Further, the allocation of and prioritization of stimulus funds or earnings is uncertain and may change. There is no guarantee that additional funding will be made available to fund our solutions.
Further, the allocation and prioritization of stimulus funds or earnings is uncertain and may change. There is no guarantee that additional funding will be made available to fund our solutions.
Further, our insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur in the event of damage or interruption, and therefore the occurrence of any of the foregoing could subject us to liability, cause us to issue credits to customers or cause customers not to renew their subscriptions for our applications, any of which could materially adversely affect our business.
Further, our insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur in the event of damage or interruption, and therefore the occurrence of any of the foregoing could subject us to liability, cause us to issue credits to customers or cause customers not to renew their subscriptions for our applications, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business.
If we (or a third party upon whom we rely) experience a security incident or are perceived to have experienced a security incident, we may experience adverse consequences, such as government enforcement actions (for example, investigations, fines, penalties, audits, and inspections); additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; restrictions on processing sensitive information (including personal data); litigation (including class claims); indemnification obligations; negative publicity; reputational harm; monetary fund diversions; interruptions in our operations (including availability of data); financial loss; and other similar harms.
If we (or a third party upon whom we rely) experience a security incident or are perceived to have experienced a security incident, we may experience adverse consequences, such as government enforcement actions (for example, investigations, fines, penalties, audits, and inspections); additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; restrictions on processing sensitive information (including personal information); litigation (including class claims); indemnification obligations; negative publicity; reputational harm; monetary fund diversions; interruptions in our operations (including availability of data); financial loss; and other similar harms.
In addition, non-affiliates have the ability to sell shares of our common stock in the open market or through block trades without being subject to volume restrictions under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. In addition, in the future we may issue common stock or other securities if we need to raise additional capital.
Non-affiliates have the ability to sell shares of our common stock in the open market or through block trades without being subject to volume restrictions under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. In addition, in the future we may issue common stock or other securities if we need to raise additional capital.
Acquisitions in the future that we complete will give rise to risks, including: • incurring higher than anticipated capital expenditures and operating expenses; • failing to assimilate the operations and personnel or failing to retain the key personnel of the acquired company or business; • failing to integrate the acquired technologies, or incurring significant expense to integrate acquired technologies, into our platform and applications; • disrupting our ongoing business; • diverting our management’s attention and other company resources; • failing to maintain uniform standards, controls and policies; • incurring significant accounting charges; • impairing relationships with our customers and employees; • finding that the acquired technology, asset or business does not further our business strategy, that we overpaid for the technology, asset or business or that we may be required to write off acquired assets or investments partially or entirely; • failing to realize the expected synergies of the transaction; • being exposed to unforeseen liabilities and contingencies that were not identified prior to acquiring the company; and • being unable to generate sufficient revenues and profits from acquisitions to offset the associated acquisition costs.
Acquisitions in the future that we complete will give rise to risks, including: • incurring higher than anticipated capital expenditures and operating expenses; • failing to assimilate the operations and personnel or failing to retain the key personnel of the acquired company or business; • failing to integrate the acquired technologies, or incurring significant expense to integrate acquired technologies, into our platform and applications; • disrupting our ongoing business; • diverting our management’s attention and other company resources; • failing to maintain uniform standards, controls and policies; • incurring significant accounting charges; • impairing relationships with our customers and employees; 37 • finding that the acquired technology, asset or business does not further our business strategy, that we overpaid for the technology, asset or business or that we may be required to write off acquired assets or investments partially or entirely; • failing to realize the expected synergies of the transaction; • being exposed to unforeseen liabilities and contingencies that were not identified prior to acquiring the company; and • being unable to generate sufficient revenues and profits from acquisitions to offset the associated acquisition costs.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that: • establish a classified board of directors so that not all members of our board of directors are elected at one time; • permit the board of directors to establish the number of directors and fill any vacancies and newly-created directorships; • provide that directors may only be removed for cause; • require super-majority voting to amend some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws; • authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our board of directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan; • eliminate the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders; • prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which requires all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders; 50 • provide that the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws; and • establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at annual stockholder meetings.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that: • establish a classified board of directors so that not all members of our board of directors are elected at one time; • permit the board of directors to establish the number of directors and fill any vacancies and newly-created directorships; • provide that directors may only be removed for cause; • require super-majority voting to amend some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws; • authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our board of directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan; • eliminate the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders; • prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which requires all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders; • provide that the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws; and • establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at annual stockholder meetings.
While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid and several state trial courts have enforced such provisions and required that suits asserting Securities Act claims be filed in federal court, there is no guarantee that courts of appeal will affirm the enforceability of such provisions and a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions.
While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum 54 provisions are facially valid and several state trial courts have enforced such provisions and required that suits asserting Securities Act claims be filed in federal court, there is no guarantee that courts of appeal will affirm the enforceability of such provisions and a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions.
Any security compromise in our industry, whether actual or perceived, could harm our reputation, erode customer confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures, negatively impact our ability to attract new customers, cause existing customers to elect not to renew their subscriptions or subject us to third-party lawsuits, regulatory fines or other action or liability, which could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
Any security compromise , whether actual or perceived, could harm our reputation, erode customer confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures, negatively impact our ability to attract new customers, cause existing customers to elect not to renew their subscriptions or subject us to third-party lawsuits, regulatory fines or other action or liability, which could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
Our operations involve the collection, receipt, store, storage processing, generation, use, transfer, disclosure, protection, disposal of, transmission, and sharing (collectively, “processing”) of proprietary, confidential, and sensitive data, including personal data, intellectual property, trade secrets and other sensitive information such as gunfire incident data, including date, time, address and GPS coordinates, occurring in our customer’s coverage area (collectively, “sensitive information”).
Our operations involve the collection, receipt, storage, storage processing, generation, use, transfer, disclosure, protection, disposal of, transmission, and sharing (collectively, “processing”) of proprietary, confidential, and sensitive data, including personal information, intellectual property, trade secrets and other sensitive information such as gunfire incident data, including date, time, address and GPS coordinates, occurring in our customer’s coverage area (collectively, “sensitive information”).
If we are unable to attract, integrate and retain suitably qualified individuals who are capable of meeting our growing technical, operational and managerial requirements, on a timely basis or at all, our business will be adversely affected. Volatility or lack of positive performance in our stock price may also affect our ability to attract and retain our key employees.
If we are unable to attract, integrate and retain suitably qualified individuals who are capable of meeting our growing technical, operational and managerial requirements, on a timely basis or at all, our business will be adversely affected. 45 Volatility or lack of positive performance in our stock price may also affect our ability to attract and retain our key employees.
In addition, the facilities of significant vendors, including the manufacturer of our proprietary acoustic sensor, may be harmed or rendered inoperable by such natural or man-made disasters, which may cause disruptions, difficulties or material adverse effects on our business. 33 The incurrence of debt may impact our financial position and subject us to additional financial and operating restrictions.
In addition, the facilities of significant vendors, including the manufacturer of our proprietary acoustic sensor, may be harmed or rendered inoperable by such natural or man-made disasters, which may cause disruptions, difficulties or material adverse effects on our business. The incurrence of debt may impact our financial position and subject us to additional financial and operating restrictions.
In addition, difficulties in transitioning from an existing supplier to a new supplier could create delays in component availability that would have a significant impact on our ability to fulfill orders for our products. Many of the key components used to manufacture our proprietary ShotSpotter sensors also come from limited or sole sources of supply.
In addition, difficulties in transitioning from an existing supplier to a new supplier could create delays in component availability that would have a significant impact on our ability to fulfill orders for our products. 42 Many of the key components used to manufacture our proprietary ShotSpotter sensors also come from limited or sole sources of supply.
Government entities often impose compliance requirements that are complicated, require preferential pricing or “most favored nation” terms and conditions, or are otherwise time-consuming and expensive to satisfy. Compliance with these special standards or satisfaction of such requirements could complicate our efforts to obtain business or increase the cost of doing so.
Government entities often impose compliance requirements that are complicated, require preferential pricing or “most favored nation” terms and conditions, or are otherwise 29 time-consuming and expensive to satisfy. Compliance with these special standards or satisfaction of such requirements could complicate our efforts to obtain business or increase the cost of doing so.
In addition, like many companies, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented a work from home policy. We expect to work in a hybrid work model for the foreseeable future. This policy may negatively impact productivity of our employees. Any disruptions in our operations could negatively impact our business and operating results and harm our reputation.
In addition, like many companies, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented a work from home 35 policy. We expect to work in a hybrid work model for the foreseeable future. This policy may negatively impact productivity of our employees. Any disruptions in our operations could negatively impact our business and operating results and harm our reputation.
To increase total customers and customer coverage areas and to achieve broader market acceptance of our solutions, we will need to expand our sales and marketing organization and increase our business development 34 resources, including the vertical and geographic distribution of our sales force and our teams of account executives focused on new accounts and responsible for renewal and growth of existing accounts.
To increase total customers and customer coverage areas and to achieve broader market acceptance of our solutions, we will need to expand our sales and marketing organization and increase our business development resources, including the vertical and geographic distribution of our sales force and our teams of account executives focused on new accounts and responsible for renewal and growth of existing accounts.
Third parties also may seek access to our trade secrets, proprietary know-how and other confidential information through legal measures (for example, public-records requests or subpoenas to provide information or to 46 testify in court) and it could be expensive to defend against those requests. Disclosure of our trade secrets, proprietary know-how and other confidential information could negatively impact our business.
Third parties also may seek access to our trade secrets, proprietary know-how and other confidential information through legal measures (for example, public-records requests or subpoenas to provide information or to testify in court) and it could be expensive to defend against those requests. Disclosure of our trade secrets, proprietary know-how and other confidential information could negatively impact our business.
If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business and adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows. 48 Substantial future sales of shares of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business and adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows. Substantial future sales of shares of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal 49 control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.
In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Any such damages, penalties, disruptions or limitations in our ability to do business with government entities could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. 27 Government entities often require highly specialized contract terms that may differ from our standard arrangements.
Any such damages, penalties, disruptions or limitations in our ability to do business with government entities could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Government entities often require highly specialized contract terms that may differ from our standard arrangements.
We take steps to detect and remediate vulnerabilities, but we may not be able to detect and remediate all vulnerabilities because the threats and techniques used to exploit the vulnerability change frequently and are often sophisticated in nature. Therefore, such vulnerabilities could be exploited but may not be detected until after a security incident has occurred.
We take steps to detect and remediate vulnerabilities, but we may not be able to detect and remediate all vulnerabilities because the threats and techniques used to exploit the vulnerability 40 change frequently and are often sophisticated in nature. Therefore, such vulnerabilities could be exploited but may not be detected until after a security incident has occurred.
To the extent that required consents delay our ability to deploy our solutions or facility owners do not grant permission to use their facilities, revoke previously granted permissions, or require us to pay a site license fee in order to install our sensors, our business may be harmed.
To the extent that required consents delay our ability to deploy our solutions or facility owners do not grant permission to use their facilities, revoke previously granted permissions, or require us to pay a site license fee in order to install our sensors or bollards, our business may be harmed.
The accounting rules and regulations that we must comply with are complex and subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. In addition, many companies’ accounting disclosures are 45 being subjected to heightened scrutiny by regulators and the public.
The accounting rules and regulations that we must comply with are complex and subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. In addition, many companies’ accounting disclosures are being subjected to heightened scrutiny by regulators and the public.
Employees may be more likely to leave us if the shares they own or the shares underlying their vested options have significantly appreciated in value relative to the 42 original purchase prices of the shares or the exercise prices of the options, or, conversely, if the exercise prices of the options that they hold are significantly above the market price of our common stock.
Employees may be more likely to leave us if the shares they own or the shares underlying their vested options have significantly appreciated in value relative to the original purchase prices of the shares or the exercise prices of the options, or, conversely, if the exercise prices of the options that they hold are significantly above the market price of our common stock.
To date, substantially all of our revenues have been derived from contracts with local governments and their agencies, in particular the police departments of major cities in the United States. To a lesser extent, we also generate revenues from federal agencies, foreign governments and higher education institutions.
To date, substantially all of our revenues have been derived from contracts with local governments and their agencies, in particular the police departments of major cities in the United States. To a lesser extent, we also generate 28 revenues from federal agencies, foreign governments and higher education institutions.
To the extent that we do not successfully avoid or overcome the risks or problems related to any such acquisitions, our results of operations and financial condition 35 could be harmed. Acquisitions also could impact our financial position and capital requirements or could cause fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results of operations.
To the extent that we do not successfully avoid or overcome the risks or problems related to any such acquisitions, our results of operations and financial condition could be harmed. Acquisitions also could impact our financial position and capital requirements or could cause fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results of operations.
If we raise additional funds through future issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, 26 preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our common stock.
If we raise additional funds through future issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our common stock.
This may result in delayed notifications to our customers and as a result, we could experience a decline in customer satisfaction with our solutions and our reputation and growth prospects could be harmed. 32 We expect to continue to make significant investments to maintain and improve the performance of our solutions.
This may result in delayed notifications to our customers and as a result, we could experience a decline in customer satisfaction with our solutions and our reputation and growth prospects could be harmed. We expect to continue to make significant investments to maintain and improve the performance of our solutions.
Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property. We rely in part on trade secrets, proprietary know-how and other confidential information to maintain our competitive position.
Accordingly, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property. 49 We rely in part on trade secrets, proprietary know-how and other confidential information to maintain our competitive position.
In addition, we face and will continue to face risks in doing business internationally that could adversely affect our business, including: • the potential impact of currency exchange fluctuations; • the need to comply with local data residency requirements; • the availability and reliability of local data centers and internet bandwidth providers; • the difficulty of staffing and managing international operations and the increased operations, travel, shipping and compliance costs associated with having customers in numerous international locations; • potentially greater difficulty collecting accounts receivable and longer payment cycles; • the availability and cost of coverage by wireless carriers in international markets; • higher or more variable costs associated with wireless carriers and other service providers; • the need to offer customer support in various languages; • challenges in understanding and complying with local laws, regulations and customs in foreign jurisdictions, including laws regarding privacy and government surveillance; • export controls and economic sanctions administered by the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security and the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control; • compliance with various anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010; • tariffs and other non-tariff barriers, such as quotas and local content rules; 41 • more limited protection for our intellectual property in some countries; • adverse or uncertain tax consequences as a result of international operations; • currency control regulations, which might restrict or prohibit our conversion of other currencies into U.S. dollars; • restrictions on the transfer of funds; • deterioration of political relations between the United States and other countries; and • political or social unrest, global pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic or economic instability in a specific country or region in which we operate, which could have an adverse impact on our operations in that location.
In addition, we face and will continue to face risks in doing business internationally that could adversely affect our business, including: • the potential impact of currency exchange fluctuations; • the need to comply with local data residency requirements; • the availability and reliability of local data centers and internet bandwidth providers; • the difficulty of staffing and managing international operations and the increased operations, travel, shipping and compliance costs associated with having customers in numerous international locations; • potentially greater difficulty collecting accounts receivable and longer payment cycles; • the availability and cost of coverage by wireless carriers in international markets; • higher or more variable costs associated with wireless carriers and other service providers; • the need to offer customer support in various languages; • challenges in understanding and complying with local laws, regulations and customs in foreign jurisdictions, including laws regarding privacy and government surveillance; • export controls and economic sanctions administered by the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security and the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control; 44 • compliance with various anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010; • tariffs and other non-tariff barriers, such as quotas and local content rules; • more limited protection for our intellectual property in some countries; • adverse or uncertain tax consequences as a result of international operations; • currency control regulations, which might restrict or prohibit our conversion of other currencies into U.S. dollars; • restrictions on the transfer of funds; • deterioration of political relations between the United States and other countries; and • political or social unrest, global pandemics, or economic instability in a specific country or region in which we operate, which could have an adverse impact on our operations in that location.
In some instances, we may not be able to identify the cause or causes of these performance problems within an acceptable period of time. In addition, our IRC department personnel operate either remotely or out of our offices.
In some instances, we may not be able to identify the cause or causes of these performance problems within an acceptable period of time. 34 In addition, our IRC department personnel operate either remotely or out of our offices.
The ShotSpotter sensors are mounted on city facilities and third-party buildings, and occasionally on city or utility-owned light poles, and installing the sensors requires the consent of the property owners, which can be time-consuming to obtain and can delay deployment.
The ShotSpotter sensors are 41 mounted on city facilities and third-party buildings, and occasionally on city or utility-owned light poles, and installing the sensors requires the consent of the property owners, which can be time-consuming to obtain and can delay deployment.
If we do not help our customers use 39 applications within our solutions and provide effective ongoing support, our ability to sell additional applications to, or to retain, existing customers may suffer and our reputation with existing or potential customers may be harmed.
If we do not help our customers use applications within our solutions and provide effective ongoing support, our ability to sell additional applications to, or to retain, existing customers may suffer and our reputation with existing or potential customers may be harmed.
We, or our customers, may be subject to requests for our data or information concerning our techniques and processes, pursuant to state or federal law (for example, public-records requests or subpoenas to provide information or to testify in court).
We, or our customers, may be subject to requests for our data or information concerning our techniques and processes, pursuant to state or federal law (for example, public-records requests or subpoenas to provide information 48 or to testify in court).
Similarly, the future announcement of the termination or suspension of the stock repurchase program, or our decision not to utilize the full authorized repurchase amount under the stock repurchase program, could result in a decrease in the trading price of our stock.
Similarly, the future announcement of the termination or suspension 52 of the stock repurchase program, or our decision not to utilize the full authorized repurchase amount under the stock repurchase program, could result in a decrease in the trading price of our stock.
Some actors now engage and are expected to continue to engage in cyber-attacks, including without limitation nation-state actors for geopolitical reasons and in conjunction with military conflicts and defense activities.
Some actors now engage and are expected to continue to engage in 39 cyber-attacks, including without limitation nation-state actors for geopolitical reasons and in conjunction with military conflicts and defense activities.
Economic uncertainties or downturns, or political changes, could limit the availability of funds available to our customers and potential customers, which could materially adversely affect our business. Economic uncertainties or downturns could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Economic uncertainties or downturns, or political changes, could limit the availability of funds available to our existing and potential customers, which could materially and adversely affect our business. Economic uncertainties or downturns could adversely affect our business and operating results.
If a court were to find either exclusive forum provision in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with litigating Securities Act claims in state court, or both state and federal court, which could seriously harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. 51 Item 1B.
If a court were to find either exclusive forum provision in our certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with litigating Securities Act claims in state court, or both state and federal court, which could seriously harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. 55 Item 1B.
Our ShotSpotter Respond solution requires us to deploy ShotSpotter sensors in our customer coverage areas, which typically entails the installation of approximately 15 to 25 sensors per square mile.
Our ShotSpotter solution requires us to deploy ShotSpotter sensors in our customer coverage areas, which typically entails the installation of approximately 15 to 25 sensors per square mile.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. 53 We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Real or perceived errors, failures or bugs in our software could adversely affect our operating results and growth prospects. Because our software is complex, undetected errors, failures or bugs may occur.
Real or perceived errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs in our software could adversely affect our operating results and growth prospects. Because our software is complex, undetected errors, failures or bugs may occur.
Any reduction in federal funding for local law enforcement efforts could result in our customers having less access to funds required to continue, renew, expand or pay for our solutions. Social unrest, protests against racial inequality, protests against police brutality and movements such as “Defund the Police” have increased in recent years.
Any reduction in federal funding for local law enforcement efforts could result in our customers having less access to funds required to continue, renew, expand or pay for our solutions. Social unrest, protests against racial inequality, protests against police brutality and movements such as “Defund the Police” have increased in past years.
Item 1A. RIS K FACTORS Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this report, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before deciding whether to purchase shares of our common stock.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this report, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before deciding whether to purchase shares of our common stock.
Once we enter into a contract with a customer, there is a delay until we begin recognizing revenues while we survey the coverage areas, obtain any 25 required consents for installation, and install our sensors, which together can take up to several months or more.
Once we enter into a ShotSpotter contract with a customer, there is a delay until we begin recognizing revenues while we survey the coverage areas, obtain any required consents for installation, and install our sensors, which together can take up to several months or more.
Our ability to successfully face these challenges depends on several factors, including increasing the awareness of our solutions and their benefits; the effectiveness of our marketing programs; the costs of our solutions; our ability 31 to attract, retain and effectively train sales and marketing personnel; and our ability to develop relationships with communication carriers and other partners.
Our ability to successfully face these challenges depends on several factors, including increasing the awareness of our solutions and their benefits; the effectiveness of our marketing programs; the costs of our solutions; our ability 33 to attract, retain and effectively train sales and marketing personnel; and our ability to develop relationships with communication carriers and other partners.
If we lose access to their data sets because of a technical problem, such as a ransomware attack, or other issues that arise through no fault of our own that makes that data set inaccessible, this may result in the loss of a customer to a competitor, subscriptions not being renewed and may make it more difficult to sell COPLINK X in that geographic region and to the federal market.
If we lose access to their data sets because of a technical problem, such as a ransomware attack, or other issues that arise through no fault of our own that makes that data set inaccessible, this may result in the loss of a customer to a competitor, subscriptions not being renewed and may make it more difficult to sell CrimeTracer in that geographic region and to the federal market.
For example, the City of Toronto, Canada decided against using ShotSpotter solutions because the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario indicated that it may compromise Section 8 of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which relates to unreasonable search and seizure.
For example, the City of Toronto, Canada decided against using SoundThinking solutions because the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario indicated that it may compromise Section 8 of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which relates to unreasonable search and seizure.
A failure to alert law 29 enforcement or security personnel of actual gunfire (false negative) could result in a less rapid or no response by police officers and first responders, increasing the probability of injury or loss of life.
A failure to alert law enforcement or security personnel of actual gunfire or security threats (false negative) could result in a less rapid or no response by police officers and first responders, increasing the probability of injury or loss of life.
In addition, deployment of our software into computing environments may expose undetected errors, compatibility issues, failures or bugs in our software. Despite our testing, errors, failures or bugs may not be found in our software until it is released to our customers.
In addition, deployment of our software into computing environments may expose undetected errors, compatibility issues, failures or bugs in our software. Despite our testing, errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or 38 bugs may not be found in our software until it is released to our customers.
As part of the process of implementing ShotSpotter Investigate for a customer, we will have to complete a rigorous application process to become an approved CJIS compliant vendor. While this CJIS compliant vendor approval process is based upon the FBI’s CJIS Security Policy, a separate process will have to be completed in each state where ShotSpotter Investigate will be implemented.
As part of the process of implementing CaseBuilder for a customer, we will have to complete a rigorous application process to become an approved CJIS compliant vendor. While this CJIS compliant vendor approval process is based upon the FBI’s CJIS Security Policy, a separate process will have to be completed in each state where CaseBuilder will be implemented.
Both false positive alerts and the failure to generate alerts of actual gunfire (false negative) may result in customer dissatisfaction, potential loss of confidence in our solutions, and potential liabilities to customers or other third parties, any of which could harm our reputation and adversely impact our business and operating results.
Both false positive alerts and the failure to generate alerts of actual 31 gunfire or security threats (false negative) may result in customer dissatisfaction, potential loss of confidence in our solutions, and potential liabilities to customers or other third parties, any of which could harm our reputation and adversely impact our business and operating results.
Interruptions or delays in service from our third-party providers could impair our ability to make our solutions available to our customers, resulting in customer dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation, loss of customers, limited growth and reduction in revenues. We currently use third-party data center hosting facilities to host certain components of our solutions.
Any interruptions or delays in service from our third-party providers could impair our ability to make our solutions available to our customers, resulting in customer dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation, loss of customers, limited growth and reduction in revenue. We currently use third-party data center hosting facilities to host certain components of our solutions.
If the economic conditions of the general economy 30 or industries in which we operate worsen from present levels, or if recent political changes result in less funding being available to purchase our solutions, our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected. New competitors may enter the market for our public safety solution.
If the economic conditions of the general economy or industries in which we operate worsen from present levels, or if past political changes result in less funding being 32 available to purchase our solutions, our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected. New competitors may enter the market for our public safety solution.
If we or the third parties on which we rely fail, or are perceived to have failed, to address or comply with applicable data privacy and security obligations, we could face significant consequences, including but not limited to: government enforcement actions (e.g., investigations, fines, penalties, audits, inspections, and similar); litigation (including class-action claims); additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; bans on processing personal data; orders to destroy or not use personal data; and imprisonment of company officials.
If we or the third parties on which we rely fail, or are perceived to have failed, to address or comply with applicable data privacy and security obligations, we could face significant consequences, including but not limited to: government enforcement actions (e.g., investigations, fines, penalties, audits, inspections, and similar); litigation (including class-action claims and mass arbitration demands); additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; bans 47 on processing personal information; orders to destroy or not use personal information; and imprisonment of company officials.
For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“EU GDPR”), the United Kingdom’s GDPR (“UK GDPR”), and Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais, or “LGPD”) (Law No. 13,709/2018) impose strict requirements for processing personal data.
For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“EU GDPR”), the United Kingdom’s GDPR (“UK GDPR”), Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais, or “LGPD”) (Law No. 13,709/2018), and China’s Personal Information Protection Law (“PIPL”) impose strict requirements for processing personal information.
If we were required to pay a site license fee in order to install sensors, our deployment expenses would increase, which would impact our gross margins.
If we were required to pay a site license fee in order to install sensors or bollards, our deployment expenses would increase, which would impact our gross margins.
If we lose our ability to share a significant agency’s dataset in our COPLINK X platform, our ability to sell that product may be adversely affected. Agencies typically share their private CJIS data sets with us through subscription agreements.
If we lose our ability to share a significant agency’s dataset in our CrimeTracer platform, our ability to sell that product may be adversely affected. Agencies typically share their private CJIS data sets with us through subscription agreements.
If our information technology systems or data, or those of third parties upon which we rely, are or were compromised, our solutions may be perceived as not being secure, our customers may be harmed and we could experience adverse consequences, including but not limited to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; loss of customers or sales; and other adverse consequences.
If our information technology systems or data, or those of third parties upon which we rely, are or were compromised, our solutions may be perceived as not being secure, our customers may be harmed and we could experience adverse consequences, including but not limited to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation or mass arbitration demands; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputation harm; loss of revenue or profits; loss of customers or sales; and other adverse consequences.
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the factors listed below and other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section: • actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; • the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections; • failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our company, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors; • ratings changes by any securities analysts who follow our company; • changes in the availability of federal funding to support local law enforcement efforts, or local budgets; • announcements by us of significant technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; • changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other software companies generally; • price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole; • changes in our board of directors or management; • sales of large blocks of our common stock, including sales by our executive officers, directors and significant stockholders; • lawsuits threatened or filed against us; • novel and unforeseen market forces and trading strategies, as well as short sales, hedging and other derivative transactions involving our capital stock; • the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other macroeconomic pressures; • general economic conditions in the United States and abroad; • other events or factors, including those resulting from pandemics, protests against racial inequality, protests against police brutality and movements such as “Defund the Police”, war, incidents of terrorism or responses to these events; and • negative publicity, including false information, regarding our solutions.
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the factors listed below and other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section: • actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; • the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections or our failure to meet these projections; • failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our company, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors; • ratings changes by any securities analysts who follow our company; • changes in the availability of federal funding to support local law enforcement efforts, or local budgets; • announcements by us of significant technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; 51 • changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other software companies generally; • price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole; • changes in our board of directors or management; • sales of large blocks of our common stock, including sales by our executive officers, directors and significant stockholders; • lawsuits threatened or filed against us; • novel and unforeseen market forces and trading strategies, as well as short sales, hedging and other derivative transactions involving our capital stock; • the impact of past and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits and lending commitments due to bank failures, and other macroeconomic pressures; • general economic conditions in the United States and abroad; • other events or factors, including those resulting from pandemics, protests against racial inequality, protests against police brutality and movements such as “Defund the Police,” war, incidents of terrorism or responses to these events; and • negative publicity, including false information, regarding our solutions.
Real or perceived false positive gunshot alerts or failure or perceived failure to generate alerts for actual gunfire could adversely affect our customers and their operations, damage our brand and reputation and adversely affect our growth prospects and results of operations.
Real or perceived false positive gunshot alerts or false positive security threat detection, or failure or perceived failure to generate alerts for actual gunfire could adversely affect our customers and their operations, damage our brand and reputation and adversely affect our growth prospects and results of operations.
Moreover, new employees, especially those who work from home, may not be or become as productive as we expect, as we may face challenges in adequately or appropriately integrating them into our workforce and culture.
Moreover, new employees, especially those who work remotely, may not be or become as productive as we expect, as we may face challenges in adequately or appropriately integrating them into our workforce and culture.
As a result, protracted regional crises, issues with manufacturing facilities, or the COVID-19 pandemic, could lead to eventual shortages of necessary components. It could be difficult, costly and time consuming to obtain alternative sources for these components, or to change product designs to make use of alternative components.
As a result, protracted regional crises, or issues with manufacturing facilities could lead to eventual shortages of necessary components. It could be difficult, costly and time consuming to obtain alternative sources for these components, or to change product designs to make use of alternative components.
If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, our competitors might gain access to our technology and our business might be adversely affected. As of December 31, 2022, we had 38 issued patents directed to our technologies, 31 in the United States, two in Brazil, one each in Israel, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, our competitors might gain access to our technology and our business might be adversely affected. As of December 31, 2023, we had 34 issued patents directed to our technologies, 27 in the United States, two in Brazil, one each in Israel, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
In particular, we expect to continue to expend substantial financial and other resources on: • higher costs to procure the sensors required for our solutions due to supply chain pressures; • sales and marketing, including a significant expansion of our sales organization, both domestically and internationally; • research and development related to our solutions, including investments in our engineering and technical teams; • acquisition of complementary technologies or businesses, such as our acquisition of HunchLab technology in October 2018, our acquisition of LEEDS in November 2020 and our acquisition of Forensic Logic in January 2022; • continued international expansion of our business; and • general and administrative expenses.
In particular, we expect to continue to expend substantial financial and other resources on: • higher costs to procure the sensors required for our solutions due to inflationary pressures; • sales and marketing, including a significant expansion of our sales organization, both domestically and internationally; • research and development related to our solutions, including investments in our engineering and technical teams; • acquisition of complementary technologies or businesses, such as our acquisition of HunchLab technology in October 2018, our acquisition of Technologic in November 2020, our acquisition of Forensic Logic in January 2022 and our acquisition of SafePointe in August 2023; • continued international expansion of our business; and • general and administrative expenses.
Ongoing social unrest may result in a material adverse effect on our business, the future magnitude or duration of which we cannot predict with accuracy.
Ongoing social unrest may have a material adverse effect on our business, the future magnitude or duration of which we cannot predict with accuracy.
Rising inflation rates may result in decreased demand for our products and services and increase our operating costs. Additionally, we may encounter unforeseen operating expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may result in losses in future periods.
Rising inflation rates have resulted in decreased demand for our products and services and have increased our operating costs. Additionally, we may encounter unforeseen operating expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may result in losses in future periods.
Fully integrating an acquired technology, asset or business into our operations may take a significant amount of time. We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered with the acquisition of and integration of LEEDS, Forensic Logic or any future acquisitions.
Fully integrating an acquired technology, asset or business into our operations may take a significant amount of time. We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered with the acquisition of and integration of Technologic, Forensic Logic and SafePointe, intellectual property assets acquired or any future acquisitions.
Furthermore, we may discover security issues that were not found during due diligence of such acquired or integrated entities, and it may be difficult to integrate companies into our information technology environment and security program.
Furthermore, we may not have adequate visibility into security issues of such acquired or integrated entities, may discover security issues that were not found during due diligence of such entities, and it may be difficult to integrate companies and their products into our information technology environment and security program.
The issued patents expire on various dates from 2023 to 2034. We also license one patent from a third party, which expires in 2023. We have patent applications pending for examination in the United States, Europe, Mexico and Brazil, but we cannot guarantee that these patent applications will be granted.
The issued patents expire on various dates from 2023 to 2034. We have patent applications pending for examination in the United States, Europe, Mexico and Brazil, but we cannot guarantee that these patent applications will be granted. We also license one other U.S. patent from one third party.
Problems faced by these network providers, or with the systems by which they allocate capacity among their customers, including us, could adversely affect the experience of our customers. The COVID-19 pandemic and people continuing to work from home may increase the likelihood of these problems with such network providers and their capacity allocation systems.
Problems faced by these network providers, or with the systems by which they allocate capacity among their customers, including us, could adversely affect the experience of our customers. People continuing to work remotely may increase the likelihood of these problems with such network providers and their capacity allocation systems.
We rely on the cooperation of customers and third parties to permit us to install our ShotSpotter sensors on their facilities, and failure to obtain these rights could increase our costs or limit the effectiveness of our ShotSpotter Respond solution.
We rely on the cooperation of customers and third parties to permit us to install our ShotSpotter sensors and SafePointe bollards on their facilities, and failure to obtain these rights could increase our costs or limit the effectiveness of our ShotSpotter and SafePointe solutions.
Our revenues and results of operations could vary significantly from quarter to quarter as a result of various factors, many of which are outside of our control, including: • the expansion or contraction of our customer base; • the renewal or nonrenewal of subscription agreements with, and expansion of coverage areas by, existing customers; • the size, timing, terms and deployment schedules of our sales to both existing and new customers; • the introduction of products or services that may compete with us for the limited funds available to our customers, and changes in the cost of such products or services; • changes in our customers’ and potential customers’ budgets; • our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses; • our ability to hire, train and maintain our direct sales force; • the timing of satisfying revenues recognition criteria in connection with initial deployment and renewals; • fluctuations in our effective tax rate; • the concentration of our revenue in a small number of large contracts with the potential for fluctuations and delays; and • general economic factors, such as inflation and rising interest rates, political conditions, both domestically and internationally, and continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our revenues and results of operations could vary significantly from quarter to quarter as a result of various factors, many of which are outside of our control, including: • the expansion or contraction of our customer base; • the renewal or non-renewal of subscription agreements with, and expansion of coverage areas by, existing customers; • the size, timing, terms and deployment schedules of our sales to both existing and new customers; • the introduction of products or services that may compete with us for the limited funds available to our customers, and changes in the cost of such products or services; • changes in our customers’ and potential customers’ budgets; • our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses; • our ability to hire, train and maintain our direct sales force; • the timing of satisfying revenues recognition criteria in connection with initial deployment and renewals; • fluctuations in our effective tax rate; • the concentration of our revenue in a small number of large contracts with the potential for fluctuations and delays; and 26 • general economic factors, such as inflation, rising interest rates, past and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits and lending commitments due to bank failures, and political conditions, both domestically and internationally.
These initiatives require fiscal and time investments. Failure to obtain a SOC2 Type 2 audit report or to be compliant with the CJIS standard could adversely affect our reputation and sales, as well as the availability of our solutions in certain markets.
Failure to obtain a SOC2 Type 2 audit report or to be compliant with the CJIS standard could adversely affect our reputation and sales, as well as the availability of our solutions in certain markets.
Our ability to successfully grow our business depends on a number of factors including our ability to: • accelerate our acquisition of new customers; • further sell expansions of coverage areas to our existing customers; • expand our international footprint; • expand into new vertical markets, such as precision policing, and security solutions; • increase awareness of the benefits that our solutions offer; • maintain our competitive and technology leadership position; and • manage our business successfully through macroeconomic pressures, such as inflation and rising interest rates, and any resulting impact on economic conditions, including conditions impacting the availability of funding for our public safety solution.
Our ability to successfully grow our business depends on a number of factors including our ability to: • accelerate our acquisition of new customers; • further sell expansions of coverage areas to our existing customers; • expand our international footprint; 25 • expand into new vertical markets, such as precision policing, and security solutions; • increase awareness of the benefits that our solutions offer; • maintain our competitive and technology leadership position; and • manage our business successfully through macroeconomic pressures, such as inflation, rising interest rates, and past and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits and lending commitments due to bank failures, and any resulting impact on economic conditions, including conditions impacting the availability of funding for our public safety solution.
For example, our ability to have our ShotSpotter Respond customers renew their annual subscriptions and expand their mileage coverage or purchase and implement our new products such as ShotSpotter Connect and ultimately ShotSpotter Investigate drives our ability to increase our revenues. Most of our ShotSpotter Respond customers begin using our solution in a limited coverage area.
For example, our ability to have our ShotSpotter customers renew their annual subscriptions and expand their mileage coverage or purchase and implement our other products, such as CaseBuilder (formerly ShotSpotter Investigate) and ResourceRouter (formerly ShotSpotter Connect), drives our ability to increase our revenues. Most of our ShotSpotter customers begin using our solution in a limited coverage area.
Any of our facilities or operations may be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, nuclear disasters, acts of terrorism or other criminal activities, infectious disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, and power outages, which may render it difficult or impossible for us to operate our business for some period of time or decrease productivity.
Any of our facilities or operations may be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, nuclear disasters, acts of terrorism or other criminal activities, global pandemics, and power outages, which may render it difficult or impossible for us to operate our business for some period of time or decrease productivity.
In particular, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent and severe and can lead to significant interruptions in our operations, loss of data and income, reputational harm, and diversion of funds.
In particular, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent and severe and can lead to significant interruptions in our operations, ability to provide our products or services, loss of data and income, reputational harm, and diversion of funds.
In November 2022, our board of directors approved a new stock repurchase program for up to $25 million of our common stock, none of which was utilized as of December 31, 2022.
In November 2022, our board of directors approved a new stock repurchase program for up to $25.0 million of our common stock, of which $5.6 million was utilized as of December 31, 2023.
A number of factors could cause current and/or potential customers to: delay or refrain from purchasing our solutions, prevent expansion of, or reduce coverage areas and/ or terminate use of our solutions, including: • decreases or changes in available funding, including tax revenues, budgetary allocations, government grants and other government funding programs; • potential delays or changes in appropriations or other funding authorization processes; • changes in fiscal or contracting policies; • macro-and/or local economic changes that may affect customer funding; • changes in elected or appointed officials; • changes in public perception of the accuracy of our solutions and the appropriate use of our solutions by law enforcement, including as a result of negative publicity; and • changes in laws or public sentiment regarding privacy or surveillance.
A number of factors could cause current and/or potential customers to delay or refrain from purchasing our solutions, prevent expansion of, or reduce coverage areas and/or terminate use of our solutions, including: • decreases or changes in available funding, including tax revenues, budgetary allocations, government grants and other government funding programs; • potential delays or changes in appropriations or other funding authorization processes; • changes in fiscal or contracting policies; • macro- and/or local economic changes, such as inflation, rising interest rates, and past and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits and lending commitments due to bank failures, that may affect customer funding; • changes in elected or appointed officials; • changes in public perception of the accuracy of our solutions and the appropriate use of our solutions by law enforcement, including as a result of negative publicity; and • changes in laws or public sentiment regarding privacy or surveillance.
We and the third parties upon which we rely may be subject to a variety of evolving threats, including but not limited to social-engineering attacks (including through phishing attacks), malicious code (such as viruses and worms), malware (including as a result of advanced persistent threat intrusions), denial-of-service attacks (such as credential stuffing), credential harvesting, personnel misconduct or error, and supply-chain attacks, software bugs, server malfunctions, software or hardware failures, loss of data or other information technology assets, adware, telecommunications failures, earthquakes, fires, floods, and other similar threats.
We and the third parties upon which we rely may be subject to a variety of evolving threats, including but not limited to social-engineering attacks (including through deep fakes, which may be increasingly more difficult to identify as fake, phishing attacks), malicious code (such as viruses and worms), malware (including as a result of advanced persistent threat intrusions), denial-of-service attacks, credential stuffing, credential harvesting, personnel misconduct or error, and supply-chain attacks, software bugs, server malfunctions, software or hardware failures, loss of data or other information technology assets, attacks enhanced or facilitated by artificial intelligence (“AI”), telecommunications failures, earthquakes, fires, floods, and other similar threats.
The remaining net operating losses of $4.9 million can be carried forward indefinitely under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As of December 31, 2022, we also had state NOLs of approximately $43.8 million, which began expiring in 2022. These federal and state NOLs may be available to reduce future income subject to income taxes.
The remaining net operating losses of $4.9 million can be carried forward indefinitely under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As of December 31, 2023, we also had state NOLs of approximately $42.7 million, which begin expiring in 2024. These federal and state NOLs may be available to reduce future income subject to income taxes.