# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001768267
**File Stem:** 0001628280-26-001313
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 16270
**Document Hash:** 9fc22958c193566226bca888c171d054
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001628280-26-001313.hdr.sgml**: 20260108

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001628280-26-001313

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260108

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260108

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260108

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Cerence Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001768267
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 06 Technology
- **EIN:** 834719946
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0930

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-292613
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26519140

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 25 MALL ROAD, SUITE 416
- **CITY:** BURLINGTON
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 01803
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 617-580-0843

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 25 MALL ROAD, SUITE 416
- **CITY:** BURLINGTON
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 01803

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Cerence LLC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20190513

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Diamond SpinCo, LLC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20190215

**As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 8, 2026**

**Registration No. 333-**

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

_____________________________

**FORM S-8**

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

***UNDER***

***THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933***

_____________________________

**CERENCE INC.**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________________

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | | **83-4177087** |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|  | **25 Mall Road, Suite 416** |  |
|  | **Burlington, Massachusetts 01803** |  |
|  | **(857) 362-7300** |  |
| (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
|  | **Cerence 2019 Equity Incentive Plan** |  |
| (Full title of the plan) | (Full title of the plan) | (Full title of the plan) |
|  | **Brian Krzanich** |  |
|  | **Chief Executive Officer** |  |
|  | **Cerence Inc.** |  |
|  | **25 Mall Road, Suite 416** |  |
|  | **Burlington, Massachusetts 01803** |  |
|  | **(857) 362-7300** |  |
| (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) | (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) | (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) |

---

_____________________________

---

| |
|:---|
| ***Copies to:*** |
| **Jennifer Salinas** |
| **General Counsel** |
| **Cerence Inc.** |
| **25 Mall Road, Suite 416** |
| **Burlington, Massachusetts 01803** |
| **(857) 362-7300** |

---

_____________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☒ |
| Non-accelerated filer ☐ | Smaller reporting company ☐ |
| | Emerging growth company ☐ |

---

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

------

**EXPLANATORY NOTE**

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 registers 1,350,481 additional shares of the Registrant's Common Stock under the Registrant's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Stock Plan"), which were added on January 1, 2026 as a result of an automatic annual increase provision therein. The additional shares are of the same class as other securities relating to the Stock Plan for which the Registrant's registration statements filed on Form S-8 on October 2, 2019 (File No. <u>[333-234040](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312521084055/d24686ds8.htm)</u>), March 17, 2021 (File No. <u>[333-254398](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000156459022004105/crnc-s8.htm)</u>), February 7, 2022 (File No. <u>[333-262572](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312523028459/d462179ds8.htm)</u>), February 8, 2023 (File No. <u>[333-269642](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312523028459/d462179ds8.htm)</u>), March 4, 2024 (File No. <u>[333-277636](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312524057960/d751807ds8.htm)</u>), and January 16, 2025 (File No. <u>[333-284319](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001768267/000095017025006209/crnc-20250116.htm)</u>) are effective. The information contained in the Registrant's registration statements filed on Form S-8 on October 2, 2019 (File No. <u>[333-234040](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312521084055/d24686ds8.htm)</u>), March 17, 2021 (File No. <u>[333-254398](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000156459022004105/crnc-s8.htm)</u>), February 7, 2022 (File No. <u>[333-262572](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312523028459/d462179ds8.htm)</u>), February 8, 2023 (File No. <u>[333-269642](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312523028459/d462179ds8.htm)</u>), March 4, 2024 (File No. <u>[333-277636](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312524057960/d751807ds8.htm)</u>), and January 16, 2025 (File No. <u>[333-284319](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001768267/000095017025006209/crnc-20250116.htm)</u>) are hereby incorporated by reference pursuant to General Instruction E.

**PART II**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

**Item 8.** 

See the Exhibit Index below for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-8, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

**EXHIBIT INDEX**

---

| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | | | Incorporated by Reference | Incorporated by Reference | Incorporated by Reference | Incorporated by Reference |
| Exhibit Index # | Exhibit Description | Filed Herewith | Form | File No. | Exhibit | Filing Date |
| 4.1 | <u>[Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cerence Inc.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312519260136/d750594dex31.htm)</u> |  | 8-K | 001-39030 | 3.1 | October 2, 2019 |
| 4.2 | <u>[Second Amended and Restated By-laws of Cerence Inc.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312523135881/d295917dex31.htm)</u> |  | 8-K | 001-39030 | 3.1 | May 4, 2023 |
| 4.3 | <u>[Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated By-laws of Cerence Inc.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001768267/000095017025065890/crnc-ex3_3.htm)</u> |  | 10-Q | 001-39030 | 3.3 | May 7, 2025 |
| 5.1 | <u>[Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP](crnc_s-8xjan26xexx51231goo.htm)</u> | X |  |  |  |  |
| 23.1 | <u>[Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)](crnc_s-8xjan26xexx51231goo.htm)</u> | X |  |  |  |  |
| 23.2 | <u>[Consent of BDO USA, P.C.](crnc_s-8xjan26xexx232bdoco.htm)</u> | X |  |  |  |  |
| 24.1 | Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature page of this Registration Statement) | X |  |  |  |  |
| 99.1 | <u>[Cerence 2019 Equity Incentive Plan](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000119312519260278/d807025dex43.htm)</u> |  | S-8 | 333-234040 | 4.3 | October 2, 2019 |
| 99.2 | <u>[Amendment No. 1 to Cerence 2019 Equity Incentive Plan](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1768267/000156459020054595/crnc-ex1018_298.htm)</u> |  | 10-K | 001-39030 | 10.18 | November 19, 2020 |
| 107 | <u>[Filing Fee Table](exfilingfees.htm)</u> | X |  |  |  |  |

---

------

**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Burlington, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on January 8, 2026.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Cerence Inc.** | **Cerence Inc.** |
| By: | &nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Brian Krzanich |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;Name: Brian Krzanich |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |

---

**POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES**

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Brian Krzanich and Tony Rodriquez, jointly and singly, as such person's attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution, for such person in any and all capacities to sign any amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or their substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name** | **Title** | **Date** |
| /s/ Brian Krzanich | Chief Executive Officer and Director | January 8, 2026 |
| Brian Krzanich | *(Principal Executive Officer)* |  |
| /s/ Tony Rodriquez | Chief Financial Officer | January 8, 2026 |
| Tony Rodriquez | *(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)* |  |
| /s/ Kristi Ann Matus | Chairperson of the Board | January 8, 2026 |
| Kristi Ann Matus |  |  |
| /s/ Marianne Budnik | Director | January 8, 2026 |
| Marianne Budnik |  |  |
| /s/ Doug Davis | Director | January 8, 2026 |
| Doug Davis |  |  |
| /s/ Marion Harris | Director | January 8, 2026 |
| Marion Harris |  |  |
| /s/ Marcy Klevorn | Director | January 8, 2026 |
| Marcy Klevorn |  |  |
| /s/ Alfred Nietzel | Director | January 8, 2026 |
| Alfred Nietzel |  |  |
| /s/ Arun Sarin | Director | January 8, 2026 |
| Arun Sarin |  |  |

---

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? exfilingfees

**Exhibit 107**

**Calculation of Filing Fee Table**

**Form S-8**

(Form Type)

**Cerence Inc.** 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

---

| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Security Type** | **Security Class Title** | **Fee Calculation Rule** | **Amount Registered** <sup>(1)</sup> | **Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share** | **Maximum Aggregate Offering Price** | **Fee Rate** | **Amount of Registration Fee** |
| Equity | Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, Cerence 2019 Equity Incentive Plan | 457(c) and (h)(1) | 1350481 <sup>(2)</sup> | $11.19 <sup>(3)</sup> | $15111882.39 | $0.00013810 | $2086.95 |
| **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** |  | $15111882.39 |  | $2086.95 |
| **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** |  |  |  | $0.00 |
| **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** |  |  |  | $2086.95 |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover any additional shares of the Registrant's Common Stock that become issuable under the above listed plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the Registrant's receipt of consideration that increases the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)Represents an automatic increase to the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Registrant's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, or Stock Plan, in accordance with the automatic annual increase provisions of the Stock Plan, effective as of January 1, 2026.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)This calculation is made solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to the provisions of Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act. The offering price per share and the aggregate offering price are calculated based on the average of the high and low sale prices per share of the Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 2, 2026.

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| ![image_0.jpg](image_0.jpg) | Goodwin Procter LLP<br>100 Northern Avenue<br>Boston, MA 02210 |
| | goodwinlaw.com<br>+1 617 570 1000 |

---

January 8, 2026

Cerence Inc.

25 Mall Road, Suite 416

Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

Re:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Securities Being Registered under Registration Statement on Form S-8</u>

We have acted as your counsel in connection with your filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on or about the date hereof relating to an aggregate of 1,350,481 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Common Stock"), of Cerence Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), that may be issued pursuant to the Company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan").

We have reviewed such documents and made such examination of law as we have deemed appropriate to give the opinion set forth below. We have relied, without independent verification, on certificates of public officials and, as to matters of fact material to the opinion set forth below, on certificates of officers of the Company.

For purposes of the opinion set forth below, we have assumed that, at the time Shares are issued, the total number of then unissued Shares, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock issued, subscribed for, or otherwise committed to be issued, does not exceed the number of shares of Common Stock authorized by the Company's certificate of incorporation.

The opinion set forth below is limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This opinion letter and the opinion it contains shall be interpreted in accordance with the Core Opinion Principles as published in 74 *Business Lawyer* 815 (Summer 2019).

We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Goodwin Procter LLP

GOODWIN PROCTER LLP

## Exhibit 23.2

**Exhibit 23.2**

**<u>Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</u>**

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our reports dated November 20, 2025, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, of Cerence, Inc. (the Company) appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2025.

/s/ BDO USA, P.C.

BDO USA, P.C.

Boston, Massachusetts

January 8, 2026

<br>