Exhibit 10.86


  


EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


This
Executive Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [May 1, 2019] between TheMaven,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Douglas


B.
Smith, an individual (the “Executive”).


 


RECITALS


 


WHEREAS,
the Company desires to employ the Employee as its Chief Financial Officer, and the Employee desires to accept this offer of employment,
effective as of the Effective Date.


 


WHEREAS,
pursuant to a Service Agreement dated as of March 1, 2019 by and between Maven Coalition, Inc., a Nevada corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company and Hampshire Road Advisors, LLC, a New York limited liability company (the “Prior Agreement”),
Hampshire Road Advisors, LLC has furnished the services of the Executive (the “Prior Services”) to the Company
and its affiliates.


 


WHEREAS,
the Company and the Executive have determined that the terms and conditions of this Agreement are reasonable and in their mutual
best interests and accordingly desire to enter into this Agreement in order to provide for the terms and conditions upon which
the Executive shall be employed by the Company.


 


NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants, agreements and representations and warranties set
forth herein, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:


 


Article
1.


TERMS
OF EMPLOYMENT


 


1.1.
Employment and Acceptance.


 


(a).
Employment and Acceptance. On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall employ the Executive
and the Executive hereby accepts such employment.


 


(b).
Title: Executive shall have the title of: Chief Financial Officer.


 


(c).
Responsibilities and Duties. The Executive’s duties shall consist of such duties and responsibilities as are consistent
with the position of a Chief Financial Officer and reporting officer of Parent, including those duties listed in Exhibit A
hereto and such other duties and responsibilities as are mutually determined from time to time by the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Executive. Executive shall attend mandatory monthly leadership meetings (“Executive
Meetings”), in-person, in Seattle, or in such other locations as the CEO may reasonably determine which shall be timed
to coincide with Executive’s time in Seattle or such other locations. Any change in advisor status must be disclosed by
the Executive to Company and any additions to the Executive’s responsibilities with such companies he advises must be first
approved by Company in writing, email to be sufficient.


 




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(d).
Reporting. The Executive shall report directly to the CEO, unless otherwise directed by the Board.


 


(e).
Performance of Duties; Travel. With respect to Executive’s duties hereunder, at all times, the Executive shall be
subject to the instructions, control, and direction of the Board, and act in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws and other governing policies, rules and regulations, except to the extent that the Executive is aware that
such documents conflict with applicable law. The Executive shall devote Executive’s business time, attention and ability
to serving the Company on an exclusive and full-time basis as aforesaid and as the Board may reasonably require. The Executive
shall also travel as required by Executive’s duties hereunder and shall comply with the Company’s then-current travel
policies as approved by the Board.


 


(f).
Location. Executive shall be based in New York, NY. Nevertheless it is expressly understood that Executive’s duties
will require him to travel regularly out of the New York area for periods of time. Executive shall spend not less than two days
and one night per month on average in Seattle, Washington (or other locations where Executive Meetings will be held as approved
by the CEO), which shall be coordinated with the Executive Meetings. The Executive will attend all quarterly in person meetings
of the Board and will be expected to travel to attend major conferences as reasonably required. Company shall reimburse Executive
for reasonable and appropriate cost of travel between New York and Seattle, Washington and lodging and transportation in Seattle,
Washington.


 


(g).
Officer. The Executive shall, if requested, also serve as an officer of any affiliate of the Company for no additional
compensation.


 


1.2
Compensation and Benefits.


 


(a).
Annual Salary. The Executive shall receive an annual salary of $400,000 for each year (the “Annual Salary”).
Salary shall be payable on a semi-monthly basis or such other payment schedule as used by the Company for its senior-level Executives
from time to time, less such deductions as shall be required to be withheld by applicable law and regulation and consistent with
the Company’s practices. The Annual Salary payable to the Executive will be reviewed annually by the Board.


 


(b).
Bonuses. The Executive shall be eligible to receive bonuses (each a “Bonus” and collectively, the “Bonuses”)
to be agreed by Company and the Executive in good faith from time to time based on then current financial status of the Company.


 


(c).
Payment of Bonuses. The Bonuses, if any, will be paid within forty-five (45) days after the end of the applicable fiscal
quarter.


 


(d).
Eligibility for Bonuses. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5, in order to be eligible to receive a Bonus, the Executive
must be employed by the Company on the last day of the applicable fiscal quarter.


 




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(e).
Equity Incentives. Parent has previously granted to the Executive options to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,564,008 shares
of Parent’s common stock (the “Options”) subject to vesting and other conditions described therein. In
connection with the Options:


 


(i).
The parties agree that the Prior Service and the Executive’s services hereunder shall be deemed to constitute continuous
service for the purposes of the vesting of the Options.


 


(ii).
The Executive acknowledges that at the time of the grants, the shares underlying the Options are not authorized and available
for issuance, therefore the Options are considered to be unfunded options. The Executive agrees that no part of the Options may
be exercised until the later of the increase in the authorized shares of common stock of Parent in sufficient number of shares
to permit the exercise from time to time of such Option or the later completion of the vesting conditions and exercise date as
set forth therein.


 


(f).
Expenses. The Executive shall be reimbursed for all ordinary and necessary out-of- pocket business expenses reasonably
and actually incurred or paid by the Executive in the performance of the Executive’s duties in accordance with the Company’s
policies upon presentation of such expense statements or vouchers or such other supporting information as the Company may require.


 


(g).
Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to fully participate in all benefit plans that are in place and available to
senior-level Executives of the Company from time to time, including, without limitation, medical, dental, vision and life insurance
(if offered), in each case subject to the general eligibility, participation and other provisions set forth in such plans.


 


(h).
Paid Time Off. The Executive shall be entitled to paid time off based on the Company’s policies in effect from time
to time, provided such entitled shall not be less than four weeks annually.


 


(i).
Clawback Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based compensation,
or any other compensation, paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company
which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement, will be subject to such
deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement.


 


1.3
Term; Termination of Employment.


 


(a).
Term. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on the May 1, 2019 (the “Effective Date”)
and shall continue until terminated earlier pursuant to Section 1.3(b) of this Agreement. The period during which the Executive
is employed by the Company hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the “Term.”


 


(b).
Early Termination. The term of this Agreement may be earlier terminated by the Executive or the Company as follows:


 


(i).
Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time for Cause upon written notice
to the Executive setting forth the termination date and, in reasonable detail, the circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination pursuant to this Section 1.3(b)(i), without any requirement of a notice period and without payment of any compensation
of any nature or kind; provided, however, that if the Cause is pursuant to subsections (i), (ii), (vi) or (vii)
of the definition of Cause (appearing below), the Chief Executive Officer must give the Executive the written notice referenced
above within (30) days of the date that the Chief Executive becomes aware or has knowledge of, or reasonably should have become
aware or had knowledge of, such act or omission, and the Executive will have forty- five (45) days to cure such act or omission.


 




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(ii).
Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time without Cause upon written
notice to the Executive, subject to Section 1.3(c) and 1.3(d).


 


(iii).
Permanent Incapacity. In the event of the “Permanent Incapacity” of the Executive (which shall mean
by reason of illness or disease or accidental bodily injury, the Executive is so disabled that the Executive is unable to ever
work again), the Executive may thereupon be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive without payment of
any severance of any nature or kind (including, without limitation, by way of anticipated earnings, damages or payment in lieu
of notice); provided that, in the event of the Executive’s termination pursuant to this Subsection 1.3(b)(iii), the Company
shall pay or cause to be paid to the Executive (i) the amounts specified in any benefit and insurance plans applicable to the
Executive as being payable in the event of the permanent incapacity or disability of the Executive, such sums to be paid in accordance
with the provisions of those plans as then in effect.


 


(iv).
Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death, the Executive’s
beneficiaries or estate will be entitled to receive and the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to them or it, as the case may
be, (i) the amounts specified in any benefit and insurance plans applicable to the Executive as being payable in the event of
the death of the Executive, such sums to be paid in accordance with the provisions of those plans as then in effect.


 


(v).
Termination by Executive. The Executive may terminate employment with the Company upon giving 30 days’ written notice
or such shorter period of notice as the Company may accept. The Executive may resign for Good Reason subject to Section 1.3(c)
and 1.3(d). If the Executive resigns for any reason not constituting Good Reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any severance
or other benefits.


 


(c).
Termination without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is
terminated prior to the end of the term under Section 1.3(a), by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason,
then the Executive shall be entitled (i) to a minimum of 90 days’ from written notice of such termination to the effectiveness
of such termination, during which time the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to rectify any circumstance constituting
Good Reason and (ii) to receive salary continuation and to reimbursement of continued health insurance costs under the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) for six months from the end of the Term. The payment described in this subsection,
along with the vesting features of the Executive’s equity awards as set forth in Executive’s equity incentive agreements,
are the only severance or other payment or payment in lieu of notice that the Executive will be entitled to receive under this
Agreement. Any right of the Executive to payment pursuant to this subsection 1.3(c) shall be contingent on Executive signing a
standard form of release agreement with the Company.


 




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(d).
Statutory Deductions. All payments required to be made to the Executive, his beneficiaries, or his estate under this Section
shall be made net of all deductions required to be withheld by applicable law and regulation. The Executive shall be solely responsible
for the satisfaction of any taxes (including employment taxes imposed on employees and taxes on nonqualified deferred compensation).
Although the Company intends and expects that the Plan and its payments and benefits will not give rise to taxes imposed under
Code Section 409A, neither the Company nor its employees, directors, or their agents shall have any obligation to hold the Executive
harmless from any or all of such taxes or associated interest or penalties.


 


(e).
Fair and Reasonable, etc. The parties acknowledge and agree that the payment provisions contained in this Section are fair
and reasonable, and the Executive acknowledges and agrees that such payments are inclusive of any notice or pay in lieu of notice
or vacation or severance pay to which she would otherwise be entitled under statute, pursuant to common law or otherwise in the
event that his employment is terminated pursuant to or as contemplated in this Section 1.3.


 


1.4
Restrictive Covenants.


 


(a).
Non-Competition. Because of the Company’s legitimate business interest as described herein and the good and valuable
consideration offered to the Executive, during the Executive’s employment and for a period of one year following the termination
of the Executive’s employment (the “Restriction Period”), the Executive agrees and covenants not to engage
in Prohibited Activity in the development, implementation, operation, supply and marketing of a business, product or service aggregating
third party content publishers and providing them publishing and monetization services (the “Competing Business”).


 


For
purposes of this Section 1.4, “Prohibited Activity” is activity in which the Executive contributes his knowledge
directly and specifically as an employee, employer, owner, operator, manager, advisor, consultant, agent, employee, partner, director,
stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern, or any other similar capacity to an entity engaged in the Competing Business.


 


Nothing
herein shall prohibit the Executive from purchasing or owning less than five percent (5%) of the publicly traded securities of
any corporation that engages in the Competing Business, provided that such ownership represents a passive investment and that
the Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group that controls, such corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Executive may, without violating this Section, (i) provide services that are unrelated to the Competing Business to any entity
or person engaged in the Competing Business, as long as the Executive is working in a division, unit, subsidiary, branch and/or
affiliate that is not engaged in the Competing Business; (ii) own securities in any venture capital, private debt or equity investment
fund or similar investment entity that holds securities in an entity that may be engaged in the Competing Business or own, as
a passive investment, securities in a privately held entity engaged in the Competing Business, provided that the number of shares
of such entity’s securities that are owned beneficially by Executive represent less than five percent (5%) of the total
number of outstanding shares of such entity’s securities; or (iii) work for a venture capital or private equity fund that
has portfolio companies that engage in the Competing Business, so long as Executive does not actively participate in the relationship
between such fund and the portfolio companies that engage in the Competing Business.


 




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During
the Executive’s employment and after the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason,
the Executive agrees and covenants not to use any Confidential Information to engage in any Prohibited Activity. Confidential
Information includes, but is not limited to, all information not generally known to the public, in spoken, printed, electronic
or any other form or medium, relating directly or indirectly to: business processes, practices, methods, policies, plans, publications,
documents, research, operations, services, strategies, techniques, agreements, contracts, terms of agreements, transactions, potential
transactions, negotiations, know-how, trade secrets, computer programs, computer software, applications, operating systems, software
design, web design, work-in-process, databases, manuals, records, articles, systems, material, sources of material, supplier information,
vendor information, financial information, results, legal information, marketing information, advertising information, pricing
information, design information, personnel information, suppliers, vendors, developments, reports, sales, revenues, costs, formulae,
product plans, designs, styles, models, ideas, inventions, patent, patent applications, original works of authorship, discoveries,
specifications, customer information, client information, the Company, or its businesses or any existing or prospective customer,
supplier, investor or other associated third party, or of any other person or entity that has entrusted information to the Company
in confidence. Confidential Information also includes other information that is marked or otherwise identified as confidential
or proprietary, or that would otherwise appear to a reasonable person to be confidential or proprietary in the context and circumstances
in which the information is known or used. Confidential Information developed by the Executive in the course of the employment
of the Executive by the Company shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if the Company furnished the
same Confidential Information to the Executive in the first instance


 


This
Section 1.4(a) does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Executive from exercising protected rights to the extent that such
rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent
jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation,
or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Company’s CEO, Chief Operating Officer
or President.


 


(b).
Non-Solicitation of Employees. During the Executive’s employment and for a period of one year following the termination
of the Executive’s employment, the Executive agrees and covenants not to directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with
others, solicit, encourage, influence, recruit, or induce or attempt to solicit, encourage, influence, recruit or induce, or direct
any other person or entity to take any of the aforementioned actions, any employee (other than Marko Vukosavovic) of the Company
to cease working for the Company and/or to begin working with any other person or entity. This non-solicitation provision explicitly
covers all forms of oral, written, or electronic communication, including, but not limited to, communications by email, regular
mail, express mail, telephone, fax, instant message, and social media, including, but not limited to, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram,
and Twitter, and any other social media platform, whether or not in existence at the time of entering into this Agreement.


 




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Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Section shall not deemed to have been breached or violated by the placement of general advertisements that
may be targeted to a particular geographic or technical area but that are not specifically targeted toward employees of the Company.


 


(c).
Non-Solicitation of Customers. The Company has a legitimate business interest in protecting its substantial and ongoing
customer relationships. The Executive understands and acknowledges that because of the Executive’s experience with and relationship
to the Company, the Executive will have access to and learn about much or all of the Company’s customer information. “Customer
Information” includes, but is not limited to, names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, order history, order
preferences, chain of command, pricing information, and other information identifying facts and circumstances specific to the
customer and relevant to customer sales and the provision to customers of services.


 


The
Executive understands and acknowledges that loss of this customer relationship and/or goodwill will cause significant and irreparable
harm.


 


In
exchange for the Executive’s employment by the Company, and based on the Executive’s access to Confidential Information
during the Executive’s employment and/or after the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for
any reason, the Executive agrees and covenants that, during the Executive’s employment and for a period of one year following
the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason the Executive will not directly or indirectly
solicit, contact (including but not limited to e-mail, regular mail, express mail, telephone, fax, instant message, or social
media, including but not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter, or any other social media platform, whether or not
in existence at the time of entering into this Agreement), attempt to contact, or meet with the Company’s customers or prospective
customers as described below for purposes of offering or accepting goods or services competitive with those offered by the Company.


 


This
restriction shall only apply to:


 


(i).
Customers the Executive contacted in any way during the past 12 months;


 


(ii).
Customers about whom the Executive has trade secret or confidential information;


 


(iii).
Customers who became customers during the Executive’s employment with the Company;


 


(iv).
Customers about whom the Executive has information that is not available publicly; and


 


(v).
Prospective customers with whom the Executive is engaged in active sales communications or with whom the Executive is aware that
the Company is otherwise engaged in active sales communications.


 


(d).
Mutual Non-disparagement. During the Executive’s employment and for a period of one year following the termination
of the Executive’s employment, each of the Executive and the Company will not directly or indirectly for itself or on behalf
of any other person, libel, slander or disparage the other in any manner that is harmful to the other’s business reputation
or personal reputation. This Section 1.4(d) does not preclude either party from testifying truthfully to a lawful subpoena or
from making truthful and accurate statements or disclosures that are required by other applicable laws or legal process.


 




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(e).
Confidential Information; Proprietary Rights. The terms of the Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement dated as
of January 21, 2019 shall continue in full force and effect.


 


(f).
Acknowledgment by the Executive. The Executive acknowledges and confirms that: (i) the restrictive covenants contained
in this Section 1.4 are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company; (ii) the restrictions
contained in this Section 1.4 (including, without limitation, the length of the term of the provisions of this Section 1.4) are
not overbroad, overlong, or unfair and are not the result of overreaching, duress, or coercion of any kind; and (iii) the Executive’s
entry into this Agreement and, specifically this Section 1.4, is a material inducement and required condition to the Company’s
entry into this Agreement.


 


(g).
Reformation by Court. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any provision of this Section
1.4 is invalid or more restrictive than permitted under the governing law of such jurisdiction, then only as to enforcement of
this Section 1.4 within the jurisdiction of such court, such provision shall be interpreted and enforced as if it provided for
the maximum restriction permitted under such governing law.


 


(h).
Survival. The provisions of this Section 1.4 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.


 


(i).
Injunction. It is recognized and hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto that a breach by the Executive of any of the
covenants contained in this Section 1.4 will cause irreparable harm and damage to the Company, the monetary amount of which may
be virtually impossible to ascertain. As a result, the Executive recognizes and hereby acknowledges that the Company shall be
entitled to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining and restraining any violation of any or all of the
covenants contained in this Section 1.4 by the Executive or any of Executive’s Affiliates, associates, partners or agents,
either directly or indirectly, and that such right to injunction shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies
the Company may possess.


 


1.5
Definitions. The following capitalized terms used herein shall have the following meanings:


 


(a).
“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling,
controlled by or under common control with such Person.


 


(b).
“Agreement” shall mean this Agreement, as amended from time to time.


 


(c).
“Annual Salary” shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.2(a).


 


(d).
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of Parent.


 




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(e).
“Cause” means the (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure substantially to perform the duties of
the Executive under this Agreement (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness);
(ii) the Executive’s willful and continued failure to comply with any valid and legal directive of the Chief Executive Officer
in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the Executive’s engagement in dishonesty, illegal conduct, or willful misconduct,
which is, in each case, materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company or its Affiliates; (iv) the Executive’s embezzlement,
misappropriation, or fraud against the Company or any of its Affiliates; (v) the Executive’s conviction of or plea of guilty
or nolo contendere to a crime that constitutes a felony (or state law equivalent) or a crime that constitutes a misdemeanor involving
moral turpitude if such felony or misdemeanor is work-related, materially impairs the Executive’s ability to perform services
for the Company, or results in a material loss to the Company or material damage to the reputation of the Company; (vi) the Executive’s
violation of a material policy of the Company that has been previously delivered to the Executive in writing if such failure causes
material harm to the Company; or (vii) the Executive’s material breach of any material obligation under this Agreement or
any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company. No act or failure to act on the part of the Executive shall
be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable
belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.


 


(f).
“Code” shall have the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time.


 


(g).
“Company” shall have the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereof; provided that, (i) “Company”
shall include any successor to the Company and (ii) for purposes of Section 1.5, the term “Company” also shall include
any existing or future subsidiaries of the Company that are operating during any of the time periods described in Section 1.1(a)
and any other entities that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by or are under
common control with the Company during the periods described in Section 1.1(a).


 


(h).
“Compensation Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.


 


(i).
“Good Reason” shall mean any of the following events, which has not been either consented to in advance by
the Executive in writing or, with respect only to subsections (i), (ii), (v) or (vi) below, cured by the Company within a
reasonable period of time, not to exceed 45 days, after the Executive provides written notice within 30 days of the initial
existence of one or more of the following events: (i) a material reduction in Annual Salary or Bonuses for which the
Executive is eligible; (ii) a material breach of the Agreement by the Company; (iii) requiring the Executive to take any
action which would violate any federal or state law; (iv) any requirement that the Executive’s duties be performed
outside of New York more than two (2) days per week on average, (it being understood that certain weeks will require
lengthier stays outside of New York); (v) any failure by the Company to comply with Section 2.6 of this Agreement; or (vi)
any material reduction in the Executive’s title or scope of responsibility. Good Reason shall not exist unless
the Executive terminates his employment within seventy-five (75) days following the initial existence of the condition or
conditions that the Company has failed to cure, if applicable.


 




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(j).
“Parent” shall mean TheMaven, Inc., a Delaware corporation of which the Company is a 100% owned subsidiary.


 


(k).
“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general partnership,
limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company
or joint stock company), firm or other enterprise, association, organization or entity.


 


(l).
“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, with respect to the Company, any change, event, violation, inaccuracy,
circumstance or effect (any such item, an “Effect”), individually or when taken together with all other Effects
that have occurred prior to the date of determination of the occurrence of the Material Adverse Effect, that results in or would
reasonably be expected to result in, a materially adverse effect on its business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities,
financial condition or results of operations taken as a whole; provided, however, none of the following will be taken into account
in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect: (a) any Effect to the extent attributable to conditions (or changes
after the date hereof in such conditions) generally affecting the U.S. or global economy, financial or securities markets; (b)
any Effect to the extent attributable to general economic, market or political conditions, or the outbreak or escalation of war
or any act of terrorism; (c) any Effect to the extent attributable to changes in operating, business, regulatory or other conditions
in the industry in which it operates; (d) any Effect attributable to the adoption, implementation, repeal, modification, reinterpretation
or proposal of any Legal Requirement, regulation or policy by any Governmental Body, or any panel or advisory body empowered or
appointed thereby, in each case, after the date hereof.


 


Article
2.


MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS


 


2.1
Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall execute and cause to be delivered to the other party hereto such instruments
and other documents, and shall take such other actions, as such other party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying
out or evidencing any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


 


2.2
Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by (a) certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, (b) national prepaid overnight delivery service, (c) electronic transmission (following with hard copies to be sent
by prepaid overnight delivery Service) or (d) personal delivery with receipt acknowledged in writing. All notices shall be addressed
to the parties hereto at their respective addresses as set forth below (except that any party hereto may from time to time upon
fifteen days’ written notice change its address for that purpose), and shall be effective on the date when actually received
or refused by the party to whom the same is directed (except to the extent sent by registered or certified mail, in which event
such notice shall be deemed given on the third day after mailing).


 


(a).
If to the Company:


 


Maven
Coalition, Inc.


1500
Fourth Avenue, Suite 200


Seattle,
WA 98101


Email:
hr@maven.io


 




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(b).
If to the Executive:


 


Douglas
B. Smith


27
Hampshire Road


Bronxville,
NY 10708


Email:
douglas.b.smith1288@gmail.com


 


2.3
Headings. The underlined or boldfaced headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, shall
not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation
of this Agreement.


 


2.4
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all
of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement.


 


2.5
Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue.


 


(a).
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed in all respects by, the internal laws of the State of New York
(without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws), except to the extent preempted by federal law.


 


(b).
Any legal action or other legal proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement shall
be brought or otherwise commenced exclusively in any state or federal court located in New York County,
New York.


 


2.6
Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors
and assigns (if any). The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly
to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would have been required
to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean both the
Company as defined above and any such successor that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.
The Executive shall not assign this Agreement or any of the Executive’s rights or obligations hereunder (by operation of
law or otherwise) to any Person without the consent of the Company.


 


2.7
Remedies Cumulative; Specific Performance. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto shall be cumulative (and not alternative).
The parties to this Agreement agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by any party to this Agreement of any
covenant, obligation or other provision set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of any other party to this Agreement, such
other party shall be entitled (in addition to any other remedy that may be available to it) to (a) a decree or order of specific
performance or mandamus to enforce the observance and performance of such covenant, obligation or other provision, and (b) an
injunction restraining such breach or threatened breach. The parties to this Agreement further agree that in the event the Executive
prevails on any material claim (in a final adjudication) in any legal proceeding brought against the Company to enforce the Executive’s
rights under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Executive for the reasonable legal fees incurred by the Executive
in connection with such proceeding.


 




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2.8
Waiver. No failure on the part of any Person to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, and
no delay on the part of any Person in exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as
a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy and no single or partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy
shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy. No Person shall be deemed
to have waived any claim arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, unless
the waiver of statutory claim, power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed
and delivered on behalf of such Person; and any such waiver shall not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific
instance in which it is given.


 


2.9
Code Section 409A Compliance. To the extent amounts or benefits that become payable under this Agreement on account of
the Executive’s termination of employment (other than by reason of the Executive’s death) constitute a distribution
under a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Code Section 409A (“Deferred Compensation”),
the Executive’s termination of employment shall be deemed to occur on the date that the Executive incurs a “separation
from Service” with the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). If at the time of the Executive’s
separation from service, the Executive is a “specified Executive” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)), the payment of such Deferred Compensation shall commence on the first business day of the seventh
month following the Executive’s separation from Service and the Company shall then pay the Executive, without interest,
all such Deferred Compensation that would have otherwise been paid under this Agreement during the first six months following
the Executive’s separation from service had the Executive not been a specified Executive. Thereafter, the Company shall
pay Executive any remaining unpaid Deferred Compensation in accordance with this Agreement as if there had not been a six-month
delay imposed by this paragraph. If any expense reimbursement by the Executive under this Agreement is determined to be Deferred
Compensation, then the reimbursement shall be made to the Executive as soon as practicable after submission for the reimbursement,
but no later than December 31 of the year following the year during which such expense was incurred. Any reimbursement amount
provided in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in another year and the right to such reimbursement
shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. In addition, if any provision of this Agreement would subject
the Executive to any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, then the Company shall reform such provision; provided that the Company shall (x) maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without
subjecting the Executive to such additional tax or interest and (y) not incur any additional compensation expense as a result
of such reformation.


 


2.10
Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or supplemented other than by means of a written instrument
duly executed and delivered on behalf of all of the parties hereto.


 




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2.11
Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application of any such provision to any Person
or set of circumstances, shall be determined to be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this
Agreement, and the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is determined to
be invalid, unlawful, void or unenforceable, shall not be impaired or otherwise affected and shall continue to be valid and enforceable
to the fullest extent permitted by law,


 


2.12
Parties in Interest. Except as provided herein, none of the provisions of this Agreement are intended to provide any rights
or remedies to any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (if any).


 


2.13
Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter
hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, term sheets and understandings between the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof.


 


[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO EXECUTIVE


EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW]


 




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[SIGNATURE
PAGE TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]


 


The
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first set forth above.


  


	 	THE
    COMPANY:
	 	 	 
	 	THEMAVEN,
    INC.
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ James
    Heckman
	 	Name:	James
    Heckman
	 	Title:	Chief
    Executive Officer
	 	 	 
	 	THE EXECUTIVE:


 








	 	/s/ Douglas
B. Smith
	 	Douglas
    B. Smith


 




    	14 



     


    

 


EXHIBIT
A


 


Chief
Financial Officer


 


Job
Description


 


The
Chief Financial Officer is accountable for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the Company, to include
the development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring
of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results.


 


Principal
responsibilities include:


 


●
Planning


 


	 	○	Assist
    in formulating the company’s future direction and supporting tactical initiatives
	 	○	Monitor
    and direct the implementation of strategic business plans
	 	○	Develop
    financial and tax strategies
	 	○	Manage
    the capital request and budgeting processes
	 	○	Develop
    performance measures and monitoring systems that support the company’s strategic direction


 


●
Operations


 


	 	○	Participate
    in key decisions as a member of the executive management team
	 	○	Maintain
    in-depth relations with all members of the management team
	 	○	Manage
    the accounting, human resources, investor relations, tax, and treasury functions
	 	○	Oversee
    the financial operations of subsidiary companies and foreign operations
	 	○	Manage
    any third parties to which accounting or finance functions have been outsourced
	 	○	Oversee
    the Company’s transaction processing systems
	 	○	Implement
    operational best practices
	 	○	Oversee
    employee benefit plans, with particular emphasis on maximizing a cost- effective benefits package
	 	○	Supervise
    acquisition due diligence and assist in negotiating acquisitions


 


●
Financial Information


 


	 	○	Oversee
    the issuance of financial information
	 	○	Personally
    review and approve all Form 8-K, 10-K, and 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
	 	○	Report
    financial results to the board of directors


 


●
Capital Stock


 


	 	○	Oversee
    the Company’s relationships with transfer agents, OTC markets, securities exchanges and the like
	 	○	Manage
    the listing of the Company’s securities with all exchanges and markets


 




    	 



     


    

 


●
Risk Management


 


	 	○	Understand
    and mitigate key elements of the company’s risk profile
	 	○	Monitor
    all open legal issues involving the company, and legal issues affecting the industry
	 	○	Construct
    and monitor reliable control systems
	 	○	Maintain
    appropriate insurance coverage
	 	○	Ensure
    that the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
	 	○	Ensure
    that record keeping meets the requirements of auditors and government agencies
	 	○	Report
    risk issues to the audit committee of the board of directors
	 	○	Maintain
    relations with external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations


 


●
Funding


 


	 	○	Monitor
    cash balances and cash forecasts
	 	○	Arrange
    for debt financing and equity financing
	 	○	Invest
    funds
	 	○	Invest
    pension funds


 


●
Third Parties


 


	 	○	Participate
    in conference calls with the investment community
	 	○	Maintain
    banking relationships
	 	○	Represent
    the Company with investment bankers and investors