SurgePays Inc

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.

The United States Government’s dissolution or reduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) could have a substantial adverse effect on our current and planned business operations.

Since the introduction of the ACP, we have derived over 70% of our revenue from reimbursement payments from the federal government under the ACP. According to the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) website, the government entity that oversees the ACP, the ACP is winding down and they have stopped accepting new applications and enrollments as of February 7, 2024. The FCC has also indicated that the last fully funded month of the ACP is April 2024 due to lack of additional funding from Congress. If the ACP is allowed to expire, as indicated that it will on the FCC website, the governmental agencies will reduce or cease reimbursement payments, which will have a substantial adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

Furthermore, the percentage of revenue from our ACP business has been growing year over year while revenue from other business segments has been decreasing. If the ACP is not funded and we need to shift our focus to other business segments, there is no guarantee that we will be able to successfully do so, which will have a substantial adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

Additionally, some of our growth plans for the non-ACP business segments of the Company are dependent on the growth of the ACP customers. Therefore, if the ACP business is not funded, we may lose the opportunity to expand our other business segments, which will 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 litigations as described under the heading “Legal Proceedings.” In connection with certain of these litigations, 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.

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 new 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 may 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”). 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 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”), Anthony Evers. We do not carry key person life insurance on any of its 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 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 pay 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 require 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.

Because we currently have very limited marketing resources and sales capabilities, commercialization of our products, some of which require regulatory clearance prior to market entrance, we must either 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 is 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.

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 currently owns approximately 28.5% of our outstanding voting equity. 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 could be 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. 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 and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. 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 funds from operations sufficient 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 might 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 stock warrants or options, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their options, or if warrant holders exercise their warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock.

Future Issuance of Our Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Options and Warrants Could Dilute the Interests of Existing Stockholders.

We may issue additional shares of our Common Stock, preferred stock, options and warrants in the future. 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 a substantial amount of Common Stock, 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 or preferred stock in the public market, or the exercise of a substantial number of warrants and options either in the initial issuance or in a subsequent resale by the target company in an acquisition which received such Common Stock as consideration or by investors who acquired such Common Stock in a private placement could have an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock.