or declaring dividends and may require us to grant security interests in our assets.
Risks Related to Our Securities
Our CEO and Chair, Kevin Brian Cox, has significant control over shareholder matters and the minority shareholders will have little or no control over our affairs.
Mr. Cox owned approximately 26.7% of our outstanding voting equity as of April 6, 2026. Subject to any fiduciary duties owed to our other stockholders under Nevada law, Mr. Cox is able to exercise significant influence over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, and will have some control over our management and policies. Mr. Cox may have interests that are different from yours. For example, Mr. Cox may support proposals and actions with which you may disagree. The concentration of ownership could delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or otherwise discourage a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of our Company, which in turn could reduce the price of our stock. In addition, Mr. Cox could use his voting influence to maintain our existing management and directors in office, delay or prevent changes in control of our Company, or support or reject other management and proposals of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) that are subject to stockholder approval, such as amendments to our employee stock plans and approvals of significant financing transactions.
Sales of a significant number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception of such possible sales, could depress the market price of our common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public markets, which include an offering of our preferred stock or common stock could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity or equity-related securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.
Our share price has been volatile and our trading volume may fluctuate substantially.
The price of our common stock has been and may in the future continue to be extremely volatile, ranging from a high of $3.47 and a low of $0.6807, since the beginning of 2025 through April 9, 2025. Many factors could have a significant impact on the future price of our shares of Common Stock, including:
A decline in the price of our shares of common stock could affect our ability to raise further working capital and adversely impact our ability to continue operations.
The decline in the price of our shares of common stock, could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our Common Stock, a reduction in our ability to raise capital and hinder our ability to stay in compliance with Nasdaq listing rules. Because a significant portion of our operations has been and will continue to be financed through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our shares of common stock could be especially detrimental to our liquidity and our operations. Such reductions and declines may force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and may have a significant negative effect on our business plans and operations, including our ability to continue our current operations. If the price for our shares of common stock declines, it may be more difficult to raise additional capital. If we are unable to raise sufficient capital, and we are unable to generate sufficient funds from operations to meet our obligations, we will not have the resources to continue our operations.
The market price for our shares of common stock may also be affected by our ability to meet or exceed expectations of analysts or investors. Any failure to meet these expectations, even if minor, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our shares of common stock.
We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock. As result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our common stock appreciates.
We currently do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. In addition, in the future we may enter into agreements that prohibit or restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. As a result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment will be if the market price of our Common Stock appreciates and you sell your shares at a profit.
We could issue additional common stock, which could dilute the book value of our common stock.
The Board has authority, without action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or a part of our authorized but unissued shares. Such stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount or a premium from the then-current trading price of our common stock. In addition, in order to raise capital, we may need to issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest, which would have the effect of reducing your influence on matters requiring shareholders vote and might dilute the book value of our common stock. You may incur additional dilution if holders of convertible promissory notes, stock warrants or options, whether currently outstanding or subsequently issued or granted, exercise their rights to convert their securities into common stock or to purchase shares of our common stock.
Future issuances of our common stock, preferred stock, convertible promissory notes, options and warrants could dilute the interests of existing stockholders.
We may issue additional shares of our common Stock, preferred stock, convertible promissory notes, options and warrants in the future, including under the Company’s 2022 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan and the evergreen provisions contained therein. These issuances may include substantial milestone-based issuances of securities to our executive officers as described in Item 11 of this Annual Report under the heading “Employment Agreements.” The issuance of common stock, preferred stock, convertible promissory notes, options and warrants could have the effect of substantially diluting the interests of our current stockholders. In addition, the sale of a substantial amount of common stock in the public market, including the resale by a target company’s owners in an acquisition which received such common stock or other securities convertible into common stock as consideration in the acquisition, or by shareholders who acquired common stock in a private placement or other securities offering could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Sales of a significant number of shares of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock would have on the market price of our common stock.
We are not currently in compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum market value of listed securities and minimum bid price listing requirements; if we are not able to regain compliance with those requirements within the time periods permitted by Nasdaq, our common stock may be delisted, which would likely impair our ability to raise capital and could constitute an event of default under our outstanding promissory notes.
On March 18, 2026, the Company received a written notice (the “MVLS Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the Company no longer meets the minimum market value of listed securities (“MVLS”) of $35,000,000 (the “MVLS Requirement”) set forth in Nasdaq’s Listing Rules (the “Rules”). On March 23, 2026, the Company received a written notice (the “Bid Price Notice” and together with the MVLS Notice collectively the “Notices”) from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department indicating that the Company is not in compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement (the “Bid Price Requirement”) set forth in the Rules.
There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the MVLS Requirement or Bid Price Requirement. If the Company’s common stock ultimately were to be delisted for any reason, including because the Company cannot regain compliance with the MVLS Requirement or Bid Price Requirement, it could negatively impact the Company by (i) reducing the liquidity and market price of the Company’s common stock; (ii) reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire the Company’s common stock, which could negatively impact the Company’s ability to raise equity financing; (iii) limiting the Company’s ability to use a registration statement to offer and sell freely tradable securities, thereby preventing the Company from accessing the public capital markets; and (iv) impairing the Company’s ability to provide equity incentives to its employees. Additionally, delisting of the Company’s common stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market could constitute an event of default under its outstanding convertible promissory notes, resulting in those notes becoming immediately due and payable, and resulting in default penalties being applied to those notes.
In the event of delisting, the Company can provide no assurance that any action taken by it to restore compliance with listing requirements would allow its securities to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of its securities, prevent its securities from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements. Additionally, if the Company’s securities are not listed on, or become delisted from, Nasdaq for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Link ATS, an alternative trading system operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. for equity securities that is not a national securities exchange, the liquidity and price of our securities may be more limited than if we were quoted or listed on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange. You could be unable to sell your securities unless a market could be established or sustained.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
We have developed and maintained a cybersecurity risk management methodology intended to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our critical systems and information. Our cybersecurity risk management methodology is integrated into our overall enterprise risk management, and shares common methodologies, reporting channels and governance processes that apply across the Company to other legal, compliance, strategic, operational, and financial risk areas. As part of our overall risk management processes and procedures, we have instituted a cybersecurity awareness designed to identify, assess and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, including byengaging a third-party cybersecurity service provider, which communicates directly with our management and compliance personnel. The cyber risk management methodology involves risk assessments, implementation of security measures and ongoing monitoring of systems and networks, including networks on which we rely. Through our cybersecurity awareness, the current threat landscape is actively monitored in an effort to identify material risks arising from new and evolving cybersecurity threats. We may engage external experts, including cybersecurity assessors, consultants, and auditors to evaluate cybersecurity measures and risk management processes as needed. We also depend on and engage various third parties, including suppliers, vendors, and service providers in connection with our operations. Our risk management, legal, and compliance personnel oversee and identify, including through a third-party cybersecurity service provider, material risks from cybersecurity threats associated with our use of such entities.
Our cybersecurity risk management methodology includes:
We have not identified risks from known cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. We face risks from cybersecurity threats that, if realized, are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.
Cybersecurity Governance
Our Board provides strategic oversight on cybersecurity matters, including material risks associated with cybersecurity threats. The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee oversight of cybersecurity and other information technology risks. The Audit Committee oversees management’s implementation of our cybersecurity risk management methodology. Our Board and the Audit Committee receives periodic updates from our Chief Financial Officer and more frequently as needed, regarding the overall state of our cybersecurity preparedness, information on the current threat landscape, and material risks from cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity incidents. The Audit Committee and our management team are informed about and monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents, including through the receipt of notifications from third-party service providers and reliance on communications with our risk management, legal, and/or compliance personnel.
The Audit Committee reports to the full Board regarding cybersecurity activities. The full Board also receives briefings from management on cyber risk issues and best practices. Our management team is responsible for assessing and managing our material risks from cybersecurity threats. The team has primary responsibility for developing and maintaining our overall cybersecurity risk methodology and supervises both our internal cybersecurity personnel and our retained external cybersecurity consultants. Our management team supervises efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate, and remediate cybersecurity risks and incidents through various means, which may include briefings from internal security personnel; threat intelligence and other information obtained from governmental, public or private sources, including external consultants engaged by us; and alerts and reports produced by security tools deployed in the information technology environment.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We presently occupy space at four locations: 3124 Brother Blvd., Suite 410, Bartlett, Tennessee, 38133 (this building is owned by an entity owned by Mr. Cox, our CEO and Chair – the term of the lease is on a month to month basis), which houses our corporate headquarters along with back office, inventory and marketing departments; 8745 West Higgins, Chicago, Illinois, 60361, which houses our human resources departments – the term of this arrangement is one year; 1615 S Ingram Mill, Building B, Springfield, Missouri, 65804, which houses our Comprehensive Platform Services technical operations; and 73 Av. Norte y 5 Calle Poniente, Colonia Escalon, San Salvador, SV, which house our business process operations.
See the notes to our consolidated financial statements for more detailed lease information.
ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may be engaged in various lawsuits and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. Except as described below, we are currently not aware of any legal proceedings, the ultimate outcome of which, in our judgment based on information currently available, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
As of the date hereof, there were no pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on our results of operations except as set forth below:
Blue Skies Connections, LLC, and True Wireless, Inc. v. SurgePays, Inc., et. al., District Court of Oklahoma County, OK, CJ-2021-5327, filed on December 13, 2021. Plaintiffs’ petition alleges breach of a Stock Purchase Agreement by SurgePays, SurgePhone Wireless, LLC, and Kevin Brian Cox (“Defendants”), and makes other allegations related to SurgePays’ consulting work with Jonathan Coffman, formerly a True Wireless employee. The petition requests injunctive relief, general damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs for alleged breach of contract, tortious interference with a business relationship, and fraud. Blue Skies alleged the Defendants are in violation of their non-competition and non-solicitation agreements related to the sale of True Wireless from SurgePays to Blue Skies. Defendants filed various dispositive motions with the Court demonstrating Oklahoma state law does not recognize non-compete agreements and non-solicitation agreements in the manner alleged by Plaintiffs, and the Court granted these motions, finding the non-solicitation and non-competition clauses in the Stock Purchase Agreement void as a matter of Oklahoma law. Defendants then filed additional dispositive motions on Plaintiffs’ claims in tort and equity, which the Court granted in part based on its prior rulings. Plaintiffs took the position the Court granting Defendants’ dispositive motions on these material issues only leaves partial contract claims that are inextricably intertwined with the remaining claims and defenses. Plaintiffs sought a certified interlocutory appeal of the Court’s orders. On March 10, 2025, the Oklahoma Supreme Court entered an order denying Plaintiffs’ Petition for Certiorari to review the certified interlocutory appeal. In December 2025, Judge Dishman recused himself from the case following a request from the Blue Skies and True Wireless parties and objection by SurgePays’ counsel. Judge Andrews has been assigned to the matter and has set remaining matters for status and briefing schedules on outstanding motions in the trial court. The case will now proceed in the district court on the parties’ remaining claims. Presently, there is no trial date.
In the Circuit Court of Tennessee for the 30th Judicial District at Memphis, Docket # CT-3219-23. On August 8, 2023, a complaint was filed by SurgePays for breach of a promissory note by Blue Skies Connections, LLC. The note at issue is dated June 14, 2021, and requires Blue Skies Connections to repay the principal sum of $176,850.56, by monthly payments of $7,461.37 commencing on June 1, 2023. Blue Skies Connections has failed to make any payments due under the terms of the note, and this breach entitles SurgePays to demand payment of the entire amount of the note together with all accrued interest. Blue Skies Connections responded by filing a Motion to Dismiss or, in the alternative, a Motion to Stay, taking the position that, under the prior suit pending doctrine, the subject promissory note is subject to the prior litigation instituted by Blue Skies Connections against SurgePays, styled Skies Connections, LLC and True Wireless, Inc. v. SurgePays, Inc., et al., Case No. CJ-2021-5327, District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. SurgePays elected to dismiss its complaint without prejudice and is in the process of evaluating re-filing the matter in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
SurgePays, Inc. et al. v. Fina et al., Case No. CJ-2022-2782, District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Plaintiffs SurgePays, Inc. and Kevin Brian Cox initiated this case against its former officer Mike Fina, his companies Blue Skies Connections, LLC, True Wireless, Inc., Government Consulting Solutions, Inc., Mussell Communications LLC, and others. This case also arises from the June 2021 transaction by which SurgePays sold True Wireless to Blue Skies. During the litigation of CJ-2021-5327 described above, SurgePays learned information that showed Mike Fina breached his duties owed to True Wireless during his employment and consulting work for True Wireless prior to SurgePays’ sale of True Wireless to Blue Skies. SurgePays alleges that Mike Fina conspired with the other defendants to damage True Wireless thereby harming the value of the company and causing its eventual sale at a greatly reduced price. SurgePays asserts claims for (i) breach of contract; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; (iii) fraud; (iv) tortious interference; and (v) unjust enrichment. At this stage, no defendant has asserted a counterclaim against SurgePays. SurgePays filed a Second Amended Petition on January 27, 2023. Defendants Fina, Blue Skies, True Wireless, and Government Consulting Solutions filed a Motion to Dismiss on March 10, 2023. On June 29, 2023, the Court granted the Motion to Dismiss, ruling the claims asserted are “derivative” and could only be asserted by the True Wireless entity now owed by Blue Skies. The Court rejected SurgePays’ request to certify this ruling for immediate appeal. Defendant Misty Garrett filed a Motion for Summary Judgment seeking the same relief as the Motion to Dismiss, which was granted by the Court. It is SurgePays’ intent to evaluate an additional options in the Court’s dismissal of Fina, Blue Skies, True Wireless, Government Consulting Solutions, and Misty Garrett. At this stage, no attempts at settlement have been made.
All claims against all parties have been adjudicated by the Court. SurgePays filed a Motion for New Trial, which was denied by the Court on February 20, 2025. SurgePays’ has filed an appeal of the Court’s dismissal of Fina, Blue Skies, True Wireless, Government Consulting Solutions, and summary judgment for Misty Garrett.
With regard to the appeal against Misty Garrett and Misty Garrett’s claims against SurgePays, Misty Garrett and SurgePays have entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release dated as of October 16, 2025 in which the parties have agreed to dismiss all matters in the courts and release each other from liability, with an agreement to file such dismissal documents at the in the respective courts.
Ellenoff Grossman and Schole LLP, Plaintiff v Surgepays, Inc., Defendant, Case No 651282/2026, Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York, filed March 3, 2026. Plaintiff filed suit in this collection action seeking $234,151.18 for services rendered, plus fees and costs. On April 07, 2026, Plaintiff and Defendant entered into a Settlement Agreement for eight monthly payments of $29,268.90 to satisfy the claim. Upon receipt of the final payment in November 2026, Plaintiff will file a stipulation of Discontinuance of Action with the New York State Supreme Court.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information; Holders
Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SURG.”
As of April 6, 2026, there were approximately 139 holders of record of our common stock. Since certain shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, the foregoing number of holders of our common stock is not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our common stock.
Dividends
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends for the foreseeable future. We are not subject to any legal restrictions respecting the payment of dividends, except that we may not pay dividends if the payment would render us insolvent. Any future determination as to the payment of cash dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements and other factors that the Board considers to be relevant.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
See the information incorporated by reference in “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters” for information regarding shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under our stock compensation plans, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2025, the Company does not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent of our Common Stock is VStock Transfer, LLC. Their address is 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
We have previously disclosed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Report on Form 8-K filed in 2025 information regarding our sales of securities without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, except as follows:
During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, we issued the following unregistered securities:
Stock Issued for Services
The Company issued 324,000 shares of common stock for services rendered, having a fair value of $641,430 ($2.43 - $2.87/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price.
Stock Issued to Settle Accounts Payable
The Company issued 22,807 shares of common stock to settle outstanding vendor payables, having a fair value of $65,456 ($2.87/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price.
Debt Discount – Common Stock
In connection with the issuance of various convertible notes payable, the Company issued 103,000 shares of common stock, having a fair value of $271,880 ($1.90 - $2.86/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on each respective grant date. This amount has been recorded as a debt discount. See Note 6 for discussion of the various common stock issuances related to convertible note offerings.
Debt Discount – Warrants
In connection with the issuance of various convertible notes payable and a note payable, the Company issued warrants to purchase shares of common stock, having an aggregate fair value of $1,133,345, comprised of $1,084,927 related to convertible notes payable and $48,418 related to the note payable. The fair value of each warrant was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model on each respective grant date. These amounts have been recorded as a debt discount. See Note 6 for discussion of the assumptions and inputs used in these fair value calculations.
As to the shares of common stock issued for (i) conversion of convertible promissory notes, or (ii) exercise of warrants described above, the share were issued pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, as the shares of common stock were issued in exchange for and conversion of convertible promissory notes or warrants issued by the Company, there was no additional consideration for the exchanges, and there was no remuneration for the solicitation of the exchanges. As to the other issuances of common stock described above, such shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as the shareholders were accredited and/or financially sophisticated and had adequate access, through business or other relationships, to information about the Company, and the sales did not involve a public offering of securities or any general solicitation.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those set forth in “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Business Overview
We were incorporated in Nevada on August 18, 2006, as a pioneering financial technology and telecommunications company with one clear mission: to enhance connectivity and financial access in the places people live, shop, and work.
Our Mobile Virtual Network Operators consisting of SurgePhone Wireless and Torch Wireless provide mobile broadband (internet connectivity) to consumers nationwide. Our Comprehensive Platform Services provides ACH banking relationships and a fintech transactions platform that processes thousands of transactions a day with independently owned convenience stores.
Please see the description in Item 1 of this Annual Report for a description of our Mobile Virtual Network Operators and Comprehensive Platform Services.
COMPARISON OF YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024
We measure our performance on a consolidated basis as well as the performance of each segment.
We report our financial performance based on the following segments: Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), and Point-of-Sale and Prepaid Services (Top-up). The MVNO segment includes subsidized (Lifeline) and non-subsidized components (LinkUp Mobile). The subsidized component or Lifeline is the result of the mobile broadband (phone and internet) services provided by Torch Wireless to eligible consumers. The Point-of-Sale and Prepaid Services segment is comprised of Surge Fintech and ECS as previously shown.
The segment amounts included in MD&A are presented on a basis consistent with our internal management reporting. Additional information on our reportable segments is contained in Note 10 – Segment Information and Geographic Data of the Notes to Financial Statements.
Revenues and expenses during the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, consisted of the following:
Revenue decreased overall by $3,918,253 (6.4%) from the year ended December 31, 2024, to year ended December 31, 2025. Segment revenues were as follows:
Mobile Virtual Network Operators consisting of SurgePhone Wireless and Torch Wireless revenues (as detailed in Notes 2 and 10 of the financial statements) decreased by $29,997,094 or (69.0%). Due to a lack of additional funding from Congress, April 2024 was the last month ACP households received the full ACP discount, as they had received in prior months, and effective June 1, 2024, households no longer receive an ACP discount.
As a transition strategy, we decided to keep the existing base of subscribers from the former ACP enrolled in our network with a built-in subscriber base of 250,000. We chose to keep our subscribers active, absorbing the wholesale costs (averaging around $7-10 per subscriber per month), and put our strong balance sheet to work to replace the cash inflow we lost once ACP funding ran out. We transitioned over 80,000 subscribers to the Lifeline program during 2024, and continued to add new users to Lifeline in 2025 as we scaled that portion of the business.
The Company signed a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with TerraCom, Inc. (“TerraCom”), a wireless service provider and licensed Lifeline provider, effective October 3, 2024, in order to execute the strategy of offering Lifeline to our existing ACP subscriber base. This agreement allows us to offer a government-subsidized program to our previous 250,000 ACP wireless subscribers. We transitioned over 80,000 subscribers to the Lifeline program during 2024. Equally important, this allows us to reignite our sales channels to acquire new Lifeline subscribers who lost their ACP service when their carrier chose to shut them off.
Point-of-Sale and Prepaid Services revenues increased by $26,090,683 from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, as a result of increasing our sales force and hiring of a new Director of Sales.
Effective December 31, 2024, the Company’s management elected to abandon its lead generation segment operations as part of a strategic reassessment of its business lines. This decision followed a review by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”, which is our Chief Executive Officer), who had been regularly evaluating the segment’s financial performance and determined that its continued operation was no longer aligned with the Company’s long-term strategic objectives. Lead generation segment revenue was therefore $0 in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Comparison numbers for lead generation segment expenses are shown in the respective Other Corporate Overhead lines below.
Cost of Revenue, Gross Profit and Gross Margin
For the year 2025, cost of revenue for services primarily consisted of data plan expenses ($7,708,012), prepaid retail expenses ($45,209,470), devices ($975,276), marketing ($7,006,084), advertising ($1,332,189), and other expenses such as royalties and call-center expenses ($5,320,781). For the year 2024, cost of revenue for services primarily consisted of data plan expenses ($21,684,451), prepaid retail expenses ($16,779,312), devices ($5,685,656), marketing ($15,632,078), advertising ($4,808,305), and other expenses such as royalties and call-center expenses ($4,233,099).
We expect that our cost of revenue will increase or decrease to the extent that our revenue increases and decreases.
Gross profit margin is calculated as revenue less cost of revenue. Gross profit margin is gross profit expressed as a percentage of revenue. Our gross profit in future periods will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions that may impact our pricing, sales mix among devices, sales mix changes among consumables, excess and obsolete inventories, and the cost of our products from manufacturers. Our gross profit (loss) in future periods will vary based upon our revenue stream mix and may increase or decrease based upon our distribution channels.
The Company expects to focus on the improvement of gross margin in the Point-of-Sale and Prepaid Services segment during 2026. Most of the costs to prepare Clearline ready for launch have already been incurred, and we expect gross margin to begin moving towards positive in 2026 for this revenue channel. As we continue to expand both subsidized (Lifeline) and non-subsidized products (LinkUp Mobile) in the MNVO segment in 2026, we also anticipate gross margins in the MVNO segment will increase with an aim to return to positive results in late 2026.
General and administrative during the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, consisted of the following:
Selling, general and administrative expenses during the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, consisted of the following:
Selling, general and administrative costs (S, G & A) decreased by $7,081,726 (26.9%). The changes are discussed below:
Other (expense) income during the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024, consisted of the following:
Interest expense increased to $2,003,935 in 2025 from $554,200 in 2024 primarily due to additional notes entered into during the 2025 fiscal year.
In connection with the issuance of a $6,999,999 convertible promissory note, the Company issued warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of common stock. The Company allocated a portion of the proceeds to the warrants based on their relative fair value, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of the warrants was estimated to be $207,640, which was recorded as a component of the total debt discount and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the note.
The equity investment in Centercom changed by $0 in the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to an increase of $33,864 in the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, The Company determined that it would no longer utilize the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services of CenterCom.
The Company invested excess cash in various instruments during 2024, resulting in interest, dividends, and gains resulting in an aggregate increase of $355,549, compared to $0 in 2023.
Equity Transactions for the Year Ended December 31, 2025
Stock Issued for Cash – At the Market Offering (“ATM”)
In August 2025, the Company entered into an At the Market Offering Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with Titan Partners Group LLC, a division of American Capital Partners, LLC (“Titan”), pursuant to which the Company may, from time to time, offer and sell shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value per share, to or through Titan, acting as sales agent and/or principal, in transactions deemed to be “at-the-market offerings” under Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the Prospectus Supplement, the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $15,000,000, which is within the Company’s current “baby shelf” limitations under General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3. The Company will pay Titan a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale. The Company intends to utilize the ATM Agreement, when appropriate, to fund working capital needs on an ongoing basis.
The Company issued 697,691 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $1,774,636 ($2.12 - $2.98/share).
In connection with the capital raise, the Company paid cash as direct offering costs (including professional fees) totaling $123,197, resulting in net proceeds of $1,651,439.
The Company issued 324,000 shares of common stock for services rendered, having a fair value of $641,430 ($1.70 - $2.87/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price.
Treasury Stock
The Company repurchased 333,333 shares of its common stock from a convertible note payable holder for $999,999 ($3/share). In connection with the transaction, the principal balance of the related convertible note was increased by $999,999. See Note 6.
Shares – Related Parties
Chief Executive Officer
In 2024, the Company granted 500,000 shares of restricted common stock to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), having a fair value of $3,800,000 ($7.60/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on the grant date. The shares vested ratably over the period July 2024 through December 2024. All shares vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the CEO employment agreement and future RSA grants.
Chief Financial Officer
In November 2023, the Company granted 600,000 shares of restricted common stock to its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), having a fair value of $3,114,000 ($5.19/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on the grant date. The award was structured in two tranches, with 400,000 shares vesting ratably over the period July 2024 through December 2024 and 200,000 shares vesting on December 31, 2025. All shares vested in accordance with their original vesting schedules. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the CFO employment agreement.
Board of Directors
2025 Grant
In May 2025, the Company granted an aggregate of 150,000 shares of common stock to various members of its Board of Directors, having a fair value of $474,000 ($3.16/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on the grant date. The shares vest upon the earliest of the following:
Effective December 31, 2025, a board member resigned their position. In accordance with the terms of their agreement, all unvested shares vested immediately upon resignation. As a result, 88,880 shares of common stock vested on December 31, 2025.
2024 Grant
In 2024, the Company granted an aggregate of 44,640 shares of common stock to various members of its Board of Directors, having a fair value of $149,990 ($3.36/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on the grant date. The shares vest upon the earliest of the following:
Director of Human Resources and Legal Services
In 2024, the Company granted 100,000 shares of common stock to its Director of Human Resources and Legal Services, having a fair value of $672,000 ($6.72/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on the grant date. The shares vested ratably over the period July 2024 through December 2024. All shares vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At December 31, 2025, and 2024, our current assets were $6,979,766 and $17,870,323, respectively, and our current liabilities were $18,190,236 and $6,059,476, respectively, which resulted in a working capital deficit of $(16,171,009) and a working capital surplus of $11,210,470, respectively. The decrease in current assets is primarily a result of decreased cash on hand.
Total assets at December 31, 2025, and 2024, amounted to $8,515,846 and $23,976,005, respectively, a decrease of $15,460,159 from 2024 to 2025. The decrease in total assets is a result of a decrease in available cash and an impairment of $3,300,000 of goodwill. At December 31, 2025, assets consisted of current assets of $6,979,766, net intangible assets of $819,153, and operating lease right of use asset of $313,410, and at December 31, 2024, assets consisted of current assets of $17,870,323, net property and equipment of $591,088, net intangible assets of $1,472,962, goodwill of $3,300,000, note receivable of $176,851, and operating lease right of use asset of $564,781.
At December 31, 2025, our total liabilities were $23,918,665 compared to total liabilities of $8,714,392 at December 31, 2024. This $15,204,273 increase was related to an increase in accounts payable and notes payable.
At December 31, 2025, our total stockholders’ deficit was $(15,402,819) as compared to $15,261,613 at December 31, 2024. The $(30,664,432) decrease was primarily due to the net loss for the year, as well as the above discussed decrease in assets and increase in liabilities.
The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024.
Net cash used in both 2024 and 2025 was primarily due to the net loss for the respective years.
Net cash used in investing activities in 2025 was due to the purchase of property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities in 2024 was primarily due to the purchase and sale of investments, and the purchase of ClearLine assets in 2024
Net cash provided for financing activities is primarily due to the sale of stock for cash and the issuance of notes payable, partially offset by repayments of notes payable. Net cash provided for financing activities is primarily due to the equity offering in January 2024 and the exercise of warrants during the year ended December 31, 2024.
As a result of net negative cash provided by operating activities and investing activities in 2025, our overall cash decreased in 2025 by $10,777,178, compared to a decrease of $1,831,671 in 2024.
At December 31, 2025, the Company had the following material commitments and contingencies.
Cash requirements and capital expenditures – Due to the end of the ACP program in 2024 and the reduction in total revenues and margins, we may not have sufficient resources to continue to fund operations for the next twelve months without additional funding. We are currently exploring various strategic opportunities; however, we have no commitments at this time and no known timing as to when any transaction may occur. We will only pursue options that we believe are in the best interest of, and on the best terms for, the Company.
The Company kicked off several initiatives in April of 2025. We have begun the launch of LinkUp Mobile SIM (subscriber identity module) cards into the national retail market. LinkUp Mobile has also launched its phone in a box program. Thousands of phones have already been purchased by convenience stores, which we believe is a positive sign for our future capabilities. Torch Wireless, supported by the Lifeline program, is now actively expanding its subscriber base in the state of California. This development is noteworthy for the growth of the Torch offering, as California provides an additional revenue incentive for its subscribers and has a large potential subscriber base. The wholesale MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) leveraging technology and industry expertise has allowed us to expand services as a Mobile Network Enabler. Leveraging our direct carrier relationship, we offer billing, provisioning, SIM cards, and services to wireless companies lacking direct carrier access. Two such companies have already embraced this offering, and we anticipate more to join in the near future. We believe the MVNE solution will continue to uniquely position us for additional rapid growth into the subscriber activation channel by enabling other wireless companies who lack a direct carrier relationship. Clear-line has launched a comprehensive code management campaign, providing services to over 1,600 convenience stores. In addition to this new business venture, Shortcode, the ability to dynamic content and features into posts, pages and widgets, has been provisioned with all carriers in preparation for a national campaign scheduled to launch in July.
Known trends and uncertainties – The Company may pursue strategic opportunities, including acquisitions or partnerships, that align with its core business and support long-term growth. There are no definitive agreements in place at this time.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions for the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and any such differences may be material.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesof the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe the following discussion addresses our most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to our financial condition and results of operations and which require our most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
Use of Estimates
Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management 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 and revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and those estimates may be material.
Significant estimates during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, include, allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables, inventory reserves and classifications, valuation of loss contingencies, valuation of stock-based compensation, estimated useful lives related to intangible assets, capitalized internal-use software development costs, and property and equipment, implicit interest rate in right-of-use operating leases, uncertain tax positions, and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for financial instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, based on the Company’s principal or, in absence of a principal, most advantageous market for the specific asset or liability.
The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. The hierarchy requires the Company to use observable inputs when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs, when determining fair value.
The three tiers are defined as follows:
The determination of fair value and the assessment of a measurement’s placement within the hierarchy requires judgment. Level 3 valuations often involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity. Level 3 valuations may require the use of various cost, market, or income valuation methodologies applied to unobservable management estimates and assumptions. Management’s assumptions could vary depending on the asset or liability valued and the valuation method used. Such assumptions could include estimates of prices, earnings, costs, actions of market participants, market factors, or the weighting of various valuation methods. The Company may also engage external advisors to assist us in determining fair value, as appropriate.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets including Internal Use Capitalized Software Costs
Management evaluates the recoverability of the Company’s identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment exists, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360-10-35-15 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Events and circumstances considered by the Company in determining whether the carrying value of identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets may not be recoverable include but are not limited to significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results; significant changes in the use of the assets; significant negative industry or economic trends; and changes in the Company’s business strategy. In determining if impairment exists, the Company estimates the undiscounted cash flows to be generated from the use and ultimate disposition of these assets.
If impairment is indicated based on a comparison of the assets’ carrying values and the undiscounted cash flows, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
We account for revenue earned from contracts with customers under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), and ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). The core principle of ASC 606 is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for our stock-based compensation under ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” using the fair value-based method. Under this method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. This guidance establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments.
The Company uses the fair value method for equity instruments granted to non-employees and use the Black-Scholes model for measuring the fair value of options.
The fair value of stock-based compensation is determined as of the date of the grant or the date at which the performance of the services is completed (measurement date) and is recognized over the vesting periods.
Stock Warrants
In connection with certain financing (debt or equity), consulting and collaboration arrangements, the Company may issue warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. The outstanding warrants are standalone instruments that are not puttable or mandatorily redeemable by the holder and are classified as equity awards. The Company measures the fair value of warrants issued for compensation using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as of the measurement date. However, for warrants issued that meet the definition of a derivative liability, fair value is determined based upon the use of a binomial pricing model.
Warrants issued in conjunction with the issuance of common stock are initially recorded at fair value as a reduction in additional paid-in capital of the common stock issued. All other warrants (for services) are recorded at fair value and expensed over the requisite service period or at the date of issuance if there is not a service period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In the normal course of business, we evaluate all new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, SEC, or other authoritative accounting bodies to determine the potential impact they may have on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1 of this Annual Report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
On May 19, 2025, the Company was notified by Rodefer Moss & Co, PLLC (“Rodefer”) that Rodefer had resigned as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The audit report of Rodefer on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, except as follows: Rodefer’s report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, contained a separate section relating to Critical Audit Matters regarding (a) the Sufficiency of audit evidence over revenue, and (b) the Goodwill impairment assessment.
During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, and the subsequent period through May 19, 2025, there were no (i) “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) between the Company and Rodefer on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Rodefer, would have caused Rodefer to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports on the financial statements for such years, or (ii) “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
In accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Company provided Rodefer with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and requested that Rodefer furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agreed with such disclosures, and, if not, stating the respects in which it did not agree. A copy of Rodefer’s letter, dated May 23, 2025, was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing Rodefer’s resignation.
On May 23, 2025, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors engaged TAAD, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to us, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, an evaluation as of December 31, 2025 was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2025.
b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our of our chief executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO.
Based on our evaluation under the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2025.
● a lack of sufficient in-house qualified accounting staff;
● inadequate controls and segregation of duties due to limited resources and number of employees;
● material purchase price allocation of Shuya transactions which are heavily dependent upon the use of estimates and assumptions and require us using consultants.
To mitigate the items identified in the assessment, we rely heavily on direct management oversight of transactions, along with the use of legal and accounting professionals/consultants. As we grow, we expect to increase the number of employees, which would enable us to implement adequate segregation of duties within the internal control framework.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
No officers or directors adopted or terminated Role 10b5-1 trading arrangements during the year ended 2025.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, certain of our officers and directors adopted or terminated Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements as follows:
OnMarch 14, 2024, Kevin Brian Cox, our President and Chief Executive Officer, adopted a trading plan that is intended to satisfy the conditions under Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Cox’s trading plan is equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock as reasonably estimated by the designated broker such that the net proceeds from their sale are sufficient to cover the withholding taxes resulting from the vesting of RSA grants previously issued to Mr. Cox, in amounts and prices determined in accordance with a formula set forth in the plan. The plan was terminated on December 3, 2024.
In the quarter ended December 31, 2024, 250,000 shares were received and vested from RSA grants as provided for in Mr. Cox’s employment agreement and 97,380 shares were sold.
OnMarch 14, 2024, Anthony Evers, our Chief Financial Officer, adopted a trading plan that is intended to satisfy the conditions under Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Evers’ trading plan is equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock as reasonably estimated by the designated broker such that the net proceeds from their sale are sufficient to cover the withholding taxes resulting from the vesting of RSA grants previously issued to Mr. Evers, in amounts and prices determined in accordance with a formula set forth in the plan. The plan was terminated on December 31, 2024.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, 199,998 shares were received and vested from RSA grants as provided for in Mr. Evers’ employment agreement and 110,000 shares were sold.
Except as disclosed above, none of our directors or executive officers adopted, modified or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defence conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On August 13, 2024, the Company entered into a share repurchase program with ThinkEquity LLC for up to $5,000,000 shares of its common stock. No shares were repurchased during the three months ending December 31, 2024.
On October 1, 2024, the Company decided to terminate the share repurchase program and will no longer be making any reacquisitions.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
PART III
The information required by Part III is omitted from this Annual Report in that we will file a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A with respect to our 2026 Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”) on the date hereof and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference. Only those sections of the Proxy Statement which specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owner and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Filed or
Furnished
03/30/2023
Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement
10.1
08/10/2023
Form of Employment Agreement with Anthony Evers
11/14/2023
Form of Employment Agreement with Kevin Brian Cox
01/03/2024
Underwriting Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2024, between SurgePays, Inc. and Titan Partners Group
Consent of Rodefer Moss & Co., PLLC
X
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
SurgePays, Inc. and subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of SurgePays, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2025, the related consolidated statement of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cashflows for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit and negative cash flows from operations. These factors, among others, 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 1. The consolidated 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 audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. 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 Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Goodwill Impairment
The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment, including the $3.3 million impairment charge recorded during the year, involved significant judgment. Management’s analysis required estimating the fair value of the reporting unit using assumptions about future cash flows, discount rates, and long-term growth. These assumptions are sensitive to changes in market and operating conditions, making the impairment assessment complex and subject to a high degree of estimation uncertainty.
How the Critical Audit Matter was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures included evaluating the valuation methodology, testing key assumptions such as projected cash flows and discount rates, and comparing them to historical results and external market data. We involved valuation specialists to assess the reasonableness of the discount rate and other critical inputs, tested the underlying data for accuracy, and evaluated the adequacy of the Company’s related disclosures.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue from processing, service, and product solutions at the point in time when control transfers to the customer, based on contractual terms and system-generated transaction data. The Company also recognized revenue from the Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline program after services and products are delivered to eligible customers. Revenue is recognized after services and products have been delivered to an eligible customer. The volume of system-processed transactions, reliance on automated applications, and the judgment involved in determining when control transfers made the evaluation of revenue recognition and the sufficiency of audit evidence a matter requiring especially challenging auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter was Addressed in the Audit:
Our audit procedures included evaluating the Company’s revenue recognition policies and assessing their consistency with applicable accounting standards. We tested the design and operating effectiveness of controls over the initiation, processing, and recording of revenue transactions. For a sample of revenue transactions, we agreed amounts recognized to source documents, tested the mathematical accuracy of recorded revenue, and evaluated whether contractual terms that could affect revenue recognition were appropriately identified and considered by management. We also performed substantive procedures over significant revenue streams, assessed the accuracy and completeness of system-generated data used in revenue recognition, and evaluated the adequacy of the Company’s related disclosures.
Valuation of Financial Instruments
The Company’s valuation of the warrants, stock options, and equity securities required significant judgment in fair value. Management valued the stock options and warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which involves subjective assumptions such as stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, dividend yield, and time to maturity. Equity securities were valued using quoted market prices.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit:
Our audit procedures included evaluating the methodology of the valuation model used by the Company. We tested the valuation methodologies and key assumptions used by management, including performing independent recalculations. We also tested significant inputs in the Black-Scholes model—such as stock price, volatility, risk-free rate, dividend yield, and expected term and assessed whether they were reasonable in relation to market data and the Company’s historical information.
/s/ TAAD, LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2025
Diamond Bar, California
April 15, 2026
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
SurgePays, Inc. & Subsidiaries
Bartlett, Tennessee
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of SurgePays, Inc. & Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024, and the results of its consolidated operations and its consolidated cash flows for year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated 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 consolidated 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 audit, 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 Company’s 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/Rodefer Moss & Co, PLLC
We served as the Company’s auditor from 2017 to 2025.
Johnson City, Tennessee
March 25, 2025
SurgePays, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2025
Additional
Paid-in
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
SURGEPAYS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024
Note 1 - Organization and Nature of Operations
Organization and Nature of Operations
SurgePays, Inc. (“SurgePays,” “we,” or the “Company”) is a telecommunications and financial technology company focused on delivering wireless connectivity and point-of-sale solutions to underserved and value-conscious communities across the United States. The Company’s mission is to enhance access to essential digital services where people live, shop, and work.
We operate through three primary business segments: (1) our MVNO wireless brands, (2) our MVNE enablement platform (HERO), and (3) our point-of-sale (POS) and fintech services. These businesses are supported through subsidiaries including SurgePhone Wireless, LLC, SurgePays Fintech, Inc., ECS Prepaid, LLC, and Torch Wireless, LLC, among others.
The Company and its subsidiaries are organized as follows:
Schedule of Subsidiaries
All of the following entities have nominal operations.
See discussion below regarding the discontinuation of the Company’s lead generation segment in 2024.
Discontinued Operations – LogicsIQ Segment
Management’s Decision
Effective December 31, 2024, the Company’s management elected to abandon its lead generation segment operations as part of a strategic reassessment of its business lines. This decision followed a review by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”, which is our Chief Executive Officer), who had been regularly evaluating the segment’s financial performance and determined that its continued operation was no longer aligned with the Company’s long-term strategic objectives.
In accordance with ASC 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements – Discontinued Operations, the Company assessed whether the abandonment met the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation. ASU 2014-08 provides that a discontinued operation must represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The Company determined that this threshold was not met for the following reasons:
Based on these factors, the Company concluded that the abandonment does not constitute a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on its financial results or operations. As a result, the segment will not be presented as a discontinued operation in the financial statements.
Segment Reporting (ASC 280) Considerations
Under ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the lead generation segment was historically identified as a reportable segment, as the CODM regularly reviewed its financial performance separately from other segments. However, given its diminished financial impact and lack of long-term strategic significance, the Company has concluded that the segment no longer meets the quantitative or qualitative thresholds for separate segment reporting. Accordingly, financial data previously presented under the Lead Generation segment will be reclassified to “Other” in the segment disclosure included in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
In line with the amendments introduced by ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, (adopted January 1, 2024), the Company has evaluated the impact of this change on its segment disclosures. The key considerations are as follows:
Accounting and Financial Statement Impact
Since the lead generation segment was abandoned rather than sold, it does not qualify as held for sale. The Company does not expect to recognize any material exit costs, impairment losses, or restructuring charges related to this decision. Any remaining assets and liabilities associated with the segment will be derecognized as appropriate in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
Future Business Operations
The lead generation segment did not have any workforce, customers, or existing contracts, and its abandonment will not result in any employee layoffs, customer transitions, or contract terminations. This decision reflects management’s focus on core business areas that offer higher growth potential and operational efficiency.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Going Concern, Liquidity and Management’s Plans
As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company had:
Additionally, at December 31, 2025, the Company had:
The Company has unrestricted cash on hand of $1,731,400 at December 31, 2025. The Company has historically incurred significant losses and has not demonstrated an ability to generate sufficient revenues from the sales of its products and services to achieve profitable operations. In making this assessment, the Company performed a comprehensive analysis of its current circumstances, including its financial position, cash flows and cash usage forecasts for the twelve months ending December 31, 2026, and its current capital structure including equity-based instruments and outstanding debt obligations.
Effective February 7, 2024, the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) stopped accepting new applications and enrollments, and the program ceased funding on June 1, 2024. See discussion below regarding revenue recognition.
The Company believes it does not have sufficient cash resources on hand to meet its current obligations for a period of more than one year from the issuance date of these financial statements.
These conditions create substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within the twelve-month period subsequent to the date that these consolidated financial statements are issued. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
Management has evaluated the significance of these conditions and has developed plans intended to mitigate the substantial doubt. The Company’s specific strategic and financing plans include the following:
The Company is also actively pursuing additional equity and debt financing alternatives and strategic partnerships. These plans are subject to successful execution and prevailing market conditions, and there can be no assurance that they will generate sufficient liquidity to alleviate the substantial doubt.
See Note 12 for cash proceeds from the issuance of stock and warrants.
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Non-Controlling Interest
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
For entities that are consolidated, but not 100% owned, a portion of the income or loss and corresponding equity is allocated to owners other than the Company. The aggregate of the income or loss and corresponding equity that is not owned by us is included in Non-controlling Interests in the consolidated financial statements.
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions
The Company accounts for acquisitions that qualify as business combinations by applying the acquisition method according to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”).
Transaction costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred and excluded from the fair value of consideration transferred.
The identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests in an acquired entity are recognized and measured at their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair values of identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests in an acquired entity, net of the fair value of any previously held interest in the acquired entity, is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions.
Purchase price allocations may be preliminary, and, during the measurement period not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, changes in assumptions and estimates that result in adjustments to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded in the period the adjustments are determined.
Significant judgments are used in determining fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as intangibles. Fair value and useful life determinations are based on, among other factors, estimates of future expected cash flows, and appropriate discount rates used in computing present values. These judgments may materially impact the estimates used in allocating acquisition date fair values to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as the Company’s current and future operating results. Actual results may vary from these estimates which may result in adjustments to goodwill and acquisition date fair values of assets and liabilities during a measurement period or upon a final determination of asset and liability fair values, whichever occurs first. Adjustments to fair values of assets and liabilities made after the end of the measurement period are recorded within the Company’s earnings.
The Company evaluates acquisitions of assets and other similar transactions to assess whether the transaction should be accounted for as a business combination or asset acquisition by first applying a screen test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If not, further determination is required as to whether the Company has acquired inputs and processes that can create outputs that would meet the definition of a business. When applying the screen test, significant judgment is required to determine whether an acquisition is a business combination or an acquisition of assets.
Accounting for asset acquisitions falls under the guidance of Topic 805, Business Combinations, specifically Subtopic 805-50. A cost accumulation model is used to determine an asset acquisition’s cost. Assets acquired are based on their cost, generally allocated to them on a relative fair value basis. Direct acquisition-related costs are included in the cost of the acquired assets.
The distinction between business combinations and asset acquisitions involves judgment, particularly when applying the screen test to determine the nature of the transaction. Incorrect judgments or changes in decisions in these areas could materially affect the determination of goodwill, the recognition and measurement of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, and, consequently, our financial position and results of operations.
Acquisition of ClearLine Mobile, Inc and Related Impairment
On January 5, 2024, the Company closed a purchase agreement and acquired ClearLine Mobile, Inc’s. (“CLMI”) related software development in exchange for $2,500,000.
CLMI produces a touchscreen display, positioned by the cash register, that is integrated into the SurgePays software platform and markets SurgePays products 24/7 from a central server. SurgePays can advertise its entire suite of products and services while utilizing the POS device for transactions.
Following the guidance of ASC 805, we performed the screen test to evaluate whether the acquired set is a business or a group of assets. The acquired group of assets included inputs and a substantive process that together significantly contributed to the ability to create outputs. At the time of purchase, CLMI had insignificant operations, however, the transaction was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805-50.
Payments were paid as follows:
In connection with this business combination, the Company assumed a right-of-use operating lease and corresponding lease liability of $98,638with a period of two (2) years remaining (the lease expired on December 31, 2025). The acquired technology and software had a net carrying amount of $0 at the acquisition date.
At the time of acquisition, CLMI had nominal revenues and historical losses from operations. As a result, and given the immaterial nature of this acquisition, the Company elected not to present pro-forma financial information.
This transaction did not involve the purchase of a “significant amount of assets” as defined in the Instructions to Item 2.01 of Form 8-K, and the acquisition of CLMI was not deemed significant to the Company at any level under SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-05 and did not require the presentation of additional historical audited financial statements.
The table below summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the effective acquisition date.
Schedule of Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
Goodwill Impairment - ClearLine Mobile, Inc. & Torch Wireless
The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a reporting unit may exceed its fair value, in accordance with ASC 350-20, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.
At December 31, 2025, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment. Based on this analysis, the Company determined that the fair value of the CLMI reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. The CLMI reporting unit was unable to generate revenues or cash flows sufficient to sustain operations. Accordingly, the Company recognized a full goodwill impairment charge of $2,500,000, representing the entire carrying amount of goodwill attributable to CLMI. This charge is included in other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company also determined that the fair value of the Torch Wireless reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, and recognized a full goodwill impairment charge of $800,000, representing the entire carrying amount of goodwill attributable to Torch Wireless.
*During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $866,782 related to the LogicsIQ reporting unit, prior to its classification as a discontinued operation (see Note 1).
At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 goodwill was as follows:
Schedule of Goodwill
Note Receivable (Sale of Former Subsidiary) and Related Impairment
On May 7, 2021, the Company disposed of its former subsidiary True Wireless, Inc. In connection with the sale, the Company received an unsecured promissory note receivable from Blue Skies Connections, LLC in the original principal amount of $176,851, bearing interest at 0.6% per annum, with a default interest rate of 10%. The note was payable in twenty-five (25) monthly installments of principal and accrued interest of $7,461, commencing June 2023.
On July 12, 2023, the Company provided Notice of Default to Blue Skies Connections, LLC for failure to make required payments, and accelerated the full outstanding balance in accordance with the terms of the note.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company determined that the note is uncollectible. Accordingly, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $176,851, representing the full carrying amount of the note receivable, which is included in other expenses – net, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8 for additional discussion of related legal proceedings.
The note was placed on non-accrual status upon default in July 2023. No interest income (including default interest at 10%) has been recognized since that date due to uncertainty of collection.
The Note Receivable was as follows:
Schedule of Note Receivables
Business Segments and Concentrations
The Company uses the “management approach” to identify its reportable segments. The management approach requires companies to report segment financial information consistent with information used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the basis for identifying the Company’s reportable segments. The Company manages its business as 3 multiple reportable segments. See Note 10 regarding segment disclosure.
Revenues related to the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (SurgePhone and Torch Wireless) business segment are 100% derived from programs administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and all funds related to these programs are received directly from organizations under the direction of the FCC and subject to administrative rulings, statutory changes, and other funding restrictions that could impact the Company’s operations in this segment.
Revenues related to the Point-of-Sale and Prepaid Services business segment are derived from suppling digital top-ups to a broad base of Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs), direct dealer stores, and convenience retailers, enabling us to sell domestic and international airtime and data replenishments for multiple carriers. Top ups are purchased at a wholesale rate and resold at a retail pricing, with the Company capturing margin on each transaction.
Accounts receivable related to these programs made up approximately 84% and 97% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Significant estimates during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 include the following:
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company operates in an industry that is subject to intense competition and changes in consumer demand. The Company’s operations are subject to significant risk and uncertainties including financial and operational risks including the potential risk of business failure.
The Company has experienced, and in the future may experience, variability in sales and earnings. The factors expected to contribute to this variability include, among others, the following:
These factors, among others, make it difficult to project the Company’s operating results on a consistent basis.
Effective February 7, 2024, the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) stopped accepting new applications and enrollments. The program ceased funding on June 1, 2024. See discussion below regarding revenue recognition.
At December 31, 2024, the Company discontinued its lead generation services segment.
The Company accounts for financial instruments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, which provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires related disclosures. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company determines fair value based on its principal market or, if unavailable, the most advantageous market for the specific asset or liability.
To classify and disclose assets and liabilities measured at fair value, the Company utilizes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes observable inputs over unobservable ones:
Determining fair value and assigning a measurement within the hierarchy involves judgment. Level 3 valuations, in particular, require greater judgment and complexity, as they may involve various valuation methods—such as cost, market, or income approaches—applied to management estimates and assumptions. These assumptions can include price estimates, earnings projections, market factors, or the weighting of different valuation methods. The Company may also engage external advisors to assist in fair value determinations when appropriate. While management believes recorded fair values are reasonable, they may not reflect future fair values or net realizable values.
The Company’s financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses (including related-party amounts), are recorded at historical cost. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the carrying values of these instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.
Additionally, ASC 825-10, Financial Instruments, allows entities to elect the fair value option, enabling financial assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. This election is irrevocable unless a new election date occurs, and any unrealized gains or losses would be recognized in earnings at each reporting date. The Company has not elected to apply the fair value option to any outstanding financial instruments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Concentration of Credit Risk
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the purchase date and money market accounts to be cash equivalents.
The Company is exposed to credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents in the event of default by the financial institutions to the extent account balances exceed the amount insured by the FDIC, which is $250,000.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, the Company did not experience any losses on cash balances in excess of FDIC insured limits.
Restricted Cash
At December 31, 2025, the Company had $281,811 in cash restricted under the terms of its line of credit with a third-party lender. While these funds remain under the Company’s control, they may be used to cover shortfalls related to advances under its receivables-based financing facility.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had $1,000,000 held in escrow, restricted in connection with a potential acquisition. The restriction lapsed in January 2025, and the funds were subsequently released and returned to the Company’s operating cash account.
Marketable Securities - Classification and Valuation
The Company classified its marketable securities as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.
Trading securities were recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.
Available-for-sale securities were recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income.
Held-to-maturity securities were recorded at amortized cost.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company held marketable securities consisting of U.S. Treasury and government exchange-traded funds, which were classified as trading securities based on the Company’s intent to sell them in the near term and recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. The Company did not hold any marketable securities during the year ended December 31, 2025.
Marketable securities were as follows at December 31, 2024:
Schedule of Marketable Securities
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding customer balances. Credit is extended to customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition and other factors. Interest is not accrued on overdue accounts receivable. The Company does not require collateral.
Management periodically assesses the Company’s accounts receivable and, if necessary, establishes an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a review of the outstanding accounts receivable, historical collection information, and existing economic conditions. Accounts determined to be uncollectible are charged to operations when that determination is made. Bad debt expense is recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $0, and no bad debt expense or recoveries were recorded during the years then ended.
Inventory
Inventory primarily consists of sim cards. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average cost valuation method.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, and in connection with the cessation of the ACP Program on June 1, 2024, the Company wrote off inventory totaling $6,382,471.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had inventory of $339,570 and $1,781,365, respectively.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Management evaluates the recoverability of the Company’s identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment exists, in accordance with ASC 360-10-35-15, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Factors considered in determining whether a potential impairment exists include, but are not limited to:
In determining if impairment exists, the Company estimates the undiscounted cash flows to be generated from the use and ultimate disposition of these assets. If impairment is indicated based on a comparison of the assets’ carrying values and the undiscounted cash flows, the impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded an impairment loss on long-lived assets (see below). There were no impairment losses on long-lived assets for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Expenditures for repair and maintenance which do not materially extend the useful lives of property and equipment are charged to operations. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts with the resulting gain or loss reflected in operations.
Management reviews the carrying value of its property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.
There were no impairment losses for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Internal Use Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with internally developed software related to its technology infrastructure, including personnel and related employee benefit expenses for employees directly involved in software development projects and external direct costs of materials and services. Costs that do not meet the criteria for capitalization are expensed as incurred and recorded in general and administrative expenses.
Software development activities consist of three stages:
Costs incurred in the planning and post-implementation stages, including training and maintenance, are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred in the application and infrastructure development stage, including significant enhancements and upgrades, are capitalized once the planning stage is complete, management has authorized further funding, and it is probable the project will be completed and perform as intended. Capitalization ends when the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose.
Capitalized internal-use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of three (3) years, commencing when the software is ready for its intended use. The Company periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives of capitalized projects and assesses whether facts and circumstances warrant a revision. The Company also evaluates capitalized projects for abandonment on a quarterly basis, which serves as a significant indicator of impairment.
At December 31, 2024, the Company determined that its capitalized internal-use software development costs had no future use based upon its current and expected future operations and recorded an impairment loss of $316,594. There were no capitalized internal-use software development costs or impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2025. The net carrying value of capitalized internal-use software was $0 at both December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Right-of-Use Assets and Lease Obligations
The Company accounts for leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases.
Recognition and Measurement
At lease commencement, the Company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The Company evaluates ROU assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Lease Classification
All of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases and are presented as right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has no finance leases. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Short-Term Leases
The Company has elected the short-term lease exemption under ASC 842 for leases with an initial term of twelve (12) months or less. These leases are not recorded on the balance sheet, and the related lease payments are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Lease Term and Renewal Options
In determining the lease term, the Company evaluates whether renewal options are reasonably certain to be exercised. Factors considered include the useful life of leasehold improvements relative to the lease term, the economic performance of the business at the leased location, the comparative cost of renewal rates versus market rates, and any significant economic penalties for non-renewal. The Company’s operating leases contain renewal options but no residual value guarantees. Management does not currently expect to exercise any renewal options, which are therefore excluded from the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities.
Discount Rate
As the implicit rate in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) that represents the rate it would incur to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic environment.
See Note 8 for additional information regarding the Company’s operating leases.
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenue is recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applies the following five-step model:
All contract consideration is fixed and determinable at contract inception. The Company’s contracts do not contain variable consideration, significant financing components, or multiple performance obligations. The Company does not offer returns, refunds, or warranties, and no arrangements are cancellable.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators
Torch Wireless is licensed to provide subsidized mobile broadband services through the Lifeline program to qualifying low-income customers. The Company’s performance obligation is satisfied as mobile broadband services are provided to eligible subscribers.
Revenue is recognized in the month services are provided to Lifeline subscribers who remain active as of the last day of the month.
At month-end, the Company determines the number of eligible active subscribers based on internal usage data and subscriber eligibility status. The Company then submits a report to the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”), which administers the Lifeline reimbursement program on behalf of the federal government. Upon submission of this report, the related accounts receivable is recorded. Payment is typically received by the 28th day of the following month.
Point-of-Sale and Prepaid Services
Revenues are generated through the sale of telecommunication products, including mobile phones, wireless top-up refills, and other mobile-related products through the Company’s online web portal. The performance obligation is satisfied at the point of sale, at which time the web portal initiates an automated clearing house (“ACH”) transaction and revenue is recognized. The Company has determined it is the principal in these arrangements, as it takes control of the products prior to transferring them to the customer, and accordingly records revenue on a gross basis with related costs recorded as cost of revenues.
Lead Generation Services
LogicsIQ, Inc. was a lead generation and case management solutions company primarily serving law firms in the mass tort industry. Effective January 1, 2024, the Company ceased providing these services. Effective December 31, 2024, management elected to abandon the lead generation segment as part of a strategic reassessment of its business (see Note 1). Segment disclosure for this former operation has been combined with other corporate overhead.
Contract Liabilities - Deferred Revenue
Contract liabilities represent customer deposits received prior to the satisfaction of the related performance obligation. Upon completion of the performance obligation, the liability is relieved and revenue is recognized.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, deferred revenue was $0.
The following represents the Company’s disaggregation of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The above disaggregation of revenues includes the following entities:
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (SPW and TW),
Point-of-Sale and Prepaid Services (Surge Fintech and ECS); and
Other Corporate Overhead (Surge Blockchain and formerly LogicsIQ and Injury Survey)
Effective December 31, 2024, the Company’s management elected to abandon its lead generation segment operations as part of a strategic reassessment of its business lines. See Note 1. As a result, segment reporting/disaggregation of revenues for lead generation was no longer required and have now been included as a component of “other corporate overhead”.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists of tablet purchases, purchased telecom services including data usage and access to wireless networks. Additionally, cost of revenues consists of call center costs, prepaid phone cards, commissions, and advertising costs.
Income Taxes
Accounting Policy
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method prescribed by ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740 with respect to uncertainty in income taxes. Tax positions are recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no uncertain tax positions that qualify for recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in other expense. No such interest or penalties were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Valuation Allowance and Net Operating Loss Carryforwards
The Company has net operating loss carryforwards that have been evaluated for applicability in offsetting current taxable income. Federal net operating loss carryforwards are limited to 80% of the current year’s net taxable income. During 2024, the Company entered a three-year cumulative loss position and remained in that position at December 31, 2025. As a result, a full valuation allowance has been recorded against all net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Income Tax Expense and Liability
The recognition of the full valuation allowance resulted in income tax expense of $2,870,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024. No income tax expense or benefit was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2025.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had no accrued income tax liability (see Note 11).
Investment
Acquisition
On January 17, 2019, the Company acquired a 40% equity ownership interest in CenterCom Global, S.A. de C.V. (“CenterCom”), an operations center based in El Salvador that provided sales support, customer service, information technology infrastructure design, graphic media, database programming, software development, revenue assurance, lead generation, and call center support services.
The Company accounted for its investment in CenterCom under the equity method in accordance with ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures. The investment was initially recorded at cost and adjusted each period for the Company’s proportionate share of CenterCom’s net income or loss. The financial information of CenterCom used for equity-method accounting was unaudited. The Company reviewed its equity-method investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Equity in Earnings
No equity-method gain or loss was recognized on the investment during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Impairment
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company determined that a change in ownership and a significant reduction in human capital materially impacted CenterCom’s ability to continue operations. Based on this assessment, the Company concluded that the decline in the investment’s value was other than temporary and recorded an impairment loss of $498,273 for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Following the recognition of this impairment charge, the carrying value of the Company’s investment in CenterCom was $0 at December 31, 2024, reflected as follows:
Schedule of Investment
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs are included as a component of general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company recognized marketing and advertising costs during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as follows:
Schedule of Marketing and Advertising Costs
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Compensation cost is measured at the grant-date fair value of the award and is recognized over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period) on a straight-line basis.
This guidance applies to share-based payment awards granted to both employees and non-employees. Pursuant to ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, awards granted to non-employees are accounted for in substantially the same manner as awards granted to employees, with fair value determined on the grant date.
Fair Value Estimation
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The model incorporates the following key assumptions:
Forfeitures and Expense Classification
The Company has elected the practical expedient under ASU 2016-09 to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating them in advance. This election is applied consistently to all stock-based awards. Stock-based compensation expense is classified in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of general and administrative expenses.
Tax Treatment
The Company applies the provisions of ASU 2016-09 related to the recognition of all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in income tax expense in the period in which they occur and the classification of cash paid for tax withholdings on behalf of employees as financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
In connection with certain financing transactions (debt or equity), consulting arrangements, or strategic partnerships, the Company may issue warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. Warrants that do not meet liability classification under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, are evaluated under ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity. The Company’s outstanding warrants are not puttable or mandatorily redeemable, do not require net cash settlement, and are indexed to the Company’s own common stock. Accordingly, they are classified as equity instruments in additional paid-in capital.
The fair value of warrants issued for compensation purposes is measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Warrants issued in conjunction with common stock issuances are initially recorded at fair value as a reduction in additional paid-in capital. Warrants issued for services are recorded at fair value and expensed over the requisite service period or immediately upon issuance if no service period exists. Warrants classified as liabilities due to settlement features or pricing adjustments are remeasured at fair value each reporting period, with changes recognized in earnings.
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share
Computation
The Company computes basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260-10-45, Earnings Per Share, as amended by ASU 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity.
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period.
Diluted earnings (loss) per share includes the impact of potentially dilutive securities and is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the weighted-average number of common stock equivalents and other potentially dilutive securities during the period.
Treasury shares are excluded from the denominator in computing both basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share because they are not considered outstanding.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company reacquired 333,333 shares of treasury stock for $999,999 ($3 per share) in connection with a third-party convertible debt lender arrangement (see Note 6).
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company reacquired 362,620 shares of treasury stock for $631,967.
Potentially Dilutive Securities
Potentially dilutive common shares include contingently issuable shares, common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants (calculated using the treasury stock method in accordance with ASC 260-10-55), and convertible debt instruments, if applicable.
These securities may be dilutive in future periods. However, in periods in which the Company reports a net loss, diluted loss per share is equal to basic loss per share because the inclusion of potential common stock equivalents would be anti-dilutive.
The following potentially dilutive equity securities were outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Schedule of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Warrants and stock options included as common stock equivalents represent those that are fully vested and exercisable. See Note 9.
Sufficiency of Authorized Shares
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company has 500,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, respectively, which is sufficient to accommodate any potential exercises of common stock equivalents.
The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method in accordance with ASC 505-30, Equity—Treasury Stock. Under this method, treasury stock is recorded at cost on the date of repurchase and presented as a reduction in stockholders’ equity. Purchases, sales, issuances, or retirements of treasury stock do not affect the consolidated statements of operations.
Reissuance of Treasury Stock
When treasury shares are reissued, they are removed from treasury stock at their original cost. Any excess of the reissuance price over cost is credited to additional paid-in capital. Any deficiency is charged first to additional paid-in capital to the extent of previously recorded credits from treasury stock transactions, with any remaining deficiency charged to retained earnings.
Retirement of Treasury Stock
The Company periodically assesses whether to retain treasury shares or retire them. Upon retirement, the shares are removed from issued stock and a corresponding adjustment is made to retained earnings.
Related Parties
The Company identifies and discloses related party relationships and transactions in accordance with ASC 850, “Related Party Disclosures”, and follows guidance set forth by the SEC under Regulation S-X, Rule 4-08(k) regarding related party disclosures.
A party is considered related to the Company if it meets any of the following criteria:
The Company follows the SEC’s Regulation S-K, Item 404(a), which requires the disclosure of related party transactions exceeding a materiality threshold and details on the nature of the relationship, transaction terms, and amounts involved.
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, the Company incurred expenses with a related party (annual rental agreement) in the normal course of business as follows:
Schedule of Related Party Expenses
From time to time, the Company may use credit cards to pay corporate expenses, these credit cards are in the names of certain of the Company’s officers and directors. These amounts are insignificant.
See Note 6 for debt transactions with our Chief Executive Officer.
Recent Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
FASB ASU 2023-07 – Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, which enhances reportable segment disclosure requirements by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the title and position of the CODM, and extending certain annual disclosures to interim periods. It also clarifies that single-reportable-segment entities must apply ASC 280 in its entirety.
This ASU was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with retrospective application required. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 effective January 1, 2025. The adoption resulted in enhanced segment disclosures but did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
FASB ASU 2023-09 – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, which enhances income tax disclosure requirements by standardizing and disaggregating rate reconciliation categories and requiring disclosure of income taxes paid by jurisdiction.
This ASU was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and may be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company adopted ASU 2023-09 effective January 1, 2025. The adoption resulted in enhanced income tax disclosures but did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
FASB ASU 2025-05 – Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, which provides a practical expedient that permits entities to assume that current economic conditions as of the balance sheet date will remain unchanged over the remaining life of current (short-term) accounts receivable and current contract assets arising from transactions accounted for under ASC 606.
The Company early adopted ASU 2025-05 effective January 1, 2025, and elected the practical expedient. The amendments were applied prospectively. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
FASB ASU 2024-03 / ASU 2025-01 – Income Statement (Topic 220): Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, which requires public business entities to disclose, in both annual and interim reporting periods, disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items in a tabular format, along with a qualitative reconciliation to the captions on the face of the financial statements. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 to clarify the effective date for non-calendar year-end entities.
The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted and may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2024-03/2025-01 on its consolidated financial statement disclosures.
FASB ASU 2024-04 – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04, which clarifies the requirements for determining whether certain settlements of convertible debt instruments should be accounted for as an induced conversion.
ASU 2024-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim reporting periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for all entities that have adopted the amendments in ASU 2020-06. Adoption may be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2024-04 may have on its consolidated financial statement presentation and disclosures.
Other Accounting Standards Updates
The Company has evaluated all other recently issued accounting standards not yet effective and has determined that the adoption of such standards is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no material effect on the consolidated results of operations, stockholders’ equity, or cash flows.
Note 3 – Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
Schedule of Property and Equipment
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, were $206,161 and $942,450, respectively.
These amounts are included as a component of general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Note 4 – Intangibles
Intangibles consisted of the following:
Schedule of Intangibles
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows:
Schedule of Amortization Expense
Estimated amortization expense for each of the succeeding years is as follows:
Schedule of Estimated Amortization Expense
Note 5 – Internal Use Software Development Costs
Internal Use Software Development Costs consisted of the following:
Schedule of Internal Use Software Development Costs
Costs incurred for Internal Use Software Development Costs
At December 31, 2024, the Company determined that there was no future use for its capitalized internal use software development costs based upon its current and expected future operations. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $316,594 and removed the gross amount of its capitalized costs totaling $668,484. See Note 1.
The following is a summary of our capitalized internal use software development costs at December 31, 2024:
Schedule of Capitalized Internal Use Software Development Costs
For the year ended December 31, 2024, amortization of internal software development costs was $222,830.
Note 6 – Debt
The following represents a summary of the Company’s notes payable – SBA government, notes payable – related parties, convertible notes payable and notes payable, key terms, and outstanding balances at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively:
Notes Payable – SBA government
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”)
During 2020, this program was made available to eligible borrowers in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative economic impact on the Company’s business. Proceeds from the EIDL were used for working capital purposes.
Installment payments, including principal and interest, are due monthly (beginning twelve (12) months from the date of the promissory note) in amounts ranging from $74 - $731/month. The balance of principal and interest is payable over the next thirty (30) years from the date of the promissory note. There are no penalties for prepayment. The EIDL Loan was not required to be refinanced by the PPP loan.
Schedule of Loans Payable
Note Payable – Related Party
The following is a summary of the Company’s Note Payable - Related Party:
Summary of Notes Payable - Related Parties
On March 12, 2024, as approved by the Audit Committee, the Company consolidated all remaining outstanding principal and accrued interest of $4,584,563 and $498,991, respectively, into a single consolidated note with an aggregate face amount of $5,083,554. The consolidated note bears interest at 10% per annum, with a default interest rate of 15%, and is repayable in equal monthly installments of $164,039over 36 months, resulting in total aggregate payments of $5,905,427 inclusive of interest. The note is unsecured and was scheduled to be repaid in full by December 2026.
Beginning in July 2025, monthly payments under the consolidated note were temporarily suspended as a result of the Company’s current cash flow constraints. The note holder has confirmed that the suspension does not constitute a default under the note terms; accordingly, the 15% default interest rate has not been triggered, and interest has continued to accrue at the contractual rate of 10% per annum. The suspension did not result in a modification of the note’s contractual terms and does not constitute a troubled debt restructuring. Management is evaluating options to restructure or resume payments in future periods.
See Note 12 for information regarding the conversion of $1,000,000 of note principal into shares of common stock.
The following is a detail of the Company’s Notes Payable - Related Party:
Schedule of Notes Payable - Related Parties
Convertible Notes Payable
The following is a summary of the Company’s Convertible Notes Payable and related Debt Discounts:
Schedule of Convertible Notes Payable and related Debt Discounts
The following is a detail of the Company’s Convertible Notes Payable:
Schedule of Convertible Notes Payable
Convertible Notes Payable - Notes #1 through #6
Overview
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company entered into six Note Purchase Agreements with institutional investors and issued Convertible Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) with an aggregate original principal of $9,694,999. Note #1 is a senior secured obligation collateralized by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets. Notes #2 through #6 are unsecured obligations. The Notes are summarized in detail below.
Note #1 - Senior Secured Convertible Note
On May 12, 2025, the Company entered into a Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, pursuant to which the Company issued a Senior Secured Convertible Note in the original principal amount of $6,999,999 (the “Note”), resulting in net cash proceeds of $5,405,000, after deducting $175,000 in legal fees and $420,000 in broker fees paid directly from the proceeds. The Note is secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a Security and Pledge Agreement and is fully guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company.
In connection with the issuance, the Company repurchased 333,333 shares of its common stock from the investor at $3.00 per share. These shares were cancelled and retired and are recorded as treasury stock (see Note 9).
Interest and Amortization Terms
The Note accrues interest at a rate of 1.25% per month (15% per annum). Interest is payable monthly, either in cash or as payment-in-kind (“PIK Interest”) at the Company’s election. Commencing with the month ending June 30, 2026, the Note obligation amortizes in equal monthly installments of $500,000, with the remaining outstanding balance due on the Maturity Date of October 12, 2027.
Amendment
On January 31, 2026, the Company and the investor entered into an amendment to the Note, which revised the amortization commencement date from January 31, 2026 to June 30, 2026 and extended the Maturity Date from May 12, 2027 to October 12, 2027. The amendment was evaluated in accordance with ASC 470-50 and accounted for as a debt modification. Accordingly, no gain or loss was recognized, and the carrying value of the Note was not adjusted. The remaining unamortized debt discount is being amortized over the revised term to the new Maturity Date using the effective interest method. See Note 12.
Embedded Conversion Feature
The Note contains an embedded conversion option that permits the investor to convert outstanding principal and accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $4.00 per share. The Company evaluated this feature in accordance with ASC 815-10-15-74(a) and ASC 815-40. The conversion option is indexed solely to the Company’s own common stock and satisfies the fixed-for-fixed criteria under ASC 815-40-15, qualifying for the scope exception from derivative accounting. Accordingly, the Note is accounted for in its entirety as a debt instrument.
Warrant Issuance
In connection with the issuance of the Note, the Company issued warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The warrants are immediately exercisable and expire on May 12, 2030.
The Company allocated a portion of the proceeds to the warrants based on their relative fair value, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of the warrants at issuance was estimated at $1,084,927, which was recorded as a debt discount with a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital.
The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model were as follows:
Schedule of Fair Value of Warrants
Debt Discount
In connection with the issuance of the Note, the Company recorded total debt discounts of $1,679,927, consisting of the following:
Schedule of Debt Discounts
Debt discounts are being amortized to interest expense over the revised contractual term of the Note through the Maturity Date of October 12, 2027 using the effective interest method in accordance with ASC 835-30.
Convertible Notes Payable - Notes #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6
During the period from September 25, 2025 through November 17, 2025, the Company entered into five separate one-year unsecured Note Purchase Agreements with institutional investors and issued Convertible Notes (collectively, the “Notes”). In accordance with ASC 835-30, each Note was issued at a discount arising from original issue discounts, guaranteed interest capitalized at issuance, the fair value of common shares issued to investors as additional consideration, and, where applicable, debt issuance costs. On the commitment date these components are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the respective Notes and are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over each Note’s one-year contractual term.
These Notes had an aggregate original principal amount of $2,695,000. Guaranteed interest of $215,600 was capitalized at issuance, resulting in a total aggregate obligation of $2,910,600.
The following tables summarize the key terms and debt discount components of each issuance:
Schedule of Key Terms and Debt Discount Components
The fair value of shares issued to investors was determined based on the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on each respective grant date. Total debt discounts of $745,480 are being amortized over the contractual term of each respective Note using the effective interest method in accordance with ASC 835-30.
Interest and Repayment Terms
Each Note accrues interest at 8% per annum, with a default rate of 22% per annum.
The guaranteed interest is capitalized at issuance and included in the total obligation.
Each Note is repayable in five equal monthly installments inclusive of the capitalized guaranteed interest, with any unpaid amounts due and payable as part of the fifth and final installment, as follows:
Schedule of Note Payments
Embedded Conversion Features
Each Note contains embedded conversion features that allow the investor to convert outstanding principal and accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock in three tranches:
Upon the earlier of i) the occurrence of an event of default or ii) the company’s failure to pay any amortization payment when due, all tranches may alternatively be converted at 85% of the lowest daily volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s common stock during the five trading days immediately preceding the conversion date. All tranches are immediately exercisable at the investor’s option at their respective fixed conversion prices. The fixed conversion prices are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, or recapitalizations. The Company may also, subject to specified price and volume conditions and with the prior written consent of the investor, effect a mandatory conversion of all or a portion of any Note into common stock.
Accounting Treatment
The Company evaluated the embedded conversion features of the Notes in accordance with ASC 815-10-15-74(a) and ASC 815-40 to determine whether bifurcation as derivative liabilities was required. The fixed-price conversion options ($4.00 and $6.00 per share) are conventional convertible features indexed solely to the Company’s own common stock that satisfy the fixed-for-fixed criteria under ASC 815-40-15 and therefore qualify for the scope exception from derivative accounting.
Each Note also contains a contingent variable conversion feature (85% of the lowest daily VWAP) that is exercisable only upon an event of default. Management has assessed the likelihood of default as remote, based on the Company’s history of compliance with its debt obligations and continued access to capital markets. Accordingly, this contingent feature does not require bifurcation, is considered clearly and closely related to the debt host under ASC 815-10-15-74(a), and qualifies for the equity scope exception under ASC 815-40. Each Note is therefore accounted for in its entirety as a debt instrument.
The Company reassesses the probability of default at each reporting date. Should an event of default no longer be considered remote, the contingent variable conversion feature would be bifurcated and recognized as a derivative liability at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in earnings. As of December 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all terms and conditions of the Notes.
Notes Payable
The following is a summary of the Company’s Notes Payable:
Schedule of Notes Payable
The following is a detail of the Company’s Notes Payable:
Note #1 - Note Issuance and Warrants
On September 9, 2025, the Company entered into a six-month (6) Senior Secured Note with an individual (the “Investor”), in the original principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Note”).
As of December 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all terms and conditions of the Note.
Warrant Issuance and Classification
In connection with the issuance of the Note, the Company also issued warrants to purchase 30,000 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $2.50/share. The warrants are immediately exercisable and remain outstanding through September 9, 2028.
In connection with the issuance of the $1,000,000 note, the Company issued warrants to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock. The Company allocated a portion of the proceeds to the warrants based on their relative fair value, determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of the warrants was estimated to be $48,418, which was recorded as a debt discount and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the note. The Company also recorded a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital of $48,418. See Note 9.
The fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:
The debt discount will be fully amortized over the contractual term of the note (six-months).
Note #2 – Accounts Receivable Financing Facility and Line of Credit
On September 9, 2025, the Company entered into a one-year (1) Business Loan and Security Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Paragon Bank (“Paragon”) establishing a $1,500,000 accounts receivable financing facility (the “Facility”). The Facility is secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable and related collateral. The Facility is a recourse arrangement under which the Company remains liable to Paragon for all advances, including amounts related to uncollected or disputed customer receivables.
Borrowings under the Facility are available based on eligible accounts (up to 85%), subject to customary reserves and reporting requirements. The Facility is intended to provide working-capital financing and liquidity support for the Company’s operations.
Under the terms of the agreement, each advance is evidenced by a corresponding factoring or receivables purchase transaction recorded through the Company’s Paragon Business Manager account.
During 2025, Paragon purchased $5,628,811 of invoices, of which $4,751,765 had been collected and remitted by period-end. The resulting outstanding balance of $877,046 represents amounts advanced to the Company under the Facility as of December 31, 2025.
Paragon retains a reserve account equal to a portion of factored receivables to cover charge-backs, adjustments, and service fees (15%). At December 31, 2025, the reserve balance was $281,811, which is classified as restricted cash on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
Service charges and related finance fees of $86,481 were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2025 and are recognized as interest expense within the consolidated statements of operations
As of December 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and terms of the Facility.
Debt Maturities
The following represents the maturities of the Company’s various debt arrangements for each of the five (5) succeeding years and thereafter as follows:
Schedule of Debt Maturities
Note 7 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis to determine the appropriate level in which to classify them for each reporting period. This determination requires significant judgments to be made.
The Company did not have any financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
We have entered into various operating lease agreements, including our corporate headquarters. We account for leases in accordance with ASC Topic 842: Leases, which requires a lessee to utilize the right-of-use model and to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of operations. In addition, a lessor is required to classify leases as either sales-type, financing or operating. A lease will be treated as a sale if it transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as financing. If the lessor does not convey risk and rewards or control, the lease is treated as operating. We determine if an arrangement is a lease, or contains a lease, at inception and record the lease in our financial statements upon lease commencement, which is the date when the underlying asset is made available for use by the lessor.
Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments over the lease term. Lease right-of-use assets and liabilities at commencement are initially measured at the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement to determine the present value of lease payments except when an implicit interest rate is readily determinable. We determine our incremental borrowing rate based on market sources including relevant industry data.
We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components and have elected to utilize the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components together as a single combined lease component, from both a lessee and lessor perspective with the exception of direct sales-type leases and production equipment classes embedded in supply agreements. From a lessor perspective, the timing and pattern of transfer are the same for the non-lease components and associated lease component and, the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease.
We have elected not to present short-term leases on the balance sheet as these leases have a lease term of 12 months or less at lease inception and do not contain purchase options or renewal terms that we are reasonably certain to exercise. All other lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. Because most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate of return, we used our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
Our leases, where we are the lessee, do not include an option to extend the lease term. For purposes of calculating lease liabilities, lease term would include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options.
Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as an operating expense, included as a component of general and administrative expenses, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Certain operating leases provide for annual increases to lease payments based on an index or rate, our lease has no stated increase, payments were fixed at lease inception. We calculate the present value of future lease payments based on the index or rate at the lease commencement date. Differences between the calculated lease payment and actual payment are expensed as incurred.
In 2024, in connection with our purchase of CLMI, we acquired a right-of-use operating lease and related lease liability for a building having a fair value of $98,638.
Year End December 31, 2024
Lease Termination and Loss on Right-of-Use Asset
Effective August 31, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to terminate two operating leases prior to the expiration of the lease terms. The early termination resulted in the derecognition of the associated right-of-use (ROU) assets and corresponding lease liabilities in accordance with ASC 842.
In connection with the termination, the Company made a buyout payment of $212,175 to the lessor to settle all remaining lease obligations.
The carrying amounts of the ROU asset and lease liability as of the termination date were as follows:
As a result of the termination, the Company recognized a loss on lease termination of $194,863, which is reported in the consolidated statements of operations under the line item “Other expenses” for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The loss was calculated as follows:
Schedule of Loss
Following the settlement, the Company has no remaining obligations or future payments related to these terminated leases.
New Operating Lease – Year Ended December 31, 2024
On October 1, 2024, the Company entered into a 32-month operating lease for 2,293 square feet of office space in San Salvador. The lease expires in May 2027. The initial monthly payment is $18,958, which includes base rent, estimated operating expenses, and sales tax. The lease is subject to annual increases of 3%.
In accordance with ASC 842, Leases, the Company recognized a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability of $565,650 upon lease commencement. The recognition of the ROU asset was a non-cash transaction.
The Company had no financing leases as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The tables below present information regarding the Company’s operating lease assets and liabilities at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively:
Schedule of Operating Lease Assets and Liabilities
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Schedule of Lease Expense
Future minimum lease payments for the years ended December 31:
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments
Employment Agreements (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer)
In December 2023, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer through December 31, 2028, as subsequently amended. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $750,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, with 3% annual increases thereafter, and an annual cash bonus of $870,000.
The agreement includes a long-term equity incentive program under the SurgePays, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan, pursuant to which the Company is required to grant the Chief Executive Officer 500,000 shares of restricted common stock annually for a minimum of five years. Because each annual grant requires separate Board approval, each grant constitutes a separate award under ASC 718. Compensation cost is measured at the grant-date fair value and recognized over the requisite service period, which in this case is expected to be the grant date itself (as the awards are fully vested upon grant), consistent with ASC 718-10-55-87 through 55-88.
The initial award of 500,000 shares was granted in monthly installments during the second half of 2024 and had a total grant-date fair value of $3,800,000 ($7.60 per share). These shares were fully vested and the related compensation expense was fully recognized in 2024. The second award of 500,000 shares was approved by the Board on June 26, 2025, with an original planned grant and vesting date of June 1, 2025. On December 31, 2025, the Company and the Chief Executive Officer entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Employment Agreement, which deferred the grant and vesting of this award to April 1, 2026 and also deferred payment of the 2025 annual cash bonus of $870,000 to April 1, 2026. Because no grant date had been established for this award as of December 31, 2025, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized with respect to this award for the year ended December 31, 2025. The fair value of this award was $360,000 ($0.72/share), based upon the quoted closing market price on the grant date of April 1, 2026. See Note 12.
Future awards of 500,000 shares are scheduled to be granted on or around June 1 of 2026, 2027, and 2028, and on each June 1 of any renewal term, with fair values to be determined at their respective grant dates.
The agreement also provides for additional performance-based restricted stock awards upon achievement of specified Revenue, EBITDA, and Market Capitalization thresholds, with potential award values ranging from $2,500,000 to $200,000,000. No such performance thresholds were met during the year ended December 31, 2025.
All awards vest immediately upon the Chief Executive Officer’s death, total disability, termination without cause, or a change in control, provided the executive remains employed by the Company at such time.
See Note 9 regarding the vesting provisions of these shares.
In November 2023, the Company finalized the terms of its employment agreement with its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), providing for a base salary of $489,250 for the year ended December 31, 2024 and $503,928 for the year ended December 31, 2025, and an annual cash bonus of at least $510,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, with the 2025 bonus subject to Board approval.
In November 2023, the Company granted 600,000 shares of restricted common stock to its CFO, having a fair value of $3,114,000 ($5.19/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on the grant date. The award was structured in two tranches:
All600,000 shares vested in accordance with their original vesting schedules in their respective periods, and all compensation cost associated with this award has been fully recognized as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
In October 2025, the Company provided notice to the CFO that his employment agreement would not be renewed upon its expiration on December 31, 2025. Subsequent to December 31, 2025, the Company and the CFO entered into a separation agreement pursuant to which the CFO will provide consulting services through June 30, 2026. In connection therewith, the Company will pay consulting fees of $250,000, payable in twelve equal monthly installments of approximately $20,833, as well as reimburse health insurance premiums under COBRA through December 31, 2026.
Contingencies – Legal Matters
In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to litigation, claims, and legal proceedings. The Company evaluates legal contingencies in accordance with FASB ASC 450-20-50, “Contingencies”, which requires recognition of a liability if an unfavorable outcome is both probable and can be reasonably estimated.
When a legal matter arises, the Company:
As of December 31, 2025, based on management’s review and consultation with legal counsel, the Company is not aware of any contingent liabilities that require accrual or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
Surge Holdings – Juno Litigation
Juno Financial v. AATAC and Surge Holdings Inc. and Surge Holdings Inc. v. AATAC; Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, Florida, Case # 20-CA-2712 DIV A: Breach of Contract, Account Stated and Open Account claims against Surge by a factoring company. Surge has filed a cross-complaint against defendant AATAC for Breach of Contract, Account Stated, Open Account and Common Law Indemnity. The Court dismissed the case with the agreement of the parties at a case management conference on September 12, 2024.
True Wireless and SurgePays – Litigation
Blue Skies Connections, LLC, and True Wireless, Inc. v. SurgePays, Inc., et. al.: In the District Court of Oklahoma County, OK, CJ-2021-5327, filed on December 13, 2021. Plaintiffs’ petition alleges breach of a Stock Purchase Agreement by SurgePays, SurgePhone Wireless, LLC, and Kevin Brian Cox (“Defendants”), and makes other allegations related to SurgePays’ consulting work with Jonathan Coffman, formerly a True Wireless employee. The petition requests injunctive relief, general damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs for alleged breach of contract, tortious interference with a business relationship, and fraud. Blue Skies alleged the Defendants are in violation of their non-competition and non-solicitation agreements related to the sale of True Wireless from SurgePays to Blue Skies. Defendants filed various dispositive motions with the Court demonstrating Oklahoma state law does not recognize non-compete agreements and non-solicitation agreements in the manner alleged by Plaintiffs, and the Court granted these motions, finding the non-solicitation and non-competition clauses in the Stock Purchase Agreement void as a matter of Oklahoma law. Defendants then filed additional dispositive motions on Plaintiffs’ claims in tort and equity, which the Court granted in part based on its prior rulings. Plaintiffs took the position the Court granting Defendants’ dispositive motions on these material issues only leaves partial contract claims that are inextricably intertwined with the remaining claims and defenses. Plaintiffs sought a certified interlocutory appeal of the Court’s orders. On March 10, 2025, the Oklahoma Supreme Court entered an order denying Plaintiffs’ Petition for Certiorari to review the certified interlocutory appeal. The case will now proceed in the district court on the parties’ remaining claims. Both parties have filed motions for summary judgment on the remaining claims, which will be decided in Fall of 2025. Presently, there is no trial date. An attempt at mediation in July 2022 did not achieve a settlement. Any further settlement discussions will occur in the context of Defendants having prevailed on the majority of Plaintiffs’ claims.
Fina and SurgePays – Litigation
SurgePays, Inc. et al. v. Fina et al., Case No. CJ-2022-2782, District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Plaintiffs SurgePays, Inc. and Kevin Brian Cox initiated this case against its former officer Mike Fina, his companies Blue Skies Connections, LLC, True Wireless, Inc., Government Consulting Solutions, Inc., Mussell Communications LLC, and others. This case also arises from the June 2021 transaction by which SurgePays sold True Wireless to Blue Skies. During the litigation of CJ-2021-5327 described above, SurgePays learned information that showed Mike Fina breached his duties owed to True Wireless during his employment and consulting work for True Wireless prior to SurgePays’ sale of True Wireless to Blue Skies. SurgePays alleges that Mike Fina conspired with the other defendants to damage True Wireless thereby harming the value of the company and causing its eventual sale at a greatly reduced price. SurgePays asserts claims for (i) breach of contract; (ii) breach of fiduciary duty; (iii) fraud; (iv) tortious interference; and (v) unjust enrichment. At this stage, no defendant has asserted a counterclaim against SurgePays. SurgePays filed a Second Amended Petition on January 27, 2023. Defendants Fina, Blue Skies, True Wireless, and Government Consulting Solutions filed a Motion to Dismiss on March 10, 2023. On June 29, 2023, the Court granted the Motion to Dismiss, ruling the claims asserted are “derivative” and could only be asserted by the True Wireless entity now owed by Blue Skies. The Court rejected SurgePays’ request to certify this ruling for immediate appeal. Defendant Misty Garrett filed a Motion for Summary Judgment seeking the same relief as the Motion to Dismiss, which was granted by the Court.
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole, LLP and SurgePays – Litigation
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP v. SurgePays, Inc., Index No. 651282/2026, Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, filed March 2, 2026. The action sought recovery of $234,151 in unpaid legal fees, plus costs and attorneys’ fees. Effective April 7, 2026, the Company entered into a settlement agreement resolving all claims, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay the total settlement amount of $234,151 in eight equal monthly installments of $29,269, commencing April 2026 and ending November 2026. The first installment has been paid. The settlement agreement provides for a default interest rate of 9% per annum on any overdue amounts and is secured by an Affidavit of Confession of Judgment held in escrow by the plaintiff, which may be filed upon an uncured payment default.
MVNx Reseller Agreement
In August 2024, the Company entered into an MVNx Reseller Agreement (the “AT&T Agreement”) with AT&T Mobility LLC (“AT&T”), pursuant to which the Company purchases wholesale wireless network services from AT&T for resale to the Company’s end users under the Company’s own brand. After an extensive systems integration with AT&T, commercial services under the AT&T Agreement did not commence until April 2025. The AT&T Agreement has an initial three-year term commencing on the Launch Date, defined as the date that is 90 days following the completion of such API integration. Following the initial term, the AT&T Agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least 120 days prior to the end of the then-current term.
Under the AT&T Agreement, the Company is subject to minimum annual spend commitments over the initial three-year term, as follows:
The aggregate minimum spend commitment over the initial term is $50,000,000. During each month of Year 1, the Company is invoiced for the greater of (i) actual usage charges incurred during that month or (ii) a specified monthly minimum floor that escalates beginning in Month 7 of the term (October 2025), reaching $3,500,000 in Month 12. During Years 2 and 3, the monthly obligation equals the greater of actual usage or one-twelfth of the applicable annual minimum commitment. To the extent cumulative invoiced payments in any contract year exceed the applicable annual minimum commitment, the excess is applied toward the minimum commitment for the following year. Any portion of an annual minimum commitment that remains unsatisfied at the end of the applicable contract year constitutes an unconditional payment obligation of the Company.
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 440-10-50, the Company has evaluated its remaining obligations under the AT&T Agreement and determined that a material contractual commitment exists. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had a remaining unsatisfied minimum spend commitment of $1,981,142 under Year 1 of the AT&T Agreement, representing the portion of the $10,000,000 Year 1 minimum commitment not yet satisfied through invoiced amounts as of the balance sheet date. Amounts invoiced and due under the AT&T Agreement are reflected in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The remaining Year 1 unsatisfied commitment of $1,981,142 must be satisfied by March 2026, which represents the end of the Year 1 contract period, through ongoing usage charges and, to the extent actual usage is insufficient, minimum commitment payments. Thereafter, beginning in April 2026, the Company will be subject to the Year 2 minimum spend commitment of $15,000,000, payable monthly at the greater of actual usage or $1,250,000 per month.
Note 9 – Stockholders’ Deficit
At December 31, 2025, the Company had three (3) classes of stock:
Common Stock
Series A, Convertible Preferred Stock
Series C, Convertible Preferred Stock
Securities and Incentive Plan
In March 2023, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2022 Plan (the “Plan”) initially approved, authorized and adopted by the Board of Directors in August 2022.
The Plan initially provided for the following:
See the proxy statement filed with the SEC on January 19, 2023 for a complete detail of the Plan.
Effective January 1, 2024, in accordance with the Plan, we increased the available amount of shares by 10% of the common stock outstanding on December 31, 2023, approximating an additional 1,400,000 shares of common stock. After this increase, total shares authorized and available to be issued under the Plan approximated 4,900,000 shares.
Effective January 1, 2025, in accordance with the Plan, we increased the available amount of shares by 10% of the common stock outstanding on December 31, 2024, approximating an additional 2,007,000 shares of common stock. After this increase, total shares authorized and available to be issued under the Plan approximated 6,907,000 shares.
Of the total shares authorized and available, the Company has reserved shares for its officers, directors and employees for non-vested shares that are expected to vest in accordance with the terms of the related employment agreements and stock options that may be converted into common stock. At December 31, 2025, the Company had sufficient authorized shares to settle any possible awards that vested or stock options eligible for conversion.
In connection with the issuance of various convertible notes payable and a note payable, the Company issued warrants to purchase shares of common stock, having an aggregate fair value of $1,133,345, comprised of $1,084,927 related to convertible notes payable and $48,418related to the note payable. The fair value of each warrant was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model on each respective grant date. These amounts have been recorded as a debt discount. See Note 6 for discussion of the assumptions and inputs used in these fair value calculations.
Recognition and Vesting of Share Based Compensation
See Note 9 for discussion related to various arrangements.
Restricted Stock Awards – Employees
On December 16, 2025, the Company granted 54,331 restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) of its common stock to various employees pursuant to the Company’s 2022 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan.
The RSAs vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant date and have a total grant-date fair value of $93,449 ($1.72 per share), based upon the quoted closing stock price on the grant date. Compensation expense of $93,449 will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the 36-month requisite service period.
Equity Transactions for the Years Ended December 31, 2024
Stock Issued for Cash - Capital Raise
The Company issued 3,080,356 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $17,249,994 ($5.60/share).
In connection with the capital raise, the Company paid cash as direct offering costs totaling $1,395,000, resulting in net proceeds of $15,854,994.
This offering was made pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273110) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 3, 2023, as amended, and declared effective by the SEC on November 3, 2023.
A preliminary and final prospectus supplement were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) on January 17, 2024 and January 19, 2024, respectively. The Offering closed on January 22, 2024.
Exercise of Warrants - Cash
During 2024, the Company issued 1,860,308 shares of common stock in connection with the exercise of 1,860,308 warrants for $8,799,257 ($4.73/share). See warrant table below.
Exercise of Warrants - Cashless
During 2024, the Company issued 40,238 shares of common stock in connection with the cashless exercise of warrants ($0.001/share). The transaction had a net effect of $0 on stockholders’ equity. See warrant table below.
The Company issued 47,386 shares of common stock for services rendered, having a fair value of $411,740 ($3.85 - $7.34/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price.
See separate discussion below for the issuance and related vesting of common stock granted to the Company’s officers and directors.
Effective July 2024, the Company implemented a share repurchase program. Under the terms of this program, the Company undertook the following:
The Company reacquired 362,620 shares of treasury stock for $631,967, at an average price of $1.74/share.
Effective October 2024, the Company ceased its share repurchase program.
Shares – Related Parties (Officer and Directors) – and related Vesting
In 2024, the Company granted 500,000 shares of restricted common stock to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), having a fair value of $3,800,000($7.60/share), based upon the quoted closing trading price on the grant date. The shares vested ratably over the period July 2024 through December 2024. All shares vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the CEO employment agreement and future RSA grants.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized for all officer and director arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Schedule of Stock Based Compensation Expense Recognized for Officer and Director Arrangements
The following is a summary of the Company’s non-vested shares at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Schedule of Non-vested Shares Related Parties
Number of Shares
The following is a detail of the common stock granted, which is subject to the vesting provisions noted above at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Schedule of Stock Granted
Stock Options
Stock option transactions for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Stock Option Transactions
Number of
Options
Exercise
Price
Term
(Years)
Intrinsic
Value
Date
Fair Value
Year Ended December 31, 2025
Stock Options – Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Employees
The Company granted an aggregate of 1,144,116fully vested, 7 seven-year stock options for services rendered, allocated as follows: 227,336 to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), 143,979 to its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and 772,801 to various employees. The aggregate grant-date fair value was $1,701,735, of which $552,286 related to the officers and $1,149,449 related to employees. All options have an exercise price of $1.75 per share.
The fair value of these stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following inputs:
Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options
Stock Options – Employee Terminations
17,253stock options were cancelled in connection with employee terminations.
Years Ended December 31, 2024
Stock Options - Related Party – Chief Financial Officer
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the remaining 5,101 stock options from a prior grant to the CFO vested, with related stock-based compensation expense of $6,196.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company granted an aggregate of 1,054,603fully vested, 7 seven-year stock options for services rendered, allocated as follows: 248,424 to its CEO, 157,335 to its CFO, and 648,844 to various employees. The aggregate grant-date fair value was $1,602,997, of which $616,754 related to the officers and $986,243 related to employees. All options have an exercise price of $1.78per share.
The fair value of these stock options was determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following inputs:
Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows:
Schedule of Stock Based Compensation Expense
Warrants
Warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Warrants Activity
See Note 6 regarding debt issued with an aggregate 730,000 warrants.
Note 10 – Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision–making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer.
The Company evaluated the performance of its operating segments based on revenue and operating loss. All data below is prior to intercompany eliminations.
Segment information for the Company’s operations for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, are as follows:
Schedule of Operating Segments
Segment information for the Company’s assets and liabilities at December 31, 2025 and 2024, are as follows:
All intercompany accounts are separately presented above as both a component of the assets and liabilities. These amounts net to $0 in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Note 11 – Income Taxes
Provision (benefit) for Income Taxes and Effective Income Tax Rate
Schedule of Income Taxes and Effective Income Tax Rate
A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% to income before provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, is approximately as follows:
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, the significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are approximately as follows:
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
43,000
-
78,000
185,000
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed by applying the federal and state income tax rates in effect to the gross amounts of temporary differences and other tax attributes, such as net operating loss carryforwards. In assessing if the deferred tax assets will be realized, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some or all of these deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which these deductible temporary differences reverse. As a result of historic losses, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance as of December 31, 2025.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $80,415,000 and $39,568,000, respectively. The federal net operating losses carry forward indefinitely, and accordingly have been reserved. The state net operating losses will expire between the years ending December 31, 2036 and 2038. The state net operating losses have been fully reserved as management does not believe that it is probable that the losses will be utilized before their expiration.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the valuation allowance increased by approximately $8,489,000. The total valuation allowance results from the Company’s estimate of its future recoverability of its net deferred tax assets.
The Company is in the process of analyzing their NOL and has not determined if the Company has had any change of control issues that could limit the future use of these NOL’s. As of December 31, 2025, all federal NOL carryforwards that were generated after 2017 may only be used to offset 80% of taxable income and are carried forward indefinitely.
The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740, which requires the computations of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities only consider tax positions that are more likely than not (defined as greater than 50% chance) to be sustained if the taxing authorities examined the positions. There are no significant differences between the tax provisions represented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and that reported in the Company’s income tax returns.
The Company files corporate income tax returns in the United States and several state jurisdictions. Due to the Company’s net operating loss posture, all tax years are open and subject to income tax examination by tax authorities. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as tax expense. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, there are no unrecognized tax benefits, and there were no accruals for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits or tax penalties.
Note 12 – Subsequent Event
Subsequent to December 31, 2025, the Company had the following transactions:
Stock Issued for Cash
ATM Offering
The Company issued an additional 7,323 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $14,375.
Underwritten Public Offering
On January 20, 2026, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc. for an underwritten public offering of 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $1.25 per share, for gross proceeds of $2,500,000. The offering closed on January 22, 2026. The underwriter was granted a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 300,000 shares at the public offering price to cover over-allotments. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for expansion of its Lifeline business and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
In connection with the offering, the Company issued warrants to the underwriter to purchase a number of shares equal to 3.0% of the total shares sold (60,000 warrants), at an exercise price equal to 110% of the public offering price ($1.38/share). The warrants are exercisable commencing six months after the closing date and expire five years after the commencement of sales, and were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2).
The offering was made pursuant to the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273110).
Nasdaq Continued Listing Compliance
In March 2026, the Company received two notices from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) indicating non-compliance with certain continued listing requirements.
On March 18, 2026, the Company was notified that it no longer meets the minimum market value of listed securities (“MVLS”) requirement of $35,000,000. On March 23, 2026, the Company received a separate notice of non-compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement. These notices have no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq.
Under Nasdaq listing rules, the Company has 180 calendar days to regain compliance with each requirement - until September 14, 2026 for the MVLS deficiency and September 21, 2026 for the minimum bid price deficiency. Compliance with the MVLS requirement will be regained if the market value of listed securities closes at or above $35,000,000 for at least ten consecutive business days during the compliance period. Compliance with the minimum bid price requirement will be regained if the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock is at or above $1.00 per share for at least ten consecutive business days during the applicable period.
If the Company does not regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement within the initial 180-day period, it may be eligible for an additional 180-day compliance period, subject to meeting certain other continued listing standards and notifying Nasdaq of its intention to cure the deficiency.
If the Company’s common stock were ultimately delisted from Nasdaq, it could have a material adverse effect on the liquidity and market price of its shares, its ability to raise equity financing, its access to the public capital markets, and its ability to provide equity incentives to employees. The Company is actively monitoring its compliance status and intends to pursue all available options to regain compliance within the applicable cure periods.
Conversion of Related Party Note Payable to Common Stock
On March 23, 2026, the Company issued 800,000 shares of common stock to its Chief Executive Officer in connection with the partial conversion of a related party note payable (see Note 6). The shares had a fair value of $707,200 ($0.884 per share), based on the quoted closing market price on the issuance date. In connection with this transaction, the Chief Executive Officer forgave an additional $292,800 of principal. The forgiveness of principal by the Chief Executive Officer, acting in his capacity as a principal shareholder and creditor, has been accounted for as a capital contribution, with the $292,800 credited to additional paid-in capital. No gain on extinguishment of debt has been recognized. The aggregate extinguishment of $1,000,000 reduced the outstanding balance of the related party note payable accordingly.
Convertible Secured Notes Payable Financing
On January 6, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a private placement of convertible secured promissory notes (the “Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $20,000,000, to be issued in one or more closings. The Notes bear interest at 14.5% per annum, computed on the basis of actual days elapsed over a 365-day year, with interest payable quarterly in arrears commencing on the date that is three months from each respective issue date, and mature 24 months from each respective issue date. Beginning on the 12-month anniversary of each respective issue date, the Company is required to make equal quarterly principal amortization payments over four consecutive quarters through maturity.
The Notes may not be prepaid prior to the one-year anniversary of each respective issue date. From the one-year anniversary through the maturity date, the Company may prepay the outstanding principal and accrued interest upon five Trading Days’ prior written notice to the applicable Holder, during which period the Holder retains the right to convert any or all of the amount subject to prepayment.
The Company’s subsidiary, Torch Wireless, acts as guarantor of the Notes pursuant to an unconditional guaranty of payment, and the Notes are secured by a junior perfected security interest in substantially all assets of the Company, subordinated to the senior indebtedness held by an existing lender pursuant to an intercreditor and subordination agreement.
The Convertible Secured Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the applicable holder’s option at any time from each respective issue date. The conversion price is determined on a tiered basis according to the portion of outstanding principal and accrued interest being converted. The applicable conversion prices vary by closing: notes issued in one closing, representing an aggregate principal amount of $175,000, are subject to the lower tier pricing, and notes issued in other closings, representing an aggregate principal amount of $650,000, are subject to the higher tier pricing. The tiered conversion price structure is as follows:
All conversion prices are subject to adjustment for stock splits, dividends, recapitalizations, and similar events. Conversions are subject to a 4.99% beneficial ownership limitation, which may be increased to 9.99% upon 61 days’ prior written notice to the Company. The Notes do not contain any cash settlement provisions upon conversion; all conversions are settled exclusively in shares of the Company’s common stock.
Commencing six months after each respective issue date, the Company has the right to force conversion of any portion of the outstanding Notes into common stock at the applicable tiered conversion price, subject to specified conditions, including the absence of any Event of Default, minimum volume-weighted average price thresholds, and trading volume requirements during the 20trading days preceding the forced conversion effective date, and the requirement that all conversion shares be freely tradeable and eligible for immediate resale by the applicable Holder.
Upon an uncured Event of Default, the outstanding principal balance of the applicable Note becomes immediately due and payable, and default interest accrues at 18% per annum from the date of such Event of Default. A going concern disclosure in the Company’s financial statements is expressly excluded from constituting an Event of Default under the terms of the Notes.
The Convertible Secured Notes are being issued in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder. Through the date of these financial statements, the Company has completed closings under this offering, issuing Convertible Secured Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $825,000. In connection with these issuances, the Company issued31,525 shares of common stock as commitment shares, having an aggregate fair value of $54,828, based on the quoted closing price of the Company’s common stock on each respective issuance date, ranging from $0.83 to $2.04 per share. The commitment shares are treated as a debt issuance cost and are amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the respective Convertible Secured Notes using the effective interest method in accordance with ASC 835-30.
The Company evaluated the embedded conversion features of the Notes in accordance with ASC 815-10-15-74(a) and ASC 815-40. The tiered fixed conversion prices are indexed solely to the Company’s own common stock and are subject only to standard anti-dilution adjustments for stock splits, dividends, and recapitalizations. These features satisfy the fixed-for-fixed criteria under ASC 815-40-15 and therefore qualify for the scope exception from derivative accounting. Accordingly, each Note is accounted for in its entirety as a debt instrument. Debt issuance costs associated with each Note are recorded as a direct reduction of the carrying amount of the related debt and amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of each respective Note using the effective interest method in accordance with ASC 835-30.
Convertible Notes Payable – Other
In March 2026, the Company entered into two separate one-year unsecured note purchase agreements with institutional investors and issued convertible promissory notes and accompanying common stock purchase warrants (collectively, the “Subsequent Notes”). In accordance with ASC 835-30, each Subsequent Note was issued at a discount arising from original issue discounts, guaranteed interest capitalized at issuance, and debt issuance costs paid to or on behalf of the holders at closing. These discount components are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the respective Subsequent Notes on the commitment date and are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over each Subsequent Note’s one-year contractual term.
The Subsequent Notes had an aggregate original principal amount of $833,333 and aggregate guaranteed interest of $66,667 capitalized at issuance, resulting in a total aggregate obligation of $900,000. The aggregate purchase price paid by the investors was $750,000, consisting of $450,000 under the first note and $300,000 under the second note. After deducting $14,500 in debt issuance costs paid to or on behalf of the holders at closing, consisting of $5,000 under the first note and $9,500 under the second note, net cash proceeds to the Company were $735,500.
Each Subsequent Note matures twelve months from its respective issue date and accrues a one-time guaranteed interest charge at a rate of 8% per annum on the original principal amount, which is fully earned as of the respective issue date regardless of early repayment or conversion, with a default interest rate of 22% per annum. Each Subsequent Note is repayable in four fixed monthly cash installments followed by a fifth and final payment equal to all remaining outstanding amounts, inclusive of the capitalized guaranteed interest. The first note, with an original principal amount of $500,000 and a total obligation of $540,000, requires four monthly payments of $106,920 commencing November 12, 2026, with the final payment of all remaining amounts due March 12, 2027. The second note, with an original principal amount of $333,333 and a total obligation of $360,000, requires four monthly payments of approximately $72,000 commencing November 27, 2026, with the final payment of all remaining amounts due March 27, 2027.
Each Subsequent Note contains embedded conversion features that allow the investor to convert outstanding principal and capitalized guaranteed interest into shares of the Company’s common stock, structured in three tranches:
The first and second tranche fixed conversion prices are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, and recapitalizations, and are also subject to reduction to the price of any dilutive issuance of common stock or common stock equivalents at an effective price below the then-applicable conversion price, subject to specified exempt issuances. The holder of each Subsequent Note is subject to a 4.99% beneficial ownership limitation (subject to increase to 9.99% upon 61 days’ prior written notice) and is entitled to deduct $1,250 from each conversion amount to reimburse conversion-related expenses.
The Company evaluated the embedded conversion features of the Subsequent Notes in accordance with ASC 815-10-15-74(a) and ASC 815-40 to determine whether bifurcation as derivative liabilities was required. The first and second tranche fixed conversion prices ($4.00 and $6.00 per share, respectively) are subject to downward adjustment upon dilutive issuances of common stock or common stock equivalents at effective prices below the then-applicable conversion price, subject to specified exempt issuances. The Company evaluated whether this provision causes the conversion features to fail the fixed-for-fixed criteria under ASC 815-40-15 and concluded that, consistent with its analysis of Notes #2 through #6, the adjustment provisions applicable to the Subsequent Notes do not cause the fixed-price conversion features to require bifurcation. The fixed-price conversion options therefore qualify for the scope exception from derivative accounting under ASC 815-10-15-74(a). The third tranche of each Subsequent Note becomes convertible only upon an event of default or a missed monthly amortization payment, at a variable rate of 85% of the lowest daily VWAP during the five preceding trading days. Management has assessed the likelihood of default as remote, based on the Company’s history of compliance with its debt obligations and continued access to capital markets. Accordingly, this contingent feature does not require bifurcation, is considered clearly and closely related to the debt host under ASC 815-10-15-74(a), and qualifies for the equity scope exception under ASC 815-40. Each Subsequent Note is therefore accounted for in its entirety as a debt instrument.
The Company reassesses the probability of default at each reporting date. Should an event of default no longer be considered remote, the contingent variable conversion feature would be bifurcated and recognized as a derivative liability at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in earnings. As of the date of these financial statements, the Company was in compliance with all terms and conditions of the Subsequent Notes.
In connection with each Subsequent Note, the Company issued common stock purchase warrants to the respective investors, consisting of 225,000warrant shares issued with the first note and 150,000 warrant shares issued with the second note, each with a five-year term (5) and an initial exercise price of $1.25 per share. The warrants contain exercise price adjustment provisions, including a stock combination event adjustment under which the exercise price may be reduced to a market-based price following certain recapitalization events, and a cash settlement provision under which the Company may be required to settle warrant exercises in cash to the extent shares cannot be issued due to the Company’s failure to obtain required shareholder approval.
The Company evaluated the warrants under ASC 815-40 to determine the appropriate classification. Because the cash settlement obligation is potentially outside the Company’s control and could require net cash settlement under specified circumstances, the Company has preliminarily concluded that the warrants do not qualify for equity classification and will be recognized as derivative liabilities measured at fair value on the issuance date. The initial fair value of the warrants will be recorded as a debt discount, to the extent it does not exceed the face amount of the respective Subsequent Note, with any excess recognized as derivative expense. The warrant liabilities will be remeasured at fair value at each subsequent reporting date, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company will complete the fair value measurement and record all related accounting entries in the quarter ending March 31, 2026.
Stock Issued for Services – Related Party
On April 1, 2026, the Company issued Mr. Cox 500,000shares of common stock for services rendered, having a fair value of $360,000. See Note 8.
Amendment of Promissory Note
On January 31, 2026, the Company agreed to an amendment of Note #1 which revised the amortization commencement date from January 31, 2026 to June 30, 2026 and extended the Maturity Date from May 12, 2027 to October 12, 2027.