AWARE INC MA
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 13, 2025.
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A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Mar 13, 2025
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-03-15.
0000950170-24-032239
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-03-13.
0000950170-25-038714
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 104 previous paragraphs and 96 current paragraphs.
72 unchanged; 21 reworded; 3 added; 10 removed; 1 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 2 previous and 2 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (3)
Current report
Services and other revenue was $1.0 million for the years ended December 2024 and 2023. As a percentage of total revenue, services and other revenue was 6% in each of 2024 and 2023.
Current report
Our engineering headcount decreased from 42 in 2023 to 33 in 2024. The decrease in engineering costs is primarily a result of reducing our engineering headcount by approximately 10% in 2023 and 20% in 2024. The reduction was driven by strategic initiatives to optimize resources, improve operational efficiency, and align our engineering capabilities with current business priorities. We believe our current engineering organization is adequately staffed to support our product roadmap, customer commitments, and innovation efforts.
Current report
Year ended December 31, 2024. Investing activity provided $6.3 million of cash, primarily as the result of net sales of marketable securities.
Removed paragraphs (10)
Previous report
Services and other revenue decreased 31% from $1.5 million in 2022 to $1.0 million in 2023. As a percentage of total revenue, services and other revenue decreased from 9% in 2022 to 6% in 2023. The dollar decrease in services and other revenue was primarily due to fewer active contracts with services during the period.
Previous report
Our engineering headcount decreased slightly from 46 in 2022 to 42 in 2023. In addition, we recently took additional actions that reduced engineering headcount by approximately 10%. We believe our engineering organization is adequately staffed.
Previous report
Gain on sale of fixed assets
Previous report
In July 2022, we sold our corporate headquarters in Bedford, MA for total proceeds of $8.9 million less a brokerage commission of $0.3 million. At the time of the sale, we disposed of all building and land related assets. The net book value of all assets disposed of was $2.9 million. We recorded a net gain on the sale of fixed assets of $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Previous report
Year ended December 31, 2022. Investing activity cash used of $12.0 million was primarily the result of $17.3 million of net purchases of marketable securities, a $2.5 million investment in the Note, and $0.7 million of purchases of property and equipment, which was partially offset by $8.5 million in proceeds from the sale of our former corporate headquarters.
Previous report
Fair value of Note Receivable. We accounted for the Note at fair value under ASC 825 - Financial Instruments, whereby it was recorded at fair value at the time of purchase, as well as on an ongoing basis each reporting period until the Note is settled. The estimated fair value of the Note represents a Level 3 estimate in the fair value hierarchy due to the significant unobservable inputs used in determining the fair value.
Previous report
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had a fair value $0 and $2.6 million of the Note, respectively. The significant decrease of $2.6 million to $0 reflects our evaluation of the impact of Omlis's liquidity issues as of
Previous report
Fair value of Contingent Acquisition Payments. Our contingent acquisition payments are a result of our previous business acquisition of FortressID. We determined the fair value of contingent acquisition payments as part of the initial purchase price allocation and on an ongoing basis each reporting period until the contingent acquisition payments period was settled. The estimated contingent acquisition payments represent a Level 3 estimate in the fair value hierarchy due to the significant unobservable inputs used in determining the fair value.
Previous report
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the contingent acquisition payments was $0 and $0.8 million, respectively. The earnout period has closed as of December 31, 2023 with none of the targets being met.
Previous report
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASUNo. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which amends the guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. The amendments in this update remove the thresholds that entities apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, trade receivables, reinsurance recoverables, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, and held-to-maturity securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, entities generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The guidance removes all current recognition thresholds and introduces the new current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model which will require entities to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that an entity expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. The new CECL model is based upon expected losses rather than incurred losses. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2023 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Reworded paragraphs (21)
Previous wording
Revenue and operating loss in 2023 were $18.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively, which compared to revenue and operating loss in 2022 of $16.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
Current wording
Revenue and operating loss in 2024 were $17.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively, which compared to revenue and operating loss in 2023 of $18.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively.
Previous wording
Higher revenue in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to increases in revenue from our perpetual software licenses of $1.4 million, software subscriptions of $0.7 million and software maintenance of $0.6 million, which was partially offset by a decrease in services and other revenue of $0.5 million. Higher operating loss in 2023 as compared 2022 was primarily due to a $5.7 million gain we recorded related to the sale of our corporate office in 2022, a negative adjustment of $2.7 million to a note receivable, and year over year increase in sales and marketing expense of $1.0 million, which was partially offset by increased revenue of $2.2 million and a 2023 fair value adjustment to contingent consideration of $0.8 million.
Current wording
Lower revenue in 2024 as compared to 2023 was primarily due to decreases in revenue from our perpetual software licenses of $1.2 million and software subscriptions of $0.7 million, which were partially offset by an increase in revenue from software maintenance of $0.9 million. Lower operating loss in 2024 as compared 2023 was primarily due a negative adjustment of $2.7 million to a note receivable in 2023 that did not recur in 2024 and a year-over-year decrease in research and development expense of $1.4 million, which were partially offset by decreased revenue of $0.9 million and the impact of a 2023 fair value adjustment to contingent consideration of $0.8 million that did not recur in 2024.
Previous wording
Software license revenue increased 30% from $7.4 million in 2022 to $9.5 million in 2023. As a percentage of total revenue, software license revenue increased from 46% in 2022 to 52% in 2023. The $2.1 million increase in software license revenue was due primarily to an increase of $1.5 million in perpetual licenses sales and $0.7 million in subscription-based license sales. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we generated a de minimis amount of revenue from SaaS contracts. With the introduction of AwareID, we have incorporated SaaS offerings into our product line-up. While we did not recognize material revenues from our SaaS offerings during 2023 or 2022, we expect SaaS to become a significant product offering moving forward.
Current wording
Software license revenue decreased 18% from $9.5 million in 2023 to $7.8 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, software license revenue decreased from 52% in 2023 to 45% in 2024. The $1.7 million decrease in software license revenue was primarily due to a decrease in perpetual licenses sales, which can fluctuate from period to period. With the introduction of AwareID, we have incorporated SaaS offering into our product line-up. For the year ended December 31, 2024 we generated $0.1 million of revenue from SaaS contracts compared to a de minimis amount for the year ended December 31, 2023. We expect SaaS revenue to continue to grow as a component of software license revenue going forward.
Previous wording
Software maintenance revenue increased 8% from $7.1 million in 2022 to $7.7 million in 2023. As a percentage of total revenue, software maintenance revenue decreased from 44% in 2022 to 42% in 2023. The dollar increase in software maintenance revenue was primarily due to software maintenance related to perpetual license sales during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Current wording
Software maintenance revenue increased 12% from $7.7 million in 2023 to $8.6 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, software maintenance revenue increased from 42% in 2023 to 49% in 2024. The dollar increase in software maintenance revenue was primarily due to software maintenance related to perpetual license sales during the second half of 2023 as well as for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Previous wording
Cost of services and other revenue was $1.3 million in 2023 and 2022. When compared to services and other revenue, cost of services and other revenue as a percentage increased from 83% in 2022 to 122% in 2023, which resulted in gross margins decreasing from 17% in 2022 to gross margin loss 22% in 2023. The decrease in cost of services gross margins was primarily due to the profitability mix of customer projects.
Current wording
Cost of services and other revenue decreased 11% from $1.3 million in 2023 to $1.1 million in 2024. When compared to services and other revenue, cost of services and other revenue as a percentage decreased from 122% in 2023 to 110% in 2024, which resulted in reduced gross margin loss from 22% in 2023 to 10% gross margin loss in 2024. The change in cost of services gross margin loss was primarily due to the profitability mix of customer projects.
Previous wording
Total engineering costs decreased 1% from $10.5 million in 2022 to $10.4 million in 2023. As a percentage of total revenue, total engineering costs decreased from 66% in 2022 to 57% in 2023.
Current wording
Total engineering costs decreased 15% from $10.4 million in 2023 to $8.9 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, total engineering costs decreased from 57% in 2023 to 51% in 2024.
Previous wording
Selling and marketing expense increased 14% from $7.0 million in 2022 to $8.0 million in 2023. As a percentage of total revenue, selling and marketing expense was 43% in both 2023 and 2022. The dollar increase in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to increased bonus and commission expense of $0.6 million as a result of increased revenue, increased salary related expenses of $0.5 million, and increased software costs of $0.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in severance costs related to the termination of our Chief Commercial Officer position in 2022 of $0.2 million. We expect to be strategic in expanding our sales and marketing force to pursue future opportunities.
Current wording
Selling and marketing expense decreased 3% from $8.0 million in 2023 to $7.7 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, selling and marketing expense was 44% in both 2024 and 2023. The dollar decrease in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to decreased bonus and commission expense of $0.2 million as a result of decreased revenue. We expect to be strategic in expanding our sales and marketing force to pursue future opportunities.
Previous wording
General and administrative expense was $6.5 million in 2023 and 2022. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expense decreased from 41% in 2022 to 36% in 2023. Fluctuations of general and administrative expenses are expected depending on specific activities in a period. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars, but to decrease as a percentage of total revenue.
Current wording
General and administrative expense decreased 3% from $6.5 million in 2023 to $6.4 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expense increased from 36% in 2023 to 37% in 2024. While we expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute terms as we continue to invest in our business, the trajectory of these costs as a percentage of total revenue will depend on revenue growth. Future trends will be influenced by our ability to scale operations efficiently and drive revenue expansion.
Previous wording
We recorded the fair value of the Note as $0 and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The significant decrease of $2.6 million to $0 reflects our evaluation of the impact of Omlis's liquidity issues as of December 31, 2023 along with the collectability of the Note. In addition, in January 2024, Omlis and MIRACL petitioned to enter the United Kingdom administration process, adding to our uncertainty regarding the recoverability of the Note's carrying value.
Current wording
We recorded the fair value of the Note as $0 as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023 as a result of our evaluation of the impact of Omlis's liquidity issues on the collectability of the Note. In addition, in January 2024, Omlis and MIRACL petitioned to enter the United Kingdom administration process, which remains ongoing, adding to our unlikely recoverability of the Note's carrying value.
Previous wording
In December 2021, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares and acquired all of the assets and liabilities of FortressID for a purchase price of $3.4 million, which consisted of $2.5 million of cash consideration and contingent acquisition payments which was fair valued at $0.9 million at the acquisition date. The maximum contingent acquisition payments at the time of the acquisition were $4.0 million, which consisted of a cash payment of up to $2.0 million for the achievement of set revenue targets in 2022 and an additional $2.0 million cash payment for the achievement of set revenue targets in 2023. No revenue targets were achieved in 2023 or 2022 and the earnout period was closed as of December 31, 2023. We recorded fair value adjustments of $0.8 million and $0.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Current wording
In December 2021, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares and acquired all of the assets and liabilities of FortressID for a purchase price of $3.4 million, which consisted of $2.5 million of cash consideration and contingent acquisition payments which was fair valued at $0.9 million at the acquisition date. The maximum contingent acquisition payments at the time of the acquisition were $4.0 million, which consisted of a cash payment of up to $2.0 million for the achievement of set revenue targets in 2022 and an additional $2.0 million cash payment for the achievement of set revenue targets in 2023. No revenue targets were achieved and the earnout period was closed as of December 31, 2023. We recorded a fair value adjustment of $0.8 million to contingent acquisition payment for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Previous wording
Interest income increased from $0.5 million in 2022 to $1.3 million in 2023. The dollar increase in interest income was primarily due to higher interest rates related to our marketable securities of U.S Treasury notes and bonds and corporate bonds as well as higher interest rates within our money market accounts.
Current wording
Interest income decreased from $1.3 million in 2023 to $1.2 million in 2024. The dollar decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower interest rates within our money market accounts.
Previous wording
Total income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $59 thousand and $49 thousand, respectively. The income tax expense for both years relates to limitations on the usage of net operating loss carryforwards generated in years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Current wording
Total income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $65 thousand and $59 thousand, respectively. The income tax expense for both years relates to limitations on the usage of net operating loss carryforwards generated in years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Previous wording
Year ended December 31, 2022. Cash used in operating activities was $5.0 million in 2022. Cash used by operations was primarily the result of $1.7 million of net loss plus the impact of a $5.7 million gain on the sale of fixed assets, which was partially offset by the add back of $1.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation and $0.8 million for non-cash depreciation and amortization.
Current wording
Year ended December 31, 2024. Cash used in operating activities was $3.2 million in 2024, which was primarily the result of a $4.4 million net loss and $0.6 million of working capital adjustments, which was partially offset by $0.6 million of depreciation and amortization expense and $1.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation.
Previous wording
Year ended December 31, 2023. Investing activity cash used of $3.1 million was primarily the result of net purchases of marketable securities.
Current wording
Year ended December 31, 2023. Investing activity used of $3.1 million of cash, primarily as the result of net purchases of marketable securities.
Previous wording
Year ended December 31, 2022. Financing activity cash used of $1.2 million was primarily the result of $1.3 million used to buy back stock under our stock repurchase program and $26 thousand used to pay income taxes for employees who surrendered shares of common stock in connection with stock grants, which were partially offset by $0.2 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock from stock grants.
Current wording
Year ended December 31, 2024. Financing activity cash used of $0.2 million was primarily the result of $0.2 million used to buy back stock under our stock repurchase program, which was partially offset by $0.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock from stock grants.
Previous wording
At December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $30.9 million. While we cannot assure you that we will not require additional financing, or that if needed such financing will be available to us, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months from the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to meet our known long-term cash requirements. Whether these resources are adequate to meet our liquidity needs beyond that period will depend on our future growth, operating results, and the investments needed to support our operations. If we require additional capital resources, we may utilize available funds or seek additional external financing.
Current wording
At December 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $27.8 million. While we cannot assure you that we will not require additional financing, or that if needed such financing will be available to us, we believe that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months from the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to meet our known long-term cash requirements including operating expenses, contractual obligations, and planned strategic investments. Whether these resources are adequate to meet our liquidity needs beyond that period will depend on our future growth, operating results, and the investments needed to support our operations. If we require additional capital resources, we may utilize available funds or seek additional external financing.
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2023, our material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations consisted of payments under the operating lease for our corporate headquarters, which we estimate will be approximately $0.7 million in each of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, $0.8 million in 2028, and $3.5 million thereafter. See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on our operating lease.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2024, our material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations consisted of payments under the operating lease for our corporate headquarters, which we estimate will be approximately $0.7 million in each of 2025, 2026, and 2027, approximately $0.8 million in 2028 and 2029, and $2.7 million thereafter. See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on our operating lease.
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2023, we had $3.1 million of goodwill and $2.4 million of intangible assets. Impairment in the valuation of long-lived assets could materially impact our operating results and financial position. To date, there have been no impairments of goodwill or intangible assets.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $3.1 million of goodwill. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $2.0 million and $2.4 million of intangible assets, respectively. Impairment in the valuation of long-lived assets could materially impact our operating results and financial position. To date, there have been no impairments of goodwill or intangible assets.
Previous wording
For stock options, we use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of the award. This valuation model takes into account the exercise price of the award, as well as a variety of significant assumptions. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected term, the expected volatility of our stock over the expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and our expected annual dividend yield.
Current wording
For stock options, we use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate fair value. This model considers both observable inputs and assumptions. Observable inputs include the exercise price of the award and the risk-free interest rate over the expected term. Assumptions used in the valuation include the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of our stock over the expected term, and our expected annual dividend yield.
Previous wording
Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets, and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. Our deferred tax assets primarily relate to: i) research and development tax credit carryforwards; ii) net operating loss carryforwards; and iii) temporary differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. As of December 31, 2023, we had a total of $13.0 million of deferred tax assets and $0.5 million of deferred tax liabilities for which we have recorded a $12.5 million valuation allowance.
Current wording
Management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets, and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. Our deferred tax assets primarily relate to: i) research and development tax credit carryforwards; ii) net operating loss carryforwards; and iii) temporary differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. As of December 31, 2024, we had a total of $13.7 million of deferred tax assets and $0.5 million of deferred tax liabilities for which we have recorded a $13.2 million valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2023, we had a total of $13.0 million of deferred tax assets and $0.5 million of deferred tax liabilities for which we have recorded a $12.5 million valuation allowance.
Previous wording
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires retrospective disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis. Additionally, it requires disclosure of the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). This ASU will be effective for the Company’s fiscal December 31, 2024 year-end and interim periods beginning in fiscal 2025, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our consolidated financial statements.
Current wording
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires retrospective disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis. Additionally, it requires disclosure of the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). This ASU is effective for the Company’s fiscal December 31, 2024 year-end and interim periods beginning in fiscal 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2024 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
December 31, 2023, along with the collectability of the Note. In addition, in January 2024, Omlis and MIRACL petitioned to enter the United Kingdom administration process, adding to our uncertainty regarding the recoverability of the Note's carrying value.