EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1823466
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1823466_10-K_2025_0000950170-25-048724.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business.
Overview
We are a leading technology provider of global policy and regulatory intelligence. We deliver critical, actionable legal and policy insights in a rapidly evolving political, regulatory and macroeconomic environment. By combining artificial intelligence (AI), and other technologies with analysis and workflow tools, we provide data and information that enables customers who use our products to manage policy change, address regulatory developments, and mitigate policy risk.
In our core products, we ingest unstructured data on legislative and regulatory developments, and overlay that data with our sophisticated in-house AI and data science expertise to deliver structured, relevant and actionable information that facilitates and informs our customers’ key operational and strategic decisions. In the U.S., we source data at the local, municipal, regional, state, and Federal level. Our portfolio of public policy intelligence products includes PolicyNote, CQ Federal, and Curate. We also offer EU Issue Tracker, which provides public policy intelligence for the European Union, as well as professional services which enable customers to cover over 80 countries globally. These products incorporate workflow tools that enable our clients to monitor, manage, collaborate and efficiently organize for action on the issues that matter most to them, integrating global policy intelligence seamlessly into their daily activities. We also offer our advocacy platform (VoterVoice) and constituent management services platform (Fireside), which connect citizens with their government representatives and vice versa. In addition, we offer our customers expert and customized macroeconomic analysis through FrontierView, a market intelligence advisory firm for global business professionals.
We serve a diverse customer base comprising global enterprises (including 40 of the Fortune 100), midsized and smaller businesses, government agencies, law firms, professional services organizations, trade groups and non-profits in more than 40 countries. We generated total revenues of $120.3 million and $132.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, with the year-over-year decline attributable primarily to the divestiture of Board.org in March 2024. We generate recurring revenues using a subscription-based model, which accounted for approximately 92% of our 2024 total revenues. We believe that we deliver compelling value to our customers through the combination of the insights delivered by our platform, expert analysis, workflow tools and the other products and services we offer as well as the increase in efficiency and effectiveness resulting from being a customer of ours.
Our History
FiscalNote was established in 2013 with a vision of using technology to bring clarity to the disparate unstructured and rapidly changing data on governmental activities and empower organizations to better understand and act on the issues that matter to them. Since then, the company has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions, increasing our scale, enhancing our portfolio of products and services with complementary offerings and introducing us to new geographic territories including the U.K., E.U., Australia, and Singapore. Today, we are now a global company with over 570 employees as of December 31, 2024. Our headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., with satellite offices in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Australia, India, and Singapore. Throughout this journey, we have remained committed to the principle of leveraging technology to provide transparency into the policy, people, and politics shaping the world.
Industry Trends
Developments in Artificial Intelligence and Other Technologies Create Opportunities to Serve Customers in New and Innovative Ways
In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies have created opportunities to transform how professionals work, including in our core of legal, government affairs and public sector markets. Increasingly, organizations are consciously adopting technological solutions such as AI, software products and workflow tools not only to monitor and track legal and regulatory changes, but also to generate meaningful insights and predictions about the impact of those changes, and to organize effective responses. As organizations increasingly make this transition, we believe we are well positioned to capture the expanding market opportunity.
Expanding Core Market Due to Increasing Government Policy Uncertainty and Complexity Worldwide
Organizations are increasingly subject to the impacts of policy and regulatory change, both as laws and regulations, grow in complexity and as the organizations themselves expand into new markets or jurisdictions. For example, a company operating in both the United States and Europe is subject to different sets of labor regulations. Within those individual countries, an organization must also comply with diverging laws in various states or other localities, as well as monitor policymaking that could result in new regulations. Changes in the laws and regulations applicable to the business could create risks or opportunities impacting corporate strategy and financial results, or exposing them to greater scrutiny or legal risk. Without a platform to efficiently manage and monitor legislation and regulations, businesses and organizations may become exposed to potential damage to their brands, reputations, or financial performance. Furthermore, the earlier a business learns of potential policy impacting them, the more successful that they can be at impacting that policy in their favor, with fewer resources.
Organizations Struggle to Manage Information Throughout the Lifecycle of a Law or Regulation
Although legal and policy matters continue to grow in importance, we believe that existing platforms have failed to modernize their solutions to address the related needs of organizations of all sizes and sectors. We believe that current information and software providers are unable to support complex processes across multiple jurisdictions such as advocacy, constituent action, legislation, regulations, statutes, case law, and compliance. Legacy solutions also do little to structure the variable data and disparate information on legal and policy matters, making it difficult to search, identify patterns or derive insights from the abundance of information. In addition, they lack the technology and functionality required to navigate the complexity and nuances of cross-border laws and regulations. The growing volume of data makes it challenging for teams to not only quickly identify relevant policy and regulatory information that will impact their organizations, but also efficiently track, collaborate, assess, and report on the critical risks and opportunities. Without an integrated platform, businesses and organizations are forced to engage with multiple different point solutions, which creates additional cost burdens and reduces productivity and efficiency.
Our Strategy
The proliferation of complex laws, regulations and policies is increasingly a source of risk and opportunity for all types of organizations - from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies to government agencies and non-profits, operating in virtually any sector of the economy. Accordingly, we believe that organizations increasingly require efficient and highly automated solutions that aggregate, structure and provide actionable insights into the activities of disparate legislative, regulatory, and geopolitical actors, together with workflow tools that drive efficiency and automation in these areas, as well as insights provided by our expert advisory practices and professional services teams. We believe that we are a market leader for data-driven, actionable insights on legal, political, regulatory and policy matters, and our continued growth is expected to be driven by several strategic initiatives.
Our solution is centered on our suite of offerings and features that combine data, expert analysis and workflows to drive actionable insights. Through our platforms and products, we deliver structured, relevant and actionable information to customers that enables them to be more efficient and effective in achieving mission-critical results, such as securing government funding, generating incremental revenue, minimizing costs, and mitigating legal, regulatory, reputational or other risks.
Enhanced Focus on Policy Core Business
From 2017 to 2023, we completed 16 acquisitions to increase our scale, expand our product offerings, enter new jurisdictions and seek to tap into adjacent markets. In 2023, we refocused strategically on organizational streamlining - including the integration of prior acquisitions, simplification of the organization, sunsetting of legacy or non-core products and divestitures of non-core businesses - in order to enhance the company’s profitability and financial strength. Consistent with these efforts, we also have redoubled efforts to consolidate, replatform and upgrade the core Policy product offering - culminating in the launch of PolicyNote in January 2025 - which we expect to improve the customer experience, deliver greater functionality through the incorporation of enhanced AI features, and drive improvement in customer retention measures.
Product-Led Growth & Sales Optimization
We believe a significant opportunity exists for us to improve revenue growth rates over time as we execute on our product-led growth strategy and continue to optimize our sales organization. Through the launch of PolicyNote in early 2025, further integration of our products into a consolidated platform, and delivery of AI enhanced features, we believe we will drive greater customer retention and create opportunities for upsell, translating into growth in subscription revenues over time. Consistent with this strategy, we are focusing on elevating our sales productivity and efficiency, as team members bring a simpler, more focused and enhanced product suite to market. We serve a diverse “blue chip” client base across major public and private sectors, including 40 of the Fortune 100. Our sales optimization efforts should realize growth in our significant existing customer base while also seeking to close new sales. Our post-sale client engagement efforts also include tailored strategies designed to successfully expand the size and duration of our client engagements through cross-selling and upselling, as well as optimizing product pricing and packaging based on customer needs.
Research & Development
We continue to invest in improvements to our products and services to enhance the value of the data and insights they provide as well as improve our customer experience. Our efforts in this regard include consolidating and integrating our product portfolio, expanding the coverage of our products through the incorporation of additional data sets, developing new proprietary technology (including additional products and enhancements to existing products), and offering additional human analysis that enhances existing products and services. We continue to advance our core infrastructure and processes for better scaling cross-product data integration, as well as easier deployment of data science and AI capabilities across products. Our new core product, PolicyNote, was built with AI at its core to not only speed up the work of tracking policy, but also to start supporting customers in the shaping of policy as well as through intuitive and chat-based features. We believe these investments will promote customer retention, facilitate cross-selling to existing customers and enable us to market to potential new customers.
Our Competitive Strengths
Category Leader in a Large and Expanding Market Opportunity
As a technology company focused on global policy and regulatory intelligence, we believe we are a category leader in a large and expanding market, with attractive growth potential long-term. For context, organizations of all kinds - from business enterprises to government entities - are subject to proliferating regulations and policies of increasing complexity as well as geopolitical changes in the markets in which they operate. These organizations increasingly require a better understanding of the associated impacts on their operations. In addition, available data on legal and regulatory activities is disparate and unstructured, driving a need to aggregate and meaningfully standardize, analyze and curate that data into relevant insights that facilitate key operational and strategic decisions. Further, analytical capabilities in law are democratizing, as organizations increasingly rely on internal teams, tools and workflows to evaluate and take action on policy and regulatory risks. We believe we are well positioned to capture a significant portion of this growing opportunity due to the quality of our datasets, the sophistication of our AI-forward capabilities, our reputation, the scalability of our consolidated user interface and platform PolicyNote, and the experience and pedigree of our strong management team.
Scalable Proprietary AI-Driven Technology
Our core technology is built upon our proprietary data collection, ingestion, processing, monitoring and refinement capabilities that serve our product and service offerings. We collect and process structured and unstructured data related to global legislative and regulatory activities from disparate sources, which we combine with automated processes built using AI, supplemented with human-in-the-loop augmentation (i.e., human interaction in reviewing, validating, labeling or generating data as part of an automated processing pipeline to improve results and speed up the machine learning process) to derive structured metadata and generate trustworthy and actionable information at scale that powers multiple customer-facing applications. We believe that, as we integrate our current product offerings onto the PolicyNote platform and update our ingestion and refinement technology as a part of our product roadmap, we will enhance our ability to scale, incorporate new data sets, reduce our time to market with new products and features, and reduce our cost associated with product maintenance. Through these processes, we believe we will be able to deliver actionable insights for clients, including
individualized alerts, activity-driven recommendations and event-based predictions. These insights are incorporated into workflow tools that support policy monitoring, automated reporting, stakeholder management and collaboration, revenue and funding generation, research and analysis, and streamlined compliance. We believe our proprietary technology delivers superior outcomes for our customers through a focus on combining deep product development expertise with subject matter expertise navigating technical complexities in the policy and legal domain. The value of our technology is highlighted by its ability to utilize AI to automatically learn and apply extractions, classifications, recommendations and connections between disparate data sources as more data is ingested, thereby providing increased customer value per dataset and data-driven insights over time.
Rapidly Shifting Technology Landscape with an Increasing Emphasis on the Role of Generative and Agentic AI, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing
The evolution of Artificial Intelligence technologies such as Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) is rapidly changing the way industries approach data and analytics. Today's technologies enable far more sophisticated analysis, prediction, and automation. These trends are driving significant changes in how business is conducted and how data is evaluated by multinational corporations, non-profits, and governments. Such technological shifts are particularly impactful in markets being serviced by FiscalNote, including legal and policy analysis focused on the political, regulatory and macroeconomic environment. Appropriately navigating the technological shifts within the larger AI landscape is crucial for understanding and processing large volumes of text-based data such as legal documents, policy papers, and regulatory rulings. Deploying these technologies has the potential to automate repetitive tasks, reduce errors, and provide more actionable insights, decision-making, and strategic planning. Businesses that embrace these shifting technologies through platforms such as FiscalNote can gain a competitive advantage and enhance their efficiency, innovation, and customer experience.
Blue Chip Diverse Client Base
Our diverse customer base includes large multinational corporations as well as startups and other enterprises. We also support all three branches of the U.S. federal government, along with dozens of other national, state, and local government entities. In addition, we provide solutions to non-government organizations, nonprofits and advocacy groups. Thousands of organizations rely on us to improve the way they build and manage their relationships with all levels of government, enabling them to have maximum impact on legislation and regulation. We believe that many of our clients offer significant opportunities for growth in the client engagement, while our diverse client base provides stability and mitigates risk to our business as a whole.
Our Products and Services
Public Policy and Issues Management
Our core platform, PolicyNote, and other offerings within our Policy suite of products, provide policy monitoring capabilities at various jurisdictional levels both domestically and globally to enable clients to identify opportunity and manage risk associated with legislative and regulatory change. Our products reliably track U.S. Congressional and federal agency activity - from committee markups and amendments to introductions of proposed legislation to rulemaking and the regulatory comment process - as well as activities across state and local governments. Additionally, customers are able to integrate custom policy, stakeholder, and other data and analysis surrounding the policy ecosystem into the platform to manage their policy, market, and stakeholder information in one place. Through CQ, we also offer deep and comprehensive news and analysis covering the politics, process, and impact of both lawmaking and rulemaking. Further, by leveraging our EU Issue Tracker, clients can take advantage of deeper policy monitoring capabilities and insights in the European Union. By harnessing workflow tools that help organizations manage their issues with insights provided by these products, stakeholders and teams are empowered to collaborate and drive more effective cross departmental knowledge management and coordination and communication on legal and regulatory issues.
Example Use Cases
•Enterprise clients use our technology to in-source their government affairs function, enabling them to reduce contractual commitments to trade organizations and achieve significant cost savings.
•Public sector clients leverage our technology to track the federal procurement process, enabling them to secure government funding in support of their mission.
•Industry associations leverage our technology to strategically allow their employees from different teams to work off the same information within the business, efficiently preparing for new business initiatives or quickly responding to questions from one place, reducing and consolidating different information channels, all fed by automatically sourced and updating information.
Advocacy & Constituent Services
Our grassroots advocacy tool, VoterVoice, empowers citizens and organizations to connect with their governments. We provide solutions that enable organizations - from corporations to nonprofits to trade associations - to build campaigns, engage with advocates and educate lawmakers through multiple channels. Our tools also enable customers to track campaign performance with real-time, actionable reports, and insights with data-driven recommendations for improved performance based on industry specific historical benchmarking analysis. Conversely, our Fireside product supports legislators in their constituent engagement efforts by simplifying daily constituent communications, automating tasks, maintaining online and social media presence, and applying data to guide outreach efforts. Its built-in AI sorting function also helps elevate those messages of highest importance for Congressional staff, flagging harmful threats and other urgent messages to be dealt with first.
Example Use Cases
•A national trade association uses VoterVoice to revitalize its advocacy work through a digital strategy and mobile action after decades of trying to keep up in the industry.
•A congressional office uses Fireside’s powerful outreach tools to engage in a meaningful and coordinated fashion with constituents through surveys, newsletters, and mailing tools, and then further refine those engagement efforts through the collection and analysis of data regarding the congressional district.
Market Intelligence
Our market intelligence offering, FrontierView, provides strategic planning, market monitoring and intelligence to global business professionals in support of companies’ international growth initiatives. We believe that, by combining expert analysis with our core AI-driven product offerings, our clients gain access to the full array of insights they need to understand how government actions and policies impact their organizations, businesses and industries.
Example Use Case
•A multinational corporation engages FrontierView for customized research and analysis to adapt its pricing strategy to volatile emerging markets in which it seeks to expand.
Customers
We serve a large, diverse customer base that includes small and mid-sized businesses, large enterprises (including 40 of the Fortune 100), government agencies, law firms, professional services organizations, trade groups and non-profit around the world. We believe that our customers continue to rely on our products and services due to the strong value proposition of the insights delivered by our platform, combined with expert analysis and workflow tools, and we look forward to driving increased customer loyalty and retention through our product-lead growth strategy. We use two metrics to gauge the health of our future revenue opportunity: annual recurring revenue ("ARR") and net retention revenue ("NRR").
As of December 31, 2024, our ARR defined as contracted subscription revenue on a consolidated basis and at the parent account level was $107.5 million. Excluding products that discontinued in 2023 and businesses that we divested, (see Item 7, Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for further discussion) our adjusted ARR at December 31, 2024 was $93.3 million.
As of December 31, 2024, our NRR (defined as revenue from businesses owned for at least twelve months at any point in time) on subscription customers was approximately 98% for the fourth quarter of 2024. Retention rates typically are higher for engagements with higher account values, which tend to involve more products with more complex and broader usage within a client organization. We believe that our business is not substantially dependent on any particular end market, customer or group of significant customers.
Technology
Our information technology systems are fundamental to our success. We guide users across a complex information ecosystem, presenting acquired and generated content, with machine-derived metadata, in tailored client workflows. Our technology stack includes technologies for the storage, processing, access and delivery of the data that forms the foundation of our business. We generally own or have secured ongoing rights to use all the applications material to our operations. Our patented AI-enabled core technologies are built and operated on top of modern cloud infrastructure, providing a reliable and distributed computing infrastructure platform for business operations, and leverage cutting edge third-party LLMs to incorporate generative and agentic AI features and capabilities.
Our AI-driven analytical solutions empower our clients to track the pulse of legal and regulatory developments via:
•Descriptive informatics: vast database enabling trend identification, discovery and alerting, and analysis across jurisdictions, people, and documents.
•Predictive informatics: actionable insights such as legislative forecasts, automatic regulatory comment sentiment analysis, AI-driven personalized content and data recommendations to help clients make informed decisions.
•Data collection and ingestion, processing and augmentation, and storage automation capabilities including:
oData ingestion: intelligent data sourcing and collection with custom scraping and monitoring frameworks from web sources, APIs (Application Programming Interface), and data partnerships collecting unstructured text documents in multiple languages and multimedia audio, video, and image files.
oData processing: augments raw source data by inferring and deriving metadata via natural language processing, including categorization, entity extraction, linking, and summarization, creating standardized and useable structured data formats.
oData storage and management: structure, standardize, and automate synchronous and asynchronous data processing pipelines to validate, normalize and index primary data along with metadata to enable enhanced data retrieval and alerting across languages and jurisdictions.
Our products are accessible through multiple delivery channels, including desktop and mobile applications, and data feeds and APIs, enabling our clients to work from anywhere at any time.
Competitive Environment
We believe the principal competitive factors in our business are the quality of insights that our customers can derive from our products and services, including their relevance to the policy and regulatory issues of greatest impact to their organizations, as well as the ease with which customers can act on those insights and integrate them into workflows that drive results. We believe that, with the launch of PolicyNote, integration of cutting edge AI capabilities into our platform, and anticipated further consolidation and enhancement of our product suite, we will compete favorably with respect to each of these factors.
We consider ourselves a category leader in the technology-enabled global policy and market intelligence services sector. We believe that no single competitor currently offers the same product capabilities, scope of services and market coverage we provide, nor do we provide the same product capabilities, scope of services and market coverage as our competitors. The data and information analytics sector is fragmented, and we may encounter a variety of competitors depending upon the relevant market or product offering. Our competitors may include traditional information services companies such as Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg, and S&P, LexisNexis, trade associations and legal advisors such as
traditional law firms, as well as consultancies and traditional and digital media organizations that compete primarily with our Roll Call business. In addition, we face competition from start-up and mid-sized companies, with products or services that compete with certain offerings within our portfolio. Over time, we believe that additional businesses will increasingly enter the global policy and market intelligence information services sector and develop technologies that may compete with our products and services.
Intellectual Property
As of December 31, 2024, we owned 47 registered trademarks, two trademarks allowed, three trademark applications (in each case, counting individual foreign registrations and applications), approximately 373 domain names, 14 patents, four patents pending, and two patents allowed (not inclusive of the Oxford Analytic and Dragonfly entities). We also own certain proprietary software. We consider our trademarks, service marks, databases, software and other IP to be proprietary, and rely on a combination of statutory (e.g., copyright, trademark, trade secret and patent), contractual and technical safeguards to protect our intellectual property rights. We believe that the intellectual property that we own and license is sufficient to permit us to carry on our business as presently conducted.
Our agreements with our customers and business partners place certain restrictions on the use of our intellectual property. As a general practice, employees, contractors and other parties with access to our proprietary information sign agreements that prohibit the unauthorized use or disclosure of our intellectual property and confidential information.
New Product Development
We believe that innovation is essential to our success and one of our primary drivers of competitive advantage. We believe we are in a unique position to help shape how organizations find, evaluate, interact with, consume and act upon global policy and market information. We made significant improvements in our existing product suite while developing and launching new products, including PolicyNote. We intend to continue augmenting our technology platform, products and services based on risk and opportunity identification by expanding our global coverage and operations.
Sales and Marketing
We generally develop sales, distribution and marketing strategies on a product-by-product and service-by-service basis, including products and services obtained via acquisitions. We leverage customer data, business and market intelligence and competitive profiling to retain customers and cross-sell products and services. When we obtain a new product or service through an acquisition, we assess on a case-by-case basis whether to integrate it into our existing product portfolio or maintain it as a standalone offering in light of its existing brand recognition, distinctive customer base and other factors.
Our sales teams participate in both sales and service activities, interacting frequently with assigned customers to ensure a positive experience using our products and services. Our sales force primarily seeks revenue through new sales, existing customer retention, upselling and cross-selling, working with the sales team members to coordinate activity and provide the best solutions for our customers.
Our marketing team seeks to position FiscalNote as the most trusted brand for insights and analysis on political, regulatory and policy matters. It promotes awareness of our brands through several channels, including segmented marketing campaigns and content (e.g., topical webinars), events, the FiscalNote Executive Institute (a thought leadership community that advances conversation and collaboration among senior leaders), and digital marketing.
Employees
As of December 31, 2024, approximately 573 employees support our business operations with approximately 555 full-time. Excluding Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly, the company had approximately 494 employees as of December 31, 2024. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, approximately 45 of our employees are represented by a union. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good and have not experienced interruptions to operations due to labor disagreements.
Regulatory Environment
Our products, services and operations are subject to privacy and consumer information laws and regulations, including regulations in the U.S. (federal and state), U.K., EU (as well as individual member states) and various jurisdictions in Asia. We incur significant costs in our business to comply with these laws and regulations. Our compliance obligations vary from regulator to regulator, and may include, among other things, strict data security programs, submissions of regulatory reports, providing consumers with certain notices and correcting inaccuracies in applicable reports. In addition, we are subject to regulatory requirements ordinarily associated with international operations, including various anti-corruption laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, as well as export controls, customs, economic sanctions laws, and embargoes imposed by the U.S. government. Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act or other anti-corruption laws or export control, customs, or economic sanctions laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions and penalties. Many of these laws and regulations are complex, and their application to us, our customers or the specific services and relationships we have with our customers are not always clear. Our failure to anticipate accurately the application of these laws and regulations, or any failure to comply, could create liability for us, result in adverse publicity and otherwise negatively affect our business. See the section titled “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about the impact of government regulation on our company.
Information About our Executive Officers
Set forth below is a list of our executive officers, including each executive officer’s principal occupation and employment during the past five years and reflecting recent organizational changes. None of our executive officers has any family relationship with any other executive officer, and none of our executive officers became an officer pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any other person. Each executive officer has been elected to serve until his successor is appointed or his earlier death or removal or resignation from such office. Each executive officer’s age is set forth in the table next to his name.
Name
Position
Age
Josh Resnik
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jon Slabaugh
Chief Financial Officer and SVP of Corporate Development
Todd Aman
SVP, General Counsel and Secretary
Josh Resnik serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Resnik served as Legacy FiscalNote’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Content Officer from October 2018 to January 2022, was named President and Chief Operating Officer in February 2022, and was named Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2025. Prior to FiscalNote, Mr. Resnik was an executive and Board member of Spree Commerce starting in 2012, serving as General Counsel/Chief Operating Officer and helping lead the company to a successful acquisition by First Data Corporation (now Fiserv) in 2015. Prior to Spree Commerce, he led the Digital division of Gannett (then one of the largest media companies in the U.S.) and was a senior in-house attorney at AOL. Earlier in his career he spent several years in private law practice representing clients in the TMT sector in corporate transactions and regulatory matters. Mr. Resnik holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, where he was named an Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar and G. Joseph Tauro Scholar, as well as earning the Dean’s Award in Communications Law.
Jon Slabaugh serves as our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. He joined Legacy FiscalNote in November 2019 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in May 2020. Prior to FiscalNote, Mr. Slabaugh was the Managing Director of UCG, a private holding company of 10 leading business-to-business information, data and workflow SaaS companies serving the energy, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, technology, advertising and tax preparation markets, from 2004 to 2018. Earlier in his career, Mr. Slabaugh was a co-founder and Managing Director of MCG Capital, a senior debt, mezzanine and uni-tranche investment company backed by Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Heller Financial, Vestar Capital Partners and Soros Private Equity Partners, from 1998 to 2004. Mr. Slabaugh originated and managed investments in information, software and media companies while at MCG. Mr. Slabaugh has also served on the boards of Miles Partnership, Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital, and GasBuddy. He holds a B.A. from Denison University and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration.
Todd Aman serves as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, a role he has held since August 2022. Before then, he had served as our Vice President and Associate General Counsel - Securities and Compliance since April 2021. Before joining FiscalNote, Mr. Aman served as Associate General Counsel - Corporate and Securities and Assistant Secretary for FLIR Systems, Inc., a publicly-traded international sensor technology company. Prior to FLIR, Mr. Aman served as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at Gannett Co., Inc., a publicly-traded media and marketing solutions company, from March 2016 through its acquisition in 2019. Before then, Mr. Aman was a corporate attorney in the SEC Advisory and Capital Markets practice groups at Hogan Lovells US LLP. Mr. Aman holds a J.D., magna cum laude, and an LL.M in Securities and Financial Regulation, with distinction, from the Georgetown University Law Center, as well as a B.A. in Political Theory and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia.
Available Information
Our website address is www.fiscalnote.com. We make available, free of charge through our website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding FiscalNote. The information contained on our website is not part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a history of net losses and anticipate that operating expenses may grow as we continue to pursue our plans for expansion, and we therefore may not be able to achieve and maintain profitability.
We have incurred significant net losses in each year since our inception, including net losses of $62.5 million (excluding the effect of the gains on sale of businesses throughout 2024 totaling $72.0 million) and $115.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and we may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future. Because the market for our products and services is rapidly evolving, it is difficult for us to predict our future results of operations or the limits of our market opportunity. In 2023, the Company implemented a cost reduction plan to align its operations and reduce our operating expenses in the future. We also intend to continue to build and enhance our products and services and develop and expand our platforms through both internal research and development that can contribute to the capabilities of our platforms. If our revenue does not increase to offset operating expenses and if our efforts to control operating expenses are unsuccessful or inadequate, we will not be profitable in future periods. In future periods, our revenue growth could slow or our revenue could decline for a number of reasons, including any failure to increase the number of organizations using our products or grow the size of our engagements with existing customers, a decrease in the growth of our overall market, our failure, for any reason, to continue to capitalize on growth opportunities, slowing demand for our products, additional regulatory burdens, or increasing competition. As a result, our past financial performance may not be indicative of our future performance. Any failure by us to achieve or sustain profitability on a consistent basis could cause the value of our stock to decline.
We generate a significant percentage of our revenues from recurring subscription-based arrangements, and if we are unable to maintain a high renewal rate, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects would be materially and adversely affected.
Approximately 90% of our revenues are subscription-based. In order to maintain existing revenues and to generate higher revenues, we are dependent on a significant number of our customers renewing their arrangements with us. Although many of these arrangements have automatic renewal provisions, with appropriate notice these arrangements generally are cancellable and our customers generally have no obligation to renew their subscriptions after the expiration of their initial subscription period. As a result, our past annual revenue renewal rates may not be indicative of our future annual revenue renewal rates, and our annual revenue renewal rates may decline or fluctuate in the future as a result of a number of factors, including customer satisfaction with our products and services, our prices and the prices offered by competitors, reductions
in customer spending levels, and general economic conditions. Our revenues could also decline if a significant number of our customers continued their arrangements with us but reduced the amount of their spending.
The introduction of competitors’ offerings with lower prices for consumers, low customer satisfaction with our products, fluctuations in prices customers are willing to pay for our products, changes in customers’ government affairs, policy and political strategies, including an increase in the use of competitors’ products or offerings, and other factors could result in declines in our subscriptions. Because we derive a substantial majority of our revenue from customers who purchase these subscription plans, any material decline in demand for these offerings could have a material adverse impact on our future revenue and results of operations. In addition, if we are unable to successfully introduce new products, features, and enhancements, our revenue growth may decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
U.S. government agency customers represent a material portion of our total revenues. Accordingly, our financial performance and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by changes in the U.S. government’s spending priorities, our inability to win or renew U.S. government contracts, delay, disruption or unavailability of funding on U.S. government contracts, and action taken by the U.S. government to modify, delay, curtail or terminate contracts.
We derive, and expect to continue to derive, a material portion of our total revenue from contracts with U.S. government agencies and other public sector entities. Accordingly, our overall business depends in part upon continued government expenditures on our Policy products and services. As a result, our prospects, financial condition or operating results could be materially adversely impacted by any of the following actions or events, among others:
•changes in available funding due to budget constraints, mandated spending cuts across the government or particular agencies, changes in spending priorities, efficiency initiatives (although we believe that our products and services support efficient governmental operations), or similar actions;
•decisions to close, or materially reduce the mandate and staffing of, specific government agencies to which we provide products and services, or any disruption in the functioning of such agencies;
•delays in the payment of our invoices by government payment offices; and
•an inability by the U.S. government to fund its operations as a result of a failure to increase the federal government’s debt ceiling, a credit downgrade of U.S. government obligations or for any other reason.
Such actions or events may also increase the volatility in public sector revenues, presenting challenges to our ability to accurately predict the financial performance and results of operations of our public sector business.
If we are unable to attract new customers, retain existing customers, expand our products and services offerings with existing customers, expand into areas of higher growth, our revenue growth and profitability will be harmed.
Our success depends on our ability to acquire new customers, retain existing customers, expand our engagements with existing customers through cross-selling and upselling efforts, expand into areas of higher growth, and to do so in a cost-effective manner. We have made significant investments related to customer acquisition and retention, expect to continue to spend significant amounts on these efforts in future periods, and cannot guarantee that the revenue from new or existing customers will ultimately exceed the costs of these investments.
Additionally, if we fail to deliver a quality user experience, or if customers do not perceive the products and services we offer to be of high value and quality, we may be unable to acquire or retain customers. Also, if we do not acquire or retain customers above our lowest price tier in volumes sufficient to grow our business, we may be unable to achieve our operational objectives. Our prices may increase, or may not decrease to levels sufficient to generate customers’ interest, our revenue may decrease, our margins may decline. As a result, we may not achieve or maintain profitability and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our efforts to expand our service offerings and further develop our existing services in order to keep pace with policy, regulatory, political and technological developments may not succeed.
Our efforts to expand our current service offerings may not succeed and, as a result, we may not achieve the revenue growth rate we expect. In addition, because the markets for certain of our offerings remain relatively new, it is uncertain whether our investments in those offerings, will result in significant revenue for us. We seek to continuously enhance our technology platforms, including AI and machine learning capabilities and algorithms, to maintain and improve the quality of our products and services in order to remain competitive with alternatives, and those efforts ultimately may not be adequate or successful. Further, the introduction of significant platform changes and upgrades, may not succeed and early-stage interest and adoption of such new services may not result in long term success or significant revenue for us. Additionally, if we fail to anticipate or identify significant technology trends and developments early enough, or if we do not devote appropriate resources to adapting to such trends and developments, our business could be harmed.
If we are unable to develop or acquire enhancements to, and new features for, our existing or new services that keep pace with rapid technological developments, our business could be harmed. The success of enhancements and new or acquired products and services depends on several factors, including the timely completion, introduction and market acceptance of the feature, service or enhancement by customers, administrators and developers, as well as our ability to integrate all of our product and service offerings and develop adequate selling capabilities in new markets. Failure in this regard may significantly impair our revenue growth and negatively impact our operating results. We may not be successful in either developing or acquiring these enhancements and new products and services or effectively bringing them to market.
Furthermore, uncertainties about the timing and nature of new services or technologies, or modifications to existing services or technologies, or changes in customer usage patterns thereof, could increase our research and development or service delivery expenses or lead to our increased reliance on certain vendors. Any failure of our services to operate effectively with future network platforms and technologies could reduce the demand for our services, result in customer dissatisfaction and harm our business.
We may not realize expected business or financial benefits from acquisitions or integrate acquired businesses in an efficient and effective manner, or such acquisitions could divert management’s attention, increase capital requirements or dilute stockholder value and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our ability to achieve the anticipated potential benefits of a strategic acquisition will be subject to a number of risks or uncertainties. Acquired assets, data, or businesses may not be successfully integrated into our operations, costs in connection with acquisitions and integrations may be higher than expected and we may also incur unanticipated acquisition-related costs. These costs could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or prospects. Any acquisition we complete could be viewed negatively by customers, users, developers, partners, or investors, and could have adverse effects on our existing business relationships.
Acquisitions and other transactions, arrangements, and investments involve numerous risks and could create unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures, any of which could harm our business, including:
•difficulties in, and the cost of, integrating operations, administrative infrastructures, sales and marketing teams and strategies, personnel, technologies, data sets, services, and platforms;
•potential write-offs of acquired assets or investments, impairments of goodwill or intangible assets, or potential financial and credit risks associated with acquired customers;
•difficulties in successfully selling any acquired services or products;
•differences between our values and those of our acquired companies;
•failures to identify material liabilities or risk in pre-acquisition due diligence;
•difficulties in retaining and re-training key employees of acquired companies and integrating them into our organizational structure and corporate culture;
•difficulties in, and financial costs of, addressing acquired compensation structures inconsistent with our compensation structure;
•inability to maintain, or changes in, relationships with key customers and partners of the acquired business;
•challenges converting and forecasting the acquired company’s revenue recognition policies including subscription-based revenue and revenue based on the transfer of control as well as appropriate allocation of the customer consideration to the individual deliverables;
•difficulty with, and costs related to, transitioning the acquired technology onto our existing platforms and customer acceptance of multiple platforms on a temporary or permanent basis;
•augmenting the acquired technologies and platforms to the levels that are consistent with our brands and reputation;
•potential for acquired products to impact the profitability of existing products;
•increasing or maintaining the security standards for acquired technology consistent with our other services;
•challenges relating to the structure of an investment, such as governance, accountability, and decision-making conflicts that may arise in the context of a joint venture or other majority ownership investments;
•negative impact to our results of operations because of the depreciation and amortization of amounts related to acquired intangible assets, fixed assets, and deferred compensation;
•to the extent we use cash to pay for acquisitions, the commensurate limitation of other potential uses for our cash;
•to the extent we incur debt to fund any acquisitions, the impact of such debt on our overall capital structure, any material restrictions thereunder on our ability to conduct our business, financial maintenance covenants and dilution to shareholders to the extent such debt instruments are convertible;
•to the extent we issue equity securities in connection with future acquisitions, existing stockholders may be diluted and earnings per share may decrease;
•additional dilution and expense associated with stock-based compensation;
•the loss of acquired unearned revenue and unbilled revenue;
•delays in customer purchases due to uncertainty related to any acquisition;
•ineffective or inadequate controls, procedures, and policies at the acquired company;
•in the case of foreign acquisitions, challenges caused by integrating operations over distance, and across different languages, cultures, and political environments;
•currency and regulatory risks associated with foreign countries and potential additional cybersecurity and compliance risks resulting from entry into new markets;
•tax effects and costs of any such acquisitions, including the related integration into our tax structure and assessment of the impact on our ability to realize our future tax assets or liabilities; and
•potential challenges by governmental authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), for anti-competitive or other reasons.
We may also decide to restructure, divest or sell businesses, products or technologies that we have acquired or invested in. The occurrence of any of the above could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects and could adversely affect the market price of our Class A Common Stock.
Any cost reduction initiatives that we undertake may not deliver the results we expect and these actions may adversely affect our business.
From time to time, we engage in restructuring plans that have resulted and may continue to result in workforce reduction and consolidation of our real estate facilities and our operating footprint. In addition, management will continue to evaluate our global footprint and cost structure, and additional restructuring plans may be required. As a result of our restructurings, we have experienced and may in the future experience a loss of continuity, loss of accumulated knowledge, disruptions to our operations and inefficiency during transitional periods. Any cost-cutting measures could impact employee retention. In addition, we cannot be sure that any future cost reductions or global footprint consolidations will deliver the results we expect, be successful in reducing our overall expenses as we expect or that additional costs will not offset any such reductions or global footprint consolidation. If our operating costs are higher than we expect or if we do not maintain adequate control of our costs and expenses, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
We have international operations and assets, including in the U.K., Belgium, and Australia, and we sell our products and services to clients globally. These international operations subject us to additional risks that may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We have international operations, including in the U.K., Belgium, and Australia. Our ability to operate in these countries may be adversely affected by changes in those jurisdictions’ laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, lobbying, cybersecurity, privacy and other matters. In addition, our operating results and financial performance are subject to the local economic and political situations. We believe that our operations are in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance therewith, as well as increased taxation, restrictions on imports, import duties or currency revaluations. There can be no certainty as to the application of the laws and regulations of these jurisdictions in particular instances. Enforcement of existing laws or agreements may be sporadic and implementation and interpretation of laws inconsistent. Moreover, there is a high degree of fragmentation among regulatory authorities, resulting in uncertainties as to which authorities have jurisdiction over particular parties or transactions.
In addition, we sell our products and services globally and plan to continue expanding our international operations as part of our growth strategy. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, approximately 21% and 19%, respectively, of our revenues were derived from outside of the United States. Revenues by geography are determined based on the region of the FiscalNote selling entity, which may be different than the region of the customer. Our current international operations could subject us to a number of risks, including:
•increased management, travel, infrastructure, and legal compliance costs associated with having multiple international operations;
•unique terms and conditions in contract negotiations imposed by clients in foreign countries;
•longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing contracts and collecting accounts receivable;
•the need to localize our products and services for international clients;
•changes in foreign regulatory requirements;
•increased exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
•highly inflationary international economies;
•the burdens and costs of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and legal standards relating to data security and protection of personal information, including the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) in the European Union and similar privacy regulations in the U.K. and the Asia-Pacific region;
•compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the U.K. Bribery Act and other anti-corruption regulations, particularly in emerging market countries;
•compliance by international staff with accounting practices generally accepted in the United States, including adherence to our accounting policies and internal controls;
•trade agreements, taxes, and other trade barriers;
•increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;
•weaker protection of intellectual property rights in some countries;
•multiple and possibly overlapping tax regimes;
•the application of the respective local laws and regulations to our business in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate;
•government sanctions that may interfere with our ability to sell into particular countries;
•disruption to our operations caused by epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19; and
•political, social and economic instability abroad, terrorist attacks and security concerns in general.
As we continue to expand our business globally, our success will depend, in large part, on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks associated with our international operations. Any of these risks could harm our international operations and reduce our international sales, adversely affecting our business, results of operations, financial condition, and growth prospects.
We recognize revenues over the term of the agreements for our subscriptions and, as a result, there is often a lag in realizing the impact of current sales or cancellations in reported revenues, and a significant downturn in our business may not be reflected immediately in our operating results.
We generally recognize revenues ratably over the duration of the contract, which typically range from one to three years. As a result, a substantial majority of our quarterly revenues are generated from contracts entered into during prior periods. There is often a lag in realizing the impact of current sales or cancellations in our reported revenues, as we recognize revenues over the term of the arrangement. Because of this lag effect, a decline in new contracts in any quarter may not affect our results of operations in that quarter but could reduce our revenues in future quarters. Additionally, the timing of renewals or non-renewals of a contract during any quarter may only affect our financial performance in future quarters. For example, the non-renewal of a contract late in a quarter will have minimal impact on revenues for that quarter but will reduce such revenues in future quarters. Accordingly, the effect of significant declines in sales of our products and services may not be reflected in our short-term results of operations, which would make these reported results less indicative of our future financial results. In contrast, a non-renewal occurring early in a quarter may have a significant negative impact on revenues for that quarter and we may not be able to offset a decline in such revenues with revenues from new contracts entered into in the same quarter. In addition, we may be unable to adjust our costs in response to reduced revenues. These factors may cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations and cash flows, may make it challenging for an investor to predict our performance and may prevent us from meeting or exceeding the expectations of research analysts or investors, which in turn may cause our stock price to decline.
Our sales cycles are variable, depend upon factors outside our control, and could cause us to expend significant time and resources prior to generating revenues.
The typical sales cycle for our products and services is lengthy, unpredictable, could be disrupted by factors outside our control and often requires pre-purchase evaluation by a significant number of employees in our clients’ organizations. Our sales efforts involve educating our clients about the use and benefits of our products and services. Potential clients typically undertake a rigorous pre-purchase decision-making and evaluation process, and sales to new clients involve extensive client due diligence and reference checks. We invest a substantial amount of time and resources on our sales efforts without any assurance that our efforts will produce sales. Even if we succeed at completing a sale, we may be unable to predict the size of an initial subscription arrangement until very late in the sales cycle.
If we have overestimated the size of our total addressable market, our future growth rate may be limited.
It is difficult to accurately estimate the size of the enterprise information services and legal and regulatory information markets and predict with certainty the rate at which the market for our services will grow, if at all. While our market size estimate was made in good faith and is based on assumptions and estimates we believe to be reasonable, this estimate may not be accurate. If our estimates of the size of our addressable market are not accurate, our potential for future
growth may be less than we currently anticipate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We rely on third parties, including public sources, for data, information and other products and services, and our relationships with such third parties may not be successful or may change, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our products and services rely upon data, information and services obtained from third-party providers and public sources. Such data, information and services are made available to our customers or are integrated for our customers’ use through information and technology solutions provided by us and third-party service providers. We have commercial relationships with third-party providers whose capabilities complement our own and, in some cases, these providers are also our competitors. The priorities and objectives of these providers, particularly those that are our competitors, may differ from ours, which may make us vulnerable to unpredicted price increases, unfavorable licensing terms and other adverse circumstances. Agreements with such third-party providers periodically come up for renewal or renegotiation, and there is a risk that such negotiations may result in different rights and restrictions, which could impact or eliminate our customers’ use of the content. In addition, as the number of products and services in our markets increases and the functionality of these products and services further overlaps with third-party products and services, we may become increasingly subject to claims by a third party that our products and services infringe on such party’s IP rights. Moreover, providers that are not currently our competitors may become competitors or be acquired by or merge with a competitor in the future, any of which could reduce our access to the information and technology solutions provided by those companies. If we do not maintain, or obtain the expected benefits from, our relationships with third-party providers or if a substantial number of our third-party providers or any key service providers were to withdraw their services, we may be less competitive, our ability to offer products and services to our customers may be negatively affected, and our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
If we are not able to obtain and maintain accurate, comprehensive, or reliable data, or if the expert analysis we produce contains any material errors or omissions, we could experience reduced demand for our products and services.
Our success depends on our customers’ confidence in the depth, breadth, and accuracy of our data. The task of establishing and maintaining accurate data is challenging and expensive. The depth, breadth, and accuracy of our data differentiates us from our competitors. If our data, including the data we obtain from third parties and our data extraction, structuring, and analytics are not current, accurate, comprehensive, or reliable, or if any expert analysis we produce contains material errors or omissions, customers could have negative experiences, which in turn would reduce the likelihood of customers renewing or upgrading their subscriptions and our reputation could be harmed, making it more difficult to obtain new customers.
Our ability to introduce new features, integrations, capabilities, and enhancements is dependent on adequate research and development resources. If we do not adequately fund our research and development efforts, or if our research and development investments do not translate into material enhancements to our products and services, we may not be able to compete effectively, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.
To remain competitive, we must continue to develop or acquire and implement new features, integrations, and capabilities to our products and services. This is particularly true as we further expand and diversify our capabilities to address additional applications and markets. Maintaining adequate research and development resources, such as the appropriate personnel and development technology, to meet the demands of the market is essential. If we are unable to develop features, integrations, and capabilities internally due to certain constraints, such as employee turnover, lack of management ability, or a lack of other research and development resources, our business may be harmed.
Moreover, research and development projects can be technically challenging and expensive. The nature of these research and development cycles may cause us to experience delays between the time we incur expenses associated with research and development and the time we are able to offer compelling features, integrations, capabilities, and enhancements and generate revenue, if any, from such investment. Anticipated demand for a feature, integration, capability, or enhancement we are developing could decrease after the development cycle has commenced, and we would nonetheless be unable to avoid substantial costs associated with the development of any such feature, integration, capability, or enhancement. Additionally, we may experience difficulties with software development, design, or marketing that could
affect the length of these research and development cycles that could further delay or prevent our development, introduction, or implementation of features, integrations, capabilities, and enhancements. If we expend a significant amount of resources on research and development and our efforts do not lead to the successful introduction or improvement of features, integrations, and capabilities that are competitive, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Further, our competitors may expend more on their respective research and development programs or may be acquired by larger companies that would allocate greater resources to our competitors’ research and development programs or our competitors may be more efficient or effective in their research and development activities. We can expect continuous improvements in computer hardware, network operating systems, programming tools, programming languages, operating systems, data matching, data filtering, data predicting, and other database technologies and the use of the internet. These improvements, as well as changes in customer preferences or regulatory requirements, may require changes in the technology used to gather and process our data. Our failure to maintain adequate research and development resources or to compete effectively with the research and development programs of our competitors would give an advantage to such competitors and may harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our pricing and product bundling strategy may not meet customers’ price expectations or may adversely affect our revenues.
Demand for our products and services is generally sensitive to price. Our approach to pricing and bundling our products and services has had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our revenues and profit margins. In addition, our competitors’ pricing and marketing strategies are beyond our control and could significantly affect the results of our pricing strategies. If we fail to meet our customers’ price expectations or develop attractive and easily marketable product bundles, or if we are unable to compete effectively with our competitors when they engage in aggressive pricing strategies or other competitive activities, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Increased accessibility to free or relatively inexpensive information sources that offer comparable value to customers may reduce demand for our products and services.
In recent years, more public sources of free or relatively inexpensive information have become available, particularly through the Internet, and this trend is expected to continue. For example, the US Congress, state legislatures, the European Union and other federal, state, local and foreign government and regulatory agencies have increased the amount of information they make publicly available at no cost. Public sources of free or relatively inexpensive information may reduce demand for our products and services if such information sources become more easily searchable, digestible and actionable without structuring by technology such as ours. Our results of operations would be adversely affected if our customers choose to use these public sources as a substitute for our products or services.
Larger and more well-funded companies with access to significant resources, large amounts of data or data collection methods, and sophisticated technologies may shift their business model to become our direct competitors.
Companies in related industries, such as Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, RELX, MSCI, Gartner, and S&P, may choose to compete with us and would immediately have access to greater resources and brand recognition. We cannot anticipate how rapidly such a potential competitor could create products or services that would take significant market share from us or even surpass our products or services in quality. The entry of a large, well-funded competitor in our space could reduce demand for our products and services or reduce the price we can demand from new customers or for subscription renewals or upgrades from existing customers, negatively affecting our revenue and profitability.
If we fail to protect and maintain our brands, our ability to attract and retain customers will be impaired, our reputation may be harmed, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may suffer.
We have developed or acquired a family of brands, that have contributed significantly to the success of our businesses. We believe that maintaining and promoting our brands in a cost-effective manner is critical to expanding our base of customers and retaining our existing customers. Maintaining, promoting and positioning our brands and the reputation of our businesses will depend on our ability to provide useful, reliable, secure, and innovative products and services, to maintain trust, and to provide a consistent, high-quality customer experience.
We may introduce, or make changes to, features, products, services, privacy practices, or terms of service that customers do not like, which may materially and adversely affect one or more of our brands. Our brand promotion activities may not generate customer awareness or increase revenue, and even if they do, any increase in revenue may not offset the expenses we incur in building our brands. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brands or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our businesses could be materially and adversely harmed.
Harm to our brands can arise from many sources, including failure by us or our partners and service providers to satisfy expectations of service and quality, inadequate protection or misuse of information with respect to customers’ government affairs’ strategies, personally identifiable information, compliance failures and claims, regulatory inquiries and enforcement, rumors, litigation and other claims, misconduct by our partners, employees or other counterparties, and actual or perceived failure to adequately address the environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) expectations of our various stakeholders, any of which could lead to a tarnished reputation and loss of customers.
Any negative publicity about our industry or our company, the quality and reliability of our products and services, our compliance and risk management processes, changes to our products and services, our ability to effectively manage and resolve customer complaints, our privacy, data protection, and information security practices, litigation, regulatory licensing and infrastructure, and the experience of our customers with our products or services could adversely affect our reputation and the confidence in and use of our products and services. If we do not successfully maintain strong and trusted brands, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We have a significant portion of our revenue to U.S. and foreign government agencies and other highly regulated organizations, which are subject to a number of challenges and risks.
We derive a portion of our revenue from contracts with government organizations (primarily but not solely U.S. -based), and we believe the success and growth of our business will in part depend on adding additional public sector customers. However, demand from government organizations is often unpredictable, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain or grow our revenue from the public sector. Sales to government entities are subject to substantial additional risks that are not present in sales to other customers, including:
•selling to government agencies can be more highly competitive, expensive, and time-consuming than sales to other customers, often requiring significant upfront time and expense without any assurance that such efforts will generate a sale;
•U.S., European, or other government certification and audit requirements potentially applicable to our network, including the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) in the U.S., are often difficult and costly to obtain and maintain, and failure to do so will restrict our ability to sell to government customers;
•government demand and payment for our products may be impacted by public sector budgetary cycles, funding authorizations, changes in administration, shifts in government agency spending patterns, delays in the government appropriations or other administrative processes, or government shutdowns or other considerations, such as favoring domestic suppliers over those with significant foreign minority investment, such as ours, especially in the case of notable levels of redemption;
•governments routinely investigate and audit government contractors’ administrative processes and any unfavorable audit could result in fines, civil or criminal liability, further investigations, damage to our reputation, and debarment from further government business;
•governments often require contract terms that differ from our standard customer arrangements, including terms that can lead to those customers obtaining broader rights in our products than would be expected under a standard commercial contract and terms that can allow for early termination; and
•governments may demand better pricing terms and public disclosure of such pricing terms, which may harm our ability to negotiate pricing terms with our non-government customers.
The loss or significant curtailment of any government contracts or subcontracts, whether due to our performance or due to interruptions or changes in governmental funding or administrative processes, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, we must comply with laws and regulations relating to the formation, administration, and performance of contracts with the public sector, including U.S. federal, state, and local governmental organizations, which affect how we and our channel partners do business with governmental agencies. Selling our products to the U.S. government, whether directly or through channel partners, also subjects us to certain regulatory and contractual requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements by either us or our channel partners could subject us to investigations, fines, and other penalties, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. For example, the DOJ and the General Services Administration (the “GSA”) have in the past pursued claims against and financial settlements with vendors under the False Claims Act and other statutes related to pricing and discount practices and compliance with certain provisions of GSA contracts for sales to the federal government. The DOJ and GSA continue to actively pursue such claims. Violations of certain regulatory and contractual requirements could also result in us being suspended or debarred from future government contracting. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations, and financial condition. Any inability to address these risks and challenges could reduce the commercial benefit to us or otherwise preclude us from selling subscriptions to our products to government organizations.
We assist customers in certain legislative and other governmental relations matters, which activities may be deemed to be lobbying efforts.
To the extent that our services may be activities that constitute “lobbying” under federal, state, local or foreign laws, we or some of our subsidiaries may have to register under such applicable laws. In addition, some states have so-called procurement lobbying rules that require sales personnel who interact with governmental officials in certain sales activities to register as lobbyists as well. Lobbying laws typically require periodic financial and other reports to be timely made and prohibit some types of contributions, gifts and other expenditures by lobbyists and their affiliates. Any failure to register or to comply with the applicable regulations could subject us, our employees and officers and directors to civil or criminal penalties.
Our company culture has contributed to our success and if we cannot maintain and evolve our culture as it grows, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
We believe our culture has been a key contributor to our success to date and that the critical nature of the products and services that we provide promotes a sense of greater purpose and fulfillment in our employees. We have invested in building a strong corporate culture and believe it is one of our most important competitive advantages. Any failure to preserve our culture could negatively affect our ability to retain and recruit personnel, which is critical to our growth, and to effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives. As we continue to grow and develop, we may find it difficult to maintain these important aspects of our culture. In addition, as our operations become more globally dispersed, we may find it increasingly difficult to maintain our corporate culture across geographies. If we fail to maintain our corporate culture, or if we are unable to retain or hire key personnel, our business and competitive position may be harmed.
We rely on the performance of highly skilled personnel, including our management and other key employees, and the loss of one or more of such personnel, or of a significant number of team members, could harm our business.
We believe our success has depended, and continues to depend, on the efforts and talents of senior management and key personnel, including our co-founders. From time to time, there may be changes in our management team resulting from the hiring or departure of executives and key employees, which could disrupt our business. Our senior management and key employees are employed on an at-will basis. We may be unable to retain members of senior management or other key employees and may be unable to timely replace such individuals should any of them depart. The loss of one or more of our senior management or other key employees could harm our business.
If we do not effectively maintain and grow our research and development team with top talent, including employees who are trained in AI, machine learning and advanced algorithms, we may be unable to continue to improve our AI capabilities, and our revenues and other results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our future success depends on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled employees, software engineers and other employees with the technical skills in AI, machine learning and advanced algorithms that will enable us to deliver effective products and services. Competition for highly skilled employees in our industry is intense, in particular in the fields of AI and data science, and larger companies with access to more substantial resources pursue such top talent aggressively.
We may be unable to attract or retain such highly skilled personnel who are critical to our success, which could hinder our ability to keep pace with innovation and technological change in our industry or result in harm to our key customer relationships, loss of key information, expertise or proprietary knowledge and unanticipated recruitment and training costs. The loss of the services of such key employees could make it more difficult to successfully operate our business and pursue our business goals.
Regulators in the U.S. and other jurisdictions where we operate may limit our ability to develop or implement our proprietary technology and/or may eliminate or restrict the confidentiality of our proprietary technology, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our future success depends on our ability to continue to develop and implement our proprietary technology, and to maintain the confidentiality of this technology. Changes to existing regulations, their interpretation or implementation, or new regulations, including in connection with obtaining and extracting data from third parties, could impede our use of this technology, or require that we disclose our proprietary technology to others, including our competitors, which could impair our competitive position and result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Issues in the use of AI (including machine learning) in our platforms may result in reputational harm or liability.
AI enables or is integrated into some of our platforms and is a significant and potentially growing element of our business. As with many developing technologies, AI presents risks and challenges that could affect its further development, adoption, and use, and therefore our business. Further, AI algorithms may be flawed and datasets may be insufficient, of poor quality, or contain biased information. In addition, inappropriate or controversial data practices by data scientists, engineers, and end-users of our systems could impair the acceptance of AI solutions. If the recommendations, forecasts, or analyses that AI applications assist in producing are deficient or inaccurate, we could be subjected to competitive harm, potential legal liability, and brand or reputational harm. Further, some AI scenarios may present ethical issues. Though our technologies and business practices are designed to mitigate many of these risks, if we enable or offer AI solutions that are controversial because of their purported or real impact on human rights, privacy, employment, or other social issues, we may experience brand or reputational harm.
Failure to effectively optimize our marketing and sales capabilities could harm our ability to increase our customer base, expand our engagements with existing customers, and achieve broader market acceptance of our products and services.
Our ability to increase our customer base, expand our engagements with existing customers, and achieve broader market acceptance of our products and services will significantly depend on our ability to optimize our marketing and sales operations. We plan to dedicate significant resources to sales, marketing and demand-generation teams and programs, including various online marketing activities as well as targeted account-based advertising. We also intend to focus on cross-selling and upselling efforts to grow our engagements at existing clients. The effectiveness of these efforts has varied over time and may vary in the future. All of these efforts will require us to invest significant financial and other resources and if they fail to attract additional customers, our business will be harmed. If our lead generation methods do not result in broader market acceptance of our products and services, we will not realize the intended benefits of this strategy and our business will be harmed.
We believe that there is significant competition for sales personnel, including sales representatives, sales managers and sales engineers, with the skills and technical knowledge that we require. Our ability to achieve significant revenue growth will depend in large part on our success in recruiting, training and retaining sufficient numbers of sales personnel to
support our growth. New hires require significant training and may take significant time before they achieve full productivity. Our recent hires may not become productive as quickly as we expect, if at all, and we may be unable to hire or retain sufficient numbers of qualified individuals in the markets where we do business or plan to do business. In addition, particularly if we continue to grow rapidly, new members of our sales force will have relatively little experience working with us, our products and services and our business model. If we are unable to hire and train sufficient numbers of effective sales personnel, our sales personnel do not reach significant levels of productivity in a timely manner, or our sales personnel are not successful in acquiring new customers or expanding usage by existing customers, our business will be harmed.
Any failure to offer high-quality support, professional services and information and analysis for our customers may harm our relationships with our customers and, consequently, our business.
Once our products and services are deployed, our customers sometimes request consulting and training to assist them in integrating our products and services into their business and rely on our customer support personnel to resolve issues and realize the full benefits that our products and services provide. Our ability to provide effective customer support is largely dependent on our ability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel with experience in supporting customers with a cloud solution such as ours and maintaining the same. The number of our customers has grown significantly, which is likely to increase demand for training, support and maintenance related to our products and services and place additional pressure on our customer support teams. If we are unable to provide sufficient high-quality training, integration and maintenance resources, our customers may not effectively integrate our products and services into their business or realize sufficient business value from our products and services to justify further usage, which could impact our future financial performance. We may be unable to respond quickly enough to accommodate short-term increases in customer demand for technical support or maintenance assistance. We also may be unable to modify the future, scope and delivery of our maintenance services and technical support to compete with changes in the technical services provided by our competitors.
Increased customer demand for support and professional services, without corresponding revenue, could increase costs and negatively affect our operating results. In addition, as we continue to grow our operations and support our global customer base, we need to be able to continue to provide efficient support and effective maintenance that meets our customers’ needs globally at scale. Our ability to attract new customers is highly dependent on our business reputation and on positive recommendations from our existing customers. Any failure to maintain high-quality support services, or a market perception that we do not maintain high-quality support services for our customers, would harm our business.
Certain of our customers rely on high quality information in the form of research, news and analysis. Our ability to provide these services at the levels our clients expect is dependent on our ability to attract, train and retain qualified personnel. In addition, for certain of these services, our personnel receive special access to the U.S. Congress through the Periodical Press Galleries and Daily Press Galleries. If such access were to be limited or restricted for any reason, our ability to obtain certain information would be hindered, and such event could have a negative impact on our customers’ perception of the value of our services, thus potentially impacting revenue.
Our business is subject to numerous legal and regulatory risks that could have an adverse impact on our business.
We are subject to differing, and sometimes conflicting, laws and regulations in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. In certain jurisdictions, we could be a subject to national, state, local, or municipal laws and regulations that are ambiguous in their application or enforcement or that we believe are invalid or inapplicable. This could significantly and materially harm our business, financial condition, and operating results by restricting or limiting how we operate our business, increasing our operating costs, and decreasing our number of customers. Further, existing or new laws and regulations could expose us to substantial liability, including significant expenses necessary to comply with such laws and regulations, and could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We have incurred a significant amount of debt, some of which is secured by substantially all of our assets, and may in the future incur additional indebtedness. Our payment obligations under such indebtedness may limit the funds available to us, and the terms of our debt agreements may restrict our flexibility in operating our business.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $168.2 million in aggregate principal amount of indebtedness of which (i) $88.6 million was outstanding under our senior term loan facility (the "Senior Term Loan") and secured by substantially all of our assets, and (ii) $79.6 million was unsecured. In connection with the completion of the sale of Oxford Analytica and
Dragonfly on March 31, 2025, the lenders consented to release the liens on Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly's assets and permitted the consummation of the sale in exchange for the permanent retirement of $27.1 million (the “Pay-Down Amount”) of term loans under the Senior Term Loan and payment of $1.8 million of related prepayment and exit fees.
The Senior Term Loan requires monthly cash interest payments. Beginning August 15, 2026, we will also be required to make monthly principal payments to fully repay the outstanding principal by the stated maturity date, July 15, 2027. Accordingly, a portion of our future cash flows from operations will be required to pay interest and principal on our indebtedness. Such payments will reduce the funds available to us for working capital, capital expenditures, and other corporate purposes and limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, expansion plans, and other investments, which may in turn limit our ability to implement our business strategy, heighten our vulnerability to downturns in our business, the industry, or in the general economy, limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry, and prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise. We cannot guarantee that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future financing will be available to us in amounts sufficient to enable us to make required and timely payments on our indebtedness, or to fund our operations.
Under our Senior Term Loan, we and certain of our subsidiaries are subject to financial maintenance covenants and restrictive covenants limiting our business and operations, including limitations on incurring additional indebtedness and liens, limitations on certain consolidations, mergers, and sales of assets, and restrictions on the payment of dividends or distributions. We may be unable to comply with any financial maintenance covenants and/or restrictive covenants which may result in a default under the Senior Term Loan (See Note 9, Debt to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein). In the future, any debt financing obtained by us could involve additional restrictive covenants relating to our capital-raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions or divestitures. Any default under our debt arrangements could require that we repay or refinance such indebtedness immediately. In such event, we may be unable to repay our indebtedness or refinance such indebtedness on reasonable terms, if at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are involved in legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business from time to time. Adverse litigation judgments or settlements resulting from legal proceedings in which we may be involved could expose us to monetary damages or limit the ability to operate our business.
We have in the past been, and may in the future be, involved in private actions, investigations, and various other legal proceedings by customers, employees, lenders, commercial partners, competitors, or government agencies, among others, relating to, for example, wrongful act, subrogation, employment or labor-related disputes such as wrongful termination of employment, assisting in, inducement of or involvement in breach of restrictive covenants, non-disclosure or confidentiality obligations by our employees, consumer complaints, contractual disputes with customers or suppliers, disputes with third parties and regulatory inquiries. The results of any such litigation, investigations, and legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and may be expensive. If any of these legal proceedings were to be determined adversely to us, or we were to enter into any settlement arrangement, we could be exposed to monetary damages or be forced to change the way in which it operates its business or restricts its solicitation with potential customers or employees, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our projections and key performance metrics are subject to significant risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. As a result, our financial and operating results may differ materially from our expectations.
We operate in a rapidly changing and competitive industry, and its projections and calculations of key operating metrics are subject to the risks and assumptions made by our management with respect to our industry. Operating results are difficult to forecast because they generally depend on a number of factors, including the competition we face, as well as our ability to attract and retain customers while generating sustained revenues through product and service offerings. Additionally, our business and its ability to generate revenue may be affected by reductions in customer spending and investing from time to time as a result of a number of factors, which may be difficult to predict. We may be unable to adopt measures in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected shortfall in income. Any of these factors could cause our operating results in a given quarter to be higher or lower than expected, which makes creating accurate forecasts and budgets challenging. As a result, we may fall materially short of our forecasts and expectations, including with respect to our key
operating metrics, which could cause our stock price to decline and investors to lose confidence in us, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts included herein are based on data published by third parties and on internally generated data and assumptions, which are subject to significant uncertainty and limitations and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate, reliable or complete. We have not independently verified any third-party information and cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. While we believe our market size estimates are reasonable, such information is inherently imprecise. Even if the market in which we compete meets the size estimates and growth forecasted herein, our business could fail to grow for a variety of reasons, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects.
Goodwill and other long-lived assets represent a significant portion of our assets, and any impairment of these assets could negatively impact our results of operations.
As of December 31, 2024, our goodwill was approximately $159.1 million, which represented 48.8% of our total assets. We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. Estimates of future revenue and expenses combined with assumptions as to the business climate, industry, and economic conditions can influence our evaluations. These assumptions are subjective and different estimates could have a significant impact on the results of our analyses. We believe that the assumptions and estimates are reasonable based on our current forecasts and outlooks, however, we can make no assurances that future actual operating results will be realized as planned and that there will not be material impairment charges as a result. (For additional information on our goodwill impairment testing, see Note 8, Goodwill, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K . Because of the significance of our goodwill and other long-lived assets, any future impairment of these assets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our use of any “open-source” software under restrictive licenses could: (i) adversely affect our ability to license and commercialize certain elements of our proprietary code based on the commercial terms of our choosing; (ii) result in a loss of our trade secrets or other intellectual property rights with respect to certain portions of our proprietary code; and (iii) subject us to litigation and other disputes.
We have incorporated certain third-party “open-source” software (“OSS”) or modified OSS into elements of our proprietary code base in connection with the development of our products and services. In general, this OSS has been incorporated and is used pursuant to ‘permissive’ OSS licenses, which are designed to be compatible with our use and commercialization of our own proprietary code base. However, we have also incorporated and use some OSS under restrictive OSS licenses. Under these restrictive OSS licenses, we could be required to release to the public the source code of certain elements of our proprietary software that: (i) incorporate OSS or modified OSS in a certain manner; and (ii) have been conveyed or distributed to the public, or with which the public interacts. Although we monitor our use of OSS, in addition to the use of OSS that we are aware of, there is a risk that OSS will be inadvertently or impermissibly incorporated into our software, including by our developers or service providers. In some cases, we may be required to ensure that elements of our proprietary software are licensed to the public on the terms set out in the relevant OSS license or at no cost. This could allow competitors to use certain elements of our proprietary software on a relatively unrestricted basis, or develop similar software at a lower cost. In addition, open-source licensors generally do not provide warranties for their open-source software, and the open-source software may contain security vulnerabilities that we must actively manage or patch. It may be necessary for us to commit substantial resources to remediate our use of OSS under restrictive OSS licenses, for example by engineering alternative or work-around code.
There is an increasing number of open-source software license types, and the terms under many of these licenses are unclear or ambiguous, and have not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, and therefore, the potential impact of such licenses on our business is not fully known or predictable. As a result, these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize our own proprietary code (and in particular the elements of our proprietary code which incorporates OSS or modified OSS). Furthermore, we could become subject to lawsuits or claims challenging our use of open-source software or compliance with open-source license terms. If unsuccessful in these lawsuits or claims, we could face IP infringement or other liabilities, be required to seek costly licenses from third parties for the continued use of third-party IP, be required to re-engineer elements of our proprietary code base (e.g., for the sake of avoiding third-party IP infringement), discontinue or delay the use of infringing aspects of our
proprietary code base (such as if re-engineering is not feasible), or disclose and make generally available, in source code form, certain elements of our proprietary code. Any such re-engineering or other remedial efforts could require significant additional research and development resources, and we may not be able to successfully complete any such re-engineering or other remedial efforts.
More broadly, the use of OSS can give rise to greater risks than the use of commercially acquired software, since open-source licensors usually limit their liability in respect of the use of the OSS, and do not provide support, warranties, indemnifications or other contractual protections regarding the use of the OSS, which would ordinarily be provided in the context of commercially acquired software.
Any of the foregoing could adversely impact the value of certain elements of our proprietary code base, and its ability to enforce its intellectual property rights in such code base against third parties. In turn, this could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We may not be able to adequately obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our proprietary and intellectual property rights in our data or technology.
Our success depends in part on our and our licensors’ success in obtaining and maintaining effective intellectual property protection. We may be unsuccessful in adequately protecting our intellectual property. We may not be able to file, prosecute, maintain, enforce or license all necessary or desirable intellectual property applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner, or in all jurisdictions. Any failure to obtain or maintain patent and other intellectual property protection may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on our proprietary technology, intellectual property and services for our success and ability to compete. We rely and expect to continue to rely on a combination of non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and other parties with whom we have relationships and who may have access to confidential or other protectable aspects of our research and development outputs, as well as trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret protection laws, to protect our proprietary rights. We cannot guarantee employees, consultants, or other parties will comply with confidentiality, non-disclosure, or invention assignment agreements or that such agreements will otherwise be effective in controlling access to and distribution of our products and services, or certain aspects of our products and services, and proprietary information. Additionally, we may be subject to claims from third parties challenging our ownership interest in or inventorship of intellectual property we regard as our own, for example, based on claims that its agreements with employees or consultants obligating them to assign intellectual property to us are ineffective or in conflict with prior or competing contractual obligations to assign inventions to another employer, to a former employer, or to another person or entity. Further, these agreements do not prevent our competitors from independently developing products and services that are substantially equivalent or superior to our products and services. Additionally, certain unauthorized use of our intellectual property may go undetected, or we may face legal or practical barriers to enforcing our legal rights even where unauthorized use is detected.
Our applications for registration of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not be approved. Although we enter into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with parties in the course of business, any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose such outputs before a patent application is filed, thereby jeopardizing our ability to seek and obtain patent protection. We may choose not to seek patent protection for certain innovations and may choose not to pursue patent protection in certain jurisdictions, and under the laws of certain jurisdictions, patents or other intellectual property rights may be unavailable or limited in scope. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of our developments before it is too late to obtain patent protection. In addition, our ability to obtain and maintain valid and enforceable patents depends in part on whether the differences between our inventions and the prior art allow its inventions to be patentable over the prior art.
In addition, we rely substantially upon trademarks to build and maintain the integrity of our brands. Our trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented, declared unenforceable or determined to be violating or infringing on other intellectual property rights. We may not be able to sufficiently protect or successfully enforce our rights to these trademarks and trade names.
Current law may not provide for adequate protection of our data or technology. In addition, legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability, and scope of protection of proprietary rights in internet-related businesses are uncertain and evolving, and changes in these standards may adversely impact the viability or value of our proprietary rights. Some license provisions protecting against unauthorized use, copying, transfer, and disclosure of our technology, or certain aspects of our technology, or our data may be unenforceable under the laws of certain jurisdictions. Further, the laws of some countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, and mechanisms for enforcement of intellectual property rights in some foreign countries may be inadequate. To the extent we expand our international activities, our exposure to unauthorized copying and use of our data or technology, or certain aspects of our data or technology, may increase. Further, competitors, foreign governments, foreign government-backed actors, criminals, or other third parties may gain unauthorized access to our data and technology. Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property.
To protect our intellectual property rights, we may be required to spend significant resources to monitor and protect these rights, and we may or may not be able to detect infringement by our customers or third parties. Litigation has been and may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights. Such litigation could be costly, time consuming, and distracting to management and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of our intellectual property. Furthermore, our efforts to enforce its intellectual property rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims, and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property rights. Our inability to protect our proprietary technology against unauthorized copying or use, as well as any costly litigation or diversion of our management’s attention and resources, could delay further sales or the implementation of our products and services, impair the functionality of our products and services, delay introductions of new features, integrations, and capabilities, result in our substituting inferior or more costly technologies, or injure our reputation. In addition, we may be required to license additional technology from third parties to develop and market new features, integrations, and capabilities, and we cannot be certain that we could license that technology on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and our inability to license this technology could harm our ability to compete.
We may in the future be sued by third parties for various claims including alleged infringement, misappropriation or other violation of proprietary intellectual property rights.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to operate without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the patents and other proprietary intellectual property rights of third parties. This is generally referred to as having the “freedom to operate.” Because we have only conducted routine searches related to third party patent filings and publications and have not conducted an in-depth freedom to operate search, which is time consuming and costly, we may not be aware of issued patents that a third party might assert are infringed by our current products and services, which could materially impair our ability to commercialize our current or any future products and services. Even if we diligently search third-party intellectual property for potential infringement by our current or any future products and services, we may not successfully find intellectual property that our current or any future products and services may infringe. If we are unable to secure and maintain the freedom to operate, third parties could preclude us from commercializing our current or future products and services. There is considerable patent and other intellectual property development activity in our market, and litigation, based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property, is frequent in internet-based industries. We may receive communications from third parties, including practicing entities and non-practicing entities, claiming that we have infringed their intellectual property rights.
In addition, we may be sued by third parties for breach of contract, defamation, negligence, unfair competition, or patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property infringement, misappropriation or other violation, or claims based on other theories, which may or may not be brought without merit. We could also be subject to claims based upon the content that is accessible from our website and other outlets through links to other websites or information on our website or other outlets supplied by third parties or claims that our alleged collection of information from third-party sites without a license violates certain federal or state laws or website terms of use. We could also be subject to claims that the collection or provision of certain information breached laws or regulations relating to privacy or data protection. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property claims, interference proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings, both in the United States and internationally, involve complex legal and factual questions. As a result, such proceedings are lengthy, costly and time-consuming, and their outcome is highly uncertain. We may become involved in protracted and expensive litigation in order to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others, or to determine whether we have the freedom to operate with respect to the intellectual property rights of others.
If we are found to infringe a third-party’s intellectual property rights, we could be required to obtain a license from such third-party to continue developing and marketing our current and any future products or services. We may also elect to enter into such a license to settle pending or threatened litigation. However, we may not be able to obtain any required license on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if we were able to obtain a license, it could be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors access to the same technologies licensed to us and could require us to pay significant royalties and other fees. We could be forced, including by court order, to cease commercializing the infringing products or services. In addition, we could be found liable for monetary damages, which may be significant. If we are found to have willfully infringed a third-party patent, we could be required to pay treble damages and attorneys’ fees. A finding of infringement could prevent us from commercializing our planned products or services in commercially important jurisdictions, or force us to cease some of our business operations, which could harm our business.
Even if we are successful in defending against intellectual property claims, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to such claims may cause us to incur significant expenses and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities.
Furthermore, our agreements with some of our customers, suppliers or other entities with whom we do business may require us to defend or indemnify these parties to the extent they become involved in infringement claims, including the types of claims described above. We could also voluntarily agree to defend or indemnify third parties in instances where we are not obligated to do so if we determine it would be beneficial to our business relationships. If any of these claims succeed or settle, we may be forced to pay damages or settlement payments on behalf of our customers, suppliers or other entities, or may be required to obtain licenses. If we cannot obtain all necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, our customers may be forced to stop using our products or services. If we are required or agree to defend or indemnify third parties in connection with any infringement claims, we could incur significant costs and expenses that could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Additionally, there are potential issues around possible ownership rights in personal data, which is subject to evolving regulatory oversight. As a result of any claims against us regarding suspected infringement, our technologies may be subject to injunction, we may be required to pay damages, or we may have to seek a license to continue certain practices (which may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all), all of which may significantly increase our operating expenses or may require us to restrict our business activities and limit our ability to deliver our products and services and/or certain features, integrations, and capabilities of our products and services. As a result, we may also be required to develop alternative non-infringing technology, which could require significant effort and expense and/or cause it to alter our products or services, which could negatively affect our business. Further, many of our subscription agreements require us to indemnify our customers for third-party intellectual property infringement claims, so any alleged infringement by us resulting in claims against such customers would increase our liability.
Our exposure to risks associated with various claims, including the use of intellectual property, may increase due to acquisitions of other companies. For example, we may have a lower level of visibility into the development process with respect to intellectual property or the care taken to safeguard against infringement risks with respect to the acquired company or technology. In addition, third parties may make infringement and similar or related claims after we have acquired technology that had not been asserted prior to such acquisition.
We are subject to sanctions, anti-corruption, anti-bribery, and similar laws, and non-compliance with such laws can subject us to criminal penalties or significant fines and harm our business and reputation.
We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, U.S. domestic bribery laws, the United Kingdom Bribery Act and other anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which we conduct activities. Due to the international scope of our operations, we must comply with these laws in each jurisdiction where we operate. Additionally, many anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA, have long-arm statutes that can expand the applicability of these laws to our operations worldwide. Accordingly, we must incur significant operational costs to support our ongoing compliance with anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws at all levels of our business. If we fail to comply with these laws, we may be subject to significant penalties. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws have been enforced aggressively in recent years and are interpreted broadly to generally prohibit companies, their employees and their third-party intermediaries from authorizing, offering or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or benefits to
recipients in the public or private sector. As we increase our international and public sector sales and businesses, we may engage with business partners and third-party intermediaries to market our products and services and to obtain necessary permits, licenses and other regulatory approvals. In addition, we or our third-party intermediaries may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities. We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of these third-party intermediaries and our employees, representatives, contractors, partners and agents, even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities.
While we have policies and procedures to address compliance with such laws, we cannot guarantee that all of our employees and agents will comply with our policies and applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible. As we increase our international sales and business, our risks under these laws may increase.
Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations of anti-corruption laws can require a significant diversion of time, resources and attention from senior management. In addition, noncompliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-money laundering laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, enforcement actions, fines, damages, other civil or criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension or debarment from contracting with certain persons, reputational harm, adverse media coverage and other collateral consequences. If any subpoenas or investigations are launched, or governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal proceeding, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a materially significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees.
We may be exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that could adversely impact our results of operations.
Our international sales are generally denominated in foreign currencies, and these revenues could be materially affected by currency fluctuations as we expand our international operations. The volatility of exchange rates depends on many factors that we cannot forecast with reliable accuracy. Our results of operations may be impacted by transaction gains or losses related to revaluing certain monetary asset and liability balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entities in which they are recorded. Moreover, significant and unforeseen changes in foreign currency exchange rates may cause us to fail to achieve our stated projections for revenues and operating income, which could have an adverse effect on our stock price. We will continue to experience fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which, if material, may harm our revenues or results of operations as we expand our international operations.
We have entered into certain licensing agreements and other strategic relationships with third parties. These agreements and relationships may not continue and we may not be successful in entering into other similar agreements and relationships. If we fail to maintain our current licensing agreements or establish new relationships, it could result in loss of revenue and harm our business and financial condition or inability for us to use the intellectual property licensed to us by the applicable third party.
We have licensed certain components of our technologies from third parties and rely upon such licenses, in part, for the successful development and commercialization of certain technologies, products and services. The success of certain of our products and services may depend on maintaining successful relationships with our third-party license partners. If such license agreements were to terminate prematurely or if we breach the terms of any licenses or otherwise fail to maintain such licenses, we may lose the ability to offer certain products and services that use such licenses. If there are no active statements of work, counterparties may have the right to terminate such license agreements for its convenience. In addition, we may need to obtain licenses to additional technologies in the future in order to keep our products and services competitive. If we fail to license or otherwise acquire and maintain necessary technologies, we may not be able to develop new products and services necessary to remain competitive.
We also license our intellectual property for use by third party partners in exchange for payment obligations to us. If any of these license agreements expire or terminate prematurely, we would lose the revenue we receive in connection with such payment obligation. Further, we may, from time to time, elect to enter into exclusive licensing arrangements of portions of our content, which may limit our ability to enter into alternative licensing arrangements that may be more advantageous to us in the future.
While we remediated the material weaknesses identified in the prior year in our internal controls over financial reporting, we cannot assure you that additional material weaknesses will not occur in the future. If our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, or prevent fraud, which may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and may lead to a decline in our stock price.
A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In connection with the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, our management team has remediated all material weakness identified in the prior year.
In addition, pursuant to Section 404 and in light of SEC guidance, management is required to report our assessment of internal control over financial reporting, and if FiscalNote continues to be an accelerated filer (who is not eligible to be a smaller reporting company and ceases to be an emerging growth company) or becomes a large accelerated filer, an attestation of the independent registered public accounting firm will also be required. The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation. To comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the requirements of being a reporting company under the Exchange Act and any complex accounting rules, we may need to upgrade our legacy information technology systems, implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures, and hire additional accounting and finance staff or retain additional outside consultants.
Our risk management processes and procedures may not be effective.
While we have established processes and procedures intended to identify, measure, monitor and control certain types of risk to which we are subject, including liquidity risk, strategic risk, operational risk, cybersecurity risk, and reputational risk, those procedures may not be effective.
Risk is inherent in our business, and therefore, despite our efforts to manage risk, there can be no assurance that we will not sustain unexpected losses. We could incur substantial losses and our business operations could be disrupted to the extent our business model, operational processes, control functions, technological capabilities, risk analyses, and business/product knowledge do not adequately identify and manage potential risks associated with our strategic initiatives. There also may be risks that exist, or that develop in the future, that we have not appropriately anticipated, identified or mitigated, including when processes are changed or new products and services are introduced. If our risk management framework does not effectively identify and control its risks, we could suffer unexpected losses or be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We operate in competitive markets and may be adversely affected by this competition.
The markets for our products and services are competitive and are subject to rapid technological changes and evolving customer demands and needs. We compete on the basis of various factors, including the quality of the insights that our products and services deliver, the quality of our competitors’ solutions, customers’ perception of our products and services relative to the value that they deliver, and the quality of our user interfaces and the overall customer experience.
Some of our principal competitors are established companies that have substantial financial resources, recognized brands, technological expertise and market experience, and these competitors may have more established positions in certain product lines and geographies than we do. We also compete with smaller and sometimes newer companies, some of which are specialized with a narrower focus than our company, and face competition from enterprise information services and legal and regulatory information companies.
Our competitors may be able to adopt new or emerging technologies or address customer requirements more quickly than we can. New and emerging technologies can also have the impact of allowing start-up companies to enter the market more quickly than they would have been able to in the past. We may also face increased competition from companies that could pose a threat to our business by providing more in-depth offerings, adapting their products and services to meet the demands of their customers or combining with one of their competitors to enhance their products and services. A number
of our principal competitors may continue to make acquisitions as a means to improve the competitiveness of their offerings. In order to better serve the needs of our existing customers and to attract new customers, we must continue to:
•enhance and improve our existing products and services (such as by adding new content);
•develop new products and services;
•invest in technology; and
•strategically acquire additional businesses and partner with other businesses in key sectors that will allow us to offer a broader array of products and services.
Our ability to compete successfully is also impacted by the growing availability of information from government information systems and other free sources, as well as competitors who aggressively market their products as a lower cost alternative. See “-Increased accessibility to free or relatively inexpensive information sources that offer comparable value to customers may reduce demand for our products and services.” Because some of our competitors may be able to offer products and services that may be more cost effective than ours, including through the provision of price incentives for new customers, and because some of our competitors’ products and services may be seen as having greater functionality or performance than ours, the relative value of some of our products or services could be diminished. In addition, some of our competitors combine competing products with complementary products as packaged solutions, which could preempt use of our products or services. Competition from such free or lower cost sources may require us to reduce the price of some of our products and services (which may result in lower revenues) or make additional capital investments (which might result in lower profit margins). If we are unable or unwilling to reduce prices or make additional investments in the future, we may lose customers and our financial results may be adversely affected. In addition, implementation of annual price increases by us from time to time may also, in some cases, cause customers to use lower-cost competitors.
Changes in tax laws or regulations in the various tax jurisdictions to which we are subject that are applied adversely to us or our customers could increase the costs of our products and services and harm our business.
New income, sales, use, or other tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances could be enacted at any time. Those enactments could harm our domestic and international business operations and our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Further, existing tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances could be interpreted, changed, modified, or applied adversely to us. These events could require us or our customers to pay additional tax amounts on a prospective or retroactive basis, as well as require us or our customers to pay fines and/or penalties and interest for past amounts deemed to be due. If we raise our prices to offset the costs of these changes, existing and potential future paying customers may elect not to purchase our products and services in the future. Additionally, new, changed, modified, or newly interpreted or applied tax laws could increase our customers’ and our compliance, operating, and other costs, as well as the costs of our products and services. Further, these events could decrease the capital we have available to operate our business. Any or all of these events could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The application of U.S. federal, state, local, and international tax laws to services provided electronically is continually evolving. Existing tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances could be interpreted or applied adversely to us, possibly with retroactive effect, which could require us or our paying customers to pay additional tax amounts, as well as require us or our paying customers to pay fines or penalties, as well as interest for past amounts. If we are unsuccessful in collecting such taxes due from our paying customers, we could be held liable for such costs, thereby adversely affecting our results of operations and harming our business.
As a company with international operations, we may be subject to taxation in several jurisdictions around the world with increasingly complex tax laws, the application of which can be uncertain. The taxes we pay in these jurisdictions could increase substantially as a result of changes in the applicable tax principles, including increased tax rates, new tax laws or revised interpretations of existing tax laws and precedents, which could harm our liquidity and results of operations. In addition, authorities in these jurisdictions could review our tax returns and impose additional tax, interest, and penalties, and they could claim that various withholding requirements apply to us or assert that benefits of tax treaties are not available to us, any of which could harm us and our results of operations.
Information Technology and Data Risks
Cyberattacks, security, privacy, or data breaches or other security incidents that affect our networks or systems, or those of our service providers, involving our or our customers’ sensitive, personal, classified or confidential information could expose us to liability under various laws and regulations across jurisdictions, decrease trust in us and our products and services, increase the risk of litigation and governmental investigation, and harm to our reputation, business, and financial condition.
Threats to network and data security are constantly evolving and becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated. Our products and services, as well as our servers and computer systems and those of third parties that we rely on in our operations could be vulnerable to cybersecurity risks. As such, we may be subject to risks inherent to companies that process personal data. An increasing number of organizations have disclosed breaches of their information security systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and highly targeted attacks.
We implement measures to protect sensitive and personal data in accordance with our contracts, data protection laws and consumer laws. However, we may be subject to data breaches involving factors beyond our control, including data breach incidents suffered by third parties with which we contract or interact. Any technical problems that may arise in connection with our data and systems, including those that are hosted by third-party providers, could result in interruptions to our business and operations or exposure to security vulnerabilities. These types of problems may be caused by a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, intentional or accidental human actions or omissions, software errors, malware, viruses, security attacks, fraud, spikes in customer usage and denial of service issues. From time to time, large third-party web hosting providers may experience outages or other problems that would result in their systems being offline and inaccessible, which could materially impact our business and operations.
The secure processing, storage, maintenance and transmission of critical customer and business information are vital to our operations and our business strategy, and although we devote significant resources to protecting such information and take what we believe to be reasonable and appropriate measures to protect sensitive information from compromises such as unauthorized access, disclosure, or modification or lack of availability, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or viruses or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Although we maintain, and are in the process of improving, internal access control mechanisms and other security measures to ensure secure and appropriate access to and storage and use of our sensitive, business, personal, financial or confidential information by anyone including our employees, contractors and consultants, these mechanisms may not be entirely effective or fully complied with internally. We may in the future identify data protection issues requiring remediation and updates to our data security measures and compliance functions. Any misappropriation of sensitive information could harm our relationship with customers and cause us to incur financial liability and reputational harm. If any person, including any of our employees, improperly breaches our network security or otherwise mismanages or misappropriates sensitive data, we could be subject to regulatory actions and significant fines or lawsuits for breaching contractual confidentiality or data protection provisions, which could result in negative publicity, legal liability, loss of customers and damage to our reputation.
Because the techniques used by an individual or a group to obtain unauthorized access, make unwarranted alteration to our data, disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems are often complex, not easily recognizable and evasive, We may not be able to anticipate these techniques and implement adequate preventative measures. Such individuals or groups may be able to circumvent our security measures (including, but not limited to, through the deployment of harmful phishing attacks, malware infection, ransomware, system intrusion, misuse of systems, website defacement, social engineering and denial of service attacks) and may improperly access or misappropriate confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information held by us or on our behalf , disrupt our operations, damage our computers, or otherwise damage our business. Although we have developed or deployed systems and processes that are designed to protect our servers, platform and data, including sensitive data, we cannot guarantee that such measures will be effective at all times. Our efforts may be hindered due to, for example:
•government surveillance, regulatory requirements or other external events;
•software bugs or other technical errors or issues;
•errors or misconduct of employees, contractors or others;
•the rapidly evolving threat landscape; and
•inadequate or failed internal processes or business practice.
While we are investing significant resources to protect against or remediate cybersecurity threats or breaches, or to mitigate the impact of any breaches or threats, we may still be subject to potential liability in connection therewith. Actual or perceived breaches of our security could subject us to regulatory investigations and orders, litigation, indemnity obligations, damages, penalties, fines and other costs in connection with actual and alleged contractual breaches, violations of applicable laws and regulations and other liabilities. Any such incident could also materially damage our reputation and harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. We maintain errors, omissions, and cyber liability insurance policies covering certain security and privacy damages. However, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred or that insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all. Any of the foregoing could subject us to fines, scrutiny and legal actions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We depend on third parties for data, information and other services, and our ability to serve our customers could be adversely impacted if such third parties fail to fulfill their obligations, if we are unable to effectively manage and minimize errors, failures, interruptions or delays caused by third parties or if our arrangements with them are terminated and suitable replacements cannot be found on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Interruptions or delays in services from third parties, including providers of datasets relevant to our products, data center hosting facilities, internet infrastructure, cloud computing platform providers, and other hardware and software vendors, or our inability to adequately plan for and manage service interruptions or infrastructure capacity requirements, could impair the delivery of our services and harm its business.
We currently serve our customers through the use of third-party data center hosting facilities and cloud computing platform providers. Damage to, or failure of, these systems, or systems upon which they depend such as internet infrastructure, could cause interruptions in our services. We have occasionally experienced interruptions in our services and such interruptions may occur in the future. Such interruptions may cause customers to terminate their subscriptions, and adversely affect our customer renewal and upgrade performance and our ability to attract new customers, all of which would reduce our revenue. Our business would also be harmed if our customers and potential customers believe our services are unreliable.
We do not control the operation of third-party facilities, and they may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunications failures, and similar events. They may also be subject to break-ins, sabotage, intentional acts of vandalism, and similar misconduct, as well as local administrative actions, changes to legal or permitting requirements, and litigation to stop, limit, or delay operation. The occurrence of a natural disaster or an act of terrorism, a decision to close the facilities without adequate notice, or other unanticipated problems at these facilities could result in lengthy interruptions in our services.
These hardware, software, data, and cloud computing systems may not continue to be available at reasonable prices, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of these hardware, software, or cloud computing systems could significantly increase our expenses and otherwise result in delays in the provisioning of our services until equivalent technology is either developed by us, or, if available, is identified, obtained through purchase or license, and integrated into our services.
Technical problems or disruptions affecting customers’ access to our services, or the software, internal applications, databases, and network systems underlying our services, could damage our reputation and brands and lead to reduced demand for our products and services, lower revenues, and increased costs.
Our business, brands, reputation, and ability to attract and retain users and customers depend upon the satisfactory performance, reliability, and availability of our products and services, which in turn depend upon the availability of the internet and our service providers. Interruptions in these systems, whether due to system failures, computer viruses, software errors, physical or electronic break-ins, or malicious hacks or attacks on our systems (such as denial of service attacks), could affect the security and availability of our products and services on its websites and prevent or inhibit the ability of
users to access our products and services. In addition, the software, internal applications, and systems underlying our products and services are complex and may not be error-free. We may encounter technical problems when it attempts to enhance its products, services and systems. Any inefficiencies, errors, or technical problems with our systems could reduce the quality of our products and services or interfere with our customers’ use of its products and services, which could reduce demand, lower our revenues, and increase our costs.
Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from fire, flood, power loss, security breaches, computer viruses, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, acts of war, electronic and physical break-ins, earthquakes, and similar events. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events could result in damage to or failure of our systems. These risks may be heightened for operations at facilities outside of our direct control, and the majority of the communications, network, and computer hardware used to operate the cloud for our platforms are located at facilities maintained by Amazon, Google and Salesforce, among others, which we do not own or control.
Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock
Our Co-Founders hold shares of FiscalNote Class B Common Stock, entitled to twenty-five (25) votes per share, which limits or precludes other stockholders’ ability to influence the outcome of matters submitted to stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, the approval of certain employee compensation plans, the adoption of amendments to our organizational documents and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval.
Our Class B Common Stock have twenty-five (25) votes per share, and our Class A Common Stock have one vote per share. Mr. Tim Hwang, our Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, and Mr. Gerald Yao, our Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer and Global Head of ESG (together our “Co-Founders”), together hold all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B Common Stock, which represent 5.5% our common stock as of December 31, 2024. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2024 where a majority or plurality vote is required, as applicable, Mr. Hwang holds 50.8% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock and Mr. Yao holds 8.4% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Therefore, our Co-Founders will be able to determine the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors (which requires only a plurality vote), amendments of our organizational documents and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transactions. Our Co-Founders would cease to hold a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock if they disposed of shares of Class B Common Stock representing approximately 1.7% of our outstanding common stock, in transactions other than Permitted Transfers as defined in our certificate of incorporation (“Charter”), assuming no other issuances of either Class A or Class B Common Stock have occurred since December 31, 2024 and prior to such dispositions. Our Co-Founders, individually or together, may have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. This concentrated control may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of our company, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company and might ultimately affect the market price of our Class A Common Stock. Any future issuance of Class B Common Stock may be dilutive to holders of Class A Common Stock. For information about our dual-class structure, see Note 10, Stockholders' Equity, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We are a “controlled company” under NYSE rules, and as a result, our stockholders may not have certain corporate protections that are available to stockholders of companies that are not controlled companies.
As a result of our dual-class structure, our Co-Founders control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock therefore we are a "controlled company" under NYSE rules. As a controlled company, we are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements, including those that would otherwise require our board of directors (“Board”) to have a majority of independent directors and its compensation and nominating and governance committees to be comprised entirely of independent directors, have written charters addressing such committee’s purpose and responsibilities and perform an annual evaluation of such committee. While we do not presently intend to rely on these exemptions, we may opt to utilize these exemptions in the future as long as we remain a controlled company. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE.
The NYSE may delist our Class A Common Stock if we fail to comply with ongoing listing standards.
On November 25, 2024, the Company received notice from the NYSE stating that it concluded that the Company was not in compliance with Rule 802.01C of the NYSE’s continued listing requirements (the “NYSE Notification”), since as of November 20, 2024, the 30-trading day average closing price of the Company’s shares of Class A common stock had fallen below $1.00 per share over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. The Company subsequently regained compliance with such listing standard through ordinary course stock price appreciation over time. However, we may in the future not comply with the continued listing requirements of NYSE, may receive a NYSE Notification and subsequently have our Class A Common Stock subject to delisting by the NYSE or be required to take other remedial action.
Sales of a substantial number of our Class A Common Stock into the public market or the perception that such sales might occur, could cause the market price of our Class A Common Stock to decline. Additionally, the issuance of additional shares of our Class A Common Stock will dilute our other stockholders.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock into the public market or the perception that such sales might occur, could cause the market price of our Class A Common Stock to decline and may make it more difficult for you to sell your Class A Common Stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.
Sales of our common stock following the expiration of the lock-up periods or pursuant to exercise of registration rights may make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate. These sales also could cause the trading price of our common stock to fall and make it more difficult for you to sell shares of our common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.
As previously disclosed, we have issued EGT 11 LLC (“EGT 11”) senior subordinated convertible notes (the “ERA Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount $5.8 million (the “Principal Amount”) which are convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock (the “EGT Underlying Shares”) and in connection therewith, we issued 2,596,050 Class A Common Stock to EGT 11 (the “Fee Shares”) and issued 300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to a broker (the “Broker Shares”) to facilitate the liquidation of Fee Shares and Underlying Shares. If the sale of Underlying Shares and Fee Shares do not generate cash proceeds equal to 145% of the Principal Amount, we will be required to issue additional shares of Class A Common Stock to EGT 11 (the “EGT Additional Shares”). In addition, on June 30, 2023 the Company issued the GPO Convertible Note which requires us to satisfy the interest payable thereunder in cash or freely tradeable shares of our Class A Common Stock at our option (the “GPO Shares”).
Also as previously disclosed, we amended certain Convertible Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $10.9 million to provide the Company the option to convert such Convertible Notes into shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Legacy Underlying Shares” and, together with the EGT Underlying Shares, the “Underlying Shares”), subject to certain limitations. In connection therewith, the Company agreed to issue additional shares of Class A Common Stock to such noteholders (the “Legacy Additional Shares,” and together with the EGT Additional Shares, the “Additional Shares”) to the extent that sales of the Legacy Underlying Shares do not generate net cash proceeds equal to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Convertible Notes plus (a) all interest that would accrue under the Convertible Notes through the maturity date and (b) all brokerage fees, costs and expenses in selling the Legacy Underlying Shares. In addition, in the event that such amount of cash proceeds are not generated prior to a certain date, the Company may be required to further issue additional shares by the extended maturity date of the Convertible Notes (the “Extended Maturity Date Shares”) in certain circumstances.
The issuance of the Underlying Shares, Fee Shares, Additional Shares, Broker Shares, GPO Shares and Extended Maturity Date Shares may cause stockholders to experience significant dilution of their ownership interests and cause the market price of our Class A Common Stock to decline. In addition, we may be required to issue additional shares of Class A Common Stock in the future to satisfy certain financial covenants under the Senior Term Loan that may result in dilution to all stockholders.
The Warrants may never be in the money, and may expire worthless.
The effective exercise price of the Warrants is $7.32 per share. We believe the likelihood that warrant holders will exercise the Warrants, and therefore the amount of cash proceeds that we would receive, is dependent upon the trading price of our Class A Common Stock. If the trading price for our shares of Class A Common Stock is less than $7.32 per share, we believe holders of the Warrants will be unlikely to exercise their Warrants. On December 31, 2024, the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the NYSE was $1.07 per share. There is no guarantee that the Warrants will be in the money following the time they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, and as such, the Warrants may expire worthless and we may receive no proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants.
We incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management is required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives and corporate governance practices.
We became a public company following the consummation of the Business Combination, and as such incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that Legacy FiscalNote (the FiscalNote entity from founding in 2013 through its public offering in 2022) did not incur as a private company, which we expect to further increase once we no longer qualify as an “emerging growth company". We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and are required to comply with the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as the rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE, including changes in corporate governance practices and the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls. Compliance with these rules and regulations can be burdensome. Our management and other personnel need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increased our historical legal and financial compliance costs and have made some activities more time-consuming and costly, such as attracting and retaining qualified members of our Board as compared to Legacy FiscalNote as a private company.
We may need to hire additional accounting and finance staff or engage outside consultants with public company experience and technical accounting knowledge, and maintain an internal audit function, which will increase our operating expenses. Moreover, we could incur additional compensation costs if we decide to pay cash compensation comparable to other publicly-listed companies, which would increase our general and administrative expenses and could adversely affect our profitability. We are evaluating these rules and regulations and related matters, and cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they downgrade their recommendations regarding our Class A Common Stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Class A Common Stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about it or its business. We do not control these analysts. If any of the analysts who cover us downgrade our Class A Common Stock or our industry, or the stock of any of our competitors, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the price of our Class A Common Stock may decline. If analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the price or trading volume of our Class A Common Stock to decline and our Class A Common Stock to be less liquid.
Should the price or trading volume of our Class A Common Stock decline, it could indicate an impairment of our assets.
We may issue preferred stock, the terms of which could adversely affect the voting power or value of our Class A Common Stock.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of its stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights, including preferences over our Class A Common Stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our Board may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our Class A Common Stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or
liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of our Class A Common Stock.
We do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We likely will continue to operate at a loss in the foreseeable future, and will retain most, if not all, of its available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not plan to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Our Board has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Even if the Board decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on the future results of operations and cash flow, capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our Board. Accordingly, you may need to rely on sales of our Class A Common Stock after price appreciation as the only way to realize any future gains on your investment. However, our Class A Common Stock may not appreciate in value or the market price thereof may decline.
Our Charter designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by its stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees, or other stockholders.
Our Charter provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on its behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any other wrongdoing by, any of our current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder (iii) action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporate Law (DGCL), our Charter or our Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery, (iv) action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of any provisions of our Charter or our Bylaws, or (v) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have jurisdiction thereof, the federal district court or other state courts of the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any action, suit or proceeding asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, and the foregoing exclusive forum provisions of our Charter will not apply to claims arising under the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws for which there is exclusive federal jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provision in our Charter.
This choice-of-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a different judicial forum, including one that it may find favorable or convenient for a specified class of disputes with us or our directors, officers, other stockholders, or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our Charter inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and Board.

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
The Company’s principal executive offices and global headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., and consist of approximately 65,000 square feet of space under a lease that expires on May 31, 2031. We also maintain a presence in a
number of other jurisdictions internationally, including Oxford and London, United Kingdom; Brussels, Belgium; Gurugram, India; Singapore; and Sydney, Australia. We use these facilities for research and development, product engineering, sales and marketing, communications, finance, information technology and security, legal, human resources, and other administrative functions. We believe that our existing properties are suitable and adequate for our current needs, and we will continue to assess our facilities requirements as our business grows and operations evolve, including as a result of remote or flexible work arrangements adopted in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
From time to time, we may become involved in legal or regulatory proceedings, including intellectual property claims, commercial contract matters or employment-related disputes. Such cases may raise complex factual and legal issues, may subject us to material risks and uncertainties, could require significant management time and corporate resources to defend, could result in significant media coverage and negative publicity, and could be harmful to our reputation and our brand. We are not currently a party to any litigation or regulatory proceeding that we expect to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial conditions or cash flows.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our Class A Common Stock and Public Warrants are currently listed on the NYSE under the symbols “NOTE” and “NOTE.WS”, respectively.
Holders
As of March 24, 2025, there were approximately 315 holders of record of our Class A Common Stock, which amount does not include participants of The Depository Trust Company or beneficial owners holding shares of Class A Common Stock or Public Warrants through nominee names, there were two holders of record of our Class B Common Stock, and there were three holders of record of our Private Warrants.
Dividend Policy
We have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock to date. We may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and have no current plans to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of the Board and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends may be limited by covenants of any existing and future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
The Company had no transactions regarding purchases of common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The Company does not have any publicly announced plan or programs for share purchases.

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. (Reserved)

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion provides information that FiscalNote’s management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of FiscalNote’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read together with our financial statements and accompanying notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Certain monetary amounts, percentages and other figures included below have been subject to rounding adjustments as amounts are presented in thousands or millions, as the context describes. Monetary amounts are presented in thousands, unless otherwise presented. Percentage amounts included below have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Certain other amounts that appear below may not sum due to rounding.
This discussion may contain forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below, in the annual consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K, and in the sections of this report titled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors." Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the “Company,” “FiscalNote,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to the business of Old FiscalNote, which became the business of New FiscalNote and its subsidiaries following the Closing.
Overview
FiscalNote is a leading technology provider of global policy and regulatory intelligence. It delivers critical, actionable legal and policy insights in a rapidly evolving political, regulatory and macroeconomic environment. By combining artificial intelligence (AI) technology, other technologies with analytics and workflow tools, FiscalNote provides data and information that enables customers to manage policy change, address regulatory developments, and mitigate policy risk. In its core products, FiscalNote ingests unstructured data on legislative and regulatory developments, and overlays that data with sophisticated in-house AI and data science experts to deliver structured, relevant and actionable information in order to facilitate key operational and strategic decisions by global enterprises, midsized and smaller businesses, government institutions, trade groups and nonprofits. FiscalNote delivers that intelligence through its suite of public policy and issues management products, coupled with expert research and analysis of markets and geopolitical events, as well as powerful tools to manage workflows, advocacy campaigns and constituent relationships.
Business Combination
On the Closing Date, we consummated the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, by and among Old FiscalNote, DSAC, and Merger Sub. Pursuant to these transactions, Merger Sub merged with and into Old FiscalNote, with Old FiscalNote becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of DSAC. On the Closing Date, and in connection with the Closing, DSAC domesticated and continued as a Delaware corporation under the name of “FiscalNote Holdings, Inc."
We accounted for the Business Combination as a reverse recapitalization whereby Old FiscalNote was determined as the accounting acquirer and DSAC as the accounting acquiree. While DSAC was the legal acquirer in the Business Combination, because Old FiscalNote was determined as the accounting acquirer, the historical financial statements of Old FiscalNote became the historical financial statements of the combined company, upon the consummation of the Business Combination. Accordingly, New FiscalNote, as the parent company of the combined business, is the successor SEC registrant, meaning that our financial statements for previous periods will be disclosed in the registrant’s future periodic reports filed with the SEC.
The Business Combination had a significant impact on our reported financial position and results as a result of the reverse recapitalization. The most significant change in our reported financial position and results was an increase in net cash of $65.6 million from gross cash proceeds of $325.0 million, including $114.0 million from the backstop agreement with the sponsor of DSAC, $61.0 million from DSAC’s trust account from its initial public offering, and $150.0 million from the Senior Term Loan (as defined below). Such gross proceeds were offset by $45.2 million transaction costs, which principally consisted of advisory, legal and other professional fees, and were recorded in Additional Paid-in Capital, net of proceeds from the DSAC trust and $3.5 million of debt issuance costs paid out of the proceeds of the Senior Term Loan on
the Closing Date, of which $2.8 million was capitalized and $0.7 million included in the loss on debt extinguishment. Cumulative debt repayments, inclusive of accrued but unpaid interest, of $210.7 million were paid in conjunction with the close, which consisted of a $75.3 million repayment of the First Out Term Loan, $61.7 million repayment of the Last Out Term Loan, a $50.0 million payment used to retire the non-converting portion of the Senior Secured Subordinated Promissory Note, a $16.3 million repayment of the 8090 FV Subordinated Promissory Note, and $7.4 million repayment of the 2021 Seller Notes.
In connection with the Business Combination, we recognized a $34.9 million warrant liability on our consolidated balance sheets for the fair value of the public warrants and private placement warrants that were previously issued by DSAC and assumed by New FiscalNote in the Business Combination, along with the additional private placement warrants that were issued upon the closing of the Business Combination. We adjust the liability-classified warrants to fair value at each reporting period. The warrant liabilities are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our consolidated statement of operations. As a result of the recurring fair value measurement, our future financial statements and results of operations may fluctuate quarterly, based on factors that are outside of our control. Due to the recurring fair value measurement, we expect that we will recognize non-cash gains or losses on the warrants each reporting period and that the amount of such gains or losses could be material.
In connection with the Business Combination, we recognized (a) $28.9 million of incremental stock-based compensation charges that consisted of $5.0 million related to certain awards that vested as a result of the Business Combination, $6.2 million related to awards issued to our CEO, COO, and CFO pursuant to their respective employment agreements, and $17.7 million related to the Earnout Awards that may be issued to shareholders and equity award holders that for accounting purposes are treated as compensation awards (See Note 15, Earnings (Loss) Per Share, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), (b) $45.3 million of loss on debt extinguishment as a result of repayment of certain of our outstanding debt, as well as the conversion of our convertible debt as part of the Business Combination, and (c) $32.1 million interest charge related to the derecognition of the beneficial conversion feature associated with our converted debt.
As a consequence of the Business Combination, we became an SEC-registered and NYSE-listed company, which required us to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. Upon Closing, we began to incur additional public company expenses for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources.
Factors Impacting the Comparability of Our Operating Results
Acquisitions and Disposals
Acquisitions and disposals affect the comparability of our financial statements from period to period.
On October 31, 2024, we completed the sale of Aicel Technologies business ("Aicel") for $9.7 million comprising of $8.5 million of cash and the assumption of an existing convertible note issued by Aicel in 2022, with an outstanding total principal and accrued paid-in-kind interest amount of $1.2 million. The Company recorded a gain of $0.5 million from the sale of Aicel in the fourth quarter of 2024.
On March 11, 2024, we completed the sale of Board.org for a total value of up to $98.9 million, consisting of $90.9 million in cash at closing and a potential earnout opportunity of up to $8.0 million. The Company recorded a gain on of $71.5 million from the sale of Board.org in the first quarter of 2024.
Direct and indirect costs incurred related to the sale of Board.org and Aicel totaled $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024.
On January 27, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Dragonfly for up to $25.2 million (the "2023 Acquisition"), which included a combination of cash, stock, convertible notes and contingent payments. Direct and indirect costs incurred related to our acquisition of Dragonfly totaled $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
As a result of our acquisitions since 2021, we have, and will continue to incur, significant non-cash amortization expense related to the amortization of purchased intangibles, which have reduced our operating income by approximately $4.3 million and $11.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
On February 21, 2025, we signed an agreement related to the sale of Dragonfly Eye Limited and the Oxford Analytica International Group, LLC, which we closed on March 31, 2025 (see Note 19, Subsequent Events in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more details). These businesses contributions to FiscalNote were as follows:
•Subscription revenue of approximately $13.8 million and $12.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023;
•Non-subscription revenue of approximately $3.2 million and $3.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023; and
•ARR of approximately $14.2 million and $12.5 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Product rationalization
From time to time, management reviews the Company’s existing products and services based on their financial profile and other strategic factors. In connection with such reviews, management decided to cease actively selling and therefore sunset certain non-core products, representing, in aggregate:
•Subscription revenue of approximately $0.5 million and $1.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023; and
•Non-subscription advisory revenue of approximately $3.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 (no corresponding revenue during the year ended December 31, 2024).
We continue to invest for future growth. We are focused on several key growth levers, including cross-selling and upselling opportunities at existing clients, expanding our client base with a focus on enterprise and government customers, expansion into adjacent markets and deepening our offerings for regulated industries or sectors, and continuing to execute on our acquisition strategy. Several of these growth drivers require investment in and refinement of our go-to-market approach and, as a result, we may continue to incur additional costs upfront to obtain new customers and expand our relationships with existing customers, including additional sales and marketing expenses specific to subscription revenue.
We plan to invest a portion of the available capital resources in building innovative products, attracting new customers and expanding our leadership role in the legal and regulatory information market which will allow us to drive growth organically. We evaluate acquisitions and investment opportunities in complementary businesses to supplement our existing platform, enable us to enter new markets and ensure that we are well positioned to provide critical insights to the regulated sectors of the future. Past acquisitions have enabled us to deliver innovative solutions in new categories and enhance the functionality of our existing products. Strategic acquisitions may be a component of our growth strategy in the future.
Key Performance Indicators
In addition to our GAAP results further described and discussed below in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we monitor the following key performance indicators to evaluate growth trends, prepare financial projections, make strategic decisions, and measure the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts. Our management team assesses our performance based on these key performance indicators because it believes they reflect the underlying trends and indicators of our business and serve as meaningful indicators of our continuous operational performance.
Annual Recurring Revenue (“ARR”)
Over 90% of our revenues are subscription based, which leads to high revenue predictability. Our ability to retain existing subscription customers is a key performance indicator that helps explain the evolution of our historical results and is a leading indicator of our revenues and cash flows for subsequent periods. We use ARR as a measure of our revenue trend and an indicator of our future revenue opportunity from existing recurring subscription customer contracts. We calculate ARR on a parent account level by annualizing the contracted subscription revenue, and our total ARR as of the end of a period is the aggregate thereof. ARR is not adjusted for the impact of any known or projected future customer cancellations, upgrades or downgrades, or price increases or decreases. The amount of actual revenue that we recognize over any 12-month period is likely to differ from ARR at the beginning of that period, sometimes significantly. This may occur due to timing of the revenue bookings during the period, cancellations, upgrades, or downgrades and pending renewals. ARR
should be viewed independently of revenue as it is an operating metric and is not intended to be a replacement or forecast of revenue. Our calculation of ARR may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies.
Our ARR at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $107.5 million and $126.1 million, respectively. ARR at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, excluding products we discontinued in 2023, and the impact of the sale of Board.org, Aicel, Oxford Analytica, and Dragonfly, was $93.3 million and $96.5 million, respectively.
Net Revenue Retention (“NRR”)
Our NRR, which we use to measure our success in retaining and growing recurring revenue from our existing customers, compares our recognized recurring revenue from a set of customers across comparable periods. We calculate our NRR for a given period as ARR at the end of the period minus ARR contracted from new clients for which there is no historical revenue booked during the period, divided by the beginning ARR for the period. We calculate NRR at our parent account level. Customers from acquisitions are not included in NRR until they have been part of our condensed consolidated results for 12 months. Accordingly, the 2023 Acquisition was not included in our NRR for the year ended December 31, 2023. Our calculation of NRR for any fiscal period includes the positive recurring revenue impacts of selling additional licenses and services to existing customers and the negative recognized recurring revenue impacts of contraction and attrition among this set of customers. Our NRR may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including the growing level of our revenue base, the level of penetration within our customer base, expansion of products and features, the timing of renewals, and our ability to retain our customers. Our calculation of NRR may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies. Our quarterly NRR for the last eight quarters follows:
For the Quarters Ended
March 31,
June 30,
September 30,
December 31,
March 31,
June 30,
September 30,
December 31,
Net Revenue Retention
96%
98%
100%
99%
96%
98%
99%
98%
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures to clarify and enhance our understanding, and aid in the period-to-period comparison, of our performance. Where applicable, we provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the corresponding most closely related GAAP measure. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to its most comparable GAAP financial measure. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information, non-GAAP financial measures have limitations and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, their most comparable GAAP measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in their financing and accounting methods, the book value of their assets, their capital structures, the method by which their assets were acquired and the manner in which they define non-GAAP measures.
Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin
We define Adjusted Gross Profit as Total revenue minus cost of revenues, before amortization of capitalized software development costs and acquired developed technology, before impairment of intangible assets that are included in costs of revenues. We define Adjusted Gross Profit Margin as Adjusted Gross Profit divided by Total revenues.
We use Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends. We believe these metrics are useful measures to us and to our investors to assist in evaluating our core operating performance because they provide consistency and direct comparability with our past financial performance and between fiscal periods, as the metrics eliminate the non-cash effects of amortization of intangible assets and deferred revenue, which are non-cash impacts that may fluctuate for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance.
Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. They should not be considered as replacements for gross profit and gross profit margin, as determined by GAAP, or as measures of our
profitability. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using non-GAAP measures only for supplemental purposes. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin as presented herein are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA reflects further adjustments to EBITDA to exclude certain non-cash items and other items that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total Revenue.
We disclose EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin in this Annual Report on Form 10-K because these non-GAAP measures are certain key measures used in conjunction with GAAP measures used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker in making decisions to assist management in evaluating our business, measuring our operating performance and making strategic decisions. We believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are useful for investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as management. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as substitutes for net loss, net loss before income taxes, or any other operating performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Using these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze our business would have material limitations because the calculations are based on the subjective determination of management regarding the nature and classification of events and circumstances that investors may find significant. In addition, although other companies in our industry may report measures titled EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin or similar measures, such non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from how we calculate non-GAAP financial measures, which reduces their comparability. Because of these limitations, you should consider EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin alongside other financial performance measures, including net income and our other financial results presented in accordance with GAAP.
Key Components of Results of Operations
Revenues
We derive our revenues from subscription revenue arrangements and advisory, advertising and other revenues. Subscription revenues account for approximately 92% and 90% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Subscription revenue
Subscription revenues consist of revenue earned from subscription-based arrangements that provide customers the right to use the Company’s software and products in a cloud-based infrastructure. Subscription revenues are driven primarily by the number of active licenses, the types of products and the price of the subscriptions. The Company also earns subscription revenues by licensing to customers its digital content, including transcripts, news and analysis, images, video and podcast data.
Our subscription arrangements generally have contractual terms of 12 months or more and are non-refundable regardless of the actual use of the service. Subscription revenues are recognized ratably over the non-cancellable contract terms beginning on the commencement date of each contract, which is the date our service is first made available to customers.
Advisory, advertising, and other revenue
Advisory revenue is typically earned under contracts for specific deliverables and are non-recurring in nature, although we regularly sell different advisory services to repeat customers. One-time advisory revenues are invoiced according to the terms of the contract, usually delivered to the customer over a short period of time, during which revenues are recognized.
Advertising revenue is primarily generated by delivering advertising in our own publications (Roll Call and CQ) in both print and digital formats. Revenue for print advertising is recognized upon publication of the advertisement. Revenue
for digital advertising is recognized over the period of the advertisement or, if the contract contains impression guarantees, based on delivered impressions.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues primarily consists of expenses related to hosting our service, the costs of data center capacity, amortization of developed technology and capitalized software development costs, certain fees paid to various third parties for the use of their technology, services, or data, costs of compensation, including bonuses, stock compensation, benefits and other expenses for employees associated with providing professional services and other direct costs of production. Also included in cost of revenues are our costs related to the preparation of contracted advisory deliverables, as well as costs to develop, publish, print and deliver our publications underlying our books revenue.
Research and development
Research and development expenses include the costs of compensation, including bonuses, stock compensation, benefits and other expenses for employees associated with the creation and testing of the products we offer, related software subscriptions, consulting and contractor fees and allocated overhead.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses, including bonuses, stock compensation, benefits and other expenses for our sales and marketing staff, including commissions, related software subscriptions, consulting fees, marketing programs and allocated overhead. Marketing programs consist of advertising, events, corporate communications, brand building and product marketing activities.
Editorial
Editorial expenses consist of salaries and related expenses, including bonuses, stock compensation, benefits and other expenses for the editorial team involved in acquiring, creating, and distributing content and allocated overhead.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses are primarily related to our executive offices, finance and accounting, human resources, legal, internal operations and other corporate functions. These expenses consist of salaries and related expenses, including bonuses, stock compensation, benefits and other expenses, along with professional fees, depreciation and other allocated overhead.
Amortization of intangible assets
Amortization expense relates to our finite-lived intangible assets, including developed technology, customer relationship, databases and tradenames. These assets are amortized over periods of between three and twenty years. Finite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment when indicators are present, and, if impaired, are written down to fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2024 no impairment of intangible assets has been identified in our accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. During the year ended December 31, 2023 an impairment of intangible assets of $6,223 has been identified and recorded.
Transaction costs, net
Transaction costs consist of acquisition related costs (including due diligence, accounting, legal, and other professional fees, incurred from acquisition activity), fair value adjustments to contingent consideration due to sellers, and non-capitalizable costs.
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net, consists of expense related to interest on our borrowings, the amortization and write off of debt issuance costs and original discount, and interest related to certain derivative instruments.
Change in fair value of financial instruments
The fair value of financial instruments are accounted for in accordance with ASC 815 and ASC 480. The warrant and derivative liabilities are marked to market each reporting period in accordance with ASC 820 with all gains and losses being recorded within the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Income taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax laws is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are expected to be realized based on the weighting of positive and negative evidence.
Results of Operations
Discussion of Significant Items Affecting the Consolidated Results for the Years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Year Ended December 31, 2024
During the year ended December 31, 2024 the Company recorded a gain on sale of businesses totaling $72.0 million from the sale of Board.org and Aicel. The majority of the proceeds from those sales were used to repay principal balances from the Company's Senior Term Loan and prepayment and exit fees.
Year Ended December 31, 2023
During the year ended December 31, 2023 the Company recognized several non-cash items including, a non-cash charge of $32.1 million from the impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets, $16.0 million gain related to the mark-to-market of the public and private warrants liability and debt liabilities that the Company is required to fair value at each reporting date, and an additional non-cash loss on settlement with GPO of $3.5 million.
The Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
The following table presents our results of operations for the periods indicated:
Year Ended
December 31,
Change
(In thousands)
$
%
Revenues:
Subscription
$
111,073
$
119,082
$
(8,009
)
(7
)%
Advisory, advertising, and other
9,193
13,563
(4,370
)
(32
)%
Total revenues
120,266
132,645
(12,379
)
(9
)%
Operating expenses: (1)
Cost of revenues
25,639
40,251
(14,612
)
(36
)%
Research and development
12,828
18,186
(5,358
)
(29
)%
Sales and marketing
35,055
45,722
(10,667
)
(23
)%
Editorial
18,528
17,869
%
General and administrative
50,236
65,550
(15,314
)
(23
)%
Amortization of intangible assets
9,925
11,509
(1,584
)
(14
)%
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
-
32,064
(32,064
)
NM
Transaction (gains) costs, net
(4
)
(767
)
(99
)%
Total operating expenses
152,207
230,384
(78,177
)
(34
)%
Operating loss
(31,941
)
(97,739
)
65,798
(67
)%
Gain on sales of businesses
(72,017
)
-
(72,017
)
NM
Interest expense, net
23,589
29,940
(6,351
)
(21
)%
Change in fair value of financial instruments
6,408
(15,983
)
22,391
(140
)%
Loss on settlement
-
3,474
(3,474
)
(100
)%
Other expense, net
(42
)
(62
)%
Net income (loss) before income taxes
10,053
(115,238
)
125,291
(109
)%
Provision from income taxes
%
Net income (loss)
$
9,517
$
(115,461
)
$
124,978
(108
)%
(1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expenses, as follows:
Year Ended
December 31,
Change
$
%
Cost of revenues
$
$
$
%
Research and development
1,554
1,384
%
Sales and marketing
1,567
2,057
(490
)
%
Editorial
%
General and administrative
13,729
22,933
(9,204
)
(40
)%
Revenue:
Subscription Revenue
Subscription revenue of $111.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased $8.0 million, or 7%, from $119.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The following table presents the drivers for the change in Subscription revenue:
Change for the Year Ended
December 31, 2024 vs December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
$
%
Subscription Revenue change driver:
Decrease from sale of businesses
$
(10,503
)
(70
)%
Increase from 2023 Acquisition
$
1,478
%
Decrease from discontinued products
(530
)
(52
)%
Increase from organic business
1,546
%
Subscription Revenues, net (total change)
$
(8,009
)
(7
)%
Advisory, Advertising, and Other Revenue
Advisory, advertising, and other revenue was $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $4.4 million, or 32%, was primarily due largely to the discontinuation of unprofitable offerings that contributed approximately $2.2 million of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2023 combined with the decrease of $0.6 million from the sale of businesses.
Revenue by Geography
The below tables present our revenues split by geographic region for the periods presented:
Year Ended
December 31,
Change
(In thousands)
$
%
North America
$
95,503
$
107,108
$
(11,605
)
%
Europe
21,792
19,749
2,043
%
Australia
1,276
1,193
%
Asia
1,695
4,595
(2,900
)
%
Total revenues
$
120,266
132,645
$
(12,379
)
%
Revenues by geography are determined based on the region of the FiscalNote contracting entity, which may be different than the region of the customer. North American and Asia revenues decreased primarily for the reasons stated above.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues was $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $40.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $14.6 million, or 36%, was primarily attributable to $5.9 million to the sale of Board.org and Aicel combined with the discontinuation of unprofitable offerings that were recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease in amortization expense of $6.7 million, of which $3.9 million was recognized in 2023 related to a revision in the useful lives of certain of its developed technology assets, a decrease from workforce planning actions made primarily throughout the second half of 2023, and combined with decreases in data center costs of $0.7 million.
Research and development
Research and development expense was $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $5.4 million, or 29%, was primarily attributable to a decrease of $5.0 million of workplace planning actions made through the second half of 2023 combined with a decrease from the sale of Board.org and Aicel.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expense was $35.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $45.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $10.7 million, or 23%, was primarily attributable to a decrease of the workforce planning actions made throughout the second half of 2023 combined with a decrease attributable from the sale of Board.org and Aicel.
Editorial expense
Editorial expense was relatively flat at $18.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
General and administrative
General and administrative expense was $50.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $65.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $15.3 million, or 23%, was primarily attributable to a $9.2 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense for vested awards and workforce planning actions made throughout the second half of 2023.
Amortization of intangibles
Amortization of intangibles was $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $1.6 million, or 14%, is due to the revision of useful lives of certain developed technologies that resulted in additional amortization in 2023.
Transaction costs, net
Transaction gains were $0.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to transaction gains of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change of $0.8 million is primarily relates to $1.4 million transaction costs related to the acquisition of Dragonfly in 2023 and non-capitalized costs related to the Business Combination, partially offset by contingent compensation gains from the reversal of previously recognized expense and earnout liabilities.
Interest expense, net
Interest expense was $23.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $29.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in interest expense of $6.4 million was primarily due to the repayment of the Senior Term Loan.
Change in fair value of financial instruments
Change in fair value of financial instruments was a $6.4 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to a $16.0 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change of $22.4 million primarily represents a primarily related to the change in the fair value adjustment of the warrant liabilities that were assumed in connection with the Business Combination combined with the changes in the Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes, GPO Convertible Note, and the Era Convertible Notes.
Certain Non-GAAP Measures
We present Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Profit Margin, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin which are non-GAAP financial measures. Our management team assesses our performance based on these non-GAAP measures because it believes they reflect the underlying trends and indicators of our business and serve as meaningful indicators of our continuous operational performance. We believe these measures are useful for investors for the same reasons. Investors should be aware that these measures are not a substitute for GAAP financial measures or disclosures. Where applicable, we provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the corresponding most closely related GAAP measure.
Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin
The following table presents our calculation of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin for the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Total Revenues
$
120,266
$
132,645
Costs of revenue, including amortization of capitalized software development costs and acquired developed technology
(25,639
)
(40,251
)
Gross Profit
$
94,627
$
92,394
Gross Profit Margin
%
%
Gross Profit
94,627
92,394
Amortization of intangible assets
8,703
15,861
Adjusted Gross Profit
$
103,330
$
108,255
Adjusted Gross Profit Margin
%
%
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
The following table presents our calculation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
9,517
$
(115,461
)
Provision from income taxes
Depreciation and amortization
19,869
28,718
Interest expense, net
23,589
29,940
EBITDA
53,511
(56,580
)
Gain on sale of businesses (a)
(72,017
)
-
Stock-based compensation
17,949
27,057
Change in fair value of financial instruments (b)
6,408
(15,983
)
Other non-cash (gains) charges (c)
29,522
Acquisition and disposal related costs (d)
1,599
1,391
Employee severance costs (e)
2,039
Non-capitalizable debt raising costs
Business Combination with DSAC (f)
-
Loss contingency (g)
-
4,091
Costs incurred related to the Special Committee (h)
-
Adjusted EBITDA
$
9,781
$
(7,506
)
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
%
(6
)%
(a)Reflects the gain on disposal from the sale of Board.org on March 11, 2024 and the sale of Aicel on October 31, 2024.
(b)Reflects the non-cash impact from the mark to market adjustments on our financial instruments.
(c)Reflects the non-cash impact of the following for fiscal year 2024: (i) unrealized loss of $49 in the first quarter, $31 in the second quarter, $17 in the third quarter, and $78 in the fourth quarter from our investments; (ii) gain of $4 in the first quarter of 2024 and $113 in the fourth quarter of 2024 from the change in fair value related to the contingent consideration and contingent compensation related to the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Acquisition, (iii) gain of $530 from the release of the COSM grant, and (iv) charge of $572 for fees satisfied with Common Stock of the Company. Reflects the non-cash impact of the following for fiscal year 2023: (i) impairment of goodwill of $5,837 in the first quarter of 2023 and $20,004 in the fourth quarter, (ii) impairment of other long-lived assets of $6,223 in the fourth quarter of 2023, (iii) loss of $34 in the first quarter, loss of $56 in the second quarter, gain of $147 in the third quarter, and gain of $9 in the fourth quarter from our equity method investment, (iv) charge of $2 in the first quarter, charge of $2 in the second quarter, gain of $672 in the third quarter, and gain of $1,905 in the fourth quarter from the change in fair value related to the contingent consideration and contingent compensation related to the Acquisitions; and (v) unrealized loss of $115 in the third quarter and unrealized gain of $18 in the fourth quarter from our investments, respectively.
(d)In 2024 reflects the costs incurred related to the sale of Board.org and Aicel, and the planned sale of Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly, principally consisting of advisory, legal, and other professional and consulting costs. In 2023 reflects the costs incurred to identify, consider, and complete business combination transactions consisting of advisory, legal, and other professional and consulting costs.
(e)Severance costs associated with workforce changes related to business realignment actions.
(f)Includes non-capitalizable transaction costs associated within one year of the Business Combination with DSAC.
(g)Reflects (i) $3,474 non-cash loss contingency charge related to the settlement of GPO FN Noteholder LLC recorded in the second quarter of 2023 and (ii) accounting and legal costs incurred associated with the settlement with GPO FN Noteholder LLC totaling $168 in the first quarter of 2023, $248 in the second quarter of 2023, and $201 in the their quarter of 2023. See further discussion in Note 9, Debt and Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(h)Reflects costs incurred related to the Special Committee.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically the Company’s cash flows from operations have not been sufficient to fund its current operating model and the Company funded operations through raising equity and debt, including the receipt of approximately $98.1 million of net cash proceeds from the sale of Board.org and Aicel. At December 31, 2024, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments was $35.3 million compared to $24.4 million at December 31, 2023.
The Company had a negative working capital balance of $29.3 million (excluding cash and short-term investments) at December 31, 2024 and had an accumulated deficit of $806.9 million and $816.4 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and has incurred net losses of $62.5 million (excluding the gain on sale of businesses) and $115.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Management expects that on-going operating and capital expenditures may be necessary to continue to implement the Company’s business plan of entering new markets, acquiring new business and technologies, and investing in infrastructure and product development.
On March 31, 2025, the Company closed the sale of its Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly businesses, receiving approximately $40.8 million of cash (inclusive of $0.8 million placed in escrow for the Company's future benefit, subject to adjustment pursuant to the purchase agreement). $27.1 million of the sale proceeds were used to repay principal on our Senior Term Loan and approximately $1.8 million were used for payment of related prepayment and exit fees. In conjunction with the sale of Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly, the Company amended its Senior Term Loan, which, among other things, revised certain of its financial debt covenants. See Note 19, Subsequent Events in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our ability to maintain our minimum cash requirement, fund our future cash interest requirements under our senior term loan and fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements will depend in part on general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond our control. The Company has implemented various cost saving measures throughout 2023, 2024 and into 2025 and is actively seeking additional sources of capital. Volatility in the credit markets may have an adverse effect on our ability to obtain debt financing. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to the rights of our common stock, or may require us to agree to unfavorable terms, and our existing stockholders may experience significant dilution.
Our historical financing activities included borrowings under senior secured credit facilities, senior secured promissory notes, convertible debt, and preferred share issuances. Our principal debt outstanding at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following (excluding any debt discounts and fair value adjustments, as applicable):
As of December 31,
(In thousands)
Senior Term Loan
$
88,595
$
158,228
GPO Convertible Note
50,434
48,575
Convertible Notes
16,165
14,052
Dragonfly Convertible Note
13,030
12,223
Era Convertible Notes
-
5,500
Aicel Convertible Note
-
1,156
PPP Loan
Total Principal Outstanding
$
168,260
$
239,878
Senior Term Loan
In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination on July 29, 2022, FiscalNote entered into a $150.0 million new senior term loan facility, as amended, (the “Senior Term Loan”) with Runway Growth Finance Corp., ORIX Growth Capital, LLC, Clover Orochi LLC, and ACM ASOF VIII SaaS FinCo LLC (together the “Senior Lenders”). The Senior Term Loan provides for an uncommitted incremental loan facility totaling $100.0 million available upon notice if the Company meets certain financial growth criteria and other customary requirements (the “New Incremental Term Facility”) (collectively the “Senior Credit Facility”). The annual interest of the Senior Term Loan consists of two components: a cash interest component of (a) the greater of (i) Prime Rate plus 5.0% per annum and (ii) 9.0% payable monthly, and (b) interest
payable in kind component of 1.00% per annum, payable in kind monthly. The Senior Credit Facility will mature on July 29, 2027.
On March 17, 2023, the Company, entered into Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) to the Senior Term Loan dated July 29, 2022. Among other things, Amendment No. 1 provided for the extension of an incremental term loan by one of the lenders to the borrowers under the facility in the principal amount of $6.0 million which was received by the Company on March 31, 2023, on the same terms as the existing term loans (the “Incremental Facility”).
On May 16, 2023, the Company, entered into Amendment No. 2 ("Amendment No. 2") to the Senior Term Loan dated July 29, 2022. Among other things, Amendment No. 2 joined Dragonfly Eye Limited (“Dragonfly”) and Oxford Analytica Limited (“Oxford Analytica”), each a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as Guarantors under the Senior Term Loan.
On August 3, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 ("Amendment No. 3") to the Senior Term Loan dated July 29, 2022. Among other things, Amendment No. 3 provides for: (a) the extension of the July 2023 Deferred Fee from July 29, 2023 to July 29, 2024, (b) the increase of the July 2023 Deferred Fee from $1,734 to $2,034, and (c) increase of the Restatement Date Final Agreement from $7,410 and $8,970 and (d) the revision to the minimum annual recurring revenue and adjusted EBITDA covenants (as both are defined in the Credit Agreement).
In connection with the completion of the sale of Board.org on March 11, 2024, the Company also entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement (the “Amendment No. 4”), pursuant to which, among other things, the lenders consented to the release the liens on Board.org’s assets and permitted the consummation of the sale in exchange for the permanent retirement of $65.7 million of term loans under the Credit Agreement. The Company also made a payment of $1.3 million and $5.8 million of related prepayment and exit fees, respectively. Amendment No. 4 also requires that upon receipt of any earn-out payment pursuant to the equity purchase agreement underlying the sale of Board.org, the Company will prepay outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement in an amount equal to 70% of the net proceeds received from such earn-out payment, together with a prepayment fee and an exit fee, equal to 5.75% of the amount of such prepayment.
In addition, Amendment No. 4 extended the commencement of amortization payments under the Credit Agreement from August 15, 2025 to August 15, 2026, with such payments to fully amortize the term loans by the maturity date of July 15, 2027. Amendment No. 4 also increased the Company’s minimum liquidity covenant to $22.5 million and modified the Company’s minimum ARR and adjusted EBITDA in order to appropriately reflect the sale of Board.org and the absence of its future contributions to the Company’s overall financial performance and position.
In connection with the completion of the sale of Aicel Technologies on October 31, 2024, the Company repaid $5.0 million of principal.
During the year ended December 31, 2024 we made cash interest payments totaling $14.8 million related to the Senior Term Loan.
The Senior Term Loan is senior to all other debt and has a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Senior Term Loan contains customary negative covenants related to borrowing, events of default and covenants, including certain non-financial covenants and covenants limiting the Company’s ability to dispose of assets, undergo a change in control, merge with or acquire stock, and make investments, in each case subject to certain exceptions. In addition to the negative covenants, there were four financial covenants in place at December 31, 2024: a minimum cash balance requirement, annual recurring revenue requirement, an adjusted EBITDA requirement and a capital expenditure limitation. At December 31, 2024 the Company was in compliance with the minimum cash balance requirement, capital expenditure limitation, an adjusted EBITDA requirement. The Company's annual recurring revenue was below the minimum annual recurring revenue for the period. On March 31, 2025 the Senior Term Loan lenders waived their rights upon default retroactive to December 31, 2024. See Note 19, Subsequent Events, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, in addition to the lenders being able to declare amounts outstanding under the Senior Term Loan due and payable the lenders can elect to increase the interest rate by 5.0% per annum.
See also Note 9, Debt, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
GPO Convertible Note
On June 30, 2023 (the “Subscription Date”), the Company entered into an Exchange and Settlement Agreement (the “Exchange and Settlement Agreement”) with GPO FN Noteholder LLC (the “GPO Investor”) pursuant to which (i) the GPO Investor returned 5,881,723 shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Investor to the Company for cancellation, (ii) the Company issued to the GPO Investor a subordinated convertible promissory note in an initial principal amount of $46,794 (the “GPO Convertible Note”), and (iii) the parties agreed to a mutual settlement and release of all claims (including, but not limited to, any claims by the GPO Investor for additional shares or money damages resulting from the entry into the Merger Agreement, relating to or arising from the conversion of the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Subordinated Promissory Note, dated December 29, 2020, previously issued by a subsidiary of the pre-business combination FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. to the GPO Investor. The exchange and settlement are non-cash exchanges in the consolidated statement of cash flows. The before mentioned transactions closed on July 3, 2023.
The GPO Convertible Note will mature on July 3, 2028, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Company or converted in accordance with the terms thereof. The GPO Convertible Note bears interest at a rate of 7.50% per annum payable quarterly in arrears, as follows: (i) for the first year following the date of issuance, interest was payable in kind by adding interest to the principal amount; and (ii) for any period thereafter, interest will be payable in cash or freely tradeable shares of Class A Common Stock, at the Company’s sole option, with the value per share determined with reference to the trailing 30-day volume weighted average trading price prior to the interest payment date, subject to certain exceptions under which the Company will be permitted to pay PIK Interest.
The GPO Convertible Note is subordinate to the Company’s obligations under its Senior Term Loan which limits certain actions that the Company and the GPO Investor may take under the GPO Convertible Note. At any time prior to July 3, 2028, the GPO Investor is entitled to convert all or any portion of the principal and accrued interest thereon into shares of Class A Common Stock based on a conversion price of $7.56 (subject to future adjustment pursuant to the terms of the GPO Convertible Note). The GPO Convertible Note is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for stock splits and similar transactions and, subject to standard exceptions, weighted average anti-dilution protection. The principal amount, together with accrued interest thereon, is redeemable by the Company in whole or in part based on certain conditions as defined in the GPO Convertible Note. Pursuant to the terms of the GPO Convertible Note, paid-in-kind interest accrued from the date of issuance through June 30, 2024. Beginning on July 1, 2024, the Company was required to pay interest with either cash or shares, solely at the discretion of the Company. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 1,715,292 Class A Common Shares in satisfaction of interest of $1.9 million that accrued from July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The Company expects to satisfy future quarterly interest payments in shares.
The Company elected to account for the GPO Convertible Note using the fair value option. The GPO Convertible Note was recorded at its June 30, 2023 acquisition date fair value of $36.6 million. The Company initially recorded a loss contingency of $11.7 million in its fiscal year 2022 financial statements representing the difference between the fair value of the shares returned by the Investor and the fair value of the GPO Convertible Note on the date of exchange. With the execution of the Exchange and Settlement Agreement and GPO Convertible Note, the Company recorded an additional loss on settlement of $3.5 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Convertible Notes
Four unsecured convertible noteholders with an aggregate principal amount (including accrued paid in kind interest) of $16.2 million as of the Closing Date of the Business Combination elected not to convert their notes into shares of capital stock of the Company in conjunction with the Closing of the Business Combination. See Note 19, Subsequent Events - Note Exchanges, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of the amendments and exchanges that took place in March 2025.
Dragonfly Seller Convertible Note
On January 27, 2023, we acquired Dragonfly and financed part of the purchase with the issuance of convertible notes. The Dragonfly Convertible Note is subordinate to our Senior Credit Facility, accrues interest of 8% per annum, payable in kind or in cash, and matures in January 2028.
Era Convertible Note
On December 8, 2023, we issued a convertible note in connection with the Company's strategic commercial partnership with Era. The First Era Convertible Note was contractually subordinated to the Company's obligations under its senior secured indebtedness, had a cash interest rate equal to the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service beginning on the six-month anniversary of the issuance date, and had a maturity date of December 8, 2027. The Company elected to account for the First Era Convertible Note using the fair value option. In June 2024, the First Era Convertible Note was repaid in shares, see Note 9, Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more details.
Second Era Convertible Note
On November 12, 2024, we issued a convertible note in continuation of the Company's strategic commercial partnership with Era. The Second Era Convertible Note was contractually subordinated to the Company's obligations under its senior secured indebtedness, had a cash interest rate equal to the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service beginning on the six-month anniversary of the issuance date, and had a maturity date of November 12, 2027. In December 2024 the Second Era Convertible Note was repaid in shares, see Note 9, Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more details.
Aicel Convertible Note
On July 29, 2022, we acquired Aicel Technologies and assumed its $1.0 million convertible note. The Aicel Convertible Note was subordinate to our Senior Credit Facility, accrued interest of 1% per annum, payable in kind monthly, and matured in July 2027. On October 31, 2024, the Aicel Convertible Note was assumed by the buyer as part of the sale of Aicel. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Dispositions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more details.
PPP Loan
The PPP Loan matures in 2025; accordingly it will be paid in full pursuant to its terms.
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures primarily consist of purchases of capitalized software costs and property and equipment. Our capital expenditures program includes discretionary spending, which we can adjust in response to economic and other changes in our business environment to grow our business. We typically fund our capital expenditures through cash flow from operations and external financing. In the event that we are unable to obtain the necessary funding for capital expenditures, our long-term growth strategy could be significantly affected. Our total capital expenditures were $8.9 million and $7.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Cash Flow Summary
The following tables summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
9,517
$
(115,461
)
Net cash (used in) provided by:
Operating activities
$
(5,298
)
$
(35,494
)
Investing activities
$
89,168
$
(20,317
)
Financing activities
$
(71,432
)
$
12,077
Operating activities
Cash used in operating activities consists of net income (loss) adjusted for certain non-cash items including depreciation and amortization, gain on sale of businesses, stock-based compensation, changes in fair value of financial instruments, non-cash interest expense, and loss on settlement, as well as the effect of changes in working capital and other activities.
Cash used in operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2024 was $5.3 million, an increase of $30.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Cash used in operating activities in 2024 was driven by net income of $9.5 million, which is adjusted for the exclusion of non-cash expenses and other adjustments totaling $10.9 million, primarily including the gain on sale of businesses of $72.0 million, non-cash and paid-in kind interest expense of $11.0 million, stock-based compensation expense of $17.9 million, a loss due to the change in fair value of financial instruments of $6.4 million, amortization and depreciation of $23.6 million (including the non-cash amortization from deferred costs to obtain revenue contracts) , and other non-cash expenses of $2.1 million and the effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities that resulted in cash outflows of $3.9 million. Cash used by operating activities can be impacted by factors such as timing of cash receipts from customers, vendor payment terms, and timing of payments to vendors.
Cash used in operating activities in 2023 was driven by a net loss of $115.5 million, which is adjusted for the exclusion of non-cash expenses and other adjustments totaling $90.1 million, primarily including impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets of $32.1 million, non-cash and paid-in kind interest expense of $10.0 million, stock-based compensation expense of $27.1 million, loss on settlement with GPO of $3.5 million, a gain due to the change in fair value of financial instruments of $16.0 million, amortization and depreciation of $32.3 million (including the non-cash amortization from deferred costs to obtain revenue contracts), and other non-cash expenses of $1.1 million and the effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities that resulted in cash outflows of $10.2 million. Cash used by operating activities can be impacted by factors such as new acquisitions, timing of cash receipts from customers, vendor payment terms, and timing of payments to vendors.
Investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2024 was $89.2 million compared to net cash used by investing activities was $20.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. Net cash provided by investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily consisted of $98.1 million of cash proceeds for the sale of Board.org and Aicel, offset by cash paid for capital expenditures of $8.9 million primarily related to software development costs. Net cash used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily consisted of cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $5.0 million, cash paid for $7.9 million of capital expenditures primarily related to software development costs and purchases of short-term investments of $7.2 million.
Financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2024 was $71.4 million, compared to net cash provided by financing activities was $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily consisted of $70.8 million from the principal payments of long-term debt and payment of deferred financing costs of $7.4 million primarily related to repayments on the Senior Term Loan, partially offset by $6.3 million from the issuance of the Era Notes and proceeds of $0.5 million from exercise of stock options and employee stock plan purchases. Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily consisted of $6.0 million from Amendment No. 1 to the Senior Term Loan and $5.5 million from the issuance of the Era Note partially offset by the payments on long-term debt of $0.1 million combined with $0.7 million from the proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Commitments and Contingencies
Our principal commitments consist of our debt service obligations and leases for office space. For more information regarding our lease obligations, see Note 5, Leases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For more information regarding our debt service obligations, see Note 9, Debt, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the periods presented, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet financing activities or other arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For information regarding new accounting pronouncements, and the impact of these pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements, if any, refer to Note 1, Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 1, Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following accounting policies and specific estimates involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity.
Business Combinations
Accounting for business combinations requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date with respect to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed and pre-acquisition contingencies. We use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as the useful lives of those acquired intangible assets.
Critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets and goodwill we have acquired are:
•future expected cash flows from subscription and content contracts, other customer contracts and acquired developed technologies, and trade names;
•historical and expected customer attrition rates and anticipated growth in revenue from acquired customers;
•assumptions about the period of time the acquired trade name will continue to be used in our offerings;
•discount rates;
•uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances assumed;
•fair value of other non-cash consideration; and
•fair value of earnout consideration.
Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Significant judgment is required to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Accordingly, we typically obtain the assistance of third-party valuation specialists for significant reporting units for purposes of determining whether there is goodwill impairment. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations. We typically estimate the fair value of these assets using the income method, which is based on the present value of estimated future cash flows attributable to the respective assets. The valuations used to establish and to test goodwill for impairment are dependent on a number of significant estimates and assumptions, including macroeconomic conditions, overall growth rates, competitive activities, cost containment and margin progression, Company business plans and the discount rate applied to cash flows.
Goodwill is not amortized, but tested at least annually for impairment. Our ongoing annual impairment testing for goodwill occurs on October 1st. Assumptions used in our impairment evaluations, such as forecasted growth rates and cost of capital, are consistent with internal projections and operating plans. We believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable and comparable to those that would be used by other marketplace participants. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions. For example, future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates that are used in our impairment
testing for goodwill, including discount and tax rates or future cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values. In addition, changes to or a failure to achieve business plans or deterioration of macroeconomic conditions could result in reduced cash flows or higher discount rates, leading to a lower valuation that would trigger an impairment of the goodwill of these businesses.
If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, that difference represents an impairment.
Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment. Acquired intangible assets (customer relationships, patents and technologies, and tradenames) are expected to have determinable useful lives. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized to expense over their estimated lives. An impairment assessment for finite-lived intangibles is only required when an event or change in circumstances indicates that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.
The most significant assumptions utilized in the determination of the estimated fair values of our reporting units are the net sales and earnings growth rates (including residual growth rates) and discount rate. The residual growth rate represents the expected rate at which the reporting units are expected to grow beyond the shorter-term business planning period. The residual growth rate utilized in our fair value estimates is consistent with the reporting unit operating plans and approximates expected long-term market growth rates. The residual growth rate is dependent on overall market growth rates, the competitive environment, inflation, and business activities that impact market share. As a result, the residual growth rate could be adversely impacted by a sustained deceleration in category growth or an increased competitive environment. The discount rate, which is consistent with a weighted average cost of capital that is likely to be expected by a market participant, is based upon industry required rates of return, including consideration of both debt and equity components of the capital structure. Our discount rate may be impacted by adverse changes in the macroeconomic environment, volatility in the equity and debt markets or other country specific factors.
Recoverability of asset groups are measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. This includes assumptions about future prospects for the business that the asset group relates to and typically involves computations of the estimated future cash flows to be generated by these businesses.
Future sustained depression of our stock price may indicate that a triggering event has occurred that may require us to reassess our goodwill for impairment and may trigger future impairment charges of one or all of our reporting units. Further, changes in operating plans or adverse changes in the business or in the macroeconomic environment in the future could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and could result in a decline in fair value that would trigger future impairment charges of our reporting units.
See Note 8, Goodwill to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion on goodwill and goodwill impairment in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Debt instruments measured at fair value
The Company accounts for certain of its debt obligations at fair value. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the debt obligations upon inception at fair value. The debt obligations are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s unaudited consolidated statement of operations. The Company estimates the fair value of the debt obligation using a lattice model.
Warrant Liabilities
The Company has outstanding public and private warrants, both of which do not meet the criteria for equity classification and are accounted for as liabilities. The Company recognizes the warrants as liabilities at fair value at each reporting period. The determination of the fair value of the warrant liabilities may require company specific inputs such as stock price volatility and discount rate and are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Deferred Taxes and Valuation Allowance
Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are expected to be realized based on the weighting of positive and negative evidence. Future realization of deferred tax assets ultimately
depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (for example, ordinary income or capital gain) within the carryback or carryforward periods available under the applicable tax law. We regularly review the deferred tax assets for recoverability based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. Our judgment regarding future profitability may change due to many factors, including future market conditions and the ability to successfully execute its business plans and/or tax planning strategies. Should there be a change in the ability to recover deferred tax assets, the tax provision would increase or decrease in the period in which the assessment is changed.
Critical Accounting Policy
Revenue Recognition
Subscription revenues are recurring in nature and include subscription fees from customers accessing our company’s cloud-based infrastructure, digital content, transcripts, news and analysis, images, video and podcast data. Advisory, advertising and other revenue includes revenues derived from non-recurring activities where we deliver specific deliverables for clients as well as where we provide advertising in our own publications (Roll Call and CQ) in both print and digital formats, the sale of various publications, and sponsorship revenue for events organized by the Company. Our company’s subscription arrangements are generally non-cancelable and do not contain refund-type provisions. Our company recognizes revenues upon the satisfaction of its performance obligation(s) (upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to its customers) in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks.
We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily consist of inflation risk and fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We use the U.S. Dollar ("USD") as our reporting currency. Our local subsidiaries transact generally in their local currency, considered the functional currency for that subsidiary. Our foreign currency exchange rate risk is related to translation of our assets and liabilities from the subsidiaries' functional currencies to USD. These adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our consolidated balance sheets. Our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly changes in the Euro, British Pound Sterling and Australian Dollar. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our operations, which are primarily in the United States as well as the European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and India. Our results of operations and cash flows in the future may be adversely affected due to an expansion of non-U.S. dollar denominated contracts, growth of our international entities and changes in foreign exchange rates. The effect of a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates applicable to our business would not have a material impact on our cash denominated in foreign currency. To date, we have not engaged in any hedging strategies. As our international operations grow, we will continue to reassess our approach to manage the risk relating to fluctuations in currency rates.
Fluctuations in foreign currencies impact the amount of total assets, liabilities, revenues, operating expenses and cash flows that we report for our foreign subsidiaries upon the translation of these amounts into USD. Total revenue during the year ended December 31, 2024, was positively impacted by approximately 1.0% compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to market risk associated with changing interest rates within our variable rate Senior Term Loan. Our exposure to changes in interest rates is associated with the Prime Rate.
As of December 31, 2024, we had outstanding borrowings on our Senior Term Loan of $88.6 million that bears interest at a floating rate based on the Prime Rate plus an applicable margin. At December 31, 2024 the interest on our Senior Term Loan was 12.75%. Assuming no change in the outstanding borrowings on our Senior Term Loan, we estimate that a one percentage point increase in the Prime Rate would increase our annual cash interest expense by approximately $0.9 million on an annual basis.
Inflation Risk
Although we do not believe inflation has had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows to date, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on our business.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ RSM US LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2015.
McLean, Virginia
April 1, 2025
FISCALNOTE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except shares, and par value)
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
28,814
$
16,451
Restricted cash
Short-term investments
5,796
7,134
Accounts receivable, net
13,465
16,931
Costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, net
3,016
3,326
Prepaid expenses
2,548
2,593
Other current assets
2,908
2,521
Total current assets
57,187
49,805
Property and equipment, net
5,051
6,141
Capitalized software costs, net
15,099
13,372
Noncurrent costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, net
3,197
4,257
Operating lease assets
15,620
17,782
Goodwill
159,061
187,703
Customer relationships, net
41,717
53,917
Database, net
16,147
18,838
Other intangible assets, net
13,018
18,113
Other non-current assets
Total assets
$
326,197
$
370,561
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
$
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
8,462
12,909
Deferred revenue, current portion
35,253
43,530
Customer deposits
1,850
3,032
Contingent liabilities from acquisitions, current portion
-
Operating lease liabilities, current portion
3,386
3,066
Other current liabilities
2,266
2,878
Total current liabilities
51,253
65,650
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
147,041
222,310
Deferred tax liabilities
1,934
2,178
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
22,490
26,162
Public and private warrant liabilities
2,458
4,761
Other non-current liabilities
2,968
5,166
Total liabilities
228,366
327,102
Commitment and contingencies (Note 18)
Stockholders' equity:
Class A Common stock ($0.0001 par value, 1,700,000,000 authorized, 142,794,386 and 121,679,829 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)
Class B Common stock ($0.0001 par value, 9,000,000 authorized, 8,290,921 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)
Additional paid-in capital
899,929
860,485
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
4,786
(622
)
Accumulated deficit
(806,899
)
(816,416
)
Total stockholders' equity
97,831
43,459
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
326,197
$
370,561
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FISCALNOTE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)
Years Ended December 31,
Revenues:
Subscription
$
111,073
$
119,082
Advisory, advertising, and other
9,193
13,563
Total revenues
120,266
132,645
Operating expenses: (1)
Cost of revenues
25,639
40,251
Research and development
12,828
18,186
Sales and marketing
35,055
45,722
Editorial
18,528
17,869
General and administrative
50,236
65,550
Amortization of intangible assets
9,925
11,509
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
-
32,064
Transaction (gains) costs, net
(4
)
(767
)
Total operating expenses
152,207
230,384
Operating loss
(31,941
)
(97,739
)
Gain on sales of businesses (Note 4)
(72,017
)
-
Interest expense, net
23,589
29,940
Change in fair value of financial instruments
6,408
(15,983
)
Loss on settlement
-
3,474
Other expense, net
Net income (loss) before income taxes
10,053
(115,238
)
Provision from income taxes
Net income (loss)
9,517
(115,461
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
(299
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
9,218
$
(115,298
)
Net income (loss) used to compute basic and diluted loss per share
$
9,517
$
(115,461
)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and Diluted
$
0.07
$
(0.88
)
Weighted average shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and Diluted
137,280,603
131,400,109
(1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expenses, as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
Cost of revenues
$
$
Research and development
1,554
1,384
Sales and marketing
1,567
2,057
Editorial
General and administrative
13,729
22,933
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FISCALNOTE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share data)
Equity
Common Stock
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders' equity
Shares
Amount
Balance at December 31, 2022
131,416,516
$
$
846,205
$
(785
)
$
(700,743
)
$
144,690
Adoption of new accounting standard
-
-
-
-
(212
)
(212
)
Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with business acquisitions
1,885,149
-
9,539
-
-
9,539
Issuance of Class A common Stock upon vesting of restricted share units
1,987,641
-
-
-
-
-
Issuance of Class A common Stock under employee stock purchase plan
102,807
-
-
-
Issuance of Class A common Stock upon settlement of contingent consideration
209,261
-
-
-
Exercise of stock options
251,099
-
-
-
Return of common stock
(5,881,723
)
$
(1
)
(21,409
)
(21,410
)
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
27,057
-
-
27,057
Withholding taxes on net share settlement of stock-based compensation and option exercises
-
-
(1,872
)
-
-
(1,872
)
Net loss
-
-
-
-
(115,461
)
(115,461
)
Foreign currency translation gain
-
-
-
-
Balance at December 31, 2023
129,970,750
$
$
860,485
$
(622
)
$
(816,416
)
$
43,459
Issuance of Class A common Stock upon vesting of restricted share units
3,460,900
-
-
-
Issuance of Class A common Stock upon exercise of employee stock purchase plan
509,865
-
-
-
Note conversion
15,428,500
19,011
-
-
19,013
Shares issued to satisfy interest on the GPO Convertible Note
1,715,292
-
1,933
-
-
1,933
Exercise of stock options
-
-
-
-
Stock-based compensation expense
-
-
17,949
-
-
17,949
Withholding taxes on net share settlement of stock-based compensation and option exercises
-
-
-
-
Change in fair value of debt instruments (Note 10)
-
-
-
5,707
5,707
Net income
-
-
-
-
9,517
9,517
Foreign currency translation loss
-
-
-
(299
)
-
(299
)
Balance at December 31, 2024
151,085,307
$
$
899,929
$
4,786
$
(806,899
)
$
97,831
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FISCALNOTE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)
$
9,517
$
(115,461
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
1,241
1,348
Amortization of intangible assets and capitalized software development costs
18,628
27,369
Amortization of deferred costs to obtain revenue contracts
3,707
3,617
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets
-
32,064
Gain on sale of businesses
(72,017
)
-
Non-cash operating lease expense
2,060
3,264
Stock-based compensation
17,949
27,057
Non-cash earnout benefit
-
(530
)
Loss on settlement
-
3,474
Bad debt expense
Change in fair value of acquisition contingent consideration
(117
)
(2,043
)
Change in fair value of financial instruments
6,408
(15,983
)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)
(162
)
Paid-in-kind interest, net
7,963
6,060
Other non-cash items
Non-cash interest expense
3,068
3,919
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net
1,836
(287
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,421
Costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, net
(2,902
)
(4,443
)
Other non-current assets
(180
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(1,111
)
(6,426
)
Deferred revenue
1,032
4,123
Customer deposits
(194
)
(198
)
Other current liabilities
(441
)
Contingent liabilities from acquisitions, net of current portion
(13
)
(39
)
Lease liabilities
(3,117
)
(6,626
)
Other non-current liabilities
Net cash used in operating activities
(5,298
)
(35,494
)
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures
(8,884
)
(7,938
)
Cash proceeds from the sale of businesses, net (Note 4)
98,052
-
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
-
(5,010
)
Purchase of investments
-
(7,369
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
89,168
(20,317
)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs
6,301
11,500
Principal payments of long-term debt
(70,808
)
(107
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
(7,399
)
-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and ESPP purchases
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(71,432
)
12,077
Effects of exchange rates on cash
(284
)
(189
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
12,154
(43,923
)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
17,300
61,223
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period
$
29,454
$
17,300
Supplemental Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Issuance of common stock for conversion of debt and interest
$
20,946
$
-
Amounts held in escrow related to the sale of Board.org
$
$
-
Issuance of common stock in connection with business acquisitions
$
-
$
9,539
Warrants issued in conjunction with long-term debt issuance
$
-
$
Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable
$
$
Supplemental Cash Flow Activities:
Cash paid for interest
$
14,732
$
20,679
Cash paid for taxes
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FISCALNOTE HOLDINGS, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except shares, par value, per share amounts, or as otherwise noted)
Note 1. Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (“FiscalNote,” or the “Company”) is the leading Software as a Service (SAAS) technology provider of policy and regulatory intelligence. By uniquely combining proprietary AI technology, comprehensive data, and decades of trusted analysis, FiscalNote helps customers efficiently manage political and business risk. Since 2013, FiscalNote has pioneered solutions that deliver critical insights, enabling effective decision making and giving organizations the competitive edge they need.
Home to PolicyNote, CQ, Roll Call, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading product and brands, FiscalNote serves thousands of customers worldwide with global offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The Company is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
On July 29, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 7, 2021, and as amended on May 9, 2022, (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among FiscalNote Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Old FiscalNote”), Duddell Street Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“DSAC”), and Grassroots Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware Corporation and a wholly owned direct subsidiary of DSAC (“Merger Sub” and, together with DSAC, the “DSAC Parties”). Pursuant to these transactions, Merger Sub merged with and into Old FiscalNote, with Old FiscalNote becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of DSAC (the “Business Combination” and, collectively with the other transactions described in the Business Combination Agreement, the “Transactions”). In connection with the closing of the Transactions (the “Closing”), DSAC domesticated and continued as a Delaware corporation under the name of “FiscalNote Holdings, Inc.” (“New FiscalNote”). Unless the context otherwise requires, references in these notes to the financial statements to the “Company,” “FiscalNote,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to the business of Old FiscalNote, which became the business of New FiscalNote and its subsidiaries following the Closing.
Liquidity
The Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments were $35,250 as of December 31, 2024, compared with $24,434 as of December 31, 2023. Further, the Company had negative working capital (excluding cash, restricted cash, and short-term investments) of $29,316 and $40,279 at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $806,899 and $816,416 as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and has incurred net losses of $62,500 (excluding the effect of the gains on sale of businesses throughout 2024 totaling $72,017) and $115,461 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Management expects that significant on-going operating and capital expenditures may be necessary to continue to implement the Company’s business plan of entering new markets, future acquisitions, and infrastructure and product development. Historically, the Company’s cash flows from operations have not been sufficient to fund its current operating model and the Company funded operations through debt and selling assets (see Note 4, Acquisitions and Dispositions).
The Company has implemented various cost saving measures throughout 2023, 2024, and 2025 to rationalize its cost structure and is actively evaluating additional cost saving opportunities and sources of capital. As disclosed in Note 9, Debt, the Company is subject to certain financial covenants. The Company expects to be in compliance with these financial covenants, and have adequate cash and cash flows to support its operating, investing, and financing activities for at least the next twelve months from the date of this filing. The Company’s ability to maintain compliance with these financial covenants and satisfy its debt obligations are based on the Company’s current expectations regarding revenues, collections, cost structure, current cash burn rate, and other operating assumptions. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, at the time that the Company does not maintain compliance with all of its financial covenants, the lenders may declare the amounts outstanding due and payable at which time the Company would not be able to satisfy the lenders rights. As there can be no assurance that cost saving measures and necessary financing will be available, the Company may execute other strategic alternatives to maximize stakeholder value, including further expense reductions, sale of all or portions of the business, corporate capital restructuring or formal reorganization, or liquidation of assets.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern; which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business, in addition to, and in conjunction with, the sale of Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly and the convertible notes that were amended and exchanged as disclosed in Note 19, Subsequent Events. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The propriety of using the going-concern basis is dependent upon, among other things, the achievement of future profitable operations, the ability to generate sufficient cash from operations and potential other funding sources, in addition to cash on-hand, to meet its obligations as they become due.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Estimates and assumptions made by management include the determination of:
•revenue recognition;
•the average period of benefit associated with costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts;
•the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable;
•the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for business combinations;
•the useful lives of intangible assets;
•capitalization of software development costs;
•valuation of financial instruments;
•impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets;
•the fair value of certain stock awards issued;
•the fair value of certain consideration issued as part of business combinations;
•the recognition, measurement, and valuation of current and deferred income taxes and uncertain tax positions; and
•the incremental borrowing rate used to calculate lease balances.
Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, which forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Segments
The Company is a leading technology provider of global policy and market intelligence and operates out of a single operating segment. The Company derives revenue from customers by delivering critical, actionable legal and policy insights in a rapidly evolving political, regulatory and macroeconomic environment.
The Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is the chief executive officer. The chief operating decision maker assesses performance for the single operating segment and decides how to allocate resources based on net income that also is reported on the income statement as consolidated net income. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets. The Company does not have intra-entity sales or transfers. The Company operates as a single operating segment as the chief operating decision maker manages the business activities on a consolidated basis.
The primary financial measures used by the CODM to evaluate performance and allocate resources are net income (loss) and operating income (loss). The CODM uses net income (loss) and operating income (loss) to evaluate the performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and as part of the Company’s internal planning and forecasting
processes. Information on Net income (loss) and Operating income (loss) is disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Segment expenses and other segment items are provided to the CODM on the same basis as disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The CODM does not evaluate performance or allocate resources based on segment assets, and therefore such information is not presented in the notes to the financial statements.
Concentrations of Risks
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company generally maintains its cash and cash equivalents with various nationally recognized financial institutions. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents at times exceed amounts guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The Company does not require collateral for accounts receivable. The Company maintains an allowance for its doubtful accounts receivable due to estimated credit losses. This allowance is based upon historical loss patterns, the number of days billings are past due, an evaluation of the potential risk of loss associated with delinquent accounts and current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions to inform adjustments to historical loss patterns. The Company records the allowance against bad debt expense through the consolidated statements of operations, included in sales and marketing expense, up to the amount of revenues recognized to date. Any incremental allowance is recorded as an offset to deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets. Receivables are written off and charged against the recorded allowance when the Company has exhausted collection efforts without success.
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Revenue derived from the U.S. Federal Government was 17% and 16% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, assets located in the United States were approximately 85% percent of total assets.
Two vendors accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts payable as of December 31, 2024 and no vendors accounted for more than 10% of the Company's accounts payable as of December 31, 2023, respectively. One vendor represented more than 10% of the total purchases made for the year ended December 31, 2024 and no vendors represented more than 10% of the total purchases made for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues upon the satisfaction of its performance obligation(s) (upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to its customers) in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company has elected to exclude sales and similar taxes from the transaction price.
The Company determines the amount of revenue to be recognized through the application of the following steps:
(i)identification of contracts with customers,
(ii)identification of distinct performance obligations in the contract,
(iii)determination of contract transaction price,
(iv)allocation of contract transaction price to the performance obligations, and
(v)determination of revenue recognition based on timing of satisfaction of the performance obligation(s).
The Company derives its revenues from subscription revenue arrangements and advisory, advertising, and other revenues.
Subscription Revenue
Subscription revenue consists of revenue earned from subscription-based arrangements that provide customers the right to use the Company’s software and products in a cloud-based infrastructure. Subscription revenue is driven primarily by the number of active licenses, the types of products and the price of the subscriptions. The Company also earns
subscription-based revenue by licensing to customers its digital content, including transcripts, news and analysis, images, video, and podcast data. Subscription revenue is generally non-refundable regardless of the actual use and is recognized ratably over the non-cancellable contract term beginning on the commencement date of each contract, which is the date the Company’s service is first made available to customers.
The Company typically invoices its customers annually. Typical payment terms provide that customers pay within 30 days of invoice. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue, depending on whether transfer of control to customers has occurred. Deferred revenue results from amounts billed to or cash received from customers in advance of the revenue being recognized.
Contract assets represent a conditional right to consideration for satisfied performance obligations that become a receivable when the conditions are satisfied. Contract assets are generated when contractual billing schedules differ from the timing of revenue recognition or cash collection and are included in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Advisory, Advertising, and Other Revenues
Advisory revenue is typically earned under contracts for specific deliverables and is non-recurring in nature, although the Company may sell different advisory services to repeat customers. One-time advisory revenue is invoiced according to the terms of the contract, usually delivered to the customer over a short period of time, during which revenue is recognized.
Advertising revenue is primarily generated by delivering advertising in its publications (Roll Call and CQ) in both print and digital formats. Revenue for print advertising is recognized upon publication of the advertisement. Revenue for digital advertising is recognized over the period of the advertisement or, if the contract contains impression guarantees, based on delivered impressions.
Costs Capitalized to Obtain Revenue Contracts
The Company capitalizes incremental costs of obtaining a contract. Certain sales commissions are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Sales commissions incurred for obtaining new contracts are deferred and then amortized as selling and marketing expenses on a straight-line basis over a period of benefit that the Company has determined to be approximately four years. The four-year amortization period was determined based on several factors, including the nature of the technology and proprietary data underlying the services being purchased, customer contract renewal rates and industry competition. The Company updates its estimate of the period of benefit periodically and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the period of benefit could change significantly. Such changes, if any, are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. The Company has elected to use a practical expedient to expense commissions for renewal contracts when the renewal period is 12 months or less. The Company does not have material costs to fulfill contracts with customers.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues primarily consists of expenses related to hosting the Company’s service, the costs of data center capacity, amortization of developed technology and capitalized software development costs, certain fees paid to various third parties for the use of their technology, services, or data, costs of compensation, including bonuses, stock compensation, benefits and other expenses for employees associated with providing professional services and other direct costs of production. Also included in cost of revenues are costs related to develop, publish, print, and deliver publications.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
The Company considers cash on deposit and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2024, over 61% of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were held at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Investments
The Company has invested in highly liquid investments that have investment-grade ratings. These investments are accounted for at fair value through the consolidated statement of operations. The Company is able to easily liquidate these
into cash; accordingly, the Company has presented these investments as available for current operations and are presented as short-term investments within current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Purchases and sales of short-term investments are classified in the investing section of our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which generally are five years for furniture and fixtures, three years for equipment, and the shorter of the useful life or the lease term for leasehold improvements. Software license fees for externally purchased software are capitalized and amortized over the life of the license. Property and equipment are evaluated for impairment in accordance with management’s policy for finite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets (see Note 7, Intangible Assets).
Capitalized Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes costs to develop software for internal use, including website development costs, when it is determined the development efforts will result in new or additional functionality or new products. Costs incurred prior to meeting these criteria and costs associated with implementation activities and ongoing maintenance are expensed as incurred and included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Costs capitalized as internal use software are amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life that the Company has determined to be three years. Amortization of capitalized software development costs is included in the costs of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Software development costs are evaluated for impairment in accordance with management’s policy for finite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets (see Note 7, Intangible Assets).
Business Combinations
The Company must estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at the acquisition date. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Acquisition-Related Intangibles and Other Long-Lived Assets
The Company recognizes acquisition-related intangible assets, such as customer relationships and developed technology, in connection with business combinations. The Company amortizes the cost of acquisition-related intangible assets that have finite useful lives generally on a straight-line basis. The Company evaluates acquisition-related intangibles and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups are measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. This includes assumptions about future prospects for the business that the asset group relates to and typically involves computations of the estimated future cash flows to be generated by these businesses. Based on these judgments and assumptions, the Company determines whether the Company needs to take an impairment charge to reduce the value of the asset group stated on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets to reflect its estimated fair value. When the Company considers such assets to be impaired, the amount of impairment the Company recognizes is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. There were no impairments of long-lived assets during the year ended December 31, 2024. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $6,223 (see Note 7, Intangible Assets).
Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For purposes of assessing potential impairment, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units based on the price a market participant would be willing to pay in a potential sale of the reporting unit, and compares this amount to the carrying value of the reporting unit. If the Company determines
that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be required. The annual goodwill impairment test is performed on October 1st.
There were no impairments of goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded non-cash goodwill impairment charges totaling $25,841 (see Note 8, Goodwill).
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at the inception of the contract. The Company’s leases include certain variable lease payments associated with non-lease components, such as common area maintenance costs and real estate taxes, which are generally charged based on actual amounts incurred by the lessor. The non-lease components are combined with the lease component to account for both as a single lease component.
Lease liabilities, which represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, and corresponding right-of-use assets, which represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of fixed future payments over the lease term. The Company calculates the present value of future payments using a discount rate equal to the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. For operating leases, lease expense relating to fixed payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and lease expense relating to variable payments is expensed as incurred. The Company did not have any finance leases at December 31, 2023 and at December 31, 2024. The Company records costs associated with leases within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Company subleases certain leased office spaces to third parties and recognizes sublease income on a straight-line basis over the sublease term as an offset to lease expense as part of the general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Warrant Liabilities
The Company evaluates its financial instruments, including its outstanding warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. The Company has outstanding public and private warrants, both of which do not meet the criteria for equity classification and are accounted for as liabilities. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrants as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the warrants to fair value at each reporting period. The warrant liabilities are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheets date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation awards consist of stock options and restricted stock units (collectively “stock-based awards”). The Company has historically issued stock options with exercise prices equal to the fair value of the underlying stock price. Prior to the completion of the Business Combination and listing of the Company’s Class A common stock on the public stock exchange, the fair value of Old FiscalNote common stock underlying the stock options was determined based on then-current valuation estimates at the time of grant. Because such grants occurred prior to the public trading of the Company’s Class A common stock, the fair value of Old FiscalNote common stock was typically determined with assistance of periodic valuation analyses from an independent third-party valuation firm.
The Company calculates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For share-based awards with performance conditions, the Company periodically assesses whether the performance conditions have been met or are probable of being met in order to determine the timing and amount of compensation expense to be recognized for each reporting period. Compensation expense for all option awards is recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the option’s vesting period. These amounts are reduced by the forfeitures as the forfeitures occur.
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to
reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax laws is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the period that includes the enactment date.
Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are expected to be realized based on the weighting of positive and negative evidence. Future realization of deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (for example, ordinary income or capital gain) within the carryback or carryforward periods available under the applicable tax law. The Company regularly reviews the deferred tax assets for recoverability based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. The Company’s judgments regarding future profitability may change due to many factors, including future market conditions and the ability to successfully execute its business plans and/or tax planning strategies. Should there be a change in the ability to recover deferred tax assets, the tax provision would increase or decrease in the period in which the assessment is changed.
The Company’s tax positions are subject to income tax audits by multiple tax jurisdictions throughout the world. The Company recognizes the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, solely based on its technical merits. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit which is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of the Company’s major foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency. All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Equity transactions are translated using historical exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are recorded as a separate component on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period and historically have not been material.
Currency gains and losses on the translation of intercompany loans made to foreign subsidiaries that are of a long-term investment nature are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Fair Value Measurements
The Company accounts for assets and liabilities in accordance with accounting standards that define fair value and establish a consistent framework for measuring fair value on either a recurring or a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is an exit price representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
Accounting standards include disclosure requirements relating to the fair values used for certain financial instruments and establish a fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy prioritizes valuation inputs into three levels based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Each fair value measurement is reported in one of three levels:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Assets or liabilities valued based on observable market data for similar instruments, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity; instruments valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose disaggregated information about a reporting entity's effective tax rate reconciliation as well as additional information on income taxes paid. For public entities, ASU 2023-09 is required to be adopted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2023-09 on its income tax disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which requires public entities to disclose disaggregated information about certain income statement line items in the notes to the financial statements. For public entities, ASU 2024-03 is required to be adopted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments' significant expenses and other segment items on an interim and annual basis. For public entities, ASU 2023-07 is required to be adopted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this ASU effective for our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2024, and as a result, enhanced certain qualitative considerations within "Segment Information" of Note 1. There were no significant impacts to our existing quantitative disclosures as a result of our adoption of this ASU.
The Company has evaluated all issued Accounting Standards Updates and believes the adoption of these standards will not have a material impact on its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), balance sheets, or cash flows.
Note 2. Business Combination with DSAC
On July 29, 2022, the Company consummated the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 7, 2021, and as amended on May 9, 2022, (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among FiscalNote Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Old FiscalNote”), Duddell Street Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“DSAC”), and Grassroots Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware Corporation and a wholly owned direct subsidiary of DSAC (“Merger Sub” and, together with DSAC, the “DSAC Parties”). Pursuant to these transactions, Merger Sub merged with and into Old FiscalNote, with Old FiscalNote becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of DSAC (the “Business Combination” and, collectively with the other transactions described in the Business Combination Agreement, the “Transactions”). In connection with the closing of the Transactions, DSAC domesticated and continued as a Delaware corporation under the name of “FiscalNote Holdings, Inc.” (“New FiscalNote”). Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the “Company,” “FiscalNote,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to the business of Old FiscalNote, which became the business of New FiscalNote and its subsidiaries following the closing on July 29, 2022. Subsequent to the closing of the Business Combination, the Company's Class A common stock and public warrants began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “NOTE” and “NOTE.WS,” respectively. The Company accounted for the Business Combination as a reverse recapitalization whereby Old FiscalNote was determined as the accounting acquirer and DSAC as the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Old FiscalNote issuing stock for the net assets of DSAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of DSAC are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
In connection with the closing of the Business Combination Agreement, FiscalNote also entered into the Credit Agreement with Runway Growth Finance Corp., ORIX Growth Capital, LLC, Clover Orochi LLC, and ACM ASOF VIII SaaS FinCo LLC (together the “New Senior Lenders”), pursuant to which a new senior term loan was consummated simultaneously with the Closing (the "Senior Term Loan").
Note 3. Revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table depicts the Company's disaggregated revenue for the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
Subscription
$
111,073
$
119,082
Advisory
4,640
5,455
Advertising
1,683
1,632
Books
1,166
Other revenue
2,637
5,310
Total
$
120,266
$
132,645
Revenue by Geographic Locations
The following table depicts the Company’s revenue by geographic operations for the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
North America
$
95,503
$
107,108
Europe
21,792
19,749
Australia
1,276
1,193
Asia
1,695
4,595
Total
$
120,266
$
132,645
Revenues by geography are determined based on the region of the Company's contracting entity, which may be different than the region of the customer. North America revenue consists solely of revenue attributed to the United States. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, revenue attributed to the United Kingdom represented approximately 14% and 12% of total revenues, respectively. No other foreign country represented more than five percent of total revenue during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Contract Assets
The Company had contract assets of $1,240 and $1,183, as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company had contract assets of $1,464 as of January 1, 2023. Contract assets are generated when contractual billing schedules differ from the timing of revenue recognition or cash collections. They represent a conditional right to consideration for satisfied performance obligations that becomes a receivable when the conditions are satisfied. They are recorded as part of other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Deferred Revenue
Details of the Company’s deferred revenue for the periods presented are as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
36,487
Acquired deferred revenue
3,933
Revenue recognized in the current period from amounts in the prior balance
(35,598
)
New deferrals, net of amounts recognized in the current period
39,220
Effects of foreign currency
Balance at December 31, 2023
44,405
Sales of businesses
(9,715
)
Revenue recognized in the current period from amounts in the prior balance
(38,280
)
New deferrals, net of amounts recognized in the current period
39,274
Effects of foreign currency
(209
)
Balance at December 31, 2024
$
35,475
Costs to Obtain
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company capitalized $2,899 and $4,421 of costs to obtain revenue contracts and amortized $3,707 and $3,617 to sales and marketing expense during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no impairments of costs to obtain revenue contracts for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Unsatisfied Performance Obligations
At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $92,356 and $109,151 of remaining contract consideration for which revenue has not been recognized due to unsatisfied performance obligations. The Company expects to recognize this revenue over the next five years.
Note 4. Acquisitions and Dispositions
2024 Dispositions
Sale of Aicel
On October 31, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the equity of the Company's subsidiary owning and operating its Aicel Technologies business ("Aicel") to a South Korean based-group. Total consideration was $9,650 comprised of a cash payment to the Company of $8,500 and the assumption of an existing convertible note previously issued by Aicel in 2022, with an outstanding total principal and accrued paid-in-kind interest amount of $1,150. The net proceeds, after paying transaction fees, expenses, and taxes were used to repay $5,000 of principal and accrued paid-in-kind interest of the Company's Senior Term Loan. As a result of the sale of Aicel, the Company recorded a gain on disposal of $480.
The Company determined that Aicel was not a significant subsidiary, and the disposition of Aicel did not constitute a strategic shift that would have a major effect on the Company’s operations or financial results. As a result, the results of operations for Aicel were not reported as discontinued operations under the guidance of ASC 205 “Presentation of Financial Statements."
Sale of Board.org
On March 11, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the equity of the Company's subsidiary owning and operating its Board.org business with Exec Connect Intermediate LLC (the “Buyer”). On March 11, 2024, after adjustments based on Board.org’s working capital, indebtedness and transaction expenses, as well as retention payments payable to certain employees of Board.org, the Company received $90,905 in cash (excluding $785 of the purchase price that was deposited into escrow to satisfy certain potential post-closing purchase price adjustments and indemnification claims and including $21 of cash acquired by the Buyer). The Company was entitled to receive an earn-out payment of up to $8,000, less the amount of certain retention payments potentially owing to the former Board.org employees, if the Board.org business achieved specified revenue targets for fiscal year 2024. These revenue targets were not met. As a result of the sale of Board.org, the Company recorded a gain on disposal of $71,538, inclusive of the $785 of funds placed in escrow. On June 6, 2024, the Company received $500 of the $785 placed in escrow and finalized the post-closing purchase price adjustment. At December 31, 2024 the Company has $285 included in other current assets representing the remaining balance held in escrow. On March 17, 2025, the remaining $285 of escrow was released to the Company.
The proceeds from the sale of Board.org were used in part to prepay $65,700 of term loans under the Company’s Credit Agreement, and pay $7,068 of related prepayment and exit fees associated with the retired amount. The remaining $18,137 of net proceeds were retained by the Company for general corporate purposes. As part of the sale the Company recorded a current tax liability for federal and state income tax of $1,571 and a non-cash deferred tax charge of $300.
The Company determined that Board.org was not a significant subsidiary, and the disposition of Board.org did not constitute a strategic shift that would have a major effect on the Company’s operations or financial results. As a result, the results of operations for Board.org were not reported as discontinued operations under the guidance of ASC 205 “Presentation of Financial Statements."
Pursuant to the Employee Lease Agreement entered into in connection with the closing of the sale of Board.org, the Company was the employer of record for the Board.org employees until June 30, 2024. Under the terms of the Employee Lease agreement, the Company was responsible for the payment of salaries and benefits to the Board.org employees at the direction of the Buyer, until the Buyer legally assumed those employees. On July 1, 2024 the Buyer became the employer of record for the Board.org employees and all services under the Employee Lease Agreement ceased.
Additionally, the Company entered into a Transition Services Agreement in connection with the closing of the sale of Board.org whereby the Company provided certain transitional support services from March 11, 2024 to June 30, 2024 and the buyer reimbursed FiscalNote for certain direct costs of those services. No material costs were incurred under the Transition Services Agreement during the period from March 11, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
2023 Acquisitions
Dragonfly Acquisition
On January 27, 2023, the Company entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement for all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Dragonfly Eye Limited ("Dragonfly"), a UK-based SaaS-based geopolitical and security intelligence provider of actionable data and analysis delivered through Dragonfly's SaaS-based, proprietary Security Intelligence and Analysis Service subscription platform and API.
The aggregate purchase price consisted of (i) $5.6 million in cash (£4.5 million pounds sterling), (ii) 1,885,149 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, and (iii) $11.1 million (£8.9 million pounds sterling) in aggregate principal amount of subordinated convertible promissory notes (“Seller Convertible Notes”). The purchase price was subject to customary adjustments based on working capital and the amount of Dragonfly’s transaction expenses and net indebtedness that remain unpaid as of the closing date, and indemnification obligations for certain claims made following the Closing Date. The Company incurred direct and indirect expenses totaling $1,272 in connection with the acquisition of Dragonfly during the year ended December 31, 2023 (inclusive of $446 of amounts paid on January 27, 2023 that were recognized as expense during the three months ended March 31, 2023).
The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred for Dragonfly consisted of the following:
Cash
$
5,617
Fair value of Class A common stock
9,539
Fair value of Seller Convertible Notes
8,635
Fair value of contingent consideration
1,445
Total
$
25,236
The Class A common stock issued as consideration as part of the acquisition of Dragonfly represents non-cash activity on the consolidated statement of stockholders equity and consolidated statement of cash flows.
Additionally, the sellers were eligible to receive an additional payment from the Company of up to approximately $4.3 million, (£3.5) million pounds sterling (the “Dragonfly Earnout”) based on the achievement of certain U.S. GAAP revenue targets for 2023 by Dragonfly. The 2023 revenue targets were not met.
Certain employees of Dragonfly were eligible for an employee earnout bonus awards (the "Dragonfly Employee Earnout Awards") based on achievement of certain U.S. GAAP revenue targets for 2024 by Dragonfly. The 2024 revenue targets were not met.
The following table summarizes the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
Current assets, net
3,690
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets
9,600
Deferred revenues
(3,933
)
Current liabilities
(1,764
)
Deferred tax liabilities
(1,517
)
Total net assets acquired
6,701
Goodwill
18,535
Total purchase price
$
25,236
The following table sets forth the components of identified intangible assets acquired and their estimated useful lives as of the date of acquisition:
Estimated Fair Value
Estimated Useful Life (Years)
Customer relationships
$
7,300
6,10
Developed technology
1,750
Tradename
Total intangible assets acquired
$
9,600
The estimated fair values of the customer relationships, developed technology and tradename were determined using the income approach. The approaches used to estimate the fair values use significant unobservable inputs including revenue and cash flow forecasts, customer attrition rates, and appropriate discount rates.
The purchase price allocation includes UK deferred assets and liabilities for acquired book and tax basis differences. Goodwill recorded for this acquisition is not tax deductible.
Note 5. Leases
The Company has operating leases, principally for corporate offices under non-cancelable operating leases. The non-cancellable base terms of these leases typically range from one to nine years. The Company’s lease terms may include
options to extend or terminate the lease. The period which is subject to an option to extend or terminate the lease is included in the lease term if it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised.
The following table details the composition of lease expense for the year presented:
Years Ended December 31,
Operating lease cost
$
4,723
$
6,138
Variable lease cost
Short-term lease cost
Total lease costs
$
5,212
$
7,529
Sublease income
$
(130
)
$
(1,442
)
The following tables present the future minimum lease payments and additional information about the Company's lease obligations as of December 31, 2024:
$
5,422
4,927
5,041
5,163
5,289
Thereafter
7,714
Total minimum lease payments
33,556
Less: Amounts representing interest
7,680
Net minimum lease payments
$
25,876
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
6.3
7.2
Weighted average discount rate
8.5
%
8.5
%
The following table presents supplemental cash flow information for the period presented:
Years Ended December 31,
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash outflows for operating leases
$
5,837
$
9,481
Supplemental noncash information on lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating lease assets:
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
$
1,042
$
In April 2021, the Company entered into a modification of one of its existing subleases. The Company exercised its termination notification right on this lease which resulted in a termination fee payment of $1,682 made on December 31, 2021 (lease termination notice date) and a final termination fee payment of $1,682 on March 31, 2023 (the lease termination effective date).
In 2017, as an incentive for entering into a lease and building out the Company’s head office in the District of Columbia, the District authorized a grant to the Company in the amount of $750, which has been disclosed as restricted cash, to finance the security deposit of the office. During 2024, an amendment to the agreement was reached which reduced the restricted cash balance from $750 to $640. The Company is required to meet certain covenants, such as maintaining its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and may have to reimburse the District if the covenants are not met. The Company recorded the grant as a grant liability in other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and will relieve the liability if and when all requirements are met.
Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment
The following table details property and equipment as of the dates presented:
As of December 31,
Leasehold improvements
$
9,536
$
9,526
Furniture and fixtures
Equipment
Computer equipment
2,406
2,332
Total property and equipment
$
12,240
$
12,458
Less: accumulated depreciation
(7,189
)
(6,317
)
Total property and equipment, net
$
5,051
$
6,141
Long-term assets outside of the United States were less than $1,000 at both December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Depreciation expense was $1,241 and $1,348 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is recorded as part of the general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Note 7. Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes the gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets by major class:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Weighted Average
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Carrying Amount
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Impairment
Net
Carrying Amount
Remaining Useful Life (Years) December 31, 2024
Customer relationships
$
76,584
$
(34,867
)
$
41,717
$
88,544
$
(32,392
)
$
(2,235
)
$
53,917
7.8
Developed technology
29,015
(23,662
)
5,353
37,205
(26,743
)
(1,909
)
8,553
6.9
Databases
29,135
(12,988
)
16,147
29,895
(11,057
)
-
18,838
7.9
Tradenames
10,808
(5,100
)
5,708
12,077
(4,367
)
(579
)
7,131
7.8
Expert network
2,654
(1,715
)
2,692
(1,291
)
-
1,401
2.1
Patents
(232
)
(217
)
(8
)
17.3
Content library
(183
)
(123
)
-
6.9
Total
$
149,629
$
(78,747
)
$
70,882
$
171,789
$
(76,190
)
$
(4,731
)
$
90,868
Finite-lived intangible assets are stated at cost, net of amortization, generally using the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of the intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets, excluding developed technology, was $9,925 and $11,509 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Amortization of developed technology was recorded as part of cost of revenues in the amount of $2,277 and $8,942 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The expected future amortization expense for intangible assets as of December 31, 2024 is as follows:
$
10,078
9,821
9,422
9,066
8,609
Thereafter
23,886
Total
$
70,882
The Company regularly reviews the remaining useful lives of its intangible assets. In the second quarter of 2023 the Company revised the remaining useful life of certain developed technologies. Accordingly, the Company recognized $3,890 of amortization expense during the year ended December 31, 2023. This is represented in the weighted average remaining useful life for developed technology assets and future amortization expense presented above.
Capitalized software development costs
Capitalized software development costs are as follows:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Carrying Amount
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Impairment
Net
Carrying Amount
Capitalized software development costs
$
34,946
$
(19,847
)
$
15,099
$
27,659
$
(12,795
)
$
(1,492
)
$
13,372
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company capitalized interest on capitalized software development costs in the amount of $583 and $424, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software development costs was recorded as part of cost of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 in the amount of $6,426 and $6,918, respectively. The estimated useful life is determined at the time each project is placed in service.
Impairment of long-lived assets
During each fiscal year, we periodically assessed whether any indicators of impairment existed related to our intangible assets. As of each interim period end during each fiscal year, we concluded that a triggering event had not occurred that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of intangible assets below their carrying value. We identified a triggering event during the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily related to the prolonged decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization. This triggering event indicated we should test the related long-lived assets for impairment in certain of our asset groups. We tested each applicable asset group by first performing a recoverability test, comparing projected undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of each asset group to its carrying value. This test indicated that the undiscounted cash flows were not sufficient to recover the carrying value of certain asset groups. We then compared the carrying value of the individual long-lived assets within those asset groups against their fair value in order to determine if impairment existed. As a result, we recorded a total non-cash impairment charge for intangible assets of $6,223 during the fourth quarter of 2023. This impairment charge relates to capitalized software development costs, developed technology, customer relationships, tradenames and patents within the FactSquared and Predata asset groups.
Note 8. Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill amounts are not amortized, but are rather tested for impairment at least annually as of October 1 of each year.
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill, which are generally not deductible for tax purposes, are as follows:
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
194,362
Acquisitions
18,535
Impairment
(25,841
)
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations
Balance at December 31, 2023
187,703
Sale of Board.org and Aicel
(27,999
)
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations
(643
)
Balance at December 31, 2024
$
159,061
As of December 31, 2024 the Company has the following goodwill reporting units: Policy and Global Intelligence. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2024 and determined there to be no impairment.
During the first quarter of 2023 we monitored our reporting units for triggering events that might indicate an impairment. Due to the decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization in the first quarter of 2023, and the underperformance of the Company’s legacy ESG reporting unit compared to internal projections, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment as of March 31, 2023. This quantitative assessment resulted in all the goodwill in our legacy ESG reporting unit being impaired; accordingly, an impairment charge of $5,837 was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Prior to the quantitative goodwill impairment test performed at March 31, 2023 the Company tested the recoverability of its long-lived assets, and concluded that such assets were not impaired.
The Company performed the required annual impairment test as of October 1, 2023 at the reporting unit level, which resulted in no impairment of goodwill. Toward the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, we continued to monitor our reporting units for triggering events that might indicate an impairment. Due to the decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization toward the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, and certain decisions made by management as of December 31, 2023, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment as of December 31, 2023. This quantitative assessment resulted in a goodwill impairment charge of $20,004 inside our legacy FNAI reporting unit recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023. Prior to the quantitative goodwill impairment test performed at December 31, 2023, the Company tested the recoverability of its long-lived assets, and concluded that certain of its intangibles were impaired. See Note 7, Intangible Assets.
The fair value estimate of the Company's reporting units was derived based on an income approach. Under the income approach, the Company estimated the fair value of reporting units based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, which the Company considers to be a Level 3 unobservable input in the fair value hierarchy. The Company prepared cash flow projections based on management's estimates of revenue growth rates and operating margins, taking into consideration the historical performance and the current macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions. The Company based the discount rate on the weighted-average cost of capital considering Company-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to our reporting unit's ability to execute on the projected cash flows.
Potential indicators of impairment include significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results, significant negative industry or economic trends, or a significant decline in the Company's stock price and/or market capitalization for a sustained period of time. It is reasonably possible that one or more of these impairment indicators could occur or intensify in the near term, which may result in an impairment of long-lived assets or further impairment of goodwill.
Note 9. Debt
The following presents the carrying value of the Company’s debt as of the respective period ends:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Senior Term Loan
$
88,595
$
158,228
GPO Convertible Note
36,524
36,954
Convertible notes
16,165
14,052
Dragonfly Convertible Note
8,979
9,002
Era Convertible Note
-
5,977
Aicel Convertible Note
-
1,156
PPP loan
Total gross debt
150,299
225,513
Debt issuance costs
(3,222
)
(3,098
)
Total
147,077
222,415
Less: Current maturities
(36
)
(105
)
Total long-term debt
$
147,041
$
222,310
a)Senior Term Loan
On July 29, 2022, concurrent with the closing of the Company's business combination, FiscalNote, Inc., a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc., entered into a senior credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") providing for a Senior Term Loan consisting of a fully funded principal amount of $150,000 and an uncommitted incremental loan facility totaling $100,000 available upon notice if the Company meets certain financial growth criteria and other customary requirements (the “New Incremental Term Facility”) (collectively the “Senior Credit Facility”). The annual interest of the Senior Term Loan consists of two components: a cash interest component of (a) the greater of (i) Prime Rate plus 5.0% per annum or (ii) 9.0% payable monthly, and (b) interest payable in kind component of 1.00% per annum, payable in kind monthly. The Senior Credit Facility will mature on July 29, 2027, the five-year anniversary of the Closing Date.
On March 17, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) to the Credit Agreement dated July 29, 2022. Among other things, Amendment No. 1 provided for the extension of an incremental term loan by one of the lenders under the facility in the principal amount of $6,000 which was received by the Company on March 31, 2023, on the same terms as the existing term loans (the “Incremental Facility”). In connection with the funding of the Incremental Facility, the Company issued the lender warrants expiring July 15, 2027, to purchase up to 80,000 Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The lender warrants represent a non-cash financing activity.
On May 16, 2023, the Company, entered into Amendment No. 2 ("Amendment No. 2") to the Credit Agreement dated July 29, 2022. Among other things, Amendment No. 2 joined Dragonfly Eye Limited and Oxford Analytica Limited (“Oxford Analytica”), each a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as Guarantors under the Credit Agreement.
On August 3, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 ("Amendment No. 3") to the Credit Agreement dated July 29, 2022. Among other things, Amendment No. 3 provides for: (a) the extension of the July 2023 Deferred Fee from July 29, 2023 to July 29, 2024, (b) the increase of the July 2023 Deferred Fee from $1,734 to $2,034, (c) increase of the Restatement Date Final Agreement from $7,410 to $8,970 and (d) the revision to the minimum annual recurring revenue and adjusted EBITDA covenants (as both are defined in the Credit Agreement).
In connection with the completion of the sale of Board.org on March 11, 2024, the Company also entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement ("Amendment No, 4"), pursuant to which, among other things, the lenders consented to the release of the liens on Board.org’s assets and permitted the consummation of the sale in exchange for the permanent prepayment of $65,700 of term loans under the Credit Agreement. The Company also made a payment of $1,314 and $5,754 of related prepayment and exit fees, respectively.
In addition, Amendment No. 4 extended the commencement of amortization payments under the Credit Agreement from August 15, 2025 to August 15, 2026, with such payments to fully amortize the term loans by the maturity date of July 15, 2027. Amendment No. 4 also increased the Company’s minimum liquidity covenant to $22,500 and modified the
Company’s minimum ARR and adjusted EBITDA in order to appropriately reflect the sale of Board.org and the absence of its future contributions to the Company’s overall financial performance and position.
In connection with the completion of the sale of Aicel Technologies on October 31, 2024, the Company repaid $5,000 of term loans under the Credit Agreement. The Company also made a payment of $50 and $281 of related prepayment and exit fees, respectively.
The Prime Rate in effect for the Senior Term Loan was 7.75% at December 31, 2024. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred $14,812 and $20,791 and $1,068 and $1,581 of cash interest and paid-in-kind interest, respectively, on the Senior Term Loan. Paid-in-kind interest is reflected as a component of the carrying value of the Senior Term Loan as the payment of such interest will occur upon the settlement of the Senior Term Loan.
The Company may prepay the Senior Term Loan in whole, or in part, subject to a 1.0% prepayment fee if prepaid prior to July 30, 2025, and no prepayment fee if prepaid on or after July 30, 2025. The July 2023 Deferred Fee totaling $2,034, as previously amended, was paid as part of Amendment No. 4. Accordingly, the Company recognized the accretion of the July 2023 Deferred Fee as interest expense through March 31, 2024. Prior to Amendment No. 4, the Company had $8,970 of deferred fees due at the earlier of prepayment or maturity of the Senior Term Loan which were amortized over the term of the Senior Term Loan using the effective interest method. On March 11, 2024, and as a result of the Amendment No, 4, the Company had $5,250 of deferred fees outstanding which the Company recognized the accretion of these deferred fees as interest expense. The $1,134 of prepayment fee paid on March 11, 2024 was treated as a debt discount. The amortization recorded for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $2,210 and $682, respectively, and is included within interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The remaining unamortized debt discount at December 31, 2024 is $2,926, excluding any deferred fees, and is reflected net against debt on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Senior Term Loan is senior to all other debt and has a first priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Senior Term Loan contains customary negative covenants related to borrowing, events of default and covenants, including certain non-financial covenants and covenants limiting the Company’s ability to dispose of assets, undergo a change in control, merge with or acquire stock, and make investments, in each case subject to certain exceptions. In addition to the negative covenants, there were four financial covenants in place at December 31, 2024: a minimum cash balance requirement, minimum annual recurring revenue requirement, an adjusted EBITDA requirement and a capital expenditure limitation. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, in addition to the lenders being able to declare amounts outstanding under the Senior Term Loan due and payable the lenders can elect to increase the interest rate by 5.0% per annum. At December 31, 2024 the Company was in compliance with the minimum cash balance requirement, capital expenditure limitation, and the adjusted EBITDA requirement. The Company did not meet the minimum annual recurring revenue requirement. On March 31, 2025 the Senior Term Loan lenders waived their rights upon default retroactive to December 31, 2024. See Note 19, Subsequent Events.
b)GPO Convertible Note
On June 30, 2023 (the “Subscription Date”), the Company entered into an Exchange and Settlement Agreement (the “Exchange and Settlement Agreement”) with GPO FN Noteholder LLC (the “GPO Investor”) pursuant to which (i) the GPO Investor returned 5,881,723 shares of Class A Common Stock held by the GPO Investor to the Company for cancellation, (ii) the Company issued to the GPO Investor a subordinated convertible promissory note in an initial principal amount of $46,794 (the “GPO Convertible Note”), and (iii) the parties agreed to a mutual settlement and release of all claims (including, but not limited to, any claims by the GPO Investor for additional shares or money damages resulting from the entry into the Merger Agreement, relating to or arising from the conversion of the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Subordinated Promissory Note, dated December 29, 2020, previously issued by a subsidiary of the pre-business combination FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. to the GPO Investor). The exchange and settlement are non-cash exchanges in the consolidated statement of cash flows. The before mentioned transactions closed on July 3, 2023.
The GPO Convertible Note will mature on July 3, 2028, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased by the Company or converted in accordance with the terms thereof. The GPO Convertible Note bears interest at a rate of 7.50% per annum payable quarterly in arrears, as follows: (i) for the first year following the date of issuance, interest was payable in kind by adding interest to the principal amount of the GPO Convertible Note; and (ii) for any period thereafter, interest will be
payable in cash or freely tradeable shares of Class A Common Stock, at the Company’s option, with the value per share determined with reference to the trailing 30-day volume weighted average trading price prior to the interest payment date, subject to certain exceptions under which the Company will be permitted to pay PIK Interest.
The GPO Convertible Note is subordinate to the Company’s obligations under its Senior Term Loan which limits certain actions that the Company and the GPO Investor may take. At any time prior to July 3, 2028, the GPO Investor is entitled to convert all or any portion of the principal amount and accrued interest thereon into shares of Class A Common Stock based on a conversion price of $7.56 (subject to future adjustment pursuant to the terms of the GPO Convertible Note). The GPO Convertible Note is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments for stock splits and similar transactions and, subject to standard exceptions, weighted average anti-dilution protection. The principal amount, together with accrued interest thereon, is redeemable by the Company in whole or in part based on certain conditions as defined in the GPO Convertible Note. Pursuant to the terms of the GPO Convertible Note, paid-in-kind interest accrued from the date of issuance through June 30, 2024. Beginning on July 1, 2024, the Company was required to pay interest with either cash or shares, solely at the discretion of the Company. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 1,715,292 Class A Common Shares in satisfaction of interest of $1,933. The Company expects to satisfy future quarterly interest payments in shares.
The Company elected to account for the GPO Convertible Note using the fair value option. The GPO Convertible Note was recorded at its June 30, 2023 acquisition date fair value of $36,583. The Company initially recorded a loss contingency of $11,700 in its fiscal year 2022 financial statements representing the difference between the fair value of the shares returned by the Investor and the fair value of the GPO Convertible Note on the date of exchange. With the execution of the Exchange and Settlement Agreement and GPO Convertible Note, the Company recorded an additional non-cash loss on settlement with GPO of $3,474 in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. The fair market value at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $36,524 and $36,954, respectively. The unrealized change in the fair value of the GPO Convertible Note of $4,443, as a result of the change in the Company's specific credit risk, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the non-cash loss was recorded in the change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the amount of $2,154 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The non-cash gain was recorded in the change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the amount of $1,411 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company incurred total interest expense related to the GPO Convertible Note of $3,792 and $1,781 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
c)Convertible Notes
At December 31, 2024, the holders of four convertible notes that were previously issued by Old FiscalNote (the “Convertible Notes”) with a principal and accrued PIK balance of $16,165, remained outstanding. The Company incurred total interest expense related to the Convertible Notes, including the amortization of the various discounts, of $2,502 and $2,170 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These notes are presented as long-term debt, net of current maturities, as a result of the exchanges and amendments that were made, and further described in, Note 19, Subsequent Events - Note Amendments.
d)Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes
In connection with the Company's acquisition of Dragonfly, the Company financed part of the purchase with the issuance of convertible notes. The Dragonfly Convertible Notes were issued in a principal amount of £8.9 million pounds sterling (approximately $11,050 on the closing date of the acquisition), with interest at an annual rate of 8%, which can be paid in cash or paid-in-kind. The paid-in-kind interest will be annually credited to the principal amount. All principal and accrued interest are due upon maturity on January 27, 2028.
At any time after August 2, 2023, the Company can convert any portion of the principal and accrued interest at the volume weighted-average price for the five consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the calendar month preceding the date the Company provides notice of conversion to the Sellers.
At any time after the 18 month anniversary of the Dragonfly acquisition closing date, the lender has the right to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest for FiscalNote common stock at $10.00 per share, subject to adjustment in
the event of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to common stock.
The Company elected to account for the Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes using the fair value option. The Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes were recorded at their acquisition date fair value of $8,635. The fair market value at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $8,979 and $9,002, respectively. The unrealized change in the fair value of the Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes of $1,264, as a result of the change in the Company's specific credit risk, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2024. The non-cash loss was recorded in the change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the amount of $425 for the year ended December 31, 2024 and non-cash gain was recorded in the change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the amount of $673 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company incurred total interest expense related to the Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes of $980 and $838 during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
e)Era Convertible Notes
First Era Convertible Note
In connection with the Company’s strategic commercial partnership, the Company issued a convertible note to EGT-East, LLC ("Era"), a third-party lender, for $5,500 on December 8, 2023 and a second convertible note for $801 on January 5, 2024 (collectively, the "First Era Convertible Note"). The First Era Convertible Note was issued in aggregate principal amount of $6,301, with cash interest at a rate equal to the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service beginning on June 8, 2024. All principal and unpaid interest were to mature on December 8, 2027.
Pursuant to the copilot agreement (the "Co-Pilot Agreement") entered into by and among the Company, FiscalNote Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, and Era on December 8, 2023, the Company agreed to issue Era up to an additional $3,150 in the form of shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock no later than June 2024 (the "Partnership Shares").
On April 11, 2024, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) with Era modifying certain provisions of the First Era Convertible Note and the Co-Pilot Agreement. The Letter Agreement permitted and required the Company to convert approximately $1,599 in aggregate principal amount of the First Era Convertible Note (the “Early Converted Note”) into a portion of the Underlying Shares. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Company was also required to issue to Era the Partnership Shares. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, Era had the right to convert the aggregate principal amount of the remaining First Era Convertible Note (the “Remaining Note”), but only on or after June 30, 2024, if such conversion right was not cancelled by the terms of the Letter Agreement. In addition, the Letter Agreement terminated the Company’s obligation to issue the Additional Shares under the circumstances specified therein. On April 11, 2024 and pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Company issued Era an aggregate of 3,003,268 shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligations with respect to the Partnership Shares and a portion of the Underlying Shares.
On June 12, 2024 and June 25, 2024 the Company issued the Investor an aggregate amount of 3,848,831 shares of Common Stock to satisfy its remaining obligations with regards to the First Era Convertible Note and Co-Pilot Agreement, including the obligation to issue Additional Shares. Accordingly, the Company has no obligations outstanding related to the First Era Convertible Note at December 31, 2024.
The Company elected to account for the First Era Convertible Note using the fair value option. The First Era Convertible Note dated December 8, 2023 was recorded at its acquisition date fair value of $5,500. The First Era Convertible Note dated January 5, 2024 was recorded at its acquisition date fair value of $801. The fair market value of the Era Convertible Note dated December 8, 2023 was $5,977. The non-cash change in fair value of financial instruments recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) was a loss of $3,189 for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Second Era Convertible Note
The Company issued a senior subordinated convertible note to an affiliate of Era (Era II), for $5,500 on November 12, 2024 (the "Second Era Convertible Note"). The Second Era Convertible Note had a maturity date of November 12, 2027 and a cash interest rate equal to the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service beginning on May 12,
2025. The Company issued 2,549,129 shares of common stock to Era II 2,549,129 (the "Success Fee shares") as a success fee and 650,000 shares of common stock to Northland Securities, Inc. to cover brokerage fees incurred by Era II in connection with its liquidating (i) any shares of common stock underlying the Second Era Convertible Note and the Success Fee Shares and (ii) the shares of common stock underlying the First Era Convertible Note as well as shares of common stock issued pursuant to the Co-Pilot Agreement.
On December 18, 2024 and December 27, 2024 the Company converted all of the outstanding principal of the Second Era Convertible Note and issued Era II, in aggregate, 5,377,272 shares of common stock. Accordingly, the Company has no obligations outstanding related to the Second Era Convertible Note at December 31, 2024.
The Company elected to account for the Second Era Convertible Note using the fair value option. The Second Era Convertible Note was recorded at its acquisition date fair value of $5,500. The non-cash change in fair value of financial instruments recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) was a loss of $2,973 for the year ended December 31, 2024. In January 2025, Era II returned 1,071,458 shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of the Second Era Convertible Note.
f)Aicel Convertible Note
In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Aicel, the Company assumed a convertible note (“Aicel Convertible Note”) issued by Aicel in a private placement to a third-party lender dated July 27, 2022. The Aicel Convertible Note was issued in a principal amount of $1,131, with paid-in-kind interest at an annual rate of 1%. All principal and accrued and unpaid interest mature on July 27, 2027. The Aicel Convertible Note provided for no prepayments until maturity without written consent of the lender.
The Aicel Convertible Note was recorded at its acquisition fair value of $1,131. The Company incurred total interest expense related to the Aicel Convertible Note of $9 and $11 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. On October 31, 2024, the Aicel Convertible Note was assumed by the buyer as part of the sale of Aicel. See Note 4, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
g)PPP loan
On April 13, 2020, the Company received funding in the principal amount of $8,000 under the CARES Act. Interest accrues at 1%. On February 14, 2022, the SBA forgave $7,667 of the PPP Loan with the remaining balance of $333. The Company recognized the forgiveness of the PPP Loan as a gain on debt extinguishment on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). As of December 31, 2024, the Company recorded $36 of the remaining PPP Loan as short-term debt as it will be fully repaid in 2025.
Total Debt
The following table summarizes the total estimated fair value of the Company's debt as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Senior Term Loan
$
90,679
$
173,416
GPO Convertible Note
36,524
36,954
Convertible notes
15,728
13,992
Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes
8,979
10,407
Era Convertible Notes
-
5,977
Aicel Convertible Note
-
1,156
Total
$
151,910
$
241,902
The estimated fair value of the Senior Term Loan as of December 31, 2023 was increased by $4,714 and has been revised as compared to what was previously disclosed, to include the impact of paid-in-kind interest. These fair values are deemed Level 3 liabilities within the fair value measurement framework.
Maturities of debt during the years subsequent to December 31, 2024 are as follows:
$
48,634
50,550
51,079
Total
$
150,299
Warrants
Old FiscalNote Warrants
At December 31, 2024, 118,700 warrants (previously issued by Old FiscalNote to lenders prior to the Senior Term Loan) with an exercise price of $8.56, remain outstanding. These warrants are accounted for as a liability with no fair value at December 31, 2024, and are included as part of the other non-current liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets.
Warrants associated with Amendment No. 1
On March 17, 2023, in connection with Amendment No. 1 discussed above, the Company issued 80,000 warrants with an exercise price of $0.01. These warrants are accounted for as a liability with a fair value of $85 at December 31, 2024, and are included as part of the other non-current liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets.
Note 10. Stockholders’ Equity
Authorized Capital Stock
The Company’s charter authorizes the issuance of 1,809,000,000 shares, which includes Class A common stock, Class B common stock, and preferred stock.
Class A Common Stock
Subsequent to the Closing of the Business Combination, the Company's Class A common stock and public warrants began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “NOTE” and “NOTE WS,” respectively. Pursuant to the Company’s charter, the Company is authorized to issue 1,700,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 142,794,386 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding.
Upon the Closing of the Business Combination, each share of Old FiscalNote’s Preferred Stock was converted into common stock and, immediately thereafter, each share of common stock that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination was cancelled and converted into New FiscalNote Class A common stock with the application of the Exchange Ratio as discussed in Note 2, Business Combination with DSAC.
Additionally, the Company has outstanding warrants to purchase shares of New FiscalNote Class A common stock that became exercisable upon the Closing of the Business Combination. Refer to Note 12, Warrant Liabilities.
Class B Common Stock
Pursuant to the Company’s charter, the Company is authorized to issue 9,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, the Co-Founders, or entities controlled by the Co-Founders, received 8,290,921 Class B shares of New FiscalNote common stock as consideration, all of which remain outstanding at December 31, 2024.
Preferred Stock
Pursuant to the Company’s charter, the Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Our board of directors has the authority without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series, and the number of shares constituting any such class or series, and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of each class or series of preferred stock, including, without limitation, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, which rights may be greater than the rights of the holders of the common stock. As of December 31, 2024, there were no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Dividends
The Company's Class A and Class B common stock are entitled to dividends if and when any dividend is declared by the Company's board of directors, subject to the rights of all classes of stock outstanding having priority rights to dividends. The Company has not paid any cash dividends on common stock to date. The Company may retain future earnings, if any, for the further development and expansion of the Company's business and have no current plans to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be made at the discretion of the Company's board of directors and will depend on, among other things, the Company's financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in future agreements and financing instruments, business prospects and such other factors as the Company's board of directors may deem relevant.
Note 11. Earnout Shares and RSUs
The shareholders and other equity holders of Old FiscalNote as described below are entitled to receive up to 19,195,100 additional shares of Class A common stock of New FiscalNote (the “Earnout Awards”) in the form of Earnout Shares or as shares reserved for issuances upon settlement of Earnout RSUs, as described below. The Earnout Awards are split into five tranches each consisting of 3,839,020 shares of Class A common stock in New FiscalNote. Certain Old FiscalNote equity holders will receive Earnout Restricted Stock Units (the “Earnout RSUs”), which are settled in Class A common stock. The right to receive Earnout Awards will expire on July 29, 2027 (the “Earnout Period”). Each tranche of the Earnout Awards will be issued only when the dollar volume-weighted average price of one share of New FiscalNote Class A common stock is greater than or equal to $10.50, $12.50, $15.00, $20.00, or $25.00, respectively, for any 10 trading days within any period of 20 consecutive trading days during the Earnout Period (collectively, the “Triggering Events”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, the holders of Old FiscalNote common stock, Old FiscalNote warrants, vested Old FiscalNote options and vested Old FiscalNote RSUs outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date will be entitled to receive their proportionate allocation of Earnout Shares subject to achievement of the Triggering Event. Holders of unvested Old FiscalNote options and unvested Old FiscalNote RSUs outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date will be entitled to receive their proportionate allocation of Earnout Shares in the form of Earnout RSUs subject to achievement of the Triggering Event. To the extent the equity award issued upon New FiscalNote's assumption of such any Old FiscalNote Option or Old FiscalNote RSU (each a “Converted Award”) is outstanding and has vested as of the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the holder thereof will receive a proportionate allocation of Earnout Shares in lieu of Earnout RSUs.
If a Converted Award is forfeited after the Closing Date but prior to the Triggering Event, no Earnout RSUs will be issued for such Converted Award. The right to receive Earnout RSUs that have been forfeited shall be reallocated pro-rata to the remaining holders of vested Converted Awards in the form of Earnout Shares and unvested Converted Awards in the form of Earnout RSUs in the manner described above. Reallocated Earnout RSUs are subject to the remaining vesting schedule and conditions of the Converted Award held by such equity holder. The forfeiture and subsequent reallocation of the Earnout RSUs are accounted for as the forfeiture of the original award and the grant of a new award.
A portion of the Earnout Shares that may be issued to Old FiscalNote common stockholders, Old FiscalNote vested option holders and Old FiscalNote warrant holders and all of the Earnout RSUs were determined to represent additional compensation for accounting purposes pursuant to ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. The Company recognizes stock-compensation expense based on the fair value of the Earnout Awards over the requisite service period for each tranche. Upon Closing, the Company recognized $17,712 of share-based compensation expense for vested Earnout
Awards. The Company recognized $353 and $1,803 of share-based compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The remaining Earnout Shares were determined to represent an equity transaction in conjunction with the reverse recapitalization and were evaluated pursuant to ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. These remaining Earnout Shares will be accounted for as a liability as the arrangement is indexed to something other than the Company’s stock. The liability is revalued at each reporting period with changes being recorded as a non-operating gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The other non-current liability was $68 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, there was $178 of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Earnout Awards to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years. As of December 31, 2024, no Earnout Shares and no Earnout RSUs have been issued as no Triggering Events have occurred.
Note 12. Warrant Liabilities
Upon the Closing of the Business Combination, the Company assumed 8,750,000 public warrants and 7,000,000 private placement warrants that were previously issued by Old DSAC. Each public warrant and private placement warrant is exercisable for 1.571428 shares of New FiscalNote Class A common stock (or an aggregate of up to 24,750,000 shares of New FiscalNote Class A common stock).
During the year ended December 31, 2024, there were no public warrants exercised into shares of Class A common stock. No private placement warrants have been exercised to date. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2024, the Company had 8,358,964 public warrants and 7,000,000 private placement warrants outstanding with a per share fair value of $0.16. These warrants are accounted for as a liability and have an aggregate fair value of $2,458 at December 31, 2024.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no public warrants exercised into shares of Class A common stock. No private placement warrants have been exercised to date. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2023, the Company had 8,358,964 public warrants and 7,000,000 private placement warrants outstanding with a per share fair value of $0.31. These warrants are accounted for as a liability and have an aggregate fair value of $4,761 at December 31, 2023.
Public Warrants
Each public warrant entitles the registered holder to acquire 1.571428 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at a price of $7.32 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below. The warrants became exercisable on August 29, 2022. A holder may exercise his or her warrants only for a whole number of shares of Class A common stock. The public warrants will expire July 29, 2027, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
Redemption of warrants for cash
The Company may call the public warrants for redemption for cash:
•in whole and not in part;
•at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
•upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and
•if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $11.45 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of the Company’s Class A common stock and equity-linked securities) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.
If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company for cash, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if the Company is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
Redemption of warrants for shares of Class A common stock
The Company may redeem the outstanding warrants for shares of Class A common stock:
•in whole and not in part;
•at $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants prior to redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to an agreed table, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of Class A common stock (as defined below) except as otherwise described below;
•if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $6.36 per share (as adjusted per stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of the Company’s Class A common stock and equity-linked securities) on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and
•if and only if, the private placement warrants are also concurrently exchanged at the same price (equal to a number of shares of our Class A common stock) as the outstanding public warrants, as described above.
•The “fair market value” of the Class A common stock shall mean the average of the last reported sales price for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants. In no event will the warrants be exercisable in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.567 shares of Class A common stock per warrant (subject to adjustment).
Private Placement Warrants
The private placement warrants are not redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by the sponsor of DSAC or its permitted transferees, except in certain limited circumstances. The DSAC Sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise the private placement warrants on a cashless basis and the DSAC Sponsor and its permitted transferees has certain registration rights related to the private placement warrants (including the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the private placement warrants). Except as described in this section, the private placement warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the public warrants. If the private placement warrants are held by holders other than the DSAC Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the private placement warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the public warrants.
Old FiscalNote Warrants
At December 31, 2024, 118,700 warrants with an exercise price of $8.56, remain outstanding. These warrants are accounted for as a liability with a fair value of zero and $23 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are included as part of the other non-current liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets.
Note 13. Stock-Based Compensation
2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan
In connection with the Business Combination, the Company's board of directors adopted, and its stockholders approved, the 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) under which 20,285,600 shares of Class A common stock were initially reserved for issuance. The 2022 Plan allows for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards. The number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock available for issuance under the 2022 Plan automatically increases on the first day of each calendar year, beginning on and including January 1, 2023 and ending on and including January 1, 2027 equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of the total number of shares (e.g., each and every class of the Company's common stock) outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31 or (ii) 13,523,734 shares; provided, however, that the Company's Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares (the “Share Reserve”). The shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired shares of the Company's shares or from the Company's treasury shares. Furthermore, subject to adjustments as set forth in the 2022 Plan, in no event will the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be available for delivery under the 2022 Plan pursuant to incentive stock options exceed the Share Reserve. The shares underlying any awards under the 2022 Plan
that are forfeited, canceled, settled in cash, or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the Share Reserve available for issuance under the 2022 Plan and, to the extent permissible, the shares that may be issued as incentive stock options.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 2,565,285 stock options, 12,194,112 restricted stock units, and 325,000 performance based restricted stock units. At December 31, 2024, 9,529,847 stock options, 1,601,027 performance stock options, 13,347,059 restricted stock units, and 392,500 performance based restricted stock units remain outstanding. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 10,246 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance under the 2022 Plan.
The Company recognized $16,937 and $24,165 of stock-based compensation expense for all long term incentive plans in effect during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company recognized $306 and $675 of stock-based compensation expense related to acquisition earnouts during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
2024 Inducement Grant
The Company's board of directors adopted the 2024 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The plan allows for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, dividend equivalent rights, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards. Under the Plan, 500,000 shares of Class A common stock were initially reserved for issuance.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 200,000 stock options and 300,000 restricted stock units. At December 31, 2024, all of the awards remain outstanding. The Company recognized $73 of stock-based compensation expense for this plan in effect during the year ended December 31, 2024, respectively.
2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In connection with the Business Combination, the Company’s board of directors adopted, and its stockholders approved, the 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) whereby eligible employees may authorize payroll deductions of up to 15% of their regular base salary to purchase shares at the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of commencement of the offering period or on the last day of the six-month offering period beginning in 2023. The plan is defined as compensatory, and accordingly, a stock-based compensation charge of $280 and $414 was recorded as the difference between the fair market value and the discounted purchase price of the Company's common stock for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. As of December 31, 2024, 509,865 shares have been issued under the ESPP and the Company had 3,886,343 shares of Class A common stock available for issuance under the ESPP.
The following table summarizes activities related to stock options and performance stock units during the period presented:
Stock Options awards
Number of
shares
Weighted-average
exercise price
Weighted-average
remaining
contractual life (years)
Aggregate
intrinsic value
(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2022
9,742,531
$
3.82
7.5
$
24,659
Granted
476,902
3.98
Exercised
(327,447
)
1.81
Cancelled and forfeited
(432,441
)
6.55
Expired
(189,947
)
3.71
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
9,269,598
$
3.74
6.1
$
-
Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2023
5,425,239
$
3.11
5.1
Unvested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2023
3,844,359
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
9,269,598
$
3.74
6.1
$
-
Granted
2,565,285
1.62
Exercised
(15,431
)
0.34
Cancelled and forfeited
(426,409
)
4.19
Expired
(262,169
)
5.99
Outstanding at December 31, 2024
11,130,874
$
3.18
5.9
$
Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2024
7,569,287
$
3.27
4.5
Unvested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2024
3,561,587
The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted during the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
Expected volatility
45.49
%
45.00
%
Expected life (years)
5.96
6.00
Expected dividend yield
0.00
%
0.00
%
Risk-free interest rate
4.33
%
4.18
%
Fair value of options
$
1.56
$
1.58
At December 31, 2024, there was $3,180 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding unvested stock option awards including performance stock units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.
The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit activity for the periods presented:
Restricted Stock Units
Number of
shares
Weighted-average
Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average
remaining
contractual life (years)
Aggregate
intrinsic value
(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2022
2,949,731
$
8.81
2.7
$
18,672
Granted
6,606,510
4.42
Vested
(2,532,946
)
7.08
Cancelled and forfeited
(579,188
)
3.46
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
6,444,107
$
5.38
1.0
$
7,346
Expected to vest as of December 31, 2023
6,444,107
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
6,444,107
$
5.38
1.0
$
7,346
Granted
12,519,112
1.27
Vested
(3,435,947
)
4.89
Cancelled and forfeited
(1,487,713
)
2.07
Outstanding at December 31, 2024
14,039,559
$
2.19
1.0
$
15,022
Expected to vest as of December 31, 2024
14,039,559
At December 31, 2024, there was $21,061 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding unvested restricted stock units that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.
Prior to 2022, the Company granted various executives 2,673,751 performance stock options that vest upon the occurrence of a successful public company listing and the Company’s stock price achieving certain price targets and 756,812 performance stock units that vest upon the occurrence of a successful public company listing and time served. The aggregate grant-date fair value of these executive performance stock options and stock units was estimated to be $7,295. As of December 31, 2024, there were 2,480,757 performance stock options outstanding. The Company recognized $24 and $965 of share-based compensation expense for performance stock options and stock units for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, for which the related performance condition was met upon consummation of the Business Combination on July 29, 2022.
Effective December 31, 2024, the Company amended the 2022 LTIP to (i) effectuate a one-time increase of 4,000,000 in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2022 LTIP and (ii) revise the “evergreen” provision of the 2022 LTIP such that the number of shares of Class A common stock that are automatically added to the 2022 LTIP on January 1st of each year will be increased up to the lesser of (a) five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year or (b) 13,523,734 shares of Class A Common Stock.
Note 14. Transaction Costs, net
The Company incurred the following transaction costs related to businesses acquired and the consummation of the Business Combination during the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
Transaction costs related to acquired businesses
$
-
$
1,391
Non-capitalizable Business Combination costs
-
Change in contingent consideration liabilities
(4
)
(2,043
)
Contingent compensation (benefit) expense
-
(530
)
Total transaction costs
$
(4
)
$
(767
)
Note 15. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company has two classes of common stock authorized: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of Class A and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share and each share of Class B common stock is entitled to twenty-five votes per share. The Company allocates undistributed earnings attributable to common stock between the common stock classes on a one-to-one basis when computing net earnings (loss) per share. As a result, basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are equivalent.
Earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period on a basic and diluted basis. The Company’s net income (loss) used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share. Diluted earnings (loss) per share considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities.
The components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per shares are as follows:
(in thousands, except per share data)
Years Ended December 31,
Numerator:
Net income (loss) used to compute basic and diluted income (loss) per share
$
9,517
$
(115,461
)
Denominator:
Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted
137,280,603
131,400,109
Net income (loss) per share, basic
$
0.07
$
(0.88
)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted
$
0.07
$
(0.88
)
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted income (loss) per share:
Anti-dilutive Earnout Awards
19,195,100
19,195,100
Anti-dilutive stock options
134,203
979,901
Anti-dilutive Convertible Notes
2,652,532
2,305,666
Anti-dilutive contingently issuable shares
-
174,468
Anti-dilutive restricted stock units
12,170,401
6,393,154
Anti-dilutive GPO Convertible Note
6,653,602
5,867,750
Anit-dilutive Dragonfly Convertible Note
1,302,900
-
Anti-dilutive Aicel Convertible Notes
-
113,896
Total anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted income (loss) per share:
42,108,738
35,029,935
Note 16. Provision (Benefit) from Income Taxes
An analysis of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes by domestic and international consisted of the following as of dates presented:
Years Ended December 31,
Domestic
$
(13,710
)
$
(86,488
)
Foreign
23,763
(28,750
)
Total
$
10,053
$
(115,238
)
The (benefit) provision for income taxes consisted of the following as of the dates presented:
As of December 31,
Current taxes
Federal provision
$
$
State provision (benefit)
(67
)
Foreign provision (benefit)
Total current provision (benefit)
Deferred taxes
Federal benefit (1)
9,474
(5,799
)
State benefit (1)
3,542
(1,751
)
Foreign benefit
(3,415
)
Valuation allowance (1)
(13,093
)
11,037
Total deferred provision (benefit)
Total provision (benefit) from income taxes
$
$
(1) The amounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been revised as a result of an immaterial error correction resulting in an increase in stock compensation of $5,022 and an offsetting impact to the change in the valuation allowance.
The reconciliation between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the Company’s estimated annual effective tax for the periods presented is as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
U.S. Federal provision at statutory rate
21.0
%
21.0
%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
6.7
%
(0.1
)%
Effects of rate other than statutory
(3.8
)%
(0.5
)%
Interest disallowance
2.3
%
(0.2
)%
Warrant revaluation
(4.9
)%
2.6
%
Stock compensation (1)
29.1
%
(6.0
)%
Impairment from goodwill and other long-lived assets
0.0
%
(4.7
)%
Sale of Board and Aicel
22.7
%
0.0
%
Nondeductible Intercompany Payable
16.8
%
0.0
%
Nondeductible expenses from recapitalization
27.4
%
(2.9
)%
Change in valuation allowance (1)
(102.7
)%
(8.6
)%
Uncertain tax positions
(10.0
)%
0.0
%
Others
0.8
%
(0.8
)%
Effective tax rate
5.4
%
(0.2
)%
(1) The amounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been revised as a result of an immaterial error correction resulting in a decrease in stock compensation of 3.6% and an offsetting impact to the change in the valuation allowance.
The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to state taxes, stock compensation, and the impact of a valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets, disallowed interest expense, fair value adjustments on convertible debt, and tax items related to the sale of Board and Aicel.
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows as of the dates presented:
As of December 31,
Deferred tax assets
Stock compensation (1)
$
2,373
$
2,319
Section 163(j) interest limitation
32,477
33,161
Disallowed original issue discount interest
-
1,527
Deferred revenue
4,928
7,143
Reserves and accruals
Capitalized research and development
9,341
8,541
Lease liability
6,604
7,375
Federal net operating loss carryforward
21,257
31,682
State net operating loss carryforward
6,467
8,559
Foreign net operating loss carryforward
7,101
7,876
Other deferred tax assets
Total deferred tax assets
92,158
109,959
Deferred tax liabilities
Basis difference in fixed assets
(1,225
)
(1,505
)
Basis difference in intangibles assets and goodwill
(17,165
)
(20,931
)
Right of use asset
(3,928
)
(4,362
)
Other deferred tax liabilities
(1,995
)
(2,819
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(24,313
)
(29,617
)
Valuation allowance (1)
(69,779
)
(82,520
)
Net deferred tax liabilities
$
(1,934
)
$
(2,178
)
(1) The amounts for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been revised as a result of an immaterial error correction resulting in a decrease in stock compensation of $5,022 and an offsetting impact to the change in the valuation allowance.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $101,224, of which $1,747 is subject to expiration beginning in 2033 to 2037, and state net operating loss carryforwards of $104,734, which begin to expire in 2029. The utilization of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. Such an annual limitation could result in the expiration of the net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before utilization. Future changes in stock ownership may result in an ownership change. The Company determined that it underwent an ownership change during 2014 and 2015 as defined by section 382. As a result of the 2014 ownership change, the Company determined that $1,271 of net operating loss carryforward would not be available in future periods. The Company is still in process of analyzing its NOL limitations with respect to 2024. The Company is not aware of any tax law provisions aside from section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code that might limit the availability or utilization of loss or credit amounts. Changes in tax law may also impact our ability to use our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had Foreign NOL carryforwards in various countries of approximately $31,418, of which $3,079 is subject to expiration beginning in 2031.
The Company regularly assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company evaluates and weighs all available positive and negative evidence such as historic results, future reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, as well as prudent and feasible tax-planning strategies. Generally, more weight is given to objectively verifiable evidence, such as the cumulative loss in recent years.
The Company decreased the valuation allowance established on its deferred tax assets by $12,741 and increased the valuation allowance established on its deferred tax assets by $16,028 for the tax years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance on its Federal deferred tax assets related to NOL carryforwards and interest expense limitations under 163(j) and on State deferred tax assets associated with states where FiscalNote files separately and CQ Roll Call’s deferred tax liabilities are not able to be utilized. The Company will continue to assess the realizability of the deferred tax assets in each of the applicable jurisdictions going forward.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law. Under the TCJA provisions, effective with tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, taxpayers can no longer immediately expense qualified research and development (R&D) expenditures and are required to capitalize and amortize the costs under section 174. Accordingly, the Company capitalized $19,345 and $23,180 of R&D expenses as of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These costs will be amortized for tax purposes over 5 years for R&D performed in the U.S. and over 15 years for R&D performed outside the U.S.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits and Other Considerations
The Company records liabilities related to its uncertain tax positions. Tax positions for the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income tax audits by multiple tax jurisdictions throughout the world. The Company believes that it has provided adequate reserves for its income tax uncertainties in all open tax years. As the outcome of the tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty, if any issues arising in the Company's tax audits progress in a manner inconsistent with management's expectations, the Company could adjust its provision for income taxes in the future. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a lapse in uncertain tax position totaling $639 relating to a state tax filing position. The Company has the following activities relating to unrecognized tax benefits for the periods presented:
Years Ended December 31,
Beginning balances at December 31, 2023 and 2022
$
$
Additions due to current year positions
-
Lapses in statutes of limitations
(639
)
-
Ending balances at December 31, 2024 and 2023
$
$
The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, with the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are $832 and $639, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. During the year ended December 31, 2023, $80 of interest was recognized relating to uncertain tax benefits. No interest was recognized related to uncertain tax benefits during the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company released an uncertain tax position related to a DC state combined filing that did not reach a more likely than not conclusion for which the statute has lapsed. In the current year the Company recorded an uncertain tax position related to a deduction for shares distributed for services associated with the payment of convertible debt.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions, and various foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2024, the Company is not under examination by income tax authorities in federal, state, or other jurisdictions. All tax returns will remain open for examination by the federal and state authorities for three and four years, respectively, from the date of utilization of any net operating loss or credits. We believe that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. Although the timing of the resolution, settlement, and closure of audits is not certain, we do not believe it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits will materially change in the next 12 months.
Future sales of foreign subsidiaries are not exempt from capital gains tax in the U.S. The Company considers itself permanently reinvested in its foreign subsidiaries, and accordingly, no deferred income tax liability has been recorded for any potential taxable gain that may be realized on a future disposition or liquidation of any of its foreign subsidiaries. It is not practicable for the Company to quantify any deferred income tax liability that would be attributable to those events.
Net Operating Losses
At December 31, 2024, the Company had gross U.S. net operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income in the amount of $101,224 of which a portion is subject to annual limitation. Based on estimates as of December 31, 2024, the Company expects that approximately $48,613 of the gross U.S. net operating loss carryforwards would be available to offset taxable income in 2024.
Note 17. Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to settle a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting standards utilize a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels, which are described below:
Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or
liability
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity
These levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk of liquidity associated with the financial assets or liabilities disclosed. In instances where the determination of fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety, as required under ASC 820-10, "Fair Value Measurement." Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other accruals readily convertible into cash approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of the instruments.
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents
$
4,836
$
-
$
-
$
4,836
Short-term investments
-
5,796
-
5,796
Liabilities:
Public warrants
$
1,338
$
-
$
-
$
1,338
Private placement warrants
-
1,120
-
1,120
GPO Convertible Note
-
-
36,524
36,524
Dragonfly Seller Convertible Note
-
-
8,979
8,979
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents
$
3,044
$
-
$
-
$
3,044
Short-term investments
-
7,134
-
7,134
Liabilities:
Public warrants
$
2,591
$
-
$
-
$
2,591
Private placement warrants
-
2,170
-
2,170
Contingent liabilities from acquisitions
-
-
Liability classified warrants (a)
-
-
GPO Convertible Note
-
-
36,954
36,954
Dragonfly Seller Convertible Note
-
-
9,002
9,002
Era Convertible Note
-
-
5,977
5,977
(a) Included in other current liabilities on the balance sheet
The following table summarizes changes in fair value of the Company’s level 3 liabilities during the periods presented:
Contingent
Liabilities from Acquisitions
Liability Classified Warrants
GPO Convertible Note
Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes
Era Convertible Notes
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
1,579
$
$
-
$
-
$
-
Fair value at issuance date
-
-
36,583
8,635
5,500
Contingent consideration at acquisition date
1,445
-
-
-
-
Contingent compensation recognized
-
-
-
-
Change in fair value included in the determination of net loss(a)
(357
)
(159
)
(1,411
)
(673
)
Earned contingent consideration settled
(281
)
-
-
-
-
Cash contingent compensation earned and subsequently settled
(39
)
-
-
-
-
Unearned contingent compensation reversal
(1,687
)
-
-
-
-
Unearned contingent consideration reversal
(867
)
-
-
-
-
Paid in kind interest
-
-
1,782
-
Foreign exchange
-
-
-
-
Balance at December 31, 2023
36,954
9,002
5,977
Fair value at issuance date
-
-
-
-
4,058
Change in fair value included in the determination of net loss(a)
(117
)
(23
)
2,154
6,162
Change in fair value included in accumulated other comprehensive income
-
-
(4,443
)
(1,264
)
-
Cash contingent compensation earned and subsequently settled
(13
)
-
-
-
-
Paid in kind interest
-
-
3,792
-
Note and interest conversion
-
-
(1,933
)
-
(16,197
)
Foreign exchange
-
-
-
(164
)
-
Balance at December 31, 2024
$
-
$
-
$
36,524
$
8,979
$
-
(a)The change in contingent liabilities from acquisitions is recorded as transaction costs on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Short-Term Investments
The fair value of the short-term investments is based on the quoted market price of the securities on the valuation date. As of December 31, 2024, the estimated fair value of the short-term investments was $5,796. The Company recognized a non-cash loss of $176 for the year ended December 31, 2024 resulting from the change in fair value of the short-term investments. The change in fair value is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Public Warrants
The fair value of the public warrants is estimated based on the quoted market price of such warrants on the valuation date. The public warrants were initially recognized as a liability in connection with the Business Combination on July 29, 2022 at a fair value of $5,688. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of the public warrants was $1,338 and $2,591, respectively. The Company recognized a non-cash gain of $1,254 and $7,691 during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 resulting from the change in fair value of the public warrants. The change in fair value is recorded in change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Private Placement Warrants
The private placement warrants were initially recognized as a liability in connection with the Business Combination on July 29, 2022 at a fair value of $29,259. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of the private warrants was $1,120 and $2,170, respectively. The Company recognized a non-cash gain of $1,050 and $6,440 during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 resulting from the change in fair value of the private warrants. The
change in fair value is recorded in change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
GPO Convertible Note
The GPO Convertible Note was recognized as a liability on its issuance date at its estimated fair value of $36,583. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of the GPO Convertible Note was $36,524 and $36,954, respectively. The non-cash loss of $2,154 for the year ended December 31, 2024 and non-cash gain of $1,411 for the year ended December 31, 2023 is recorded in the change of fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The estimated fair value of the GPO Convertible Note was determined based on a trinomial lattice model. The following table presents the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the GPO Convertible Note at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Common stock share price
$
1.07
$
1.14
Risk free rate
4.30
%
3.88
%
Yield
18.00
%
14.50
%
Expected volatility
50.00
%
50.00
%
Expected term (years)
3.5
4.5
Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes
The Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes were recognized as a liability in connection with the acquisition on January 27, 2023 at a fair value of $8,635. As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of the Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes were $8,979 and $9,002, respectively. The non-cash loss of $425 for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the non-cash gain of $673 for the year ended December 31, 2023 is recorded in the change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The following table presents the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Common stock share price
$
1.07
$
1.14
Risk free rate
4.27
%
3.92
%
Yield
19.50
%
15.50
%
Expected volatility
50.00
%
50.00
%
Expected term (years)
3.1
4.1
As of December 31, 2024, the difference between the aggregate fair value and the unpaid principal balance of the Dragonfly Seller Convertible Notes is $4,050.
Era Convertible Note
The First Era Convertible Note was recognized as a liability associated with the Company’s strategic commercial partnership on December 8, 2023 at a fair value of $5,500. The First Era Convertible Note dated January 5, 2024 was recorded at its acquisition date fair value of $801. At December 31, 2023 the fair value of the First Era Convertible Note was $5,977. The total non-cash loss of $3,189 is recorded in the change in fair value of financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) during the year ended December 31, 2024. The
following table presents the assumptions used to determine the fair value of the First Era Convertible Note at December 31, 2023:
December 31, 2023
Common stock share price
$
1.14
Risk free rate
4.17
%
Yield
153.24
%
Expected volatility
63.00
%
Expected term (years)
3.9
Contingent Liabilities from acquisitions
The contingent liabilities from acquisitions are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2024, there were no remaining contingent liabilities from acquisitions. At December 31, 2023, the contingent consideration and compensation relates to the following acquisitions:
December 31, 2023
Curate
$
Equilibrium
DT Global
Total contingent liabilities from acquisitions
$
The Company settled part of the Curate contingent consideration and compensation through an issuance of 83,393 additional shares in a non-cash transaction during the first quarter of 2023 and 83,393 additional shares during the fourth quarter of 2023.
The Company estimated the fair value of the Curate contingent consideration and compensation using a Monte Carlo simulation. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents Level 3 measurements as defined in ASC 820. Significant changes in the key assumptions and inputs could result in a significant change in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration. The following inputs and assumptions were used to value contingent liabilities from acquisitions as of December 31, 2023:
Curate
Risk premium
11.00
%
Risk free rate
5.40
%
Revenue volatility
20.00
%
Expected life (years)
0.3
Liability classified warrants
The Last Out Lender Warrants are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Last Out Lender Warrants (see Note 9, Debt) is calculated using the Black-Scholes calculation with the following inputs:
December 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
Common stock fair value
$
1.07
$
1.14
Time to maturity (years)
0.5
1.6
Risk-free interest rate
4.22
%
4.45
%
Volatility
59.0
%
122.0
%
Exercise price
$
8.56
$
8.56
Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The Company’s long-lived assets, including property and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when an impairment has occurred. Excluding the impairment of an operating lease asset related to certain unoccupied office space and the impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets as disclosed in Note 5, Leases, Note 7, Intangible Assets, and Note 8, Goodwill, no other impairment events were identified during the years
ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between levels during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Changes to fair value are recognized as income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
From time to time the Company is a party to various disputes, claims, lawsuits and other regulatory and legal matters, including both asserted and unasserted legal claims, in the ordinary course of business. The status of each such matter, referred to herein as a loss contingency, is reviewed and assessed in accordance with applicable accounting rules regarding the nature of the matter, the likelihood that a loss will be incurred, and the amounts involved.
As discussed in Note 9, Debt, on June 30, 2023, the Company entered into the Exchange and Settlement Agreement and GPO Convertible Note. Pursuant thereto, on July 3, 2023, (i) the Disputing Lender returned 5,881,723 shares of Class A Common Stock, which the Company subsequently cancelled, (ii) the Company issued the GPO Convertible Note, and (iii) the parties agreed to a mutual settlement and release of all claims (including, but not limited to, any claims by the Investor for additional shares or money damages resulting from the entry into the Merger Agreement), relating to or arising from the conversion of the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Subordinated Promissory Note, dated December 29, 2020, previously issued by a subsidiary of the pre-business combination FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. to the Investor.
Note 19. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through April 1, 2025, the date that these financial statements were available to be issued.
Sale of Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly
On February 21, 2025 (the “Signing Date”), FiscalNote, Inc. (the “Seller”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement with Factiva Ltd., a limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the “Buyer”), providing for the sale of all of the outstanding equity interests in each of Dragonfly Eye Limited, a UK private limited company (“Dragonfly”), and The Oxford Analytica International Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Oxford” and collectively with Dragonfly, the “Sold Businesses”), to the Buyer for a total value of $40.0 million in cash. The stated purchase price is subject to adjustments based on the Sold Businesses’ working capital on the date the transactions contemplated by the Equity Purchase Agreement are consummated (the “Closing Date”), indebtedness and transaction expenses, including retention payments payable to certain employees of the Sold Businesses following the Closing Date. The Equity Purchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants and indemnification obligations of the parties customary for transactions similar to those contemplated by the Equity Purchase Agreement.
On March 31, 2025, the Buyer and Seller consummated the transaction pursuant to the Equity Purchase Agreement. Accordingly, the Company received $40.0 million in cash and $0.8 million was deposited into escrow (to satisfy certain potential post-Closing purchase price adjustments and indemnification claims).
Amendment No. 5 to Senior Term Loan
On the Signing Date, the Company also entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Senior Term Loan (“Amendment No. 5”), pursuant to which, among other things, the lenders consented to certain actions which became effective upon the completion of the sale of Sold Businesses, including releasing the liens on Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly's assets and permitting the consummation of the sale in exchange for the permanent retirement of $27.1 million (the “Pay-Down Amount”) of term loans under the Senior Term Loan and payment of approximately $1.8 million of related prepayment and exit fees. In Amendment No. 5, the lenders also waived their rights upon default retroactive to December 31, 2024. Amendment No. 5 also increased the Company’s minimum liquidity covenant and modified the Company’s minimum ARR and adjusted EBITDA covenants, as defined in the Senior Term Loan, in order to appropriately reflect the sale of Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly and the absence of its future contributions to the Company’s overall financial performance and position.
Convertible Note Exchanges
On March 17, 2025 (the “Initial Issuance Date”), the Company entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with EGT 11 LLC (the “Exchange Investor”), pursuant to which the Company (i) issued on the Initial Issuance Date, a Senior Subordinated Convertible Promissory Note (the “Initial Exchange Note”) in favor of the Exchange Investor in an aggregate principal amount of $5.5 million (the “Initial Principal Amount”) and (ii) issued (the date of such issuance, the “Subsequent Issuance Date”), a Senior Subordinated Convertible Promissory Note (the “Subsequent Exchange Note” and together with the Initial Exchange Note, the “Exchange Notes”) in favor of the Exchange Investor in an aggregate principal amount of $269,000 (the “Subsequent Principal Amount” and together with the Initial Principal Amount, the “Principal Amount”), in each case, following the Exchange Investor’s acquisition of, and in exchange for, certain of the Convertible Notes issued by FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc. (f/k/a FiscalNote Holdings, Inc.) on November 30, 2020 and February 28, 2020, respectively (the “Original Notes”). The Exchange Notes are unsecured, mature on the three-year anniversary of the Initial Issuance Date or Subsequent Issuance Date, as the case may be, and, beginning on the six-month anniversary of the Initial Issuance Date or Subsequent Issuance Date, as the case may be (each, the “Initial Conversion Date”), will accrue interest at the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service. The Exchange Notes are contractually subordinated to the Company’s obligations under its senior secured indebtedness, and accordingly the Company’s right to make certain cash payments in connection therewith is limited by the terms of such subordination agreement. Beginning on the applicable Initial Conversion Date, the Exchange Investor may convert the
Exchange Notes into shares (“Conversion Shares”) of the Class A Common Stock, based on the volume weighted average market price of the Class A Common Stock for the 30 consecutive trading day period prior to the date of conversion. In addition, subject to certain limitations, the Company may elect to convert the Exchange Notes into Conversion Shares (the “Optional Conversion Right”) if such Conversion Shares are freely tradeable (as defined in the Exchange Notes). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company issued 2,596,050 shares of Common Stock (the “Fee Shares") to the Exchange Investor as an inducement for the Exchange Investor to exchange the Original Notes for the Exchange Notes. In addition, the Company also may be required to issue additional shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”) to the Exchange Investor to the extent that the Exchange Investor’s sales of the Fee Shares and Conversion Shares within 12 months following the earlier of (i) issuance of all Conversion Shares issued pursuant to the Optional Conversion Right or (ii) the applicable Initial Conversion Date (the “Sell-Off Period”) do not generate net cash proceeds to the Exchange Investor equal to 145% of the applicable Principal Amount plus all accrued interest thereupon. As compensation for its brokerage services provided to the Exchange Investor, the Company also issued 300,000 shares of Common Stock to Northland Securities, Inc. (the “Brokerage Fee Shares”). The Exchange Notes provide for customary events of default, upon which repayment of the Exchange Notes may be accelerated.
The foregoing description of the Exchange Agreement and Exchange Notes does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Exchange Agreement and the form of Exchange Note, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Note Amendments
On March 25, 2025 (the “Amendment Date”), the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “Amendment”) with each of Nautilus Venture Partners Fund I, L.P. and Nautilus Venture Partners Fund II, L.P. and Wealth Plus Investments Ltd. (the “Legacy Investors”) modifying certain provisions of the Convertible Notes issued by FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc. (f/k/a FiscalNote Holdings, Inc.) in favor of each of the Legacy Investors on August 26, 2019 (the “Legacy Notes”). The Legacy Notes were assumed by the Company in connection with the Business Combination. As of the Amendment Date, the Legacy Notes had an aggregate principal amount of $10,940 outstanding (including accrued paid in kind interest). The Legacy Notes are unsecured and earn payable in kind interest of 15% per annum, payable annually in arrears. The Maturity Date of the Legacy Notes are July 31, 2025 (the “Original Maturity Date”), however, the Amendment extends the Original Maturity Date to April 15, 2026 (the "Extended Maturity Date"). The repayment of the Legacy Notes maybe accelerated upon certain events of default, including a breach of any covenants under the Legacy Notes, the Company becoming party to bankruptcy, liquidation or other reorganization proceedings, or a default or acceleration of repayment under the Company's other indebtedness.
Subject to certain limitations, the Amendments permit the Company to convert, at its election and from time to time, up to the Applicable Amount (as defined below) of the Legacy Notes into shares (the “Legacy Conversion Shares”) of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) at a conversion price based on the volume weighted average market price of the Common Stock for the five consecutive trading day period prior to the date of conversion (the “Conversion Price”). The “Applicable Amount” for purposes of the Company’s conversion right means up to 20% of the outstanding principal amount of the Legacy Notes as of the Amendment Date plus PIK interest through the Original Maturity Date, and the Company may only subsequently exercise its conversion right after all Legacy Conversion Shares previously issued to the Legacy Investors have been sold. Pursuant to the Amendments, the Company also may be required to pay cash or issue additional shares of Common Stock (the “Legacy Additional Shares”) to the Legacy Investors to the extent that the Legacy Investors’ sales of the Legacy Conversion Shares prior to the Original Maturity Date do not generate net cash proceeds to the Legacy Investors equal to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Legacy Notes as of the Amendment Date plus (a) all PIK interest that would accrue under the Legacy Notes through the Original Maturity Date and (b) all brokerage fees, costs and expenses in selling the Legacy Conversion Shares (the “Repayment Amount”). Any Legacy Additional Shares would be issued by the Company at the Conversion Price. In addition, if the Legacy Investors’ sales of the Legacy Conversion Shares do not generate net cash proceeds equal to the Repayment Amount by the Original Maturity Date, the interest rate under the Legacy Notes would be increased to 25% per annum (the “Additional Interest”) and the then-outstanding principal amount of the Legacy Notes plus all PIK interest (reduced by the net cash proceeds received by the Legacy Investors from the prior sales of the Legacy Conversion Shares, plus any previous cash payments made by the Company to the Legacy Investors (after payment of all brokerage fees, costs and expenses in selling the Legacy Conversion Shares and/or Additional Shares, if any) would be doubled (the "Maturity Date Repayment Amount Difference” and with the Additional Interest, the “Extended Maturity Date Payment”). The
Extended Maturity Date Payment would be due to the Legacy Investors by the Extended Maturity Date, and would be payable in cash or by promptly issuing a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (the “Extended Maturity Date Shares”), equal to the quotient produced by dividing the (i) Maturity Date Repayment Amount Difference plus (a) all Additional Interest thereon that would accrue through the Extended Maturity Date and (b) all fees, costs and expenses of the Broker in selling the Extended Maturity Date Shares by (ii) the Conversion Price. If (a) the Legacy Notes remain outstanding until or after the Original Maturity Date, or there is an Extended Maturity Date, and (b) the Company effects a conversion event or a change of control within twelve (12) months after repayment, then (whether or not the Legacy Note has been so repaid) the Legacy Investors shall be entitled to either (i) participate in such conversion event at the conversion price or (ii) to receive the same consideration it would have in the change of control if the Legacy Notes had remained outstanding (less the amount repaid by the Company, if applicable). If the Legacy Investors sell Conversion Shares and/or Additional Shares and the aggregate net cash proceeds in respect thereof received by the Investors equals the Repayment Amount, (a) the Investors shall forfeit the remaining Conversion Shares and/or Additional Shares, as the case may be, and (b) any remaining amount owed in respect of the principal amount and/or accrued interest thereon shall be cancelled. In addition, if the Legacy Investors sell Extended Maturity Date Shares and the aggregate net cash proceeds in respect thereof received by the Legacy Investors equals the Extended Maturity Date Payment, (a) the Legacy Investors shall forfeit the remaining Extended Maturity Date Shares and (b) any remaining amount owed in respect of the Maturity Date Repayment Amount Difference plus Additional Interest thereon that would accrue through the Extended Maturity Date shall be cancelled.
The foregoing description of the Legacy Notes and the Amendments does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the composite Legacy Note and the form of Amendment, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of the disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2024.
Accordingly, management believes that the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of and for the periods presented, in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Management's Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
•provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded properly to allow for the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
•provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changing conditions, effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2024.
Because we qualify as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.
Remediation of Prior Year Material Weaknesses
As previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, management identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting related to the following areas:
•Ineffective information technology general controls related to (a) administrative user access to the Company’s information systems that are relevant to the preparation of the financial statements to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and to adequately restrict access to financial applications and data; (b) user access provisioning and monitoring
•Ineffective controls over the fair market value changes to financial instruments
•Ineffective controls over the accounting for stock compensation
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, we implemented a comprehensive remediation plan to address these material weaknesses. Our remediation efforts to address the aforementioned material weaknesses included removal of inappropriate administrative access. Furthermore, novel controls and enhancements to existing controls surrounding user access management, fair market value changes to financial instruments, and accounting for stock-based compensation were
implemented within the fiscal year. Throughout the year, we monitored the effectiveness of these remediation measures and conducted testing to validate that the new controls were operating effectively.
As a result of these efforts, management has determined that the previously identified material weaknesses have been fully remediated as of December 31, 2024. We believe that the actions taken have strengthened our internal control over financial reporting and addressed the underlying issues that led to the material weaknesses disclosed in the prior year.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than the remediation activities described above, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting, as identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
As previously reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2025, the Company entered into an equity purchase agreement dated February 21, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Factiva Ltd., a limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the “Buyer”), providing for the sale of all of the outstanding equity interests held by the Company in each of Dragonfly Eye Limited, a UK private limited company (“Dragonfly”), and The Oxford Analytica International Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Oxford” and collectively with Dragonfly, the “Sold Businesses” and such transaction, the “Equity Sale”).
On March 31, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), the Company received gross proceeds of $40 million upon completion of the Equity Sale, with the proceeds subject to adjustment based on the Sold Businesses’ working capital, indebtedness and transaction expenses, including retention payments payable to certain employees of the Sold Businesses following the Closing Date. In connection with the completion of the Equity Sale, the amendments to Senior Credit Facility previously reported in our February 24, 2025 Form 8-K filing became effective.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information of the Company, giving effect to (i) the Equity Sale, (ii) the Company’s sale of Board.org, LLC (“Board.org”) and Aicel Technologies, Inc. (“Aicel”) on March 11, 2024 and October 31, 2024, respectively, and (iii) the related paydown of the Company’s senior term loan with proceeds received from the Equity Sale (collectively, the “Transactions”), which includes the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 and the unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the related notes, are included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 gives pro forma effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2024. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 gives pro forma effect to the Equity Sale and the related paydown of the Company’s senior term loan with proceeds received from the Equity Sale as if they were completed on December 31, 2024.
The unaudited pro forma financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the combined financial position or results of operations that would have been realized had the Transactions occurred as of the dates indicated, nor is it meant to be indicative of any anticipated financial position or future results of operations that the Company will experience after the Transactions.

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information to be included under the captions “Directors,” "Family Relationships," “Code of Ethical Business Conduct,” "Executive Compensation," "Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports," and “Audit Committee,” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is hereby incorporated by reference in answer to this item. Certain other information relating to our executive officers appears in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Information About our Executive Officers.”

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information to be included under the captions “Executive Compensation,” "Director Compensation," and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is hereby incorporated by reference in answer to this item.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information to be included under the captions “Equity Plan Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is hereby incorporated by reference in answer to this item.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information to be included under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Director Independence,” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is hereby incorporated by reference in answer to this item.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information to be included under the caption “Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and all Other Fees" and "Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is hereby incorporated by reference in answer to this item.
Part IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Information.
List of documents filed as part of this Report.
Consolidated Financial Statements
The Consolidated Financial Statements for FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and related notes and the Report of RSM U.S. LLP (PCAOB No. 49) dated April 1, 2025, are included herein in Part II, Item 8.
Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth herein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
Description
Incorporation by Reference (where a report is indicated below, that document has been previously filed with the SEC and the applicable exhibit is incorporated by reference thereto)
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 7, 2021, by and among Duddell Street Acquisition Corp. (renamed “FiscalNote Holdings, Inc.”), Grassroots Merger Sub, Inc. and FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (renamed “FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc.”).
Annex A-1 to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed on July 5, 2022 (File No.333-261483)
2.2
First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 9, 2022, by and among Duddell Street Acquisition Corp. (renamed “FiscalNote Holdings, Inc.”), Grassroots Merger Sub, Inc. and FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (renamed “FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc.”).
Annex A-2 to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed on July 5, 2022 (File No.333-261483)
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a/ Duddell Street Acquisition Corp.).
Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
3.2
Bylaws of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a/ Duddell Street Acquisition Corp.).
Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
4.1
Description of Securities.
Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
4.2
Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2020, by and among Duddell Street Acquisition Corp. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent.
Exhibit 4.1 of DSAC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 2, 2020 (File No. 333-249207)
4.3
Form of Warrant
Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.1
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2022, by and among FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a/ Duddell Street Acquisition Corp.), Duddell Street Holdings Limited and the other Holders signatory thereto.
Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.2+
Form of Indemnification Agreement.
Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10 , 2024 (File No. 001-396972)
10.3
Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2022, by and among FiscalNote, Inc., the other borrowers party thereto, the guarantors party thereto, Runway Growth Finance Corp., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto.
Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.4
Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2020, by and among the persons listed on the signature pages thereto as "Grantors" and those additional entities that thereafter become parties thereto by executing the form of Joinder attached thereto as Annex 1, and Runway Growth Credit Fund Inc. as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders.
Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.5#
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement by and among FiscalNote, Inc., CQ-Roll Call, Inc., Capitol Advantage LLC, VoterVoice, L.L.C. and Sandhill Strategy LLC as Borrowers, the Company, FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc., FiscalNote Holdings II, Inc., Fireside 21, LLC, Factsquared, LLC, The Oxford Analytica International Group, LLC, Oxford Analytica Inc., FiscalNote Boards LLC, Predata, Inc., Curate Solutions, Inc., Forge.AI, Inc., and Frontier Strategy Group LLC, as Guarantors, Runway Growth Finance Corp., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and each lender party thereto
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.6#
Joinder and Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement by and among FiscalNote, Inc., CQ-Roll Call, Inc., Capitol Advantage LLC, VoterVoice, L.L.C. and Sandhill Strategy LLC as Borrowers, Dragonfly Eye Limited and Oxford Analytica Limited as New Guarantors, Runway, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and each lender party thereto.
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.7#
Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement by and among FiscalNote, Inc., CQ-Roll Call, Inc., Capitol Advantage LLC, VoterVoice, L.L.C. and Sandhill Strategy LLC
Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9,2023 (File No. 001-39672)
as Borrowers, the Company, FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc., FiscalNote Holdings II, Inc., Fireside 21, LLC, Factsquared, LLC, The Oxford Analytica International Group, LLC, Oxford Analytica Inc., FiscalNote Boards LLC, Predata, Inc., Curate Solutions, Inc., Forge.AI, Inc., Frontier Strategy Group LLC, Oxford Analytica Ltd. and Dragonfly Eye Ltd., as Guarantors, Runway Growth Finance Corp., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and each lender party thereto.
10.8#
Amendment No 4 to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement by and among FiscalNote, Inc., CQ-Roll Call, Inc., and VoterVoice, L.L.C., the Company, FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc., Fireside 21, LLC, Factsquared, LLC, Predata, Inc., Curate Solutions, Inc., and Frontier Strategy Group LLC, as Guarantors, Runway Growth Finance Corp., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and each lender party thereto
Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2024 (File No. 001-396972)
10.9#
Amendment No 5 to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement by and among FiscalNote, Inc., CQ-Roll Call, Inc., Capitol Advantage LLC, VoterVoice, L.L.C. and Sandhill Strategy LLC as Borrowers, the Company, FiscalNote Intermediate Holdco, Inc., FiscalNote Holdings II, Inc., Fireside 21, LLC, Factsquared, LLC, Predata, Inc., Curate Solutions, Inc., Forge.AI, Inc., and Frontier Strategy Group LLC, as Guarantors, Runway Growth Finance Corp., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and each lender party thereto
Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2025 (File No. 001-396972)
10.10+
FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.11+
Amendment to the FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2025 (File No. 001-396972).
10.12+
Form of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Restricted Stock Unit Award under the FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Exhibit 10.12 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.13
Form of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Exhibit 10.11 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.14
Form of FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Stock Option Award under the FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Exhibit 10.13 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.15+
FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Exhibit 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2022 (File No. 001-396972)
10.16+
Employment Agreement between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and Timothy Hwang
Exhibit 10.18 to DSAC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed on July 1, 2022 (File No. 333-261483)
10.17+
Employment Agreement between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and Timothy Hwang
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2024 (File No. 001-396972)
10.18+
Employment Agreement between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and Josh Resnik
Exhibit 10.19 to DSAC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed on July 1, 2022 (File No. 333-261483)
10.19+
Employment Agreement between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and Josh Resnik
Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2024 (File No. 001-396972)
10.20+
Employment Agreement between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and Jon Slabaugh
Exhibit 10.9 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2023 (File No. 001-396972)
10.21+
Offer Letter between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc, and Richard Henderson
Exhibit 10.10 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2024 (File No. 001-396972)
10.22
Sponsor Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2021, by and among Duddell Street Holdings Limited, FiscalNote Holdings, Inc., Duddell Street Acquisition Corp. and certain of its shareholders.
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 8, 2021 (File No. 333-249207)
10.23+
FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan, effective as of October 5, 2021.
Exhibit 10.14 to DSAC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed on July 1, 2022 (File No. 333-261483)
10.24+
Amendment No. 1 to FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan, effective as of March 22, 2022.
Exhibit 10.15 to DSAC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed on July 1, 2022 (File No. 333-261483)
10.25+
Executive Severance Plan, effective as of April 3, 2023
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.26
AI Co-Pilot Partnership Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2023, by and between the Registrant, FiscalNote, Inc. and EGT-East, LLC
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.27
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2023, by and between the Registrant and EGT-East, LLC
Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.28
Form of Note
Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.29
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2023, by and between the Registrant and EGT-East, LLC
Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.30
Exchange and Settlement Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2023, including the form of New Note
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2023 (File No. 001-39672)
10.31
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2024, by and between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. and EGT 10, LLC.
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2024 (File No. 001-39672)
10.32
Form of Note
Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2024 (File No. 001-39672)
10.33
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2024, by and between FiscalNote Holdings, Inc, and EGT 10, LLC.
Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2024 (File No. 001-39672)
10.34
Securities Exchange Note, dated as of March 17, 2025
Filed with this report.
10.35
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2025
Filed with this report.
10.36
Exchange Note Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2025, including the form of New Note
Filed with this report.
10.37
Form of Assumed Convertible Subordinated Note as amended March 25, 2025
Filed with this report.
10.38
Form of Letter Agreement of the Assumed Convertible Subordinated Note, dated as of March 25, 2025
Filed with this report.
19.1
Insider Trading Policy
Filed with this report.
21.1
List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Filed with this report.
23.1
Consent of RSM US LLP
Filed with this report.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
Filed with this report.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
Filed with this report.
Section 1350 Certifications.
Furnished with this report.
97.1
Clawback Policy, effective as of November 2, 2023
Exhibit 97.1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2024 (File No. 001-39672)
99.1
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements for the Sales of Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly
Filed with this report.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
Submitted electronically with this report.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbased Documents.
Submitted electronically with this report.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
Submitted electronically with this report.
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.
# Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been omitted because the registrant has determined that they are not material and is the type of information that the registrant treats as private and confidential.