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Bango Plc

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FY2017 Annual Report · Bango Plc
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Annual Report 2017

Contents

Strategic report

Highlights...........................................................................................................01

Bango at a glance................................................................................................02

Chairman’s statement..........................................................................................03

CEO’s statement..................................................................................................05

CFO’s  statement.................................................................................................07

Strategy for growth.............................................................................................10

Principal risks and uncertainties............................................................................11

Report of Directors

Directors............................................................................................................13

Company information...........................................................................................15

Directors’ report...................................................................................................16

Corporate governance report................................................................................18

Audit comittee report...........................................................................................19

Remuneration committee report...........................................................................20

Financial statements

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Bango PLC (Bango)......................22

(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:21)(cid:27)

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income...................................................29

(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:192)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:19)

Consolidated statement of changes in equity...........................................................31

(cid:49)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:21)

(cid:54)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:47)(cid:38)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:24)(cid:21)

Statement of changes in equity of Bango PLC.........................................................53

(cid:38)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:192)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:47)(cid:38)(cid:3)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:171)(cid:24)(cid:23)

(cid:49)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:171)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:24)(cid:24)

2

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

Highlights

Highlights

• 

End  User  Spend  (EUS)  increased 
(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)
(cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:26)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:80)(cid:3)
(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:3)
£132.3m)

(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)

•  (cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:25)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:21)(cid:80)(cid:3)

(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:80)(cid:12)

• 

Bango  operational 
costs  were 
(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:3) (cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:3)
demonstrating  the  high  scalability 
of the platform

6

5

(cid:23)

3

2

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EUS, revenue and opex costs

300

M
£

/

S
U
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250

200

150

100

50

0

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:23)

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)

EUS revenue

Operating costs

End User Spend (EUS)

DCB for Amazon retail in Japan
Bango  enabled  a  new  payment  method  for  Amazon  customers  in  Japan.  Amazon 
customers with a KDDI (au) or NTT DOCOMO mobile phone account can now pay for 
physical goods from Amazon.co.jp, by charging the cost to their mobile phone bill.

Mobile wallets in Google Play
Continuing its history of launching disruptive payment technologies on a large scale 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)
as a payment method for customers buying from Google Play in Africa.

Upgraded Google Play routes
Three Google Play routes upgraded to the Bango Platform. By applying Bango Boost 
technology they experience an immediate uplift in sales and move back into growth.

“

1

We are constantly on the lookout for new ways to optimize our mobile services and 
ensure they’re paced with our customers’ growing online needs. We are excited to 
adopt Bango technology which will allow us to build on the success of our existing app 
store carrier billing and provide our customers a frictionless payment experience.

“

Karim Tabbouche, Chief Commercial Officer of VIVA Bahrain

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bango at a glance

In  2017,  Bango  added  new 
customers  using  the  Bango 
Platform,  expanded  global 
reach with new payment routes 
and  increased  development 
in  technology  to  support  new 
products  and  services  from 
our  customers.  Each  of  these 
growth  factors,  provides  a 
strong base for more success 
in 2018 and beyond for Bango 
and its customers.

Connected commerce

Bango  is  the  payment  platform 
the  world’s  most 
chosen  by 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:192)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)
sales faster in the age of connected 
commerce. 

people  make 

Working  with  global  stores  including 
Google,  Amazon,  and  Microsoft,  Bango 
has  become  the  industry  standard, 
helping 
payments 
quickly  and  conveniently.  Through  its 
(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3)
unique  insights  derived  from  pooled 
data  and  shared  knowledge.  Bango 
gives businesses unrivalled visibility into 
their markets and customers, increasing 
sales  and  customer  acquisition.  Built 
to  scale,  the  Bango  Platform  supports 
the  exponential  growth  ambitions  of  its 
global partners. 

Bango at a glance

Carrier billing 
on Xbox One

(cid:47)(cid:68)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:59)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:91)(cid:3)
content then expanded the availability 
(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:58)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:59)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:91)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)
over 200 million subscribers across 
Europe and the USA.

Operator wallets 
in Google Play

Launched new app store 
payments services including 
African operator wallets in Google 
Play, enabling our partners 
(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
methods with no risk.

Amazon Prime 
resale in India

Launched resale and bundling 
technology in India, enabling Bharti 
Airtel customers to sign-up to Amazon 
Prime in India as part of a bundled 
(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:17)

Carrier billing 
in Amazon Japan

Japanese customers are in the 
enviable position of being able 
to use this convenient payment 
method at checkout for physical 
goods as well as digital content.

‘Most Innovative 
DCB Technology’ 
award

Bango won the award for the ‘Most 
Innovative DCB Technology’ at the 
Global Direct Carrier Billing Awards 
2017. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

2

Chairman’s statement

Chairman’s statement

I  am  delighted  to  report  that 
the  vision  and  plan  the  Bango 
management  team  set  out  at  its 
January  2017  strategy  day  has 
been delivered. 2017 was a year in 
which  the  remarkable  breadth  of 
the Bango Platform was thoroughly 
and successfully demonstrated. 

In  a  year  of  many  achievements, 
enabling a new payment method for the 
world’s biggest online retailer in its third 
largest  global  market,  was  a  highlight. 
The  Amazon  business  in  Japan  covers 
retail, digital products and services such 
as  Amazon  Prime  and  Prime  Student. 
The  technical  requirements  to  support 
this  kind  of  retail  payments  are  far 
greater than for digital purchases, which 
validates 
investment 
Bango  has  made  in  the  sophisticated 
capabilities of the Bango Platform. This 
investment  has  proven  to  be  a  shrewd 
decision by management and signposts 
the longevity of Bango technology as the 
market develops in new ways. 

long-term 

the 

At  the  heart  of  the  Bango  strategy  is 
the  idea  that  a  platform  accumulates 
a  vast  amount  of  information  from 
multiple  sources,  and  delivers  value 
to  customers  and  partners  that  they 
cannot  obtain  through  direct,  bilateral 

relationships.  The  Bango  Platform  is 
truly  global,  collecting  data  from  end 
user activity across Europe, Asia, Africa, 
Oceania and the Americas. The business 
today  powers  digital  and  retail  sales, 
using  direct  billing,  wallets  and  reseller 
business models, for the world’s biggest 
internet companies which can grow their 
sales  faster  by  partnering  with  Bango. 
This places Bango in a unique position, 
and  with  a  unique  opportunity,  in  the 
commerce market. 

(cid:40)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)
of 
the  Bango  Platform  was  again 
demonstrated when Bharti Airtel, India’s 
biggest  Mobile  Network  Operator, 
(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)
Amazon.  Mobile  users  can  now  enjoy 
Amazon Prime video, bundled as part of 
their Airtel mobile or broadband service. 
(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)
the  Bango  Platform  to  resell,  maintain 
and manage subscriber entitlement, and 
provide  valuable  information  to  both 
parties,  leading  to  increased  sales  and 
(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:17)(cid:3)

(cid:41)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:16)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)
event,  Bango  announced  the  rapid 
acceleration  of 
further 
monetize 
the  Bango 
Platform.    The  acquisition  of  Audiens, 

the  value  of 

its  plan  to 

a  technology  provider  with  a  Customer 
Data  Platform,  is  an  opportunity  for 
Bango  to  seize  the  strategic  value  that 
is  increasingly  being  placed  by  the 
commerce  market  on  online  payments 
and 
the  associated  data.  Audiens 
enables  a  much  wider  market  beyond 
(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)
the value of payments data and from the 
broader  data  attributes  that  merchants 
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)
relationships with Bango.

The  management  skill  in  achieving 
(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:3) (cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:17)(cid:3)
Management  again  shows  itself  to  be 
highly  capable  of  leading  the  business 
to  new  heights,  equipped  to  achieve 
continued  progress 
through  organic 
growth and the application of the Bango 
technology  to  new  markets.  I  am  now 
looking forward to reporting on the data 
opportunities  provided  by  the  Audiens 
acquisition. I am looking forward to the 
year ahead, during which I believe Bango 
can  deliver  sizeable  End  User  Spend 
growth and deepen its importance in the 
business of the internet. 

David Sear 
Chairman

3

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

(cid:57)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:29)

bangoinvestor.com

DCB for Amazon retail in Japan

Bango  has  enabled  a  new 
payment  method  for  Amazon 
customers  in  Japan.  Amazon 
customers with a KDDI (au) or 
NTT  DOCOMO  mobile  phone 
account  can  now  pay 
for 
physical  goods  from  Amazon.
co.jp,  by  charging  the  cost  to 
their mobile phone bill.

Bango expanded Direct Carrier 
Billing  (DCB)  availability 
to 
include  Amazon  Prime  and 
Prime  Student  membership 
programs a few months later.

Expanded the availability of Direct Carrier Billing for Windows Store 

Bango  expanded  the  availability  of  Direct  Carrier  Billing  for 
(cid:58)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:59)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:91)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3)
across Europe and the USA. European launches for Windows 10 
carrier billing through the Bango Platform include EE in the UK, 
Base in Belgium and 3 in Italy. 

In the USA, subscribers on the Verizon network can purchase 
their  favorite  apps,  games,  movies,  music  and  more  from 
Windows  Store,  across  all  devices  running  Windows  10, 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:59)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:91)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:17)

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

4

CEO’s statement

CEO’s statement

Bango is the platform chosen by the 
(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:192)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)
to grow their sales faster in the age 
of  connected  commerce.  Google, 
Amazon,  Microsoft  and  other 
leaders are using Bango technology 
to enable billions of users to make 
payments quickly and conveniently. 

Through its partnerships and technology, 
Bango delivers unique commerce insights 
derived  from  pooled  data  and  shared 
knowledge.  Bango  gives  businesses 
unrivalled  visibility  into  their  markets 
and  customers,  increasing  sales  and 
customer acquisition. Built to scale, the 
Bango Platform supports the exponential 
growth ambitions of its global partners.

Driving customer success with 
the Bango Platform

Amazon physical goods
In June 2017, Bango broke new ground 
(cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:93)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)
customers  the  convenience  of  payment 
for physical goods on their mobile phone 
bill.  

Launching initially across all Android and 
iPhone users on the Docomo and KDDI 
networks in Japan, this reaches over 110 
million  consumers.  Japan  is  a  mobile-
centric  internet  culture  with  billions  of 
dollars  of  online  purchases  transacting 
on mobile phones each year. 

The Bango Platform can now support the 
more complex technology and processes 

demanded  by  online  retailers.  This 
(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)
investment 
in  the  Bango  API  and 
associated  software  over  more  than  3 
years. 

Online  retailers  anywhere  in  the  world 
are now able to follow Amazon’s lead and 
(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)
payment to their mobile phone bill. 

Amazon Prime Video
In  parallel  with  opening-up  payments 
for  physical  goods  using  the  Bango 
Platform, 
the  expansion  of  digital 
services continues via the Bango resale 
product.  At  the  end  of  2017,  Bharti 
Airtel,  the  largest  mobile  operator  in 
India  began  to  launch  Amazon  Prime 
Video  as  part  of  a  bundled  package 
(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)
with  Amazon  was  made  possible  by 
using  the  Bango  Platform.  As  new 
mobile operators integrate to the Bango 
(cid:51)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)
physical and digital goods, the reach for 
all merchant partners is increased.  

Google Play upgrades
Mobile  operators  switching  from  an 
existing connection to the Bango Platform 
provide proof that Bango provides more 
value than a payment processor. In the 
(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)
Middle  East  moved  their  Google  Play 
routes from third party providers to the 
Bango  Platform,  to  stimulate  growth. 
(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)

from  the  tools  and  data  that  Bango 
uniquely provides. An immediate uplift in 
end user spend of 35% was gained, with 
more than 25% increase in unique users. 
Bango Boost will enable app developers 
to  strengthen  their  business  with  these 
operators  by  using  the  benchmarking 
and  data  insights  that  only  Bango  can 
provide. 

to 

A key focus of Bango sales and marketing 
teams in 2018 is accelerating the growth 
of Google Play EUS by upgrading mobile 
operators 
the  Bango  Platform. 
More  than  30  mobile  operators  are  in 
discussion with Bango about the upgrade 
opportunity,  representing  in  excess  of 
US$3Bn of End User Spend that can be 
moved to the Bango Platform and grown 
(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3)

Success with mobile wallets
The  Bango  Platform  was  designed  to 
(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)
emerging  payment  methods  as  they 
are  deployed  by  operators  and  other 
payment  providers.  During  2017,  work 
continued  on  integrating  new  wallets 
and payment systems to meet the needs 
of  merchants  wanting  to  go  beyond 
(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:45)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)
launched  in  Japan  with  AU’s  wallet, 
followed in November by 9mobile’s 9pay 
wallet  in  Nigeria,  which  launched  in 
Google Play.   

(cid:57)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:29)

bangoinvestor.com

5

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

CEO’s statement

zero  and,  therefore,  additional  revenue 
(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:17)(cid:3)

Acquisition of Audiens
The increasing capabilities of the Bango 
Platform  result  in  more  transactions 
being processed. Additional transactions 
provide not only immediate commercial 
value to Bango and its partners, but also 
contribute  to  the  pool  of  anonymized 
data stored in the Bango Platform. Data 
has great value to publishers, operators, 
developers  and  other  advertisers.  To 
market  this  data  more  quickly  and 
to  allow  partners  integrated  to  the 
Bango  Platform  to  monetize  their  data 
securely and at low cost, Bango acquired 
Audiens.  Audiens  brings  contracts  to 
sell  data  with  the  leading  global  Data 
Management  Platform’s  (DMPs)  and  a 
team with extensive experience in data 
monetization. 

Outlook
Bango  has  continued  to  execute  on  its 
successful  strategy  of  powering  the 
industry leaders. In 2017 the power and 
versatility  of  the  Bango  Platform  was 
emphasized  by  the  successful  launch 
of  DCB  for  Amazon  physical  goods  in 
Japan, of Amazon Prime Video resale in 
India, and continued growth for Google 
Play merchants worldwide.

In  2017,  for  the  third  consecutive  year, 
the  EUS  processed  through  the  Bango 
Platform more than doubled, increasing 
the power of the platform for merchants, 
and  attracting  new  business  which  will 
power  spending  growth  and  contribute 
to an increasingly valuable pool of data 
in the years to come.

(cid:53)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)
of  the  Bango  Platform  even  more 
compelling.  The  more 
transactions 
through the  Bango Platform, the  better 
it  can  increase  sales  for  customers  in 
the future – due to the unique “platform 
(cid:72)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:180)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)
mobile  operators  see  from  moving  to 
the Bango Platform is expected to drive 
many  legacy  direct  routes  to  move  to 
Bango in the coming year. 

Bango will continue to invest in 2018 in 
developing the commercial relationships 
that can bring billions of EUS in the future. 
The future of Bango as a key commerce 
technology provider for the world’s most 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:192)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:3)
from  both  further  growth  in  payment 
processing  volumes  and,  excitingly, 
new revenue streams from the recently 
expanded data monetization business. 

Ray Anderson
CEO

platform 

capabilities 

Product development
New 
added 
during  2015  and  2016  to  handle  the 
sophistication of physical goods delivery 
were  extensively  tested  and  proven 
during  2017,  and  the  Bango  API  was 
extended  to  support  these  powerful 
capabilities.

its 

sales 

conversion 

Bango  released  an  update  to  Bango 
Boost, 
rate 
improvement product, to provide Google 
Play developers with valuable data that 
can improve their marketing activity and 
enable  better  collaboration  with  mobile 
operators.  Previously  Bango  Boost  was 
focused on mobile operators and people 
within  Google  or  other  stores.  Bango 
Boost  unleashes  new  revenue  streams 
for mobile operators from the developers 
exploiting  Google  Play  who  could  not 
otherwise easily engage with the MNOs. 
A  team  is  already  engaging  with  20 
of  the  top  Google  Play  developers  to 
increase their sales success.

Software  engineering  work  continues 
to speed up transaction processing and 
improve reliability and resilience through 
innovations  in  the  use  of  database  and 
API technology. Bango datacenters have 
been  tested  at  a  sustained  transaction 
rate of over £5Bn/yr.  The 10x headroom 
means  that  the  incremental  cost  to 
process  transactions  remains  close  to 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

6

CFO’s statement

CFO’s statement

growing EUS demonstrates the strength 
of the Bango Platform to handle rapidly 
increasing EUS at low operational costs. 

the 

fees 

revenue 

Revenue
Bango 
that 
is 
customers  or  partners  pay  Bango 
to  collect  transactions  through  the 
(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:51)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
incremental  cost  of  sales  and  therefore 
(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)
(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:17)(cid:3)

Bango  has  two  revenue  streams  which 
are reported on separately. 

from 

from  EUS 

Revenue  generated 
is 
accounted  for  consistently  with  the 
method 
the  prior  year,  and 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:25)(cid:28)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:27)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:20)(cid:80)(cid:3)
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)
an increase in EUS revenue. The Bango 
business  model  is  for  the  EUS  revenue 
to grow to cover all expenses and R&D 
investment in the platform. 

Other  fees,  comprising  all  revenue  not 
generated from EUS such as integration 
fees,  are  recognized  on  completion  of 
the contracted milestones. This revenue 
relates  to  payments  by  merchants  or 
mobile  operators  for  upgrades  to  the 
Bango Platform. 

Bango  has  considered  the  potential 
impact  that  IFRS  15  may  have  on 

its  revenue.  Following  a  review,  the 
only  impact  is  that  the  fees  related  to 
subscription  services  lasting  more  than 
one  month  are  now  spread  over  the 
life  of  the  subscription,  in-line  with  the 
criteria  under  IFRS  15.  Other  revenues 
from digital and physical goods sales will 
(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:41)(cid:53)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:17)(cid:3)

Bango became EBITDA positive on a run 
rate basis in November 2017.

Revenue  expressed  as  a 
percentage of EUS 
Revenue  expressed  as  a  percentage  of 
(cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:3) (cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)
consistent  with  management’s  short-
term expectations for this metric. 

Bango  has  a  range  of  contractual 
models and pricing that link to total EUS 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
content.  Accordingly, 
revenues  can 
reduce with higher EUS due to a tiered 
pricing model or potential market size. 

(cid:41)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3) (cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:3)
longer report on revenue expressed as a 
percentage of EUS, as revenue from the 
data  business  will  make  an  increasing 
contribution to the total revenue.

Acquisition of Audiens S.R.L. 
On  23  January  2018,  Bango  purchased 
(cid:28)(cid:27)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:17)(cid:53)(cid:17)(cid:47)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)

End User Spend
(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:40)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:56)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)
Spend  (EUS)  for  the  third  consecutive 
(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:26)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:80)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:20)(cid:22)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:3)
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:26)(cid:80)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3)
growth  came  from  existing  and  new 
routes  activated  through  the  Bango 
Platform. 

(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:191)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:3)
can continue to drive future EUS growth 
from  existing  routes,  new  payment 
routes  being  activated  and  existing 
Google  Play  routes  upgrading  to  the 
Bango  Platform.  Two  new  migrations 
in  the  Middle  East  were  completed  in 
(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)
Bango  to  successfully  migrate  Google 
Play  routes  to  the  Bango  Platform. 
Partners  are  choosing 
the  Bango 
Platform  because  the  technologies  that 
Bango  has  developed,  including  Bango 
Boost  and  Bango  Dashboard  allow 
greater  business  understanding  which 
(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)
to direct connections. 

(cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:46)(cid:72)(cid:92)(cid:3)
Performance Indicator that management 
uses  to  measure  the  development  of 
the  business  and  the  success  of  Bango 
partners. The delivery of additional EUS 
through upgrades will be a key focus of 
Bango in 2018. EUS is calculated as the 
total sales processed through the Bango 
taxes.  Bango’s 
Platform,  excluding 

End User Spend (EUS)

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

s
n
o

i
l
l
i

M

7

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:23)

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)

(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

CFO’s statement

platform  and  growing  EUS  leading  to 
increased  revenue,  Bango  will  begin 
(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)
the  operational  costs  of  the  business 
and  continued  investment  in  product 
development.  As  part  of  the  post  year 
end acquisition of Audiens, Bango raised 
(cid:133)(cid:24)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:133)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)
and  integrate  Audiens  and  to  invest 
in  the  development  of  Bango’s  data 
monetization technology and business. 

include  acquired 
Intangible  assets 
goodwill as well as internally developed 
capitalized  R&D. 
Intangible  assets 
relating to capitalized R&D increased to 
(cid:133)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:80)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
in  the  Bango  Platform  (31  December 
(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:9)(cid:39)(cid:3)
is  amortized  over  5  years  with  projects 
assessed  in  relation  to  their  individual 
cash  generation  ability.  As  at  31 
December 2017, there was £0.9m trade 
and  assets  relating  to  BilltoMobile  Inc 
(cid:11)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:21)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:21)(cid:80)(cid:3)
(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:21)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:3)

Total  borrowings  at  31  December  2017 
(cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:3)
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)
used  to  purchase  computer  equipment 
and software. 

Going concern
As Bango continues to grow its EUS and 
revenue  in  2018  in  line  with  prior  year 
trends,  cash  consumption  will  reduce 
on a stable cost basis. With cash at the 
(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:16)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:80)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)
(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)
business through to cash breakeven and 
(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)
and  support  Audiens  in  January  2018, 
ensures  that  the  Bango  cash  balance 
(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
year  to  ensure  customers  continued 
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:191)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)
Platform.

Rachel Elias-Jones
CFO

Bango  recognizes  that  the  Google  Play 
market  continues  to  be  a  growing  and 
early  stage  market.  Most  of  Google 
(cid:51)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:7)(cid:25)(cid:37)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:23)(cid:52)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:36)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)
2018)  is  from  older,  legacy  routes  that 
are  connected  directly  with  Google  or 
limited  to  credit  card  users.  Bango  has 
increased  its  sales  and  marketing  team 
to  target  this  market  as  the  potential 
(cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:40)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:3)
on  legacy  routes  ranges  from  millions 
to hundreds of millions of dollars a year 
per route. The largest markets are Asia 
(particularly Japan and Korea) and North 
America. To address these key markets, 
Bango has increased its local presence. 

and 

impairment 

Amortization 
of 
intangible assets in the year was £1.1m 
(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:53)(cid:9)(cid:39)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)
capitalized in prior years were deployed. 
Amortization  of  the  BilltoMobile  Inc 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:21)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:17)(cid:3)
Depreciation for the year totaled £0.2m 
(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)
(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:191)(cid:91)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)
year, and that much on the equipment is 
now fully depreciated. 

Share  based  payment  costs  of  £0.7m 
(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)
(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3)
The  increased  charge  resulted  from 
an  increase  in  the  share  volatility  input 
into  the  Black  Scholes  model  used 
to  calculate  the  charge,  which  is  a 
(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)
Bango  share  price  over  the  year.  Share 
options remain one of the most valuable 
components of the Bango remuneration 
policy  used  to  attract,  motivate  and 
retain employees in a highly competitive 
market. All employees, other than Non-
Executive  Directors  are  eligible  to  take 
part in the Bango share option scheme. 

Balance sheet
Net  assets  at  31  December  2017  were 
(cid:133)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:26)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:17)

Cash  balances  at  31  December  2017 
(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:28)(cid:80)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:80)(cid:3) (cid:11)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:3)
(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:26)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)
continued  investment  in  new  products. 
scalable  operating 
With  a  highly 

S.p.A,  for  an  initial  consideration  of 
(cid:188)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:27)(cid:80)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:188)(cid:19)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)
in  cash  during  2018.  Bango  also 
issued  521,803  new  Bango  shares  to 
the  vendors  of  Audiens  and  738,399 
warrants  over  new  Bango  shares, 
exercisable  at  a  price  of  £1.80  each, 
which will lapse after  10 years. Further 
deferred  consideration,  based  on  the 
growth of the business in the two years 
post  acquisition  is  potentially  payable 
to  the  CEO  of  Audiens,  based  upon  an 
option  agreement  for  the  remaining 
1.55%  of  Audiens.  Bango  currently 
expect this payment to be up to €0.95m. 

As  Bango  EUS  grows  in  2018,  the 
volume  of  data  in  the  Bango  Platform 
will increase and therefore, the revenue 
from  the  Bango  data  opportunity  is 
expected to increase. 

Administrative expenses 
Administrative  expenses  of  £5.7m 
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:16)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)
(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)
cost  of  processing 
budget.  The 
transactions 
Bango 
the 
through 
Platform  remained  static  at  £2.3m 
(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:3)
of  transactions  more  than  doubled, 
highlighting  the  huge  scale  and  cost 
(cid:72)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:17)(cid:3)

In 

increase 

The 
administrative 
in 
(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)
and  development. 
the  second 
half  of  2017  Bango  invested  in  new 
to  make  processing  of 
technology 
entitlement 
to  subscription  services 
that  are  bundled  with  other  services 
more easily available to customers. The 
(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)
India’s  largest  mobile  operator,  Bharti 
Airtel,  who  made  Amazon  Prime  Video 
available  as  part  of  a  bundled  package 
(cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)
EUS  opportunity  for  this  technology 
(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)
continue  to  invest  in  enhancement  of 
this  technology  and  its  marketing  in 
2018.  Bango  continues  to  invest  in 
other Research and Development (R&D) 
(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:22)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:25)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:133)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:3)
to  ensure  that  the  Bango  Platform 
remains agile to customer needs. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

8

Revenue
Bango revenue is the sum of all the 
fees charged across merchants. Bango 
receives a fee from every transaction 
through the platform which varies by 
market and volume of transactions. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

End User Spend (EUS) 
This remains the key metric to measure 
the  growth  and  success  of  the  Bango 
Platform. It is the total value of all sales 
through the Bango Platform net of VAT 
or  sales  taxes.  Bango  closely  monitors 
EUS  growth  and  forecasts,  to  ensure 
(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)
in the platform to handle massive future 
volumes and temporary spikes in volume 
to ensure there are no barriers to future 
growth. 

Cash balances
The Bango Board reviews a two year cash 
forecast  on  a  monthly  basis  to  ensure 
that  Bango  has  appropriate  resources. 
As  Bango  is  not  currently  generating 
(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)
is  important  to  major  stakeholders, 
particularly  key  customers,  that  they 
(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:3)
resources to keep trading and investing 
in 
joint  research  and  development 
projects.

(cid:49)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:16)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:46)(cid:51)(cid:44)(cid:86)
These  are  monitored  monthly  by  the 
board and key management, and include 
relationships  with  mobile  operators 
and  leading  merchants.  Growing  and 
developing 
relationships  will 
ensure  that  Bango  has  the  contracts  in 
place to grow its market share and EUS.

these 

(cid:49)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:191)(cid:87)
Bango is a highly scalable platform that 
can  handle  huge  additional  volumes  of 
EUS without increasing processing costs. 
With  other  operating  costs  decreasing, 
and  despite  additional  investment  in 
in 
sales  and  development,  growth 
revenue on a highly leveraged platform 
(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3)

Google Play upgrades

Viva  Bahrain  and  Viva  Kuwait  are  the 
most recent mobile operators to migrate 
their  app  store  business  to  the  Bango 
Platform.  As  a  result,  they  are  able  to 
move  back  into  growth  by  applying 
Bango Boost technology to improve the 
payment experience for their customers. 

Developers  selling  through  the  Google 
Play  store  in  Kuwait  and  Bahrain  will 
see increased sales from Viva customers 
through the Bango Boost program.

9

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

Strategy for growth

Strategy for growth

More sales to consumers
Bango  delivers  unique  insights  derived 
from pooled data and shared knowledge 
across the Bango Platform. Bango gives 
businesses unrivalled visibility into their 
markets and customers, which increase 
sales  and  boost  customer  acquisition. 
Built  to  scale,  the  Bango  Platform 
supports 
growth 
exponential 
ambitions of its global partners.

the 

Dive more actions with unique 
data
Major  stores  and  merchants  can  model 
campaign  performance  to  focus  their 
advertising  spend  to  gain  the  highest 
ROI. The acquisition of Audiens in 2018 
is  a  key  part  of  the  Bango  strategy  to 
build  a  unique, industrywide  commerce 
platform for global stores and merchants. 

through 

Win leading merchants
Major  stores  and  merchants  maximize 
platform’s 
coverage 
universal  payment  capability  -  any 
device,  any  content  type,  with  any 
alternative  payment  method  to  reach 
the biggest possible market.

the 

Proven  at  scale  for  leading  online 
merchants, Bango continues to onboard 
and  expand  partnerships  with  leading 
online  merchants  that  want  to  grow 
their  sales  faster.  As  more  merchants 
standardize  on  the  Bango  Platform 
for  online  commerce,  the  value  of  the 
for  online  commerce,  the
platform increases for all.
platform increases for all.

Collect more data
The  Bango  Platform  improves  through 
continual use by Bango partners, creating 
and sharing value with every transaction 
it processes. Shared across more major 
stores  than  any  other  provider,  the 
Bango  Platform  has  information  that  is 
not available to other solution providers, 
and  cannot  be  captured  through  direct 
integrations between payment providers 
and merchants.

Add payment partne
Add payment partners
Payment providers gain insi
Payment providers gain insights into user 
behavior to increase transaction success 
and drive user engagement. The Bango 
Platform is designed to support multiple 
payment methods, and recent additions 
of  mobile  wallets  demonstrates  the 
(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)
adds  unique  insights  that  enable  the 
payment providers to increase payment 
route  performance  and  boost  their 
revenues.

Reach more consumers
As  more  customers  and  partners  adopt 
the  Bango  Platform  more  transactions 
are  processed  and  analyzed  by  Bango 
technology.  Consequently  the  platform 
powerful, 
increasingly 
becomes 
providing  unique  insights  that  drive 
revenue  growth.  This  in  turn  attracts 
more  customers  to  use  the  Bango 
Platform, which feeds a virtuous circle of 
success for the Bango Platform and the 
industry.

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

10

Principal risk and uncertainties

Principal risks and uncertainties

Financial risk management objectives and policies
(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:3)
and key management personnel regularly review these risks and assess the processes and controls that have been put in place to 
mitigate them.

risk  and  going 

Liquidity 
concern 
(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)
available  to  meet  foreseeable  needs 
and  invests  in  cash  assets  safely  and 
(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:54)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)
information.  Due  to  the  nature  of  the 
business  with  long  term  relationships 
with  operators  and  merchants,  Bango 
(cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)
bad  debt  and  therefore  the  impact 
on  Bango’s  liquidity  is  low.  The  Board 
(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:90)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:192)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)
(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)
continue  to  invest  in  the  platform  and 
future  development  to  meet  the  needs 
of current and future Bango customers.  

Employee retention
Bango depends on its ability to recruit and 
retain  people  with  the  right  experience 
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:3812)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:3)
into  providing  an  excellent  working 
(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:191)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)
a  share  option  scheme  available  to  all 
employees (notes 7 and 12). 

Currency risk
The  Bango  revenue  streams  and  the 
assets of some of the Groups subsidiaries 
are  transacted  or  held  in  currencies 
other  than  sterling.  This  results  in  an 
inherent  currency  risk,  partly  mitigated 

by sales and costs in the same country 
(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:3812)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:54)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:21)(cid:20)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)
further  information.  Regular  reviews  of 
the impact of dramatic currency swings 
are  undertaken  to  plan  against  any 
(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)
to  happen.  No  forward  exchange  or 
(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)
been used in the year. 

Personal data risk
Bango  processes  data  belonging  to 
customers  and  individuals  (some  of 
which may be very sensitive) as part of 
its  business.  There  is  a  risk  that  such 
data could become public if there were a 
failure of security. The extensive testing 
of  Bango  by  its  major  partners  as  part 
of ongoing supplier audits, minimization 
of such data, and the unique way Bango 
technology is used, gives assurance that 
this risk is appropriately mitigated. 

pace 

Technology risk
its 
is  dependent  on 
Bango  EUS 
technology 
with 
keeping 
developments  in  internet,  mobile  and 
payment  technology.  Bango  manages 
this  risk  with  a  continued  investment 
in  Research  and  Development  (R&D), 
combined  with 
technology 
trading  partners  and 
reviews  with 
that 
to  ensure 
sector 

specialists 

regular 

market  developments  are  understood 
and  managed.  Products  are  reviewed 
regularly for signs of impairment, based 
on single cash generating units and their 
ability to grow revenues. 

Platform risk
The  Bango  Platform  processes  huge 
volumes  of  data,  and  is  designed  to 
ensure  it  has  capacity  to  process  ever 
growing volumes of EUS as well as short 
term spikes of data. The availability and 
stability  of  the  platform  is  managed  by 
closely reviewing the performance of the 
platform and stress testing the platform 
to ensure that there is huge capacity to 
scale. 

Diversity of customers
The  Bango  strategy  is  based  on  a 
diversity  of  customers  which  use  the 
Bango  Platform  because  it  can  do 
things  that  no  one  customer  can  do 
themselves  –  because  Bango  serves 
multiple customers. Extreme dominance 
of  the  market  by  one  merchant  of 
mobile operator could reduce the value 
of Bango. Bango has secured deals with 
leading  stores  and  expects  diversity  of 
customers  and  operators  to  continue. 
Even the largest internet companies do 
not  monopolize  the  global  commerce 
market. 

Gender of Directors and senior managers 
Bango has six Directors, three identify as male, two as non-binary and one as female. There are ten other key management personnel 
of which seven identify as male, two as female and one as other. 

(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:29)

Ray Anderson
CEO

11

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

Bango Platform wins ‘Most Innovative DCB Technology’ award

Bango  won  the  award  for  the  ‘Most 
Innovative DCB Technology’ at the Global 
Direct Carrier Billing Awards 2017.

award 

recognizes 

The 
the  new 
technology  and  capabilities  added  to 
the Bango Platform to support the many 
complexities  involved  in  the  launch  of 

carrier billing by Amazon Japan.

(cid:55)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)
(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)
(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)
leadership role of the Bango Platform in 
opening-up the market for carrier billing 
at scale, increasing payments inclusivity 
for  the  billions  of  smartphone  users 
around the world.

Bango Boost version 2 released

Bango  Boost  v2  is  an  evolution  of 
Bango  Boost  v1,  which  achieved 
significant  success  for  operators  by 
focusing  on  the  causes  of  friction 
in 
Expanding 
on  this,  Bango  Boost  v2  provides 
stores  and  merchants  with  unique 

payment 

routes. 

and  comprehensive  data  analysis, 
including performance benchmarking, 
to  enable  stores  and  merchants  to 
invest  in  revenue  growth  and  to 
continuously  improve  the  customer 
experience.

Bango Strategy day

The Bango Strategy seminar at the end of 
January  2017,  highlighted  the  potential 
for applying the Bango Platform to retail, 
resale  and  IoT  market  opportunities. 
The  size  of  the  overall  market  –  5 
billion  mobile  phones,  more  than  half 
smartphones  –  is  vast,  but  with  the 

possibility of transactions 
between 
connected 
devices,  the  sources  of 
commerce will be counted 
in tens of billions. 

Latam and Asia expansion

activity 

development 

its  presence  and 
Bango  expanded 
business 
in 
South  Korea  to  support  the  growth 
ambitions of key partners. Through this 
expansion, Bango will increase payment 
opportunities  for  digital,  physical  and 
Internet of Things (IoT) services across 
the region. 

Further  investment  was  made  across 
Latin  America  with  key  hires  to  its  São 
(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:3813)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)
in Bogota, Colombia. 

the  Bango  presence 

Expanding 
in 
these  regions  will  support  Bango  store 
(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)

which  is  relatively  undeveloped  for  the 
global store providers.

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

12

Directors
Directors

Directors
Directors

Rachel  is  responsible  for  the  overall 
(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)
relationships  with  partners.  The  global 
reach  of  Bango  requires  a  wide  range 
(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:91)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:3)
ensures  the  smooth  delivery  of  this 
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:192)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)
Bango’s  development  team  and  key 
partners on the design and implementation 
of  new  technologies,  including  the 
capabilities  of  the  Bango  Platform  to 
enable payment to be collected for any 
(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:36)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)
leader and Chartered Accountant, Rachel 
spent 5 years in practice at PwC and Grant 
Thornton, specializing in the audit of the 
technology and listed sectors.

Rachel Elias-Jones

CFO

Bango

Ray  has  over  30  years  experience  in 
starting, growing and selling businesses. 
He was named ‘Business Person of the 
(cid:60)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:182)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:16)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)
1999 after realizing that the convergence 
of the internet with the ubiquity of mobile 
phones could open up huge opportunities 
for content and service providers. Prior 
(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:37)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:53)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:44)(cid:59)(cid:44)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)
created  the  industry  standard  network 
(cid:42)(cid:56)(cid:44)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:3)(cid:59)(cid:17)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:59)(cid:44)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)
in the creation of the web. It sponsored 
(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:40)(cid:53)(cid:49)(cid:3)
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)
web browser.

Ray Anderson

CEO

Bango

between 

Anil is responsible for Bango’s marketing 
activities  and  app  store  partnerships, 
including  device  makers,  app  store 
providers  and  global  network  operators. 
Anil has extensive experience of creating 
partnerships 
technology innovators and major market 
successful 
players in online technologies and OEMs. 
Before co-founding Bango, Anil developed 
the  major  partnerships  for  Cyberlife 
Technology,  one  of  Europe’s  leading 
computer games technology developers, 
which  resulted  in  the  licensing  of  the 
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:181)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:191)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:182)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)
the  world’s  leading  games  publishers 
including Warner and Hasbro. Before that 
he worked with Bango CEO Ray Anderson 
(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:59)(cid:17)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:15)(cid:3)
which became the global standard for the 
user  interface  software  on  networked 
computers.

Anil Malhotra

CMO

Bango

13

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

Directors
Directors

Directors
Directors

Gianluca is an Angel investor and pioneer 
in the mobile industry. He has over 25 
years’  experience  of  founding,  growing 
and  investing  in  international  mobile 
content  and  payment  businesses.  In 
2007  he  founded  Neomobile  SPA.  As 
CEO,  he  grew  the  business  organically 
and via M&A to become a leading mobile 
monetization enabler across Europe and 
Latam.  Gianluca  has  a  Non-Executive 
role on the Neomobile SPA board. Before 
Neomobile, he held senior management 
roles at KPMG, Freever, TIM and Telecom 
Italia. He was named in the ‘Top 50 Mobile 
Execs’ 2009, 2010 and 2011 and ‘Media 
(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:60)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:182)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:17)

Gianluca D’Agostino

Non-Executive Director

Bango

David Sear

David  has  been  an  entrepreneur  and 
investor in FinTech companies for the last 
two decades. He is currently Chairman 
(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:44)(cid:59)(cid:36)(cid:53)(cid:44)(cid:54)(cid:3) (cid:11)(cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:12)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)
Semafone, a payments technology business 
which protects consumer privacy. He is also 
a non-executive Director of Fintrax Group, 
a  tax-free  shopping  and  cross-border 
payments business. Previously David was 
Group Chief Executive of Skrill. He went to 
Skrill from Weve, the joint venture between 
EE, Telefonica UK (O2) and Vodafone UK, 
where he was Chief Executive. Prior to that 
at Travelex, the world’s largest non-bank 
payments provider, he spearheaded the 
global roll out of the CASH PASSPORT travel 
card business and Travelex Global Business 
Payments. In 1999 he was a founder of 
WorldPay at the genesis of today’s FTSE 
100 global payments powerhouse. 

Chairman, 
Non-executive Director
Bango

Martin  Rigby  is  co-founder  and  CEO  of 
Psonar, the internet music service. He is 
also founder and a managing director of 
ET  Capital,  an  early  investor  in  Bango. 
He  has  been  investing  in  innovative 
technology businesses for over 25 years, 
principally  in  network  services,  software 
and  hardware.  He  is  Non-executive 
Chairman of FSE Fund Managers and an 
advisory  board  member  of  the  Bettany 
(cid:38)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:40)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:38)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:191)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:3)

University.

Martin Rigby
Non-executive Director
Bango

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017

14

Company information  

Company information  

Company registration number 

05386079 

Registered office 

5 Westbrook Centre 
Cambridge 
CB4 1YG 

Directors 

D Sear - Non-executive Chairman 

R Anderson - CEO 

A Malhotra - CMO 

R Elias-Jones – CFO 

M Rigby – Non-executive Director 

G D’Agostino – Non-executive Director 

Company Secretary 

R Greenhalgh 

Bankers 

Solicitors 

Independent auditor 

Nominated adviser and broker 

Public relations advisor 

US office 

HSBC Bank PLC 
Vitrum 
St Johns' Innovation Park 
Cambridge 
CB4 0DS 

Mills & Reeve LLP 
Botanic House 
100 Hills Road 
Cambridge 
CB2 1PH 

Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
101 Cambridge Science Park 
Milton Road 
Cambridge 
CB4 0FY 

Cenkos Securities Ltd 
6.7.8 Tokenhouse Yard 
London 
EC2R 7AS 

FTI Consulting 
200 Aldersgate 
Aldersgate Street 
London 
EC1A 4HD 

C/O Danal Inc 
2833 Junction Avenue #202 
San Jose 
California 
95134 USA 

www.bango.com 
investors@bango.com 

15                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017  

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report 

Directors’ report 

The Directors present the Annual Report and audited financial 
statements of Bango PLC for the year ended 31 December 2017. 
The Directors’ report should also be read in conjunction with the 
Bango  Strategic  report  which  sets  out  the  principal  risks, 
uncertainties and growth opportunities for Bango. 

The Directors and their interests 
The Directors who served Bango during the year, together with 
their beneficial interests in the shares of Bango were as follows: 

R Anderson 
A Malhotra 
M Rigby  
R Elias-Jones 
G D’Agostino 
D Sear 

Ordinary shares 
of 20p each 
31 Dec 2017 
6,567,260 
3,976,815 
176,630 
4,100 
37,500 
- 
==================== 

Ordinary shares 
of 20p each 
31 Dec 2016 
6,628,949 
3,986,815 
176,630 
4,100 
37,500 
- 
===================== 

The Directors’ biographies and experiences are shown on pages 
13-14. 

The  Directors’  interests  in  share  options  of  Bango  were  as 
follows: 

Options to buy ordinary shares of 20p each 

chairman of the Bango board. This was following reviews of the 
accounts  by  the  Institutional  Shareholder  Service  (ISS)  which 
suggested that non-executive Directors should not have share 
options as best practice. While the Bango board does not agree 
that  non-executive  Directors  holding  share  options  results  in 
Directors  acting  against  the  interests  of  shareholders,  David 
Sear agreed to relinquish his share options as an act of good 
faith to shareholders.  

The share options were granted to executive directors under the 
Bango  employee  share  option  scheme.  All  share  options  are 
granted  with  the  same  conditions.  Share  options  are  granted 
only at market price on the date of the grant and vest over a 
three year period in twelve equal quarterly instalments. Vested 
options will lapse unless exercised within ten years of the date 
of grant or within 90 days of an employee leaving the business 
unless  they  are  dismissed, 
lapse 
immediately. 

in  which  case  they 

Martin Rigby and Gianluca D’Agostino both hold Bango shares 
but due to the size of their holdings, this is deemed to not affect 
their independence as non-executive directors.  

Share capital 
Details of changes in the share capital of Bango during the year 
are given in note 7 to the financial statements.  

Option 
price 

31 Dec   
2017 

31 Dec   
2016 

Dividends 
The Directors have not recommended a dividend (31 December 
2016: £nil). 

Date of grant 

D Sear 
7 February 2011 
R Anderson 
22 September 2017 
21 March 2017 
21 September 2016 
16 March 2016 
18 September 2015 
Total 
A Malhotra 
22 September 2017 
21 March 2017 
21 September 2016 
16 March 2016 
18 September 2015 
Total 
R Elias-Jones 

22 September 2017 
21 March 2017 
21 September 2016 
16 March 2016 
18 September 2015 
16 March 2015 
22 October 2014 
01 April 2014 
4 October 2013 
26 March 2013 
20 September 2012 
Total 

£1.530 

- 

100,000 

£2.55 
£1.145 
£0.89 
£0.43 
£0.885 

£2.55 
£1.145 
£0.89 
£0.43 
£0.885 

£2.55 
£1.145 
£0.89 
£0.43 
£0.885 
£1.060 
£1.010 
£1.360 
£1.260 
£2.325 
£1.665 

50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
32,500 
232,500 

50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
32,500 
232,500 

50,000 
50,000 
50,000 
100,000 
20,000 
20,000 
20,000 
20,000 
12,000 
8,000 
7,500 
357,500 

- 
- 
50,000 
50,000 
32,500 
132,500 

- 
- 
50,000 
50,000 
32,500 
132,500 

- 
- 
50,000 
100,000 
20,000 
20,000 
20,000 
20,000 
12,000 
8,000 
7,500 
257,500 

Post balance sheet events 
On 23 January 2018 Bango purchased 98.45% of Audiens SRL,  
a  subsidiary  of  Digitouch  SRL,  for  a  mixture  of  shares  and 
warrants  in  Bango  PLC,  cash  of  €1.48m  and  a  one  off  fee  of 
€620,000 in exchange for twelve months of services to support 
the transition of the business from Digitouch to Bango. Further 
details of the transaction can be found in Note 22. 

Research and development 
Bango has continued to invest in research and development in 
the year. As a high growth technology company, the focus is to 
develop  unique  technology  that  takes  Bango  forward  as  the 
ubiquitous payment platform for not just direct carrier billing but 
all other forms of alternative payments that allow merchants to 
sell more goods to consumers. Bango has increased its focus on 
R&D in 2017 taking the platform forward by enabling both the 
complexities of physical goods and resale to be enabled on the 
Bango Platform. Further development has begun at the end of 
2017 for new products that will be launched in 2018 and details 
of the internal development work that has been capitalized in 
the year is in Note 5.2. 

Directors’ indemnity arrangements 
Bango  has  purchased  and  maintained  throughout  the  year 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance in respect of itself and 
its Directors. 

Employment policies 
Bango  is  committed  to  following  the  applicable  employment 
laws in each territory in which it operates. Bango is committed 
to  fair  employment  practices  including  the  prohibition  of  all 
forms of discrimination and attempts as far as possible to give 
equal access and fair treatment to all employees on the basis of 
merit.  Wherever  possible  Bango  provides 
same 
opportunities  for  disabled  people  as  for  others.  If  employees 

the 

On March 08 2017 David Sear relinquished for nil consideration, 
his 100,000 share options granted in 2011 on his acceptance of 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report 

Directors’ report 

become disabled Bango would make reasonable effort to keep 
them 
training  where 
necessary.     

in  employment,  with  appropriate 

Bango supports the training needs of its staff and actively works 
to  provide  on  the  job  and  external  training  to  continue  the 
development of all staff. It is important to maintain an exciting 
and  interesting  working  environment  to  fully  engage  its  staff. 
Bango operates in a global business environment with rapidly 
changing  needs.  The  Bango  values  are  Success,  Personable, 
Individual, Reliable,  Innovation and Transparency. The Bango 
annual  goals  are  aligned  to  these  values  and  reviewed  on  a 
company wide basis at monthly all hands meetings. Following 
the Bango SPIRIT values serves both employees and customers’ 
needs.  

Health and safety policies 
Bango  is  committed  to  conducting  its  business  in  a  manner 
which  ensures  high  standards  of  health  and  safety  for  its 
employees, visitors and the general public. Bango complies with 
all regulatory and other applicable requirements. 

Going concern 
After  making  enquiries,  at the  time  of  approving the financial 
statements, the Directors retain a reasonable expectation that 
Bango  has  adequate  resources  to  continue  in  operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. The Directors expect the 
current  level  of  investing  activities  to  continue  which  is 
supported  by  the  additional  funding  secured  by  the  FY2018 
placement  to  support  the  development  of  Bango  Deep  and 
Audiens  in  FY2018.  At  31  December  2017  Bango  had  cash 
reserves of £4.8m (£4.5m net of debt) and based on detailed 
cash flows provided to the Board within the FY2018/19 budget, 
there  is  sufficient  cash  to  see  Bango  through  to  profitability 
based  on  the  standard  Bango  operating  model.  Revenue  is 
expected to increase again in FY2018 as it did in FY2017 as a 
result  of  expansion  of  the  existing  Bango  activity  and  known 
new business activity launched at the end of FY2018 included 
in  the  FY2018/19  forecasts.  For  these  reasons,  the  Directors 
continue  to  adopt  the  going  concern  basis  in  preparing  the 
financial statements and to provide reasonable, but not absolute 
assurance against material misstatement or loss. 

Substantial shareholdings 
At  31  December  2017  Bango  PLC  had  been  informed  of  the 
following interests in addition to the interests of R Anderson and 
A  Malhotra,  amounting  to  3%  or  more  in  the  issued  ordinary 
share capital of the company: 

Liontrust Asset Management 
Herald Investment Management 
Odey Asset Management LLP 
Hargreave Hale 
Inflection Point Investments LLP 
Cavendish Asset Management 
Killik & Co 

% 

Number 
10,625,363  16.00 
8,876,267  13.36 
6,690,000  10.07 
2,948,100  4.44 
2,850,139  4.29 
2,616,840  3.94 
2,444,307  3.68 

Directors’ responsibility 
The following statement, which should be read in conjunction 
with both reports of the auditor set out on page 22, is made to 
distinguish for shareholders the respective responsibilities of the 
Directors  and  of  the  auditor  in  relation  to  the  financial 
statements. 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the  Annual Report 
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 

and regulations. 

Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  prepare  financial 
statements  each  financial  year.  Under  that  law  the  Directors 
have to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by 
the  European  Union  (IFRSs)  and  have  elected  to  prepare  the 
parent company financial statements in accordance with IFRS. 
Under  Company  Law  the  Directors  must  not  approve  the 
financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs and profit or loss of the 
Company  and  the  Group  for  that  period.  In  preparing  these 
financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

(cid:120) 

Select  suitable  accounting  policies  and  then  apply 
them consistently. 

(cid:120)  Make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent. 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

State  whether  applicable  IFRSs  have  been  followed 
subject  to  any  material  departures  disclosed  and 
explained in the financial statements. 

Prepare the financial statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that Bango 
will continue in business.  

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records  that  are  sufficient  to  show  and  explain  Bango’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of Bango and enable them to ensure that 
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of Bango 
and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and 
detection of fraud and other irregularities. 
The Directors confirm that: 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

In  so  far  as  each  Director  is  aware  there  is  no 
relevant  audit  information  of  which  Bango’s 
auditors are unaware 

The Directors have taken all steps that they ought 
to  have  taken  as  Directors  in  order  to  make 
themselves  aware  of  any 
relevant  audit 
information  and  to  establish  that  the  auditor  is 
aware of that information 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of  the  corporate  and  financial  information  included  on  the 
Group's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Auditor 
The Audit Committee have decided to put the audit of Bango out 
to tender in 2018, in line with best practice. The process will be 
completed by the AGM in May 2018 and a resolution passed to 
appoint auditors at that time. 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD 

Company Secretary 
R Greenhalgh

17                                                                                                                                                    Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate governance report 

Corporate governance report 

Communications with shareholders 
The  Board  recognizes  the  importance  of  regular  and  effective 
communication  with  shareholders.  The  primary 
forms  of 
communication are: 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

The  annual  and  interim  statutory  financial  reports  and 
associated  investor  and  analyst  presentations  and 
reports. 
Announcements relating to trading or business updates 
released to the London Stock Exchange. 
The Annual General Meeting provides shareholders with 
an opportunity to meet the Board of Directors and to ask 
questions relating to the business. 

financial  reports,  as  well  as  accompanying 
All  statutory 
presentations  and  additional  independent  analysts  are  published 
on  www.bangoinvestor.com  and  are  made  available  on  a  timely 
basis.  

Additional Board committees 
In  line  with  best  practice  Bango  also  has  a  number  of  sub 
committees  to  ensure  good  corporate  governance.  Separate 
Remuneration and Audit Committees have held regular meetings 
and  are  each  chaired  by  a  different  Non-Executive  Director  with 
the independent chairman in attendance. The members of these 
committees are deemed to have the appropriate knowledge and 
skills to complete their tasks. They may seek advice and guidance 
from external parties as required.  

Bango does not currently have a nominations committee, instead 
this role is filled by the Non-Executive Directors, supported by the 
CEO. This is in line with the QCA Code, which acknowledges that 
some small and mid-size quoted companies will use the whole 
Board to consider matters of nomination. 

David Sear 
Non-executive Chairman 

The Board 
The Board is responsible for the overall management of Bango, its 
strategy and long-term objectives. The Board provides leadership 
to Bango, based on the best interests of shareholders. The Board 
has a formal list of matters specifically reserved for its decisions 
and delegates authority to its various committees as required.  

UK Corporate Governance Code 
Bango does not comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
Instead,  the  Directors  have  reported  on  Bango’s  Corporate 
Governance  arrangements,  including  those  aspects  of  the  UK 
Corporate  Governance  Code  we  consider  to  be  relevant  to  the 
Group and best practice.  

Board composition 
The  Board  of  Bango  PLC  is  made  up  of  the  independent  Non-
Executive Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, and two other independent 
Non-Executive  Directors.  Details  of  the  Board’s  experience  and 
interests are shown on pages 13-14 which demonstrate the range 
of skills and insight that they bring to the Board.  It is important 
that the Non-Executive Directors bring a wide range of skills to the 
Bango Board in order to provide robust challenges to the Executive 
Directors  and 
interests  are 
represented. 

that  shareholders’ 

to  ensure 

The  three  Non-Executive  Directors  are  all  deemed  to  be 
independent.  All  Directors  are  subject  to  election  by  the 
shareholders  at  the  first  Annual  General  Meeting  following  their 
appointment, and to re-election thereafter every three years. After 
nine years the Non-Executive Directors are subject to election on 
an annual basis.  

Board meetings 
The Board meets formally 11 times per year to discuss the strategy, 
direction  and  financial  performance  of  the  company.  Other 
additional Board meetings occur as required. The Board reviews a 
detailed  management  pack  each  month  which  enables  them  to 
fulfill  all  of  their  duties  of  stewardship.  This  management  pack 
contains detailed financial information as well as wider resources 
on the KPIs for Bango.  The Non-Executive Directors attend all of 
the meetings.  

Board 

13 (15) 
15 (15) 
15 (15) 
13 (15) 
12 (15) 
13 (15) 

Audit 
Committee 
2 (2) 
2 (2)* 
2 (2)* 
2 (2)*  
2 (2) 
2 (2) 

Remuneration 
Committee 
2 (2) 
2 (2)* 
2 (2)* 
2 (2)* 
2 (2) 
2 (2) 

David Sear 
Ray Anderson 
Rachel Elias-Jones 
Anil Malhotra 
Martin Rigby 
Gianluca 
D’Agostino 

*By invitation of the committee.  
(x) Number of meetings held.  

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            18 

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit Committee report 

Audit Committee report 

Composition  
The Audit Committee comprises the Chairman and all other Non-
Executive  Directors.  The  Audit  Committee  as  in  prior  years  is 
chaired by Martin Rigby. 

Responsibilities 
The  Audit  Committee  meets  at  least  twice  a  year  to  review  the 
independent  audit  report  of  Bango’s  auditors  and  the  wider 
responsibilities set out below:  

(cid:120)  Monitor  the  integrity  of  the  financial  statements  of 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

Bango.  
Review  Bango’s  internal  financial  controls  and  risk 
management systems. 
Report to the Board, identifying any matters in respect of 
which it considers that action or improvement is required. 
Ensure a formal channel is available for employees and 
other stakeholders to express any complaints in respect 
of financial accounting and reporting. 

External Audit 
In relation to Bango’s external auditors the key responsibilities are: 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120)  Make recommendations to the Board, for it to put to the 
shareholders  for  their  approval  in  relation  to  the 
appointment of the external auditor and to approve the 
remuneration  and  terms  of  reference  of  the  external 
auditor. 
Discussion  of  the  nature,  extent  and  timing  of  the 
external  auditor’s  procedures  and  discussion  of  the 
external auditor’s findings. 
Review and monitor the external auditor’s independence 
and objectivity and the effectiveness of the audit process. 
Develop and implement policy on the engagement of the 
external auditor to supply non-audit services. 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

Regular  reviews  by  the  Board  and  by  the  senior 
management team of key performance indicators. 
Dual  authority  is  required  for  all  bank  payments. 
Payments are not permitted without an approved invoice 
signed  in  accordance  with  the  Bango  Delegation  of 
Authority document. 
Reconciliations  of  key  balance  sheet  accounts  are 
performed  and  independently  reviewed  by  the  finance 
team.  Wherever  possible  segregation  of  duties  are 
implemented to provide additional comfort and support 
on all finance processes. 
All  employees  must  go  through  initial  and  periodic 
security screening in line with requirements from Bango’s 
key customers.  
Appropriate  physical  security  and  virtual  checks  are  in 
place  at  all  Bango  locations  to  protect  Bango’s  assets 
(fixed and intangible).. 
Appropriate  whistleblowing  and  escalation  points  are 
established and communicated to staff to provide a safe 
and secure forum for employees to escalate matters.  
A  disaster  recovery  plan  and  back-up  system  is 
documented and in place. 

The Board in conjunction with the Audit Committee keeps under 
review  Bango’s  internal  control  system  on  a  periodic  basis.  An 
internal  cross  functional  Infosec  team  also  meets  periodically  to 
review the controls and processes in place for Bango.  

Martin Rigby 
Audit Committee Chairman 

It has been agreed by the Audit Committee that the audit will be 
put out to tender in 2018 in line with best practice, following the 
continued appointment of Grant Thornton for 13 years. 

Internal Audit 
Bango  does  not  currently  have  an  internal  audit  function,  which 
the  Board  considers  appropriate  for  a  Group  of  Bango’s  size, 
however  this  is  currently  under  review  and  an  internal  audit 
function may be added during 2018. 

Internal control procedures 
The Board is responsible for the Bango’s system of internal controls 
and risk management, and for reviewing the effectiveness of these 
systems.  These  systems  are  designed  to  manage,  rather  than 
eliminate, the risk of failure to achieve business objectives.  

The key features of Bango’s internal controls are described below: 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

structure  with 

clearly  defined  organizational 

A 
appropriate delegation of authority. 
The  approval  by  the  Board  of  a  one-year  budget, 
including  monthly  income  statements,  balance  sheets 
and  cash  flow  statements.  The  budget  is  prepared  in 
conjunction with senior managers to ensure targets are 
feasible. 
The business plan is updated on a periodic basis to take 
into  account  the  most  recent  forecasts.  On  a  monthly 
basis, actual results are compared to the latest forecast 
and market expectations, and presented to the Board on 
a timely basis. 

 19                                                                                                                                           Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

    
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration committee report 

Remuneration committee report 

Composition 
The Remuneration Committee comprises all of the Non-Executive 
Directors  and  is  chaired  by  Gianluca  D’Agostino.  The  committee 
meets at least twice a year, and may meet more frequently due to 
the needs of the business.  

Responsibilities 
The Committee’s main role and responsibilities are as follows: 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

To  review,  and  determine  on  behalf  of  the  Board,  the 
specific remuneration and incentive packages for each of 
Bango’s Executive Directors. 
To review, and make recommendations to the Board in 
respect  of  the  design  of  remuneration  structures  and 
levels  of  pay  and  other  incentives  for  employees  of 
Bango, 
including  share  option  awards  and  any 
adjustments to the terms of share ownership and share 
option schemes. 
To be responsible for reporting to Bango’s shareholders 
in relation to remuneration policies applicable to Bango’s 
Executive Directors. 
To  monitor  and  approve  the  grants  of  all  share  option 
schemes to employees.  

The Committee may invite the CEO and CFO to attend meetings of 
the Remuneration Committee. The CEO is consulted on proposals 
relating  to  the  remuneration  of  the  CFO  and  of  other  senior 
executives  of  the  Group.  The  CEO  and  CFO  are  not  involved  in 
setting their own remuneration. 

The Committee may use remuneration consultants to advise it in 
setting  remuneration  structures  and  policies.  The  Committee  is 
exclusively  responsible  for  appointing  such  consultants  and  for 
setting  their  terms  of  reference.  In  2017  no  independent 
consultants  were  consulted,  as  the  Committee  were  deemed  to 
have  sufficient  skills  to  determine  the  appropriate  levels  of 
remuneration.  

The Committee’s terms of reference are reviewed and approved by 
the Board. These are available for inspection at Bango’s registered 
office. 

Remuneration policy 
Bango’s policy on remuneration is to provide a package of benefits, 
including salary, performance-related bonuses and share options, 
which  reward  success  and  individual  contributions  to  Bango’s 
overall  performance  appropriately,  while  avoiding  paying  more 
than  is  necessary  for  this  purpose.  In  addition,  the  Committee 
into  account  remuneration  packages  of  comparable 
takes 
companies  when  making  recommendations  to  the  Board.  Bango 
only  offers  a  base  salary,  performance  related  bonuses,  share 
options and a workplace pension to Directors. 

Annual salary 
Salaries are set at a level appropriate for the role and the individual 
in  relation  to  the  performance  of  the  business  and  the  current 
market rates. A review of salaries to market rates is conducted in 
assessing the rates for the Executive Directors. 

Bonus scheme 
Performance-related  elements  of  remuneration  are  designed  to 
align the interests of Executive Directors with those of shareholders 
and accordingly are set as a significant proportion of total  

remuneration. The awarding of a bonus is based upon a series of  

success factors including financial and non-financial criteria. These 
success factors are linked to the long-term development of Bango. 
The success factors include company financial goals (such as EUS 
targets and reducing LBITDA) shared by all Directors and individual 
targets for each Director based on their roles and responsibility.  

The board reserves the right to enforce claw back terms related to 
the bonus if it is discovered that any of the terms under which the 
bonus was granted change.  

Share options 
Bango considers that active participation in a share option plan is 
an  effective  means  of  incentivizing  and  retaining  high  quality 
people.  The  Bango  employee  share  option  scheme  has  been 
successfully operated since 2005 and is a key benefit for all staff. 
Executive Directors and employees are eligible to participate in the 
scheme  on  completion  of  an  agreed  probationary  period.  The 
number of options awarded to all staff is directly related to their 
contribution to the future growth of Bango.  

Share options are granted following a review of staff performance 
by the wider leadership team, who then make recommendations 
to  the  Committee.  Share  options  may  only  be  granted  after 
approval by the Committee and in line with the restrictions set out 
under the companies share option plan. All options are granted at 
the market rate at the date of grant. The options do not fully vest 
for  three  years,  if  an  employee  or  Director  does  not  perform  in 
their role then their contract of employment is terminated and their 
share options lapse immediately. 

Further details of the option plan and outstanding options as at 31 
December 2017 are given in note 7 to the financial statements. 

Details of share options and shares held by Directors in Bango are 
shown in the Directors’ report on page 16.  

Pensions 
Executive  Directors  may  participate  in  the  Bango  defined 
contribution pension scheme or chose to pay into their own private 
pension scheme. In line with requirements for all employees and 
following  a  mandatory  legal  increase,  the  pension  contribution 
percentage  increased  in  the  year  from  1%  to  2%  under  auto-
enrollment  rules.  There  have  been  no  changes  to  the  Bango 
pension  policy  in  the  year  and  there  are  no  unfunded  pension 
contributions in the year. 

Non-executive  Directors  are  not  able  to  participate  in  the  Bango 
pension scheme.  

Service agreements 
The Executive Directors have service agreements with Bango.net 
Ltd.  The  agreements  include  restrictive  covenants  which  apply 
during  employment  and  for  a  period  of  twelve  months  after 
termination. The agreements can be terminated on twelve months’ 
notice in writing by either Bango or by the Executive Director. 

Non–executive Directors 
The remuneration of the Non-executive Directors is determined by 
the Executive Directors. Their appointments can be terminated on 
three months’ notice in writing by Bango. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            20 

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration committee report 

Remuneration committee report 

Directors’ emoluments 

Details of remuneration in respect of the Directors is as follows: 

31 December 2017 

R Anderson 
A Malhotra 
R Elias-Jones  
M Rigby 
G D’Agostino  
D Sear 

Wages and 
salaries 
£ 
150,000 
140,000 
126,667 
22,500 
22,500 
55,333 
----------------- 
517,000 
   ========== 

Variable pay 

£ 
56,250 
48,750 
- 
- 
- 
- 
----------------- 
105,000 
   ========== 

Pension and 
other benefits 
£ 
2,255 
3,412 
2,866 
- 
- 
- 
------------------ 
8,533 
    ========== 

Total 

£ 
208,505 
192,162 
129,533 
22,500 
22,500 
55,333 
----------------- 
630,533 
     ========== 

During the year Bango was invoiced £42,000 by Fusion Mobile Value Limited, a company of which Gianluca D’Agostino is sole director. 
The amount invoiced relates to consultancy work carried out by Gianluca D’Agostino in the year. 

31 December 2016 

R Anderson 
A Malhotra 
R Elias-Jones (appointed 14 March 2016) 
M Rigby 
G D’Agostino (appointed 18 November 2016) 
D Sear 
G Tucker (resigned 18 November 2016) 
R Burger (resigned 18 November 2016) 

Wages and 
salaries 
£ 
150,000 
140,000 
90,526 
19,125 
3,750 
42,000 
118,983 
17,250 
----------------- 
581,634 
   ========== 

Variable pay 

£ 
48,000 
40,000 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
----------------- 
88,000 
   ========== 

Pension and 
other benefits 
£ 
1,650 
1,860 
1,567 
- 
- 
- 
5,725 
- 
------------------ 
10,802 
    ========== 

Total 

£ 
199,650 
181,860 
92,093 
19,125 
3,750 
42,000 
124,708 
17,250 
----------------- 
680,436 
     ========== 

Gianluca D’Agostino 
Remuneration Committee Chairman 

21                                                                                                                                                    Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                  

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Bango PLC  

Independent auditor’s report to the 
members of Bango PLC  

Opinion 

Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified 

We have audited the financial statements of Bango plc (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 
31 December 2017, which comprise the Consolidated statement of financial position, the Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the Consolidated cash flow statement, the Consolidated statement of changes in equity, the parent company Statement of 
financial position, the parent company Statement of changes in equity, the parent company Cash flow statement and notes to th e 
financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in  the  preparation  of  the  group  financial  statements  is  applicable  law  and  International  Financial  Reporting Standards  (IFRSs)  as 
adopted by the European Union and, as regards the parent company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006. 

In our opinion: 
(cid:120) 

the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 
December 2017 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended; 
the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union; 
the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and 
the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

(cid:120) 
(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

Basis for opinion 
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. 
We are independent of the group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of 
the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate 
to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Who we are reporting to 
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them 
in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to 
anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have 
formed. 

Conclusions relating to going concern 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where: 
the Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or 
(cid:120) 
the Directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about 
(cid:120) 
the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve 
months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            22 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Bango PLC  

Independent auditor’s report to the 
members of Bango PLC  

Overview of our audit approach 

(cid:120)  Overall materiality: £177,000, which represents 5% of the group's loss before taxation; 
Key  audit  matters  were  identified  as  the  carrying  value  of  intangible  assets  and  the 
(cid:120) 
presumed risk of improper revenue recognition; 

(cid:120)  We  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Bango  plc  and  the  financial  information  of 
Bango.net Limited and Bango Payments Limited, which accounted for 82% of the group’s 
loss before taxation. For the remaining nine components, we performed targeted and 
analytical audit procedures to respond to the risk of material misstatement. 

Key audit matters 

The graph below depicts the audit risks identified and their relative significance based on the extent of the financial statement impact 
and the extent of management judgement. 

High 

Potential 
financial 
statement 
impact 

Low 

Carrying value of 
intangibles 

Revenue 
recognition 

Capitalized 
intangibles 

Going 
concern 

Business 
combinations 

Employee  
remuneration/ 
share options 

Trade 
payables 

Trade 
receivables 

Low               Extent of management judgement                   High 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements 
of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud)  that we 
identified. These matters included those that had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the 
audit;  and  directing  the  efforts of  the  engagement  team.  These  matters were  addressed  in  the  context of our  audit  of  the  financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

23                                                                                                                                                   Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                   

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Bango PLC  

Independent auditor’s report to the 
members of Bango PLC  

Key Audit Matter – Group  
Carrying value of intangible assets 

The group has development costs 
(£4.0m), acquired intangible assets 
(£0.9m) and goodwill (£1.2m). 

There is the risk that the carrying value of 
intangible assets exceeds the recoverable 
value. 

Indicators of impairment are assessed on 
an annual basis, and management use 
significant judgements, such as the 
discount rate and timing of future cash 
flows, when performing impairment 
reviews. 

The Directors and management consider 
that there are two cash generating units 
(CGUs), BilltoMobile Inc (B2M) and the 
Bango.net payment platform. Revenues 
from contracts acquired on the purchase 
of B2M are allocated to the B2M CGU 
when assessing impairment, and all 
intangible assets in relation to capitalised 
development costs are allocated to the 
payment platform when assessing this for 
impairment. 

We identified a risk that development 
costs are wrongly capitalised in the year, 
and do not meet the criteria set out in 
International Accounting Standard (IAS) 
38 ‘Intangible assets’.   

Due to the inherent uncertainty involved 
in forecasting and discounting future cash 
flows, we therefore identified the carrying 
value of intangible assets as a significant 
risk, which was one of the most 
significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement. 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group  

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to:  
(cid:120)  Assessing whether the accounting policy for amortisation was compliant with 

IFRS as adopted by the European Union and whether the group had accounted 
for amortisation in accordance with that policy, including whether it was 
consistent with the prior year; 

(cid:120)  Recalculation of the amortisation for the year;  
(cid:120)  Checking the assumptions used and mathematical accuracy of the impairment 

models; 

(cid:120)  Assessing the appropriateness of the discount rate used in the calculations by 

using an auditor’s expert; 

(cid:120)  Testing the accuracy of management’s assumptions and inputs to their 

impairment models by comparing the 2017 budgeted sales and gross profit to 
the results achieved for the year; 

(cid:120)  Discussing and corroborating the ongoing viability of projects with relevant Group 

personnel; and 

(cid:120)  Assessing management’s review of possible impairment of intangible assets and 

challenging the basis of key assumptions used; and  

(cid:120)  To agree the correct capitalisation (in accordance with IAS 38), we tested a 
sample of amounts capitalised as development costs during the year, split 
between staff costs, consultancy costs, software and overheads. 

The group's accounting policy on the capitalisation and impairment of intangible 
assets is shown in notes 3.4 and 3.5 to the financial statements and related 
disclosures are included in note 5.  

Key observations 
Our testing did not identify any material misstatements in the carrying value of the 
development costs, acquired intangible assets and goodwill.  We found no reason for 
impairment of intangible assets or any additional factors to be considered that would 
affect the carrying value of intangible assets recognised within the financial 
statements and we found no material errors in calculations. 

We also did not find any issues with the capitalisation of development costs in the 
year. 

Presumed risk of improper revenue 
recognition 

Under International Standard on Auditing 
(UK) 240 “The Auditor’s Responsibilities 
Relating to Fraud in an Audit of Financial 
Statements”, there is a rebuttable 

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to:  
(cid:120)  End user spend (EUS) has been tested by obtaining and reconciling monthly 
operator analysis reports to the financial statements. We rationalised the 
resultant margin by multiplying EUS by the average margin for each operator, 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            24 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Bango PLC  

Independent auditor’s report to the 
members of Bango PLC  

Key Audit Matter – Group  
presumed risk that revenue may be 
misstated due to the improper recognition 
of revenue. 

Revenue is split into two streams, end 
user activity (EUS) and other fees. An 
area of management judgement is around 
the whether the transactions should be 
accounted for on an agency or principal 
basis. This is assessed by management on 
a contract by contract basis. 

As a result of these judgements we 
identified improper revenue recognition as 
a significant risk, which was one of the 
most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement. 

How the matter was addressed in the audit – Group  

each month. The margin percentages were confirmed by tracing a sample of 
operators back to underlying contracts; 

(cid:120)  The split between agent and principal contracts was calculated, more than 99% 

of the revenue is based on an agency agreements; 

(cid:120)  Assessing whether the accounting policy in respect of revenue recognition was 
compliant with IFRS and whether the group had accounted for revenue in 
accordance with that policy; and 

(cid:120)  We have supplemented our testing with analytical review of revenue recognised 

in the year including testing of variances and ratio analysis. 

The group's accounting policy on revenue recognition is shown in note 3.12 to the 
financial statements and related disclosures are included in note 4.  

Key observations 
Our audit work did not identify any material errors in the occurrence of revenue 
recognised in the year or any material instances of revenue not being recognised in 
accordance with the stated accounting policy. 

The proportion of revenue generated from principal agreements is now wholly 
immaterial, so as a result the financial statements only disclose the margin made on 
each end-user transaction. 

Our application of materiality 
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions 
of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality in determining the nature, timing and extent 
of our audit work and in evaluating the results of that work.  

Materiality was determined as follows: 

Materiality measure 
Financial statements as 
a whole 

Performance materiality 
used to drive the extent 
of our testing 
Specific materiality 

Group  
£177,000, which is 5% of the 
Group’s loss before taxation. This 
benchmark is considered the most 
appropriate because the net trading 
result is a key measure used by 
management and shareholders in 
assessing the performance of the 
business, and is a generally 
accepted audit benchmark. 

Materiality for the current year is 
lower than the level that we 
determined for the year ended 31 
December 2016 to reflect the fact 
that the group has reduced its loss 
for the year.  

75% of financial statement 
materiality. 

We also determine a specific level 
of materiality for certain areas such 
as Directors’ remuneration, related 
party transactions and End User 
Spend (EUS). 

Parent 
£159,000, which is 1% of total assets, capped at 90% of group 
materiality. This benchmark is considered the most appropriate 
because the parent entity holds investments in subsidiaries and 
does not actively trade. A revenue or profit based benchmark is 
not appropriate because the parent company is not revenue 
generative and incurs minimal costs. 

Materiality for the current year is lower than the level that we 
determined for the year ended 31 December 2016 to reflect the 
fact that, despite an increase in total assets, parent company 
materiality is capped at 90% of group materiality and Group 
materiality on which it is based has fallen. 

75% of financial statement materiality. 

We also determine a specific level of materiality for certain 
areas such as Directors’ remuneration, related party 
transactions and End User Spend (EUS). 

25                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                 

 
    
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Bango PLC  

Independent auditor’s report to the 
members of Bango PLC  

Communication of 
misstatements to the 
audit committee 

£8,850 and misstatements below 
that threshold that, in our view, 
warrant reporting on qualitative 
grounds. 

£7,950 and misstatements below that threshold that, in our 
view, warrant reporting on qualitative grounds. 

The graph below illustrates how performance materiality interacts with our overall materiality and the tolerance for potential 
uncorrected misstatements. 

Overall materiality - group

Overall materiality - parent

25%

75%

Tolerance for
potential uncorrected
mistatements

Performance
materiality

25%

75%

An overview of the scope of our audit 

Our audit approach was a risk-based approach founded on a thorough understanding of the group’s business, its environment and risk 
profile and in particular included:  
(cid:120) 

evaluation by the group audit team of identified components to assess the significance of that component and to determine the 
planned audit response based on a measure of materiality. Significance was determined as a percentage of the Group’s total assets, 
revenues and profit before taxation;  

(cid:120)  we undertook an interim visit, and assessed the group’s internal processes and control environment before starting any of our year-

end procedures;  
all of the UK entities, being Bango plc, Bango.net Limited and Bango Payments Limited had a full scope audit (covering 82% of the 
group’s loss before taxation and 91% of the group’s revenue); 
BilltoMobile, the main trading entity in the US, had a targeted review over its revenue and intangible assets to give us assu rance 
over the group opinion; 
all eight other overseas components were reviewed analytically to give us assurance over the group opinion; 
all audit work was undertaken by the group audit team, no component auditors were involved; and  
there have been no significant scope changes compared to the prior year.  

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 
(cid:120) 
(cid:120) 

Other information 

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, 
other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information  and,  except  to  the extent  otherwise  explicitly  stated  in  our report, we  do  not  express  any form of  assurance  conclusion 
thereon.  

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing s o, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise 
appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to 
determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, 
based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to 
report that fact.  

We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            26 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Bango PLC  

Independent auditor’s report to the 
members of Bango PLC  

Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 is unmodified 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 
(cid:120) 

the information given in the strategic report and the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements 
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 
the strategic report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

(cid:120) 

Matters on which we are required to report under the Companies Act 2006 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of the 
audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the Directors’ report.  

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you 
if, in our opinion: 
(cid:120) 

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or 
the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 
(cid:120) 
certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 
(cid:120) 
(cid:120)  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.  

Responsibilities of Directors for the financial statements 

As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement set out on page 17, the Directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the  financial statements  and  for  being  satisfied  that  they  give  a  true  and fair  view,  and for  such  internal  control  as  the  Directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud 
or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
the Directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do 
so 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be 
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website 
at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

Paul Naylor 
Senior Statutory Auditor 
for and on behalf of Grant Thornton UK LLP 
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants 
Cambridge 
12 March 2018 

27                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of financial position  

Consolidated statement of financial 
position 

ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Research and Development tax credits 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total assets 

EQUITY 
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the parent company 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Merger reserve 
Other reserve 
Foreign exchange revaluation reserve 
Accumulated losses 

Total equity 

LIABILITIES 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Finance lease liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 
Finance lease liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

31 Dec 2017 

31 Dec 2016 

Note 

5 
5 

6 
6 

7 

8 
9 

9 

556,863 
6,130,190 
--------------------------- 
6,687,053 

294,565 
6,017,061 
---------------------------- 
6,311,626 

2,013,088 
421,215 
4,847,203 
--------------------------- 
7,281,506 
--------------------------- 
13,968,559 

1,821,796 
318,857 
5,696,517 
---------------------------- 
7,837,170 
---------------------------- 
14,148,796 
================  ================ 

13,284,561 
31,248,453 
1,236,225 
2,350,701 
78,318 
(37,474,820) 

13,029,124 
30,323,341 
1,236,225 
2,211,136 
135,187 
(34,579,125) 

--------------------------- 
10,723,438 

----------------------------- 
12,355,888 
================  ================ 

2,967,538 
99,889 
--------------------------- 
3,067,427 

1,697,354 
82,149 
----------------------------- 
1,779,503 

177,694 
--------------------------- 
177,694 

13,405 
----------------------------- 
13,405 

3,245,121 

1,792,908 

--------------------------- 
13,968,559 

---------------------------- 
14,148,796 
===============  =============== 

These financial statements were approved by the Directors on 12 March 2018 and are signed on their behalf by: 

R Anderson                                                                         R Elias-Jones 
Director                                                                              Director 

Company registration number 05386079 

The notes on pages 32 to 58 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            28 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income 

Alternative performance measure (Non-IFRS) 
End User Spend 

Note 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

4 

271,356,080 

132,290,981 

Revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

Other administrative expenses  
Non-recurring items 
Share based payments  
Depreciation 
Amortization and impairment 

Total administrative expenses   

Operating loss 

Interest payable 
Investment income 

Loss before taxation 

Income tax 

Loss for the financial year 

Other comprehensive Income 
Foreign exchange on consolidation 

Loss and total comprehensive loss for the financial year 

4 
4 

10 
11 
10 
5 
5 

11 
14 

15 

4,151,939 
(2,439) 

2,624,187 
(7,054) 
------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
2,617,133 

4,149,500 

(5,717,516) 
(59,463) 
(679,023) 
(188,496) 
(1,396,541) 

(5,039,873) 
(376,013) 
(359,373) 
(319,284) 
(1,150,822) 
------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
(7,245,365) 
------------------------------  ------------------------------ 

(8,041,039) 

(3,891,539) 

(4,628,232) 

(51,458) 
20,858 

(53,661) 
30,363 
------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
(4,651,530) 

(3,922,139) 

486,986 

238,413 
------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
(4,413,117) 

(3,435,153) 

(56,869) 

135,187 
  ================  ================ 
(4,277,930) 
  ================  ================ 

(3,492,022) 

Loss per share attributable to the equity holders of the parent 
Basic loss per share 

Diluted loss per share 

16 

16 

(5.22) 

(5.22) 

(6.81) 

(6.81) 

All of the activities of the Group are classed as continuing. 

The notes on pages 32 to 58 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

29                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                 

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated cashflow statement  

Consolidated cash flow statement 

Note 

31 Dec 2017 
£  

31 Dec 2016 
£  

Net cash used by operating activities 

17 

(253,675) 

(2,646,857) 

Cash flows used by investing activities 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment 
Addition to intangible assets 
Interest received 

Net cash used by investing activities 

Cash flows generated from financing activities 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 
Costs associated with issuance of ordinary shares 
Interest payable 
Capital payable on finance lease obligations 
Capital received on finance lease obligations 

Net cash (used)/generated from financing activities 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
 Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

(450,794) 
(1,509,670) 
20,858 
----------------------------- 
(1,939,606) 

(106,554) 
(3,425,134) 
30,363 
----------------------------- 
(3,501,325) 

1,180,549 
- 
(51,458) 
(89,571) 
271,600 
---------------------------- 
1,311,120 

85,948 
(2,668) 
(53,661) 
(268,466) 
- 
---------------------------- 
(238,847) 

----------------------------- 
(882,161) 

----------------------------- 
(6,387,029) 

5,696,517 
32,847 
----------------------------- 
5,729,364 
---------------------------- 
4,847,203 

12,135,326 
(51,780) 
----------------------------- 
12,083,546 
---------------------------- 
5,696,517 
  ================  ================ 

The notes on pages 32 to 58 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            30                 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Consolidated statement of changes in 
equity 

Share 
Capital 

£ 

Share 
Premium 
account 
£ 

Merger 
reserve 

Other 
reserve 

FER reserve 

Retained 
Earning 

Total 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

12,886,350 

30,101,510 

1,236,225 

1,896,842 

- 

(30,211,087) 

15,909,840 

- 
- 

- 
- 

25,555 

60,393 

117,219 
- 
142,774 

164,106 
(2,668) 
221,831 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

359,373 
(45,079) 

- 

- 
- 
314,294 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
45,079 

359,373 
- 

- 

85,948 

- 
- 
45,079 

281,325 
(2,668) 
723,978 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
(4,413,117) 

(4,413,117) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

135,187 

- 

135,187 

135,187 

(4,413,117) 

(4,277,930) 

==================================================================================================================================================================================================================================== 

13,029,124 

30,323,341 

1,236,225 

2,211,136 

135,187 

(34,579,125) 

12,355,888 

=================================================================================================================================================================================================================================== 

Share 
Capital 

£ 

Share 
Premium 
account 
£ 

Merger 
reserve 

Other 
reserve 

FER reserve 

Retained 
Earning 

Total 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

13,029,124 

30,323,341 

1,236,225 

2,211,136 

135,187 

(34,579,125) 

12,355,888 

- 
- 

- 
- 

255,437 

925,112 

255,437 

925,112 

- 
- 

- 

- 

679,023 
(539,458) 

- 

139,565 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
539,458 

679,023 
- 

- 

1,180,549 

539,458 

1,859,572 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
(3,435,153) 

(3,435,153) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(56,869) 

- 

(56,869) 

(56,869) 

(3,435,153) 

(3,492,022) 

=================================================================================================================================================================================================================================== 
10,723,438 
2,350,701 
13,284,561 

(37,474,820) 

31,248,453 

1,236,225 

78,318 

=================================================================================================================================================================================================================================== 

Balance at 1 January 
2016 
Share based payments 
Share based payments 
transfer for exercised 
share options 
Exercise of share 
options 
Issue of new shares 
Expense of share issue  
Transactions with 
owners 

Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive 
income 
Foreign exchange on 
consolidation 
Total comprehensive 
income for the year 

Balance at 31 
December 16 

Balance at 1 January 
2017 
Share based payments 
Share based payments 
transfer for exercised 
share options 
Exercise of share 
options 
Transactions with 
owners 

Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive 
income 
Foreign exchange on 
consolidation 
Total comprehensive 
income for the year 

Balance at 31 
December 17 

The notes on pages 32 to 58 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

31                                                                                                                                                    Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                  

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

Notes to the financial statements  

1 General information 
Bango PLC (“the Company”) was incorporated on 8 March 2005 
in  the  United  Kingdom.  Bango  PLC  is  domiciled  in  the  United 
Kingdom. The address of the registered office of the Company, 
which is also its principal place of business, is given on page 15. 
Bango  PLC’s  shares  are  listed  on  the  Alternative  Investment 
Market of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM"). 

The  principal  activity  of  Bango  during  the  year  was  the 
development,  marketing  and  sale  of  technology  to  enable 
mobile  phone  users  to  easily  make  payments  for  goods  and 
services on connected devices. 

The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 
(including  the  comparatives  for  the  year  ended  31  December 
2016)  were  approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on  12  March 
2018.  

2 Basis of preparation 
The  Group  financial  statements,  which  consolidate  those  of 
Bango PLC and all of its subsidiaries, have been prepared under 
the  historical  cost  convention  and  under  the  basis  of  going 
concern.  

Bango has prepared its Report and accounts for the year ended 
31 December 2017, in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted in the European Union 
and  as  applied  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
Companies  Act  2006.  IFRS  requires  the  use  of  certain  critical 
accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise 
its  judgement  in  the  process  of  applying  the  Group’s  and 
Company’s  accounting  policies.  The  areas  involving  a  high 
degree  of 
judgement  or  complexity,  or  areas  where 
assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated 
financial statements are disclosed in note 3.20. 

These  financial  statements  are  presented  in  pounds  sterling 
(GBP) because that is the presentation currency of Bango. Every 
entity  within  the  group  has  its  own  functional  currency.  The 
Brazilian,  Japanese,  Spanish,  Nigerian  and  US  subsidiaries, 
perform  sales  and  support  functions  in  country  for  services 
provided by Bango.net Limited to customers. The local ledgers 
and accounts are prepared in accordance with local accounting 
standards.  The  majority  of  the  groups  costs  are  incurred  in 
sterling, and cash is mostly held in sterling. Foreign operations 
are  included  in  accordance  with  the  policies  set  out  in  notes 
3.15. 

2.1 Going concern  
Bango had cash of £4.8m at 31 December 2017 (31 December 
2016: £5.7m) and financing debt of £0.3m (31 December 2016: 
£0.1m). The cash flow forecasts of Bango anticipate increased 
cash generation in the future, from current trading operations 
as  a  result  of  our  deals  with  merchants.  For  this  reason,  the 
going  concern  basis  has  continued  to  be  adopted  in  the 
preparation of the financial statements. 

A fundraise was carried out in January 2018, generating cash 
for  further  development  (see  Directors  Report  for  detailed 
disclosure). 

3 Principal accounting policies 
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of 
these consolidated financial statements are set out below.  

3.1 Basis of consolidation 
On  9  June  2005  Bango  PLC  acquired  the  entire  issued  share 

capital  of  Bango.net  Limited  by  way  of  a  share  for  share 
exchange. As the shareholders were the same before and after 
this  transaction,  the  share  for  share  exchange  qualifies  as  a 
common  control  transaction  and  falls  outside  of  the  scope  of 
IFRS 3, Business Combinations.  

No goodwill has been recorded and the difference between the 
parent company's cost of investment and Bango.net Limited's 
share  capital  and  share  premium  is  presented  as  a  merger 
reserve within equity on consolidation.  

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial 
statements of Bango PLC and all entities controlled by it after 
eliminating internal transactions. Control is achieved where the 
Group  has  the  power  to  govern  the  financial  and  operating 
policies  of  a  Group  undertaking  so  as  to  obtain  economic 
benefits from its activities. Subsidiary undertakings’ results are 
adjusted, where appropriate, to conform to  Group accounting 
policies. 

3.2 Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less 
accumulated depreciation. Residual values and useful economic 
lives are assessed annually. Depreciation is provided to write off 
the cost of all property, plant and equipment to its residual value 
on a straight-line basis over its expected useful economic lives, 
which are as follows: 

Leasehold improvements              20% straight-line 

Office equipment                         20% straight-line 

Computer equipment                   33.3% straight-line 

Property plant and equipment also include computer equipment 
held under finance leases.  

3.3 Intangible assets 
Intangible assets are measured initially at historical cost and are 
amortized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  expected  useful 
economic lives: 

Domain names                             33.3% straight-line 

Internal development                    20% straight-line 

3.3.1 Goodwill  
Goodwill is the difference between the amount by which the fair 
value  of  the  cost  of  a  business  combination  exceeds  the  fair 
value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is 
stated  at  cost  less  any  accumulated  impairment  losses.  The 
goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when events would 
indicate  that  it  might  be  impaired.  Impairment  charges  are 
deducted from the carrying value and recognized immediately 
in profit or loss. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill 
is allocated to the trade and assets acquired. An impairment loss 
recognized for goodwill is not reversed in a subsequent period.  

3.3.2 Acquisition related intangible assets   
Net assets acquired as part of a business combination includes 
an  assessment  of  the  fair  value  of  separately  identifiable 
acquisition related intangible assets, in addition to other assets 
and contingent liabilities purchased. These are amortized over 
their useful lives which are individually assessed. The estimated 
useful economic life for customer contracts and relationships is 
10 years. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                     32                       

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

3.4 Research and development 
Expenditure on research activities is recognized as an expense 
in  the  period  in  which  it  is  incurred.  An  internally-generated 
intangible asset arising from Bango's development activities is 
recognized only if all of the following conditions are met: 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

Completion  of  the  intangible  asset  is  technically 
feasible so that it will be available for use or sale. 
Bango  intends  to  complete  the  intangible  asset  and 
use or sell it. 
Bango  has  the  ability  to  use  or  sell  the  intangible 
asset. 
The  intangible  asset  will  generate  probable  future 
economic benefits. Among other things, this requires 
that  there  is  a  market  for  the  output  from  the 
intangible asset or for the intangible asset itself, or, if 
it  is  to  be  used  internally,  the  asset  will  be  used  in 
generating such benefits. 
There  are  adequate  technical,  financial  and  other 
resources to complete the development and to use or 
sell the intangible asset. 
The  expenditure  attributable  to  the  intangible  asset 
during its development can be measured reliably. 

Internally-generated  intangible  assets  are  amortized  on  a 
straight-line  basis  over  their  useful  economic  lives.  Where  no 
internally-generated 
intangible  asset  can  be  recognized, 
development  expenditure  is  recognized  as  an  expense  in  the 
period in which it is incurred. 

The cost of an internally generated intangible asset comprises 
all directly attributable costs necessary to create, produce and 
prepare the intangible asset to be capable of operating in the 
manner  intended  by  management.  Directly  attributable  costs 
comprise  employee  salary  and  other  employment  costs 
incurred, on a time apportioned basis, as well as a proportion 
of attributable overhead costs. These costs are recognized as 
intangible assets. Development costs previously recognized as 
an  expense  are  not  included  in  the  amount  recognized  as  an 
asset. Until completion of the project, these assets are subject 
to  impairment  testing  only.  Amortization  commences  upon 
completion  of  the  asset,  and  is  shown  within  administrative 
expenses in the statement of comprehensive income.   

3.5  Impairment  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  and 
intangible assets 
At  each  balance  sheet  date,  Bango  reviews  the  carrying 
amounts  of  its  property,  plant  and  equipment  and  individual 
intangible  assets  for  any  indication  that  those  assets  have 
suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the 
recoverable  amount  of  the  asset  is  estimated  in  order  to 
determine  the  extent  of  the  impairment  loss,  if  any.  The 
recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less costs to 
sell  and  value  in  use.  Until  completion  of  the  development 
project,  when  amortization  can  be  charged  on  the  intangible 
asset, the assets are subject to an annual impairment test. 

3.6 Loans and receivables 
a) Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash  and  cash  equivalents  comprise  cash  in  hand  and  bank 
deposits available on demand, together with other short term 
highly liquid investments. 

b) Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables are recognized initially at fair value 
and are measured subsequent to initial recognition  net of any 
provision  for  impairment.    Any  change  in  their  value  through 

impairment or reversal of impairment is recognized in profit or 
loss. 

Provision  against  trade  receivables  is  made  when  there  is 
objective  evidence  that  Bango  will  not  be  able  to  collect  all 
amounts due to it in accordance with the original terms of those 
receivables. The amount of the write-down is determined as the 
difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present 
value of the estimated receivable.  

3.7 Trade and other payables 
Trade  and  other  payables  are  initially  measured  at fair  value, 
and  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortized  cost,  using  the 
effective interest rate method. 

3.8 Income taxes 
Current income tax liabilities comprise those obligations to fiscal 
authorities relating to the current or prior reporting period, that 
are  unpaid  at  the  balance  sheet  date.  They  are  calculated 
according to the tax rates and tax laws applicable to the fiscal 
periods to which they relate, based on the taxable profit for the 
year.  All  changes  to  current  tax  assets  or  liabilities  are 
recognized  as  a  component  of  tax  expense  in  the  income 
statement, except where it relates to items recognized outside 
profit or loss. 

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method 
on temporary differences. This involves the comparison of the 
carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  in  the  consolidated 
financial statements with their respective tax bases. In addition, 
tax  losses  available  to  be  carried  forward  as  well  as  other 
income tax credits are assessed for recognition as deferred tax 
assets.  However,  deferred  tax  is  not  provided  on  the  initial 
recognition of goodwill, nor on the initial recognition of an asset 
or  liability  unless  the  related  transaction  is  a  business 
combination or affects tax or accounting profit. Deferred tax on 
temporary differences associated with shares in subsidiaries and 
joint  ventures  is  not  provided  if  reversal  of  these  temporary 
differences can be controlled by Bango and it is probable that 
reversal will not occur in the foreseeable future. In addition, tax 
losses available to be carried forward as well as other income 
tax  credits  to  Bango  are  assessed  for  recognition  as  deferred 
tax assets.  

Deferred tax liabilities are always provided for in full. Deferred 
tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that 
the underlying deductible temporary differences will be able to 
be offset against future taxable income. Deferred tax assets and 
liabilities are calculated, without discounting, at tax rates that 
are expected to apply to their respective period of realization, 
provided  they  are  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  at  the 
balance sheet date. 

Deferred  tax  is recognized  as  a  component of tax  expense  in 
the income statement, except where it relates to items charged 
or credited directly to other comprehensive income, when it is 
recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income.  Deferred  tax 
relating  to  items  recognized  directly  in  equity  is  recognized 
directly in equity. 

3.9 Operating lease agreements 
Rentals  applicable  to  operating  leases  where  the  risks  and 
rewards of ownership are not transferred are charged to profit 
or  loss  net  of  any  incentives  received  from  the  lessor  on  a 
straight-line basis over the period of the lease. When IFRS 16 is 
adopted the operating leases of Bango, disclosed in note 9, will 
become recognized on the statement of financial position.  

33                                                                                                                                                    Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

Notes to the financial statements  

3.10 Finance lease agreements 
all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance 
leases. On initial recognition, the leased asset is measured at an 
amount equal to the lower of its fair value and the present value 
of minimum lease payments.  

Minimum  lease  payments  made  under  finance  leases  are 
apportioned between the financial expense and the reduction of 
the  outstanding  liability.  The  finance  expense  is  allocated  to 
each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant 
periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.  

3.11 End User Spend  
End  User  Spend  (EUS)  is  the  total  value  of  sales  processed 
through the Bango Platform net of taxes. EUS shows the growth 
of  business  through  the  Bango  Platform,  and  is  the  most 
significant Key Performance Indicator that management uses to 
measure the development of the business and the success of 
Bango partners.  

is 

reported  on 

This 
the  consolidated  statement  of 
comprehensive  income  as  a  non  IFRS  KPI  and  in  Note  4  on 
revenue as EUS is directly linked to Bango’s revenue.  

3.12 Revenue recognition 
Revenue  is  measured  by  reference  to  the  fair  value  of 
consideration  receivable  by  Bango  for  services  provided, 
excluding  taxes.  There  are  two  separable  revenue  streams  in 
Bango.  

3.12.1 Revenue linked to End user activity  
Bango revenue is a mixture of agency and principal models: 

(cid:120) 

(cid:120) 

Agency model – where Bango is not the merchant of 
record 
Principal  model  –  where  Bango  is  the  merchant  of 
record, buying and reselling the content to end users 

The  proportion  of  business  that  is  principal  model  is  now 
immaterial  in  comparison  to  the  agency  model  business, 
therefore Bango only reports its margin from every transaction 
through  the  Platform,  regardless  of  commercial  model,  as 
revenue. 

Bango  revenue  is  the  fee  from  each  transaction  through  the 
Bango  Platform.  It  does  not  reflect  the  different  commercial 
models. Bango receives a fee for every transaction through the 
Bango Platform, so growing EUS leads to increased revenue. 

3.12.2 Other fees 
Revenue from other fees relates to all revenue not generated 
from EUS, such as one off connection or support fees:  

• 
Connection fees – where Bango charges the payment 
provider or the merchant for connecting to the Bango Platform. 
Revenue  is  recognized when  certain stages of completion  are 
reached, including signing of commercials, delivery of technical 
design and activation of routes.  
(cid:120) 
services which are recognised at point of invoice.  

Support  fees  –  where  Bango  provides  monthly 

Other fees are additive to the Bango revenue, but the internal 
forecasts of the business are based on their being sufficient EUS 
revenue to cover the operating costs of the business.  

3.13 Employee benefits 
All  accumulating  employee-compensated  absences  that  are 

Assets held under leases which transfer to Bango substantially 
unused at the balance sheet date are recognized as a liability. 
Payments  to  defined  contribution  retirement  benefit  schemes 
are charged as an expense in the period to which they relate.   

3.14 Share-based payment transactions 
Bango  issues  equity  settled  share-based  compensation  to 
certain  employees  (including  Directors).  Equity  settled  share 
based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant. 
The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled 
share-based payment is expensed on a straight-line basis over 
the  vesting  period,  together  with  a  corresponding  increase  in 
equity,  based  upon  the  estimate  of  the  shares  that  will 
eventually  vest.  These  estimates  are  subsequently  revised  if 
there is any indication that the number of options expected to 
vest differs from previous estimates. Any cumulative adjustment 
prior  to  vesting  is  recognized  in  the  current  period.  No 
adjustment is made to any expense recognized in prior periods. 

Fair value is measured by an external valuer using the Black-
Scholes  option  pricing  model.  The  expected  life  used  in  the 
model  has  been  adjusted,  based  on  management’s  best 
estimate,  for  the  effects  of  non-transferability,  exercise 
restrictions  and  behavioral  considerations.  No  adjustment  is 
made  for  performance  conditions  as  these  do  not  form  a 
condition of the option agreement.  

If  the  terms  of  an  equity-settled  transaction  were  to  be 
modified, as a minimum an expense is recognized as if the terms 
had  not  been  modified.  In  addition,  an  expense  would  be 
recognized for any increase in the value of the transaction as a 
result  of  the  modification,  as  measured  by  the  date  of 
modification, over the remaining vesting period. To date Bango 
has not modified any equity-settled transactions.  

Where an equity-settled transaction is cancelled, it is treated as 
if  it  had  vested  on  the  due  date  of  the  cancellation,  and  any 
expense  not  yet  recognized  for  the  transaction  is  recognized 
immediately.  However,  if  a  new  transaction  is  substituted  for 
the  cancelled  transaction,  and  designated  as  a  replacement 
transaction on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new 
transactions  are  treated  as  if  they  were  a  modification  of  the 
original  transaction,  as  described  in  the  previous  paragraph. 
Once exercised, the share based payment expense previously 
recognized  is  transferred  from  Other  reserves  to  Retained 
transactions  are  shown 
earnings.  Share-based  payment 
separately 
income. 
Additional information is provided in note 7.     

in  the  statement  of  comprehensive 

3.15 Foreign currencies 
Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  in  foreign  currencies  are 
translated into sterling at the rates of exchange prevailing at the 
balance  sheet  date.  Transactions  in  foreign  currencies  are 
translated into sterling at the rate of exchange prevailing at the 
date of the transaction. Exchange gains and losses are included 
in the profit or loss for the period. 

3.16 Segment reporting 
In  identifying  Bango  operating  segments  the  chief  operating 
decision  maker  reviews  two  service  lines.  These  are  the 
provision of a mobile payment platform allowing end users to  
purchase goods and services, and the provision of services to 
digital  merchants  and  other  organizations.  The  revenue 
generated from each of these segments is separately reported 
but where costs and assets are managed and utilized on a group 
basis, these are not allocated to a segment. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            34 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

3.17 Financial instruments 
Financial  liabilities  and  equity  instruments  are  classified 
according  to  the  substance  of  the  contractual  arrangements 
entered  into.  An  equity  instrument  is  any  contract  that 
evidences  a  residual  interest  in  the  assets  of  the  entity  after 
deducting all of its financial liabilities. 

Where  the  contractual  obligations  of  financial  instruments  
(including  share  capital)  are  equivalent  to  a  similar  debt 
instrument, those financial instruments are classed as financial 
liabilities.  Financial  liabilities  are  presented  as  such  in  the 
balance  sheet.  Finance  costs  and  gains  or  losses  relating  to 
financial  liabilities  are  included  in  profit  or  loss.  Finance  costs 
are calculated so as to produce a constant rate of return on the 
outstanding liability. 

Where the contractual terms of share capital do not have any 
terms meeting the definition of a financial liability then this is 
classed as an equity instrument.  

Dividends  and  distributions  relating  to  equity  instruments  are 
debited  direct  to  equity.  Interest  income  and  expenses  are 
reported on an accrual basis using the effective interest method. 

3.18 Share capital and reserves 
Share capital  
Ordinary  shares  are  classified  as  equity.  Equity  instruments 
issued by Bango PLC are recorded at the proceeds received, net 
of direct issue costs. 

Share premium 
Share premium represents the excess over nominal value of the 
fair  value  of  consideration  received  for  equity  shares,  net  of 
expenses of the share issue. 

Merger reserve  
The merger reserve represents the difference between Bango 
PLC’s  cost  of  investment  and  a  subsidiary’s  share  capital  and 
share  premium  where  a  group  reorganization  qualifies  as  a 
common control transaction. 

Other reserve 
The  other  reserve  represents  equity-settled  share-based 
employee remuneration recognized over the vesting period. 

Foreign exchange reserve 
The foreign exchange reserve represents translation differences 
arising from the translation of the Bango subsidiaries financial 
statements  which  are  held 
into  the 
consolidated  Bango  accounts  which  is  reported  in  GBP.  This 
reserve only arises at consolidation. 

local  currency 

in 

Retained earnings 
Retained earnings include all current and prior period retained 
profits. 

3.19 Non-recurring items 
Non-recurring  items  are  those  significant  items  which  are 
disclosed  by  virtue  of  their  size  of  incidence  to  enable  a  full 
understanding of the financial performance (note 11b). 

3.20  Significant  accounting  estimates and judgements 
Revenue recognition 
As  discussed  in  policy  note  3.12  there  are  a  number  of  key 
judgements  taken  by  management  in  determining  the  most 
appropriate presentation of revenues generated from services 
to  end  users.  The  Directors  consider  the  principal  model 
element to be immaterial for the current and prior year. 

Deferred tax 
A  deferred  tax  asset  is  recognized  where  Bango  considers  it 
probable  that  a  tax  credit  will  be  received  in  the  future.  This 
specifically applies to tax losses and to outstanding vested share 
options  at  the  balance  sheet  date.  No  deferred  tax  asset  is 
currently being recognized due to the unpredictability of future 
taxable  trading  profits  from  which  these  differences  may  be 
deducted (note 15). 

Finance leases  
Judgement is applied when considering the substance of a lease 
agreement  and  whether  it  should  be  recognized  as  either  a 
finance  lease  or  an  operating  lease.  Management  use  the 
following  criteria  in  reviewing  the  contract  to  determine  the 
classification; rights to the asset at the end of the lease term, 
the present value of the minimum lease payments in relation to 
the asset’s fair value, length of the lease term in relation to the 
useful economic life of the asset and the obligations to insure 
and maintain the asset.  

During previous years the group has entered into a number of 
computer equipment leases that it has deemed to be a finance 
lease based on the assessment of the key criteria. The carrying 
value of finance leases at 31 December 2017 is £277,583 (2016: 
£95,544).  

Development costs 
Judgement  is  applied  when  deciding  whether  the  recognition 
requirements for development costs have been met, based on 
the  information  available  at  each  balance  sheet  date.  The 
economic success of any product development is uncertain at 
the time of recognition as it may be subject to future technical 
problems and therefore impairment reviews are completed for 
each project on the balance sheet date. The carrying value of 
(2016: 
costs 
capitalized  development 
£3,638,080).  

is  £4,031,919 

At the end of 2017 one project was  partially impaired, due to 
R&D  work  superseding  previous  work  done.  No  other 
impairments  have  been  recognized  based  on  expected  future 
revenues. 

Acquisition accounting 
Acquired  assets  are  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  IFRS3 
Business  Combinations  following  a  detailed  review  of  the  fair 
value of the assets by an independent third party. The business 
separates  out  the  underlying  assets  which  include  software, 
customer  relationships  and  trade  names  based  on  the 
attributable values that can be apportioned directly to them, and 
the remaining difference in the value is shown as goodwill. The 
acquired assets are amortized over a five-year period, goodwill 
is  not  amortized.  All  acquired  assets  are  tested  annually  for 
impairment. 

No  impairment  is  recognized  based  on  current  estimates  of 
future revenue streams expected to be derived from  acquired 
assets.  

3.21 Standards and interpretations not yet applied by 
the Group 
For  the  purpose  of  the  preparation  of  these  consolidated 
financial  statements,  the  Group  has  applied  all  standards  and 
interpretations  that  are  effective  for  accounting  periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2017. There was no impact on 
the  presentation  of  financial  statements  of  Bango  PLC  other 
than  in  disclosure.  No  new  standards,  amendments  or 
interpretations to existing standards that have been published 

35                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

and  that  are  mandatory  for  the  Group’s  accounting  periods 
beginning  on  or  after  1  January  2017,  or  later  periods,  have 
been  adopted  early.  The  following  new  Standards  and 
Interpretations, which are yet to become mandatory, have not 
been applied in the Bango’s financial statements. 

IFRS  15  has  not  yet  been  implemented,  however  Bango  has 
considered  the  potential  impact  of  implementing  the  new 
standard on future accounting of revenue. Criteria  considered 
have  included  the  contract,  the  nature  of  the  service,  the 
timescales for delivery and the length of the service. The two 
revenue streams – EUS and other fees – have been considered 
separately. 

It is considered suitable that Bango continue to recognize EUS 
revenue at the point in time that the transaction is completed. 
For  digital  goods  this  is  at  either  the  point  of  purchase  or 
enablement.  For  retail  goods  the  revenue  is  recognized  when 
the goods are dispatched to the consumer.  

For most transactions Bango is not the seller of record, has not 
produced  the  goods  and  is  not  responsible  for  the  customer 
support.  Bango  has  the  performance  obligation  to  make  sure 
that  the  Bango  Platform,  that  enables  payment  processing  or 
subscription to take place and be accounted for, is available. 

Other  fees  relate  to  merchants  remaining  connected  to  the 
Bango Platform. The fees are charged monthly to connect to the 
Bango  Platform.  There  are  no  direct  costs  associated  to  the 
revenue,  therefore  it  is  deemed  appropriate  to  recognize  the 
monthly fee each month in line with invoicing. 

For the contracts that Bango currently has, IFRS 15 is expected 
to  have  no  quantitative  impact,  however  a  more  detailed 
assessment will be conducted before adoption at 30 June 2018. 

IFRS 16 Leases (IASB effective date 1 January 2019) will bring 
all  operating  leases  onto  the  balance  sheet  in  line  with  the 
accounting treatment for finance leases. This will bring the lease 
of  Bango’s  Cambridge  office  on  to  the  statement  of  financial 
position, but it is not expected to have a material impact on the 
income statement. 

IFRS  9  Financial  Instruments  (effective  date  1  January  2018) 
will not have a material impact on the financial statements. 

The  above  standards  and  interpretations  are  not  expected  to 
have  any  significant  impact  on the  financial  statements  when 
applied,  except  for  additional  disclosures  when  the  relevant 
standard comes into effect.  

3.22 Related party transactions 
Bango’s  related  parties 
its  Directors  and  key 
include 
management personnel. Unless otherwise stated, none of the 
transactions  incorporate  special  terms  and  conditions  and  no 
guarantees  were  given  or received.  Outstanding  balances  are 
settled in cash.  

The only transactions with Directors are noted in the Directors 
remuneration  note  in  the  accounts,  see  note  13.  There  was 
minimal trading in the year with Fusion Mobile Value Ltd whose 
Board includes some of the Directors of Bango PLC.  

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            36 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

4  Segment reporting 

(a) End User Spend 
As a non IFRS alternative performance measure, Bango has identified EUS as its key performance indicator on which all management 
decisions surrounding investment in the platform and development of intangible assets are based. Key business decisions are based on 
the total value and volume of transactions that Bango has processed in each  month through its payment platform. Therefore, to give 
additional  information to  key  stakeholders  of  Bango  and  to  assist  users  of  these  financial  statements,  Bango  includes  this  additional 
reporting. 

31 December 
2017 
£ 

31 December 
2016 
£ 

End User Spend 

271,356,080 

132,290,981 

(b) Revenue and gross profit 
Bango,  based  on  the  information  reviewed  by  the  chief  operating  decision  maker,  identifies  two  operating  segments.  Management 
reporting is based principally on the type of customer and strategic decisions are made on the basis of the gross profit generated from 
each segment. The segments are not separately managed and therefore Bango’s operations and its research and development activity 
are considered group operations and are not allocated to any operating segment. Segment information can be analyzed as fo llows for 
the reporting periods under review.   

12 months to 31 December 2017 

End user 
activity 

£ 

Segment revenue 
Cost of sales – payment providers 

4,080,987 
(2,439) 

Other 
fees 

£ 

70,952 
- 

Group 

Total 

£ 

- 
- 

£ 

4,151,939 
(2,439) 

Segment gross profit 

4,078,548 

70,952 

- 

4,149,500 

-------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------- 

Administrative expenses 
Non-recurring items 
Share based payments charge 
Depreciation 
Amortization and impairment 
Interest payable 
Interest income 

Segment net profit/ (loss) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

-------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
(5,717,516) 
(59,463) 
(679,023) 
(188,496) 
(1,396,541) 
(51,458) 
20,858 
-------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
(3,922,139) 
==================  ================  ================  ================ 

(5,717,516) 
(59,463) 
(679,023) 
(188,496) 
(1,396,541) 
(51,458) 
20,858 

(8,071,639) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

4,078,548 

70,952 

Segment assets 

1,451,542 

- 

12,517,017 

13,968,559 

Segment liabilities 

Net assets 

(2,479,707) 

(3,245,121) 
- 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
10,723,438 
- 
==================  ================  ================  ================ 

(1,028,165) 

11,751,603 

(765,414) 

Bango has two revenue streams, which it reports separately. Firstly, revenue from transaction fees due to EUS, secondly, revenue from 
other fees paid by merchants to connect to Bango and other services.  

Group assets include non-current assets and cash and cash equivalents. Group liabilities relate to administrative expenses. 

Non-current assets are all based in the UK. 

37                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

12 months to 31 December 2016 

End user 
activity 

£ 

Other 
fees 

£ 

Group 

Total 

£ 

£ 

Segment revenue 
Cost of sales – payment providers 

2,410,871 
(7,054) 

213,316 
- 
-------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------- 

2,624,187 
(7,054) 

- 
- 

Segment gross profit 

2,403,817 

213,316 

- 

2,617,133 

Administrative expenses 
Non-recurring items 
Share based payments charge 
Depreciation 
Amortization 
Interest payable 
Interest income 

Segment net profit/ (loss) 

Segment assets 

Segment liabilities 

Net assets 

-------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
(5,039,873) 
(376,013) 
(359,373) 
(319,284) 
(1,150,822) 
(53,661) 
30,363 

(5,039,873) 
(376,013) 
(359,373) 
(319,284) 
(1,150,822) 
(53,661) 
30,363 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

-------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------- 

2,403,817 

(4,651,530) 
==================  ================  ================  ================ 

(7,268,663) 

213,316 

434,365 

125,859 

13,588,572 

14,148,796 

(357,920) 

(1,792,908) 
- 
---------------------------------  ------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
12,355,888 
==================  ================  ================  ================ 

12,153,584 

(1,434,988) 

125,859 

76,445 

(c) Geographical analysis 
Bango’s revenue from external customers is divided into the following geographical areas.  

United Kingdom (country of domicile) 

EU 

USA and Canada 
Indonesia 

Rest of World 

31 Dec 2017 

31 Dec 2016 

£     

£     

12,264 

58,719 

2,050,162 
249,295 

1,781,499 

12,653 

47,857 

1,745,150 
563,585 

254,942 

--------------------------------------------------- 
4,151,939 
=======  ======== 

--------------------------------------------------- 
2,624,187 
=============== 

Segment revenue is based on the location of the partners. All turnover from end users is spread over many territories, of which £1.8m 
comes from a partner in the USA and Canada,  £0.4m from a partner in Rest of World and £0.6m from another partner in Rest of World 
(2016: £1m USA and Canada and £0.3m Rest of World). 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            38 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

5  Non-current assets 

5.1 Property, plant and equipment  

Cost 
At 1 January 2016 
Additions         

At 31 December 2016 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2016 
Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2016 

Net book value 
At 31 December 2016 

Cost 
At 1 January 2017 
Additions         

At 31 December 2017 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2017 
Charge for the year 

At 31 December 2017 

Net book value 
At 31 December 2017 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£ 

Office 
 equipment 
£ 

Computer 
equipment 
£ 

Total 

£ 

354,786 
1,390 
-------------------------------------- 
356,176 
====================== 

155,081 
2,299 
-------------------------------------- 
157,380 
====================== 

1,753,942 
102,865 
-------------------------------------- 
1,856,807 
====================== 

2,263,809 
106,554 
-------------------------------------- 
2,370,363 
====================== 

219,549 
33,051 
-------------------------------------- 
252,600 
====================== 

124,536 
14,408 
-------------------------------------- 
138,944 
====================== 

1,412,429 
271,825 
-------------------------------------- 
1,684,254 
====================== 

1,756,514 
319,284 
-------------------------------------- 
2,075,798 
====================== 

103,576 
====================== 

18,436 
====================== 

172,553 
====================== 

294,565 
====================== 

Leasehold 
improvements 
£ 

Office 
 equipment 
£ 

Computer 
equipment 
£ 

Total 

£ 

356,176 
3,445 
-------------------------------------- 
359,621 
====================== 

157,380 
26,005 
-------------------------------------- 
183,385 
====================== 

1,856,807 
421,344 
-------------------------------------- 
2,278,151 
====================== 

2,370,363 
450,794 
-------------------------------------- 
2,821,157 
====================== 

252,600 
33,281 
-------------------------------------- 

138,944 
11,054 
-------------------------------------- 

1,684,254 
144,161 
-------------------------------------- 

285,881 
====================== 

149,998 
====================== 

1,828,415 
====================== 

2,075,798 
188,496 
-------------------------------------- 
2,264,294 

====================== 

73,740 
====================== 

33,387 
====================== 

449,736 
====================== 

556,863 
====================== 

Included at year end within leasehold improvements were assets with net book value of £42,603, computer equipment with net book 
value of £124,444 and software with net book value of £131,633 held under finance leases (31 December 2016:  leasehold improvements 
£59,645 and computer equipment £27,862). Depreciation is shown within administrative expenses in the income statement. Financial 
lease liabilities are secured on the assets to which they relate.  

Bango PLC has no property, plant and equipment.

39                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

5.2 Intangible assets 

Cost 
At 1 January 2016 
Additions 
Foreign exchange 
revaluation 

Domain 
Names 
£ 

Internal 
Development 
£ 

Trade and 
Assets 
£ 

Goodwill 

Total 

£ 

£ 

32,887 
- 
- 

6,247,309 
1,159,052 
- 

- 
1,263,194 
84,213 

- 
1,125,000 
75,000 

6,280,196 
3,547,246 
159,213 

At 31 December 2016 

32,887 

7,406,361 

1,347,407 

1,200,000 

9,986,655 

Amortization 
At 1 January 2016 
Charge for period 

32,887 
- 

2,800,697 
967,584 

- 
168,426 

At 31 December 2016 

32,887 

3,768,281 

168,426 

- 
- 

- 

2,833,584 
1,136,010 

3,969,594 

Net book value at 
31 December 2016 

- 

3,638,080 

1,178,981 

1,200,000 

6,017,061 

Cost 
At 1 January 2017 
Additions 

Domain 
Names 
£ 

Internal 
Development 
£ 

32,887 
- 

7,406,361 
1,509,670 

Trade and 
Assets 
£ 

1,347,407 
- 

Goodwill 

£ 

Total 

£ 

1,200,000 
- 

9,986,655 
1,509,670 

At 31 December 2017 

32,887 

8,916,031 

1,347,407 

1,200,000 

11,496,325 

Amortization 
At 1 January 2017 
Charge for period 
Impairment 

32,887 
- 
- 

3,768,281 
807,409 
308,422 

168,426 
280,710 
- 

At 31 December 2017 

32,887 

4,884,112 

449,136 

- 
- 
- 

- 

3,969,594 
1,088,119 
308,422 

5,366,135 

Net book value at  
31 December 2017 

- 

4,031,919 

898,271 

1,200,000 

6,130,190 

Amortization is shown within administrative expenses in the income statement.  Bango regularly reviews its intangible assets to ensure 
that they are not impaired through periodic impairment testing in line with IAS 36. Assets are reviewed separately in relation to the 
revenue that will be generated from them as a discreet product. They are therefore separately assessed for signs of impairment using a 
discounted cash flow with a 20% discount rate (20% in prior year) and using the latest available financial forecasts. At the end of the 
year one project was partially impaired as recent R&D work has superseded the original work done. No other projects had any indication 
of impairment. 

Goodwill is reviewed  annually for signs of impairment. Goodwill relates solely to the acquisition of BilltoMobile Inc in May 2016. The 
recoverable amount of the related commercial agreements are determined from the value in use. The key assumptions are the discount 
rates (20% used consistent with review of intangibles and deemed prudent to the Bango WACC), growth rates (conservative assumptions 
have been used in comparison to the growth rate since acquisition) and net margin. The Directors have reviewed the acquired goodwill 
and do not consider there are any indicators of impairment.  

The goodwill has been allocated to the EUS activity business segment which is a separate cash generating unit to the Other Fees 
segment. Cash flows for a period of 10 years have been reviewed in assessing the goodwill and there are no indicators of impairment 
following sensitivity analysis of the key assumptions.  

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            40 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

6  Trade and other receivables 

Trade receivables 
Other receivables 
Prepayments and accrued income 

Impairment of trade receivables 

Research and development tax credits 

Total 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

2,018,088 
(5,000) 

1,123,889 
130,497 
763,702 

404,839 
111,406 
1,310,551 
-------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
1,826,796 
(5,000) 
-------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
1,821,796 
318,857 
-------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
2,140,653 
=================  ================= 

2,013,088 
421,215 

2,434,303 

At 31 December 2017, some of the unimpaired trade receivables are past their due date. The age of financial assets past due but not 
impaired is as follows:   

Not more than one month  
One to two months 
Three to twelve months 
More than twelve months 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

364,873 
9,972 
20,733 
- 
----------------------- 
395,578 
============= 

78,110 
23,036 
13,225 
- 
----------------------- 
114,371 
============= 

Trade and other receivables are usually due within 30-60 days and do not bear any effective interest rate. All trade receivables are subject 
to credit risk exposure.   

Trade receivables from digital merchants consist of numerous accounts with no significant individual balances. Provision for impairment 
has been made where the debt is not considered likely to be recoverable. 

The fair value of these short term financial assets is not individually determined as the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of 
fair value. There is no material difference between fair value and book value. 

A reconciliation of bad debt provision for trade receivables is provided below: 

Brought forward provision 
Debts written off in the year 
Increase in provision  

Carry forward provision 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

5,000 
- 
- 
------------------ 
5,000 
========== 

5,000 
(3,755) 
3,755 
------------------ 
5,000 
========== 

41                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

Notes to the financial statements  

7 Share capital and employee share options 

Allotted, called up and fully paid: 

Ordinary shares of 20p each in Bango PLC 

As at 31 December 2015 

Issue of new shares 
Exercise of share options 

As at 31 December 2016 

Exercise of share options 

As at 31 December 2017 

No 

£ 

64,431,751 

12,886,350 

117,219 
586,095 
25,555 
127,772 
----------------------- 
------------------------- 
13,029,124 
65,145,618 
----------------------- 
------------------------- 
255,437 
1,277,185 
------------------------- 
------------------------- 
66,422,803 
13,284,561 
==============  ============== 

During the year 1,277,185 share options were exercised at exercise prices between 23 pence and 232.5 pence and a par value of 20 
pence per share. The total proceeds were £1.18m of which £0.26m was recognized as share capital and £0.92m as share premium.  

The  Group  issues  share  options  to  Directors  and  to  employees  under  either  an  HM  Revenue  and  Customs  approved  Enterprise 
Management Incentive (EMI) scheme or an unapproved scheme. Employees resident overseas are eligible to participate in the scheme 
but their options do not qualify as HM Revenue and Customs approved.  

The grant price for share options is equal to the average quoted market price of the company shares on the date of grant. Options do 
not fully vest for three years. The options lapse if share options remain unexercised after a period of ten years from the date of grant or 
if the employee leaves the Group. 

Movements in the number of share options outstanding and their related weighted average exercise prices are as follows: 

31 Dec 2017 

Options 

31 Dec 2016 

Options 

Average 
exercise price 
per share 
p 
103 
185 
120 
92 
----------------------------------- 
129 

Average 
exercise price 
per share 
p 
122 
66 
145 
67 
----------------------------------- 
103 

No 
3,729,196 
1,448,000 
(554,375) 
(127,772) 
----------------------------------- 
4,495,049 
=====================  =====================  =====================  ===================== 
3,596,875 
=====================  =====================  =====================  ===================== 

No 
4,495,049 
1,226,000 
(364,248) 
(1,277,185) 
----------------------------------- 
4,079,616 

2,341,691 

123 

109 

Outstanding at 1 January 2017 
Granted 
Lapsed 
Exercised 

Outstanding at 31 December 2017 

Exercisable at 31 December 2017 

The weighted average share price at date of exercise of options exercised during the year was 138.32 pence (2016: 89.72 pence). 

The fair value of options granted during the year, determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, were between 60 - 144 pence. 
Significant inputs into the model include a weighted average share price of  185 pence (31 December 2016: 65.66 pence) at the grant 
date, the exercise prices, volatility of 59.4-60.4% (31 December 2016: 49.3-60.0%), dividend yield of nil (31 December 2016: nil), an 
expected option life of  five years (31 December 2016: five years) and an annual risk-free interest rate of 0.51-0.78% (31 December 
2016: 0.28-0.90%). 

For the most recent share awards there was sufficient share price data for Bango PLC to calculate the company's volatility, which is based 
on five years historical share prices. 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            42 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

At 31 December 2017, Bango PLC had the following outstanding options and exercise prices: 

Average 
exercise 
  price per share 

31 Dec 2017 
Options  Remaining 
  Contractual 

Average 
exercise 
Life  price per share 

Options 

31 Dec 2016 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life 

Expiry date 

Pence 

Number  

Months 

Pence 

Number  

Months 

2017 
2017 
2018 
2018 
2019 
2019 
2020 
2020 
2021 
2021 
2021 
2021 
2022 
2022 
2022 
2023 
2023 
2023 
2023 
2024 
2024 
2025 
2025 
2026 
2026 
2026 
2027 
2027 

23 March 
19 September  
31 January 
15 October 
19 February 
1 October 
17 March 
24 September 
7 February 
17 March 
9 September  
27 September 
23 March 
20 September 
06 November 
26 March 
02 April 
27 June 
04 October 
01 April 
22 October 
16 March 
18 September 
16 March 
21 September 
14 December 
21 March 
22 September 

At 31 
December 

8  Trade and other payables 

Trade payables 
Social security and other taxes 
Accruals and deferred income 

- 
- 
- 
53.50 
44.00 
44.50 
59.50 
167.00 
- 
82.50 
82.00 
- 
142.50 
166.50 
218.00 
232.50 
218.50 
180.00 
126.00 
136.00 
101.00 
106.00 
88.50 
43.00 
89.00 
70.50 
114.50 
255.00 

- 
- 
- 
8,875 
8,875 
8,875 
8,875 
8,875 
- 
10,875 
10,620 
- 
20,322 
46,323 
100,000 
243,500 
10,000 
50,000 
126,166 
165,500 
196,535 
226,240 
408,509 
605,442 
577,201 
29,154 
597,354 
611,500 
------------------------ 

- 
- 
- 
10 
14 
21 
27 
33 
- 
39 
45 
- 
51 
57 
59 
63 
63 
66 
70 
76 
82 
87 
93 
99 
105 
108 
111 
117 
------------------------ 

50.50 
41.00 
23.00 
53.50 
44.00 
44.50 
59.50 
167.00 
153.00 
82.50 
82.00 
76.50 
142.50 
166.50 
218.00 
232.50 
218.50 
180.00 
126.00 
136.00 
101.00 
106.00 
88.50 
43.00 
89.00 
70.50 

96,000 
100,500 
48,417 
15,125 
38,916 
46,520 
48,297 
49,935 
100,000 
47,740 
56,050 
20,000 
66,822 
96,323 
100,000 
298,000 
10,000 
50,000 
243,000 
281,000 
326,500 
336,000 
587,164 
699,240 
683,500 
50,000 
- 
- 

3 
9 
13 
22 
26 
33 
39 
45 
50 
51 
57 
57 
63 
69 
71 
75 
75 
78 
82 
88 
94 
99 
105 
111 
117 
120 
- 
- 
- 
- 
  ------------------------  --------------------------- 

4,079,616 

95 
=============  ============= 

4,495,049 

89 
=============  ============= 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

1,659,053 
153,569 
1,154,916 
---------------------- 
2,967,538 

846,212 
109,416 
741,726 
---------------------- 
1,697,354 
=============  ================ 

Trade and other payables are due within one year and are non-interest bearing. There is no material difference between book value 
and fair value. The increase in trade payables at the 31 December 2017 is consistent with the increase in trade receivables and the 
growth in revenue in the business. 

43                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

9  Commitments 
Bango leases two offices and some small office equipment under non-cancellable operating leases for which the future aggregate 
minimum lease payments are as follows: 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

No later than 1 year 
Later than 1 but no later than 5 years 
More than 5 years 

The UK lease expires on 17 November 2023. 

157,906 
631,624 
136,515 

153,869 
588,832 
267,094 
-----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
1,009,795 
============= 

926,045 
============= 

Bango has finance leases for technical computer equipment, software and leasehold equipment.  The leases will terminate between May 
2018  and  December  2020.  The  lease  agreement  includes  fixed  non-cancellable  lease  payments,  and  does  not  contain  any  further 
restrictions. Finance lease liabilities are secured by the related assets held under finance lease.   

Gross lease liabilities 

Within one year 
Between two and five years 

Future interest 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

299,214 

112,202 
187,012 

86,227 
13,709 
-----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
99,936 
-----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
(4,382) 
-----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
95,554 
============= 

277,583 
================ 

(21,631) 

The present value of finance lease liabilities is repayable as follows: 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

Within one year 
Between two and five years 

10  Expenses by nature 

Employee benefit expense 
Depreciation, amortization and impairment 
Other expenses 

Analyzed as: 
Administrative expenses 
Share based payments 
Depreciation 
Amortization and impairment 

99,889 
177,694 

82,149 
13,405 
-----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
95,554 
============= 

277,583 
================ 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

  31 Dec 2016 
£ 

4,588,608 
1,585,037 
1,867,394 
------------------------ 
8,041,039 
============= 

5,776,979 
679,023 
188,496 
1,396,541 
---------------------- 
8,041,039 
============= 

3,965,077 
1,470,106 
1,810,182 
------------------------ 
7,245,365 
============= 

5,415,886 
359,373 
319,284 
1,150,822 
---------------------- 
7,245,365 
============ 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            44 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

11a  Profit or loss before taxation 
Profit or loss before taxation is stated after charging: 

Auditor's remuneration: 
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the financial statements  
Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for other services: audit of Group’s subsidiaries 
Other services relating to other assurance services 
Other services relating to taxation compliance services 
Other services relating to taxation advisory services 
Other services relating to international taxation advisory and compliance services 

Operating lease expenses: 
Land and buildings 

Finance lease charges in year 

Exchange rate variances 

Depreciation on property, plant and equipment – lease assets 
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment – owned assets 
Amortization of intangible assets  
Impairment of intangible assets 
Research and development costs 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

5,000 
57,000 
10,000 
10,200 
5,400 
62,300 

4,000 
42,500 
13,700 
9,900 
3,300 
50,000 

226,716 

211,149 

51,458 

53,661 

(52,086) 

(70,916) 

60,427 
128,069 
1,088,119 
308,422 
96,330 

186,213 
133,071 
1,150,822 
- 
93,798 
================  ================ 

11b  Non-recurring items 
These costs relate to the acquisition of Audiens SRL and associated fundraise that took place on 23 January 2018 (2016: related to the 
acquisition of BilltoMobile Inc). 

12  Employee benefit expense 
The average number of staff employed by Bango during the financial year amounted to: 

Administrative staff 
Marketing staff 
Sales staff 
Technical staff 
Executive Directors 
Support staff 

The aggregate payroll costs of the above were: 

Wages and salaries 
Social security costs 
Other pension costs 
Share based remuneration 

31 Dec 2017 
No 

31 Dec 2016 
No 

8 
6 
11 
22 
3 
28 
------------- 
78 
====== 

6 
5 
7 
22 
4 
28 
----------- 
72 
====== 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

3,703,149 
410,141 
206,436 
679,023 

3,456,747 
386,483 
148,958 
359,373 
-----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
4,351,561 
================  ================ 

4,998,749 

Included in the above payroll costs is £1,340,684 (31 December 2016: £995,493) capitalized within internal development (note 5.2). 

45                                                                                                                                            Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

The Directors have identified sixteen (31 December 2016: eleven) key management personnel, including Directors. Compensation to key 
management is set out below: 

Short term employee benefits 
Employers national insurance 
Post-employment benefits 
Share based compensation 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 
1,299,167 
152,147 
22,531 
306,788 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 
1,086,653 
138,861 
46,725 
116,281 
-----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
1,388,520 
================  ================ 

1,780,633 

13 Directors 
Remuneration in respect of Directors was as follows: 

Emoluments 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

630,533 
============ 

680,435 
============ 

Further details can be found in the Remuneration Committee Report).  The highest paid Director received total salary of £206,250 (31 
December 2016: £198,000), pension contributions of £2,255 (31 December 2016: £1,650), and share based compensation of £50,908 
(31 December 2016: £11,122). 

The number of Directors who accrued benefits under pension schemes was three (31 December 2016: four). 

The total share based compensation for Directors was £155,816 (31 December 2016: £58,236). 

For details of Directors options please see the Directors and their interest section of the Directors’ report. 

During the year Bango was invoiced £42,000 by Fusion Mobile Value Limited, a company of which Gianluca D’Agostino is sole director. 
The amount invoiced relates to consultancy work carried out by Gianluca D’Agostino in the year. 

14  Investment income 

Bank interest receivable 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 
20,858 

     31 Dec 2016 
£ 
30,363 
================  ================ 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            46 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

15  Taxation 

Income tax 

R&D tax credits receivable 
Over/(Under) provision of prior year credit 
Tax paid overseas 
(Over)/under provision of prior year overseas tax 

Income tax expense for the year differs from the standard rate of taxation as follows: 

Loss on ordinary activities before taxation 

Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of tax of 19.25% (31 December 
2016: 20.00%) 
Effect of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Deferred tax not recognized 
Unutilized tax losses 
Additional deductions for R&D expenditure 
Surrender of tax losses for R&D 
Other permanent differences 
Tax paid overseas 
Adjustments in relation to prior years 

Total tax  

  31 Dec 2017 
£ 
(421,215) 
(8,126) 
18,953 
(76,598) 

  31 Dec 2016 
£ 
(318,857) 
(9,806) 
90,250 
- 
------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
(238,413) 
================  ================ 

(486,986) 

(3,435,153) 

(4,777,915) 
================  ================ 

(661,171) 

(955,583) 

146,477 
2,290 
259,689 
(382,944) 
167,089 
47,356 
18,953 
(84,727) 

89,264 
1,946 
779,826 
(248,584) 
120,946 
(106,672) 
90,250 
(9,806) 
------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
(238,413) 
================  ================ 

(486,986) 

At 31 December 2017, the unutilized tax losses carried forward amounted to £33.2 million (at 31 December 2016: £32.1 million). 

Deferred tax assets/ (liabilities): 

Share option deduction 
Tax losses 
Other temporary differences  
Accelerated capital allowances and capitalized 
development costs 

Provided 
31 Dec 2017 

Provided  Unprovided 
      31 Dec 2016  31 Dec 2017 

     Unprovided 
   31 Dec 2016 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

- 
546,870 
(5,016) 

- 
418,102 
(1,230) 

757,736 
4,558,279 
- 

133,820 
3,794,139 
- 

(541,854) 
----------------------- 
- 

- 
- 
----------------------- 
------------------------------  ---------------------- 
3,927,959 
5,316,015 
- 
================  ================  ==============  ================ 

(416,872) 

All unrecognized deferred tax balances relate to the UK and are expected to offset. No deferred tax asset has been recognized in respect 
of the above temporary differences due to the unpredictability of future taxable  trading profits from which these differences may be 
deducted.  

16 Loss per share 
(a) Basic 
Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity holders of Bango PLC by the weighted average number 
of ordinary shares in issue during the year. 

Loss attributable to equity holders of Bango PLC 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 
(3,435,153) 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 
(4,413,117) 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue 

65,768,111 

65,026,008 

Earnings (basic) per share 

(5.22)p 

(6.81) p 

47                                                                                                                                            Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

(b) Diluted 
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of shares outstanding to assume conversion of all 
dilutive potential ordinary share options.  

Loss attributable to equity holders of Bango PLC 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares  

Earnings (diluted) per share 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 
(3,435,153) 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 
(4,413,117) 

65,768,111 

65,026,008 

(5.22)p 

(6.81) p 

At 31 December 2017 options over 4,079,616 (31 December 2016: 4,495,049) ordinary shares were outstanding. Given the loss for the 
year, these options are considered to be anti-dilutive. Such options could potentially dilute basic loss per share in the future.  

17  Cash used by operations 

Loss for the financial year 
Depreciation. amortization and impairment 
Taxation in income statement 
Investment income 
Interest payable 
Foreign exchange movement on cash balances 
Share-based payment expense 
(Increase)/decrease in receivables 
Increase/(decrease) in payables  
Realized currency translation 

Corporation tax rebate  

Net cash used by operations 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 
(3,435,153) 
1,585,037 
(486,986) 
(20,858) 
51,458 
(32,847) 
679,023 
(1,393,322) 
2,431,490 
(118,503) 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 
(4,413,117) 
1,455,293 
(238,413) 
(30,363) 
53,661 
51,780 
359,373 
(595,427) 
442,220 
29,723 
----------------------  ---------------------- 
(2,885,270) 
238,413 
----------------------  ---------------------- 
(2,646,857) 
================  =============== 

(740,661) 
486,986 

(253,675) 

18  Financial assets and liabilities 
Financial assets included in the balance sheet relate to the following IAS 39 categories:   

Loans and receivables 

Total financial assets 

These financial assets are included in the balance sheet within the following headings: 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Total financial assets 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

5,966,092 
---------------------- 
5,966,092 
================ 

6,096,356 
------------------------- 
6,096,356 
============== 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

1,118,889 
4,847,203 
---------------------- 
5,966,092 
================ 

399,839 
5,696,517 
------------------------- 
6,096,356 
============== 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            48 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

Financial liabilities included in the balance sheet relate to the following IAS 39 categories: 

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost  

Total financial liabilities 

These financial liabilities are included in the balance sheet within the following headings: 

Current liabilities 
Trade payables 
Accruals  

Total financial liabilities 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

2,813,968 
---------------------- 
2,813,968 
================ 

1,587,938 
------------------------- 
1,587,938 
============== 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

1,659,053 
1,154,916 
---------------------- 
2,813,969 
================ 

846,212 
741,726 
------------------------- 
1,587,938 
============== 

19  Credit risk analysis 
Bango’s exposure to credit risk is limited to the carrying amount of financial assets and cash  and cash equivalents recognized at the 
balance sheet date, as summarized in note 18. 

Bango continuously monitors the default of partners and other counterparties and incorporates this information into its credit risk controls. 
Where available at reasonable cost, external credit ratings and / or reports on customers and other counterparties are obtained and used. 
Bango’s policy is to deal only with creditworthy counterparties. 

Bango’s management considers that all the financial assets that are not impaired for each of the reporting dates under review  are of 
good credit quality including those that are past due. See note 6 for further information on trade receivables that are past due. The only 
other financial asset that is not cash are tax credits due from HMRC.  

None of Bango’s financial assets are secured by collateral or other credit enhancements. 

In respect of trade and other receivables, Bango is not exposed to any significant credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or any 
group of counterparties having similar characteristics. Bango completes regular credit checks on those payment providers accounting for 
significant individual balances. In addition, the terms and  conditions of trade with some digital merchants allow the group to withhold 
payment of the relevant part of the digital merchant earnings until payment is received from the payment provider.  

The credit risk for liquid funds and other short-term financial assets is considered negligible, since the counterparties are reputable banks 
with high quality external credit ratings.     

20  Liquidity risk analysis and capital management 
Bango manages its liquidity needs by carefully monitoring cash outflows due in day-to-day business. Liquidity needs are monitored in 
various time bands, on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis, as well as on a monthly basis. Long-term liquidity needs are identified on 
a quarterly basis, taking account of operating activities and investing activities.   

At 31 December 2017 Bango’s financial liabilities had contractual maturities which are summarized below: 

Trade and other payables within 6 months 
Finance lease obligations within 6 months 
Finance lease obligations 6 to 12 months 
Finance lease obligations 1 year to 5 years 

Financial liabilities 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

2,813,968 
56,096 
43,793 
177,694 
--------------------- 
3,091,551 

1,587,938 
57,170 
24,969 
13,405 
-------------------------- 
1,683,482 
=============  ============= 

Bango’s capital management objectives are to ensure Bango’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide an adequate return 
to shareholders, via sufficient cash resources, through profitable trading and equity issues to mitigate liquidity risk.   

The Directors consider that the capital management objectives have been satisfied through the adequate management of liquidit y, as 
sufficient cash is available to meet all liabilities falling due in the next year.  

At 31 December 2017 Bango only had hire purchase borrowings. 

49                                                                                                                                                     Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

Capital for the reporting year under review is summarized as follows: 

Overall financing 

Capital 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016  31 Dec 2017 
£ 

£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

Total equity 
Less cash and cash equivalents 
Plus borrowings 

10,723,438 
- 
277,583 
-------------------------------------------- 
11,001,021 

12,355,888 
(5,696,517) 
- 
-------------------------------------------- 
6,659,371 
============  ============  ============  ============ 

12,355,888 
- 
95,554 
-------------------------------------------- 
12,451,432 

- 
-------------------------------------------- 
5,876,235 

10,723,438 
(4,847,203) 

The capital to overall financing ratio is 53.4% (2016: 53.5%). 

21  Market risk analysis 

21.1 Interest risk sensitivity  
Bango has no borrowings on which it is subject to interest rate risk. The risk associated with interest earned on cash balances is low, given 
the low level of interest currently being earned. 

21.2 Foreign currency sensitivity 
Exposure to currency exchange rates arise from the Bango’s overseas sales and purchases, which are primarily denominated in US Dollars 
and Euros.   

The amounts to be paid and received in a specific currency are expected to largely offset one another, so no hedging activity is undertaken. 

Foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities, translated into sterling at the closing rate, are as follows. 

Nominal amounts 

US $                          
USD 
Euro                            
EUR 
Australian $                
AUD 
Canadian $                 
CAD 
Indonesia Rp               
IDR 
Qatari Riyal                 
QAR 
South African Rand     ZAR 
Saudi Arabian Riyal     SAR 
Japanese Yen JPY 
Other 

Short term exposure 

£ 
Financial 
assets 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

Financial 
liabilities 

£ 
Net assets/ 
(liabilities) 

£ 

Financial 
assets 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

Financial 
liabilities 

£ 

Net assets/ 
(liabilities) 

1,943,192 

709,589 

1,233,603 

2,168,532 

815,309 

1,353,223 

65,488 

18,881 

46,607 

73,957 

15,182 

42,995 

72,635 

35,094 

- 

- 

- 

- 
4,991 
40,752 
1,329,942 
68,112 
----------------------------------- 
3,603,200 
====  ===== 

- 
782 
- 
723,079 
22,829 
----------------------------------- 
1,475,160 
====  ===== 

42,995 

63,159 

72,635 

106,093 

35,094 

41,896 

- 
4,209 
40,752 
606,863 
45,283 
----------------------------------- 
2,124,808 
====  ===== 

1,296 
12,812 
31,887 
119,186 
39,130 
----------------------------------- 
2,657,948 
====  ===== 

- 

- 

- 

- 
782 
- 
5,156 
485 
----------------------------------- 
836,914 
====  ===== 

58,775 

63,159 

106,093 

41,896 

1,296 
12,030 
31,887 
114,030 
38,645 
----------------------------------- 
1,821,035 
====  ===== 

Sensitivity analysis has been performed on the financial assets and liabilities to assess the exposure of the group to foreign exchange 
movements.  If  exchange  rates moved  so  that  sterling  strengthened  by  5%  then the  effect on  the  balance  sheet  would  be  a loss of 
£101,181 and if it moved by 10% then there would be a total loss of £193,164.  

22  Post balance sheet events 

Fundraise 

On 24 January 2018 Bango announced a placing of 2,777,778 new ordinary share at a price of 180 pence per share, to raise £5 .02m 
(£4.76m net of fees). This is split as: 

Share capital 
Share premium 
Total 

£ 
555,555 
4,208,945 
4,764,500 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            50 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

Acquisition of Audiens S.R.L 

On 23 January 2018 Bango acquired 98.45 per cent of Audiens S.R.L. (Audiens), a data management company incorporated in Italy. The 
acquisition is intended to enable Bango to capitalize on demand for the valuable data it generates through its existing operations and to 
enable the Bango Platform to provide additional value to the rapidly growing mobile advertising market. 

At the time the financial statements were authorized for issue, Bango had not yet completed a full review of the accounting f or the 
acquisition  of  Audiens.  In  particular,  the  fair  values  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  acquired  and  the  allocation  of  contingent  payments 
between consideration and remuneration under IFRS3 have not been determined, and an independent valuation has not been finalized. 

The provisional estimate of consideration is £4.96m comprising: 

Cash consideration 
Shares issued (1) 
Warrants issued (2) 
Option agreement (3) 
Cash for provision of shared services for 12 months 
Total 

£ 
1,301,971 
939,245 
1,329,118 
835,725 
554,217 
4,960,276 

(1)  Bango issued 521,803 ordinary shares of 20 pence each at an issue price 180 pence per share. 
(2)  Bango issued 738,399 warrants over Bango ordinary shares of 20 pence exercisable over 10 years at 180 pence. 
(3)  The remaining 1.55 per cent of Audiens is retained by Marko Maras, a co-founder of Audiens (the “Maras Shares”). Bango has 
entered into an agreement with Mr Maras relating to the Maras Shares. Under the terms of the Option Agreement Bango can 
call upon Mr Maras to sell these shares to Bango in certain circumstances and Mr Maras can call upon Bango to purchase these 
shares in certain circumstances. The final date by which either option must be exercised it 28 February 2020. On exercise of 
either option, Mr Maras may be entitled to payment for the Maras Shares calculated at £0.84m, based on the placing price, 
payable by Bango subject to certain conditions, including the achievement of specific revenue targets by Audiens. The amount 
payable to Mr Maras will reduce as the Bango share price rises, but could increase, on a sliding scale, to a maximum of £1.21m, 
should the revenue objectives be met but the Bango share price falls below the placing price at that point. 

Incorporation of Bango Deep Limited 

Bango Deep Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2006, was incorporated on 2 January 2018. It is a 100% owned 
subsidiary of Bango PLC. 

51                                                                                                                                            Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of financial position of Bango PLC 

Statement of financial position of 
Bango PLC 

ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Investment in subsidiary 
Trade and other receivables due after one year 

Current assets 
Trade and other receivables due within one year 

Total assets 

EQUITY 
Capital and reserves 
Share capital 
Share premium account 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

LIABILITIES 
Trade and other falling due within one year 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

Note 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

4 
5 

5 

8 
9 
9 

6 

29,684,765 
17,209,241 
---------------------------- 
46,894,006 
---------------------------- 

29,005,642 
16,144,791 
---------------------------- 
45,150,433 
---------------------------- 

27,721 
---------------------------- 
27,721 
---------------------------- 

9,510 
---------------------------- 
9,510 
---------------------------- 

46,921,727 

45,159,943 
===============  =============== 

13,284,561 
31,248,453 
2,372,006 
---------------------------- 
46,905,020 

13,029,124 
30,323,341 
1,787,896 
---------------------------- 
45,140,361 
===============  =============== 

16,707 
---------------------------- 
16,707 
---------------------------- 
46,921,727 

19,582 
---------------------------- 
19,582 
---------------------------- 
45,159,943 
===============  =============== 

These financial statements were approved by the Directors on 13 March 2018 and are signed on their behalf by: 

R Anderson 
Director 

R Elias-Jones 
Director 

Company registration number 05386079 

The company has taken the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present a full income statement, but the 
loss for the year for the company was £94,913 (2016: £35,673). 

The notes on pages 55 to 58 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            52 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of changes in equity of Bango PLC  

Statement of changes in equity of 
Bango PLC 

Balance at 1 January 2016 
Share based payments 
Exercise of share options 
Issue of shares 
Expenses of share issue 
Transactions with owners 

Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
for the year 
Balance at 31 December 2016 

Balance at 1 January 2017 
Share based payments 
Exercise of share options 
Transactions with owners 

Loss for the year 
Total comprehensive income 
for the year 
Balance at 31 December 2017 

Share 
capital 
£ 

Share 
premium 
£ 

Retained 
earnings 
£ 

Total 

£ 

12,886,350 
- 
25,555 
117,219 
- 
142,774 

30,101,510 
- 
60,393 
164,106 
(2,668) 
221,831 

1,464,196 
359,373 
- 
- 
- 
359,373 

44,452,056 
359,373 
85,948 
281,325 
(2,668) 
723,978 

- 
- 
13,029,124 

- 
- 
30,323,341 

(35,673) 
(35,673) 
1,787,896 

(35,673) 
(35,673) 
45,140,361 

13,029,124 
- 
255,437 
255,437 

30,323,341 
- 
925,112 
925,112 

1,787,896 
679,023 
- 
679,023 

45,140,361 
679,023 
1,180,549 
1,859,572 

- 

- 

(94,913) 

(94,913) 

- 
13,284,561 

- 
31,248,453 

(94,913) 
2,372,006 

(94,913) 
46,905,020 

The notes on pages 55 to 58 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements 

53 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017 

 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cashflow statement of Bango PLC 

Cashflow statement of Bango PLC 

Loss for year 

(94,913) 

(35,673) 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Interest received 
(Increase)/decrease in receivables 
Increase/(decrease) in payables 

Net cash used by operating activities 

Cash flows generated from investing activities 
Loan to group undertaking 
Investment in subsidiaries 

Net cash used by investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 
Costs associated with issuance of ordinary shares 
Interest receivable 
Non-cash issue of shares 

Net cash generated from financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   

(228,181) 
(31,700) 
(9,666) 

(202,286) 
18,288 
(49,845) 
----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
(233,843) 

(269,547) 

(1,044,170) 
(100) 

(268,471) 
(28,904) 
----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
(297,375) 
----------------------------  ----------------------------- 

(1,044,270) 

1,180,549 
- 
228,181 
- 

85,948 
(2,668) 
202,286 
281,325 
----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
566,891 
----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
- 

1,408,730 

- 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 

- 

- 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
- 
================  ================ 

- 

The notes on pages 55 to 58 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statement

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            54 

 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

1  Accounting policies 

Basis of accounting 
The separate financial statements of Bango PLC are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006. They have been prepared under 
the historical cost convention and under the basis of going concern.  

Bango has prepared its Report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017, in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted in the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. IFRS 
requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying 
the accounting policies.  

The principal accounting policies are summarized below. They have all been applied consistently throughout the year. 

Investments 
Fixed asset investments are shown at cost less provision for impairment. 

Share based payments 
Bango PLC issues equity settled share-based compensation to certain employees (including Directors) of its trading subsidiaries. Equity 
settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the 
equity-settled share-based payment is credited to reserves on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, together with a 
corresponding increase in the book value of Bango PLC’s investment in subsidiaries, based upon the estimate of the shares that will 
eventually vest. These estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of options expected to vest differs 
from previous estimates. Any cumulative adjustment prior to vesting is recognized in the current period. No adjustment is made to any 
expense recognized in prior periods. 

Fair value is measured by an external valuer using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The expected life used in the model has 
been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural 
considerations. 

Where the terms of an equity-settled transaction are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognized as if the terms had not been 
modified. In addition, an expense is recognized for any increase in the value of the transaction as a result of the modification, as 
measured by the date of modification, over the remaining vesting period. 

Where an equity-settled transaction is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the due date of the cancellation, and any expense 
not yet recognized for the transaction is recognized immediately. However, if a new transaction is substituted for the cancelled 
transaction, and designated as a replacement transaction on the date that it is granted, the cancelled and new transactions are treated 
as if they were a modification of the original transaction, as described in the previous paragraph. 

Loans and receivables 
a) Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and bank deposits available on demand, together with other short term highly  liquid 
investments. 

b) Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables are recognized initially at fair value and are measured subsequent to initial recognition net of any provision 
for impairment.  Any change in their value through impairment or reversal of impairment is recognized in profit or loss. 

Provision against trade receivables is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due to 
it in accordance with the original terms of those receivables. The amount of the write-down is determined as the difference between the 
asset's carrying amount and the present value of the estimated receivable.  

Trade and other payables 
Trade  and  other  payables  are  initially  measured  at  fair  value, and  are  subsequently measured  at  amortized  cost,  using the  effective 
interest rate method. 

Share capital  
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments issued by Bango PLC are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct 
issue costs. 

Share premium 
Share premium represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration received for equity  shares, net of expenses 
of the share issue. 

Retained earnings 
Retained earnings include all current and prior period retained profits. 

55                                                                                                                                          Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                   

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

Related party transactions 
There were no significant related party transactions in the year, see the Directors report for the Group for further details. 
Intercompany loans existed between the entity and other members of the group, please see Note 5 for further details. 

2  Directors, employees and key management personnel 

Details of Directors’ interests in the shares and options of Bango PLC are provided in the Directors’ report on pages 18 and 19. 

There are no employees employed directly by Bango PLC. 

Details of Directors’ remuneration and key management personnel are disclosed in notes 12 and 13 of the Group accounts. A charge of 
£105,797 (31 December 2016: £82,485) has been recognized within the parent company’s own figures relating to wages and salaries. 

3  Auditor’s remuneration 

The auditor’s remuneration for audit and non-audit services to  Bango PLC was borne entirely by Bango.net Limited, a wholly owned 
subsidiary. 

4  Investments 

Cost 
Shares in subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2016 
Share based payments 
Investment in Bango Payments Ltd 

Shares in subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2017 

Net book amount 
At 31 December 2017 

At 31 December 2016 

£ 

29,005,642 
679,023 
100 
------------------------------ 
29,684,765 
================ 

29,684,765 
================ 
29,005,642 
================ 

Fixed asset investments are shown at cost less provision for impairment. 

Details of subsidiary undertakings at 31 December 2017 are as follows: 
Class of 
share capital 
held 

Country of 
incorporation 

Held by the 
company 

Nature of business 

Bango.net Limited 

England & Wales 

Ordinary 

100% 

Development, marketing and 
sale of technology for mobile 
phone users to purchase services 
for their mobile phones 

Bango Movil  

Spain 

Ordinary 

100% 

Support for Bango.net Limited 

Bango SP Limited 

England & Wales 

Ordinary 

England & Wales 

Ordinary 

100% 

100% 

Non-trading 

Non-trading 

Bango Employee Benefits 
Limited 

Bango do Brasil Cessão de 
Licenças de Programas de 
Computador Ltda * 
Bango Mobile Limited ** 
Bango Kabushiki Kaisha 

Bango Holdings Inc 

BilltoMobile Inc 
Bango Inc 

Brazil 

Ordinary 

100% 

Non-trading 

Nigeria 
Japan 

USA 
USA 

USA 

Ordinary 
Ordinary 

Common 
Common 

Common 

100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 

100% 

Trading entity in Nigeria 
Sales and support office for 
Bango.net Limited 
Holding company 
Trading entity in USA 

Sales and support office for 
Bango.net Limited 
Non-trading 

Bango Payments Limited 
*99% owned via Bango Movil and 1% owned by Bango Plc 
**49% owned via Bango PLC, 51% owned by Bango.net Ltd (100% owned subsidiary of Bango PLC)  

England & Wales 

Ordinary 

100% 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            56                 

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

5  Receivables 

Amounts due from Group undertakings (due after one year) 
Other receivables (due within one year) 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

17,209,241 
27,721 
----------------------------- 
17,236,962 
================ 

16,144,791 
9,510 
----------------------------- 
16,154,301 
================ 

Interest on intercompany loans from the parent company to the subsidiary undertakings are charged at a reasonable market rate  of 
interest, calculated monthly on the balance outstanding.  

6  Payables 

Trade payables 
Accruals and deferred income 

7  Financial assets and liabilities 
Financial assets included in the balance sheet relate to the following IAS 39 categories:   

Loans and receivables 

Total financial assets 

These financial assets are included in the balance sheet within the following headings: 

Current assets 
Other receivables 

Non-Current assets 
Amounts due from Group undertakings 

Total financial assets 

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost 

Total financial liabilities 

These financial liabilities are included in the balance sheet within the following headings: 

Current liabilities 
Trade payables 
Accruals 

Total financial liabilities 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

8,148 
8,559 
----------------------------- 
16,707 

9,884 
9,698 
----------------------------- 
        19,582 
================  ================ 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

17,209,241 
----------------------------- 
17,209,241 

16,144,791 
----------------------------- 
16,144,791 
================  ================ 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

- 

- 

17,209,241 
----------------------------- 
17,209,241 

16,144,791 
----------------------------- 
16,144,791 
================  ================ 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

16,707 
----------------------------- 
16,707 

19,582 
----------------------------- 
19,582 
================  ================ 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

8,148 
8,559 
----------------------------- 
16,707 

9,884 
9,698 
----------------------------- 
19,582 
================  ================ 

57                                                                                                                                          Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                   

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements  

Notes to the financial statements 

8  Share capital 
Allotted, called up and fully paid: 

Ordinary shares of 20p each in Bango PLC 

No 

£ 

As at 31 December 2015 

Issue of new shares 
Exercise of share options 

As at 31 December 2016 

Exercise of share options 

As at 31 December 2017 

64,431,751 
----------------------------- 
586,095 
127,772 
----------------------------- 
65,145,618 
----------------------------- 
1,277,185 
------------------------- 
66,422,803 

12,886,350 
----------------------------- 
117,219 
25,555 
----------------------------- 
13,029,124 
----------------------------- 
255,437 
------------------------- 
13,284,561 
================  ================ 

During the year 1,277,185 share options were exercised at exercise prices between  23 pence and 232.5 pence and a par value of 20 
pence per share. The total proceeds were £1.18m of which £0.26m was recognized as share capital and £0.92m as share premium.  

During the year 1,226,000 options were granted to employees. Details of number of options granted to Directors is given in the 
Directors report of the Group accounts. 

At the year-end 4,079,616 options were outstanding. Further details relating to employee share options are provided in note 7 in the 
Bango financial statements.  

9  Reserves 

At 1 January 2017 

Exercise of share options 
Share based payments 
Loss for the year 

At 31 December 2017 

Share 
Premium 
Account 
£  

Retained 
earnings 
£ 

30,323,341 

1,787,896 

925,112 

- 
679,023 
(94,913) 
- 
------------------------------  --------------------------- 
2,372,006 
================  ============== 

31,248,453 

An adjustment has been made out of the share based payment reserve for share options exercised in the year. 

10  Reconciliation of movements in shareholder’s funds 

Period opening balance 
Exercise of share options 
Share based payments 
Issue of new shares 
Expense of share issue 
Loss for the period 

11  Retained earnings 

31 Dec 2017 
£ 

31 Dec 2016 
£ 

45,140,361 
1,180,549 
679,023 
- 
- 
(94,913) 
----------------------- 
46,905,020 

44,452,056 
85,948 
359,373 
281,325 
(2,668) 
(35,673) 
----------------------- 
45,140,361 
================  ================ 

The distributable reserves as at 31 December 2017 from Bango PLC are £747,368 (2016: £842,281). 

Bango PLC | Annual Report 2017                                                                                                                                            58