IZEA Worldwide, Inc.

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2025

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PART I

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Annual Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this report, including those contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the notes to our consolidated financial statements, particularly those that utilize terminology such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “can,” “could,” “continue,” “design,” “should,” “expects,” “aims,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “thinks,” “intends,” “likely,” “projects,” “plans,” “pursue,” “strategy,” “future,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “hopes,” or the negative of these words or other words or expressions of similar meaning, are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information, and are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Future events and our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking statements. include, but are not limited to, the following:

•adverse economic, market, or geopolitical conditions, including inflationary pressures, tariffs, supply-chain disruptions, labor availability, and business closures;

•the concentration of revenue among a limited number of customers and the loss of, or reduced spending by, significant customers;

•errors in estimates, assumptions, or judgments relating to our critical accounting policies;

•our ability to raise additional capital to fund operations or strategic initiatives;

•our ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market;

•our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures;

•our ability to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights;

•our ability to maintain and grow our business and brand;

•results of any future litigation and costs incurred in connection with any such litigation;

•competition in the industry;

•variability of operating results;

•our ability to maintain and enhance our brand;

•cybersecurity incidents or other data security breaches;

•the integration of artificial intelligence (“AI”) into our operations;

•our ability to develop, introduce, and successfully commercialize new products and services;

•risks associated with the use of open-source software;

•the successful integration of acquired companies, technologies, and assets;

•the effectiveness of marketing and business development initiatives;

•changes in government regulation and compliance requirements;

•dependence on key personnel and our ability to attract, hire, and retain qualified personnel;

•potential liabilities arising from actions taken by our current or former employees;

•geopolitical instability, including ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and broader global tensions, could adversely affect economic conditions, financial markets, and customer spending;

•risks associated with our international operations; and

•the other risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors section of this Annual Report.

All forward-looking statements in this document are based on current expectations, intentions, and beliefs using information available to us as of the date of this Annual Report; we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.