ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS 6
ITEM 1B UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 18
ITEM 1C CYBERSECURITY 18
ITEM 2 PROPERTIES 19
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 19
ITEM 4 MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 19
PART II
ITEM 6 [RESERVED] 20
ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 28
ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 28
ITEM 9A CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 29
ITEM 9B OTHER INFORMATION 29
ITEM 9C DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS 29
PART III
ITEM 10 DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 30
ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 34
ITEM 14 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 45
PART IV
ITEM 15 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 45
EXHIBIT INDEX 46
SIGNATURES 49
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS;
RISK FACTOR SUMMARY
The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Report”) contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Although we believe that, in making any such statements, our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:
● the adequacy of funds for future operations;
● future expenses, revenue and profitability;
● trends affecting financial condition and results of operations;
● general economic conditions and outlook;
● the ability of customers to pay for products and services received;
● the ability to satisfy our upcoming debt obligations and other liabilities;
● the impact of changing customer requirements upon revenue recognition;
● customer cancellations;
● the availability and terms of additional capital;
● the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern;
● industry trends and the competitive environment;
● our reliance on certain key personnel in the management of our businesses;
● employee and management turnover;
● the ability to remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Certain statements included in this Report and the documents incorporated into this document by reference are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). When used in this Report, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “may,” “propose,” and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions), are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results of operations, financial conditions, or plans expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact should be deemed forward-looking statements. As a result, reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond our control and could differ materially from our actual results and performance.
Readers should carefully review our financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Report and the other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary note. This cautionary note should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.
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A summary of the principal risk factors that make investing in our securities risky and might cause our actual results to differ is set forth below. The following is only a summary of the principal risks that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. This summary should be read in conjunction with the more complete discussion of the risk factors we face, which are set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Report.
Risks Related to our Business and our Industry
● We have generally incurred losses, and may never become or remain profitable.
● The CDM acquisition may fail to achieve beneficial synergies.
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Risks Related to our Securities and our Company
● There may not be an active market for shares of our common stock.
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General Risk Factors
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PART I
ITEM1BUSINESS
Our Company
Creative Realities, Inc. (“Creative Realities”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) provides innovative digital signage and media solutions in North America to enhance communications in a wide-ranging variety of out-of-home environments, key market segments and use cases, including:
● Retail
● Entertainment and Sports Venues
● Restaurants, including quick-serve restaurants (“QSR”)
● Convenience Stores
● Financial Services
● Automotive
● Lottery
● Mixed Use Developments
● Digital out of Home (“DOOH”) Advertising Networks
We serve market-leading companies, so there is a good chance that if you leave your home today to shop, work, eat or play, you will encounter one or more of our digital signage experiences. Our solutions are increasingly viable because we help our enterprise customers achieve a wide range of business objectives including:
● Increased brand awareness/engagement
● Improved customer support
● Enhanced employee productivity and satisfaction
● Increased revenue and profitability
● Improved guest experience
● Increased customer/guest engagement
● Traffic content and advertising
Through a combination of organically grown platforms and a series of strategic acquisitions, the Company assists customers to design, deploy, manage, and monetize their digital signage and in-store retail media networks. The Company sources leads and opportunities for its solutions through its digital and content marketing initiatives, close relationships with key industry partners, equipment manufacturers, and the direct efforts of its in-house industry sales experts. Customer engagements focus on consultative conversations that ensure the Company’s solutions are positioned to help customers achieve their business objectives in the most cost-effective manner possible.
When comparing Creative Realities to other digital signage competitors, our customers value the following competitive advantages:
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The three primary sources of revenue for the Company are:
○ Hardware system design/engineering
○ Hardware installation
○ Content development
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○ Content scheduling
○ Post-deployment network and field support
While hardware sales and support services revenues can fluctuate more significantly year over year based on new, large-scale network deployments, the Company is focusing on maintaining and increasing recurring SaaS revenue as digital signage adoption/utilization expands across the vertical markets we serve.
We believe that the adoption and evolution of our digital signage technology solutions will increase substantially in years to come in the industries in which we currently focus and in other industries. We believe that the costs of such hardware will decrease over time as it has done so historically. Flat panel displays, along with LED technology and digital media players typically constitute a large portion of the expenditure customers make relative to the entire cost of implementing a digital marketing system implementation and can be a barrier to customer deployment. As a result, we believe that the broader adoption of digital marketing technology solutions is likely to increase, although we cannot predict the rate at which such adoption will occur. We believe the proliferation of in-store retail media networks will be an industrial catalyst for infrastructure and AdTech sales for which the Company is well situated from product set and technology stack standpoints.
Another component of our business strategy is to acquire and integrate other operating companies in the industries we operate. We believe that the selective acquisition and successful integration of certain companies will: accelerate our growth in targeted vertical and operating markets; enable us to cost-effectively aggregate multiple customer bases onto a single business and technology platform; provide us with greater operating scale on a consolidated basis; enable us to leverage a common set of processes and tools, and cost efficiencies company-wide; and ultimately result in higher operating profitability and cash flow from operations. Our management team’s primary focus is the continued acceleration of organic growth, but secondarily evaluates acquisition opportunities on an ongoing basis. Our management team and Board of Directors have broad experience with the execution, integration, and financing of acquisitions and seek only accretive strategic transactions with material cost synergies as a result of overlapping or concurrent content management system capabilities with focus on eliminating the associated cost structure for these systems.
Business Strategy
We believe that our existing business model is highly scalable and can be expanded successfully as we continue to grow organically, seek to acquire and integrate other companies in our target markets, strengthen our operational practices and procedures, further streamline our administrative office functions, and continue to capitalize on various marketing programs and activities. With a focus on SaaS revenues, we believe that our gross margins will rise as our business scales.
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Industry Background
We believe certain digital marketing technology industry trends are creating the opportunity for retailers, brands, venue-operators, enterprises, non-profits and other organizations to create innovative shopping, marketing, and informational experiences for their customers and other stakeholders in various venues worldwide. These trends include: (i) the expectations of technology-savvy consumers; (ii) addressing on-line competitors by improving physical experiences; (iii) a decline in the cost of hardware configurations (primarily flat panel displays) and software media players; (iv) the continued evolution of mobile, social, software and hardware technologies, applications and tools; (v) increasing sophistication of social networking platforms; (vi) increasingly complex customer requirements related to their specific digital marketing technology and solution objectives; and (vii) customer expectations of satisfactory consumer experiences with reduced installation and operating costs.
As a result, a growing number of retailers, brands, venue-operators, and other organizations have identified the need and opportunity to implement increasingly agile, automated, targeted and cost-effective and “sales-lifting” digital marketing, and interactive experiences to market to their customers. These experiences include creating unique and customized experiences for targeted, timely offerings and relevant promotions; improving engagement resulting in increased sales; and increasing shopping basket size. We believe our customers consider capitalizing on these industry trends to be increasingly critical to any successful “store of the future” retail and brand sales environment, especially where sales staff turnover is high, training outcomes are inconsistent and product knowledge is low.
Companies are implementing various digital marketing technology solutions, which: are implemented in multiple forms and types of configurations and locations; attempt to achieve any of a broad range of individual or combination of objectives; contain various levels of targeting; have the ability to instantly manage single or multiple locations remotely from a customer’s desktop or other connected device at each location; and are built to deliver or contain a standard or customized customer experience unique to and within the customer’s environment. Examples of such solutions include:
Our Markets
We currently market and sell our marketing technology solutions through our direct sales force, inside sales team, and word-of-mouth referrals from existing customers. Select strategic partnerships and lead generation programs also drive business to the Company through targeted business development initiatives. We market to companies that seek digital marketing solutions across multiple connected devices and who specifically seek or could benefit from enhancements to the customer experience offered in their stores, venues, brands or organizations.
Our digital marketing technology solutions apply in a wide variety of industries. The industries in which we primarily sell our solutions are established and include automotive, retail, DOOH including advertising networks and retail media networks, foodservice/QSR, financial services, gaming, and sports and entertainment venues. A number of participants in these industries have only recently started considering or expanding the adoption of these types of technologies, solutions, and experiences as part of their overall marketing strategies.
Seasonality
A portion of our customer activity is influenced by seasonal effects related to traditional end of calendar year peak retail sales periods, traditional spring stadium/venue opening seasons, and certain other factors that arise from our target customer base. Nevertheless, our revenues can be materially affected by the launch of new markets, the timing of production rollouts, and other factors, any of which have the ability to reduce or outweigh certain seasonal effects.
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Effect of General Economic Conditions on our Business
We believe that demand for our services will increase in the future in part because of new construction and remodeling activities of pre-existing retail, convenience store, stadium, and event venues. While we do see reductions in retail footprints across the U.S., we see a continued focus on integration of digital into the retail marketplace and a focus on digital refreshes within the retail space to stay relevant in an evolving e-commerce marketplace. Recent general economic conditions have generally made it easier for our customers to justify decisions to invest in digital marketing technology solutions. A change in the macroeconomic trend in the U.S. could have a negative impact on our customers’ ability and/or willingness to advance their digital initiatives.
Government Regulation
We are regulated by various U.S. and Canadian federal and state/provincial governmental agencies. Such regulation includes radio frequency emission regulatory activities of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, the consumer protection laws of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, product safety regulatory activities of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and environmental regulation in areas in which we conduct business. Some of the hardware components that we supply to customers may contain hazardous or regulated substances, such as lead. A number of U.S. states have adopted or are considering “takeback” bills addressing the disposal of electronic waste, including CRT style and flat panel monitors and computers. Electronic waste legislation is developing. Some of the bills passed or under consideration may impose on us, or on our customers or suppliers, requirements for disposal of systems we sell and the payment of additional fees to pay costs of disposal and recycling. Presently, we do not believe that any such legislation or proposed legislation will have a materially adverse impact on our business.
Our Canadian operations through CDM are headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, and subject to a range of Canadian federal and provincial laws applicable to our digital signage, media network, and data management operations.
At the federal level, CDM’s commercial activities are governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada) (“PIPEDA”) (S.C. 2000, c. 5), which regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activity. PIPEDA applies to CDM with respect to customer and client data (s. 4(1)(a)) and personal information transferred to related entities and third-party processors, including transfers to CRI, CDM’s U.S. parent operations, for which CDM remains accountable under contractual and other protective obligations (Schedule 1, Principle 4.1.3). Depending on the technologies deployed in CDM’s digital signage and audience measurement operations, certain data collected or processed in connection with those activities may also constitute personal information subject to PIPEDA, including where applicable regulatory guidance issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is engaged.
CDM employs employees in Canada. Those employees are subject to applicable provincial employment-related legislation, for example, in Ontario, the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (Ontario), Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontario Labour Relations Act, 1995, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Occupational Health and Safety, and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). Such provincial employment legislation will govern most aspects of the employment relationship. The employment standards legislation specifically governs minimum notice and severance requirements, which differ materially from the at-will employment framework applicable to some of our U.S. workforce. In the absence of precisely draft termination clauses in employment agreements, common law principles often provide more generous termination entitlements for employees, specifically the concept of “reasonable notice” for termination of employment without cause.
CDM also operates digital media display networks in shopping centres throughout different provinces across Canada, including Quebec, where the Charter of the French Language (as amended by Bill 96) imposes French-language requirements on commercial signage and certain digital interfaces. CDM is also subject to applicable Quebec privacy legislation for intra-provincial commercial activity.
Competition
While we believe there is presently no direct competitor with the comprehensive offering of technologies, solutions, and services we provide to our customers, there are multiple individual competitors who offer subsets of our product and service offerings in the digital signage, DOOH and retail media network spaces. Our legacy operations continue to compete in the U.S. with digital signage software companies such as Stratacache and Poppulo; marketing services companies such as Sapient Nitro; digital signage systems integrators such as SageNet. CDM competes in Canada with digital signage software companies such as Coates Group, ICON, Stratacache, and Stingray; DOOH providers Quebecor (formerly NEO), Branded Cities, Pattison, and Bell Media; and retail media networks Pattison and Adapt Media. Some of these competitors may have significantly greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than we do and may be able to respond more rapidly than we can to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer requirements. We believe that our holistic sales and business development capabilities, network operations / field service management capabilities, our comprehensive offering of digital signage technology and solutions, brand awareness, and proprietary processes are the primary factors providing our competitive advantage.
Major Customers
We had one customer that accounted for 10% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025. Three customers accounted for 15%, 13% and 10% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024. We had one customer that accounted for 12% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2025 and one customer that accounted for 16% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2024.
Decisions by one or more of these key customers to not renew, terminate, or substantially reduce their use of our products, technology, services, and platform could substantially slow our revenue growth and lead to a decline in revenue. Our business plan assumes continued growth in revenue, and it is unlikely that we will become profitable without a continued increase in revenue. For more information, see Item 1A. Risk Factors, “Our continued growth and financial performance could be adversely affected by the loss of several key customers.”
Territories
We sell products and services primarily throughout North America, with limited software licensing agreements operating in other international jurisdictions.
Human Capital
We strive to foster a great work environment and offer an exceptional experience through competitive pay, benefits, and training programs to our employees. Our objective is to attract, develop, retain, and reward individuals with the talent and skills to help support our business objectives. As of December 31, 2025, we had 238 employees.
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Corporate Organization
We originally incorporated and organized as a Minnesota corporation under the name “Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.” in March 2003 and focused on our expertise in digital media marketing solutions, including digital signage, interactive kiosks, mobile, social media, and web-based media solutions. We acquired the interactive marketing technology business that we currently operate in a 2014 merger with Creative Realities, LLC. Shortly after that merger, we changed our corporate name from “Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc.” to “Creative Realities, Inc.” On October 15, 2015, we acquired the systems integration and marketing technology business of ConeXus World Global, LLC. On November 20, 2018, we acquired Allure, an enterprise software development company. On February 17, 2022, we acquired Reflect Systems, Inc (“Reflect”). On November 7, 2025, we acquired DDC Group International, Inc., an Ontario corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Cineplex (“DDC”). DDC is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Cineplex Digital Media Inc., an Ontario corporation (“CDMI”), and CDMI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cineplex Digital Media US Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CDMUS”). On November 7, 2025, we effectuated two post-closing amalgamations which resulted in CDMI and CDMUS becoming wholly owned by us, which we refer to as “CDM”.
Our principal offices are located at 13100 Magisterial Drive, Suite 201, Louisville, Kentucky 40223, and our telephone number at that office is (502) 791-8800. We have additional offices in the Atlanta, Georgia and Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) metropolitan areas. Our internet address is www.cri.com. Information on our website does not constitute part of this Report.
ITEM 1ARISK FACTORS
Our business involves a high degree of risk. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the specific risks described below, and any risks described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Any of the risks we describe below or in our other filings with the SEC could cause our business, financial condition, results of operations or future prospects to be materially adversely affected. In addition, some of these risks containforward-looking statements.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND OUR INDUSTRY
We have generally incurred losses, and may never become or remain profitable.
We have incurred historical net losses, and we have had negative cash flows from operations. We incurred net losses in 2024 and 2025 and it is uncertain whether we will be able to obtain or increase our profitability in successive periods.
We have formulated our business plans and strategies based on certain assumptions regarding the acceptance of our business model and the marketing of our products and services. Nevertheless, our assessments regarding market size, market share, market acceptance of our products and services and a variety of other factors may prove incorrect. Our future success will depend upon many factors, including factors beyond our control and those that cannot be predicted at this time.
Our digital marketing business is evolving in a rapidly changing market, and we cannot ensure the long-term successful operation of our business or the execution of our business plan.
Digital marketing technology and solutions are evolving, and the markets in which we compete are rapidly changing. As a result, our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by growing companies in new and rapidly evolving markets. We may be unable to accomplish any of the following, which would materially impact our ability to implement our business plan:
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● integrating operations, personnel and technology from our acquisitions.
Our business strategy may be unsuccessful and we may be unable to address the risks we face in a cost-effective manner, if at all. If we are unable to successfully accomplish these tasks, our business will be harmed.
Our success and longevity depend on our ability to generate profits from future operations and obtain sufficient capital through financing transactions to satisfy our debt obligations and meet our other business obligations.
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 includes an explanatory paragraph indicating that there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after that date that the Consolidated Financial Statements are issued.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $65,130 and negative working capital of $5,728. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company generated a net loss of $8,276 and used net cash in operations of $7,750. These conditions and events, together with the outstanding debt obligations of the Company, raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern under the technical framework within ASU 205-40.
To the extent we are required to raise additional financing, turmoil in the capital markets, including the tightening of credit and increased interest rates, may impact our ability to raise financing on terms and at a cost favorable to the Company. We may be required to raise capital during a weak economy and have little flexibility to wait for more favorable terms or economic conditions. We are likely to face higher borrowing costs, less available capital, more stringent terms and tighter covenants. Such unfavorable market conditions could have an adverse impact on our ability to fund our operations and capital expenditures in the future. Any adverse change in the terms of our financing, including increased costs, could have a negative impact on our financial condition. Any equity financings will likely be dilutive to shareholders and may be completed at a discount to the then-current market price of our securities. Debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants on our operations or pertaining to future financing arrangements. Nevertheless, we may not successfully complete any future equity or debt financing. Adequate funds for our operations, whether from financial markets, collaborative or other arrangements, may not be available when needed or on terms attractive to us. If adequate funds are not available, our plans to operate our business may be adversely affected and we could be required to curtail our activities significantly and/or cease operating.
Adequate funds for our operations may not be available, requiring us to raise additional financing or else curtail our activities significantly.
On November 6, 2025, the Company refinanced its credit facilities pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement (as described in Note 11, Debt, below), which include a $36,000 term loan and a $22,500 revolving credit facility, and sold 30,000 shares of Preferred Stock for $30,000 (each as further described in this Report). The net proceeds from these activities were used in part to pay the purchase price payable under the Share Purchase Agreement to acquire CDM. Additionally, we have a $4,000 Promissory Note outstanding.
If we are unable to maintain our debt service obligations, or we require additional funds for other purposes, we would be required to raise additional funding through public or private financings, including debt or equity financings. Generally, the Amended Credit Agreement prohibits the Company and its subsidiaries from granting any security interests in any of their assets, or from issuing additional debt without the approval of the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement. The terms of the documents executed in connection with the Offering also provide certain limitations on our ability to effectuate any debt or equity financing, as described in the foregoing risk factor.
Any equity financing will dilute the percentages of ownership interest of then-current holders of our capital stock and may dilute our book value per share. Any additional equity financings may also be dilutive to shareholders and may be completed at a discount to the then-current market price of our securities. Any new debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants on our operations or pertaining to future financing arrangements. Nevertheless, we may not successfully complete any future equity or debt financing even if desired. Adequate funds for our operations, whether from financial markets, collaborative or other arrangements, may not be available when needed or on terms attractive to us. If adequate funds are not available, our plans to operate our business may be adversely affected and we could be required to curtail our activities significantly and/or cease operating.
We do not have sufficient capital to engage in material research and development, which may harm our long-term growth.
In light of our limited resources in general, we have limited material investments in research and development over the past several years. This conserves capital in the short term. In the long term, as a result of our failure to invest in research and development, our technology and product offerings may not keep pace with the market, and we may lose any current existing competitive advantage. Over the long term, this may harm our revenues growth and our ability to become profitable.
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The variable sales cycle of some ofour products make it difficult to predict operating results.
Although we are focusing on increasing our revenues from SaaS services to our customers, our overall revenues in any quarter depend substantially upon contracts signed and the related shipment and installation or delivery of hardware and software products in that quarter. It is therefore difficult for us to accurately predict revenues and this difficulty also will affect the Company. It is difficult to forecast the timing of large individual hardware and software sales with a high degree of certainty due to the extended length of the sales cycle and the generally more complex contractual terms that may be associated with our products that could result in the deferral of some or all of the revenue to future periods. Revenues from the Company’s AdTech and Media Networks are also subject to seasonal and economic cycles.
Accordingly, large individual sales have sometimes occurred in quarters subsequent to when we anticipated or not at all. If we receive any significant cancellation or deferral of customer orders, or we are unable to conclude license negotiations by the end of a fiscal quarter, our operating results may be lower than anticipated. In addition, any weakening or uncertainty in the economy may make it more difficult for the Company to predict quarterly results in the future, and could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations for an indefinite period of time.
There has been, and we expect that there will continue to be, significant consolidation in our industry. Inability to either lead or remain active participants inthat consolidation may have a severe adverse impact on our access to financing, customers, technology, and human resources.
Our industry is currently composed of a large number of relatively small businesses; no single business dominates or provides integrated solutions and product offerings incorporating much of the available industry technology. We believe that substantial consolidation is occurring in our industry and will continue to do so in the near future. We believe that our prior acquisitions of Allure, Reflect and CDM illustrate acquisition opportunities that exist in our industry. If we do not remain active participants in consolidation, either as a consolidator or as a target, we may be left out of this process, with product offerings of limited value compared with those of our consolidated competitors. Moreover, even if we lead the consolidation process, we may incur unknown liabilities in such consolidations, fail to fully integrate the operations, personnel, or technology from such consolidations, and the market may not validate the decisions we make in that process.
We may not realize the growth opportunities that are anticipated from our acquisition of CDM.
The benefits we expect to achieve as a result of the acquisition of CDM will depend, in part, on our ability to realize anticipated growth opportunities. Our success in realizing these growth opportunities, and the timing of this realization, depends largely on the successful integration of the business and operations of CDM with our business and operations. Even if we are able to integrate our business with CDM successfully, this integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of the growth opportunities we currently expect from this integration within the anticipated time frame or at all. While we anticipate that certain expenses will be incurred, such expenses are difficult to estimate accurately, and may exceed current estimates, and cost saving projections may not be realized fully or at all. Accordingly, the benefits from the acquisition may be offset by costs incurred or delays in integrating the companies, which could cause our revenue assumptions to be inaccurate.
The CDM acquisition may fail to achieve beneficial synergies.
We acquired CDM with the expectation that the acquisition will result in beneficial synergies, such as cost reductions and improving the stability of the combined company’s revenues. Achieving these anticipated synergies and benefits will depend largely on our success in integrating CDM with our business. Potential risks from an unsuccessful integration include:
● the combined company cannot increase sales of its products and services;
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Even if the two companies are able to effectively integrate operations, there can be no assurance that the anticipated synergies will be achieved. The failure to achieve such synergies could adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of the combined company.
The assumption of unknown liabilities in the CDM acquisition may harm our financial condition and results of operations.
Because we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of DDC Group International, Inc. (“DDC”), the parent company of CDM, CDM remains subject to all of its liabilities, including contingent and unknown liabilities. Although the share purchase agreement includes representations and warranties and indemnity covenants from the seller of the DDC shares that may offer us some contractual remedies for breaches or certain other undisclosed or unknown liabilities, there are limitations and conditions to our ability to recoup any liabilities, and there may be other unknown obligations for which we have no contractual remedy. In such a case, our business could be materially and adversely affected. We may learn additional information about CDM that adversely affects us, such as the existence of unknown liabilities, or issues that could affect our ability to comply with applicable laws. If these liabilities are greater than expected, or if there are material obligations for which we do not have adequate recourse against the seller, our business may be materially and adversely affected. If we become responsible for substantial uninsured liabilities, such liabilities may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We have incurred and will continue to incur significant transaction and integration costs in connection with our acquisition of CDM.
We have incurred significant costs associated with completing the CDM acquisition, and expect to incur additional significant costs integrating the operations of the two companies. The substantial majority of these costs will be non-recurring expenses and will consist of transaction costs (e.g., legal, accounting), facilities and systems consolidation costs and employment-related costs. Additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the integration of our businesses. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, may offset incremental transaction and acquisition costs over time, this net benefit may not be fully achieved in the near or long term.
Unpredictability in financing markets could impair our ability to grow our business through acquisitions.
We anticipate that opportunities to acquire similar businesses will materially depend on, among other things, the availability of financing options for us with acceptable terms. Poor credit and other market conditions or uncertainty in financial markets could adversely affect our ability to obtain such financing, and as a result, materially limit our ability to grow through acquisitions.
Our success depends on our interactive marketing technologies achieving and maintaining widespread acceptance in our targeted markets.
Our success will depend to a large extent on market acceptance of our interactive marketing technologies among our current and prospective customers. Our prospective customers may still not use our solutions for a number of other reasons, including preference for static advertising, lack of familiarity with our technology, preference for competing technologies or perceived lack of reliability. We believe that the acceptance of our interactive marketing technologies by prospective customers will depend primarily on the following factors:
● the reliability of our interactive marketing technologies.
Our interactive technologies are complex and must meet stringent user requirements. Some undetected errors or defects may only become apparent as new functions are added to our technologies and products. The need to repair or replace products with design or manufacturing defects could temporarily delay the sale of new products and adversely affect our reputation. Delays, costs, and damage to our reputation due to product defects could harm our business.
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Our financial condition and potential for continued net losses may negatively impact our relationships with customers, prospective customers and third-party suppliers.
Our financial condition and potential for continued net losses may cause current and prospective customers to defer placing orders with us, require terms that are less favorable to us, or place their orders with our competitors, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additionally, third-party suppliers may refuse to do business with us, or may do so only on terms that are unfavorable to us, which could cause our expenses to increase and margins to decrease.
Because we do not have long-term purchase commitments from our customers, the failure to obtain anticipated orders or the deferral or cancellation of commitments could have adverse effects on our business.
Our business contracts include short-term purchase orders, contracts that do not require that purchases be made by our customers, and monthly subscription contracts (SaaS) that may be terminated with minimal notice. This makes forecasting our sales difficult. The failure to obtain anticipated orders and deferrals or cancellations of purchase commitments or SaaS services because of changes in customer requirements, or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We have experienced such challenges in the past and may experience such challenges in the future.
Our continued growth and financial performance could be adversely affected by the loss of several key customers.
We had one customer that accounted for 10% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025. Three customers accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024. We had one customer that accounted for 12% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2025 and one customer that accounted for 16% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2024.
Decisions by one or more of these key customers to not renew, terminate, or substantially reduce their use of our products, technology, services, and platform could substantially slow our revenue growth and lead to a decline in revenue. Our business plan assumes continued growth in revenue, and it is unlikely that we will become profitable without a continued increase in revenue.
Most of our contracts are terminable by our customers with limited notice and without penalty payments, and terminations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Most of our contracts are terminable by our customers following limited notice and without early termination payments or liquidated damages due from them. In addition, each stage of a project often represents a separate contractual commitment, at the end of which the customers may elect to delay or not to proceed to the next stage of the project. We cannot assure you that one or more of our customers will not terminate a material contract or materially reduce the scope of a large project. The delay, cancellation or significant reduction in the scope of a large project or a number of projects could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
It is common for our current and prospective customers to evaluate our products over an extended period of time, most especially during economic downturns that affect our customers’ businesses, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lengthy and variable sales cycle makes it difficult to predict our operating results.
It is difficult for us to forecast the timing and recognition of revenue from sales of our products and services because our actual and prospective customers often take significant time to evaluate our products before committing to a purchase. Even after making their first purchases of our products and services (or “pilot program” purchases), existing customers may not make significant purchases of those products and services for a long period of time following their initial purchases, if at all. The period between initial customer contact and a purchase by a customer may be years with potentially an even longer period separating initial purchases and any significant purchases thereafter. During the evaluation period, prospective customers may decide not to purchase or may scale down proposed orders of our products for various reasons, including:
● reduced need to upgrade existing visual marketing systems;
● introduction of products by our competitors;
● lower prices offered by our competitors; and
● changes in customer budgets and purchasing priorities.
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Our prospective customers routinely require education regarding the use and benefit of our products and solutions. This may also lead to delays in receiving customers’ orders.
Our industry is characterized by frequent technological change. If we are unable to adapt our products and services and develop new products and services to keep up with these rapid changes, we will not be able to obtain, or maintain, market share.
The market for our products and services is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, changes in customer needs, heavy competition, and frequent new product and service introductions. If we fail to develop new products and services or modify or improve existing products and services in response to these changes in technology, customer demands, or industry standards, our products and services could become less competitive or obsolete.
We must respond to changing technology and industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner. We may not be successful in using new technologies, developing new products and services or enhancing existing products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, even if we successfully adapt our products and services, these new technologies or enhancements may not achieve sufficient market acceptance.
We operate in an intensely competitive industry, and our competitors are developing products and solutions that incorporate AI and ML. We may not be as successful as our competitors in incorporating AI and MLinto our products and solutions.
Our competitors may be larger, more diversified, better funded, and have access to more advanced technology, including AI and ML. These competitive advantages may enable our competition to innovate their products and solutions faster or better than we can, or to provide increased competition on quality and price, which could adversely affect our business and profitability. Burgeoning interest in AI and ML may increase competition and disrupt the Company’s business model. AI and ML may lower barriers to entry in our industry and the Company may be unable to effectively compete with the products or services offered by new competitors. Changes to the products and services we offer related to AI and ML may affect customer expectations, requirements, or tastes in ways that the Company cannot adequately anticipate or adapt to, causing our business to lose revenues.
Issues relating to the use of new and evolving technologies in our offerings, such as AI and ML, may result in increased regulation and costs to comply with such regulations.
We are exploring ways to integrate AI and ML into many of our offerings. We may need to increase our operational, research and development and compliance costs, or divert resources from other research and development efforts, to address potential issues related to AI and ML in a quickly evolving social, legal, and regulatory environment. As with many cutting-edge innovations, AI and ML present new risks and challenges, and existing laws and regulations may apply to us in new ways, the nature and extent of which are difficult to predict. Potential government regulation related to AI, including relating to ethics and social responsibility, may also increase the burden and cost of compliance and research and development.
We use developed and licensed software technology, and we could face claims of infringement by others in the industry. Such claims are costly and add uncertainty to our operational results.
A portion of our business involves our ownership and licensing of software. This market space is characterized by frequent intellectual property claims and litigation. We could be subject to claims of infringement of third-party intellectual-property rights resulting in significant expense and the potential loss of our own intellectual property rights. From time to time, third parties may assert copyright, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to our business. For example, in September 2025, Alpha Modus, Corp., a subsidiary of Alpha Modus Holdings Inc. (AMOD), filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Texas federal court that alleges, in essence, that CRI’s digital signage solutions infringe on AMOD’s patented technologies for real-time consumer behavior analysis, targeted marketing, digital engagement, inventory management, and AI-driven retail personalization.
Any litigation to determine the validity of infringement claims, including claims arising through our contractual indemnification of our business partners, regardless of their merit or resolution, would likely be costly and time consuming and divert the efforts and attention of our management and technical personnel. If any such litigation resulted in an adverse ruling, we could be required to:
● pay substantial damages, royalties or other fees;
● cease the development, use, licensing or sale of infringing products;
● discontinue the use of certain technology; or
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Our proprietary platform architectures and data tracking technology underlying certain of our services are complex and may contain unknown errors in design or implementation that could result in system performance failures or inability to scale.
The platform architecture, data tracking technology, and integration layers underlying our proprietary platforms, our contract administration, procurement, timekeeping, content and network management, network services, device management, virtualized services, software automation and other tools, and back-end services are complex and include specially developed software and code. This software and code are developed internally, licensed from third parties, or integrated by in-house personnel and third parties. Any of the system architecture, system administration, integration layers, software, or code may contain errors, or may be implemented or interpreted incorrectly, particularly when they are first introduced or when new versions or enhancements to our tools and services are released. Consequently, our systems could experience performance failure, or we may be unable to scale our systems, which may:
● increase our costs related to product development or service delivery; or
● adversely affect our revenues and expenses.
Our business may be adversely affected by malicious applications that interfere with, or exploit security flaws in, our products and services.
Our business may be adversely affected by malicious applications that make changes to our customers’ computer systems and interfere with the operation and use of our products or products that impact our business. These applications may attempt to interfere with our ability to communicate with our customers’ devices. The interference may occur without disclosure to or consent from our customers, resulting in a negative experience that our customers may associate with our products and services. These applications may be difficult or impossible to uninstall or disable, may reinstall themselves and may circumvent other applications’ efforts to block or remove them. The ability to provide customers with a superior interactive marketing technology experience is critical to our success. If our efforts to combat these malicious applications fail, or if our products and services have actual or perceived vulnerabilities, there may be claims based on such failure or our reputation may be harmed, which would damage our business and financial condition.
We compete with other companies that have more resources, which puts us at a competitive disadvantage.
The market for interactive marketing technologies is highly competitive and we expect competition to increase in the future. Many competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than us. These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly than we can to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer preferences or requirements. They may also devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products and services than us.
We expect competitors to continue to improve the performance of their current products, services, and technologies and to introduce new products, services, and technologies as well. Successful new product and service introductions or enhancements by our competitors could reduce sales and the market acceptance of our products and services, cause intense price competition, or make our products and services obsolete. To be competitive, we must continue to invest significant resources in research and development, sales and marketing and customer support. If we do not have sufficient resources to make these investments or are unable to make the technological advances necessary to be competitive, our competitive position will suffer. Increased competition could result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced margins, and loss of market share. Our failure to compete successfully against current or future competitors could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Our future success depends on retainingkey personnel and our ability to attract and retain additional personnel.
Our key personnel includes our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Rick Mills. If we fail to retain Mr. Mills or to attract, retain, and motivate other qualified employees, our ability to maintain and develop our business may be adversely affected. Our future success depends significantly on the continued service of our key technical, sales, and senior management personnel and their ability to execute our growth strategy. The loss of the services of our key employees could harm our business. We may be unable to retain our employees or to attract, assimilate and retain other highly qualified employees who could migrate to other employers who offer competitive or superior compensation packages.
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We are subject to cyber security risks and interruptions or failures in our information technology systems and those of third party partners with whom our applications are integrated, and will likely need to expend additional resources to enhance our protection from such risks. Notwithstanding our efforts, a cyber incident could occur and result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption, and/or financial loss.
We depend on digital technologies to process and record financial and operating data and rely on sophisticated information technology systems and infrastructure to support our business, including process control technology. At the same time, cyber incidents, including deliberate attacks, have increased in number and complexity. Our technologies, systems and networks and those of our vendors, suppliers, and other business partners may become the target of cyberattacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of proprietary and other information, or other disruption of business operations. In addition, certain cyber incidents, such as surveillance, may remain undetected for an extended period. Despite our efforts, our systems for protecting against cyber security risks may not be sufficient. As the sophistication of cyber incidents continues to evolve, we will likely be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate known vulnerability to cyber incidents. Additionally, any of these systems may be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, usage errors by employees, computer viruses, cyber-attacks, or other security breaches or similar events. The failure of any of our information technology systems may cause disruptions in our operations, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Additionally, we engage third-party service providers to assist us in providing products and services for our customers. Those third-party services providers also subject to the foregoing risks to their systems. We do not have a process to oversee and identify risks from cyber security threats associated with our use of such third-party service providers, and any such incidents occurring on their system could similarly affect us, our revenues and profitability.
Our reliance on information management and transaction systems to operate our business exposes us to cyber incidents and hacking of our sensitive information if our outsourced service provider experiences a security breach.
Effective information security internal controls are necessary for us to protect our sensitive information from illegal activities and unauthorized disclosure in addition to denial of service attacks and corruption of our data. In addition, we rely on the information security internal controls maintained by our outsourced service provider. Any breach of our information management system could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disruption to our operations and the services we provide to customers or damage our reputation. In addition, a security breach could require that we expend significant additional resources to repair and enhance our information security systems. Furthermore, we could experience material harm to our financial condition, cash flows and the market price of our common stock, misappropriation of assets, compromise or corruption of confidential information collected in the course of conducting our business, liability for stolen information or assets, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, regulatory enforcement, litigation and damage to our stakeholder relationships.
Because our technology, products, platform, and services are complex and are deployed in and across complex environments, they may have errors or defects that could seriously harm our business.
Our technology, proprietary platforms, products, and services are highly complex and are designed to operate in and across data centers, large and complex networks, and other elements of the digital media workflow that we do not own or control. On an ongoing basis, we need to perform proactive maintenance services on our platform and related software services to correct errors and defects. In the future, there may be additional errors and defects in our software that may adversely affect our services. We may not have in place adequate reporting, tracking, monitoring, and quality assurance procedures to ensure that we detect errors in our software in a timely manner. If we are unable to efficiently and cost-effectively fix errors or other problems that may be identified, or if there are unidentified errors that allow persons to improperly access our services, we could experience loss of revenues and market share, damage to our reputation, increased expenses and legal actions by our customers.
We may have insufficient network or server capacity, which could result in interruptions in our services and loss of revenues.
Our operations are dependent in part upon: network capacity provided by third-party telecommunications networks; data center services provider owned and leased infrastructure and capacity; our dedicated and virtualized server capacity located at its data center services provider partner and a geo-redundant micro-data center location; and our own infrastructure and equipment. Collectively, this infrastructure, equipment, and capacity must be sufficiently robust to handle all of our customers’ web-traffic, particularly in the event of unexpected surges in high-definition video traffic and network services incidents. We (and our service providers) may not be adequately prepared for unexpected increases in bandwidth and related infrastructure demands from our customers. In addition, the bandwidth we have contracted to purchase may become unavailable for a variety of reasons, including payment disputes, outages, or such service providers going out of business. Any failure of these service providers or our own infrastructure to provide the capacity we require, due to financial or other reasons, may result in a reduction in, or interruption of, service to our customers, leading to an immediate decline in revenue and possible additional decline in revenue as a result of subsequent customer losses.
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Our business operations are susceptible to interruptions caused by events beyond our control.
Our business operations are susceptible to interruptions caused by events beyond our control. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in authorities implementing numerous preventative measures to contain or mitigate the outbreak of the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, limitations on business activity, quarantines, and shelter-in-place orders. These measures caused business slowdowns and shutdowns in certain affected areas, both regionally and worldwide, which significantly adversely impacted our business and results of operations. We are vulnerable to potential problems when events beyond our control arise, including, among others:
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could result in claims for consequential and other damages, significant repair and recovery expenses and extensive customer losses and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Corporate social responsibility, specifically related to ESG, may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks.
Environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters have become increasingly important to some investors and other stakeholders. Certain organizations that provide corporate risk and corporate governance advisory services to investors have developed scores and ratings to evaluate companies based on ESG metrics. ESG evaluations are important to many investors and stakeholders. Many investors use ESG factors to guide their investment decisions. Many investment funds focus on positive ESG business practices and sustainability scores when making investments and may consider a company’s sustainability efforts and/or score when making an investment decision. On the other hand, we could be criticized by ESG detractors for the scope and nature of any ESG policies or initiatives we implement. We could also be subjected to negative responses by governmental actors, such as state legislation, retaliatory legislative treatment or litigation by state or federal agencies or private actors, or face negative publicity campaigns that could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial performance and growth. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have an adverse effect on our reputation, the price of our stock and our business, financial condition and results of operations, including increased capital expenditures and operating expenses.
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Our competitors are constantly evolving, and we may be unable to compete successfully against existing or future competitors to our business.
The market in which we operate is increasingly competitive. Our current competitors generally include general digital signage companies, specialized digital signage operators targeting certain vertical markets (e.g., financial services, retail, or food services), content management software companies, and integrators and vertical solution providers who develop single implementations of content distribution, digital marketing technology, media and AdTech solutions, and related services. These competitors, including future new competitors who may emerge, may be able to develop comparable or superior solution capabilities, software platform, technology stack, and/or series of services that provide a similar or more robust set of features and functionality than our technology, products and services. If this occurs, we may be unable to grow as necessary to make our business profitable. In addition, our existing and potential future competitors may be able to use their extensive resources to:
● take advantage of acquisition and other opportunities more readily; and
If we are unable to compete effectively in our various markets, or if competitive pressures place downward pressure on the prices at which we offer our products and services, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer.
Our Canadian operations through CDM subject us to a complex and evolving framework of Canadian federal and provincial regulatory requirements, including data privacy, accessibility, French-language, and artificial intelligence laws, non-compliance with which could increase our costs, expose us to penalties, and adversely affect our business.
We conduct substantial operations across Canada through CDM, including digital signage managed services and retail media advertising network operations in Ontario, Quebec, and other Canadian provinces, exposing us to Canadian regulatory requirements that differ materially from, and in certain respects are more stringent than, the equivalent U.S. frameworks governing our legacy operations. At the federal level, CDM is subject to PIPEDA, including its accountability principle, which provides that CDM remains responsible for personal information transferred to related entities and third-party processors — including our U.S. operations.
CDM’s operations in Quebec also expose us to the Charter of the French Language (Bill 96), imposing French-language obligations on commercial signage, digital interfaces, and certain consumer-facing communications. CDM’s Ontario operations are subject to Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) accessibility standards for public-facing digital signage. Non-compliance with any of the foregoing could result in regulatory penalties, injunctions, and reputational harm.
The combined impact of cross-border regulatory complexity could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar could adversely affect our financial results.
A significant portion of our revenues, expenses, and assets are now denominated in Canadian dollars through CDM's operations. Our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, and CDM's results are translated at prevailing exchange rates each period. A strengthening U.S. dollar could reduce the reported U.S. dollar value of CDM's revenues and assets, independent of CDM's underlying Canadian-dollar performance. We do not currently maintain a program to hedge our CAD/USD exposure, and there can be no assurance we will implement one. Currency fluctuations could therefore have a material adverse effect on our reported financial condition and results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR SECURITIES AND OUR COMPANY
Our Articles of Incorporation grant our Board of Directors the power to issue additional shares of common and preferred stock and to designate other classes of preferred stock, all without shareholder approval.
Our authorized capital consists of 116,666,666 shares of capital stock, 49,970,000 of which is undesignated preferred stock. Pursuant to authority granted by our Articles of Incorporation, our Board of Directors, without any action by our shareholders, may designate and issue shares in such classes or series (including other classes or series of preferred stock) as it deems appropriate and establish the rights, preferences and privileges of such shares, including dividends, liquidation and voting rights, provided such designation is consistent with Minnesota law. The rights of holders of other classes or series of stock that may be issued could be superior to the rights of holders of our common shares. The designation and issuance of shares of capital stock having preferential rights could adversely affect other rights appurtenant to shares of our common stock. Furthermore, any issuances of additional stock (common or preferred) will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of then-current holders of our capital stock and may dilute our book value per share.
Because we will not declare cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, stockholders must rely on appreciation of the value of our common stock for any return on their investment.
We have never paid dividends on any of our capital stock and currently intend to retain any future earnings to fund the growth of our business. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be the sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
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We do not have significant tangible assets that could be sold upon liquidation.
We have nominal tangible assets. As a result, if we become insolvent or otherwise must dissolve, there will be no tangible assets to liquidate and no corresponding proceeds to disburse to our shareholders. If we become insolvent or otherwise must dissolve, shareholders will likely not receive any cash proceeds on account of their shares.
We can provide no assurance that our securities will continue to meet Nasdaq listing requirements. If we fail to comply with the continuing listing standards of the Nasdaq, our securities could be delisted.
In 2022, the bid price of our common stock closed for 30 consecutive trading days below the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). Although we cured such noncompliance as a result of its 1-for-3 reverse stock split in March 2023, the trading price of our common stock has been subject to large movement in the past, especially in light of historically low trading volumes. In addition, Nasdaq has recently adopted new rules that could hinder our ability to cure any future deficiency and maintain the continued listing of our common stock. These new rules, which became effective in January 2025, provide for the immediate delisting with no grace period of any listed company that falls out of compliance after the effective date with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement for a second time in a twelve-month period, provide for immediate delisting if a listed company effects a reverse stock split that causes it to fall out of compliance with certain other listing requirements, and limit the ratio of reverse stock splits to a cumulative ratio of 1-to-250 in any two-year period.
We cannot be certain that we will be able to comply with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and the other continued listing requirements of Nasdaq in the future, in which case our common stock may be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. In the event our common stock is delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market and we are also unable to maintain listing on another alternate exchange, trading in our common stock could thereafter be conducted in FINRA’s OTC Bulletin Board or in the over-the-counter markets in the so-called “pink sheets.” Delisting would likely have an adverse effect on the liquidity of our common stock, decrease the market price of our common stock, result in the potential loss of coverage by analysts and confidence by investors, customers, and employees, fewer business development opportunities, and adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for our continuing operations on favorable terms or at all.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market by certain of our shareholders could cause our stock price to fall.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur by our significant shareholders could depress the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We are unable to predict the effect that sales may have on the prevailing market price of our common stock.
There may not be an active market for shares of our common stock.
In general, there has been minimal trading volume in our common stock. Small trading volumes would likely make it difficult for our shareholders to sell their shares as and when they choose. Furthermore, small trading volumes are generally understood to depress market prices. As a result, you may not always be able to resell shares of our common stock publicly at the time and prices that you feel are fair or appropriate.
We have issued shares of convertible preferred stock with terms that could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock.
On October 15, 2025, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with North Run Strategic Opportunities Fund I, LP (the “Lead Investor”) and NR-SOF I (Co-Invest I), LP (together with the Lead Investor, the “Buyers”), each an affiliate of North Run Capital, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to the Buyers in a private placement, for an aggregate gross purchase price of $30.0 million, an aggregate of 30,000 shares of a newly established series of preferred stock designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”), which have a stated value of $1,000 per share (the “Stated Value”) (the “Offering”). The Offering was completed on November 6, 2025.
The Preferred Stock accrue dividends on the Stated Value for a period of five years from and after the issuance date (the “Guaranteed Term”) at a rate of 5.25% per year. Each Preferred Share is convertible at the option of the holder into shares of the Company’s common stock at a rate (the “Conversion Rate”) calculated by dividing (i) a liquidation preference equal to the Stated Value plus the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends, by (ii) a conversion price of $3.00 (subject to customary adjustments). Conversion of the Preferred Shares are currently subject to ownership limitations that prevent converting the Preferred Shares if the holder, together with its affiliates, would be more than a 19.99% beneficial owner of our common stock following such conversion (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”) or if the aggregate number of common shares issued upon conversion of Preferred Shares would exceed 2,102,734 (the “Exchange Cap”). The holders of Preferred Shares may elect to eliminate the Exchange Cap limitation and may elect, upon 61 days’ written notice, to increase the maximum Beneficial Ownership limitation to 49.99%.
Holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to vote on an as-converted basis with holders of the Company’s common stock (after taking into the account the applicable conversion limitations). Based on the Conversion Rate and without regard to the conversion limitations, the Preferred Shares held by the Buyers were initially convertible into common stock representing 48.7% of our issued and outstanding common stock after giving effect to such conversion.
The Preferred Shares rank senior to the Company’s common stock as to distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company, and holders of Preferred Shares will participate with the holders of the common stock on an as-converted basis to the extent any dividends are declared on common stock. Holders of Preferred Shares are also entitled to redemption rights under certain circumstances. The redemption rights and liquidation preferences assigned to holders of the Preferred Shares could affect the residual value of the common stock.
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Our preferred shareholders possess significant voting power, which will limit your influence on our management and affairs, and may discourage parties from initiating potential merger, takeover or other change-of-control transactions.
Based on the Conversion Rate and without regarding the conversion limitations, the Preferred Shares were initially convertible into common stock representing 48.7% of our issued and outstanding common stock after giving effect to such conversion. For as long as North Run and its affiliates hold a significant amount of Preferred Shares and/or our common stock, they will be able to strongly influence or effectively exercise control over us. This concentrated control may limit or preclude other shareholders’ ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring shareholder approval.
In addition to the significant voting control of North Run and its affiliates, for so long as the North Run and its affiliates beneficially own at least 20% of the common stock underlying the Preferred Shares, the Company may not take any of various actions without North Run’s consent, including creating, authorizing, or issuing capital stock that ranks senior to or pari passu with the Preferred Shares, or increasing the authorized number of Preferred Shares; incurring debt that would result in the ratio of debt to EBITDA of the Company for preceding twelve calendar months exceeding 2.5:1; purchasing or redeeming, or paying or declaring any dividend on shares of capital stock other than redemptions of or dividends on the Preferred Shares; completing an acquisition with consideration above $5.0 million; entering into, renewing, extending or being a party to certain related party transactions; or amending, altering or repealing any provision of the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws in a manner that adversely affects the rights, powers and preferences of the Preferred Shares.
North Run has continuing director designation rights based on its and its affiliates’ beneficial ownership of common stock on an as-converted basis. The director designation right initially applies to two Board designees, but will be limited to one Board designee at such time as North Run and its affiliates cease to beneficially own at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock on an as-converted basis, and the designation right will cease to exist if such beneficial ownership threshold fall below 5%.
North Run’s concentrated ownership may also prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our capital stock that shareholders may believe are in their best interest. North Run’s interests may not align with the interests of our other shareholders. North Run and its affiliates may also determine to sell substantial amounts of our securities in one or more transactions, including to one or several private parties in negotiated transactions. In that case, those buyers may subsequently be able to exert significant control over us.
GENERAL RISK FACTORS
Because of our limited internal resources, we may not have in place various processes and protections common to more mature companies and may be more susceptible to adverse events.
We have limited internal resources. As a result, we may not have in place systems, processes, and protections that many of our competitors have or that may be essential to protect against various risks. For example, we have in place only limited resources and processes addressing human resources, timekeeping, data protection, business continuity, personnel redundancy, and knowledge institutionalization concerns. As a result, we are at risk that one or more adverse events in these and other areas may materially harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Geopolitical conflicts, including the current conflicts involving Iran, Israel and the United States, as well as terrorism and other global security threats, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
On February 24, 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, and the length, impact, and outcome of the ongoing war in Ukraine is unpredictable. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip and conducted a series of attacks on civilian and military targets, triggering an Israeli campaign against Hamas. Although there is currently a cease fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, no assurance can be given that the cease fire will continue. On February 28, 2026, United States and Israeli forces conducted a series of attacks in Iran, and Iran responded by launching retaliatory attacks on Israel and United States military bases in the Middle East. The intensity and duration of the United States/Israel war against Iran is difficult to predict. The Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Hamas and United States/Israel-Iran wars and other geopolitical and macroeconomic events, a severe or prolonged economic downturn, interest rate fluctuations, rising inflation, recession, or other global financial or geopolitical crises, could result in a variety of risks to our business, or our ability to access the capital markets at a time when we would like, or need, to raise capital, including, but not limited to disruptions to our business operations, or a reduction or restriction on our operations and services.
We cannot predict the occurrence, scope, duration or consequences of geopolitical conflicts, terrorism, cyber incidents or other global crises, or the governmental responses thereto. Any such developments could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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High inflation and unfavorable economic conditions could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Unfavorable global or regional economic conditions may be triggered by numerous developments beyond our control, including inflation, geopolitical events, health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and other events that trigger economic volatility on a global or regional basis. In particular, a significant deterioration in economic conditions, including economic slowdowns or recessions, increased unemployment levels, inflationary pressures or disruptions to credit and capital markets, could lead to decreased consumer confidence and consumer spending more generally, thus reducing consumer demand for our services. Such heightened inflationary levels and economic conditions may negatively impact consumer disposable income and discretionary spending, negatively impacting our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in trade policy, tariff and import/export regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Beginning in 2025, the current Trump administration instituted changes in trade policies that included the imposition of higher tariffs on imports into the U.S. and other government regulations affecting trade between the U.S. and other countries where we conduct our business. In response, several countries have imposed, or threatened to impose, reciprocal tariffs on imports from the U.S. and other retaliatory measures. Various modifications to the U.S. tariffs have been announced and further changes could be made in the future, which may include additional sector-based tariffs or other measures.
In February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court (the “Court”) held that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) are not legally authorized. The Court only ruled on IEEPA tariffs and did not invalidate any other tariffs. The implications of the Court’s ruling for trade policy and related administrative actions remain uncertain. Subsequent to the Court’s ruling, the Trump administration raised potential alternative means through which the administration could impose tariffs and subsequently imposed a global tariff under a different law. A number of tariff-related matters continue to be challenged that could impact the continued utilization of certain tariffs and the manner in which tariff costs. If not significantly and promptly moderated or eliminated, these tariffs may increase the cost of goods for our products or reduce our ability to sell products, which may, in turn, adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
The ultimate impact of these trade measures on our business operations and financial results is uncertain and may be affected by various factors, including whether and when such trade measures are implemented, the timing of when such measures may become effective, and the amount, scope, or nature of such trade measures, and our ability to execute strategies to mitigate the negative impacts
ITEM 1BUNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 1C CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
We have developed and implemented cybersecurity risk management processes intended to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our critical systems and information. While everyone at our company plays a part in managing cybersecurity risks, primary cybersecurity oversight responsibility is shared by our Board of Directors and senior management. Our cybersecurity risk management program is integrated into our overall enterprise risk management program.
Our cybersecurity risk management program includes:
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During the year ended December 31, 2025, we did not identify risks from known cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents we have experienced from time to time, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our operations, business strategy, operating results, or financial condition. We will continue to monitor and assess our cybersecurity risk management program as well as invest in and seek to improve such systems and processes as appropriate. If we were to experience a material cybersecurity incident in the future, such incident may have a material adverse effect on our operations, business strategy, operating results, and financial condition. For more information regarding cybersecurity risks that we face and potential related impacts on our business, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Report.
Board Governance
Our full Board of Directors oversees our risk management, including our information technology and cybersecurity policies, procedures, and risk assessments. Our management reports to our Board of Directors on information security matters as necessary, regarding any significant cybersecurity incidents, as well as any incidents with lesser impact potential.
One of the key functions of our Board of Directors is informed oversight of our various processes for managing risk. An overall review of risk is inherent in our Board of Directors ongoing consideration of our long-term strategies, transactions and other matters presented to and discussed by the Board of Directors. This includes a discussion of the likelihood and potential magnitude of various risks, including cybersecurity risks, and any actions management has taken to limit, monitor or control those risks. The Board of Directors receives briefings from management periodically on our cyber risk management program and presentations on cybersecurity topics as part of the Board of Directors’ continuing education on topics that impact public companies.
ITEM 2PROPERTIES
Our headquarters is located at 13100 Magisterial Drive, Suite 201, Louisville, KY 40223, where we lease approximately 19,000 square-feet of office space, including approximately 7,300 square-feet of warehouse space. We also lease office spaces in other locations as necessary to support our operations outside of Louisville. Our material leased facilities include approximately 4,500 square feet to support our Atlanta operations at a facility known as Northridge Center II, located at 365 Northridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30350, and 15,000 square feet to support our CDM operations at a facility located at 137-139 Northfield Drive West, Unit 1-3, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 5A6. We believe our current space is sufficient for our projected near-term future growth.
Our corporate phone number is (502) 791-8800.
ITEM 3LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not party to any material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.
ITEM 4MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CREX”. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Limited.
Shareholders
As of April 10, 2026, we had 328 holders of record of our common stock.
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Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to operate and expand our business and to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to share pro rata in dividends and distributions with respect to the common stock when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for distribution.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
ITEM 6 [RESERVED]
Not applicable.
ITEM 7MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISOF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(All currency is rounded to the nearest thousands, except share and per share amounts.)
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, which are included elsewhere in this Report. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains statements that are forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risk, uncertainties and other factors. These statements are often identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” or “continue,” and similar expressions or variations.
You should review the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements; Risk Factor Summary”, and “Risk Factors” sections of this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements described in the following discussion and analysis.
Overview
The Company transforms environments through digital solutions by providing innovative digital signage solutions for key market segments and use cases, including:
● Retail
● Entertainment and Sports Venues
● Restaurants, including QSRs
● Convenience Stores
● Financial Services
● Automotive
● Lottery
● Mixed Use Developments
● DOOH Advertising Networks
We serve market-leading companies, so there is a good chance that if you leave your home today to shop, work, eat or play, you will encounter one or more of our digital signage experiences. Our solutions are increasingly visible because we help our enterprise customers achieve a range of business objectives including:
● Increased brand awareness;
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● Improved customer support;
● Enhanced employee productivity and satisfaction;
● Increased revenue and profitability;
● Improved guest experience; and
● Increased customer/guest engagement.
● Traffic content and advertising
Through a combination of organically grown platforms and a series of strategic acquisitions, the Company assists customers to design, deploy, manage, and monetize their digital signage and in-store retail media networks. The Company sources leads and opportunities for its solutions through its digital and content marketing initiatives, close relationships with key industry partners, specifically equipment manufacturers, and the direct efforts of its in-house industry sales experts. Customer engagements focus on consultative conversations that ensure the Company’s solutions are positioned to help customers achieve their business objectives in the most cost-effective manner possible.
When comparing us to other digital signage providers, our customers value the following competitive advantages:
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Our Sources of Revenue
The three primary sources of revenue for the Company are:
○ Hardware system design/engineering
○ Hardware installation
○ Content development
○ Content scheduling
○ Post-deployment network and field support
While hardware sales and support services revenues can fluctuate more significantly year over year based on new, large-scale network deployments, the Company is focusing on maintaining and increasing recurring SaaS revenue as digital signage adoption/utilization expands across the vertical markets we serve.
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Our Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses are comprised of sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses. Sales and marketing expenses include salaries and benefits for our sales, business development solution management and marketing personnel, and commissions paid on sales. This category also includes amounts spent on marketing networking events, promotional materials, hardware and software to prospective new customers, including those expenses incurred in trade shows and product demonstrations, and other related expenses. Our general and administrative expenses consist of corporate overhead, including administrative salaries, real property lease payments, salaries, and benefits for our corporate officers and other expenses such as legal and accounting fees.
Recent Developments
North Run Securities Purchase Agreement
On October 15, 2025, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with North Run Strategic Opportunities Fund I, LP (the “Lead Investor”) and NR-SOF I (Co-Invest I), LP (together with the Lead Investor, the “Buyers”), each an affiliate of North Run Capital, LP (“North Run”), pursuant to which we agreed to sell in a private placement (the “Offering”), for an aggregate gross purchase price of $30,000, an aggregate of 30,000 shares of a newly established series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, to be designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”). On November 5, 2025, in anticipation of the closing of the Offering, we filed the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota, which established the designations, preferences, powers and rights of the Preferred Shares. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Preferred Shares occurred on November 6, 2025. We used net proceeds from the Offering to pay a portion of the purchase price for our acquisition of the business of Cineplex Digital Media Inc. and its affiliates (the “CDM Acquisition”). See Note 9, Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, for a description of the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement.
CDM Acquisition
On October 15, 2025, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) with its wholly owned subsidiary, 1001372953 Ontario Inc., an Ontario corporation and Cineplex Entertainment Limited Partnership, a Manitoba limited partnership (“Cineplex”), to acquire DDC Group International, Inc., an Ontario corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Cineplex (“DDC”). DDC is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Cineplex Digital Media Inc., an Ontario corporation (“CDMI”), and CDMI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cineplex Digital Media US Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CDMUS”). In this Report, DDC, CDMI and CDMUS are collectively referred to as “CDM”, and such acquisition is referred to as the “CDM Acquisition”.
On November 7, 2025, the parties consummated the transactions contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreement. Upon the terms and conditions of the Share Purchase Agreement, at the closing of the CDM Acquisition, the Company (indirectly through 1001372953 Ontario Inc.) acquired ownership of all of the issued and outstanding capital shares of DDC for a total purchase price of approximately CAD $70,000, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The final purchase price after adjustments was approximately CAD $60,263 (or approximately USD $42,761). See Note 5, Business Combinations, for a description of the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement.
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
On November 6, 2025 (the “Refinancing Date”), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), with FMB acting as agent (“Agent”), and a new syndicate of lenders (“Lenders”) which included FMB and two additional creditors, Northwest Bank (“NWB”) and Axos Bank (“Axos”; together with NWB, the “New Lenders”). In the ordinary course of its business, Agent has performed and may continue to perform commercial banking and financial services for the Company for which it has received and will continue to receive customary fees and expenses. The Amended Credit Agreement provides the Company, CDMI and CDMUS (collectively, “Borrowers”) with two debt facilities, including a three-year term loan of $36,000 (the “Term Loan”) and a three-year revolving debt arrangement of up to $22,500 (the “New Revolving Credit Facility”). The Term Loan and New Revolving Credit Facility in the Amended Credit Agreement both have maturity dates of November 6, 2028 (the “Maturity Date”), and are secured by all the assets of the Borrowers.
The Borrowers used a portion of the proceeds from the Term Loan to finance a portion of the purchase price for the CDM Acquisition (as defined below) and may use additional proceeds of the Term Loan and New Revolving Credit Facility to refinance certain indebtedness of the Borrowers, for working capital and for other general corporate purposes.
See Note 11, Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement.
Results of Operations
Note: All dollar amounts reported in Results of Operations are in thousands, except per-share information.
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Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024
The tables presented below compare our results of operations from one period to another and present the results for each period and the change in those results from one period to another in both dollars and percentage change.
For The Years Ended
December 31,
Sales:
Cost of sales:
Operating expenses:
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense, including amortization of debt discount 2,479 1,775 704 39.7 %
Gain on settlement of contingent consideration (4,775 ) - (4,775 ) 100.0 %
Loss on debt modification 24 - 24 100.0 %
Sales
Sales increased by $6,378 or 12.5%, to $57,232 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $50,854 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was driven by the CDM Acquisition, which contributed $13,613 in total revenue from the November 7, 2025 acquisition date through December 31, 2025, partially offset by a decline in legacy CRI revenue on a standalone basis.
Hardware revenues were $21,232 for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $2,973, or 16.3%, from $18,259 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in hardware revenues was primarily driven by purchases from customers in our QSR and sports and entertainment verticals along with incremental hardware attributable to the CDM Acquisition. Services and other revenues were $36,000, an increase of $3,405, or 10.4%, from $32,595 in the prior year. Legacy CRI experienced a $9,000 decline in service revenues primarily attributable to fewer deployments during the period, a decline in media revenue as the Company exited the media business effective October 1, 2024, and lower SaaS subscription revenues. The decrease was offset by $12,577 of services and other revenues generated by CDM in the post-acquisition period.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased $1,703, or 7%, to $25,714 for the year ended December 31, 2025 from $24,011 for the year ended December 31, 2024. Gross margin decreased to 44.9% from 47.2% The decline in gross margin percentage was primarily driven by the inclusion of CDM, which carries a different revenue and cost mix, as well as changes in product mix within legacy CRI operations, including higher-volume but lower-margin hardware deployments during the year.
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Sales and Marketing Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses generally include the salaries, taxes, and benefits of our sales and marketing personnel, as well as trade show activities, travel, and other related sales and marketing costs. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $212, or 3.5%, to $5,803 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $6,015 for the year ended December 31, 2024. Legacy CRI sales and marketing expenses decreased approximately $780 primarily as a result of a decrease in fixed and variable salaries of our marketing personnel of $450 and decreased participation in tradeshows of $105. The decrease in legacy CRI results was offset by $582 of CDM expenses for the post-acquisition period.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased $6,007, or 35.2%, to $23,065 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $17,058 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to (1) approximately $2,182 in stock-based compensation expense recognized in the current year in connection with equity awards granted in 2025, compared to $13 in the prior year, as all previously outstanding time-vested and performance awards were fully expensed as of December 31, 2024, (2) incremental general and administrative costs associated with CDM from the November 7, 2025 acquisition date of approximately $3,992 (3) Deal and other expenses related to the acquisition of CDM totaling $1,954, and (4) decrease in SG&A (excluding the effects of stock compensation and deal costs) of approximately $1,251 related to cost containment efforts related to legacy CRI. These included a $1,367 reduction in fixed and variable salaries, benefits, and payroll taxes for general and administrative personnel, as well as broad-based savings achieved across multiple spending categories. The Company implemented a number of low-cost restructuring measures and targeted vendor spend reductions, none of which were individually material, but which collectively contributed to a more efficient back-office cost structure. These actions were further supported by the retirement of legacy software platforms and the transition to a unified ERP system, which has enabled modest improvements in workflow efficiency and systems integration.
Loss on Impairment of Software Asset
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized a $5,712 asset impairment charge related to a proprietary software platform capitalized as an intangible asset under ASC 350-40. The impairment was recorded after management determined that expected future cash flows associated with the platform were not sufficient to recover its carrying amount, primarily due to uncertainty regarding the renewal of an existing software license agreement. The uncertainty arose in September 2025 when the customer communicated that it was unable to renew their license agreement due to budget constraints, representing a triggering event under ASC 350-40. The impairment loss was measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its estimated fair value, which was determined using an income approach based on discounted cash flows and Level 3 inputs under ASC 820. The impairment did not impact cash flows or liquidity, but it did result in a significant increase in total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Interest Expense
Interest expense, including amortization of debt discount, was $2,479 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $1,775 for the same period in 2024, an increase of $704, or 39.7%. The modest year-over-year increase reflects higher outstanding debt balances following the November 2025 refinancing in connection with the CDM Acquisition, partially offset by lower amortization of debt discount ($27 in 2025 compared to $569 in 2024 as the prior debt discount was fully written off upon extinguishment of the Prior Credit Agreement in May 2024). See Note 11, Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Company’s debt and related interest expense obligations.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration
The Company had a contingent consideration arrangement related to its acquisition of Reflect, which was recorded at fair value and remeasured at each reporting period using a Monte Carlo simulation model. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a $1,608 loss on the change in fair value of this contingent consideration. The contingent consideration was settled with a gain in 2025.
Gain on Settlement of Contingent Consideration
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized a gain of $4,775 on settlement of contingent consideration, representing the excess of the carrying value of the contingent consideration liability over the fair value of the cash and equity consideration transferred in settlement. See Note 5, Business Combinations, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.
Loss on Debt Modification and Extinguishment
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized a $24 loss on the modification of its revolving credit facility in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement in November 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized a $1,059 loss on extinguishment of debt equal to the remaining unamortized portion of debt discount associated with the prior term loans when the Company entered into the Prior Credit Agreement on May 23, 2024.
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Other Expense (Income), Net
Other expense, net was $516 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to other income, net of $102 for the year ended December 31, 2024, a change of $618. Other expenses consist primarily of $293 in legal expenses incurred in connection with the contingent consideration settlement and a patent infringement claim and $283 in severance-related expenses in connection with the termination of certain employees as part of a cost-reduction initiative.
Supplemental Operating Results on a Non-GAAP Basis
The following non-GAAP data, which adjusts for the categories of expenses described below, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Our management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful information for investors, shareholders and other stakeholders of our Company in gauging our results of operations on an ongoing basis. We believe that earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) is a performance measure and not a liquidity measure, and therefore a reconciliation between net (loss) income, a GAAP financial measure, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA has been provided. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net (loss) income as an indicator of performance or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as an indicator of cash flows, in each case as determined in accordance with GAAP, or as a measure of liquidity. In addition, EBITDA does not take into account changes in certain assets and liabilities as well as interest and income taxes that can affect cash flows. We do not intend the presentation of these non-GAAP measures to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should be read only in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with GAAP that are included elsewhere in this Report.
Quarters Ended
Year Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,
Interest expense:
Amortization of debt discount 27 27 - - -
Amortization of deferred financing costs 110 33 26 25 26
Depreciation/amortization: -
Adjustments
Gain on settlement of contingent consideration (4,775 ) - - - (4,775 )
Loss on impairment of software asset 5,712 - 5,712 - -
Loss on modification of revolver 24 24 - - -
Quarters Ended
Year Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,
Interest expense:
Depreciation/amortization:
Amortization of employee share-based awards 13 4 3 3 3
Adjustments
Stock-based compensation – Director grants 1,059 - - 1,059 -
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
See Note 1, Nature of Organization and Operations, to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of liquidity and financial resources.
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $7,750 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $3,381 for the year ended December 31, 2024. Cash used in 2025 was primarily attributable to a net loss of $8,276, adjusted for net non-cash charges of $12,021, offset by a $11,495 net decrease in cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash provided in 2024 was primarily attributable to a net loss of $3,508, adjusted for net non-cash charges of $7,675, offset by a $786 net decrease in cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $40,477 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $2,801 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to $37,983 in net cash paid for the CDM Acquisition on November 7, 2025 (net of cash acquired). Capitalization of internally developed software costs was $2,188 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $2,790 for the year ended December 31, 2024, with the decrease reflecting the completion of the Company's automotive digital signage platform during the second quarter of 2024. Purchases of property and equipment were $306 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $11 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures as of December 31, 2025.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $48,739 for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to net cash used of $2,453 for the year ended December 31, 2024. Cash provided in 2025 was primarily driven by capital raised in connection with the CDM Acquisition, of which $30,000 represented gross proceeds from the sale of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (net of $2,544 in issuance costs) and $36,000 represented proceeds from the Term Loan under the Amended Credit Agreement. These inflows were partially offset by net repayments under the revolving credit facility of $8,105, a $3,000 cash payment in connection with the settlement of the contingent consideration liability, $2,272 in repayments of finance lease obligations, $850 in deferred financing costs, and $490 in scheduled term loan repayments. Cash used in 2024 was primarily attributable to $15,147 in repayments of term debt, partially offset by $13,044 in net borrowings under the revolving credit facility. See Note 11, Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet arrangements set forth in Item 303(a) (4) of Regulation S-K.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
As of December 31, 2025, we had operating and finance lease obligations of approximately $23,912 payable over the next five years. These obligations relate primarily to corporate office space, warehousing and light-assembly facilities used to stage and deploy digital signage hardware, and leased equipment supporting our operations. Our contractual lease commitments increased materially during 2025 as a result of the CDM Acquisition on November 7, 2025, which added leases for the Waterloo, Ontario corporate office (operating lease) and two finance leases covering facilities and equipment with Cadillac Fairview and Cominar.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures are in conformity with U.S. GAAP. These accounting principles require us to make estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the periods presented. We believe that the estimates and judgments upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that we make these estimates and judgments. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial results will be affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates and judgments and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results are described below.
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We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Management has identified certain critical accounting estimates which are outlined below. In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation but are not deemed critical, as defined above. Changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements.
Business Combinations
On November 7, 2025, the Company completed the CDM Acquisition and accounted for the transaction as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The accounting for a business combination requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions to determine the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, especially with respect to intangible assets. These estimates are based on information available at the acquisition date and are inherently uncertain. The Company engaged a third-party valuation specialist to assist in the determination of fair values.
The key assumptions underlying the preliminary purchase price allocation include discount rates, projected revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, and the remaining useful lives of identified intangible assets. The valuation of customer relationships utilized the multi-period excess earnings method, developed technology utilized the relief-from-royalty method, and non-compete agreements utilized the with-and-without method. Changes in the assumptions used to determine fair value could result in materially different asset and liability values, which would affect the amount of goodwill recognized and the amortization of intangible assets in future periods.
The purchase price allocation for the CDM Acquisition remains preliminary as of December 31, 2025 and is subject to adjustment during the measurement period, which extends through November 7, 2026. Preliminary fair values may be revised as additional information becomes available, including but not limited to the finalization of the valuation of identified intangible assets, the assessment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the resolution of post-closing working capital adjustments. See Note 5, Business Combinations, for additional information.
Goodwill
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually as of September 30 and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that impairment may have occurred. We have no other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We have one reporting unit, and therefore the entire goodwill is allocated to that reporting unit.
Using the quantitative approach, fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using both (1) a market approach, leveraging recent industry merger and acquisition activity as well as comparable public company information, and (2) a discounted cash flow analyses consisting of various assumptions, including expectations of future cash flows based on projections or forecasts derived from analysis of business prospects and economic or market trends that may occur. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, further analysis is performed to measure the impairment loss.
Using the qualitative approach, the Company reviews macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions and entity specific factors, including strategies and financial performance for potential indicators of impairment.
Our market capitalization could fluctuate from time to time. Such fluctuation may be an indicator of possible impairment of goodwill if our market capitalization falls below its book value. If this situation occurs, we perform the required detailed analysis to determine if there is impairment.
No impairment was recorded as a result of our annual assessment completed as of September 30, 2025.
The valuation of goodwill is subject to a high degree of judgment, uncertainty and complexity. We believe the future estimates and assumptions used to test for impairment losses on goodwill are reasonable. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to an impairment charge that could be material.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,in our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, ITEM 8 of this Report, for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on results of operations and financial condition, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7AQUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on Page F-1.
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ITEM 9CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9ACONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal 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, as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2025, and designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025 based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025.
Exclusion of Acquired Business
As permitted by the guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, management has excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, the internal control over financial reporting of CDM, which was acquired on November 7, 2025. CDM represented approximately 60% of total assets and 22% of total revenues included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025. We are in the process of integrating CDM into our overall internal controls over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2025, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, other than the ongoing integration of CDM.
ITEM 9BOTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, none of the officers (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(f)) or directors of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” (as defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K) intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1(c) or any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
ITEM 9C DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10 DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our Board of Directors consists of Richard Mills (Chairman and CEO), David Bell, Thomas B. Ellis, Donald A. Harris, Daniel McGrath, and Stephen Nesbit.
The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our current directors and executive officers.
Name Age Positions
David Bell 81 Director
Michael Bosco 52 Director
Thomas B. Ellis 56 Director
Donald A. Harris 72 Director
Daniel McGrath 63 Director
Richard Mills 70 Chief Executive Officer and Director (Chairman)
Stephen Nesbit 74 Director
Tamra Koshewa 58 Chief Financial Officer
The biographies of the above-identified individuals are set forth below:
David Bell joined our Board of Directors in August 2014 in connection with our acquisition of Creative Realities, LLC. Mr. Bell brings over 40 years of advertising and marketing industry experience to the Board, including serving as CEO of three of the largest companies in the industry - Bozell Worldwide, True North Communications and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. Mr. Bell has previously led Slipstream Communications, LLC which is an international company providing strategic branding, digital marketing, and public relations services and served as a Senior Advisor to Google Inc. from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Bell previously served as an Operating Advisor at Pegasus Capital Advisors. He was a Senior Advisor to AOL from 2008 to 2016 and has also served on the boards of multiple publicly traded companies, including Lighting Science Group Corporation and Point Blank Solutions, Inc., and Primedia, Inc., and served as President and CEO of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Bell served as an independent director on the Board of Directors of Time, Inc. from June 2014 to January 2018.
Michael P. Bosco was appointed to our Board of Directors on December 30, 2025. Mr. Bosco serves as a Partner at North Run Capital, LP, a public security investment firm, a position he has held since 2005. Previously, Mr. Bosco served as Vice President of Resurgence Asset Management from 2002 until 2004, Senior Associate at Hampshire Equity Partners from 1997 until 2000, and as Corporate Finance Analyst at Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc. from 1995 until 1997. Mr. Bosco received a B.S. degree from Boston College and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Thomas B. Ellis was appointed to our Board of Directors on November 6, 2025. Mr. Ellis has served as a Co-Managing Member at North Run Capital, LP, a public security investment firm, since December 2002. Prior to co-founding North Run in 2002, Mr. Ellis, was a Principal at Berkshire Partners, LLC, a private equity firm, an Analyst at MHR Fund Management, a hedge fund and distressed debt fund, and an Associate in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Mr. Ellis received an A.B. degree from Princeton University and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. Mr. Ellis has served on the board of directors of LENSAR, Inc. (Nasdaq: LNSR) since May 2023, on the board of directors of Guerilla RF, Inc. (OTCQX:GUER) since August 2024, and on the board of directors of LightPath Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPTH) since February 2025.
Donald A. Harris was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2014 in connection with our acquisition of Broadcast International, Inc. He has been President of 1162 Management, and the General Partner of 5 Star Partnership, a private equity firm, since June 2006. Mr. Harris has been President and Chief Executive Officer of UbiquiTel Inc., a telecommunications company organized by Mr. Harris and other investors, since its inception in September 1999 and also its Chairman since May 2000. Mr. Harris served as the President of Comcast Cellular Communications Inc. from March 1992 to March 1997. Mr. Harris received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and an MBA from Columbia University. Mr. Harris’s experience in the telecommunications industry and his association with private equity funding is valuable to the Company.
Daniel McGrath was appointed to our Board of Directors on November 6, 2025. Mr. McGrath joined Cineplex Odeon Corporation in 1987 and held various financial and operational roles from 1987 to 2000. Upon joining Galaxy in 2000, he held the position of Executive Vice President and held that position with the corporation until 2011 when he was named Chief Operating Officer. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer of Cineplex Inc., Mr. McGrath oversees theatre operations and food service, location-based entertainment (The Rec Room, Playdium, Junxion), design and construction, real estate, strategic planning, as well as the company’s media businesses, which included Cineplex Digital Media prior to the Company’s acquisition of such business in 2025. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Scene+, the Movie Theatre Association of Canada (where he is also Treasurer), Canada’s Walk of Fame, and he is a member of the Finance Committee for Covenant House. Mr. McGrath graduated from Brock University with a BAdmin (Honours) and holds the accounting designations of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA).
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Richard Mills is currently our Chief Executive Officer, a member of our Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Mills served as interim Chief Financial Officer from October 10, 2025 to December 1, 2025, and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors since 2015, and as Chairman of the Board since November 2023. Mr. Mills possesses over 32 years of industry experience. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of ConeXus World Global, a leading digital media services company, which he founded in 2010, and which was acquired by the Company. Prior to founding ConeXus, Mr. Mills was President and Director at Beacon Enterprise Solutions Group, Inc., a public telecom and technology infrastructure services provider. Previous to that, he joined publicly traded Pomeroy Computer Resources, Inc. in 1993 and served as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors from 1995 until 1999. Mr. Mills helped grow sales at Pomeroy during his time there from $100 million to $700 million. Mr. Mills was also a founder of Strategic Communications LLC.
Stephen Nesbit was appointed to our Board of Directors in 2019. Mr. Nesbit has been in the digital signage and digital advertising industry for over 20 years. He is currently the Managing Director of Prestonwood Trail Holdings LLC and has provided advisory services for companies in the Digital Signage and Digital Media Industry for the past 10 years. He has directed and advised projects in North America, Europe, Asia proper, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. Prior to founding Prestonwood Trail, Mr. Nesbit was the President/COO at Reflect Systems, a prominent software and services company in the Digital Signage business. He joined Reflect after serving as President/COO of MarketForward, the Global Digital Media Division owned by the Publicis Groupe S.A. in Paris France. Mr. Nesbit began his career in Digital Signage as the EVP Global Operations & GM International Business for Next Generation Network. NGN was one of the first Digital Place Based Advertising companies in the industry before its sale to Anschutz Investments where the company changed its name to National Cinemedia (NASDAQ: NCMI). He began his career at IBM in the Data Processing Division holding various field and HQ management positions. Mr. Nesbit also held management and executive positions at Wang Labs and BBN Communications Inc., the communications company that was the original architect of the Internet. Mr. Nesbit holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and earned an MBA from the Indiana University Kelly Graduate School of Business.
Tamra Koshewa has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since December 1, 2025. Ms. Koshewa possesses over 30 years of financial leadership experience with multiple companies across diverse industries including manufacturing, technology, and services. Most recently she was CFO for private equity owned entities including Manna Beverages, LLFlex and HMI. Previously she held senior finance positions at Equipment Depot, AAF International, Time Warner Cable, American Commercial Lines and General Electric, where, over the course of a decade, she graduated from GE’s Experienced Financial Leadership Program and was certified as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Early in her career she was a certified public accountant (inactive) with KPMG. Ms. Koshewa has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Bellarmine University and an MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management. In addition, Ms. Koshewa has been a member of the board of directors of Maryhurst, a Kentucky-based nonprofit health care organization for children, since 2012.
Under our corporate bylaws, all of our directors serve for annual terms expiring upon the next annual meeting of our shareholders.
When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to enable the Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the Board of Directors focuses primarily on the industry and transactional experience, in addition to any unique skills or attributes associated with a director. With regard to Mr. Bell, the Board considered his deep experience within the advertising and marketing industries and his prior management of large enterprises. With regard to Mr. Bosco, the Board of Directors considered his substantial accounting, banking and corporate finance experience. With regard to Mr. Mills, the Board of Directors considered his extensive background and experience in the industry. With regard to Mr. Harris, the Board of Directors considered his extensive experience in the telecommunications industry and association with private equity investors. With regard to Mr. Nesbit, the Board of Directors considered his extensive experience in the digital signage industry, having run several companies in the industry and acted as a consultant broadly for digital signage companies over the past twenty years. With regard to Mr. Ellis, the Board of Directors considered his background in finance and his extensive experience investing in and working with companies. With regard to Mr. McGrath, the Board of Directors considered his significant experience in management of digital media operations, including the business of Cineplex Digital Media that was recently acquired by the Company.
The Board of Directors has determined that there are presently five “independent” directors, as such term is defined in Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing rules, each of whom also meets the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The directors whom the board has determined to be independent are Messrs. Bell, Bosco, Ellis, Harris and Nesbit.
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Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 15, 2025 among the Company, North Run Strategic Opportunities Fund I, LP (the “Lead Investor”) and NR-SOF I (Co-Invest I), LP (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), we agreed to increase the size of the Board of Directors from four to seven directors, and to appoint two designees of the Lead Investor to the Board of Directors. In accordance with this covenant, Thomas B. Ellis and Michael P. Bosco were appointed to the Board, effective as of November 6, 2025 and December 30, 2025, respectively. We also agreed to provide the Lead Investor with continuing director designation rights based on the Lead Investor’s and its affiliates’ beneficial ownership of Common Stock on an as-converted basis. The director designation right will be limited to one Board designee at such time as the Lead Investor and its affiliates cease to beneficially own at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock on an as-converted basis, and the designation right will cease to exist if such beneficial ownership threshold falls below 5%. Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, if any of the Lead Investor’s board designees is not re-elected to the Board at any meeting of the Company’s shareholders at which directors are elected, our Board is obligated to promptly increase the size of the Board by one member, if necessary, and appoint the applicable board designee to fill the resulting vacancy.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Richard Mills serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The role of the Chief Executive Officer is to manage business operations and development. The role of the Chair of the Board is to oversee, among other things, communications and relations between our Board of Directors and senior management, consideration by our Board of Directors of the Company’s strategies and policies, and the evaluation of our principal executive officers by our Board of Directors. We believe that by having the Chairman and CEO held by the same person, information flows more easily between the management team and the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that the Board of Directors and Company are best served at this stage of the Company’s growth and operations for Mr. Mills, as the Company’s CEO, to also serve as the Chairman. The Board maintains a majority of independence, with five out of seven current directors being independent to provide appropriate oversight of the CEO’s performance and functioning. Mr. Mills is not a member of the Company’s Audit Committee or Compensation Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Board held five videoconference meetings. During that year, all directors attended at least 80% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and of each of the Board committees on which he served at the time. We encourage, but do not require, the Board to attend annual shareholder meetings. Messrs. Mills and Harris attended the 2025 annual meeting of the shareholders.
Although risk management is a core responsibility of the Company’s management, the Board of Directors recognizes that it plays a critical role in oversight of risk. The Board, in order to more specifically carry out this responsibility, has assigned the audit committee the primary duty to periodically review the Company’s policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including discussing with management the Company’s major risk exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control those exposures. Those risks include Company risks, such as cyber security incidents, and industry and general economic risks, such as risks related to the impact of trade policies on our supply chain, all as further identified in our annual report. The compensation committee has been assigned the duty to assess the impact of the Company’s compensation programs on risk and recommend to the Board of Directors the adoption of any policies deemed necessary or advisable in order to mitigate compensation- and human capital management-related risks.
Board Committee Membership
Our Board of Directors has created a standing Compensation Committee and Audit Committee, which are described below. The Company’s committees have a separately adopted charter that is available on the Company’s website at https://investors.cri.com. Messrs. Bell, Bosco, Ellis, Harris, and Nesbit qualify as “independent” members of the board as described above.
The Board of Directors has not created a separate committee for nomination or corporate governance. Instead, the entire Board of Directors shares the responsibility of identifying potential director-nominees to serve on the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, nominees to serve as directors on our Board of Directors are selected by those directors on our board who are independent.
Compensation Committee Information. Our Compensation Committee consists of Stephen Nesbit, Donald Harris, and David Bell. Mr. Nesbit serves as chair of the committee. Each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Committee met twice and took action by written consent three times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The Compensation Committee has a written charter. The Compensation Committee’s duties, which are specified in the Compensation Committee charter, include, but are not limited to:
• reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
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Audit Committee Information. Our Audit Committee consists of David Bell, Stephen Nesbit, and Donald Harris. Mr. Bell serves as chair of the committee. The Board of Directors has determined that at least one member of the Audit Committee, Mr. Bell, is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Mr. Bell’s relevant experience in this regard is detailed above in his biography. The Board of Directors has determined that each director serving on the Audit Committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. The audit committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Pursuant to our audit committee charter, responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:
• discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;
• monitoring the independence of our independent auditor;
• appointing or replacing the independent auditor;
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, with management. The Audit Committee also discussed with the Company’s independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s independent accountant required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the Company’s independent accountant its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements of the Company included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 be included in such report.
This report has been furnished by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee:
David Bell (Chair)
Donald Harris
Stephen Nesbit
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Communications with Board Members
Our Board of Directors has provided the following process for shareholders and interested parties to send communications to our Board and/or individual directors. All communications should be addressed to Creative Realities, Inc., 13100 Magisterial Drive, Ste. 201, Louisville, KY 40223, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Communications to individual directors may also be made to such director at our Company’s address. All communications sent to any individual director will be received directly by such individuals and will not be screened or reviewed by any Company personnel. Any communications sent to the Board in the care of the Corporate Secretary will be reviewed by the Corporate Secretary to ensure that such communications relate to the business of the Company before being reviewed by the Board.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions) and directors. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is designed to help ensure our business is conducted in accordance with the highest standards of ethical behavior and satisfies the requirements of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available, free of charge, on the Company’s website at https://investors.cri.com, or upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at 13100 Magisterial Drive, Ste. 201, Louisville, KY 40223.
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted an insider trading policy applicable to members of the Board of Directors, executive officers of the Company, and all employees of the Company or household and immediate family members of such individuals and entities that such individuals influence or control (collectively, “Insiders”). The Company may also determine that other persons should be subject to the policy, such as contractors or consultants who have access to material non-public information. The policy prohibits any Insider from engaging in transactions involving the purchase or sale of the Company’s securities while such person has access to material nonpublic information, as well as from trading in the securities of other companies in breach of a fiduciary duty or other relationship of trust and confidence while in possession of material nonpublic information about such company or its securities.
Hedging and Pledging Policies
Our Insider Trading Policy provides that no Insider may trade in options, warrants, puts, calls or similar hedging instruments designed to hedge or offset any decrease in market value of our securities, may not sell our securities “short,” and may not hold our securities in margin accounts or pledge our securities except in cases where the individual seeks to pledge our securities as collateral for a loan (not including margin debt) if they can clearly demonstrate the financial capacity to repay the loan without resort to the pledged securities. These prohibitions apply to avoid any appearance that an Insider is trading based on material non-public information and focus his or her attention on short-term performance at the expense of the Company’s long-term objectives.
ITEM 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers for 2025 and 2024 (table and footnotes in whole dollars):
Non-Equity
Stock Option Incentive Plan All Other
Salary Bonus Awards Awards Compensation Compensation Total
Name and Principal Position(a) Years ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
Chief Executive Officer
Interim Chief Financial
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The material terms of employment agreements of Richard Mills, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and David Ryan Mudd, former Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and payments to be made upon a change in control are discussed below.
Our named executive officers are eligible for retirement benefits on the same terms as non-executives under the Company’s defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan. Employees may contribute pretax or after-tax compensation to the plan in accordance with current maximum contribution levels proscribed by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company contributes an employer contribution match of 50% of employee wages up to 6%, for an effective match of 3%.
Richard Mills Employment Agreement
The Company employs Richard Mills as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mills and the Company entered into an employment agreement on November 12, 2021. The employment agreement is effective for a one-year term, which automatically renews for additional one-year periods unless either the Company or Mr. Mills elects not to extend the term. The agreement provided for an initial annual base salary of $330,000 subject to annual increases but generally not subject to decreases. In accordance with the agreement, Mr. Mills’ annual base salary was adjusted automatically on February 17, 2022 to $450,000, subject to annual increases but not generally subject to decreases. Under the agreement, Mr. Mills is eligible to participate in performance-based cash bonus or equity award plans for Company senior executives. Mr. Mills will participate in Company employee benefit plans, policies, programs, perquisites and arrangements to the extent he meets applicable eligibility requirements. In the event of a termination of employment for good reason, as defined, without cause, as defined, or within 12 months following a change in control, as defined, other than for reason of death, disability or for cause, Mr. Mills will be entitled to receive aggregate severance payments equal to twelve months of his base salary. The agreement provides that any severance payments would be paid in installments over the course of the severance. The agreement contains certain non-solicitation and non-competition provisions that continue after employment for a period of one year. The agreement also contains other customary restrictive and other covenants relating to the confidentiality of information, the ownership of inventions and other matters. On June 15, 2022, the Board approved an amendment to certain aspects of Mr. Mills’ compensation as further described below.
David Ryan Mudd Employment Agreement