Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc.

Previous wording

Our business involves significant risks and uncertainties, some of which are described below. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The realization of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations, growth, and future prospects as well as our ability to accomplish our strategic objectives. In that event, the market price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Current wording

Our business involves significant risks and uncertainties, some of which are described below. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below as well as in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Legal Proceedings, and Controls and Procedures and of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The realization of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations, growth, and future prospects as well as our ability to accomplish our strategic objectives. In that event, the market price of our common stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment.

Previous wording

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2023. We may identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, which may result in a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations.

Current wording

•We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

Previous wording

We rely on reseller partners to generate a growing portion of our revenue, both in the United States and in emerging international markets which are generally slower to develop. If we fail to maintain successful relationships with our reseller partners, or if our partners fail to perform, our ability to market, sell and distribute our products will be limited, and our business, financial position and results of operations will be harmed.

Current wording

•If we fail to maintain successful relationships with our reseller partners, or if our partners fail to perform, our ability to market, sell and distribute our products will be limited.

Previous wording

The AI-based weapons detection for security screening market is new and evolving and may not grow as expected or may develop more slowly or differently than we expect. If the market does not grow as we expect, or if we cannot expand our solutions to meet the demands of this market, our revenue may decline, fail to grow or fail to grow at an accelerated rate, and we may incur operating losses.

Current wording

•The AI-based weapons detection for security screening market is new and evolving and may not grow as expected or may develop more slowly or differently than we expect.

Previous wording

We use machine learning, artificial intelligence, and automated decision making in our development process and in our AI-based weapon detection products. Machine learning, artificial intelligence and automated decision making technologies may not be accurate and we may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights related to products or services created with machine learning, artificial intelligence and automated decision making.

Current wording

•We use AI and machine learning in our development process and in our AI-based weapon detection products.

Previous wording

Our use of “open source” software could subject our proprietary software to general release, negatively affect our ability to offer our products and subject us to possible litigation.

Current wording

•Our use of “open source” software could subject our proprietary software to certain disclosure obligations, negatively affect our ability to offer our products and subject us to possible litigation.

Previous wording

Because our products collect and store visitor and related information and images, domestic and international privacy and cybersecurity concerns, and other laws and regulations, could result in additional costs and liabilities to us or inhibit sales of our products.

Current wording

•Our products collect and store personal data about individuals.

Previous wording

Our ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards as well as research and development tax credit carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations and we could be subject to tax audits or examinations that could result in a loss of our net operating loss carryforwards as well as research and development credits and/or cash tax exposures.

Current wording

•There are risks related to our ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards as well as research and development tax credit carryforwards to offset future taxable income.

Previous wording

While we are undertaking efforts to remediate these material weaknesses, the material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until our remediation plan has been fully implemented, the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time, and we have concluded, through testing, that the newly implemented and enhanced controls are operating effectively. As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A – Controls and Procedures, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2023, and our independent registered public accounting firm rendered an adverse opinion on our internal control over financial reporting, as a result of the material weaknesses described above. At this time, we cannot predict the success of our remediation efforts or the outcome of our assessment of such efforts. We can give no assurance that our efforts will remediate these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, or that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. If we are unable to remediate the material weaknesses, our ability to record, process, and report financial information accurately, and to prepare the consolidated financial statements within the time periods specified by the rules and regulations of the SEC, could continue to be adversely affected which, in turn, may adversely affect our reputation and business and the trading price of our common stock. In addition, any such failures could result in litigation or regulatory actions by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could further result in loss of investor confidence, a decline in the price of our common stock, delisting of our securities, harm to our reputation and financial condition and/or diversion of financial and management resources from the operation of our business.

Current wording

The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until management completes the design and implementation of such measures and the controls operate for a sufficient period of time, and we have concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively. At this time, we cannot predict the success of our remediation efforts or the outcome of our assessment of such efforts. We can give no assurance that our efforts will remediate these material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, or that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. If we are unable to remediate the material weaknesses, our ability to record, process, and report financial information accurately, and to prepare financial statements within the time periods specified by the rules and regulations of the SEC, could continue to be adversely affected which, in turn, may result in future misstatements, revisions, and/or restatements or adversely affect our reputation and business and the trading price of our common stock. In addition, any such failures could result in litigation or regulatory actions by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could further result in loss of investor confidence, a decline in the price of our common stock, delisting of our securities, harm to our reputation and financial condition and/or diversion of financial and management resources from the operation of our business.

Previous wording

We have a history of losses. Our ability to forecast our future operating results is subject to a number of uncertainties, including our ability to plan for and model future growth. We have encountered and will continue to encounter risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly evolving industries. If our assumptions regarding these uncertainties, which we use to plan our business, are incorrect or change in reaction to changes in our markets, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our operating and financial results could differ materially from expectations, our business could suffer, and the trading price of our stock may decline.

Current wording

We have a history of losses. We have incurred net lossesof $54.0 million and $108.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $354.7 million. Our ability to forecast our future operating results is subject to a number of uncertainties, including our ability to plan for and model future growth. We have encountered and will continue to encounter risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly evolving industries. If our assumptions regarding these risks and uncertainties, which we use to plan our business, are incorrect or change in reaction to changes in our markets, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our operating and financial results could differ materially from expectations, our business could suffer, and the trading price of our stock may decline.

Previous wording

•general administration expenses, including legal and accounting expenses related to being a public companyand transitioning to large accelerated filer status.

Current wording

•general administration expenses, including legal and accounting expenses related to being a public company and transitioning to large accelerated filer status and remediation of our material weaknesses.

Previous wording

In addition to the sales cycle-related fluctuations noted above, our financial results, including our billings and deferred revenue, may continue to vary from period to period as a result of numerous factors, many of which are outside of our control and may be difficult to predict, including:

Current wording

In addition to the sales cycle- and sales model-related fluctuations noted above, our financial results, including our billings and deferred revenue, may continue to vary from period to period as a result of numerous factors, many of which are outside of our control and may be difficult to predict, including:

Previous wording

•our ability to sell additional Evolv Express systems to existing customers;

Current wording

•our ability to sell additional Evolv products to existing customers;

Previous wording

•changes in the growth rate of the next-generation touchless security screening market;

Current wording

•changes in the growth rate of the next-generation security screening market;

Previous wording

•the timing and success of new product introductions by us or our competitors, or any other change in the competitive landscape of the next-generation touchless security screening market, including consolidation among our customers or competitors or significant price competition;

Current wording

•the timing and success of new product introductions by us or our competitors, or any other change in the competitive landscape of the next-generation security screening market, including consolidation among our customers or competitors or significant price competition;

Previous wording

•changes in financial markets or macroeconomic conditions, including, for example, due to the effects of recessionary trends, slow economic growth, or political elections in the United States and abroad, inflation and high interest rates, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations, corruption, political instability, continuing social concerns and divisions in the United States and abroad, acts of war, including the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, and acts of terrorism, both domestic and international;

Current wording

•changes in financial markets or macroeconomic conditions, including, for example, due to the effects of recessionary trends, slow economic growth, or political elections in the United States and abroad, inflation and high interest rates, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations, tariffs, corruption, political instability, continuing social concerns and divisions in the United States and abroad, acts of war, including the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, and acts of terrorism, both domestic and international;

Previous wording

•the impact of any pandemic, epidemic, or future outbreak of disease or similar public health concern, such as COVID-19 (including the emergence of any new variants of COVID-19) on our existing and new customers, partners, employees, and supply chain; and

Current wording

•the impact of any pandemic, epidemic, or future outbreak of disease or similar public health concern on our existing and new customers, partners, employees, and supply chain; and

Previous wording

In addition to our direct sales force, we rely on our reseller partners to sell our products. We expect to continue to focus on generating sales to new and existing customers through our reseller partners as a part of our growth strategy. We provide our reseller partners with specific training and programs to assist them in selling and supporting our products, but there can be no assurance that these steps will be effective. In addition, our reseller partners may be unsuccessful in marketing, selling, and supporting our products.

Current wording

In addition to our direct sales force, we rely on our reseller partners to sell our products. We expect to continue to focus on generating sales to new and existing customers through our reseller partners as a part of our growth strategy, who may not be successful in marketing, selling, and supporting our products.

Previous wording

If we are unable to develop and maintain effective sales incentive programs for our third-party reseller partners, we may not be able to incentivize these partners to sell our products to customers and, in particular, to high profile public and private venues and institutions. Our agreements with our reseller partners are generally non-exclusive and these partners may also market, sell and support products that are competitive with us and may devote more resources to the marketing, sales and support of such competitive products. These partners may have incentives to promote our competitors’ products to the detriment of ours or may cease selling our products altogether. Our reseller partners may cease or de-emphasize the marketing of our products with limited or no notice and with little or no penalty. Our agreements with our reseller partners may generally be terminated for any reason by either party with advance notice prior to each annual renewal date. It cannot be certain that we will retain these reseller partners or that we will be able to secure additional or replacement reseller partners. The loss of one or more of our significant reseller partners or a decline in the number or size of orders from them could harm our operating results. In addition, any new reseller partner requires extensive training and may take several months or more to achieve productivity. Our reseller partner sales structure could subject us to lawsuits, potential liability and reputational harm if, for example, any of our reseller partners misrepresent the functionality of our products, subscriptions or services to customers, or violate laws or our corporate policies.

Current wording

If we are unable to develop and maintain effective sales incentive programs for our third-party reseller partners, we may not be able to incentivize these partners to sell our products to customers and, in particular, to high profile public and private venues and institutions. Our agreements with our reseller partners are generally non-exclusive and these partners may also market, sell and support products that are competitive with us and may devote more resources to the marketing, sales and support of such competitive products. These partners may have incentives to promote our competitors’ products to the detriment of ours or may cease selling our products altogether. Our reseller partners may cease or de-emphasize the marketing of our products with limited or no notice and with little or no penalty. Our agreements with our reseller partners may generally be terminated for any reason by either party with advance notice prior to each annual renewal date. It cannot be certain that we will retain these reseller partners or that we will be able to secure additional or replacement reseller partners. The loss of one or more of our significant reseller partners or a decline in the number or size of orders from them could harm our operating results. In addition, any new reseller partner requires extensive training and may take several months or more to achieve productivity. Our reseller partner sales structure could subject us to lawsuits, potential liability and reputational harm if, for example, any of our reseller partners misrepresent the functionality of our products, subscriptions or services to customers, or violate laws or our corporate and marketing policies.

Previous wording

We acquire certain of our materials, which are critical to the ongoing operation and future growth of our business, from several third parties, both foreign and domestic. Generally, our third-party contract manufacturers contract directly with component suppliers, and we rely on our contract manufacturers to manage their supply chains. Our contract manufacturers have experienced, and may in the future experience, supply chain disruptions as a result of COVID-19 or other similar health crises as well as global economic impacts or other changes in macroeconomic trends. In the event our contract manufacturers are unable to adequately manage their supply chain or our relationships with our contract manufacturers terminate, we could experience delays, which could negatively impact our business, customer relationships, and margins. We also source some materials and components directly from suppliers. While most components and materials for our products are available from multiple suppliers, certain of those items are only available from limited or sole sources. Should any of these suppliers become unavailable or inadequate, or impose terms unacceptable to us, such as increased pricing terms, we could be required to spend a significant amount of time and expense to develop alternate sources of supply, and may not be successful in doing so on terms acceptable to it, or at all. As a result, the loss of a limited or sole source supplier could adversely affect our manufacturing capacity, and relationships with our customers, as well as our results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

We acquire certain of our materials, which are critical to the ongoing operation and future growth of our business, from several third parties, both foreign and domestic. Generally, our third-party contract manufacturers contract directly with component suppliers, and we rely on our contract manufacturers to manage their supply chains. Our contract manufacturers have experienced, and may in the future experience, supply chain disruptions as a result of health crises, geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, as well as other global economic impacts or other changes in macroeconomic trends. In the event our contract manufacturers are unable to adequately manage their supply chain or our relationships with our contract manufacturers terminate or are restricted, we could experience delays, which could negatively impact our business, customer relationships, and margins. We also source some materials and components directly from suppliers. While most components and materials for our products are available from multiple suppliers, certain of those items are only available from limited or sole sources. Should any of these suppliers become unavailable or inadequate, or impose terms unacceptable to us, such as increased pricing terms, we could be required to spend a significant amount of time and expense to develop alternate sources of supply, and may not be successful in doing so on terms acceptable to it, or at all. As a result, the loss of a limited or sole source supplier could adversely affect our manufacturing capacity, and relationships with our customers, as well as our results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

We depend on our primary third-party contract manufacturer for the production of our touchless security screening systems. While there are several potential contract manufacturers for most of these products, all our systems are currently manufactured, assembled, tested, and packaged by Columbia Tech. In most cases, we rely on this manufacturer to procure components and, in some cases, provide manufacturing engineering work. Although we are seeking to expand and diversify our contract manufacturer relationships, our current reliance on one contract manufacturer involves several risks, including:

Current wording

We depend on our primary third-party contract manufacturer for the production of our security screening systems. While there are several potential contract manufacturers for most of these products, all our systems are currently manufactured, assembled, tested, and packaged by Columbia Tech. In most cases, we rely on this manufacturer to procure components and, in some cases, provide manufacturing engineering work. Our current reliance on one contract manufacturer involves several risks, including:

Previous wording

We also use a third-party contract manufacturer located in Massachusetts as a second source for the production of a key sensor component used in our touchless security screening systems. If our third-party contract manufacturers experience a delay, disruption, or quality control problems in its operations or if the third-party contract manufacturers do not renew or terminate our agreement with them, our operations could be significantly disrupted and our product shipments could be delayed. Qualifying new manufacturers and commencing volume production is expensive and time consuming. Ensuring that a contract manufacturer is qualified to manufacture our products or components to our standards is time consuming. In addition, there is no assurance that contract manufacturers can scale their production of our products or components at the volumes and in the quality that we require. If contract manufacturers are unable to do these things, we may have to move production for the products or components to a new or existing third-party manufacturer, which would take significant effort and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Current wording

We also use a third-party contract manufacturer located in Massachusetts and the U.K. as a second source for the production of a key sensor component used in our security screening systems. If our third-party contract manufacturers experience a delay, disruption, or quality control problems in their operations or if the third-party contract manufacturers do not renew or terminate our agreement with them, our operations could be significantly disrupted and our product shipments could be delayed. Qualifying new manufacturers and commencing volume production is expensive and time consuming. Ensuring that a contract manufacturer is qualified to manufacture our products or components to our standards is time consuming. In addition, if our contract manufacturers cannot scale their production of our products or components at the volumes and in the quality that we require, we may have to move production for the products or components to a new or existing third-party manufacturer, which would take significant effort and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Previous wording

As we contemplate moving manufacturing into different jurisdictions, we may be subject to additional and significant challenges in ensuring that quality, processes, and costs, among other issues, are consistent with our expectations. For example, while we expect our third-party contract manufacturers to be responsible for penalties assessed on us because of excessive failures of the products or warranty claims, there is no assurance that we will be able to collect such reimbursements from these manufacturers, which causes us to take on additional risk for potential failures of our products.

Current wording

As we contemplate moving manufacturing into different jurisdictions, we may be subject to additional and significant challenges in ensuring that quality, processes, and costs, among other issues, are consistent with our expectations. For example, we may not be able to collect reimbursements from our third-party contract manufacturers for penalties assessed on us because of excessive failures of products or warranty claims, which causes us to take on additional risk for potential failures of our products.

Previous wording

In addition, because we currently use third-party contract manufacturers to produce our touchless security screening systems and certain key components, increases in the prices charged may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, as we may be unable to find contract manufacturers who can supply us at a lower price. As a result, the loss of a limited or sole source supplier could adversely affect our relationships with our customers and our results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

In addition, because we currently use third-party contract manufacturers to produce our security screening systems and certain key components, increases in the prices charged may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, as we may be unable to find contract manufacturers who can supply us at a lower price. As a result, the loss of a limited or sole source supplier could adversely affect our relationships with our customers and our results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

We also intend to increase our investment in research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative functions and other areas to grow our business. These costs are generally expensed as incurred (with the exception of sales commissions), as compared to our revenue, a substantial portion of which is recognized ratably in future periods. We are likely to recognize the costs associated with these increased investments earlier than some of the anticipated benefits and the return on these investments may be lower, or may develop more slowly, than we expect, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Current wording

We also intend to make strategic investments in research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative functions and other areas to grow our business. These costs are generally expensed as incurred (with the exception of sales commissions), as compared to our revenue, a substantial portion of which is recognized ratably in future periods. We are likely to recognize the costs associated with these increased investments earlier than some of the anticipated benefits and the return on these investments may be lower, or may develop more slowly, than we expect, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Previous wording

Approx imately 4%of our revenue was generated by sales to government entities during each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Selling to government entities can be highly competitive, expensive, and time-consuming, and often requires significant upfront time investment and expense without any assurance of winning a sales contract. Government demand and payment for our solutions may also be impacted by changes in fiscal or contracting policies, changes in government programs or applicable requirements, the adoption of new laws or regulations or changes to existing laws or regulations, public sector budgetary cycles and funding authorizations, with funding reductions or delays adversely affecting public sector demand for our solutions. Accordingly, increasing sales of our products to government entities may be more challenging than selling to commercial organizations, especially given extensive certification, compliance, clearance, and security requirements. Government agencies may have statutory, contractual, or other legal rights to terminate contracts with us or reseller partners. Further, in the course of providing our solutions to government entities, our employees and those of our reseller partners may be exposed to sensitive government information. Any failure by us or our reseller partners to safeguard and maintain the confidentiality of such information could subject us to liability and reputational harm, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial performance. Governments routinely investigate and audit government contractors’ administrative processes, and any unfavorable audit may cause the government to shift away from our solutions and may result in a reduction of revenue, fines or civil or criminal liability if the audit uncovers improper or illegal activities, which could adversely impact our results or operations.

Current wording

Selling to government entities can be highly competitive, expensive, and time-consuming, and often requires significant upfront time investment and expense without any assurance of winning a sales contract. Government demand and payment for our solutions may also be impacted by changes in fiscal or contracting policies, changes in government programs or applicable requirements, the adoption of new laws or regulations or changes to existing laws or regulations, public sector budgetary cycles and funding authorizations, with funding reductions or delays adversely affecting public sector demand for our solutions. Accordingly, increasing sales of our products to government entities may be more challenging than selling to commercial organizations, especially given extensive certification, compliance, clearance, and security requirements. Government agencies may have statutory, contractual, or other legal rights to terminate contracts with us or reseller partners. Further, in the course of providing our solutions to government entities, our employees and those of our reseller partners may be exposed to sensitive government information. Any failure by us or our reseller partners to safeguard and maintain the confidentiality of such information could subject us to liability and reputational harm, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial performance. Governments routinely investigate and audit government contractors’ administrative processes, and any unfavorable audit may cause the government to shift away from our solutions and may result in a reduction of revenue, fines or civil or criminal liability if the audit uncovers improper or illegal activities, which could adversely impact our results or operations.

Previous wording

We believe that maintaining and enhancing our reputation as the leader in next-generation AI-based weapons detection for security screening is critical to our relationship with our existing end-user customers and reseller partners and our ability to attract new customers and reseller partners. The successful promotion of our brand will depend on multiple factors, including our marketing efforts, our ability to continue to deliver a superior customer experience and develop high-quality features for our products, and our ability to successfully differentiate our products from those of our competitors. Our brand promotion activities may not be successful or yield increased revenue. Additionally, the performance of our reseller partners may affect our brand and reputation if customers do not have a positive experience with our products as implemented by our reseller partners or with the implementation generally. The promotion of our brand requires us to make substantial expenditures, and we anticipate that the expenditures will increase as our market becomes more competitive, as we expand into new geographies and vertical markets and as more sales are generated through our reseller partners. To the extent that these activities yield increased revenue, such increase in revenue may not offset the corresponding increase in expenses we incur. If we do not successfully maintain and enhance our brand and reputation, our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

Current wording

We believe that maintaining and enhancing our reputation as a leader in next-generation AI-based weapons detection for security screening is critical to our relationship with our existing end-user customers and reseller partners and our ability to attract new customers and reseller partners. The successful promotion of our brand will depend on multiple factors, including our marketing efforts, our ability to continue to deliver an excellent customer experience and develop high-quality features for our products, and our ability to successfully differentiate our products from those of our competitors. Our brand promotion activities may not be successful or yield increased revenue. Additionally, the performance of our reseller partners may affect our brand and reputation if customers do not have a positive experience with our products as implemented by our reseller partners or with the implementation generally. The promotion of our brand requires us to make substantial expenditures, and we anticipate that the expenditures will increase as our market becomes more competitive, as we expand into new geographies and vertical markets and as more sales are generated through our reseller partners. To the extent that these activities yield increased revenue, such increase in revenue may not offset the corresponding increase in expenses we incur. If we do not successfully maintain and enhance our brand and reputation, our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

Previous wording

If our products fail or are perceived to fail to detect threats such as a firearm or other potential weapon or explosive device, or if our products contain undetected errors or defects, these failures or errors could result in injury or loss of life, which could harm our brand and reputation and have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Current wording

If our products fail or are perceived to fail to detect threats such as a firearm or other potential weapon or explosive device, or if our products contain undetected errors or defects, this could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Previous wording

If our products fail or are perceived to fail to detect and prevent attacks or if our products fail to identify and respond to new and increasingly complex and unpredictable methods of attacks, our business and reputation may suffer. There is no guarantee that our products will detect and prevent all attacks, especially in light of the rapidly changing security landscape to which it must respond, as well as unique factors that may be present in our customers’ operating environments. Additionally, our products may falsely detect items that do not actually represent threats. These false positives may impair the perceived reliability of our products and may therefore adversely impact market acceptance of our products, which could, in turn, result in negative publicity, loss of customers and sales, and increased costs to remedy any problem.

Current wording

If our products fail or are perceived to fail to detect and prevent attacks or if our products fail to identify and respond to new and increasingly complex and unpredictable methods of attacks, our business and reputation may suffer. There is no guarantee that our products will detect and prevent all attacks, especially in light of the rapidly changing security landscape to which it must respond, as well as unique factors that may be present in our customers’ operating environments. Additionally, our products may falsely detect items that do not actually represent threats. These false positives may impair the perceived reliability of our products and may therefore adversely impact market acceptance of our products, which could, in turn, result in negative publicity and damage to our brand and reputation, loss of customers and sales, and increased costs to remedy any problem.

Previous wording

Our products, which are complex, may also contain undetected errors or defects when first introduced or as new versions are released. We have experienced these errors or defects in the past in connection with new products and product upgrades. We expect that these errors or defects will be found from time to time in the future in new or enhanced products after commercial release. Defects may result in increased vulnerability to attacks, cause our products to fail to detect security threats, or temporarily interrupt our products’ ability to screen visitors in a customer’s location. Any errors, defects, disruptions in service or other performance problems with our products may damage our customers’ business and could harm our reputation. If our products fail to detect security threats for any reason, including failures due to customer personnel or security processes, it may result in significant costs, the attention of our key personnel could be diverted, our customers may delay or withhold payment to us or elect not to renew or cause other significant customer relations problems to arise.

Current wording

Our products, which are complex, may also contain undetected errors or defects when first introduced or as new versions are released. We have experienced these errors or defects in the past in connection with new products and product upgrades. We expect that these errors or defects will be found from time to time in the future in new or enhanced products after commercial release. Defects may result in increased vulnerability to attacks, cause our products to fail to detect security threats, or temporarily interrupt our products’ ability to screen visitors in a customer’s location. Any errors, defects, disruptions in service or other performance problems with our products may damage our customers’ business and could harm our reputation. If our products fail to detect security threats for any reason, including failures due to customer personnel or security processes, it may result in significant costs, the attention of our key personnel could be diverted and our customers may delay or withhold payment to us, elect not to renew or cause other significant customer relations problems to arise.

Previous wording

We may also be subject to liability claims for damages related to errors or defects in our products. For example, if our products fail to detect weapons or explosive devices that are subsequently used by terrorists, criminals, or unbalanced individuals to cause casualties at a high profile, public venue, we could incur financial damages and our reputation could also be significantly harmed. A material liability claim or other occurrence that harms our reputation or decreases market acceptance of our products may harm our business and operating results. Although we have limitation of liability provisions in our terms and conditions of sale, they may not fully or effectively protect us from claims as a result of federal, state, or local laws or ordinances, or unfavorable judicial decisions in the United States or other countries. The sale and support of our products also entails the risk of product liability claims. We maintain insurance to protect against certain claims associated with the use of our products, but our insurance coverage may not adequately cover any claim asserted against us. In addition, even claims that ultimately are unsuccessful could result in our expenditure of funds in litigation, divert or distract management’s time and other resources, and harm our business and reputation.

Current wording

We may also be subject to liability claims for damages related to errors or defects in our products. For example, if our products fail to detect weapons or explosive devices that are subsequently used by terrorists, criminals, or unbalanced individuals to cause casualties at a high profile, public venue, we could incur financial damages and our reputation could also be significantly harmed. A material liability claim or other occurrence that harms our reputation or decreases market acceptance of our products may harm our business and operating results. The limitation of liability provisions in our terms and conditions of sale may not fully or effectively protect us from claims as a result of federal, state, or local laws or ordinances, or unfavorable judicial decisions in the United States or other countries. The sale and support of our products also entails the risk of product liability claims. Our insurance coverage may not adequately cover any claim asserted against us. In addition, even claims that ultimately are unsuccessful could result in our expenditure of funds in litigation, divert or distract management’s time and other resources, and harm our business and reputation.

Previous wording

Successful deployment and operation of our products depend on the knowledge and skill of the customer security personnel or implementation contractors charged with setting up, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting the equipment in their own environment. Many of our customers experience relatively high turnover in their security personnel, creating opportunities for knowledge and skill gaps that can result, and have resulted, in configuration, sensitivity setting, or operational errors that allow prohibited threats into customer facilities. In these situations, customers can perceive, and have perceived, that our products have failed to perform as designed until and unless we have been able to demonstrate otherwise. There can be no assurance that we or our implementation partners will successfully isolate and identify failures due to customer error in the future, and this could result in customer dissatisfaction, impact the perceived reliability of our products, result in negative press coverage, negatively affect our reputation, and harm our financial results.

Current wording

Successful deployment and operation of our products depend on the knowledge and skill of the customer security personnel or implementation contractors charged with setting up, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting the equipment in their own environment. Many of our customers experience relatively high turnover in their security personnel, creating opportunities for knowledge and skill gaps that can result, and have resulted, in configuration, sensitivity setting, or operational errors that allow prohibited threats into customer facilities. In these situations, customers can perceive, and have perceived, that our products have failed to perform as designed until and unless we have been able to demonstrate otherwise. We or our implementation partners may not successfully isolate and identify failures due to customer error in the future, and this could result in customer dissatisfaction, impact the perceived reliability of our products, result in negative press coverage, negatively affect our reputation, and harm our financial results.

Previous wording

Our customers depend in large part on customer support delivered by us to resolve issues relating to the use of our products. However, even with our support, our customers are ultimately responsible for effectively using our products and ensuring that their staff is properly trained in the use of our products. The failure of our customers to correctly use our products, or our failure to effectively assist customers in installing our products and provide effective ongoing support and training, may result in an increase in the vulnerability of our customers’ facilities and visitors to security threats. We are also in the process of expanding our customer success and support organizations, including the engagement and training of third-party contractors. It can take significant time and resources to recruit, hire and train qualified technical support and service employees and contractors. We may not be able to keep up with demand, particularly if the sales of our products exceed our internal forecasts. To the extent that we are unsuccessful in hiring, training, and retaining adequate support resources, our ability to provide adequate and timely support to our customers may be negatively impacted, and our customers’ satisfaction with our products may be adversely affected. Additionally, in unusual circumstances, if we needed to rely on our sales engineers to provide post-sales support while growing our service organization, our sales productivity may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any failure by us to provide satisfactory maintenance and technical support services could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Current wording

Our customers depend in large part on customer support delivered by us to resolve issues relating to the use of our products. However, even with our support, our customers are ultimately responsible for effectively using our products and ensuring that their staff is properly trained in the use of our products. The failure of our customers to correctly use our products, or our failure to effectively assist customers in installing our products and provide effective ongoing support and training, may result in an increase in the vulnerability of our customers’ facilities and visitors to security threats. It can take significant time and resources to recruit, hire and train qualified technical support and service employees and contractors. We may not be able to keep up with demand, particularly if the sales of our products exceed our internal forecasts. To the extent that we are unsuccessful in hiring, training, and retaining adequate support resources, our ability to provide adequate and timely support to our customers may be negatively impacted, and our customers’ satisfaction with our products may be adversely affected. Additionally, in unusual circumstances, if we needed to rely on our sales engineers to provide post-sales support while growing our service organization, our sales productivity may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any failure by us to provide satisfactory maintenance and technical support services could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Previous wording

Any amendments or interpretive guidance related to the SAFETY Act may affect our ability to retain our SAFETY Act Designation, may increase the costs of compliance, and/or may negatively impact our ability to attract new customers. Because we view our SAFETY Act Designation as a differentiating factor among our industry peers, if laws and regulations change relating to the SAFETY Act or if we fail to comply with the SAFETY Act's requirements, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and stock price could be materially and adversely affected.

Current wording

Our Evolv Express system has been awarded the DHS SAFETY Act Designation as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology. Any amendments or interpretive guidance related to the SAFETY Act may affect our ability to retain our SAFETY Act Designation, may increase the costs of compliance, and/or may negatively impact our ability to attract new customers. The Safety Act Designation provides us with certain liability protections for claims relating to, arising out of or resulting from an act of terrorism, and the loss of these protections could materially impact our risk and our business. Because we view our SAFETY Act Designation as a differentiating factor among our industry peers, if laws and regulations change relating to the SAFETY Act or if we fail to comply with the SAFETY Act's requirements, our business, financial condition, results of operations, customer retention and stock price could be materially and adversely affected.

Previous wording

We believe our future success will depend in large part on the growth, if any, in the market for AI-based weapons detection for security screening solutions. This market is new and evolving, and as such, it is difficult to predict important market trends, including our potential growth, if any. To date, enterprise and corporate security budgets have allocated a majority of dollars to conventional security solutions, such as lower priced walk-through metal detectors. Organizations that use these security products may be satisfied with them or slow to adapt to technical advances and, as a result, these organizations may not adopt our solutions in addition to, or in lieu of, security products they currently use.

Current wording

We believe our future success will depend in large part on the growth in the market for AI-based weapons detection for security screening solutions. This market is new and evolving, and as such, it is difficult to predict important market trends. To date, enterprise and corporate security budgets have allocated a majority of dollars to conventional security solutions, such as lower priced walk-through metal detectors. Organizations that use these security products may be satisfied with them or slow to adapt to technological advances and, as a result, these organizations may not adopt our solutions in addition to, or in lieu of, security products they currently use.

Previous wording

In addition, it is difficult to predict customer adoption and retention rates, customer demand for our products, the size and growth rate of the market for AI-based weapons detection for security screening, the entry of competitive products, or the success of existing competitive products. Any expansion in our market depends on a number of factors, including the cost, performance, and perceived value associated with our products and those of our competitors. If these products do not achieve widespread adoption or there is a reduction in demand for products in our market caused by a lack of customer acceptance, technological challenges, regulatory restrictions, competing technologies or products, decreases in corporate spending, weakening economic conditions or otherwise, it could result in reduced customer orders, early terminations, reduced customer retention rates or decreased revenue, any of which would adversely affect our business operations and financial results. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and difficulties it may encounter in this new and evolving market.

Current wording

In addition, it is difficult to predict customer adoption and retention rates, customer demand for our products, the size and growth rate of the market for AI-based weapons detection for security screening, the entry of competitive products, or the success of existing competitive products. Any expansion in our market depends on a number of factors, including the cost, performance, and perceived value associated with our products and those of our competitors. If these products do not achieve widespread adoption or there is a reduction in demand for products in our market caused by a lack of customer acceptance, technological challenges, regulatory restrictions, competing technologies or products, decreases in corporate spending, weakening economic conditions or otherwise, it could result in reduced customer orders, early terminations, reduced customer retention rates or decreased revenue, any of which would adversely affect our business operations and financial results.

Previous wording

Further, many federal, state, and foreign government bodies and agencies have introduced, and are currently considering, additional laws and regulations, including related to the development and integration of artificial intelligence (“AI”), machine learning, and additional emerging data technologies while mitigating or controlling for bias and discrimination in the context of AI and machine learning. For example, in the United States, an executive order was issued in October 2023 on the Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability and fairness in the development and use of AI. The order seeks to balance innovation with addressing risks associated with AI by providing eight guiding principles and priorities, such as ensuring that consumers are protected from fraud, discrimination and privacy risks related to AI. Legislation has also been promulgated on the state level. For example, the California Privacy Protection Agency is currently in the process of finalizing regulations under the CCPA regarding the use of automated decision making. In addition, in Europe the European Commission proposed a regulation seeking to establish a comprehensive, risk-based governance framework for AI in the EU market, the EU AI Act, which was politically agreed to in December 2023. It is intended to apply to companies that develop, use and/or provide AI in the EU and includes requirements around transparency, conformity assessments and monitoring, risk assessments, human oversight, security and accuracy and introduces significant fines for noncompliance. There are also specific rules on the use of automated decision making under the GDPR that provide the data subject the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her. Additionally, the existence of automated decision making must be disclosed to the data subject with a meaningful explanation of the logic used in such decision making in certain circumstances and safeguards must be implemented to safeguard individual rights, including the right to obtain human intervention and to contest any decision. If passed, we will likely incur additional expenses and costs associated with complying with such laws, as well as face heightened potential liability if we are unable to comply with these laws. While we minimize any physical bias in our product’s identification of threats because the product’s AI does not process or analyze an individual's physical characteristics, we may not be able to identify such issues in advance, or if identified, we may not be able to identify mechanisms for effectively mitigating such issues.

Current wording

In particular, many U.S. federal, state, and foreign government bodies and agencies have introduced, and are currently considering, additional laws and regulations, including related to the development and integration of AI, machine learning, and additional emerging data technologies while mitigating or controlling for bias and discrimination in the context of AI and machine learning. For example, the California Privacy Protection Agency is currently in the process of finalizing regulations under the California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act) (“CCPA”), regarding the use of automated decision making, which focuses on notice and transparency requirements, opt-out and access rights and performance of risk assessments. Additionally, Colorado and California have recently passed legislation, and legislation is pending in Virginia, that, among other obligations, will require disclosure and transparency obligations with respect to certain AI systems. Furthermore, in Europe, the Artificial Intelligence Act (“EU AI Act”), which entered into force on August 1, 2024, provides rights and duties designed to ensure the safe and ethical deployment of AI. The EU AI Act categorizes AI systems based on their level of risk, prohibiting certain uses of AI (which provisions applied as of February 2, 2025), and introduces strict requirements for high-risk AI applications (which provisions apply from August 2, 2027). It is intended to apply to companies that develop, use and/or provide AI in the EU and includes requirements around transparency, conformity assessments and monitoring, risk assessments, human oversight, security and accuracy and introduces significant fines for noncompliance. There are also specific rules on the use of automated decision making under the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) that provide the data subject the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, including profiling, which produces legal effects concerning him or her or similarly significantly affects him or her. Additionally, the existence of automated decision making must be disclosed to the data subject with a meaningful explanation of the logic used in such decision making in certain circumstances and safeguards must be implemented to safeguard individual rights, including the right to obtain human intervention and to contest any decision. We will likely incur additional expenses and costs associated with complying with existing and evolving laws, as well as face heightened potential liability if we are unable to comply with such laws. While we strive to minimize any physical bias in our product’s identification of threats because our product’s AI does not process or analyze an individual’s physical characteristics, we may not be able to identify such issues in advance, or if identified, we may not be able to identify mechanisms for effectively mitigating such issues.

Previous wording

We use machine learning, artificial intelligence, and automated decision making technologies, including propriety artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, in the development and operation of our AI-based weapons detection products for security screening. There are significant risks involved in developing, maintaining, and deploying machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies and there can be no assurance that the usage of such technologies will always enhance our products or services or be beneficial to our business, including our efficiency or profitability. In particular, if these artificial intelligence or machine learning models are incorrectly designed or implemented; trained or reliant on incomplete, inadequate, inaccurate, biased or otherwise poor quality data or on data to which we do have sufficient rights; and/or are adversely impacted by unforeseen defects, technical challenges, cyber security threats or material performance issues, the performance of our products, services, and business, as well as our reputation and the reputations of our customers, could suffer or we could incur liability through the violation of laws or contracts to which we are a party or civil claims. Further, our ability to continue to develop or use such technologies may be dependent on access to specific third-party software and infrastructure, such as processing hardware or third-party artificial intelligence models, and we cannot control the availability or pricing of such third party software and infrastructure, especially in a highly competitive environment. In addition, market acceptance and consumer perceptions of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are uncertain.

Current wording

Further, our ability to continue to develop or use such technologies may be dependent on access to specific third-party software and infrastructure, such as processing hardware or third-party AI models, and we cannot control the availability or pricing of such third party software and infrastructure, especially in a highly competitive environment. In addition, market acceptance and consumer perceptions of AI and machine learning technologies are uncertain.

Previous wording

A number of aspects of intellectual property protection in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning are currently under development, and there is uncertainty and ongoing litigation in different jurisdictions as to the degree and extent of protection warranted for artificial intelligence and machine learning systems and relevant system input and outputs. If we fail to obtain protection for the intellectual property rights concerning our artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, or later have our intellectual property rights invalidated or otherwise diminished, our competitors may be able to take advantage of our research and development efforts to develop competing products.

Current wording

A number of aspects of intellectual property protection in the field of AI and machine learning are currently under development, and there is uncertainty and ongoing litigation in different jurisdictions as to the degree and extent of protection warranted for the output of AI and machine learning systems. See – “Our intellectual property rights are valuable and any inability to protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property rights substantially harm our business and operating results.”

Previous wording

Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand the deployment of our products with existing customers by selling them additional Evolv Express systems. This may require increasingly sophisticated and costly sales efforts and may not result in additional sales. In addition, the rate at which our customers purchase additional products depends on a number of factors, including the perceived need for additional touchless security screening solutions as well as general economic conditions. If our efforts to sell additional products to our customers are not successful, our business may suffer.

Current wording

In addition, our future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand the deployment of our products with existing customers by selling them additional products and, in part, on our ability to maintain and increase subscriptions for our proprietary products as they generate recurring revenues. This may require increasingly sophisticated and costly sales efforts and may not result in additional sales. Existing and future customers of our products may not purchase our subscriptions for our proprietary products at the same rate at which customers currently purchase those subscriptions. In addition, the rate at which our customers purchase additional products depends on a number of factors, including the perceived need for additional security screening solutions as well as general economic conditions. If our efforts to sell additional products to our customers are not successful or our customers purchase a lower volume of subscriptions, our business may suffer.