EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1006837
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1006837_10-K_2025_0001006837-25-000021.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, "INNOVATE," means INNOVATE Corp. and the "Company," "we" and "our" mean INNOVATE together with its consolidated subsidiaries.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. See "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
General
INNOVATE is a diversified holding company that has a portfolio of subsidiaries in a variety of operating segments. We seek to grow these businesses so that they can generate long-term sustainable free cash flow and attractive returns in order to maximize value for all stakeholders. As of December 31, 2024, our three operating platforms or reportable segments, based on management’s organization of the enterprise, are Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Spectrum, plus our Other segment, which includes businesses that do not meet the separately reportable segment thresholds.
Our principal operating subsidiaries include the following assets:
(i)DBM Global Inc. ("DBMG") (Infrastructure), a family of companies providing fully integrated structural and steel construction services;
(ii)Pansend Life Sciences, LLC ("Pansend") (Life Sciences), our subsidiary focused on supporting healthcare and biotechnology product development;
(iii)HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Broadcasting") (Spectrum), a strategic operator of Over-The-Air ("OTA") broadcasting stations across the United States ("U.S.") including Puerto Rico; and
(iv)Other, which represents all other businesses or investments that do not meet the definition of a segment individually or in the aggregate.
We expect to focus on operating and managing our portfolio of companies and building value in Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Spectrum in the future. We believe these segments are well positioned to take advantage of current trends in today’s economy and that there is opportunity to build value organically and inorganically in these three segments. We may consider opportunities outside of these businesses in the longer term to acquire and invest in businesses with attractive assets that we consider to be undervalued or fairly valued.
Overall Business Strategy
We continually evaluate strategic and business alternatives within our operating segments, which may include the following: operating, growing or acquiring additional assets or businesses related to current or historical operations; or winding down or selling our existing operations. In the longer-term, we may evaluate opportunities to acquire assets or businesses unrelated to our current or historical operations. We have generally pursued either controlling positions in durable, cash-flow generating businesses and assets that will enhance our current businesses in Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Spectrum or companies we believe exhibit substantial growth potential, which may be unrelated to the Company’s then-current operating segments. In connection with any such acquisition, we may choose to actively assemble or re-assemble a company’s management team to ensure the appropriate expertise is in place to execute the operating objectives of such business. We view ourselves as strategic and financial partners and seek to align our management teams’ incentives with our goal of delivering sustainable long-term value to our stakeholders.
As part of any acquisition strategy, we may raise capital in the form of debt or equity securities (including preferred stock) or a combination thereof. We have broad discretion in selecting a business strategy for the Company. If we elect to pursue an acquisition, while we intend to focus on Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Spectrum, we may exercise our broad discretion to identify and select an industry and the possible acquisition or business combination opportunity unrelated to our current operating segments. In connection with evaluating these strategic and business alternatives, we may at any time be engaged in ongoing discussions with respect to possible acquisitions, business combinations and debt or equity securities offerings of widely varying sizes. There can be no assurance that any of these discussions will result in a definitive agreement and, if they do, what the terms or timing of any agreement would be.
Our strategic process includes a continual evaluation of our existing businesses which may include a sale or recapitalization of businesses or operating segments. We consider many factors as we go through our evaluation, which include, but are not limited to, market factors and opportunities, growth prospects and internal needs. In connection with evaluating these strategic and business alternatives, we may at any time be engaged in ongoing discussions with respect to possible dispositions, mergers and public offerings of widely varying sizes. There can be no assurance that any of these discussions will result in a definitive agreement, and if they do, what the terms or timing of any agreement would be.
Competition
From a strategic perspective, we encounter competition for acquisition and business opportunities from other entities having similar business objectives, such as strategic investors and private equity firms, which could lead to higher prices for acquisition targets. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and executing transactions directly or through affiliates. Our financial resources and human resources may be relatively limited when contrasted with many of these competitors which may place us at a competitive disadvantage. Competitive conditions affecting our operating businesses are described in the discussions below.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2024, we had 3,135 full-time employees and 26 part-time employees, including the employees of our operating businesses as described in more detail below. We consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory.
Our Operating Subsidiaries
Infrastructure Segment (DBMG)
DBM Global Inc. (“DBMG”) is a fully integrated construction company offering both construction and professional services primarily through its core subsidiaries, Schuff Steel Company ("SSC"), Banker Steel (“Banker”) and GrayWolf Industrial (“GrayWolf”) to a wide variety of commercial and industrial market segments. These companies provide services to their clients including design-assist, modularization, fabrication and erection of structural steel, heavy steel plate, trusses and girders, heavy equipment installation, as well as facility services for maintenance and shutdowns. The companies enable best delivery of pre-construction, construction and operations services by leveraging the capabilities of the DBM Vircon business, which provides construction modeling, rebar and steel detailing, industrial design, and digital engineering services. In addition, through its Aitken business ("Aitken"), DBMG manufactures pressure vessels, strainers, filters, separators and a variety of customized products.
DBMG provides these services on commercial, industrial, and infrastructure construction projects such as high- and low-rise buildings and office complexes, hotels and casinos, convention centers, sports arenas and stadiums, hospital and medical offices, data centers, renewables, chemical, pulp and paper mills, manufacturing facilities, bridges, mines, metal processing and power plants.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, DBMG has domestic operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington with construction projects primarily located in the aforementioned states. In addition, DBMG has international operations in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.
DBMG’s results of operations are affected primarily by (i) the level of commercial, industrial and infrastructure construction as well as the need for mechanical and maintenance services in its principal markets; (ii) its ability to win project contracts; (iii) the number and complexity of project changes requested by customers or general contractors; (iv) its success in utilizing its resources at or near full capacity; and (v) its ability to complete contracts on a timely and cost-effective basis. The level of commercial, industrial and infrastructure construction activity is related to several factors, including local, regional and national economic conditions, interest rates, availability of financing, and the supply of existing facilities relative to demand.
Strategy
DBMG’s objective is to achieve and maintain a leading position in the geographic regions and project segments that it serves by providing timely, high-quality services to its customers. DBMG pursues this objective with a strategy comprised of the following components:
•Pursue Large, Value-Added Projects: DBMG’s unique ability to offer a full range of steel construction services and project management capabilities makes it a preferred partner for complex construction projects in the geographic regions it serves. This capability often enables DBMG to bid against fewer competitors in a less traditional, more negotiated selection process on these kinds of projects, thereby offering the potential for higher margins while providing overall cost savings and project flexibility and efficiencies to its customers;
•Expand and Diversify Revenue Base: DBMG seeks to expand and diversify its revenue base by leveraging its long-term relationships with national and multi-national construction and engineering firms, national and regional accounts, original equipment manufacturers, industrial owners, and other customers. DBMG also intends to continue to grow its operations by targeting projects that carry higher margins and less risk of large margin fluctuations. DBMG believes that continuing to diversify its revenue base by completing projects - such as low-rise office buildings, healthcare facilities and other commercial and industrial structures - could reduce the impact of periodic adverse market or economic conditions, as well as the margin slippage that may accompany larger projects;
•Emphasize Innovative Services: DBMG focuses its building information modeling ("BIM"), digital engineering, detailing, fabrication, erection, and construction expertise on larger, more complex projects, where it typically experiences less competition and more advantageous negotiated contract opportunities. DBMG has extensive experience in providing services requiring complex BIM modeling, detailing, fabrication and erection techniques and other unusual project needs, such as BIM coordination, specialized transportation, steel treatment or specialty coating applications, piping, machinery rigging and setting, deep foundations, and specialty welding. These service capabilities have enabled DBMG to address such design-sensitive projects as stadiums, uniquely designed hotels and casinos, pulp and paper mills, chemical plants, and other industrial and manufacturing facilities;
•Diversify Customer and Product Base: Although DBMG seeks to achieve a leading share of the geographic and product markets in which it traditionally competes, it also seeks to diversify its product offerings and geographic markets through acquisition. By expanding the portfolio of products offered and geographic markets served, DBMG believes that it will be able to offer more value-added services to existing and new potential customers, as well as to reduce the impact of periodic adverse market or economic conditions; and
•Ensure Project Delivery Success through Predictive Technologies: DBMG uses resources including data analytics, modeling and detailing, laser scan to BIM, and augmented and virtual reality to provide fully integrated solutions for a project’s lifecycle from design through to fabrication and construction, as well as providing mechanical and facility services. DBMG is thus able to deliver optimal value and reliable outcomes that are on schedule and on budget across a wide variety of services and geographic regions.
Services and Customers
DBMG consists of five business units spread across diverse markets: Schuff Steel Company ("SSC") (steel fabrication and erection), Banker Steel (steel fabrication and erection), DBM Vircon (steel detailing, rebar detailing, bridge detailing, BIM modeling services and BIM management services), the Aitken product line (manufacturing of equipment for the oil and gas industry), and GrayWolf (industrial multi-discipline construction, modularization, steel fabrication and erection, specialty facility maintenance, repair, and installation services, as well as management of smaller structural steel projects, leveraging subcontractors).
For the year ended December 31, 2024, revenues were as follows (in millions):
Revenue % of Total Revenue
SSC $ 404.6 37.8 %
Banker Steel 312.7 29.2 %
GrayWolf 314.1 29.3 %
DBM Vircon 33.2 3.1 %
Aitken 7.0 0.6 %
Total $ 1,071.6 100.0 %
The majority of DBMG's business is in North America, but DBM Vircon provides detailing services on five continents. In 2024, DBMG's two largest customers represented approximately 25.5% of DBMG's revenues. In 2023, DBMG’s two largest customers represented approximately 41.3% of DBMG's revenues.
DBMG’s size gives it the production capacity to complete large-scale, demanding projects, with typical utilization per facility ranging from 84% - 94% and a sales pipeline that includes approximately $6.6 billion in potential revenue generation. DBMG believes it has benefited from being one of the largest players in a market that is highly fragmented across many small firms.
DBMG achieves a highly efficient and cost-effective construction process by focusing on collaborating with all project participants and utilizing its extensive digital engineering and design-assist capabilities with its clients. Additionally, DBMG has in-house fabrication, erection, and multi-discipline industrial construction capabilities combined with access to a network of subcontractors for smaller projects in order to provide high-quality solutions for its customers. DBMG offers a range of services across a broad geography through its 13 fabrication shops in the United States in 2024 and 33 sales and management facilities located in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the UK.
DBMG operates with minimal bonding requirements, with a balance of 19.2% of DBMG's total backlog of $957.2 million as of December 31, 2024, and bonding is reduced as projects are billed rather than upon completion. DBMG has limited its raw material cost exposure by securing fixed prices from mills at contract bid as well as by utilizing its purchasing power as one of the largest domestic buyers of wide flange beams in the United States.
SSC believes that the variety of services it offers to its customers enhances its ability to obtain and successfully complete projects. These services fall into six distinct groups: design-assist, pre-construction design and budgeting, steel management, fabrication, erection, and BIM:
•Design-Assist: Using the latest technology and BIM, SSC works to provide clients with cost-effective steel designs. The end result is turnkey-ready, structural steel solutions for its diverse client base;
•Pre-Construction Design and Budgeting: Clients who contact SSC in the early stages of planning can receive an SSC-performed analysis of the structure and cost breakdown. Both of these tools allow clients to accurately plan and budget for any upcoming project;
•Steel Management: Using SSC’s proprietary Steel Integrated Management System ("SIMS"), SSC can track any piece of steel and instantly know its location. Additionally, SSC can help clients manage steel subcontracts, providing clients with savings on raw steel purchases and giving them access to a variety of SSC-approved subcontractors;
•Fabrication: Through its six fabrication shops in Arizona, California, Kansas, and Utah, SSC has one of the highest fabrication capacities in the United States, with approximately 1.1 million square feet under roof and a maximum annual fabrication capacity of approximately 279,000 tons;
•Erection: Named the top steel erector in the United States for 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013-2020, and 2022, and the second top steel erector for 2021 and 2023 - 2024 by Engineering News-Record, SSC knows how to add value to its projects through the safe and efficient erection of steel structures; and
•BIM: SSC uses BIM on every project to manage its role efficiently. Additionally, SSC’s use of SIMS in conjunction with its proprietary BIM platform, Visualizer, allows for real-time reporting on a project’s progress and an information-rich model review.
Banker Steel provides full-service fabricated structural steel and erection services primarily for the East Coast and Southeast commercial and industrial construction market in addition to full design-assist services. Banker Steel offers a variety of services to its customers, which it believes enhances its ability to obtain and successfully complete projects. These services fall into four distinct groups: design-assist, pre-construction design and budgeting, fabrication, and erection:
•Design-Assist: Using the latest technology, Banker Steel helps developers plan, schedule, model and price projects from start to finish resulting in cost-effective steel designs;
•Pre-Construction/Design and Budgeting: Clients who contact Banker Steel in the early stages of planning can receive a detailed analysis of the structure and cost breakdown. Both of these tools allow clients to accurately plan and budget for any upcoming project;
•Fabrication: Through its four fabrication shops in Florida, New Jersey, and Virginia, Banker Steel has maximum annual fabrication capacity of approximately 159,000 tons with approximately 447,000 square feet of space; typically focusing on complex, non-commoditized jobs with intensive fabrication requirements; and
•Erection: Banker Steel offers a full suite of erection services including horizontal and vertical erection services.
GrayWolf provides services including industrial multi-discipline construction, modularization, steel fabrication, steel construction management, maintenance, repair, erection, and installation to a diverse range of end markets in order to provide high-quality outage, turnaround, and new installation services to customers. GrayWolf provides the following services through its two major brands: GrayWolf Integrated Construction (formerly Titan Contracting, Titan Fabricators, and Inco Services), and Milco National Constructors.
•Multi-discipline construction and modularization services: GrayWolf offers multi-discipline construction services to manufacturing, power, petrochemical, refining, data center, oil and gas and other industrial markets. Its services include providing modularization, plant maintenance, specialty welding, equipment rigging and setting, and mechanical and electrical construction to customers in the power, industrial, petrochemical, water treatment, and refining markets at a national level;
•Specialty construction solutions for processing markets: Customers in the pulp and paper, metals, mining and minerals, oil and gas and petrochemical markets utilize GrayWolf’s specialized solutions including plant maintenance, process piping, equipment setting, and tank and vessel fabrication and erection that are catered to the needs and specifications of the customer’s industry;
•Turnarounds, tank construction, and piping services: GrayWolf offers services including plant maintenance, specialty welding, piping systems, and tanks and vessels construction to the power, pulp and paper, refining, petrochemical, and water treatment markets in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and West Coast;
•Custom steel fabrication and erection: GrayWolf offers engineering, design, fabrication, modularization, erection and additional services to the heavy commercial and industrial markets in the Southwest, Midwest, Gulf Coast and Southeast; and
•Structural steel management: GrayWolf provides turn-key steel fabrication and erection services with expertise in project management. Leveraging such strengths, GrayWolf uses its relationships with reliable subcontractors and erectors, along with state-of-the-art management systems, to deliver excellence to clients.
DBM Vircon provides steel detailing, rebar detailing, BIM modeling and BIM management services for industrial and infrastructure and commercial construction projects in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America.
•Steel Detailing: Utilizing industry leading technologies, DBM Vircon provides steel detailing services which include: shop drawings, erection plans, anchor bolt drawings, connection sketches, NC files for cutting and drilling, DXF files for plate work, field bolt lists, specialist reports and advance bill of material and piping;
•Rebar Detailing: These services, including rebar detailing and estimating, are delivered by a staff experienced in rebar installation and familiar with the construction practices and constructability issues that arise on project sites. Deliverables include: field placement/shop drawings, field and/or phone support, 2D and 3D modeling, connection sketches, bar listing in ASA format, DGN files, and complete rebar estimating;
•BIM Modeling: Through multidisciplinary teams, DBM Vircon creates highly accurate, scaled virtual models of each structural component. These independent models and data are integrated and standardized to produce a single 3D model simulation of the entire structure using DBM Vircon’s proprietary application, Visualizer. This integrated model contains complete information for all functional requirements of a project, including procurement and logistics, financial modeling, claims and litigation, fabrication, construction support and asset management;
•BIM Management: DBM Vircon is an industry leading provider of BIM management consultancy services ("BIM Management"), with clients ranging from government, industry organizations and general construction contractors. BIM Management of all project participants’ input, use and development of the applicable model is integral to ensuring that the model remains the single point of reference. DBM Vircon’s BIM Management service includes the governing of process and workflow management, which is a collection of defined model uses, workflows, and modeling methods used to achieve specific, repeatable and reliable information results from the model. The way the model is created and shared, and the sequencing of its application, impacts the effective and efficient use of BIM for desired project outcomes and decision support; and
•Bridge Steel Detailing: Utilizing industry leading technologies, DBM Vircon, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Candraft VSI, provides steel detailing services for bridges which include: shop drawings, erection plans, anchor bolt drawings, connection sketches, DSTV files for cutting and drilling, DXF files for plate work, field bolt lists, specialist reports and advance bill of material and piping.
Aitken is a manufacturer of equipment used in the oil, gas, petrochemical and pipeline industries. Aitken supplies the following products both nationwide and internationally:
•Strainers: Temporary cone and basket strainers, tee-type strainers, vertical and horizontal permanent line strainers and fabricated duplex strainers;
•Measurement Equipment: Orifice meter tubes, orifice plates, orifice flanges, seal pots, flow nozzles, Venturi tubes, low loss tubes and straightening vanes; and
•Major Products: Spectacle blinds, paddle blinds, drip rings, bleed rings, and test inserts, ASME vessels, launchers and pipe spools.
Suppliers
DBMG currently purchases its steel from a variety of domestic and foreign steel producers but is not dependent on any one producer. During the year ended December 31, 2024, DBMG, through SSC and Banker Steel, purchased approximately 50.9% of the total value of steel and steel components purchased from two domestic steel vendors. Refer to Item 1A - Risk Factors - "Risks Related to the Infrastructure segment" elsewhere in this document for discussion on DBMG’s reliance on suppliers of steel and steel components.
Sales and Distributions
DBMG obtains contracts through competitive bidding or negotiation, which generally are fixed-price, cost-plus, unit cost, or time and material arrangements. Bidding and negotiations require DBMG to estimate the costs of the project up front, with most projects typically lasting from one to twelve months. However, large and more complex projects can often last two years or more.
Marketing
General managers along with sales managers lead DBMG’s sales and marketing efforts. Each general manager is primarily responsible for sales, estimating, and marketing efforts in defined geographic areas. In addition, DBMG employs full-time project estimators and chief estimators. DBMG’s sales representatives build and maintain relationships with general contractors, architects, engineers, OEMs, industrial owners, and other potential sources of business to identify potential new projects. DBMG generates future project reports to track the weekly progress of new opportunities. DBMG’s sales efforts are further supported by most of its executive officers, engineering, and strategic sales and marketing personnel, who have substantial experience in the design, detailing, modeling, fabrication, industrial construction, maintenance, and erection of structural steel and heavy steel plate.
DBMG competes for new project opportunities through its relationships and interaction with its active and prospective customer base which provides valuable current market information and sales opportunities. In addition, DBMG is often contacted by governmental agencies in connection with public construction projects, and by large private-sector project owners, general contractors and engineering firms in connection with new building projects such as manufacturing and industrial plants, data centers, warehouse and distribution centers, and other industrial and commercial facilities.
Upon selection of projects to bid or price, DBMG’s estimating departments review and prepare projected costs of shop, field, detail drawing preparation and equipment hours, steel and other raw materials, and other costs. With respect to bid projects, a formal bid is prepared detailing the specific services and materials DBMG plans to provide, along with payment terms and project completion timelines. Upon acceptance, DBMG’s bid proposal is finalized in a definitive contract.
Competition
The principal geographic and product markets DBMG serves are highly competitive, and this intense competition is expected to continue. DBMG competes with other contractors for commercial, industrial and specialty projects on a local, regional, or national basis. Continued service within these markets requires substantial resources and capital investment in equipment, technology and skilled personnel, and certain of DBMG’s competitors have financial and operating resources greater than DBMG. Competition also places downward pressure on DBMG’s contract prices and margins. The principal competitive factors within the industry are price, timeliness of project completion, quality, reputation, and the desire of customers to utilize specific contractors with whom they have favorable relationships and prior experience. While DBMG believes that it maintains a competitive advantage with respect to many of these factors, failure to continue to do so or to meet other competitive challenges could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2024, DBMG's workforce was comprised of 3,065 full-time and 23 part-time employees and hired 83 contractors and consultants across the globe, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, the Philippines, the UK, and Mexico. The number of persons DBMG employs on an hourly basis fluctuates directly in relation to the amount of business DBMG performs. Certain of the fabrication and erection personnel DBMG employs are represented by various trade unions. DBMG is a party to several separate collective bargaining agreements with these unions in certain of its current operating regions, which expire (if not renewed) at various times in the future. Approximately 8.3% of DBMG’s employees are covered under various collective bargaining agreements. As of December 31, 2024, most of DBMG’s collective bargaining agreements are subject to automatic annual or other renewal unless either party elects to terminate the agreement on the scheduled expiration date. DBMG considers its relationship with its employees to be satisfactory and, other than sporadic and unauthorized work stoppages of an immaterial nature, none of which have been related to its own labor relations, DBMG has not experienced a work stoppage or other labor disturbance.
DBMG strategically utilizes third-party fabrication and erection subcontractors on many of its projects and also subcontracts detailing services from time to time when its management determines that this would be economically beneficial (and/or when DBMG requires additional capacity for such services). DBMG’s inability to engage fabrication, erection and detailing subcontractors on favorable terms could limit its ability to complete projects in a timely manner or compete for new projects, which could have a material adverse effect on its operations.
Legal, Environmental and Insurance
DBMG is subject to claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Such matters are inherently uncertain, and there can be no guarantee that the outcome of any such matter will be decided favorably to DBMG or that the resolution of any such matter will not have a material adverse effect upon DBMG or the Company’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Neither DBMG nor the Company believes that any of such pending claims and legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its (or the Company’s) business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
DBMG’s operations and properties are affected by numerous federal, state and local environmental protection laws and regulations, such as those governing discharges to air and water and the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. These laws and regulations have become increasingly stringent and compliance with these laws and regulations has become increasingly complex and costly. There can be no assurance that such laws and regulations or their interpretation will not change in a manner that could materially and adversely affect DBMG’s operations. Certain environmental laws, such as CERCLA (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) and its state law counterparts, provide for strict and joint and several liability for investigation and remediation of spills and other releases of toxic and hazardous substances. These laws may apply to conditions at properties currently or formerly owned or operated by an entity or its predecessors, as well as to conditions at properties at which wastes or other contamination attributable to an entity or its predecessors come to be located. Although DBMG has not incurred any material environmental related liability in the past and believes that it is in material compliance with environmental laws, there can be no assurance that DBMG, or entities for which it may be responsible, will not incur such liability in connection with the investigation and remediation of facilities it currently operates (or formerly owned or operated) or other locations in a manner that could materially and adversely affect its operations.
DBMG maintains commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $2.0 million per occurrence and $4.0 million in the aggregate. In addition, DBMG maintains umbrella coverage limits of $75.0 million. DBMG also maintains insurance against property damage caused by fire, flood, explosion and similar catastrophic events that may result in physical damage or destruction of its facilities and property. DBMG maintains professional liability insurance in the amount of $10.0 million for professional services related to our work in steel erection and fabrication projects.
All policies are subject to various deductibles and coverage limitations. Although DBMG’s management believes that its insurance is adequate for its present needs, there can be no assurance that it will be able to maintain adequate insurance at premium rates that management considers commercially reasonable, nor can there be any assurance that such coverage will be adequate to cover all claims that may arise.
Life Sciences Segment (Pansend Life Sciences, LLC)
Our Life Sciences segment is comprised of Pansend Life Sciences, LLC ("Pansend") which maintains a controlling interest of 80.0% in Genovel Orthopedics, Inc. ("Genovel"), which seeks to develop products to treat early osteoarthritis of the knee, and also has a controlling interest of 81.4% in R2 Technologies, Inc. ("R2 Technologies"), which develops aesthetic and medical technologies for the skin. Pansend also invests in other early stage or developmental stage healthcare companies including a 45.9% interest in MediBeacon Inc. ("MediBeacon"), a 1.6% fully diluted interest in Triple Ring Technologies, Inc. ("Triple Ring"), and a 20.1% interest in Scaled Cell Solutions, Inc. ("Scaled Cell").
R2 Technologies, Inc.
R2 Technologies develops and commercializes breakthrough aesthetic medical and non-medical devices in the aesthetic dermatology market. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, R2 Technologies is the world leader in CryoAesthetics™ medical devices. R2 Technologies' Glacial® platform for precision contact cooling of the skin has been shown to reduce inflammation and also brighten dark spots.
Skin lightening and brightening is a large and fast-growing segment of aesthetic dermatology. Current lightening products and/or procedures may be ineffective, unpredictable or even harmful, and patients often must compensate for lack of efficacy by using makeup or concealers. R2 Technologies developed the breakthrough CryoAesthetics™ technologies that uniquely deliver treatments that provide skin lightening, brightening, skin tone evening and reduction or elimination of hyperpigmentation and inflammation. R2’s patented CryoModulation technology uses controlled cooling to suppress melanin, inflammation and discomfort by precisely controlling time and temperature to deliver an effective treatment with little social downtime.
Founded in 2014 by Pansend and Blossom Innovations, LLC, R2 Technologies exclusively licenses intellectual property developed at Massachusetts General Hospital ("MGH") and Harvard Medical School. In 2019, R2 Technologies brought on its strategic partner, Huadong Medicine Company, Ltd., (“Huadong”). In connection with Huadong's investment, R2 Technologies entered into a distribution agreement with Huadong under which R2 Technologies granted Huadong exclusive rights to distribute all of R2 Technologies' products in the Asia-Pacific region, and R2 Technologies is entitled to receive a share of Huadong's net sales from such products.
On June 20, 2024, Pansend closed on a new Series D Preferred Stock ("Series D") investment in R2. As part of the transaction, R2 Technologies converted its intercompany notes and accrued interest with Pansend, together with an additional cash investment from Pansend, into new Series D convertible participating preferred stock, for a total new additional investment of $21.3 million, increasing Pansend's total cumulative investment in R2 Technologies to $64.5 million, which increased Pansend's ownership in R2 Technologies to 81.4% immediately post-transaction as compared to 56.8% prior to the transaction. The transaction was eliminated on consolidation.
R2 Technologies currently has four products in various stages of commercialization and development:
1.Glacial Rx - Launched in the first quarter of 2021 in the United States after receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) clearance for use in dermatologic procedures for the removal of benign lesions of the skin and for use when cooling is intended for the temporary reduction of pain, swelling, inflammation, and hematoma from minor surgical procedures. When used with R2 Technologies' Dermabrasion Tips, the intended use includes general dermabrasion, scar revision, acne scar revision and tattoo removal. The Glacial Rx system effectively and comfortably addresses these conditions, leaving the skin with a smoother and brighter appearance with little downtime for the patient. The Glacial Rx system is sold into medical practices and is operated by trained healthcare professionals.
2.Glacial Spa - Launched in the first half of 2022 in China after receiving China Non-Medical Classification, the Glacial Spa is a cooling experience used to even skin tone, and brighten and lighten skin and is intended to be operated by a trained aesthetician. The Glacial Spa system is being sold by Huadong’s existing sales force to spas. This product launched in the United States and Canada in 2023, marketed as Glacial fx. See below for more details on Glacial fx.
3.Glacial fx - Launched in the third quarter of 2023 in the United States and Canada, the Glacial fx is intended to brighten, calm, and stimulate healthy, youthful skin through its intelligent precision cooling technology. The Glacial fx system has expanded R2’s North America market into all practice types, including nonmedical and retail chains, and is intended to be operated by a trained aesthetician.
4.Glacial AI - Currently undergoing research and development, the Glacial AI is an autonomous, robotic cooling device focused on whole-body skin lightening and brightening.
Sales and Distribution
In the United States and Canada, R2 Technologies utilizes a direct sales force to sell Glacial Rx and Glacial fx. As of December 31, 2024, R2 Technologies had a sales force in the United States and Canada of 28 employees, total full-time employees of 42 and 2 part-time employees.
In international markets, R2 Technologies sells Glacial Rx, Glacial fx and Glacial Spa through distributors. Currently, R2 Technologies has contracts with distributors to sell these products into the following countries: Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, United Kingdom, France, Kuwait, and India.
Seasonality and Quarterly Results
Our business is subject to moderate seasonal fluctuations. We typically experience the highest revenues and operating income in the fiscal fourth quarter and lowest revenues and operating income in the first fiscal quarter. As our business outside of the United States grows, seasonal fluctuations may smooth out. As a result, results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.
Competition
The medical technology and aesthetic product markets are highly competitive and dynamic and are characterized by rapid and substantial technological development and product innovations. Demand for our products could be limited by the products and technologies offered now or in the future by our competitors.
Due to less stringent regulatory requirements, there are many more aesthetic products and procedures available for use in international markets than are cleared for use in the United States. There are also fewer limitations on the claims our competitors in international markets can make about the effectiveness of their products and the manner in which they can market them. As a result, we face more competition in these markets than in the United States.
We also compete against medical technology and aesthetic companies, including those offering products and technologies unrelated to skin lightening and brightening, for physician resources and mind share. Some of our competitors have a broad range of product offerings, large direct sales forces, and long-term customer relationships, which could inhibit our market penetration efforts. Our potential customers also may need to recoup the cost of expensive products that they have already purchased from our competitors, and thus they may decide to delay or not to purchase our products.
We believe that our products compete favorably, largely based on the following competitive factors:
•Our products safely downregulate inflammation and pain, accelerate exfoliation and normalize melanin production. This is a breakthrough technology unlike any other currently available in the marketplace;
•Our products are versatile, providing customized treatment capabilities for patients of all ages and skin types making every aesthetic patient a candidate;
•Our products achieve measurable results with little to no patient discomfort and high patient satisfaction;
•Glacial Rx is FDA cleared in the United States as a complementary treatment to improve the patient experience of most other pain or inflammation inducing treatments. This allows practices to offer a highly differentiated experience to existing customers and attract new business, generating additional revenue.
Governmental Approvals
The design, development, manufacture, testing and sale of our Glacial Rx product is subject to regulation by numerous governmental authorities, principally the FDA, and corresponding state and foreign regulatory agencies.
The Glacial Rx product (also known as the Dermal Cooling System) has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA as a cryosurgical instrument intended for the use in dermatologic procedures for the removal of benign lesions of the skin; temporary reduction of pain, swelling, inflammation and hematoma from minor surgical procedures; use of optional dermabrasion tip accessories for general dermabrasion, scar revision, acne scar revision, and tattoo removal; pain minimization, inflammation, and thermal injury during laser and dermatological treatments and for temporary anesthetic relief of injections.
We have received regulatory approval or are otherwise free to market the Glacial Rx product in numerous international markets. Any devices we manufacture or distribute pursuant to clearance or approval by the FDA are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA and certain state agencies, including establishment registration and device listing with the FDA. We are required to adhere to applicable regulations detailed in the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP") as set forth in the Quality System Regulation, which include among other things, testing, control and documentation requirements. Non-compliance with these standards can result in, among other things, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recalls or seizures of products, total or partial suspension of production, refusal of the government to grant 510(k) clearance of devices, withdrawal of marketing approvals and criminal prosecutions. We and our contract manufacturer have designed and operate our manufacturing facilities under the FDA's cGMP requirements and are subject to periodic inspection by the FDA for compliance with regulatory requirements. Because we are a manufacturer of medical devices, we must also comply with medical device reporting requirements by reviewing and reporting to the FDA whenever there is evidence that reasonably suggests that one of our products may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury. We must also report any incident in which our product has malfunctioned if that malfunction would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if it were to recur. Labeling and promotional activities are subject to scrutiny by the FDA and, in certain circumstances, by the Federal Trade Commission. Medical devices approved or cleared by the FDA may not be promoted for unapproved or uncleared uses, otherwise known as “off-label” promotion. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant liability, including substantial monetary penalties and criminal prosecution.
The regulatory review process for medical devices varies from country to country, and many countries also impose product standards, packaging requirements, environmental requirements, labeling requirements and import restrictions on devices. Each country has its own tariff regulations, duties, and tax requirements. Failure to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements may subject a company to fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions, criminal prosecution, or other consequences.
In international markets, we are required to obtain and maintain various quality assurance and quality management certifications. We have obtained the following international certifications: EN ISO 13485:2016 Medical Devices - Quality Management Systems - Requirements for regulatory purposes and Medical Device Single Audit Program (US and Canada). In November 2024, we successfully completed a re-certification audit by our Certification Body, Société Générale de Surveillance ("SGS").
Sources of Raw Materials and Suppliers
We depend upon our contract manufacturer to build our products. We rely on purchase orders rather than long-term contracts with our contract manufacturer, which mitigates some risks, including price increases. However, this subjects us to other risks such as component shortages. We continue to evaluate alternative sources of supply for these components and materials.
Patents and Proprietary Technology
To establish and protect our proprietary technologies and products, we rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark, and trade-secret laws, as well as confidentiality provisions in our contracts. We have implemented a patent strategy designed to protect our technology and facilitate commercialization of our current and future products. As of December 31, 2024, our patent portfolio comprised 128 issued patents and 11 pending patent applications, each of which we either own directly or for which we are the exclusive licensee. Our intellectual property portfolio for our CryoModulation technology was built through the combination of licensing patents from third parties and the issuance of new patents to us as the result of our ongoing development activities. Many of our issued and pending patents were exclusively licensed from General Hospital Corporation, which owns and operates the MGH and generally relate to our core technology. In general, patents have a term of 20 years from the application filing date or earliest claimed priority date. We expect our issued and exclusively licensed patents to expire in 2035 or later.
We also rely on trade secrets, technical know-how, contractual arrangements, and continuing innovation to protect our intellectual property and maintain our competitive position. We have a policy to enter into confidentiality agreements with third parties, employees, and consultants. We also have a policy that our employees and consultants sign agreements requiring that they assign to us their interests in intellectual property such as patents and copyrights arising from their work for us.
Patent License Agreement
On December 8, 2014, the Company entered into a Patent License Agreement with MGH, whereby R2 Technologies may use certain licensor assets and patent rights for the commercial development, manufacturing, distribution and use in products and processes. The agreement, as amended, calls for royalties to be paid at 8% of net sales of all products and processes with minimum guarantees. All milestones associated with the license agreement with MGH were completed in prior years and we made all required license fee and milestone payments to MGH in accordance with the Patent License Agreement, as amended. We continue to pay the royalty on net sales as required by the agreement and currently have no additional obligations to MGH resulting from any sublicensing agreement.
MediBeacon, Inc.
MediBeacon is a medical technology company specializing in the advances of fluorescent tracer agents and transdermal measurement. MediBeacon has developed a system that enables point of care assessment monitoring of kidney function. The Transdermal GFR System (“TGFR”) is comprised of the TGFR Sensor, TGFR Monitor, and Lumitrace (relmapirazin), which, together, allow assessment of the kidney function by measuring the clearance rate of the fluorescent agent as it leaves the body. The system records Lumitrace fluorescence intensity transdermally as a function of time via a sensor placed on the skin. The TGFR Sensor records 2.5 fluorescent readings per second, and the TGFR Monitor will display the average session TGFR reading at the patient's bedside or in the outpatient setting.
On October 22, 2018, the FDA granted Breakthrough Device designation to the TGFR for the measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate (“GFR”) in patients with impaired or normal kidney function. The FDA granted the TGFR a Breakthrough Device Designation because better tools are needed for the management of kidney patients, and this technology has the potential to provide for more effective patient management. Chronic kidney disease is estimated to affect more than 800 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Under the Breakthrough Device program, the FDA works with companies to expedite regulatory review in order to give patients more timely access to innovative diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. MediBeacon completed its U.S. phase 3 TGFR Pivotal Study in the first quarter of 2023 and during the second quarter of 2023, submitted the results of the study to the FDA, and the results were published in April 2024 on the National Institutes of Health ("NIH") clinical studies website.
On January 17, 2025, it was announced that the FDA had approved MediBeacon’s TGFR for the assessment of kidney function in patients with normal or impaired renal function. The TGFR is validated for use in the assessment of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) in patients with stable kidney function at the point of care. The TGFR utilizes an intravenous Lumitrace injection but does not require blood draws or urine analysis, unlike current methodologies requiring multiple blood draws or urine samples. In addition, current clinical practice measured GFR (mGFR) assessment requires sophisticated clinical laboratory analysis away from the patient’s point of care.
MediBeacon fluorescent tracer agent-based monitoring systems hold promise in a range of potential medical applications, including:
◦Gastrointestinal permeability, which has the potential to transform management of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease. Grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Mayo Clinic, have supported MediBeacon’s research in this area. The first in-human clinical studies were completed to study the feasibility of using fluorescent tracer agent-based systems to quantify the permeability of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with active Crohn’s disease.
◦Ocular angiography, which has the potential to diagnose and monitor vasculature leakage in the eye, a key factor in diagnosing and monitoring various diseases, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vasculitis while avoiding current potential clinical side effects such as allergic reactions, nausea and vomiting. MediBeacon was the recipient of a Small Business Innovation Research grant supported by the National Eye Institute of the NIH. MediBeacon is pursuing research into the use of Lumitrace to visualize vasculature in the eye.
◦Surgical visualization feasibility, which has the potential to be used in open, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries to identify critical structures (e.g. ureters), tumor margins and blood flow in tissues in real-time. Research in this area is underway.
In 2015, Pansend Life Sciences became the largest equity investor in MediBeacon. In 2019, MediBeacon entered into a $30 million investment and exclusive commercialization partnership in Greater China with Huadong, under which MediBeacon granted Huadong the exclusive rights to distribute all of MediBeacon’s products in Greater China, and MediBeacon will receive royalty payments on net sales of the TGFR system. Under this agreement, Huadong is also responsible for funding clinical trials, commercial and regulatory activities relating to the TGFR system in 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Greater China. MediBeacon received the first $15 million tranche during 2019 at a pre-money valuation of approximately $300 million. In 2020, Huadong amended their agreements to provide for Huadong to prepay, at a minimum, $20 million of future China royalties to fund registration of the TGFR system as a Class 1 device in China, allowing it to immediately enter the Chinese hospital system. As of December 31, 2024, approximately $29.9 million had been received by MediBeacon.
In November 2022, MediBeacon and Huadong amended their existing agreements for Huadong to provide approximately $10 million in additional funding to MediBeacon including, at a minimum, an additional $2.5 million in prepayment of future China royalties to accelerate other pre-commercialization activities. On February 23, 2023, pursuant to its amended commercial partnership with Huadong, MediBeacon issued $7.5 million of its preferred stock to Huadong, accelerating 50% of the remaining $15 million cash milestone investment due upon FDA approval of MediBeacon's TGFR.
Subsequent to year end, in January 2025, upon FDA approval, pursuant to the terms of MediBeacon's convertible notes, Pansend's convertible notes and the related accrued interest together totaling $12.9 million were converted into Series 3 Preferred Stock. In addition, pursuant to its amended commercial partnership with Huadong and, as a result of FDA approval, a $7.5 million investment in its preferred stock by Huadong was in the process of closing at a pre-money valuation of approximately $420 million. Once completed, this will decrease Pansend's ownership in MediBeacon from approximately 45.9% prior to the transaction to approximately 44.7% subsequent to the transaction. On a fully diluted basis, Pansend's ownership in MediBeacon will decrease from 40.1% to 39.7%.
Genovel Orthopedics, Inc.
Genovel is a medical device company developing novel partial and total knee replacements for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee based on patented technology developed at New York University School of Medicine.
Triple Ring Technologies, Inc.
Triple Ring is a research and development engineering company specializing in medical devices, homeland security, imaging sensors, optics, fluidics, robotics and mobile healthcare.
Scaled Cell Solutions, Inc.
Scaled Cell is an immunotherapy company developing a novel autologous cell therapy system to potentially improve current chimeric antigen receptor T-cell ("CAR-T") treatments.
Spectrum Segment (HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc.)
HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc., ("HC2B" and together with its subsidiaries, "Broadcasting"), a majority-owned subsidiary of INNOVATE, is an owner and operator of broadcast television ("TV") stations throughout the U.S. and an avenue for high-end content providers to deliver their product over-the-air ("OTA") to more homes and, ultimately, mobile devices, including through fifth-generation mobile network ("5G") channels, the technology of which is currently being explored. Broadcasting’s stations are interconnected to an internet protocol network backbone, which allows Broadcasting to monitor and operate the stations remotely, resulting in significant cost efficiencies.
As of December 31, 2024, Broadcasting operated 256 stations, including three Full-Power stations, 53 Class A stations and 200 Low Power Television ("LPTV") stations. Broadcasting stations are collectively able to broadcast approximately 1,700 sub-channels and reach 113 markets in the U.S., and Puerto Rico, including 34 of the top 35 markets. Broadcasting has approximately 100 stations concentrated in the top 35 markets.
Operating Broadcast Stations
Below are Broadcasting’s operating stations as of December 31, 2024, listed by call sign and market rank:
Market Market
Rank (a)
Station Service
New York, NY 1 W02CY-D LPTV Station
WKOB-LD LPTV Station
Los Angeles, CA 2 KHIZ-LD LPTV Station
KSKJ-CD Class A Station
Chicago, IL 3 W31EZ-D LPTV Station
WPVN-CD Class A Station
Dallas - Ft. Worth, TX 4 K07AAD-D LPTV Station
KHPK-LD LPTV Station
KNAV-LD LPTV Station
KJJM-LD LPTV Station
KODF-LD LPTV Station
KPFW-LD LPTV Station
Philadelphia, PA 5 W25FG-D LPTV Station
WDUM-LD LPTV Station
WPSJ-CD Class A Station
WZPA-LD LPTV Station
Houston, TX 6 KEHO-LD LPTV Station
KUGB-CD Class A Station
KUVM-LD LPTV Station
KUVM-CD Class A Station
KBMN-LD LPTV Station
Atlanta, GA 7 WDWW-LD LPTV Station
WUEO-LD LPTV Station
WUVM-LD LPTV Station
WYGA-CD Class A Station
Boston, MA 9 WLEK-LD LPTV Station
San Francisco - Oakland - San Jose, CA 10 KEMO-TV Full Power Station
KQRO-LD LPTV Station
Tampa - St Petersburg - Sarasota, FL 11 W31EG-D LPTV Station
W16DQ-D LPTV Station
WTAM-LD LPTV Station
WXAX-CD Class A Station
Phoenix - Prescott, AZ 12 K12XP-D LPTV Station
KPDF-CD Class A Station
KTVP-LD LPTV Station
Seattle, WA 13 KUSE-LD LPTV Station
Detroit, MI 14 WDWO-CD Class A Station
WUDL-LD LPTV Station
Orlando - Daytona Beach - Melbourne, FL 15 WATV-LD LPTV Station
WFEF-LD LPTV Station
Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN 16 K33LN-D Class A Station
K28PQ-D LPTV Station
KJNK-LD LPTV Station
KMBD-LD LPTV Station
KMQV-LD LPTV Station
KWJM-LD LPTV Station
Denver, CO 17 KRDH-LD LPTV Station
Miami - Ft. Lauderdale, FL 18 W16CC-D LPTV Station
Cleveland - Akron - Canton, OH 19 KONV-LD LPTV Station
WEKA-LD LPTV Station
WQDI-LD LPTV Station
WUEK-LD LPTV Station
Sacramento - Stockton - Modesto, CA 20 KFTY-LD LPTV Station
K04QR-D LPTV Station
K12XJ-D LPTV Station
KAHC-LD LPTV Station
KBIS-LD LPTV Station
KBTV-CD Class A Station
KFKK-LD LPTV Station
KFMS-LD LPTV Station
Charlotte, NC 21 W15EB-D Class A Station
WVEB-LD LPTV Station
WHEH-LD LPTV Station
Raleigh - Durham - Fayetteville, NC 22 WIRP-LD LPTV Station
WNCB-LD LPTV Station
Portland, OR 23 KOXI-CD Class A Station
St. Louis, MO 24 W09DL-D LPTV Station
WLEH-LD LPTV Station
K25NG-D Class A Station
KBGU-LD LPTV Station
KPTN-LD LPTV Station
WODK-LD LPTV Station
Indianapolis, IN 25 WQDE-LD LPTV Station
WSDI-LD LPTV Station
WUDZ-LD LPTV Station
Nashville, TN 26 WCTZ-LD LPTV Station
WKUW-LD LPTV Station
Pittsburgh, PA 27 WJMB-CD Class A Station
WKHU-CD Class A Station
WMVH-CD Class A Station
WWKH-CD Class A Station
WWLM-CD Class A Station
Salt Lake City, UT 28 KBTU-LD LPTV Station
Baltimore, MD 29 WQAW-LD LPTV Station
San Diego, CA 30 KSKT-CD Class A Station
San Antonio, TX 31 K17MJ-D LPTV Station
K25OB-D Class A Station
KISA-LD LPTV Station
KOBS-LD LPTV Station
KSAA-LD LPTV Station
KSSJ-LD LPTV Station
KVDF-CD Class A Station
Hartford - New Haven, CT 32 WRNT-LD LPTV Station
WTXX-LD LPTV Station
Kansas City, MO 33 KAJF-LD LPTV Station
KCMN-LD LPTV Station
KQML-LD LPTV Station
Austin, TX 34 KGBS-CD Class A Station
KVAT-LD LPTV Station
Columbus, OH 35 WDEM-CD Class A Station
Greenville - Spartanburg - Asheville - Anderson, SC 36 W22EY-D LPTV Station
Milwaukee, WI 38 WTSJ-LD LPTV Station
West Palm Beach - Ft. Pierce, FL 39 WWCI-CD Class A Station
WDOX-LD LPTV Station
WXOD-LD LPTV Station
Las Vegas, NV 40 K36NE-D Class A Station
KEGS-LD LPTV Station
KHDF-CD Class A Station
KNBX-CD Class A Station
KVPX-LD LPTV Station
Jacksonville, FL 41 WJXE-LD LPTV Station
WKBJ-LD LPTV Station
WODH-LD LPTV Station
WRCZ-LD LPTV Station
Birmingham - Anniston - Tuscaloosa, AL 45 WUDX-LD LPTV Station
WUOA-LD LPTV Station
Oklahoma City, OK 47 KBZC-LD LPTV Station
KOHC-CD Class A Station
KTOU-LD LPTV Station
Albuquerque - Santa Fe, NM 48 KQDF-LD LPTV Station
KWPL-LD LPTV Station
Louisville, KY 49 WKUT-LD LPTV Station
New Orleans, LA 50 WQDT-LD LPTV Station
WTNO-CD Class A Station
Memphis, TN 51 KPMF-LD LPTV Station
W15EA-D Class A Station
WPED-LD LPTV Station
WQEK-LD LPTV Station
WQEO-LD LPTV Station
Ft. Myers - Naples, FL 53 WGPS-LD LPTV Station
Buffalo, NY 54 WVTT-CD Class A Station
WWHC-LD LPTV Station
Fresno - Visalia, CA 55 K17JI-D Class A Station
KZMM-CD Class A Station
Richmond - Petersburg, VA 56 WFWG-LD LPTV Station
WUDW-LD LPTV Station
WWBK-LD LPTV Station
Mobile, AL - Pensacola, FL 57 WEDS-LD LPTV Station
WWBH-LD LPTV Station
Little Rock - Pine Bluff, AR 58 K23OW-D LPTV Station
KENH-LD LPTV Station
KWMO-LD LPTV Station
Knoxville, TN 60 W19FF-D LPTV Station
Tulsa, OK 61 KZLL-LD LPTV Station
KUOC-LD LPTV Station
Des Moines - Ames, IA 67 KAJR-LD LPTV Station
KCYM-LD LPTV Station
KRPG-LD LPTV Station
Wichita - Hutchinson, KS 71 KFVT-LD LPTV Station
Flint - Saginaw - Bay City, MI 72 WFFC-LD LPTV Station
W35DQ-D LPTV Station
Omaha, NE 73 KAJS-LD LPTV Station
KQMK-LD LPTV Station
Springfield, MO 74 KCNH-LD LPTV Station
KFKY-LD LPTV Station
Huntsville - Decatur - Florence, AL 75 W34EY-D Class A Station
Madison, WI 77 W23BW-D Class A Station
WZCK-LD LPTV Station
Rochester, NY 79 WGCE-CD Class A Station
Harlingen - Weslaco - Brownsville - McAllen, TX 80 KAZH-LD LPTV Station
KNWS-LD LPTV Station
KRZG-CD Class A Station
Charleston - Huntington, WV 82 WOCW-LD LPTV Station
Waco - Temple - Bryan, TX 83 KAXW-LD LPTV Station
KZCZ-LD LPTV Station
Savannah, GA 84 WDID-LD LPTV Station
WUET-LD LPTV Station
Charleston, SC 85 WBSE-LD LPTV Station
Chattanooga, TN 86 WYHB-CD Class A Station
Paducah, KY - Cape Girardeau, MO - Harrisburg, IL 90 W29CI-D Class A Station
Shreveport, LA 91 K36MU-D LPTV Station
Champaign - Springfield - Decatur, IL 92 W23EW-D LPTV Station
WCQA-LD LPTV Station
WEAE-LD LPTV Station
Cedar Rapids - Waterloo - Iowa City, IA 94 K17MH-D LPTV Station
KFKZ-LD LPTV Station
Baton Rouge, LA 95 K27NB-D LPTV Station
K29LR-D LPTV Station
Ft. Smith - Fayetteville - Springdale - Rogers, AR 96 KAJL-LD LPTV Station
KFLU-LD LPTV Station
Myrtle Beach - Florence, SC 97 W33DN-D LPTV Station
Boise, ID 98 K17ED-D Class A Station
K31FD-D Class A Station
KBKI-LD LPTV Station
KFLL-LD LPTV Station
South Bend - Elkhart, IN 100 KPDS-LD LPTV Station
Greenville - New Bern - Washington, NC 102 W35DW-D LPTV Station
Reno, NV 103 K07AAI-D LPTV Station
Tallahassee, FL - Thomasville, GA 105 W21EL-D LPTV Station
Tyler - Longview- Nacogdoches, TX 106 KCEB Full Power Station
KBJE-LD LPTV Station
KDKJ-LD LPTV Station
KKPD-LD LPTV Station
KPKN-LD LPTV Station
Lincoln - Hastings - Kearney, NE 107 KIUA-LD LPTV Station
Augusta, GA - Aiken, SC 108 WIEF-LD LPTV Station
Evansville, IN 109 WDLH-LD LPTV Station
WEIN-LD LPTV Station
WELW-LD LPTV Station
Ft. Wayne, IN 110 W30EH-D LPTV Station
W25FH-D LPTV Station
WCUH-LD LPTV Station
WFWC-CD Class A Station
WODP-LD LPTV Station
Fargo - Valley City, ND 113 K15MR-D LPTV Station
Yakima - Pasco - Richland - Kennewick, WA 114 K33EJ-D Class A Station
K28QK-D LPTV Station
Traverse City - Cadillac, MI 116 W36FH-D LPTV Station
Macon, GA 119 W28EU-D LPTV Station
WJDO-LD LPTV Station
Eugene, OR 120 K06QR-D LPTV Station
KORY-CD Class A Station
Montgomery - Selma, AL 121 WQAP-LD LPTV Station
WDSF-LD LPTV Station
Peoria - Bloomington, IL 122 W27EQ-D LPTV Station
Santa Barbara - San Luis Obispo, CA 123 KDFS-CD Class A Station
KLDF-CD Class A Station
KQMM-CD Class A Station
KSBO-CD Class A Station
KVMM-CD Class A Station
KZDF-LD LPTV Station
Lafayette, LA 124 K21OM-D LPTV Station
Bakersfield, CA 125 KTLD-CD Class A Station
KXBF-LD LPTV Station
Wilmington, NC 126 WQDH-LD LPTV Station
Columbus, GA - Opelika - Auburn, AL 127 W31EU-D LPTV Station
W29FD-D LPTV Station
Monterey - Salinas, CA 128 K09AAF-D LPTV Station
La Crosse - Eau Claire, WI 129 W23FC-D LPTV Station
Corpus Christi, TX 130 K21OC-D LPTV Station
K32OC-D LPTV Station
KCCX-LD LPTV Station
KYDF-LD LPTV Station
Salisbury, MD 131 W35CS-D LPTV Station
Amarillo, TX 132 KAUO-LD LPTV Station
KLKW-LD LPTV Station
Columbia - Jefferson City, MO 135 K35OY-D LPTV Station
Lubbock, TX 140 K32OV-D LPTV Station
KNKC-LD LPTV Station
Topeka, KS 141 K35KX-D LPTV Station
Palm Springs, CA 145 K21DO-D Class A Station
Joplin, MO - Pittsburg, KS 151 KPJO-LD LPTV Station
KRLJ-LD LPTV Station
Bangor, ME 156 W20ER-D LPTV Station
W32FS-D LPTV Station
Biloxi-Gulfport, MS 158 W33EG-D LPTV Station
Terre Haute, IN 159 W24FB-D LPTV Station
Jackson, TN 174 WYJJ-LD LPTV Station
Quincy, IL - Hannibal, MO - Keokuk, IA 175 K14SU-D LPTV Station
WVDM-LD LPTV Station
Bowling Green, KY 180 WCZU-LD LPTV Station
Puerto Rico 213 WOST Full Power Station
WWKQ-LD LPTV Station
WQQZ-CD Class A Station
W20EJ-D LPTV Station
W27DZ-D LPTV Station
(a) Rankings are based on the relative size of a station’s Designated Market Area ("DMA") among the 210 generally recognized DMAs in the United States.
Broadcast Operations
Broadcasting carries 61 networks on its stations, distributing content across the U.S. Broadcasting provides free OTA programming to television viewing audiences in the communities it serves. The programming Broadcasting distributes includes networks targeting shopping, weather, sports and entertainment programming, as well as religious networks and networks targeting select ethnic groups.
Revenues
Broadcasting generates broadcast station revenue from its operations. Broadcast station revenue is generated primarily from the sale of television airtime in return for a fixed fee or a portion of the third-parties' related ad sales, principally from channel leases and revenue sharing agreements with minimum guarantees included within the contracts. In a typical broadcast station revenue agreement, we, as the owner/licensee of a station, make available, for a fee, airtime on one or multiple of our station subchannel(s) to a third party. The third party broadcasts during that airtime and collects revenue from advertising aired during such content. Broadcast station revenue is recognized over the life of the contract, when the program is broadcast. The fees charged can be fixed or variable, and the contracts that the Company enters into are generally short-term in nature. Variable fees are usage/sales-based and are recognized as revenue when the subsequent usage occurs.
Strategy
Broadcasting’s strategy includes the following initiatives:
•Broadcasting is principally designed to be a nationwide OTA distribution platform, targeting the growing number of OTA households in the U.S.;
•Broadcasting's vision is to capitalize on the opportunities to bring valuable content to more viewers over-the-air and to position itself for the changing media landscape and to take advantage of the technology advances rapidly underway in the industry;
•As of December 31, 2024, 248 operating stations are connected to Broadcasting's cloud-based IP backbone and can be operated and monitored remotely, allowing for substantial cost savings and operating efficiencies. In 2018, Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") deregulation in TV broadcasting eliminated the need for full time employees and studio facilities in markets where Broadcasting operates Full-Power and Class A stations, thus allowing Broadcasting to operate these stations remotely at greater cost efficiency;
•Broadcasting's major focus is to attract the highest quality content providers looking for nationwide distribution. With its national footprint and cloud-based infrastructure, Broadcasting also expects to realize premium pricing for content distribution;
•Broadcasting's growing revenue source is from providing national carriage to content providers. Carriage contracts pricing is in part determined by the signal contour of the broadcast station and the number of OTA TV households in a given market, as well as market supply and demand; and
•Broadcasting's broad portfolio of stations and our redundant coverage in major markets facilitates our ability to explore new revenue streams from other uses of our spectrum without impairing our legacy broadcast revenues. This includes converting technology used by existing stations to new standards such as the Advanced Television Systems Committee's standards ("ATSC 3.0") to explore light housing and datacasting revenue opportunities. Also, it allows us to trial 5G broadcasting to determine the viability of commercial revenues over time.
Competition
Our television stations compete in the U.S. domestic media market for multicast network tenants, viewer audiences and advertisers. In the last several years, there has been increasing competition from not just cable channels but also streaming services, digital platforms, social media, and internet-delivered video channels. These media platforms have taken market share from OTA broadcast stations like ours. Full Power stations delivering OTA multicast networks also represent direct competition in all our markets. Because our stations are mostly LPTVs and Class A stations, our signal coverage of a market is often less than that of Full Power stations, resulting in a competitive advantage for Full Power stations. As a result of improvements in digital compression technology over the last several years, many Full Power stations have increased the number of subchannels that they can lease to OTA multicast networks, resulting in increased competition in many of our markets over the last several years.
Because nearly all our stations are LPTV and Class A, they do not have primary channel “must carry” rights and, therefore, have no signal coverage and carriage on multiple video program distribution ("MVPD") systems. Our lack of MVPD distribution materially affects our television stations’ competitive position in attracting programmers and viewers. Specifically, MVPD systems can increase a broadcasting station’s competition for viewers in a market by providing both cable networks and distant television station signals not otherwise available to the station’s audience. Other sources of competition for audiences, programming and advertisers include streaming services, connected televisions, internet websites, mobile applications and wireless carriers, direct-to-consumer video distribution systems, and home entertainment systems. Recent developments by many companies, including internet streaming service providers and internet website operators, have expanded, and are continuing to expand, the variety and quality of broadcast and non-broadcast video programming available to consumers via the internet. Internet companies have developed business relationships with companies that have traditionally provided syndicated programming, network television and other content. As a result, additional programming has, and is expected to further become, available through non-traditional methods, which can directly impact the number of OTA TV viewers, and, thus, indirectly impact station revenues.
Government Approvals and Regulation
Federal broadcasting industry regulations limit our operating flexibility. The Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") regulates all local television broadcasters, including us. We must obtain FCC approval whenever we (i) apply for a new license; (ii) seek to renew or modify a license; (iii) purchase or sell a broadcast station license; and/or (iv) assign or transfer the control of one of our subsidiaries that holds a license. Our FCC licenses are critical to our operations, and we cannot operate without them. Our FCC licenses must be renewed every eight years. The current television license renewal cycle began in 2020, and all our licenses have been renewed. The weighted-average period prior to the next renewal for FCC licenses was 5.4 years and 6.2 years as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, after taking into consideration licenses that were successfully renewed shortly after year-end. While we cannot be certain that we will always obtain renewal grants in the future from the FCC, the FCC has historically renewed the Company’s broadcast licenses in substantially all cases. The Company does not believe that the expiration or non-renewal of any of our FCC licenses would have a material adverse effect on the expected future cash flows and profitability.
The FCC can sanction us for programming broadcast on our stations that it finds to be indecent. Over the past several years, the FCC has increased its enforcement efforts regarding broadcast indecency and profanity. Additionally, our Full-Power stations and Class A stations are subject to additional FCC rules regarding the airing of mandatory children’s programming and local content. While we have measures in place to remain compliant, shortfalls in required programming for Full-Power stations and Class A stations may result in financial penalties levied by the FCC or, in worst cases, the loss of license.
Federal legislation and FCC rules have changed significantly in recent years and may continue to change. These changes may affect our ability to conduct our business in ways that we believe would be advantageous and may impact our operating results.
New Broadcast TV Technology: ATSC 3.0
In 2017, the FCC approved the ATSC 3.0, the next generation broadcast standards defining how television signals are broadcast and interpreted ("NextGen TV"). ATSC 3.0 is an enhancement to previous broadcast standards, providing enhanced picture and audio quality, mobility, addressability, increased capacity, and IP connectivity. ATSC 3.0 will offer a platform to merge linear programming and non-TV data services alongside OTA and over-the-top ("OTT"). As the ATSC 3.0 standard provides for a more efficient use of spectrum, this could enable us to provide expanded or additional services to new and existing customers, Among the many emerging opportunities will be hyper-local news, weather, and traffic; dynamic ad insertion; geographic and demographic targeted advertising; customizable content; better measurement and analytics; the ability to share data with devices connected to the Internet; flexibility to add streams as needed; an ultra-high definition picture quality with enhanced immersive audio; and connectivity to automobiles. In addition, ATSC 3.0 will provide new emergency capabilities including advanced alerting functions which can relay evacuation routes and device wake-up features. Many of these features will be available to mobile devices. Currently, Broadcasting is exploring commercial opportunities in datacasting on our platform that may offer incremental revenue opportunities over the next year.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2024, Broadcasting employed 16 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee across the U.S.
Environmental Regulation and Laws
Our operations and properties, including those of DBMG, are subject to a wide variety of increasingly complex and stringent foreign, federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those concerning emissions into the air, discharge into waterways, generation, storage, handling, treatment and disposal of waste materials and health and safety of employees. Sanctions for noncompliance may include revocation of permits, corrective action orders, administrative or civil penalties and criminal prosecution. Some environmental laws provide for strict, joint and several liability for remediation of spills and other releases of hazardous substances, as well as damage to natural resources. In addition, companies may be subject to claims alleging personal injury or property damage as a result of alleged exposure to hazardous substances. These laws and regulations may also expose us to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others, or for our acts that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time such acts were performed.
Compliance with federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or relating to the protection of the environment has not had a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. Based on our experience to date, we do not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on our business or consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a result of future compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations. However, future events, such as changes in existing laws and regulations or their interpretation, more vigorous enforcement policies of regulatory agencies, or stricter or different interpretations of existing laws and regulations, may require additional expenditures by us, which may be material. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not incur significant environmental compliance costs in the future.
Corporate Information
INNOVATE, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1994. Our Internet address is www.innovatecorp.com. We make available free of charge through our Internet website our Annual Reports 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 the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The information on our website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our reports filed with the SEC may be accessed at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The information required by this item relating to our executive officers, directors and code of conduct is set forth in Item 10 of this Form 10-K. Information relating to our Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert will be set forth in our 2025 Proxy Statement under the Caption "Board Committees" and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. These risks are discussed more fully below and include, but are not limited to, the following, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows:
Risks Related to Our Businesses
•The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions, our principal source of cash
•Substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern
•Our levels of indebtedness, financing arrangements and other obligations
•Restrictive covenants in our debt and preferred stock instruments
•Ability to meet working capital requirements
•Dependence on key personnel and ability to attract and retain skilled personnel
•Any identified material weaknesses in our internal controls
•Constraints in the labor market and increases in labor costs
•Foreign exchange rate volatility and inflation
•Impact of competition on our business
•Impact of any potential future acquisitions and ability to manage future growth and the incurrence of substantial costs in connection with acquisitions
•Cyber-attacks and other privacy or data security incidents
•Managing growth related to increased operational size
•Ability to fully utilize net operating loss and other tax carryforwards
•Risk of restated financial statements
•Presentation of corporate opportunities by certain current and former directors and officers and the impact of related party transactions
•Our status as a non-investment company
•Impact of potential litigation
•Deterioration of global economic conditions and the impact of operating globally
•Impact of climate change
•Compliance costs related to our acquired businesses
•Ability of our development stage companies to produce revenues or income
•Adverse tax impact of our acquisitions or dispositions
•Lack of sole control in joint venture investments
•Ability to protect our intellectual property
•Potential dilution of our current stockholders
•Effect of future sales of common stock by preferred stockholders
•Common stock price fluctuations
•Prevention of potential takeover due to Delaware law and charter documents
•Activist stockholders
•Adoption of artificial intelligence ("AI") and government regulation
Risks Related to the Infrastructure segment
•Unpredictability in timing of DBMG’s construction contracts and payments thereunder
•Impact of construction contract pricing terms, including fixed-price and cost-plus pricing
•New or increased import tariffs on steel or other materials and the impact of fluctuations in other costs and inflation
•Termination or cancellation of construction projects
•Increased concentration of construction projects in backlog
•Ability to realize revenue value reported in backlog
•Ability to meet contractual schedule or performance requirements
•Modification or termination of government contracts
•Reliability of subcontractors and third-party vendors
•Volatility in the supply and demand for steel and steel components
•Dependability of steel component suppliers and the impact of changes in costs and tariffs
•Intense competition in construction markets
•Ability of customers to receive applicable regulatory and environmental approvals
•Impact of failure to obtain or maintain required licenses
•Impact of bonding and letter of credit capacity
•Variability in liquidity over time
•Exposure to professional liability, product liability, warranty and other claims
•Impact of environmental compliance costs
•Impact of potential litigation
•Union labor disruptions that would interfere with operations
•Ability to maintain safe work environment
Risks related to the Life Sciences segment
•Significant fluctuations in Pansend's operating results
•High levels of competition in the life sciences space, competition in general and competitive developments in the market
•Reliance on third parties for sales, marketing, manufacturing and/or distribution, including delivery service providers
•Risks associated with potential disruptions in our operations
•Lack of significant current and historical operating revenue and risks associated with the implementation of our growth strategy
•Customer demand, patient satisfaction with procedures, and the impact of general economic conditions
•Impact of a failure to obtain or maintain necessary FDA (or foreign equivalent) clearances and approvals
•Risks associated with the misuse by customers, physicians and technicians of Pansend's products
•Inventory management, Pansend's limited manufacturing experience, and our ability to scale, suspend or reduce production based on variations in product demand.
•Competition for skilled technical professional personnel
•Obsolescence of Pansend's products
•Ability of Pansend to effectively protect its intellectual property and the impact of a failure to do so
•Impact of third party intellectual property infringement claims
Risks related to the Spectrum segment
•Effectiveness of our operations in a highly competitive market
•Impact of FCC regulations, including with respect to broadcasting licenses, or Congressional legislation
Risk Factors
The following risk factors and the forward-looking statements elsewhere herein should be read carefully in connection with evaluating the business of the Company and its subsidiaries. A wide range of events and circumstances could materially affect our overall performance, the performance of particular businesses and our results of operations, and therefore, an investment in us is subject to risks and uncertainties. In addition to the important factors affecting specific business operations and the financial results of those operations identified elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following important factors, among others, could adversely affect our operations. While each risk is described separately below, some of these risks are interrelated, and it is possible that certain risks could trigger the applicability of other risks described below. Also, the risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that are currently deemed immaterial, could also potentially impair our overall performance, the performance of particular businesses and our results of operations. These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time in filings and reports that we file with the SEC in the future.
Risks Related to Our Businesses
INNOVATE is a holding company, and its only material assets are its cash on hand, equity interests in its operating subsidiaries and its other investments. As a result, INNOVATE’s principal source of cash and cash flow is distributions from its subsidiaries, and its subsidiaries may be limited by law and by contract in making distributions to INNOVATE.
As a holding company, INNOVATE's material assets are its cash and cash equivalents, the equity interests in its subsidiaries and other investments. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $48.8 million of cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash. On a stand-alone basis, as of December 31, 2024, the Non-Operating Corporate segment had cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, of $13.8 million.
INNOVATE’s principal source of cash and cash flow is distributions from its subsidiaries. Thus, its ability to service its debt, including the $330.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the "2026 Senior Secured Notes"), $48.9 million aggregate principal of 7.50% convertible senior notes due 2026 (the "2026 Convertible Notes"), $31.0 million aggregate principal amount of 16.0% unsecured notes issued to the Continental General Insurance Company ("CGIC") due 2026 (the "CGIC Unsecured Note") and the $20.0 million secured revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), of which $20.0 million was drawn as of December 31, 2024, and to finance future acquisitions, is dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries to generate sufficient net income and cash flows to make upstream cash distributions to INNOVATE. INNOVATE’s subsidiaries are separate legal entities, and although they may be wholly-owned or controlled by INNOVATE, they have no obligation to make any funds available to INNOVATE, whether in the form of loans, dividends, distributions or otherwise. The ability of INNOVATE’s subsidiaries to distribute cash to it is, and will remain subject to, among other things, restrictions that are contained in its subsidiaries’ financing agreements, availability of sufficient funds and applicable state laws and regulatory restrictions. For instance, DBMG is a borrower under credit facilities that restrict their ability to make distributions or loans to INNOVATE. Specifically, DBMG is party to credit agreements that include certain financial covenants that can limit the amount of cash available to make upstream dividend payments to INNOVATE. For additional information, refer to Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources".
Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries generally will have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and claims of our creditors and stockholders. To the extent the ability of INNOVATE’s subsidiaries to distribute dividends or other payments to INNOVATE could be limited in any way, our ability to grow, pursue business opportunities or make acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, or otherwise fund and conduct our business could be materially limited. In addition, if INNOVATE depends on distributions and loans from its subsidiaries to make payments on INNOVATE’s debt, and if such subsidiaries were unable to distribute or loan money to INNOVATE, INNOVATE could default on its debt, which would permit the holders of such debt to accelerate the maturity of the debt which may also accelerate the maturity of other debt of ours with cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions.
To service our indebtedness and other obligations, we will require a significant amount of cash.
Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control, and any failure to meet our debt service obligations, including under our outstanding indebtedness, and our obligations under our outstanding shares of preferred stock, could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and outstanding preferred stock and to fund working capital needs and planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. For a description of our and our subsidiaries' indebtedness, refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or if future borrowings are not available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us and our subsidiaries to pay our indebtedness or make mandatory redemption payments with respect to our outstanding shares of preferred stock, or to fund our other liquidity needs, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or redeem the preferred stock, on or before the maturity thereof, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments or seek to raise additional capital, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition, we may not be able to effect any of these actions, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our ability to restructure or refinance our indebtedness or redeem the preferred stock will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt or financings related to the redemption of our preferred stock could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments or preferred stock may limit or prevent us from taking any of these actions. In addition, any failure to make scheduled payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness or dividend payments on our outstanding shares of preferred stock would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness or otherwise raise capital on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt service and other obligations, or to refinance or restructure our obligations on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would have an adverse effect, which could be material, on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern
As of the date of these financial statements, there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The principal conditions leading to this conclusion are the upcoming maturities of our Corporate Senior Secured Notes, other current debt at Corporate and certain of our subsidiaries as well as from certain cross-default provisions in the Company's Senior Secured Notes. Based on these conditions, the Company may not be able to meet its obligations at maturity and comply with certain cross-default provisions under the Senior Secured Notes over the next twelve months. The Company plans to alleviate these conditions through various initiatives it is currently exploring, including refinancing the debt at Corporate and our subsidiaries, pursuing asset sales, and raising additional capital. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will have the ability to raise additional capital when needed, be successful in any asset sales, or refinance its existing debt, on attractive terms, or at all, nor any assurances that lenders will provide additional extensions, waivers or amendments in the event of future non-compliance with the Company’s debt covenants or other possible events of default. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to execute a reduction, extension, or refinancing of the debt, or that the terms of any replacement financing would be as favorable as the terms of the debt prior to the maturity date. There can be no assurance that these plans will be successfully implemented or that they will mitigate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The potential inability to refinance or extend the maturity of the aforementioned current debt, or to obtain additional financing or raise sufficient cash to pay the debt at maturity would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and likely cause the price of the Company’s common stock to decline.
The agreements governing our indebtedness and Certificates of Designation for our outstanding shares of preferred stock contain various covenants that limit our discretion in the operation of our business and/or require us to meet financial maintenance tests and other covenants. The failure to comply with such tests and covenants could have a material adverse effect on us.
The agreements governing our indebtedness and the Certificates of Designation for our outstanding shares of preferred stock contain, and any of our other future financing agreements may contain, covenants imposing operating and financial restrictions on our businesses.
The indentures governing our outstanding senior secured notes and convertible notes contain, and any future indentures may contain various covenants, including those that restrict our ability to, and, in certain cases, the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries, to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; create liens; engage in sale-leaseback transactions; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock; make certain restricted payments; sell assets; engage in transactions with affiliates; or consolidate or merge with, or sell substantially all of its assets to, another person. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.
The debt facilities at our subsidiaries contain similar covenants applicable to each respective subsidiary. These covenants may limit our ability to effectively operate our businesses. For example, DBMG has an indemnity agreement with its surety bond provider that also contains covenants on retention of capital requirements for DBMG, which may limit the amount of dividends DBMG may pay to its stockholders.
In addition, the indenture governing our 2026 Senior Secured Notes dated February 1, 2021, by and among INNOVATE, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the "Secured Indenture") requires that we meet certain financial tests, including a collateral coverage ratio and minimum liquidity test. Our ability to satisfy these tests may be affected by factors and events beyond our control, and we may be unable to meet such tests in the future.
Any failure to comply with the restrictions in the agreements governing our indentures, or any agreement governing other indebtedness we could incur, may result in an event of default under those agreements. Such default may allow the creditors to accelerate the related debt, which acceleration may trigger cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions in other debt. If any of these risks were to occur, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected. Refer to Footnote 11. Debt Obligations to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
The Certificates of Designation provide the holders of our preferred stock with consent and voting rights with respect to certain of the matters referred to above, in addition to certain corporate governance rights. These restrictions may interfere with our ability to obtain financings or to engage in other business activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
We have significant indebtedness and other financing arrangements and could incur additional indebtedness and other obligations, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
We have a significant amount of indebtedness and outstanding shares of preferred stock. As of December 31, 2024, our total principal amount of outstanding debt was $668.3 million and the accrued value of our outstanding preferred stock had a combined redemption value of $16.1 million and a current fair value of $16.4 million as of December 31, 2024, which is inclusive of the $0.3 million accrued dividend payable on January 15, 2025. We may not generate enough cash flow to satisfy our obligations under such indebtedness and other arrangements. This significant amount of indebtedness poses risks such as risk of inability to repay such indebtedness, as well as:
•increased vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
•higher interest expense if interest rates increase on our floating rate borrowings are not effective to mitigate the effects of these increases;
•our 2026 Senior Secured Notes are secured by substantially all of INNOVATE’s assets and those of certain of INNOVATE’s subsidiaries that have guaranteed the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, including certain equity interests in our other subsidiaries and other investments, as well as certain intellectual property and trademarks, and those assets cannot be pledged to secure other financings;
•certain assets of our subsidiaries are pledged to secure their indebtedness, and those assets cannot be pledged to secure other financings;
•our having to divert a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness and other arrangements, thereby reducing the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments and other general corporate purposes;
•limiting our ability to obtain additional financing, on terms we find acceptable, if needed, for working capital, capital expenditures, expansion plans and other investments, which may limit our ability to implement our business strategy;
•limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and the markets in which we operate or to take advantage of market opportunities; and
•placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt and fewer other outstanding obligations.
In addition, it is possible that we may need to incur additional indebtedness or enter into additional financing arrangements in the future in the ordinary course of business. The terms of the Secured Indenture and our subsidiaries’ other financing arrangements allow us to incur additional debt and issue additional shares of preferred stock, subject to certain limitations. If additional indebtedness is incurred or equity is issued, the risks described above could intensify. In addition, our inability to maintain certain leverage ratios could result in acceleration of a portion of our debt obligations and could cause us to be in default if we are unable to repay the accelerated obligations.
We have experienced significant historical, and may experience significant future, operating losses and net losses, which may hinder our ability to meet working capital requirements or service our indebtedness, and we cannot assure you that we will generate sufficient cash flows from operations to meet such requirements or service our indebtedness.
We cannot assure you that we will recognize net income or positive cash flows from operations in future periods. If we cannot generate net income or sufficient operating profitability, we may not be able to meet our working capital requirements or service our indebtedness. Our ability to generate sufficient cash for our operations will depend upon, among other things, the future financial and operating performance of our operating businesses, which will be affected by prevailing economic and related industry conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We recognized net loss attributable to INNOVATE of $34.6 million in 2024 and net loss attributable to INNOVATE of $35.2 million in 2023, and we have also incurred net losses in other prior periods.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations in an amount sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets and/or seek additional capital or financings. Our ability to obtain future financings will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any financings could be at high interest rates and may require us to comply with covenants in addition to, or more restrictive than, covenants in our current financing documents, which could further restrict our business operations. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions for fair market value or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any such disposition may not be adequate to meet our obligations. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized cash flows provided by operating activities of $9.1 million and $26.5 million, respectively.
Loss of our key management or other personnel, including the 2023 unexpected passing of our Chief Executive Officer, President and Director, could adversely impact our business.
We believe that the future success of INNOVATE and its operating subsidiaries is largely dependent and will depend to a significant extent upon the performance, skills, experience and efforts of our senior management and certain other key personnel. If, for any reason, one or more senior executives or key personnel were not to remain active in our Company, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
On July 23, 2023, we announced the unexpected passing of Wayne Barr, our President, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Director. Mr. Barr had served as a director of INNOVATE since January 2014 and as CEO since November 2020. Following Mr. Barr’s death, on July 25, 2023, Paul K. Voigt was named Interim CEO of the Company. Mr. Voigt has served as Senior Managing Director of Investments at Lancer Capital, LLC ("Lancer Capital") since 2019. From 2014 to 2018, Mr. Voigt served as Senior Managing Director of Investments of the Company and was involved with sourcing deals and capital raising for the Company.
The executive management teams that lead our subsidiaries are also highly experienced and possess extensive skills in their relevant industries. The ability to retain key personnel is important to our success and future growth. Competition for these professionals can be intense, and we may not be able to retain and motivate our existing officers and senior employees, and continue to compensate such individuals competitively. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of these individuals, whether due to competition, distraction caused by personal matters or otherwise, could have a detrimental effect on the financial condition or results of operations of our businesses, and could hinder the ability of such businesses to effectively compete in the various industries in which we operate.
We and our subsidiaries may not be able to attract and/or retain additional skilled personnel.
We may not be able to attract new personnel, including management and technical and sales personnel, necessary for future growth, or replace lost personnel. In particular, the activities of some of our operating subsidiaries require personnel with highly specialized skills. Competition for the best personnel in our businesses can be intense. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if we are unable to attract and/or retain qualified personnel.
We may identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which could adversely affect our ability to report our financial condition and results of operations in a timely and accurate manner.
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. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
In future periods, if the process required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act") reveals or we otherwise identify one or more material weaknesses or significant deficiencies, the correction of any such material weakness or significant deficiency could require additional remedial measures including additional personnel which could be costly and time-consuming. If a material weakness exists as of a future period year-end (including a material weakness identified prior to year-end for which there is an insufficient period of time to evaluate and confirm the effectiveness of the corrections or related new procedures), our management will be unable to report favorably as of such future period year-end to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective in any future period, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could have an adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock and potentially subject us to additional and potentially costly litigation and governmental inquiries/investigations.
Overall tightening of the labor market increases in labor costs or any possible labor unrest may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our business requires a substantial number of personnel. Any failure to retain stable and dedicated labor by us may lead to disruption to our business operations. Although we have not experienced any labor shortages to date, we have observed an overall tightening and increasingly competitive labor market since 2021. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, increases in labor costs due to increases in salary and wages, social benefits and employee headcount. We compete with other companies in our industry and other labor-intensive industries for labor, and we may not be able to offer competitive remuneration and benefits compared to them. If we are unable to manage and control our labor costs, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar, foreign currencies and inflation may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Although the majority of our products are manufactured and sold inside of the United States, we conduct various operations outside the United States. As a result, we face exposure to movements in currency exchange rates. These exposures include but are not limited to:
•re-measurement gains and losses from changes in the value of foreign denominated assets and liabilities;
•translation gains and losses on foreign subsidiary financial results that are translated into U.S. dollars, our functional currency, upon consolidation; and
•planning risk related to changes in exchange rates between the time we prepare our annual and quarterly forecasts and when actual results occur.
Our businesses are also exposed to, among other things, inflation and fuel price increases. Inflationary pressures can result in increased interest rates, fuel, wages, freight and container expenses and other costs which, if they continue for a prolonged period, may adversely affect our results of operations if we are not able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of NYSE could result in a delisting of our securities, which in turn could adversely affect our financial condition and the market for our common stock.
On February 26, 2024, the Company was notified by the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") that the average closing price of the Company's common stock had fallen below $1.00 per share over a period of 30 consecutive trading days, which is the minimum average share price required by Section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (“Section 802.01C”). Pursuant to Section 802.01C, the Company had a period of six months following the receipt of the notice to regain compliance with the minimum share price requirement. On August 27, 2024, subsequent to the Reverse Stock Split, the Company was notified by the NYSE that it had again regained compliance with this listing standard. If the Company's average closing price of the Company's common stock falls below $1.00 per share again and the Company is unable to regain compliance with the $1.00 share price rule within the mandated cure period, the NYSE will initiate procedures to suspend and delist the Common Stock. If the common stock ultimately were to be delisted from the NYSE, it could negatively impact the Company by, among other things, (i) reducing the liquidity and market price of the Company’s common stock; (ii) reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire the Company’s common stock, which could negatively impact the Company’s ability to raise equity financing; and (iii) limiting the Company’s ability to sell its common stock in certain states within the United States, also potentially impacting the Company’s ability to raise financing. If the Company’s common stock is delisted from NYSE, the price paid by investors may not be recovered.
Because we face significant competition for acquisition and business opportunities, including from numerous companies with a business plan similar to ours, it may be difficult for us to fully execute our business strategy. Additionally, our subsidiaries also operate in highly competitive industries, limiting their ability to gain or maintain their positions in their respective industries.
We expect to encounter intense competition for acquisition and business opportunities from both strategic investors and other entities having a business objective similar to ours, such as private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), blank check companies, and other entities, domestic and international, competing for the type of businesses that we may acquire. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources, or more local industry knowledge, or greater access to capital, than we do, and our financial resources may be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. These factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully completing future acquisitions and investments.
In addition, while we believe that there are numerous target businesses that we could potentially acquire or invest in, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. We may need to obtain additional financing in order to consummate future acquisitions and investment opportunities and cannot assure you that any additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, or that the terms of our existing financing arrangements will not limit our ability to do so. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing acquisition and investment opportunities.
Furthermore, our subsidiaries also face competition from both traditional and new market entrants that may adversely affect them as well, as discussed below in the risk factors related to our Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Spectrum segments.
Future acquisitions or business opportunities could involve unknown risks that could harm our business and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are a diversified holding company that owns interests in a number of different businesses. We have in the past, and intend in the future, to acquire businesses or make investments, directly or indirectly through our subsidiaries, that involve unknown risks, some of which will be particular to the industry in which the investment or acquisition targets operate, including risks in industries with which we are not familiar or experienced. There can be no assurance our due diligence investigations will identify every matter that could have a material adverse effect on us or the entities that we may acquire. We may be unable to adequately address the financial, legal and operational risks raised by such investments or acquisitions, especially if we are unfamiliar with the relevant industry, which can lead to significant losses on material investments. The realization of any unknown risks could expose us to unanticipated costs and liabilities and prevent or limit us from realizing the projected benefits of the investments or acquisitions, which could adversely affect our financial condition and liquidity. In addition, our financial condition, results of operations and the ability to service our debt may be adversely impacted depending on the specific risks applicable to any business we invest in or acquire and our ability to address those risks.
We may not be able to successfully integrate acquisitions into our business, or realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions.
The integration of acquired businesses into our operations may be a complex and time-consuming process that may not be successful. Even if we successfully integrate these assets into our business and operations, there can be no assurance that we will realize the anticipated benefits and operating synergies. The Company's estimates regarding the earnings, operating cash flow, capital expenditures and liabilities resulting from these acquisitions may prove to be incorrect. For example, with any past or future acquisition, there is the possibility that:
•we may not have implemented company policies, procedures and cultures, in an efficient and effective manner;
•we may not be able to successfully reduce costs, increase advertising revenue or audience share;
•we may fail to retain and integrate employees and key personnel of the acquired business and assets;
•our management may be reassigned from overseeing existing operations by the need to integrate the acquired business;
•we may encounter unforeseen difficulties in extending internal control and financial reporting systems at the newly acquired business;
•we may fail to successfully implement technological integration with the newly acquired business or may exceed the capabilities of our technology infrastructure and applications;
•we may not be able to generate adequate returns;
•we may encounter and fail to address risks or other problems associated with or arising from our reliance on the representations and warranties and related indemnities, if any, provided to us by the sellers of acquired companies and assets;
•we may suffer adverse short-term effects on operating results through increased costs and may incur future impairments of goodwill associated with the acquired business;
•we may be required to increase our leverage and debt service or to assume unexpected liabilities in connection with our acquisitions; and
•we may encounter unforeseen challenges in entering new markets in which we have little or no experience.
The occurrence of any of these events or our inability generally to successfully implement our acquisition and investment strategy would have an adverse effect, which could be material, on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on information systems to conduct our businesses, and failure to protect these systems against security breaches and otherwise to implement, integrate, upgrade and maintain such systems in working order could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
The efficient operation of our businesses is dependent on computer hardware and software systems. For instance, INNOVATE and its subsidiaries rely on information systems to process customer orders, manage inventory and accounts receivable collections, purchase products, manage accounts payable processes, track costs and operations, maintain client relationships and accumulate financial results. Information technology security threats - from user error to cybersecurity attacks designed to gain unauthorized access to our systems, networks and data - are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Cybersecurity attacks may range from random attempts to coordinated and targeted attacks, including sophisticated computer crime and advanced persistent threats. Cybersecurity attacks could also include attacks targeting sensitive data or the security, integrity and/or reliability of the hardware and software installed in products we use. Additionally, the rapid advancement of AI may give rise to additional cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Through generative AI, potential threats may have new tools to automate and refine attacks or evade detection. We treat such cybersecurity risks seriously given these threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data.
Despite our implementation of industry-accepted security measures and technology, our information systems are vulnerable to and have been subject to cyber-attacks, computer viruses, malicious codes, unauthorized access, phishing efforts, denial-of-service attacks and other cyber-attacks and we expect to be subject to similar attacks in the future as such attacks become more sophisticated and frequent. Although to date, such attacks have not had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, there can be no assurance that our cybersecurity measures and technology will adequately protect us from these and other risks, including internal and external risks such as natural disasters and power outages and internal risks such as insecure coding and human error. Attacks perpetrated against our information systems could result in loss of assets and critical information, theft of intellectual property or inappropriate disclosure of confidential information and could expose us to remediation costs and reputational damage. The inappropriate disclosure of confidential information or risk of theft of our intellectual property could result from the inappropriate use of AI systems by our employees, personnel, or business partners with access to such information, which could have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, the unexpected or sustained unavailability of the information systems or the failure of these systems to perform as anticipated for any reason, including cybersecurity attacks and other intentional hacking, could subject us to legal claims if there is loss, disclosure or misappropriation of or access to our customers’ information and could result in service interruptions, safety failures, security violations, regulatory compliance failures, an inability to protect information and assets against intruders, sensitive data being lost or manipulated and could otherwise disrupt our businesses and result in decreased performance, operational difficulties and increased costs, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
We may increase our operational size in the future, and may experience difficulties in managing growth.
We have adopted a business strategy that contemplates that we will expand our operations, including future acquisitions or other business opportunities, and as a result, we may need to increase our level of corporate functions, which may include hiring additional personnel to perform such functions and enhancing our information technology systems. Any future growth may increase our corporate operating costs and expenses and impose significant added responsibilities on members of our management, including the need to identify, recruit, maintain and integrate additional employees and implement enhanced informational technology systems. Our future financial performance and our ability to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to manage any future growth effectively.
We may not be able to fully utilize our net operating loss and other tax carryforwards.
Our ability to utilize our net operating loss ("NOL") and other tax carryforward amounts, such as Code Section 163(j) disallowed interest carryforwards, to reduce taxable income in future years may be limited for various reasons. As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), the deduction for NOLs arising in tax years after December 31, 2017, will be limited to 80% of taxable income, although they can be carried forward indefinitely. NOLs that arose prior to the years beginning January 1, 2018 are still subject to the same carryforward periods.
As of December 31, 2024, the U.S. consolidated group had approximately $174.3 million of federal NOL carryforwards and $222.2 million of Code Section 163(j) interest limitation carryforwards available to offset our future taxable income, which NOLs will begin to expire in 2034. Pursuant to the Code Sections 382 and 383, use of our NOLs and certain other tax attributes may be limited by an “ownership change” within the meaning of Code Section 382 and applicable Treasury Regulations. If a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” which is generally defined as an increase of more than 50% of the value of a corporation’s stock owned by certain “5-percent shareholders” (as such term is defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 382) over a rolling three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOLs and certain other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited.
On August 30, 2021, the Company entered into a Tax Benefits Preservation Plan (the "2021 Preservation Plan"). The 2021 Preservation Plan was intended to help protect the Company's ability to use its tax NOLs and other certain tax assets ("Tax Benefits") by deterring an "ownership change," as defined under the Code, by a person or group of affiliated or associated persons from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the outstanding common shares. The 2021 Preservation Plan terminated on March 31, 2023, and, on April 1, 2023, the Company entered into a new Tax Benefits Preservation Plan (the “2023 Preservation Plan”). On May 6, 2024, the Company terminated its Tax Benefits Preservation Plan entered into on April 1, 2023 (the “2023 Preservation Plan”) because the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the 2023 Preservation Plan was no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Company’s ability to use its tax net operating losses and other certain tax assets. Refer to Note 16. Equity and Temporary Equity included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on the expired 2023 Preservation Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.
We may experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in our common stock ownership, some of which may be outside of our control. If the Company were to experience an ownership change as defined in Code Section 382, its ability to utilize these tax attributes would be substantially limited.
For instance, in 2014, after substantial acquisitions of our common stock were reported by new beneficial owners, and we issued shares of our preferred stock, convertible into our common stock. We conducted a Code Section 382 review. The conclusions of this review indicated that an ownership change had occurred as of May 29, 2014.
Additionally, as a result of our common stock offering in November 2015 and our purchase of GrayWolf in November 2018, we triggered additional ownership changes at GrayWolf, imposing additional limitations on the use of the acquired NOL carryforward amounts. There can be no assurance that future ownership changes would not further negatively impact our NOL carryforward amounts because any future annual Section 382 limitation will ultimately depend on the value of our equity as determined for these purposes and the amount of unrealized gains immediately prior to such ownership change.
We may be required to restate certain of our financial statements in the future, which may lead to additional risks and uncertainties, including stockholder litigation and loss of investor confidence.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP involves making estimates, judgments, interpretations and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and income. These estimates, judgments, interpretations and assumptions are often inherently imprecise or uncertain, and any necessary revisions to prior estimates, judgments, interpretations or assumptions could lead to a restatement of our financial statements. Any such restatement or correction may be highly time consuming, may require substantial attention from management and significant accounting costs, may result in adverse regulatory actions by the SEC or NYSE, may result in stockholder litigation, may cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, and may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.
Our officers, directors, stockholders and their respective affiliates may have a pecuniary interest in certain transactions in which we are involved, and may also compete with us.
While we have adopted a code of ethics applicable designed to promote the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest, we have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, stockholders or affiliates from having an interest in any transaction to which we are a party or in which we have an interest. Additionally, we do not have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. We have in the past engaged in transactions in which such persons have an interest (for example, the 2021 sale of Continental Insurance Group ("CIG") to Continental General Holdings LLC, an entity controlled by Michael Gorzynski, a former director of the Company). Subject to the terms of any applicable covenants in financing arrangements or other agreements, we may from time to time enter into additional transactions in which such persons have an interest. In addition, such parties may have an interest in certain transactions such as strategic partnerships or joint ventures in which we are involved, and may also compete with us.
In the course of their other business activities, certain of our current and future directors and officers may become aware of business and acquisition opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Such directors and officers are not required to and may therefore not present otherwise attractive business or acquisition opportunities to us.
Certain of our current and future directors and officers may become aware of business and acquisition opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are or may be affiliated. Due to those directors’ and officers’ affiliations with other entities, they may have obligations to present potential business and acquisition opportunities to those entities, which could cause conflicts of interest. Moreover, as permitted by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision that renounces our expectation to certain corporate opportunities that are presented to our current and future directors that serve in capacities with other entities. Accordingly, our directors and officers may not present otherwise attractive business or acquisition opportunities to us of which they may become aware.
We may suffer adverse consequences if we are deemed an investment company and we may incur significant costs to avoid investment company status.
We believe we are not an investment company as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, and have operated our business in accordance with such view. If the SEC or a court were to disagree with us, we could be required to register as an investment company. This would subject us to disclosure and accounting rules geared toward investment, rather than operating, companies; limit our ability to borrow money, issue options, issue multiple classes of stock and debt, and engage in transactions with affiliates; and require us to undertake significant costs and expenses to meet the disclosure and other regulatory requirements to which we would be subject as a registered investment company.
We are subject to litigation in respect of which we are unable to accurately assess our level of exposure and which, if adversely determined, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are currently, and may become in the future, party to legal proceedings that are considered to be either ordinary or routine litigation incidental to our current or prior businesses or not material to our financial position or results of operations. We also are currently, or may become in the future, party to legal proceedings with the potential to be material to our financial position or results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will prevail in any litigation in which we may become involved, or that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover any potential losses. To the extent that we sustain losses from any pending litigation which are not reserved or otherwise provided for or insured against, our business, results of operations, cash flows and/or financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Refer to Item 3, "Legal Proceedings."
Deterioration of global economic conditions could adversely affect our business.
The global economy and capital and credit markets have experienced exceptional turmoil and upheaval over the past several years. Ongoing concerns about the systemic impact of potential long-term and widespread recession and potentially prolonged economic recovery, volatile energy costs, fluctuating commodity prices and interest rates, volatile exchange rates, geopolitical issues, including the armed conflict in Ukraine and Israel, natural disasters and pandemic illness, instability in credit markets, cost and terms of credit, consumer and business confidence and demand, a changing financial, regulatory and political environment, and substantially increased unemployment rates have all contributed to increased market volatility and diminished expectations for many established and emerging economies, including those in which we operate. Furthermore, austerity measures that certain countries may agree to as part of any debt crisis or disruptions to major financial trading markets may adversely affect world economic conditions and have an adverse impact on our business. These general economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow from operations, results of operations and overall financial condition.
The availability, cost and terms of credit also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by illiquid markets and wider credit spreads. Concern about the stability of the markets generally, and the strength of counterparties specifically, has led many lenders and institutional investors to reduce credit to businesses and consumers. These factors have led to a decrease in spending by businesses and consumers over the past several years, and a corresponding slowdown in global infrastructure spending.
Continued uncertainty in the U.S. and international markets and economies and prolonged stagnation in business and consumer spending may adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition, and the liquidity and financial condition of our customers, including our ability to access capital markets and obtain capital lease financing to meet liquidity needs.
Climate change may have an impact on our business.
While we seek to mitigate our business risks associated with climate change by establishing robust environmental programs and partnering with organizations who are also focused on mitigating their own climate-related risks, we recognize that there are inherent climate change-related risks wherever business is conducted. While there have been no direct impacts to the financial statements, any of our primary locations could be vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including drought, water scarcity, heat waves, wildfires and resultant air quality impacts and power shutoffs associated with wildfire prevention. Changing market dynamics, global policy developments and the increasing frequency and impact of extreme weather events on critical infrastructure in the U.S. and elsewhere have the potential to disrupt our business, the business of our third-party suppliers and the business of our customers, and may cause us to experience higher attrition, losses and additional costs to maintain or resume operations.
We are subject to risks associated with our international operations.
We operate in international markets, and may in the future consummate additional investments in or acquisitions of foreign businesses. Our international operations are subject to a number of risks, including:
•political conditions and events, including embargo;
•changing regulatory environments;
•outbreaks of pandemic diseases, including new COVID-19 variants, or fear of such outbreaks;
•inflationary pressures;
•restrictive actions by U.S. and foreign governments;
•the imposition of withholding or other taxes on foreign income, new or increased tariffs or restrictions on foreign trade and investment;
•adverse tax consequences;
•limitations on repatriation of earnings and cash;
•currency exchange controls and import/export quotas;
•nationalization, expropriation, asset seizure, blockades and blacklisting;
•limitations in the availability, amount or terms of insurance coverage;
•loss of contract rights and inability to adequately enforce contracts;
•political instability, war and civil disturbances or other risks that may limit or disrupt markets, such as terrorist attacks, piracy and kidnapping;
•fluctuations in currency exchange rates, hard currency shortages and controls on currency exchange that affect demand for our services and our profitability;
•potential noncompliance with a wide variety of anti-corruption laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the "FCPA"), and similar non-U.S. laws and regulations, including the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (the "Bribery Act");
•labor strikes and shortages;
•changes in general economic and political conditions;
•adverse changes in foreign laws or regulatory requirements; and
•different liability standards and legal systems that may be less developed and less predictable than those in the United States.
If we are unable to adequately address these risks, we could lose our ability to operate in certain international markets and our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
The U.S. Departments of Justice, Commerce, Treasury and other agencies and authorities have a broad range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against companies for violations of export controls, the FCPA, and other federal statutes, sanctions and regulations, including those established by the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") and, increasingly, similar or more restrictive foreign laws, rules and regulations. By virtue of these laws and regulations, and under laws and regulations in other jurisdictions, including the European Union and the United Kingdom, we may be obliged to limit our business activities, we may incur costs for compliance programs and we may be subject to enforcement actions or penalties for noncompliance.
In recent years, U.S. and foreign governments have increased their oversight and enforcement activities with respect to these laws and we expect the relevant agencies to continue to increase these activities. A violation of these laws, sanctions or regulations could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The Company has compliance policies in place for its employees with respect to FCPA, OFAC, the Bribery Act and similar laws. Our operating subsidiaries also have relevant compliance policies in place for their employees, which are tailored to their operations. However, there can be no assurance that our employees, consultants or agents, or those of our subsidiaries or investees, will not engage in conduct for which we may be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA, the Bribery Act, the rules and regulations established by OFAC and other laws, sanctions or regulations may result in severe criminal or civil penalties, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Additionally, changes in U.S. social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or in laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, development and investment in the territories and countries where we currently develop and sell products, and any negative sentiments towards the United States as a result of such changes, could adversely affect our business. Negative sentiments towards the United States among non-U.S. customers and among non-U.S. employees or prospective employees could adversely affect sales or hiring and retention, respectively.
We face certain risks associated with the acquisition or disposition of businesses and lack of control over certain of our investments.
In pursuing our corporate strategy, we may acquire, dispose of or exit businesses or reorganize existing investments. The success of this strategy is dependent upon our ability to identify appropriate opportunities, negotiate transactions on favorable terms and ultimately complete such transactions.
In the course of our acquisitions, we may not acquire 100% ownership of certain of our operating subsidiaries, or we may face delays in completing certain acquisitions, including in acquiring full ownership of certain of our operating companies. Once we complete acquisitions or reorganizations there can be no assurance that we will realize the anticipated benefits of any transaction, including revenue growth, operational efficiencies or expected synergies. If we fail to recognize some or all of the strategic benefits and synergies expected from a transaction, goodwill and intangible assets may be impaired in future periods. The negotiations associated with the acquisition and disposition of businesses could also disrupt our ongoing business, distract management and employees or increase our expenses.
If we dispose of or otherwise exit certain businesses, there can be no assurance that we will not incur certain disposition related charges, or that we will be able to reduce overhead related to the divested assets.
In the ordinary course of our business, we evaluate the potential disposition of assets and businesses that may no longer help us meet our objectives or that no longer fit with our broader strategy, such as the dispositions of our Clean Energy and Insurance segments in 2021 or the acquisition of Banker Steel by our Infrastructure segment in 2021. When we decide to sell assets or a business, we may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay the accomplishment of our strategic objectives, or we may dispose of a business at a price or on terms which are less than we had anticipated. In addition, there is a risk that we sell a business whose subsequent performance exceeds our expectations, in which case our decision would have potentially sacrificed enterprise value.
We also own minority interests in a number of entities, such as MediBeacon, Triple Ring Technologies, Inc. and Scaled Cell, over which we do not exercise, or have only limited, management control, and we are, therefore, unable to direct or manage the business to realize the anticipated benefits that we can achieve through full integration.
Our development stage companies may never produce revenues or income.
We have made investments in and own a majority stake in a number of development stage companies, primarily in our Life Sciences segment. Each of these companies is at an early stage of development and is subject to all business risks associated with a new enterprise, including constraints on their financial and personnel resources, lack of established credit, the need to establish meaningful and beneficial vendor and customer relationships and uncertainties regarding product development and future revenues. We anticipate that many of these companies will continue to incur substantial additional operating losses for at least the next several years and expect their losses to increase as research and development efforts expand. There can be no assurance as to when or whether any of these companies will be able to develop significant sources of revenue or that any of their respective operations will become profitable, even if any of them is able to commercialize any products. As a result, we may not realize any returns on our investments in these companies, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
We could consume resources in researching acquisitions, business opportunities or financings and capital market transactions that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or invest in another business.
We anticipate that the investigation of each specific acquisition or business opportunity and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments with respect to such transaction will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for financial advisors, accountants, attorneys and other advisors. If a decision is made not to consummate a specific acquisition, business opportunity or financing and capital market transaction, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, even if an agreement is reached relating to a specific acquisition, investment target or financing, we may fail to consummate the investment or acquisition for any number of reasons, including those beyond our control. Any such event could consume significant management time and result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred, which could adversely affect our financial position and our ability to consummate other acquisitions and investments.
There may be tax consequences associated with our acquisition, investment, holding and disposition of target companies and assets.
We may incur significant taxes in connection with effecting acquisitions of, or investments in, holding, receiving payments from, operating or disposing of target companies and assets. Our decision to make a particular acquisition, sell a particular asset or increase or decrease a particular investment may be based on considerations other than the timing and amount of taxes owed as a result thereof. We may remain liable for certain tax obligations of certain disposed companies, and we may be required to make material payments in connection therewith.
Our participation in any future joint investment could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority, our reliance on a partner’s financial condition and disputes between us and the relevant partners.
We have, indirectly through our subsidiaries, formed joint ventures, and may in the future engage in similar joint ventures with third parties. In such circumstances, we may not be in a position to exercise significant decision-making authority if we do not own a substantial majority of the equity interests of such joint venture or otherwise have contractual rights entitling us to exercise such authority. These ventures may involve risks not present were a third party not involved, including the possibility that partners might become insolvent or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. In addition, partners may have economic or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives. Disputes between us and partners may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our costs and expenses and divert a substantial amount of management’s time and effort away from our businesses. We may also, in certain circumstances, be liable for the actions of our third-party partners which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We and our subsidiaries rely on trademark, copyright, trade secret, contractual restrictions and patent rights to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights and if these rights are impaired, then our ability to generate revenue and our competitive position may be harmed.
If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, including through the improper use of AI by our personnel or business partners, our competitors might gain access to our technology, and our business might be harmed. In addition, defending our intellectual property rights might entail significant expense. Any of our trademarks or other intellectual property rights may be challenged by others or invalidated through administrative process or litigation. While we have some U.S. patents and pending U.S. patent applications, we may be unable to obtain patent protection for the technology covered in our patent applications. In addition, our existing patents and any patents issued in the future may not provide us with competitive advantages, or may be successfully challenged by third parties. Furthermore, legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights are uncertain. Effective patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available to us in every country in which we operate. The laws of some foreign countries may not be as protective of intellectual property rights as those in the U.S., and mechanisms for enforcement of intellectual property rights may be inadequate. Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property. In addition, some of our operating subsidiaries may use trademarks which have not been registered and may be more difficult to protect.
We might be required to spend significant resources to monitor and protect our intellectual property rights. We may initiate claims or litigation against third parties for infringement of our proprietary rights or to establish the validity of our proprietary rights. Any litigation, whether or not it is resolved in our favor, could result in significant expense to us and divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel.
We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock, which could dilute the interests of our stockholders and present other risks.
Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, authorizes the issuance of up to 250,000,000 shares of common stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
As of December 31, 2024, INNOVATE has 13,410,179 issued and 13,261,379 outstanding shares of its common stock, and 16,125 shares of Series A-3 and Series A-4 preferred stock issued and outstanding. However, our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, from time to time, subject to limitations prescribed by law and any consent rights granted to holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, to issue additional shares of preferred stock having rights that are senior to those afforded to the holders of our common stock. We also have reserved shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to our broad-based equity incentive plans, upon exercise of stock options and other equity-based awards granted thereunder, and pursuant to other equity compensation arrangements.
We may issue shares of common stock or additional shares of preferred stock to raise additional capital, such as during the Rights Offering which closed during 2024, to complete a business combination or other acquisition, to capitalize new businesses or new or existing businesses of our operating subsidiaries or pursuant to other employee incentive plans, any of which could dilute the interests of our stockholders and present other risks.
The issuance of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock may, among other things:
•significantly dilute the equity interest and voting power of all other stockholders;
•subordinate the rights of holders of our outstanding common stock and/or preferred stock if preferred stock is issued with rights senior to those afforded to holders of our common stock and/or preferred stock;
•trigger an adjustment to the price at which all or a portion of our outstanding preferred stock converts into our common stock, if such stock is issued at a price lower than the then-applicable conversion price;
•entitle our existing holders of preferred stock to purchase a portion of such issuance to maintain their ownership percentage, subject to certain exceptions;
•call for us to make dividend or other payments not available to the holders of our common stock; and
•cause a change in control of our company if a substantial number of shares of our common stock are issued and/or if additional shares of preferred stock having substantial voting rights are issued.
The issuance of additional shares of common stock or preferred stock, or perceptions in the market that such issuances could occur, may also adversely affect the prevailing market price of our outstanding common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
Conversion of the 2026 Convertible Notes will dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders, including holders who had previously converted their Convertible Notes, or may otherwise depress the market price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2024, the holders of our 2026 Convertible Notes had rights to convert their notes into 1,154,857 shares of our common stock. The conversion of some or all of our 2026 Convertible Notes will dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders. Any sales in the public market of the shares of our common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock. In addition, the existence of the 2026 Convertible Notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of the notes could be used to satisfy short positions, or anticipated conversion of the notes into shares of our common stock could depress the market price of our common stock.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock by holders of our preferred stock or other significant stockholders may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2024, the holders of our outstanding Series A-3 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Preferred Stock had certain rights to convert their preferred stock into 549,884 shares of our common stock.
Pursuant to a second amended and restated registration rights agreement, dated January 5, 2015, entered into in connection with the issuance of the preferred stock, we have granted registration rights to the purchasers of our preferred stock and certain of their transferees with respect to INNOVATE common stock held by them and common stock underlying the preferred stock. This registration rights agreement allows these holders, subject to certain conditions, to require us to register the sale of their shares under the federal securities laws. Furthermore, the shares of our common stock held by these holders, as well as other significant stockholders, may be sold into the public market under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock into the public market whether by holders of the preferred stock, by other holders of substantial amounts of our common stock or by us, or perceptions in the market that such sales could occur, may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
Price fluctuations in our common stock could result from general market and economic conditions and a variety of other factors.
The trading price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to fluctuations in response to a number of factors beyond our control, including:
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations and the performance of our competitors;
•reaction of the market to our announcement of any future acquisitions or investments;
•the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;
•changes in general economic conditions;
•outbreaks of pandemic diseases, including coronavirus, or fear of such outbreaks; and
•actions of our equity investors, including sales of our common stock by significant stockholders.
Delaware law and our charter documents contain provisions that could discourage or prevent a potential takeover, even if such a transaction would be beneficial to our stockholders.
Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable. These include provisions:
•authorizing a board of directors to issue preferred stock;
•prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;
•limiting the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders;
•prohibiting stockholder actions by written consent;
•creating a classified board of directors pursuant to which our directors are elected for staggered three-year terms;
•permitting the board of directors to increase the size of the board and to fill vacancies;
•requiring a super-majority vote of our stockholders to amend our bylaws and certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation; and
•establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law which limit the right of a corporation to engage in a business combination with a holder of 15 percent or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting securities, or certain affiliated persons.
Although we believe that these charter and bylaw provisions, and provisions of Delaware law, provide an opportunity for the board to assure that our stockholders realize full value for their investment, they could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, even under circumstances that some stockholders may consider beneficial.
Actions of activist stockholders, including a proxy contest, could be disruptive and potentially costly and the possibility that activist stockholders may contest, or seek changes that conflict with, our strategic direction could cause uncertainty about the strategic direction of our business. Such actions may also trigger a change in control under certain agreements to which the Company is party, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Under certain circumstances arising out of, or related to, certain actions of activist stockholders, including a proxy contest or consent solicitation, a change in a majority of our board of directors may trigger the requirement that we make an offer to redeem our shares of preferred stock at a price per share of preferred stock, equal to the greater of (i) the accrued value of the preferred stock, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends (to the extent not included in the accrued value of preferred stock), and (ii) the value that would be received if the share of preferred stock were converted into common stock, the occurrence of which could materially and adversely affect our business. In such instance, the Company cannot assure stockholders that it would be able to obtain the financing on commercially reasonable terms (if at all) to fund the offer to redeem all of the preferred stock. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Bank failures or other similar events could adversely affect our and our customers' and vendors' liquidity and financial performance.
We maintain domestic cash deposits in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured banks, in excess of FDIC insurance limits. Bank failures or other similar events could disrupt our access to bank deposits or otherwise adversely impact our liquidity and financial performance. There can be no assurance that our deposits in excess of the FDIC or other comparable insurance limits will be backstopped by the U.S. or applicable foreign government in the event of a failure or liquidity crisis.
Our customers and vendors may suffer similar adverse effects from a bank failure. Any resulting adverse effects to our customers could reduce the demand for our services or affect our allowance for doubtful accounts and collectability of accounts receivable. Adverse effects to our vendors could affect our ability to receive the resources and supplies we need for our business. These factors could materially affect our future financial results.
In addition, instability, liquidity constraints or other distress in the financial markets, including the effects of bank failures or similar adverse developments could impair the ability of one or more of the banks participating in our current credit facilities from honoring their commitments. This could have an adverse effect on our business if we were not able to replace those commitments or to locate other sources of liquidity on acceptable terms.
Increased adoption of artificial intelligence and government regulation could create additional costs.
Failure to keep up with the potential increased use of AI by competitors could have adverse effects on our competitiveness in the markets that we operate, and heightened government scrutiny and regulation surrounding AI, including generative AI, could lead to increased or added compliance and regulatory costs.
Risks Related to the Infrastructure segment
DBMG’s business is dependent upon major construction contracts, the unpredictable timing of which may result in significant fluctuations in its cash flow due to the timing of receipt of payment under such contracts.
DBMG’s cash flow is dependent upon obtaining major construction contracts primarily from general contractors and engineering firms responsible for commercial and industrial construction projects, such as high- and low-rise buildings and office complexes, hotels and casinos, convention centers, sports arenas, shopping malls, hospitals, dams, bridges, mines and power plants. The timing of or failure to obtain contracts, delays in awards of contracts, cancellations of contracts, delays in completion of contracts, or failure to obtain timely payment from DBMG’s customers, could result in significant periodic fluctuations in cash flows from DBMG’s operations. In addition, many of DBMG’s contracts require it to satisfy specific progress or performance milestones in order to receive payment from the customer. As a result, DBMG may incur significant costs for engineering, materials, components, equipment, labor or subcontractors prior to receipt of payment from a customer. Such expenditures could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
The nature of DBMG’s primary contracting terms for its contracts, including fixed-price and cost-plus pricing, could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
DBMG’s projects are awarded through a competitive bid process or are obtained through negotiation, but in either case generally using one of two types of contract pricing approaches: fixed-price or cost-plus pricing. Under fixed-price contracts, DBMG performs its services and executes its projects at an established price, subject to adjustment only for change orders approved by the customer, and, as a result, it may benefit from cost savings but be unable to recover any cost overruns. If DBMG does not execute such a contract within cost estimates, it may incur losses or the project may be less profitable than expected. Historically, the majority of DBMG’s contracts have been fixed-price arrangements. The revenue, cost and gross profit realized on such contracts can vary, sometimes substantially, from the original projections due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
•failure to properly estimate costs of materials, including steel and steel components, engineering services, equipment, labor or subcontractors;
•costs incurred in connection with modifications to a contract that may be unapproved by the customer as to scope, schedule, and/or price;
•unanticipated technical problems with the structures, equipment or systems we supply;
•unanticipated costs or claims, including costs for project modifications, customer-caused delays, errors or changes in specifications or designs, or contract termination;
•changes in the costs of materials, engineering services, equipment, labor or subcontractors;
•changes in labor conditions, including the availability and productivity of labor;
•productivity and other delays caused by weather conditions;
•failure to engage necessary suppliers or subcontractors, or failure of such suppliers or subcontractors to perform;
•difficulties in obtaining required governmental permits or approvals;
•changes in laws and regulations; and
•changes in general economic conditions.
Under cost-plus contracts, DBMG receives reimbursement for its direct labor and material cost, plus a specified fee in excess thereof, which is typically a fixed rate per hour, an overall fixed fee, or a percentage of total reimbursable costs, up to a maximum amount, which is an arrangement that may protect DBMG against cost overruns. If DBMG is unable to obtain proper reimbursement for all costs incurred due to improper estimates, performance issues, customer disputes, or any of the additional factors noted above for fixed-price contracts, the project may be less profitable than expected.
Generally, DBMG’s contracts and projects vary in length from 1 to 24 months, depending on the size and complexity of the project, project owner demands and other factors. The foregoing risks are exacerbated for projects with longer-term durations because there is an increased risk that the circumstances upon which DBMG based its original estimates will change in a manner that increases costs. In addition, DBMG sometimes bears the risk of delays caused by unexpected conditions or events. To the extent there are future cost increases that DBMG cannot recover from its customers, suppliers or subcontractors, the outcome could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Furthermore, revenue and gross profit from DBMG’s contracts can be affected by contract incentives or penalties that may not be known or finalized until the later stages of the contract term. Some of DBMG’s contracts provide for the customer’s review of its accounting and cost control systems to verify the completeness and accuracy of the reimbursable costs invoiced. These reviews could result in reductions in reimbursable costs and labor rates previously billed to the customer.
The cumulative impact of revisions in total cost estimates during the progress of work is reflected in the period in which these changes become known, including, to the extent required, the reversal of profit recognized in prior periods and the recognition of losses expected to be incurred on contracts in progress. Due to the various estimates inherent in DBMG’s contract accounting, actual results could differ from those estimates.
DBMG’s billed and unbilled revenue may be exposed to potential risk if a project is terminated or canceled or if DBMG’s customers encounter financial difficulties.
DBMG’s contracts often require it to satisfy or achieve certain milestones in order to receive payment for the work performed. As a result, under these types of arrangements, DBMG may incur significant costs or perform significant amounts of services prior to receipt of payment. If the ultimate customer does not proceed with the completion of the project or if the customer or contractor under which DBMG is a subcontractor defaults on its payment obligations, DBMG may face difficulties in collecting payment of amounts due to it for the costs previously incurred. If DBMG is unable to collect amounts owed to it, this could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
DBMG may be exposed to additional risks as it obtains new significant awards and executes its backlog, including greater backlog concentration in fewer projects, potential cost overruns and increasing requirements for letters of credit, and inability to fully realize the revenue value reported in its backlog, a substantial portion of which is attributable to a relatively small number of large contracts or other commitments, each of which could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
As DBMG obtains new significant project awards, these projects may use larger sums of working capital than other projects, and DBMG’s backlog may become concentrated among a smaller number of customers. At December 31, 2024, DBMG's backlog was $957.2 million, consisting of $793.8 million under contracts or purchase orders and $163.4 million under letters of intent or notices to proceed. Approximately $461.5 million, representing 48.2% of DBMG’s backlog at December 31, 2024, was attributable to five contracts, letters of intent, notices to proceed or purchase orders. If any significant projects such as these currently included in DBMG’s backlog or awarded in the future were to have material cost overruns, or be significantly delayed, modified or canceled, DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position could be adversely impacted, and backlog could decrease substantially if one or more of these projects terminate or reduce their scope.
Moreover, DBMG may be unable to replace the projects that it executes in its backlog. Additionally, as DBMG converts its significant projects from backlog into active construction, it may face significantly greater requirements for the provision of letters of credit or other forms of credit enhancements which exceed its current credit facilities. We can provide no assurance that DBMG would be able to access such capital and credit as needed or that it would be able to do so on economically attractive terms.
Commitments may be in the form of written contracts, letters of intent, notices to proceed and purchase orders. New awards may also include estimated amounts of work to be performed based on customer communication and historic experience and knowledge of our customers’ intentions. Backlog consists of projects which have either not yet been started or are in progress but are not yet complete. In the latter case, the revenue value reported in backlog is the remaining value associated with work that has not yet been completed, which increases or decreases to reflect modifications in the work to be performed under a given commitment. The revenue projected in DBMG’s backlog may not be realized or, if realized, may not be profitable as a result of poor contract terms or performance.
Due to project terminations, suspensions or changes in project scope and schedule, we cannot predict with certainty when or if DBMG’s backlog will be performed. From time to time, projects are canceled that appeared to have a high certainty of going forward at the time they were recorded as new awards. In the event of a project cancellation, DBMG typically has no contractual right to the total revenue reflected in its backlog. Some of the contracts in DBMG’s backlog provide for cancellation fees or certain reimbursements in the event customers cancel projects. These cancellation fees usually provide for reimbursement of DBMG’s out-of-pocket costs, costs associated with work performed prior to cancellation, and, to varying degrees, a percentage of the profit DBMG would have realized had the contract been completed. Although DBMG may be reimbursed for certain costs, it may be unable to recover all direct costs incurred and may incur additional unrecoverable costs due to the resulting under-utilization of DBMG’s assets.
DBMG’s failure to meet contractual schedule or performance requirements could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
In certain circumstances, DBMG guarantees project completion by a scheduled date or certain performance levels. Failure to meet these schedule or performance requirements could result in a reduction of revenue and additional costs, and these adjustments could exceed projected profit. Project revenue or profit could also be reduced by liquidated damages withheld by customers under contractual penalty provisions, which can be substantial and can accrue on a daily basis. Schedule delays can result in costs exceeding our projections for a particular project. Performance problems for existing and future contracts could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those previously anticipated and could cause us to suffer damage to our reputation within our industry and our customer base.
DBMG’s government contracts may be subject to modification or termination, which could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
DBMG is a provider of services to U.S. government agencies and is therefore exposed to risks associated with government contracting. Government agencies typically can terminate or modify contracts to which DBMG is a party at their convenience, due to budget constraints or various other reasons. As a result, DBMG’s backlog may be reduced or it may incur a loss if a government agency decides to terminate or modify a contract to which DBMG is a party. DBMG is also subject to audits, including audits of internal control systems, cost reviews and investigations by government contracting oversight agencies. As a result of an audit, the oversight agency may disallow certain costs or withhold a percentage of interim payments. Cost disallowances may result in adjustments to previously reported revenue and may require DBMG to refund a portion of previously collected amounts. In addition, failure to comply with the terms of one or more of our government contracts or government regulations and statutes could result in DBMG being suspended or debarred from future government projects for a significant period of time, possible civil or criminal fines and penalties, the risk of public scrutiny of our performance, and potential harm to DBMG’s reputation, each of which could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. Other remedies that government agencies may seek for improper activities or performance issues include sanctions such as forfeiture of profit and suspension of payments.
In addition to the risks noted above, legislatures typically appropriate funds on a year-by-year basis, while contract performance may take more than one year. As a result, contracts with government agencies may be only partially funded or may be terminated, and DBMG may not realize all of the potential revenue and profit from those contracts. Appropriations and the timing of payment may be influenced by, among other things, the state of the economy, competing political priorities, curtailments in the use of government contracting firms, budget constraints, the timing and amount of tax receipts and the overall level of government expenditures.
DBMG is exposed to potential risks and uncertainties associated with its reliance on subcontractors and third-party vendors to execute certain projects.
DBMG relies on third-party suppliers, especially suppliers of steel and steel components, and subcontractors to assist in the completion of projects. To the extent these parties cannot execute their portion of the work and are unable to deliver their services, equipment or materials according to the agreed-upon contractual terms, or DBMG cannot engage subcontractors or acquire equipment or materials, DBMG’s ability to complete a project in a timely manner may be impacted. Furthermore, when bidding or negotiating for contracts, DBMG must make estimates of the amounts these third parties will charge for their services, equipment and materials. If the amount DBMG is required to pay for third-party goods and services in an effort to meet its contractual obligations exceeds the amount it has estimated, DBMG could experience project losses or a reduction in estimated profit.
Persistent inflation and economic uncertainty may negatively impact DBMG's business.
Inflation in the United States and worldwide has increased DBMG’s costs and may result in additional cost increases, including of steel and welding wire components and other inputs that are critical to the completion of DBMG’s projects, may cause additional shortages of supplies and components, may increase cost of borrowing, and may continue to reduce DBMG’s purchasing power, all of which would have a negative impact on DBMG’s results of operation. Due to competitive pressure and pressure from DBMG’s customers, DBMG may not be able to offset the impacts of inflation in the price of its products. Additionally, continued inflation and economic uncertainty may result in DBMG’s customers decreasing the scope, canceling, or delaying projects in process.
Any increase in the price of, or change in supply and demand for, the steel and steel components that DBMG utilizes to complete projects could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
The prices of the steel and steel components that DBMG utilizes in the course of completing projects are susceptible to price fluctuations due to supply and demand trends, duties and tariffs, energy costs, transportation costs, government regulations, changes in currency exchange rates, price controls, general economic conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. For example, the recent armed conflicts in Ukraine and Israel have resulted in significant uncertainty in the commodities markets. A prolonged conflict and any sanctions or import controls targeting the Russian oil and natural gas industries could lead to sustained increases in energy prices. Although DBMG may attempt to pass on certain of these increased costs to its customers, it may not be able to pass all of these cost increases on to its customers. As a result, DBMG’s margins may be adversely impacted by such cost increases.
In addition, the recently approved increases in steel import tariffs proposed by the U.S. president could lead to significant increases in the cost of steel. Tariffs on components that we or our suppliers import from certain nations that have, or may in the future have, tariffs may adversely affect our profitability unless we are able to exclude such components from the tariffs or we raise prices for our products, which may result in our services and products becoming less attractive relative to services and products offered by our competitors. To the extent that our sales or profitability are negatively affected by any such tariffs or other trade actions, our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
DBMG’s dependence on suppliers of steel and steel components makes it vulnerable to a disruption in the supply of its products.
DBMG purchases a majority of the steel and steel components utilized in the course of completing projects from several domestic and foreign steel producers and suppliers. DBMG generally does not have long-term contracts with its suppliers. An adverse change in any of the following could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations or financial condition:
•its ability to identify and develop relationships with qualified suppliers;
•the terms and conditions upon which it purchases products from its suppliers, including applicable exchange rates, transport costs and other costs, its suppliers’ willingness to extend credit to it to finance its inventory purchases and other factors beyond its control;
•financial condition of its suppliers;
•political instability in the countries in which its suppliers are located;
•its ability to import products;
•its suppliers’ noncompliance with applicable laws, trade restrictions and tariffs, including the imposition of or increase in tariffs,
export controls and other trade restrictions;
•its inability to find replacement suppliers in the event of a deterioration of the relationship with current suppliers; or
•its suppliers’ ability to manufacture and deliver products according to its standards of quality on a timely and efficient basis.
Intense competition in the markets DBMG serves could reduce DBMG’s market share and earnings.
The principal geographic and product markets DBMG serves are highly competitive, and this intense competition is expected to continue. DBMG competes with other contractors for commercial, industrial and specialty projects on a local, regional, or national basis. Continued service within these markets requires substantial resources and capital investment in equipment, technology and skilled personnel, and certain of DBMG’s competitors have financial and operating resources greater than DBMG. Competition also places downward pressure on DBMG’s contract prices and margins. Among the principal competitive factors within the industry are price, timeliness of completion of projects, quality, reputation, and the desire of customers to utilize specific contractors with whom they have favorable relationships and prior experience.
While DBMG believes that it maintains a competitive advantage with respect to these factors, failure to continue to do so or to meet other competitive challenges could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
DBMG’s customers’ ability to receive the applicable regulatory and environmental approvals for projects and the timeliness of those approvals could adversely affect DBMG’s business.
The regulatory permitting process for DBMG’s projects requires significant investments of time and money by DBMG’s customers and DBMG. There are no assurances that DBMG’s customers or DBMG will obtain the necessary permits for these projects. Applications for permits may be opposed by governmental entities, individuals or special interest groups, resulting in delays and possible non-issuance of the permits.
DBMG’s failure to obtain or maintain required licenses may adversely affect its business.
DBMG is subject to licensure and holds licenses in each of the states in the United States in which it operates and in certain local jurisdictions within such states. While we believe that DBMG is in material compliance with all contractor licensing requirements in the various jurisdictions in which it operates, the failure to obtain, loss or revocation of any license or the limitation on any of DBMG’s primary services thereunder in any jurisdiction in which it conducts substantial operations could prevent DBMG from conducting further operations in such jurisdiction and have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Volatility in equity and credit markets could adversely impact DBMG due to its impact on the availability of funding for DBMG’s customers, suppliers and subcontractors.
Some of DBMG’s ultimate customers, suppliers and subcontractors have traditionally accessed commercial financing and capital markets to fund their operations, and the availability of funding from those sources could be adversely impacted by volatile equity or credit markets. The unavailability of financing could lead to the delay or cancellation of projects or the inability of such parties to pay DBMG or provide needed products or services and thereby have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
DBMG’s business may be adversely affected by bonding and letter of credit capacity.
Certain of DBMG’s projects require the support of bid and performance surety bonds or letters of credit. A restriction, reduction, or termination of DBMG’s surety bond agreements or letter of credit facilities could limit its ability to bid on new project opportunities, thereby limiting new awards, or to perform under existing awards.
DBMG is vulnerable to significant fluctuations in its liquidity that may vary substantially over time.
DBMG’s operations could require the utilization of large sums of working capital, sometimes on short notice and sometimes without assurance of recovery of the expenditures. Circumstances or events that could create large cash outflows include losses resulting from fixed-price contracts, environmental liabilities, litigation risks, contract initiation or completion delays, customer payment problems, professional and product liability claims and other unexpected costs. There is no guarantee that DBMG’s facilities will be sufficient to meet DBMG’s liquidity needs or that DBMG will be able to maintain such facilities or obtain any other sources of liquidity on attractive terms, or at all.
DBMG’s projects expose it to potential professional liability, product liability, warranty and other claims.
DBMG’s operations are subject to the usual hazards inherent in providing engineering and construction services for the construction of often large commercial industrial facilities, such as the risk of accidents, fires and explosions. These hazards can cause personal injury and loss of life, business interruptions, property damage and pollution and environmental damage. DBMG may be subject to claims as a result of these hazards. In addition, the failure of any of DBMG’s products to conform to customer specifications could result in warranty claims against it for significant replacement or rework costs, which could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Although DBMG generally does not accept liability for consequential damages in its contracts, should it be determined liable, it may not be covered by insurance or, if covered, the dollar amount of these liabilities may exceed applicable policy limits. Any catastrophic occurrence in excess of insurance limits at project sites involving DBMG’s products and services could result in significant professional liability, product liability, warranty or other claims against DBMG. Any damages not covered by insurance, in excess of insurance limits or, if covered by insurance, subject to a high deductible, could result in a significant loss for DBMG, which may reduce its profits and cash available for operations. These claims could also make it difficult for DBMG to obtain adequate insurance coverage in the future at a reasonable cost. Additionally, customers or subcontractors that have agreed to indemnify DBMG against such losses may refuse or be unable to pay DBMG.
DBMG may experience increased costs and decreased cash flow due to compliance with environmental laws and regulations, liability for contamination of the environment or related personal injuries.
DBMG is subject to environmental laws and regulations, including those concerning emissions into the air, discharge into waterways, generation, storage, handling, treatment and disposal of waste materials and health and safety.
DBMG’s fabrication business often involves working around and with volatile, toxic and hazardous substances and other highly regulated pollutants, substances or wastes, for which the improper characterization, handling or disposal could constitute violations of U.S. federal, state or local laws and regulations and laws of other countries, and result in criminal and civil liabilities. Environmental laws and regulations generally impose limitations and standards for certain pollutants or waste materials and require DBMG to obtain permits and comply with various other requirements. Governmental authorities may seek to impose fines and penalties on DBMG, or revoke or deny issuance or renewal of operating permits for failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations. DBMG is also exposed to potential liability for personal injury or property damage caused by any release, spill, exposure or other accident involving such pollutants, substances or wastes. In connection with the historical operation of our facilities, substances which currently are or might be considered hazardous may have been used or disposed of at some sites in a manner that may require us to make expenditures for remediation.
The environmental, health and safety laws and regulations to which DBMG is subject are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict the impact of such laws and regulations on DBMG in the future. We cannot ensure that DBMG’s operations will continue to comply with future laws and regulations or that these laws and regulations will not cause DBMG to incur significant costs or adopt more costly methods of operation.
Additionally, the adoption and implementation of any new regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases from, DBMG’s customers’ equipment and operations could significantly impact demand for DBMG’s services, particularly among its customers for industrial facilities.
Any expenditures in connection with compliance or remediation efforts or significant reductions in demand for DBMG’s services as a result of the adoption of environmental proposals could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
DBMG is and will likely continue to be involved in litigation that could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
DBMG has been and may be, from time to time, named as a defendant in legal actions claiming damages in connection with fabrication and other products and services DBMG provides and other matters. These are typically claims that arise in the normal course of business, including employment-related claims and contractual disputes or claims for personal injury or property damage which occur in connection with services performed relating to project or construction sites. Contractual disputes normally involve claims relating to the timely completion of projects or other issues concerning fabrication and other products and services DBMG provides. There can be no assurance that any of DBMG’s pending contractual, employment-related personal injury or property damage claims and disputes will not have a material effect on DBMG’s future results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Work stoppages, union negotiations and other labor problems could adversely affect DBMG’s business.
A portion of DBMG’s employees are represented by labor unions, and 8.3% of DBMG’s employees are covered under collective bargaining agreements that expire in less than one year, at which time they will be renegotiated. A lengthy strike or other work stoppage at any of its facilities could have a material adverse effect on DBMG’s business. There is inherent risk that ongoing or future negotiations relating to collective bargaining agreements or union representation may not be favorable to DBMG. From time to time, DBMG also has experienced attempts to unionize its non-union facilities. Such efforts can often disrupt or delay work and present risk of labor unrest.
DBMG’s employees work on projects that are inherently dangerous, and a failure to maintain a safe work site could result in significant losses.
DBMG often works on large-scale and complex projects, frequently in geographically remote locations. Such involvement often places DBMG’s employees and others near large equipment, dangerous processes or highly regulated materials. If DBMG or other parties fail to implement appropriate safety procedures for which they are responsible or if such procedures fail, DBMG’s employees or others may suffer injuries. In addition to being subject to state and federal regulations concerning health and safety, many of DBMG’s customers require that it meet certain safety criteria to be eligible to bid on contracts, and some of DBMG’s contract fees or profits are subject to satisfying safety criteria. Unsafe work conditions also have the potential of increasing employee turnover, project costs and operating costs. The failure to comply with safety policies, customer contracts or applicable regulations could subject DBMG to losses and liability and could result in a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures.
Risks Related to the Life Sciences segment
Pansend’s operating results may fluctuate significantly, which makes its future operating results difficult to predict and could cause its operating results to fall below expectations.
Pansend’s quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly, which makes it difficult for Pansend to predict its future operating results. These fluctuations may occur due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of Pansend’s control and may be difficult to predict, including:
•the timing and cost of, and level of investment in, research, development, and commercialization activities relating to Pansend’s product and product candidates, which may change from time to time;
•the timing of receipt of approvals or clearances for Pansend’s product candidates from regulatory authorities in the U.S. or internationally;
•the timing and status of enrollment for Pansend’s clinical trials; the timing and success or failure of nonclinical studies and clinical trials for Pansend’s product candidates or competing product candidates, or any other change in the competitive landscape of the life sciences industry, including consolidation among Pansend’s competitors or partners;
•coverage and reimbursement policies with respect to Pansend’s product and product candidates, including the degree to which treatments using its products are covered and receive adequate reimbursement from third-party payors, and potential future drugs or devices that compete with its products, and competition in general and competitive developments in the market;
•the cost of manufacturing Pansend’s product, as well as building out its supply chain, which may vary depending on the quantity of production and the terms of Pansend’s agreements with manufacturers;
•expenditures that Pansend may incur to acquire, develop or commercialize additional product candidates and technologies;
•the level of demand for Pansend’s product and any product candidates, if approved or cleared, which may vary significantly over time and may experience seasonal fluctuations in demand;
•litigation, including patent, employment, securities class action, stockholder derivative, general commercial, product liability and other lawsuits or claims;
•changes in geographic, channel or product mix;
•weakness in consumer spending as a result of a slowdown in the global, U.S. or other economies;
•changes in relationships with our customers and distributors, including timing of orders; and
•our inability to scale, suspend or reduce production based on variations in product demand.
To respond to these and other factors, we may make business decisions that adversely affect our operating results such as modifications to our pricing policy, promotions, or operations. Most of our expenses, such as employee compensation, are relatively fixed in the short term. Moreover, expense levels are based, in part, on our expectations regarding future revenue levels. As a result, if our net revenues for a particular period fall below expectations, we may be unable to adjust spending quickly enough to offset any shortfall in net revenues. Due to these and other factors, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful. You should not rely on our results for any one quarter as an indication of future performance.
Pansend operates in a highly competitive market, and may face competition from large, well-established medical technology, device and product manufacturers with significant resources, and may not be able to compete effectively.
The medical technology, medical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries are characterized by intense and dynamic competition to develop new technologies and proprietary therapies. Pansend faces competition from a number of sources, such as pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, generic drug companies, biotechnology companies, and academic and research institutions. Pansend may find itself in competition with companies that have competitive advantages over us, such as:
•significantly greater name recognition;
•established relations with healthcare professionals, customers, and third-party payers;
•greater efficacy or better safety profiles;
•established distribution networks;
•additional lines of products, and the ability to offer rebates, higher discounts, or incentives to gain a competitive advantage;
•greater experience in obtaining patents and regulatory approvals for product candidates and other resources;
•greater experience in conducting research and development, manufacturing, clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approval for products, and marketing approved products; and
•greater financial and human resources for product development, sales and marketing, and patent litigation.
Pansend may also face increased competition in the future as new companies enter Pansend’s markets and as scientific developments surrounding electro-signaling therapeutics continue to accelerate. While Pansend will seek to expand its technological capabilities to remain competitive, research and development by others may render its technology or product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive or result in treatments or cures superior to any therapy developed by us. In addition, certain of Pansend’s product candidates may compete with other dermatological products, including over the counter ("OTC") treatments, for a share of some patients’ discretionary budgets and for physicians’ attention within their clinical practices. Even if a generic product or an OTC product is less effective than Pansend’s product candidates, a less effective generic or OTC product may be more quickly adopted by physicians and patients than Pansend’s competing product candidates based upon cost or convenience. As a result, Pansend may not be able to compete effectively against current and potential future competitors or their devices and products.
Pansend may rely on third parties for its sales, marketing, manufacturing and/or distribution, including delivery service providers, and these third parties may not perform satisfactorily. A disruption in the operations of our primary freight carrier or higher shipping costs could cause a decline in our net revenues or a reduction in our earnings.
To be able to commercialize Pansend’s planned products, Pansend may elect to internally develop aspects of sales, marketing, large-scale manufacturing, or distribution, or Pansend may elect to utilize third parties with respect to one or more of these items. Pansend’s reliance on these third parties may reduce its control over these activities; however, reliance on third parties does not relieve Pansend of its responsibility to ensure compliance with all required legal, regulatory, and scientific standards. Any failure of these third parties to perform satisfactorily and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations could lead to delays in the development of Pansend’s planned products, including delays in its clinical trials, or failure to obtain regulatory approval for its planned products, or failure to successfully commercialize its planned products or other future products. Some of these events could be the basis for FDA or other regulatory action, including injunction, recall, seizure, or total or partial suspension of production.
R2 Technologies depends heavily on contracted third-party delivery service providers to deliver our products to our providers and customers. Interruptions to or failures in these delivery services could prevent the timely or successful delivery of our products. These interruptions or failures may be due to unforeseen events that are beyond our control or the control of our third-party delivery service providers, such as inclement weather, natural disasters or labor unrest, among others. If our products are not delivered on time or are delivered in a damaged state, providers and customers may refuse to accept our products and have less confidence in our services, which could negatively impact our relationships with our customers and distributors, business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent on commercial freight carriers to deliver our products within the United States. If the operations of these carriers are disrupted for any reason, we may be unable to timely deliver our products to our customers. If we cannot deliver our products on time and cost effectively, our customers may choose competitive offerings causing our net revenues and gross margins to decline. In a rising fuel cost environment, our freight costs will increase. If freight costs materially increase and we are unable to pass that increase along to our customers for any reason or otherwise offset such increases in costs, our gross margin and financial results could be adversely affected.
A disruption in our operations could materially and adversely affect our business.
As a company engaged in distribution, our operations, including those of our third-party suppliers and delivery service providers, are subject to the risks inherent in such activities, including industrial accidents, supply chain disruptions, macroeconomic issues, environmental events, strikes and other labor disputes, disruptions in information systems, product quality control, safety, licensing requirements and other regulatory issues, changes in laws and regulatory requirements, as well as natural disasters, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), border disputes, political crises, and other external factors over which we and our third-party suppliers, brokers and delivery service providers may have no control. Our ability to meet the needs of our consumers depends on the proper operation of our distribution facilities, where most of our inventory that is not in transit is housed. The loss of, or damage to, the manufacturing facilities or distribution centers of our third-party suppliers and delivery service providers could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of any loss or damage to our manufacturing facilities or distribution centers, and any loss, damage of or disruption to those facilities, or loss or damage of the inventory stored there, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Pansend currently has not generated significant product revenue and may never become profitable.
To date, Pansend has not generated significant revenue and has historically relied on financing from the sale of equity securities and issuances of additional debt to fund its operations. We expect that Pansend’s future financial results will depend primarily on its success in launching, selling, and supporting its therapies and treatments, including R2 Technologies' Glacial systems or other products based on Pansend’s technology. Pansend expects to expend significant resources on hiring of personnel, continued scientific and product research and development, potential product testing and pre-clinical and clinical investigation, intellectual property development and prosecution, marketing and promotion, capital expenditures, working capital, general and administrative expenses, and fees and expenses associated with Pansend’s capital raising efforts. Pansend is expected to incur costs and expenses related to consulting costs, laboratory development costs, hiring of scientists, engineers, sales representatives, and other operational personnel, and the continued development of relationships with potential partners. Pansend is incurring significant operating losses, and is expected to continue to incur additional losses for the foreseeable future, and we cannot assure you that it will generate significant revenue or be profitable in the future. There are no assurances that Pansend’s future products will be cleared or approved or become commercially viable or accepted for use. Even with commercially viable applications of Pansend’s technology, which may include licensing, Pansend may never recover its research and development expenses. Investment in medical technology is highly speculative because it entails substantial upfront capital expenditures and significant risk that any potential product will fail to demonstrate adequate efficacy or clinical utility. Investors should evaluate an investment in Pansend in light of the uncertainties encountered by developing medical technology companies and life sciences companies in a competitive environment. There can be no assurance that Pansend’s efforts will be successful or that it will ultimately be able to achieve profitability. Even if Pansend achieves profitability, it may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy and we may be unable to grow our business effectively or efficiently, which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our future growth, profitability and cash flows depend upon our ability to successfully implement our business strategy, which, in turn, is dependent upon a number of key initiatives, including our ability to: drive demand in the brand; invest in our providers; and improve productivity in our retailers, U.S. medical spa facilities and U.S. spa facilities.
There can be no assurance that we can successfully achieve any or all of the above initiatives in the manner or time period that we expect. Further, achieving these objectives will require investments that may result in short-term cost increases with net sales materializing on a longer-term horizon and therefore may be dilutive to earnings. We cannot provide any assurance that we will realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits we expect our strategy will achieve. The failure to realize those benefits could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Growing our business will place a strain on our management team, financial and information systems, supply chain and distribution capacity and other resources. To manage growth effectively, we must continue to: enhance our operational, financial and management systems, including warehouse management and inventory control; maintain and improve internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures; maintain and improve information technology systems and procedures; and expand, train and manage our employee base. We may not be able to effectively manage our expansion in any one or more of these areas, and any failure to do so could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Growing our business may make it difficult for us to adequately predict the expenditures we will need to make in the future. If we do not make the necessary overhead expenditures to accommodate our future growth, we may be unsuccessful in executing our growth strategy and our results of operations could suffer.
R2 Technologies' success depends upon customer demand and patient satisfaction with its procedures.
R2 Technologies’ procedures are elective aesthetic procedures, the cost of which must be borne by the patient and is generally not covered by or reimbursable through government or private health insurance. In order to generate repeat and referral business, patients must be satisfied with the effectiveness of the procedures conducted using R2’s systems. The decision to undergo one of R2’s procedures is, thus, driven by patient demand, which may be influenced by a number of factors, such as:
•the success of R2’s sales and marketing programs;
•the extent to which R2’s physician customers recommend its procedures to their patients;
•the extent to which R2 Technologies’ procedures satisfy patient expectations;
•R2 Technologies’ ability to properly train its physician customers in the use of its systems so that their patients do not experience excessive discomfort during treatment or adverse side effects;
•the cost, safety, and effectiveness of R2 Technologies’ systems versus other aesthetic treatments;
•consumer sentiment about the benefits and risks of aesthetic procedures generally and R2 Technologies’ systems in particular;
•the success of any direct-to-consumer marketing efforts R2 Technologies may initiate; and
•general consumer confidence, which may be impacted by economic and political conditions outside of R2 Technologies’s control.
R2 Technologies’ financial performance will be negatively impacted in the event it cannot generate significant patient demand for procedures performed with its systems.
Demand for our products may not increase as rapidly as we anticipate due to a variety of factors, including a weakness in general economic conditions and resistance to non-traditional treatment methods.
Consumer spending habits are affected by, among other things, prevailing economic conditions, levels of employment, salaries and wage rates, consumer confidence and consumer perception of economic conditions. A general slowdown in the U.S. economy and certain international economies or an uncertain economic outlook could adversely affect consumer spending habits which may, among other things, result in reduced patient traffic in dermatology or internal medicine offices and in medical spa facilities and spa facilities, a reduction in consumer spending on elective, non-urgent or higher value treatments, such as those offered by our providers, or a reduction in the demand for aesthetic services generally, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and operating results. Weakness in the global economy results in a challenging environment for selling aesthetic technologies and doctors or estheticians may postpone investments in capital equipment, such as our Glacial systems. Increased market acceptance of our products and treatments will depend in part upon the recommendations of medical and aesthetics professionals, as well as other factors including effectiveness, safety, ease of use, reliability, aesthetics and price compared to competing products and treatment methods.
Pansend’s failure to obtain or maintain necessary FDA clearances and approvals, or to maintain continued clearances, or equivalents thereof in the U.S. and relevant foreign markets, could hurt its ability to distribute and market its products.
In both Pansend’s U.S. and foreign markets, Pansend is affected by extensive laws, governmental regulations, administrative determinations, court decisions and similar constraints. Such laws, regulations and other constraints may exist at the federal, state or local levels in the U.S. and at analogous levels of government in foreign jurisdictions. In addition, the formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, distribution, importation, sale and storage of Pansend’s products are subject to extensive regulation by various federal agencies, including, but not limited to, the FDA and the FTC, State Attorneys General in the U.S., as well as by various other federal, state, local and international regulatory authorities in the countries in which Pansend’s products are manufactured, distributed or sold. If Pansend or its manufacturers fail to comply with those regulations, Pansend could become subject to significant penalties or claims, which could harm its results of operations or its ability to conduct its business. In addition, the adoption of new regulations or changes in the interpretations of existing regulations may result in significant compliance costs or discontinuation of product sales and may impair the marketing of its products, resulting in significant loss of net sales.
Pansend’s failure to comply with federal or state regulations, or with regulations in foreign markets that cover its product claims and advertising, including direct claims and advertising by us, may result in enforcement actions and imposition of penalties or otherwise harm the distribution and sale of its products. Each medical device that Pansend wishes to market in the U.S. must first receive either 510(k) clearance or premarket approval ("PMA") from the FDA unless an exemption applies. Either process can be lengthy and expensive. The FDA's 510(k) clearance process may take from three to twelve months, or longer, and may or may not require human clinical data. The PMA process is much more costly and lengthy. It may take from eleven months to three years, or even longer, and will likely require significant supporting human clinical data. Delays in obtaining regulatory clearance or approval could adversely affect Pansend’s revenues and profitability.
R2 Technologies has obtained 510(k) clearances for its Glacial Rx system for various uses, including, but not limited to: the removal of benign lesions of the skin; the use of cooling technologies intended for the temporary reduction of pain; swelling; inflammation; hematoma for minor surgical procedures; general dermabrasion; scar revision; acne scar revision; tattoo removal; and minimization of pain, inflammation and thermal injury during laser and dermatological treatments. However, these approvals and clearances may be subject to revocation if post- marketing data demonstrates safety issues or lack of effectiveness. Many medical devices, such as medical lasers, are also regulated by the FDA as “electronic products.” In general, manufacturers and marketers of “electronic products” are subject to certain FDA regulatory requirements intended to ensure the radiological safety of the products. These requirements include, but are not limited to, filing certain reports with the FDA about the products and defects/safety issues related to the products as well as complying with radiological performance standards.
The medical device industry is now experiencing greater scrutiny and regulation by federal, state and foreign governmental authorities. Companies in the life sciences industry are subject to more frequent and more intensive reviews and investigations, often involving the marketing, business practices, and product quality management. Such reviews and investigations may result in civil and criminal proceedings; the imposition of substantial fines and penalties; the receipt of warning letters, untitled letters, demands for recalls or the seizure of Pansend’s products; the requirement to enter into corporate integrity agreements, stipulated judgments or other administrative remedies, and result in Pansend’s incurring substantial unanticipated costs and the diversion of key personnel and management’s attention from their regular duties, any of which may have an adverse effect on Pansend’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, and may result in greater and continuing governmental scrutiny of Pansend’s business in the future.
Additionally, federal, state and foreign governments and entities have enacted laws and issued regulations and other standards requiring increased visibility and transparency of Pansend’s interactions with healthcare providers. For example, the U.S. Physician Payment Sunshine Act, now known as Open Payments, requires Pansend to report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, payments and other transfers of value to all U.S. physicians and U.S. teaching hospitals, with the reported information made publicly available on a searchable website. Failure to comply with these legal and regulatory requirements could impact Pansend’s business, and it has had and will continue to spend substantial time and financial resources to develop and implement enhanced structures, policies, systems and processes to comply with these legal and regulatory requirements, which may also impact Pansend’s business and which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, and results of operations.
International regulatory approval processes may take more or less time than the FDA clearance or approval process. If Pansend fails to comply with applicable FDA and comparable non-U.S. regulatory requirements, it may not receive regulatory clearances or approvals or may be subject to FDA or comparable non-U.S. enforcement actions. Pansend may be unable to obtain future regulatory clearance or approval in a timely manner, or at all, especially if existing regulations are changed or new regulations are adopted. For example, the FDA clearance or approval process can take longer than anticipated due to requests for additional clinical data and changes in regulatory requirements. A failure or delay in obtaining necessary regulatory clearances or approvals would materially adversely affect Pansend’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. Further, more stringent regulatory requirements or safety and quality standards may be issued in the future with an adverse effect on Pansend’s business.
Pansend’s customers, or physicians, aestheticians and technicians, as the case may be, may misuse certain of its products, and product liability lawsuits and other damages imposed on Pansend may have a material adverse impact on its business.
Pansend faces an inherent risk of product liability as a result of the marketing and sale of its products. For example, Pansend may be sued if its products cause or are perceived to cause injury or are found to be otherwise unsuitable during manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claim may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability or breach of warranty. Pansend’s products are highly complex, and some are used to treat delicate skin conditions on and near a patient's face. In addition, the clinical testing, manufacturing, marketing and use of certain of Pansend’s products and procedures may also expose Pansend to product liability, FDA regulatory and/or legal actions, or other claims. If a physician elects to apply an off-label use and the use leads to injury, Pansend may be involved in costly litigation. In addition, the fact that Pansend trains technicians whom it does not supervise in the use of the Glacial Rx system during patient treatment may expose Pansend to third-party claims if it is accused of providing inadequate training. Pansend may also be subject to claims against it even if the apparent injury is due to the actions of others or the pre-existing health of the patient. For example, Pansend relies on physicians in connection with the use of its products on patients. If these physicians are not properly trained or are negligent, the capabilities and safety features of Pansend’s products may be diminished or the patient may suffer critical injury. Pansend may also be subject to claims that are caused by the actions of Pansend’s suppliers, such as those who provide it with components and sub-assemblies. A product liability claim or product recall may result in losses that could result in the FDA taking legal or regulatory enforcement action against Pansend and/or Pansend’s products including recall, and could have a material adverse effect upon Pansend’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to manage our inventory effectively, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be materially and adversely affected.
Our business requires us to manage inventory effectively. We depend on our forecasts of demand for, and popularity of, various products to make purchase decisions and to manage our inventory of stock-keeping units. Demand for products, however, can change significantly between the time inventory or components are ordered and the date of sale. Demand may be affected by seasonality, rapid changes in product pricing, product defects, promotions, changes in consumer spending patterns, changes in consumer tastes with respect to our products, competitors’ product launches, and other factors, and our consumers may not purchase products in the quantities that we expect. It may be difficult to accurately forecast demand and determine appropriate levels of product or componentry. If we fail to manage our inventory effectively we may be subject to a heightened risk of inventory obsolescence, a decline in inventory values, and significant inventory write-downs or write-offs. In addition, if we are required to lower sale prices to reduce inventory level or to pay higher prices to our suppliers, our profit margins might be negatively affected. Any of the above may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Pansend has limited experience in manufacturing its products in large-scale commercial quantities and may face manufacturing risks , including an inability to scale, suspend or reduce production based on variations in product demand, that may adversely affect its ability to manufacture products and could reduce its gross margins and negatively affect its business and operating results.
Pansend’s success depends, in part, on its ability to manufacture its current and future products in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis to meet demand, while adhering to product quality standards, complying with regulatory quality system requirements and managing manufacturing costs. For example, R2 Technologies' third-party contract manufacturer has a manufacturing facility located in Sunnyvale, California where they produce, package and warehouse the Glacial Rx, Glacial fx and Glacial Spa systems. R2 Technologies also relies on a global third-party manufacturer for production of some of the components used in the Glacial Rx and Glacial fx/Spa systems. If R2 Technologies' facility, or the facilities of its third-party contract manufacturers, suffer damage, or a force majeure event, this could materially impact R2 Technologies' ability to operate.
Pansend is also subject to other risks relating to its manufacturing capabilities, including:
•quality and reliability of components, sub-assemblies and materials that Pansend sources from third-party suppliers, who are required to meet Pansend’s quality specifications, some of whom are Pansend’s single-source suppliers for the products they supply;
•failure to secure raw materials, components and materials in a timely manner, in sufficient quantities or on commercially reasonable terms;
•inability to secure raw materials, components and materials of sufficient quality to meet the exacting needs of medical device manufacturing;
•failure to maintain compliance with quality system requirements or pass regulatory quality inspections;
•inability to increase, suspend or reduce production capacity or volumes to meet demand; and
•inability to design or modify production processes to enable Pansend to produce future products efficiently or implement changes in current products in response to design or regulatory requirements.
These risks could be exacerbated by Pansend’s limited experience as an entity with large-scale commercial manufacturing. As demand for Pansend’s products increases, Pansend will have to invest additional resources to purchase raw materials and components, sub-assemblies and materials, hire and train employees and enhance Pansend’s manufacturing processes. If Pansend fails to increase Pansend’s production capacity efficiently to meet demand for its products, it may not be able to fill customer orders on a timely basis, its sales may not increase in line with Pansend’s expectations and Pansend’s operating margins could fluctuate or decline. It may not be possible for Pansend to manufacture Pansend’s products at a cost or in quantities sufficient to make these products commercially viable or to maintain current operating margins, all of which could have a material adverse effect on Pansend’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
There is a limited talent pool of experienced professionals in the life sciences industry. If Pansend is not able to retain and recruit personnel with the requisite technical skills, it may be unable to successfully execute Pansend’s business strategy.
The specialized nature of Pansend’s industry results in an inherent scarcity of experienced personnel in the field. Pansend’s future success depends upon Pansend’s ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel, including scientific, technical, commercial, business, regulatory and administrative personnel, necessary to support Pansend’s anticipated growth, develop Pansend’s business and perform certain contractual obligations. Given the scarcity of professionals with the scientific knowledge that Pansend requires and the competition for qualified personnel among life sciences businesses, Pansend may not succeed in attracting or retaining the personnel Pansend requires to continue and grow its operations.
Rapidly changing technology in life sciences could make the products Pansend is developing obsolete.
The life sciences industries are characterized by rapid and significant technological changes, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, and evolving industry standards. Pansend’s future success will depend on Pansend’s ability to continually develop and then improve the products that Pansend designs and to develop and introduce new products that address the evolving needs of Pansend’s customers on a timely and cost- effective basis. Pansend also will need to pursue new market opportunities that develop as a result of technological and scientific advances. These new market opportunities may be outside the scope of Pansend’s proven expertise or in areas which have unproven market demand. Any new products developed by Pansend may not be accepted in the intended markets. Pansend’s inability to gain market acceptance of new products could harm Pansend’s future operating results.
If Pansend is unable to effectively protect its intellectual property, it may not be able to operate its business, and third parties may be able to use and profit from its technology, both of which would impair Pansend’s ability to be competitive.
Pansend’s success will be heavily dependent on its ability to obtain and maintain meaningful patent protection for Pansend’s technologies and products throughout the world. Patent law relating to the scope of claims in the technology fields in which Pansend will operate is still evolving. The amount of ongoing protection for Pansend’s proprietary rights, therefore, is uncertain. Pansend will rely on patents to protect a significant part of Pansend’s intellectual property and to enhance Pansend’s competitive position. However, Pansend’s pending or future patent applications may be denied, and any patent previously issued to Pansend or Pansend’s subsidiaries may be challenged, invalidated, held unenforceable or circumvented. In particular, R2 Technologies filed a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a commercial patent that covers the Glacial Rx System, U.S. Patent No. 9522031 through 2029, with additional issued patents or patent applications that, once allowed, will protect coverage through 2042. Furthermore, the patent protections Pansend has been granted may not be broad enough to prevent competitors from producing products similar to Pansend's. In addition, the laws of various foreign countries in which Pansend may compete, such as China, may not protect Pansend’s intellectual property to the same extent as the laws of the United States. If Pansend fails to obtain adequate patent protection for Pansend’s proprietary technology, Pansend’s ability to be commercially competitive will be materially impaired. In the ordinary course of business and as appropriate, Pansend intends to apply for additional patents covering both Pansend’s technologies and products, as it deems appropriate. Pansend’s existing patents and any future patents it obtains may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from making use of technologies or developing competing products and technologies. In addition, because patent law is evolving in the life sciences industry, the patent positions of companies like ours are uncertain. As a result, the validity and enforceability of Pansend’s patents cannot be predicted with certainty.
If third parties make claims of intellectual property infringement against Pansend, or otherwise seek to establish their intellectual property rights equal or superior to Pansend’s, it may have to spend time and money in response and potentially discontinue certain of Pansend’s operations.
While Pansend currently does not believe it to be the case, third parties may claim that Pansend is employing their proprietary technology without authorization or that Pansend is infringing on their patents. If such claims were made, Pansend could incur substantial costs coupled with diversion of Pansend’s management and key technical personnel in defending against these claims. Furthermore, parties making claims against Pansend may be able to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief which could effectively halt Pansend’s ability to further develop, commercialize and sell products. In the event of a successful claim of infringement, courts may order Pansend to pay damages and obtain one or more licenses from third parties. Pansend may not be able to obtain these licenses at a reasonable cost, if at all. Defense of any lawsuit or failure to obtain any of these licenses could prevent Pansend from commercializing available products and have a material negative effect on Pansend’s business.
Therapies targeted by Scaled Cell represent a novel approach toward treatment of certain diseases. Increased regulatory scrutiny or negative perception of certain therapies or treatments could adversely affect our business. Patients receiving CAR-T therapies or other treatment may experience severe adverse events, which may affect clinical development, regulatory approval, and public perception.
Scaled Cell is currently targeting chimeric antigen receptor CAR-T cell therapy which uses immune cells called T cells that are genetically altered in a lab to enable them in locating and destroying cancer cells more effectively. Cellular therapies like CAR-T remain novel, have caused severe side effects, including death, and may not gain widespread acceptance by the public or the medical community. Additionally, adverse events in clinical trials of Scaled Cell candidates or in other companies’ clinical trials could result in a decrease in demand for products developed by Scaled Cell. Advancing CAR-T therapy creates other challenges, including those related to the manufacture, sourcing, licensing, education, and regulation of such therapies. Additionally, responses by the FDA or other federal and state agencies to negative public perception or ethical concerns could result in increased regulation or legislation of CAR-T therapies.
Certain product candidates of Scaled Cell may have serious and potentially fatal consequences. Developments of similarly designed therapies have experienced events related to neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). There is a possibility that Scaled Cell could have similarly life threatening or serious adverse side effects.
Risks related to the Spectrum segment
Our broadcasting business operates in highly competitive markets and our ability to maintain market share and generate operating revenues depends on how effectively we compete with existing and new competition.
Spectrum's broadcast stations compete for audiences and advertising revenue with other broadcast stations as well as with other media such as the Internet and radio. Broadcasting also faces competition from (i) local free OTA broadcast television and radio stations; (ii) telecommunication companies; (iii) cable and satellite system operators and cable networks; (iv) print media providers such as newspapers, direct mail and periodicals; (v) internet search engines, internet service providers, websites, and mobile applications; (vi) viewers moving to programming alternatives and alternate media content providers, a process known as "cord cutting"; and (vii) other emerging technologies including mobile television. Some of Broadcasting's current and potential competitors have greater financial and other resources than Broadcasting does and so may be better placed to extend audience reach and expand programming. Many of Broadcasting’s competitors possess greater access to capital, and its financial resources may be relatively limited when contrasted with those of such competitors. If Broadcasting needs to obtain additional funding, Broadcasting may be unable to raise such capital or, if Broadcasting is able to obtain capital it may be on unfavorable terms. If Broadcasting is unable to obtain additional funding as and when needed, it could be forced to delay its development, marketing and expansion efforts and, if it continues to experience losses, potentially cease operations.
In addition, broadcast consumers’ desire for control over their viewing experience and the methods by which they consume content continue to evolve rapidly. Consumers are also increasingly using services with time-shifting or advertisement-skipping capability, or with reduced or no advertising at all. These shifts in consumer behavior create challenges with respect to maintaining predictable broadcasting revenue, and substantial adoption of alternative technologies could negatively affect our overall broadcasting business. Also, a slowing adoption of the ATSC 3.0 standards, as well as potential barriers related to an industry shift to next-generation telecommunications technologies, such as 5G and datacasting may lead to an unpredictable landscape for the broadcasting industry.
Cable companies and others have developed national advertising networks in recent years that increase the competition for national advertising. Over the past decade, cable television programming services, other emerging video distribution platforms and the Internet have captured increasing market share. Cable providers, direct broadcast satellite companies and telecommunication companies are developing new technology that allows them to transmit more channels on their existing equipment to highly targeted audiences, reducing the cost of creating channels and potentially leading to the division of the television industry into ever more specialized niche markets. The decreased cost of creating channels may also encourage new competitors to enter Broadcasting's markets and compete with us for advertising revenue. In addition, technologies that allow viewers to digitally record, store and play back television programming may decrease viewership of commercials as recorded by media measurement services and, as a result, lower Spectrum's advertising revenues. Furthermore, technological advancements and the resulting increase in programming alternatives, such as cable television, direct broadcast satellite systems, pay-per-view, home video and entertainment systems, video-on-demand, mobile video and the Internet have also created new types of competition to television broadcast stations and will increase competition for household audiences and advertisers. We cannot provide any assurances that we will remain competitive with these developing technologies and our inability to successfully respond to new and growing sources of competition in the broadcasting industry could have an adverse effect on Broadcasting's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The FCC could implement regulations or the U.S. Congress could adopt legislation that might have a significant impact on the operations of the stations we own and the stations we provide services to or the television broadcasting industry as a whole.
The FCC regulates Broadcasting's broadcasting business. We must often times obtain the FCC’s approval to obtain, renew, assign or modify, a license, purchase a new station, sell an existing station or transfer the control of one of Broadcasting's subsidiaries that hold a license. Broadcasting's FCC licenses are critical to Broadcasting's operations; we cannot operate without them. We cannot be certain that the FCC will renew these licenses in the future or approve new acquisitions in a timely manner, if at all. If licenses are not renewed or acquisitions are not approved, we may lose revenue that we otherwise could have earned and this would have an adverse effect on Broadcasting's business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, Congress and the FCC may, in the future, adopt new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters (including, but not limited to, technological changes in spectrum assigned to particular services) that could, directly or indirectly, materially and adversely affect the operation and ownership of Broadcasting's broadcast properties.
Broadcasting Licenses are issued by, and subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC, pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"). The Communications Act empowers the FCC, among other actions, to issue, renew, revoke and modify broadcasting licenses; determine stations’ frequencies, locations and operating power; regulate some of the equipment used by stations; adopt other regulations to carry out the provisions of the Communications Act and other laws, including requirements affecting the content of broadcasts; and to impose penalties for violation of its regulations, including monetary forfeitures, short-term renewal of licenses and license revocation or denial of license renewals. Any of these actions imposed by the FCC could result in the loss of station licenses or assets.
License Renewals. Broadcast television licenses are typically granted for standard terms of eight years. Most licenses for commercial and noncommercial TV broadcast stations, Class A TV broadcast stations, television translators and LPTV broadcast stations have expirations between 2028 and 2031; however, the Communications Act requires the FCC to renew a broadcast license if the FCC finds that the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity and, with respect to the station, there have been no serious violations by the licensee of either the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules and regulations and there have been no other violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules and regulations that, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse. The Company had 4 pending renewal applications at the end of 2024, and will have no applications due in 2025. Third parties may oppose license renewals. A station remains authorized to operate while its license renewal application is pending.
License Assignments. The Communications Act requires prior FCC approval for the assignment or transfer of control of an FCC licensee. Third parties may oppose the Company’s applications to assign, transfer or acquire broadcast licenses.
Full Power and Class A Station Regulations. The Communications Act and FCC rules and regulations limit the ability of individuals and entities to have certain official positions or ownership interests, known as "attributable" interests, above specific levels in full power broadcast stations as well as in other specified mass media entities. Many of these limits do not apply to Class A stations, television translators and LPTV authorizations. In seeking FCC approval for the acquisition of a broadcast television station license, the acquiring person or entity must demonstrate that the acquisition complies with applicable FCC ownership rules or that a waiver of the rules is in the public interest. Additionally, while the Communications Act and FCC regulations have been modified to no longer strictly prohibit ownership of a broadcast station license by any corporation with more than 25 percent of its stock owned or voted by non-U.S. persons, their representatives or any other corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country, foreign ownership above such threshold is determined by the FCC on a case-by-case basis, which analysis is subject to the specific circumstances of each such request. The FCC has also adopted regulations concerning children’s television programming, commercial limits, local issues and programming, political files, sponsorship identification, equal employment opportunity requirements and other requirements for full power and Class A broadcast television stations. The FCC’s rules require operational full-power and Class A stations to file quarterly reports demonstrating compliance with these regulations.
LPTV and TV Translator Authorizations. LPTV stations and TV Translators have "secondary spectrum priority" to full-service television stations. The secondary status of these authorizations prohibits LPTV and TV Translator stations from causing interference to the reception of existing or future full-service television stations and requires them to accept interference from existing or future full-service television stations and other primary licensees. LPTV and TV Translator licensees are subject to fewer regulatory obligations than full-power and Class A licensees, and there no limit on the number of LPTV stations that may be owned by any one entity.
Obscenity and Indecency Regulations. Federal law and FCC regulations prohibit the broadcast of obscene material on television at any time and the broadcast of indecent material between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time. The FCC investigates complaints of broadcasts of prohibited obscene or indecent material and can assess fines of up to $0.35 million per incident for violation of the prohibition against obscene or indecent broadcasts and up to $3.3 million for any continuing violation based on any single act or failure to act. The FCC may also revoke or refuse to renew a broadcast station license based on a serious violation of the agency’s obscenity and indecency rules.
Continued uncertain financial and economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Financial and economic conditions continue to be uncertain over the longer term and the continuation or worsening of such conditions could reduce consumer confidence and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. If consumer confidence were to decline, this decline could negatively affect our advertising customers’ businesses and their advertising budgets. In addition, volatile economic conditions could have a negative impact on our industry or the industries of our customers who advertise on our stations, resulting in reduced advertising sales. Furthermore, it may be possible that actions taken by any governmental or regulatory body for the purpose of stabilizing the economy or financial markets will not achieve their intended effect. In addition to any negative direct consequences to our business or results of operations arising from these financial and economic developments, some of these actions may adversely affect financial institutions, capital providers, advertisers or other consumers on whom we rely, including for access to future capital or financing arrangements necessary to support our business. Our inability to extend or obtain financing in amounts and at times necessary could make it more difficult or impossible to meet our obligations or otherwise take actions in our best interests.
Certain stations are also benefiting from our retransmission consent agreements with multichannel video programming distributors ("MVPDs"), and we cannot predict the outcome of potential regulatory changes to the retransmission consent regime.
Certain stations are also benefiting, although in very few instances on a small number of stations, on retransmission consent agreements. Our current retransmission consent agreements expire at various times over the next several years. No assurances can be provided that we will be able to renegotiate all of such agreements on favorable terms, on a timely basis, or at all. The failure to renegotiate such agreements could have no material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters are located in New York, New York. We own select fabrication facilities, warehouses, administrative and sales offices and lease administrative, technical and sales office space in various locations in the countries in which we operate. DBMG is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona; Spectrum is headquartered in New York, New York; R2 Technologies is headquartered in Dublin, California. We believe that our present administrative, technical and sales office facilities are adequate for our anticipated operations and that similar space can be obtained readily as needed.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information regarding legal proceedings as set forth in Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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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
Common Stock
INNOVATE common stock trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "VATE".
Holders of Common Stock
As of March 27, 2025, INNOVATE had approximately 43 holders of record of its common stock. This number does not include stockholders for whom shares were held in "nominee" or "street" name.
Dividends
INNOVATE paid no dividends on its common stock in 2024 or 2023, and our board of directors has no current intention of paying any dividends on our common stock in the near future. The payment of dividends on common stock, if any, in the future is within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our capital requirements, financial condition, the ability to comply with the requirements of the law and agreements governing our and our subsidiaries indebtedness. The secured indentures governing certain of our debt instruments contain covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict our ability to make certain restricted payments, including the payment of cash dividends with respect to our common stock. DBMG has a revolving line of credit and term loans which contain similar covenants applicable to DBMG. Refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 11. Debt Obligations of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more detail concerning our Secured Notes and other financing arrangements. Moreover, dividends may be restricted by other arrangements entered into in the future by us.
For details on preferred share dividends refer to Note 16. Equity and Temporary Equity included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Equity Award Share Withholding
Shares of common stock withheld as payment of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting or exercise of equity awards are treated as common stock repurchases. Those withheld shares of common stock are not considered common stock repurchases under an authorized common stock repurchase plan. During the year ended December 31, 2024, there were no shares withheld in connection with the vesting of employee equity awards.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Series C Private Placement
On March 28, 2024, the Company issued and sold 25,000 shares of its Series C Non-Voting Participating Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series C Preferred Stock”) for the aggregate purchase price of $25.0 million to Lancer Capital LLC (“Lancer Capital”), an investment fund led by Avram A. Glazer, the Chairman of the Company’s board of directors, pursuant to that Investment Agreement dated as of March 5, 2024, (the “Investment Agreement”) by and between the Company and Lancer Capital. The related Rights Offering and the Company’s entry into the Investment Agreement was disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2024.
On April 24, 2024, in connection with the closing of the Rights Offering, the Company sold approximately 6,286 additional shares of Series C Preferred Stock to Lancer Capital in consideration of Lancer Capital funding $6.3 million pursuant to the Investment Agreement.
On June 18, 2024, the Company held its annual shareholder meeting where Company's shareholder's approved the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock into common stock. As a result, approximately 31,286 Series C Preferred Stock, held by Lancer Capital were converted into 4,469,390 shares of common stock (44,693,895 shares of common stock on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis).
These issuances and sales were consummated without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Company is basing such reliance upon representations made by Lancer Capital, including, but not limited to, representations as to Lancer Capital’s status as an “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act) and Lancer Capital’s investment intent. The Series C Preferred Stock was not offered or sold by any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as such terms are used in Rule 502 under the Securities Act). The Series C Preferred Stock and the corresponding shares of common stock issued upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock may not be re-offered or sold in the United States absent an effective registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements under applicable federal and state securities laws.
Use of Proceeds
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company received $35.0 million in aggregate gross proceeds related to the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement (inclusive of the $31.3 million from Lancer Capital discussed above) and incurred $1.8 million in dealer manager fees and other related costs. INNOVATE has utilized the net proceeds from the Rights Offering and Concurrent Series C Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including debt service and working capital. In addition, as a result of the closing of the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement, a mandatory prepayment was required on the CGIC Unsecured Note, and on April 26, 2024, INNOVATE redeemed $4.1 million of the CGIC Unsecured Note.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated annual financial statements and the notes thereto, each of which are contained in Item 8. entitled "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," and other financial information included herein. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the "Risk Factors" section as well as the section below entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, "INNOVATE" means INNOVATE Corp. and the "Company," "we" and "our" mean INNOVATE together with its consolidated subsidiaries. "U.S. GAAP" means accounting principles accepted in the United States of America.
Our Business and Our Operations
We are a diversified holding company with principal operations conducted through three operating platforms or reportable segments: Infrastructure ("DBMG"), Life Sciences ("Pansend"), and Spectrum, plus our Other segment, which includes businesses that do not meet the separately reportable segment thresholds.
For additional information on our business, refer to Note 1. Organization and Business included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Cyclical Patterns
Our segments' operations can be highly cyclical. Our volume of business in our Infrastructure segment may be adversely affected by declines or delays in projects, which may vary by geographic region. Project schedules, particularly in connection with large, complex, and longer-term projects can also create fluctuations in the services provided, which may adversely affect us in any given period.
For example, in connection with larger, more complicated projects, the timing of obtaining permits and other approvals may be delayed, and we may need to maintain a portion of our workforce and equipment in an underutilized capacity to ensure we are strategically positioned to deliver on such projects when they move forward.
Examples of other items that may cause our results or demand for our services to fluctuate materially from quarter to quarter include: weather or project site conditions; customer spending patterns and the financial condition of our customers and their access to capital; margins of projects performed during any particular period; rising interest rates and inflation; and regulatory, economic, political and market conditions on a regional, national or global scale.
Accordingly, our operating results in any particular period may not be indicative of the results that can be expected for any other period.
Recent Developments
We continually evaluate strategic and business alternatives within our operating segments, which may include the following: operating, growing or acquiring additional assets or businesses related to current or historical operations; or winding down or selling our existing operations. In the longer-term, we may evaluate opportunities to acquire assets or businesses unrelated to our current or historical operations. In the event we were to enter into a strategic transaction to sell any of our existing operations, our intention is to use available proceeds from such transaction to address our capital structure.
During 2024, including subsequent to year end, as part of our strategic process, we engaged in several transactions that had or will have an effect on the results of operations and financial condition of our business and individual segments.
Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement
On March 8, 2024, the Company commenced a $19.0 million rights offering ("Rights Offering") for its common stock. Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the Company distributed to each holder of the Company’s common stock, Series A-3 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, Series A-4 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock and the 2026 Convertible Notes as of March 6, 2024 (the “rights offering record date”), transferable subscription rights to purchase 2.86 shares (0.2858 shares on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis) of the Company’s common stock at a price of $7.00 per whole share ($0.70 per whole share on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis).
Per the concurrent investment agreement entered into with Lancer Capital (the "Investment Agreement"), the Rights Offering was backstopped by Lancer Capital, an investment fund led by Avram A. Glazer, the Chairman of the Board and the Company’s largest stockholder. Due to limitations on the common stock that can be issued to Lancer Capital under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), in lieu of exercising its subscription rights, pursuant to the Investment Agreement, Lancer Capital would purchase up to $19.0 million of the Company’s newly issued Series C Non-Voting Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), for an issue price of $1,000 per share. In connection with the backstop commitment, and as a result of limitations in the amount common equity that can be raised under the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, Lancer Capital also agreed to purchase an additional $16.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock in a private placement transaction ("Concurrent Private Placement") which was to close concurrently with the settlement of the Rights Offering. Lancer Capital did not receive any compensation or other consideration for entering into or consummating the Investment Agreement.
As the Rights Offering had not yet settled by March 28, 2024, in accordance with the Investment Agreement, Lancer Capital purchased $25.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock, referred to as the "equity advance." On April 24, 2024, the Company completed and closed on the Rights Offering and issued a total of 530,611 shares of common stock (5,306,105 shares of common stock on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis) for $3.7 million. Based on the number of shares of common stock actually sold upon exercise of the rights to third party investors, there were no excess shares of Series C Preferred Stock purchased by Lancer Capital under the equity advance that the Company was required to redeem, and Lancer Capital purchased an additional approximately 6,286 Series C Preferred Stock for $6.3 million under the backstop commitment. In total, the Company received $35.0 million in aggregate gross proceeds related to the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement and incurred $1.8 million in dealer manager fees and other related costs which have been capitalized into Additional paid in capital ("APIC"). INNOVATE has been utilizing and expects to continue to use the net proceeds from the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including debt service and working capital. In addition, as a result of the closing of the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement, a mandatory prepayment was required on the CGIC Unsecured Note, and consequently, on April 26, 2024, INNOVATE redeemed $4.1 million of the CGIC Unsecured Note.
Under the rules of the NYSE, because the shares purchased by Lancer Capital were greater than 20% of the Company's common stock outstanding before the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, those shares of Series C Preferred Stock were not allowed to be converted until stockholder approval of such issuance was obtained. On June 18, 2024, the Company held its annual shareholder meeting where Company's shareholder's approved the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock into common stock. As a result, approximately 31,286 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, which were held by Lancer Capital, were converted into 4,469,390 shares of common stock (44,693,895 shares of common stock on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis).
The Company waived its Tax Benefits Preservation Plan to permit persons exercising rights to acquire 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock upon the exercise thereof without becoming an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan).
INNOVATE has utilized the net proceeds from the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including debt service and for working capital. As a result of the closing of the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement, a mandatory prepayment was required on the CGIC Unsecured Note, in the amount of the greater of $3.0 million or 12.5% of the net proceeds. On April 26, 2024, INNOVATE redeemed $4.1 million of the CGIC Unsecured Note.
Reverse Stock Split
On August 8, 2024, the Company effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its issued and outstanding common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) following stockholder approval. The Reverse Stock Split became effective at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Reverse Stock Split was implemented for the primary purpose of regaining compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every ten shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding were automatically reclassified and changed into one new share of the Company’s common stock, with whole shares issued for fractional shares. Proportionate adjustments were made to the exercise prices and the number of shares underlying the Company’s outstanding equity awards, as applicable, as well as to the number of shares issuable under the Company’s equity incentive plans and conversion of the Company’s outstanding convertible securities. The common stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The Reverse Stock Split did not change the $0.001 par value per share of the common stock or the authorized number of shares of common stock or preferred stock. As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of outstanding common shares was reduced from 130,529,931 to 13,166,057, inclusive of an additional 113,064 incremental whole shares issued for fractional shares. Unless noted, all common shares and per share amounts of common stock, options and restricted stock and any associated debt or preferred stock conversion rates contained in the historical periods presented within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and within the Consolidated Financial Statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the one-for-ten Reverse Stock Split.
Stockholders’ Rights Agreement - Tax Benefits Preservation Plan
On May 6, 2024, the Company terminated its Tax Benefits Preservation Plan entered into on April 1, 2023 (the “2023 Preservation Plan”) because the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the 2023 Preservation Plan was no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Company’s ability to use its tax net operating losses and other certain tax assets. In connection with the termination of the 2023 Preservation Plan, the Company has taken routine actions to deregister the related preferred stock purchase rights under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and to delist the preferred stock purchase rights from the NYSE. These actions were administrative in nature and had no effect on the Company’s common stock, which will continue to be listed on the NYSE.
Amendment to Second and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan and Interim CEO Equity Awards
On September 30, 2024, the Board adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to the Company's Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan ("Second A&R 2014 Plan") to increase the number of shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share, available for issuance thereunder to 1,300,000 (the “Plan Amendment”). The Plan Amendment was approved by holders of a majority in voting power on October 4, 2024, by written consent in lieu of a special meeting, and was effective as of October 29, 2024.
On October 29, 2024, when the Plan Amendment became effective, the following awards which were previously awarded to the Company's Interim CEO subject to stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment to increase the number of shares of common stock available thereunder to satisfy the settlement of the grant became effective: (i) 95,322 of restricted stock unit awards ("RSU's"), which were awarded on October 11, 2023; (ii) 100,000 option awards with a strike price of $25.00 (as retroactively adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split in 2024) and an expiration date of September 15, 2033, which were awarded on September 15, 2023; (iii) 142,857 of RSUs, which were awarded on August 19, 2024; and (iv) 100,000 option awards with a strike price of $4.22 and an expiration date of September 15, 2034, which were awarded on September 15, 2024.
Debt Obligations and Financing
In addition to the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement at the Non-Operating Corporate segment discussed above, during 2024 and subsequent to year end, we have refinanced some of our debt and obtained new capital financing at the subsidiary level. This financing helped us provide needed capital for our operations and the operations of our subsidiaries.
Infrastructure
On June 28, 2024, DBM and UMB entered into the Third Amendment to the UMB Credit Agreement, which added an incremental separate term loan of $25.0 million to the existing credit facility, with the same interest rate as the Revolving Line with UMB and the same maturity date as the initial UMB term loan which had an outstanding balance of $74.6 million as of December 31, 2024.
Life Sciences
R2 Technologies had various short-term notes with Lancer Capital, which expired on January 31, 2024, and, effective January 31, 2024, a new 20% note with an aggregate original principal amount of $20.0 million was issued, which was comprised of all prior outstanding principal amounts and unpaid accrued interest of $2.6 million which was capitalized into the new principal balance. Interest on the note accrues at 20% per annum and is payable monthly in arrears, in cash or, if not paid in cash, accrued and unpaid interest is capitalized monthly into the principal balance. As of December 31, 2024, the total principal outstanding, including capitalized interest was $24.0 million.
The maturity date of the 20% $20.0 million note, as subsequently amended, was December 31, 2024, or within five business days of the date on which R2 Technologies receives an aggregate $20.0 million from the consummation of a debt or equity financing or has a change in control, as defined in the agreement, with an optional prepayment of the entire then-outstanding and unpaid principal and accrued interest upon five-days written notice to Lancer Capital.
The 20% $20.0 million note also includes various exit fees, as amended. As of December 31, 2024, the exit fee, as amended, was equal to 11.90% of the principal amount being repaid, and effective July 31, 2024, an additional exit fee of $1.0 million was incurred each month until the end of November 2024. As of December 31, 2024, total exit fees payable were $7.9 million. The exit fees are payable on the earliest of the maturity date, the date of the acceleration of the principal amount of the note for any reason or, if any portion of the note is prepaid at any time, the date of such prepayment of the note.
Subsequent to year end, with an effective date of December 31, 2024, the maturity date of the note was extended to August 1, 2025. In addition, the exit fee continues to increase by 0.17% each month until maturity and an additional exit fee of $1.0 million was incurred under the amendment, which also continues to increase by $1.0 million each month until maturity. A new $5.0 million default fee will be payable on August 1, 2025, in the event all obligations under the note, including principal, any accrued and unpaid interest, and exit fees, are not repaid in full prior to the August 1, 2025, maturity date.
Refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional information on the note and the various amendments during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
On June 20, 2024, Pansend closed on a new Series D Preferred Stock ("Series D") investment in R2. As part of the transaction, R2 Technologies converted its intercompany notes and accrued interest with Pansend, together with an additional cash investment from Pansend, into new Series D convertible participating preferred stock, for a total new additional investment of $21.3 million, which is also eliminated on consolidation and increased Pansend's ownership in R2 Technologies to 81.4% as compared to 56.8% prior to the transaction. Pansend's ownership in R2 Technologies was 81.4% and 56.6%, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Subsequent to year end, on February 20, 2025, Pansend closed on a new $3.5 million convertible 13.0% note instrument with R2 Technologies, which is convertible, together with any accrued interest at the time of conversion, into a new Series E Preferred Stock ("Series E") in R2 Technologies upon written notice to R2 Technologies and has a maturity date of the earlier of July 31, 2025, or a change in control, as defined in the agreement. The transaction is eliminated on consolidation. Refer to Note 16. Equity and Temporary Equity included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional information on R2 Technologies' convertible preferred stock and convertible notes.
Non-Operating Corporate
On May 6, 2024, we extended the maturity date of our Revolving Line of Credit with MSD from March 16, 2025, to May 16, 2025. Subsequent to year end, on March 6, 2025, the maturity date of the Revolving Line of Credit was extended to August 1, 2025, with all other terms substantially unchanged.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we repurchased $2.9 million principal amount of our 2026 Convertible Notes at a market discount for $1.1 million, which is inclusive of accrued interest of $0.1 million, and recognized a $1.9 million gain on debt repurchase within Other income, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Equity Method Investments
During the year ended December 31, 2024, MediBeacon issued an aggregate $2.3 million of 12% convertible notes payable to Pansend, increasing the total outstanding principal due to Pansend to $12.0 million.
As a result of these note issuances by MediBeacon during the year ended December 31, 2024, Pansend recognized $2.3 million of equity method losses which were previously unrecognized because Pansend's carrying amount of its investment in MediBeacon had been previously reduced to zero. As of December 31, 2024, Pansend's carrying amount of its investment in MediBeacon remains at zero, inclusive of the $12.0 million in outstanding notes which have been offset against recognized losses, and has cumulative unrecognized equity method losses relating to MediBeacon of $17.0 million.
Subsequent to year end, in January 2025, MediBeacon received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for its Transdermal GFR Measurement System ("TGFR"). Pursuant to the terms of MediBeacon's convertible notes, upon the FDA approval, Pansend's convertible notes and the related accrued interest together totaling $12.9 million were converted into Series 3 Preferred Stock. In addition, pursuant to its amended commercial partnership with Huadong and, as a result of FDA approval, a $7.5 million milestone investment in its preferred stock by Huadong was in process. This will decrease Pansend's ownership in MediBeacon from approximately 45.9% prior to the transaction to approximately 44.7% subsequent to the transaction. On a fully diluted basis, Pansend's ownership in MediBeacon will decrease from 40.1% to 39.7%.
Financial Presentation Background
In the below section within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we compare, pursuant to U.S. GAAP and SEC disclosure rules, the Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes our results of operations (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Increase / (Decrease)
Revenue
Infrastructure
$ 1,071.6 $ 1,397.2 $ (325.6)
Life Sciences 9.8 3.3 6.5
Spectrum 25.7 22.5 3.2
Total revenue $ 1,107.1 $ 1,423.0 $ (315.9)
Income (loss) from operations
Infrastructure
$ 65.7 $ 64.4 $ 1.3
Life Sciences (14.1) (15.0) 0.9
Spectrum 1.4 (3.4) 4.8
Other - (3.1) 3.1
Non-Operating Corporate
(13.0) (16.4) 3.4
Total income from operations
$ 40.0 $ 26.5 $ 13.5
Interest expense (74.5) (68.2) (6.3)
Loss from equity investees (2.3) (9.4) 7.1
Other income, net 3.4 16.7 (13.3)
Loss from operations before income taxes $ (33.4) $ (34.4) $ 1.0
Income tax expense (6.3) (4.5) (1.8)
Net loss $ (39.7) $ (38.9) $ (0.8)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests 5.1 3.7 1.4
Net loss attributable to INNOVATE Corp. $ (34.6) $ (35.2) $ 0.6
Less: Preferred dividends 1.2 2.4 (1.2)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders and participating preferred stockholders $ (35.8) $ (37.6) $ 1.8
Revenue: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $315.9 million to $1,107.1 million from $1,423.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was driven by our Infrastructure segment, which was partially offset by increases at our Life Sciences and Spectrum segments. The decrease at our Infrastructure segment was primarily driven by the timing and size of projects, including the effect of changes in estimated costs to complete those projects recognized in the ordinary course of business, at Banker Steel and DBMG's commercial structural steel fabrication and erection business, both of which had increased activity in the prior year on certain large commercial construction projects that have since been completed in the current year. This was partially offset by an increase at the industrial maintenance and repair business as a result of an increase in project work. The increase at our Life Sciences segment was attributable to R2 Technologies, primarily driven by an increase in sales in North America and worldwide of all R2 Technologies' products, including Glacial systems and consumables. The increase at our Spectrum segment was primarily driven by network launches and expanded coverage with existing customers.
Income from operations: Income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $13.5 million to $40.0 million from $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The improvement was due to an increase in other operating income of $10.3 million, a decrease in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses of $7.8 million, a decrease in depreciation and amortization of $2.6 million, which were partially offset by a net decrease in gross profit of $7.2 million. The net increase in other operating income was driven by our Infrastructure segment, primarily as a result of a gain on a lease modification and net gains on disposals of fixed assets. The overall decrease in SG&A was primarily driven by unrepeated severance and reductions in compensation-related expenses at both our Non-Operating Corporate and Spectrum segments, unrepeated transaction expenses at our Other segment related to the sale of New Saxon's 19.0% investment in HMN International Co., Ltd., formerly known as Huawei Marine Networks Co. (“HMN”) in the prior year, as well as by our Infrastructure segment as a result of an unrepeated accounts receivable write-off in 2023, a decrease in expenses related to a foreign office closure in the prior year, and a decrease in legal fees and facility-related expenses. The decrease in SG&A was partially offset by an increase in compensation-related expenses and expenses related to a domestic plant closure and other initiatives announced and executed during the current year to evaluate and realign internal operations and back-office functions at our Infrastructure segment and by R2 Technologies as a result of increases in share-based compensation expense, selling costs, and sales commissions due to an increase in system sales. The overall decrease in depreciation and amortization was primarily driven by our Infrastructure segment, as certain customer contract intangibles became fully amortized in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by our Infrastructure segment due to timing and size of projects that have since been completed in the current year, including the effect of changes in estimated costs to complete those projects recognized in the ordinary course of business. This was partially offset by increases in gross profit at our Spectrum and Life Sciences segments. The increase in gross profit at Spectrum was primarily driven by network launches and expanded coverage with existing customers. The increase in gross profit at our Life Sciences segment was driven by R2 Technologies as a result of incremental Glacial system sales over the comparable year.
Interest expense: Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $6.3 million to $74.5 million from $68.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in exit fees and a higher outstanding principal balance at our Life Sciences segment as a result of the capitalization of unpaid interest into the principal balance subsequent to the prior year, an increase in interest expense on our Non-Operating Corporate segment's CGIC Unsecured Note which was issued in May 2023 and had five months of interest in the prior year compared to a full year of interest in the current year, an increase in interest expense on our Corporate Revolving Line of Credit as a result of a higher outstanding balance drawn during the current year, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in interest at our Spectrum segment due to increased amortization from additional exit fees from refinancings during the second half of the prior year. This was partially offset by our Infrastructure segment due to a net decrease in outstanding principal balances and a slight decrease in interest rates.
Loss from equity investees: Loss from equity investees for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $7.1 million to $2.3 million from $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in loss was due to a decrease in losses recognized from MediBeacon, Triple Ring and HMN. During the year ended December 31, 2024, as a result of additional convertible note investments in MediBeacon by Pansend, Pansend's basis in MediBeacon increased by $2.3 million and Pansend recognized $2.3 million of equity method losses that were previously unrecognized, whereas during the year ended December 31, 2023, as a result of $4.7 million convertible note investments in MediBeacon by Pansend and a $3.8 million equity transaction with Huadong, Pansend's basis in MediBeacon had increased by $8.5 million and Pansend had recognized $8.5 million of equity method losses that were previously unrecognized. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, Pansend's net carrying amount of its investment in MediBeacon was zero, and Pansend had unrecognized losses from this investment. The partial sale of Triple Ring was completed during the fourth quarter of 2023, which resulted in Pansend's investment in Triple Ring no longer being accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Our previous investment in HMN was sold on March 6, 2023 and had losses for the approximately two months of ownership in 2023. Thus, no equity method losses from either Triple Ring or HMN were recognized in the current year. Refer to Note 6. Investments included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on our equity investments.
Other income, net: Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $13.3 million to $3.4 million from $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by the unrepeated $12.2 million gain on the sale of our equity investment in HMN of in the prior year, an unrepeated $3.8 million equity investment step-up gain from an increase in Pansend's carrying amount as a result of MediBeacon issuing $7.5 million of its preferred stock to Huadong in the prior year, and a $2.2 million loss on debt extinguishment at R2 Technologies in the current year. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.9 million gain on debt repurchase at our Non-Operating Corporate segment related to the partial repurchase of the 2026 Convertible Notes in 2024, an increase in foreign currency translation gains from our Infrastructure segment, an increase in interest income earned at our Life Sciences segment resulting from an increase in Pansend's convertible note receivable balance from MediBeacon subsequent to the prior year, and our Non-Operating Corporate segment which earned additional interest income on its money market accounts due to an increase in the outstanding deposited balances as compared to the prior year.
Income tax expense: Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $1.8 million to $6.3 million from $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by the tax expense of INNOVATE's U.S. consolidated group utilizing its remaining unlimited NOLs in 2024 and due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's 80% limitation on net operating losses incurred after 2017 and the unrepeated $1.1 million tax benefit, consisting of a current tax expense of $4.4 million related to a foreign tax payment and a deferred tax benefit of $5.5 million related to the reversal of the deferred tax liability associated with the $11.3 million put option, both of which were related to the sale of New Saxon's 19.0% investment in HMN on March 6, 2023.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ("OECD") has announced an Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting including a Pillar Two Model to provide for a 15% global minimum tax on the earnings of multinational corporations with consolidated revenue over €750 million. Many jurisdictions have enacted Pillar Two legislation that starts to become effective in 2024. The OECD, and its member countries, continue to release new guidance and legislation on Pillar Two. Based on current enacted laws, Pillar Two is not expected to materially impact our effective tax rate or cash flows in the next year. We will continue to evaluate the impact on our financial position as new legislation or guidance is introduced which could change our current assessment.
Segment Results of Operations
In the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, other operating (income) loss includes: (i) (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets; (ii) lease termination costs and (gains) losses on lease modifications; (iii) asset impairment expense; (iv) accretion of asset retirement obligations; and (v) Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") reimbursements. Each table summarizes the results of operations of our operating segments (in millions).
Infrastructure Segment
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Increase / (Decrease)
Revenue $ 1,071.6 $ 1,397.2 $ (325.6)
Cost of revenue 880.4 1,192.6 (312.2)
Selling, general and administrative 123.1 126.0 (2.9)
Depreciation and amortization 12.0 14.4 (2.4)
Other operating income
(9.6) (0.2) (9.4)
Income from operations $ 65.7 $ 64.4 $ 1.3
Revenue: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $325.6 million to $1,071.6 million from $1,397.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by the timing and size of projects, including the effect of changes in estimated costs to complete those projects recognized in the ordinary course of business, at Banker Steel and DBMG's commercial structural steel fabrication and erection business, both of which had increased activity in the prior year on certain large commercial construction projects that that have since been completed. This was partially offset by an increase at the industrial maintenance and repair business as a result of an increase in project work.
Cost of revenue: Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $312.2 million to $880.4 million from $1,192.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by the decrease in revenues at Banker Steel and DBMG's commercial structural steel fabrication and erection business from the timing of project activity on certain large commercial construction projects and decreases in costs as they wind down or have since been completed, which was partially offset by an increase in costs associated with the industrial maintenance and repair business as a result of an increase in project work.
Selling, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $2.9 million to $123.1 million from $126.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by an unrepeated accounts receivable write-off of $2.2 million related to a customer bankruptcy in the prior year, a decrease in expenses related to a foreign office closure in the comparable year, a decrease in legal fees and facility-related expenses, which was partially offset by an increase in compensation-related expenses, expenses related to a domestic plant closure and other initiatives announced and executed during the current year to evaluate and realign DBMG's internal operations and back-office functions.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $2.4 million to $12.0 million from $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by Banker Steel, as certain customer contract intangibles became fully amortized in the second quarter of 2023, which was partially offset by an increase in depreciation at DBMG's commercial structural steel fabrication and erection business as a result of additional depreciable fixed assets placed into service.
Other operating income: Other operating income for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $9.4 million to $9.6 million from $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Other operating income for the year ended December 31, 2024, related to a gain on a lease modification and net gains on the sales of various properties in the current year, which were partially offset by a loss related to a plant closure in the first quarter of 2024.
Life Sciences Segment
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Increase / (Decrease)
Revenue $ 9.8 $ 3.3 $ 6.5
Cost of revenue 6.4 2.6 3.8
Selling, general and administrative 17.1 15.2 1.9
Depreciation and amortization 0.4 0.5 (0.1)
Loss from operations $ (14.1) $ (15.0) $ 0.9
Revenue: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $6.5 million to $9.8 million from $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in revenue was attributable to R2 Technologies, primarily due to incremental unit sales of Glacial fx systems in North America and worldwide, which launched during the second half of 2023 in North America and in 2024 outside North America, as well as from an increase in consumable sales in both North America and worldwide. In addition, the increase in revenue as compared to the prior year was partially driven by an increase in Glacial Rx units sold in North America and an increase in Glacial Spa units sold outside North America.
Cost of revenue: Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $3.8 million to $6.4 million from $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in cost of revenue was attributable to R2 Technologies, primarily driven by the increase in revenue from the additional system and consumables sales noted above, and, to a lesser extent, increases in royalty expenses, warranty expenses and freight costs driven by the additional systems sold. The increase in cost of revenue was partially offset by changes in product mix sold as the Glacial fx and Glacial Spa systems have a lower production cost per system compared to the Glacial Rx.
Selling, general and administrative: Selling, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $1.9 million to $17.1 million from $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by R2 Technologies as a result of an increase in share-based compensation expense and increases in selling costs and sales commissions resulting from an increase in system sales.
Spectrum Segment
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Increase / (Decrease)
Revenue $ 25.7 $ 22.5 $ 3.2
Cost of revenue 11.5 11.8 (0.3)
Selling, general and administrative 7.3 9.0 (1.7)
Depreciation and amortization 5.1 5.2 (0.1)
Other operating loss (income)
0.4 (0.1) 0.5
Income (loss) from operations
$ 1.4 $ (3.4) $ 4.8
Revenue: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $3.2 million to $25.7 million from $22.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by network launches and expanded coverage with existing customers, which was partially offset by the termination of a number of smaller networks in the prior year.
Cost of revenue: Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $0.3 million to $11.5 million from $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by decreased costs as a result of the renegotiation of broadcast tower- related contracts during the current year.
Selling, general and administrative: Selling, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $1.7 million to $7.3 million from $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by unrepeated severance expense in the prior year and a decrease in salaries and benefits expense as a result of a reduction in headcount.
Other operating loss (income): Other operating loss (income) for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $0.5 million to a loss of $0.4 million from income of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in other operating income was primarily driven by a decrease in reimbursements received from the FCC for certain station modification costs and an increase in lease termination costs, which was partially offset by a decrease in asset impairment charges which in the prior year had primarily related to the write-off of certain redundant equipment and associated capitalized costs.
Non-Operating Corporate
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 Increase / (Decrease)
Selling, general and administrative $ 12.7 $ 15.8 $ (3.1)
Depreciation and amortization 0.1 0.1 -
Other operating loss
0.2 0.5 (0.3)
Loss from operations $ (13.0) $ (16.4) $ 3.4
Selling, general and administrative: Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $3.1 million to $12.7 million from $15.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily driven by unrepeated severance expense related to the Company's former Chief Operating Officer in the prior year, a decrease in salaries and benefits from a reduced headcount, decreases in accounting, consulting and legal fees, and a decrease in rent expense primarily as a result of the termination of leases in the current year.
Other operating loss: Other operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $0.3 million to $0.2 million from $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Other operating loss in the current period consisted of lease termination costs for two leases the Company exited in the current year, while other operating loss in the prior year primarily consisted of an impairment of leasehold improvements for unutilized office space.
Loss from Equity Investees
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 (Increase) / Decrease
Life Sciences $ (2.3) $ (9.1) $ 6.8
Other - (0.3) 0.3
Loss from equity investees $ (2.3) $ (9.4) $ 7.1
Life Sciences: Loss from equity investees within our Life Sciences segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $6.8 million to $2.3 million from $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in loss was due to a decrease in losses recognized from MediBeacon and Triple Ring. During the year ended December 31, 2024, as a result of additional convertible note investments in MediBeacon by Pansend, Pansend's basis in MediBeacon increased by $2.3 million and Pansend recognized $2.3 million of equity method losses that were previously unrecognized, whereas during the year ended December 31, 2023, as a result of $4.7 million convertible note investments in MediBeacon by Pansend and a $3.8 million equity transaction with Huadong, Pansend's basis in MediBeacon had increased by $8.5 million and Pansend had recognized $8.5 million of equity method losses that were previously unrecognized. As of both December 31, 2024 and 2023, Pansend's net carrying amount of its investment in MediBeacon was zero, and Pansend had unrecognized losses from this investment. Also contributing to the decrease in loss from equity investees was the partial sale of Triple Ring which was completed during the fourth quarter of 2023 and resulted in Pansend's investment in Triple Ring no longer being accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Thus, no equity method losses were recognized from Triple Ring in the current year.
Other: Loss from equity investees within our Other segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $0.3 million to zero from a loss of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Loss from equity investees for the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven by our previous investment in HMN, which was sold on March 6, 2023, and had losses for the approximately two months of ownership in 2023.
Refer to Note 6. Investments included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for additional information on our equity investments.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Information
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement recognized under U.S. GAAP. In addition, other companies may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, which could limit its usefulness.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with meaningful information for gaining an understanding of our results as it is frequently used by the financial community to provide insight into an organization’s operating trends and facilitates comparisons between peer companies, since interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and the other items listed in the definition of Adjusted EBITDA below can differ greatly between organizations as a result of differing capital structures and tax strategies. Adjusted EBITDA can also be a useful measure of a company’s ability to service debt. While management believes that non-U.S. GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our U.S. GAAP financial results. Using Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure has inherent limitations as an analytical tool as compared to net income (loss) or other U.S. GAAP financial measures, as this non-GAAP measure excludes certain items, including items that are recurring in nature, which may be meaningful to investors. As a result of the exclusions, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation and does not purport to be an alternative to net income (loss) or other U.S. GAAP financial measures as a measure of our operating performance.
The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by us, consists of Net income (loss) attributable to INNOVATE Corp., excluding: discontinued operations, if applicable; depreciation and amortization; other operating (income) loss, which is inclusive of (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets, lease termination costs, (gains) losses on lease modifications, asset impairment expense and FCC reimbursements; interest expense; other (income) expense, net; income tax expense (benefit); non-controlling interest; share-based compensation expense; legacy accounts receivable write-offs; realignment and exit costs; and acquisition and disposition costs.
Adjusted EBITDA by segment is summarized as follows:
(in millions): Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
Increase / (Decrease)
Infrastructure
$ 89.1 $ 100.6 $ (11.5)
Life Sciences (14.5) (23.1) 8.6
Spectrum 7.1 2.0 5.1
Non-Operating Corporate
(10.4) (13.5) 3.1
Other and Eliminations - (1.0) 1.0
Adjusted EBITDA $ 71.3 $ 65.0 $ 6.3
The tables below provide reconciliations of net income (loss) attributable to INNOVATE Corp to Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
(in millions) Year Ended December 31, 2024
Infrastructure
Life Sciences Spectrum Non-Operating Corporate Other and Eliminations INNOVATE
Net income (loss) attributable to INNOVATE Corp. $ 40.3 $ (19.7) $ (20.0) $ (35.3) $ 0.1 $ (34.6)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
Depreciation and amortization 12.0 0.4 5.1 0.1 - 17.6
Depreciation and amortization (included in cost of revenue) 15.2 0.1 - - - 15.3
Other operating (income) loss
(9.6) - 0.4 0.2 - (9.0)
Interest expense 10.3 9.8 14.3 40.1 - 74.5
Other (income) expense, net (3.9) 0.8 8.5 (8.7) (0.1) (3.4)
Income tax expense (benefit) 15.2 - 0.2 (9.1) - 6.3
Non-controlling interest 3.8 (7.3) (1.6) - - (5.1)
Share-based compensation expense - 1.2 - 2.2 - 3.4
Realignment and exit costs 5.2 - - - - 5.2
Acquisition and disposition costs 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 - 1.1
Adjusted EBITDA $ 89.1 $ (14.5) $ 7.1 $ (10.4) $ - $ 71.3
(in millions) Year Ended December 31, 2023
Infrastructure
Life Sciences Spectrum Non-Operating Corporate Other and Eliminations INNOVATE
Net income (loss) attributable to INNOVATE Corp. $ 28.7 $ (15.5) $ (22.2) $ (33.2) $ 7.0 $ (35.2)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
Depreciation and amortization 14.4 0.5 5.2 0.1 - 20.2
Depreciation and amortization (included in cost of revenue) 15.7 0.1 - - - 15.8
Other operating (income) loss (0.2) - (0.1) 0.5 1.1 1.3
Interest expense 13.8 2.9 13.4 38.1 - 68.2
Other (income) expense, net (1.2) (4.1) 7.7 (6.7) (12.4) (16.7)
Income tax expense (benefit) 20.2 - 0.3 (14.8) (1.2) 4.5
Non-controlling interest 2.8 (7.3) (2.5) - 3.3 (3.7)
Share-based compensation expense - 0.2 - 2.0 - 2.2
Legacy accounts receivable write-off 2.2 - - - - 2.2
Realignment and exit costs 2.1 - 0.1 - - 2.2
Acquisition and disposition costs 2.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 1.2 4.0
Adjusted EBITDA $ 100.6 $ (23.1) $ 2.0 $ (13.5) $ (1.0) $ 65.0
Infrastructure: Net income from our Infrastructure segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $11.6 million to $40.3 million from $28.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA from our Infrastructure segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $11.5 million to $89.1 million from $100.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by decrease in revenue at Banker Steel, due to timing of completion of certain large commercial construction projects and decreased gross margins at the construction modeling and detailing business. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in revenue at the industrial maintenance and repair businesses, higher gross margins on certain large commercial construction projects that have since been completed at DBMG's commercial structural steel fabrication and erection, including the effect of changes in estimated costs to complete those projects recognized in the ordinary course of business, despite the decrease in revenue, as well as a decrease in recurring SG&A, primarily as a result of a decrease in legal fees, which was partially offset by an increase in compensation-related expenses.
Life Sciences: Net loss from our Life Sciences segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $4.2 million to $19.7 million from $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA loss from our Life Sciences segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $8.6 million to $14.5 million from $23.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA loss was primarily due to a decrease in equity method losses recognized from MediBeacon and Triple Ring, as discussed in the Loss from Equity Investees section above. Additionally contributing to the decrease in Adjusted EBITDA loss was an increase in gross profit at R2 Technologies, driven by an increase in sales in North America and worldwide of all R2's products, including Glacial systems and consumables, which was partially offset by increases in selling costs and sales commissions due to the increase in system sales.
Spectrum: Net loss from our Spectrum segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $2.2 million to $20.0 million from $22.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA from our Spectrum segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $5.1 million to $7.1 million from $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an increase in revenue primarily driven by network launches and expanded coverage with existing customers, unrepeated severance in the prior year, as well as a decrease in salaries and benefits expense and a decrease in tower-related costs. This was partially offset by the termination of a number of smaller networks and individual markets in the prior year.
Non-Operating Corporate: Net loss from our Non-Operating Corporate segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased $2.1 million to $35.3 million from $33.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA loss from our Non-Operating Corporate segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $3.1 million to $10.4 million from $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA loss was primarily driven by an unrepeated severance expense related to the Company's former Chief Operating Officer in the prior year, a decrease in salaries and benefits from a reduced headcount, decreases in accounting and consulting fees, and a decrease in rent expense primarily as a result of the termination of leases in the current year.
Other and Eliminations: Net income from our Other segment and Eliminations for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $6.9 million to $0.1 million from $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA loss from our Other segment for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $1.0 million to zero from an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA loss was driven primarily by unrepeated severance expense at TIC Holdco, Inc. in the prior year and our previous investment in HMN, which was sold on March 6, 2023, and had equity method losses for the approximately two months of ownership in 2023.
Backlog
Backlog is our estimate of the U.S. dollar amount of future revenues we expect to realize as a result of performing work on projects in backlog. Projects in backlog consist of awarded contracts, letters of intent, notices to proceed, change orders, and purchase orders obtained. Backlog increases as contract commitments are obtained, decreases as revenues are recognized and increases or decreases to reflect modifications in the work to be performed under the contracts. Backlog is converted to sales in future periods as work is performed or projects are completed. Backlog can be significantly affected by the receipt or loss of individual contracts.
Infrastructure Segment
As of December 31, 2024, DBMG's backlog was $957.2 million, consisting of $793.8 million under contracts or purchase orders and $163.4 million under letters of intent or notices to proceed. Approximately $461.5 million, representing 48.2% of DBMG’s backlog as of December 31, 2024, was attributable to five contracts, letters of intent, notices to proceed or purchase orders. If one or more of these projects terminate or reduce their scope, DBMG’s backlog could decrease substantially. DBMG includes an additional $13.6 million in its backlog that is not included in the remaining unsatisfied performance obligations disclosed in Note 3. Revenue and Contracts in Process. This additional backlog includes commitments under master service agreements that are estimated amounts of work to be performed based on customer communications, historic performance and knowledge of our customers' intentions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Short- and Long-Term Liquidity Considerations and Risks
Our Non-Operating Corporate segment consists of holding companies, and its liquidity needs are primarily for interest payments on its 2026 Senior Secured Notes, 2026 Convertible Notes, Revolving Line of Credit, CGIC Unsecured Note, and dividend payments on its Series A-3 and Series A-4 Preferred Stock and recurring operational expenses.
On a consolidated basis, as of December 31, 2024, we had $48.8 million of cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, compared to $80.8 million as of December 31, 2023. On a stand-alone basis, as of December 31, 2024, our Non-Operating Corporate segment had cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, of $13.8 million and $1.8 million of marketable securities, as compared to cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, of $2.5 million as of December 31, 2023.
Our subsidiaries' principal liquidity requirements arise from cash used in operating activities, debt service, and capital expenditures, including purchases of steel construction equipment, OTA broadcast station equipment, development of back-office systems, operating costs and expenses, and income taxes.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $668.3 million of principal indebtedness on a consolidated basis compared to $722.8 million as of December 31, 2023, a net decrease of $54.5 million, which was primarily due to a $54.1 million net decrease in debt at our Infrastructure segment and a $7.0 million decrease in debt at our Non-Operating Corporate segment, partially offset by an increase at our Life Sciences Segment due to the capitalization of $6.6 million of unpaid accrued interest at R2 Technologies into their principal balance outstanding.
On a stand-alone basis, our Non-Operating Corporate segment principal indebtedness was $429.9 million and $436.9 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a decrease of $7.0 million driven by a partial redemption payment of $4.1 million of the CGIC Unsecured Note on April 26, 2024, and the repurchase of $2.9 million principal amount of 2026 Convertible Notes during the year ended December 31, 2024. The December 31, 2024, indebtedness balance consists of the $330.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2026 Senior Secured Notes, $48.9 million aggregate principal amount of 2026 Convertible Notes (which excludes the $2.9 million 2026 Convertible Notes repurchased by the Company), $31.0 million remaining principal amount of the CGIC Unsecured Note and $20.0 million aggregate principal amount drawn on our Revolving Line of Credit. Our Non-Operating Corporate segment is required to make semi-annual interest payments on the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Convertible Notes on February 1st and August 1st of each year, quarterly interest payments on the Revolving Line of Credit, and monthly interest payments on the CGIC Unsecured Note. As described below, the interest rate on the CGIC Unsecured Note increased from 9.0% per annum to 16.0% per annum on May 9, 2024, and will increase from 16.0% per annum to 32.0% per annum on May 9, 2025.
We are required to make dividend payments on our outstanding Series A-3 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Preferred Stock on January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th of each year.
Our Non-Operating Corporate segment received $8.1 million in net tax sharing payments from our Infrastructure segment for the year ended December 31, 2024. In addition, DBMG redeemed the intercompany $41.8 million DBMG Series A Preferred Stock from DBMGi on June 28, 2024, for $41.8 million in cash, which was remitted to INNOVATE. DBM Global Intermediate Holdco Inc. ("DBMGi") is a 100% owned subsidiary of INNOVATE and all intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
We have financed our growth and operations to date, and expect to finance our future growth and operations, through public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, credit facilities, vendor financing, finance lease financing and other financing arrangements, as well as cash generated from the operations of our subsidiaries. In the future, we may also choose to sell assets or certain investments to generate cash.
Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement
On March 8, 2024, the Company commenced a $19.0 million rights offering ("Rights Offering") for its common stock. Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the Company distributed to each holder of the Company’s common stock, Series A-3 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, Series A-4 Convertible Participating Preferred Stock and the 2026 Convertible Notes as of March 6, 2024 (the “rights offering record date”), transferable subscription rights to purchase 2.86 shares (0.2858 shares on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis) of the Company’s common stock at a price of $7.00 per whole share ($0.70 per whole share on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis).
Per the concurrent investment agreement entered into with Lancer Capital (the "Investment Agreement"), the Rights Offering was backstopped by Lancer Capital, an investment fund led by Avram A. Glazer, the Chairman of the Board and the Company’s largest stockholder. Due to limitations on the common stock that can be issued to Lancer Capital under the rules of the NYSE, in lieu of exercising its subscription rights, pursuant to the Investment Agreement, Lancer Capital would purchase up to $19.0 million of the Company’s newly issued Series C Non-Voting Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), for an issue price of $1,000 per share. In connection with the backstop commitment, and as a result of limitations in the amount common equity that can be raised under the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, Lancer Capital also agreed to purchase an additional $16.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock in a private placement transaction ("Concurrent Private Placement") which was to close concurrently with the settlement of the Rights Offering. Lancer Capital did not receive any compensation or other consideration for entering into or consummating the Investment Agreement.
As the Rights Offering had not yet settled by March 28, 2024, in accordance with the Investment Agreement, Lancer Capital purchased $25.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock, referred to as the "equity advance." On April 24, 2024, the Company completed and closed on the Rights Offering and issued a total of 530,611 shares of common stock (5,306,105 shares of common stock on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis) for $3.7 million. Based on the number of shares of common stock actually sold upon exercise of the rights to third party investors, there were no excess shares of Series C Preferred Stock purchased by Lancer Capital under the equity advance that the Company was required to redeem, and Lancer Capital purchased an additional approximately 6,286 Series C Preferred Stock for $6.3 million under the backstop commitment. In total, the Company received $35.0 million in aggregate gross proceeds related to the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement and incurred $1.8 million in dealer manager fees and other related costs which have been capitalized into Additional paid in capital ("APIC"). INNOVATE has been utilizing and expects to continue to use the net proceeds from the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including debt service and working capital. In addition, as a result of the closing of the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement, a mandatory prepayment was required on the CGIC Unsecured Note, and consequently, on April 26, 2024, INNOVATE redeemed $4.1 million of the CGIC Unsecured Note.
Under the rules of the NYSE, because the shares purchased by Lancer Capital were greater than 20% of the Company's common stock outstanding before the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, those shares of Series C Preferred Stock were not allowed to be converted until stockholder approval of such issuance was obtained. On June 18, 2024, the Company held its annual shareholder meeting where Company's shareholder's approved the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock into common stock. As a result, approximately 31,286 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, which were held by Lancer Capital, were converted into 4,469,390 shares of common stock (44,693,895 shares of common stock on a pre Reverse Stock Split basis).
The Company waived its Tax Benefits Preservation Plan to permit persons exercising rights to acquire 4.9% or more of the outstanding common stock upon the exercise thereof without becoming an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan).
INNOVATE utilized the net proceeds from the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement for general corporate purposes, including debt service and for working capital. As a result of the closing of the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement, a mandatory prepayment was required on the CGIC Unsecured Note, and on April 26, 2024, INNOVATE redeemed $4.1 million of the CGIC Unsecured Note. See Note 16. Equity and Temporary Equity for additional information.
Going Concern
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. However, as of the date of these financial statements, there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.
The principal conditions leading to this conclusion are the upcoming maturities of current debt at Corporate and certain of the Company's subsidiaries as well as from certain cross-default provisions in the Company's Senior Secured Notes. Based on these conditions, the Company may not be able to meet its obligations at maturity and comply with certain cross-default provisions under the Senior Secured Notes over the next twelve months.
Management has evaluated the significance of these conditions in relation to the Company's ability to meet its obligations. The potential inability to refinance or extend the maturity of the aforementioned current debt, or to obtain additional financing, raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company plans to alleviate these conditions through various initiatives it is currently exploring, including potentially refinancing the debt at Corporate and its subsidiaries, pursuing asset sales, and raising additional capital. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will have the ability to raise additional capital when needed, be successful in any asset sales, or refinance its existing debt, on attractive terms, or at all nor any assurances that lenders will provide additional extensions, waivers or amendments in the event of future non-compliance with the Company’s debt covenants or other possible events of default. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to execute a reduction, extension, or refinancing of the debt, or that the terms of any replacement financing would be as favorable as the terms of the debt prior to the maturity date. There can be no assurance that these plans will be successfully implemented or that they will mitigate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K do not include any adjustments to the carrying amounts and classification of assets, liabilities, or expenses that may result if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
While the Company has noted the conditions above regarding its ability to continue as a going concern, it is important to note that the Company’s largest subsidiary, DBMG, is operationally profitable, continues to maintain a strong financial position and remains in good standing with its lenders. Under INNOVATE’s Senior Secured Notes Indenture, DBMG is a restricted subsidiary, not a guarantor, and INNOVATE’s equity interests in DBMG are pledged as collateral.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are set forth in the table below (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
Infrastructure
$ 17.6 $ 16.6
Life Sciences - 0.5
Spectrum 1.4 1.0
Non-Operating Corporate
- 0.3
Total $ 19.0 $ 18.4
Purchase Commitments
Unrecorded future minimum purchase commitments as of December 31, 2024, were $117.9 million. Refer to Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional information.
Indebtedness
Non-Operating Corporate
2026 Senior Secured Notes
On February 1, 2021, our Non-Operating Corporate segment repaid the senior secured notes that were due in 2021 and issued $330.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior secured notes due February 1, 2026 (the "2026 Senior Secured Notes"). The 2026 Senior Secured Notes mature on February 1, 2026, and accrue interest at a rate of 8.50% per year, which interest is paid semi-annually on February 1st and August 1st of each year. If the Company sells certain assets and the net cash proceeds from all applicable asset sales exceed $50.0 million since the issue date of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, the Company may be required in certain circumstances to make an offer to purchase the notes with the net cash proceeds from such an asset sale in excess of such $50.0 million threshold at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.
For additional information on the terms and conditions of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, including guarantees, ranking and collateral, refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
2026 Convertible Notes
The original $51.8 million aggregate principal amount of 7.50% convertible notes (the "2026 Convertible Notes") were issued under a separate indenture dated February 1, 2021, between the Company and U.S. Bank, as trustee (the "Convertible Indenture"). In July 2024, we repurchased $2.9 million principal amount of our 2026 Convertible Notes at a market discount for $1.1 million, which is inclusive of accrued interest of $0.1 million. As of December 31, 2024, we had $48.9 million principal amount of 2026 Convertible Notes outstanding. The 2026 Convertible Notes mature on August 1, 2026 unless earlier converted, redeemed or purchased. The 2026 Convertible Notes accrue interest at a rate of 7.5% per year, which interest is paid semi-annually on February 1st and August 1st of each year.
For additional information on the terms and conditions of the 2026 Convertible Notes, including optional redemption, conversion rights guarantees, ranking and collateral, refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Our debt contains customary events of default which could, subject to certain conditions, cause the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Convertible Notes to become immediately due and payable.
Revolving Line of Credit
We have a revolving credit agreement with MSD PCOF Partners IX, LLC ("MSD") which has a maximum commitment of $20.0 million ("Revolving Line of Credit"), of which $20.0 million had been drawn as of December 31, 2024. Interest on loans under the Revolving Line of Credit accrues at SOFR plus 5.75% and is payable quarterly. The Revolving Line of Credit also includes a commitment fee at a per annum rate of 1.0% calculated based off the actual daily amount of unused availability under the Revolving Line of Credit with MSD. The maturity date of the Revolving Line of Credit, as amended on May 6, 2024, is May 16, 2025. Subsequent to year end, on March 6, 2025, the maturity date of the Revolving Line of Credit was extended to August 1, 2025, with all other terms substantially unchanged. The amount outstanding under the Revolving Line of Credit is subject to mandatory prepayment from the net cash proceeds from certain asset sales in excess of $10.0 million.
For additional information on the terms and conditions of the Revolving Line of Credit, including guarantees and ranking and collateral, refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
CGIC Unsecured Note
On May 9, 2023, in connection with the redemption of the DBMGi Series A Preferred Stock, the Company issued a subordinated unsecured promissory note to CGIC in the principal amount of $35.1 million (the "CGIC Unsecured Note"). The CGIC Unsecured Note is due February 28, 2026, and bore interest at 9.0% per annum through May 8, 2024, bears interest at 16.0% per annum from May 9, 2024, to May 8, 2025, and 32.0% per annum thereafter. The CGIC Unsecured Note also requires a mandatory prepayment from the proceeds from certain asset sales and the greater of $3.0 million or 12.5% of the net proceeds from certain equity sales. Other covenants in the CGIC Unsecured Note are generally consistent with the Company's Indenture governing the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, dated as of February 1, 2021, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association. As a result of the closing of the Rights Offering, on April 24, 2024, INNOVATE redeemed $4.1 million of the CGIC Unsecured Note on April 26, 2024.
Refer to Note 16. Equity and Temporary Equity and to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional information.
Infrastructure
As of December 31, 2024, our Infrastructure segment has aggregate principal outstanding debt, including obligations under finance leases, of $144.7 million.
DBMG has a $135.0 million Revolving Line with UMB that bears interest at a prime rate minus a spread with an interest rate floor of 4.25%. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance was $45.0 million. The effective interest rate on the Revolving Line with UMB was 6.98% as of December 31, 2024. The Revolving Line with UMB matures on August 15, 2025, and interest is paid monthly. The Revolving Line with UMB also includes a commitment fee equal to 0.25% per annum times the average daily unused availability under the line.
DBMG also has a $74.6 million term loan due 2026 (the "3.25% UMB Term Loan"), which expires May 31, 2026, and bears interest at an annual rate of 3.25% with an effective interest rate of 3.3%. Interest is paid monthly. On June 28, 2024, DBM and UMB entered into the Third Amendment to the UMB Credit Agreement. The amendment added an incremental separate term loan of $25.0 million to the existing credit facility, of which $24.5 million is outstanding as of December 31, 2024. The incremental term loan bears the same interest rate as the Revolving Line with UMB and has the same maturity date as the initial 3.25% UMB Term Loan which had a balance of $74.6 million as of December 31, 2024. Principal payments and interest are paid monthly.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, DBMG made $5.0 million in scheduled payments on the 4.0% note that was payable to Banker Steel's former owner. The 4.0% note matured on March 31, 2024, and was fully redeemed on April 2, 2024.
Refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional details regarding the indebtedness of our Infrastructure segment.
Life Sciences
As of December 31, 2024, our Life Sciences segment has aggregate principal outstanding debt of $24.0 million.
R2 Technologies had various short-term notes with Lancer Capital, which expired on January 31, 2024, and, effective January 31, 2024, a new 20% note with an aggregate original principal amount of $20.0 million was issued, which was comprised of all prior outstanding principal amounts and unpaid accrued interest of $2.6 million which was capitalized into the new principal balance. Interest on the note accrues at 20% per annum and is payable monthly in arrears, in cash or, if not paid in cash, accrued and unpaid interest is capitalized monthly into the principal balance. The maturity date of the 20% note, as subsequently amended, was December 31, 2024, or within five business days of the date on which R2 Technologies receives an aggregate $20.0 million from the consummation of a debt or equity financing or has a change in control, as defined in the agreement, with an optional prepayment of the entire then-outstanding and unpaid principal and accrued interest upon five-days written notice to Lancer Capital.
The 20% $20.0 million note also includes various exit fees, as amended. As of December 31, 2024, the exit fee, as amended, was equal to 11.90% of the principal amount being repaid, and effective July 31, 2024, an additional exit fee of $1.0 million was incurred each month until the end of November 2024. As of December 31, 2024, total exit fees payable were $7.9 million. The exit fees are payable on the earliest of the maturity date, the date of the acceleration of the principal amount of the note for any reason or, if any portion of the note is prepaid at any time, the date of such prepayment of the note.
Subsequent to year end, with an effective date of December 31, 2024, the maturity date of the note was extended to August 1, 2025. In addition, the exit fee continues to increase by 0.17% each month until maturity and an additional exit fee of $1.0 million was incurred under the amendment, which also continues to increase by $1.0 million each month until maturity. The exit fees are payable on the earliest of the maturity date, the date of the acceleration of the principal amount of the note for any reason or, if any portion of the note is prepaid at any time, the date of such prepayment of the note. A new $5.0 million default fee will be payable on August 1, 2025, in the event all obligations under the note, including principal, any accrued and unpaid interest, and exit fees, are not repaid in full prior to the August 1, 2025, maturity date. Also subsequent to year end, on February 20, 2025, Pansend closed on a new $3.5 million convertible 13.0% note instrument with R2 Technologies, which is convertible, together with any accrued interest at the time of conversion, into a new Series E Preferred Stock ("Series E") in R2 Technologies upon written notice to R2 Technologies and has a maturity date of the earlier of July 31, 2025, or a change in control, as defined in the agreement. The transaction is eliminated on consolidation.
Refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional information.
Spectrum
As of December 31, 2024, our Spectrum segment has aggregate principal outstanding debt of $69.7 million, consisting of 8.50% and 11.45% Notes. Interest is capitalized and payable upon maturity of the notes. The maturity date, as amended, of Spectrum's 8.50% and 11.45% Notes, is August 15, 2025.
The exit fees associated with the notes, which are payable on the earlier of maturity or repayment of the principal, were recorded as original issue discount and are being amortized over the remaining life of the notes, which is assumed to be the maturity date. A corresponding liability of $15.9 million is reflected within Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the weighted-average effective interest rates on the notes, as amended, was 22.8%.
During November 2023, concurrently with Broadcasting's execution of the Ninth Amendment to Secured Notes, which among other things extended the maturity of the notes, INNOVATE entered into a related side letter with the lenders, whereby INNOVATE agreed to utilize proceeds from the sale of certain of its existing operations, as allowable under the Company's current agreements and indentures and after all other required payments have been made, for repayment of a portion of our Spectrum segment's Senior Secured Notes. Assuming there are sufficient proceeds remaining after such repayment, an additional $2.0 million is payable for payments made after November 9, 2024, and in exchange for the additional fee, the institutional investors will return their equity interests in HC2 Broadcasting Holdings, Inc. and their equity interests in DTV America.
Refer to Note 11. Debt Obligations included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional information.
Restrictive Covenants
The indenture governing the 2026 Senior Secured Notes dated February 1, 2021, by and among INNOVATE, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the "Secured Indenture"), contains certain affirmative and negative covenants limiting, among other things, the ability of the Company, and, in certain cases, the Company’s subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness; create liens; engage in sale-leaseback transactions; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock; make certain restricted payments; sell assets; engage in transactions with affiliates; or consolidate or merge with, or sell substantially all of its assets to, another person. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.
The Company is also required to comply with certain financial maintenance covenants, which are similarly subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. These covenants include maintenance of (1) liquidity and (2) collateral coverage.
The maintenance of liquidity covenant provides that the Company will not permit the aggregate amount of (i) all unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, (ii) amounts available for drawing under revolving credit facilities and undrawn letters of credit of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and (iii) dividends, distributions or payments that are immediately available to be paid to the Company by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be less than the Company’s obligation to pay interest for the next six months on the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and all other Debt, including Convertible Series A-3 and Series A-4 Preferred Stock mandatory cash dividends or any other mandatory cash pay Series A-3 and Series A-4 Preferred Stock but excluding any obligation to pay interest on Series A-3 and Series A-4 Preferred Stock or any other mandatory cash payments on Series A-3 and Series A-4 Preferred Stock which, in each case, may be paid by accretion or in-kind in accordance with its terms of the Company and its Subsidiary Guarantors. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with this covenant.
The maintenance of collateral coverage provides that the certain subsidiaries' Collateral Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Secured Indenture as the ratio of (i) the Loan Collateral to (ii) Consolidated Secured Debt (each as defined therein)) calculated on a pro forma basis as of the last day of each fiscal quarter may not be less than 1.50 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with this covenant.
The instruments governing the Company’s Series A-3 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Preferred Stock also limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries ability to take certain actions, including, among other things, to incur additional indebtedness; issue additional Series A-3 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Preferred Stock; engage in transactions with affiliates; and make certain restricted payments. These limitations are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.
The Company has conducted its operations in a manner that has resulted in compliance with the Secured Indenture; however, compliance with certain financial covenants for future periods may depend on the Company or one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries undertaking one or more non-operational transactions, such as the management of operating cash outflows, a monetization of assets, a debt incurrence or refinancing, the raising of equity capital, or similar transactions. If the Company is unable to remain in compliance and does not make alternate arrangements, an event of default would occur under the Company’s Secured Indenture which, among other remedies, could result in the outstanding obligations under the indenture becoming immediately due and payable and permitting the exercise of remedies with respect to the collateral. There is no assurance the Company will be able to complete any non-operational transaction it may undertake to maintain compliance with covenants under the Secured Indenture or, even if the Company completes any such transaction, that it will be able to maintain compliance for any subsequent period.
The UMB term loans and Revolving Line with UMB associated with our Infrastructure segment contain customary restrictive and financial covenants related to debt levels and performance, including a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant, as defined in the agreement.
As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants of our debt agreements.
Summary of Consolidated Cash Flows
The below table summarizes the cash provided by or used in our activities (in millions):
Year Ended December 31, Increase / (Decrease)
2024 2023
Cash provided by operating activities $ 9.1 $ 26.5 $ (17.4)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities (13.9) 39.1 (53.0)
Cash used in financing activities (26.5) (65.3) 38.8
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (1.7) (0.2) (1.5)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash $ (33.0) $ 0.1 $ (33.1)
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $17.4 million. Cash flows from operations are primarily influenced by changes in the timing of demand for services and by operating margins, but can also be affected by working capital needs associated with our operations. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the decrease in operating cash flows was primarily driven by a decrease in operating cash flows at our Infrastructure segment, partially offset by improvements at our Non-Operating Corporate segment and our Other segment. The decrease in operating cash flows at our Infrastructure segment was primarily due to the timing of completion of certain large commercial construction projects and decreased gross profit, and the net decrease in working capital cash flows at our Infrastructure segment was primarily driven by normal business fluctuations in accounts receivable, contract-related assets and liabilities, other accrued liabilities and other current liabilities. Partially offsetting the decrease in operating cash flows were improvements at our Non-Operating Corporate segment, primarily due to a decrease in SG&A expenses, and our Other segment, which had an unrepeated $4.4 million foreign tax payment in the prior year related to the 2023 sale of New Saxon's 19% investment in in HMN.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $39.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $53.0 million. The decrease was primarily driven by the $54.2 million of gross cash proceeds received in the prior year from the 2023 sale of New Saxon's 19.0% investment in HMN, and the $5.0 million received from Pansend's partial sale of Triple Ring in 2023. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2024 our Non-Operating Corporate segment paid $2.0 million to purchase an investment in mark-to-market securities and our Spectrum segment paid $1.2 million for the acquisition of additional FCC station licenses. Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $19.0 million, as compared to $18.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase in cash used of $0.6 million. Proceeds from the disposal of PP&E totaled $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and primarily related to the sale of various PP&E at our Infrastructure segment, as compared to $1.6 million in proceeds for the year ended December 31, 2023. Loans made by our Life Sciences segment to MediBeacon totaled $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease in cash used of $1.7 million.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $65.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an improvement in financing cash flows of $38.8 million. The improvement was primarily driven by our Non-Operating Corporate segment, which received $33.2 million in net proceeds in the current year from the Rights Offering and Concurrent Private Placement, as well as an increase in proceeds from other debt obligation due to the net proceeds of $24.8 million received in the current year at our Infrastructure segment from an incremental separate term loan, as compared to proceeds received in the prior year of $4.9 million, which related primarily to proceeds received at our Life Sciences segment from Lancer Capital. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2024, our Other segment made $0.3 million in final distributions to New Saxons' non-controlling interests, whereas for year ended December 31, 2023, our Other segment made $15.9 million in distributions, both related to the 2023 sale of New Saxon's 19.0% investment in HMN, for a decrease in cash outflows of $15.6 million. Our Non-Operating Corporate segment also made a $7.0 million payment in the prior year in connection with the repurchase of the DBMGi Series A Preferred Stock on May 9, 2023 from CGIC, and dividend payments decreased by $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, due to the repurchase of the DBMGi Series A Preferred Stock in 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2024, principal payments for debt obligations and repurchases of other debt obligations totaled $28.0 million, as compared to $37.1 million in the prior year, a decrease of $9.1 million, due to a decrease of $14.4 million in principal payments at our Infrastructure segment primarily due to the payoff of certain notes in the prior year, partially offset by a $4.1 million repayment on the CGIC Unsecured Note and a $1.1 million payment for the partial repurchase of our 2026 Convertible Notes at our Non-Operating Corporate segment in the current year. These improvements in financing cash flows were partially offset by a $47.3 million increase in net outflows from revolving credit line activity for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, due to net payments by our Infrastructure segment to reduce the outstanding balance on its Revolving Line with UMB.
Infrastructure
Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities are the principal source of cash used to fund DBMG’s operating expenses, interest payments on debt, and capital expenditures. DBMG's short-term cash needs are primarily for working capital to support operations including receivables, inventories, and other costs incurred in performing on its contracts. DBMG attempts to structure the payment arrangements under its contracts to match costs incurred under the project. To the extent it is able to bill in advance of costs incurred, DBMG generates working capital through billings in excess of costs and recognized earnings on uncompleted contracts. DBMG relies on its credit facilities to meet its working capital needs. DBMG believes that its available funds, cash generated by operating activities and funds available under its bank credit facilities will be adequate to meet all funding requirements for its operating expenses, working capital needs, interest payments on debt and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. However, DBMG may expand its operations through future acquisitions and may require additional equity or debt financing.
DBMG is required to make monthly interest payments on all of its debt. Based upon the December 31, 2024, debt balance, DBMG anticipates that its interest payments will be approximately $1.5 million for each quarter of 2025.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For information on new accounting pronouncements, refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional information.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires the use of estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue and expense amounts reported. These estimates can also affect supplemental disclosures, including information about contingencies, risk and financial condition.
Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and potentially yield materially different results under different assumptions or conditions. Given current facts and circumstances, we believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to GAAP and are consistently applied. Our selection and disclosure of our critical accounting policies and estimates has been reviewed with our Audit Committee. The following is a review of the more significant assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. For all of these estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment. Refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 3. Revenue and Contracts in Process included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which discuss our significant accounting and revenue recognition policies and are incorporated herein by reference.
Revenue Recognition - Estimated Costs to Complete
With respect to our Infrastructure segment (DBM Global Inc.), we recognize a significant portion of our revenue over time using the input method to measure the progress of costs incurred for our service and construction contracts. DBM Global Inc. performs its services primarily under fixed-price contracts and recognizes revenue over time using the input method to measure progress for its projects. The Company transfers control of a good or service over time and, therefore, satisfies a performance obligation and recognizes revenue over time if one of the following three criteria are met: (a) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance as we perform, (b) the Company’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced, or (c) the Company’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to us, and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. The Company has determined that one or more of these three criteria are met for such contracts. The most reliable measure of progress is the cost incurred towards delivery of the completed project. Therefore, the input method provides the most reliable method to measure progress. Revenue recognition begins when work has commenced. Costs include all direct material and labor costs related to contract performance, subcontractor costs, indirect labor, and fabrication plant overhead costs, which are charged to contract costs as incurred. Revenues relating to changes in the scope of a contract are recognized when we and a customer or general contractor have agreed on both the initial scope and price of any subsequently mutually agreed upon change orders due to a change in scope or other cost factors, the work has commenced, and that realization of revenue is reasonably assured. Revisions in estimates during the course of contract work are reflected in the accounting period in which the facts requiring the revision become known. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which a loss on a contract becomes determinable.
Income Taxes
Our annual tax rate is based on our income, statutory tax rates, exchange rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining our tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions, including evaluating uncertainties.
We review our tax positions quarterly and adjust the balances as new information becomes available. Deferred income tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable on taxable income in future years. Such assets arise because of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as from net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We evaluate the recoverability of these future tax deductions by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely heavily on estimates. To provide insight, we use our historical experience and our short and long-range business forecasts. We must make significant estimates and assumptions about future taxable income and future tax consequences when determining the amount of the valuation allowance. Based on consideration of both positive and negative evidence, we determined that it was more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets of the INNOVATE Corp. U.S. consolidated income tax group and other separate entity filers will not be realized. Therefore, a full valuation allowance was maintained against the net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024. Although realization is not assured for the remaining deferred income tax assets, we believe it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be fully recoverable within the applicable statutory expiration periods. However, deferred tax assets could be reduced in the near term if our estimates of taxable income are significantly reduced.
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. These assessments of uncertain tax positions contain judgments related to the interpretation of tax regulations in the jurisdictions in which we transact business. Expected outcomes of current or anticipated tax examinations, refund claims and tax-related litigation and estimates regarding additional tax liability (including interest and penalties thereon) or refunds resulting therefrom are estimates recorded to the extent applicable based on management judgement. The judgments and estimates made at a point in time may change based on the outcome of tax audits, expiration of statutes of limitations, as well as changes to, or further interpretations of, tax laws and regulations.
Refer to Note 12. Income Taxes included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but, rather, are tested for impairment. We test goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter (October 1st) or when factors indicate that the carrying amounts of assets may not be recoverable and that there is a potential impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350"). The factors that we consider important, and which could trigger an impairment review, include, but are not limited to: a more likely than not expectation of selling or disposing all, or a portion, of a reporting unit; a significant decline in the market value of our common stock or debt securities for a sustained period; a material adverse change in economic, financial market, industry or sector trends; a material failure to achieve operating results relative to historical levels or projected future levels; and significant changes in operations or business strategy. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are subject to the impairment provisions of ASC 360, Property, plant, and equipment ("ASC 360").
We elect to utilize a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, and if so, a quantitative test is performed. The quantitative evaluation for impairment of indefinite lived intangibles consists of a comparison of the fair value of an intangible asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to the excess, limited to the amount of recognized goodwill.
Under the quantitative test, we estimate the fair value of a reporting unit, which requires various assumptions including projections of future cash flows, perpetual growth rates and discount rates. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on our assessment of a number of factors, including the reporting unit’s recent performance against budget, performance in the market that the reporting unit serves, and industry and general economic data from third-party sources. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in those future cash flows. Changes to the underlying businesses could affect the future cash flows, which in turn could affect the fair value of the reporting unit. Further, we assess the current market capitalization, forecasts and the amount by which the fair values exceeded the carrying values. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
Based on qualitative assessments performed as of October 1, 2024, management determined it was more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units and the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded their carrying values, and, as such, no impairment was required.
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (i.e. indefinite lived intangibles) consist of certain television broadcast licenses. Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of certain trade names, customer contracts and developed technology. These finite lived intangible assets are amortized based on their estimated useful lives. Such assets are subject to the impairment provisions of ASC 360, wherein impairment is recognized and measured only if there are events and circumstances that indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying amount is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset group. An impairment loss is recorded to the extent the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value and is not recoverable.
Refer to Note 8. Goodwill and Intangibles, Net, included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on goodwill and intangible assets, including, if applicable, any intangible impairments recorded during the years presented, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Related Party Transactions
For a discussion of our Related Party Transactions, refer to Note 17. Related Parties included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. We have made statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “2024 Annual Report”) that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such statements are based on current expectations, and are not strictly historical statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "if," "may," "should," "believe," "anticipate," "future," "forward," "potential," "estimate," "opportunity," "goal," "objective," "growth," "outcome," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "strategy," "provide," "commitment," "result," "seek," "pursue," "ongoing," "include" or in the negative of such terms or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements inherently involve certain risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of performance, results, or the creation of stockholder value, although they are based on our current plans or assessments which we believe to be reasonable as of the date hereof.
Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ include, without limitation: the ability of our subsidiaries (including, target businesses following their acquisition) to generate sufficient net income and cash flows to make upstream cash distributions, capital market conditions, our and our subsidiaries’ ability to identify any suitable future acquisition opportunities, efficiencies/cost avoidance, cost savings, income and margins, growth, economies of scale, combined operations, future economic performance, conditions to, and the timetable for, completing future acquisitions and dispositions and the successful integration of acquisitions with INNOVATE or the applicable subsidiary, litigation, potential and contingent liabilities, management’s plans, changes in regulations and taxes.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference, could affect our future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should also understand that many factors described under one heading below may apply to more than one section in which we have grouped them for the purpose of this presentation. As a result, you should consider all of the following factors, together with all of the other information presented herein, in evaluating our business and that of our subsidiaries.
INNOVATE Corp. and Subsidiaries
Our actual results or other outcomes may differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein due to a variety of important factors, including, without limitation, the following:
•our dependence on distributions from our subsidiaries to fund our operations and payments on our obligations;
•substantial doubt about our ability to continue operating as a going concern;
•the impact on our business and financial condition of our substantial indebtedness and the significant additional indebtedness and other financing obligations we may incur;
•the impact of covenants in the Indenture governing INNOVATE’s 2026 Senior Secured Notes, 2026 Convertible Notes, CGIC Unsecured Note and Revolving Line of Credit, the Certificates of Designation governing INNOVATE’s Series A-3 Preferred Stock and Series A-4 Preferred Stock and all other subsidiary debt obligations as summarized in Note 11. Debt Obligations to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and future financing agreements on our ability to operate our business and finance our pursuit of acquisition opportunities;
•our possible inability to generate sufficient liquidity, margins, earnings per share, cash flow and working capital from our operating segments;
•our dependence on certain key personnel including the passing in 2023 of Mr. Barr, our former CEO, President and Director and the successful transition of his management responsibilities;
•bank failures or other similar events that could adversely affect our and our customers' and vendors' liquidity and financial performance;
•our possible inability to hire and retain qualified executive management, sales, technical and other personnel;
•the potential for, and our ability to, remediate future material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting;
•changes in market conditions, including from political regulatory or market uncertainty, changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates or inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and increases in overall price levels, including in transportation costs;
•increased competition in the markets in which our operating segments conduct their businesses;
•limitations on our ability to successfully identify any strategic acquisitions or business opportunities and to compete for these opportunities with others who have greater resources;
•our ability to effectively increase the size of our organization, if needed, and manage our growth;
•the impact of expending significant resources in considering acquisition targets or business opportunities that are not consummated;
•our expectations and timing with respect to our ordinary course acquisition activity and whether such acquisitions are accretive or dilutive to stockholders;
•the effect any interests our officers, directors, stockholders and their respective affiliates may have in certain transactions in which we are involved;
•uncertain global economic conditions in the markets in which our operating segments conduct their businesses;
•the effects related to or resulting from ongoing and recent geopolitical events, such as the political unrest and military conflicts in the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine, including the imposition of additional sanctions and export controls, as well as the broader impact to financial markets and the global macroeconomic and geopolitical environment;
•the impact of catastrophic events, including natural disasters, pandemic illness and the outbreak of war, or acts of terrorism;
•potential impacts on our business resulting from climate change, greenhouse gas regulations, and the impact of climate change-related changes in the frequency and severity of weather patterns;
•the impact of additional material charges associated with our oversight of acquired or target businesses and the integration of our financial reporting;
•tax consequences associated with our acquisition, holding and disposition of target companies and assets;
•our ability to remain in compliance with the listing standards of the NYSE;
•the Reverse Stock Split may not result in a sustained increase in the per share price of our common stock;
•the ability of our operating segments to attract and retain customers;
•our expectations regarding the timing, extent and effectiveness of our cost reduction initiatives and management’s ability to moderate or control discretionary spending;
•management’s plans, goals, forecasts, expectations, guidance, objectives, strategies and timing for future operations, acquisitions, synergies, asset dispositions, fixed asset and goodwill impairment charges, tax and withholding expense, selling, general and administrative expenses, product plans, performance and results;
•management’s assessment of market factors and competitive developments, including pricing actions and regulatory rulings;
•our expectations and timing with respect to any strategic dispositions and sales of our operating subsidiaries, or businesses, that we may make in the future and the effect of any such dispositions or sales on our results of operations;
•the possibility of indemnification claims arising out of divestitures of businesses; and
•our possible inability to raise additional capital when needed or refinance our existing debt, on attractive terms, or at all.
Infrastructure / DBM Global Inc.
Our actual results or other outcomes of DBMG, and, thus, our Infrastructure segment, may differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein due to a variety of important factors, including, without limitation, the following:
•adverse impacts from weather affecting DBMG’s performance and timeliness of completion of projects, which could lead to increased costs and affect the quality, costs or availability of, or delivery schedule for, equipment, components, materials, labor or subcontractors;
•cost overruns on fixed-price or similar contracts or failure to receive timely or proper payments on cost-reimbursable contracts, whether as a result of improper estimates, performance, disputes, or otherwise;
•uncertain timing and funding of new contract awards, as well as project cancellations;
•potential impediments and limitations on our ability to complete ordinary course acquisitions in anticipated time frames or at all;
•changes in the costs or availability of, or delivery schedule for, equipment, components, materials, labor or subcontractors;
•changes in economic conditions, including from the impact of inflationary pressures and changes in interest rates;
•adverse outcomes of pending claims or litigation or the possibility of new claims or litigation, and the potential effect of such claims or litigation on DBMG’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow;
•risks associated with labor productivity, including performance of subcontractors that DBMG hires to complete projects;
•its ability to realize cost savings from expected performance of contracts, whether as a result of improper estimates, performance, or otherwise;
•its ability to settle or negotiate unapproved change orders and claims;
•fluctuating revenue resulting from a number of factors, including the cyclical nature of the individual markets in which our customers operate;
•our possible inability to raise additional capital when needed or refinance our existing debt, on attractive terms, or at all; and
•lack of necessary liquidity to provide bid, performance, advance payment and retention bonds, guarantees, or letters of credit securing DBMG’s obligations under bids and contracts or to finance expenditures prior to the receipt of payment for the performance of contracts.
Life Sciences / Pansend Life Sciences, LLC
Our actual results or other outcomes of Pansend Life Sciences, LLC, and, thus, our Life Sciences segment, may differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein due to a variety of important factors, including, without limitation, the following:
•our Life Sciences segment’s ability to invest in development stage companies;
•our Life Sciences segment’s ability to develop products and treatments related to its portfolio companies;
•medical advances in healthcare and biotechnology;
•governmental regulation in the healthcare industry; and
•our Life Sciences segment possible inability to raise additional capital when needed or refinance its existing debt, on attractive terms, or at all.
Spectrum / HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc.
Our actual results or other outcomes of Broadcasting, and, thus, our Spectrum segment, may differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein due to a variety of important factors, including, without limitation, the following:
•our Spectrum segment’s ability to operate in highly competitive markets and maintain market share;
•our Spectrum segment’s ability to effectively implement its business strategy or be successful in the operation of its business;
•our Spectrum segment's possible inability to raise additional capital when needed or refinance its existing debt, on attractive terms, or at all;
•new and growing sources of competition in the broadcasting industry; and
•FCC regulation of the television broadcasting industry.
We caution the reader that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries undertake any duty or responsibility to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect actual outcomes, except as required by applicable law.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The report of the independent registered public accounting firm and consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index are included in Item 15 of this report. Refer to the Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page of this Annual Report Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management evaluated, with the participation of our interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "Exchange Act") as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Disclosure controls and procedures mean our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
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. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Because of the inherent limitations in any internal control, no matter how well designed, misstatements may occur and not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, the evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting described below was made as of a specific date, and continued effectiveness in future periods is subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may decline.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. This assessment was based on updated criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, several of our subsidiaries successfully completed an implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") system, which replaced operating and financial systems and resulted in changes to internal controls over financial reporting. We have taken steps to ensure that appropriate controls are in place and operating effectively in the new system environment. These changes have been and will continue to be subject to our evaluation of the operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.
Other than as disclosed above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting 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.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
There were no "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements" (as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified, or terminated during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, by our directors and Section 16 officers.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information regarding this item will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for our 2025 meeting of stockholders ("2025 Proxy Statement") and is incorporated herein by reference.
Code of Conduct
We have adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, senior financial officers and other persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct is a statement of business practices and principles of behavior that support our commitment to conducting business in accordance with the highest standards of business conduct and ethics. Our Code of Conduct covers, among other things, compliance resources, conflicts of interest, compliance with laws, rules and regulations, internal reporting of violations and accountability for adherence to the Code of Conduct. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available under the "Investor Relations-Corporate Governance" section of our website at www.innovatecorp.com. Any amendment of the Code of Conduct or any waiver of its provisions for a director or executive officer must be approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof. We intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the rules of the NYSE concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the Code of Conduct.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information regarding this item will be set forth in our 2025 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information regarding this item will be set forth in our 2025 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information regarding this item will be set forth in our 2025 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services will be set forth in our 2025 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) List of Documents Filed as Part of This Report:
1) Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2) Financial Statement Schedules
Financial statement schedules have been omitted since they either are not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.
3) Exhibit Index
The following is a list of exhibits filed (including those incorporated by reference) or furnished as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Exhibit
Number Description
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 26, 2021, by and among INNOVATE Corp 2 (f/k/a HC2 Holdings 2, Inc.), Continental Insurance Group, Ltd. and Continental General Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on March 29, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
3.1 Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws of INNOVATE Corp (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.) dated February 21, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to INNOVATE's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 25, 2019) (File No. 001-35210)
3.2 Amendment #1 to Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws of INNOVATE Corp., (f/k/a HC2 Holdings Inc.) effective September 20, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 19, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
3.3 Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of INNOVATE Corp., dated September 30, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to INNOVATE's Form S-8 Registration Statement, filed with the SEC on October 30, 2024 (File No. 001-35210)
4.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock of DBM Global Intermediate Holdco Inc. dated July 1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on July 7, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
4.2 Secured Note dated October 24, 2019, by and among HC2 Station, HC2 LPTV, HC2 Broadcasting Inc. ("HC2 Broadcasting"), HC2 Network Inc. ("HC2 Network") (collectively the "Subsidiary Borrowers"), HC2 Broadcasting Intermediate Holdings Inc. ("HC2 Intermediate") (the "Intermediate Parent"), HC2 Broadcasting Holdings (the "Parent Borrower" and, together with the Intermediate Parent and the Subsidiary Borrowers, the "Borrowers"), and MSD PCOF Partners XVIII, LLC ("MSD") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to INNOVATE's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 16, 2020) (File No. 001-35210)
4.3 Amended and Restated Secured Note dated October 24, 2019, by and among HC2 Station, HC2 LPTV, HC2 Broadcasting, HC2 Network (collectively, the "Subsidiary Borrowers"), HC2 Intermediate (the "Intermediate Parent), HC2 Broadcasting Holdings (the "Parent Borrower" and, together with the Intermediate Parent and the Subsidiary Borrowers, the "Borrowers", Great American Life Insurance Company ("GALIC") and Great American Insurance Company ("GAIC") (collectively, the "Subsidiary Borrowers"), HC2 Intermediate (the "Intermediate Parent), HC2 Broadcasting Holdings (the "Parent Borrower" and, together with the Intermediate Parent and the Subsidiary Borrowers, the "Borrowers", Great American Life Insurance Company ("GALIC") and Great American Insurance Company ("GAIC") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to INNOVATE's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 16, 2020) (File No. 001-35210)
4.4 First Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes and Intercreditor Agreement dated as of February 21, 2020, by and among Station Group, LPTV, Broadcasting, Network, and HC2 Broadcasting Inc., Intermediate Parent, Parent Borrower, and MSD PCOF Partners, XVIII, LLC ("MSD"), GALIC and GAIC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to INNOVATE’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 11, 2020) (File No. 001-35210)
4.5 Second Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes dated as of August 31, 2020, by and among Station Group, LPTV, Broadcasting, Network, and HC2 Broadcasting Inc., Intermediate Parent, Parent Borrower, and MSD PCOF Partners, XVIII, LLC ("MSD"), GALIC and GAIC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2022) (File No. 001-35210)
4.6 Third Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes and Second Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement dated as of September 25, 2020, by and among Station Group, LPTV, Broadcasting, Network, and HC2 Broadcasting Inc., Intermediate Parent, Parent Borrower, and MSD PCOF Partners, XVIII, LLC ("MSD"), GALIC and GAIC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 on INNOVATE's Current Report on Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2020) (File No. 001-35210)
4.7 Fourth Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes and Third Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2020, by and among Station Group, LPTV, Broadcasting, Network, and HC2 Broadcasting Inc., Intermediate Parent, Parent Borrower, and MSD PCOF Partners, XVIII, LLC ("MSD"), GALIC and GAIC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2022) (File No. 001-35210),
4.8 Fifth Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes, Consent and Second Amendment to Asset Sale Under Secured Notes and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2021 by and among HC2 Station Group, Inc., HC2 LPTV Holdings, Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Inc., HC2 Network Inc., HC2 Broadcasting License Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Intermediate Holdings Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc., MSD PCOF Partners XVIII, LLC, Great American Life Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on October 27, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
4.9 Sixth Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes, dated as of November 28, 2022, by and among HC2 Station Group, Inc., HC2 LPTV Holdings, Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Inc., HC2 Network Inc., HC2 Broadcasting License Inc., DTV America Corporation, HC2 Broadcasting Intermediate Holdings Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc., MSD PCOF Partners, XVIII, LLC, MassMutual Ascent Life Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on November 29, 2022) (File No. 001-35210)
4.10 Seventh Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes, dated as of December 30, 2022, by and among HC2 Station Group, Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Inc., HC2 Network Inc., HC2 Broadcasting License Inc., DTV America Corporation, HC2 Broadcasting Intermediate Holdings Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc., MSD PCOF Partners, XVIII, LLC, MassMutual Ascent Life Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on January 5, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
4.11 Eighth Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes, dated as of August 8, 2023, by and among, HC2 Station Group, Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Inc., HC2 Network Inc., DTV America Corporation, HC2 Broadcasting Intermediate Holdings Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc., MSD PCOF Partners XVIII, LLC, MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by INNOVATE on August 9, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
4.12 Ninth Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes, dated as of November 9, 2023, by and among, HC2 Station Group, Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Inc., HC2 Network Inc., DTV America Corporation, HC2 Broadcasting Intermediate Holdings Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Holdings Inc., MSD PCOF Partners XVIII, LLC, MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by INNOVATE on November 9, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
4.13 Side Letter to Ninth Omnibus Amendment to Secured Notes, dated as of November 9, 2023, by and among,HC2 Station Group, Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Inc., HC2 Network, Inc., DTV America Corporation, HC2 Broadcasting Intermediate Holdings, Inc., HC2 Broadcasting Holdings, Inc., and MassMutual Life Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by INNOVATE on November 9, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
4.14 Ninth Amended and Restated Agreement Re: Secured Notes dated October 24, 2019, among HC2 Station, HC2 LPTV, HC2 Network, HC2 Broadcasting, GALIC, GAIC and MSD (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to INNOVATE's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 16, 2020) (File No. 001-35210)
4.15 Indenture governing the 8.500% senior secured notes due 2026, dated as of February 1, 2021, by and among INNOVATE Corp. (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.), the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on February 1, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
4.16 Form of 8.500% senior secured notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 (included in Exhibit 4.1) to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on February 1, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
4.17 Indenture governing the 7.5% convertible senior notes due 2026, dated as of February 1, 2021, by and between INNOVATE Corp. (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.) and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on February 1, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
4.18 Form of 7.5% convertible senior notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 (included in Exhibit 4.3) to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on February 1, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
4.19 Description of the Registrant's Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2022) (File No. 001-35210)
4.20 Agreement Re: Secured Notes, dated January 22, 2019, by and among HC2 Station, HC2 LPTV and the Institutional Investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to INNOVATE's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 23, 2019) (File No. 001-35210)
4.21 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 9, 2020, by and between INNOVATE Corp and Lancer Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 (filed herewith)
4.22 Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2015, by and among INNOVATE Corp (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.), the initial purchasers of the Series A Preferred Stock, the initial purchasers of the Series A Preferred Stock and the purchasers of the Series A-2 Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on INNOVATE's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 9, 2015) (File No. 001-35210).
4.23 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 5, 2024 by and between INNOVATE Corp. and Lancer Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2024 (File No. 001-35210)
10.1^
INNOVATE Corp. (f/k/a HC2 Holdings Inc.) 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to INNOVATE’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on April 29, 2014) (File No. 001-35210)
10.2^
Employment Agreement, dated May 20, 2015, by and between INNOVATE Corp. (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.) and Michael Sena (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on INNOVATE’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 10, 2015) (File No. 001-35210)
10.3^
Revised Form of Indemnification Agreement of INNOVATE Corp. (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on INNOVATE’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on November 9, 2016) (File No. 001-35210)
10.4^
INNOVATE Corp. (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.) Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the INNOVATE Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 26, 2017) (File No. 001-35210)
10.5^
Form of Employee Nonqualified Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 on INNOVATE's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 9, 2016 (File No. 001-35210
10.6 Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of June 27, 2017 among DTV Holding Inc., John N. Kyle II, Kristina C. Bruni, King Forward, Inc., Equity Trust Co FBO John N. Kyle, Tiger Eye Licensing L.L.C., Bella Spectra Corporation, Kim Ann Dagen and Michael S. Dagen, Trustees of the Kim Ann Dagen Revocable Living Trust Agreement dated March 2, 1999, Madison Avenue Ventures, LLC, Paul Donner, Reeves Callaway, Don Shalhub, Shalhub Medical Investments PA, Tipi Sha, LLC, Luis O. Suau, Irwin Podhajser and Humberto Garriga (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to INNOVATE's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 28, 2017) (File No. 001-35210)
10.7^
INNOVATE Corp (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.) Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to INNOVATE's Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on April 30, 2018) (File No. 001-35210)
10.8 Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2021, by and among DBM Global Inc., the other Borrowers listed on Schedule 1.1 thereto, the Lenders, which are party thereto from time to time and UMB Bank, n.a., a national banking association, as Letter of Credit Issuer and as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on May 27, 2021) (File No. 001-35210),
10.9 Form of Exchange Agreement, dated July 1, 2021, by and among INNOVATE Corp. (f/k/a HC2 Holdings, Inc.) and the investors party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on July 7, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
10.10^
Executive Severance Guidelines effective October 21, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on October 27, 2021) (File No. 001-35210)
10.11^
2019 INNOVATE Corp. Executive Bonus Plan effective April 25, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Annual Report on Form 10-k filed on March 9, 2022) (File No. 001-35210))
10.12^
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2022) (File No. 001-35210)
10.13^
Form of Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2022) (File No. 001-35210)
10.14^
Form of Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2022) (File No. 001-35210)
10.15 First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 2, 2022, among DBM Global Inc. and the Other Borrowers, the Lenders, UMB Bank, as Administrative Agent and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 2, 2022) (File No. 001-35210)
10.16 Letter Agreement with Continental General Insurance Company dated December 30, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on January 5, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
10.17 Mutual Release and Termination Agreement dated as of December 31, 2022, by and among Azteca International Corporation and TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V., HC2 Network, Inc. and TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on January 5, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
10.18 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 9, 2023 by and between INNOVATE Corp. and Continental General Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by INNOVATE on May 10, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
10.19 Subordinated Unsecured Promissory Note dated as of May 9, 2023 by and between INNOVATE Corp. and Continental General Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by INNOVATE on May 10, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
10.20 Employment Agreement dated as of October 6, 2023 by and between Paul K. Voigt and INNOVATE Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by INNOVATE on October 11, 2023) (File No. 001-35210)
10.21 Amended and Restated Senior Secured Promissory Note dated as of January 31, 2024 by and between R2 Technologies, Inc. and Lancer Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.72 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by INNOVATE on March, 6, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.22 INNOVATE Corp. Clawback Policy effective November 2, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.66 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by INNOVATE on March 6, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.23 INNOVATE Corp. Insider Trading Policy effective November 2, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.67 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by INNOVATE on March 6, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.24 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2023, among DBM Global Inc. and the other Borrowers, the Lenders, UMB Bank, n.a., as Administrative Agent and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.68 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by INNOVATE on March 6, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.25 Amendment of Senior Secured Promissory Note dated effective as of April 30, 2024 by and between R2 Technologies, Inc. and Lancer Capital LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.26 Collateral Trust Agreement dated as of November 20, 2018 among HC2 Holdings, Inc., the other Grantors from time to time party hereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture and U.S. Bank National Association, as Collateral Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.27 Amendment No. 1 to Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2021, to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2018 (the "Collateral Trust Agreement") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.28 Collateral Trust Joinder - Additional Pari Passu Obligations dated February 1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.29 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 2024, by and among DBM Global Inc., the other Borrowers listed on Schedule 1.1 hereto and UMB BANK, N.A. ((incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.30 Amendment No. 2 of Senior Secured Promissory Note dated effective as of May 17, 2024 by and between R2 Technologies, Inc. and Lancer Capital LLC ((incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.31 INNOVATE Corp Second Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Equity Award Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to INNOVATE’s Information Statement on Schedule 14C, filed with the SEC on October 7, 2024) (File No. 001-35210)
10.32 Third Amended & Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Pansend Life Sciences, LLC, dated as of November 21, 2019, by and among INNOVATE Corp 2 (f/k/a HC2 Holdings 2, Inc.), David Present and Cherine Plumaker (filed herewith)
10.33^
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (filed herewith)
10.34 Amendment No. 3 of Senior Secured Promissory Note dated, effective as of December 31, 2024, by and between R2 Technologies, Inc. and Lancer Capital LLC (filed herewith)
21.1 Subsidiaries of INNOVATE (filed herewith)
23.1 Consent of BDO USA, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm (filed herewith)
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith)
32.1* Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (furnished herewith)
101 The following materials from the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, formatted in extensible business reporting language (XBRL); (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (filed herewith).
104 The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).
* These certifications are being "furnished" and will not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
^ Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.