10-Q: GameSquare Holdings Reports Q3 2024 Results, Revenue Jumps on FaZe Acquisition

Sentiment:

Quarterly Report


GameSquare Holdings saw a significant increase in revenue in Q3 2024, primarily driven by the acquisition of FaZe Clan, but also reported a net loss.

Capital raiseThe company entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (SEPA) with YA II PN, LTD, allowing the company to sell up to $20.0 million of its shares of common stock.The company also issued a convertible promissory note to Yorkville for up to $6.5 million.The company completed a private placement in public equity financing (PIPE Financing) with certain investors in which the Company offered 7,194,244 units at a purchase price of $ 1.39 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $ 10.0 million.The company agreed to issue a senior secured promissory note in the principal amount of $ 3,250,000 to Faze Media and a senior secured convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $ 10,000,000 to Gigamoon.
Worse than expectedThe company's net loss increased significantly compared to the same period last year, despite a large increase in revenue.

Summary

  • GameSquare Holdings reported a substantial increase in revenue for the third quarter of 2024, reaching $26.4 million, compared to $11.5 million in the same period last year.
  • This growth was largely attributed to the acquisition of FaZe Clan in March 2024, which contributed $9.4 million in team revenue.
  • The company's software-as-a-service and advertising segment also saw a significant increase in revenue, reaching $13.7 million, up from $8.7 million in the prior year.
  • Despite the revenue growth, GameSquare reported a net loss of $7.5 million for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $5.1 million in Q3 2023.
  • The company's operating expenses increased to $11.7 million, up from $8.0 million in the prior year, due to the inclusion of FaZe's operations.
  • For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, GameSquare's revenue was $72.7 million, compared to $25.7 million in the same period of 2023.
  • The net loss for the nine-month period was $24.7 million, compared to a net loss of $13.5 million in the prior year.
  • The company's cash and restricted cash position increased to $11.2 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $3.0 million at the end of 2023.

Sentiment

Score: 4

Explanation: The document presents mixed results with strong revenue growth offset by increased losses and a going concern warning. The company is taking steps to raise capital, but the overall sentiment is cautious due to the lack of profitability.

Positives

  • The company experienced a substantial increase in revenue, driven by the FaZe Clan acquisition and growth in the SaaS and advertising segment.
  • The cash position improved significantly, providing more financial flexibility.
  • The company has successfully integrated FaZe Clan, adding a new revenue stream in team revenue.
  • The company's SaaS and advertising segment continues to show strong growth.

Negatives

  • The company reported a net loss for both the quarter and the nine-month period, indicating ongoing challenges with profitability.
  • Operating expenses increased significantly, offsetting some of the revenue gains.
  • The company's loss from continuing operations before income taxes was $26.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
  • The company has a working capital deficiency of $16.6 million as of September 30, 2024.

Risks

  • The company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on achieving profitable operations or raising additional financing.
  • The company has a history of losses and may not be able to achieve profitability.
  • The company's working capital deficiency indicates a potential liquidity risk.
  • The company's ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting is a risk.
  • The company is subject to various claims, lawsuits and other complaints arising in the ordinary course of business.

Future Outlook

The company's future performance is dependent on its ability to achieve profitable operations or raise additional financing. Management is focused on growing audience and reach within its digital agencies, media network, and teams segments. The company believes enterprise growth may come as a result of synergistic approaches to combining the strengths of its multiple SaaS companies that it can present as a unified offering to the market.

Management Comments

  • Management believes that the combination of Engine Gamings best-in-class technology assets with GameSquares award-winning agency and creative capabilities, allows the Company to offer unparalleled insight into consumer behaviors.
  • Management believes that this also allows GameSquare to develop data-driven creative strategies, and measure and optimize campaigns towards customer acquisition goals in real-time creating impactful marketing solutions that drive ROI for its customers.
  • Management believes that the company's financial profile compares very favorably against its esports peers, as well as other companies seeking to engage with youth audiences.

Industry Context

The company operates in the fragmented digital agency industry, which is characterized by high revenue growth and healthy EBITDA margins. The company is seeking to capitalize on the growing esports and gaming market, as well as the broader sports and entertainment industry.

Comparison to Industry Standards

  • The document does not provide specific comparable companies or projects, but it does state that GameSquare's financial profile compares favorably against its esports peers.
  • The document also mentions that the digital agency industry is characterized by high revenue growth with healthy EBITDA margins, suggesting that GameSquare is aiming to meet or exceed these industry standards.
  • The document does not provide specific benchmarks for revenue growth or profitability, making it difficult to assess GameSquare's performance against industry standards.

Management Changes

RolePrevious PersonNew PersonEffective DateReason
Board MemberNAPaul Hamilton2024-03-07Appointment in connection with the Merger Agreement
Board MemberNANick Lewin2024-03-07Appointment in connection with the Merger Agreement

Corporate Governance

Change TypeDescriptionEffective DateImpact Assessment
Board SizeThe board of directors increased the size of the Board from six to nine members.2024-03-07Increased board size to accommodate new directors from FaZe.

Legal Proceedings

  • The company is pursuing regulatory approval to issue 241,666 common shares to Allinsports shareholders and is also pursuing relief against Allinsports shareholders for various alleged breaches of the share purchase agreement.
  • The company is seeking recovery of $2.1 million of principal and additional amounts of accrued interest under promissory notes acquired by Engine.
  • The company entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with King Street pertaining to the King Street Note.

Related Party Transactions

  • A convertible debenture with a director of the Company as counterparty is outstanding.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders may be concerned about the company's ongoing losses and the potential need for additional financing.
  • Employees may be affected by restructuring activities and changes in the company's operations.
  • Customers may benefit from the company's expanded offerings and services.
  • Creditors may be concerned about the company's liquidity and ability to repay its debts.

Next Steps

  • The company intends to complete remedial measures to address deficiencies in the design of its DC&P and ICFR by December 31, 2025.
  • The company will continue to evaluate and work to improve its control environment.
  • The company will continue to pursue organic growth opportunities, as well as M&A growth opportunities.
  • The company intends to use the net proceeds from the Initial Closing to repay certain existing obligations and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Key Dates

DateDescription
2020-04-30Engine announced its renegotiation of the acquisition of Allinsports.
2020-11-30Shareholders of Allinsports commenced arbitration against Engine.
2021-09-30Arbitrator determined that the closing of the Allinsports transaction had previously occurred.
2022-05-05Engine was substituted in as the plaintiff in a matter pending in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
2023-03-1029,359 common shares of the Company were issued to settle contingent consideration on a prior acquisition.
2023-03-249,109 common shares were issued in settlement of outstanding amounts payable of $ 0.1 million.
2023-04-0329,929 shares of the Company were issued to settle legal matters.
2023-04-1029,929 shares of the Company were issued to settle legal matters.
2023-04-11GameSquare completed its plan of arrangement with GameSquare Esports Inc. and acquired Engine Gaming and Media, Inc.
2023-09-14The Company entered into an accounts receivable financing and security agreement with SLR Digital Finance, LLC.
2023-12-29King Street Partners LLC issued a 12.75% convertible debenture with a principal amount of $5.8 million.
2024-03-01The Company sold Complexity.
2024-03-07GameSquare completed its acquisition of FaZe and a private placement in public equity financing.
2024-05-02The Company created FaZe Media, Inc.
2024-05-15The Company entered into a business venture with Gigamoon Media, LLC and contributed certain media assets of Faze Clan, Inc. to Faze Media.
2024-05-31The Company sold the producer content management software platform and associated software technology of Frankly to UNIV, Ltd and the press release and content distribution service assets of Frankly to XPR Media LLC.
2024-06-17The Company entered into an agreement to sell 5,725,000 of its 11,450,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of Faze Media to M40A3 LLC.
2024-06-21The Company received a notice from King Street Partners LLC objecting to the Companys ability to maintain its 51% economic interest in FaZe Media, Inc.
2024-07-08The Company entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement with YA II PN, LTD and a convertible promissory note.
2024-07-10The Company paid down the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the King Street CD of $5.7 million.
2024-08-15The remaining 2,862,500 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of Faze Media were issued to M40A3 LLC.
2024-08-26$ 100 thousand principal Yorkville CD was converted into 103,594 common shares.
2024-09-0480,000 common shares were issued in settlement of outstanding amounts payable of $ 0.1 million to Yorkville.
2024-09-30End of the reporting period for the quarterly report.
2024-10-01The Company entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with King Street pertaining to the King Street Note.
2024-11-05GameSquare Holdings, Inc. entered into a Standstill and Repayment Agreement with YA II PN, Ltd.
2024-11-13GameSquare agreed to issue a senior secured promissory note in the principal amount of $ 3,250,000 to Faze Media and a senior secured convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $ 10,000,000 to Gigamoon.
2024-11-14Date of the quarterly report.
2024-11-30End of the Standstill Period with YA II PN, Ltd.
2024-12-15Contingent date for the issuance of the Convertible Note to Gigamoon.
2024-12-31End of the Conversion Standstill Period with YA II PN, Ltd.
2025-12-15At the option of the holder, at any time on or after this date, the Convertible Note can be converted into shares of Common Stock or exchanged for the 5,725,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of FaZe Media.
2025-12-31Maturity date of the Convertible Note.

Keywords

GameSquare, FaZe Clan, esports, gaming, revenue, net loss, acquisition, SaaS, advertising, financial results

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