10q10k10q10k.net

What changed in Ouster, Inc.'s 10-K — 2023 vs 2024

vs

Paragraph-level year-over-year comparison of Ouster, Inc.'s 2023 and 2024 10-K annual filings, covering the Business, Risk Factors, Legal Proceedings, Cybersecurity, MD&A and Market Risk sections. Every new, removed and edited paragraph is highlighted side-by-side so you can see exactly what management changed in the 2024 report.

+377 added−430 removedSource: 10-K (2025-03-21) vs 10-K (2024-03-28)

Top changes in Ouster, Inc.'s 2024 10-K

377 paragraphs added · 430 removed · 311 edited across 7 sections

Item 1. Business

Business — how the company describes what it does

81 edited+9 added−20 removed43 unchanged
Biggest changeWe intend to further develop complementary solutions and integration services that we believe will provide potential customers with the requisite technical know-how and we expect that this will accelerate our sales growth. 13 Table of C ontents Strengthen our worldwide sales and marketing presence To further grow our market share in our target markets, we intend to opportunistically scale our commercial team to serve the needs of each end market.
Biggest changeStrengthen our worldwide sales and marketing presence To further grow our market share in our target markets, we intend to opportunistically scale our commercial team to serve the needs of each end market. As our market presence grows through targeted sales and marketing activity, we believe our customer base will grow.
Item 1. Business. Overview Ouster, Inc. is building the eyes of autonomy. We are a leading global provider of lidar sensors for the automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure industries. Ouster’s products include high-resolution scanning and solid-state digital lidar sensors, analog lidar sensors, and software solutions.
Item 1. Business. Overview Ouster, Inc. is building the eyes of autonomy. We are a leading global provider of lidar sensors and solutions for the automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure industries. Ouster’s products include high-resolution scanning and solid-state digital lidar sensors, analog lidar sensors, and software solutions.
We protect our proprietary rights through agreements with our commercial partners, supply chain vendors, employees, and consultants, and by closely monitoring the developments and products in the industry; and in addition to actively seeking patent protection covering inventions originating from us, we continually evaluate opportunities to acquire or in-license patents to the extent we believe such patents are useful or relevant to our business.
We protect our proprietary rights through agreements with our commercial partners, supply chain vendors, employees, and consultants, and by closely monitoring the developments and products in the industry; and in addition to seeking patent protection covering inventions originating from us, we continually evaluate opportunities to acquire or in-license patents to the extent we believe such patents are useful or relevant to our business.
For example, we continue to add features to our existing OS line, and we expect to design, engineer and test our new DF product line, to meet evolving U.S. and international consumer product safety and performance requirements as well as Automotive and Industrial Functional Safety, Cybersecurity and performance certifications designed to ensure the safe deployment and operation of autonomous vehicles, automotive ADAS, industrial machines and robots.
For example, we continue to add features to our existing OS product line, and we expect to design, engineer and test our new DF sensors, to meet evolving U.S. and international consumer product safety and performance requirements as well as Automotive and Industrial Functional Safety, Cybersecurity and performance certifications designed to ensure the safe deployment and operation of autonomous vehicles, automotive ADAS, industrial machines and robots.
Our proprietary SoC replaces hundreds to thousands of discrete components with a single tightly integrated SPAD receiver array, and our high-efficiency VCSEL array integrates every laser into a single die. Moreover, our patented micro-optical system increases digital lidar performance by the equivalent of an orders-of-magnitude increase in detector efficiency.
Our proprietary SoC replaces hundreds to thousands of discrete components with a single, tightly-integrated, custom SPAD receiver array, and our high-efficiency VCSEL array integrates every laser into a single die. Moreover, our patented micro-optical system increases digital lidar performance by the equivalent of an orders-of-magnitude increase in detector efficiency.
We also engaged a certain number of consultants and independent contractors to supplement our permanent workforce. None of our employees are currently represented by a labor union or covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe we have strong and positive relations with our employees. Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.
We also engaged a certain number of consultants and independent contractors to supplement our permanent workforce. None of our employees are currently represented by a labor union or covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe we have strong and positive relations with our employees. Inclusion and Belonging.
The Sense acquisition and the Velodyne Merger have enabled us to acquire additional intellectual property, which we believe will continue to distinguish us in the lidar space. 11 Table of C ontents High performance at an affordable price As we introduce future generations of our proprietary SoC, we expect to be able to offer improved resolution, range, precision, reliability, and unlock new data types.
The Sense acquisition and the Velodyne Merger have enabled us to acquire additional intellectual property, which we believe will continue to distinguish us in the lidar space. 8 Table of C ontents High performance at an affordable price As we introduce future generations of our proprietary SoC, we expect to be able to offer improved resolution, range, precision, and reliability, and unlock new data types.
We currently have proprietary intellectual property for both our digital and analog products, including in our embedded software, real-time 3D vision for autonomous systems, manufacturing processes and calibration methodology. We have also filed patents and trademark applications in order to further secure these rights and strengthen our ability to defend against third parties who may infringe on our rights.
We currently have proprietary intellectual property for both our digital and analog products and solutions, including in our software, real-time 3D vision for autonomous systems, manufacturing processes and calibration methodology. We have also filed patents and trademark applications in order to further secure these rights and strengthen our ability to defend against third parties who may infringe on our rights.
Although we believe our line of products and innovation support position us as a leader in the lidar market, we will continue to face competition from existing, established market competitors with greater resources and new companies developing lidar solutions. Sales And Marketing We maintain a global sales presence across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific markets.
Although we believe our line of products and innovation support position us as a leader in the lidar market, we will continue to face competition from existing, established market competitors with greater resources and new companies developing lidar solutions. Sales And Marketing We maintain a global sales presence across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and Pacific markets.
To attract, motivate and retain a highly-skilled workforce throughout our organization, we are focused on facilitating a safe and inclusive work environment that leverages the capabilities of our employees and encourages diversity of thought. In furtherance of these objectives, we provide Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging training for our employees to promote a healthy and inclusive organizational culture. Employee engagement.
To attract, motivate and retain a highly-skilled workforce throughout our organization, we are focused on facilitating a safe and inclusive work environment that leverages the capabilities of our employees and encourages diversity of thought. In furtherance of these objectives, we provide Inclusion and Belonging training for our employees to promote a healthy and inclusive organizational culture.
Since our inception, we have heavily invested in our patent portfolio by pursuing comprehensive coverage of invention families, use cases, and broad international coverage.
Since our inception, we have heavily invested in our patent portfolio by pursuing comprehensive coverage of invention families, use cases, and international coverage.
Our filings with the SEC can also be accessed through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov . Our website and the information included in or linked to our website are not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC. 16 Table of C ontents
Our filings with the SEC can also be accessed through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov . Our website and the information included in or linked to our website are not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC. 13 Table of C ontents
Our product roadmap primarily consists of designing, building, and integrating improved semiconductors into the OS product line, which we anticipate will improve the range and resolution of our sensors, among other features, without substantial changes to the form factor of our sensors. We have manufactured prototypes of our DF product line for the automotive ADAS market.
Our digital lidar product roadmap primarily consists of designing, building, and integrating improved semiconductors into the OS product line, which we anticipate will improve the range and resolution of our sensors, among other features, without substantial changes to the form factor of our sensors. We have manufactured prototypes of our DF sensors for the automotive ADAS market.
The model options include the hemispheric field of view OSDome, the ultra-wide view “OS0,” the mid-range “OS1,” and the long-range “OS2.” Within each of these models, we offer numerous configuration options, including but not limited to different resolutions, connection standards, and data output structures.
The model options include the hemispheric field of view “OSDome”, the ultra-wide view “OS0,” the mid-range “OS1,” and the long-range “OS2.” Within each of these models, we offer numerous configuration options, including but not limited to different resolutions, connection standards, and data output structures.
Our simple digital architecture shared across our products results in a single manufacturing process and common supply chain for all of our sensor models that we believe results in cost advantages that help us offer lower prices to our customers while maintaining gross margins.
Our simple digital architecture shared across our products has allowed for a single manufacturing process and common supply chain for all of our sensor models that we believe results in cost advantages that help us offer lower prices to our customers while maintaining gross margins.
Blue City can help improve mobility and urban growth management for all modes of transport with data-based decision-making insights on the volume, speed, and direction of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Data analytics dashboard . Blue City provides a user dashboard with actionable insights such as number of near misses, pedestrian crossing time estimates, illegal turn detection, and red-light violations.
BlueCity can help improve mobility and urban growth management for all modes of transport with data-based decision-making insights on the volume, speed, and direction of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Data analytics dashboard . BlueCity provides a user dashboard with actionable insights such as number of near misses, pedestrian crossing time estimates, illegal turn detection, and red-light violations.
From time to time, we sponsor universities and other non-profit organizations to increase awareness of our technology and showcase its capabilities. 14 Table of C ontents Research and Development We have invested significant resources into research and development of our lidar-based technologies.
From time to time, we sponsor universities and other non-profit organizations to increase awareness of our technology and showcase its capabilities. 11 Table of C ontents Research and Development We have invested significant resources into research and development of our lidar-based technologies.
As the Company has developed, we have built a strong supporting team, adding leaders in sales, marketing, operations, engineering, manufacturing, legal, and finance. 12 Table of C ontents Our Growth Strategies Our growth strategy is based upon three components: the attractive performance and cost economics of our digital lidar technology, accelerating adoption with our software solutions, and focused commercial execution.
As the Company has developed, we have built a strong supporting team, adding leaders in sales, marketing, operations, engineering, manufacturing, legal, and finance. Our Growth Strategies Our growth strategy is based upon three components: the attractive performance and cost economics of our digital lidar technology, accelerating adoption with our software solutions, and focused commercial execution.
We sell directly to the majority of our customers and have also developed a global network of active distributors to sell, install and support our solutions. Our commercial team is made up of experienced leaders who have been developing a focused sales organization geared towards ramping our sales pipeline.
We sell directly to many of our customers and have also developed a global network of active distributors to sell, install, and support our solutions. Our commercial team is made up of experienced leaders who have been developing a focused sales organization geared towards ramping our sales pipeline.
Powered by this chip, the solid-state DF product line features short, medium, and long-range sensing options that we believe has the potential to meet the performance, reliability, design, and cost requirements of global automotive OEMs. Vertical cavity surface emitting laser array Paired with our digital SPAD SoC is an array of VCSELs.
Powered by this chip, the solid-state DF lidar features short, medium, and long-range sensing options that we believe has the potential to meet the performance, reliability, design, and cost requirements of global industrial and automotive OEMs. Vertical cavity surface emitting laser array Paired with our digital SPAD SoC is an array of VCSELs.
Connecting Blue City’s intelligent solution to existing traffic controllers helps optimize signal timing and traffic and crowd flow based on real-time, multimodal traffic data. This can result in reduced traffic congestion, decreased vehicle delays, and maximized system capacity. Improve urban planning .
Connecting BlueCity’s intelligent solution to existing traffic controllers helps optimize signal timing and traffic and crowd flow based on real-time, multimodal traffic data. This can result in reduced traffic congestion, decreased vehicle delays, and maximized system capacity. Improve urban planning .
Powered by our lidar sensors and software solutions, our products provide smart infrastructure customers the ability to detect, classify, and track people and vehicles through an easy to use software user interface, allowing them to interact with lidar data indirectly and in a task-relevant manner.
Our lidar sensors and software solutions provide smart infrastructure customers the ability to detect, classify, and track people and vehicles through an easy to use software user interface, allowing them to interact with lidar data indirectly and in a task-relevant manner.
We focus our efforts on the development of digital lidar technology, software functionality, solutions, and innovative manufacturing technologies. The research and development team also partners with our operations and supply chain teams to develop scalable and reliable manufacturing processes and aid in supply chain planning and diversification.
We focus our efforts on the development of digital lidar technology, developer tooling, software solutions, and innovative manufacturing technologies. The research and development team also partners with our operations and supply chain teams to develop scalable and reliable manufacturing processes and aid in supply chain planning and diversification.
In our OS product line, we are currently on our fifth-generation SoC, “L3”, which combines significant processing power with a 128-channel SPAD array onto a single piece of silicon and powers all of our REV7 products. Our SoC is capable of counting individual photons in order to detect very weak laser light pulses from long range targets.
In our Ouster Sensor (“OS”) product line, we are currently on our “L3” generation of SoC, which combines significant processing power with a 128-channel SPAD array onto a single piece of silicon and powers all of our REV7 products. Our SoC is capable of counting individual photons in order to detect very weak laser light pulses from long range targets.
We anticipate that 3D vision technologies, coupled with artificial intelligence, will power new autonomous technologies that in turn will fundamentally disrupt business models across many existing industries and also enable entirely new industries and capabilities.
We anticipate that 3D vision technologies, coupled with artificial intelligence, will power autonomy that in turn will fundamentally disrupt business models across many existing industries and enable entirely new industries and capabilities.
We plan to leverage this dynamic to grow our sensor sales by steadily improving our product performance while consistently maintaining a competitive price point. We believe our software solutions for multiple end markets present a significant growth opportunity. For existing lidar users, software has the potential to decrease development time and improve system performance.
We plan to leverage this dynamic to grow our sensor sales by steadily improving our product performance while consistently maintaining a competitive price point. 9 Table of C ontents We believe our software solutions for multiple end markets present a significant growth opportunity. For existing lidar users, software has the potential to decrease development time and improve system performance.
Our sensors also undergo application-focused final testing, which allows us to understand the real-world performance of our sensors before they are shipped to customers. We continue to invest in building manufacturing process control systems, which provide real-time production information on the sensors produced in Thailand through integrated data stores and dashboards. This streamlined production process aims at lowering manufacturing costs.
Our sensors also undergo application-focused final testing, which allows us to understand the real-world performance of our sensors before they are shipped to customers. We continue to invest in building manufacturing process control systems, which provide real-time production information on the sensors produced at the facilities in Thailand and San Francisco through integrated data stores and dashboards.
The DF series is designed to meet automaker requirements and certifications for advanced driver assistance systems (“ADAS”) and autonomous driving, while seamlessly integrating into the vehicle architecture and design. The DF series is also suitable for non-ADAS use cases where a full 360 degree field of view is not required.
The DF series is designed to meet automaker requirements and certifications for advanced driver assistance systems (“ADAS”) and autonomous driving, while seamlessly integrating into the vehicle architecture and design. The DF series is also suitable for non-ADAS use cases where a full 360 degree field of view is not required. Its key features include high resolution, adaptability, and scalability.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue from product sales. 10 Table of C ontents Automotive Our customers in the automotive industry fall into two categories: customers developing various forms of self-driving technology for driverless mobility and freight applications, and customers developing consumer ADAS.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, one customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue from product sales. Automotive Our customers in the automotive industry fall into two categories: customers developing various forms of self-driving technology for driverless mobility and freight applications, and customers developing consumer ADAS.
As we continue to release new generations of the silicon CMOS SoCs that power the OS product line, we expect the performance of the sensors to improve. In October 2022, we announced the launch of our newest OS series scanning sensors, REV7, powered by our next-generation L3 chip.
As we continue to release new generations of the silicon CMOS SoCs that power the OS product line, we expect the performance of our sensors to improve. In 2022, we launched our REV7 OS series scanning sensors powered by our L3 chip.
Commercialize digital lidar for emerging automotive opportunities We believe that our cost-reduced solid-state DF sensor will meet the automotive industry’s requirements for performance, cost, and reliability in ADAS applications. As development progresses, we will strive to build and maintain relationships with global automotive OEMs and Tier 1s to further strengthen demand.
Commercialize digital lidar for emerging high volume OEM opportunities We believe that our solid-state DF sensor will meet industry requirements for performance, cost, and reliability in high volume OEM applications. As development progresses, we will strive to build and maintain relationships with global OEMs and Tier 1s to further strengthen demand.
Product Roadmap And Development We currently expect that our future digital lidar product developments will be primarily driven by improvements to our semiconductors—the receiver SoC and VCSEL laser array— with little to no impact on the designs or architecture of our sensors. We expect to maintain our OS product line with our four current sensor models.
We currently expect that our future digital lidar product developments will be primarily driven by improvements to our semiconductors—the receiver SoC and VCSEL laser array— with little to no impact on the designs or architecture of our sensors.
Large and diversified customer base We continue to diversify our customer base by solidifying our presence in automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure, which we believe gives us key advantages.
Large and diversified customer base We have diversified and strive to continue to diversify our customer base by growing our business in automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure, which we believe gives us key advantages.
This digital SPAD-based approach enables our OS sensors to be compact, high-performance, and low-cost in order to provide advanced autonomy functionality to our industrial, robotics, smart infrastructure, and automotive customers. Our DF product line currently features our first generation CMOS SoC for solid-state sensors. In 2021, we announced our second generation DF SoC, “Chronos”.
This digital SPAD-based approach enables our OS sensors to be compact, high-performance, and low-cost in order to provide advanced autonomy functionality to our industrial, robotics, smart infrastructure, and automotive customers. Our Digital Flash (“DF”) lidar is under development and utilizes our first generation CMOS SoC for solid-state sensors. In 2021, we announced our second generation DF SoC, “Chronos”.
First, our customer and market diversity add stability to our business and we are able to reduce our exposure to the risk of development delays or regulatory changes that may affect our sales to a single customer or in a particular market.
Our customer and market diversity add stability to our business and we are able to reduce our exposure to the risk of development delays or regulatory changes that may affect our sales to a single customer or in a particular market. Volume manufacturing today We designed our technology for high-volume manufacturing.
We believe that we are well-positioned to deliver on OEM requirements with a single supplier offering, reducing overall costs and making us a preferred potential partner for both automotive OEMs and Tier 1s. Velodyne product lines We also offer certain surround-view lidar sensors that Velodyne previously marketed prior to our merger with Velodyne in February 2023.
We believe that we are well-positioned to deliver on OEM requirements with a single supplier offering, reducing overall costs and making us a preferred potential partner. Velodyne product lines We also offer certain surround-view lidar sensors that Velodyne previously marketed prior to the Velodyne Merger.
Blue City Blue City is a Gemini-powered solution for traffic operations, planning, and safety. Blue City provides real-time data analytics and predictions, which can be used to improve traffic and crowd flow efficiency, improve urban planning, advance sustainability, and protect vulnerable road users in a wide range of weather and lighting conditions. Improve flow efficiency .
BlueCity provides real-time data analytics and predictions, which can be used to improve traffic and crowd flow efficiency, improve urban planning, advance sustainability, and protect vulnerable road users in a wide range of weather and lighting conditions. Improve flow efficiency .
The automotive industry is continuing its rapid shift towards advanced/enhanced safety and autonomy features, powered by lidar. We believe we are uniquely positioned to support this transformation.
The automotive industry is shifting towards advanced/enhanced safety and autonomy features, in part powered by lidar. We believe we are uniquely positioned to support this transformation.
OS Product line Introduced in 2018, the OS product line, based on our fifth-generation L3 SoC, is available in four different models to meet the needs of our end customers.
OS Product line Introduced in 2018, the OS product line is available in four different models to meet the needs of our end customers.
Competition There is an increasing demand for lidar to help advance automated systems with the intended goal of increasing safety, improving efficiency and enhancing productivity. Lidar’s status as a critical sensor in many applications gives us the opportunity to add enhanced value to customers by providing comprehensive solutions. There is increasing adoption of lidar across a wide variety of industries.
This streamlined production process aims at lowering manufacturing costs. Competition There is an increasing demand for lidar to help advance automated systems with the intended goal of increasing safety, improving efficiency and enhancing productivity. Lidar’s status as a critical sensor in many applications gives us the opportunity to add enhanced value to customers by providing comprehensive solutions.
We are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as amended, (“OSHA”), and comparable international, state and local laws that protect and regulate employee health and safety.
We are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as amended, (“OSHA”), and comparable international, state and local laws that protect and regulate employee health and safety. We are subject to climate-related, sustainability and environmental laws, rules and regulations that are evolving and changing.
We work with companies across the entire automotive ecosystem, from technology providers to direct automotive parts suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), to design and manufacture lidar sensors for these advanced vehicle systems. • Industrial.
We work with companies across the entire automotive ecosystem, from technology providers to direct automotive parts suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), to design and manufacture lidar sensors for these advanced vehicle systems. • Industrial. Our industrial customers use our lidar sensors to increase safety and automate operations across the global supply chain.
We prioritize employee engagement and value employee feedback, which we gauge through an annual employee engagement survey that helps us monitor both engagement and satisfaction and provides an additional reference point for evaluating initiatives aimed at enhancing our employees’ experience. Compensation and Benefits.
We prioritize employee engagement and value employee feedback, which we gauge through periodic employee engagement surveys that help us monitor both engagement and satisfaction and provides an additional reference point for evaluating initiatives aimed at enhancing our employees’ experience. Compensation and Benefits. We offer what we consider attractive compensation and benefit packages.
Compared to radar, lidar provides better resolution, perceiving objects’ shapes for superior object detection and classification. Lidar systems are designed to detect pedestrians equally well during daytime and nighttime conditions because the systems provide self-illumination by means of laser beams. In October of 2021, Ouster acquired Sense Photonics, Inc.
Lidar also performs better than cameras in low light conditions and produces fewer errors. Compared to radar, lidar provides better resolution, perceiving objects’ shapes for superior object detection and classification. Lidar systems are designed to detect pedestrians equally well during daytime and nighttime conditions because the systems provide self-illumination by means of laser beams.
We also plan to continue to manufacture certain analog sensors of the Puck family and the Alpha Prime that we acquired from the Velodyne Merger. Custom system-on-a-chip (“SoC”) with SPAD detectors Our sensors contain a custom-designed SoC that replaces the functionality of hundreds of discrete analog components and integrates those capabilities onto a single complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (“CMOS”) chip.
Custom system-on-a-chip (“SoC”) with SPAD detectors Our sensors contain a custom-designed SoC that replaces the functionality of hundreds of discrete analog components and integrates those capabilities onto a single complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (“CMOS”) chip.
Additionally, some of our targeted customers may have their own internal lidar development programs. Our software products may also compete against companies that provide standalone software solutions.
Ltd., Luminar Technologies, MicroVision, Pepperl+Fuchs, Quanergy, RoboSense, Seyond, and SICK. Additionally, some of our targeted customers may have their own internal lidar development programs. Our software products may also compete against companies that provide standalone software solutions.
We outsource certain product lines to our manufacturing partners Benchmark and Fabrinet, both of which have manufacturing facilities in Thailand. We believe these relationships provide multiple benefits, including allowing us to reduce our operating costs and the ability to leverage our partners’ manufacturing capacity to quickly respond to changes in demand.
We believe these relationships provide multiple benefits, including allowing us to reduce our operating costs and the ability to leverage our partners’ manufacturing capacity to quickly respond to changes in demand.
As a result, we compete against several companies developing lidar solutions for incorporation into these developing applications, some of which may be similar to ours. Our competitors may include and are not limited to: AEye, Aeva Inc., Cepton Technologies, Innoviz Technologies, Hesai Technology, Luminar Technologies, MicroVision, Pepperl+Fuchs, Quanergy, RoboSense, Seyond, and SICK.
There is increasing adoption of lidar across a wide variety of industries. As a result, we compete against several companies developing lidar solutions for incorporation into these developing applications, some of which may be similar to ours. Our competitors may include and are not limited to: AEye, Aeva Inc., Cepton, Hesai Technology, Innoviz Technologies, Koito Manufacturing Co.
We believe our lidar can empower 3D perception capabilities within robots, cars, trucks and drones, as well as factories, warehouses, roads, sidewalks, public spaces, retail stores, stadiums, docks, and airport terminals.
We envision a future where our digital technology enables lidar to become universal, empowering 3D perception capabilities within robots, cars, trucks, and drones, as well as factories, warehouses, roads, sidewalks, public spaces, retail stores, stadiums, docks, and airport terminals.
The combined effect of these micro-optical systems on sensor performance is equivalent to an increase in detector efficiency of multiple orders of magnitude. We believe this breakthrough intellectual property gives us significant competitive advantages over other companies. Embedded software Our existing embedded software is field-upgradeable, which enables us to customize and improve our sensor’s capabilities.
The combined effect of these micro-optical systems on sensor performance is equivalent to an increase in detector efficiency of multiple orders of magnitude. 5 Table of C ontents Embedded software Our existing embedded software is field-upgradeable, which enables us to customize and improve our sensors’ capabilities.
(“Sense”) a developer of solid-state flash lidar based on VCSEL and SPAD technology. This acquisition enables the development of our DF sensor line which leverages technology and engineering expertise from both companies. In February 2023, Ouster merged with Velodyne, a global player in lidar sensors solutions.
In October of 2021, Ouster acquired Sense Photonics, Inc. (“Sense”) a developer of solid-state flash lidar based on VCSEL and SPAD technology. This acquisition has supported the development of our DF sensor which leverages technology and engineering expertise from both companies. In February 2023, Ouster completed the merger (the “Velodyne Merger”) with Velodyne Lidar, Inc.
Visionary management team Innovation is central to our corporate culture. Ouster’s co-founders Angus Pacala and Mark Frichtl have over two decades of combined experience in lidar engineering. In collaboration with our seasoned executive management team, they drive our vision and corporate strategy.
Ouster’s co-founders Angus Pacala and Mark Frichtl have over two decades of combined experience in lidar engineering. In collaboration with our seasoned executive management team, they drive our vision and corporate strategy. We believe that the digital lidar technology invented by our founders will continue to drive significant improvements in autonomous technology.
Digital solid-state technology positioned to capture automotive scale We expect that our prospective ADAS customers will select lidar suppliers primarily based on the anticipated ability to meet performance, reliability, design, and cost requirements.
Digital solid-state technology positioned to capture high volume OEM opportunities We expect that our prospective customers will select lidar suppliers primarily based on the anticipated ability to meet performance, reliability, design, and cost requirements. We believe that the solid-state digital lidar technology in our DF sensors will meet these requirements and lead to production wins and growth in this segment.
Our robotics customers are pioneering an automated future that can affect many aspects of our daily lives as they take on tasks that are redundant, cumbersome, expensive or dangerous for humans. • Smart infrastructure. Our smart infrastructure customers are in both the public and private sector.
This includes material handling vehicles at ports and warehouses, off-highway vehicles in mines and on farms, and manufacturing equipment in factories. • Robotics. Our robotics customers are pioneering an automated future that can affect many aspects of our daily lives as they take on tasks that are redundant, cumbersome, expensive or dangerous for humans. • Smart infrastructure.
We expect to offer individual solid-state sensors as well as a multi-sensor lidar suite at a price point that we believe could enable broad adoption in consumer vehicles.
The solid-state DF series is designed to be highly manufacturable and to offer durability, reliability, and affordability. We expect to offer individual solid-state sensors as well as a multi-sensor lidar suite at a price point that we believe could enable broad adoption.
Gemini perception software is specifically optimized to take advantage of the rich and robust data provided by Ouster’s digital lidar sensors. The high resolution and improved range of our digital lidar sensors combined with a state of the art deep neural network based perception algorithms enhance the detection, classification, and tracking accuracy of the perception software. Uninterrupted tracking .
The high resolution and improved range of our digital lidar sensors combined with a state of the art deep neural network based perception algorithms enhance the detection, classification, and tracking accuracy of the perception software. Uninterrupted tracking . Gemini enables seamless tracking of objects across an entire area.
Our Product Portfolio Using an array of eye-safe lasers, our lidar solutions measure distances in the environment at the speed of light. Unlike camera-based solutions, lidar solutions allow machines to see in 3D by providing precise distance measurements of surrounding objects. Lidar also performs better than cameras in low light conditions and produces fewer errors.
We believe these technology breakthroughs are central to our competitive advantage and dramatically improve sensor performance. Our Product Portfolio Using an array of eye-safe lasers, our lidar solutions measure distances in the environment at the speed of light. Unlike camera-based solutions, lidar solutions allow machines to see in 3D by providing precise distance measurements of surrounding objects.
The multi-sensor suite is a flexible platform that can be easily adapted to different form-factors and sensor configurations to provide varying ranges, fields of view, and vehicle design freedoms – all with a simple change in optics or housing. Scalability. The solid-state DF product line is highly manufacturable and offers the durability, reliability, and affordability needed for automotive series production.
High resolution. The patented breakthrough solid-state digital flash architecture produces high-resolution 3D point clouds. Adaptability. The multi-sensor suite is a flexible platform that can be easily adapted to different form-factors and sensor configurations to provide varying ranges, fields of view, and vehicle design freedoms – all with a simple change in optics or housing. Scalability.
Pursue strategic transactions We have explored and may continue to explore strategic acquisitions, mergers or other transactions as a means to improve our competitive position. For example, in February 2023, we completed our merger of equals with Velodyne which helped us to strengthen our financial position, technology portfolio and software offering.
For example, in February 2023, we completed our merger of equals with Velodyne which helped us to strengthen our financial position, technology portfolio and software offering.
This dense, compact approach enables us to increase our resolution without increasing the size or complexity of our sensors. 5 Table of C ontents Patented micro-optical system In addition to our detector SoC and VCSEL array, our sensors feature patented micro-optical systems that enhance the performance of both our emitters and detectors.
Patented micro-optical system In addition to our detector SoC and VCSEL array, our sensors feature patented micro-optical systems that enhance the performance of both our emitters and detectors.
While we see significant and growing demand for our products today, we believe such transactions can create more expansive use cases for our products, provide greater access to target markets, improve our operating efficiency, or accelerate our product roadmap. Manufacturing We have invested a significant amount of time and resources in streamlining our production process.
While we see significant and growing demand for our products today, we believe selective transactions can create more expansive use cases for our products, provide greater access to target markets, improve our operating efficiency, or accelerate our product roadmap. Manufacturing Our San Francisco, California facility manufactures sensors, including new product introductions; Buy America and Buy American-compliant sensors.
Our current key manufacturing partners are Benchmark and Fabrinet, with whom we have had established relationships for multiple years. Our optical alignment processes are partially or completely automated, which reduces manufacturing time and increases our production output.
For higher volume manufacturing where we can leverage bigger companies’ resources, we have invested in relationships with key manufacturing partners Benchmark and Fabrinet. We have also invested a significant amount of time and resources in streamlining our production process. Our optical alignment processes are partially or completely automated, which reduces manufacturing time and increases our production output.
We offer what we consider attractive compensation and benefit packages, which may include depending on location and eligibility, annual bonuses, paid time-off, 401(k) and Company match (subject to the IRS annual limit), stock awards, employee stock purchase plans, health and wellness programs and other benefits.
This may include depending on location and eligibility, annual bonuses, paid time-off, 401(k) plan with a Company match (subject to the IRS annual limit), stock-based awards, employee stock purchase plan, health and wellness programs, and other benefits. Our long-term equity compensation is intended to align management interests with those of our stockholders and to encourage the creation of long-term value.
Flexible and scalable product architecture Our products employ a software-defined architecture, enabling rapid customization in the software layer, and a simple shared hardware architecture for scalable manufacturing. With software-defined products continuing to drive low-cost customization, we expect to develop new industry-specific applications, expanding our product offering without requiring significant manufacturing or inventory changes.
Flexible and scalable product architecture Our products employ a software-defined architecture, enabling low-cost development of new industry-specific applications, and a simple shared hardware architecture for scalable manufacturing.
We believe the simplicity of our digital lidar design gives us meaningful cost advantages in manufacturing, supply chain, and production yields. Our broad software-defined customization enables us to introduce industry-specific applications and expand our product offerings with minimal changes to manufacturing or inventory. Our main manufacturing partners are Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (“Benchmark”) and Fabrinet.
We believe our patented digital approach to lidar and our ongoing development of perception, analytics, mapping, and localization software will better position us in this changing environment. We believe the simplicity of our digital lidar design gives us meaningful cost advantages in manufacturing, supply chain, and production yields. Our main manufacturing partners are Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (“Benchmark”) and Fabrinet.
While we are still assessing the scope and impact of this rule given how recently it was adopted, we anticipate that this rule, as well as other ESG and sustainability-related regulation and legislation, may require us to incur significant additional costs to comply, including the implementation of significant additional internal controls and impose increased oversight obligations on our management and board of directors. 15 Table of C ontents Human Capital As of December 31, 2023, we employed 202 people on a full-time basis in the United States and 88 people on a full-time basis internationally, either directly through our international subsidiaries or through a professional employer organization.
Compliance with these laws, rules and regulations may require us to incur significant costs to comply, including obtaining permits, licenses, inspections of our facilities and products, and implementation of additional internal controls and additional oversight obligations. 12 Table of C ontents Human Capital As of December 31, 2024, we employed 192 people on a full-time basis in the United States and 100 people on a full-time basis internationally, either directly through our international subsidiaries or through a professional employer organization.
We have relationships with many of these companies, and have collaborated with some of them to develop software and services based on our sensors.
We have relationships with many of these companies, and have collaborated with some of them to develop software and services based on our sensors. We intend to further develop complementary solutions and integration services that we believe will provide potential customers with the requisite technical know-how and we expect that this will accelerate our sales growth.
Gemini enables seamless tracking of objects across an entire area. Users can easily mesh multiple lidar sensors together within the Gemini software interface, allowing a seamless 3D view of object movement throughout the space. Each sensor provides ten times more coverage than a camera based system. Easy setup and administration .
Users can easily mesh multiple lidar sensors together within the Gemini software interface, allowing a seamless 3D view of object movement throughout the space. Easy setup and administration . The simplicity of the Gemini platform, along with its intuitive user interface, enables customers to install, configure, and maintain the system with ease. Privacy-preserving .
Cities are prioritizing safety and efficiency through the use lidar technology on traffic lights and warning systems. In this sense, we believe our products can enhance public welfare through security and smart city applications. Security companies are also looking to improve intrusion detection and tracking by augmenting existing CCTV systems with the spatial tracking capabilities of lidar.
Our smart infrastructure customers are in both the public and private sectors. Cities are prioritizing safety and efficiency through the use of lidar technology on roads and sidewalks in public spaces. We believe our products can enhance public welfare through security and smart city applications.
The simplicity of the Gemini platform, along with its intuitive user interface, enables customers to install, configure, and maintain the system with ease. Privacy-preserving . Gemini does not output any personally identifiable information, allowing customers to deploy advanced monitoring systems in public or sensitive areas without privacy concerns.
Gemini does not output any personally identifiable information, allowing customers to deploy advanced monitoring systems in public or sensitive areas without privacy concerns. BlueCity BlueCity is a Gemini-powered solution for traffic operations, planning, and safety.
By using VCSEL technology, we can place our laser emitters into a dense array.
By using VCSEL technology, we can place our laser emitters into a dense array. This dense, compact approach enables us to increase our resolution without increasing the size or complexity of our sensors.
We believe that the solid-state digital lidar technology in our DF sensors will meet these performance, reliability, design, and cost requirements of ADAS, and lead to production wins and growth in this segment. Highly reliable and rugged technology In addition to high performance, comparatively low cost, and high customization flexibility, our sensors are designed to be highly reliable.
Highly reliable and rugged technology In addition to high performance, comparatively low cost, and high customization flexibility, our sensors are designed to be highly reliable.
Gemini enables our customers to detect, classify, and track objects through a covered area which can be expanded by meshing lidar sensors together to form a single, cohesive 3D view. This approach has multiple advantages compared to other similar solutions and can be used to replace or enhance existing camera, radar, or RF beacon-based systems: Detection accuracy .
This approach has multiple advantages compared to other similar solutions and can be used to replace or enhance existing camera, radar, or RF beacon-based systems: Detection accuracy . Gemini perception software is specifically optimized to take advantage of the rich and robust data provided by Ouster’s digital lidar sensors.
As our market presence grows through targeted sales and marketing activity, we believe our customer base will grow. In addition, we are increasingly cross-selling within accounts, accessing new projects and opportunities within accounts where we have a beachhead position and increasing the number of addressable opportunities.
In addition, we are increasingly cross-selling within accounts, accessing new projects and opportunities within accounts where we have a beachhead position and increasing the number of addressable opportunities. 10 Table of C ontents Pursue strategic transactions We have explored and may continue to explore strategic acquisitions, mergers or other transactions as a means to improve our competitive position.
We believe that our automotive customers value the high resolution, high reliability, and cost of our lidar technology. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, a single customer developing level 4 autonomous vehicles accounted for more than 10% of our bookings in 2023.
We believe that our automotive customers value the high resolution, high reliability, and cost of our lidar technology.
As a result, we currently offer two digital lidar product lines, the OS scanning sensors and the DF solid-state flash sensors, along with certain analog sensors of the Puck family and the Alpha Prime. 4 Table of C ontents Intellectual Property We believe our success, competitive advantages, and growth prospects depend in part upon our ability to develop and protect our core technology and intellectual property.
Likewise, smart city initiatives powered by lidar can better manage traffic, reduce commute times, and further reduce emissions. 4 Table of C ontents Intellectual Property We believe our success, competitive advantages, and growth prospects depend in part upon our ability to develop and protect our core technology and intellectual property.
The Gemini platform consists of OS series lidar sensors, edge processor hardware, perception software, and cloud analytics. The Ouster Gemini platform provides people and object detection, classification, and tracking for actionable, intuitive, and customizable insights while preserving personally identifiable information.
The Ouster Gemini platform provides people and object detection, classification, and tracking for actionable, intuitive, and customizable insights while preserving personally identifiable information. Gemini enables our customers to detect, classify, and track objects through a covered area which can be expanded by meshing lidar sensors together to form a single, cohesive 3D view.
After the initial release, we anticipate our DF product line will improve in performance over time as we improve our core SoC and laser components. Our Customers We target four markets globally: automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure.
The DF series is also suitable for non-ADAS use cases where a full 360 degree field of view is not required. After the initial release, we anticipate our DF sensors will improve in performance over time as we improve our core SoC and laser components.
As a result, we currently offer two digital lidar product lines, the OS scanning sensors and the DF solid-state flash sensors, along with certain analog sensors of the Puck family and the Alpha Prime.
(“Velodyne”) pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 4, 2022. As a result, we currently offer the OS and Velodyne scanning sensors and are developing the DF solid-state flash sensors.
Because these configurations are offered through software, the incremental cost of additional options is lower than the cost of designing new hardware, giving us the operational flexibility to respond to evolving market demands. DF product line The DF series is a suite of short, mid, and long-range solid-state digital lidar sensors with superior reliability, durability, and affordability.
Compared to our earlier generation sensors, REV7 delivers double the range, enhanced object detection, increased precision and accuracy, and greater reliability. DF Series The DF series is a suite of short, mid, and long-range solid-state digital lidar sensors with superior reliability, durability, and affordability.

… 30 more changes not shown on this page.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risk Factors — what could go wrong, per management

126 edited+22 added−40 removed315 unchanged
Biggest changeInternational operations are subject to a number of other risks, including: • import and export laws and the impact of tariffs; • exchange rate fluctuations; • political and economic instability, war, international terrorism and anti-American sentiment, particularly in emerging markets and the geographic regions affected by the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars; • potential for violations of anti-corruption laws and regulations, such as those related to bribery and fraud; • preference for locally branded products, and laws and business practices favoring local competition; • increased difficulty in managing inventory; 25 Table of C ontents • increased risk in collecting trade receivables; • delayed revenue recognition; • less effective protection and/or lack of enforceability of intellectual property; • stringent regulation of the autonomous or other systems or products using our products and stringent consumer protection and product compliance regulations, including but not limited to General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union, European competition law, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive and the European Ecodesign Directive that are costly to comply with and may vary from country to country; • difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations; • changes in local tax and customs duty laws or changes in the enforcement, application or interpretation of such laws; and • U.S. government’s restrictions on certain technology transfer to certain countries of concern.
Biggest changeInternational operations are subject to a number of other risks, including: • import and export laws and the impact of tariffs; • exchange rate fluctuations; • political and economic instability, war, international terrorism and anti-American sentiment, particularly in emerging markets and the geographic regions affected by the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars; 21 Table of C ontents • uncertainty regarding the trade relationships among the United States, Canada, China, Mexico and Taiwan, as well as other countries, and related impacts to our supply chain; • potential for violations of anti-corruption laws and regulations, such as those related to bribery and fraud; • preference for locally branded products, and laws and business practices favoring local competition; • increased difficulty in managing inventory; • increased risk in collecting trade receivables; • delayed revenue recognition; • less effective protection and/or lack of enforceability of intellectual property; • stringent regulation of the autonomous or other systems or products using our products and stringent consumer protection and product compliance regulations, including but not limited to General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union, European competition law, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive and the European Ecodesign Directive that are costly to comply with and may vary from country to country; • difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations; • natural disasters and severe weather events including earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, rising sea levels, as well as other impacts of climate change; • withdrawals from, or renegotiation of existing trade agreements by the United States (or other jurisdictions) potentially affecting countries in which we do business; • changes in local tax and customs duty laws or changes in the enforcement, application or interpretation of such laws; and • U.S. government’s restrictions on certain technology transfer to certain countries of concern.
Such claims may also divert management resources and attention away from other business efforts and force us to acquire intellectual property rights and licenses, which may involve substantial royalty or other payments that may not be acceptable to us.
Such claims may also divert management resources and attention away from other business efforts and force us to acquire intellectual property rights and licenses, which may involve substantial royalty or other payments that may not be acceptable to us.
Further, a party making such a claim against us, if successful, could secure a judgment that requires us to pay substantial damages or such a party could obtain an injunction.
Further, a party making such a claim against us, if successful, could secure a judgment that requires us to pay substantial damages or such a party could obtain an injunction.
Even if we obtain favorable outcomes in any such litigation, we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies, or may have incurred costs that threaten our financial stability.
Even if we obtain favorable outcomes in any such litigation, we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies, or may have incurred costs that threaten our financial stability.
In January 2023, we announced the release of our software, Ouster Gemini, a cloud-backed digital lidar perception platform for crowd analytics, security, and intelligent transportation systems. Ouster Gemini offers the ability to detect, classify, and track moving objects in real-time using the 3D data from a single or multiple fused Ouster lidar sensors.
For instance, in January 2023, we announced the release of our software, Ouster Gemini, a cloud-backed digital lidar perception platform for crowd analytics, security, and intelligent transportation systems. Ouster Gemini offers the ability to detect, classify, and track moving objects in real-time using the 3D data from a single or multiple fused Ouster lidar sensors.
We may not be able to timely secure additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms, or at all, particularly in an uncertain economic environment. We maintain the majority of its cash and cash equivalents in accounts with major U.S. and multi-national financial institutions, and our deposits at these institutions exceed insured limits.
We may not be able to timely secure additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms, or at all, particularly in an uncertain economic environment. We maintain the majority of our cash and cash equivalents in accounts with major U.S. and multi-national financial institutions, and our deposits at these institutions exceed insured limits.
Failure to meet evolving environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) expectations or standards or to achieve our ESG goals could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price.
Failure to meet evolving and changing environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) expectations or standards or to achieve our ESG goals could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our board of directors or management. 42 Table of C ontents The provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation requiring exclusive forum in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the federal district courts of the United States for certain types of lawsuits may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our board of directors or management. 38 Table of C ontents The provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation requiring exclusive forum in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the federal district courts of the United States for certain types of lawsuits may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers.
Additionally, if our securities are not listed on, or become delisted from the NYSE, for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities that is not a national securities exchange, the liquidity and price of our securities may be more limited than if we were quoted or listed on the NYSE or another national securities exchange.
Additionally, if our securities are not listed on, or become delisted from the Nasdaq, for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities that is not a national securities exchange, the liquidity and price of our securities may be more limited than if we were quoted or listed on the Nasdaq or another national securities exchange.
For the class of publicly traded warrants traded under the symbol “OUST.WS”, we may redeem such warrants at a price of $0.10 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds $180.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we give proper notice of such redemption to the warrant holders and provided certain other conditions are met.
For the class of publicly traded warrants traded under the symbol “OUSTZ”, we may redeem such warrants at a price of $0.10 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds $180.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we give proper notice of such redemption to the warrant holders and provided certain other conditions are met.
For the class of publicly traded warrants traded under the symbol “OUST.WSA”, we may redeem such warrants at a price of $0.10 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds $219.41 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we give proper notice of such redemption to the warrant holders and provided certain other conditions are met.
For the class of publicly traded warrants traded under the symbol “OUSTW”, we may redeem such warrants at a price of $0.10 per warrant, provided that the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds $219.41 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which we give proper notice of such redemption to the warrant holders and provided certain other conditions are met.
Acquisitions involve many and diverse risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with conduction due diligence, problems integrating the purchased operations, assets, technologies or products, unanticipated costs, liabilities, and economic, political, legal and regulatory challenges due to our inexperience operating in new regions or countries, inability to achieve anticipated synergies, overpaying for acquisitions, invalid sales assumptions underlying potential acquisitions, issues maintaining uniform standards, procedures, controls and policies, diversion of management attention, adverse effects on existing business relationships or acquired company business relationships, risks associated with entering new markets, potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses, increased legal, accounting and compliance costs, and failure to successfully integrate acquired companies, such as Sense or Velodyne, or retain key personnel from the acquired company.
Acquisitions involve many and diverse risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with conduction due diligence, problems integrating the purchased operations, assets, technologies or products, unanticipated costs, liabilities, and economic, political, legal and regulatory challenges due to our inexperience operating in new regions or countries, inability to achieve anticipated synergies, overpaying for acquisitions, invalid sales assumptions underlying potential acquisitions, issues maintaining uniform standards, procedures, controls and policies, diversion of management attention, adverse effects on existing business relationships or acquired company business relationships, risks associated with entering new markets, potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses, increased legal, accounting and compliance costs, and failure to successfully integrate acquired companies, or retain key personnel from the acquired company.
In recent years, the U.S. has instituted or proposed changes in trade policies that include the negotiation or termination of trade agreements, the imposition of higher tariffs on imports into the U.S., economic sanctions on individuals, corporations or countries, and other government regulations affecting trade between the U.S. and other countries where we conduct our business.
In recent months, the U.S. has instituted or proposed changes in trade policies that include the negotiation or termination of trade agreements, the imposition of higher tariffs on imports into the U.S., economic sanctions on individuals, corporations or countries, and other government regulations affecting trade between the U.S. and other countries where we conduct our business.
Customers in this market are often local governments, such as city governments, which may be subject to political pressures, and may not control their own budgets. For example, programs could be cancelled due to legislative action that is out of a local government’s control.
Customers in this market are often local governments, such as city governments, which may be subject to political pressures, and may not control their own budgets. For example, programs could be cancelled due to executive or legislative action that is out of a local government’s control.
In addition, California has from time to time experienced shortages of water, natural gas, and electric power. Future shortages and conservation measures could impact our operations and result in increased expense. In addition, we rely on information technology systems to communicate among our workforce and with third parties.
In addition, California has from time to time experienced shortages of water, natural gas, and electric power. Future shortages and conservation measures could impact our operations and result in increased expenses. In addition, we rely on information technology systems to communicate among our workforce and with third parties.
As it relates to the above material weaknesses that continued to exist as of December 31, 2023, our management is committed and continues to make progress to improve our internal control over financial reporting. We continued implementation of a plan to remediate the control deficiencies that led to the above material weaknesses.
As it relates to the above material weaknesses that continued to exist as of December 31, 2024, our management is committed and continues to make progress to improve our internal control over financial reporting. We continued implementation of a plan to remediate the control deficiencies that led to the above material weaknesses.
If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the warrant agreements, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon 44 Table of C ontents such warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.
If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the warrant agreements, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.
Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision in our warrant agreements inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.
Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision in 37 Table of C ontents our warrant agreements inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board of directors.
If we fail to accurately forecast customer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels or a shortage of products available for sale, which has forced us to record inventory write-downs in the past Inventory levels in excess of customer demand have resulted and may in the future result in inventory write-downs or write-offs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices, which would adversely affect our financial results, 26 Table of C ontents including our gross margin, and have a negative effect on our brand.
If we fail to accurately forecast customer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels or a shortage of products available for sale, which has forced us to record inventory write-downs in the past Inventory levels in excess of customer demand have resulted and may in the future result in inventory write-downs or write-offs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices, which would adversely affect our financial results, including our gross margin, and have a negative effect on our brand.
No assurances can be given that any proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse impact on our operating results and consolidated financial position or that our available insurance will mitigate this impact. We are subject to, and must remain in compliance with, numerous laws and governmental regulations concerning the manufacturing, use, distribution and sale of our products.
No assurances can be given that any proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse impact on our operating results and consolidated financial position or that our available insurance will mitigate this impact. 28 Table of C ontents We are subject to, and must remain in compliance with, numerous laws and governmental regulations concerning the manufacturing, use, distribution and sale of our products.
In the future, to the extent we are considered an accelerated filer or a large accelerated filer, our independent registered public accounting firm will also be required pursuant to Section 404(b) 38 Table of C ontents of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in each annual report on Form 10-K to be filed with the SEC.
In the future, to the extent we are considered an accelerated filer or a large accelerated filer, our independent registered public accounting firm will also be required pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in each annual report on Form 10-K to be filed with the SEC.
In the event of a delisting, we can provide no assurance that any action taken by us to restore compliance with listing requirements would allow our securities to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our securities, prevent our securities from dropping below the NYSE minimum share price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with NYSE’s listing requirements.
In the event of a delisting, we can provide no assurance that any action taken by us to restore compliance with listing requirements would allow our securities to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our securities, prevent our securities from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum share price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements.
We expect we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we: • hire additional personnel, as needed, to support investments in research and development (“R&D”), in order to develop technology and related software and to support the compliance needs in connection with being a public company; • increase our sales and marketing functions, including expansion of our customer support and distribution capabilities; • continue to integrate the operations of Velodyne following our recent merger; and • expand operations and manufacturing.
We expect we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we: • hire additional personnel, as needed, to support investments in research and development (“R&D”), in order to develop technology and related software and to support the compliance needs in connection with being a public company; • increase our sales and marketing functions, including expansion of our customer support and distribution capabilities; and • expand operations and manufacturing.
We therefore have no assurance that we can establish relationships with these companies, that our products will meet the needs of these or other companies, or that a contract with these companies will culminate in significant or any product sales. Furthermore, in some instances, these large companies may have internally developed products and solutions that are competitive to our products.
We therefore have no assurance that we can establish relationships with these companies, that our products will meet the needs of these or other companies, or that a contract with these companies will culminate in significant or any product sales. 17 Table of C ontents Furthermore, in some instances, these large companies may have internally developed products and solutions that are competitive to our products.
The price of our common stock, as well as our warrants, may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including: • changes in the industries in which we and our customers operate; • developments involving our competitors; • changes in laws and regulations affecting our business; • variations in our operating performance and the performance of our competitors in general; • actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results; • publication of research reports by securities analysts about us or our competitors or our industry; • the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC; • actions by stockholders, including the sale by significant stockholders of any of their shares of our common stock; • additions and departures of key personnel; • commencement of, or involvement in, litigation involving our Company; • changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt; • the volume of shares of our common stock available for public sale; and • general economic and political conditions, such as the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, recessions, interest rates, local and national elections, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations, corruption, political instability and acts of war or terrorism.
The price of our common stock, as well as our warrants, may fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including: • changes in the industries in which we and our customers operate; • developments involving our competitors; • changes in laws and regulations affecting our business; • variations in our operating performance and the performance of our competitors in general; • actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results; 35 Table of C ontents • publication of research reports by securities analysts about us or our competitors or our industry; • the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC; • actions by stockholders, including the sale by significant stockholders of any of their shares of our common stock; • additions and departures of key personnel; • commencement of, or involvement in, litigation involving our Company; • changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt; • the volume of shares of our common stock available for public sale; and • general economic, political and social conditions, such as the effects of public health crises, recessions, interest rates, local and national elections, tariffs, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations, corruption, political instability and acts of war or terrorism.
These risks are particularly prevalent in the autonomous driving and ADAS markets. Some errors or defects in our products may only be discovered after they have been tested, commercialized and deployed by customers. If that is the case, we may incur significant additional development costs and product recall expenses, repair and/or replacement costs.
These risks are particularly prevalent in the 18 Table of C ontents autonomous driving and ADAS markets. Some errors or defects in our products may only be discovered after they have been tested, commercialized and deployed by customers. If that is the case, we may incur significant additional development costs and product recall expenses, repair and/or replacement costs.
While significant progress has been made in response to the material weakness, time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to our internal control over financial reporting and improvements made to our complement of resources, including demonstrating sustained operating effectiveness of our internal controls.
While significant progress has been made in response to the material weaknesses, time is needed to demonstrate sustainability as it relates to our internal control over financial reporting and improvements made to our complement of resources, including demonstrating sustained operating effectiveness of our internal controls related to SOD.
If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our ability to continue to grow or support our business and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited and our business results and operations could be materially and adversely affected. We face risks related to our indebtedness.
If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our ability to continue to grow or support our business and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited and our business results and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
These diversified, global operations place increased demands on our limited resources and require us to substantially 24 Table of C ontents expand the capabilities of our administrative and operational resources and to attract, train, manage and retain qualified management, technical, manufacturing, engineering, sales and other personnel.
These diversified, global operations place increased demands on our limited resources and require us to substantially expand the capabilities of our administrative and operational resources and to attract, train, manage and retain qualified management, technical, manufacturing, engineering, sales and other personnel.
Because we do not maintain long-term supply contracts, any of our suppliers could seek to alter or terminate its relationship with us at any time, leaving us with periods during which we have limited or no ability to manufacture our products.
Because we do not maintain long-term supply contracts with many of our suppliers, they could seek to alter or terminate their relationship with us at any time, leaving us with periods during which we have limited or no ability to manufacture our products.
If we are not effective in addressing ESG matters affecting our industry, such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related risks, renewable energy, water stewardship, waste management, diversity, equality and inclusion, responsible sourcing and supply chain, human rights, and social responsibility, among other issues, or setting and meeting relevant sustainability commitments, goals, or targets, our reputation may suffer.
If we are not effective in addressing ESG matters affecting our industry, such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related risks, renewable energy, water stewardship, waste management, diversity and inclusion, responsible sourcing and supply chain, human rights, and social responsibility, among other issues, or setting and meeting relevant 29 Table of C ontents sustainability commitments, goals, or targets, our reputation may suffer.
Further, as we continue to provide support for REV6, we anticipate downward pressure on our margins. In addition, we must continuously drive initiatives to reduce labor cost, improve worker efficiency, reduce the cost of materials and further lower overall product costs by carefully managing component prices, inventory and shipping cost.
Further, as we continue to provide support for REV6, we anticipate downward pressure on our margins. In addition, we must continuously drive initiatives to reduce labor cost, improve worker efficiency, reduce the cost of materials, further lower overall product costs by carefully managing component prices, inventory and shipping cost, and minimize the impacts of tariffs and other regulatory impacts.
We may not be able to implement improvements in an efficient or timely manner and may discover deficiencies in existing controls, programs, systems and procedures, which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation and financial results. Additionally, rapid growth in our business may place a strain on our human and capital resources.
We may not be able to implement improvements in an efficient or timely manner and may discover deficiencies in existing controls, programs, systems and procedures, which could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation and financial results. Additionally, rapid growth 20 Table of C ontents in our business may place a strain on our human and capital resources.
If a major customer were to enter into bankruptcy proceedings or similar proceedings whereby contractual commitments are subject to stay of execution and the possibility of legal or other modification, we could be forced to record a substantial loss.
If a major customer were to enter into bankruptcy proceedings or similar proceedings whereby contractual commitments are subject to stay of execution and the possibility of legal or other modification, payments received may be subject to clawback and we could be forced to record a substantial loss.
Since we operate on a global basis, this is a complex process which requires continual monitoring of 32 Table of C ontents regulations and an ongoing compliance process to ensure that we and our suppliers are in compliance with existing regulations in each market where we operate.
Since we operate on a global basis, this is a complex process which requires continual monitoring of regulations and an ongoing compliance process to ensure that we and our suppliers are in compliance with existing regulations in each market where we operate.
Such a stock price decline could occur even if our performance is consistent with any previously publicly stated guidance. Our revenue and margins could be adversely affected if we fail to maintain competitive average selling prices, high sales volumes, and/or fail to reduce product costs.
Such a stock price decline could occur even if our performance is consistent with any previously publicly stated guidance. 16 Table of C ontents Our revenue and margins could be adversely affected if we fail to maintain competitive average selling prices, high sales volumes, and/or fail to reduce product costs.
While we are implementing procedures to monitor and limit exposure to credit risk on our trade and supplier non-trade receivables, there can be no assurance such procedures will effectively limit our credit risk and avoid losses. Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
While we are implementing procedures to monitor and limit exposure to credit risk on our trade and 23 Table of C ontents supplier non-trade receivables, there can be no assurance such procedures will effectively limit our credit risk and avoid losses. Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
We and our third-party providers are subject to cybersecurity risks to our IT Systems and Confidential Information, and any material failure, weakness, interruption, cyber event, incident, or breach of security could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We and our third-party providers are subject to cybersecurity risks, and any material failure, weakness, interruption, cyber event, incident, or breach of security could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We and certain of our third-party providers collect, maintain and process data about customers, employees, business partners and others, 39 Table of C ontents including information about individuals — as well as proprietary information belonging to our business such as trade secrets (collectively, “Confidential Information”).
We and certain of our third-party providers collect, maintain and process data about customers, employees, business partners and others, including information about individuals — as well as proprietary information belonging to our business such as trade secrets (collectively, “Confidential Information”).
Any debt financing obtained by us in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions.
Any debt 19 Table of C ontents financing obtained by us in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions.
Since these data security regimes are evolving, uncertain, and complex, especially for a global business like ours, we may need to update or enhance our compliance measures as our products, markets and customer demands further develop, and 34 Table of C ontents these updates or enhancements may require implementation costs.
Since these data security regimes are evolving, uncertain, and complex, especially for a global business like ours, we may need to update or enhance our compliance measures as our products, markets and customer demands further develop, and these updates or enhancements may require implementation costs.
To establish preliminary relationships with certain customers and to build their confidence, we have entered, and may continue to enter, into evaluation agreements, spot buy purchase orders, non-binding letters of intent, and strategic customer agreements.
To establish preliminary relationships with certain customers and to build their confidence, we have entered, and may continue to enter, into evaluation agreements, spot buy purchase 15 Table of C ontents orders, non-binding letters of intent, and strategic customer agreements.
Key components in our products come from limited or single source third-party suppliers, and we expect to rely on third parties to manufacture a significant portion of our products for the foreseeable future. Interruptions in our relationships with these third parties could adversely impact our business. We rely on third-party manufacturers, including Benchmark and Fabrinet, to supply our products.
Key components in our products come from limited or single source third-party suppliers, and we expect to rely on third parties to manufacture a significant portion of our products for the foreseeable future. Interruptions in our relationships with these third parties could adversely impact our business.
This is a competitive market that often has 21 Table of C ontents strict functional and pricing requirements for products. If we are unable to make products that meet these requirements, or sell products at the required price point, we could lose this business to competitors or competitive technologies.
This is a competitive market that often has strict functional and pricing requirements for products. If we are unable to make products that meet these requirements, or sell products at the required price point, we could lose this business to competitors or competitive technologies.
Market adoption of lidar remains uncertain, and it is difficult to forecast long-term end-customer adoption rates and demand for our products. Substantially all of our revenue is generated by the sale of our digital lidar sensors.
Market adoption of lidar remains uncertain, and it is difficult to forecast long-term end-customer adoption rates and demand for our products. The majority of our revenue is generated by the sale of our digital lidar sensors and accessories.
If it is determined that we 27 Table of C ontents undergo one or more ownership changes in the future, then our ability to utilize our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards or other tax attributes may be limited or eliminated.
If it is determined that we undergo one or more ownership changes in the future, then our ability to utilize our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards or other tax attributes may be limited or eliminated.
We can face criminal liability and other serious consequences for violations, which can harm our business. We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S.
We are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws. We can face criminal liability and other serious consequences for violations, which can harm our business. We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S.
An adverse determination also could invalidate our intellectual property rights and adversely affect our ability to offer our products to our customers and may require that we procure or develop substitute products that do not infringe, which could require significant effort and expense.
An adverse determination also could invalidate our intellectual property rights and adversely affect our ability to offer our products to our customers 32 Table of C ontents and may require that we procure or develop substitute products that do not infringe, which could require significant effort and expense.
Additionally, securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies that have entered into merger agreements. Even if the lawsuits are without merit, defending against these claims can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.
Additionally, securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies. Even if the lawsuits are without merit, defending against these claims can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.
Legal and Regulatory Risks Related to Our Business Our products are frequently used in applications that are subject to evolving regulations and standards.
Legal and Regulatory Risks Related to Our Business Our products are frequently used in applications that are subject to evolving regulations and standards. Similarly, our operations are subject to evolving regulations and laws.
If Benchmark or any of our third-party component suppliers or logistics and transportation partners experience interruptions, delays or disruptions in supplying their products or services, including by natural disasters, trade restrictions, the global COVID-19 pandemic, other epidemics and public health crises, or work stoppages or capacity constraints, our ability to ship products to distributors and customers may be delayed.
If Benchmark or any of our third-party component suppliers or logistics and transportation partners experience interruptions, delays or disruptions in supplying their products or services, including by natural disasters, trade restrictions, public health crises, or work stoppages or capacity constraints, our ability to ship products to distributors and customers may be delayed.
Our new customers, or customers that we inherited from the Velodyne Merger, may be less confident in us and less likely to purchase our products because of a lack of awareness about our products. They may also not be convinced that our business will succeed because of the absence of an established sales, service, support, and operating history.
Our new customers may be less confident in us and less likely to purchase our products because of a lack of awareness about our products. They may also not be convinced that our business will succeed because of the absence of an established sales, service, support, and operating history.
Certain factors that could alone or in combination prevent us from successfully commercializing our products include: • our reliance on third parties to manufacture our products or supply significant parts needed for our production process; • our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with our manufacturers and suppliers; • our ability to tailor our commercial production depending on scale and on a cost-effective basis in a timely manner; • our ability to successfully expand our product offerings; • our ability to develop and protect intellectual property; • our ability to gain market acceptance of our products with customers and maintain and expand customer relationships; • the adaptability of our products and the ability of our customers to integrate our products into their products in a timely and effective manner; • the actions of direct and indirect competitors that may seek to enter the markets in which we expect to compete or that may seek to impose barriers to one or more markets that we intend to target; • the long-lead time for development of market opportunities, for which we are only at an early stage of development; • our ability to forecast our revenue, budget, and manage our expenses; • our ability to comply with existing and new or modified local laws and regulations applicable to our business, or laws and regulations applicable to our customers for applications in which they may use our products; • our ability to plan for and manage capital expenditures for our current and future products, and manage our supply chain and supplier relationships related to these current and future products; • our ability to anticipate and respond to macroeconomic changes and changes in the markets in which we operate and expect to operate; • our ability to maintain and enhance the value of our reputation and brand; • our ability to effectively manage our growth and business operations; and • our ability to recruit and retain talented people at all levels of our organization.
Certain factors that could alone or in combination prevent us from successfully commercializing our products include: • recession or economic downturn globally or in the jurisdictions in which we do business; • inflation or deflation, as well as changes in existing and expected rates of inflation or deflation, which may vary across the jurisdictions in which we do business; • our reliance on third parties to manufacture our products or supply significant parts needed for our production process; • our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with our manufacturers and suppliers; • our ability to tailor our commercial production depending on scale and on a cost-effective basis in a timely manner; • our ability to successfully expand our product offerings; • our ability to develop and protect intellectual property; • our ability to gain market acceptance of our products with customers and maintain and expand customer relationships; • the adaptability of our products and the ability of our customers to integrate our products into their products in a timely and effective manner; • the actions of direct and indirect competitors that may seek to enter the markets in which we expect to compete or that may seek to impose barriers to one or more markets that we intend to target; • the long-lead time for development of market opportunities, for which we are only at an early stage of development; • our ability to forecast our revenue, budget, and manage our expenses; • difficulty in collecting, or failure to collect, accounts receivable, as well as longer collection periods; • our ability to comply with existing and new or modified local laws and regulations applicable to our business, or laws and regulations applicable to our customers for applications in which they may use our products; • our ability to plan for and manage capital expenditures for our current and future products, and manage our supply chain and supplier relationships related to these current and future products; • our ability to anticipate and respond to macroeconomic changes and changes in the markets in which we operate and expect to operate; • our ability to maintain and enhance the value of our reputation and brand; • our ability to effectively manage our growth and business operations; and • our ability to recruit and retain talented people at all levels of our organization.
Increased instability relating to this higher inflation as well as rising interest rates may enhance volatility in currency exchange rates, limit our suppliers’ and customers’ access to 29 Table of C ontents credit and limit our ability to access debt and equity financing.
Increased instability relating to this higher inflation as well as rising interest rates may enhance volatility in currency exchange rates, limit our suppliers’ and customers’ access to credit and limit our ability to access debt and equity financing.
Additionally, each of these material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.
The material weakness related to segregation of duties did not result in a material misstatement to the consolidated financial statements. Additionally, each of these material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.
None of the private placement warrants initially issued by CLA will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by Colonnade Sponsor LLC or its permitted transferees. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments None.
None of the private placement warrants initially issued by CLA will be redeemable by us so long as they are held by Colonnade Sponsor LLC or its permitted transferees.
If our common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of “covered securities” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, not permit holders of warrants who seek to exercise their warrants to do so for cash and, instead, require them to do so on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act; in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement or register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws, and in the event we do not so elect, we will use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws to the extent an exemption is not available. 43 Table of C ontents In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant, or issue securities (other than upon a cashless exercise as described above) or other compensation in exchange for the warrants in the event that we are unable to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws.
If our common stock are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of “covered securities” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, we may, at our option, not permit holders of warrants who seek to exercise their warrants to do so for cash and, instead, require them to do so on a cashless basis in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act; in the event we so elect, we will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement or register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws, and in the event we do not so elect, we will use our best efforts to register or qualify the shares underlying the warrants under applicable state securities laws to the extent an exemption is not available.
Our ability to accurately forecast demand for our products could be affected by many factors, including the rapidly changing nature of our current target markets, the uncertainty surrounding the market acceptance and commercialization of lidar technology, the emergence of new markets, an increase or decrease in customer demand for our products or for products and services of our competitors, product introductions by competitors, the COVID-19 pandemic, other epidemics and public health crises, and any associated work stoppages or interruptions, unanticipated changes in general market conditions and the weakening of economic conditions or consumer confidence in future economic conditions.
Our ability to accurately forecast demand for our products could be affected by many factors, including the rapidly changing nature of our current target markets, the uncertainty surrounding the market acceptance and commercialization of lidar technology, the emergence of new markets, an increase or decrease in customer demand for our products or for products and services of our competitors, product introductions by 22 Table of C ontents competitors, market or supply chain disruptions due to public health crises, and any associated work stoppages or interruptions, unanticipated changes in general market conditions and the weakening of economic conditions or consumer confidence in future economic conditions.
For example, general inflation in the United States, Europe and other geographies has risen to levels not experienced in recent decades. General inflation, including rising prices for inputs and rising wages, as well as rising interest rates negatively impact our business by increasing our operating costs.
For example, general inflation in the United States, Europe and other geographies has risen significantly in recent years. General inflation, including rising prices for inputs and rising wages, as well as rising interest rates negatively impact our business by increasing our operating costs.
While these arrangements help ensure the supply of components and finished goods, if our co-manufacturer or suppliers experience severe financial problems or other disruptions in their business, such continued supply would be reduced or terminated, and the recoverability of manufacturing process equipment or prepayments would be negatively impacted.
While these arrangements help ensure the supply of components and finished goods, if any of the Company’s manufacturing partners or suppliers experiences severe financial problems or other disruptions in their business, such continued supply would be reduced or terminated, and the recoverability of manufacturing process equipment or prepayments would be negatively impacted.
As we continue to develop our voluntary ESG program and disclosures, there can be no assurance that regulators, customers, investors, and employees will determine that these programs and disclosures are sufficiently robust.
As we continue to develop our voluntary ESG program and disclosures, there can be no assurance that regulators, customers, investors, employees, and other stakeholders will determine that these programs and disclosures are sufficiently robust, and we cannot assure that our stakeholders will agree with our ESG strategies.
Our outstanding trade receivables are not covered by collateral, third-party bank support or financing arrangements, or credit insurance. Our exposure to credit and collectability risk on our trade receivables is higher in certain international markets and our ability to mitigate such risks may be limited.
We sell our products directly to small and mid-sized businesses and educational customers. Our outstanding trade receivables are not covered by collateral, third-party bank support or financing arrangements, or credit insurance. Our exposure to credit and collectability risk on our trade receivables is higher in certain international markets and our ability to mitigate such risks may be limited.
Our financial results may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, including: • the timing of ultimate end market and customer adoption of our products and particular versions of our products; • the varying length of production cycles for our customers to integrate our products into their broader platforms; • supply chain constraints and considerations and impacts on our costs of goods sold, such as shortages of semiconductor chips; • our product mix and average selling prices, including negotiated selling prices and long-term customer agreements; • the cost of raw materials or supplied components critical for the manufacture of our products; • the timing and cost of, and level of investment in, research and development relating to our digital lidar technology and related software; • developments involving our competitors; • changes in governmental regulations affecting us or applications in which our customers use our products or software; • future accounting pronouncements or changes in our accounting policies; • the impact of epidemics or pandemics, including current or future business disruption and related financial impact resulting from the global COVID-19 health crisis; 19 Table of C ontents • adverse litigation, judgments, settlements or other litigation-related costs, or claims that may give rise to such costs; and • general market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors.
Our financial results may fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, including: • the timing of ultimate end market and customer adoption of our products and particular versions of our products; • the varying length of production cycles for our customers to integrate our products into their broader platforms; • supply chain constraints and considerations and impacts on our costs of goods sold, such as shortages of semiconductor chips; • our product mix and average selling prices, including negotiated selling prices and long-term customer agreements; • the cost of raw materials or supplied components critical for the manufacture of our products; • the timing and cost of, and level of investment in, research and development relating to our digital lidar technology and related software; • developments involving our competitors; • changes in governmental regulations affecting us, our supply chain, or applications in which our customers use our products or software, including export controls, tariffs, data privacy and security, or new regulatory standards for automotive, industrial, infrastructure, or robotics; • future accounting pronouncements or changes in our accounting policies; • adverse litigation, judgments, settlements or other litigation-related costs, or claims that may give rise to such costs; and • general market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors.
Additionally, ineffective internal control could expose us to an increased risk of financial reporting fraud and the misappropriation of assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list or to other regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.
Additionally, ineffective internal control could expose us to an increased risk of financial reporting fraud and the misappropriation of assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list or to other regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements.
Any new export or import restrictions, new legislation or shifting approaches in the enforcement or scope of existing regulations, or changes in global, political, regulatory and economic conditions affecting U.S. trade, manufacturing, development or investment, could result in additional restrictions on our ability to conduct business.
Any new export or import restrictions, new legislation or shifting approaches in the enforcement or scope of existing regulations, or changes in global, political, regulatory and economic conditions affecting U.S. trade, manufacturing, development or investment, could have an adverse effect on business.
The already competitive landscape of the lidar market, including both foreseeable and unforeseeable entries of competitors and lidar technology from those competitors in our target markets, along with the potential emergence of new non-lidar solutions, may result in downward pricing pressure, reduced margins and may impede our ability to increase the sales of our products or cause us to lose market share, any of which will adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 20 Table of C ontents We target many customers that are large corporations with substantial negotiating power and exacting product standards.
The already competitive landscape of the lidar market, including both foreseeable and unforeseeable entries of competitors and lidar technology from those competitors in our target markets, along with the potential emergence of new non-lidar solutions, may result in downward pricing pressure, reduced margins and may impede our ability to increase the sales of our products or cause us to lose market share, any of which will adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Even if they are financially solvent and stable and we are successful in securing a commercial relationship with them, their business plans for future programs may be inherently uncertain and unpredictable, and less structured than established companies.
Even if they are financially solvent and stable and we are successful in securing a commercial relationship with them, their business plans for future programs may be inherently uncertain and unpredictable, and less structured than established companies. We generally do not require collateral or other security deposits for accounts receivable.
Should operations at our third-party suppliers, including Benchmark and Fabrinet, encounter disruptions or losses that may be caused by work stoppages, disease outbreaks or pandemics, acts of war, terrorism, fire, earthquakes, flooding or other natural disasters, it could result in delays, postponement or reduce production of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition until such time as such production disruption is resolved or an alternate source of production or supply is secured. 28 Table of C ontents Outsourcing a substantial percentage of our manufacturing outside of the United States involves certain risks or may not be successful, which could harm our ability to deliver products and recognize revenue.
Should operations at our third-party suppliers, including Benchmark and Fabrinet, encounter disruptions or losses that may be caused by work stoppages, disease outbreaks or pandemics, acts of war, terrorism, fire, earthquakes, flooding or other natural disasters, it could result in delays, postponement or reduce production of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition until such time as such production disruption is resolved or an alternate source of production or supply is secured.
Failure to comply with these requirements could result in enforcement action by the FDA, which could require us to cease distribution of our products, recall or remediate products already distributed to customers, or subject us to FDA enforcement.
Failure to comply with these requirements could result in enforcement action by the FDA, which could require us to cease distribution of our products, recall or remediate products already distributed to customers, or subject us to FDA enforcement. We are exposed to risks related to the use of AI tools by us and others.
Changing stakeholder expectations, evolving voluntary and regulatory disclosure standards, and our efforts to manage and report on ESG issues present operational, regulatory, reputational, financial, legal, and other risks, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, including on our reputation and stock price. 33 Table of C ontents We are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws.
Changing stakeholder expectations, changing laws, evolving voluntary and regulatory disclosure standards, and our efforts to manage and report on ESG issues present operational, regulatory, reputational, financial, legal, and other risks, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, including on our reputation and stock price.
If we are unable to sell our products to these customers, our prospects and results of operations will be adversely affected. Many of our current and potential customers are large corporations that often possess significant leverage over their suppliers, and can successfully demand contract terms favorable to themselves, such as reserving the right to terminate their supply contracts for convenience.
Many of our current and potential customers are large corporations that often possess significant leverage over their suppliers, and can successfully demand contract terms favorable to themselves, such as reserving the right to terminate their supply contracts for convenience.
As a public company, we are required pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for each annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
We are committed to continuous improvement and will continue to diligently review our internal control over financial reporting. 34 Table of C ontents As a public company, we are required pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2022 (the “Sarbanes Oxley Act”) to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for each annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
We intend to maintain a portion of our manufacturing at this facility; however, in 2019, we began moving a portion of our manufacturing operations to a manufacturing facility in Thailand in connection with our relationship with Benchmark, which for the year ended December 31, 2023, accounted for the majority of our OS sensor manufacturing output.
We continue to maintain a portion of our manufacturing at this facility, including any production of Buy America and Buy American-compliant sensors; however, in 2019, we began moving a portion of our manufacturing operations to a manufacturing facility in Thailand in connection with our relationship with Benchmark, which for the year ended December 31, 2024, accounted for the majority of our OS sensor manufacturing output.
If we are unable to adequately reduce and control the costs of such key components, we will be unable to realize manufacturing costs targets, which could reduce the market adoption of our products, damage our reputation with current or prospective customers, and materially and adversely impact our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
If we are unable to adequately reduce and control the costs of such key components, we will be unable to realize manufacturing costs targets, which could reduce the market adoption of our products, damage our reputation with current or prospective customers, and materially and adversely impact our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. 25 Table of C ontents Adverse conditions in the industries we target or the global economy more generally could have adverse effects on our results of operations.
Developing alternate sources of supply for these components may be time-consuming, difficult, and costly and we may not be able to source these components on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, which may undermine our ability to meet our requirements or to fill customer orders in a timely manner.
In the event of a component shortage, supply interruption or material pricing change from suppliers of these components, we may not be able to develop alternate sources in a timely manner or at all in the case of sole or limited sources. 24 Table of C ontents Developing alternate sources of supply for these components may be time-consuming, difficult, and costly and we may not be able to source these components on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, which may undermine our ability to meet our requirements or to fill customer orders in a timely manner.
The indirect impact of inflationary pressure on costs throughout the supply chain and the direct impact, for example, on costs for machines we import from our manufacturing operations in China, may result in higher input costs and lower margins on certain products we sell, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and cash flows.
The indirect impact of inflationary pressure on costs throughout our supply chain and the direct impact, for example, on costs of material and components we import or that are imported on our behalf by our manufacturing partners or suppliers from countries adversely impacted by trade relations with the United States, may result in higher input costs and lower margins on certain products we sell, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and cash flows.
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. 37 Table of C ontents We did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements.
We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. 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.
The PEO relationship streamlines hiring and employee maintenance, and enables management to focus on issues other than payroll administration, but this relationship also exposes us to some risks.
In addition, some of these employees may receive stock compensation directly from the Company. The PEO relationship streamlines hiring and employee maintenance, and enables management to focus on issues other than payroll administration, but this relationship also exposes us to some risks.
Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to manage the expanded business following these acquisitions, including challenges related to the management and monitoring of new 30 Table of C ontents operations and associated increased costs and complexity associated with such acquisitions.
Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to manage the expanded business following these acquisitions, including challenges related to the management and monitoring of new operations and associated increased costs and complexity associated with such acquisitions. For example, in February 2023, we completed the Velodyne Merger and, in October 2021, we completed the acquisition of Sense.
Assertions of our attempts to enforce our rights against third parties could also lead these third parties to assert their own intellectual property or other rights 35 Table of C ontents against us or seek invalidation or a narrowed scope of our rights, in whole or in part.
Assertions of our attempts to enforce our rights against third parties could also lead these third parties to assert their own intellectual property or other rights against us or seek invalidation or a narrowed scope of our rights, in whole or in part. Any of these events could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

… 108 more changes not shown on this page.

Item 1C. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity — threats and controls disclosure

10 edited+8 added−3 removed0 unchanged
Biggest changeFor additional information on our cybersecurity risks, see “We are subject to cybersecurity risks to operational systems, security systems, infrastructure, firmware in our lidar and customer data processed by us or third-party vendors or suppliers and any material failure, weakness, interruption, cyber event, incident or breach of security could harm our reputation and adversely affect our ability to conduct our business and we may incur significant liabilities.” in Part 1, Item 1A for more information.
Biggest changeFor additional information on our cybersecurity risks, see “We and our third-party providers are subject to cybersecurity risks, and any material failure, weakness, interruption, cyber event, incident, or breach of security could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.” in Part 1, Item 1A for more information.
We also engage third-party specialists to conduct security assessments and independent audits of the security of the Company’s systems and networks. The results of these assessments are used to help us improve our cybersecurity program.
We also engage third-party specialists to conduct security assessments and independent audits of the security of the Company’s systems and networks. The results of these assessments may be used to help us improve our cybersecurity program.
The Company’s executive team monitors the activities of the breach response team (“BRT”) and where appropriate participates in and supports the BRT in the evaluation and remediation of actual or perceived cyber incidents in accordance with the Company’s incident response plan.
The Company’s executive team also monitors the activities of the BRT and where appropriate participates in and supports the BRT in the evaluation and remediation of actual or perceived cyber incidents in accordance with the Company’s incident response plan.
In February 2023, the Company adopted a third-party management policy to formalize the baseline of security controls that it expects its partners and other third-party companies to meet, in accordance with their criticality to our operations and respective risk profile, when directly interacting with the Company’s data.
The Company has adopted a third-party management policy to formalize the baseline of security controls that it expects its partners and other third-party companies (including service providers) to meet, in accordance with their criticality to our operations and respective risk profile, when directly interacting with the Company’s data.
Our cybersecurity program focuses on (i) raising security awareness of our employees and product development teams, and (ii) implementing and maintaining security operations that are designed to protect identities, networks, systems and data and provide for detection, response and recovery, including a cyber incident response plan.
Key elements of our cybersecurity program include, but are not limited to, (i) raising security awareness of our employees and product development teams, and (ii) implementing and maintaining security operations that are designed to protect identities, networks, systems, and data and provide for detection, response, and recovery, including a cyber incident response plan.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity Our cybersecurity program seeks to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Company’s information assets, including its critical systems. The Company’s cybersecurity program is based on an ISO 27001 compliant Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Item 1C. Cybersecurity We have developed and implemented a cybersecurity program that seeks to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Company’s information assets, including its critical systems. The Company’s cybersecurity program is based on an ISO 27001 compliant Information Security Management System (ISMS).
Although to date we have not experienced a material cybersecurity incident resulting in an interruption of our operations, the scope or impact of any future incident cannot be predicted with complete certainty.
To mitigate risks that may arise from the Company’s interactions with service providers, suppliers, and vendors, we strive to ensure that our systems/services are integrated with trustworthy vendors. Although to date we have not experienced a material cybersecurity incident resulting in an interruption of our operations, the scope or impact of any future incident cannot be predicted with complete certainty.
This does not imply that we meet any particular technical standards, specifications, or requirements, only that we use ISO 27001 as a guide to help us identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks relevant to our business.
We use ISO 27001 as a guide to help us identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks relevant to our business.
Cybersecurity Governance Our Board considers cybersecurity risk as part of its risk oversight function and has delegated to the Audit Committee oversight of the Company’s cybersecurity program and other information technology risks. The Audit Committee receives regular cybersecurity updates and reports from members of the Company’s executive team and the Director of Information, Cyber-Security and Compliance.
Cybersecurity Governance Our Board considers cybersecurity risk as part of its overall risk oversight function and has delegated to the Audit Committee oversight of the Company’s cybersecurity program.
In accordance with the third-party’s criticality to our operations and respective risk profile, we assess and engage consultants, advisors and vendors who are recognized for their cybersecurity expertise or products to supplement, augment and/or test specific elements of our security program, such as identity management, email security, network security, system/endpoint protection and managed detection and response.
We engage external parties to enhance our cybersecurity program and to operate a variety of operational functions. We engage consultants, advisors and vendors who are recognized for their cybersecurity expertise or products to supplement, augment and/or test specific elements of our security program.
Removed
Our cybersecurity program is integrated into our overall risk management program, and is used to assess cybersecurity risks as part of the Company’s enterprise risk assessment.
Added
Our cybersecurity program is integrated into our overall risk management program; which is reviewed and evaluated by our Board, and shares reporting channels and governance processes that apply across the risk management program to other legal, compliance, strategic, operational, and financial areas.
Removed
Our cyber incident response plan outlines a process for detecting and responding to cybersecurity incidents. We engage external parties to enhance our cybersecurity program and to operate a variety of operational functions.
Added
The Audit Committee receives regular cybersecurity updates and reports from members of the Company’s executive team and the Senior Director of Information Security and Compliance and in turn briefs the full Board on these updates as part of its Committee report. In addition, the full Board receives a full report on the Company’s cybersecurity program at least annually.
Removed
To mitigate risks that may arise from the 45 Table of C ontents Company’s interactions with service providers, suppliers, and vendors, we strive to ensure that our systems/services are integrated with trustworthy vendors.
Added
The Board is also apprised by the executive team and Senior Director of Information Security and Compliance of more significant or serious cybersecurity incidents.
Added
The Company has a Breach Response Team (“BRT”) led by our Senior Director of Information Security and Compliance under the direction of our executive team, and is responsible for assessing and managing our material risks from cybersecurity threats.
Added
The Senior Director of Information Security and Compliance has day to day responsibility for the Company’s cybersecurity risk management program and supervises both our internal cybersecurity personnel and our retained external cybersecurity consultants.
Added
Our Senior Director of Information Security and Compliance has served in various roles in information security for over 15 years, including serving as Associate Director of Cybersecurity of a public company as well as a PCI Qualified Security Assessor at a cybersecurity consulting firm.
Added
He holds a M.S. in Computer Science and has attained various certifications, including an Advanced Computer Certificate from Stanford University.
Added
Our executive team takes steps to stay informed about and monitor efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate, and remediate cybersecurity risks and incidents through various means, which may include briefings from the Senior Director of Information Security and Compliance and other internal security personnel; threat intelligence and other information 41 Table of C ontents obtained from governmental, public or private sources, including external consultants engaged by us; and alerts and reports produced by security tools deployed in our IT environment.

Item 2. Properties

Properties — owned and leased real estate

2 edited+1 added−0 removed0 unchanged
Biggest changeOther functions of the Company are also performed in San Francisco, California, such as engineering, manufacturing, research and development and administrative functions. We also lease other small facilities that we use as offices for our sales and office personnel. These facilities are not material to our business or operations.
Biggest changeWe also lease other small facilities that we use as offices for our sales and office personnel. These facilities are not material to our business or operations.
Properties Our corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco, California where we lease properties as follows: (i) 26,125 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease that is scheduled to expire in August 2027, (ii) 20,032 square feet of office space in a building adjacent to our corporate headquarters, which term is scheduled to expire in August 2027 and approximately 204,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space in San Jose, California.
Properties Our corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco, California where we lease properties as follows: (i) 26,125 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease that is scheduled to expire in August 2027, and (ii) 20,032 square feet of office space in a building adjacent to our corporate headquarters, which term is scheduled to expire in August 2027.
Added
Engineering, manufacturing, research and development and administrative functions of the Company are performed in San Francisco. We also lease a 204,000 square foot facility in San Jose, California, which term will expire in December 2027 and is no longer used for any essential manufacturing, research and development functions.

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity

Market for Common Equity — stock, dividends, buybacks

3 edited+1 added−1 removed1 unchanged
Biggest changeWe currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Biggest changeDividend Policy We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, for the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Holders As of March 21, 2024, there were 218 registered holders of record of our common stock. The actual number of stockholders of our common stock is greater than this number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares of common stock are held in street name by banks, brokers and other nominees.
Holders As of March 17, 2025, there were 225 registered holders of record of our common stock. The actual number of stockholders of our common stock is greater than this number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares of common stock are held in street name by banks, brokers and other nominees.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Market Information Our common stock and warrants expiring in 2026 are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbols “OUST” and “OUST-WS”, respectively, and our warrants expiring in 2025 are listed for trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “OUST WSA”.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Market Information Our common stock and warrants expiring in 2026 are listed for trading on the NASDAQ under the symbols “OUST” and “OUSTZ”, respectively, and our warrants expiring in 2025 are listed for trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol “OUSTW”.
Removed
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer or Affiliated Purchaser None. Dividend Policy We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock.
Added
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer or Affiliated Purchaser Other than as described in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, the Company did not sell any securities that were not registered under the Securities Act during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Item 7. Management's Discussion & Analysis

Management's Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) — revenue / margin commentary

83 edited+23 added−47 removed24 unchanged
Biggest changeIncome tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 52 Table of C ontents Results of Operations: The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 (dollars in thousands) Revenue $ 83,279 $ 41,029 Cost of revenue (1) 74,965 30,099 Gross profit 8,314 10,930 Operating expenses (1) : Research and development 91,210 64,317 Sales and marketing 41,639 30,833 General and administrative 81,982 61,203 Goodwill impairment charges 166,675 — Total operating expenses 381,506 156,353 Loss from operations (373,192) (145,423) Other (expense) income: Interest income 9,038 2,208 Interest expense (9,303) (2,694) Other income (expense), net (130) 7,654 Total other income (expense), net (395) 7,168 Loss before income taxes (373,587) (138,255) Provision for income tax expense 523 305 Net loss $ (374,110) $ (138,560) The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss data as a percentage of revenue for the periods presented: Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 (% of total revenue) Revenue 100 % 100 % Cost of revenue (1) 90 73 Gross profit 10 27 Operating expenses (1) : Research and development 110 157 Sales and marketing 50 75 General and administrative 98 149 Goodwill impairment charges 200 — Total operating expenses 458 381 Loss from operations (448) (354) Other (expense) income: Interest income 11 5 Interest expense (11) (7) Other income (expense), net — 19 Total other income (expense), net — 17 Loss before income taxes (448) (337) Provision for income tax expense 1 1 Net loss (449) % (338) % 53 Table of C ontents (1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 (dollars in thousands) Cost of revenue $ 2,854 $ 783 Research and development 24,551 14,611 Sales and marketing 9,966 7,065 General and administrative 20,354 10,862 Total stock-based compensation $ 57,725 $ 33,321 Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Revenue Year Ended December 31, 2023 - 2022 Change 2023 2022 $ % (dollars in thousands) Revenue by geographic location: Americas $ 45,744 $ 15,977 $ 29,767 186 % Asia-Pacific 12,929 9,510 3,419 36 Europe, Middle East and Africa 24,606 15,542 9,064 58 Total $ 83,279 $ 41,029 $ 42,250 103 % Revenue Revenue increased by $42.3 million, or 103%, to $83.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $41.0 million for the prior year.
Biggest changeThe income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 48 Table of C ontents Results of Operations: The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 (dollars in thousands) Revenue $ 111,101 $ 83,279 Cost of revenue (1) 70,641 74,965 Gross profit 40,460 8,314 Operating expenses (1) : Research and development 58,084 91,210 Sales and marketing 27,852 41,639 General and administrative 58,701 81,982 Goodwill impairment charges — 166,675 Total operating expenses 144,637 381,506 Loss from operations (104,177) (373,192) Other income (expense): Interest income 8,846 9,038 Interest expense (1,823) (9,303) Other income (expense), net 646 (130) Total other income (expense), net 7,669 (395) Loss before income taxes (96,508) (373,587) Provision for income tax expense 537 523 Net loss $ (97,045) $ (374,110) The following table sets forth the components of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss data as a percentage of revenue for the periods presented: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 (% of total revenue) Revenue 100 % 100 % Cost of revenue (1) 64 90 Gross profit 36 10 Operating expenses (1) : Research and development 52 110 Sales and marketing 25 50 General and administrative 53 98 Goodwill impairment charges — 200 Total operating expenses 130 458 Loss from operations (94) (448) Other income (expense): Interest income 8 11 Interest expense (2) (11) Other income (expense), net 1 — Total other income (expense), net — — Loss before income taxes (94) (448) Provision for income tax expense — 1 Net loss (94) % (449) % 49 Table of C ontents (1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 (dollars in thousands) Cost of revenue $ 4,608 $ 2,854 Research and development 18,260 24,551 Sales and marketing 5,347 9,966 General and administrative 12,244 20,354 Total stock-based compensation $ 40,459 $ 57,725 Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 Revenue Year Ended December 31, 2024 - 2023 Change 2024 2023 $ % (dollars in thousands) Revenue by geographic location: Americas $ 58,429 $ 45,744 $ 12,685 28 % Asia and Pacific 20,158 12,929 7,230 56 Europe, Middle East and Africa 32,513 24,606 7,907 32 Total $ 111,101 $ 83,279 $ 27,822 33 % Revenue Revenue increased by $27.8 million , or 33% , to $111.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $83.3 million for the prior year.
Because the timelines to reach production vary significantly and the revenue generated by each customer in connection with commercial production and sales is unpredictable, it is difficult for us to reliably predict our financial performance. Customers’ Sales Volumes. Our customer base is diversified and we aim to continue to penetrate into diverse end markets to increase our sales volumes.
Because the timelines to reach production vary significantly and the revenue generated by each customer in connection with commercial production is unpredictable, it is difficult for us to reliably predict our financial performance. Customers’ Sales Volumes. Our customer base is diversified and we aim to continue to penetrate into diverse end markets to increase our sales volumes.
We continue to position ourselves in geographic markets that we expect to serve as important sources of future growth. We have an existing presence in three regions: Americas; Asia-Pacific; and Europe, Middle East and Africa. We intend to expand our presence in these regions over time including through distribution partnerships.
We continue to position ourselves in geographic markets that we expect to serve as important sources of future growth. We have an existing presence in three regions: Americas; Asia and Pacific; and Europe, Middle East and Africa. We intend to expand our presence in these regions over time including through distribution partnerships.
Our investment in R&D will continue to grow as we invest in new lidar technology and related software. Our absolute amount of R&D expenses is expected to grow over time; however, we expect R&D as a percentage of revenue to decrease over time as our business grows.
Our investment in R&D will continue to grow as we invest in new lidar technology and related software. Our absolute amount of R&D expenses is expected to grow over time; however, we expect R&D as a percentage of revenue to decrease as our business grows.
Other income (expense), net consists primarily of realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and balances, realized gains and losses related to sales of our available-for-sale investments, the change in fair value of the private placement warrant liability. Income Taxes Our income tax provision consists of federal, state and foreign current and deferred income taxes.
Other income (expense), net consists primarily of realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and balances, realized gains and losses related to sales of our available-for-sale investments and the change in fair value of the private placement warrant liability. Income Taxes Our income tax provision consists of federal, state and foreign current and deferred income taxes.
Investing Activities During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in investing activities was $50.6 million, which was attributed primarily to the Velodyne Merger and proceeds and purchases of short-term investments.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in investing activities was $50.6 million, which was attributed primarily to the Velodyne Merger and proceeds and purchases of short-term investments.
Ultimately widespread adoption of our customers’ products that incorporate our lidar solutions will depend on many factors, including the size of our customers’ end markets, end market penetration of our customer’s products that incorporate our digital lidar solutions, our end customers’ ability to sell their products, and the financial stability and reputation of the customers.
Ultimately, widespread adoption of our customers’ products that incorporate our lidar solutions will depend on many factors, including the size of our customers’ end markets, market penetration of our customers’ products that incorporate our digital lidar solutions, our customers’ ability to sell their products, and the financial stability and reputation of our customers.
As we grow our business, we expect to continue to improve our own understanding of our customers’ needs and timelines, and expect the timing of orders will have a less notable impact on our quarterly results. 50 Table of C ontents Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue consists of the manufacturing cost of our lidar sensors, which primarily consists of sensor components, personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation directly associated with our manufacturing organization, and amounts paid to our third-party contract manufacturer and vendors.
As we grow our business, we expect to continue to improve our own understanding of our customers’ needs and timelines, and expect the timing of orders will have a less notable impact on our quarterly results. 46 Table of C ontents Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue consists of the manufacturing cost of our lidar sensors, which primarily consists of sensor components, personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation directly associated with our manufacturing organization, and amounts paid to our third-party contract manufacturer and vendors.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement, we may sell the shares in amounts and at times to be determined by us but we are under no obligation to sell any of the shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the ATM Agreement, we may sell the shares in amounts and at times to be determined by us but we are under no obligation to sell any of the shares.
For certain strategic customers and markets, our products must be integrated into a broader platform, which then must be tested, validated, and achieve system-level performance and reliability thresholds that enable commercial production and sales. The time necessary to reach commercial production varies from six months to seven years, based on the market and application.
For certain strategic customers and markets, our products must be integrated into a broader platform, which then must be tested and validated to achieve system-level performance and reliability thresholds that enable commercial production and sales. The time necessary to reach commercial production varies from six months to several years, based on the market and application.
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 audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Market acceptance of semi-autonomous solutions and active safety technology depend upon many factors, including cost, performance, safety performance, regulatory requirements and international taxes or tariffs related to such technologies. These factors may impact the ultimate market acceptance of our lidar technology. International Expansion. We view international expansion as an important element of our strategy to increase revenue and achieve profitability.
Market acceptance of lidar technology and active safety technology depend upon many factors, including cost, performance, safety performance, regulatory requirements and international taxes or tariffs related to such technologies. These factors may impact the ultimate market acceptance of our lidar technology. International Expansion. We view international expansion as an important element of our strategy to increase revenue and achieve profitability.
We have experienced and may in the near-term experience additional increases in general and administrative expenses related to legal, accounting, finance and professional services costs associated with the Velodyne Merger, litigation activities, hiring more personnel and consultants to support our growing international expansion and compliance with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”) and other SEC rules and regulations as a result of being a public company.
We have experienced and may in the near-term experience additional increases in general and administrative expenses related to legal, accounting, finance and professional services costs associated with litigation activities, hiring more personnel and consultants to support our international activities and compliance with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other SEC rules and regulations as a result of being a public company.
Based on cost quotes for our products in mass production, we anticipate our manufacturing costs per unit will decrease further with higher volumes. Merger with Velodyne Lidar, Inc.
Based on cost quotes for our products in mass production, we anticipate our manufacturing costs per unit will decrease further as production volumes increase. Merger with Velodyne Lidar, Inc.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current plans, expectations and beliefs involving risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current plans, expectations and beliefs involving risks and uncertainties. Ouster’s actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” and in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Benchmark and Fabrinet manufacture the majority of our products at their facilities in Thailand, which we expect will continue to reduce our product costs and allow us to continue to rapidly scale production to meet our anticipated product demand.
Our main manufacturing partners are Benchmark and Fabrinet, which manufacture the majority of our products at their facilities in Thailand. We expect this will allow us to continue to reduce our product costs and rapidly scale production to meet our anticipated product demand.
Expanded global reach will require continued investment and may expose us to additional foreign currency risk, international taxes and tariffs, legal obligations and additional operational costs, risks and challenges that may impact our ability to meet our projected sales volumes, revenue and gross margins.
Expanded global reach will require continued investment and may expose us to additional foreign currency risk, international taxes and tariffs, legal obligations, export/import regulations and additional operational costs. These risks and challenges that may impact our ability to meet our projected sales volumes, revenues, and gross margins.
Operating Expenses Research and Development Expenses Research and development (“R&D”) activities are primarily conducted at our San Francisco based headquarters and our additional R&D facilities in Scotland and Canada and consist of the following activities: • Design, prototyping, and testing of proprietary electrical, optical, and mechanical subsystems for our digital lidar products; • Robust testing for industrial and autonomous vehicle safety certifications; • Development of new products and enhancements to existing products in response to customer requirements including firmware development and software development of lidar integration products; • Custom system-on-a-chip (“SoC”) design for Ouster’s digital lidar products; and • Development of custom manufacturing equipment.
Operating Expenses Research and Development Expenses Research and development (“R&D”) activities are primarily conducted at our San Francisco headquarters and our additional R&D facilities in Scotland and Canada and consist of the following activities: • Design, prototyping, and testing of proprietary electrical, optical, and mechanical subsystems for our digital lidar products; • Robust testing for safety certifications; • Development of new products and enhancements to existing products in response to customer requirements including firmware and software development of lidar integration products; • Custom SoC design for Ouster’s digital lidar products; and • Development of custom manufacturing equipment.
Because we are in the growth stage of our business and 56 Table of C ontents operate in an emerging field of technology, we expect to continue to invest in research and development and expand our sales and marketing teams worldwide.
Because we are in the growth stage of our business and operate in an emerging field of technology, we expect to continue to invest in research and development and opportunistically expand our sales and marketing teams worldwide.
We may require additional capital to respond to technological advancements, competitive dynamics or technologies, customer demands, business opportunities, challenges, acquisitions or unforeseen circumstances and in either the short-term or long-term may determine to engage in equity or debt financings or enter into credit facilities for other reasons.
We may require additional capital to respond to technological advancements, competitive dynamics or technologies, customer demands, business opportunities, challenges, acquisitions, or unforeseen circumstances and in either the short-term or long-term may determine to engage in equity or debt financings.
We are a leading global provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors that offer advanced 3D vision to machinery, vehicles, robots, and fixed infrastructure assets, which allows each to understand and visualize the surrounding world and enable safe operation and autonomy.
We are headquartered in San Francisco, California. We are a leading global provider of lidar sensors and solutions. We design and manufacture high-resolution digital lidar sensors that offer advanced 3D vision to machinery, vehicles, robots, and fixed infrastructure assets, which allows each to understand and visualize the surrounding world and enable safe operation and autonomy.
As a result of the issuance and sale by us of an additional 2,878,875 shares of common stock in the year ended December 31, 2023 pursuant to the At-Market-Issuance Sales Agreement at prices below the exercise price of the Amazon Warrant, an antidilution adjustment to the terms of the Amazon Warrant occurred, resulting in the increase in the number of shares issuable under the Amazon Warrant by 618 shares of common stock and a reduction to the original strike price of the Amazon Warrant to $50.70 per share.
As a result of the issuance and sale by us of an additional 6,045,428 shares of common stock in the year ended December 31, 2024 pursuant to the At-Market-Issuance Sales Agreement at prices below the exercise price of the Amazon Warrant, an antidilution adjustment to the terms of the Amazon Warrant occurred, resulting in the increase in the number of shares issuable under the Amazon Warrant by 3,374 shares of common stock and a reduction to the original strike price of the Amazon Warrant to $50.64 per share.
The Amazon Warrant is subject to vesting; 50% of the unvested Amazon Warrant as of the date of the Velodyne Merger vested as a result of the Velodyne Merger and the remainder will vest over time based on payments by Amazon or its affiliates to us in connection with Amazon’s purchase of goods and services from us.
The Amazon Warrant is subject to vesting; 50% of the unvested Amazon Warrant as of the date of the Velodyne Merger vested as a result of the Velodyne Merger and the remainder will vest over time based on payments by Amazon or its affiliates to us in connection with Amazon’s purchase of goods and services from us. 44 Table of C ontents Factors Affecting Our Performance Commercialization of Lidar Applications.
We have experienced additional sales and marketing expenses as a result of our global expansion, and expect sales and marketing spend as a percentage of revenue to decrease over time as our business grows. 51 Table of C ontents General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation, of our executives and members of the board of directors, finance, human resources, an allocation of shared overhead costs including facilities, utilities and IT-related costs that support general and administrative activities, as well as amortization of intangible assets, fees related to legal fees, patent prosecution, accounting, finance and professional services, as well as insurance and bank fees.
We expect sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue to decrease over time as our business grows. 47 Table of C ontents General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation, of our executives and members of the board of directors, finance, human resources, an allocated portion of facility and IT costs that support general and administrative activities, as well as amortization of intangible assets, fees related to legal fees, patent prosecution, accounting, finance and professional services, as well as insurance and bank fees.
R&D expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation, for all personnel directly involved in R&D activities, third-party engineering and contractor costs, prototype expenses, amortization of intangible assets, and an allocation of shared overhead costs including facilities, utilities and IT-related costs that support R&D activities. R&D costs are expensed as they are incurred.
R&D expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation, for all personnel directly involved in R&D activities, third-party engineering and contractor costs, prototype expenses, amortization of intangible assets, and an allocated portion of overhead, facility and information technology (“IT”) costs that support R&D activities. R&D costs are expensed as they are incurred.
Our software enables real-time people and object detection, classification, and tracking for actionable, intuitive, and customizable insights while preserving personally identifiable information. Our digital lidar sensors leverage a simplified architecture based on two semiconductor chips and are backed by a suite of patent-protected technology.
Our digital lidar sensors leverage a simplified architecture based on two semiconductor chips and are backed by a suite of patent-protected technology. 43 Table of C ontents We also provide perception software platforms for smart infrastructure deployments. Our software enables real-time people and object detection, classification, and tracking for actionable, intuitive, and customizable insights while preserving personally identifiable information.
Although increasing adoption of semi-autonomous solutions that rely on lidar technology may generate higher demand, we may not be able to take advantage of demand if we are unable to anticipate regulatory changes and adapt quickly enough to meet such new regulatory standards or requirements applicable to us or to our customers’ products in which our lidar sensors are used.
We may not be able to take advantage of demand if we are unable to anticipate regulatory changes and adapt quickly enough to meet such new regulatory standards or requirements applicable to us or to our customers’ products in which our lidar sensors are used.
The cash used in changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $13.5 million was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable of $0.9 million, an increase in inventories of $13.7 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $3.1 million, an increase in accounts payable of $4.2 million, an increase in accrued and other liabilities of $3.2 million and a decrease in operating lease liability of $3.2 million.
The changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $11.5 million was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable of $1.7 million, decrease in inventory of $4.7 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $21.3 million, an increase in accounts payable of $2.5 million, an increase in contract liabilities of $19.0 million, a decrease in operating lease liability of $6.3 million, and a decrease in accrued and other liabilities of $28.1 million.
We expect these needs to continue as we develop and grow our business. As of December 31, 2023 we had an accumulated deficit of $816.0 million and cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of approximately $191.8 million.
We expect these needs to continue as we develop and grow our business. As of December 31, 2024 we had an accumulated deficit of $913.1 million and cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of approximately $174.6 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, cash generated from product revenues, sales of common stock under our at-the market equity offering program and proceeds from debt financing. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital are working capital, inventory management, capital expenditures, public company costs and general corporate needs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, cash generated from sales of our products, and sales of common stock under our at-the market equity offering program. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital are to finance working capital, inventory management, capital expenditures, and general corporate purposes.
(the “ATM Agreement”), pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million under an “at the market” offering program.
(the “ATM Agreement”), which expires three years from the May 2, 2022 Form S-3 filing date, pursuant to which we may offer and sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million under an “at the market” offering program.
We consider marketability and product life cycle stage, product development plans, demand forecasts, and assumptions about future demand and market conditions in establishing our estimates.
Significant judgment is used in establishing our forecasts of future demand and obsolete material exposures. We consider marketability and product life cycle stage, product development plans, demand forecasts, and assumptions about future demand and market conditions in establishing our estimates.
As of December 31, 2023, there were 3,264,516 shares of common stock issuable under the Amazon Warrant.
As of December 31, 2024, there were 3,267,890 shares of common stock issuable under the Amazon Warrant.
We believe it is essential that we continue to identify and respond to rapidly evolving customer requirements, including successfully progressing our digital lidar roadmap and developing technologies that will enhance the operating performance of our products.
We believe it is essential that we continue to identify and respond to rapidly evolving customer requirements, including successfully progressing our digital lidar roadmap and developing technologies that will enhance the operating performance of our products. Our “L4” sensor prototypes are generating rich point clouds and have moved into validation testing.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold 783,371 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $15.8 million under the ATM Agreement, and during the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 2,878,875 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $32.2 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we sold 6,045,428 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $57.8 million under the ATM Agreement, and during the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 2,878,875 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $14.6 million.
Sales and marketing expenses also include amortization expense of intangible assets related to customer relationships associated with the acquisitions.
Sales and marketing expenses also include amortization expense of intangible assets related to customer relationships associated with the acquisitions and an allocated portion of facility and IT costs that support sales and marketing activities.
For each of our three models in the OS product line, we offer resolution options of 128 lines vertically (“channels”), 64 channels, or 32 channels, as well as many beam spacing options. On October 19, 2022, we announced the launch of our newest OS series scanning sensors, REV7, powered by our next-generation L3 chip.
Within our OS sensor models, we offer numerous customization options, all enabled by embedded software. For each of our models in the OS product line, we offer resolution options of 128 lines vertically (“channels”), 64 channels, or 32 channels, as well as many beam spacing options. In 2022, we launched our REV7 OS series scanning sensors powered by L3 chip.
Geographic Locations Revenue increased across the geographic regions of the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa as compared to the comparable period in the prior year.
The increase in revenue was primarily driven by increased sales of the REV7 sensors as customers increased their purchase levels compared to the prior year period. Geographic Locations Revenue increased across the geographic regions of the Americas, Asia and Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa as compared to the comparable period in the prior year.
Cash Flow Summary For the Years ended December 31, 2023 2022 (dollars in thousands) Net cash provided by (used in): Operating activities $ (137,890) $ (110,690) Investing activities 50,601 (5,147) Financing activities 15,657 55,602 Operating Activities During the year ended December 31, 2023, operating activities used $137.9 million in cash.
Cash Flow Summary For the Years ended December 31, 2024 2023 (dollars in thousands) Net cash provided by (used in): Operating activities $ (33,694) $ (137,890) Investing activities 14,652 50,601 Financing activities 15,393 15,657 Operating Activities During the year ended December 31, 2024, operating activities used $33.7 million in cash.
Each asset acquired and liability assumed is measured at fair value from the perspective of a market participant.
We assess the fair value of assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed using a variety of methods. Each asset acquired and liability assumed is measured at fair value from the perspective of a market participant.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin Our gross profit equals total revenues less our total cost of revenues, and our gross margin is our gross profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin Our gross profit equals total revenues less our total cost of revenues, and our gross margin is our gross profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue. Our gross margin is subject to quarterly fluctuations in product mix, price and volume.
We expect this pressure to continue to push our ASPs lower in the coming years. However, we believe that because of our complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, digital lidar technology, we are well-positioned to scale more rapidly than our competitors and leverage our scale to deliver positive gross margins. Continued Investment and Innovation. We believe that we are a leading lidar provider.
However, we believe that because of the simplicity of our digital lidar technology, we are well-positioned to scale more effectively than our competitors and can leverage this scale to deliver positive gross margins. Continued Investment and Innovation. We believe that we are a leading lidar provider.
Our product costs and gross margins depend largely on the volumes of sensors shipped, the mix of existing and new products sold and the number and variety of solutions we provide to our customers. We anticipate that our selling prices will vary by target end market and application due to market-specific supply and demand dynamics.
Average Selling Prices (“ASPs”), Product Costs and Margins. Our product costs and gross margins depend largely on the volumes of sensors shipped, the mix of existing and new products sold and the number and variety of solutions we provide to our customers.
For additional information regarding the terms of the UBS Agreement, see Note 6. Debt to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K . Material Cash Requirements We are a party to many contractual obligations involving commitments to make payments to third parties.
Debt to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K . Material Cash Requirements We are a party to many contractual obligations involving commitments to make payments to third parties. These obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs.
We design and manufacture digital lidar sensors that we believe are one of the highest-performing, lowest-cost lidar solutions available today across each of our four target markets: industrial automation; smart infrastructure; robotics; and automotive. 47 Table of C ontents We also provide perception software platforms for smart infrastructure deployments.
We believe our sensors are one of the highest-performing, lowest-cost lidar solutions available today across each of our four target markets: automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure.
Our tax expense changed by $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year, primarily due to withholding taxes in the United States and income tax expense from profitable foreign jurisdictions.
Our tax expense changed during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, primarily due to income tax expense from profitable foreign jurisdictions.
The cash used in changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $21.5 million was primarily due to an increase in inventories of $4.0 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $8.5 million, an increase in accrued and other liabilities of $8.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, operating activities used $110.7 million in cash.
The cash used in changes in our operating assets and liabilities of $21.5 million was primarily due to an increase in inventories of $4.0 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $8.5 million, an increase in accrued and other liabilities of $8.1 million. 53 Table of C ontents Investing Activities During the year ended December 31, 2024, cash provided by investing activities was $14.7 million, consisting primarily of $162.3 million proceeds from sales of short-term investments and purchases of short-term investments of $144.6 million.
As the market for lidar solutions matures and more customers reach a commercialization phase with solutions that rely on our technology, the fluctuations in our operating results may become less pronounced.
As the market for lidar solutions matures and more customers reach a commercialization phase with solutions that rely on our technology, the fluctuations in our operating results may become less pronounced. In 2025, our strategic business objectives include growing the software-attached business, transforming the product portfolio, and executing towards profitability. Number of Customers in Production.
Critical Accounting Estimates We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that can significantly impact the amounts we report as assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and the related disclosures.
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that can significantly impact the amounts we report as assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and the related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances.
Our absolute amount of general and administrative expenses will grow over time; however, we expect the general and administrative spend as a percentage of revenue to decrease over time as our business grows.
Our absolute amount of general and administrative expenses will grow over time; however, we expect general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue to decrease as our business grows. Goodwill Impairment Charges In the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded goodwill impairment charges of approximately $166.7 million.
Goodwill Impairment Charges In the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded goodwill impairment charges of $166.7 million. These charges were primarily driven by the decrease in the Company’s market capitalization during the period. Our goodwill impairment analysis includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of our reporting unit to our total market capitalization.
These charges were primarily driven by the decrease in our market capitalization during the period. Our goodwill impairment analysis includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of our reporting unit to our total market capitalization. There was no addition to goodwill as of December 31, 2024, and as such, our remaining goodwill balance was nil.
On October 25, 2023, the Company entered into the Credit Line Account Application and Agreement for Organizations and Businesses (the “Credit Agreement”) and the Addendum to Credit Line Account Application and Agreement (the “Addendum”; and the Credit Agreement as amended, modified, and/or supplemented by the Addendum, the “UBS Agreement”) by and among the Company, UBS Bank USA (the “Bank”), and UBS Financial Services Inc.
We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of shares pursuant to the ATM Agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes. 52 Table of C ontents Prior Debt Arrangements On October 25, 2023, we entered into the Credit Line Account Application and Agreement for Organizations and Businesses (the “Credit Agreement”) and the Addendum to Credit Line Account Application and Agreement (the “Addendum”; and the Credit Agreement as amended, modified, and/or supplemented by the Addendum, the “UBS Agreement”) by and among the Company, UBS Bank USA (the “Bank”), and UBS Financial Services Inc.
Costs are computed under the standard cost method, which approximates actual costs determined on the first in, first out basis. We record write-downs of inventories which are obsolete or in excess of anticipated demand. Significant judgment is used in establishing our forecasts of future demand and obsolete material exposures.
Inventory Valuation Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Costs are computed under the standard cost method, which approximates actual costs determined on a first in, first out basis. We record write-downs of inventories which are obsolete or in excess of anticipated demand.
We recognize revenue from product sales when the performance obligation of transferring control of the product to the customer has been met, generally when the product is shipped.
We recognize revenue from product sales when the performance obligation of transferring control of the product to the customer has been met, generally when the product is shipped. We also recognize revenue by performing services related to product development, validation, licenses, maintenance under our extended warranty contracts, and shipping.
Business Combinations Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method. We recognize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations on the basis of their fair values at the date of acquisition. We assess the fair value of assets acquired, including intangible assets, and liabilities assumed using a variety of methods.
Our actual results could differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. Business Combinations Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method. We recognize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations on the basis of their fair values at the date of acquisition.
REV7 features the all-new OSDome sensor, as well as upgraded OS0, OS1, and OS2 sensors that deliver double the range, enhanced object detection, increased precision and accuracy, and greater reliability. The new REV7 sensors offer performance upgrades that we believe will enhance Ouster’s market opportunity, driven by new opportunities for longer-range and mapping applications.
REV7 features the all-new OSDome sensor, as well as upgraded OS0, OS1, and OS2 sensors that deliver double the range, enhanced object detection, increased precision and accuracy, and greater reliability compared to our prior generation sensors.
Our contractual obligations primarily consist of non-cancelable purchase commitments with various parties to purchase goods or services, primarily inventory, entered into in the normal course of business and operating leases. For information regarding our other contractual obligations, refer to Note 8. Leases and Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies.
Certain contractual obligations are reflected on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, while others are considered future commitments. Our contractual obligations primarily consist of non-cancelable purchase commitments with various parties to purchase goods or services, primarily inventory, entered into in the normal course of business and operating leases.
The primary factors affecting our operating cash flows during this period were our net loss of $138.6 million, impacted by our non-cash charges of $41.4 million primarily consisting of depreciation and amortization of $9.5 million, stock-based compensation of $33.3 million, change in right-of-use asset of $2.7 million, interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount of $1.0 million, a $7.4 million change in fair value of warrant liabilities, inventory write down of $1.6 million allowance for expected credit losses of $0.3 million and loss from disposal of property and equipment of $0.4 million.
The primary factors affecting our operating cash flows during this period were our net loss of $97.0 million, offset by our non-cash charges of $51.9 million primarily consisting of depreciation and amortization of $9.8 million, stock-based compensation of $40.5 million, amortization of right-of-use asset of $4.9 million and inventory write-down of $2.1 million.
Performance obligations related to services are generally recognized over time, based on cost-to-cost input basis or straight-line over time.
We do not expect these services to be material components of revenue, cost of revenue or gross margin in the near future. Performance obligations related to services are generally recognized over time, based on cost-to-cost input basis or straight-line over time.
We are currently developing our solid-state DF product line, which is a suite of short, mid, and long-range solid-state digital lidar sensors that provide uniform precision imaging without motion blur across an entire field of view. We believe the simplicity of our digital lidar design gives us a meaningful advantage in costs related to manufacturing, supply chain and production yields.
We are currently developing our solid-state digital flash (“DF”) sensors, which is a suite of short, mid, and long-range solid-state digital lidar sensors that provide uniform precision imaging without motion blur across an entire field of view. We also provide perception software platforms for smart infrastructure deployments.
These amounts will vary based on our respective balances and market rates. Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our debt, amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts, fees paid on refinancing and loss on debt extinguishment from our former credit line with Hercules.
Interest Income, Interest Expense, and Other Income (Expense), Net Interest income consists primarily of income earned on our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. These amounts will vary based on our respective balances and market rates. Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our debt and the amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts.
We expect to continue to experience some downward pressure on margins from signing anticipated large multi-year agreements in the near term with multi-year negotiated pricing. We expect that these customer-specific selling price fluctuations combined with our volume-driven product costs may drive fluctuations in revenue and gross margins on a quarterly basis.
We expect that these customer-specific selling price fluctuations combined with our volume-driven product costs may drive fluctuations in revenue and gross margins on a quarterly basis. However, notwithstanding any short-term price surcharges on our components, we expect that our volume-driven product costs will decrease over time.
We define our TAM as automation applications in the industrial, smart infrastructure, robotics and automotive end markets where we actively engage and maintain customer relationships. Each of our target markets is potentially a significant global opportunity, and these markets have historically been underserved by limited or inferior technology or not served at all.
Each of our target markets is potentially a significant global opportunity, and these markets have historically been underserved by limited or inferior technology or not served at all. We believe we are well positioned in our market as a leading provider of high-resolution lidar sensors.
We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results could differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance as these policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity.
A change in our estimates could have a significant impact on the value of our inventory and our results of operations. 54 Table of C ontents We believe that the accounting policy discussed below is critical to understanding our historical and future performance as these policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity.
Income Taxes Year Ended December 31, 2023 - 2022 Change 2023 2022 $ % (dollars in thousands) Loss before income taxes $ (373,587) $ (138,255) $ (235,332) 170 % Provision for income tax expense 523 305 218 71 Effective tax rate (0.14) % (0.22) % Our effective tax rate was (0.14)% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to our effective tax rate of (0.22)% for the prior year.
Other income (expense), net was not material for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. 51 Table of C ontents Income Taxes Year Ended December 31, 2024 - 2023 Change 2024 2023 $ % (dollars in thousands) Loss before income taxes $ (96,508) $ (373,587) $ 277,079 (74) % Provision for income tax expense (benefit) 537 523 14 3 Effective tax rate (0.56) % (0.14) % Our effective tax rate was (0.56)% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to our effective tax rate of (0.14)% for the prior year.
However, as our customers continue research and development projects that rely on lidar technology, it is difficult to estimate the timing of ultimate end market and customer adoption. As a result, we expect that our results of operations, including revenue and gross margins, will continue to fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis for the foreseeable future.
As a result, we expect that our results of operations, including revenue and gross margins, will improve over time but may fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis for the foreseeable future.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in investing activities was $5.1 million, which was primarily related to purchases of property, plant and equipment of $5.4 million, partially offset by sales of property and equipment of $0.3 million . 58 Table of C ontents Financing Activities During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash provided by financing activities was $15.7 million, consisting primarily of $14.6 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the ATM Agreement and proceeds from employee stock purchase program of $1.2 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash provided by financing activities was $15.7 million, consisting primarily of $14.6 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the ATM Agreement and proceeds from employee stock purchase program of $1.2 million. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Factors Affecting Our Performance Commercialization of Lidar Applications. We believe that lidar and system solutions, including our subscription-based software, are approaching an inflection point of adoption across our target end market applications, and that we are well-positioned to capitalize on this market adoption.
We believe that our lidar solutions are approaching an inflection point of adoption across our target end market applications, and that we are well-positioned to capitalize on this market adoption. However, as our customers continue research and development projects that rely on lidar technology, it is difficult to estimate the timing of ultimate end market and customer adoption.
On February 10, 2023, we completed our merger of equals with Velodyne pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Velodyne, Merger Sub I and Merger Sub II (the “Velodyne Merger”). In connection with the closing of the Velodyne Merger, we and Velodyne now operate as a single combined company.
On February 10, 2023, we completed our merger of equals with Velodyne pursuant to the terms of the Velodyne Merger Agreement with Velodyne, Merger Sub I and Merger Sub II (the “Velodyne Merger”). The product offerings we acquired through the Velodyne Merger include the VLP-16, VLP-16 Lite, VLP-16 Hi-Res, VLP-32 and VLS-128.
Our product offering currently includes four models of sensors in our OS product line: the hemispheric field of view OSDome, the ultra-wide field of view OS0, the mid-range OS1, and the long-range OS2. Within our OS sensor models, we offer numerous customization options, all enabled by embedded software.
Our digital lidar sensors leverage a simplified architecture based on two semiconductor chips and are backed by a suite of patent-protected technology. Our hardware product offering currently includes four models of sensors in our OS product line: the hemispheric field of view OSDome, the ultra-wide field of view OS0, the mid-range OS1, and the long-range OS2.
For example, the production cycle in the automotive market tends to be substantially longer than in our other target markets, including industrial automation, smart infrastructure and robotics. It is critical to our future success in each of our target end markets that our customers reach commercial production and sales and that they select our products in their commercial production applications.
It is critical to our future success in each of our target end markets that our customers reach commercial production and select our products in their commercial production applications, and that we avoid unexpected cancellations of major purchases of our products.
The increase was primarily attributable to the Velodyne Merger, which increased headcount-related expenses including stock based compensation by $19.0 million in 2023. Sales and Marketing Sales and marketing expenses increased by $10.8 million, or 35%, to $41.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $30.8 million in the prior year.
The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction in compensation expenses and other costs from the restructuring and cost reduction initiatives after the closing of the Velodyne Merger. Sales and Marketing Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $13.8 million, or 33%, to $27.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $41.6 million in the prior year.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, cash provided by financing activities was $55.6 million, consisting primarily of $39.1 million of proceeds from borrowings, net of debt discount and issuance costs, $16.3 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the ATM Agreement, net of commissions and fees, proceeds from exercise of stock options of $0.5 million and proceeds from ESPP purchase of $0.4 million.
Financing Activities During the year ended December 31, 2024, cash provided by financing activities was $15.4 million, consisting primarily of $57.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the ATM Agreement, partially offset by the repayment of indebtedness of $44.0 million under the UBS Agreement.
(“Amazon”), holds a warrant (“Amazon Warrant”) to acquire shares of our common stock. We assumed the Amazon Warrant as part of the Velodyne Merger.
These product offerings are in the final stages of their product life cycle and we plan to discontinue manufacturing them in 2025. Amazon Warrant Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”), holds a warrant (“Amazon Warrant”) to acquire shares of our common stock. We assumed the Amazon Warrant as part of the Velodyne Merger.
The facility under the UBS Agreement matures and terminates on August 2, 2025 (the “Maturity Date”). The UBS Agreement provides us with a revolving credit line of up to $45.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions.
The UBS Agreement provided us with a revolving credit line of up to $45.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions. We initially borrowed $44.0 million, and all of the proceeds were used to refinance and terminate our prior term loan facility.
We have invested heavily in patents since our inception, pursuing comprehensive coverage of invention families and use cases, with broad international coverage. We believe that our extensive patent coverage creates material barriers to entry for anyone aiming to compete in the digital lidar space.
We believe that our extensive patent coverage creates material barriers to entry for anyone aiming to compete in the digital lidar space. We believe the simplicity of our digital lidar design gives us a meaningful advantage in costs related to manufacturing, supply chain, and production yields.
The increase was primarily attributable to the Velodyne Merger, which increased headcount-related expenses including stock based compensation by $8.1 million in 2023. General and Administrative General and administrative expenses increased by $20.8 million, or 34%, to $82.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $61.2 million in the prior year.
The decrease was primarily attributable to the reduction in compensation expenses and other costs from the restructuring and cost reduction initiatives after the closing of the Velodyne Merger. General and Administrative General and administrative expenses decreased by $23.3 million, or 28%, to $58.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $82.0 million in the prior year.
Operating Expenses Year Ended December 31, 2023 - 2022 Change 2023 2022 $ % (dollars in thousands) Operating expenses: Research and development $ 91,210 $ 64,317 $ 26,893 42 % Sales and marketing 41,639 30,833 10,806 35 General and administrative 81,982 61,203 20,779 34 Goodwill impairment charges $ 166,675 $ — $ 166,675 100 % Total operating expenses: $ 381,506 $ 156,353 $ 225,153 144 % Research and Development Research and development expenses increased by $26.9 million, or 42%, to $91.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $64.3 million in the prior year.
Gross margin rose to 36% for the year ended December 31, 2024 from 10% in the prior year primarily as a result of the factors described above related to the increased sales of REV7 sensor. 50 Table of C ontents Operating Expenses Year Ended December 31, 2024 - 2023 Change 2024 2023 $ % (dollars in thousands) Operating expenses: Research and development $ 58,084 $ 91,210 $ (33,126) (36) % Sales and marketing 27,852 41,639 (13,787) (33) General and administrative 58,701 81,982 (23,281) (28) Goodwill impairment charges — 166,675 (166,675) 100 % Total operating expenses: $ 144,637 $ 381,506 $ (236,869) (62) % Research and Development Research and development expenses decreased by $33.1 million, or 36%, to $58.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $91.2 million in the prior year.
The revenue increases in those geographic regions were primarily attributable to the Velodyne Merger, our focus and investment in our global sales team and increased demand for our OS sensors during the year ended December 31, 2023. 54 Table of C ontents Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin Year Ended December 31, 2023 - 2022 Change 2023 2022 $ % (dollars in thousands) Cost of revenue $ 74,965 $ 30,099 $ 44,866 149 % Cost of revenue and Gross Margin Cost of revenue increased by $44.9 million, or 149%, to $75.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $30.1 million for the prior year.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin Year Ended December 31, 2024 - 2023 Change 2024 2023 $ % (dollars in thousands) Cost of revenue $ 70,641 $ 74,965 $ (4,324) (6) % Cost of revenue Cost of revenue decreased by $4.3 million, or 6%, to $70.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $75.0 million for the prior year.
To continue to grow our bus iness in the coming years, we have expanded and plan to continue to maintain and opportunistically expand our sales and marketing efforts and our software development capabilities, and to accelerate sensor development efforts. We are headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
Overview Ouster was founded in 2015 with the invention of our high-performance digital lidar. To continue to grow our bus iness in the coming years, we expanded and plan to continue invest in growing our digital lidar product portfolio, increasing the capabilities of our software solutions, and opportunistically expanding our sales and marketing efforts.

… 73 more changes not shown on this page.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk — interest-rate, FX, commodity exposure

6 edited+2 added−8 removed5 unchanged
Biggest changeOur inability to offset costs or consequential decline in demand could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition. We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations, other than its impact on the general economy.
Biggest changeTo date, we do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations, other than its impact on the general economy. However, we are monitoring the current inflationary environment, particularly as it may be impacted by proposed and/or newly implemented tariffs.
No strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with such fluctuations and our currency exchange rate risk management activities could expose us to substantial losses if such rates move materially differently from our expectations. 61 Table of C ontents
No strategy can completely insulate us from risks associated with such fluctuations and our currency exchange rate risk management activities could expose us to substantial losses if such rates move materially differently from our expectations. 55 Table of C ontents
Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and to a lesser extent, inflation risk. The following analysis provides quantitative and qualitative information regarding these risks. Inflation Risk General inflation in the U.S., Europe and other geographies has risen to levels not experienced in recent decades.
Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and to a lesser extent, inflation risk. The following analysis provides quantitative and qualitative information regarding these risks. Inflation Risk General inflation in the U.S., Europe and other geographies has risen significantly in recent years.
Substantially all of our revenue is generated in U.S. dollars. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our operations, which are primarily in the U.S. and to a lesser extent in Asia and Europe.
Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our operations, which are primarily in the U.S. and to a lesser extent in Asia and Europe.
Interest Rate Risk As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of approximately $191.8 million, of which $7.4 million consisted of institutional money market funds, $83.6 million consisted of commercial paper, and $58.5 million consisted of corporate debt and U.S. government agency securities, all of which carries a degree of interest rate risk.
Interest Rate Risk As of December 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of approximately $174.6 million, of which $24.7 million consisted of institutional money market funds, $56.9 million consisted of commercial paper, and $69.6 million consisted of corporate debt and U.S. government agency securities, all of which carries a degree of interest rate risk.
A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations due to the short-term nature of our investment portfolio. In addition, our operating results are subject to risk from interest rate fluctuations on borrowings under our debt financing arrangements, which carry variable interest rates.
A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations due to the short-term nature of our investment portfolio. On August 12, 2024, we repaid in full, with cash on hand, all outstanding indebtedness and terminated all commitments and obligations under the UBS Agreement.
Removed
General inflation, including rising prices for inputs and rising wages, as well as rising interest rates negatively impact our business by increasing our operating costs. General inflation also negatively impacts our business by decreasing the capital for our customers to deploy to purchase our products.
Added
If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases, and our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Removed
Inflation may cause our customers to reduce or delay orders for our products thereby causing a decrease in sales. Increased instability relating to this higher inflation as well as rising interest rates may enhance volatility in currency exchange rates, limit our suppliers’ and customers’ access to credit and limit our ability to access debt and equity financing.
Added
As of December 31, 2024, we had no debt outstanding and therefore are not exposed to interest rate risk with respect to debt. Foreign Currency Exchange Risk Our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Substantially all of our revenue is generated in U.S. dollars.
Removed
These uncertainties may make it difficult for us and our suppliers and customers to accurately plan future business activities and materially adversely impact our operating results and financial condition. While we adjust our prices to try to offset rising operating costs, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs or demand may decline.
Removed
We cannot assure you, however, that our results of operations and financial condition will not be materially impacted by inflation in the future.
Removed
Interest rate risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in the level of interest rates and the spread between different interest rates. Because our borrowings under our financing arrangements bear interest at variable rates, we are exposed to market risks relating to changes in interest rates.
Removed
Interest rate risk is highly sensitive due to many factors, including U.S. monetary and tax policies, U.S. and international economic factors and other factors beyond our control. As of December 31, 2023, we had $44.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding under our UBS Agreement.
Removed
Based upon a sensitivity analysis of our debt levels on December 31, 2023, an increase or decrease of 1% point in the effective interest rate under our UBS Agreement would cause an increase or decrease in interest expense of approximately $0.4 million over the next 12 months.
Removed
We anticipate that interest payable on borrowings under the UBS Agreement will be substantially less than the interest payable on the term loan facility with Hercules Capital, Inc, and that the new Agreement will provide more operational flexibility. 60 Table of C ontents Foreign Currency Exchange Risk Our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Other OUST 10-K year-over-year comparisons