Braze Inc
For the period ended Apr 30, 2024. Filed Jun 7, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Apr 30, 2024 · Filed Jun 7, 2024
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
- Company Overview
Description of Business
Braze, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Braze”), is a cloud-based customer engagement platform that delivers customer-centric experiences across push notifications, email, in-product messaging, SMS and MMS messages, and more. Customers use the Braze platform to facilitate real-time experiences between brands and customers in a more authentic and human way.
We began operations in 2011 and are incorporated in the state of Delaware. Our headquarters are located in New York, New York. As of April 30, 2024, we also lease additional office space in Austin, Berlin, Bucharest, Chicago, Jakarta, London, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo.
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities (“VIE”) for which we are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications and immaterial changes have been made to prior-period financial statements to conform to the current-period presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reported period. We evaluate estimates based on historical and anticipated results, trends, and various other assumptions. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the standalone selling price for separate performance obligations in our revenue arrangements, expected period of benefit for deferred contract costs, the valuation of common stock and stock-based compensation, the allocation of overhead costs between cost of revenue and operating expenses, the estimated useful lives of intangible and depreciable assets, the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities from business combinations, valuation of long-lived assets and their recoverability, including goodwill, the incremental borrowing rate, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and other tax estimates including our ability to utilize net operating losses.
Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments as facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects, including the uncertainty surrounding rapidly changing market and economic conditions from global or domestic macroeconomic and socioeconomic conditions such as, among others, instability in the banking and financial services sector, international and domestic supply chain risks, inflationary pressure, interest rate increases, declines in consumer confidence, international conflicts and domestic and foreign political unrest, that impact us and our customers, cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ from those estimates and many of our estimates and assumptions have required increased judgement and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility.
Significant Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are detailed in “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the audited annual consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024 (the “Annual Report”). There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities, and accounts receivable. Restricted cash consists of letters of credit related to our leased properties. For cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities, we are exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the financial institutions to the extent of the amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) limits. Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities balances are maintained at financial institutions that management believes are of high-credit, quality financial institutions, where deposits, at times, exceed the FDIC limits.
Significant customers are those which represent 10% or more of our total revenue for the period, or accounts receivable at the balance sheets dates. For the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, no customer accounted for 10% or more of our total revenue.
For accounts receivable, we are exposed to credit risk in the event of nonpayment by customers to the extent of the amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. As of April 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024, no customers accounted for 10% or more of our total accounts receivable balance.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-08 Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, (“ASU 2021-08”), which requires that an acquirer recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company adopted ASU 2021-08 prospectively during the second quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, and determined that ASU 2021-08 does not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements nor its related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, (“ASU 2023-07”), which requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), an amount for other segment items with a description of the composition, and disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and the update should be applied retrospectively to each period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, (“ASU 2023-09”), which requires public business entities on an annual basis to disclose specific categories in a tabular rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a five percent quantitative threshold. Additionally, the ASU requires all entities to disclose the amount of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes, as well as individual jurisdictions where income taxes paid are equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and the updated should be applied on a prospective basis, with a retrospective application permitted in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year had or is expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
- Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Disaggregated Revenue Streams
The following disaggregation depicts the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows related to the primary types of revenue from contracts with customers.
The following table presents total revenue by type (in thousands):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Subscription | $130,148 | $97,146 |
| Professional services and other | 5,311 | 4,634 |
| Total | $135,459 | $101,780 |
The following table presents total revenue by geography (in thousands):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| United States | $75,639 | $58,503 |
| International | 59,820 | 43,277 |
| Total | $135,459 | $101,780 |
Revenue by geography is determined based on the location of our users. Other than the United States, no other individual country accounted for 10% or more of total revenue for any of the periods presented.
Unbilled Accounts Receivable
Unbilled accounts receivable included in trade accounts receivable, net, which generally arise from our contractual right to bill our customers in advance of services on the contract effective date, were $3.7 million and $1.5 million as of April 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively.
Contract Balances
Contract Assets
Contract assets as of April 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024 were $0.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The change in contract assets for all periods presented primarily reflects revenue recognized in excess of billings partially offset by contract assets earned during the period.
Deferred Revenue
The change in deferred revenue for all periods presented primarily reflects cash payments received during the period for which the performance obligation was not satisfied prior to the end of the period, partially offset by revenues recognized during the period. Revenue recognized during the three months ended April 30, 2024, from amounts included in deferred revenue at January 31, 2024, was $98.4 million. Revenue recognized during the three months ended April 30, 2023 from amounts included in deferred revenue at January 31, 2023, was $77.1 million.
Credit Losses
The following table presents a reconciliation of the allowance for credit losses on accounts receivable (in thousands):
| Allowance for Credit Losses | |
|---|---|
| Balance at January 31, 2024 | $2,772 |
| Reserve: | |
| Credit losses | 668 |
| Deferred revenue | 565 |
| Write-offs | (1,644) |
| Recoveries | 35 |
| Balance at April 30, 2024 | $2,396 |
Remaining Performance Obligations
The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represents amounts under non-cancelable contracts expected to be recognized as revenue in future periods, and may be influenced by several factors, including seasonality, the timing of renewals, the timing of service delivery and contract terms. Unbilled portions of the remaining performance obligations are subject to future economic risks including bankruptcies, regulatory changes and other market factors.
The following table presents remaining performance obligations as of the dates indicated below (in millions):
| Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-5 Years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 30, 2023 | $477.5 | $325.4 | $152.1 |
| July 31, 2023 | 523.5 | 353.3 | 170.2 |
| October 31, 2023 | 560.1 | 369.9 | 190.2 |
| January 31, 2024 | 639.2 | 409.1 | 230.1 |
| April 30, 2024 | 657.3 | 419.8 | 237.5 |
- Variable Interest Entity and Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest
On September 14, 2020, we, along with Japan Cloud Computing Co., Ltd., and M30 LLC, (the “Investors”), entered into an agreement, whereby each Investor agreed to purchase shares of common stock of Braze Kabushiki Kaisha (“Braze KK” and “Braze KK Shares”) for a total purchase price of $10.0 million in two tranches of $5.0 million per tranche in September 2020 and September 2021, to engage in the investment, organization, management and operation of Braze KK focused on the distribution of our products in Japan. The purpose of this arrangement was to further expand our business in the Japanese market.
In March 2022, we consented to the periodic issuance of stock options to purchase Braze KK Shares by certain employees of Braze KK. These options cannot be exercised by the holders thereof prior to the exercise of the call or put options described in more detail below. The Company considers the stock options to be a substantive class of equity, classified as a liability within other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. As of April 30, 2024, the liability balance was $0.5 million. The issuance of stock options does not impact our majority stake in Braze KK, as none of the vesting criteria of the options were met as of the balance sheet date. The issuance of stock options did not result in a reconsideration event and therefore Braze KK still met the criteria of a Variable Interest Entity as Braze KK did not have sufficient equity at risk to finance their activities. As a result, we continue to operate Braze KK as a subsidiary, exposing us to business and foreign exchange risk. We consolidate Braze KK and present the results within the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, and consolidated statements of cash flows.
The common stock held by the Investors is callable by us or puttable by the Investors upon certain contingent events. Should the call or put option be exercised, the redemption value would be determined based on a prescribed formula derived from the discrete revenues of Braze KK and the Company and may be settled, at our discretion, with our stock or cash. The non-controlling interest in Braze KK is classified in mezzanine equity as redeemable non-controlling interest as a result of the put right available to the Investors in the future, an event that is not solely in our control. The non-controlling interest is not accreted to redemption value because it is currently not probable that the non-controlling interest will become redeemable.
The following table summarizes the activity in the redeemable non-controlling interests for the periods indicated below (in thousands):
| Balance as of January 31, 2024 | $192 |
|---|---|
| Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | (66) |
| Balance as of April 30, 2024 | $126 |
- Fair Value Measurements
The following table sets forth our financial instruments that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the periods indicated below, by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
| April 30, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
| Financial Assets: | ||||
| Cash equivalents | ||||
| Money market funds | $20,145 | $— | $— | $20,145 |
| U.S. government securities | 8,996 | — | — | 8,996 |
| Total cash equivalents | 29,141 | — | — | 29,141 |
| Marketable securities | ||||
| U.S. government securities | $317,707 | $— | $— | $317,707 |
| Foreign securities | — | 6,309 | — | 6,309 |
| Corporate debt securities | — | 84,941 | — | 84,941 |
| Total marketable securities | 317,707 | 91,250 | — | 408,957 |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Contingent consideration | $— | $— | $86 | $86 |
| Total liabilities | — | — | 86 | 86 |
| Total financial assets | $346,848 | $91,250 | $86 | $438,184 |
| January 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
| Financial Assets: | ||||
| Cash equivalents | ||||
| Money market funds | $20,758 | $— | $— | $20,758 |
| U.S. government securities | 6,996 | — | — | 6,996 |
| Total cash equivalents | 27,754 | — | — | 27,754 |
| Marketable securities | ||||
| U.S. government securities | $318,957 | $— | $— | $318,957 |
| Foreign securities | — | 6,367 | — | 6,367 |
| Corporate debt securities | — | 82,574 | — | 82,574 |
| Total marketable securities | 318,957 | 88,941 | — | 407,898 |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Contingent consideration | $— | $— | $223 | $223 |
| Total liabilities | — | — | 223 | 223 |
| Total financial assets | $346,711 | $88,941 | $223 | $435,875 |
Our money market funds and financial instruments that are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, because they are valued using quoted prices in active markets as of April 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024. Financial instruments classified as Level 2 within our fair value hierarchy are valued on the basis of prices from an orderly transaction between market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services. Prices of these securities are obtained through independent, third-party pricing services and include market quotations that may include both observable and unobservable inputs. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrices and market transactions in comparable investments and various relationships between investments.
The fair value of our contingent consideration is estimated using Level 3 unobservable inputs. The estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are uncertain, and involve significant judgments by management. We will reassess the fair value of the contingent consideration quarterly until the contingency is resolved. The liability is recorded within other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value are recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations.
There were no transfers of financial instruments among Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the periods presented.
The following table summarizes the fair value changes in the contingent consideration liability in connection with the acquisition of North Star Y, Pty Ltd (in thousands):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Beginning fair value | $223 | $— |
| Adjustments in the period | (137) | — |
| Ending fair value | $86 | $— |
- Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist of the following for the periods presented (in thousands):
| April 30, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost or Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Total Estimated Fair Value | |
| U.S. government securities | $319,622 | $— | $(1,915) | $317,707 |
| Foreign securities | 6,347 | 7 | (45) | 6,309 |
| Corporate debt securities | 85,228 | 31 | (318) | 84,941 |
| Total | $411,197 | $38 | $(2,278) | $408,957 |
| January 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost or Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses | Total Estimated Fair Value | |
| U.S. government securities | $319,343 | $782 | $(1,168) | $318,957 |
| Foreign securities | 6,349 | 31 | (13) | 6,367 |
| Corporate debt securities | 82,368 | 340 | (134) | 82,574 |
| Total | $408,060 | $1,153 | $(1,315) | $407,898 |
Accrued interest receivables related to our available-for-sale securities of $3.6 million as of April 30, 2024, and $3.4 million as of January 31, 2024, were included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s short-term investments consist of available-for-sale debt securities and term deposits. The term deposits are at cost, which approximates fair value. The weighted-average remaining maturity of the Company’s investment portfolio is one and a half years as of the periods presented.
The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses aggregated by category of individual securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months (in thousands):
| April 30, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Unrealized Loss for Greater than 12 months | ||
| Estimated Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | |
| U.S. government securities | $76,134 | $(315) |
| Foreign securities | 1,328 | (8) |
| Corporate debt securities | 6,477 | (20) |
| Total | $83,939 | $(343) |
No individual security incurred continuous unrealized losses for greater than 12 months as of April 30, 2023.
The Company purchases investment grade marketable debt securities which are rated by nationally recognized statistical credit rating organizations in accordance with its investment policy. This policy is designed to minimize the Company's exposure to credit losses. As of April 30, 2024, the credit-quality of the Company’s marketable available-for-sale debt securities had remained stable. The unrealized losses recognized on marketable available-for-sale debt securities as of April 30, 2024 was primarily related to the continued market volatility associated with market expectations of an aggressive pace of interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve. The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost basis of the investments and it is not expected that the investments would be settled at a price less than their amortized cost basis. The Company does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis. The Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require the Company to change its assessment of credit losses for any marketable available-for-sale debt security as of April 30, 2024. These estimates may change, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and will be recognized on the consolidated financial statements as soon as they become known. No credit losses were recognized as of April 30, 2024 for the Company’s marketable debt securities.
The contractual maturities of the investments classified as available-for-sale marketable securities are as follows (in thousands):
| April 30, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amortized Cost | Estimated Fair Value | |
| Due within 1 year | $189,065 | $187,947 |
| Due in 1 year through 5 years | 222,132 | 221,010 |
| Total | $411,197 | $408,957 |
| January 31, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amortized Cost | Estimated Fair Value | |
| Due within 1 year | $173,481 | $172,520 |
| Due in 1 year through 5 years | 234,579 | 235,378 |
| Total | $408,060 | $407,898 |
Investment Income
Investment income consists of interest income and accretion income/amortization expense on our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities. Investment income is included within other income, net on the consolidated statements of operations. The primary components of investment income from marketable securities were as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Interest income | $4,160 | $2,928 |
| Accretion/amortization of discount/premium, net | 487 | 471 |
| Investment income | $4,647 | $3,399 |
- Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
| April 30,2024 | January 31,2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capitalized internal-use software | $14,707 | $13,071 |
| Computer equipment, office equipment, and software | 10,315 | 7,411 |
| Leasehold improvements | 20,266 | 18,789 |
| Furniture and fixtures | 7,978 | 4,223 |
| Total property and equipment | 53,266 | 43,494 |
| Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (13,938) | (14,136) |
| Total property and equipment, net | $39,328 | $29,358 |
During the three months ended April 30, 2024, the total depreciation expense and amortization expense for property and equipment was $2.2 million, inclusive of $0.3 million net book value for fixed assets written off during the quarter. In addition, the accumulated depreciation decreased by $2.1 million for the disposal of fixed assets substantially consisting of leasehold improvements, computer equipment, office equipment, and software, that was largely depreciated from property and equipment, gross and accumulated depreciation.
The total depreciation expense and amortization expense for property and equipment during the three months ended April 30, 2023 was $1.2 million, partially offset by $0.3 million of fixed assets removed, substantially consisting of leasehold improvements and computer equipment, office equipment, and software, that was largely depreciated from property and equipment, gross and accumulated depreciation.
We capitalized internal-use software of $1.6 million and $1.3 million during the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Amortization for capitalized internal-use software costs recognized within cost of revenue, on the consolidated statements of operations, was $0.7 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
- Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
| April 30,2024 | January 31,2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid software subscriptions | $14,167 | $14,864 |
| Prepaid advertising | 1,054 | 918 |
| Prepaid insurance | 1,758 | 1,881 |
| Investment interest receivable | 3,616 | 3,426 |
| Consumption tax receivable | 1,535 | 1,606 |
| Prepaid events | 1,978 | 1,170 |
| Prepaid employee benefits | 843 | 902 |
| Other | 5,229 | 4,599 |
| Total prepaid expenses and other current assets | $30,180 | $29,366 |
- Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consists of the following (in thousands):
| April 30,2024 | January 31,2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued compensation costs | $16,567 | $26,912 |
| Accrued software subscriptions | 10,945 | 10,956 |
| Accrued commissions | 5,450 | 7,440 |
| Accrued professional service fees | 2,016 | 1,555 |
| Accrued advertising | 1,743 | 1,662 |
| Accrued tax liability | 8,659 | 9,048 |
| ESPP payable | 3,977 | 594 |
| Other | 6,910 | 5,097 |
| Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $56,267 | $63,264 |
- Employee Benefit Plans
We sponsor a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering all eligible U.S. employees. Contributions to the 401(k) plan are discretionary. Matching contributions under the plan were $2.6 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
- Stockholders’ Equity
Class A and Class B Common Stock
The Company hastwo classes of common stock, Class A and Class B. The rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting, conversion and transfer rights. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled toone vote. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled toten votes and may be converted at the option of the holder intoone share of Class A common stock. In addition, all shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock in certain circumstances, including on the earlier of (i) the last trading day of the fiscal quarter during which the number of shares of Class B common stock then outstanding represents less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock then outstanding, or (ii) the last trading day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the fifth anniversary of the initial public offering. All shares of the Company’s capital stock outstanding immediately prior to our initial public offering, including all shares held by its executive officers, directors and their respective affiliates, and all shares issuable upon the conversion of our then outstanding convertible preferred stock, were reclassified into shares of Class B common stock immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering.
- Employee Stock Plans
We have historically issued equity awards under our Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) and our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”).
Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan
Our 2011 Plan provides for the award of stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees, officers, directors, advisors and other service providers of Braze. The terms of each award and the exercise price of awards under the 2011 Plan are determined by our board of directors. Following effectiveness of the 2021 Plan in connection with our initial public offering, no further awards were made under the 2011 Plan.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
In November 2021, our board of directors and our stockholders approved the 2021 Plan, which became effective on November 16, 2021. No grants were made under the 2021 Plan prior to its effectiveness. No further grants will be made under the 2011 Plan. At effectiveness, we reserved 25,660,249 shares of our Class A common stock to be issued under the 2021 Plan. In addition, the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan will automatically increase on February 1 of each year for a period often years, beginning on February 1, 2022 and continuing through February 1, 2031, in an amount equal to (1)5% of the total number of shares of our common stock (both Class A and Class B) outstanding on the preceding January 31, or (2) a lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors no later than the
February 1 increase. On February 1, 2024, the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2021 Plan increased by an additional 5,010,520 shares.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes unvested RSU award activity and related information:
| Shares | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as of January 31, 2024 | 6,263,739 | |
| Granted | 1,798,592 | $52.71 |
| Vested | (576,623) | $36.90 |
| Forfeited | (131,562) | $38.96 |
| Balance as of April 30, 2024 | 7,354,146 |
RSUs granted during the three months ended April 30, 2024 contained a service-based vesting condition of up to approximately afour year period. RSUs typically vest on a quarterly basis or have aone-year cliff vesting period with quarterly vesting thereafter.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense, which was included in the consolidated statements of operations as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended, April 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Cost of revenue | $964 | $889 |
| Sales and marketing | 9,445 | 7,848 |
| Research and development | 10,832 | 9,843 |
| General and administrative | 7,037 | 5,566 |
| Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized | $28,278 | $24,146 |
| Capitalized stock-based compensation expense | 597 | 480 |
| Total stock-based compensation expense | $28,875 | $24,626 |
As of April 30, 2024, total compensation cost not yet recognized related to unvested equity awards and the weighted-average remaining period over which these costs are expected to be realized were as follows:
| Stock Options | RSUs | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrecognized compensation costs (in thousands) | $23,025 | $218,665 |
| Weighted-average remaining recognition period (years) | 1.52 | 2.84 |
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In November 2021, our board of directors and our stockholders approved the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which became effective on November 16, 2021. Following completion of our initial public offering, the ESPP authorized the issuance of 1,825,000 shares of our Class A common stock under purchase rights granted to our employees or to employees of any of our designated affiliates. The number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance will automatically increase on February 1 of each year for a period often years, beginning on February 1, 2022 and continuing through February 1, 2031, by the lesser of (i)1% of the total number of shares of our common stock (both Class A and Class B) outstanding on the preceding January 31; and (ii)2,737,000 shares, except before the date of any such increase, our board of directors may determine that such increase will be less than the amount set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above. On February 1, 2024, the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our ESPP increased by an additional 1,002,104 shares.
The ESPP is implemented through a series of offerings under which eligible employees are granted purchase rights to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A common stock on specified dates during such offerings. Under the ESPP, our board of directors will be permitted to specify offerings with durations of not more than 27 months, and may specify shorter purchase periods within each offering. Each offering will have one or more purchase dates on which shares of our Class A common stock will be purchased for employees participating in the offering. On each purchase date, eligible employees will purchase the shares at a price per share equal to 85% of the lesser of (1) the fair market value of the Company’s Class A common stock on the first trading day of the offering period or (2) the fair market value of the Company’s Class A common stock on the last day of the offering period, as defined by the ESPP.
The Company recognized $0.8 million and $0.8 million of stock-based compensation expense related to the ESPP in the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
As of April 30, 2024, $4.0 million has been withheld on behalf of our employees for a future purchase and is classified as accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
There wereno issuances of Class A common stock under the ESPP in the three months ended April 30, 2024. As of April 30, 2024, there are 4,357,174 shares of Class A common stock that remain available for issuance under the ESPP.
- Commitments and Contingencies
Indirect Taxes
We are subject to indirect taxation in some, but not all, of the various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct business. Therefore, we have an obligation to charge, collect and remit Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) in connection with certain of our foreign sales transactions and sales and use tax in connection with eligible sales to subscribers in certain U.S. states. On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in South Dakota v. Wayfair. The State of South Dakota alleged that U.S. constitutional law should be revised to permit South Dakota to require remote sellers to collect and remit sales tax in South Dakota in accordance with South Dakota’s sales tax statute. Under the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling, the longstanding Quill Corp v. North Dakota sales tax case was overruled, and states may now require remote sellers to collect sales tax under certain circumstances. We began collecting sales tax in relevant jurisdictions for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2019. As a result of this ruling and given the scope of our operations, taxing authorities continue to provide regulations that increase the complexity and risks to comply with such laws and could result in substantial liabilities, prospectively as well as retrospectively. Based on the information available, we continue to evaluate and assess the jurisdictions in which indirect tax nexus exists and believe that the indirect tax liabilities are adequate and reasonable. Due to the complexity and uncertainty around the application of these rules by taxing authorities, results may vary materially from expectations, and we have recognized liabilities for contingencies related to state sales and use tax, VAT, and GST deemed probable and estimable totaling $1.2 million and $1.0 million as of April 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively, which is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. As of January 31, 2024, we have filed prior period returns in several jurisdictions in order to remediate this potential exposure, and the Company continues to evaluate the potential exposure on an ongoing basis.
Legal Contingencies
From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, we are or may be involved in various legal or regulatory proceedings, claims or purported class actions related to, among other things, alleged infringement of third-party patents and other intellectual property rights, commercial, labor and employment, wage and hour and other claims. We have been, and may in the future be, put on notice or sued by third-parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights, including patent infringement. We accrue a liability when we believe that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We believe we have recorded adequate provisions for any such matters and, as of April 30, 2024, we believe that no material loss will be incurred in excess of the amounts recognized in our financial statements.
- Leases
The Company’s lease portfolio consists solely of office space with lease terms ranging from approximatelyone toten years. Certain lease agreements include options to renew or terminate the lease, which are not reasonably certain to be exercised and therefore are not factored into the determination of lease payments.
The components of lease cost reflected on the consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Operating lease cost | $5,541 | $3,651 |
| Variable lease cost | 810 | 672 |
| Short-term lease cost | 102 | 288 |
| Total net lease cost | $6,453 | $4,611 |
The future maturities of the Company’s operating lease liabilities by fiscal year are as follows (in thousands):
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Remainder of 2025 | $11,574 |
| 2026 | 15,468 |
| 2027 | 14,493 |
| 2028 | 13,062 |
| 2029 | 12,538 |
| Thereafter | 50,987 |
| Total future undiscounted lease payments | $118,122 |
| Less: imputed interest | (30,589) |
| Total reported lease liability | $87,533 |
The Company's lease terms and discount rates are as follows:
| April 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) | 8.1 | 6.3 |
| Weighted-average discount rate | 7.2% | 5.5% |
Other information for the Company's leases is as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | $3,707 | $2,933 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $— | $2,767 |
- Income Taxes
The Company computes its provision for interim periods by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate to anticipated annual pretax income or loss as directed by ASC 740. The estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to the Company’s year to date income or loss, and is adjusted for discrete items recorded in the period. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023 was (2.3)% and (1.0)%, respectively.
The provision for income taxes recorded for the three months ended April 30, 2024 consists of income taxes in state jurisdictions and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company conducts business. The primary difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate is the change in the valuation allowance recorded. The Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets as we have concluded that it is not more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. When the Company determines that it will be able to realize some portion or all of its deferred tax assets, an adjustment to its valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets would have the effect of increasing net income in the period such determination is made.
- Net Loss per Share
We compute the basic and diluted net loss per share of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights, including the liquidation and dividend rights, of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock are substantially identical, other than voting rights. Accordingly, the Class A common stock and Class B common stock share in the Company’s net loss.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Braze, Inc. common stockholders during the periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Numerator: | ||
| Net loss attributable to Braze, Inc. | $(35,641) | $(38,454) |
| Denominator: | ||
| Weighted-average shares of Braze, Inc. common stock outstanding | 100,788 | 96,360 |
| Less: weighted-average unvested shares of Braze, Inc. subject to repurchase | — | (7) |
| Weighted-average shares used to calculate net loss per share attributable to Braze, Inc. common stockholders, basic and diluted | 100,788 | 96,353 |
| Net loss per share attributable to Braze, Inc. common stockholders, basic and diluted | $(0.35) | $(0.40) |
The following outstanding shares of potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from diluted net loss per share attributable to Braze, Inc. common stockholders for the periods presented, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
| Three Months EndedApril 30, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Options to purchase common stock | 5,885 | 7,440 |
| Restricted stock units | 7,354 | 7,333 |
| ESPP shares estimated to be purchased | 124 | 138 |
| Total | 13,363 | 14,911 |
- Related Party Transactions
In May 2021, the Chief Financial Officer of Datadog, Inc., one of our vendors, joined our board of directors. We have purchased services from Datadog, Inc. in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.4 million and$0.8 million during the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
- Restructuring
In May 2023, the Company implemented a workforce reduction designed to rebalance talent to better meet customer needs and achieve business priorities. No restructuring costs were recognized during the three months ended April 30, 2024 and 2023.
- Business Combination
Acquisition of North Star Y, Pty Ltd
On June 1, 2023, the Company acquired all the outstanding stock of North Star Y, Pty Ltd (“North Star”), Braze’s then exclusive reseller in Australia and New Zealand. The transaction provides Braze with a direct market presence in Australia and New Zealand, along with local market expertise from the North Star team.
The total purchase price consideration, as adjusted, of $26.9 million consisted of cash payments of $17.6 million, $6.1 million in issuances of Braze Class A common stock, and contingent consideration payments, the fair value of which was $1.8 million as of the acquisition date. The sellers are eligible to receive cash earn-out payments calculated based on qualified revenue performance metrics for the two individual twelve month periods immediately subsequent to the closing of the acquisition. The earn-out payments are capped at $10.0 million for the first earn-out period and $16.0 million for the second earn-out period. The fair value measurement of the contingent consideration liability has been influenced by developments in the significant inputs for such calculation, notably the new and incremental actual and forecasted deal closings from the
Australia-New Zealand region. As a result, during the quarter ended April 30, 2024, the Company reduced the contingent consideration liability by $0.1 million to $0.1 million.
The preliminary purchase price, as adjusted, was allocated to intangible assets in the amount of $3.8 million and goodwill in the amount of $28.4 million based on the respective estimated fair values. The resulting goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.
An indemnification holdback of $2.8 million that was previously recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets was extinguished in the three months ended April 30, 2024. The indemnification holdback represents security for potential indemnification claims against the seller. The indemnification holdback was released in full.
Of the initial $0.5 million working capital holdback, $0.3 million has been released based on the completion of post-close adjustment procedures.
The results of operations of North Star, which were not material, have been included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for thethree months ended April 30, 2024.
- Intangible Assets, Net
Intangible assets, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
| April 30, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Amortization Period | |
| Amortizable intangible assets | ||||
| Customer relationships | $3,119 | $(286) | $2,833 | 10 years |
| Restrictive covenant relationships | 186 | (85) | 101 | 2 years |
| Trademark | 465 | (427) | 38 | 1 year |
| Total amortizable intangible assets | 3,770 | (798) | 2,972 | |
| Non-amortizable intangible assets | ||||
| Technology licenses | 500 | — | 500 | n/a |
| Total intangible assets, net | $4,270 | $(798) | $3,472 | |
| January 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Amortization Period | |
| Amortizable intangible assets | ||||
| Customer relationships | $3,119 | $(208) | $2,911 | 10 years |
| Restrictive covenant relationships | 186 | (62) | 124 | 2 years |
| Trademark | 465 | (310) | 155 | 1 year |
| Total amortizable intangible assets | 3,770 | (580) | 3,190 | |
| Non-amortizable intangible assets | ||||
| Technology licenses | 500 | — | 500 | n/a |
| Total intangible assets, net | $4,270 | $(580) | $3,690 | |
Intangible amortization expense was approximately $0.2 million for thethree months ended April 30, 2024. There were no amortizable intangible assets in the three months ended April 30, 2023; therefore, no intangible amortization expense was recorded.
The future intangible amortization expense by fiscal year is as follows (in thousands):
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Remainder of 2025 | $342 |
| 2026 | 343 |
| 2027 | 312 |
| 2028 | 312 |
| 2029 | 312 |
| Thereafter | 1351 |
| Total | $2,972 |
- Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in thousands):
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Balance at January 31, 2024 | $28,448 |
| Acquisition related adjustments | — |
| Balance at April 30, 2024 | $28,448 |
- Subsequent Events
In May 2024, in connection with our Pledge 1% commitment, we donated 32,155 shares of our Class A common stock to a charitable donor-advised fund that resulted in the recognition of approximately $1.3 million of operating expense.
In May 2024, the Company entered into a lease agreement for a new office space in Sydney, Australia. The lease commencement date, which is when the premises will become available to the Company for use, is expected to be in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. The Company is obligated to pay approximately $0.1 million per month beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 through the third quarter of fiscal year 2030, the expiration date.
In May 2024, the Company granted RSUs for a total of 76,214 shares of Class A common stock to employees pursuant to the 2021 Plan. The RSUs vest over a service period of approximately four years. The grant date fair value of these awards was $3.1 million.
In June 2024, the Company granted RSUs for a total of 5,439 shares of Class A common stock to a member of its Board of Directors pursuant to the 2021 Plan. The RSUs vest over a service period of approximately three years. The grant date fair value of the award was estimated at $0.2 million.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.