AWRE · Read the filing

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, certain line items from our consolidated statements of operations stated as a percentage of total revenue:

Year endedDecember 31,

Software licenses 44 % 52 %

Software maintenance 50 42

Services and other 6 6

Costs and expenses:

Cost of services and other 7 7

Research and development 45 50

Selling and marketing 44 43

General and administrative 37 36

Loss on write-off of note receivable - 15

Fair value adjustment to contingent acquisition payment - (4 )

Total costs and expenses 133 147

Operating loss (33 ) (47 )

Interest and other income 7 7

Loss before provision for income taxes (26 ) (40 )

Provision for income taxes 1 -

Net loss (25 %) (40 %)

Summary of Operations

We are primarily engaged in the development and sale of biometrics products, solutions and services. Our software products are used in government and commercial systems and applications and fulfill a broad range of functions critical to secure biometric enrollment, authentication, identification and transactions. Principal government applications of biometrics systems include border control, visa applicant screening, law enforcement, national defense, intelligence, secure credentialing, access control, and background checks. Principal commercial applications include: i) user enrollment and authentication used for login to mobile devices, computers, networks, and software programs; ii) user authentication for financial transactions and purchases (online and in-person); iii) physical access control to buildings; and iv) identity proofing of prospective employees and customers. We sell our biometrics software products and services globally through a multifaceted distribution strategy using systems integrators, OEMs, VARs, partners, and directly to end-user customers. We also derive a portion of our revenue from the sale of imaging software licenses to OEMs and systems integrators that incorporate our software into medical imaging products and medical systems.

Summary of Financial Results

We used revenue and operating loss to summarize financial results over the past two years as we believe these measurements are the most meaningful way to understand our operating performance.

2024 compared to 2023

Revenue and operating loss in 2024 were $17.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively, which compared to revenue and operating loss in 2023 of $18.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively.

Lower revenue in 2024 as compared to 2023 was primarily due to decreases in revenue from our perpetual software licenses of $1.2 million and software subscriptions of $0.7 million, which were partially offset by an increase in revenue from software maintenance of $0.9 million. Lower operating loss in 2024 as compared 2023 was primarily due a negative adjustment of $2.7 million to a note receivable in 2023 that did not recur in 2024 and a year-over-year

decrease in research and development expense of $1.4 million, which were partially offset by decreased revenue of $0.9 million and the impact of a 2023 fair value adjustment to contingent consideration of $0.8 million that did not recur in 2024.

Software License Revenue

Software license revenue consists of revenue from the sale of biometrics and imaging software products. Sales of software products depend on our ability to win proposals to supply software for biometrics systems projects either directly to end user customers or indirectly through channel partners.

Software license revenue decreased 18% from $9.5 million in 2023 to $7.8 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, software license revenue decreased from 52% in 2023 to 45% in 2024. The $1.7 million decrease in software license revenue was primarily due to a decrease in perpetual licenses sales, which can fluctuate from period to period. With the introduction of AwareID, we have incorporated SaaS offering into our product line-up. For the year ended December 31, 2024 we generated $0.1 million of revenue from SaaS contracts compared to a de minimis amount for the year ended December 31, 2023. We expect SaaS revenue to continue to grow as a component of software license revenue going forward.

Software Maintenance Revenue

Software maintenance revenue consists of revenue from the sale of software maintenance contracts. Software maintenance contracts entitle customers to receive software support and software updates, if and when they become available, during the term of the contract.

Software maintenance revenue increased 12% from $7.7 million in 2023 to $8.6 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, software maintenance revenue increased from 42% in 2023 to 49% in 2024. The dollar increase in software maintenance revenue was primarily due to software maintenance related to perpetual license sales during the second half of 2023 as well as for the year ended December 31, 2024.

A majority of our customers purchase software maintenance contracts when they initially purchase software licenses. Since our software is used in active biometrics systems, many of our customers continue to renew their maintenance contracts in subsequent years while systems remain operational.

Services and Other Revenue

Services revenue consists of fees we charge to perform software development, integration, installation, and customization services. Similar to software license revenue, services revenue depends on our ability to win biometrics systems projects either directly with end user customers or in conjunction with channel partners. Other revenue consists of hardware fees that are included with some of our software licenses. Services and other revenue fluctuate when we commence new projects and/or when we complete projects that were started in previous periods.

Services and other revenue was $1.0 million for the years ended December 2024 and 2023. As a percentage of total revenue, services and other revenue was 6% in each of 2024 and 2023.

Cost of Services and Other Revenue

Cost of services and other revenue consists primarily of engineering costs to perform customer services projects. Such costs primarily include: i) engineering salaries, stock-based compensation, fringe benefits, and facilities; ii) engineering consultants and contractors; iii) software license fees; and iv) hardware costs.

Cost of services and other revenue decreased 11% from $1.3 million in 2023 to $1.1 million in 2024. When compared to services and other revenue, cost of services and other revenue as a percentage decreased from 122% in 2023 to 110% in 2024, which resulted in reduced gross margin loss from 22% in 2023 to 10% gross margin loss in 2024. The change in cost of services gross margin loss was primarily due to the profitability mix of customer projects.

Gross margins on services and other revenue are a function of: i) the nature of the projects; ii) the level of engineering difficulty and labor hours required to complete project tasks; and iii) how much we were able to charge. Gross margins in these years reflect the profitability mix of customer projects. We expect that gross margins on services and other revenue will continue to fluctuate in future periods based on the nature, complexity, and pricing of future projects.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense consists of costs for: i) engineering personnel, including salaries, stock-based compensation, fringe benefits, and facilities; ii) engineering consultants and contractors, and iii) other engineering expenses such as supplies, equipment depreciation, dues and memberships and travel. Engineering costs incurred to develop our technology and products are classified as research and development expense. As described in the cost of services section, engineering costs incurred to provide engineering services for customer projects are classified as cost of services and are not included in research and development expense.

The classification of total engineering costs to research and development expense and cost of services for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was (in thousands):

Years endedDecember 31,

Research and development expense $ 7,757 $ 9,124

Total engineering costs decreased 15% from $10.4 million in 2023 to $8.9 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, total engineering costs decreased from 57% in 2023 to 51% in 2024.

Our engineering headcount decreased from 42 in 2023 to 33 in 2024. The decrease in engineering costs is primarily a result of reducing our engineering headcount by approximately 10% in 2023 and 20% in 2024. The reduction was driven by strategic initiatives to optimize resources, improve operational efficiency, and align our engineering capabilities with current business priorities. We believe our current engineering organization is adequately staffed to support our product roadmap, customer commitments, and innovation efforts.

As we described in the Part I—Business of this Form 10-K, we intend to introduce new products that will allow us to offer more complete biometrics solutions. We believe this strategy will allow us to sell more software into biometrics systems projects in order to grow our revenue. Our preference is to develop such products internally, however to the extent we are unable to do that, we may purchase or license technologies from third parties. We anticipate that we will continue to focus our future research and development activities on enhancing existing products and developing new products. We expect research and development expenses to decrease in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenues in the next year and then to increase in absolute dollars in proceeding years.

Selling and Marketing Expense

Selling and marketing expense primarily consists of costs for: i) sales and marketing personnel, including salaries, sales commissions, stock-based compensation, fringe benefits, travel, and facilities; and ii) advertising and promotion expenses.

Selling and marketing expense decreased 3% from $8.0 million in 2023 to $7.7 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, selling and marketing expense was 44% in both 2024 and 2023. The dollar decrease in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to decreased bonus and commission expense of $0.2 million as a result of decreased revenue. We expect to be strategic in expanding our sales and marketing force to pursue future opportunities.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense consists primarily of costs for: i) officers, directors and administrative personnel, including salaries, bonuses, director compensation, stock-based compensation, fringe benefits, and facilities; ii) professional fees, including legal and audit fees; iii) public company expenses; and iv) other administrative expenses, such as insurance costs and bad debt provisions.

General and administrative expense decreased 3% from $6.5 million in 2023 to $6.4 million in 2024. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expense increased from 36% in 2023 to 37% in 2024. While we expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute terms as we continue to invest in our business, the trajectory of these costs as a percentage of total revenue will depend on revenue growth. Future trends will be influenced by our ability to scale operations efficiently and drive revenue expansion.

Fair value adjustment to note receivable

In March 2022, we entered into a subscription agreement with Omlis Limited, a limited company incorporated and registered in England and Wales and the parent of MIRACL (“Omlis”). We purchased $2.5 million of Omlis’ Note Receivable (“Note”) that accrues interest at 5% annually with a maturity date of March 11, 2026.

We recorded the fair value of the Note as $0 as of both December 31, 2024 and 2023 as a result of our evaluation of the impact of Omlis's liquidity issues on the collectability of the Note. In addition, in January 2024, Omlis and MIRACL petitioned to enter the United Kingdom administration process, which remains ongoing, adding to our unlikely recoverability of the Note's carrying value.

Fair value adjustment to contingent acquisition payment

In December 2021, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares and acquired all of the assets and liabilities of FortressID for a purchase price of $3.4 million, which consisted of $2.5 million of cash consideration and contingent acquisition payments which was fair valued at $0.9 million at the acquisition date. The maximum contingent acquisition payments at the time of the acquisition were $4.0 million, which consisted of a cash payment of up to $2.0 million for the achievement of set revenue targets in 2022 and an additional $2.0 million cash payment for the achievement of set revenue targets in 2023. No revenue targets were achieved and the earnout period was closed as of December 31, 2023. We recorded a fair value adjustment of $0.8 million to contingent acquisition payment for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased from $1.3 million in 2023 to $1.2 million in 2024. The dollar decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower interest rates within our money market accounts.

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the United States, and we use estimates in determining our provisions for income taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method for accounting and reporting income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using statutory rates.

Total income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $65 thousand and $59 thousand, respectively. The income tax expense for both years relates to limitations on the usage of net operating loss carryforwards generated in years beginning after December 31, 2017.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In recent years, we have financed the company with our cash and cash equivalent balances. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are described below.

Cash flows from operating activities

A discussion of cash flow from operating activities for each of the last two years is as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2024. Cash used in operating activities was $3.2 million in 2024, which was primarily the result of a $4.4 million net loss and $0.6 million of working capital adjustments, which was partially offset by $0.6 million of depreciation and amortization expense and $1.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation.

Year ended December 31, 2023. Cash provided by operating activities was $1.8 million in 2023. Cash provided by operations was primarily the result of a $2.4 million decrease in unbilled and accounts receivables, a $1.8 million increase in deferred revenue, add back of $1.5 million of non-cash stock-based compensation, $2.7 million write-off of Note, and $1.4 million related to a tax refund received as a result of our federal income tax carryback claim, which was partially offset by our $7.3 million net loss and a $0.8 million change in the fair value of contingent acquisition payments.

Cash flows from investing activities

A discussion of cash flow from investing activities for each of the last two years is as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2024.Investing activity provided $6.3 million of cash, primarily as the result of net sales of marketable securities.

Year ended December 31, 2023.Investing activity used of $3.1 million of cash, primarily as the result of net purchases of marketable securities.

Cash flows from financing activities

A discussion of cash flow from financing activities for each of the last two years is as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2024.Financing activity cash used of $0.2 million was primarily the result of $0.2 million used to buy back stock under our stock repurchase program, which was partially offset by $0.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock from stock grants.

Year ended December 31, 2023.Financing activity cash used of $0.4 million was primarily the result of $0.5 million used to buy back stock under our stock repurchase program, which was partially offset by $0.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock from stock grants.

At December 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $27.8 million. While we cannot assure you that we will not require additional financing, or that if needed such financing will be available to us, we believe that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months from the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to meet our known long-term cash requirements including operating expenses, contractual obligations, and planned strategic investments. Whether these resources are adequate to meet our liquidity needs beyond that period will depend on our future growth, operating results, and the investments needed to support our operations. If we require additional capital resources, we may utilize available funds or seek additional external financing.

As of December 31, 2024, our material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations consisted of payments under the operating lease for our corporate headquarters, which we estimate will be approximately $0.7 million in each of 2025, 2026, and 2027, approximately $0.8 million in 2028 and 2029, and $2.7 million thereafter. See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on our operating lease.

We enter into agreements in the ordinary course of business that require us: i) to perform under the terms of the contracts, ii) to protect the confidentiality of our customers’ intellectual property, and iii) to indemnify customers, including indemnification against third party claims alleging infringement of intellectual property rights. We also have agreements with each of our directors and executive officers to indemnify such directors or executive officers, to the extent legally permissible, against all liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with any action in which such individual may be involved by reason of such individual being or having been a director or officer of the Company.

Given the nature of the above obligations and agreements, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount that we could be required to pay. Historically, we have not made any significant payments on the above guarantees and indemnifications and no amount has been accrued in the audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K with respect to these guarantees and indemnifications.

To date, inflation has not had a material impact on our financial results. There can be no assurance, however, that inflation will not adversely affect our financial results in the future.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not currently have any arrangements with unconsolidated entities, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, special purpose entities, or variable interest entities which are often established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Accordingly, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our financial statements, included elsewhere in this Annual Report. We have identified the following as our significant accounting policies and estimates, which are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, are the most pervasive and important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.

Revenue recognition. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods and services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods and services. In addition, ASC 606 requires disclosures of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

The core principle of the standard is that we should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, we apply the following five step model:

Identify the contract with the customer;

Identify the performance obligations in the contract;

Determine the transaction price;

Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and

Recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.

We categorize revenue as software licenses, software maintenance, or services and other revenue. Revenue from software licenses is recognized at a point in time upon delivery, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met.We recognize software maintenance revenue over time on a straight-line basis over the contract period. Services revenue is recognized over time as the services are delivered using an input method (i.e., labor hours incurred as a percentage of total labor hours budgeted), provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

In addition to selling software licenses, software maintenance and software services on a standalone basis, a significant portion of our contracts include multiple performance obligations, which require an allocation of the transaction price to each distinct performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) basis. The SSP is the price at which we would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer. The best estimate of SSP is the observable price of a good or service when we sell that good or service separately. A contractually stated price or a list price for a good or service may be the SSP of that good or service. We use a range of amounts to estimate SSP when we sell each of the goods and services separately and need to determine whether there is a discount that needs to be allocated based on the relative SSP of the various goods and services. In instances where SSP is not directly observable, such as when we do not sell the product or service separately, we typically determine the SSP using an adjusted market assessment approach using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs. We typically have more than one SSP for individual goods and services due to the stratification of those goods and services by customers and circumstances. In these instances, we may use information such as the nature of the customer and distribution channel in determining the SSP.

When software licenses and significant customization engineering services are sold together, they are accounted for as a combined performance obligation, as the software licenses are generally highly dependent on, and interrelated with, the associated customization services and therefore are not distinct performance obligations. Revenue for the combined performance obligation is recognized over time as the services are delivered using an input method (i.e., labor hours incurred as a percentage of total labor hours budgeted).

When subscription-based software is sold, the software license and software maintenance are generally considered distinct performance obligations. The transaction price is allocated to the software license and the software maintenance based on relative SSP. We sell our software subscription license for a fixed fee or a subscription-based royalty fee, sometimes subject to a minimum guarantee. When the amount is in the form of a fixed fee, including the guaranteed minimum usage-based royalty, revenue allocated to the software license is recognized at a point in time upon delivery, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Any royalties not subject to the guaranteed

minimum or earned in excess of the minimum amount are recognized as revenue when the subsequent usage occurs. Revenue allocated to the software maintenance is recognized over the contract term.

Also, with the delivery of our current products in a hosted environment with AwareID, we recognize revenue from our SaaS arrangements ratably over the subscription period.

Our arrangements can include variable fees, such as the option to purchase additional usage of a previously delivered software license. We may also provide pricing concessions to clients, a business practice that also gives rise to variable fees in contracts. For variable fees arising from the client’s purchase of additional usage of a previously delivered software license, we apply the sales and usage-based royalties guidance related to a license of intellectual property and recognizes the revenue in the period the underlying sale or usage occurs. We include variable fees in the determination of total transaction price if it is not probable that a future significant reversal of revenue will occur. We use the expected value or most likely value amount, whichever is more appropriate for specific circumstances, to estimate variable consideration, and the estimates are based on the level of historical price concessions offered to clients.

The amount of consideration is not adjusted for a significant financing component if the time between payment and the transfer of the related good or service is expected to be one year or less under the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-32-18. Our revenue arrangements are typically accounted for under such expedient, as payment is typically due within 30 to 60 days. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, none of our contracts contained a significant financing component.

Goodwill and intangible assets impairment. Our goodwill and intangible assets result from our previous business acquisitions. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually or as circumstances indicate their value may no longer be recoverable. We do not carry any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives other than goodwill. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter. To assess if goodwill is impaired, we first review qualitative factors to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. If based on the qualitative assessment, we consider it more-likely-than-not that our reporting units fair value is less than its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative impairment test. An excess of carrying value over fair value would indicate that goodwill may be impaired.

We periodically reevaluate our business and have determined that we have one operating segment and one reporting unit. If our assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges to reduce our goodwill carrying value.

If indicators of impairment are present, we compare the estimated undiscounted cash flows that the asset is expected to generate to the carrying value. The key assumptions of the cash flow model involve significant subjectivity. If such assets are impaired, an impairment is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $3.1 million of goodwill. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $2.0 million and $2.4 million of intangible assets, respectively. Impairment in the valuation of long-lived assets could materially impact our operating results and financial position. To date, there have been no impairments of goodwill or intangible assets.

Stock-Based Compensation. We grant stock and stock options to our employees and directors. We measure stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize it as expense over the applicable vesting period of the award on a straight-line basis.

For stock awards, we determine the fair value of the award by using the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant; provided the number of shares in the grant is fixed on the grant date.

For stock options, we use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate fair value. This model considers both observable inputs and assumptions. Observable inputs include the exercise price of the award and the risk-free interest rate over the expected term. Assumptions used in the valuation include the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of our stock over the expected term, and our expected annual dividend yield.

Income taxes. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements we are required to estimate our actual current tax expense. We must also estimate temporary and permanent differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and

liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The Act contained specific relief and stimulus measures including allowing net operating losses originating in 2018 through 2020 to be carried back five years to offset taxable income in the carryback period.

Management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets, and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. Our deferred tax assets primarily relate to: i) research and development tax credit carryforwards; ii) net operating loss carryforwards; and iii) temporary differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. As of December 31, 2024, we had a total of $13.7 million of deferred tax assets and $0.5 million of deferred tax liabilities for which we have recorded a $13.2 million valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2023, we had a total of $13.0 million of deferred tax assets and $0.5 million of deferred tax liabilities for which we have recorded a $12.5 million valuation allowance.

We will continue to assess the level of valuation allowance required in future periods. Should evidence regarding the realizability of tax assets change at a future point in time, the valuation allowance will be adjusted accordingly.

Allowance for credit losses. We make judgments as to our ability to collect outstanding and unbilled receivables to reflect any estimated credit losses. The allowance is evaluated each quarter on a customer by customer basis and considers historical write-off experience with each customer, the number of days that any delinquent invoices are past due, and an evaluation of the potential risk of loss associated with any delinquent accounts. If the judgments we make to determine the allowance for credit losses do not reflect the future ability to collect outstanding receivables, additional provisions for credit losses may be required.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires retrospective disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis. Additionally, it requires disclosure of the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). This ASU is effective for the Company’s fiscal December 31, 2024 year-end and interim periods beginning in fiscal 2025, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2024 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires an annual tabular effective tax rate reconciliation disclosure including information for specified categories and jurisdiction levels, as well as, disclosure of income taxes paid, net of refunds received, disaggregated by federal, state/local, and significant foreign jurisdiction. This ASU will be effective for the Company’s fiscal December 31, 2025 year-end, with early adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact of the standard on our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Aware, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Aware, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) related to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Revenue Recognition

As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods and services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods and services. The Company offers customers the ability to purchase combinations of software licenses, software maintenance, and related professional services together in one arrangement. The Company must determine which promises are distinct performance obligations and allocate the revenue to the performance obligations that are considered distinct based upon their relative Stand-alone Selling Price (SSP). Revenue allocated to software licenses is typically recognized at a point in time upon delivery and revenue allocated to the software maintenance and professional services is recognized over time, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Management applies significant judgment in determining the revenue recognition for these contracts including the identification of and accounting for all performance obligations and the

calculation of the SSP for each identified performance obligation. The Company’s identification of performance obligations and estimate of SSP for each performance obligation identified within these customer contracts requires management to consider many factors, including:

•

Determination of whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together, such as software maintenance or professional services that are sold with software licenses.

•

Determination of stand-alone selling prices for each distinct performance obligation.

Given these factors, the related audit effort in evaluating management’s judgments in identifying performance obligations and estimating SSP’s for these customer agreements was extensive and required a high degree of auditor judgment.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the financial statements. Our procedures related to the Company’s identification of performance obligations and estimation of SSP’s for these customer agreements included, among others:

•

We evaluated management’s significant accounting policies related to these customer agreements for reasonableness.

•

We obtained and read revenue contracts and evaluated the completeness of the performance obligations identified by management, and performed an evaluation of whether these performance obligations were distinct and capable of being distinct.

•

We tested management’s process used to determine the SSP’s by evaluating the models, including testing the accuracy and completeness of data used, and reasonableness of assumptions applied by management.

•

For each contract with multiple performance obligations, we also tested the allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based upon the SSP.

/s/ RSM US LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2012.

Boston, Massachusetts

March 13, 2025

AWARE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

December 31,

ASSETS

Current assets:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,169 1,054

Property and equipment, net 477 579

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Current portion of operating lease liabilities 656 637

Long-term deferred revenue 296 611

Long-term operating lease liabilities 3,588 3,838

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 10)

Stockholders’ equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive income 251 195

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 42,644 $ 46,296

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

AWARE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS and COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands, except per share data)

Year ended December 31,

Revenue:

Costs and expenses:

Loss on write-off of note receivable — 2,695

Fair value adjustment to contingent acquisition payment — (812 )

Loss before provision for income taxes (4,378 ) (7,255 )

Provision for income taxes 53 59

Other comprehensive (loss) income

Unrealized gain on available for sale securities 56 305

Net loss per share – basic $ (0.21 ) $ (0.35 )

Net loss per share – diluted $ (0.21 ) $ (0.35 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

AWARE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

Year ended December 31,

Cash flows from operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization 562 578

Interest receivable - (93 )

Non-cash lease expense 66 237

Loss on write-off of note receivable - 2,695

Change in fair value of contingent acquisition payments - (812 )

Credit losses (recoveries) 74 (15 )

Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (253 ) (613 )

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (3,161 ) 1,823

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment (45 ) (16 )

Purchases of marketable securities (5,139 ) (9,128 )

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 6,290 (3,144 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of unrestricted stock 74 96

Repurchase of common stock (207 ) (506 )

Net cash used in financing activities (159 ) (426 )

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,970 (1,747 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 10,002 11,749

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 12,972 $ 10,002

Supplemental disclosure:

Cash paid for income taxes $ 172 $ 136

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

AWARE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

Additional Accumulated Other Total

Common Stock Paid-In Accumulated Comprehensive Stockholders’

Shares Amount Capital Deficit Income (Loss) Equity

Issuance of unrestricted stock 164 2 (3 ) — — (1 )

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 70 1 95 — — 96

Stock-based compensation expense — — 1,525 — — 1,525

Repurchase of common stock (300 ) (4 ) (502 ) — — (506 )

Other comprehensive income — — — — 305 305

—

Issuance of unrestricted stock 174 2 (2 ) — — —

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan 53 1 73 — — 74

Stock-based compensation expense — — 1,132 — — 1,132

Repurchase of common stock (137 ) (1 ) (206 ) — — (207 )

Other comprehensive income — — — — 56 56

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

1 NATURE OF BUSINESS

We are a leading biometric identity platform company that validates and secures identities using proven and trusted biometrics solutions. Our portfolio enables government agencies and commercial entities to enroll, identify authenticate and enable using biometrics, which comprise physiological characteristics, such as fingerprints, faces, irises and voices.

•

Enroll: Register biometric identities into an organization’s secure database

•

Identify: Utilize an organization’s secure database to accurately identify individuals using biometric data

•

Authenticate: Provide frictionless multi-factor, passwordless access to secured accounts and databases with biometric verification

•

Enable: Manage the lifecycle of secure identities through optimized biometric interchanges

Our comprehensive portfolio of biometric solutions is based on innovative, robust products designed explicitly for ease of integration, including customer-managed and integration ready biometric frameworks, platforms, software development kits (“SDKs”) and orchestration services. Principal government applications of biometrics systems include border control, visa applicant screening, law enforcement, national defense, intelligence, secure credentialing, access control, and background checks. Principal commercial applications include mobile enrollment, user authentication, identity proofing, and secure transaction enablement.

Our products span multiple biometric modalities including fingerprint, face, iris and voice, and provide interoperable, standards-compliant, field-proven biometric functionality. Our products are used to capture, verify, format, compress and decompress biometric images as well as aggregate, analyze, process, match and transport those images and templates within biometric systems. For large deployments, we may provide project management and software engineering services. We sell our biometrics software products and services globally through a multifaceted distribution strategy using systems integrators, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), value-added resellers ("VARs"), partners, and directly to end user customers.

Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements and associated notes may not add due to rounding. All percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts.

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aware, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“the Company”). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates –The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used in these financial statements include but are not limited to, revenue recognition, goodwill and long-lived asset impairment, stock based compensation, income taxes, and allowance for credit losses.

Fair Value Measurements - The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification defines fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to the unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under the FASB Codification are: i) Level 1 – valuations that are based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date; ii) Level 2 – valuations that are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and iii) Level 3 – valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

Cash and cash equivalents, which primarily include money market mutual funds, were $13.0 million and $10.0 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Marketable securities, which primarily include U.S.

Treasuries and corporate bonds, were $14.8 million and $20.9 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of December 31, 2024, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurement atDecember 31, 2024 Using:

(Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)

Assets:

As of December 31, 2023, our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis included the following (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurement atDecember 31, 2023 Using:

(Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)

Assets:

The fair value of our contingent acquisition payments was $0 as of December 31, 2023. The $0.8 million decrease during the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the end of the earnout period without the achievement of any earnout targets, resulting in no earnout payment being required.

Investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity.

Marketable securities by security type consisted of the following (in thousands):

Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value

Changes in note receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):

Accrued interest 94

Write-off of Note Receivable (2,695 )

Balance as of December 31, 2023 -

No Change -

Balance as of December 31, 2024 -

The investment in the Note Receivable ("Note") with Omlis Limited ("Omlis"), a limited company incorporated and registered in England and Wales and the parent of MIRCAL Technologies Limited ("MIRACL"), was negotiated at an arm’s length basis and the total carrying value of the investment was $0 as of December 31 2024 and 2023. The $2.7 million write off during the year ended December 31, 2023 was the result of the lack of recoverability of the Note due to liquidity concerns as of December 31, 2023. In addition, in January 2024, Omlis and MIRACL petitioned to enter the United Kingdom administration process, which is still ongoing. The deterioration of Omlis' liquidity, resulted in our unlikely recoverability of the Note's carrying value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents, which consist primarily of money market funds and demand deposits, are stated at fair value. All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents. Our cash balances exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. The Company does not believe it is exposed to significant credit risk related to cash and cash equivalents.

Allowance for Credit Losses – The Company's accounts receivable are subject to concentrations of credit risk. We maintain an allowance for credit losses that reflects any estimated credit losses. This allowance is evaluated each quarter on a customer by customer basis and considers historical write-off experience with each customer, the number of days that any delinquent invoices are past due, and an evaluation of the potential risk of loss associated with any delinquent accounts. We record the allowance in "general and administrative" expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Account receivables are written off and charged against the recorded allowance when the Company has exhausted collection efforts without success.

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, changes to and ending balances of the allowance for credit losses were as follows (in thousands):

Years endedDecember 31,

Allowance for credit losses balance - beginning of year $ 173 $ 188

Additions to the allowance for credit losses 85 37

Deductions against the allowance for credit losses (11 ) (52 )

Allowance for credit losses balance - end of year $ 247 $ 173

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Upon retirement or sale, the costs of the assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss on disposal is included in the determination of income or loss. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

The estimated useful lives of assets are:

Leasehold improvements 10 years

Furniture and fixtures 5 years

Computer and office equipment 3 years

Purchased software 3 years

Leases – We account for a contract as a lease when we have the right to control the asset for a period of time while obtaining substantially all of the asset’s economic benefits. We determine the initial classification and measurement of our operating lease right of use assets and lease liabilities at the lease commencement date and thereafter if modified. Fixed lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease costs are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. We combine lease and non-lease components when determining lease costs for office space. The lease liability includes lease payments related to options to extend or renew the lease term if we are reasonably certain we will exercise those options. Our lease does not contain material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

Goodwill – We record goodwill when consideration paid in a business acquisition exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time, but such estimates are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Assumptions may be incomplete or inaccurate and unanticipated events or circumstances may occur, which may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently, if facts and circumstances warrant a review. Circumstances that could trigger an impairment test include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in the business climate or legal factors, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, decline in market capitalization, or unanticipated competition. We have determined that there is a single reporting unit for the purpose of conducting the goodwill impairment assessment. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50% likelihood) that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative test is required. The quantitative goodwill impairment test requires us to estimate and compare the fair value of the reporting unit, determined using an income approach and a market approach, with its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets, goodwill is not impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss up to the amount of goodwill.

Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgments, including identification of the reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, a qualitative assessment to determine whether there are any impairment indicators, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit which often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. There is no assurance that the actual future earnings or cash flows of the reporting unit will not decline significantly from the projections used in the impairment analysis. Goodwill impairment charges may be recognized in future periods to the extent changes in factors or circumstances occur, including deterioration in the macroeconomic environment and industry, deterioration in the Company’s performance or its future projections, or changes in plans for its reporting unit.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $3.1 million of goodwill. We performed a quantitative analysis during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and determined there were no impairments of goodwill.

Long-Lived Assets – We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on a comparison of the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets over their estimated economic life to the related carrying

value of those assets to determine if the assets are impaired. If an impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value. The cash flow estimates used to identify the potential impairment reflect our best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections at that time. In evaluating potential impairment of these assets, we specifically consider whether any indicators of impairment are present, including, but not limited to:

•

whether there has been a significant adverse change in the business climate that affects the value of an asset:

•

whether there has been a significant change in the extent or way an asset is used; and

•

whether there is an expectation that the asset will be sold or disposed of before the end of its originally estimated useful life.

We did not identify any events or changes in business circumstances that would indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Revenue recognition - The core principle of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) is that we should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, we apply the following five step model:

1) Identify the contract with the customer

A contract with a customer exists when (i) we enter into an enforceable contract with a customer that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred and identifies the related payment terms, (ii) the contract has commercial substance, and (iii) we determine that collection of substantially all consideration for goods and services that are transferred is probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration. We apply judgment in determining the customer’s intent and ability to pay, which is based on a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience, or in the case of a new customer, published credit and financial information pertaining to the customer.

We evaluate contract modifications for the impact on revenue recognition if they have been approved by both parties such that the enforceable rights and obligations under the contract have changed. Contract modifications are either accounted for using a cumulative effect adjustment or prospectively over the remaining term of the arrangement. The determination of which method is more appropriate depends on the nature of the modification, which we evaluate on a case-by-case basis.

We combine two or more contracts entered into at or near the same time with the same customer and account for them as a single contract if (i) the contracts are negotiated as a package with a common commercial objective, (ii) the amount of consideration to be paid in one contract depends on the price or performance of the other contract, or (iii) some or all of the goods or services in one contract would be combined with some or all of the goods and services in the other contract into a single performance obligation. If two or more contracts are combined, the consideration to be paid is aggregated and allocated to the individual performance obligations without regard to the consideration specified in the individual contracts.

2) Identify the performance obligations in the contract

Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods and services that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other available resources, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the good or service is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. To the extent a contract includes multiple promised goods and services, we apply judgment to determine whether promised goods and services are capable of being distinct and distinct in the context of the contract. If these criteria are not met, the promised goods and services are accounted for as a combined performance obligation. To identify performance obligations, we consider all of the goods or services promised in a contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.

3) Determine the transaction price

The transaction price is determined based on the consideration we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods and services to the customer. Determining the transaction price requires significant judgment. To the extent the transaction price includes variable consideration, we estimate the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the transaction price utilizing either the expected value method or the most likely amount method depending on the nature of the variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in our judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue recognized under the contract will not occur. Any estimates, including the effect of the constraint on variable consideration, are evaluated at each reporting period. Some of our arrangements include usage-based royalties where a software license is the predominant item that the royalty relates to. In these arrangements, revenue from the usage-based royalty is recognized when the subsequent usage occurs.

Our arrangements can include variable fees, such as the option to purchase additional usage of a previously delivered software license. The Company may also provide pricing concessions to clients, a business practice that also gives rise to variable fees in contracts. The Company also reviews contractual termination provisions in determining contractual term and total transaction price. For variable fees arising from the client’s purchase of additional usage of a previously delivered software license, we apply the sales and usage-based royalties guidance related to a license of intellectual property and recognizes the revenue in the period the underlying sale or usage occurs. We include variable fees in the determination of total transaction price if it is not probable that a future significant reversal of revenue will occur. We use the expected value or most likely value amount, whichever is more appropriate for specific circumstances, to estimate variable consideration, and the estimates are based on the level of historical price concessions offered to clients.

4) Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract

If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) basis unless the transaction price is variable and meets the criteria to be allocated entirely to a performance obligation or to a distinct service that forms part of a single performance obligation. The consideration to be received is allocated among the separate performance obligations based on relative SSPs. The SSP is the price at which we would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer. The best estimate of SSP is the observable price of a good or service when we sell that good or service separately. A contractually stated price or a list price for a good or service may be the SSP of that good or service. We use a range of amounts to estimate SSP when we sell each of the goods and services separately and need to determine whether there is a discount that needs to be allocated based on the relative SSP of the various goods and services. In instances where SSP is not directly observable, such as when we do not sell the product or service separately, we typically determine the SSP using an adjusted market assessment approach using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs. We typically have more than one SSP for individual goods and services due to the stratification of those goods and services by customers and circumstances. In these instances, we may use information such as the nature of the customer and distribution channel in determining the SSP.

5) Recognize revenue when or as we satisfy a performance obligation

We satisfy performance obligations either over time or at a point in time. Revenue is recognized over time if i) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance, ii) our performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced, or iii) our performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to us and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. If we do not satisfy a performance obligation over time, the related performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time by transferring the control of a promised good or service to a customer.

We categorize revenue as software licenses, software maintenance, or services and other. Specific revenue recognition policies apply to each category of revenue.

Software licenses

Software licenses consist of revenue from the sale of software licenses for biometrics and imaging applications. Our software licenses are functional intellectual property and typically provide customers with the right to use our software on a term or perpetual basis as it exists when made available to the customer. We recognize revenue from perpetual software licenses at a point in time upon delivery, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

We also offer certain products pursuant to a subscription-based software model which includes a term software license to use the software for a fixed term. We recognize revenue for fixed fees associated with subscription-based software licenses at a point in time upon delivery, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Fees subject to the usage-based royalty exception are recognized when the subsequent usage occurs.

Also, with the adaption of our current products to be delivered in a hosted environment with AwareID, we recognize revenue from our SaaS offerings ratably over the subscription period. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we generated $0.1 million of revenue from SaaS contracts, which is included in license revenue. In 2023, we generated a de minimis amount of revenue from SaaS contracts.

Software maintenance

Software maintenance consists of revenue from the sale of software maintenance contracts for biometrics and imaging software. Software maintenance contracts entitle customers to receive software support and software updates, if and when they become available, during the term of the maintenance contract. Software support and software updates are considered distinct services. However, these distinct services are considered a single performance obligation consisting of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. We recognize software maintenance revenue over time on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

Services and other

Service revenue consists of fees from biometrics customers for software engineering services. We recognize services revenue over time as the services are delivered using an input method (i.e., labor hours incurred as a percentage of total labor hours budgeted), provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met. The use of the over-time revenue recognition method requires judgment in developing budgeted labor hours. Changes in budgeted hours may occur and the resulting impact on revenue recognition is accounted for in the period of the change in estimate. Other revenue, which includes hardware sales that may be purchased with the software license, is recognized at a point in time upon delivery provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

Arrangements with multiple performance obligations

In addition to selling software licenses, software maintenance and software services on a standalone basis, a significant portion of our contracts include multiple performance obligations. The various combinations of multiple performance obligations and our revenue recognition for each are described as follows:

•

Perpetual software licenses and software maintenance: When software licenses and software maintenance contracts are sold together, the software licenses and software maintenance are generally considered distinct performance obligations. The transaction price is allocated to the software licenses and the software maintenance based on relative SSP. Revenue allocated to the software licenses is recognized at a point in time upon delivery, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Revenue allocated to the software maintenance is recognized over time on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

•

Perpetual software licenses and services: When software licenses and significant customization engineering services are sold together, they are accounted for as a combined performance obligation, as the software licenses are generally highly dependent on, and interrelated with, the associated services and therefore are not distinct performance obligations. Revenue for the combined performance obligation is recognized over time as the services are delivered using an input method (i.e., labor hours incurred as a percentage of total labor hours budgeted). When software licenses and standard implementation or

consulting-type services are sold together, they are generally considered distinct performance obligations, as the software licenses are not dependent on or interrelated with the associated services. The transaction price in these arrangements is allocated to the software licenses and services based on relative SSP. Revenue allocated to the software licenses is recognized at a point in time upon delivery, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Revenue allocated to the services is recognized over time using an input method. In arrangements with both software licenses and services, the software license portion of the arrangement is classified as software license revenue and the services portion is classified as services revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

•

Perpetual software licenses, software maintenance and services: When we sell software licenses, software maintenance and software services together, we account for the individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations based on relative SSP. Revenue allocated to the software licenses is recognized at a point in time upon delivery. Revenue allocated to the services is recognized over time using an input method (i.e., labor hours incurred as a percentage of total labor hours budgeted). Revenue for the software maintenance is recognized over time on a straight-line basis over the contract period. However, if the software services are significant customization engineering services, they are accounted for with the software licenses as a combined performance obligation, as stated above. Revenue for the combined performance obligation is recognized over time using an input method.

•

Perpetual software licenses, hardware, software maintenance, and services: When we sell software licenses, hardware, software maintenance and software services together, we account for the individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations based on relative SSP. Revenue allocated to the software licenses is recognized at a point in time upon delivery. Revenue allocated to the services is recognized over time using an input method (i.e., labor hours incurred as a percentage of total labor hours budgeted). Revenue for the hardware is recognized at a point in time upon delivery. Revenue for the software maintenance is recognized over time on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

•

Subscription-based software consisting of a software license and software maintenance: When subscription-based software is sold, the software license and software maintenance are generally considered distinct performance obligations. The transaction price is allocated to software license and the software maintenance based on relative SSP. We sell subscription-based software licenses for a fixed fee and/or a usage-based royalty fee, sometimes subject to a minimum guarantee. When the amount is in the form of a fixed fee, including the guaranteed minimum in usage-based royalty, revenue is allocated to the software license recognized at a point in time upon delivery, provided all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Any royalties not subject to the guaranteed minimum or earned in excess of the minimum amount are recognized as revenue when the subsequent usage occurs. Revenue allocated to the software maintenance is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

Returns

We do not offer rights of return for our products and services in the normal course of business.

Customer Acceptance

Our contracts with customers generally do not include customer acceptance clauses.

Contract Balances

When the timing of our delivery of goods or services is different from the timing of payments made by customers, we recognize either a contract asset (performance precedes contractual billing date) or a contract liability (customer payment precedes performance). Customers that prepay are represented by deferred revenue until the performance obligation is satisfied. Our contract assets consist of unbilled receivables. Our contract liabilities consisted of deferred (unearned) revenue, which is generally related to software maintenance contracts. We classify deferred revenue as current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue.

The following table presents changes in our contract assets and liabilities during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Contract Assets:

Balance atBeginningof period Billings RevenueRecognized Balance atEnd ofPeriod

Contract Liabilities:

Remaining Performance Obligations

Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price from contracts for which work has not been performed or goods and services have not been delivered. We expect to recognize revenue on approximately 97% of the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months, with the remainder recognized thereafter. The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations with a duration greater than one year, comprised of software maintenance contracts, was $0.3 million as of December 31, 2024.

Contract Costs

We recognize other long-term assets for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales commissions meet the requirements to be capitalized, and we amortize these costs on a consistent basis with the pattern of transfer of the goods and services in the contract. Total capitalized costs to obtain a contract were immaterial during the periods presented and are included in other current and long-term assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

We apply a practical expedient to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period is one year or less. These costs include sales commissions on software maintenance contracts with a contract period of one year or less as sales commissions paid on contract renewals are commensurate with those paid on the initial contract.

Income Taxes – We compute deferred income taxes based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. We establish a valuation allowance to offset temporary deductible differences, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position. The evaluation of an uncertain tax position is based on factors that include, but are not limited to, changes in the tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. Any changes to these estimates, based on the actual results obtained and/or a change in assumptions, could impact our tax provision in future periods. Interest and penalty charges, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits would be classified as a provision for income tax in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Capitalization of Software Costs – We capitalize certain costs to develop software products to be sold, leased, or marketed to external users after technological feasibility of the product has been established. No software costs were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, because such costs incurred between the period after technological feasibility to the product release were immaterial.

The Company capitalizes and amortizes certain direct costs associated with computer software developed or purchased for internal use incurred during the application development stage. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. The Company amortizes capitalized software costs generally over three to five years, commencing on the date the software is placed into service. No software costs were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, because such costs were immaterial.

Research and Development Costs – Costs incurred in the research and development of our products are expensed as incurred.

Concentration of Credit Risk – At December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents in excess of federally insured deposit limits of approximately $12.7 million and $9.7 million, respectively.

Concentration of credit risk with respect to net accounts receivable and unbilled receivables consisted of amounts owed by the following customers that comprised more than 10% of net accounts receivable and unbilled receivables at December 31:

December 31,

Customer B 18 % 8 %

We had one customer in 2023 that represented 18% of revenue. No other customers represented over 10% of revenue in 2024 or 2023.

Stock-Based Compensation – We grant stock and stock options to our employees and directors. We measure stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.

Computation of Earnings per Share – Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued. For the purposes of this calculation, stock options are considered common stock equivalents in periods in which they have a dilutive effect. Stock options that are antidilutive are excluded from the calculation.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, unbilled receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

Segments – We have determined that we operate as a single reportable segment, as our Chief Executive Officer, who serves as our chief operating decision maker (CODM), evaluates financial performance and allocates resources on a consolidated basis. In making operating decisions, management and the Board receive regular reporting on revenue, cost of revenue, operating expenses, and profitability metrics. The primary financial measures used to assess performance include revenue growth, gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, and operating income. Significant expense categories reviewed by our CODM for our single operating segment include research and development, selling and marketing, and general and administrative expenses, as presented in our consolidated statement of operations.

To determine our single reportable segment, we evaluated factors such as the nature of our products and services, customer base, distribution methods, and how the business is managed. Given that we provide a unified suite of biometric and identity solutions, serve a common customer base, and operate under a single management team with an integrated resource allocation strategy, we concluded that a single operating segment best represents how we manage the business.

We do not allocate assets to individual business units or product lines for internal reporting purposes. Our CODM reviews the company’s assets on a consolidated basis, and as a result, we do not present segment asset information separately in our financial statements

We conduct our operations in the United States and sell our products and services to domestic and international customers. Revenues were generated from the following geographic regions (in thousands):

Year endedDecember 31,

Revenue by product group was (in thousands):

Year endedDecember 31,

Revenue by product group consists of all revenue associated with a contract, including license revenue, maintenance revenue, and services and other revenue. Revenue may be recognized at a point in time or over time, depending on the nature of the underlying performance obligations. These revenues are attributable to contracts with fixed fees and those with guaranteed minimums.

License and service contracts include revenue recognized from perpetual software licenses, professional services, and associated maintenance contracts. Subscription-based contracts include revenue from term licenses and their associated maintenance contracts, as well as SaaS-based revenue and other recurring subscription services.

Revenue by timing of transfer of goods or services was (in thousands):

Year endedDecember 31,

Goods or services transferred at a point in time $ 5,279 $ 8,223

Goods or services transferred over time 12,110 10,021

3 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31 (in thousands):

Building and improvements 162 162

Computer and office equipment 903 859

Purchased software 78 78

Less accumulated depreciation (1,239 ) (1,093 )

Property and equipment, net $ 477 $ 579

Depreciation expense was $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying value of intangible assets and their estimated useful life as of December 31, 2024 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Useful Life GrossAmount AccumulatedAmortization Net BookValue

Trade name / trademarks 3 and 7 years 30 (23 ) 7

The carrying value of intangible assets and their estimated useful life as of December 31, 2023 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Useful Life GrossAmount AccumulatedAmortization Net BookValue

Trade name / trademarks 3 and 7 years 30 (17 ) 13

During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded $0.4 million of amortization expense on intangible assets. The Company expects to record amortization for the years ended December 31 as follows (in thousands):

6. SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

On March 11, 2022, concurrently with our entry into a mutual reseller arrangement with MIRACL Technologies Limited ("MIRACL"), we entered into a subscription agreement with Omlis Limited, a limited company incorporated and registered in England and Wales and the parent of MIRACL ("Omlis"). We purchased $2.5 million of Omlis’ note receivable ("Note") that accrues interest at 5% annually with a maturity date of March 11, 2026.

We recorded the Note at fair value in accordance with ASC 825, Financial Instruments, which was $0 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2023 we recorded a fair value adjustment of $2.7 million, which included $0.2 million of accrued interest, to adjust the fair value to $0 as of December 31, 2023. The $2.7 million write off during the year ended December 31, 2023 was the result of the lack of recoverability of the Note due to liquidity concerns as of December 31, 2023. In addition, in January 2024, Omlis and MIRACL petitioned to enter the United Kingdom administration process, which is still ongoing. The

deterioration of Omlis' liquidity resulted in our unlikely recoverability of the Note's carrying value and the unlikelihood of a payout as an unsecured creditor from the administration process.

7. INCOME TAXES

We recorded a provision for income tax of $53 thousand and $59 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

Year endedDecember 31,

Current:

Federal $ - $ (11 )

Foreign 22 —

Provision for income taxes $ 53 $ 59

The difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S federal statutory rate was driven primarily due to the changes in the valuation allowance of our deferred tax assets, state income taxes and impact of stock-based compensation to the deferred tax assets in both 2024 and 2023. A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:

Year endedDecember 31,

Federal statutory rate 21 % 21 %

State rate, net of federal benefit 2 7

Tax credits 2 (3 )

Permanent adjustments — —

Change in valuation allowance (16 ) (19 )

Stock compensation (13 ) (2 )

Tax law change 2 (5 )

Other 1 —

Effective tax rate (1 )% (1 )%

On October 4, 2023, Massachusetts enacted tax law changes which included the adoption of a single sales apportionment factor effective on January 1, 2025. As required under ASC 740, Income Taxes, we have accounted for the deferred tax impacts of this tax law change in the period the tax law was enacted, which has the impact of reducing our state deferred tax assets. The change in the deferred tax asset balance related to this was offset by a corresponding decrease in the valuation allowance.

Deferred income taxes - We had net deferred tax assets of $0 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The principal components of deferred tax assets, net, were as follows at December 31 (in thousands):

Stock-based compensation $ 215 $ 663

Research and development credits 6,662 6,623

Loss on note receivable — 644

Deferred tax liabilities

Total deferred tax liabilities (474 ) (545 )

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $ - $ -

As of December 31, 2024, $6.7 million of our deferred tax assets relate to research and development credit carryforwards. Further, a significant portion of our deferred tax assets relates to federal and state research and development credits. These credits may only offset 75% of the tax liability after net operating loss carryforwards are utilized and thus, we have the risk that the credits could expire before utilization if sufficient taxable income in the carryforward periods doesn’t exist.

As of December 31, 2024, we had a federal net operating loss carryforward of $7.4 million, which may be available to offset future income tax liabilities. $6.8 million of those NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely and the remaining $0.6 million expire in 2037. As of December 31, 2024, we had State NOL carryforwards of $26.5 million, which expire at various dates though 2044.

We evaluated and considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was needed. The deferred tax assets are composed principally of net operating loss carryforwards, capitalized research costs and research and development credits. As part of this analysis, we gave more weight to recent, historical evidence than future projections as we consider the past more objective. Under the applicable accounting standards, we considered our history of losses and concluded that is more likely that we will not recognize the benefits of federal and state deferred tax assets. Therefore, we have recorded a full valuation allowance of $13.2 million and $12.5 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we increased the valuation allowance by $0.7 million from the prior year end. We will continue to monitor the evidence and the realizability of our deferred tax assets in future periods. Should evidence regarding the realizability of our deferred tax assets change at a future point in time, we will adjust the valuation allowance as required.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. In connection with our acquisition of FortressID during 2021, the historical NOL carryforwards of $3.5 million from FortressID are likely limited under Section 382 due to a change in ownership triggered by the acquisition, however, we do not expect the limitation to result in any of the NOL carryforwards to expire unused. We have not completed a study at the Aware, Inc. level to assess whether an “ownership change” has occurred or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since we became a “loss corporation” as defined in Section 382. Future changes in our stock ownership, which may be outside of our control, may trigger an “ownership change.” In addition, future equity offerings or acquisitions that have equity as a component of the purchase price could result in an “ownership change.” If an “ownership change” has occurred or does occur in the future, utilization of the NOL carryforwards or other tax attributes may be limited, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us.

Uncertain tax benefits - As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had $0.7 million of uncertain tax positions that were primarily related to our research and development tax credits. There were no changes to this amount during each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The uncertain tax positions will impact our effective tax rate if realized.

Tax examinations – We file tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate. In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by federal and state jurisdictions, where applicable. The earliest tax years that remain subject to examination by jurisdiction is 2019 for both federal and Massachusetts. However, to the extent the Company utilizes net operating losses or credits from years prior to 2019, the statute remains open to the extent of the net operating losses or other credits are utilized.

8. EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Stock Option Plan – During the year ended December 31, 2023, we had one active fixed stock option plan, the 2001 Nonqualified Stock Plan (the “2001 Plan”), under which we were authorized to grant nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and stock awards to employees and directors for up to 8,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2023, there were 1,577,130 shares available for grant under the 2001 Plan.

On January 17, 2024, our shareholders approved the Aware, Inc. 2023 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which replaced the 2001 Plan. The 2023 Plan provides for the grant of various equity-based awards, including incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, and cash awards. The 2023 Plan authorizes the issuance of an aggregate of 1,277,130 shares of common stock, plus an additional number of shares equal to the number of shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2001 Plan that are forfeited, expire unexercised, or are repurchased or withheld to cover taxes or exercise prices, up to a maximum of 2,590,000 shares. As of December 31, 2024, there were 2,175,211 shares available for grant under the 2023 Plan.

Options are granted with exercise prices as determined by the Board of Directors and have a maximum term of ten years. Options generally vest over three to five years.

The following table presents stock-based compensation expenses included in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss (in thousands):

For the YearEnded December 31,

Research and development 156 309

Selling and marketing 63 88

General and administrative 913 1,128

Stock-based compensation expense $ 1,132 $ 1,525

Stock-based compensation expense in the preceding table includes expenses associated with grants of: i) stock options, ii) unrestricted shares of our common stock; and iii) performance share awards. The methods used to determine stock-based compensation expense for each type of equity grant are described in the following paragraphs.

Stock Option Grants. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we granted 640,000 common stock options to purchase our common stock under the 2023 plan. We did not grant any stock options during the year ended December 31, 2023. We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

The Black-Scholes valuation model takes into account the exercise price of the award, as well as a variety of significant assumptions. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected term, the expected volatility of our stock over the expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and our expected annual dividend yield. We account for forfeitures as they occur. We believe that the valuation technique and the approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate in calculating the fair values of stock options granted. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by persons who receive equity awards.

On January 17, 2024, our stockholders approved a stock option exchange program (the “Exchange Offer”) pursuant to which eligible employees, primarily consisting of our executive officers and senior management, were able to exchange certain stock options (the “Eligible Options”) for replacement stock options with modified terms (the “New Options”) as described below. We commenced the Exchange Offer on January 19, 2024.

The Exchange Offer expired on February 20, 2024. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, nine employees elected to exchange their Eligible Options, and we accepted for cancellation Eligible Options to purchase an aggregate of 2,180,000 shares of common stock, representing approximately 96% of the total shares of common stock underlying the Eligible Options. Following the expiration of the Exchange Offer, on February 20, 2024, we granted New Options to purchase 933,073 shares of Common Stock, pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer and our 2023 Plan.

The exercise price per share of the New Options granted pursuant to the Exchange Offer was $2.21 per share. Each New Option will vest and become exercisable, with respect to 50% of the shares of common stock underlying such New Option on the first anniversary of the grant date and, with respect to the remaining shares of common stock underlying such New Option, in twelve equal monthly installments thereafter, subject to the continuous service of the holder. The other terms and conditions of the New Options will be governed by the terms and conditions of the 2023 Plan and the nonstatutory stock option agreements entered into thereunder.

There was no incremental expense for the New Options as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The unamortized expense remaining on the Eligible Options, as of the modification date, will be recognized over the new vesting schedule.

During the year ended December 31, 2024 we expensed an incremental $0.3 million in stock based compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of stock options of our former Chief Executive Officer.

Specific assumptions used to determine the fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2024, using the Black-Scholes valuation model were as follows:

Year endedDecember 31,

Expected term (1) 6.25 years

Expected volatility factor (2) 53 %

Risk-free interest rate (3) 4.2 %

Expected annual dividend yield n/a

(1) The expected term for each grant was determined based on the simplified method.

(2) The expected volatility for each grant is estimated based on an average of historical volatility over the expected term of the stock options.

(3) The risk-free interest rate for each grant is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a period equal to the expected term of the stock option.

Restricted Stock Units. The 2023 Plan permits us to grant restricted stock units to our directors, officers, and employees. Upon vesting, each restricted stock unit entitles the recipient to receive a number of shares of common stock as set forth in the relevant restricted stock unit agreement. Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units is determined based on the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant, provided the number of shares in the grant is fixed on the grant date.

We granted 284,814 restricted stock units to directors, officers, and employees during the year ended December 31, 2024. Of the restricted stock units granted in 2024, 70,406 vested shortly after June 30, 2024 and 70,408 vested shortly after December 31, 2024. Of the remaining 144,000 restricted stock units, 15,000 vested in November 2024, 6,000 vested in December 2024 and 18,000 are scheduled to vest in June 2025, 2026 and 2027 in 6,000 increments. The remaining 105,000 restricted stock units were forfeited in 2024 as a result of employee terminations.

Unrestricted Stock Grants. Our 2001 Plan, which was replaced by our 2023 Plan, permitted us to grant shares of unrestricted stock to our directors, officers, and employees. Stock-based compensation expense for stock grants is determined based on the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant; provided the number of shares in the grant is fixed on the grant date.

We granted 134,211 shares of unrestricted stock to directors, officers, and employees during the year ended December 31, 2023. Of these shares granted in 2023, 67,104 were issued shortly after June 30, 2023 and 67,107 were issued shortly after December 31, 2023. 15,000 shares were issued in August 2024 related to a grant in August 2022 and the remaining 15,000 unrestricted stock grants were forfeited in September 2024 as a result of employee termination.

Stock Options. Total options outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

Options WeightedAverageExercise Price Options WeightedAverageExercise Price

Exercised - - - -

(1) Includes 933,073 options granted and 2,180,000 cancelled pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

At December 31, 2024, the weighted average remaining contractual term for total options outstanding and total options exercisable was approximately 6.02 and 0.25 years, respectively.

At December 31, 2024, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $0. The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2024:

Options Outstanding Options Exercisable

$3 to $4 — $ — - — $ —

At December 31, 2024, unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $0.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.2 years.

We issue common stock from previously authorized but unissued shares to satisfy option exercises and purchases under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan – In May 2021, we adopted the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2021 ESPP”) under which eligible employees could purchase common stock at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of each six-month offering period. Participation in the 2021 ESPP is limited to $25,000 worth of stock for each calendar year, may be terminated at any time by the employee, and automatically ends on termination of employment. A total of 1,000,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2021 ESPP, and as of December 31, 2024, there were 747,404 shares available for future issuance thereunder. We issued 53,440 and 69,591 shares under the 2021 ESPP Plan during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Share Purchases – On March 1, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we may purchase up to $10.0 million of our common stock. On November 30, 2023, our Board of Directors extended the program through December 31, 2025. As of December 31, 2024 we have repurchased $2.0 million of our common stock pursuant to this program. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 we repurchased 137,086 and 299,780 shares of our common stock, respectively. The program does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of common stock and the program may be modified or suspended at any time at our Board of Directors discretion.

Dividends – We did not pay dividends in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

9. LEASES

We lease 20,730 rentable square feet at 76 Blanchard Road in Burlington, Massachusetts (the “Leased Space”) which has a term of ten years and six months, which includes a one-time termination right after seven years and six months. The term of the lease commenced on October 1, 2022, the date that the landlord notified us that the planned construction on the Leased Space was substantially complete. The lease provides for an aggregate of $8.2 million of rent payments over the lease term and also provides a renewal option for up to two additional terms of five years each.

The components of lease expense included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss are as follows (in thousands):

For the Year Ended December 31,

Operating lease costs $ 733 $ 733

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's operating lease was as follows (in thousands):

As of December 31,

Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 3,964 $ 4,260

Current portion, operating lease liabilities 656 637

Operating lease liabilities, long term 3,588 3,838

Total operating lease liabilities $ 4,244 $ 4,475

Weighted average remaining lease term (years) 8.3 9.3

Weighted average incremental borrowing rate 10.1 % 10.1 %

The discount rate implicit in the lease was not readily determinable, and as such, we engaged a third-party valuation specialist to calculate the incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”). The IBR was determined as of the lease commencement date and was dependent on several factors including the amount of lease payments, our credit rating based on a collateralized borrowing, the lease term and the currency of the lease.

Future minimum lease payments for operating leases with initial remaining terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:

Total lease payments 6,326

Less implied interest (2,082 )

Total operating lease liabilities $ 4,244

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Litigation - There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our properties are subject which, either individually or in the aggregate, are expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations – We enter into agreements in the ordinary course of business that require us: i) to perform under the terms of the contracts, ii) to protect the confidentiality of our customers’ intellectual property, and iii) to indemnify customers, including indemnification against third party claims alleging infringement of intellectual property rights. We also have agreements with each of our directors and executive officers to indemnify such directors or executive officers, to the extent legally permissible, against all liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with any action in which such individual may be involved by reason of such individual being or having been a director or officer of the Company.

Given the nature of the above obligations and agreements, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount that we could be required to pay. Historically, we have not made any significant payments on the above guarantees and indemnifications, and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these guarantees and indemnifications.

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

In 1994, we established a qualified 401(k) Retirement Plan (the “401K Plan”) under which employees are allowed to contribute certain percentages of their pay, up to the maximum allowed under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our contributions to the 401K Plan are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Our contributions were $0.3 million and $0.4 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

12. NET LOSS PER SHARE

The number of common shares used in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the periods presented does not include the effect of the following potentially outstanding common shares because the effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):

Year endedDecember 31,

Net loss per share is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

Year endedDecember 31,

Shares outstanding:

Weighted-average common shares outstanding 21,139 21,013

Additional dilutive common stock equivalents — —

Net loss per share – basic $ (0.21 ) $ (0.35 )

Net loss per share - diluted $ (0.21 ) $ (0.35 )

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In October 2024, the Board of Directors of Aware, Inc. initiated a CEO transition process. Robert Eckel stepped down as CEO and President effective December 31, 2024. On February 3, 2025, the Board appointed, Ajay K. Amlani as the new Chief Executive Officer and President.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.

Evaluation of Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In December 2024, our Chief Executive Officer resigned, and our Chief Financial Officer assumed the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer while continuing to serve as Chief Financial Officer. In February 2024, we hired a new Chief Executive Officer, and the Interim Chief Executive Officer returned to his role as Chief Financial Officer. While these leadership transitions represent significant changes in our executive team, we have assessed their impact on our internal control over financial reporting and determined that these changes have not materially affected the design or operation of our internal controls.

We have updated our internal control documentation in light of these organizational changes. We will continue to monitor and update our internal control processes as necessary to ensure their effectiveness.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13(a)-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

During the three months ended December 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act or any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Directors and Executive Officers”, “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders in connection with our June 11, 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders in connection with our June 11, 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders in connection with our June 11, 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information, if any, required by Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Corporate Governance” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders in connection with our June 11, 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Independent Accountants” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders in connection with our June 11, 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

(a)

Financial Statements and Exhibits:

Page

(1) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 49) 26

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 28

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 32

(b) Exhibits:

The exhibits listed below are filed with or incorporated by reference in this report.

Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit

19.1 Aware, Inc. Amended and Restated Insider Trading Policy.

21.1 Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

*Management contract or compensatory plan.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

AWARE, INC.

AWRE US Equity

AWRE · 10-K · period ended 2024-12-31

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

AWRE US Equity☆

AWRE · 10-K · period ended 2024-12-31

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

AWRE US Equity