UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

2023
OR

oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

or

TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _________ to _________

from________to________

Commission file number: 001-40193

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware86-1286799
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

2093 Philadelphia Pike #1968

Claymont, DE 19703

5400 Betsy Ross Drive
Santa Clara, CA
95054

19703

(Address of principal executive offices)Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
(408) 441-3200

Registrant’sRegistrant's telephone number, including area code: (650) 560-4753

code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Classeach classTrading Symbol(s)Trading SymbolName of Each Exchangeeach exchange on Which Registeredwhich registered
Units, each consisting of one subunit and one-quarter of one warrantClass A Common stock, par value $0.0001 per shareSOUNATSPUThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Subunits included as part of the units, each consisting of one share of common stock, $0.0001 par value, and one-quarter of one warrantATSPTThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per shareATSPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable warrantsWarrantsSOUNWATSPWThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No

x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No

x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrantregistrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),; and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒.Yes x No

o


Table of Contents

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,”company” and “emerging"emerging growth company”company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

(Check one):

Large accelerated filerxAccelerated filero
Non-accelerated fileroSmaller reporting companyo
Emerging growth companyEmerging Growth Companyo

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

x
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No

x

Auditor PCAOB ID Number: 1195 Auditor Name: UHY LLP Auditor Location: New York, New York, United States of America

At June 30, 2021, theThe aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common equityvoting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $137,740,405on June 30, 2023, based on the closing price of the Registrant’s subunits on the Nasdaq Stock Market on that date. The Registrant’s subunits include one share of common stock and one-quarter of one warrant.

The number of$4.55 for shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class A common stock, was approximately $734.4 million.

As of February 26, 2024, there were 273,229,352 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, as of March 9, 2022 was 17,461,000, including$0.0001 par value per share, issued and outstanding, and 35,885,408 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, underlying the units$0.0001 par value per share, issued and subunits.

outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The information required by Part III of this Annual Report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant's definitive proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2024, which definitive proxy statement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Annual Report relates.

None.



Table of Contents

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co.

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021

Page No.
Item 1C.ITEM 1.CybersecurityBUSINESS137
RISK FACTORS11
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS11
11
1142
11
12
13
14
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK18
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent InspectionsFINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA18
18119
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES18
OTHER INFORMATION18
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS18
19
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION25
ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS26
ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE27
ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES30
PART IV
ITEM 15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES31
ITEM 16.FORM 10-K SUMMARY33
i


i

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,SoundHound AI, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “SoundHound,” or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. The statements contained“Company”) contains “forward-looking statements” (as defined in this report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipates,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this report may include, for example, statements about our:

ability to complete our initial business combination;

success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;

officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements;

potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination;

pool of prospective target businesses;

the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;

potential change in control if we acquire one or more target businesses for stock;

the potential liquidity and trading of our securities;

the lack of a market for our securities;

use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; or

financial performance following our initial public offering.

The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors.” Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws and/or if and when management knows or has a reasonable basis on which to conclude that previously disclosed projections are no longer reasonably attainable.

ii

PART I

ITEM 1.BUSINESS

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”), references to the “Company” and to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co.

Introduction

We are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on September 15, 2020. We were formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as a “target business.” To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to identifying target businesses and consummating our initial business combination with a target business. Our initial business combination and value creation strategy is to identify, acquire and, after our initial business combination, assist in the growth of a technology business in the United States. Our focus will be on the artificial intelligence, cloud services and automotive technology sectors. However, we are not limited to the technology industry, or the named sectors, and we may pursue a business combination opportunity in any business or industry we choose and we may pursue a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States.

Our Chairman, Dr. Eric R. Ball, and special advisor, Mr. Brent Callinicos, both have long track records of senior management leadership in high growth technology companies. Within the technology industry, our initial focus will be on the artificial intelligence, cloud services and automotive technology sectors. Our management team possesses a strong understanding of the SPAC structure and market. Our Chief Executive Officer, Stephen N. Cannon, has served as a member of management for seven SPACs that have completed initial public offerings, four of which have consummated a business combination.

Dr. Eric R. Ball, our Chairman, is the founder and General Partner of Impact Venture Capital, or Impact VC. Impact VC is a Silicon Valley based venture firm investing in early-stage applied artificial intelligence startup companies since 2016. Previously Mr. Ball held several senior level management positions in high growth technology companies. He was the Chief Financial Officer for C3.AI from 2015 to 2016. Prior to that Dr. Ball spent over a decade with Oracle Corp, including acting as Senior Vice President & Treasurer, and previously was a senior financial professional for Flextronics International, Cisco Systems, Avery Dennison, and AT&T. Dr. Ball has served as advisor and board member of several technology companies, including currently serving as chairman of the audit committee for the board of Glu Mobile Inc. Dr. Ball is also the co-author of the book “Unlocking the Ivory Tower”.

Mr. Brent Callinicos is our special advisor. Mr. Callinicos is currently an angel investor, active in investing in early-stage technology companies. Mr. Callinicos was formerly the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Hyperloop One. Prior to that, Mr. Callinicos was the Chief Financial Officer of Uber Technologies Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Callinicos was the Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accountant of Google Inc., now known as Alphabet Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Callinicos held several senior management roles at Microsoft, including as Treasurer, Vice President of Worldwide Licensing and Pricing, and CFO of the Platforms and Services Division. Mr. Callinicos has served as an advisor to several technology companies and currently sits on several boards.

Stephen N. Cannon, our Chief Executive Officer, has served as a member of management for seven SPACs that have completed initial public offerings, four of which have consummated a business combination. The fifth SPAC, Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co., completed its IPO in December 2020 and announced on December 23, 2021 that it had entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Blackstone Products, a consumer brand of outdoor cooking products. The sixth SPAC, Archimedes SPAC Partners Co. Completed its IPO in March 2021 and announced on November 16, 2021 that it had entered into a business combination agreement with SoundHound Inc., a company that focuses on Voice AI technology. The seventh SPAC, Global SPAC Partners Co. Completed its IPO in April 2021 and announced on December 22, 2021 that it had entered into a business combination agreement with Gorilla Technology Group Inc., a company that focuses on Edge analytics AI solutions.

Daniel L. Sheehan, our Chief Operating Officer, and Long Long, our Chief Financial Officer, are also currently serving as members of the board and management, respectively, for Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co. In addition, Long Long is also serving as Chief Financial Officer for Global SPAC Partners Co.


Bryant B. Edwards, a director of ours, served as Chief Operating Officer and director for Twelve Seas Investment Co., a SPAC which successful closed its business combination in December 2019.

While we may pursue a business combination target in any business, industry or geographical location, we intend to focus our search for businesses in the technology industry, and our focus will be on the artificial intelligence, cloud services and automotive technology sectors.

Our management team consists of seasoned professionals who have experience spanning the technology industry, including the sectors within the technology industry that we intend to focus on initially, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance and compliance, legal and regulatory matters and investment management. We believe that our officers’ and directors’ industry expertise, transaction experience and relationships may provide us with a substantial number of attractive potential business combination targets.

The past performance of our management team or of their affiliates is not a guarantee either (i) that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or (ii) of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. You should not rely on the historical record of our management team’s or their affiliates’ performance as indicative of our future performance.

Business Strategy

We believe that there are a range of target businesses that could benefit from our industry knowledge, relationships, capital and public vehicle. Our strategy is to identify and complete our initial business combination with a target operating in the technology industry. Our focus will be on the artificial intelligence, cloud services and automotive technology sectors. While we intend to initially focus on potential opportunities in the United States, the technology industry is global and we may pursue opportunities internationally.

We intend to leverage our team’s collective experience in the technology industry and capital markets to successfully complete a business combination, and then continue to support our target business with our industry relationships, insights and regulatory knowledge, financial expertise and capital resources.

Competitive Strengths

We believe we are well positioned to find and attract an exciting technology business, and to help them as a newly public company grow and thrive, offering a partnership that extends far beyond our capital. Our management team’s deep operational experience, product experience, extensive networks, and track records as investors, advisors, and board members make us an attractive partner.

We are dedicated to finding bold founders, operators, and inventors who are committed to building a leading business and would benefit from access to the public markets as well as working with our team. We have a proven track record of success in the technology industry as senior executives, investors and board members and are confident that we can partner with other founders, shareholder and management to help support building a category-defining business. We believe we possess the following tools to drive value creation at a company:

Experience recognizing key technology trends: Our team has demonstrated a long history of managing and growing businesses at the epicenter of major technology trends. More recently, certain team members have been active in identifying and investing, at earlier stages, in companies focused on the next big trend, such as artificial intelligence, cloud services and automotive technology. For the technology industry especially, history has shown that small early stage companies, of even just five years ago, are often among the most exciting group of companies seeking a public listing in the near future. We believe our recent activity in identifying investment opportunities in early stage companies in key technology trends, is an advantage when combined with our track record of managing and growing successful public technology companies, and unique in our ability to identify and successful secure an initial business combination.

Experience identifying strong management teams: With key members of our team having had significant senior executive roles at key technology companies, we believe we have an ability to identify the characteristics of successful business leaders, and effective in engaging with these management teams. In addition, key members of our team have more recently been investing in many founder-led businesses.


History of operating experience: The members of our team are seasoned operators having held executive level roles in various companies. We have experience in developing and executing strategy, building and retaining teams, and executing business combinations among other activities.

Deep network and connections to company founders: Our team has numerous existing connections to company founders and business leaders across sectors within the technology industry. We have invested in many companies, served on many boards and have worked with many influential founders and senior management teams within the technology industry, and specifically the sectors we intend to initially focus on. We believe our network and our connections will assist in the successful selection of our initial business combination and subsequent guidance of the company.

Significant Prior SPAC Experience: Our management team possesses a strong understanding of the SPAC structure and market. Our CEO, Stephen N. Cannon, has served as a member of management for seven SPACs that have completed initial public offerings, four of which have consummated business combinations. The stock price performance of Mr. Cannon’s prior SPACs has not always been positive for investors. For example, the common shares of the four SPACs that previously consummated business combinations are currently trading below $10.00 per share. Further, Mr. Cannon’s other SPAC never consummated its IPO due to market conditions.

Investment Criteria

We are leveraging the extensive network and experience of our management team in identifying a suitable target within the technology industry and structuring a business combination that is attractive to both the target and our public stockholders. We have identified the following general criteria and guidelines that we believe are important in evaluating prospective target businesses. While we intend to use these criteria and guidelines in evaluating prospective businesses, we may deviate from these criteria and guidelines should we see fit to do so:

Clear and Sustainable Competitive Advantages: We intend to target businesses that differentiate themselves from their peers in ways that are difficult to replicate and have clear competitive advantages. Members of our team have accomplished track records of founding, operating, and investing in the technology industry and intend to focus on prospective businesses that engage with technology to serve customers in novel and transformational manner. We believe our team’s expertise and understanding of innovative businesses will be paramount in identifying and assessing initial business combination candidates.

High Growth Potential: We intend to seek businesses that are well positioned to grow in their respective markets and which have clear plans on how to leverage additional capital to accelerate growth. We expect to target businesses that have had, or expect to have, strong cash flow generation. We believe that our team’s collective experiences engaging with innovative businesses positions us well to identify, nurture, and expand high potential businesses.

Experienced Management Teams: We intend to seek to target businesses that have strong, experienced and dynamic management teams, many of whom will be founders of the businesses, but whom we believe may benefit from our financial, managerial and investment expertise as well as our extensive industry networks and insights. We believe that identifying such management teams is particularly important given our target industry.

Attractive Valuations: We intend to only evaluate a business that, based on our due diligence and industry experience, represents an attractive valuation relative to publicly listed companies with similar characteristics or in similar industry segments. We intend to seek businesses in which we believe we can add operational value through mentorship of management, knowledge of operating challenges, experience with industry dynamics, expertise in navigating public markets, and strategic relationships with investors, among others.

Will Benefit from Being a Public Company: We intend to pursue a business that will benefit from being a public company, including potentially having broader access to capital and a public currency for acquisitions.

These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.


Effecting a Business Combination

General

We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any substantive commercial business for an indefinite period of time. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of our initial public offering and the private placement of private units, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these in effecting a business combination. A business combination may involve the acquisition of, or merger with, a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish a public trading market for its shares, while avoiding what it may deem to be adverse consequences of undertaking a public offering itself. These include time delays, significant expense, loss of voting control and compliance with various federal and state securities laws. In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth. While we may seek to effect simultaneous business combinations with more than one target business, we will probably have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.

Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination

Subject to our management team’s pre-existing fiduciary obligations and the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (excluding the taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail, and that we must acquire a controlling interest in the target business, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business.

The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.

Fair Market Value of Target Business

Nasdaq listing rules require that the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (excluding the taxes payable on the interestearned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we are not then listed on Nasdaq for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% fair market value test.

We currently anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination where we merge directly with the target business or where we acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or stockholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we could acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target; however, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of trust account balance test.


The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). The proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents used by us in connection with any proposed transaction will provide public stockholders with our analysis of the fair market value of the target business, as well as the basis for our determinations. If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. Additionally, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, any initial business combination must be approved by a majority of our independent directors.

We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold.

Lack of Business Diversification

Although this process may entail the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses and we may seek to effect a business combination with more than one target business, we expect to complete our business combination with a single business. Therefore, at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business operation. Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:

subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination, and

result in our dependency upon the performance of a single operating business or the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.

If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple acquisitions, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business.

Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business’ Management

Although we intend to scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of the target business’ management will prove to be correct. In addition, we cannot assure you that the future management will have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following a business combination cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While it is possible that some of our key personnel will remain associated in senior management or advisory positions with us following a business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full time efforts to our affairs subsequent to a business combination. Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for them to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of our key personnel may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, their ability to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, we cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.

Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.


Stockholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve an Initial Business Combination

In connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which stockholders may seek to convert their subunits, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our stockholders with the opportunity to sell their subunits to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each stockholder may tender all of his, her or its subunits rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its subunits. The decision as to whether we will seek stockholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow stockholders to sell their subunits to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek stockholder approval. If we decide to allow our stockholders to sell their subunits to us in a tender offer, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon such consummation and, if we seek stockholder approval, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination.

We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, we may need to have more than $5,000,001 in net tangible assets either immediately prior to or upon consummation and this may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public stockholders may therefore have to wait 18 months in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.

Our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any shares of common stock owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to convert any founder shares or subunits in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any founder shares of subunits in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination.

None of our officers, directors, sponsor, initial stockholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units, subunits or warrants in this offering or from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of stockholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination, our officers, directors, sponsor, initial stockholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, sponsor, initial stockholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of units, subunits or warrants if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock.

Conversion Rights

At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public stockholders may seek to convert their subunits, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. Alternatively, we may provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to sell their subunits to us through a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid.

Our sponsor, initial stockholders and our officers and directors will not have conversion rights with respect to any founder shares or subunits owned by them, directly or indirectly. Additionally, the holders of the representative shares will not have conversion rights with respect to the representative shares.


Furthermore, public stockholders who redeem or tender their subunits for their pro rata share of the trust account will continue to have the right to exercise any warrants held by them which are not included in a subunit, but will automatically forfeit the warrants included in the redeemed subunits. This is different than other similarly structured blank check companies where a redeeming or tendering stockholder is able to keep any warrants he may still hold, whether included in a unit or held separately. Common stock alone will not be entitled to receive the redemption amount. Accordingly, investors may have a disincentive to exercise the redemption rights because they will automatically forfeit, without the receipt of any additional consideration, the portion of the warrant included in the subunit.

We may require public holders of subunits, whether they are a record holder or hold their subunits in “street name,” to either (i) tender their certificates to our transfer agent or (ii) deliver their subunits to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case prior to a date set forth in the proxy materials sent in connection with the proposal to approve the business combination.

There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced delivery process and the act of certificating the subunits or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise conversion rights. The need to deliver subunits is a requirement of exercising conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require stockholders seeking to exercise conversion rights prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated this may result in an increased cost to stockholders.

Any proxy solicitation materials we furnish to stockholders in connection with a vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring stockholders to satisfy such certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a stockholder would have from the time the stockholder received our proxy statement up until the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his conversion rights. This time period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction. However, as the delivery process can be accomplished by the stockholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held in “street name,” in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his shares through the DWAC System, we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. Please see the risk factor titled “In connection with any stockholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require stockholders who wish to convert their subunits in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for conversion that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their conversion rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights” for further information on the risks of failing to comply with these requirements.

Any request to convert such subunits once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or the expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of a public subunit delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their conversion and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).

If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders who elected to exercise their conversion rights would not be entitled to convert their subunits for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination. In such case, we will promptly return any subunits delivered by public holders.

Liquidation if No Business Combination

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we will have only 18 months to complete an initial business combination from the closing of this offering. If we have not completed an initial business combination by such date, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public subunits, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public subunits, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law. Public stockholders will also forfeit the one-quarter of a warrant included in the subunits being redeemed. As promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, we will dissolve and liquidate, subject to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.


Our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers and directors have agreed that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect our public stockholders’ ability to convert or sell their subunits to us in connection with a business combination as described herein or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public subunits if we do not complete a business combination within 18 months from the closing of the Company’s initial offering unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to convert their subunits upon such approval at a per-subunit price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest not previously released to us but net of franchise and income taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public subunits. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, initial stockholders, executive officers, directors or any other person.

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of our outstanding public subunits in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period may be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. It is our intention to redeem our public subunit as soon as reasonably possible following our 18th month after the initial public offering, and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.

Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of our public subunits in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidation distribution.

Because we will not be complying with Section 280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 281(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law requires us to adopt a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against us within the subsequent ten years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses.

We are required to seek to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result, the claims that could be made against us will be limited, thereby lessening the likelihood that any claim would result in any liability extending to the trust. We therefore believe that any necessary provision for creditors will be reduced and should not have a significant impact on our ability to distribute the funds in the trust account to our public stockholders. Nevertheless, UHY LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of the offering, will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that other vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if they execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account. Our sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per subunit by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us, but we cannot assure you that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. We have not asked our sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether our sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believe that our sponsor’s only assets are securities of our company. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that our sponsor will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. Additionally, the agreement our sponsor entered into specifically provides for two exceptions to the indemnity it has given: it will have no liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a target business or vendor or other entity who has executed an agreement with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, or (2) as to any claims for indemnification by the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. As a result, if we liquidate, the per-subunit distribution from the trust account could be less than $10.00 due to claims or potential claims of creditors.


We anticipate notifying the trustee of the trust account to begin liquidating such assets promptly after the 18th month and anticipate it will take no more than 10 business days to effectuate such distribution. The holders of the founder shares and private subunits have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account with respect to such shares and subunits. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless. We will pay the costs of any subsequent liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, our sponsor has contractually agreed to advance us the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than approximately $15,000) and has contractually agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses.

If we are unable to complete an initial business combination and expend all of the net proceeds of our initial public offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-subunit redemption price would be $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of public stockholders.

Our public stockholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of our failure to complete a business combination within the required time period, if the stockholders seek to have us convert or purchase their respective subunits upon a business combination which is actually completed by us or upon certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation prior to consummating an initial business combination. In no other circumstances shall a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.

If we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public stockholders at least $10.00 per subunit.

If we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, because we intend to distribute the proceeds held in the trust account to our public stockholders promptly after 18 months from the closing of this offering, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preference to our public stockholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from our assets. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains certain requirements and restrictions that apply to us until the consummation of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of a majority of our stockholders. If we seek to amend any provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect our public stockholders’ ability to convert or sell their subunits to us in connection with a business combination as described herein or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public subunits if we do not complete a business combination within 18 months from the closing of this offering, we will provide dissenting public stockholders with the opportunity to convert their public subunits in connection with any such vote. This conversion right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, any executive officer, director or director nominee, or any other person. Our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to waive any conversion rights with respect to any founder shares, private subunits, private shares and any public subunits they may hold in connection with any vote to amend our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Specifically, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, among other things, that:

we shall either (1) seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which stockholders may seek to convert their subunits, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our stockholders with the opportunity to sell their subunits to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein;


we will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon such consummation and, if we seek stockholder approval, a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination;

if our initial business combination is not consummated within 18 months from the closing of this offering, then we will redeem all of the outstanding public subunits and thereafter liquidate and dissolve our company;

we may not consummate any other business combination, merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar transaction prior to our initial business combination; and

prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional stock that participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or that votes as a class with the common stock sold in this offering on an initial business combination.

Competition

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe that there may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources.

The following also may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses:

our obligation to seek stockholder approval of a business combination or engage in a tender offer may delay the completion of a transaction;

our obligation to convert or repurchase subunits held by our public stockholders may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination; and

our outstanding warrants, and the potential future dilution they represent.

Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable terms.

If we succeed in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business. We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.

Employees

We have three executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. We presently expect our executive officers to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.


ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to make disclosures under this Item.

ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2.PROPERTIES

We currently maintain our principal executive offices at 2093 Philadelphia Pike #1968, Claymont, DE 19703. The cost for this space is included in the $10,000 per-month fee paid to SPAC Partners LLC, an affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to a letter agreement between us and SPAC Partners LLC. We believe that the fee charged by such party is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office space, combined with the other office space otherwise available to our executive officers, adequate for our current operations.

ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We may be subject to legal proceedings, investigations and claims incidental to the conduct of our business from time to time. We are not currently a party to any material litigation or other legal proceedings brought against us. We are also not aware of any legal proceeding, investigation or claim, or other legal exposure that has a more than remote possibility of having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.


PART II

ITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our units began to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “ATSPU” on March 11, 2021. The subunits and warrants comprising the units began separate trading on Nasdaq on April 14, 2021, under the symbols “ATSPT” and “ATSPW”, respectively.

Holders of Record

As of December 31, 2021, there were 17,461,000 of our shares of common stock issued and outstanding held by 24 stockholders of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of shares of common stock whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

None.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Use of Proceeds

On March 15, 2021, the Company consummated its IPO of 12,000,000 units (the “Public Units”). Each Public Unit consists of i) one subunit (the “Public Subunit”), which consists of one share of common stock (the “Public Share”) and one-quarter of one warrant (the “Public Warrant”) and ii) one-quarter of one Public Warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, for $11.50 per share. The Public Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $120,000,000. The Company paid the underwriters, in aggregate, a fixed underwriting discount of $2,400,000. The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of the IPO to purchase up to an additional 1,800,000 Public Units to cover over-allotments.

On March 15, 2021, simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, the Company completed the private placement (the “Private Placement”) of an aggregate of 390,000 units (the “Private Units”) to the Sponsor and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (“EarlyBirdCapital”) at a purchase price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $3,900,000.


On March 19, 2021, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase 1,300,000 Public Units. The Public Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $13,000,000. The Company paid the underwriters, in aggregate, a fixed underwriting discount of $260,000. Simultaneously with the exercise of the over-allotment option, the Company completed the Private Placement of an aggregate of 26,000 Private Units to the Sponsor and EarlyBirdCapital, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $260,000.

As of December 31, 2021, a total of $133,010,583 was held in the trust account (the “Trust Account”), $133,000,000 of which is the proceeds from the IPO and Private Placement and $10,583 of which was interest income generated by the proceeds in Trust.  

For a description of the use of the proceeds generated in our initial public offering, see below Part II, Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

ITEM 6.[RESERVED]


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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the notes related thereto which are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References to the “Company,” “Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co.” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K/A includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)."Exchange Act) that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our expected financial performance, our ability to implement our business strategy and anticipated business and operations, including our ability to improve our Generative AI Foundation Model, expand our customer partnerships and roll out our AI drive thru service, roll out our Dynamic Interaction, Chat AI for Automotive, and expand the number of platforms on which our voice AI technology will be available, the potential utility of and market for our products and services, and our ability to achieve revenue from our bookings backlog. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events. Theseevents that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are subjectreasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results of operations or the results of other matters that we anticipate herein could be materially different from our expectations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us thatother important factors may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievementsthose expressed or implied by suchthe forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

our ability to execute our business strategy, including launching new product offerings and expanding information and technology capabilities;
our market opportunity and our ability to acquire new customers and retain existing customers;
the timing and impact of our growth initiatives on our future financial performance;
our ability to protect intellectual property and trade secrets;
our ability to obtain additional capital, as necessary, including equity or debt financing, on terms that are acceptable to us, if at all, particularly in light of inflationary pressures and resulting increases in the cost of borrowing;
changes in applicable laws or regulations and extensive and evolving government regulations that impact our operations and business;
our ability to attract or maintain a qualified workforce, particularly following our recent restructuring efforts;
level of product service failures that could lead our customers to use competitors’ services;
investigations, claims, disputes, enforcement actions, litigation and/or other regulatory or legal proceedings, including with respect to our AI technology;
risks relating to uncertainty of our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth;
our ability to maintain the listing of our Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market;
the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and
other risks and uncertainties described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
You should thoroughly read this Annual Report and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from, and worse than, what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report relate only to events or information as of the date of this Annual Report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-
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looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this Annual Report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
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Part I
Item 1. Business
Our Mission
SoundHound’s mission is to voice-enable the world with conversational intelligence through an independent AI platform enabling humans to interact with products and services like they interact with each other — by speaking naturally.
Company Overview
We are a global leader in conversational intelligence, offering independent Voice AI solutions that enable businesses to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Built on proprietary technology, SoundHound’s voice AI delivers best-in-class speed and accuracy in numerous languages to product creators across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries via groundbreaking AI-driven products like Smart Answering, Smart Ordering, and Dynamic Interaction™, and Employee Assist. Along with SoundHound Chat AI, a powerful voice assistant with integrated Generative AI, SoundHound powers millions of products and services, and processes billions of interactions each year for world class businesses.
We believe voice-enabled conversational user interface is a more natural interface for nearly all use cases, and product creators should have the ability to design, customize, differentiate, innovate and monetize the interface to their own product, as opposed to outsourcing it to a third-party assistant. For example, using SoundHound, businesses can voice-enable their products so consumers can say things like, “Turn off the air conditioning and lower the windows,” while in their cars, “Find romantic comedies released in the last year,” while streaming on their TV and even place food orders before arriving at a restaurant by talking to their cars, TVs or other IoT devices. Additionally, SoundHound’s technology can address complex user queries such as, “Show me all restaurants within half a mile of the Space Needle that are open past 9pm on Wednesdays and have outdoor seating,” and follow-on qualifications such as “Okay, don’t show me anything with less than 3 stars or fast food.”
The SoundHound developer platform, Houndify, is an open-access platform that allows developers to leverage SoundHound’s Voice AI technology and a library of over 100 content domains, including commonly used domains for points of interest, weather, flight status, sports and more. SoundHound's Collective AI is an architecture for connecting domain knowledge that encourages collaboration and contribution among developers. The architecture is based on proprietary software engineering technology, CaiLAN (Conversational AI Language), and machine learning technology, CaiNET (Conversational AI Network) to ensure fast, accurate and appropriate responses.
Our market position is strengthened by the technical barriers to entry in the Voice AI space, which tend to discourage new market participants. Furthermore, our technology is backed by significant investments in intellectual property, with over 155 patents granted and over 115 patents pending, spanning multiple fields including speech recognition, natural language understanding, machine learning, monetization and more. We have achieved this critical momentum in part thanks to a long-tenured leadership team with deep expertise and proven ability to attract and retain talent.
Market Opportunity
A significant addressable market
To take advantage of opportunities created by the expansion of Voice AI, companies across industries are turning to independent providers with disruptive technology offerings to help them design and build custom voice assistants. The demand for Voice AI technology is growing exponentially as companies compete to lead the market with the best technology, excellent customer relationships, and greatest innovations. Custom, branded voice assistants are allowing companies to improve their customer interactions at every touchpoint. According to Juniper Research, the broader market for Voice AI transactions will exceed $160 billion by 2026, enabled by a growing need for Voice AI in many industries including IoT, automotive, restaurants, Smart TVs, retail, hospitality, enterprise, contact center, home services, personal care, professional services, among many others.
Strategy
We believe that Voice AI will be the next major technology disruption in computing.
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Human-computer interfaces became popularized through computers offering a keyboard and mouse. After that came mobile devices with touch screens. We now have IoT devices with Voice AI. After the internet became mainstream, every company needed to have a website. After the mobile ecosystem became mature, every company needed to have a mobile strategy. We note that some very successful companies were created purely on the mobile ecosystem.
We believe the same concept will apply to the world of Voice AI where every company will need to have a strategy and there will exist success stories built on top of platforms like ours. These interfaces will co-exist: for example, mobile and touch screens did not completely replace computers with a keyboard and mouse, therefore Voice AI will also co-exist with computers and mobile. However, with billions of IoT devices that don’t have a keyboard or a mouse or a touch screen, we believe that voice will be the preferred or the only way to interact with these devices.
Technical Development
In 2005, as recent graduates from Stanford, our founders began envisioning a future where we would be talking to products just as we do other people. Inspired to make their vision a reality, the Company was founded with a simple and powerful mission: Add Voice AI to everything. To this day, the Company is still run by its original founding team.
SoundHound’s technology represents the evolution of several disruptive breakthroughs in voice-AI and sound recognition developed over almost two decades. Using innovative audio and music identification technology, in 2009, our founders launched the SoundHound music identification app. Since its inception, the app has received over 300 million downloads.
In parallel, the founding team worked in stealth on a fundamentally new technology — one that had the potential to revolutionize human-to-computer voice interaction. Up until then, all voice interactions relied on speech-to-text and then text-to-meaning. Our engineers knew that for a true voice engine to flourish, it needed to understand speech directly, just like humans do.
In 2015, SoundHound introduced the Houndify Voice AI platform incorporating breakthrough Speech-to-Meaning and Deep Meaning Understanding technologies, which, to SoundHound’s knowledge represented voice interaction technologies not yet broadly available at the time as its foundation.
After we went public in 2022, SoundHound rapidly introduced innovation to the market with Smart Ordering, Dynamic InteractionTM, SoundHound Chat AI, and Smart Answering, among others products (see "Products and Technology" hereafter).
SoundHound’s Vision
A typical reaction to SoundHound’s technology is “Wow! Even humans cannot do this.” This is the crux of our vision: Create a Voice AI platform that exceeds human capabilities and brings value and delight via an ecosystem of billions of products enhanced by innovation and monetization opportunities.
Computers are better than humans at computing, but they’re not always better than humans at performing certain tasks. For example, we used to easily beat computers in the game of chess, but now computers can even top grandmasters. When it comes to language understanding, the general perception is computers are not yet as good as humans. People talk using complex conversations with each other, but when they talk to voice assistants, they lower their expectations and use short, simple, keyword-based queries. We aim to change that by making computers better than humans in language understanding. As a result, SoundHound can make humans more productive and help make the world a better place.
To provide another example, if a user is looking for a restaurant, but anything other than Chinese (because they had Chinese food yesterday) they can ask the concierge of a hotel: “Show me restaurants, excluding Chinese”, and the concierge can point the customer in the right direction. But when talking to a typical voice assistant, users often don’t ask the question: “show me restaurants, excluding Chinese”, because they don’t expect that it will work. And in fact, most other voice assistants will offer Chinese restaurants when asked to show restaurants excluding Chinese. With SoundHound’s technology, users can ask even more complicated questions, such as: “show me Asian restaurants in San Francisco, excluding Chinese and Japanese, and only show the ones that have more than three stars and are open after 9:00 PM on Wednesdays.” In addition, users can follow up and ask it to refine the criteria such as “remove Korean and Vietnamese, sort by rating then by price, and only show the ones that are good for kids and have a patio.”
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Additionally, through SoundHound's AI-driven restaurant voice ordering solution, Smart Ordering, automated voice technology can be deployed by any restaurant to take food and drink orders over the phone, via menu kiosks or at the drive-thru. Its sophisticated technology learns the menu of each business and can answer questions, accept modifications and even upsell, helping the restaurant process more orders quickly and efficiently.
Our vision further includes empowering billions of devices around the world using our technology, with innovation and monetization opportunities for the product creators that integrate to our platform. It means product creators can not only use Voice AI to make their product better; they can also generate incremental recurring revenues from customer interactions.
Our vision also places a high emphasis on user experience. Before monetization growth can occur, delivering value and delight to end users is paramount. As a result, the most effective monetizable interactions will be those that flow naturally based on context, create value for the end-user, and would not be perceived by users as intrusive advertisements.
Products and Technology
SoundHound’s momentum in the Voice AI market can, in large part, be attributed to our large number of technology breakthroughs.
Houndify Platform
SoundHound’s Voice AI platform combines advanced AI with engineering expertise to help brands build conversational voice assistants. From proprietary components to customizable and scalable solutions, we offer tools to build a highly accurate and responsive voice user interface.
The suite of Houndify tools includes Application Programming Interfaces (“API”) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive Software Development Kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics.
Houndify provides a web API that takes in text queries or audio and returns actionable JavaScript Object Notation to anyone with an internet connection wanting to add Voice AI to any product or application.
CaiNET and CaiLAN Expert Domain Selections
SoundHound’s CaiNET software uses machine learning to enhance how domains work together to better handle complex queries including natural language processing, predictive analytics, and building language models, or translation of speech.
SoundHound’s proprietary CaiLAN software expertly arbitrates responses so users get better answers from the right domain such as for use with natural language processing, predictive analytics, and building language models, or translation of speech.
Automatic Speech Recognition (“ASR”)
Our highly optimized, tunable, and scalable ASR engine supports vocabulary sizes containing millions of words. Houndify’s machine learning infrastructure allows us to tune the engine to achieve optimal Computer Processing Unit (“CPU”) performance while delivering high accuracy rates.
Houndify’s language and acoustic modelling architecture also uses machine learning to increase word recognition accuracy. Rapid iteration is possible due to our accelerated training pipeline and architecture that improves as data is collected. Highly accurate transcriptions result from advanced acoustic models trained to perform in a variety of scenarios — including in severely noisy environments and when accented language is spoken.
Natural Language Understanding (“NLU”)
Our proprietary Speech-to-Meaning technology tracks speech in real-time and understands the context, even before the user has finished speaking. Instead of the typical two-step process of transcribing speech into text and then passing the text into an NLU model, Houndify can accomplish both of these tasks in one step, delivering faster and more accurate results.
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Houndify’s ability to process and understand speech the instant a user stops speaking gives voice assistants the ability to respond faster. Understanding speech in real-time without requiring additional processing or waiting for the user to finish speaking creates responsive and natural conversations between people and products.
By understanding context, Houndify responds accurately to users by distinguishing between similar words and names. Our NLU can discern the difference between words that sound the same, but have different spellings and meanings. For example, if users want to navigate to 272 Hoch Street in Dayton, Ohio, it won’t look for Hawk Street.
Using our proprietary Deep Meaning Understanding technology, a custom voice assistant can handle complex queries with compound criteria including conversational follow up, address multiple questions and filter results simultaneously — accurately and quickly answering users’ most complex questions.
These technologies are anchored by three important innovations: Speech-to-Meaning, Deep Meaning Understanding and Collective AI.
Speech-to-Meaning refers to SoundHound’s ability to convert speech to meaning simultaneously and in real time. Most traditional approaches first convert speech to text, and then convert text to meaning. This approach can be both slower and less accurate. It’s slower because the two steps are done in sequence, and the additional processing time of the second step can be noticeable by the end user. It can also be less accurate because if the first step of speech to text makes a mistake, the resulting incorrect text is then sent to the second step, and the error further propagates.
Our development of Speech to Meaning technology was inspired by the human brain. As we listen to someone speaking, our brain does not convert speech to text, and then text to meaning. Instead, our brain converts speech to meaning simultaneously and in real time. With Speech-to-Meaning, as you speak to SoundHound’s technology, it performs both speech recognition and language understanding simultaneously, which results in faster response time and higher accuracy, because real-time language understanding can feed into the real-time speech recognizer as additional information to reduce errors.
Deep Meaning Understanding is our innovative approach to language understanding that allows our Voice AI platform to understand highly complex conversation.
For example it can understand: “Show me hotels in San Francisco that are less than $600, but not less than $300, are pet friendly, have a gym and a pool with at least three stars staying for two nights, and don’t include anything that doesn’t have Wi-Fi.”
A complex search like this will take many minutes to perform on a website with complex forms, but it can be done within a few seconds using SoundHound technology, which we believe to be unique in its ability to handle complex queries of this nature at scale.
Collective AI is an architecture that gives potential to SoundHound to improve the understanding capability of its platform exponentially based on linear contributions.
Most other platforms add skills or domains that are separate and don’t interact with each other. For them, linear contribution results in linear growth in understanding, which is less scalable. With the Collective AI architecture, SoundHound domains can be interconnected and learn from each other. As developers contribute to the platform, the platform’s understanding capability can grow exponentially.
Smart Ordering
SoundHound Smart Ordering offers an easy-to-understand voice assistant for restaurants that takes phone orders and automatically processes them by seamlessly integrating with multiple POS systems. For enterprises, we also offer a flexible Gateway to integrate with custom POSs.
Dynamic Interaction
Dynamic Interaction is a category-level breakthrough in conversational AI that we believe raises the bar for human-computer interaction by not only recognizing and understanding speech, but also responding and acting in real-time. Where existing voice technology requires wake words and relies on turn-taking with awkward pauses to process requests,
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Dynamic Interaction uses the twin technologies of fragment parsing – which breaks speech down to partial-utterances and processes them in real-time – and full-duplex audio-visual integration to create an instantaneous, next-generation experience in human-computer interaction.
SoundHound Chat AI
We launched SoundHound Chat AI, which we believe will usher in a new phase of voice-enabled, conversational AI by combining the power of software engineering and machine learning generative AI.
SoundHound Chat AI integrates with dozens of knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, restaurants, and many more. We combine this with the most cutting-edge large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT to deliver the most accurate, timely, and comprehensive responses. There is no need for awkward search queries since you can speak to SoundHound Chat AI naturally, like another person. You can also follow-up questions and commands without awkward pauses to filter, sort, or add more information to the original request.
Smart Answering
SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer all customer establishments, including restaurants, the option to build an easy to use, custom AI-powered voice assistant that can handle 100% of phone calls including, greetings, hours, menu, location, delivery, wait time, policies, promotions, including SMS functionality for reservations and appointments, and many more standard and custom options.
Wake Words
Wake words are the entry point into branded voice experiences, allowing users to invoke the assistant by literally speaking the company’s name. Examples range from “Hey Pandora” in a mobile app to “Hey Peugeot” within a vehicle.
Rigorous development and testing enable our wake words to perform in noisy environments and minimize false-positives or false-negatives. We use advanced machine learning algorithms and Deep Neural Networks to provide broad robustness to our high-volume training data, resulting in high accuracy.
Custom Domains
Our library of over 100 public domains is available to give developers instant access to a broad range of content to fit their unique use cases. This includes multi-category content intended to appeal to broad range of audiences, including, for instance, sports scores, weather, podcasts, travel information, recipes, stock prices, among many others.
Companies can enhance product functionality or proprietary operations with Houndify Private Domains, allowing customization and development of more specific content. Customers who subscribe for this service have full access to their private domains securely on our platform while retaining the ability to iterate and update content.
For example, an automotive manufacturer can make helpful updates about the car’s user manual over time. In this way, SoundHound becomes a long-term “partner” to its customers, helping companies create the domains that they need in order to improve brand value for their own customers or end users.
Text-to-speech (“TTS”)
A high quality TTS helps companies create a unique voice that differentiates them from the competition. Brands can fully express their personality by choosing the gender, tone, and personality that will become their vocal identity.
Our machine learning algorithms transform recorded voices into large databases of spoken sounds to form entire vocabularies of natural language — adapted to the user’s environment. We can transform any voice to generate a high-quality TTS with a small CPU footprint.
Edge and Cloud Connectivity
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With edge (embedded) we offer a fully-embedded voice solution for brands seeking the convenience of a voice user interface without the privacy or connectivity concerns of the internet. Includes full access to custom commands and the ability to instantly update commands during development.
With Cloud we equip your voice assistant with real-time data from the cloud, deliver the most relevant responses with no CPU or memory restrictions, and retain ownership of customer relationships with access to data and analytics.
To harness the capabilities of full cloud connectivity with the reliability of embedded edge voice technology. Houndify Edge Hybrid solutions are designed to ensure that devices are always-on and responsive to commands. Allows for over-the-air product updates and a broader voice experience with the level of cloud-connectivity that best matches the product and its users.
Competitive Strengths and Differentiators
The majority of participants in the Voice AI industry can be characterized as either “big tech” companies (meaning large corporations offering Voice AI as an extension of other services) and “legacy vendors” (meaning long-time Voice-AI industry participants with older technologies).
Voice AI offerings from big tech companies are primarily an extension of their services. In many cases, rather than strengthening or interacting with the host product, big tech offerings tend to take over the entire product experience, thus “hijacking” the company’s brand, users, and data. As a result, brands relying on big tech Voice AI frequently experience decreased ability to innovate, differentiate, and customize the way that their products interact with Voice AI platforms and/or end users. In some cases, youthese big tech Voice AI providers even compete with the customers whose products their technologies support, making them increasingly less attractive as a choice for a voice interface.
The Voice AI market currently also includes “legacy vendors,” a number of whom we believe offer dated technologies. Furthermore, in many cases, legacy vendor technologies still require significant effort by product creators to turn legacy AI product offerings into solutions that can identify forward-looking statementscompete with the quality of Voice AI products currently offered by terminologybig tech companies, which is oftentimes neither economical nor practical.
Due to the high barrier to entry in Voice AI, the number of full solution platform providers is very limited. In our view, it takes many years and significant investment to build all the components of Voice AI. It then takes further time and resources to make the solutions competitive, mature, and viable for adoption. Finally, it requires significant investment to globalize the solution in multiple languages and regions. Although the number of platforms is limited, we note that the big tech players have significant resources. Against this landscape, SoundHound has achieved its successes to date through technology innovation, business model innovation, and global alliances that we believe make us well-positioned to continue to grow and execute our business plan.
With the recent popularization of Generative AI and Large Language Models in early 2023, we view this as an inflection point for Conversational AI, with a clear intersection between technology readiness and subsequent demand and adoption. Such intersections are rare, and SoundHound is in a unique position to create tremendous value.
We believe the impact of Generative AI and Large Language Models to the field of Conversational AI is similar to the impact of Deep Neural Networks to Machine Learning: Better quality models can be created faster and with fewer tedious engineering requirements. And we view the market impact of this to be transformative, similar to the mobile ecosystem disruption of the last decade. Fast movers like us will create tremendous value.
We view the current environment as an opportunity to provide disruptive technologies with capabilities we believe are superior to existing alternatives, allowing customers to maintain their brand, control the user experience, get access to the data, and define their own privacy policies, while being able to customize, differentiate, innovate, and monetize.
Revenue Model
Market Momentum
Our entry into the Voice AI space began with 10 years of constant innovation in “stealth” building disruptive technologies in Voice AI using innovative approaches. Our goal was to build a differentiated Voice AI technology that we
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fully own and which is significantly better than other solutions in the market. We achieved that goal and unveiled the result in 2015, launching it as the Houndify platform in 2016.
Building a Diverse, Global Customer Base
SoundHound continues to expand the capabilities that make us well-positioned to serve the needs of customers globally. We have grown our solution from a single language capability to 25 languages.
Our customers include a range of product and service providers of all sizes, spanning a range of industries, including automotive, IoT, apps, restaurants, and more. Many of our global customers have end users in multiple regions and industries and we have seen our products successfully used by them across multiple contexts and purposes.
Three pillars for growth
We have identified three pillars for revenue growth: Royalties, Subscription, and Monetization, and all three pillars contribute to our current revenues today. While the majority of current revenues come from royalties, over time we expect our revenues from subscription and monetization pillars to increase and eventually represent a larger portion of our overall revenues.
(1)Royalties: This involves voice-enabling a product. The product creator pays us a royalty based on volume, usage, or duration. SoundHound collects royalties when our platform is integrated into a product such as “may,a car, smart TV, or IoT.
(2)Subscription: This involves voice-enabling a service that doesn’t rely on a physical product. Examples include when SoundHound enables customer service or food ordering for restaurants or content management, appointments, or voice commerce, we generate subscription revenue from the service providers.
(3)Monetization: This pillar creates an ecosystem that enables monetization services in products and services from both pillar one and pillar two. When users of a voice-enabled product access the voice-enabled monetization, this creates new leads and transactions. SoundHound generates monetization revenue for generating these leads and transactions, and will share revenue with the product creators.
We expect the disruptive three-pillar business model will create a monetization flywheel. As more products integrate into our platform, more users will use it, and more services will choose to integrate as well. This creates even more usage, and results in a flow of revenue share to product creators, which further encourages even greater adoption and integration with our platform, and we expect the cycle will perpetually continue to expand and create an ecosystem with a compound impact on our business.
SoundHound’s criteria for adoption
When it comes to criteria for adoption, our goal is to win on every dimension. We believe our product will be adopted because customers typically choose the best technology and want to own their brand and control their data. We strive to provide our customers with the best technology, and we can provide a white label solution giving our customers control of their brands. In some industries you may have to choose between technology and brand control. In our case, we aim to offer our customers the best of both, enabling them to offer disruptive technologies to their users while maintaining control of their brand and user experience.
With our disruptive monetization strategy, we also provide a path to monetization. By choosing our platform, product creators can generate additional revenue while making their product better using Voice AI, providing further incentive to choose our platform.
We offer an ecosystem with our expert domain selections that seamlessly arbitrates between LLMs and real time domains and limits "AI hallucinations", along with definable privacy controls, which are becoming increasingly important in the industry of Voice AI. We also offer edge, cloud and hybrid solutions, which means our technology can optionally run without a cloud connection for increased flexibility and privacy. Our focus is on delivering the most advanced Voice AI in the world and thus allowing our partners to differentiate and innovate their overall experiences for their brands. Additionally, there is no conflict of interest between us and our partners and customers as we do not compete with them (as some other Voice AI vendors do).
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We believe that product creators know their product and users best. The idea of a single third-party assistant taking over their product is not reflective of our anticipated future. We envision that every product will have its own identity, and they will have Voice AI customized in different ways. They can each tap into a single platform to access the ever-growing set of domains, but the product creators can innovate on top of platform and create value for the end users in their own way.
Research and Development
Research and development have been the foundation of our company since its origin. We have invested significantly over the years in making conversational Voice AI technology by leveraging advanced technologies across signal processing, speech recognition, machine learning and more. The complexities of our design and the associated technological breakthroughs has required more than ten years of research and development activities to fine tune our technology for commercial use. We continue to explore different innovation strategies to strengthen our capabilities.
In particular, we are continually working to improve the speed and accuracy of our Voice AI solutions and make customer adoption easier and faster. We have protected our innovations throughout with patents and trade secrets, and we have continued to strengthen our competitive positioning by staying on top of the latest advancements in the Voice AI industry. We expect to continue to keep research and development and, more broadly, innovation and product quality at the forefront of our strategy and core focus.
Sales and Marketing
We take an insight-driven, account-based marketing approach to build and expand our relationships with customers and partners. We collect feedback directly from them to garner insights that help drive the business and product. We also work with analysts and higher education institutions to conduct studies, test and validate technology performance, providing key proof points for those considering our products. In parallel, marketing and communications drive our brand equity and narrative through ongoing announcements, campaigns, events, speaking opportunities, and public relations efforts.
Our demand generation efforts span the full customer funnel to target prospects across a variety of channels including: advertising, email, social media, search engines and many other digital channels.
Sales and marketing will play a critical role in the next phase of our evolution as a company, with key ongoing investments in our team and leadership. While our products are already scaling with existing customers, markets and verticals, we see significant opportunities to grow into new ones. Increased sales and marketing efforts will enable us to capitalize on the tremendous momentum we are building and we expect to continue expanding resources to grow our personnel and leadership team focused on sales and marketing.
Intellectual Property
SoundHound’s intellectual property portfolio includes over 155 patents granted and over 115 patents pending worldwide. These patents cover areas such as speech recognition, natural language understanding, machine learning, human interfaces, and others, including monetization and advertising.
Out of our 270 patents granted and pending, more than 40 of these patents are in conversational monetization. Because we predict that search traffic will change from keyword-based queries to conversational interactions, we have a large number of patents in the area of conversational advertising.
Human Capital
At SoundHound, our success is driven by the quality of our people, who we believe are among the best and brightest in the industry. We strive to create an environment that supports employee success and a culture where everyone has a voice in driving innovation.
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Employees
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 260 full-time employees, of which approximately 54% were in the United States and 46% were in our international locations. We have not experienced work stoppages and believe our employee relations are good.
Employee Experience
We focus on delivering a great employee experience, anchored by meaningful work, career opportunities and well-being, to continue to attract and retain high quality talent. We support employee well-being from multiple dimensions, including economic, health, development, and lifestyle with a comprehensive suite of compensation, benefits and flexible work options.
For the vast majority of SoundHound’s employees, productivity is not tied to being in an office and collaboration can happen between people anywhere. SoundHound’s modern approach to work gives our employees more flexibility to choose where and how to work. Depending on their role, many of our employees can choose their office location, as well as work from home some or all of the time. We believe this allows us to engage with a wider pool of talent and retain employees who want or need more flexibility.
Diversity and Inclusion
We recognize that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural background or religious belief. We are creating an inclusive workplace through community-building, training and internal awareness. In 2023, we continued to support our many community partners and employee resource groups that build community for employees from underrepresented groups.
Government Regulations
We are subject to various laws, regulations, and permitting requirements of federal, state, and local authorities, related to health and safety, consumer privacy, anti-corruption and export controls. The foregoing may include the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and any other equivalent or comparable laws of other countries. We believe that we are in material compliance with all such laws, regulations, and permitting requirements.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in actions, claims, suits and other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including assertions by third parties relating to personal injuries sustained using our products and services, intellectual property infringement, breaches of contract or warranties or employment-related matters. We are not currently a party to any actions, claims, suits or other legal proceedings the outcome of which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Available Information
Our website is located at www.soundhound.com, and our investor relations website is located at investors.soundhound.com. Access to copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and our Proxy Statements, and any amendments to these reports, is available via a link through our investor relations website, free of charge, after we file or furnish them with the SEC and they are available on the SEC's website. We also utilize our investor relations website to webcast our earnings calls and provide notifications of news or announcements regarding our business updates, financial performance and other items that may be material or of interest to our investors, including SEC filings, investor events, press releases and earnings releases. Further, corporate governance information, including our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, governance guidelines, board committee charters, and code of ethics, is also available on our investor relations website. The contents of our websites are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report, including our financial statements, the notes thereto and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.“should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,”The occurrence of any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects, as well as our ability to accomplish our strategic objectives. As a result, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations and the market price of our securities.
Summary
The risk factors described below are a summary of the principal risk factors associated with an investment in us. These are not the only risks we face. You should carefully consider these risk factors and the other reports and documents filed by us with the SEC.
Risks Related to our Business and Financial Condition
We have generated substantial net losses and negative operating cash flows since inception and may never achieve or maintain profitability or generate positive cash flows;
We may require additional capital to continue planned business operations but may not be able to obtain such capital when desired on favorable terms, if at all, or without dilution to our stockholders;
Our operating results could be materially and adversely affected if it loses any of its largest customers due to concentration risk;
The loss of one or more key members of our management team or personnel, or our failure to attract, integrate and retain additional personnel in the future, could harm our business and negatively affect our ability to successfully grow our business;
The market in which we operate is highly competitive and rapidly changing and we may be unable to compete successfully;
Adverse conditions in the Voice AI market or the negativeglobal economy more generally could have adverse effects on our results of operations;
Our operating results could be materially and adversely affected if we lose any of our largest customers, many of which are OEMs;
We depend on skilled employees and the loss of one or more key members of our management team or personnel, or our failure to attract, integrate and retain additional personnel in the future, could harm our business and negatively affect our ability to successfully grow our business;
Cybersecurity and data privacy incidents or breaches may damage client relations and inhibit our growth;
Our business is subject to a variety of domestic and international laws, rules, policies and other obligations, including data protection and anticorruption;
Interruptions or delays in our services or services from data center hosting facilities or public clouds could impair the delivery of services and harm our business;
We rely on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers, including connectivity to our cloud software, and any failure by these service providers to provide reliable services could cause us to lose customers and subject us to claims for credits or damages, among other things;
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Our customers rely on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers to provide them with access and connectivity to our cloud software, and changes in how telecommunication and internet service providers handle and charge for access to telecommunications and the internet could materially harm our customer relationships, business, financial condition and operations results;
If we are unable to maintain and enhance our brand or reputation as an industry leader, our operating results may be adversely affected;
Our acquisition of Synq3, Inc. and any potential future acquisitions or strategic transactions may subject us to various risks that could adversely affect our business and for which we may not achieve the anticipated benefit of such a transaction;
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and may identify additional material weaknesses in the future, which may result in material misstatements of our consolidated financial statements or cause us to fail to meet its periodic reporting obligations and the trading price of our stock could be negatively affected.
Risks Related to our Intellectual Property and Technology
Our use of open source technology could impose limitations on our ability to commercialize our software;
Third parties have claimed in the past and may claim in the future that we are infringing their intellectual property, and we could be exposed to significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling our products or making our technologies available to our customers if such claims are successful;
Unauthorized use of our proprietary technology and intellectual property could adversely affect our business and results of operations;
Risks Related to our Securities and our Dual Class Common Stock Structure
Our stock price and trading volume may fluctuate significantly;
Our management has limited experience in operating a public company. The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention, and the increases in legal, accounting and compliance expenses may be greater than we anticipate;
We have a dual class common stock structure that has the effect of concentrating voting control with the holders of our Class B Common Stock. Our Class B Common Stock has multiple votes per share and this ownership will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transactions requiring stockholder approval, and that may adversely affect the trading price of our Class A Common stock;
We are considered a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq listing standards and, as a result, qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to such requirements;
Risks Related to U.S. and International Taxation
Our ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
Risks Related to SoundHound’s Business and Financial Condition
The market in which SoundHound operates is highly competitive and rapidly changing and SoundHound may be unable to compete successfully.
There are a number of companies that develop or may develop products that compete in the Voice AI market. The market for SoundHound’s products and technologies is characterized by intense competition, evolving industry and
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regulatory standards, emerging business and distribution models, disruptive software technology developments, short product and service life cycles, price sensitivity on the part of customers, and frequent new product introductions, including alternatives to certain of SoundHound’s products from other vendors which may be offered at significantly lower costs or free of charge. Current and potential competitors have established, or may establish, cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase the ability of their technologies to address the needs of SoundHound’s current and prospective customers. Furthermore, current or prospective customers may decide to develop competing products or to establish, strategic relationships with SoundHound’s competitors.
Competition in the Voice AI market could adversely affect SoundHound’s operating results by reducing the volume of the products and technologies SoundHound licenses or sells, the prices SoundHound can charge or the obligations of SoundHound to incur expenses or capital costs associated with the development, acquisition or promotion of new products or technologies. Some of SoundHound’s current or potential competitors are large technology companies that have significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than SoundHound does, and others are smaller specialized companies that possess specialized expertise or regional focus and may have greater price flexibility than SoundHound does in connection with their business models. These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly than SoundHound can to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer requirements, or may decide to offer products at low or unsustainable cost to win new business or to retain their existing clients. They may also devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than SoundHound does, and in certain cases may be able to include or combine their competitive products or technologies with other of their products or technologies in a manner whereby the competitive functionality is available at lower cost or free of charge within the larger offering. To the extent they do so, the penetration of SoundHound’s products, and therefore its revenue, may be adversely affected. SoundHound’s large competitors may also have greater access to customer data, which provides them with a competitive advantage in developing new products and technologies. SoundHound’s success depends substantially upon its ability to enhance its products and technologies, to develop and introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new products and technologies that meet changing customer requirements and incorporate technological enhancements, and to maintain SoundHound’s alignment with the technologies and market strategies of its customers, which change and advance over time. If SoundHound is unable to develop new products and enhance functionalities or technologies to adapt to these changes and maintain SoundHound’s alignment with its customers, its business will suffer.
Adverse conditions in the Voice AI market or the global economy more generally could have adverse effects on SoundHound’s results of operations.
SoundHound’s business depends on, and is directly affected by, the global Voice AI market, as well as the global economy more generally, including global economic trends affecting the automotive, internet of things (“IoT”), mobile application, call center, semiconductor device maker and restaurant and hospitality industries. For example, SoundHound’s largest customers are currently in the automotive industry, and automotive production and sales are highly cyclical and depend on general economic conditions and other factors, including consumer spending and preferences, changes in interest rate levels and credit availability, consumer confidence, fuel costs, fuel availability, environmental impact, governmental incentives and regulatory requirements, and political volatility, especially in energy-producing countries and growth markets. Such factors may also negatively impact consumer demand for products, including automobiles, that incorporate or use SoundHound products or technologies. In addition, global production and sales trends can be affected by SoundHound’s customers’ ability to continue operating in response to challenging economic conditions, and in response to labor relations issues, regulatory requirements, trade agreements and other factors. The volume of global automotive production, in particular, has fluctuated, sometimes significantly, from year to year, and such fluctuations give rise to fluctuations in the demand for SoundHound’s products. Any significant adverse change in any of these factors, including, but not limited to, general economic conditions and the resulting bankruptcy of a customer or the closure of a customer manufacturing facility, may result in a reduction in sales and production by SoundHound’s customers, and could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
SoundHound’s strategy to increase cloud connected and embedded products and technologies and expand the number of foreign languages SoundHound understands may adversely affect its near-term revenue growth and results of operations.
SoundHound has been and is continuing to develop new cloud-connected and embedded products and technologies and expand the number of foreign languages that its products and technologies understand. The design and development of new cloud-connected and embedded products and technologies and the addition of new languages will involve significant expense. SoundHound’s research and development costs have greatly increased in recent years and, together with certain expenses associated with delivering SoundHound’s connected services, are projected to continue to escalate in the near
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future. SoundHound may encounter difficulties with designing, developing, and releasing new cloud-connected and embedded components, as well as integrating these components with SoundHound’s existing technologies. These development issues may further increase costs and may affect SoundHound’s ability to innovate in a manner that allows SoundHound to remain competitive relative to its peers. As a result, SoundHound’s strategy to incorporate more cloud-connected and embedded components may adversely affect its revenue growth and results of operations.
Pricing pressures from SoundHound’s customers may adversely affect its results of operations.
SoundHound may experience pricing pressure from its customers in the future, including, relative to its automotive industry customers, pricing pressure resulting from the strong purchasing power of major OEMs SoundHound may be expected to quote fixed prices or be forced to accept prices with annual price reduction commitments for long-term sales arrangements or discounted reimbursements for SoundHound’s work. Any price reductions could impact SoundHound’s sales and profit margins. SoundHound’s profitability is also influenced by its success in designing and marketing technological improvements in Voice AI systems. If SoundHound is unable to offset any price reductions in the future, its business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.
Currently, SoundHound’s largest customers are OEMs, and while SoundHound invests effort and money seeking OEMs’ validation of SoundHound’s technology, and there can be no assurance that SoundHound will win or be able to renew its contracts with OEM customers, which could adversely affect SoundHound’s results of operations.
Some of SoundHound’s largest customers are currently OEMs and SoundHound invests effort and money in product research and development in relationship to SoundHound’s OEM customers from the time an OEM or a “Tier 1” supplier to OEMs begins designing for an upcoming program through the date on which an OEM or Tier 1 supplier customer chooses SoundHound’s technology to be incorporated directly or indirectly into one or more specific vehicle models to be produced by such customer. This selection process is known as a “design win.” SoundHound could expend its resources on these and similar efforts without success. After a design win, a product or technology that did not receive the design win may not be able to displace the winner until the customer begins a new selection process because it is very unlikely that a customer will change complex technology until a product model is revamped. In addition, the company with the winning design may have an advantage with the customer going forward because of the established relationship between the winning company and such customer, which could make it more difficult for such company’s competitors to win the designs for other service contracts. Even if SoundHound has an established relationship with a customer, any failure to perform under a service contract or innovate in response to their feedback may neutralize its advantage with that customer. If SoundHound fails to win a significant number of customer design competitions in the future or to renew a significant number of existing service contracts, SoundHound’s operating results would be adversely affected. Moreover, to the extent SoundHound is unable to renew existing service contracts, this would negatively impact its revenue. The period of time from winning a contract to implementation is long and SoundHound is subject to the risks of cancellation or postponement of the contract or unsuccessful implementation.
SoundHound’s products are technologically complex and incorporate many technological innovations. Prospective customers generally must make significant commitments of resources to test and validate SoundHound’s products before including them in a product or vehicle. The development cycles of SoundHound’s products with new customers are approximately six months to two years after a design win, depending on the customer and the complexity of the product. These development cycles result in SoundHound investing its resources in customers and customer products prior to realizing any revenues from the related customer contracts. Further, SoundHound is subject to the risk that a customer cancels or postpones implementation of SoundHound’s technology, as well as that SoundHound will not be able to implement its technology successfully. Additionally, SoundHound’s sales could be less than forecast if the product is unsuccessful, including for reasons unrelated to its technology. Long development cycles and product cancellations or postponements may adversely affect SoundHound’s business, results of operations.
SoundHound’s operating results could be materially and adversely affected if it loses any of its largest customers.
The loss of business from any of SoundHound’s major customers, whether by lower overall demand for the products manufactured by its major customers, cancellation of existing contracts or the failure to award SoundHound new business, could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s operating results. Alternatively, there is a risk that one or more of SoundHound’s major customers could be unable to pay its invoices as they become due or that a customer will simply refuse to make such payments given its financial difficulties. If a major customer becomes subject to bankruptcy or similar proceedings whereby contractual commitments are subject to stay of execution and the possibility of legal or other modification, or if a major customer otherwise successfully procures protection against SoundHound legally enforcing its
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obligations, it is likely that SoundHound will be forced to record a substantial loss. In addition, certain of SoundHound’s customers that are tier 1 suppliers to the automotive industry exclusively sell to certain OEMs, including some of SoundHound’s other customers. A bankruptcy of, or other significant disruption to, any of these OEMs could intensify any adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, two customers accounted for 62% of SoundHound's total revenues. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, three customers accounted for the following approximate percentages of SoundHound’s total revenues during the respective applicable period: 67% and 61%. Accounts receivable balances due from three customers collectively totaled 87% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2023. Accounts receivable balances due from two customers collectively totaled 75% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2022. The unbilled receivables balances from three customers collectively totaled 86% of the Company’s consolidated unbilled receivables balance at December 31, 2023. The unbilled receivables balances from three customers collectively totaled 78% of the Company’s consolidated unbilled receivables balance at December 31, 2022.
In addition to upfront payments pursuant to professional services or custom engineering agreements, SoundHound generally enters into master service agreements with its largest customers and also provides them with engineering and custom services. Our largest current customers entered into master services agreements with SoundHound pursuant to which they are provided Houndify Cloud Services and, in some cases, associated services on an as-needed basis. The license fees that SoundHound receives under our master services agreements are either fixed minimum monthly hosting fees with overage charges based on usage, or determined based on the volume of products that our customers sell that utilize SoundHound technology. Our master services agreements generally renew automatically for one year terms and are terminable by the customer upon prior written notice of six months to one year.
Adverse economic conditions or reduced technology spending may adversely impact SoundHound's business.
Our business depends on the overall demand for technology and on the economic performance of our current and prospective customers. In general, worldwide economic conditions may remain unstable, including inflation, and these conditions would make it difficult for our customers, prospective customers and us to forecast and plan future business activities accurately, and they could cause our customers or prospective customers to reevaluate their decision to purchase our features. Weak global economic conditions, changes in consumer behavior or a reduction in technology spending even if economic conditions stabilize, could adversely impact our business and results of operations in a number of ways, including longer sales cycles, lower demand or prices for our platform, fewer subscriptions and lower or no growth. For example, increased inflation in recent months, the residual effects of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and other financial institutions in March 2023, and related instability in the global financial markets, may cause difficulties for our customers, resulting in reduced spending by them on our business.
SoundHound’s operating results may fluctuate significantly from period to period, and this may cause its stock price to decline.
SoundHound’s operating results may fluctuate materially in the future. These fluctuations may cause SoundHound’s results of operations to not meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors which would likely cause the price of its stock to decline. Factors that may contribute to fluctuations in operating results include:
the volume, timing and fulfillment of large customer contracts;
renewals of existing customer contracts and wins of new customer programs;
increased expenditures incurred pursuing new product or market opportunities;
receipt of royalty reports;
fluctuating sales by SoundHound’s customers to their end-users;
contractual counterparties failing to meet their contractual commitments to SoundHound;
introduction of new products by SoundHound or its competitors;
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cybersecurity or data breaches;
reduction in the prices of SoundHound’s products in response to competition, market conditions or contractual obligations;
increased costs to raise cash in the market place, including increased borrowing costs as a result of inflation;
accounts receivable that are not collectible;
higher than anticipated costs related to fixed-price contracts with SoundHound’s customers;
change in costs due to regulatory or trade restrictions;
expenses incurred in litigation matters, whether initiated by SoundHound or brought by third-parties against SoundHound, and settlements or judgments it is required to pay in connection with disputes; and
general economic trends as they affect the customer bases into which SoundHound and its customers sell and operate.
Due to the foregoing factors, among others, SoundHound’s revenue and operating results may fluctuate significantly from period to period. SoundHound’s expense levels are based in significant part on its expectations of future revenue, and SoundHound may not be able to reduce its expenses quickly to respond to near-term shortfalls in projected revenue. Therefore, SoundHound’s failure to meet revenue expectations would seriously harm its operating results, financial condition, and cash flows.
SoundHound depends on skilled employees and could be impacted by a shortage of critical skills.
Much of SoundHound’s future success depends on the continued service and availability of skilled employees, particularly with respect to technical areas. Skilled and experienced personnel in the areas where SoundHound competes are in high demand, and competition for their talents is intense. Many of SoundHound’s key employees receive a total compensation package that includes equity awards. New regulations or volatility in the stock market could diminish SoundHound’s use, and the value, of its equity awards. This would place SoundHound at a competitive disadvantage in attracting qualified personnel or force it to offer more cash compensation.
Cybersecurity and data privacy incidents or breaches may damage client relations and inhibit SoundHound’s growth.
The confidentiality and security of SoundHound’s information, and that of third parties, is critical to SoundHound’s business. SoundHound’s services involve the transmission, use, and storage of customers’ and their customers’ information, which may be confidential or contain personally identifiable information. Any cybersecurity or data privacy incidents could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s results of operations and financial condition. While SoundHound maintains a broad array of information security and privacy measures, policies and practices, its networks may be breached through a variety of means, resulting in someone obtaining unauthorized access to SoundHound’s information, to information of SoundHound’s customers or their customers, or to SoundHound’s intellectual property; disabling or degrading service; or sabotaging systems or information. In addition, hardware, software, systems, or applications SoundHound develops or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to SoundHound’s systems or facilities, or those of third parties with whom SoundHound does business, through fraud or other forms of deceiving SoundHound’s employees, contractors, and vendors. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, SoundHound may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. SoundHound will continue to incur significant costs to continuously enhance its information security measures to defend against the threat of cybercrime. Any cybersecurity or data privacy incident or breach may result in:
loss of revenue resulting from the operational disruption;
loss of revenue or increased bad debt expense due to the inability to invoice properly or to customer dissatisfaction resulting in collection issues;
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loss of revenue due to loss of customers;
material remediation costs to recreate or restore systems;
material investments in new or enhanced systems in order to enhance SoundHound’s information security posture;
cost of incentives offered to customers to restore confidence and maintain business relationships;
reputational damage resulting in the failure to retain or attract customers;
costs associated with potential litigation or governmental investigations;
costs associated with any required notices of a data breach;
costs associated with the potential loss of critical business data;
difficulties enhancing or creating new products due to loss of data or data integrity issues; and
other consequences of which SoundHound is not currently aware but would discover through the process of remediating any cybersecurity or data privacy incidents or breaches that may occur.
SoundHound’s business is subject to a variety of domestic and international laws, rules, policies and other obligations, including data protection and anticorruption.
SoundHound is subject to U.S. and international laws and regulations in multiple areas, including data protection, anticorruption, labor relations, tax, foreign currency, anti-competition, import, export and trade regulations, and SoundHound is subject to a complex array of federal, state and international laws relating to the collection, use, retention, disclosure, security and transfer of personally identifiable information. In many cases, these laws apply not only to transfers between unrelated third-parties but also to transfers between SoundHound and its subsidiaries. Many jurisdictions have passed laws in this area, and other jurisdictions are considering imposing additional restrictions. The European Commission adopted the European General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which went into effect on May 25, 2018. In addition, California adopted significant new consumer privacy laws that became effective beginning in January 2020. Complying with the GDPR and other requirements may cause SoundHound to incur substantial costs and may require it to change our business practices. Additionally, 
China has recently implemented new regulation pertaining to cybersecurity and the protection of personal information, including the Data Security Law which took effect in September 2001 and the Personal Information Protection Law which took effect in November 2021. Interpretation, application and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations evolve from time to time and their scope may continually change, through new legislation, amendments to existing legislation or changes in enforcement. Compliance with cybersecurity and data security legislation could significantly increase the cost to SoundHound of carrying out its business in China, require significant changes to its operations or even prevent SoundHound from providing certain service offerings in jurisdictions in which SoundHound currently operates or in which it may operate in the future.
Despite SoundHound’s efforts to comply with applicable laws, regulations and other obligations relating to privacy, data protection and information security, it is possible that SoundHound’s practices, offerings or platform could fail to meet all of the requirements imposed on SoundHound by legislation relating to cybersecurity, data security and/or related implementing regulations. Any failure on SoundHound’s part to comply with such law or regulations or any other obligations relating to privacy, data protection or information security, or any compromise of security that results in unauthorized access, use or release of personally identifiable information or other data, or the perception or allegation that any of the foregoing types of failure or compromise has occurred, could damage SoundHound’s reputation, discourage new and existing counterparties from contracting with SoundHound or result in investigations, fines, suspension or other penalties and private claims or litigation, any of which could materially adversely affect SoundHound’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Even if SoundHound’s practices are not subject to legal challenge, the perception of privacy concerns, whether or not valid, may harm its reputation and brand and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, the legal uncertainty created by certain of these laws, including the Data Security Law, and recent government actions could materially adversely affect its ability, on favorable terms, to raise capital, including engaging in follow-on offerings of its securities in the U.S. market once SoundHound is a public.
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Compliance with data security and personal information protection laws, may result in additional expenses to SoundHound and subject it to negative publicity, which could harm SoundHound’s reputation among users and negatively affect the trading price of its shares in the future. Furthermore, SoundHound’s data transfer policies may be subject to additional compliance requirement and regulatory burdens, and SoundHound may be required to make further adjustments to its business practices to comply with the interpretation and implementation of such laws, which may increase our compliance costs and adversely affect our operating results.
Any failure by SoundHound, its customers or other parties with whom SoundHound does business to comply with its privacy policy or with federal, state or international privacy-related or data protection laws and regulations could result in proceedings against SoundHound by governmental entities or others. Any alleged or actual failure to comply with applicable privacy laws and regulations may:
cause SoundHound’s customers to lose confidence in its solutions;
harm SoundHound’s reputation;
expose SoundHound to litigation, regulatory investigations and to resulting liabilities including reimbursement of customer costs, damages penalties or fines imposed by regulatory agencies; and
require SoundHound to incur significant expenses for remediation.
SoundHound is also subject to a variety of anticorruption laws in respect of its international operations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, and regulations issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, and various other foreign governmental agencies. SoundHound cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which its international operations might be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted. Actual or alleged violations of these laws and regulations could lead to enforcement actions and financial penalties that could result in substantial costs.
Because a significant portion of SoundHound’s revenues are derived, and a significant portion of its research and development activities are based, outside the United States, its results could be harmed by economic, political, regulatory, foreign currency fluctuations and other risks associated with these international regions.
Because SoundHound operates worldwide, its business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. SoundHound currently generates most of its international revenue in Europe and Asia, and SoundHound anticipates that revenue from international operations could increase in the future. SoundHound conducts a significant portion of the development of its voice recognition and natural language understanding solutions in Canada, Germany, Japan and China. SoundHound is exposed to fluctuating exchange rates of foreign currencies including the euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, Chinese RMB, Japanese yen, Indian rupee and South Korean won. Accordingly, SoundHound’s future results could be harmed by a variety of factors associated with international sales and operations, including:
adverse political and economic conditions, or changes to such conditions, in a specific region or country;
trade protection measures, including tariffs and import/export controls, imposed by the United States and/or by other countries or regional authorities such as China, Canada or the European Union;
the impact on local and global economies of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates or the lack of ability to hedge certain foreign currencies;
compliance with laws and regulations in many countries and any subsequent changes in such laws and regulations;
geopolitical turmoil, including terrorism and war;
changing data privacy regulations and customer requirements to locate data centers in certain jurisdictions;
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evolving restrictions on cross-border investment, including recent enhancements to the oversight by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States pursuant to the Foreign Investment Risk Preview Modernization Act and substantial restrictions on investment from China;
changes in applicable tax laws;
difficulties in staffing and managing operations in multiple locations in many countries;
longer payment cycles of foreign customers and timing of collections in foreign jurisdictions; and
less effective protection of intellectual property than in the United States.
SoundHound’s business in China is subject to aggressive competition and is sensitive to economic, market and political conditions.
SoundHound operates in the highly competitive Voice AI market in China and face competition from both international and smaller domestic manufacturers. SoundHound currently generates less than $0.1 million annually in revenue from its operations in China, though SoundHound expects to expand its business in China going forward. SoundHound anticipates that additional competitors, both international and domestic, may seek to enter the Chinese market resulting in increased competition. Increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced margins and SoundHound’s inability to gain or hold market share. There have been periods of increased market volatility and moderation in the levels of economic growth in China, which resulted in periods of lower automotive production growth rates in China than those previously experienced, including in the Chinese automotive production industry, which affects SoundHound because SoundHound’s largest customers are currently OEMs. In addition, political tensions between China and the United States may negatively impact SoundHound’s ability to conduct business in China. If SoundHound is unable to grow or maintain its position in the Chinese market, the pace of growth slows or vehicle sales in China decrease, SoundHound’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely effected. Government regulations and business considerations may also require SoundHound to conduct business in China through joint ventures with Chinese companies. SoundHound’s participation in joint ventures would limit its control over Chinese operations and may expose SoundHound’s proprietary technologies to misappropriation by joint venture partners. The above risks, if realized, could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s results of operations.
If the Chinese government deems that the contractual arrangements in relation to SoundHound’s variable interest entity do not comply with Chinese governmental restrictions on foreign investment, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations changes in the future, SoundHound could be subject to penalties or be forced to relinquish SoundHound’s interests in those operations.
SoundHound currently generates less than $0.1 million annually in revenue from its operations in China, though SoundHound expects to expand its business in China going forward. Foreign ownership of certain types of internet businesses, such as internet information services, is subject to restrictions under applicable Chinese laws, rules and regulations. For example, foreign investors are generally not permitted to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunication service provider. Any such foreign investor must also have experience and a good track record in providing value-added telecommunications services overseas. Accordingly, under current and applicable Chinese laws, it is possible that SoundHound will lose the license that currently permits its operations of its Chinese subsidiary.
It is uncertain whether any new Chinese laws, rules or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If SoundHound or its variable interest entity are found to be in violation of any existing or future Chinese laws, rules or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant Chinese regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures, including revoking the operating licenses of its Chinese subsidiary or variable interest entity, requiring SoundHound to discontinue or restrict its operations, restricting its right to collect revenue, blocking one or more of its websites, requiring SoundHound to restructure its operations or taking other regulatory or enforcement actions against SoundHound. The imposition of any of these measures could result in a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s ability to conduct all or any portion of its business operations through its Chinese subsidiary. In addition, it is unclear what impact Chinese government actions would have on SoundHound and on its ability to consolidate the financial results of its variable interest entity in its consolidated financial statements, if the Chinese government authorities were to find SoundHound’s legal structure and contractual arrangements to be in violation of Chinese laws, rules and regulations. If the imposition of any of these government actions causes SoundHound to lose its right to direct the activities of its variable
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interest entity or otherwise separate from it and if SoundHound is not able to restructure its ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, SoundHound would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of its variable interest entity in its consolidated financial statements. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s business, financial condition and results of operations through its Chinese subsidiary.
Interruptions or delays in SoundHound’s services or services from data center hosting facilities or public clouds could impair the delivery of its services and harm its business.
Because SoundHound’s services are complex and incorporate a variety of third-party hardware and software, its services may have errors or defects that could result in unanticipated downtime for its customers and harm to its reputation and its business. SoundHound has from time to time, found defects in its services, and new errors in its services may be detected in the future. In addition, SoundHound currently serves its customers from data center hosting facilities or third-party public clouds SoundHound directly manages. Any damage to, or failure of, the systems and facilities that serve SoundHound’s customers in whole or in part could result in interruptions in its service. Interruptions in SoundHound’s service may reduce its revenue, cause SoundHound to issue credits or pay service level agreement penalties, cause customers to terminate their on-demand services, and adversely affect SoundHound’s renewal rates and its ability to attract new customers.
SoundHound is subject to certain U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions, and other trade laws and regulations. SoundHound can face serious consequences for violations.
Among other matters, U.S. and foreign anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, export control, sanctions, and other trade laws and regulations, which are collectively referred to as Trade Laws, prohibit companies and their employees, agents, clinical research organizations, legal counsel, accountants, consultants, contractors, and other partners from authorizing, promising, offering, providing, soliciting, or receiving directly or indirectly, corrupt or improper payments or anything else of value to or from recipients in the public or private sector. Violations of Trade Laws can result in substantial criminal fines and civil penalties, imprisonment, the loss of trade privileges, debarment, tax reassessments, breach of contract and fraud litigation, reputational harm, and other consequences. SoundHound also expects its non-U.S. activities to increase in time.
SoundHound’s business is subject to risks, expenses and uncertainties associated with selling its solutions in locations outside the United States that could adversely affect its operating results.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, SoundHound derived approximately 85%, 89% and 81%, respectively, of its revenues from customers located in countries outside the United States, and SoundHound plans to increase its international operations in the future. Accordingly, SoundHound expects to increasingly face significant operational risks and expenses from doing business internationally.
SoundHound’s international operating results may be affected by volatility in currency exchange rates and its ability to effectively manage its currency transaction risks. SoundHound would incur currency transaction risks if SoundHound were to enter into either a purchase or a sale transaction using a different currency from the currency in which SoundHound reports revenue. In such cases, SoundHound may suffer an exchange loss because SoundHound does not currently engage in currency swaps or other currency hedging strategies to address this risk. As SoundHound realizes its strategy to expand internationally, its exposure to currency risks may increase. Given the volatility of exchange rates, SoundHound can give no assurance that it will be able to effectively manage its Currency transaction risks or that any volatility in currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations.
Other risks and uncertainties SoundHound faces from its global operations include, but are not limited to:
difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
limited protection for the enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights in certain countries where SoundHound may sell SoundHound’s solutions or work with suppliers or other third parties;
potentially longer sales and payment cycles and potentially greater difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;
costs and difficulties of customizing solutions for foreign countries;
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challenges in providing solutions across a significant distance, in different languages and among different cultures;
laws and business practices favoring local competition;
being subject to a wide variety of complex foreign laws, treaties and regulations and adjusting to any unexpected changes in such laws, treaties and regulations;
specific and significant regulations, including, but not limited to, the European Union’s GDPR, which imposes compliance obligations on companies who possess and use data of EU residents;
differences in analysis of regulatory, legal and tax issues across various countries, such as different interpretations of antitrust and competition laws;
uncertainty and resultant political, financial and market instability arising from the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union;
compliance with U.S. laws affecting activities of U.S. companies abroad, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
uncertainties related to geopolitical risks, including the relationship between the U.S. government and the government of other nations;
tariffs, trade barriers and other regulatory or contractual limitations on SoundHound’s ability to sell or develop its solutions in certain foreign markets;
operating in countries with a higher incidence of corruption and fraudulent business practices;
changes in regulatory requirements, including export controls, tariffs and embargoes, other trade restrictions, competition, corporate practices and data privacy concerns;
potential adverse tax consequences arising from global operations;
seasonal reductions in business activity in certain parts of the world, particularly during the summer months in Europe and at year-end globally;
rapid changes in government, economic and political policies and conditions; and
political or civil unrest or instability, terrorism or epidemics or pandemics (including any risks related to or resulting from COVID-19) and other similar outbreaks or events.
SoundHound’s failure to effectively manage the risks and uncertainties associated with its existing and planned global operations could limit the future growth of its business and adversely affect its operating results.
SoundHound relies on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers, including connectivity to its cloud software, and any failure by these service providers to provide reliable services could cause SoundHound to lose customers and subject it to claims for credits or damages, among other things.
SoundHound relies on services from third-party telecommunications providers in order to provide services to its customers and their customers, including telephone numbers. In addition, SoundHound depends on its internet bandwidth suppliers to provide uninterrupted and error-free service through their networks. SoundHound exercises little control over these third-party providers, which increases its vulnerability to problems with the services they provide.
When problems occur, it may be difficult to identify the source of the problem. Service disruption or outages, whether caused by SoundHound’s service, the products or services of SoundHound’s third-party service providers, or SoundHound’s customers’ or their customers’ equipment and systems, may result in loss of market acceptance of its products and technologies and any necessary remedial actions may force it to incur significant costs and expenses.
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If any of these service providers fail to provide reliable services, suffer outages, degrade, disrupt, increase the cost of or terminate the services that SoundHound and its customers depend on, SoundHound may be required to switch to another service provider. Delays caused by switching SoundHound’s technology to another service provider, if available, and qualifying this new service provider could materially harm its operating results. Further, any failure on the part of third-party service providers to achieve or maintain expected performance levels, stability and security could harm SoundHound’s relationships with its customers, cause it to lose customers, result in claims for credits or damages, increase its costs or the costs incurred by its customers, damage its reputation, significantly reduce customer demand for its products and technologies and seriously harm its and operating results.
SoundHound’s customers rely on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers to provide them with access and connectivity to SoundHound’s cloud software, and changes in how telecommunication and internet service providers handle and charge for access to telecommunications and the internet could materially harm SoundHound’s customer relationships, business, financial condition and operations results.
SoundHound’s customers must have access to wireless telecommunications and/or broadband internet access services in order to use certain of its products and certain of its offerings require substantial capacity to operate effectively. In the United States, wireless telecommunications and internet access services are provided by relatively few companies that, depending on the geographic area, have market power over such offerings. It is possible that these companies could charge SoundHound, its customers, or both fees to guarantee a service amount of capacity, or for quality of wireless telecommunications and broadband internet access services, that could advantage SoundHound’s competitors by degrading, disrupting, limiting, or otherwise restricting the use of infrastructure required to support SoundHound’s services. These providers likely have the ability to increase SoundHound's rates, SoundHound’s customers’ rates, or both for wireless telecommunications and/or broadband internet access services which may increase the cost of SoundHound’s products and technologies making its products and technologies less competitive or decreasing SoundHound’s profit margins.
SoundHound’s plans to expand upon and establish new public cloud-based data centers for its U.S. and international operations may be unsuccessful and may present execution and competitive risks.
SoundHound plans to expand upon and establish new public cloud deployments in the future to facilitate its platform in the U.S. and certain international markets. SoundHound may partner with one or more third-parties to develop, test and deploy its technology to offer a full stack of products on the public cloud in the U.S. and certain international markets. SoundHound’s public cloud-based platform offering is critical to developing and providing its products to its customers, scaling its business for future growth, accurately maintaining data and otherwise operating its business. Infrastructure buildouts on the public cloud are complex, time-consuming and may involve substantial expenditures. In addition, the implementation of public cloud-based data centers involves risks, including loss of information and potential disruption to SoundHound’s normal operations. Deficiencies in the design, implementation or maintenance of the cloud-based data centers could materially harm SoundHound’s business.
As SoundHound considers approaches for expanding internationally, government regulation protecting the non-discriminatory provision of internet access may be nascent or non-existent. In those markets where regulatory safeguards against unreasonable discrimination are nascent or non-existent and where local network operators possess substantial market power, SoundHound could experience anti-competitive practices that could impede its growth, cause it to incur additional expenses or otherwise harm its business. Future regulations or changes in laws and regulations or their existing interpretations or applications could also hinder SoundHound’s operational flexibility, raise compliance costs and result in additional liabilities for SoundHound, which may harm its business.
Sales to customers outside the United States or customers with international operations and SoundHound’s international sales efforts and operations expose it to risks inherent in international sales and operations.
An element of SoundHound’s growth strategy is to expand its international sales efforts and develop a worldwide customer base. SoundHound’s international expansion may not be successful and may not produce the return on investment it expects.
SoundHound’s international subsidiaries employ workers primarily in Canada, Germany, Japan, China, France and Korea. Operating in international markets requires significant resources and management attention and subjects it to intellectual property, regulatory, economic and political risks that are different from those in the United States. As
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SoundHound increases its international sales efforts it will face risks in doing business internationally that could harm its business, including:
the need to establish and protect SoundHound’s brand in international markets;
the need to localize and adapt SoundHound’s products for specific countries, including translation into foreign languages and associated costs and expenses;
difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations, particularly hiring and training qualified sales and service personnel;
the need to implement and offer customer care in various languages;
different pricing environments, longer sales and accounts receivable payment cycles and collections issues;
weaker protection for intellectual property and other legal rights than in the U.S. and practical difficulties in enforcing intellectual property and other rights outside of the U.S.;
privacy and data protection laws and regulations that are complex, expensive to comply with and may require that customer data be stored and processed in a designated territory;
increased risk of piracy, counterfeiting and other misappropriation of SoundHound’s intellectual property in its locations outside the U.S.;
new and different sources of competition;
general economic conditions in international markets;
fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, which may make SoundHound’s products more expensive in other countries or may increase its costs, impacting its operating results when translated into U.S. dollars;
compliance challenges related to the complexity of multiple, conflicting and changing governmental laws and regulations, including employment, tax, telecommunications and telemarketing laws and regulations;
increased risk of international telecom fraud;
laws and business practices favoring local competitors;
compliance with laws and regulations applicable to foreign operations and cross border transactions, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and other anti-corruption laws, supply chain restrictions, import and export control laws, tariffs, trade barriers, economic sanctions and other regulatory or contractual limitations on SoundHound’s ability to sell its products in certain foreign markets, and the risks and costs of non-compliance;
increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;
restrictions or taxes on the transfer of funds;
adverse tax consequences; and
unstable economic and political conditions and potential accompanying shifts in laws and regulations.
These risks could harm SoundHound’s international operations, increase its operating costs and hinder its ability to grow its international business and, consequently, its overall business and results of operations.
In addition, compliance with laws and regulations applicable to SoundHound’s international operations increases its cost of doing business outside the United States. SoundHound may be unable to keep current with changes in foreign
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government requirements and laws as they change from time to time, which often occurs with minimal or no advance notice. Failure to comply with these regulations could harm its business. In many countries outside the United States, it is common for others to engage in business practices that are prohibited by SoundHound’s internal policies and procedures or United States or international regulations applicable to it. Although SoundHound has implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws and policies, there can be no assurance that all of its employees, contractors, strategic partners and agents will comply with these laws and policies. Violations of laws or key control policies by SoundHound’s employees, contractors, strategic partners or agents could result in delays in revenue recognition, financial reporting misstatements, fines, delays in filing financial reports required as a public company, penalties, or prohibitions on selling its products, any of which could harm its business.
Tax matters may cause significant variability in SoundHound’s operating results and may impact its overall financial condition.
SoundHound’s businesses are subject to income taxation in the United States, as well as in many tax jurisdictions throughout the world. Tax rates in these jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. If SoundHound’s effective tax rate increases, its operating results and cash flow could be adversely affected. SoundHound's effective income tax rate can vary significantly between periods due to a number of complex factors including:
projected levels of taxable income;
pre-tax income being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory rates or higher than anticipated in countries with higher statutory rates;
increases or decreases to valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets;
tax audits conducted and settled by various tax authorities;
adjustments to income taxes upon finalization of income tax returns;
the ability to claim foreign tax credits;
the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings for which SoundHound has not previously provided for income taxes; and
changes in tax laws and their interpretations in countries in which SoundHound is subject to taxation.
SoundHound regularly evaluates the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, considering historical profitability, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. This analysis is heavily dependent upon SoundHound’s current and projected operating results. A decline in future operating results could provide substantial evidence that a full or partial valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is necessary. This could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s results of operations and financial condition.
Forecasts of SoundHound’s market and market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the markets in which it competes achieve the forecasted growth, there can be no assurance that its business will grow at similar rates, or at all.
Growth forecasts described in this Annual Report relating to SoundHound’s market opportunities, including in the Voice AI market and adjacent markets, and the expected growth thereof, are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates which may prove to be inaccurate. Even if these markets meet its size estimate and experience the forecasted growth, it may not grow its business at a similar rate, or at all. Its growth is subject to many factors, including its success in implementing its business strategy and ability to penetrate adjacent markets, which is subject to many risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, the forecasts of market growth included in this Annual Report should not be taken as indicative of its future growth.
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If SoundHound is unable to acquire new customers, its operating results will be harmed. Likewise, potential customer turnover in the future, or costs it incurs to retain its existing customers, could materially and adversely affect its operating results.
SoundHound’s success depends on its ability to acquire new customers in new and existing verticals, and in new and existing geographic markets. If SoundHound is unable to attract a sufficient number of new customers, it may be unable to reduce gross margins at desired rates and its operating results may suffer. The Voice AI market is competitive and many of SoundHound’s competitors have substantial financial, personnel and other resources that they utilize to develop solutions and attract customers. As a result, it may be difficult for us to add new customers to SoundHound’s existing customer base. Competition in the marketplace may also lead us to win fewer new customers or result in us providing discounts and other commercial incentives. Additional factors that impact SoundHound’s ability to acquire new customers include the perceived need for Voice AI -enabled products or Voice AI services, the size of prospective customers’ budgets for Voice AI, the utility and efficacy of SoundHound’s existing and new products, whether proven or perceived, and general economic conditions. These factors may have a meaningful negative impact on operating results.
If SoundHound does not successfully anticipate market needs, enhance its existing products, execute on delivering quality products and services, or develop new products and services that meet those needs on a timely basis, it may not be able to compete effectively and its ability to generate revenues will suffer.
SoundHound cannot guarantee that it will be able to anticipate future market needs and opportunities or be able to develop product and service enhancements or new products and services to meet such needs or opportunities in a timely manner, if at all. Even if SoundHound is able to anticipate, develop and commercially introduce enhancements and new products and services, there can be no assurance that enhancements or new products and services will achieve widespread market acceptance.
New products, as well as enhancements to its existing products, could fail to attain sufficient market acceptance for many reasons, including:
delays in releasing new products, or product enhancements;
failure to accurately predict market demand and to supply products that meet this demand in a timely fashion;
defects in its products, errors or failures of its products;
negative publicity or perceptions about the performance or effectiveness of products;
introduction or anticipated introduction of competing products or technologies by its competitors; and
installation, configuration or usage errors by its customers.
If SoundHound fails to anticipate market requirements or fail to develop and introduce product enhancements or new products to meet those needs in a timely manner, it could cause us to lose existing customers and prevent us from gaining new customers, which would significantly harm its business, financial condition and results of operations.
If SoundHound spends significant time and effort on research and development and is unable to generate an adequate return on its investment, its results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
SoundHound’s business model is predicated, in part, on maintaining a customer base that will generate a recurring stream of revenues. If that recurring stream of revenues is not maintained or does not increase as expected, or if SoundHound’s business model changes as the industry evolves, its operating results may be adversely affected.
SoundHound’s business model is dependent, in part, on its ability to maintain and increase a customer base that generates recurring revenues. Existing and future customers of SoundHound’s products, technologies and systems may not purchase its subscriptions for its proprietary products or enter into service contracts with SoundHound at the same rate at which customers currently purchase those subscriptions or enter into service contracts with us. If SoundHound’s current and future customers purchase a lower volume of subscriptions for SoundHound’s proprietary products or do not continue entering into service contracts with us, SoundHound’s recurring revenue stream relative to its total revenues would be reduced and its operating results would be adversely affected.
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SoundHound’s brand, reputation and ability to attract, retain and serve its customers are dependent in part upon the reliable performance of its products and technologies.
SoundHound’s brand, reputation and ability to attract, retain and serve its customers are dependent in part upon the reliable performance of, and the ability of its existing customers and new customers to access and use, its solutions, including real-time analytics and intelligence.
Interruptions in SoundHound’s systems or the third-party systems on which SoundHound and its products rely, whether due to system failures, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, or other factors, could affect the security or availability of our products, network infrastructure, cloud infrastructure and website.
Problems with the reliability or security of SoundHound’s systems could harm its reputation. Damage to SoundHound’s reputation and the cost of remedying these problems could negatively affect its business, financial condition, and operating results. Additionally, SoundHound’s third-party hosting suppliers in certain instances may have no obligations to renew their agreements with us on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and certain of the agreements governing these relationships may be terminated by either party at any time. If SoundHound is unable to maintain, renew, or expand its agreements with these providers on commercially reasonable terms, it may experience costs or downtime as it transitions its operations.
Any disruptions or other performance problems with its products could harm SoundHound’s reputation and business and may damage its customers’ businesses. Interruptions in its service delivery might reduce SoundHound’s revenue, cause SoundHound to issue credits to customers, subject us to potential liability and cause customers not to renew their subscription purchases of its products.
If SoundHound is unable to maintain and enhance its brand or reputation as an industry leader, its operating results may be adversely affected.
SoundHound believes that maintaining and enhancing its reputation as the leader in Voice AI market is critical to its relationship with its customers and its customers’ end-users and its ability to maintain customers and continue to attract new customers. The successful promotion of its brand will depend on multiple factors, including its marketing efforts, its ability to continue to deliver a superior customer experience and develop high-quality features for its products and its ability to successfully differentiate its products from those of its competitors. Its brand promotion activities may not be successful or yield increased revenue. The promotion of its brand requires SoundHound to make substantial expenditures, and it anticipates that the expenditures will increase as its market becomes more competitive, as it expands into new geographies and vertical markets and as more sales are generated through its reseller partners. To the extent that these activities yield increased revenue, this revenue may not offset the increased expenses it incurs. If SoundHound does not successfully maintain and enhance its brand and reputation, its operating results may be adversely affected.
We may engage in future acquisitions or strategic transactions which may require us to seek additional financing or financial commitments, increase our expenses and/or present significant distractions to our management.
In January 2024, we completed our acquisition of Synq3, Inc. and we are continuing to actively evaluate opportunities to grow and enhance our business and technologies. In the event we engage in an acquisition or strategic transaction, including by making an investment in another company, we may need to acquire additional financing. Obtaining financing through the issuance or sale of additional equity and/or debt securities, if possible, may not be at favorable terms and may result in additional dilution to our current stockholders. Additionally, any such transaction may require us to incur non-recurring or other charges, may increase our near and long-term expenditures and may pose significant integration challenges or disrupt our management or business, which could adversely affect our operations and financial results. For example, an acquisition or strategic transaction, may entail numerous operational and financial risks, including the risks outlined above and additionally:
exposure to unknown financial or product liabilities;
disruption of our business and diversion of our management's time and attention in order to develop acquired products or technologies;
higher than expected acquisition and integration costs;
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write-downs of assets or goodwill or impairment charges;
increased amortization expenses;
difficulty and cost in combining the operations and personnel of any acquired businesses with our operations and personnel;
impairment of relationships with key suppliers or customers of any acquired businesses due to changes in management and ownership; and
inability to retain key employees of any acquired businesses.
Accordingly, although there can be no assurance that we will undertake or successfully complete any transactions of the nature described above, any transactions that we do complete could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
If intangible assets and goodwill that we recorded in connection with our acquisitions become impaired, we may have to take significant charges against earnings.
Under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, we must assess, at least annually and potentially more frequently, whether the value of indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill have been impaired. Intangible assets and goodwill will be assessed for impairment in the event of an impairment indicator. Any reduction or impairment of the value of intangible assets and goodwill will result in a charge against earnings, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and shareholders’ equity in future periods.
Our acquisitions expose us to risks that could adversely affect our business, and we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of acquisitions of businesses or technologies.
As a part of our growth strategy, we have made and may continue to make selected acquisitions of complementary products and/or businesses. Any acquisition involves numerous risks and operational, financial, and managerial challenges, including the following, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations:
difficulties in integrating new operations, technologies, products, and personnel;
problems maintaining uniform procedures, controls and policies with respect to our financial accounting systems;
lack of synergies or the inability to realize expected synergies and cost-savings;
difficulties in managing geographically dispersed operations, including risks associated with entering foreign markets in which we have no or limited prior experience;
underperformance of any acquired technology, product, or business relative to our expectations and the price we paid;
negative near-term impacts on financial results after an acquisition, including acquisition-related earnings charges;
the potential loss of key employees, customers, and strategic partners of acquired companies;
claims by terminated employees and shareholders of acquired companies or other third parties related to the transaction;
the assumption or incurrence of additional debt obligations or expenses, or use of substantial portions of our cash;
the issuance of equity securities to finance or as consideration for any acquisitions that dilute the ownership of our stockholders (which in the case of certain of our prior acquisitions were significant);
the issuance of equity securities to finance or as consideration for any acquisitions may not be an option if the price of our common stock is low or volatile which could preclude us from completing any such acquisitions;
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diversion of management’s attention and company resources from existing operations of the business;
inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, and policies;
the impairment of intangible assets as a result of technological advancements, or worse-than-expected performance of acquired companies;
assumption of, or exposure to, historical liabilities of the acquired business, including unknown contingent or similar expressions. liabilities, including product liability, that are difficult to identify or accurately quantify; and
risks associated with acquiring intellectual property, including potential disputes regarding acquired companies’ intellectual property.
In addition, the successful integration of acquired businesses requires significant efforts and expense across all operational areas, including sales and marketing, research and development, finance, legal, and information technologies. There can be no assurance that any of the acquisitions we may make will be successful or will be, or will remain, profitable. Our failure to successfully address the foregoing risks may prevent us from achieving the anticipated benefits from any acquisition in a reasonable time frame, or at all.
The integration of our acquisitions may result in significant accounting charges that adversely affect the announced results of our company.
The financial results of our company may be adversely affected by cash expenses and non-cash accounting charges incurred in connection with our acquisitions. In addition to the anticipated cash charges, costs associated with the amortization of intangible assets are expected. The price of our common stock could decline to the extent our financial results are materially affected by the foregoing charges or if the foregoing charges are larger than anticipated.
Our recent acquisitions may result in unexpected consequences to our business and results of operations.
Although we believe that our recently acquired businesses will generally be subject to risks similar to those to which we are subject to in our existing operations, we may not have discovered all risks applicable to these businesses during the due diligence process. Some of these risks could produce unexpected and unwanted consequences for us. Undiscovered risks may result in us incurring financial liabilities, which could be material and have a negative impact on our business operations.
Failure to realize the benefits expected from our recent acquisitions could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
The success of our recent acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to:
integrate Synq3’s customer base and capitalize on our cross-selling opportunities;
realize cost savings from reduced back-office and infrastructure expenses, elimination of duplicative company and management structure costs;
operate our combined businesses efficiently, achieve the strategic operating objectives for our business and realize significant cost savings and synergies;
realize the attractive risk-adjusted equity returns from our acquisitions for our stockholders; and
capitalize on the embedded and/or underexploited expansion opportunities offered by our acquisitions that we can expand upon.
However, to realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisition we must successfully integrate their business in a manner that permits those benefits and cost savings to be realized. Although we expect significant benefits to result from this acquisition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully realize these benefits. The challenges involved in this integration will be complex and time consuming and may require a disproportionate amount of resources and management attention and could result in the loss of valuable employees, the disruption of each company’s ongoing
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business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, practices, and policies that could adversely impact our operations. If we do not successfully manage these and related issues and challenges, we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions and our revenue, expenses, operating results, financial condition and stock price could be materially adversely affected.
SoundHound has generated substantial net losses and negative operating cash flows since its inception and may continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
To date, SoundHound has generated substantial net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities. SoundHound may continue to have net losses and negative operating cash flows as SoundHound continues to invest in its development activities, and in sales and marketing. SoundHound also expects to incur the incremental costs of operating as a public company, contributing to SoundHound’s losses and operating uses of cash. SoundHound’s costs may also increase due to such factors as higher than anticipated financing and other costs; increases in the costs of labor or infrastructure, in particular following the implementation of the restructuring plan; and major incidents or catastrophic events. If any of these or similar factors occur, SoundHound’s net losses and accumulated deficit could increase significantly and the price of shares of its common stock could decline.
SoundHound may require additional capital to continue its planned business operations but may not be able to obtain such capital when desired on favorable terms, if at all, or without dilution to its stockholders.
SoundHound will require additional capital to continue its planned business operations. SoundHound anticipates that current cash, cash equivalents, cash provided by operating activities and funds available through SoundHound’s at-the-market offering program (ATM program), will not be sufficient to meet its future capital needs. SoundHound will need additional financing to execute on its current or future business strategies, including to:
potentially hire additional software engineers, sales and marketing professionals, and other personnel as needed following implementation of the restructuring plan;
develop new or enhance existing products and services;
enhance SoundHound’s operating infrastructure;
acquire complementary businesses or technologies; or
otherwise respond to competitive pressures.
If SoundHound raises additional funds through the issuance of equity, including its ATM Program, or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of its stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly-issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders, including those acquiring shares in this offering. SoundHound cannot assure you that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to SoundHound, or at all, particularly in light of inflationary pressures and resulting increases in the cost of borrowing. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, if and when needed, SoundHound’s ability to fund its operations, take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance its products, or otherwise respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited.
The loss of one or more key members of SoundHound’s management team or personnel, or its failure to attract, integrate and retain additional personnel in the future, could harm its business and negatively affect its ability to successfully grow its business.
SoundHound is highly dependent upon the continued service and performance of the key members of SoundHound’s management team and other personnel. The loss of any of these individuals, each of whom is “at will” and may terminate his or her employment relationship with us at any time, could disrupt SoundHound’s operations and significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.
Additionally, if any of SoundHound’s key management team members or other employees were to leave, SoundHound could face substantial difficulty in hiring qualified successors, particularly with consideration to our recent reduction in force related to our restructuring plan and could experience a loss in productivity while any successor obtains the necessary training and experience. Although SoundHound has arrangements with some of its executive officers designed to promote
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retention, its employment relationships are generally at-will and SoundHound has had key employees leave in the past. SoundHound cannot assure you that one or more key employees will not leave in the future. SoundHound intends to continue to hire additional highly qualified personnel, including research and development and operational personnel, as needed (with consideration to our restructuring plan) but may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain qualified personnel in the future or may be required to pay increased compensation in order to do so. Any failure to attract, integrate, motivate and retain such employees could harm SoundHound’s business or impair our ability to timely meet business goals and objectives.

The Company has identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting and may identify additional material weaknesses in the future, which may result in material misstatements of the Company’s consolidated financial statements or cause the Company to fail to meet its periodic reporting obligations and the trading price of our stock could be negatively affected.

Since becoming a public company, our Company has been classified as a non-accelerated filer, emerging growth company and smaller reporting company. On June 30, 2023 (the annual measurement date for SEC filing status), our public float was in excess of $700 million, and accordingly we have become a large accelerated filer for the year ended December 31, 2023 and are now subject to the requirements of 404(b) of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The Company did not maintain an effective control environment as it lacked sufficient oversight of activities related to its internal control over financial reporting due to a lack of appropriate level of experience and training commensurate with its financial reporting requirements. Further, due to rapid business growth, changes to existing controls or the implementation of new controls have not been sufficient to respond to changes to the risks of material misstatement to financial reporting, which resulted in the Company not designing and maintaining effective controls related to substantially all accounts and disclosures. These material weaknesses contributed to the following additional material weaknesses as of December 31, 2023:

The Company did not design and maintain effective controls to verify appropriate accounting for complex financing transactions.
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls to verify appropriate segregation of duties, including assessment of incompatible duties, identification of instances where incompatible duties were assigned to an individual, and addressing conflicts on a timely basis.
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls over certain information technology (IT) general controls over information systems that are relevant to the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain: (i) user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and to adequately restrict user and privileged access to appropriate personnel; (ii) program change management controls to ensure that program and data changes are identified, tested, authorized and implemented appropriately; and (iii) computer operations controls to ensure that processing and transfer of data, and data backups and recovery are monitored.

The material weaknesses related to the control environment, risk assessment and complex financing transactions resulted in the revision of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2022, December 31, 2022, March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023. The material weaknesses related to segregation of duties and IT general controls did not result in a misstatement to our annual or interim consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the material weaknesses could result in misstatements to substantially all of our accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary to provide reliable financial reports and to assist in the effective prevention or detection of material misstatements due to error or fraud. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or prevent or detect material misstatements due to error or fraud could harm our business. We regularly review and update our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies. In addition, we are required under the rules and regulations of the SEC regarding compliance with SOX to report annually on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Any system of internal controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim
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financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Accordingly, a material weakness increases the risk that the financial information we report contains material misstatements.

While we are in the process of addressing our material weaknesses as disclosed herein, elements of our remediation plan can only be accomplished over time and we can offer no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects. Any failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could adversely impact our ability to report our financial results on a timely and accurate basis. If our financial statements are not accurate, investors may not have a complete understanding of our operations or may lose confidence in our reported financial information. Likewise, if our financial statements are not filed on a timely basis as required by the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market, we could face severe consequences from those authorities. In either case, it could result in a material adverse effect on our business or have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. Further, if we fail to remedy these deficiencies (or any other future deficiencies) or maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties or shareholder litigation. We can give no assurance that the measures we have taken and plan to take in the future will remediate the material weaknesses identified or that any additional material weaknesses or restatements of our financial statements will not arise in the future due to a failure to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting or circumvention of those controls.

Further, in the future, if we cannot conclude that we have effective internal control over our financial reporting, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide an unqualified opinion regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could lead to a decline in our stock price.

Natural disasters, health epidemics, or other catastrophic events may cause damage or disruption to our operations, commerce and the global economy, and have a negative effect on our business and operations.
Our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters, flooding, fire, power shortages, health epidemics, terrorism, political unrest, telecommunications failure, vandalism, cyber-attacks, geopolitical instability, war, the effects of climate change (such as drought, wildfires, hurricanes, and increased storm severity) and other events beyond our control. Although we maintain crisis management and disaster response plans, such events could make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver our services to our customers, could decrease demand for our services, and could cause us to incur substantial expense. Our insurance may not be sufficient to cover losses or additional expenses that we may sustain. Our corporate headquarters are located near major seismic faults in California. Customer data could be lost, significant recovery time could be required to resume operations and our financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected in the event of a major natural disaster or catastrophic event. In addition, the impacts of climate change on the global economy and our industry are rapidly evolving. We may be subject to increased regulations, reporting requirements, standards or expectations regarding the environmental impacts of our business.
Risks Relating to SoundHound’s Intellectual Property and Technology
SoundHound’s use of open source technology could impose limitations on its ability to commercialize its software.
SoundHound uses open source technology in some of its software and expect to continue to use open source technology in the future. Although we monitor its use of open source technology to avoid subjecting its software to conditions SoundHound does not intend, we may face allegations from others alleging ownership of, or seeking to enforce the terms of, an open source license, including by demanding release of the open source software, derivative works, or SoundHound’s proprietary source code that was developed using such technology. These allegations could also result in litigation. The terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by United States courts. There is a risk that these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on SoundHound’s ability to commercialize its software. In such an event, we may be required to seek licenses from third parties to continue commercially offering its software, to make its proprietary code generally available in source code form, to re-engineer its software or to discontinue the sale of its software if re-engineering could not be accomplished on a timely basis, any of which could adversely affect SoundHound’s business and revenue.
The use of open source technology could subject SoundHound to a number of other risks and challenges. Certain open source technology is subject to further development or modification by anyone. Others may develop such software to be competitive with or no longer useful by us. It is also possible for competitors to develop their own solutions using open source software, potentially reducing the demand for SoundHound’s software. If SoundHound is unable to successfully address these challenges, its operating results may be adversely affected, and its development costs may increase.
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Third parties have claimed in the past and may claim in the future that SoundHound is infringing their intellectual property, and we could be exposed to significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling SoundHound’s products or making its technologies available to its customers if such claims are successful.
SoundHound has been and in the future may be subject to claims and legal actions alleging that we or its customers may be infringing or contributing to the infringement of the intellectual property rights of others (though no material legal actions against SoundHound are currently pending). We may be unaware of intellectual property rights of others that may cover some of its technologies and products. If it appears necessary or desirable, we may seek licenses for these intellectual property rights. However, we may not be able to obtain licenses from some or all claimants, the terms of any offered licenses may not be acceptable to us, and we may not be able to resolve disputes without litigation. Any litigation regarding intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of SoundHound’s management and key personnel from its business operations. Intellectual property disputes could subject us to significant liabilities, require us to enter into royalty and licensing arrangements on unfavorable terms, prevent us from licensing certain of its products, cause severe disruptions to its operations or the markets in which we compete, or require us to satisfy indemnification commitments with its customers including contractual provisions under various arrangements. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of SoundHound’s confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. For example, during the course of this kind of litigation, confidential information may be inadvertently disclosed in the form of documents or testimony in connection with discovery requests, depositions or trial testimony. This disclosure could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s business and its financial results. Any of these could seriously harm SoundHound’s business.
Unauthorized use of SoundHound’s proprietary technology and intellectual property could adversely affect its business and results of operations.
SoundHound’s success and competitive position depend in large part on its ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property rights protecting its products and technologies. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, confidentiality provisions and licensing arrangements to establish and protect SoundHound’s intellectual property and proprietary rights. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or discover aspects of SoundHound’s products or to obtain, license, sell or otherwise use information that we regard as proprietary. Policing unauthorized use of SoundHound’s products is difficult and we may not be able to protect its technology from unauthorized use. Additionally, SoundHound’s competitors may independently develop technologies that are substantially the same or superior to its technologies and that do not infringe its rights. In these cases, we would be unable to prevent its competitors from selling or licensing these similar or superior technologies. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect SoundHound’s proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Although the source code for SoundHound’s proprietary software is protected both as a trade secret and as a copyrighted work, litigation may be necessary to enforce its intellectual property rights, to protect its trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Litigation, regardless of the outcome, can be very expensive and can divert management’s efforts.
SoundHound’s software products may have bugs, which could result in delayed or lost revenue, expensive correction, liability to its customers and claims against us.
Complex software products such as SoundHound's may contain errors, defects or bugs. Defects in the solutions or products that we develop and sell to its customers could require expensive corrections and result in delayed or lost revenue, adverse customer reaction and negative publicity about us or SoundHound’s products and technologies. Customers who are not satisfied with any of SoundHound’s products may also bring claims against us for damages, which, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time-consuming to defend, and could result in costly litigation and payment of damages. Such claims could harm SoundHound’s reputation, financial results and competitive position.
We may be unable to respond quickly enough to changes in technology and technological risks and to develop its intellectual property into commercially viable products.
Changes in legislative, regulatory or industry requirements or in competitive technologies may render certain of SoundHound’s products obsolete or less attractive to its customers, which could adversely affect its results of operations. SoundHound’s ability to anticipate changes in technology and regulatory standards and to successfully develop and introduce new and enhanced products on a timely basis will be a significant factor in its ability to be competitive. There is a risk that we will not be able to achieve the technological advances that may be necessary for us to be competitive or that
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certain of its products will become obsolete. SoundHound is also subject to the risks generally associated with new product introductions and applications, including lack of market acceptance, delays in product development and failure of products to operate properly. These risks could have a material adverse effect on SoundHound’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to SoundHound’s Class A Common Stock and the Securities Market
SoundHound’s stock price and trading volume has fluctuated significantly and may continue to fluctuate significantly in the future.
The market price and trading volume of SoundHound’s Class A Common Stock has fluctuated widely and may continue to fluctuate widely, depending on many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations due to factors related to our business;
success or failure of our business strategies;
competition and industry capacity;
changes in interest rates and other factors that affect earnings and cash flow;
our level of indebtedness, our ability to make payments on or service our indebtedness and our ability to obtain financing as needed;
our ability to retain and recruit qualified personnel, particularly in light of our recent restructuring;
our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;
announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
the failure of securities analysts to cover, or positively cover, our Class A Common Stock;
changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;
investor perception of the Company and the AI industry;
overall market fluctuations unrelated to our operating performance;
results from any material litigation or government investigation;
changes in laws and regulations (including tax laws and regulations) affecting our business;
changes in capital gains taxes and taxes on dividends affecting stockholders; and
general economic conditions and other external factors.
Low trading volume for SoundHound’s Class A Common Stock, which may occur if an active trading market does not develop, among other reasons, would amplify the effect of the above factors on stock price volatility.
In addition, over the last few years, the stock market more broadly has experienced price and volume fluctuations, including due to factors relating to the outbreak of COVID-19, inflationary pressures, and the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza, and this volatility has sometimes been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result, there is a potential for rapid and substantial decreases in the price of our Class A Common Stock, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. This market and share price volatility relating to these outside effects, as well as
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general economic, market or political conditions, has and could further reduce the market price of our Class A Common Stock in spite of our operating performance and could also increase our cost of capital, which could prevent us from accessing debt and equity capital on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Additionally, a proportion of our Class A Common Stock may be traded by short sellers which may put pressure on the supply and demand for our Class A Common Stock, creating further price volatility. In particular, a possible “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand of our Class A Common Stock that largely exceeds supply may lead to sudden extreme price volatility in our Class A Common Stock. Investors may purchase our Class A Common Stock to hedge existing exposure in our Class A Common Stock or to speculate on the price of our Class A Common Stock. Speculation on the price of our Class A Common Stock may involve long and short exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for purchase in the open market, investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase our Class A Common Stock for delivery to lenders of our Class A Common Stock. Those repurchases may in turn, dramatically increase the price of our Class A Common Stock until investors with short exposure are able to purchase additional shares to cover their short position. This is often referred to as a “short squeeze.” Following such a short squeeze, once investors purchase the shares necessary to cover their short position, the price of our Class A Common Stock may rapidly decline. A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in our shares that are not directly correlated to the performance or prospects of our company and could cause purchasers of our Class A Common Stock to incur substantial losses.
Should the market price of our shares drop significantly, stockholders may institute securities class action lawsuits against us. A lawsuit against SoundHound could cause SoundHound to incur substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of its management and other resources.
We do not intend to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
The timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to stockholders falls within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our business and covenants associated with debt obligations, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. We do not intend to and there can be no assurance that we will pay any dividend in the future.
SoundHound’s management has limited experience in operating a public company. The requirements of being a public company may strain SoundHound’s resources and divert management’s attention, and the increases in legal, accounting and compliance expenses may be greater than SoundHound anticipates.
As a public company, and particularly since we are no longer an “emerging growth company” or a “smaller reporting company,” we will continue to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that SoundHound did not incur as a private company. SoundHound is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and is required to comply with the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as the rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC and the listing standards of the Nasdaq, including changes in corporate governance practices and the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls. Compliance with these rules and regulations can be burdensome. SoundHound’s management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations have increased, and will continue to increase, SoundHound’s historical legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, SoundHound expects to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. SoundHound has hired and will continue to need to hire additional accounting and financial staff, and engage outside consultants, all with appropriate public company experience and technical accounting knowledge and maintain an internal audit function, which has and will increase its operating expenses. Moreover, SoundHound could incur additional compensation costs in the event that it decides to pay cash compensation closer to that of other publicly listed companies, which would increase its general and administrative expenses and could materially and adversely affect its profitability. SoundHound will evaluate these rules and regulations, and cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs SoundHound may incur or the timing of such costs.
SoundHound’s executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities, which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of the post-combination company. SoundHound may not have
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adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal control over financial reporting required of public companies. SoundHound’s management will need to continually assess its staffing and training procedures to improve its internal control over financial reporting. For example, SoundHound did not timely file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and had to file an extension for its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 and unless the matters discussed in this risk factor and elsewhere in this Annual Report are mitigated, the risk exists that SoundHound may not be able to file timely in the future. Further, the development, implementation, documentation and assessment of appropriate processes, in addition to the need to remediate any potential deficiencies, will require substantial time and attention from management. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for us to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that SoundHound will be required to expand its employee base and hire additional employees to support its operations as a public company which will increase our operating costs in future periods.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including regulations implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq, are subject to varying interpretations, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. SoundHound intends to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If, notwithstanding our efforts, we fail to comply with new laws, regulations and standards, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us, and our business may be harmed.
Failure to comply with these rules might also make it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we might be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these events would also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, on committees of our board of directors or as members of senior management.
SoundHound may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert management attention.
The per share price of our Class A Common Stock may be volatile and, in the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities litigation, including class action litigation. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Any adverse determination in litigation could also subject SoundHound to significant liabilities.
Risks Applicable to a Dual Class Common Stock Structure
SoundHound has a dual class common stock structure that has the effect of concentrating voting control with the holders of our Class B Common Stock. Our Class B Common Stock has multiple votes per share and this ownership will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transactions requiring stockholder approval, and that may adversely affect the trading price of our Class A Common stock.
SoundHound has a dual class common stock structure and the holders of SoundHound Class B Common Stock have ten votes per share. SoundHound Founders own shares of Class B Common Stock representing approximately 63% of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of SoundHound. In addition, because of the ten-to-one voting ratio between our Class B and Class A Common Stock, holders of our Class B Common Stock could continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our Common Stock and therefore control all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval until such time, if any, as a sufficient number of shares of our Class B Common Stock are converted into shares of our Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Second Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the "Amended Charter"). This concentrated control may limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transactions requiring stockholder approval. In addition, this concentrated control may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our capital stock that you may feel are in your best interest as one of our stockholders. As a result, such concentrated control may adversely affect the market price of our Class A Common Stock.
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Shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock and will automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock upon the occurrence of certain future events, generally including transfers, subject to limited excepts set forth in the Amended Charter. The conversion of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock will have the effect, over time, of increasing the relative voting power of those holders of Class B Common Stock who retain their shares in the long term. As a result, it is possible that one or more of the persons or entities holding our Class B Common Stock could gain significant voting control as other holders of Class B Common Stock sell or otherwise convert their shares into Class A Common Stock.
The Amended Charter provides for a dual-class multiple voting Common Stock structure, and we cannot predict the effect this structure of our Common Stock may have on the market price of our Class A Common Stock.
We cannot predict whether having an Amended Charter that permits the issuance of multiple voting shares in a dual-class structure will result in a lower or more volatile market price of our Class A Common Stock, adverse publicity or other adverse consequences. For example, certain index providers have announced and implemented restrictions on including companies with multiple-class share structures in certain of their indices. In July 2017, FTSE Russell announced that it would require new constituents of its indices to have greater than 5% of the company’s voting rights in the hands of public stockholders, and S&P Dow Jones announced that it would no longer admit companies with multiple-class share structures to certain of its indices. Affected indices include the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600, which together make up the S&P Composite 1500. Also in 2017, MSCI, a leading stock index provider, opened public consultations on its treatment of no-vote and multi-class structures and temporarily barred new multi-class listings from certain of its indices; however, in October 2018, MSCI announced its decision to include equity securities “with unequal voting structures” in its indices and to launch a new index that specifically includes voting rights in its eligibility criteria. Under such announced and implemented policies, the dual-class structure of our common stock would make us ineligible for inclusion in certain indices and, as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles that attempt to passively track those indices would not invest in our Class A Common Stock. These policies are relatively new and it is unclear what effect, if any, they will have on the valuations of publicly-traded companies excluded from such indices, but it is possible that they may adversely affect valuations, as compared to similar companies that are included. Due to the dual-class structure of our common stock, we will likely be excluded from certain indices and we cannot assure you that other stock indices will not take similar actions. Given the sustained flow of investment funds into passive strategies that seek to track certain indices, exclusion from certain stock indices would likely preclude investment by many of these funds and could make our Class A Common stock less attractive to other investors. As a result, the market price of our Class A Common stock could be adversely affected.
We are considered a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq listing standards and, as a result, qualify for, and may rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.
SoundHound qualifies as a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of Nasdaq. Under these rules, a listed company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirement that (i) a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors, (ii) we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors and (iii) director nominees be selected or recommended to the board by independent directors. We are currently in compliance with all of these corporate governance requirements. However, SoundHound may in the future rely on the corporate governance exemptions as we adopted the dual class common stock structure reflected in our Amended and Restated Charter and qualify as a controlled company. To the extent we will rely on any of these exemption, holders of our Class A Common Stock will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq and we cannot predict the impact this may have on the price of our Class A Common Stock.
Delaware law and provisions in our charter documents could make a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest difficult, thereby depressing the trading price of our common stock.
The Amended Charter, Amended & Restated Bylaws of the Company (the "Amended Bylaws"), and Delaware law contain provisions that could depress the trading price of our common stock by acting to discourage, delay, or prevent a
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change of control of SoundHound or changes in SoundHound that our management or stockholders may deem advantageous. Among other things, the Amended Charter and Amended Bylaws include the following provisions:
permit the board of directors to establish the number of directors and fill any vacancies and newly created directorships;
authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our board of directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan;
eliminates the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Amended Bylaws;
prohibit stockholder action by written consent, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Amended Bylaws, which requires all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders;
provide that the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, or repeal our Amended Bylaws; and
establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at annual stockholder meetings.
These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management. As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law. Pursuant to the Amended Charter, we have opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prevents interested stockholders, such as certain stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock, from engaging in certain business combinations unless (i) prior to the time such stockholder became an interested stockholder, our board of directors approved the transaction that resulted in such stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in such stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our common stock, or (iii) following board approval, such business combination receives the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock not held by such interested stockholder at an annual or special meeting of stockholders. However, our Amended Charter includes provisions similar to the provisions contained in Section 203 of the DGCL, which are designed to limit SoundHound’s ability to enter into certain business combination transactions within a three (3) year period following the adoption of the Amended Charter.
Any provision of our Amended Charter, our Amended Bylaws, or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying, preventing, or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
Risks Related to U.S. and International Taxation Generally
Changes in tax laws or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect SoundHound’s future profitability.
Factors that might causecould materially affect SoundHound’s future effective tax rates include but are not limited to:
changes in tax laws or contributethe regulatory environment;
changes in accounting and tax standards or practices;
changes in the composition of operating income by tax jurisdiction; and
SoundHound’s operating results before taxes.
Because SoundHound does not have a long history of operating at its present scale and it has significant expansion plans, SoundHound’s effective tax rate may fluctuate in the future. Future effective tax rates could be affected by operating losses in jurisdictions where no tax benefit can be recorded under GAAP, changes in the composition of earnings in countries with differing tax rates, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities, or changes in tax laws.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”), was signed into law making significant changes to such a discrepancythe Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In particular, sweeping changes were made to the
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U.S. taxation of foreign operations. Changes include, but are not limited to, a permanent reduction to the corporate income tax rate, limiting interest deductions, adopting elements of a territorial tax system, assessing a repatriation tax or “toll-charge” on undistributed earnings and profits of U.S.-owned foreign corporations, and introducing certain anti-base erosion provisions, including a new minimum tax on global intangible low-taxed income and base erosion and anti-abuse tax. The legislation has had no effect on SoundHound’s provision for income taxes because SoundHound has incurred annual losses in the U.S. to date and management set up a full valuation allowance against its U.S. federal and states deferred tax assets.
In addition to the impact of the Tax Act on SoundHound’s federal taxes, the Tax Act may impact its taxation in other jurisdictions, including with respect to state income taxes. State legislatures have not had sufficient time to respond to the Tax Act. Accordingly, there is uncertainty as to how the laws will apply in the various state jurisdictions. Additionally, other foreign governing bodies may enact changes to their tax laws that could result in changes to SoundHound’s global tax position and materially adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, the IRS and several foreign tax authorities have increasingly focused attention on intercompany transfer pricing with respect to sales of products and technologies and the use of intangibles. Tax authorities could disagree with SoundHound’s future intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes. If SoundHound does not prevail in any such disagreements, its profitability may be affected.
SoundHound’s ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
As of December 31, 2023, SoundHound had $395.5 million of U.S. federal and $109.4 million of state net operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income. The federal and state net operating loss carryforwards will start to expire in 2025 and 2028, respectively, with the exception of $306.8 million federal net operating loss carryforwards and $5.6 million state net operating loss carryforwards, which can be carried forward indefinitely. It is possible that SoundHound will not generate taxable income in time to use these net operating loss carryforwards before their expiration or at all. Under legislative changes made in December 2017, U.S. federal net operating losses incurred in 2018 and in future years may be carried forward indefinitely, but the deductibility of such net operating losses is limited. It is uncertain if and to what extent various states will conform to the newly enacted federal tax law. In addition, the federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and certain tax credits may be subject to significant limitations under Section 382 and Section 383 of the Code, respectively, and similar provisions of state law. Under those describedsections of the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards and other pre-change attributes, such as research tax credits, to offset its post-change income or tax may be limited. In general, an “ownership change” will occur if there is a cumulative change in SoundHound’s ownership by “5-percent shareholders” that exceeds 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. In addition, certain U.S. states have imposed additional limitations on the use of net operating loss carryforwards not otherwise imposed on the use of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards and may impose additional limitations in the future.
Unanticipated changes in effective tax rates or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income or other tax returns could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and other jurisdictions, and our tax liabilities will be subject to the allocation of expenses in differing jurisdictions. Our future effective tax rates could be subject to volatility or adversely affected by a number of factors, including:
changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities;
expected timing and amount of the release of any tax valuation allowances;
tax effects of stock-based compensation;
costs related to intercompany restructurings;
changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations thereof; or
lower than anticipated future earnings in jurisdictions where we have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated future earnings in jurisdictions where we have higher statutory tax rates.
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In addition, we may be subject to audits of our income, sales and other transaction taxes by taxing authorities. Outcomes from these audits could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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Item 1C. Cybersecurity

SoundHound acknowledges the increasing importance of cybersecurity in its operations and recognizes the potential risks and threats associated with cyber incidents. The Company is committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its information systems and data. However, no system can be completely immune to cyber threats. We face a number of cybersecurity risks in connection with our business. To date, such risks have not materially affected our business, including threats to and breaches of our data systems, malware and computer virus attacks.
Risk Management and Strategy

The following information provides an overview of our approach to managing cybersecurity risks. The Company assesses, identifies and manages cybersecurity related risks. Cybersecurity related risks are evaluated to assess top risks to the enterprise on a bi-annual basis. SoundHound has implemented a comprehensive cybersecurity program designed to identify, assess, and manage cyber risks.

This program includes, but is not limited to:
Regular risk assessments and vulnerability assessments.
Implementation of industry-accepted cybersecurity controls and best practices.
Employee training and awareness programs to enhance the company's overall cybersecurity posture.
Continuous monitoring and incident response plans to detect and mitigate potential threats promptly.

We have a set of Company-wide policies and procedures concerning cybersecurity matters, such as policies related to encryption standards, antivirus protection, remote access, multi factor authentication, confidential information and the use of the internet, social media, email and wireless devices. These policies go through an annual internal review process and are approved by appropriate members of management.

We have continued to expand investments in IT security, including additional end-user training, using layered defenses, identifying and protecting critical assets, strengthening monitoring and alerting, and engaging experts. We regularly test defenses by performing simulations and drills at both a technical level and by reviewing our operational policies and procedures. We review our operational policies and procedures with third party experts on an annual basis as part of our annual audit process. We also maintain cyber insurance coverage.

In addition to assessing our own cybersecurity preparedness, we also consider and evaluate cybersecurity risks associated with use of third-party service providers. Our Vendor Management Team conducts an annual review of third-party hosted applications with a specific focus on any sensitive data shared with third parties. The internal business owners of the hosted applications are required to document user access reviews at least annually and provide from the vendor a System and Organization Controls (SOC) 1 or SOC 2 report. If a third-party vendor is not able to provide a SOC 1 or SOC 2 report, we take additional steps to assess their cybersecurity preparedness and assess our relationship on that basis. Our assessment of risks associated with use of third-party providers is part of our overall cybersecurity risk management framework.

SoundHound will report any cybersecurity incidents determined to be material. Material aspects of the nature, scope and timing of the incident, and the impact or reasonably likely impact of the incident on the Company, including on SoundHound’s financial condition and results of operations will be disclosed.
Governance

The audit committee oversees risks from cybersecurity threats as part of its broader risk oversight responsibilities. The board recognizes the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding the company’s assets and operations.

SoundHound has a dedicated Information Security Management committee responsible for overseeing risks from cybersecurity threats. The committee’s charter outlines its specific responsibilities related to cybersecurity risk oversight, and assists senior management in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by creating, implementing, overseeing and maintaining SoundHound’s Information Security Management System. The purpose of the ISMS is to protect the Company’s information systems and assets, taking into account the potential for external threats, internal threats, and threats arising from transactions with trusted third parties and vendors. The board of directors is informed of cybersecurity risks, at least annually, through established processes, including periodic briefings, reports, and updates on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.
Management

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SoundHound designates the Information Security Management Committee as responsible for assessing and managing cybersecurity risks. Committee members possess professional experience or backgrounds presenting relevant experience or capacity to address those matters within the scope of the Committee’s responsibility, including senior executives, department leaders, and subject matter experts. Committee members are familiar, or have the ability to quickly gain familiarity, with major technology platforms employed by the Company; have knowledge of technological ecosystems and challenges confronted in current or emerging business environments; have the capacity to understand new or emerging technologies and cyber security threats; are familiar, or have the ability to quickly gain familiarity, with information security principles, privacy regulations, standards, and guidelines; and possess experience relating to enterprise risk management and process.

We view cybersecurity as a shared responsibility. All employees are required to complete cybersecurity training as part of onboarding, on an annual basis and have access to more frequent cybersecurity training online. We also require employees in certain roles to complete additional role-based, specialized cybersecurity training. The designated persons or committees actively monitor cybersecurity incidents through processes that monitor the prevention, detection, mitigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents, including continuous assessment and adaptation to emerging threats.
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Item 2. Properties
Our corporate headquarters is located in Santa Clara, California, within a consolidated building covering 61,360 square feet. Our lease began in 2017 and is set to expire in 2025. In addition to our headquarters, we lease offices in Toronto, Paris and various other locations in the U.S. and internationally.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The material set forth in the section titled “Legal Proceedings” in Note 7 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information for Common Stock
Our Class A common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SOUN.” Our Class B common stock is neither listed nor traded. Our listed redeemable warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SOUNW.”
Stockholders
According to the records of our transfer agent, there were 77 holders of record of our Class A common stock, 3 holders of record of our Class B common stock and holders of record of our listed redeemable warrants on December 31, 2023.
Dividends
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2023 relating to all our equity compensation plans:
Plan CategoryNumber of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options (in thousands)Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding OptionsNumber of Granted Restricted Stock Awards Outstanding (in thousands)Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance (in thousands)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders16,841$3.59 16,3442,362 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders— — — — 
Total16,841 3.59 16,344 2,362 
Performance Graph
In accordance with Exchange Act Rule 14a-3(b), the disclosure for this item will be included in our otherannual report to be provided to the Company's stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2024, which annual report shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None that have not already been disclosed in a prior Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
Item 6. [Reserved]
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of SoundHound should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The fiscal years presented are the periods ended December 31, 2023 (“SEC”2023”) filings.

Overview

We were formedand December 31, 2022 (“2022”). Information concerning the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (“2021”) and a comparison of 2022 and 2021 may be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on September 15, 2020Form 10‑K for 2022, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023.

Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this report, including information with respect to SoundHound’s plans and strategy for its business and related financing, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, including those factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements” section of this report, our actual results could differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “SoundHound,” “we,” “us,” “our” and other similar terms refer to SoundHound AI, Inc.
The Company has revised the previously issued condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit tables as of and for the purposethree and six months ended June 30, 2023 and as of enteringand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as well as the previously issued consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit tables and as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 to correct for such errors as described in Note 20 of our notes to the consolidated financial statements. All relevant prior period amounts affected by these revisions have been corrected in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in this Form 10-K.
Company Overview
We are a global leader in conversational intelligence, offering independent Voice AI solutions that enable businesses to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Built on proprietary technology, SoundHound’s voice AI delivers best-in-class speed and accuracy in numerous languages to product creators across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries via groundbreaking AI-driven products like Smart Answering, Smart Ordering, and Dynamic Interaction™, a real-time, multimodal customer service interface. Along with SoundHound Chat AI, a powerful voice assistant with integrated Generative AI, SoundHound powers millions of products and services, and processes billions of interactions each year for world class businesses.
We believe voice-enabled conversational user interface is a more natural interface for nearly all use cases, and product creators should have the ability to design, customize, differentiate, innovate and monetize the interface to their own product, as opposed to outsourcing it to a third-party assistant. For example, using SoundHound, businesses can voice-enable their products so consumers can say things like, “Turn off the air conditioning and lower the windows,” while in their cars, “Find romantic comedies released in the last year,” while streaming on their TV and even place food orders before arriving at a restaurant by talking to their cars, TVs or other IoT devices. Additionally, SoundHound’s technology can address complex user queries such as, “Show me all restaurants within half a mile of the Space Needle that are open past 9pm on Wednesdays and have outdoor seating,” and follow-on qualifications such as “Okay, don’t show me anything with less than 3 stars or fast food.”
The SoundHound developer platform, Houndify, is an open-access platform that allows developers to leverage SoundHound’s Voice AI technology and a library of over 100 content domains, including commonly used domains for points of interest, weather, flight status, sports and more. SoundHound's Collective AI is an architecture for connecting domain knowledge that encourages collaboration and contribution among developers. The architecture is based on proprietary software engineering technology, CaiLAN (Conversational AI Language), and machine learning technology, CaiNET (Conversational AI Network) to ensure fast, accurate and appropriate responses.
Our market position is strengthened by the technical barriers to entry in the Voice AI space, which tend to discourage new market participants. Furthermore, our technology is backed by significant investments in intellectual property, with over 155 patents granted and over 115 patents pending, spanning multiple fields including speech recognition, natural language understanding, machine learning, monetization and more. We have achieved this critical momentum in part
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thanks to a long-tenured leadership team with deep expertise and proven ability to attract and retain talent. We believe that SoundHound has extensive technical expertise and a proven track record of innovation and value creation for us to continue to attract customers in the growing market for Voice AI transactions, which is estimated to grow to $160 billion per year by 2026.
We believe that SoundHound is well-positioned to fill the growing void and demand for an independent Voice AI platform. The Voice AI offerings from big tech companies are primarily an extension of their more core services and offerings. Rather than strengthening a customer’s product, it can take over the entire experience, thus disintermediating the company’s brand, users and data. As a result, brands relying on big tech mostly lose their ability to innovate, differentiate and customize. In some cases, these providers even compete with the products they support, making them increasingly less attractive as a choice for a voice interface.
The alternative options are generally legacy vendors tending to use dated technologies at a high price. Furthermore, many of these technologies still require significant effort by the product creators to turn them into solutions that can compete with the quality of the big tech offering, which in many cases is not practical. Due to the high barrier to entry in Voice AI, there are not many independent players.
This creates a great opportunity for SoundHound: we believe that we provide disruptive technologies that are superior to the alternatives, with better terms, allowing customers to maintain their brand, control the user experience, get access to the data and define their own privacy policies, while being able to customize, differentiate, innovate and monetize.
When it comes to criteria for adoption, our goal is to win on every dimension. The first two criteria customers typically consider are technology and brand control. We strive to provide our customers with the best technology, and we provide a white label solution giving our customers control of their brands. In some industries you may have to choose between technology and brand control. In our case, we offer our customers the best of both, we enable them to offer disruptive technologies to their users while maintaining control of their brand and user experience.
With our disruptive monetization strategy, we also provide an additional path to monetization for our customer base. By choosing our platform, product creators can generate additional revenue while making their product better using Voice AI, providing further incentive to choose our platform.
We believe that we offer a superior ecosystem, benefiting from our Collective AI product architecture along with offering customers definable privacy controls, which are becoming increasingly important in the industry of Voice AI. Additionally, there is no conflict of interest between us and our partners and customers as we do not compete with them (as some other Voice AI vendors do). We also offer edge and hybrid solutions. This means our technology can optionally run without a cloud connection for increased flexibility and privacy. Our focus is on delivering the most advanced Voice AI in the world and thus allowing our partners to differentiate and innovate their overall experiences for their brands.
We strongly believe that product creators know their product and users best. The idea of a single third-party assistant taking over their product is not reflective of our anticipated future. We envision that every product will have its own identity, and they will have Voice AI customized in different ways. They can each tap into a merger,single Collective AI to access the ever-growing set of domains, but the product creators can innovate on top of Collective AI and create value for the end users in their own way. This is the future that we are focusing on enabling.
When a product is voice enabled, we see three stages of integration and value propositions. The first stage is to enable the core use cases of the product. For example, the product could be a TV, a coffee machine, a car, a wearable device, a robot, a smart speaker or an appliance, and with your voice you can control the functionality of the device and the product. On a TV, you can ask it to change the channel, increase the volume, rewind by 30 seconds, search for movies and even add personalization by adding a TV show to your favorites. Note that this is different from adding a third-party voice assistant to the product. Our view is that every product needs to have an interface, and voice-AI is a natural and compelling interface that unlocks new use cases and potential. Consider just the simple example of rewinding or fast forwarding by a specific duration. That is a command that can be done with voice within a few seconds, but it can take many steps to do using alternative interfaces such as a remote control or a companion app.
Once the core features of a product are voice-enabled, it can be further enhanced in the second stage of integration: the addition of third-party content and domains. SoundHound has extensive partnerships with content providers and, through these partnerships, can fulfill many needs of our customers. For example, your TV, car or even a coffee machine can
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answer questions about weather, sports scores, stock prices or flight status, and even search for local businesses. The addition of these public domains further enhances the value proposition of the product.
Finally, as the third step, you enter the world of monetization where you can add features that deliver value to the end user, and also generate revenues that we share exchange, assetwith the product creators. To summarize with an example, imagine walking up to your coffee machine and asking for a triple shot extra hot latte. While you are waiting for your drink, you can ask for weather and sports scores, and if you desire, you can even order bagels from your favorite nearby bakery.
There are three pillars to our revenue model. The first pillar is Product Royalties, where we voice enable a product and the product creator pays us a royalty based on volume, usage or duration. SoundHound collects royalties when Houndify is placed in a car, smart speaker or an appliance, for example.
The second pillar is Service Subscription. This is when, for example, SoundHound enables customer service or food ordering for restaurants or content management, appointments and voice commerce. And, for that, we generate subscription revenue from the service providers. Pillars one and two can grow independently and they are proven, established business models.
The third pillar creates a monetization ecosystem that brings the services from pillar two to the products in pillar one. When the users of a voice-enabled product in pillar one access the voice-enabled services of pillar two, these services generate new leads and transactions. SoundHound generates monetization revenue from the services for generating these leads and transactions, and we will share the revenue with the product creators of pillar one. For example, when the driver of a voice-enabled car places an order to a restaurant that is also voice enabled, we will have unlocked a seamless transaction. Accordingly, the restaurant will pay us for that order, and we will share that revenue with the product creator or the car manufacturer. In this example, each party receives value in the ecosystem. The restaurant is happy because they generated a new lead and booked a sale. The user is happy because they have received value through a natural ordering process, simply by speaking to their car. And the car manufacturer is happy because they delivered value to the end user and generated additional revenue from the usage of their product. During the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements, we have not generated revenue from leads and transactions on voice-enabled products from voice-enabled services other than from the SoundHound music identification app. Going forward, SoundHound expects monetization revenue to be generated through a combination of advertising revenue from the music identification app and, over time, from leads and transactions on voice-enabled products from voice-enabled services, which we expect will provide much more seamless opportunities for consumers to access goods and services that they covet as we further build out and scale the voice-enabled ecosystem.
We expect this disruptive, three-pillar business model will create a monetization flywheel; as more products integrate into our platform, more users will use it and more services will choose to integrate as well. This creates even more usage, and results in a flow of revenue share to product creators, which further encourages even greater adoption and integration with our platform and the cycle will perpetually continue and expand. This ecosystem increases adoption and increases our addressable market. While all three pillars contribute to our revenues today in 2023, the majority of the contribution is currently from our first pillar of royalties with only a small contribution from pillar three from our music identification app. Over time, the subscription and monetization portions are expected to grow and make a bigger contribution to our overall revenue.
Recent Developments
Synq3 Acquisition
In December 2023, we entered an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Acquisition") with a closing date of January 3, 2024 with Synq3, Inc. ("Synq3"), a leading provider of voice AI and other technology solutions to the restaurant industry, to acquire its issued and outstanding equity. The Company has incurred and will incur certain significant costs relating to the Acquisition, such as legal, accounting, financial advisory, printing and other professional services fees, as well as other customary payments. SoundHound’s acquisition of Synq3 is expected to expand its AI customer service solutions and create the largest Voice AI provider for restaurants. The combination will significantly extend its market reach to over 10,000 signed locations and accelerate the deployment of leading-edge generative AI capabilities to the industry — strengthening SoundHound’s leadership as the Company moves to rapidly roll out its proprietary AI solutions to restaurants across the U.S. and beyond. Together, with a total of more than 25 national and multinational chains, the highly
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complementary businesses will match nearly two decades of SoundHound AI innovation with decades of Synq3 industry expertise and established relationships.
Refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section for discussion on the purchase price and the Acquisition's impact on SoundHound's liquidity and refer to "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in this Form 10-K for a discussion regarding the risks associated with the Acquisition.
Sales Agreement
On July 28, 2023, we entered into a Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement (the "Sales Agreement") pursuant to which we may offer and sell up to $150.0 million of shares of our Class A common stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganizationto raise capital. Refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section for further detail on the Sales Agreement. Between January and February 2024, we raised additional funds from sales of Class A common stock under this agreement, selling 34,578,019 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average price of $3.37 per share and raising $116.4 million of gross proceeds.
Known Trends, Demands, Commitments, Events or Uncertainties Impacting Our Business
SoundHound believes that its performance and future success depend on many factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges, including the following:
Investments in Technology. Our business model since inception has been to invest in our technology in the form of dedicated research and development. We will continue to invest in the development of our software platform to deliver consumers with continually improving value and delight. Our investments include continuous enhancements to our technology we've developed over the last two decades, investments in data to help refine and improve our underlying algorithms and other similarcosts to attract and retain a world-class technical workforce.
Revenue Growth. Our commercial success, including acceptance and use of our applications, will depend on a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as size of the market opportunity, successful integration with original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”), competition and demand from the public and members of the conversational AI community. Our product offerings have disruptive effects in the ways human interact with computers and we are developing new, innovative economic models that we believe will enhance value to customers, partners and shareholders. For our revenue growth to continue, we will need to invest in sales and marketing to ensure our messaging, capabilities and offerings are well understood and valued by customers. With our primary focus on enterprise customers, we also need to align with enterprise sales cycles, which can be longer than consumer cycles. Additionally, as we build new customer relationships, we continually focus on maintaining and growing our existing relationships through long-term partnerships through significant upfront investment in customer specific engineering projects.
Cost of Revenues. The results of our business combinationwill depend in part on our ability to establish and increase our gross margins by scaling our business model and effectively managing our costs to produce our applications. Our revenue will be directly supported by data center investments in technology, both on premise and in the cloud. The associated workloads, along with supporting labor costs, will need to be managed effectively as we scale to improve our margins over time. Our Houndify platform is also powered by a library of over 100 content domains, including commonly used domains for points of interest, weather, flight status, sports and more.
Seasonality. Our ability to accurately forecast demand for our technology could be negatively affected by many factors, including seasonal demand. We anticipate that we will experience fluctuations in customer and user demand based on seasonality. For example, in the past, we have seen approximately one third of our revenue in the first half of the year with the remaining two thirds in the second half. Additionally, given that we address markets across several different industry verticals, the associated overall seasonality impact to us may not be consistent year-to-year.
Development of International Markets. We have rapidly expanded our capabilities and global reach. For example, we have globalized our solution to include 25 languages. We view opportunities for conversational Voice AI to be global in reach, and we expect our growth to be fueled across multiple geographies.
Industry Risks. The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war have had an adverse impact on the global economy and financial markets. Although our business has not been materially impacted by
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the Russia-Ukraine conflict or more target businesses (the “Business Combination”). Ourthe Israel-Hamas war, it is impossible to predict the extent to which our operations, or those of our customers’ suppliers and manufacturers, will be impacted in the short and long term, or the ways in which the conflicts may impact our business. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict but could be substantial. Further, inflation has risen significantly worldwide and the United States has recently experienced historically high levels of inflation. This inflation and government efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limitedcombat inflation, such as recent and future significant increases to benchmark interest rates and other related monetary policies, have and could continue to increase market volatility and have an adverse effect on the domestic and international financial markets and general economic conditions.
Components of Our Results of Operations
Revenues
SoundHound generates revenues through: (1) “Product Royalties,” meaning royalties from voice-enabled products which are driven by volume, usage or life of applicable products and are affected by number of devices, users and units of usage, (2) “Service Subscriptions,” meaning subscription revenues, derived from monthly fees based on usage-based revenue, revenue per query or revenue per user, and (3) “Monetization,” meaning revenues generated from focused ad targeting to users of products and services that employ our technologies. Currently, our monetization revenue is derived only from our music identification application primarily in the form of ad impression revenue — revenue generated when an ad is shown in our music identification app — and, to a particular industrylesser extent, affiliate revenue for referrals to music stores for content sales and downloads of our premium music application.
“Houndified Products,” meaning products of our customers that employ SoundHound technology, and “Houndified Services,” meaning services provided to customers related to SoundHound technology, provide our customers with access to our Houndify platform over a contractual period without taking possession of the software. This generally includes revenues derived from up-front services (“professional services”) that develop and customize the Houndify platform to fit customers’ specific needs. These professional services are included in both our Product Royalties and Service Subscriptions revenues. Non-distinct professional services are recognized over the contractual life of the contract, whereas revenues from distinct professional services are recognized as the services are performed or geographic region, though we intendwhen the services are complete depending on the arrangement.
We have and may continue to focusexperience volatility for our search onremaining performance obligations and deferred revenue as a business operatingresult of the timing for completing our performance obligations. We had remaining performance obligations in the technologyamount of $12.7 million as of December 31, 2023. Given the applicable contract terms, $6.4 million is expected to be recognized as revenue within one year, $3.3 million is expected to be recognized between 2 to 5 years and the remainder of $3.0 million is expected to be recognized after 5 years. Deferred revenue consists of billings or payments received in advance of revenue being recognized and can fluctuate with changes in billing frequency and other factors. As a result of these factors, as well as our mix of revenue streams and billing frequencies, we do not believe that changes in our remaining performance obligations and deferred revenue in a given period are directly correlated with our revenue growth in that period.
We anticipate that we will experience fluctuations in our revenues from quarter-to-quarter due to a variety of factors, including the supply and demand of end user products such as automobiles, the size and success of our sales force and the number of users who are aware of and use our applications. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Operating Expenses
We classify our operating expenses into the following five categories, which are cost of revenues, sales and marketing, research and development, general and administrative and restructuring. Excluding cost of revenues, each expense category includes overhead, including rent and related occupancy costs, which is allocated based on headcount. We plan to continue investing to support our go-to-market strategies and customer engagement, develop our current and future applications and support our operations as a public company. While our gross margin may continue to fluctuate in the near-term due to revenue contributions from varying product mixes, we expect it will stabilize as we continue to scale our business.
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Cost of Revenues
SoundHound’s cost of revenues are comprised of direct costs associated directly with SoundHound’s revenue streams as described above. This primarily includes costs and depreciation related to hosting for cloud-based services, such as data centers, electricity charges, content fees and certain personnel-related expenses that are directly related to these revenue streams.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses consist of personnel-related costs of the sales and marketing team, promotional campaigns, advertising fees and other marketing related costs. Advertising costs are expensed to sales and marketing when incurred.
Research and Development
Our research and development expenses are our largest operating expense as we continue to develop our software platforms and produce new technological capabilities.
The costs of these activities consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, third-party consultants and costs associated with technological supplies and materials, along with other direct and allocated expenses such as facility costs, depreciation and other shared expenses. We expense research and development costs associated with the design and development of new products prior to the establishment of their technological feasibility in the periods in which they are incurred.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related costs, accounting and legal expenses, third-party consulting costs, insurance and allocated overhead including rent, depreciation and utilities.
Restructuring
Restructuring expenses consist of employee severance payments, employee benefits and share-based compensation related to reduced headcount from the Company's restructuring plan ("Restructuring Plan") announced in January 2023. Refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section and Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists of stated interest incurred on our outstanding convertible notes and term debt during the relevant periods, as well as the amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs over the life of the instruments or a shorter period if a lender can demand payment in the event certain events occur that are outside of the control of the Company.
The issuance of debt instruments with direct transaction costs, embedded derivatives and warrant instruments has resulted in debt discounts. Direct transaction costs consist of various transaction fees and third-party costs, such as bank and legal fees, that are incurred upon issuance. Overall, the discounts from debt issuance costs result in an increased amount of interest expense over the amortization period.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net consists of the change in fair value related to our derivative liability, interest income and other income (expense).
Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense includes federal, state and foreign taxes and is based on reported income before income taxes. We are in a cumulative loss position for tax purposes based on historical earnings. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $395.5 million of U.S. federal and $109.4 million of state net operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future
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taxable income. The federal and state net operating loss carryforwards will start to expire in 2025 and 2028, respectively, with the exception of $306.8 million federal net operating loss carryforwards and $5.6 million state net operating loss carryforwards, which can be carried forward indefinitely.
The Company had federal and state research and development credit carryforwards of $14.4 million and $10.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. The federal credits will expire starting in 2029 if not utilized. The state credits can be carried forward indefinitely. The Company also had Canadian SR&ED tax credits of $1.7 million, which expire starting in 2038 if not utilized.
Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and similar state tax laws, utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits may be subject to annual limitations due to certain ownership changes. Our net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits could expire before utilization if subject to annual limitations.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the significant components of our results of operations ($ in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022$%
Revenues$45,873 $31,129 $14,744 47 %
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues11,307 9,599 1,708 18 %
Sales and marketing18,893 20,367 (1,474)(7)%
Research and development51,439 76,392 (24,953)(33)%
General and administrative28,285 30,443 (2,158)(7)%
Restructuring4,557 — 4,557 100 %
Total operating expenses114,481 136,801 (22,320)(16)%
Loss from operations(68,608)(105,672)37,064 (35)%
Other expense, net:
Interest expense(17,570)(6,893)(10,677)155 %
Other income (expense), net1,155 (1,259)2,414 (192)%
Total other expense, net(16,415)(8,152)(8,263)101 %
Loss before provision for income taxes(85,023)(113,824)28,801 (25)%
Provision for income taxes3,914 2,889 1,025 35 %
Net loss$(88,937)$(116,713)$27,776 (24)%
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The following table summarizes our gross profit and gross margin ($ in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022%
Revenues$45,873 $31,129 47 %
Cost of revenues11,307 9,599 18 %
Gross profit$34,566 $21,530 61 %
Gross margin75 %69 %%
Revenues
The following tables summarize our revenues by type and geographic regions ($ in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022$%
Product Royalties$43,299 $28,447 $14,852 52 %
Service Subscriptions1,940 1,838 102 %
Monetization634 844 (210)(25)%
$45,873 $31,129 $14,744 47 %
Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022$%
Korea$22,962 $14,530 $8,432 58 %
United States6,769 3,344 3,425 102 %
Germany5,950 4,134 1,816 44 %
France4,090 4,023 67 %
Japan3,707 3,866 (159)(4)%
Other2,395 1,232 1,163 94 %
$45,873 $31,129 $14,744 47 %
Total revenues increased by $14.7 million, or 47%, in 2023 compared to 2022 which is principally due to an increase in Product Royalties revenue by $14.9 million, or 52%, during 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in Product Royalties during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to during the year ended December 31, 2022 was the result of several factors. First, we recognized an increase of $2.8 million in edge solution ("Houndify Edge") minimum guarantee licensing revenue with a Korean automotive customer which is recognized upfront by the Company for units to be utilized over the life of the contract. Second, we recognized an increase in unit-based Product Royalties of $5.4 million with various customers in Korea. Third, we recognized $3.6 million in licensing revenues related to a non-recurring voice data licensing agreement with a semiconductor customer from the United States during the fourth quarter of 2023. The fourth increase in Product Royalties was principally due to a contract modification with a German automotive customer that resulted in additional professional services and reduced our estimated customer life, which led to a $1.9 million increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Additionally, we recognized an increase of $1.0 million in unit-based Product Royalties for the same customer during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Service Subscriptions revenue increased by $0.1 million, or 6%. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company performed non-recurring engineering projects of $0.3 million related to a proof-of-concept project on the viability of the Company's voice-enabled solutions for the restaurant industry. We intendshifted our strategy towards the end of 2023 to utilize cash deriveddirectly grow our subscription-based offerings. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company increased its Service Subscriptions revenue with restaurants by $0.4 million which was a result of the growing demand for the Company's voice-enabled solutions and greater efficiency in shortening the lead time for our voice-solution to go live.
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Monetization revenue decreased by $0.2 million, or 25% primarily due to the temporary shift of our marketing efforts towards other revenue streams.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues increased by $1.7 million, or 18%, in 2023 compared to 2022. $2.3 million of the increase is related to increasing our sales of Houndify Edge solutions where certain premium versions carry fixed per unit costs. Additionally, personnel-related costs such as salaries and benefits increased by $0.3 million. The increase in cost of revenues was offset by cloud migration costs as we migrated our data hosting to a new cloud service provider, resulting in a decrease of $0.9 million in data center costs during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Gross margin increased to 75% during 2023 from 69% during 2022. Gross margin in 2023 benefited from a favorable product mix, as a number of our significant Product Royalties contracts for 2023 compared to 2022 provided higher margin products to customers as well. This was primarily driven by the contract modification with a German automotive customer that resulted in a reduction in our estimate of customer life during the year ended December 31, 2023, the voice data licensing agreement with a United States-based semiconductor customer, and a significant increase in royalties revenue related to a Korean automotive customer, all of which contributed positively to our margins due to insignificant direct costs. In addition, we experienced decreased data center costs, as described above, in 2023 compared to 2022 due to our cloud migration. Lastly, gross margin benefited from the proceedsoverall scaling of our business. Gross margin in 2022 benefited from increased margins on the Houndify Edge solution delivered to a customer during the second half of 2022. Our gross margin may fluctuate in the near-term due to revenue contributions from varying product mixes.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $1.5 million, or 7%, from $18.9 million in 2023 compared to $20.4 million in 2022. In 2022, we began growing these expenses to capture new market opportunities, particularly in the restaurant industry. We recalibrated our expenses in early 2023 and focused our demand generation, lead generation and customer conversion efforts with greater emphasis on high returns on investment. Part of this offering,recalibration led to reductions in sales and marketing headcount as part of the Restructuring Plan. Employee compensation and other benefits expense, consisting primarily of salaries and stock-based compensation expense, were reduced by $1.1 million. We also reduced our securities,external sales and marketing activities, leading to decreases of $0.6 million in consulting fees, $0.2 million in legal fees, $0.1 million in dues and subscriptions and $0.1 million in advertising costs. The decrease was partially offset by increased information technology and facility allocations of $0.7 million due to higher proportion of sales and marketing personnel as a percentage of total headcount.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses decreased by $25.0 million, or 33%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in employee headcount and other cost reduction measures applied as part of the Restructuring Plan. Employee compensation and other benefits expense, consisting primarily of salaries and stock-based compensation expense, reduced by $20.3 million. We also reduced spending on consulting fees by $4.0 million in 2023. Further, we reduced our spending on information technology and facility allocations, depreciation and amortization expense and travel costs by $0.9 million, $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The decrease was partially offset by increased legal fees and rent and lease expense of $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses decreased by $2.2 million, or 7%, in 2023 compared to 2022. Employee compensation and other benefits expense, consisting primarily of salaries and stock-based compensation expense, were reduced by $4.6 million. The decrease is primarily due a reduction in employee headcount and other cost reduction measures applied as part of the Restructuring Plan. Further contributors to the reduction in general and administrative expenses include reductions of $0.4 million in consulting fees, $0.4 million in insurance, and $0.9 million in other business taxes. The decrease was partially offset by increases of $2.6 million and $1.4 million in legal and professional fees and offices expenses, respectively, as we continue to operate as a public entity. We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase in the short term as we invest in our control environment. However, in the long term, we expect general and administrative expenses to grow at a rate below that of our revenue, aligning with our strategic emphasis on cost effectiveness and sustainable financial performance.
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Restructuring
Restructuring expense was $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as a result of the Restructuring Plan. This consisted of $0.8 million of sales and marketing costs, $3.5 million of research and development costs and $0.3 million of general and administrative costs. Refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for additional information.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $10.7 million, or 155%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to the Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement with ACP Post OAK Credit II LLC (the "Term Loan") executed in April 2023, which resulted in $9.9 million of interest expense in 2023. Further, $5.4 million was incurred from the amortization of the debt discount, Lender Fees and issuance cost in 2023. The Term Loan resulted in higher interest expense in 2023 compared to the Company's 2021 note payable ("SVB March 2021 Note") and 2021 convertible note ("SCI June 2021 Note") in 2022, which were terminated at the time that the Term Loan was obtained. Comparatively, in 2022, we incurred approximately $4.3 million of interest expense and approximately $1.9 million of amortization of debt discount and issuance costs.
Other Income (Expense), Net
The following table summarizes our other income (expense), net by type ($ in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022$%
Interest income$2,866 $390 $2,476 635 %
Change in fair value of derivative and warrant liability— (606)606 *
Loss on change in fair value of ELOC program(1,901)(1,075)(826)77 %
Other income, net190 32 158 493 %
Total other income (expense), net$1,155 $(1,259)$2,414 (192)%

*    Not meaningful
Interest Income
Interest income increased by $2.5 million, or 635%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to interest earned on greater money market and treasury bond balances during 2023 as we engaged in significant transactions that increased our liquidity. Refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for a discussion of the changes in our business that led to an increase in cash for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Equity Line of Credit Program
The Company recorded changes in the fair value of the derivative liability associated with the ELOC (as defined below) of $1.9 million and $1.1 million respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 as other income (expense), net on its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. This decrease in fair value is driven by the sale in 2023 of the remaining number of shares available for sale under the ELOC Program, as shares were sold at a purchase price equal to 97% of the volume weighted average stock price for a given purchase date.
Provision for Income Taxes
($ in thousands)Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022$%
Provision for income taxes$3,914 $2,889 $1,025 35 %
Provision for income taxes increased by $1.0 million, or 35%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to increased withholding tax from foreign customers and foreign taxes as we experienced increased sales outside of the United States in 2023 compared to 2022.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Total unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand as of December 31, 2023 was $95.3 million. Although the Company has incurred recurring losses each year since its inception, the Company expects it will be able to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months. We believe we will meet longer-term expected future cash requirements and obligations through a combination of cash securitiesflows from operating activities, available cash balances, sales of common stock under our Sales Agreement (as defined below) and debt, in effecting a Business Combination.

available credit through our Term Loan (as defined below).

All activityHowever, our projections of future cash needs and cash flows may differ from historical results. If current cash on hand, cash equivalents, short-term investments and cash that may be generated from our business operations are insufficient to continue to operate our business, or if we elect to invest in or acquire a company or companies or new technology or technologies that are synergistic with or complementary to our technologies, we may be required to obtain more working capital. We may seek to obtain working capital during our fiscal year 2024 or thereafter through sales of our equity securities (including through our currently active Sales Agreement) or through bank credit facilities or public or private debt from various financial institutions where possible, though the availability of such funding, and applicable terms, will be dependent on prevailing market conditions.

If we do identify sources for additional funding, the sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt will result in dilution to our stockholders. We can give no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash flows in the future to satisfy our liquidity requirements or sustain future operations, or that other sources of funding, such as sales of equity or debt, would be available or would be approved by our security holders, if needed, on favorable terms or at all. If we fail to obtain additional working capital as and when needed, such failure could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, such lack of funds may inhibit our ability to respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated capital needs, or may force us to reduce operating expenses, which would significantly harm the business and development of operations.
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Sources and Material Cash Requirements
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents, which are sourced primarily from the Term Loan, and marketable securities. The primary uses of cash include the funding of operating expenses, as well as debt service obligations.
The following table presents our material cash requirements for future periods:
Year Ended December 31,
2024ThereafterTotal
Term Loan$— $100,000 $100,000 
Cash interest payable on the Term Loan13,874 31,576 45,450 
Lender Fees payable on the Term Loan7,280 10,400 17,680 
Cloud service provider agreement11,000 78,000 89,000 
Operating leases3,250 3,126 6,376 
Finance leases122 12 134 
Total material cash requirements$35,526 $223,114 $258,640 
Synq3 Acquisition
On January 3, 2024, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity of Synq3 for total consideration of approximately $5.0 million in cash, subject to customary net working capital adjustments, and 8,968,610 shares of the Company's Class A common stock. The Company has agreed to pay up to $4.0 million of additional consideration in cash and shares of the Company’s Class A common stock to certain stockholders of Synq3 based on tiered annual revenue targets for each fiscal year 2024, 2025 and 2026, of which 20% is to be paid in cash and the remaining in the Company's Class A common stock. The stock consideration was based on a reference value of $2.23 per share upon the execution of the merger agreement dated December 6, 2023. In connection with the closing, approximately $0.5 million of additional
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consideration in cash and 1,179,524 shares of our Class A common stock are being withheld for a period of 15 months to partially secure the indemnification obligations of Synq3 stockholders under the merger agreement.
Sales Agreement
On July 28, 2023, we entered into the Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, and D.A. Davidson & Co. (each a “Sales Agent” and collectively, the “Sales Agents”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell up to $150.0 million of shares of our Class A common stock from time to time through or to the Sales Agents acting as agent or principal. Sales of our Class A common stock, if any, under the Sales Agreement will be made at market prices by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We will pay the Sales Agents commission for their services in acting as agent in the sale of our Class A common stock. The Sales Agents are entitled to aggregate compensation at a fixed commission rate of 2.5% of the gross sales price per share sold under the Sales Agreement. We have also agreed to reimburse the Sales Agents for certain specified expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $75 thousand in the aggregate in connection with the execution of the Sales Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2021 relates to2023, the Company sold 5,805,995 shares of our formation, IPO, which was consummated on March 15, 2021,Class A common stock under the search forSales Agreement at a prospective initial Business Combination target,weighted-average price of $2.19 per share and efforts toward consummating the initial Business Combination.

raised $12.7 million of gross proceeds. In January and February 2024, we raised additional funds from sales of Class A common stock under this agreement, selling 34,578,019 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average price of $3.37 per share and raising $116.4 million of gross proceeds.

Equity Line of Credit (ELOC)

On November 15, 2021,August 16, 2022, we entered into a definitive mergercommon stock purchase agreement (the “Common Stock Purchase Agreement”) and related registration rights agreement (the “CFPI Registration Rights Agreement”) with SoundHound Inc., a voice artificial intelligence company, pursuant to which the two companies agreed to consummate a Business Combination (the “Merger Agreement”CF Principal Investments LLC (“CFPI”). The total considerationPursuant to be paid to SoundHound Inc. is $2 billion in equity ofthe Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company, with outstanding SoundHound Inc. stock options and warrants included on a net exercise basis. In connection withhad the Business Combination, certain accredited investors committedright to purchase 11.1 millionsell to CFPI up to the lesser of (i) 25,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and (ii) the Exchange Cap (as defined in the Common Stock Purchase Agreement), subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Common Stock Purchase Agreement at a purchase price equal to 97% of the combined company atvolume weighted average stock price for a pricegiven purchase date (the "ELOC Program" or "ELOC"). On February 14, 2023, the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 registering the resale of $10.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $111 million, in a private placement that is scheduled to close concurrentlythe ELOC shares was declared effective. In connection with the Business Combination. 

Additional information aboutexecution of the MergerCommon Stock Purchase Agreement and related transactions can be found in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2021 and in the Amendment No. 1 to Form S-4 filedside letter on February 14, 2022.

2023, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Initial Commitment Shares”) and an additional cash commitment fee of $0.3 million.

Results of Operations

As of December 31, 2021,2023, we have sold the entirety of the 25,000,000 shares under the ELOC Program for aggregate proceeds of approximately $71.7 million, with the volume weighted average stock price of shares purchased by the Counterparty ranging from $1.75 to $4.26 per share. We utilized proceeds from the ELOC for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Series A Preferred Stock
On January 20, 2023, we entered into Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) with certain investors (the “Investors”) pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the Investors an aggregate of 835,011 shares of its newly designated Series A convertible preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), raising approximately $25.0 million in cash proceeds. The Series A Preferred Stock is not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021 relates to our formation, IPO and, after our IPO, identifying a target company for a Business Combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completionmandatorily redeemable. Each share of our initial Business Combination,Series A Preferred Stock is convertible, at the earliest. Weoption of the holder, into such number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the liquidation preference per share ("Liquidation Preference") at the time of conversion divided by $1.00 (the “Conversion Price”). In addition, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will generate non-operating income inautomatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock at the formConversion Price on or after January 20, 2024 if and when the daily volume-weighted average closing price per share of interest income fromClass A Common Stock is at least 2.5 times the proceeds derived fromConversion Price for each of any 90 trading days during any 120 consecutive trading day period, which 120-trading day period may commence (but may not end) prior to January 20, 2024.
The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to cumulative dividends payable for such share at the IPOrate of 14% per annum, compounding semi-annually to Liquidation Preference on January 1 and placed in the Trust Account.

ForJuly 1 of each year. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we had a net loss2023, the Company recorded $2.8 million of $981,884,cumulative dividends attributable to Series A Preferred Stock holders, all of which was comprisedwere paid in shares. The Company may also elect to pay any dividend in cash in lieu of operating costs

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accretion to Liquidation Preference if permitted under the agreements and instruments governing its outstanding indebtedness at such time.
The Purchase Agreements contain customary representations, warranties and covenants. The shares of $10,583 from marketable securities held in our Trust Account,Series A Preferred Stock were issued and unrealized gain on change in fair value of warrants of $22,793.

For the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, we had a net loss of $716, which was comprised of operating costs of $716.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On March 15, 2021, we consummated the IPO of 12,000,000 Public Units at a price of $10.00 per Public Unit, generating gross proceeds of $120,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 390,000 Private Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unitsold in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or the underlying Series A common stock for resale under the Securities Act.

Restructuring
On January 5, 2023, SoundHound announced the Restructuring Plan, which intended to reduce operating costs, improve operating margins, improve cash flows and accelerate the Company’s path to profitability. The Restructuring Plan included a reduction of the Company’s then-current workforce by approximately 40% or 180 positions globally.
Costs associated with the Restructuring Plan consist of employee severance payments, employee benefits and share-based compensation. The costs associated with the Restructuring Plan were recorded to the Sponsorrestructuring expense line item within our consolidated statements of operations and EarlyBirdCapital, generating gross proceedscomprehensive loss as incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $4.6 million of $3,900,000.

restructuring expenses in connection with the Restructuring Plan, of which $1.4 million were cash payments. The Restructuring Plan was complete as of December 31, 2023.
Business Combination

On March 19,November 15, 2021, Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co. (“ATSP”), SoundHound, Inc. (“Legacy SoundHound”) and ATSPC Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) entered into a merger agreement (“Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy SoundHound, with Legacy SoundHound continuing as the underwriters partially exercisedsurviving corporation resulting in the over-allotment option to purchase 1,300,000 Public Units, at a purchase pricereverse recapitalization of $10.00 per Public Unit, generating gross proceeds of $13,000,000.SoundHound (the “Business Combination”). The Business Combination was completed on April 26, 2022 (the “Closing”). In connection with the underwriters’ exerciseClosing of their over-allotment option, we also consummated the saleBusiness Combination, the Company issued $113.0 million of an additional 26,000 Private Units at $10.00 per Private Unitsecurities in a private placement (the "PIPE") investment. Upon the Closing of the Business Combination, ATSP changed its name to SoundHound AI, Inc.

Cash proceeds of the Business Combination were funded through a combination of $5.4 million in cash held in trust by ATSP (following satisfaction of redemptions by public stockholders) with 532,050 shares of SoundHound AI Class A common stock remaining outstanding, and $113.0 million in aggregate gross proceeds from PIPE investors in exchange for 11,300,000 shares of SoundHound Class A Common Stock that closed substantially contemporaneously with the Closing of the Business Combination. The combined company incurred $27.7 million of expenses related to the Sponsortransaction. After giving effect to these transactions, SoundHound received $90.7 million in net proceeds, which were intended to be used for general corporate purposes, including investments in sales, marketing and EarlyBirdCapital, generating gross proceedsadvancement of $260,000.product development, but which may also be used to acquire other companies in the Voice AI industry.
Accounting Impact of the Business Combination
The Business Combination was accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization,” with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, in accordance with GAAP. A reverse recapitalization did not result in a new basis of accounting, and the financial statements of the combined entity represent the continuation of the financial statements of Legacy SoundHound in many respects.
Under this method of accounting, ATSP was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. For accounting purposes, SoundHound was deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the transaction and, consequently, the transaction was treated as a recapitalization of SoundHound (i.e., a capital transaction involving the issuance of stock by ATSP for the stock of SoundHound). Accordingly, the consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations of SoundHound became the historical financial statements of the combined company, and ATSP’s assets, liabilities and results of operations were consolidated with SoundHound’s beginning on the acquisition date. Operations prior to the Business Combination were presented as those of SoundHound in future reports. The net assets of SoundHound were recognized at carrying value, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
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Contractual and Other Obligations

Because we expect to continue investing in software application and development, we enter into various contracts and agreements to increase our availability of capital. Cash that is received through these obligations is used to meet both short- and long-term liquidity requirements as discussed above. These requirements generally include funding for the research and development of software, the development of applications that enable voice interaction, marketing programs and personnel-related costs. The primary types of obligations into which we enter include contractual obligations, operating and finance lease obligations and a diversified spread of debt instruments. See Note 7, Note 9 and Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.

Following

Debt Financing
On April 14, 2023 ("Term Loan Closing Date"), the Company entered into a Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement") with ACP Post Oak Credit II LLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Lenders (the “Agent”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”). The Credit Agreement provides for a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million, the entirety of which was funded on the closing date of the IPOarrangement. The Credit Agreement also permits the Company to request additional commitments of up to $25.0 million in the aggregate. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay incremental lender fees, beginning on March 15,the Term Loan Closing Date, equal to initially 3.5% of the principal amount of the Term Loans, decreasing to 2.5% after the 18-month anniversary, semi-annually (the “Lender Fees”) to provide a collateral protection insurance policy on behalf of the Lenders. The Lender Fees are effectively additional fees payable to the Lenders as the Lenders are the sole beneficiary of the insurance policy and is therefore being recognized as interest expense over the term of the Term Loan based on the effective interest method. The Company used the proceeds from the Term Loan to (i) repay outstanding amounts equal to approximately $30.0 million under the Company’s existing loan facilities, (ii) fund an escrow account on the Term Loan Closing Date in the name of the Agent for an amount equal to the first four interest payments, (iii) pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, and (iv) fund the Lender Fee, together with related taxes, with the remaining proceeds to be used to fund growth investments and for general corporate purposes as permitted under the Credit Agreement.
The outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan bears interest at the applicable margin plus, at the Company’s election, either (i) the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.15% or (ii) the alternate base rate (“ABR”), which is a per annum rate equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (b) the NYFRB Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.50% and (c) the Adjustable Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 1.00%. The applicable margin under the Credit Agreement is 8.50% per annum with respect to SOFR loans, and 7.50% per annum with respect to ABR loans. As of December 31, 2023, the interest rate was approximately 14.0%. Subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Credit Agreement, interest on the Term Loan is payable quarterly in arrears on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Term Loan is set to mature on April 14, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). The Credit Agreement provides for no scheduled principal payments prior to the Maturity Date.
Note Repayment
Concurrently with the Company’s entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company used a portion of the proceeds to prepay in full all outstanding obligations under, and terminated, the SCI June 2021 Note and the underwriters’ partial exerciseSVB March 2021 Note. In connection with the SCI June 2021 Note prepayment, the Company paid a total of over-allotment optionapproximately $11.7 million, which consisted of (i) the remaining principal amount outstanding of approximately $11.5 million, (ii) a prepayment premium of approximately $0.2 million and (iii) a nominal amount for transaction expenses. The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.4 million related to the early repayment in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. In connection with the SVB March 19, 2021 $133,000,000Note prepayment, the Company paid a total of $18.5 million, which consisted of (i) the remaining principal amount outstanding of $18.1 million, (ii) a prepayment premium of $0.3 million, (iii) accrued and unpaid interest of $0.1 million and (iv) a nominal amount for transaction expenses. The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.4 million related to the early repayment in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
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Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows (in thousands):
Year Ended
December 31,
20232022
Net cash used in operating activities$(68,265)$(94,019)
Net cash used in investing activities(392)(1,329)
Net cash provided by financing activities168,237 82,001 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash(20)— 
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents$99,560 $(13,347)
Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $68.3 million during 2023 compared to $94.0 million during 2022. The $25.7 million decrease in cash used in operating activities was primarily due to our decreased net loss (refer to the "Results of Operations"), adjusted for non-cash expenses, including stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization. We experienced a significant increase in our contract assets balance of $19.6 million due to significant licensing revenue transactions where we recognize revenue upfront upon delivery of intellectual property with cash payments occurring in future periods. This difference in timing between revenue recognition and cash collection decreased the amount of cash available for operations.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $0.4 million during 2023 compared to $1.3 million during 2022. The $0.9 million decrease in cash used in investing activities was driven by reduced purchases of property and equipment during 2023.
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $168.2 million during 2023 compared to $82.0 million during 2022. The $86.2 million increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to the $85.1 million in net proceeds from the issuance of the Term Loan, $71.6 million in net proceeds from sales of Class A common stock under the ELOC program, and $25.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of Series A Preferred Stock in 2023. These multiple capital fundraising activities in 2023 led to increased cash flows when compared to the net proceeds of $90.7 million received from the saleBusiness Combination in 2022. Increases to cash flows provided by financing activities in both 2023 and 2022 were offset by the repayment of the Public Unitsoutstanding notes payable in both years.
Indemnification Agreements
We enter into standard indemnification arrangements in the IPOordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless and agree to reimburse the sale ofindemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the Private Units was placed in the Trust Account and the remaining net proceeds was deposited in our operating bank account.

As of December 31, 2021, we had $235,295 of cash held outside of the Trust Account for our working capital needs.

Prior to the completion of the IPO, our liquidity needs had been satisfied through a payment from the Sponsor of $25,000 for the founder shares, and the loan under an unsecured promissory note from the Sponsor of $125,000. We fully paid the note to the Sponsor on March 15, 2021. Subsequent to the consummation of the IPO and Private Placement, our liquidity needs have been satisfied through the proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costsindemnified party, in connection with a Business Combination, our Sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligatedany trade secret, copyright, patent or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to provide us Working Capital Loans. To date, there were no amounts outstanding underits technology. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual any Working Capital Loans.

We anticipate thattime after the $235,295 outsideexecution of the Trust account asagreement. The maximum potential amount of December 31, 2021 will notfuture payments we could be sufficientrequired to allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months, assuming that a Business Combinationmake under these arrangements is not consummated during that time. Moreover,determinable. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we may need to obtain additional financing to consummate our Initial Business Combination but therebelieve the fair value of these agreements is no assurance that new financing will be available to us on commercially acceptable terms. Furthermore, if we are not able to consummate a Business Combination by September 15, 2022, it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and dissolution. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.


minimal.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of theIn preparing our consolidated financial statements in conformityaccordance with US GAAP requires managementand pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, we make estimatesassumptions, judgments and assumptionsestimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and liabilitiesexpenses, and disclosurerelated disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities atliabilities. We base our assumptions, judgments and estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the date of the   financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We have identified the following asevaluate our

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assumptions, judgments and estimates on a regular basis. We also discuss our critical accounting policies:

policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Common Stock SubjectWe believe that the assumptions, judgments and estimates involved in the accounting for revenue recognition, convertible notes and derivative liabilities, warrant liabilities and stock-based compensation have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. These areas are key components of our results of operations and are based on complex rules requiring us to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its common stock subjectmake judgments and estimates, and consequently, we consider these to possible redemptionbe our critical accounting policies. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting policies have not differed materially from actual results.

Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue with customers in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We primarily derive revenue from the guidancefollowing performance obligations: (1) hosted services, (2) professional services, (3) monetization, and (4) licensing. We apply significant judgement in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilitiesidentifying and evaluating any terms and conditions in contracts which may impact revenue recognition.
Hosted Services
Hosted services, along with non-distinct customization, integration, maintenance and support professional services, allow customers to access the Houndify platform over the contract period without taking possession of the software. The contract terms of hosted services range from Equity.” Common stock subjectone to mandatory redemption (if any)twenty years.
The Company has determined that the hosted services arrangements are a single performance obligation comprised of a series of distinct services, since each day of providing access to hosted services is classifiedsubstantially the same and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as access is provided. These services are provided either on a usage basis (i.e., variable consideration) or on a fixed fee subscription basis. The Company recognizes revenue as each distinct service period is performed.
Hosted services generally include up-front services to develop and/or customize the Houndify application to each customer’s specification. Judgement is required to determine whether these professional services are distinct from the hosted services. In making this determination, factors such as the degree of integration, the customers’ ability to start using the software prior to customization, and the availability of these services from other independent vendors are considered.
In instances where the Company concluded that the up-front services are not distinct performance obligations, revenue for these activities is recognized over the period which the hosted services are provided and is included within hosted services revenue.
Professional Services
Revenue from distinct professional services, such as non-integrated development services, is either recognized over time based upon the progress towards completion of the project, or at a point in time at project completion, depending on the nature of the arrangement. Measuring the stage of completion of a project requires significant judgement and estimates, including actual efforts spent in relation to estimated total costs, and percentage of completion based on input and output measures.
Monetization
Monetization revenues are primarily derived from advertising payments associated with ad impressions placed on the SoundHound music identification application. The Company derives an immaterial amount of revenue from sales commissions earned from song purchases facilitated by the SoundHound app and App store fees paid for ads-free downloads of the SoundHound music identification app. The amount of revenue is based on actual monetization generated or usage, which represents variable consideration with the constrained estimate. Therefore, the Company recognizes the related revenues when ads are placed, when commissions are paid, or when the SoundHound app is downloaded. The determination of whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis is based on an assessment of whether the Company is acting as a liability instrumentprincipal or an agent in the transaction. The Company has determined that it does not act as the principal in monetization arrangements because it does not control the transfer of the service and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rightsit does not set the price. Based on these factors, the Company reports revenue on a net basis.
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Licensing
The Company licenses voice solutions that are either withinembedded in customer products. Licensing revenue is a distinct performance obligation that is recognized when control is transferred to the customer, which is at a point in time for non-customized solutions. Revenues generated from licensing is based on royalty models with a combination of minimum guarantees and per unit pricing. Royalty periods are generally subsequent to when control of the holder or subjectlicense passes to redemptionthe customer. The Company records licensing revenue as a usage-based royalty from customers’ usage of intellectual property in the same period in which the underlying sale occurs. The Company provides assurance-type warranty services and to date, post-contract support has been an immaterial performance obligation within the context of the contract.
When a contract has multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative estimated standalone selling price (“SSP”). Judgments are required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation. SSP is determined by maximizing observable inputs from pricing of standalone sales, when possible. Since prices vary from customer to customer based on customer relationship, volume discount and contract type, in instances where the SSP is not directly observable, the Company estimates SSP by considering the following factors:
Costs of developing and supplying each performance obligation;
Industry standards;
Major product groupings; and
Gross margin objectives and pricing practices, such as contractually stated prices, discounts offered and applicable price lists.
These factors may vary over time, depending upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely withinunique facts and circumstances related to each deliverable. If the facts and circumstances underlying the factors considered change or should future facts and circumstances lead the Company to consider additional factors, the Company’s control) isbest estimate of SSP may also change.
Common Stock Offerings
We enter into certain agreements to sell common stock with counterparties to further support our growth strategy through initiatives such as accretive acquisitions and internal investments, to bolster working capital and for general corporate purposes. We evaluate our common stock purchase agreements to determine whether they are indexed to our own common stock, and therefore whether they should be accounted for as derivatives with changes in fair value as other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the period in which they occur. We subsequently assess the changes in the fair value of the derivative liability and record these changes through profit or loss in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Warrants
We determine whether to classify contracts, such as warrants, that may be settled in our own stock as equity of the entity or as a liability. An equity-linked financial instrument must be considered indexed to the Company’s own stock to qualify for equity classification. The Company classifies warrants as liabilities for any contracts that may require a transfer of assets. Warrants classified as temporary equity. At allliabilities are accounted for at fair value and remeasured at each reporting date until exercise, expiration or modification that results in equity classification. Any change in the fair value of the warrants is recognized as other times, commonexpense, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure stock is classifiedoptions and other stock-based awards granted to employees, directors and other service providers based on their fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense of those awards over the requisite service period. We recognize the impact of forfeitures on stock-based compensation expense as stockholders’ equity.forfeitures occur. We apply the straight-line method of expense recognition. The Company’s commonCompany uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock feature certain redemption rightsoptions and ESPP shares. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions to determine the fair value of the awards, including the expected term of the award
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and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The Company calculates the fair value of the awards by using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
Expected Volatility — The Company estimates volatility for the awards by evaluating the average historical volatility of a peer group of companies for the period immediately preceding the award grant for a term that is consideredapproximately equal to be outsidethe awards’s expected term.
Expected Term — The expected term of the Company’s control and subjectawards represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

be outstanding. The Company complies with accountinghas elected to use the midpoint between the stock options’ vesting term and disclosure requirementscontractual expiration period to compute the expected term, as the Company does not have sufficient historical information to develop reasonable expectations about future exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. For the valuation of FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. The statements of operations include a presentation of income (loss) per redeemable Public Share and income (loss) per founder non-redeemable share following the two-class method of income (loss) per share. In order to determine the net income (loss) attributable to both the public redeemable shares and founder non-redeemableESPP shares, the Company first considereduses the total income (loss) allocable to both setsperiod of shares. This is calculated usingtime from the total net income (loss) less any dividends paid. For purposes of calculating net income (loss) per share, any remeasurement of the accretion to redemption value of the common stock subject to possible redemption was considered to be dividends paidvaluation date to the public stockholders. Subsequentpurchase date.

Risk-Free Interest Rate — The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term that is equal to calculating the total income (loss) allocableawards' expected term at the grant date.
Expected Dividend Yield — The Company has not declared or paid dividends to both setsdate and does not anticipate declaring dividends. As such, expected dividend yield is zero.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 of shares,our notes to the consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements that are of significance, or potential significance to us.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to certain market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company splithas exposure to interest rate risk, primarily in the amountform of variable-rate borrowings. Refer to be allocated using a ratio"Liquidity and Capital Resources" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of 72.8% for the Public SharesFinancial Condition and 27.2% for the founder non-redeemable shares for the year ended December 31, 2021, reflectiveResults of the respective participation rights.

Operations".

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company had total borrowings of $100.0 million outstanding with an interest rate of 14.0%. With all other variables remaining constant, an increase in the short-term interest rate of 1 percent would result in an increase in the annual interest expense of approximately $1.0 million. Refer to Note 9: Convertible Notes and Note Payable for additional information related to the Company’s debt.

Foreign Exchange Risk
Our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is also the functional currency for our foreign operations. Where transactions may be denominated in foreign currencies, we didare subject to market risk with respect to fluctuations in the relative value of currencies. We recorded exchange rate losses of approximately $0.5 million and $0.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We do not believe that an immediate 10% increase or decrease in the relative value of the U.S. dollar to other currencies would have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in a material effect on operating results.
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Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.


8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page No.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, PCAOB ID:238)Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk58

As of December 31, we were not subject to any market or interest rate risk. The net proceeds held in the Trust Account have been invested in U.S. government treasury bills, notes or bonds with a maturity of 185 days or less, or in certain money market funds that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.

Item 4.64
Controls65





















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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Disclosure controlsTo the Board of Directors and procedures are controlsStockholders of SoundHound AI, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted underInternal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarizedaccompanying consolidated balance sheet of SoundHound AI, Inc. and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and proceduresits subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer2023, and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, duringthe related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity (deficit) and of cash flows for the year covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of a material weakness in ourthen ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting. reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO because material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting existed as of that date related to the Company not designing and maintaining (i) an effective control environment due to insufficient oversight of activities related to internal control over financial reporting due to lack of an appropriate level of experience and training commensurate with the Company’s financial reporting requirements, (ii) effective controls to respond to changes to the risks of material misstatement to financial reporting which resulted in the Company not designing and maintaining effective controls related to substantially all accounts and disclosures, (iii) effective controls to verify appropriate accounting for complex financing transactions, (iv) effective controls to verify appropriate segregation of duties, including assessment of incompatible duties and addressing conflicts on a timely basis, and (v) effective controls over certain information technology general controls over information systems that are relevant to the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, including not maintaining user access controls, program change management controls, and computer operations controls.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically,The material weaknesses referred to above are described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. We considered these material weaknesses in determining the material weakness identifiednature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our internal controls related to the Company’s accounting for complex financial instrument, including classification of warrant liabilities, redeemable equity and valuation of representative shares. This material weakness resulted in the restatementaudit of the Company’s balance sheet as of March 15, 2021, and its interim2023 consolidated financial statements, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021; June 30, 2021; and September 30, 2021.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the most recently completed fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021, we have improved our internal controls over financial reporting relating to classification of warrants, classification of redeemable equity instruments, and fair value of representative shares through enhanced education of our accountants and retention of third-party valuation professionals to conduct periodic fair value assessments of our complex financial instruments. We believe our efforts are effective in identifying and appropriately applying applicable accounting requirements but we believe we will need additional time to monitor and assess our efforts to evaluate their ultimate effectiveness. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting, except as previously noted, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

As of December 31, 2021, we were not subject to any market or interest rate risk. Following the consummation of our IPO, the net proceeds of our IPO, including amounts in the Trust Account, have been invested in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in certain money market funds that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.

ITEM 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

This information appears following Item 15 of this Report and is included herein by reference.

ITEM 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

ITEM 9A.Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisionsopinion regarding required disclosure.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2021. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, during the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, inCompany’s internal control over financial reporting such that theredoes not affect our opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, the material weakness identified in our internal controls related to the Company’s accountingresponsible for complex financial instruments. This material weakness resulted in the restatement of the Company’s balance sheet as of March 15, 2021, and its interimthese consolidated financial statements, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021; June 30, 2021; and September 30, 2021.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the most recently completed fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, we have enhanced our internal controls over financial reporting relating to redeemable equity instruments by continuing to recognize all Public Shares as temporary equity. We believe our efforts aremaintaining effective in identifying and appropriately applying applicable accounting requirements but we believe we will need additional time to monitor and assess our efforts to evaluate their ultimate effectiveness. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting, except as previously noted, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.Other Information.

None.

ITEM 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.

Not applicable.


PART III

ITEM 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The following table sets forth information about our directorsreporting, and executive officers as of March 9, 2022.

NameAgePosition
Dr. Eric R. Ball58Chairman of the Board
Stephen N. Cannon54Chief Executive Officer & President
Daniel Sheehan67Chief Operating Officer
Long Long37Chief Financial Officer
Bryant B. Edwards67Director
Dr. Luc Julia56Director
Rajan P. Pai49Director

Below is a summaryfor its assessment of the business experienceeffectiveness of each our executive officers and directors:

Dr. Eric R. Ball has been our Chairman since March 2021. Since 2016, Dr. Ball has been the General Partner of Impact Venture Capital, a Silicon Valley based venture firm investing in early-stage applied-AI start-up companies. From 2015 until 2016, Dr. Ball served as the Chief Financial Officer for C3 AI, an enterprise AI software provider. From 2005 to 2015, Dr. Ball served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer for Oracle. Prior to 2005, Dr. Ball served in a variety of finance roles at Flextronics International, Cisco Systems, Avery Dennison, and AT&T. Dr. Ball has served as the Chairman of the Board of CapConnect+, a start-up company that is focused on linking corporate bond issuers to their institutional buyers, since 2020. Dr. Ball has also served as an advisor to Kyriba, a private treasury management software provider, since 2017. Dr. Ball has also served as a Board member and Audit Chairman of Glu Mobile Inc, a developer and publisher of mobile games, from 2013 until April 2021. Dr. Ball received his Ph.D. in management at the Drucker-Ito School of Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Ball received his MBA in finance and MA in economics at the University of Rochester. Dr. Ball graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Dr. Ball is also the co-author of the book “Unlocking the Ivory Tower”

Stephen N. Cannon has been our Chief Executive Officer & President since September 2020, and our Director from September 2020 to March 2021. Since August 2020, Mr. Cannon has been the Chief Operating Officer and President of Global SPAC Partners Co, which, on December 22, 2021, announced that it had entered into a business combination agreement with Gorilla Technology Group Inc., a company that focuses on Edge analytics AI solutions. Since August 2019, Mr. Cannon has been the Chief Operating Officer and President of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co. which, on December 23, 2021, announced that it had entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Blackstone Products, a consumer brand of outdoor cooking products. Since 2014, Mr. Cannon has been President of Everest Partners Limited, a privately-owned investment firm focused on Asian private investments. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Cannon was the Chief Financial Officer of Twelve Seas Investment Company, a blank check company with $207 million held in trust that consummated its initial business combination with BPGIC Ltd, a petroleum and gas company located in the United Arab Emirates, in December 2019. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Cannon was the President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of CM Seven Star, a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, sponsored by a leading Chinese private investment firm, which consummated its business combination with Kaixin Auto Holdings in April 2019. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Cannon was Chief Executive Officer and a director of DT Asia Acquisition Corp, a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, which consummated its business combination with China Direct Lending Corp. in July 2016. From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Cannon was a Partner and Head of China for RedBridge Group Ltd., a boutique merchant banking firm focused on Chinese and Arabian Gulf cross-border investments. From 2009 to 2014, Mr. Cannon was a registered representative of, and senior advisor to, Ackrell Capital. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Cannon served in various capacities with Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp., a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, as a co-founder, initial Chief Financial Officer and a director, and then Vice President of Acquisitions. Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp. merged with SGOCO Ltd, a Chinese company, in April 2010. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Cannon served as a Managing Director of Asian investment banking for WR Hambrecht+Co. Prior to WR Hambrecht + Co., Mr. Cannon worked at ABN AMRO, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Smith Barney Shearson and Salomon Brothers. Mr. Cannon graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.


Daniel L. Sheehan has been our Chief Operating Officer since March 2021. Since December 2020, Mr Sheehan has been a Director of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co. Since 1995, Mr. Sheehan has been an attorney licensed in the State of California. Since 2004, Mr. Sheehan has been the founder and managing partner of Silicon Valley Wealth Law, a law firm specializing in estate planning, tax planning, business planning, and special needs planning. Mr. Sheehan has designed and drafted over 1,000 estate plans for clients throughout Silicon Valley. Mr. Sheehan has expertise in handling federal and state income tax matters and disputes, in the formation and operation of business entities, and has provided strategic planning and technology enhancement guidance to new business ventures and established companies. Mr. Sheehan has senior management experience with companies in a range of industries, including computer-aided manufacturing, real estate development, health care, mining, and law. Mr. Sheehan has frequently consulted with venture capitalists to review and advise them about investment opportunities. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Sheehan was Chief Executive Officer of North Star Resources, a provider of technology for the extraction and refining of precious and strategic metals. From 1996 to 2004, Mr. Sheehan was a partner in the law firm of Davidson, Sheehan & Jewel. In 2010, Mr. Sheehan filed for personal bankruptcy under Chapter 13, which was completed in May 2014 with no debts being discharged. Mr. Sheehan graduated from St. Mary’s College of California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management with honors. Mr. Sheehan received his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Long Long has been our Chief Financial Officer since September 2020. Since August 2020, Mr. Long has been the Chief Financial Officer of Global SPAC Partners Co. Since August 2019, Mr. Long has been the Chief Financial Officer of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Long was Vice President of Twelve Seas Sponsors I LLC, sponsor of Twelve Seas Investment Company. From 2006 to 2016, Mr. Long worked for IBM in a variety of Corporate Finance, Audit, and Managerial roles, both within the US and internationally. From 2015 to 2016, Mr. Long served as Finance Controller for IBM China’s Consulting Business Unit and Sales Channels. From 2013 to 2014, Mr. Long served as the Strategy and Planning Manager for IBM China and, from January 2012 to December 2012, as a Senior Finance Analyst for IBM China. From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Long served as Internal Auditor for IBM’s Asia Pacific region and, from 2006 to 2009, as a financial analyst for IBM’s worldwide operations. Mr. Long graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration degree, majoring in Finance and a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Electrical Engineering.

Bryant B. Edwards has been one of our independent directors since March 2021. Since August 2020, Mr. Edwards has been the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Global SPAC Partners Co. From 2018 to 2019, Mr. Edwards was the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Twelve Seas, which consummated its initial business combination with BPGIC, Ltd. Mr. Edwards retired from Latham & Watkins, a global law firm, in 2016, after a 35-year legal career. From 1981 to 2016, Mr. Edwards served as both a practicing corporate and securities attorney, as well as in various management roles building the Latham & Watkins’ practices in Europe (from 2000 to 2008), the Middle East (from 2008 to 2012) and then East Asia (from 2012 to 2016). From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Edwards served as Chair of the European High Yield Association (EHYA) and helped establish the Gulf Bond & Sukuk Association, the trade association representing the Arabian Gulf fixed income market (GBSA) and, from 2008 to 2012, served on its Steering Committee and as Chair of its Regulatory Committee. Additionally, from 2012 to 2016, Mr. Edwards served as Vice-Chair of the Credit Markets Committee of the Asia Securities & Financial Markets Committee (ASIFMA). Mr. Edwards graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School.

Dr. Luc Julia has been one of our independent directors since March 2021. Since May 2021, Dr. Julia has been the Chief Scientific Officer for Renault Group. From 2012 to 2021, Dr. Julia served as the CTO and Senior Vice President of Innovation for Samsung Electronics. From 2011 to 2012, Dr. Julia served as a Director of Siri at Apple and was a co-author of Siri’s core patents. From 2010 to 2011, Dr. Julia served as the Chief Technologist at Hewlett-Packard. From 2000 to 2010, Dr. Julia served as the Co-founder and Vice President of R&D of BravoBrava!, a tech incubator focusing on new interfaces for education, multimodal and multimedia products. From 2004 to 2010, Dr. Julia served as the CTO of ORB Networks, a start-up he co-founded that provided digital media streaming solutions for digital home and remote access applications. From 2001 to 2008, Dr. Julia served as the CTO of SpeaK ESL, a company he co-founded which leveraged speech recognition and web technologies to help non-native speakers to practice and improve their English. From 2000 to 2007, Dr. Julia served as the Vice President of R&D of Soliloquy Learning, a company he co-founded which pioneered the Reading Assistant that combines advanced speech recognition technology with science-based interventions to help children strengthen their reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. From 1994 to 2000, Dr. Julia served in several research roles at SRI International, an independent, non-profit research institute, during which time Dr. Julia co-founded Nuance Communications, now a multi-national software corporation focused on speech recognition and artificial intelligence. Dr. Julia received his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Paris. Dr. Julia graduated from the University Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. Dr. Julia is the recipient of Légion d’Honneur, the highest order of France, and is a member of France’s National Academy of Technologies. Dr. Julia is also the author of the bestselling book “There is no such thing as Artificial Intelligence” and holds dozens of patents.

Rajan P. Pai has been one of our independent directors since March 2021. Since 2015, Mr. Pai has been the Vice President of System Applications at Credo, leading the development of high-performance transceiver solutions for service providers, datacenters and enterprise segments. From 1997 to 2015, Mr. Pai served in various engineering, sales and marketing roles at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc., including as the General Manager managing the storage business unit that offered system-on-chip (SOC) solutions for disk drive & solid-state drive applications; Mr. Pai worked closely with finance, operational and M&A teams during this time to successfully grow the division into a billion-dollar business. Prior to 1997, Mr. Pai served as an engineer at Texas Instruments, designing and developing PRML detectors for read channels. Mr. Pai graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering with a specialization in Systems & Signal Processing.


Special Advisor and Technical Advisor

Brent Callinicos has been our special advisor since January 2021. Mr. Callinicos is currently an angel investor, active in investing in early-stage technology companies. From 2017 to 2018, Mr. Callinicos served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Hyperloop One. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Callinicos served as the Chief Financial Officer of Uber Technologies Inc. From 2007 to 2013, Mr. Callinicos worked at Google Inc., including as Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accountant. From 1992 to 2007, Mr. Callinicos worked at Microsoft Corporation, including as Treasurer, Vice President of Worldwide Licensing and Pricing, and CFO of the Platforms and Services Division. Mr. Callinicos is on the board of directors of several companies including PVH Corp, a fashion & apparel company and Rubicon Technologies, a software company focused on waste and recycling solutions that announced it had entered into a merger agreement with Founder SPAC in December 2021. Mr. Callinicos has a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill and is a Certified Public Accountant. We have no formal agreement with our special advisor, and he is not under any fiduciary obligations to us. Our special advisor does not perform any board or committee functions, nor does he have any voting or decision-making capacity on our behalf. Additionally, our special advisor has no other employment or compensation arrangements with us.

Maheedhar Gunturu has been our technical advisor since January 2021. Mr. Gunturu is a Silicon Valley executive with extensive experience in Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Internet-of-Things, Cyber Security, 5G and various software ecosystems. Mr. Gunturu has also played an active role in open-source projects including Hadoop, Hbase, Spark, Kafka, Cassandra, OpenCV and PyTorch. Since 2018, Mr. Gunturu has been the Global Head and Senior Director of Partnership Engineering of ScyllaDB, an open-source distributed NoSQL column-oriented data store. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Gunturu served as the Director of Cloud Engineering of SmartThings, a developer of automation software for smart homes and consumer Internet-of-Things. From 2016 to 2017, Mr. Gunturu worked as a Cloud Architect of VoltDB, an in-memory transactional database. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Gunturu worked as a Cloud Architect for MapR Technologies, a business software distribution company that provides access to different Big Data workloads. From 2012 to 2014, Mr. Gunturu worked as an Architect for Zscaler, a cloud-based information security company. From 2008 to 2012, Mr. Gunturu worked as a Senior Software Engineer for Qualcomm as part of the Location technology/GNSS and GPS teams. Mr. Gunturu also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Ittican, a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life for children. Mr. Gunturu has a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio. We have no formal agreement with our technical advisor, and he is not under any fiduciary obligations to us. Our technical advisor does not perform any board or committee functions, nor does he have any voting or decision-making capacity on our behalf. Additionally, our technical advisor has no other employment or compensation arrangements with us.

Prior Experience with Blank Check Companies

Since August 2020, Mr. Cannon has been the Chief Operating Officer and President of Global SPAC Partners Co. which, on December 22, 2021, announced that it had entered into a business combination agreement with Gorilla Technology Group Inc., a company that focuses on Edge analytics AI solutions. Since August 2019, Mr. Cannon has been the Chief Operating Officer and President of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co. which, on December 23, 2021, announced that it had entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Blackstone Products, a consumer brand of outdoor cooking products. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Cannon was the Chief Financial Officer of Twelve Seas Investment Company, a blank check company with $207 million held in trust that consummated its initial business combination with BPGIC Ltd, a petroleum and gas company located in the United Arab Emirates, in December, 2019. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Cannon was the President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of CM Seven Star, a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, sponsored by a leading Chinese private investment firm, which consummated its business combination with Kaixin Auto Holdings in April 2019. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Cannon was Chief Executive Officer and a director of DT Asia Acquisition Corp, a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, which consummated its business combination with China Direct Lending Corp. in July 2016. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Cannon served in various capacities with Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp., a Nasdaq-listed SPAC, as a co-founder, initial Chief Financial Officer and a director, and then Vice President of Acquisitions. Hambrecht Asia Acquisition Corp. merged with SGOCO Ltd, a Chinese company, in April 2010.

Since August 2020, Mr. Long has been the Chief Financial Officer of Global SPAC Partners Co. Since 2019. Mr. Long has been the Chief Financial Officer of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Long was the Vice President of Twelve Seas Sponsors I LLC, sponsor of Twelve Seas Investment Company.

Since August 2020, Mr. Edwards has been the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Global SPAC Partners Co. From 2018 to 2019, Mr. Edwards was the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Twelve Seas Investment Company.


Board Committees

The board has a standing audit, nominating and compensation committee. The independent directors oversee director nominations. Each audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), nominating committee (the “Nominating Committee”) and compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) has a charter, which was filed with the SEC as exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 on March 8, 2021.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee, which is established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, engages Company’s independent accountants, reviewing their independence and performance; reviews the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the integrity of its financial statements; the audits of the Company’s financial statements and the appointment, compensation, qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors; the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee held six formal meetings during 2021.

The members ofreporting, included in management's report referred to above. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Audit CommitteeCompany’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are Messrs. Ball, Edwardsa public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and Pai, each of whom is anare required to be independent director under Nasdaq’s listing standards. Mr. Ball iswith respect to the Chairperson ofCompany in accordance with the Audit Committee. The board has determined that Mr. Ball qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined underU.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit 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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control
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based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committeecritical audit matter communicated below is responsible for overseeinga matter arising from the selectioncurrent period audit of personsthe consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be nominated to serve on our board. Specifically, the Nominating Committee makes recommendationscommunicated to the board regarding the sizeaudit committee and composition of the board, establishes procedures for the director nomination process and screens and recommends candidates for electionthat (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the board. On an annual basis,consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the Nominating Committee recommends for approval by the board certain desired qualifications and characteristics for board membership. Additionally, the Nominating Committee establishes and administers a periodic assessment procedure relating to the performance of the boardconsolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and its individual members. The Nominating Committee will considerwe are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membershipseparate opinion on the board. The Nominating Committee may require certain skillscritical audit matter or attributes, such ason the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.


Revenue recognition

As described in Notes 2 and 4 to the consolidated financial or accounting experience,statements, the Company derives its revenue primarily from the following performance obligations: (1) hosted services, (2) professional services, (3) monetization and (4) licensing. Contracts are accounted for by management when the parties have approved and committed to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The Nominating Committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons. The Nominating Committee held no meetings in 2021.

The memberscontract, the rights of the Nominating Committeeparties and payment terms are Messrs. Ball, Edwardsidentifiable, the contract has commercial substance and Pai, eachcollectability of whomconsideration is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee reviews annuallyprobable. Revenues are generally recognized upon the Company’s corporate goals and objectives relevanttransfer of control of promised products or services provided to the officers’ compensation, evaluates the officers’ performance in light of such goals and objectives, determines and approves the officers’ compensation level based on this evaluation; makes recommendations to the board regarding approval, disapproval, modification, or termination of existing or proposed employee benefit plans, makes recommendations to the board with respect to non-CEO and non-CFO compensation and administers the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. The chief executive officer of the Company may not be present during voting or deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to his compensation. The Company’s executive officers do not play a role in suggesting their own salaries. Neither the Company nor the Compensation Committee has engaged any compensation consultant who has a role in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive or director compensation. The Compensation Committee did not meet during 2021.

The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Ball and Pai, each of whom is an independent director under Nasdaq’s listing standards.


Conflicts of Interest

In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:

the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;

the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and

it would not be fair to the corporation and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that:

we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunities that are presented to us or our officers, directors or stockholders or affiliates thereof, including but not limited to, our sponsor and its affiliates, except as may be prescribed by any written agreement with us; and

our officers and directors will not be liable to our company or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any of our activities or any of our sponsor or its affiliates to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

Our officers and directors are, and may in the future become, affiliated with other companies. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from such other corporate affiliations, each of our officers and directors has contractually agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, until the earliest of our execution of a definitive agreement for a business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to our company for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any suitable business opportunity which may reasonably be required to be presented to us, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have. The following table summarizes the relevant pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers and directors besides our sponsor:

Name of Individual(1)Role in and Name of Affiliated Entity
Dr. Eric R. BallGeneral Partner of Impact Venture Capital(2)
Stephen N. Cannon

Chief Operating Officer and President of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co.

Chief Operating Officer and President of Global SPAC Partners Co.

President of Everest Partners Limited

Daniel L. Sheehan

Managing Partner of Silicon Valley Wealth Law

Director of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co.

Long Long

Chief Financial Officer of Ackrell SPAC Partners I Co.

Chief Financial Officer of Global SPAC Partners Co.

Luc JuliaChief Scientific Officer for Renault Group
Bryant EdwardsChief Executive Officer and Director of Global SPAC Partners Co.

(1)Each of the entities listed in this table may have competitive interests with our company with respect to the performance by each individual listed in this table of his or her obligations. Each individual listed, has a prior fiduciary duty with respect to each of the listed entities, including possibly the presentation by each such individual of business opportunities.

(2)Dr. Ball is a co-founder and General Partner of Impact Venture Capital, a venture capital investment fund, and is a member of the boards of directors of various private companies. We do not anticipate that such companies will be of an appropriate size for our initial business combination, nor do we believe that his role as a director of these companies will conflict with his ability to represent us in our search for an initial business combination target.

In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our company renounce its interest in a potential business combination offered to any director or officer, unless such opportunity is expressly offered to our director or officer solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company and such opportunity is one we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.


Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our officers and directors may during that time become affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business, including another blank check company that may have acquisition objectives that are similar to ours. In particular, Messrs. Cannon, Long and Edwards currently serve as Chief Operating Officer and President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Executive Officer and Director, respectively, of Global SPAC Partners Co, a proposed blank check company which filed a registration statement with the SEC on October 13, 2020 for a $200 million IPO, and intends to focus on potential business combinations in geographic regions from the Middle East North Africa through SouthEast Asia.

Investors should also be aware of the following additional potential conflicts of interest:

None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.

Unless we consummate our initial business combination, our officers, directors and sponsor will not receive reimbursement or repayment for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them, or loans made to us, to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the trust account or interest earned on the trust account funds that are available to us.

The founder shares beneficially owned by our initial stockholderswill be released from escrow only if a business combination is successfully completed, and the private units purchased by it, and any warrants which our officers or directors may purchase in the aftermarket will expire worthless if a business combination is not consummated. Additionally, our officers and directors and affiliates will not receive liquidation distributions from the trust account with respect to any of the founder shares or private subunits or shares. Furthermore, our sponsorhas agreed that the private units will not be sold or transferred by it until after we have completed a business combination. For the foregoing reasons, our board may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate to effect a business combination with.

To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors, sponsor or initial stockholders unless we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, and the approval of a majority of our disinterested independent directors that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view.

Our officers and directors will also receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit oncustomers, reflecting the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements made to our sponsor, officers, directors or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

Code of Ethics

We adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The code of ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our shares of common stock and other equity securities. These executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such reporting persons.

Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were filed in a timely manner.


ITEM 11.Executive Compensation.

Employment Agreements

We have not entered into any employment agreements with our executive officers and have not made any agreements to provide benefits upon termination of employment.

Executive Officers and Director Compensation

No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. We currently pay an affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer an aggregate fee of $10,000 per month for providing us with office space and certain office and secretarial services. However, this arrangement is solely for our benefit and is not intended to provide our Chief Executive Officer compensation in lieu of a salary.

On March 16, 2021, we entered into a consulting agreement with Dr. Julia, one of our directors, pursuant to which Dr. Julia agreed to introduce to us one or more potential candidates for us to pursue regarding a potential business combination in exchange for a single consulting fee equal to 1.0% of the enterprise value of the target company paid in cash, not to exceed 2.0% of the Trust Account, payable concurrent with the closing of the Business Combination with the target introduced by Dr. Julia. On November 15, 2021, we entered into a Merger Agreement with SoundHound Inc., which Dr. Julia had introduced to us. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, upon the closing, Dr. Julia will be entitled to a finder’s fee of $2.66 million.

Our officers and directors will also receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements made to our sponsor, officers, directors or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders. However, the amount of such compensation may not be known at the time of the stockholder meeting held to consider our initial business combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the time of its determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K or a periodic report, as required by the SEC.


ITEM 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The following table sets forth as of March 9, 2022 the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by (i) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (ii) each of our officers and directors; and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group. As of March 9, 2022, we had 17,461,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record of beneficial ownership of the warrants included in the units offered in the IPO or the private warrants issued as these are not exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) Number of Shares  % of Class 
Eric R. Ball(1)      
Stephen N. Cannon(1)(2)  3,599,500   20.61%
Daniel L. Sheehan(1)      
Long Long(1)      
Bryant B. Edwards(1)  25,000   * 
Luc Julia(1)  25,000   * 
Rajan P. Pai(1)  25,000   * 
Archimedes Tech SPAC Sponsors LLC(2)  3,599,500   20.61%
All directors and executive officers prior to the Business Combination as a group (7 individuals)  3,674,500   21.04%

*Less than 1%.

(1)

The business address of each of the individuals is 2093 Philadelphia Pike #1968, Claymont, DE 19703.

(2)Includes securities held by Archimedes Tech SPAC Sponsors LLC, the Sponsor, of which Stephen N. Cannon is sole managing member. Mr. Cannon disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of his ultimate pecuniary interest therein. The business address of each of Archimedes Tech SPAC Sponsors LLC is 2093 Philadelphia Pike #1968, Claymont, DE 19703.

All of the founder shares issued pursuant to our IPO are placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent, until (1) with respect to 50% of the founder shares, the earlier of one year after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination and the date on which the closing price of our shares of common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the founder shares, one year after the date of our consummation of the initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to the initial business combination, we consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the shareholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except for transfers, assignments or sales (i) among our initial stockholders or to our initial stockholders’ members, officers, directors, consultants or their affiliates, (ii) to a holder’s stockholders or members upon its liquidation, (iii) by bona fide gift to a member of the holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the holder or a member of the holder’s immediate family, for estate planning purposes, (iv) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (v) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (vi) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, or (vii) in connection with the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased, in each case (except for clause (vi) or with our prior consent) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement and to be bound by these transfer restrictions, but will retain all other rights as our stockholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote their shares of common stock and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and payable in shares of common stock, such dividends will also be placed in escrow. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate, there will be no liquidation distribution with respect to the founder shares.

Our insiders, officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $ 1,500,000 of the notes may be converted into units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units would consist of one share of our common stock and one warrant, which common stock and warrants would be identical to the common stock and warrants included in the private units. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no other proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment.


ITEM 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

On March 15, 2021,consideration the Company consummated its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 12,000,000 units (the “Units”). Each Unit consists of i) one subunit,expects for those products or services. Management applies significant judgment in identifying and evaluating any terms and conditions in contracts which consists of one share of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) and one-quarter of one redeemable warrant of the Company (“Warrant”) and ii) one-quarter of one Warrant, with each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, for $11.50 per share.may impact revenue recognition. The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $120,000,000. The Company paid the underwriters, in aggregate, a fixed underwriting discount of $2,400,000.

On March 15, 2021, simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, the Company completed the private sale (the “Private Placement”) of an aggregate of 390,000 Units (the “Private Units”) to Archimedes Tech SPAC Sponsors LLC (“Sponsor”) and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc (“EarlyBirdCapital”) at a purchase price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $3,900,000. EarlyBirdCapital overfunded the purchase of its Private Units by $500,000, resulting in total gross proceeds to the Company of $4,400,000.

As of March 15, 2021, a total of $120,500,000 of the proceeds from the IPO and Private Placement (including the $500,000 of over-funding by EarlyBirdCapital) was held in a U.S.-based trust account at J.P. Morgan, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee (“JPMorgan Trust”). Of the $120,500,000, $120,000,000 was placed in a U.S.-based trust account at Morgan Stanley, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer& Trust Company, acting as trustee (“Morgan Stanley Trust”) on March 16, 2021 and $500,000 remained at JPMorgan Trust and was repaid to EarlyBirdCapital on March 16, 2021.

The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of the IPO to purchase up to an additional 1,800,000 Public Units to cover over-allotments. On March 19, 2021, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase 1,300,000 Units. The Units were sold at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $13,000,000. The Company paid the underwriters, in aggregate, a fixed underwriting discount of $260,000.

Simultaneously with the exercise of the over-allotment option, the Company completed the Private Placement of an aggregate of 26,000 Private Units to the Sponsor and EarlyBirdCapital, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $260,000.

The Private Units (and underlying private subunits, private shares and private warrants) are identical to the Units (and underlying subunits, shares and warrants): (i) will not be redeemable by us and (ii) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis in each case so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or any of their permitted transferees. If the private warrants are held by holders other than the initial purchasers or any of their permitted transferees, the private warrants will be redeemable by us and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in this offering. Furthermore, our initial stockholders have agreed (A) to vote the private shares contained in the subunits in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to convert any private subunits in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or sell any private subunits to us in a tender offer in connection with a proposed initial business combination and (C) that the private subunits shall not participate in any liquidating distribution from our trust account upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. In the event of a liquidation prior to our initial business combination, the private units will likely be worthless.

In order to meet our working capital needs, our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the holder’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted into units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units would consist of one share of our common stock and one warrant, which common stock and warrants would be identical to the common stock and warrants included in the private units. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no other proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment.


The holders of our founder shares issued and outstanding on the date of this annual report, as well as the holders of the private units (and underlying securities) and any units (and underlying securities) our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the founder shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common stock are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the private units and units issued in payment of working capital loans made to us (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(G), the EarlyBirdCapital registration rights are limited to demand and “piggy back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from March 10, 2021 and EarlyBirdCapital may only exercise its demand rights on one occasion.

On January 4, 2021, we executed a promissory note with the sponsor in which the sponsorhas agreed to loan us an aggregate of up to $300,000to pay certain pre-offering expenses. The loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and due on the earlier of March 31, 2021, the consummation of this offering or the abandonment of this offering. On February 1, 2021, the sponsor funded to us $100,000 pursuant to the promissory note. On February 10, 2021, the sponsor funded to us an additional $25,000 pursuant to the promissory note, for an aggregate amount of $125,000. The full amount of $125,000 was re-paid on March 15, 2021.

SPAC Partners LLC, an affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer, Stephen N. Cannon,had agreed, through the earlier of our consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation, to make available to us certain general and administrative services, including office space, utilities and administrative support, as we may require from time to time. We currently pay such entity $10,000 per month for these servicesWe believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in other comparable areas, that the fee charged by such entity is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person.

We may also pay consulting, success or finder fees to our sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders or their affiliates in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. We may pay such fees in the event such parties bring specific target company, industry or market expertise, as well as insights or relationships that we believe are necessary in order to locate, assess, negotiate and consummate an initial business combination. The amount of any fee we pay to such parties will be based upon the prevailing market for similar services for such transactions at such time, and will be subject to the review of our audit committee pursuant to the audit committee’s policies and procedures relating to transactions that may present conflicts of interest.

Our officers and directors will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our sponsor, officers, directors or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.

After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to stockholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of a stockholder meeting held to consider an initial business combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the time of its determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K, as required by the SEC.

All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our disinterested “independent” directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.


Related Party Policy

Our Code of Ethics requires us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under guidelines approved by the board of directors (or the audit committee). Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any (a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our shares of common stock, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity). A conflict of interest situation can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.

Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. The audit committee will consider all relevant factors when determining whether to approve a related party transaction, including whether the related party transaction is on terms no less favorable to us than terms generally available from an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. No director may participate in the approval of any transaction in which he is a related party, but that director is required to provide the audit committee with all material information concerning the transaction. We also require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.

These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.

To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our sponsor, officers or directors unless we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, and the approval of a majority of our disinterested independent directors that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view.

Director Independence

Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. For a description of the director independence, see above Part III, Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.


ITEM 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) was previously the independent registered public accounting firm for Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co. (the “Company”). On August 4, 2021, Marcum was dismissed as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to dismiss Marcum was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company.

During the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2021, there were no: (1) disagreements with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to their satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

On August 10, 2021, the Company engaged UHY LLP (“UHY”) as its new independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021. The decision to engage UHY was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company. During the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020, and the subsequent interim period prior to the engagement of UHY, the Company did not consult with UHY regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

The firm of UHY LLP, or UHY, currently acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees due to Marcum and UHY for services rendered.

Audit Fees. During the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through August 10, 2021, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm were approximately $78,580 for the services Marcum performed in connection with our IPO and our quarterly reviews. During the period from August 10, 2021 through December 31, 2021, fees for our independent registered public accounting firm were approximately $121,775 for the services UHY performed in connection with our annual audit and our quarterly reviews.

Non-Audit Related Fees. During the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021, our independent registered public accounting firms did not render non-audit related services.

Tax Fees. During the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021, our independent registered public accounting firms did not render services to us for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

All Other Fees. During the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021, there were no fees billed for products and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm other than those set forth above.

Pre-Approval Policy

Our Audit Committee was formed upon the consummation of our IPO. As a result, the Audit Committee did not pre-approve any of the foregoing services that occurred prior to the IPO, although any services rendered prior to the formation of our Audit Committee were approved by our board of directors. Since the formation of our Audit Committee, and on a going-forward basis, the Audit Committee has and will pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit).


PART IV

ITEM 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:

(1)Financial Statements:

Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
Balance SheetsF-3
Statements of OperationsF-4
Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s EquityF-5
Statements of Cash FlowsF-6
Notes to Financial StatementsF-7 to F-23

(2)Financial Statement Schedules:

None.

(3)Exhibits

We hereby file as part of this Report the exhibits listed in the attached Exhibit Index. Copies of exhibits incorporated by reference can be obtained from the SEC website at www.sec.gov.


Exhibit No.Description
1.1Underwriting Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and between the Company and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (1)
2.1Merger Agreement dated as of November 15, 2021, by and among Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co., ATSPC Merger Sub, Inc. and SoundHound, Inc. (3)
3.1Certificate of Incorporation (2)
3.2Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (1)
3.3Bylaws (2)
4.1Specimen Unit Certificate (2)
4.2Specimen Common Stock Certificate (2)
4.3Specimen Warrant Certificate (2)
4.4Specimen Subunit Certificate (2)
4.5Warrant Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (1)
4.6*Description of Securities
10.1Letter Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and between the Company’s sponsor, initial stockholders, officers and directors (1)
10.2Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company. (1)
10.3Escrow Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and among the Company, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and each of the initial shareholders of the Company (1)
10.4Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and among the Company, the Company’s sponsor, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., and the initial shareholders of the Company (1)
10.5Indemnity Agreements, dated March 10, 2021, by and among the Company and the directors and officers of the Company (1)
10.6Subscription Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and between the Company and Archimedes Tech SPAC Sponsors LLC (1)
10.7Subscription Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, by and between the Company and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc (1)
10.8Administrative Services Agreement, dated March 10, 2021, between the Company and SPAC Partners LLC (1)
10.9Form of SoundHound AI, Inc. 2022 Incentive Award Plan (4)
10.10Form of SoundHound AI, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (4)
10.11Form of Parent Support Agreement dated as of November 15, 2021 by and among Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co, SoundHound, Inc. and certain stockholders of Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co. (3)
10.12Form of Company Support Agreement dated as of November 15, 2021 by and among Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co., SoundHound, Inc. and certain stockholders of SoundHound, Inc. (3)
10.13Form of Subscription Agreement (3)
10.14Form of Lock-Up Agreement (3)
10.15Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (3)
14Code of Ethics (2)
21.1*List of Subsidiaries
31.1*Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to § 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to § 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1**Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.1Form of Audit Committee Charter (2)
99.2Form of Nominating Committee Charter (2)
99.3Form of Compensation Committee Charter (2)
101.INS*Inline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104*Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

*Filed herewith.

(1)Previously filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2021 and incorporated by reference herein.
(2)Previously filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on March 8, 2021 and incorporated by reference herein.
(3)Previously filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2021 and incorporated by reference herein.
(4)Previously filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on January 11, 2022 and incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 16.FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not Applicable.


SIGNATURES

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

Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co.

Dated: March 9, 2022

By:/s/ Stephen N. Cannon
Name:Stephen N. Cannon
Title:Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Stephen N. CannonChief Executive Officer & PresidentMarch 9, 2022
Stephen N. Cannon(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Long LongChief Financial Officer

March 9, 2022

Long Long(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
/s/ Dr. Eric R. BallChairman of the Board

March 9, 2022

Dr. Eric R. Ball
/s/ Daniel SheehanChief Operating Officer

March 9, 2022

Daniel Sheehan
/s/ Bryant B. EdwardsDirector

March 9, 2022

Bryant B. Edwards
/s/ Dr. Luc JuliaDirector

March 9, 2022

Dr. Luc Julia
/s/ Rajan P. PaiDirector

March 9, 2022

Rajan P. Pai


ARCHIMEDES TECH SPAC PARTNERS CO.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


REPORT OF INDEPDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related statement of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flowconsolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 20212023 were $45.9 million.


The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management in identifying and evaluating any terms and conditions in contracts with customers which may impact revenue recognition and (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to revenue recognition. As described in the “Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting” section, material weaknesses were identified related to this matter.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others, (i) evaluating and determining the nature and extent of audit procedures performed and evidence obtained that are responsive to the material weaknesses identified; (ii) obtaining an understanding of management’s process for identifying and evaluating terms and conditions in contracts, including evaluating management’s determination of the impact of those terms and conditions on revenue recognition; (iii) testing, on a sample basis, (a) the completeness and accuracy of management’s identification and evaluation of terms and conditions by examining contracts and (b) revenue transactions by obtaining and inspecting source documents, such as contracts, purchase orders, invoices, proof of delivery, and subsequent cash receipts; (iv) testing, on a sample basis, the timing of recognition of revenue transactions; and (v) testing, on a sample basis, the determination of the standalone selling price of performance obligations and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used by management in determining standalone selling price of performance obligations.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Francisco, California
March 1, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of SoundHound AI, Inc.
Santa Clara, California

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SoundHound AI, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' deficit, and consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the two years in the period from September 15, 2020 (Inception) throughended December 31, 2020,2022 , and the related notes (collectively, referred to as the “consolidated financial statements)statements”).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020,2022, and the results of itstheir operations and itstheir cash flows for each of the yeartwo years in the period ended December 31, 2021 and the period from September 15, 2020 (Inception) through December 31, 2020,2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


Substantial Doubt about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1, as of December 31, 2021, the Company had $235,295 of cash available for its working capital needs. The Company expects to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management plans to address this uncertainty through a Proposed Business Combination as discussed in Note 1. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to consummate a business combination will be successful within the combination period. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Our opinion is not modified with respect to that matter.

Basis for Opinion


These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’sCompany's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’sCompany's consolidated financial statements based on our audit. 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 the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.


We conducted our audit 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 consolidated 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,audit, 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’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.


Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.






/s/ UHY ArmaninoLLP

San Jose, California


We have served as the Company’sCompany's auditor since 2021.

2020. In 2023, we became the predecessor auditor.

New York, New York

March 9,28, 2023, except for the effects of the tables reflecting the impact of the revisions as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022

discussed in Note 20 (not presented herein) to the consolidated financial statements appearing under Item 8 of the Company's 2023 annual Report (Form 10-K), as to which the date is March 1, 2024.

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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

ARCHIMEDES TECH SPAC PARTNERS CO.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

  December 31,
2021
  December 31,
2020
 
Assets        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalent $235,295  $- 
Prepaid expenses  98,066   - 
Total current assets  333,361   - 
Marketable securities held in Trust Account  133,010,583   - 
Total Assets $133,343,944  $- 
         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit        
Current liabilities        
Accrued expenses $247,868  $- 
Due to related party  1,816   716 
Total current liabilities  249,684   716 
Warrant liability  247,514   - 
Total liabilities $497,198  $716 
         
Commitments and Contingencies        
Common stock subject to possible redemption, 13,300,000 shares and 0 shares at redemption value as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively $133,010,583  $- 
         
Stockholders’ Deficit:        
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding $-  $- 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares and 31,000,000 shares authorized, 4,161,000 shares and 0 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 13,300,000 shares and 0 shares subject to possible redemption) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively  416   - 
Additional paid-in-capital  818,347   - 
Accumulated deficit  (982,600)  (716)
Total Stockholders’ Deficit $(163,837) $(716)
         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit $133,343,944  $- 

December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$95,260 $9,245 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $203 and $109 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively4,050 3,414 
Prepaid expenses924 2,514 
Contract assets and unbilled revenue, net11,780 1,671 
Other current assets1,528 859 
Total current assets113,542 17,703 
Restricted cash equivalents, non-current13,775 230 
Right-of-use assets5,210 8,119 
Property and equipment, net1,515 3,447 
Deferred tax asset11 55 
Contract assets and unbilled revenue, non-current, net16,492 7,041 
Other non-current assets577 1,391 
Total assets$151,122 $37,986 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$1,653 $2,798 
Accrued liabilities13,884 8,537 
Operating lease liabilities2,637 3,282 
Finance lease liabilities121 160 
Income tax liability1,618 1,314 
Deferred revenue4,310 5,812 
Notes payable— 16,668 
Total current liabilities24,223 38,571 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion3,089 5,715 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion4,910 7,543 
Notes payable, net of current portion84,312 18,299 
Other non-current liabilities6,420 4,423 
Total liabilities122,954 74,551 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 475,005 and 0 shares issued and outstanding, aggregate liquidation preference of $16,227 and $— as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively14,187 — 
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 455,000,000 shares authorized; 216,943,349 and 160,297,664 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively22 16 
Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 44,000,000 shares authorized; 37,485,408 and 39,735,408 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
Additional paid-in capital606,135 466,857 
Accumulated deficit(592,379)(503,442)
Accumulated other comprehensive income$199 — 
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)28,168 (36,565)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)$151,122 $37,986 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

ARCHIMEDES TECH SPAC PARTNERS CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)
  For the
year ended
December 31,
2021
  For the
Period from
September 15, 2020 (Inception) through
December 31,
2020
 
Formation and operating costs $1,015,260  $716 
Loss from operations  (1,015,260)  (716)
         
Other income        
Trust interest income  10,583   - 
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of warrants  22,793   - 
Total other income  33,376   - 
         
Net loss $(981,884) $(716)
         
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, common stock subject to redemption  10,589,315   - 
Basic and diluted net income per share attributable to common stock subject to redemption $0.28  $- 
         
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, common stock  3,959,088   - 
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders $(0.99) $- 
Year Ended
December 31,
202320222021
Revenues$45,873 $31,129 $21,197 
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues11,307 9,599 6,585 
Sales and marketing18,893 20,367 4,240 
Research and development51,439 76,392 59,178 
General and administrative28,285 30,443 16,521 
Restructuring4,557 — — 
Total operating expenses114,481 136,801 86,524 
Loss from operations(68,608)(105,672)(65,327)
Other expense, net:
Interest expense(17,570)(6,893)(8,342)
Other income (expense), net1,155 (1,259)(5,415)
Total other expense, net(16,415)(8,152)(13,757)
Loss before provision for income taxes(85,023)(113,824)(79,084)
Provision for income taxes3,914 2,889 456 
Net loss(88,937)(116,713)(79,540)
Cumulative dividends attributable to Series A Preferred Stock(2,774)— — 
Net loss attributable to SoundHound common shareholders(91,711)(116,713)(79,540)
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gains on investments199 — 
Comprehensive loss$(91,512)$(116,713)$(79,539)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted$(0.40)$(0.74)$(1.18)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted229,264,904157,317,69567,255,538

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


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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

ARCHIMEDES TECH SPAC PARTNERS CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND

STOCKHOLDERS’ DeficitEQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Legacy SoundHound Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock
Legacy SoundHound Common StockSeries A Preferred StockClass A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
Balances as of December 31, 202019,132,387$273,687 11,818,761$0$— 0$— 0$— $30,836 $(1)$(307,189)$(276,353)
Retroactive application of Business Combination87,171,583— 53,849,015
Adjusted Balances, beginning of period106,303,970$273,687 65,667,776$$— $— $— $30,836 $(1)$(307,189)$(276,353)
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options— 2,590,780— — — — 2,490 — — 2,490 
Issuance of common stock warrants— 3,8433,843
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax— 11
Stock-based compensation— 6,3226,322
Issuance of redeemable convertible Series C preferred stock upon net exercise of Series C Warrants645,3565,816 
Net loss— (79,540)(79,540)
Balances as of December 31, 2021106,949,326$279,503 68,258,556$$— 0$— $— $— $— $43,491 $— $(386,729)$(343,237)
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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Legacy SoundHound Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock
Legacy SoundHound Common StockSeries A Preferred StockClass A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options2,582,53502,8402,840
Net exercise of outstanding warrants673,4160
Conversion of convertible note2,046,827020,23920,239
Effect of reverse recapitalization, net of costs (Note 3)(106,949,326)(279,503)(73,561,334)(1)0140,114,0601440,396,6004279,486279,503
PIPE financing011,300,000186,58486,585
Issuance of Class A common shares pursuant to the Business Combination04,693,05014,1054,106
Issuance of Class A common shares upon conversion of Class B common shares0661,192(661,192)
Issuance of Class A common shares upon exercise of stock options01,013,1711,3201,320
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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND
  Common Stock  Additional
Paid-in
  Accumulated  Total
Stockholders’
 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Deficit  Deficit 
Balance as of September 15, 2020 (inception)  -  $-  $-  $-  $- 
Net loss  -   -   -   (716)  (716)
Balance as of December 31, 2020  -  $-  $-  $(716) $(716)
Sale of 12,000,000 Units through IPO  12,000,000   1,200   119,998,800   -   120,000,000 
Sale of 1,300,000 Units through over-allotment  1,300,000   130   12,999,870   -   13,000,000 
Sale of 416,000 Private Units in private placement  416,000   42   4,159,958   -   4,160,000 
Issuance of representative shares  420,000   42   2,024,421   -   2,024,463 
Common stock issued to initial stockholders  3,450,000   345   24,655   -   25,000 
Forfeiture of founder shares  (125,000)  (13)  13   -   - 
Underwriting fee  -   -   (2,660,000)  -   (2,660,000)
Offering costs charged to the stockholders’ equity  -   -   (2,449,810)  -   (2,449,810)
Initial classification of warrant liability  -   -   (270,307)  -   (270,307)
Reclassification of offering costs related to Public Shares  -   -   4,779,936   -   4,779,936 
Net loss  -   -   -   (981,884)  (981,884)

Initial value of common stock subject to possible redemption

  (13,300,000)  (1,330)  (124,412,583)  -   (124,413,913)
Accretion of common stock to redemption value  -   -   (13,366,023)  -   (13,366,023)
Accretion of common stock to redemption value (interest earned on trust account)  -   -   (10,583)      (10,583)
Balance as of December 31, 2021  4,161,000  $416  $818,347  $(982,600) $(163,837)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

Legacy SoundHound Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock
Legacy SoundHound Common StockSeries A Preferred StockClass A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
Issuance of Class A common shares upon vesting of restricted stock units02,516,191
Stock-based compensation028,79228,792
Net loss0(116,713)(116,713)
Balances as of December 31, 20220$— 160,297,6641639,735,4084466,857(503,442)$(36,565)
Issuance of common stock under the ELOC program25,000,000473,76273,766
ELOC program fee settled in common stock250,000915915
Issuance of common stock under the Sales Agreement5,805,995112,41112,412
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock835,01124,94224,942
Issuance of Class A common shares upon conversion of Class B common shares2,250,000(2,250,000)
Issuance of Class A common shares upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock(360,006)(10,755)11,597,654110,754
69

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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Legacy SoundHound Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock
Legacy SoundHound Common StockSeries A Preferred StockClass A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
Issuance of Class A common shares upon exercise of stock options    3,585,8298,5068,506
Issuance of Class A common shares upon vesting of restricted stock units    7,678,184
Issuance of common stock warrants4,1364,136
Issuances of ESPP478,023863863
Stock-based compensation27,93127,931
Net loss(88,937)(88,937)
Other comprehensive income199199
Balances as of December 31, 2023$— $— 475,005$14,187 216,943,349$22 37,485,408$$606,135 $199 $(592,379)$28,168 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


70


SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

ARCHIMEDES TECH SPAC PARTNERS CO.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)
Year Ended
December 31,
202320222021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss$(88,937)$(116,713)$(79,540)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization2,313 4,037 5,502 
Stock-based compensation27,931 28,792 6,322 
Loss on change in fair value of ELOC program1,901 1,075 — 
Change in fair value of derivative and warrant liability— 606 4,920 
Amortization of debt issuance costs5,400 2,287 4,746 
Non-cash lease amortization3,346 3,189 3,586 
Loss on debt extinguishment837 — — 
Foreign currency gain/loss from remeasurement143 
Deferred income taxes30 2,127 112 
Other, net93 — — 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net(627)(1,354)1,515 
Prepaid expenses1,590 (1,238)(168)
Other current assets(821)299 (917)
Contract assets(19,578)(8,658)— 
Other non-current assets671 (274)(1,470)
Accounts payable(1,162)302 424 
Accrued liabilities4,266 116 3,671 
Operating lease liabilities(3,657)(3,912)(3,565)
Deferred revenue(4,135)(7,646)(10,281)
Other liabilities2,131 2,946 (1,034)
Net cash used in operating activities(68,265)(94,019)(66,177)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment(392)(1,329)(636)
Net cash used in investing activities(392)(1,329)(636)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of Series A Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs24,942 — — 
Proceeds from sales of common stock under the ELOC program, net of issuance cost71,615 — — 
Proceeds from sales of common stock under the Sales Agreement12,412 — — 
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs85,087 — 44,738 
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock9,369 4,160 2,490 
Proceeds from Business Combination and PIPE, net of transaction costs— 90,689 — 
Payments on notes payable(35,029)(11,545)— 
Payments on finance leases(159)(1,303)(2,575)
Net cash provided by financing activities168,237 82,001 44,653 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash(20)— — 
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents99,560 (13,347)(22,160)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of year9,475 22,822 44,982 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents, end of year$109,035 $9,475 $22,822 
Reconciliation to amounts on the consolidated balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents$95,260 $9,245 $21,626 
Current portion of restricted cash equivalents— — 460 
Non-current portion of restricted cash equivalents13,775 230 736 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows$109,035 $9,475 $22,822 

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SOUNDHOUND, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — Continued
  Year Ended
December 31,
2021
  For the
Period from
September 15, 2020 (Inception) through
December 31,
2020
 
Cash flows from Operating Activities:      
Net loss $(981,884) $(716)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities        
Unrealized gain on change in fair value of warrants  (22,793)  - 
Interest earned on marketable securities held in Trust Account  (10,583)  - 
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:        
Prepaid expenses  (98,066)  - 
Accrued expenses  247,868   - 
Due to related party  1,100   716 
Net cash used in operating activities  (864,358)  - 
         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:        
Investment held in Trust Account  (133,000,000)  - 
Net cash used in investing activities  (133,000,000)  - 
         
Cash flows from Financing Activities:        
Proceeds from IPO and over-allotment  133,000,000   - 
Payment of underwriting fees  (2,660,000)  - 
Proceeds from private placement  4,160,000   - 
Proceeds from issuance of promissory note to related party  125,000   - 
Payment to promissory note to related party  (125,000)  - 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to initial stockholders  25,000   - 
Payment of deferred offering costs  (425,347)  - 
Net cash provided by financing activities  134,099,653   - 
         
Net change in cash  235,295   - 
Cash, beginning of the year  -   - 
Cash, end of the year $235,295  $- 
         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Initial value of common stock subject to possible redemption $124,413,913  $- 
Reclassification of offering costs related to Public Shares $(4,779,936) $- 
Accretion of common stock to redemption value $13,366,023  $- 
Accretion of common stock to redemption value
(interest earned on trust account)
 $10,583  $- 
Forfeiture of founder shares $13  $- 
Initial classification of warrant liability $270,307  $- 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

(In thousands)


Year Ended
December 31,
202320222021
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest$11,984 $4,364 $2,631 
Cash paid for income taxes$2,356 $1,044 $263 
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock$10,755 $— $— 
Debt discount through issuance of common stock warrants$4,136 $— $4,367 
Issuance of common stock to settle commitment shares related to the ELOC program$915 
Conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock to common stock pursuant to Business Combination    $— $279,503 $— 
Conversion of convertible note into common stock pursuant to Business Combination    $— $20,239 $— 
Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets$— $650 $3,422 
Operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets through adoption of ASC 842$— $— $11,428 
Issues of series C redeemable convertible preferred stock for exercise of warrants$— $— $5,816 
Property and equipment acquired under finance leases or debt$— $— $584 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
Nature of Operations

ARCHIMEDES TECH SPAC PARTNERS CO.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — OrganizationSoundHound AI, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “SoundHound” or the “Company”) turns sound into understanding and Business Operations

actionable meaning. SoundHound’s technology applications enable humans to interact with the things around them in the same way they interact with each other: by speaking naturally to mobile phones, cars, televisions, music speakers, coffee machines, and every other part of the emerging “connected” world. SoundHound's voice AI platform enables product creators to develop their own voice interfaces with their customers. The SoundHound Chat AI voice assistant allows businesses and brands to provide a next-generation voice experience for their users, seamlessly integrating Generative AI and a mix of real-time information domains. Houndify is an open-access platform that allows developers to leverage SoundHound's Voice AI technology. We have developed a range of proprietary technologies on our voice AI platform, including Speech-to-Meaning, Deep Meaning Understanding, Collective AI, Dynamic Interaction and SoundHound Chat AI. The SoundHound music app allows customers to identify and play songs by singing or humming into the smartphone’s microphone, or by identifying the sound playing in the background from external sources. We also provide edge, cloud and hybrid connectivity solutions that allow brands to optimize their voice-enabled products and devices with options ranging from fully-embedded to exclusively cloud-connected.

OrganizationOn April 26, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), pursuant to a merger agreement dated as of November 15, 2021 by and General

among Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners Co. (“ATSP”), ATSPC Merger Sub, Inc. and SoundHound, Inc. (“Legacy SoundHound”), the parties consummated the merger of ATSPC Merger Sub, Inc. with and into Legacy SoundHound, with Legacy SoundHound continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Company”“Merger”) is a blank check company formed under, as well as the laws ofother transactions contemplated by the State of Delaware on September 15, 2020. The Company was formed forMerger Agreement (the Merger and such other transactions, the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar Business Combination with one or more businesses or entities (the “Business Combination”). In connection with the closing (the “Closing”) of the Business Combination, Legacy SoundHound became a wholly owned subsidiary of ATSP and ATSP changed its name to SoundHound AI, Inc., and all of Legacy SoundHound common stock (“Legacy SoundHound Common Stock”) and Legacy SoundHound redeemable convertible preferred stock (“Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock”) automatically converted into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), and the Company’s Class B common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”, and collectively with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”). The Company’s focus will beClass A Common Stock and certain of the Company's warrants commenced trading on the artificial intelligence, cloud servicesNasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “SOUN” and automotive technology sectors. However,“SOUNW,” respectively, on April 28, 2022. Refer to Note 3 for more information on the Business Combination.

Legacy SoundHound was determined to be the accounting acquirer in the Business Combination based on the following facts:
Former Legacy SoundHound stockholders have a controlling voting interest in the Company;
The Company’s board of directors immediately after the closing of the Business Combination was comprised of five board members, primarily from the board of directors of Legacy SoundHound; and
Legacy SoundHound’s management continues to hold executive management roles for the Company is not limitedfollowing the Business Combination and are responsible for the day-to-day operations.
Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Legacy SoundHound issuing stock for the net assets of ATSP, accompanied by a reverse recapitalization. The primary asset acquired from ATSP was related to the technology industry, or these sectors therein, andcash amounts that were assumed. Separately, the Company may pursuealso assumed warrants that were deemed to be equity upon Closing of the Business Combination. No goodwill or other intangible assets were recorded as a result of the Business Combination.
While ATSP was the legal acquirer in the Business Combination, opportunity in any business or industry it chooses, and it may pursue a company with operations or opportunities outsidebecause Legacy SoundHound was deemed the accounting acquirer, the historical financial statements of Legacy SoundHound became the historical financial statements of the United States.

combined company upon the consummation of the Business Combination. As a result, the financial
73


SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
statements included in this report reflect (i) the historical operating results of Legacy SoundHound prior to the Business Combination; (ii) the combined results of the Company and Legacy SoundHound following the Closing of the Business Combination; (iii) the assets and liabilities of Legacy SoundHound at their historical cost; and (iv) the Company’s equity structure for all periods presented.
In accordance with guidance applicable to recapitalization transactions, the equity structure has been retroactively restated in all comparative periods up to the Closing Date, to reflect the number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock issued to Legacy SoundHound Common Stockholders and Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. As such, the shares and corresponding capital amounts and loss per share related to Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock and Legacy SoundHound Common Stock prior to the Business Combination have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the conversion ratio established in the Business Combination.
Going Concern
Since inception, the Company has selectedgenerated recurring losses as well as negative operating cash flows and reported a net loss of $88.9 million for the year ended December 31, as its fiscal year end. 

2023. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company had not commenced any revenue-generating operations. All activity foran accumulated deficit of $592.4 million. Management expects to continue to incur additional substantial losses in the period from September 15, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2021 relates to the Company’s formation, the initial public offering (the “IPO”) described below, and, since the closing of the IPO, the search for a prospective initial Business Combination.foreseeable future. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion ofhas historically funded its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income onoperations primarily through equity or debt financings.

Total unrestricted cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the IPO and will recognize changes in the fair valueon hand as of warrant liability as other income or expense, as applicable.

On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement with SoundHound Inc., a voice artificial intelligence company, pursuant to which the two companies agreed to consummate a Business Combination (the “Merger Agreement”). The total consideration to be paid by the Company to SoundHound Inc. is $2 billion in equity of the Company, with outstanding SoundHound Inc. stock options and warrants included on a net exercise basis. In connection with the Business Combination, certain accredited investors committed to purchase 11.1 million shares of Class A common stock of the combined company at a price of $10.00 per share, for total gross proceeds of $111 million, in a private placement that is scheduled to close concurrently with the Business Combination. 

The Company’s sponsor is Archimedes Tech SPAC Sponsors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”).

References to the Company’s “initial stockholders” refer to the Company’s stockholders prior to the IPO, excluding the holders of the Representative Shares (See Note 8).

Financing

The registration statement for the Company’s IPODecember 31, 2023 was declared effective on March 10, 2021 (the “Effective Date”). As discussed in Note 4, on March 15, 2021, the Company consummated the IPO of 12,000,000 units, (the “Public Units”), at $10.00 per Public Unit, generating gross proceeds of $120,000,000.

Each Public Unit consists of (i) one subunit (the “Public Subunit”), which consists of one share of common stock (the “Public Share”) and one-quarter of one redeemable warrant, and (ii) one-quarter of one redeemable warrant (collectively, the redeemable warrants included in the Public Units and Public Subunits, the “Public Warrants”); each whole Public Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share.

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the sale of 390,000 private units (the “Private Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) to the Sponsor and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (“EarlyBirdCapital”), generating gross proceeds of $3,900,000, which is discussed in Note 5. Each Private Unit consists of (i) one subunit (the “Private Subunits”), which consists of one share of common stock (the “Private Shares”) and one-quarter of one redeemable warrant, and (ii) one-quarter of one redeemable warrant (collectively, the redeemable warrants included in the Private Units and Private Subunits, the “Private Warrants”).


Transaction costs amounted to $4,849,810 consisting of $2,400,000 of underwriting discount and $2,449,810 of other offering costs.

The Company granted the underwriters in the IPO a 45-day option to purchase up to 1,800,000 additional Public Units to cover over-allotments, if any. On March 19, 2021, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase 1,300,000 Public Units, generating an aggregate of gross proceeds of $13,000,000, and incurred transaction costs of $260,000 in underwriting discount. In connection with the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option, the Company also consummated the sale of an additional 26,000 Private Units at $10.00 per Private Unit to the Sponsor and EarlyBirdCapital, generating gross proceeds of $260,000.

Trust Account

Following the closing of the IPO on March 15, 2021 and the underwriters’ partial exercise of over-allotment option on March 19, 2021, $133,000,000 from the net proceeds of the sale of the Public Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Units was placed in a trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”). The funds held in the Trust Account is and will be invested only in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, so that the Company is not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its income or other tax obligations, the proceeds will not be released from the Trust Account until the earlier of the completion of a Business Combination or the redemption of 100% of the outstanding Public Subunits if$95.3 million. Although the Company has not completed a Business Combination in the required time period. The proceeds held in the Trust Account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with whichincurred recurring losses each year since its inception, the Company completes a Business Combination. Any amounts not paid as consideration to the sellers of the target business may be used to finance operations of the target business.

Initial Business Combination

The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully.

The shares of common stock subject to redemption are recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the IPO, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and, if the Company seeks stockholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination.

The Company will continue in existence only until 18 months from the closing of the IPO (the “Combination Period”). However, if the Company is unable to complete the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Subunits, at a per-subunit price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including any interest not previously released to the Company (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Subunits, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as holders of Public Subunits (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law. Public stockholders will also forfeit the one-quarter of one warrant included in the Public Subunits being redeemed. As promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining stockholders and its board of directors, the Company will dissolve and liquidate, subject to its obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.


A public stockholder will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account (including interest earned on his, her or its portion of the Trust Account to the extent not previously released to the Company) only in the event of (i) the redemption of 100% of the outstanding Public Subunits if the Company has not completed a Business Combination in the required time period, (ii) if that public stockholder converts such Public Subunits, or sells such Public Subunits to the Company in a tender offer, in connection with a Business Combination which the Company consummates or (iii) the Company seeks to amend any provisions of its amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would affect the public stockholders’ ability to convert or sell their Public Subunits to the Company in connection with a Business Combination or affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Subunits if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, whether proposed by the Sponsor, initial stockholders, executive officers, directors or any other person. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the Trust Account.

The Sponsor, initial stockholders, officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any shares of common stock owned by them in favor of any proposed Business Combination, (2) not to convert any shares in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial Business Combination and (3) not to sell any shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial Business Combination.

The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced below $10.00 per Public Subunit by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by the Company for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to the Company, but the Company cannot assure thatexpects it will be able to satisfyfund its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. The Company has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has the Company independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believes that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of the Company. Therefore, the Company believes it is unlikely that the Sponsor will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so.

Liquidity and Going Concern

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash outside the Trust Account of $235,295 available for its working capital needs. All remaining cash and securities were held in the Trust Account and is generally unavailable for the Company’s use prior to an initial Business Combination and is restricted for use either in a Business Combination or to redeem Public Subunits. As of December 31, 2021, none of the amount on deposit in the Trust Account was available to be withdrawn as described above.

Prior to the completion of the IPO, the Company’s liquidity needs had been satisfied through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of Founder Shares (see Note 6), advances from the Sponsor in an aggregate amount of $125,000 under an unsecured promissory note, which were repaid upon the closing of the IPO (see Note 6). Subsequent to the consummation of the IPO and Private Placement, the Company’s liquidity needs have been satisfied through the net proceeds from the IPO and Private Placement held outside of the Trust Account.

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Company’s Sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, provide the Company Working Capital Loans, as defined below (see Note 6). To date, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loans.

The Company anticipates that the $235,295 outside of the Trust account as of December 31, 2021 will not be sufficient to allow the Company to operateoperations for at least the next 12 months,twelve months. The Company may seek funding through additional debt or equity financing arrangements, implement incremental expense reduction measures or a combination thereof to continue financing its operations. Refer to Note 21 for information regarding the Company's equity financing activity subsequent to December 31, 2023. The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that a Business Combination is not consummated during that time. Furthermore, if the Company is not able to consummate a Business Combination by September 15, 2022, it will trigger the Company’s automatic winding up, liquidation and dissolution. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.


Note 2 — Restatement of Prior Period Financial Statements

Redeemable Equity Instruments

As a result of recent guidance to Special Purpose Acquisition Companies by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding redeemable equity instruments, the Company revisited its application of ASC 480-10-S99 on the Company’s financial statements. The Company had previously classified a portion of its Public Subunits (and the underlying shares of common stock) in permanent equity. Subsequent to the re-evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that all of its Public Subunits should be classified as temporary equity. The identified errors impacted the Company’s Form 8-K filing on March 19, 2021 containing the IPO balance sheet as of March 15, 2021 (the “Closing Form 8-K), Form 10-Q filing on July 27, 2021 containing financial statements as of March 31, 2021, Form 10-Q filing on August 27, 2021 containing financial statements as of June 30, 2021, and Form 10-Q filing on November 15, 2021 containing financial statements as of September 30, 2021 (collectively, the “Prior Period Financial Statements”). In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, “Materiality,” and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements;” the Company evaluated the errors and has determined that the related impacts were material to the Prior Period Financial Statements. Accordingly, the Company has corrected such material errors by restating its Prior Period Financial Statements and classified all Public Subunits as temporary. The Company will also correct previously reported financial information for such material errors in future filings, as applicable. 

Classification of Private Warrants & Fair Value of Representative Shares

On April 12, 2021, the Staff of the SEC issued a statement entitled “Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies.” In the statement, the SEC Staff,concern, which contemplates, among other things, highlighted potential accounting implicationsthe realization of certain terms that are commonassets and satisfaction of liabilities in warrants issued in connection with the initial public offeringsnormal course of special purpose acquisition companies such as the Company. As a result of the Staff statementbusiness.

Other Risk and in light of evolving views as to certain provisions commonly included in warrants issued by special purpose acquisition companies, the Company re-evaluated the accounting for its Public WarrantsUncertainties
Inflation has risen significantly worldwide and Private Warrants under ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, and concluded that the Private Warrants do not meet the criteria to be classified in stockholders’ equity, since the Private Warrants meet the definition of a derivative under ASC 815-40. Additionally, the Company’s management re-evaluated the fair value of the Representative Shares and concluded that the fair value the Company had previously used for the Representative Shares were incorrect and needs to be restated. The identified errors impacted the Prior Period Financial Statements. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, “Materiality,” and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company evaluated the errors and has determined that the related impacts were qualitatively immaterial to the Prior Period Financial Statements but, in consideration that the Company is restating its Prior Period Financial Statements to address the misclassification of redeemable equity instruments, the Company concluded that it should restate the identified errors related to the classification of Private Warrants and the fair value of Representative Shares as well.

Impact of the Restatement

The impact of the restatement on the audited balance sheet as of March 15, 2021 and unaudited interim financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, and September 30, 2021 are presented below.

  As
Previously
Reported
  Adjustments  As
Restated
 
Audited Balance Sheet at March 15, 2021         
Warrant Liabilities $-  $253,413  $253,413 
Total Liabilities  591,387   254,413   844,800 
Common stock subject to possible redemption  116,095,120   3,904,880   120,000,000 
Common stock  465   (39)  426 
Additional paid-in capital  5,004,068   (4,158,254)  845,814 
Total Stockholder’s Equity  5,000,003   (4,158,293)  841,710 
             
Unaudited Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021            
Common stock subject to possible redemption $128,744,590  $4,255,935  $133,000,525 
Common stock  459   (43)  416 
Additional paid-in capital  5,084,297   (4,255,892)  828,405 
             
Unaudited Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021            
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, common stock subject to redemption  2,059,408   247,259   2,306,667 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, common stock  3,856,614   (514,481)  3,342,133 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, common stock subject to redemption $0.00  $3.41  $3.41 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, common stock not subject to redemption $(0.02) $(2.36) $(2.38)


  As
Previously
Reported
  Adjustments  As
Restated
 
Unaudited Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2021         
Issuance of representative shares - Additional Paid-in-Capital $3,458  $2,020,963  $2,024,421 
Issuance of representative shares - Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)  3,500   2,020,963   2,024,463 
Offering costs charged to the Stockholders’ equity  (428,847)  (2,020,963)  (2,449,810)
Reclassification of offering costs related to public shares $-  $4,779,936  $4,779,936 
Accretion of common stock to redemption value $-  $(13,366,023) $(13,366,023)
             
Unaudited Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021            
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information            
Initial value of common stock subject to possible redemption $115,841,700  $8,572,213  $124,413,913 
Change in value of common stock subject to possible redemption $12,902,890  $(12,902,365) $- 
Reclassification of offering costs related to public shares $-  $(4,779,936) $(4,779,936)
Accretion of common stock to redemption value $-  $13,366,023  $13,366,023 
Accretion of common stock to redemption value (interest earned on trust account) $-  $525  $525 
             
Unaudited Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021            
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, common stock subject to redemption $0.46  $0.08  $0.54 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, common stock not subject to redemption $(1.00) $(0.17) $(1.17)
             
Unaudited Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2021            
Issuance of representative shares - Additional Paid-in-Capital $3,458  $2,020,963  $2,024,421 
Issuance of representative shares - Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)  3,500   2,020,963   2,024,463 
Offering costs charged to the Stockholders’ equity  (428,847)  (2,020,963)  (2,449,810)
Reclassification of offering costs related to public shares $2,886,166  $1,893,770  $4,779,936 
Accretion of common stock to redemption value $(11,472,253) $(1,893,770) $(13,366,023)
             
Unaudited Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2021            
Reclassification of offering costs related to public shares $(2,886,166) $(1,893,770) $(4,779,936)
Accretion of common stock to redemption value $11,472,253  $1,893,770  $13,366,023 
             
Unaudited Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021            
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, common stock subject to redemption $0.31  $0.06  $0.37 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, common stock not subject to redemption $(0.87) $(0.14) $(1.01)
             
Unaudited Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2021            
Issuance of representative shares - Additional Paid-in-Capital $3,458  $2,020,963  $2,024,421 
Issuance of representative shares - Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)  3,500   2,020,963   2,024,463 
Offering costs charged to the Stockholders’ equity  (428,847)  (2,020,963)  (2,449,810)
Reclassification of offering costs related to public shares $2,886,166  $1,893,770  $4,779,936 
Accretion of common stock to redemption value $(11,472,253) $(1,893,770) $(13,366,023)
             
Unaudited Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021            
Reclassification of offering costs related to public shares $(2,886,166) $(1,893,770) $(4,779,936)
Accretion of common stock to redemption value $11,472,253  $1,893,770  $13,366,023 


Note 3 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements of the Company are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States has recently experienced historically high levels of Americainflation. This inflation and government efforts to combat inflation, such as recent and future significant increases to benchmark interest rates and other related monetary policies, have and could continue to increase market volatility and have an adverse effect on the domestic and international financial markets and general economic conditions.

Additionally, U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the start of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war. Although our business has not been materially impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict or the Israel-Hamas war, it is impossible to predict the extent to which our operations, or those of our customers’ suppliers and manufacturers, will be impacted in the short and long-term, or the ways in which the conflict may impact our business. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict but could be substantial.
NOTE 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to theapplicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding annual financial reporting. Any reference in these notes to applicable accounting guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP included in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

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Table of Contents

Emerging Growth Company Status

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Principles of Consolidation
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
We consolidate any variable interest entity (“VIE”), as modified by where we have determined we are the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicableprimary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity which has both: (i) the power to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply withdirect the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404activities of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reportsVIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and proxy statements, and exemptions from(ii) the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. 

Further, Section 102(b)(1)obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being requiredentity that could potentially be significant to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. VIE.

Foreign Currency
The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt outfunctional currency of the extended transition periodCompany and comply withits subsidiaries is the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt outU.S. dollar. Foreign currency denominated transactions are converted into U.S. dollars at the average rates of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revisedexchange prevailing during the period. Assets and it has different application datesliabilities denominated in foreign currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates at the balance sheet date for public or private companies,monetary assets and liabilities and at historical exchange rates for non-monetary assets and liabilities. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized net losses/(gains) related to foreign currency transactions and remeasurements of $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

other expense, net.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statementstatements in conformity with USU.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptionsjudgments that affect the amounts reported amountsand disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates include revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, accrued liabilities, derivative and warrant liabilities, calculation of the incremental borrowing rate, financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilitiesuncertain tax positions and disclosurethe fair value of contingent assetscommon stock and liabilities atother assumptions used to measure stock-based compensation expense. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, the date ofcurrent economic environment, and on assumptions it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Changes in those estimates resulting from changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statement.statements in future periods. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable consist of current trade receivables due from customers recorded at invoiced amounts, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable do not bear interest and the Company generally does not require collateral or other security in support of accounts receivable.
When the Company records customer receivables and contract assets arising from revenue transactions, an allowance is recorded for credit losses for the current expected credit losses ("CECL") inherent in the asset over its expected life. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account deducted from the amortized cost basis of the assets to present their net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected. Each period, the allowance for credit losses is adjusted through earnings to reflect expected credit losses over the remaining lives of the assets.
The Company estimates expected credit losses based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, payment terms, environmental and industry factors, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. When measuring expected credit losses, we pool assets with similar country risk and credit risk characteristics. Changes in the relevant information may materially affect the estimates of expected credit losses.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.
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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment are as follows:
Computer equipment3 – 4 years
Software3 years
Furniture and fixtures5 years
Leasehold improvementsLesser of useful life or the term of the lease
Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life or improve the asset are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the total of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. Impairment, if any, would be assessed using discounted cash flows or other appropriate measures of fair value. Through December 31, 2023, there have been no such impairments.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at its inception. Operating lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments, because the implicit rate of the lease is generally not known. Right-of-use ("ROU") assets related to our operating lease liabilities are measured at lease inception based on the initial measurement of the lease liability, plus any prepaid lease payments and less any lease incentives, as applicable. Our lease terms that are used in determining our operating lease liabilities at lease inception may include options to extend or terminate the leases when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options. We amortize our ROU assets as operating lease expense generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term and classify both the lease amortization and imputed interest as operating expenses. The Company has lease agreements with lease and nonlease components. The Company elected to not separate lease and nonlease components for its asset class of equipment.
Segment Information
The Company has determined that the Chief Executive Officer is its chief operating decision maker. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer reviews discrete financial information on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it operates as a single reportable segment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-termhighly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less when purchasedfrom the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company has $235,295 of cash held outside of the Trust Account as of December 31, 2021 and no cash held outside of the Trust Account as of December 31, 2020. The Company did not have anyCompany’s cash equivalents asconsist of December 31, 2021treasury bills and 2020.

Marketable Securities Held in Trust Account

At December 31, 2021, the Company had $133,010,583 in the Trust Account which may be utilized for Business Combination. As of December 31, 2021, the assets held in the Trust Account were invested in Treasury Securities consisting of money market funds.


Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined The treasury bills are treated as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participantsavailable-for-sale securities. Cash equivalents are measured and reported at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjustedusing quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instrumentssimilar securities. The deposits exceed federally insured limits. Changes in active markets;

Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levelsfor cash equivalents classified as available for sale securities are recorded to other comprehensive loss.

As of December 31, 2023, available-for-sale securities consisted of U.S. treasury bills and government bonds with original maturities of three months or less. As of December 31, 2022, the fair value hierarchy. In those instances,Company did not have any available-for-sale securities.
Restricted Cash
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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company’s restricted cash were established according to the fair value measurementrequirements under the Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 9) and leases for the Company’s corporate headquarters, data center and sales office and are subject to certain restrictions. Restricted cash is categorized in its entirety inclassified as current or non-current on the fair value hierarchyconsolidated balance sheets based on the lowest level inputexpected duration of the restriction. Non-current restricted cash relates to interest that is significantrequired to be held in escrow in an amount equal to the fair value measurement.

The fair value of the Company’s certain assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts representedminimum required balance defined in the balance sheet. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and due to related party are estimated to approximate the carrying values as of December 31, 2021 due to the short maturities of such instruments.

Credit Agreement.

The Company’s warrant liability and the fair value of its Representative Shares are based on valuation models utilizing management judgment and pricing inputs from observable and unobservable markets with less volume and transaction frequency than active markets. Significant deviations from these estimates and inputs could result in a material change in fair value. The fair value of the warrant liability and the fair value of its Representative Shares are classified as Level 3. See Note 7 for additional information on assets, liabilities and Representative Shares measured at fair value. 

ConcentrationConcentrations of Credit Risk

and Other Risks and Uncertainties

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of a cash accountand cash equivalents, the balances of which frequently exceed federally insured limits. The Company regularly monitors its credit risk exposure and takes steps to mitigate the likelihood of these exposures resulting in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverageactual loss.


As of $250,000. At December 31, 20212023, accounts receivable balances due from Customer A, C, and 2020, the Company has not experienced losses on this accountE accounted for 40%, 32% and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s common stock feature certain redemption rights that is considered to be outside15% of the Company’s controlconsolidated accounts receivable balance, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, accounts receivable balances due from Customer A and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity sectionC accounted for 49% and 26% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable balance, sheet.

respectively.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

The Company complies with accountingAs of December 31, 2023, unbilled receivables from Customer A, B, and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. The statements of operations include a presentation of income (loss) per redeemable Public ShareC accounted for 59%, 16% and income (loss) per founder non-redeemable share following the two-class method of income (loss) per share. In order to determine the net income (loss) attributable to both the public redeemable shares and founder non-redeemable shares, the Company first considered the total income (loss) allocable to both sets of shares. This is calculated using the total net income (loss) less any dividends paid. For purposes of calculating net income (loss) per share, any remeasurement11% of the accretion to redemption valueCompany’s consolidated unbilled receivables balance, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, unbilled receivables from Customer A, B, and C accounted for 31%, 19% and 28% of the common stock subject to possible redemption was considered to be dividends paid toCompany’s consolidated unbilled receivables balance, respectively.


For the public stockholders. Subsequent to calculatingyear ended December 31, 2023, Customer A and B accounted for 49% and 13% of the total income (loss) allocable to both setsrevenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Customer A, C and D accounted for 42%, 13% and 12% of shares, the Company split the amount to be allocated using a ratio of 72.8% for the Public Shares and 27.2% for the founder non-redeemable shares forrevenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2021, reflectiveCustomer C, D and F accounted for 12%, 18% and 31% of the respective participation rights.

revenue, respectively.
Common Stock Offerings

The earnings per share presented in the statements of operations is based on the following:

  For the
year ended
December 31,
2021
 
Net loss $(981,884)
Accretion of temporary equity to redemption value  (13,376,606)
Net loss including accretion of temporary equity to redemption value $(14,358,490)

  For the year ended
December 31, 2021
 
  Redeemable  Non-redeemable 
Basic and diluted net loss per share:        
Numerator:        
Allocation of net loss including accretion of temporary equity $(10,451,084) $(3,907,406)
Accretion of temporary equity to redemption value  13,376,606   - 
Allocation of net income (loss) $2,925,522  $(3,907,406)
         
Denominator:        
Weighted-average shares outstanding  10,589,315   3,959,088 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share $0.28  $(0.99)

No shares of the Company were issued or outstanding in 2020 and, as a result, Earnings Per Share does not exist for 2020.

In connection with the underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option on March 19, 2021, 325,000 Founder Shares were no longer subjectenters into certain agreements to forfeiture. These shares were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding until they were no longer subject to forfeiture.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted intosell common stock and then share in the Company’s earnings. As a result, diluted income (loss) per share is the same as basic income (loss) per share for the periods presented.

Offering Costs associated with the Initial Public Offering

The Company complies with the requirements of the ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A - “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees incurredcounterparties through the balance sheet date that are relatedEquity Line of Credit ("ELOC") and the Sales Agreement (as defined in Note 13) to the IPOfurther support its growth strategy through initiatives such as accretive acquisitions and were chargedinternal investments, to stockholders’ equity upon the completion of the IPO. Accordingly, as of March 15, 2021, offering costs in the aggregate of $4,849,810 have been charged to stockholders’ equity (consisting of $2,400,000 of underwriting discount and $2,449,810 of other offering costs).

On March 19, 2021, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase 1,300,000 Public Units, generating an aggregate of gross proceeds of $13,000,000, and incurred additional transaction costs of $260,000 in underwriting discount.

Derivative Financial Instruments

bolster working capital, and/or for general corporate purposes. The Company evaluates its financial instrumentscommon stock purchase agreements to determine ifwhether they should be accounted for as derivatives with changes in fair value as other income (expense), net in the period in which they occur.

Equity Issuance Costs
The Company capitalizes certain legal, professional, accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with in-process equity-classified financings as deferred offering costs until such instrumentsfinancings are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. Derivative instrumentsconsummated. After consummation of the financing, these costs are recorded as a reduction of the proceeds received from the equity financing. If a planned equity financing is abandoned, the deferred offering costs are expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (“ASC 606”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps:
(i)Identification of the contract(s) with a customer;
(ii)Identification of the performance obligations in the contract;
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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(iii)Determination of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration;
(iv)Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
(v)Recognition of revenue when, or as, performance obligations are satisfied.
Contracts are accounted for when both parties have approved and committed to the contract, the rights of the parties and payment terms are identifiable, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable.
Under ASC 606, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, the Company recognizes revenue for arrangements upon the transfer of control of the Company’s performance obligations to its customers. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer and is the unit of account in ASC 606. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services.
The Company elected the practical expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract including sales commissions as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of such incremental cost would otherwise have been one year or less. Sales commissions are included in sales and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Research and Development
The Company’s research and development costs are expensed as incurred. These costs include salaries and other personnel related expenses, contractor fees, facility costs, supplies, and depreciation of equipment associated with the design and development of new products prior to the establishment of their technological feasibility.
Warrants
The Company determines whether to classify contracts, such as warrants, that may be settled in its own stock as equity of the entity or as a liability. An equity-linked financial instrument must be considered indexed to the Company’s own stock to qualify for equity classification. The Company classifies warrants as liabilities for any contracts that may require a transfer of assets. Warrants classified as liabilities are accounted for at fair value on the grant date and re-valuedremeasured at each reporting date with changesuntil exercise, expiration or modification that results in equity classification. Any change in the fair value reportedof the warrants is recognized as other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Derivative assets and liabilities are classified on the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
Income Taxes
The Company has determined the warrants are a derivative instrument.


Income Taxes

The Company followsaccounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferredwhereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized fordetermined based on the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differencesdifference between the financial statements carrying amountsstatement and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in effect for the yearsyear in which those temporarythe differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect onaffect taxable income. A valuation allowance is established when, in management’s estimate, it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets and liabilities ofasset will not be realized. The Company adopted a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

ASC 740 prescribes a recognitionmore-likely-than-not threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefitsThe Company records a liability for the difference between the benefit recognized and measured and the tax position taken or expected to be recognized, ataken on the Company’s tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. return.

The Company recognizes accruedclassifies interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense, if applicable. There has been no interest expense or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits recorded through December 31, 2023.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures and records the expense related to stock-based payment awards based on the fair value of those awards as determined on the date of grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the
78

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
requisite service period of the individual grant, generally equal to the vesting period, and uses the straight-line method to recognize stock-based compensation, except for restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”) with vesting conditions tied to certain performance criteria ("Performance-Based RSUs"). Stock-based compensation costs for Performance-Based RSUs are recognized on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting period based on the most probable outcome of the performance conditions. If the minimum performance targets are not met, no compensation cost is recognized and any recognized compensation cost is reversed, except for awards subject to a market condition, The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options and employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") shares. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions to determine the fair value of the awards, including the expected term of the award and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The Company calculates the fair value of the awards granted by using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
Expected Volatility — The Company estimates volatility for the awards by evaluating the average historical volatility of a peer group of companies for the period immediately preceding the award grant for a term that is approximately equal to the awards’ expected term.
Expected Term — The expected term of the Company’s awards represents the period that the stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The Company has elected to use the midpoint between the stock options’ vesting term and contractual expiration period to compute the expected term, as the Company does not have sufficient historical information to develop reasonable expectations about future exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior. For the valuation of ESPP shares, the Company uses the period of time from the valuation date to the purchase date.
Risk-Free Interest Rate — The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term that is equal to the awards’ expected term at the grant date.
Expected Dividend Yield — The Company has not declared or paid dividends to date and does not anticipate declaring dividends. As such, expected dividend yield is zero.
Restricted Stock Units
The Company issues RSUs to grantees as compensation for services. The fair value of the RSUs is determined at the grant date based on the fair value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and for RSUs with service conditions only, is recognized straight-line over the service period.
Stock-based compensation related to Performance-Based RSUs is recognized to the extent it is determined that performance is probable of being achieved.
The Company issues RSUs with vesting conditions tied to certain market conditions (“Market-Based RSUs”). To derive the fair value of Market-Based RSUs, the Company applies a Monte Carlo simulation to determine the grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation related to Market-Based RSUs is recognized over the derived service period.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received from an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company follows a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements as follows:
Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 — Inputs (other than quoted market prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
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Level 3 — Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Preferred Stock
The Company assesses its preferred stock instruments at issuance and each reporting period for classification and derivative features requiring bifurcation.
The Company presents as temporary equity any stock which (i) the Company undertakes to redeem at a fixed or determinable price on the fixed or determinable date or dates; (ii) is redeemable at the option of the holders, or (iii) has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the Company. For stock presented as temporary equity that is not currently redeemable, the Company assesses the probability of the event that would lead to redemption. If it is probable that the equity instrument will become redeemable, the Company accretes changes in the redemption value over the period from the date of issuance, or from the date that it becomes probable that the instrument will become redeemable, if later, to the earliest redemption date of the instrument using an appropriate methodology. If an equity instrument classified as temporary equity is not probable of redemption, subsequent adjustment of the amounts presented in temporary equity is unnecessary.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, without consideration for potentially dilutive securities.
Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share calculation, Series A Preferred Stock, stock options, ESPP shares, RSUs and warrants are considered to be potentially dilutive securities. See Note 14 for further information.
Accordingly, in periods in which the Company reports a net loss, diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share, since dilutive common stock is not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive.
The Company issued Series A Preferred Stock, which accrues cumulative dividends which are either paid in cash or compounding to the liquidation preference at the discretion of the board of directors. The Company accrues dividends as adjustments to net loss before net loss attributable to common stockholders.
The Company applies the two-class method to calculate its basic and diluted net loss per share as the Company has issued shares that meet the definition of participating securities. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders. The Company's participating securities contractually entitle the holders of such shares to participate in dividends, but do not contractually require the holders of such shares to participate in losses of the Company. Accordingly, in periods in which the Company reports a net loss, such losses are not allocated to such participating securities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements — Adopted
The Company continually assess any ASUs or other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB to determine their applicability and impact. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement will result in a change to the Company's financial reporting, the Company takes the appropriate steps to ensure that such changes are properly reflected in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 to update the methodology used to measure current expected credit losses (“CECL”). This ASU applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans, held-to-maturity
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debt securities, net investments in leases, and trade accounts receivable as well as certain off-balance sheet credit exposures, such as loan commitments. This ASU replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology to reflect CECL and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to explain credit loss estimates. The guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition method through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings/(deficit) in the period of adoption. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (“Topic 326”), Targeted Transition Relief, which amends the transition guidance for ASU 2016-13. The ASU provides entities with the option to irrevocably elect the fair value option in Subtopic 825-10 on an instrument-by-instrument basis. ASU 2019-10 and ASU 2016-13 are effective for years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the standard on January 1, 2023. ASU 2016-13 did not result in any material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements — Not Yet Adopted
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting, which expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The updated standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on the financial statement disclosures.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, which requires more detailed income tax expense. Theredisclosures. The guidance requires entities to disclose disaggregated information about their effective tax rate reconciliation as well as expanded information on income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The disclosure requirements will be applied on a prospective basis, with the option to apply them retrospectively. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on the financial statement disclosures.
NOTE 3. BUSINESS COMBINATION
As discussed in Note 1, on April 26, 2022, the Business Combination was consummated. Pursuant to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “certificate of incorporation”), the Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of capital stock consisting of 455,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 44,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. All stock has a par value of $0.0001 per share. The holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held and the holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to stockholders for their vote or approval. The holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together as one class, other than on certain specific matters described in the Company's certificate of incorporation.
The Business Combination was approved by ATSP’s stockholders at a special meeting thereof (the “Special Meeting”), held in lieu of the 2022 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. The Business Combination fulfilled the definition of an “initial business combination” as required by the ATSP’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. This fulfillment resulted in ATSP ceasing to be a shell company upon the Closing.
An aggregate of 12,767,950 shares of Class A Common Stock sold in ATSP’s initial public offering (the “public shares”) exercised their rights to redemption. The redemption right provided holders the right to have their public shares redeemed for a pro rata portion of the trust account holding the proceeds from ATSP’s initial public offering. The value of the shares is calculated as of two (2) business days prior to the date of the Special Meeting, which was $10.00 per share, or $127.7 million in the aggregate.
As a result of the Business Combination, among other things (1) all outstanding shares of Legacy SoundHound Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Closing (including Legacy SoundHound Common Stock resulting from the Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock Conversion), were exchanged at an conversion ratio of 5.5562 (the “Conversion Ratio”) for an aggregate of 140,114,060 shares of Class A Common Stock and 40,396,600 Class B
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Common Stock; (2) each outstanding warrant to purchase shares of Legacy SoundHound Common Stock automatically converted into a warrant to purchase, subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under these warrants prior to the Effective Time, shares of Class A Common Stock, proportionately adjusted for the Conversion Ratio, with the per share exercise price equal to the exercise price prior to the Effective Time divided by the Conversion Ratio and were net exercised upon the Closing; (3) each outstanding option to purchase shares of Legacy SoundHound Common Stock converted into an option to purchase, subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under these options prior to the Effective Time, shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of shares subject to such option prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Conversion Ratio, with the per share exercise price equal to the exercise price prior to the Effective Time divided by the Conversion Ratio; (4) each Legacy SoundHound RSU converted into a restricted stock unit of SoundHound, subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the SoundHound RSU prior to the Closing. SoundHound RSU holders received the same consideration holders would have received if the SoundHound RSU was converted into Legacy SoundHound Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time.
In connection with the Merger Agreement, ATSP entered into subscription agreements (collectively, the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain accredited investors (the “Subscribers”). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, the Subscribers agreed to purchase, and ATSP agreed to sell to the Subscribers, an aggregate of 11,300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (“PIPE Shares”), for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $113.0 million (the “PIPE Investment”). The PIPE shares are identical to the shares of Class A Common Stock that were held by the ATSP’s public stockholders at the time of the Closing, except that the PIPE Shares were not entitled to any redemption rights. The sale of PIPE Shares was consummated concurrently with the Closing.
The Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, ATSP was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. The net assets of Legacy SoundHound were stated at historical cost, with no unrecognized taxgoodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
In accounting for the Business Combination and after redemptions, net proceeds received by the Company totaled $90.7 million. The table below shows the total net proceeds from the Business Combination and the PIPE Investment (in thousands):
Cash - ATSP trust and cash (net of redemption)$5,357 
Cash - PIPE Investment113,000 
Less: transaction costs(27,668)
Net proceeds from Business Combination and PIPE Investment$90,689 
Relating to the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company incurred $27.7 million in total transaction costs consisting of direct legal, accounting and other fees. $4.1 million of Legacy SoundHound transaction costs specific and directly attributable to the Business Combination were initially capitalized as deferred offering costs and included in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Total transaction expenses were recorded as an offset against proceeds received on the closing of the Business Combination, accounted for as additional paid-in capital.
The amount recorded to additional paid-in-capital was comprised of $86.6 million net proceeds from the PIPE investment and $4.1 million after net redemptions of ATSP shareholders.
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The number of shares of common stock issued immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination was as follows:
Class A Common Stock - conversion of Legacy SoundHound Common Stock and Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock outstanding prior to Business Combination140,114,060
Class B Common Stock - conversion of Legacy SoundHound Common Stock and Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock outstanding prior to Business Combination40,396,600
Class A Common Stock - PIPE Investment11,300,000
Class A Common Stock - issuance to ATSP shareholders532,050
Class A Common Stock - issuance to Legacy SoundHound founders and representatives4,161,000
Total shares of common stock immediately after Business Combination196,503,710
NOTE 4. REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Revenues are generally recognized upon the transfer of control of promised products or services provided to customers, reflecting the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive for those products or services.
The Company’s arrangements with customers may contain multiple obligations. Individual services are accounted for separately if they are distinct — that is, if a service is separately identifiable from other items in the contract and a customer can benefit from it in its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer.
The Company derives its revenue primarily from the following performance obligations: (1) hosted services, (2) professional services, (3) monetization, and (4) licensing. Revenues are reported net of applicable sales and use taxes that are passed through to customers. The Company applies significant judgement in identifying and evaluating any terms and conditions in contracts which impact revenue recognition.
The Company has the following performance obligations in contracts with customers:
Hosted Services
Hosted services, along with non-distinct customization, integration, maintenance and support professional services, allow customers to access the Houndify platform over the contract period without taking possession of the software. The contract terms of hosted services range from one year to twenty years.
The Company has determined that the hosted services arrangements are a single performance obligation comprised of a series of distinct services, since each day of providing access to hosted services is substantially the same and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as access is provided. These services are provided either on a usage basis (i.e., variable consideration) or on a fixed fee subscription basis. The Company recognizes revenue as each distinct service period is performed.
Hosted services generally include up-front services to develop and/or customize the Houndify application to each customer’s specification. Judgement is required to determine whether these professional services are distinct from the hosted services. In making this determination, factors such as the degree of integration, the customers’ ability to start using the software prior to customization, and nothe availability of these services from other independent vendors are considered.
In instances where the Company concluded that the up-front services are not distinct performance obligations, revenues for these activities are recognized over the period which the hosted services are provided and is included within hosted services revenue.
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Professional Services
Revenues from distinct professional services, such as non-integrated development services, are either recognized over time based upon the progress towards completion of the project, or at a point in time at project completion. The Company assesses distinct professional services to determine whether the transfer of control is over-time or at a point in time. The Company considers three criteria in making their assessment including (1) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits; (2) the Company’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced; or (3) the Company’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the entity and the entity has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. If none of the criteria are met, revenues are determined to be recognized at a point in time.
For distinct professional services determined to be recognized over-time, measuring the stage of completion of a project requires significant judgement and estimates and is based on input and output measures. During the year ended December 31, 2023, $7.4 million of professional service revenue was recognized over time, with the remaining $0.9 million recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation was fulfilled and control of the service was transferred to the customer. During the year ended December 31, 2022, $2.2 million of professional service revenue was recognized over time, with the remaining $2.0 million recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation was fulfilled and control of the service was transferred to the customer. During the year ended December 31, 2021, $2.4 million of professional service revenue was recognized over time, with the remaining $4.7 million recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation was fulfilled and control of the service was transferred to the customer.
Monetization
Monetization revenues are primarily derived from advertising payments associated with ad impressions placed on the SoundHound music identification application. The Company derives an immaterial amount of revenue from sales commissions earned from song purchases facilitated by the SoundHound app and App store fees paid for ads-free downloads of the SoundHound music identification app. The amount of revenue is based on actual monetization generated or usage, which represent a variable consideration with constrained estimates. Therefore, the Company recognizes the related revenues at a point in time when advertisements are placed, when commissions are paid or when the SoundHound application is downloaded. The determination of whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis is based on an assessment of whether the Company is acting as a principal or an agent in the transaction. The Company has determined that it does not act as the principal in monetization arrangements because it does not control the transfer of the service and it does not set the price. Based on these factors, the Company reports revenue on a net basis.
Licensing
The Company licenses voice solutions that are embedded in customer's products. Licensing revenues are a distinct performance obligation that is recognized when control is transferred to the customer, which is at a point in time for non-customized solutions. For licenses with non-distinct customized solutions, revenues are recognized over time based on the progress towards completion of the customized solution. Revenues generated from licensing are based on royalty models with a combination of minimum guarantees and per unit pricing. Royalty periods are generally subsequent to when control of the license passes to the customer. The Company records licensing revenue as a usage-based royalty from customers’ usage of intellectual property in the same period in which the underlying sale occurs. For royalty arrangements that include fixed considerations related to a minimum guarantee from a customer, the fixed consideration allocated to the license is recognized when the control of the license passes to the customer. The Company provides assurance-type warranty services and to date, post-contract support has been an immaterial performance obligation within the context of the contract.
When a contract has multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative estimated standalone selling price (“SSP”). Judgments are required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation. SSP is determined by maximizing observable inputs from pricing of standalone sales, when possible. Since prices vary from customer to customer based on customer relationship, volume
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discount and contract type, in instances where the SSP is not directly observable, the Company estimates SSP by considering the following factors:
Costs of developing and supplying each performance obligation;
Industry standards;
Major product groupings; and
Gross margin objectives and pricing practices, such as contractually stated prices, discounts offered and applicable price lists.
These factors may vary over time, depending upon the unique facts and circumstances related to each deliverable. If the facts and circumstances underlying the factors considered change or should future facts and circumstances lead the Company to consider additional factors, the Company’s best estimate of SSP may also change.
The Company's long-term contracts do not have significant financing components, as there is generally payment and performance in each year of the contract. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not adjust promised amounts accruedof consideration for interestthe effects of a significant financing component if the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the Company transfers a promised good or service to a customer and penaltieswhen the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. If there is a period of one year or longer between the transfer of promised services and payment, it is generally for reasons other than financing, thus, the Company does not adjust the transaction price for financing components.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, revenue under each performance obligation was as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Licensing$18,600 $8,322 $— 
Hosted services18,364 17,743 12,764 
Professional services8,275 4,220 7,142 
Monetization634 844 1,291 
Total$45,873 $31,129 $21,197 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the disaggregated revenue by geographic location* was as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Korea$22,962 $14,530 $2,460 
United States6,769 3,344 4,030 
Germany5,950 4,134 7,526 
France4,090 4,023 2,616 
Japan3,707 3,866 3,797 
Other2,395 1,232 768 
Total$45,873 $31,129 $21,197 

*Revenue by geographic region is allocated to individual countries based on the billing location of the customer. The end customer location may be different than the customer's billing location.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the disaggregated revenue by recognition pattern was as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Over time$25,757 $19,955 $15,210 
Point-in-time20,116 11,174 5,987 
Total$45,873 $31,129 $21,197 

The Company also disaggregates revenue by service type. This disaggregation consists of Product Royalties, Service Subscriptions and Monetization. Product Royalties revenues are derived from Houndified Products, which are voice-enabled tangible products across the automotive and consumer electronics industries. Revenues from Product Royalties are based on volume, usage, or life of the products, which are driven by number of devices, users, or unit of time. Service Subscription revenues are generated through Houndified Services, which include customer services, food ordering, content, appointments, and voice commerce. Subscription revenues are derived from monthly fees based on usage-based revenue, revenue per query or revenue per user. Both Houndified Products and Houndified Services may include professional services that develop and customize the Houndify platform to fit customers’ specific needs. Revenues from Monetization are generated from the SoundHound music identification app and are primarily attributable to user ad impression revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the disaggregated revenue by service type was as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Product royalties$43,299 $28,447 $18,356 
Service subscriptions1,940 1,838 1,550 
Monetization634 844 1,291 
Total$45,873 $31,129 $21,197 

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Contract Balances
The Company performs its obligations under a contract with a customer by providing access to software, licensing right to use software, or providing services in exchange for consideration from the customer. The timing of the Company’s performance often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a receivable, a contract asset or deferred revenue. As of December 31, 2021, accounts receivable, net of allowances, were $2.1 million, contract assets were $54 thousand and deferred revenue was $21.0 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, $7.6 million of licensing revenue was recognized from the Company's Houndify Edge solution, which was delivered to a customer during the second half of 2022, related to minimum guarantee units to be utilized over the life of the contract and resulted in a corresponding increase in the contract assets balance. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company and the same customer modified the minimum guarantee units in an existing contract in the ordinary course of business. The Company accounted for a contract modification prospectively resulting in an increase to net revenue in the amount of $10.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, with corresponding increases in contract asset balances. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $3.6 million of licensing revenue related to right-to-use licenses for a new contract in 2023, where delivery occurred and total consideration was fixed.
The Company has not recorded any asset impairment charges related to contract assets during the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.
The balance of contract assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 includes $5.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of unbilled receivables which represents amounts for which the Company has an unconditional right to bill the customer.
Revenues recognized included in the balances of the deferred revenue at the beginning of the reporting period for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $7.9 million, $6.4 million and $14.9 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations related to customer contracts that were unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied was $12.7 million. Given the applicable contract terms, $6.4 million is expected to be recognized as revenue within one year, $3.3 million is expected to be recognized between 2 to 5 years and the remainder of $3.0 million is expected to be recognized after 5 years. This amount does not include contracts to which the customer is not committed, contracts for which the Company recognizes revenue equal to the amount the Company has the right to invoice for services performed, or future sales-based or usage-based royalty payments in exchange for access to the Company’s hosted services. This amount is subject to change due to future revaluations of variable consideration, terminations, other contract modifications or currency adjustments. The estimated timing of the recognition of remaining unsatisfied performance obligations is subject to change and is affected by changes to scope, changes in timing of delivery of products and services, or contract modifications.
Research and Development
The Company’s research and development costs are expensed as incurred. These costs include salaries and other personnel related expenses, contractor fees, facility costs, supplies, and depreciation of equipment associated with the design and development of new software products prior to the establishment of technological feasibility.
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NOTE 5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Computer equipment$19,278 $20,946 
Software and voice recordings9,714 9,420 
Leasehold improvements3,882 3,850 
Furniture and fixtures777 761 
Total property and equipment, at cost33,651 34,977 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(32,136)(31,530)
Total property and equipment, net$1,515 $3,447 
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, property and equipment, net includes assets under finance lease obligations (see Note 15 for additional information) with an aggregate cost of approximately $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively and accumulated depreciation of approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense in respect of capitalized property and equipment totaled approximately $2.3 million, $4.0 million and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
NOTE 6. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
Accrued compensation expenses$6,961 $6,134 
Accrued vendor payables3,792 1,002 
Accrued lender fees2,603 — 
Accrued ELOC liability— 1,075 
Accrued interest— 236 
Other accrued liabilities528 90 
$13,884 $8,537 
NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contracts
In August 2021, the Company entered into an exclusive agreement with a cloud service provider to host its voice artificial intelligence platform pursuant to which the Company committed to pay a minimum of $98.0 million in cloud costs over a seven-year period subject to variable increases based on usage.
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Aggregate non-cancelable future minimum payments were as follows as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.2023 (in thousands):
202411,000 
202514,000 
202616,000 
202724,000 
202824,000 
Total$89,000 
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may have certain contingent liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. The Company accrues contingent liabilities when it is currently not awareprobable that future expenditures will be made, and such expenditures can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of any issues under review that couldmanagement, there are no pending claims for which the outcome is expected to result in significant payments, accruals ora material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

Risks and Uncertainties

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negativeadverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations, cash flows and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity(Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity-linked contracts to qualify for scope exception, and it simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2021. Adoption of the ASU did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.flows of the Company.

Other Matters
The Company has not historically collected U.S. state or local sales and use tax, or other similar taxes, in any jurisdiction. On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court decided, in

South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., that state and local jurisdiction may, in certain circumstances, enforce sales and use tax collection obligations on remote vendors that have no physical presence in such jurisdiction. A number of states have already begun, or have positioned themselves to begin, requiring sales and use tax collection from remote vendors. The details and effective dates of these collection requirements vary from state to state. The Company continues to analyze potential sales tax exposure using a state-by-state assessment. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, the Company estimated and recorded a liability of $0.2 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Note 4 — Initial Public Offering

NOTE 8. WARRANTS

Pursuant

Warrants Related to Convertible Notes and Note Payable
In connection with the issuance of the Company’s 2021 note payable (“SVB March 2021 Note”) and 2021 convertible note (“SCI June 2021 Note”), the Company issued detachable warrants to purchase 708,808 and 354,404 shares of Legacy SoundHound common stock, respectively, with an exercise price of $3.67 per share to the IPOlenders, which were immediately exercisable. On the Closing Date, all outstanding warrants issued in connection to the SVB March 2021 Note and the SCI June 2021 Note were fully net exercised by their respective lenders, leading to a net issuance of 673,416 shares of Class A Common Stock.
In connection with the Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 9), on March 15, 2021,the Term Loan Closing Date the Company sold 12,000,000 Public Units atissued a warrant to purchase up to 3,301,536 shares of the Company's Class A common stock to the Agent (the "Term Loan Warrant"). The Term Loan Warrant has a per share exercise price of $10.00 per $2.59 and may be exercised, including on a cashless basis, by the holder at any time prior to the 10-year anniversary of the issue date. The Term Loan Warrant will be automatically cashless exercised immediately prior to a change in control of the Company. On the Term Loan Closing Date, the Company allocated the gross proceeds and issuance costs between the Term Loan and the Term Loan Warrant based on their relative fair values, resulting in the initial recognition of the Term Loan Warrant at $4.1 million as additional paid-in-capital on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, there were 3,301,536 warrants issued and outstanding in connection with the Credit Agreement.
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Warrants Related to the Business Combination
Public Unit.Warrants
Prior to the Business Combination, ATSP issued public warrants (“Public Warrants”). Each Public Unit consists of (i) one Public Subunit, which consists of one Public Share and one-quarter of one Public Warrant and (ii) one-quarter of one Public Warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to the right to purchase one share of common stock at aan exercise price of $11.50 per share. Each wholeNo fractional shares were issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Company may redeem the outstanding warrants, for $0.01 per warrant, willupon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, if the reported last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock dividends, sub-divisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable 30 daysand ending on the third trading day before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. Upon issuance of a redemption notice by the Company, the warrant holders may, at any time after the completion of an initial Business Combination and will expireredemption notice, exercise the Public Warrants for cash, or on the fifth anniversary of the completion of an initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

a cashless basis.

On March 19, 2021, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment optionSubsequent to purchase 1,300,000 Public Units, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Public Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $13,000,000. 

Following the closing of the IPO on March 15, 2021 andBusiness Combination, the underwriters’ partial exercise of over-allotment option on March 19, 2021, $133,000,000 fromCompany’s Public Warrants continue to be classified as equity instruments, as they are indexed to the net proceeds ofCompany’s stock.

Private Warrants
Prior to the sale ofBusiness Combination, ATSP issued private warrants (“Private Warrants”). The Private Warrants were initially issued in the same form as the Public Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Units was placed in the Trust Account. The funds held in Trust Account is and will be invested only in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, so that the Company is not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act.


Note 5 — Private Placement

SimultaneouslyWarrants with the closing of the IPO, the Sponsor and EarlyBirdCapital purchased an aggregate of 390,000 Private Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit in a private placement (the “Private Placement”), generating gross proceeds of $3,900,000.

On March 19, 2021, simultaneous with the exercise of the over-allotment option, the Sponsor and EarlyBirdCapital purchased an aggregate of 26,000 additional Private Units, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $260,000.

The Private Units (and underlying Private Subunits, Private Shares, and Private Warrants) are identical to the Public Units exceptexception that the Private Warrants included in the Private Units:Warrants: (i) willwould not be redeemable by the Company and (ii) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or any of their permitted transferees. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than the initial purchasers or any of their permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

The Company’s initial stockholders have agreed (A) to votePrivate Warrants were initially classified as derivative liability instruments as they met the definition of a derivative and were not considered indexed in the Company's own stock as the settlement value could be dependent on who held the Private Shares contained inWarrants at the Private Subunits in favortime of any proposed Business Combination, (B) not to convert any Private Subunits in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial Business Combination or sell any Private Shares toexercise. Upon the Company in a tender offer in connection with a proposed initial Business Combination and (C) thatClosing of the Private Subunits shall not participate in any liquidating distribution from the Trust Account upon winding up if a Business Combination is not consummated. In the event of a liquidation prior to the initial Business Combination, the Company modified its Private Units will likelyWarrants to be worthless.

identical to its Public Warrants (collectively, "SPAC Warrants"). Therefore, the Private Warrants met requirements for classification as equity instruments, as they are indexed to the Company’s stock.
As of December 31, 2023, there were 3,665,996 SPAC Warrants issued and outstanding.

Note 6 — Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

NOTE 9. NOTE PAYABLE
SNAP June 2020 Note

On January 4, 2021, the Sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.009 per share, to cover certain offering costs in consideration for 2,875,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Founder Shares”). Up to 375,000 Founder Shares are subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised. On March 10, 2021,

In June 2020, the Company effectedissued a stock dividendpromissory note (the “SNAP June 2020 Note”) to a Lender in exchange for $15.0 million in cash proceeds. The note had an annual interest rate of 0.2 shares5% and a maturity date of June 26, 2022, if not converted earlier pursuant to conversion terms and change in control events.
The Company recognized total interest expense of $0.7 million associated with the SNAP June 2020 Note for each founder share outstanding, resulting in an aggregate of 3,450,000 founder shares outstanding and held by the Sponsor and the Company’s directors (up to 450,000year ended December 31, 2022, out of which are subject$0.4 million relates to forfeiture by the Sponsor if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is not exercised in full). On March 19, 2021, the underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase 1,300,000 Public Units. As a result, 125,000 founder shares were forfeited.

On the dateamortization of the IPO,debt discount. The Company recognized total interest expense of $2.0 million associated with the Founder Shares were placed into an escrow account maintained in New York, New York by Continental Stock Transfer& Trust Company, acting as escrow agent. SubjectSNAP June 2020 Note for the year ended December 31, 2021, out of which $1.3 million relates to certain limited exceptions, these shares will not be transferred, assigned, sold or released from escrow (subjectamortization of the debt discount. The debt discount related to certain limited exceptions) for a periodthe SNAP June 2020 Note is amortized over the life of the instrument, beginning at note issuance and ending on (1) with respect to 50% of the founder shares, the earlier of one year after the date of the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination andApril 26, 2022, the date on which the closing pricenote was converted. The Company was amortizing the discounts on an effective interest basis over the period from issuance through the Early Maturity Date. The effective interest rate was 14.3% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

As a result of the Company’sBusiness Combination, on the Closing Date, the SNAP June 2020 Note conversion feature was triggered. As a result, on the Closing Date, all outstanding principal of $15.0 million and accrued interest of
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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
$1.4 million were converted into 2,046,827 shares of common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizationsClass A Common Stock. In addition, the remaining debt discount of $0.2 million and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after Company’s initial Business Combinationrelated derivative liability with fair value of $4.1 million as of the Closing Date were extinguished.
SVB March 2021 Note
In March 2021, the Company entered into a loan and (2)security agreement with respecta commercial bank to borrow $30.0 million. The loan bore interest at an annual rate equal to the remaining 50%greater of 9.00% or 5.75% above the Prime Rate. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the interest rate was 13.75%. Payments were interest-only for the first twelve months and are now principal and interest through maturity. The Company recorded interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 of $0.6 million, $2.8 million and $2.1 million respectively. The total amount of debt discount at issuance was $3.5 million. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $16 thousand, $1.0 million and $2.4 million related to the amortization of the founder shares, onedebt discount in interest expense, respectively. The Company was amortizing the discounts on an effective interest basis over the period from issuance through the Early Maturity Date. The effective interest rate was 13.4%, 14.9% and 20.9% for the year afterended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Concurrently with the date of Company’s consummation ofCompany's entry into the initial Business Combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to the initial Business Combination,Credit Agreement, the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. 

Promissory Note — Related Party

On January 4, 2021, the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expensesproceeds to prepay in full all outstanding obligations under, and terminated, the SVB March 2021 Note. In connection with the SVB March 2021 Note prepayment, the Company paid a total of $18.5 million on April 14, 2023, which consisted of (i) the remaining principal amount outstanding of $18.1 million, (ii) a prepayment premium of $0.3 million, (iii) accrued and unpaid interest of $0.1 million and (iv) a nominal amount for transaction expenses. The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.4 million related to the early repayment in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

SCI June 2021 Note
In June 2021, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with a lender to obtain credit extensions to the Company. Extensions were available in $5.0 million increments up to a total commitment amount of $15.0 million. The Company drew an initial $5.0 million on June 14, 2021 and the remaining $10.0 million on December 1, 2021. The loan bore interest at an annual rate equal to the greater of 9.00% or 5.75% above the Prime Rate. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the interest rate was 13.75%. Payments were interest-only for the first twelve months and are now principal and interest through maturity. The Company incurred and paid $0.5 million, $1.5 million and $0.3 million in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded $31 thousand, $0.8 million and $1.0 million related to the amortization of the IPO (the “Promissory Note”). These loans were non-interest bearing, unsecureddebt discounts in interest expense, respectively. The Company was amortizing the discounts on an effective interest basis over the period from issuance through the Early Maturity Date. The effective interest rate was 18.6%, 17.3% and were due at26.1% for the earlier of Marchyear ended December 31, 2021 or2023, 2022 and 2021.
Concurrently with the closingCompany’s entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company used a portion of the IPO.

On February 1,proceeds to prepay in full all outstanding obligations under, and terminated, the SCI June 2021 Note. In connection with the Sponsor fundedSCI June 2021 Note prepayment on April 14, 2023, the Company paid a total of approximately $11.7 million, which consisted of (i) the remaining principal amount outstanding of approximately $11.5 million, (ii) a prepayment premium of approximately $0.2 million and (iii) a nominal amount for transaction expenses. The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.4 million related to the Company $100,000 pursuant toearly repayment in interest expense in the Promissory Note. consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Term Loan
On February 10, 2021, the Sponsor funded toApril 14, 2023 (the “Term Loan Closing Date”), the Company an additional $25,000 pursuant toentered into a Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with ACP Post Oak Credit II LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Promissory Note, for an aggregate amount of $125,000. On March 15, 2021,Lenders (the “Agent”), and the Promissory Note in an aggregate amount of $125,000 was fully repaid by the Company to the Sponsor.


Related Party Loans

In order to meet the working capital needs following the consummation of the IPO if the funds not held in the Trust Account are insufficient, the Sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds,lenders from time to time or at any time,party thereto (the “Lenders”). The Credit Agreement provides for a term loan facility in whateveran aggregate principal amount they deem reasonableof up to $100.0 million (the “Term Loan”), the entirety of which was funded on the Term Loan Closing Date. The Credit Agreement also permits the Company to

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
request additional commitments of up to $25.0 million in theirthe aggregate, with funding of such commitments in the sole discretion (“Working Capital Loans”). Each Working Capital Loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of the initial Business Combination, without interest, or, atLenders, under certain circumstances and under the holder’s discretion, upsame terms as the Term Loan. On the Term Loan Closing Date, the Company also entered into that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of April 14, 2023, by and among the Company, the other grantors named therein and the Agent (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”). In addition, the Company is obligated to $1,500,000pay incremental lender fees, beginning on the Closing Date, equal to initially 3.5% of the notes may be converted into units atprincipal amount of the Term Loans, decreasing to 2.5% after the 18-month anniversary, semi-annually (the “Lender Fees”) to provide a pricecollateral protection insurance policy on behalf of $10.00 per unit.the Lenders. The units would consist of (i) one subunit, which consists of one share of common stock and one-quarter of one warrant, and (ii) one-quarter of one warrant, where the common stock and warrants would be identicalLender Fees are effectively additional fees payable to the common stock and warrants included inLenders as the Private Units. InLenders are the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portionsole beneficiary of the working capital held outsideinsurance policy and is therefore being recognized as interest expense over the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts, but no otherterm of the Term Loan based on the effective interest method.
The Company used the proceeds from the Trust Account wouldTerm Loan to (i) repay outstanding amounts equal to approximately $30.0 million under the Company’s existing loan facilities, (ii) fund an escrow account on the Term Loan Closing Date in the name of the Agent for an amount equal to the first four interest payments, (iii) pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, and (iv) fund the Lender Fees, together with related taxes, with the remaining proceeds to be used to fund growth investments and for such repayment. Atgeneral corporate purposes as permitted under the Credit Agreement.
The outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan bears interest at the applicable margin plus, at the Company’s election, either (i) the Term SOFR rate published by CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited for a one-month interest period plus 0.15% or (ii) the alternate base rate (“ABR”), which is a per annum rate equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (b) the NYFRB Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.50% and (c) the Term SOFR rate plus 1.00%. The applicable margin under the Credit Agreement is 8.50% per annum with respect to SOFR loans, and 7.50% per annum with respect to ABR loans. As of December 31, 20212023, the contractual interest rate was approximately 14.0%. The Company was amortizing the discounts on an effective interest basis over the period from issuance through the Early Maturity Date. The effective interest rate was 25.18% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company incurred and 2020, no such Working Capital Loans were outstanding.paid $9.9 million in stated interest in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $5.4 million in interest expense related to the debt discount. The remaining period over which the discount will be amortized is 3.33 years as of December 31, 2023.

Administrative Service Fee

CommencingSubject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Credit Agreement, interest on the Effective DateTerm Loan is payable quarterly in arrears on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The Term Loan is set to mature on April 14, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). The Credit Agreement provides for no scheduled principal payments prior to the Maturity Date.

The Term Loan is secured by substantially all of the registration statement throughassets of the acquisitionCompany and its subsidiaries and is guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiaries other than Excluded Subsidiaries. As set forth in more detail in the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to make mandatory prepayments on the Term Loan in the event of a target business,certain specified events, including in the event of certain capital raises by the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company may also elect to prepay amounts at any time. If the Term Loan is prepaid for any reason prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, in additional to principal and accrued interest, the Company will have to pay an affiliateamount equal to the discounted future interest payments from the date of redemption through the second anniversary of the Chief Executive Officer, an aggregate feeClosing Date, calculated on the basis of $10,000 per monththe interest rate in effect on the redemption date and discounted based on the applicable rate for providingUS treasury securities of equal tenor plus 50 basis points. Additionally, the Company will have to pay the excess of 14% of the Term Loans over the amount of the Lender Fees paid through the Redemption Date.
The Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties for a facility of this nature and affirmative and negative covenants. In particular, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to have liquidity at least equal to the Interest Escrow Required Amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The Interest Escrow Required Amount as described in Note 2 is included in restricted cash equivalents, non-current, on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023. In addition, the Credit Agreement limits the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness, make restricted payments, including cash dividends on its common stock, make certain investments, loans and advances, enter into mergers and acquisitions, sell, assign transfer or otherwise dispose of its assets, enter into transactions with office spaceits affiliates and engage in sale and leaseback
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
transactions, among other restrictions. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants prescribed in the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement includes customary events of default, including, but not limited to, nonpayment of principal or interest, breaches of representations and warranties, failure to perform or observe covenants, cross-defaults with certain other indebtedness, final judgments or orders, certain change of control events, and certain officebankruptcy-related events or proceedings. Upon the occurrence of an event of default (subject to notice and secretarial services. grace periods), obligations under the Credit Agreement could be accelerated.
The Company has recorded 97,097 for the for the period from March 10, 2021 throughaggregate long-term debt maturities were as follows as of December 31, 2021.

2023 (in thousands):
2024— 
2025— 
2026— 
2027100,000 
Total100,000 
Less: unamortized discount(15,688)
Long-term portion of debt$84,312 

The following table summarizes the Company's debt balances as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

Note 7 — Fair Value Measurements

December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Term Loan$100,000 $— 
SVB March 2021 Note— 22,050 
SCI June 2021 Note— 12,979 
Total debt$100,000 $35,029 
Current portion of debt— (16,668)
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs(15,688)(62)
Carrying value of long-term debt$84,312 $18,299 
NOTE 10. RESTRUCTURING

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurement

In January 2023, the Company announced a restructuring plan (the “Restructuring Plan”) intended to reduce operating costs, improve operating margins, improve cash flows and accelerate the Company’s path to profitability. The Restructuring Plan included a reduction of the Company’s then-current workforce by approximately 40% or 180 positions globally.
Costs associated with the Restructuring Plan consist of employee severance payments, employee benefits and share-based compensation. The costs associated with the Restructuring Plan were recorded to the restructuring expense line item within our consolidated statements of operations as incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $4.6 million of restructuring expenses in connection with the Restructuring Plan, of which $1.4 million were cash payments. The Restructuring Plan was substantially complete as of December 31, 2023.
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NOTE 11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The following table presents information about the Company’s Representative Sharesfair value of the Company's financial instruments that wereare measured or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurringrecurring basis as of January 13, 2021 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.

(in thousands):
  January 13,  Quoted
Prices In
Active
Markets
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
  Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
 
  2021  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Stockholders’ Equity:                
Representative Shares $2,024,463  $-  $-  $2,024,463 
  $2,024,463  $  $-  $2,024,463 

December 31, 2023
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Treasury bills$35,961 $— $— 
Money market funds54,542 $— $— 
Total assets$90,503 $— $— 

The estimated fair value of the Representative Shares on January 13, 2021, the date the Representative SharesThere were issued, was determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a Monte-Carlo simulation model utilizing the probability weighted expected return method are assumptions related to the expected stock-price volatility (pre-merger), the risk-free interest rate, and the expected restricted term. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock based on management’s understanding of the volatility associated with instruments of other similar entities. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity similar to the expected restricted term of the Representative Shares. The expected restricted term of the Representative Shares is simulated based on management assumptions regarding the timing and likelihood of completing the IPO and a business combination. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates to remain at zero. The assumptions used in calculating the estimated fair values represent the Company’s best estimate. However, inherent uncertainties are involved. If factorsno financial instrument assets measured or assumptions change, the estimated fair values could be materially different.

The key inputs into the Monte Carlo simulation model for the Representative Shares were as follows at January 13, 2021:

Input January 13,
2021
 
Restricted term (years)  1.11 
Expected volatility  12.5%
Risk-free interest rate  0.12%
Stock price $9.37 
Dividend yield  0%


Recurring Fair Value Measurement

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measureddisclosed at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and indicates2022.

Equity Line of Credit
Liabilities:Equity Line of Credit
January 1, 2022$— 
Issuance of ELOC1,075 
December 31, 20221,075 
Change in fair value1,901 
Settlements(2,976)
December 31, 2023$— 
The Company estimated the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.

  December 31,  Quoted
Prices In
Active
Markets
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
  Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
 
  2021  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                
U.S. Mutual Fund held in Trust Account $133,010,583  $133,010,583  $-  $- 
  $133,010,583  $133,010,583  $-  $- 
Liabilities:                
Warrant Liability $247,514  $-  $-  $247,514 
  $247,514  $-  $-  $247,514 

The estimatedLevel 3 fair value of the warrant liability on March 15, 2021 and December 31, 2021 is determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a Monte-Carlo simulation model are assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility (pre-mergerthe ELOC using contractual inputs of the commitment shares and post-merger), expected term, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate.reimbursement fees prior to the settlement. The Company estimatesdetermined that the volatility of itsELOC was not indexed to the Company’s own common stock based on management’s understandingand, therefore, should be accounted for in accordance with ASC 815: Derivatives. Accordingly, the Company recorded a derivative liability with an initial fair value of the volatility associated with instruments of other similar entities. The risk-free interest rate is$1.1 million based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity similarupfront commitment fee and the reimbursement amount to the expected remaining lifeinvestor as consideration for its irrevocable commitment to purchase up to 25,000,000 shares of the warrants. The expected lifeCompany's common stock.

Subsequent changes in the fair value of the warrants is simulatedderivative liability are dependent upon, among other things, changes in the closing share price of the Company’s common stock, the quantity and purchase price of shares purchased during the reporting period, the unused capacity under the ELOC as of the balance sheet date and the cost of raising other forms of capital. The Company adjusts the previous fair value estimate of the committed equity facility at each reporting period based on management assumptions regardingchanges in the timingweighted average purchase price of shares purchased during the period, the unused capacity available under the ELOC, expected stock price volatility and likelihoodother macroeconomic factors which impact the cost of completing a business combination. raising comparable forms of capital.
The dividend ratechanges in the fair value of the committed equity facility were an increase of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is basedincluded in other (income) expense, net on the historical rate, whichconsolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The fair value of the liability then is remeasured as of the settlement date equal to the difference between the volume weighted average price at a 3% discount compared to the fair value of the common stock.
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Series C Warrants (April 2013 and November 2013)
In December 2021, the Series C Warrants were fully exercised. Immediately prior to their exercise, the Company anticipatesrevalued the warrants to remaintheir intrinsic value, resulting in a change in fair value of $3.8 million. This change in fair value was recorded as a component of other expense, net, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The warrants were recorded as Series C Preferred Stock at zero.their fair value of $5.8 million upon net share settlement.
Derivative Liability (SNAP June 2020 Note)
To determine the fair value of the embedded derivative associated with the SNAP June 2020 Note, the Company utilized the income approach model using the With and Without method. Using the With and Without method, the Company modeled expected cash flows to the noteholder under Next Equity Financing, Change in Control, SPAC/Private Investment in Public Equity, and IPO scenarios. The value of the embedded derivative was determined as the differential value from the perspective of the With and Without Method. The Company utilized the following assumptions at the valuation date:
December 31, 2021
Probability of Next Equity Financing%
Probability of SPAC/PIPE95 %
Probability of IPO%
100 %
Weighted average term (years)0.27
Weighted average discount rate25 %
The significant unobservable inputs used in calculating the estimated fair values representvalue measurement of the Company’s best estimate. However, inherent uncertaintiesderivative liability are involved. If factors or assumptions change, the estimatedremaining expected term, the discount rate, and the probability of financing for each scenario. Significant increases (decreases) in the term would result in significantly lower (higher) fair values could be materially different.

value measurements. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate would result in significantly lower (higher) fair value measurements.

On April 26, 2022, the Closing of the Business Combination, the embedded derivative was valued at fair value which was equivalent to its intrinsic value. The key inputs intoembedded derivative had a fair value of $4.1 million. As the Monte Carlo simulation modelClosing of the Business Combination triggered the Conversion Feature contained within the SNAP June 2020 Note, therefore converting the note’s principal to equity, the embedded derivative associated with the note was extinguished. The Company recorded the remeasurement of derivative liabilities in other expense, net on the consolidated statements of

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operations and comprehensive loss. The fair value of the embedded derivative was recorded as additional paid-in capital upon extinguishment on the consolidated balance sheet.
The following table summarizes the fair value remeasurement of the embedded derivative for the warrant liability were as follows at March 15, 2021:

Input March 15,
2021
 
Expected term (years)  5.99 
Expected volatility  24.3%
Risk-free interest rate  1.06%
Stock price $9.36 
Dividend yield  0%
Exercise price $11.5 

The key inputs into the Monte Carlo simulation model for the warrant liability were as follows atyears ended December 31, 2021:

2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Input December 31,
2021
 
Expected term (years)  5.30 
Expected volatility  19.5%
Risk-free interest rate  1.29%
Stock price $9.58 
Dividend yield  0%
Exercise price $11.5 

Year Ended December 31,
20222021
Remeasurement of conversion feature — loss$(606)$(1,108)

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative liability and warrant liability for which fair value was determined by Level 3 inputs:

Derivative LiabilityWarrant Liability
Balance as of December 31, 2020$2,380 $2,004 
Change in fair value$1,108 $3,812 
Exercise of warrants$— $(5,816)
Balance as of December 31, 2021$3,488 $— 
Change in fair value$606 $— 
Extinguishment of embedded derivative upon conversion of convertible note$(4,094)$— 
Balance as of December 31, 2022$— $— 
Term Loan and Term Loan Warrant
The fair value of the Company's variable rate Term Loan approximates aggregate principal amount as the interest rate of the loan approximates market rates.
The Company issued a Class A Common Stock warrant in connection with the Term Loan (see Note 8 for additional information). The warrant was recorded based on the allocation of its relative fair value of the debt proceeds of $4.1 million. The warrants were classified as equity instruments at inception with a corresponding discount recorded at issuance against the outstanding note payable in connection with the Term Loan. The common stock warrant is not subject to remeasurement at each subsequent balance sheet date due to its classification as an equity instrument as it is considered indexed to the Company’s stock. The Term Loan warrant expires in April 2033.
The Company determined the fair value of the Term Loan common stock warrant liability forat issuance using the year endedBlack-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:
Expected dividend rate— %
Risk-free interest rate3.60 %
Expected volatility52 %
Expected term (in years)5
As of December 31, 2021:

2023, no warrants related to the Term Loan had been exercised.
96
  Warrant
Liability
 
Fair value as of December 31, 2020 $- 
Initial fair value of warrant liability upon issuance at IPO  270,307 
Change in fair value  (22,793)
     
Fair value as of December 31, 2021 $247,514 


SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 12. PREFERRED STOCK

Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies

Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock

Registration Rights

The holdersLegacy SoundHound Preferred Stock was not mandatorily redeemable. Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock was contingently redeemable upon a deemed liquidation event which the Company determined was not solely within its control as the Company determined that a deemed liquidation event can only occur with the approval of the Founder Sharesboard of directors and Representative Shares (as defined below) issued and outstanding on the datepreferred shareholders maintained control of the IPO,board of directors as well as the holders of the Private UnitsDecember 31, 2021 and any units the Sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of Working Capital Loans made to the Company (and all underlying securities), will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement signed on March 10, 2021. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that the Company use its best efforts to register such securities. The holders of the majority of the Founder Shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common stock are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the Representative Shares, Private Units and units issued to the Sponsor, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of Working Capital Loans made to the Company (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after the Company consummates a Business Combination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, EarlyBirdCapital may only make a demand on one occasion and only during the five-year period beginning on March 10, 2021. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the consummation of a Business Combination; provided, however, that EarlyBirdCapital may participate in a “piggy-back” registration only during the seven-year period beginning onthrough April 26, 2022, the effective date of the registration statement. The Company will bearBusiness Combination, and thus has classified shares of Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock as temporary equity. Since the expenses incurred in connection withoccurrence of a deemed liquidation event was not probable, the filingcarrying values of any such registration statements.

the shares of legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock were not being accreted to their redemption values.

Underwriters Agreement

EarlyBirdCapitalA summary of the Legacy SoundHound Preferred Stock authorized, issued and I-Bankers Securities, Inc. (the “Underwriters”) have a 45-day option fromoutstanding as of the date of the IPO to purchase up to an additional 1,800,000 Public Units to cover over-allotments, if any. The Underwriters were entitled to a cash underwriting discount of two percent (2%) of the gross proceeds of the IPO, or $2,400,000 (or up to $2,760,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full). On March 15, 2021, the Company paid, in aggregate, a fixed underwriting discount of $2,400,000.

On March 19, 2021, the Underwriters partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase 1,300,000 Public Units and were, in aggregate, paid a fixed underwriting discount of $260,000.

EarlyBirdCapital will have the right of first refusal for a period commencing from the consummation of the IPO until the consummation of the initial Business Combination (or the liquidation of the Trust Account in the event that the Company fails to consummate the initial Business Combination within the Combination Period) to actis as book running manager, placement agent and/or arranger for all financings where the Company seeks to raise equity, equity-linked, debt or mezzanine financings relating to or in connection with the initial Business Combination.follows

:

In addition, under certain circumstances EarlyBirdCapital will be granted, for a period of one year from the closing of the IPO, the right to act as lead underwriter for the next U.S. registered public offering of securities, undertaken by any of the Company’s officers, for the purpose of raising capital and placing 90% or more of the proceeds in a trust or escrow account to be used to acquire one or more operating businesses in the technology industry that have not been identified at the time of the IPO.

Shares AuthorizedShares IssuedLiquidation PreferenceCarrying Value
Series A19,106,04819,106,048$28,239 $4,967 
Series B33,702,13433,702,13466,360 11,038 
Series C5,687,5255,687,52538,163 11,837 
Series C-14,436,0904,436,09089,298 16,061 
Series D20,258,29920,258,299527,992 85,648 
Series D-18,418,5358,418,535277,812 49,957 
Series D-28,418,5308,418,530277,811 49,949 
Series D-36,922,1656,922,165276,887 50,046 
Series D-3A20,835,869— — 
127,785,195106,949,326$1,582,562 $279,503 

Business Combination Marketing Agreement

The Company has engaged EarlyBirdCapital as an advisor in connection with the Business Combination to assist the Company in holding meetings with its stockholders to discuss the potential Business Combination and the target business’ attributes, introduce the Company to potential investors that are interested in purchasing the Company’s securities in connection with the initial Business Combination, assist the Company in obtaining stockholder approval for the Business Combination and assist the Company with its press releases and public filings in connection with the Business Combination. The Company will pay EarlyBirdCapital a cash fee for such services upon the consummation of its initial Business Combination in an amount equal to 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the IPO (exclusive of any applicable finders’ fees which will become payable); provided that up to 30% of the fee may be allocated at the Company’s sole discretion to other FINRA members (including, with EarlyBirdCapital’s prior consent which shall not be unreasonably withheld, companies affiliated with the Company or its officers or directors) that assist the Company in identifying or consummating an initial Business Combination.


Representative Shares

On January 13, 2021, the Company has issued to EarlyBirdCapital and its designees an aggregate of 350,000 representative shares at a purchase price of $0.0001 per share (the “Representative Shares”). The fair value of the Representative Shares was determined to be $2,024,463 (See Note 7). On March 10, 2021, the Company effected a stock dividend of 0.2 shares of common stock for every share of common stock outstanding, resulting in an additional 70,000 representative shares issued to EarlyBirdCapital for no consideration and an aggregate of 420,000 representative shares outstanding. The holders of the Representative Shares have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any such shares without the Company’s prior consent until the completion of the initial Business Combination. In addition, the holders of the Representative Shares have agreed (i) to waive their conversion rights (or right to participate in any tender offer) with respect to such shares in connection with the completion of the initial Business Combination and (ii) to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such shares if the Company fails to complete its initial Business Combination within the Combination Period.

The Representative Shares have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days immediately following March 10, 2021 pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of the FINRA Manual. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1), these securities will not be sold during the IPO, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the March 10, 2021 or commencement of sales of the IPO, except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the IPO and their bona fide officers or partners, provided that all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction above for the remainder of the time period.

Business Combination Legal Services Agreement

The Company has entered into an agreement with its legal counsel, Loeb & Loeb (“Loeb”), whereby the Company is required to pay a total of $250,000 in retainer fees to Loeb for services related to the initial Business Combination upon the completion of certain milestones. The balance of any additional legal fees incurred related to the initial Business Combination will be due at the closing of the SPAC Merger. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had paid a total of $50,000 of retainer fees to Loeb.

Consulting Agreement

On March 16, 2021, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Dr. Julia, a director of the Company, pursuant to which Dr. Julia agreed to introduce to the Company one or more potential candidates for the Company to pursue regarding a potential business combination in exchange for a single consulting fee equal to 1.0% of the enterprise value of the target company paid in cash, not to exceed 2.0% of the Trust Account, payable concurrent with the closing of the business combination with the target introduced by Dr. Julia. On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into a Merger Agreement with SoundHound Inc., which Dr. Julia had introduced to the Company. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, uponUpon the closing of the Business Combination, Dr. Julia will be entitledthe outstanding shares of Series A, B, C, C-1, D, D-1, D-2, and D-3 preferred stock were converted into 106,949,326 shares of SoundHound AI Class A Common Stock at the exchange ratio of 1-for-1. Shares Authorized and Shares Issued above have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the exchange of 1 share of Legacy SoundHound stock into 5.5562 shares of the Company's Class A or Class B Common Stock. As a finder’s feeresult of $2.66 million. 

Note 9 — Stockholders’ Equity

the conversion of the Legacy SoundHound redeemable convertible preferred stock, the Company reclassified the amount of redeemable convertible preferred stock to additional paid in capital.

Preferred Stock — TheUpon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock atwith a par value of $0.0001 per share. AsThe number of December 31, 2021, there were noauthorized shares of preferred stock may also be increased or decreased by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of preferred stock. Any new series of preferred stock may be designated, fixed and determined as provided by the Board without approval of the holders of common stock or preferred stock and the preferred stock holders may be granted such rights, powers (including voting powers) and preferences as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, including the right to elect one or more directors.

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
On January 20, 2023, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreements with the Investors, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to the Investors an aggregate of 835,011 shares of its newly designated Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for issuance price of $30.00 per share, raising an aggregate of approximately $25.0 million in cash proceeds. On January 20, 2023, the Company filed a Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the "Certificate of Designations"),
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SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
designating shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued and sold in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or outstanding.

the underlying common stock for resale under the Securities Act. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to cumulative dividends payable for such share at the rate of 14% per annum, compounding semi-annually to Liquidation Preference on January 1 and July 1 of each year. The Company may also elect to pay any dividend in cash in lieu of accretion to Liquidation Preference if permitted under the agreements and instruments governing its outstanding indebtedness at such time. After payment of the cumulative dividend, including by way of accretion to the Liquidation Preference, any additional dividends declared or paid shall be distributed among the holders of Preferred Stock and common stock then outstanding pro rata based on the number of shares of common stock then held by each holder (assuming conversion of all such Preferred Stock into common stock at the then-effective conversion price.
Liquidation Preference

The Liquidation Preference per share of Preferred Stock was initially equal to $30.00, the original issue price per share. On July 1, 2023, the Company's Series A Preferred Stock holders received dividends paid-in-kind as an increase in the Liquidation Preference, thereby increasing the Liquidation Preference per share to approximately $31.90. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, the Series A Preferred Stock had accrued additional dividends since the last dividend payment date which has the effect of increasing the Liquidation Preference to approximately $34.16.
Redemption
The Series A Preferred Stock is not mandatorily redeemable.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or in the event of any Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined below), the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of the proceeds of the transaction or any of the assets of the Company to holders of the common stock, an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) two and a half time (2.5x) the Liquidation Preference (including any accrued and unpaid dividends since the last dividend payment date) or (ii) the amount as would have been payable had the Series A Preferred Stock been converted into common stock.
A Deemed Liquidation Event includes (i) a merger or acquisition of the Company in which 50% or less of the voting securities of the surviving entity are no longer held by the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or (ii) a sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license, or other disposal of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. If the Company is not liquidated within 90 days of a Deemed Liquidation Event, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have the option to require the redemption of the Preferred Stock to the extent the Company has sufficient available proceeds to do so. The Company determined that a Deemed Liquidation Event can only occur with the approval of the board of directors, and therefore the exercise of this contingent redemption feature is within the control of the Company and the Investors are not in control of the Company. Therefore, the Series A Preferred Stock is not classified as redeemable equity within the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit).
Conversion
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into such number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the Liquidation Preference per share at the time of conversion divided by $1.00 (the “Conversion Price”). In addition, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock at the Conversion Price on or after January 20, 2024 if and when the daily volume-weighted average closing price per share of Class A Common Stock is at least 2.5 times the Conversion Price for each of any 90 trading days during any 120 consecutive trading day period, which 120-trading day period may commence (but may not end) prior to January 20, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023, some Investors optionally converted 360,006 shares of Series A Preferred Stock into 11,597,656 shares of Class A Common Stock. The conversion was pursuant to the original terms of the agreement and therefore the carrying value of Series A Preferred Stock was converted into Class A Common Stock with no gain or loss upon conversion.
98

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Voting Rights
The Investors do not have voting rights, except with respect to certain protective provisions and as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law. However, as long as the Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company may not take certain actions that may materially and adversely impact the powers, preferences, or rights of the Investors without the consent of at least a majority of the Investors.
NOTE 13. COMMON STOCK
The Company had 250,030,433 shares of Legacy SoundHound common stock authorized for issuance prior to the closing of the Business Combination.
On April 26, 2022, following the Business Combination and pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000500,000,000 shares of commoncapital stock, consisting of (a) 455,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share, (b) 44,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share, and (c) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. At December 31, 2021, thereThe outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
As a result of the Business Combination, 73,561,334 shares of Legacy SoundHound common stock, along with 106,949,326 shares of Legacy SoundHound preferred stock, were 4,161,000converted into 180,510,660 shares of the Company’s common stock, consisting of 140,114,060 shares of Class A Common Stock and 40,396,600 shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. On all matters to be voted upon, subject to the rights of any holders of any series of preferred stock, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to the stockholders for their vote or approval. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to the stockholders for their vote or approval. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to stockholders for their vote or approval.
Each share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock will be convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock and will be automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock upon the occurrence of certain future events, generally including transfers, subject to limited excepts set forth in the amended charter. The conversion of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock will have the effect, over time, of increasing the relative voting power of those holders of Class B Common Stock who retain their shares in the long term. As a result, it is possible that one or more of the persons or entities holding our Class B Common Stock could gain significant voting control as other holders of Class B Common Stock sell or otherwise convert their shares into Class A Common Stock.
Equity Line of Credit ("ELOC")
On August 16, 2022, the Company entered into a common stock purchase agreement (“Common Stock Purchase Agreement”) and related registration rights agreement (the “CFPI Registration Rights Agreement”) with CF Principal Investments LLC (the “Counterparty”). Pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company had the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Counterparty to purchase up to 25,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions as described below (the "ELOC Program") at a purchase price equal to 97% of the volume weighted average stock price for a given purchase date. In connection with the execution of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement and the side letter on February 14, 2023, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Initial Commitment Shares”) and additional cash commitment fee of $0.3 million.
The Company controlled the timing and amount of any sales to the Counterparty, which depended on a variety of factors including, among other things, market conditions, the trading price of the Company’s common stock, and determinations by the Company as to appropriate sources of funding for its business and operations. However, the Counterparty’s obligation to purchase shares is subject to certain conditions, including the daily trading volume of the Company’s stock. In all instances, the Company may not sell shares of its common stock under the Purchase Agreement if it would result in the Counterparty and its affiliate beneficially owning more than 4.99% of its outstanding voting power or shares of common stock issued and outstanding, excluding 13,300,000at any one point in time, or the aggregation number of shares of
99

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
common stock would not exceed 39,365,804 shares of common stock subject to possible redemption. 


Public Warrants

Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the completion of an initial Business Combination. The warrants will expire on the fifth anniversaryrepresenting 19.99% of the completion of an initial Business Combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time,voting power or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

However, no warrants will be exercisable for cash unless the Company has an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective within 90 days following the consummation of the initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of common stock equalstock.

The Company evaluated the Common Stock Purchase Agreement with the Counterparty and determined that it was not indexed to the quotient obtainedCompany’s own common stock and, therefore, should be accounted for as a derivative instrument at fair value with changes in fair value as other income (expense), net in the period in which they occur. Accordingly, the Company recorded a derivative liability with an initial fair value of $1.1 million based on the upfront commitment fee in the form of proceeds from future issuance of commitment shares to the Counterparty plus certain fees and expenses as specified in the Purchase Agreement. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the derivative liability were dependent upon, among other things, changes in the closing share price of the Company’s common stock, the quantity and purchase price of shares purchased by dividing (x) the productCounterparty during the reporting period and the cost of raising other forms of capital.
The Company recorded changes in the fair value of the derivative liability associated with the ELOC of $1.9 million and $1.1 million respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 as other income (expense), net on its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company incurred third-party costs of $0.2 million related to the execution of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement which were recorded as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2023. Refer to Note 2 for information on the fair value of the derivative liability.
During the year ended, the Company sold the entirety of the 25,000,000 shares under the ELOC Program for aggregate proceeds of approximately $71.7 million, with the volume weighted average stock price of shares purchased by the Counterparty ranging from $1.75 to $4.26 per share.
Sales Agreement
On July 28, 2023, the Company entered into a Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, and D.A. Davidson & Co. (each a “Sales Agent” and collectively, the “Sales Agents”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell up to $150.0 million of shares of our Class A common stock from time to time through or to the Sales Agents acting as agent or principal. Sales of our Class A common stock, if any, under the Sales Agreement will be made at market prices by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. We will pay the Sales Agents commission for their services in acting as agent in the sale of our Class A common stock. The Sales Agents are entitled to aggregate compensation at a fixed commission rate of 2.5% of the gross sales price per share sold under the Sales Agreement. We have also agreed to reimburse the Sales Agents for certain specified expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $75 thousand in the aggregate in connection with the execution of the Sales Agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company sold 5,805,995 shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement, at a weighted-average price of $2.19 per share and raised $12.7 million of gross proceeds. The commissions and offering costs borne by the Company during the year were approximately $0.3 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has a remaining capacity to sell up to an additional $137.3 million of the Company's common stock under the Sales Agreement.
NOTE 14. STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
In April 2016, we adopted the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) as a successor and continuation of the 2006 Plan. Under the 2016 Plan, the Company was permitted to grant awards of stock options and RSUs, as well as stock appreciation rights and other stock awards. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company amended the 2016 Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock underlyingreserved for issuance by 6,667,478 to an aggregate of 48,347,329. As of the warrants, multipliedClosing Date of the Business Combination, the Company no longer has shares available for issuance under the 2016 Plan.
The 2016 Plan provides for incentive stock options to be granted to employees at an exercise price not less than 100% of the fair value at the grant date as determined by the difference betweenBoard of Directors, unless the exerciseoptionee is a 10% stockholder, in
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
which case the option price will not be less than 110% of the warrants and the “fair market value”(defined below) by (y) thesuch fair market value. The “fair market value”Options granted generally have a maximum term of 10 years from grant date, are exercisable upon vesting unless otherwise designated for this purpose will meanearly exercise by the average reported last sale priceBoard of Directors at the time of grant, and generally vest over a four-year period, with a 25% cliff vesting after one year and then ratably on a monthly basis for the remaining three years. RSUs granted generally vest over a four-year period, with 25% cliff vesting after one year and then ratably on a quarterly basis for the remaining three years.
On April 26, 2022, the stockholders of the Company approved the SoundHound AI, Inc. 2022 Incentive Award Plan (the “2022 Incentive Plan”) (collectively, with the 2006 Plan and the 2016 Plan, the “Plans”), which became effective upon the Closing. The Company initially reserved 19,650,371 shares of Class A Common Stock for the issuance of awards under the 2022 Incentive Plan (“Initial Limit”). The Initial Limit represents 10% of the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after the Closing and is subject to increase each year over a ten-year period. The Incentive Award Plan provides for the 5 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the dategrant of exercise.

The Companystock options, which may call the warrants for redemption (excluding the Private Warrantsbe ISOs or non-statutory stock options (“NSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted shares, restricted stock units and any warrants underlying additional units issued to the Sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of Working Capital Loans made to the Company), in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant,

at any time after the warrants become exercisable,

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder,

If, and only if, the reported last sale price of the shares of common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders; and

if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of common stock underlying such warrants.

In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional shares of commonother stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connectioncash-based awards that the Incentive Award Plan Administrator determines are consistent with the closingpurpose of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith byIncentive Award Plan and the Company’s board of directors, and in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor, initial stockholders or their affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by them prior to such issuance), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60%interests of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the Market Value is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the greater of (i) the Market ValueCombined Company, or (ii) the price at which the Company issues the additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities, and the $18.00 redemption trigger price will be adjusted to 180% of this amount.


Note 10 — Income Tax

The Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:

  December 31,
2021
  

December 31,

2020

 
Deferred tax asset        
Organizational costs/Startup expenses $51,171  $150 
Capitalized costs related to Business Combination  82,920    
Federal net operating loss  77,042    
Total deferred tax asset  211,133   150 
Valuation allowance  (211,133)  (150)
Deferred tax asset, net of allowance $
  $
 

The income tax provision consists of the following:

  

December 31,

2021

  

December 31,

2020

 
Federal        
Current $  $ 
Deferred  211,133   150 
State        
Current      
Deferred      
Change in valuation allowance  (211,133)  (150)
Income tax provision $  $ 

collectively, awards. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company has $366,866 of U.S. federal net operating loss carryovers, which do not expire, and no state net operating loss carryovers available to offset future taxable income. 

had 2,361,806 awards remaining for issuance under the 2022 Incentive Plan.

In assessingOn April 26, 2022, the realizationstockholders of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portionCompany approved the SoundHound AI, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which became effective upon the Closing. An aggregate of all3,930,074 shares of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.Company’s Class A Common Stock has been reserved for issuance or transfer pursuant to rights granted under the ESPP (“Aggregate Number”). The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of allAggregate Number represents 2% of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realizationaggregate number of shares of the deferred tax assetsCompany’s common stock outstanding immediately after the Closing and has therefore establishedis subject to increase each year over a full valuation allowance. Forten-year period. The ESPP provides eligible employees with an opportunity to purchase common stock from the Company at a discount through accumulated payroll deductions. The ESPP is being implemented through a series of offerings of purchase rights to eligible employees. Under the ESPP, the Company’s Board of Directors may specify offerings but generally provides for a duration of 27 months. The purchase price will be specified pursuant to the offering, but cannot, under the terms of the ESPP, be less than 85% of the lower of the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on either the offering date or on the purchase date. The ESPP also includes a six-month look-back provision for the purchase price if the stock price on the purchase date is less than the stock price on the offering date. The first offering period under the ESPP began on November 1, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, we had issued 478,023 shares pursuant to the ESPP.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Option Activity
Stock option activity under the Plans was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Number of SharesWeighted Average Exercise PriceWeighted Average
Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands)
Outstanding, December 31, 202028,772,180$2.38 
Granted6,303,9537.22 
Exercised(2,590,780)0.96 9,667 
Forfeited or cancelled(2,123,948)3.13 
Outstanding, December 31, 202130,361,405$3.45 6.24$168,705 
Granted391,6196.17 
Exercised(3,595,706)1.16 22,534 
Forfeited or cancelled(1,736,893)4.63 
Outstanding, December 31, 202225,420,4253.74 6.321,448 
Exercised(3,585,829)2.37 $5,207 
Forfeited or cancelled(4,993,229)5.24 — 
Outstanding, December 31, 202316,841,367$3.59 4.77$1,392 
Exercisable, December 31, 202315,084,5863.26 4.451,392 
Options exercised early are subject to the vesting provisions mentioned above, and any unvested shares are subject to repurchase at the original price upon termination of employment, death, or disability. There were no option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 that were subject to repurchase.
The weighted average grant date fair value per option granted was $3.11, during the year ended December 31, 2022 and $3.06 during the year ended December 31, 2021. There were no options granted during the year ended December 31, 2023. The total fair value of options vested was approximately $4.5 million, $9.9 million and $5.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to options of $4.0 million, $8.7 million and $6.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. As of December 31, 2023, the unamortized expense related to outstanding options was $4.5 million. The weighted average remaining amortization period over which the balance as of December 31, 2023 is to be amortized is 1.51 years.
For the purpose of determining the estimated fair value of share-based payment awards issued in the form of stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The assumptions under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows for option awards:
20222021
Dividend yield%%
Expected volatility51 %42 %
Expected term (years)5.886.01
Risk free interest rate2.58 %1.14 %
102

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
ESPP Activity
For the purpose of determining the estimated fair value of ESPP shares, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The assumptions under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows for ESPP awards:
Year EndedYear Ended
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Dividend yield%%
Expected volatility56 %77 %
Expected term (years)0.490.52
Risk free interest rate5.26 %4.53 %
During the year ended December 31, 2023 , the Company recorded $0.4 million of stock-based compensation related to its ESPP. There was $0.1 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, related to the ESPP that is expected to be recognized over an average vesting period of 0.36 years.
Restricted Stock Unit Activity
The activity for nonvested Restricted Stock Units under the Plans was as follows for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Number of SharesWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested, December 31, 2021
Granted20,416,4174.26
Vested(2,516,191)4.99
Forfeited(1,183,843)4.46
Nonvested, December 31, 202216,716,3834.14
Granted11,158,3012.38
Vested(7,678,184)3.32
Forfeited(3,852,909)3.90
Nonvested, December 31, 202316,343,5913.39
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $1.3 million related to Performance-Based RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2023. Unamortized expense related to Performance-Based RSUs was $6.6 million as of December 31, 2023.
To derive the fair value of Market-Based RSUs, the Company applies a Monte Carlo simulation to determine the grant date fair value. The assumptions under the Monte Carlo simulation model and the calculated fair value of the Market-Based RSUs granted to employees during the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows. The Company did not grant Market-Based RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2023.
103

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
Expected volatility52 %
Expected term (years)4
Drift rate2.9 %
The Company recorded $1.5 million and $1.1 million in stock-based compensation expense related to Market-Based RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Unamortized expense related to Market-Based RSUs was $0.6 million as of December 31, 2023. There were no Market-Based RSU's granted during the year ended, December 31, 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of RSUs that vested was $25.5 million and $12.0 million. During the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 the Company recorded $20.4 million and $19.0 million of stock-based compensation related to RSUs. As of December 31, 2023 and the unamortized expense related to RSUs was $50.5 million. The weighted average remaining amortization period over which the balance as of December 31, 2023 is to be amortized is 2.32 years.
Equity Award Modifications
In connection with the Restructuring Plan (as defined in Note 10), the Company entered into severance arrangements with 166 affected employees. Pursuant to these arrangements, these employees received acceleration of vesting of RSUs and extensions of the post-termination exercise period of stock option awards. All award modifications related to restructuring activities were expensed in the year ended December 31, 2023. The total incremental compensation cost resulting from these modifications is $3.2 million. There were no significant modifications during the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Compensation Costs
The Company’s founders held 7,270,503 of Legacy SoundHound common stock pre-conversion prior to the Business Combination. The founders exchanged their shares for Legacy SoundHound Class B common stock immediately prior to the closing of the business combination. Upon the Business Combination, the founders exchanged their Legacy SoundHound Class B shares in exchange for 40,396,600 shares of Class B Common Stock according to the Conversion Ratio. As the Class B Common Stock shares have ten votes per share, the exchange resulted in incremental stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million which is included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Stock-based compensation is classified in the following expense accounts on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Cost of revenue$412 $99 $— 
Sales and marketing3,601 2,794 509 
Research and development11,992 13,986 4,434 
General and administrative8,784 11,913 1,379 
Restructuring costs3,142 — — 
Total$27,931 $28,792 $6,322 
104

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 15. LEASES
The Company leases certain facilities under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2030. Some leases include renewal options, which would permit extensions of the expiration dates at rates approximating fair market rental values. The Company also enters into certain finance leases for computer equipment. The finance leases are collateralized by the financed assets.
Aggregate non-cancelable future minimum lease payments under operating and finance leases were as follows as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
Operating
Lease
Finance
Lease
Year Ending December 31:
2024$3,250 $122 
2025928 12 
2026471 — 
2027471 — 
2028471 — 
Thereafter785 — 
Total6,376 134 
Less: imputed interest(650)(5)
Present value of lease liabilities5,726 129 
Less: current portion(2,637)(121)
Lease liabilities, net of current portion$3,089 $
The components of lease cost were as follows during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Operating lease cost$3,177 $3,423 $3,654 
Short-term lease cost$1,298 $466 $524 
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance leased assets$161 $995 $2,575 
Interest on lease liabilities$23 $79 $472 
The table below presents additional information related to our leases as of December 31, 2023:
Operating
Lease
Finance
Lease
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)3.671.00
Weighted average discount rate5.83 %10.50 %
The Company’s rent expense totaled approximately $5.3 million, $3.9 million and $4.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
105

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 16. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income$2,866 $390 $
Change in fair value of derivative and warrant liability— (606)(4,920)
Loss on change in fair value of ELOC program(1,901)(1,075)— 
Other income (expense), net190 32 (502)
Total other income (expense), net$1,155 $(1,259)$(5,415)
NOTE 17. NET LOSS PER SHARE
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Numerator:
Net loss (in thousands)$(88,937)$(116,713)$(79,540)
Cumulative dividends attributable to Series A Preferred Stock(2,774)— — 
Net loss attributable to SoundHound common shareholders (in thousands)(91,711)(116,713)(79,540)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and dilutive229,264,904157,317,69567,255,538
Basic and diluted net loss per share$(0.40)$(0.74)$(1.18)
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the changediluted net loss per share is equal to the basic earnings per share as the effect of potentially dilutive securities would have been antidilutive.
The following table summarizes the outstanding shares of potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Stock options16,841,36725,420,42530,361,405
Restricted stock units16,343,59116,716,383
Estimated ESPP stock units299,116476,636
Common stock warrants6,967,5323,665,9961,063,214
Redeemable convertible preferred stock106,949,326
Series A Preferred Stock16,226,645
Total56,678,25146,279,440138,373,945
106

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 18. INCOME TAXES
The following is a geographical breakdown of income (loss) before income taxes:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Domestic$(86,724)$(116,964)$(79,962)
Foreign1,701 3,140 878 
$(85,023)$(113,824)$(79,084)
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Current provision:
Federal$— $— $— 
State
Foreign3,881 755 339 
Total current provision$3,884 $762 $344 
Deferred provision:
Federal$— $— $— 
State— — — 
Foreign30 2,127 112 
Total deferred provision$30 $2,127 $112 
Total provision for income taxes$3,914 $2,889 $456 
Effective income tax expense rate(4.6)%(2.5)%(0.6)%
The Company has incurred net pre-tax losses in the United States only for all periods presented. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $3.9 million, $2.9 million, and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively, which reflects withholding tax paid for sales to customers in foreign jurisdictions and income tax related to foreign subsidiaries.

107

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The provision for income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate to our income before income taxes as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202320222021
Federal statutory income tax rate21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %
Tax provision at statutory rate$(17,855)$(23,903)$(16,608)
State income tax rate
Foreign withholding and income tax3,689 2,298 388 
Foreign rate differential(136)(115)— 
Research and development credits(2,105)(1,731)(1,605)
Change in valuation allowance18,604 24,272 15,804 
Stock based compensation2,899 1,540 728 
Permanent book tax differences516 751 996 
Other deferred adjustments(1,701)— — 
Other— (230)748 
$3,914 $2,889 $456 
The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
20232022
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards$89,880 $79,060 
Research and development credits17,825 13,809 
Property and equipment and intangible assets227 178 
Deferred revenue767 1,612 
Stock-based compensation2,246 3,062 
Operating lease liabilities1,333 2,106 
Section 174 research and development capitalization21,186 13,319 
Accruals and reserves588 888 
Other— 23 
Total deferred tax assets134,052 114,057 
Valuation allowance(132,873)(112,204)
Total deferred tax assets, net1,179 1,853 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right-of-use assets(1,168)(1,811)
Total deferred tax liabilities(1,168)(1,811)
Net deferred tax assets$11 $42 
Recorded as:
Non-current deferred tax assets$1,179 $55 
Non-current deferred tax liabilities (included as a component of other non-current liabilities)(1,168)(13)
Net deferred tax assets$11 $42 
108

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Based on available objective evidence, management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the domestic federal and state deferred tax assets; and excess Canadian SR&ED tax credits will not be fully realized due to the Company’s cumulative losses arising in the United States, and its inability to utilize excess tax credits in Canada. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance was $210,982.

on deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities against its federal and state deferred tax assets and excess Canadian SR&ED tax credits as of December 31, 2023, and 2022. The valuation allowance increased by $20.7 million from the year ended December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

A reconciliationThe Company capitalized research and development expenditures incurred during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and amortizes such expenditures over 5 or 15 years, as applicable, pursuant to Section 174 of the Internal Revenue Code as required by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The mandatory capitalization requirement did not have a material impact on our net deferred tax assets or cash tax liabilities.


The Company has not provided U.S. income or foreign withholding taxes on the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 because it intends to indefinitely reinvest such earnings outside of the U.S. If these foreign earnings were to be repatriated in the future, the related U.S. tax liability will not be material.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of $395.5 million of U.S. federal and $109.4 million of state net operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income. The federal and state net operating loss carryforwards will start to expire in 2025 and 2028, respectively, with the exception of $306.8 million federal net operating loss carryforwards and $5.6 million state net operating loss carryforwards, which can be carried forward indefinitely.
The Company had federal and state research and development credit carryforwards of $14.4 million and $10.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. The federal credits will expire starting in 2029 if not utilized. The state credits can be carried forward indefinitely. The Company also had Canadian SR&ED tax credits of $1.7 million, which will expire starting in 2038 if not utilized.

Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and similar state tax laws, utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits may be subject to annual limitations due to certain ownership changes. The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits could expire before utilization if subject to annual limitations.
The Company files U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate at December 31, 2021 isreturns as follows:

Statutory federal income tax rate21.00%
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit0.00%
Permanent Book/Tax Differences0.49%
Change in valuation allowance(21.49)%
Income tax provision%

The Company fileswell as income tax returns in many U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2023, the U.S. federal jurisdiction in various state and local jurisdictions and is subjecttax years 2005 through the current period remain open to examination by the various taxing authorities.

major jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to tax. Fiscal years outside the normal statute of limitation remain open to audit by tax authorities due to tax attributes generated in those early years, which have been carried forward and may be audited in subsequent years when utilized.

Changes in gross unrecognized tax benefits during the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):

Balance as of December 31, 2020$4,301 
Increase for tax positions of prior years36
Increase for tax positions of current year731
Balance as of December 31, 2021$5,068 
Increase for tax positions of prior years0
Increase for tax positions of current year1062
Balance as of December 31, 20226,130 
Increase for tax positions of prior years370
Increase for tax positions of current year1,095 
Balance as of December 31, 2023$7,595 
These unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate and would be offset by the reversal of related deferred tax assets which are subject to a full valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2023, the
109

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Company has not accrued any interest or penalties. The Company does not anticipate any significant change in the Company’s uncertain tax positions within 12 months of this date.

Note 11 — Subsequent Events

NOTE 19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company entered into revenue contracts to perform professional services for certain companies who are also investors in the Company. As of June 30, 2022, these entities are no longer related parties. Below we provide our disclosures for transactions with the companies through June 30, 2022.

During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized revenue from the companies of $5.2 million and $7.0 million, respectively.
On January 20, 2023, our Chief Financial Officer and one of our directors each entered into Purchase Agreements, purchasing 3,334 shares of Series A Preferred Stock each for a total purchase price of $100,000 each.
NOTE 20. REVISION OF PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
During the period ended September 30, 2023, the Company identified immaterial prior period errors related to the following: 1) accounting for the ELOC as a derivative instrument; 2) classification of Lender Fees and allocation of the warrants in connection with the Term Loan; and 3) the incorrect recording of in-kind dividends associated with the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock. The identified errors were included in the Company's previously issued quarterly unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the three months ended March 31, 2023 and annual consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022.
In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, “Materiality,” and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements;” the Company evaluated subsequent eventsthe errors and transactionsdetermined that the related impacts were not material to its consolidated financial statements for the prior year periods when they occurred, afterbut the Company determined it would be appropriate to correct the errors in the current period in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, consolidated balance sheet datesheets, consolidated statements of cash flows or consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit for any periods impacted.
The Company revised the previously issued condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit tables as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as well as the previously issued consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit tables and as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 to correct for such errors. All relevant prior period amounts affected by these revisions have been corrected in the notes in this Form 10-K.
The following tables reflect the impact of these revisions on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 (dollarsin thousands, except per share amounts):
110

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
June 30, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Accrued liabilities$16,381 $(2,872)$13,509 
Total current liabilities27,003 (2,872)24,131 
Notes payable, net of current portion66,428 15,872 82,300 
Other non-current liabilities16,824 (12,821)4,003 
Total liabilities118,789 179 118,968 
Additional paid-in capital564,197 3,597 567,794 
Accumulated deficit(550,403)(3,776)(554,179)
Total stockholders’ equity38,789 (179)38,610 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$157,578 $— $157,578 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive LossAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
General and administrative$6,377 $47 $6,424 
Loss from operations(16,436)(47)(16,483)
Other income (expense), net493 (1,328)(835)
Total other expense, net(5,079)(1,328)(6,407)
Loss before provision for income taxes(21,515)(1,375)(22,890)
Net loss(21,932)(1,375)(23,307)
Less: accrual of Series A Preferred Stock paid-in-kind dividends— (877)(877)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders$(21,932)$(2,252)$(24,184)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted$(0.10)$(0.01)$(0.11)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive LossAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
General and administrative$13,502 $211 $13,713 
Loss from operations(41,474)(211)(41,685)
Other income (expense), net587 (2,225)(1,638)
Total other expense, net(6,081)(2,225)(8,306)
Loss before provision for income taxes(47,555)(2,436)(49,991)
Net loss(48,301)(2,436)(50,737)
Less: accrual of Series A Preferred Stock paid-in-kind dividends— (1,559)(1,559)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders$(48,301)$(3,995)$(52,296)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted$(0.23)$(0.02)$(0.25)
111

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)As Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Additional paid-in capital$564,197 $3,597 $567,794 
Accumulated deficit(550,403)(3,776)(554,179)
Net loss$(21,932)$(1,375)$(23,307)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Net loss$(48,301)$(2,436)$(50,737)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Loss on change in fair value of ELOC program— 1,901 1,901 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Other non-current assets628 (265)363 
Accrued liabilities5,045 250 5,295 
Net cash used in operating activities(33,651)(550)(34,201)
Proceeds from sales of common stock under the ELOC program, net70,905 550 71,455 
Net cash provided by financing activities$154,008 $550 $154,558 
Noncash financing activities:
Accrued and unpaid debt issuance costs$16,461 $(16,461)$— 
Non-cash debt discount4,315 (179)4,136 
Issuance of common stock to settle commitment shares related to the ELOC program$— $915 $915 
The following tables reflect the impact of these revisions on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
March 31, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Other non-current assets$2,074 $(432)$1,642 
Total assets72,803 (432)72,371 
Additional paid-in capital505,889 1,969 507,858 
Accumulated deficit(528,471)(2,401)(530,872)
Total stockholders’ deficit2,382 (432)1,950 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit$72,803 $(432)$72,371 
112

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive LossAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
General and administrative$7,125 $165 $7,290 
Loss from operations(25,038)(165)(25,203)
Other income (expense), net94 (896)(802)
Total other expense, net(1,002)(896)(1,898)
Loss before provision for income taxes(26,040)(1,061)(27,101)
Net loss(26,369)(1,061)(27,430)
Less: accrual of Series A Preferred Stock paid-in-kind dividends— (682)(682)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders$(26,369)$(1,743)$(28,112)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted$(0.13)$(0.01)$(0.14)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)As Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Additional paid-in capital$505,889 $1,969 $507,858 
Accumulated deficit(528,471)(2,401)(530,872)
Net loss$(26,369)$(1,061)$(27,430)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Net loss$(26,369)$(1,061)$(27,430)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Loss on change in fair value of ELOC program— 571 571 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Other non-current assets19 167 186 
Accrued liabilities4,306 250 4,556 
Net cash used in operating activities(14,467)(73)(14,540)
Payment of financing costs associated with ELOC program— (250)(250)
Proceeds from sales of common stock under the ELOC program, net28,360 323 28,683 
Net cash provided by financing activities$51,568 $73 $51,641 
Noncash financing activities:
Issuance of common stock to settle commitment shares related to the ELOC program$— $915 $915 
The following tables reflect the impact of these revisions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

113

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2022
Consolidated Balance SheetAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Other non-current assets$1,656 $(265)$1,391 
Total assets38,251 (265)37,986 
Accrued liabilities7,462 1,075 8,537 
Total current liabilities37,496 1,075 38,571 
Additional paid-in capital466,857 — 466,857 
Accumulated deficit(502,102)(1,340)(503,442)
Total stockholders’ deficit(35,225)(1,340)(36,565)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit$38,251 $(265)$37,986 
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive LossAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
General and administrative$30,178 $265 $30,443 
Loss from operations(105,407)(265)(105,672)
Other income (expense), net(184)(1,075)(1,259)
Total other expense, net(7,077)(1,075)(8,152)
Loss before provision for income taxes(112,484)(1,340)(113,824)
Net loss$(115,373)$(1,340)$(116,713)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted$(0.73)$(0.01)$(0.74)
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)As Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Accumulated deficit$(502,102)$(1,340)$(503,442)
Net loss$(115,373)$(1,340)$(116,713)
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsAs Previously ReportedAdjustmentAs Revised
Net loss$(115,373)$(1,340)$(116,713)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Loss on change in fair value of ELOC program— 1,075 1,075 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Other non-current assets(539)265 (274)
Net cash used in operating activities$(94,019)$— $(94,019)

114

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
NOTE 21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
SYNQ3 Acquisition
On January 3, 2024, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity of Sync3, Inc. ("SYNQ3"), a leading provider of voice AI and other technology solutions to the restaurant industry, for total consideration of approximately $5.0 million in cash, subject to customary net working capital adjustments, and 8,968,610 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock. The Company has agreed to pay up to $4.0 million of additional consideration in cash and shares of Class A Common Stock to certain stockholders of SYNQ3 based on tiered annual revenue targets for each fiscal year 2024, 2025 and 2026, of which 20% is to be paid in cash and the dateremaining in the Company's Class A Common Stock. The stock consideration was based on a reference value of $2.23 per share upon the execution of the merger agreement dated December 6, 2023. In connection with closing, approximately $0.5 million of additional consideration in cash and 1,179,524 shares of Class A Common Stock are being withheld for a period of 15 months to partially secure the indemnification obligations of SYNQ3's stockholders under the merger agreement.
Conversion of Preferred Stock Series A
On January 12, 2024, one investor optionally converted 35,000 shares of preferred stock into 1,199,364 shares of Class A Common Stock. The conversion was pursuant to the original terms of the agreement and therefore the carrying value of Series A Preferred Stock was converted into Class A Common Stock with no gain or loss upon conversion.
Sales Agreement Issuance
In January and February 2024, the Company sold 34,578,019 shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreement, at an average price of $3.37 per share and raised $116.4 million of gross proceeds. The commissions and offering costs borne by the Company were approximately $2.9 million. Following this issuance, the Company has a remaining capacity to sell up to an additional $20.8 million of the Company's common stock under the Sales Agreement.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management performed, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objective and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2023 due to the material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting described below.
However, after giving full consideration to the material weaknesses described below, and the additional analyses and other procedures management performed to ensure that its consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report were issued.

prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company’s management has concluded that its consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, its financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods disclosed in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

On January 10, 2022,

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The Company did not maintain an effective control environment as it lacked sufficient oversight of activities related to its internal control over financial reporting due to a lack of appropriate level of experience and training commensurate with its financial reporting requirements. Further, due to rapid business growth, changes to existing controls or the implementation of new controls have not been sufficient to respond to changes to the risks of material misstatement to financial reporting, which resulted in the Company filednot designing and maintaining effective controls related to substantially all accounts and disclosures. These material weaknesses contributed to the following additional material weaknesses as of December 31, 2023:
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls to verify appropriate accounting for complex financing transactions.
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls to verify appropriate segregation of duties, including assessment of incompatible duties, identification of instances where incompatible duties were assigned to an individual, and addressing conflicts on a registrationtimely basis.
The Company did not design and maintain effective controls over certain information technology (IT) general controls over information systems that are relevant to the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain: (i) user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and to adequately restrict user and privileged access to appropriate personnel; (ii) program change management controls to ensure that program and data changes are identified, tested, authorized and implemented appropriately; and (iii) computer operations controls to ensure that processing and transfer of data, and data backups and recovery are monitored.
The material weaknesses related to the control environment, risk assessment and complex financing transactions resulted in the revision of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2022, December 31, 2022, March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2023. The material weaknesses related to segregation of duties and IT
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general controls did not result in a misstatement to our annual or interim consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the material weaknesses could result in misstatements to substantially all of our accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.
Because of these material weaknesses, management concluded that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears under Item 8.
Remediation Efforts for the Material Weaknesses
We are in the process of designing and implementing controls and taking other actions to remediate the material weaknesses described above. Specifically, during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, we implemented measures designed to improve our internal control over financial reporting to remediate the material weaknesses, including the following:
Engaged a third party to perform a risk assessment that includes the identification and walkthrough of key business processes and conducting design and operational control testing to address key risks.
Completed a segregation of duties assessment identifying key conflicts and mitigating controls.
Initiated the design and implementation of a Segregation of Duties automated tool for our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. We also began the design and implementation of similar controls for the remaining financially relevant applications.
Initiated the design and implementation of controls related to the review of Service Organization Control reports, which cover program change management and computer operations for many of the applications that we rely on for financial reporting.
Developed policies and procedures for the quarterly user access review of all users with access to the financially relevant systems and then implemented the quarterly user access review for one design cycle.
Initiated the design and implementation of the controls related to review and approval of complex financing transactions.
Completed the implementation of an automated month and quarter-end accounting close workflow tool to facilitate the review and support of key financial close process controls.
The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until management completes the design and implementation of the measures described above, the controls operate for a sufficient period of time, and management has concluded, through testing, that the controls are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As described above in the section “Remediation Efforts for the Material Weaknesses,” there were changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information

Insider Trading Arrangements

During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023, the following Section 16 officers and directors adopted, modified or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act):

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Dr. Keyvan Mohajer, Chief Executive Officer and Director, adopted a new trading plan on December 12, 2023 (with the first trade under the new plan not to be made prior to March 12, 2024). The trading plan will be effective until June 7, 2024 and provides for the sale of up to 1,800,000 shares of Dr. Mohajer’s 15,439,064 shares of Class B common stock. up to 833,435 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, and up to 355,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon vesting and settlement of certain RSUs and PSUs, provided that certain conditions are met.

Dr. Seyed Majid Emami, Chief Science Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering, adopted a new trading plan on December 8, 2023 (with the first trade under the new plan not to be made prior to March 8, 2024). The trading plan will be effective until November 30, 2024 and provides for the sale of up to 1,950,000 shares of Dr. Emami’s 18,033,756 shares of Class B common stock and up to 666,748 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options,provided that certain conditions are met.

James M. Hom, Chief Product Officer and Director, adopted a new trading plan on December 8, 2023 (with the first trade under the new plan not to be made prior to March 8, 2024). The trading plan will be effective until May 31, 2024 and provides for the sale of up to 2,000,000 shares of Mr. Hom’s 4,012,588 shares of Class B common stock and up to 100,000 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon vesting and settlement of certain RSUs and PSUs, provided that certain conditions are met.

There were no “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements” (as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act) adopted, modified or terminated during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023 by our directors and Section 16 officers. Each of the Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements are in accordance with our Insider Trading Policy and actual sale transactions made pursuant to such trading arrangements will be disclosed publicly in Section 16 filings with the SEC in accordance with applicable securities laws, rules and regulations.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
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Part III
The information required by Part III is omitted from this Annual Report in that we will file a definitive proxy statement on Form S-4 (the “Form S-4”)pursuant to Regulation 14A with respect to our 2024 Annual Meeting (the "Proxy Statement") no later than 120 days after the merger betweenend of the Companyfiscal year covered by this Annual Report, and SoundHound Inc.

certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference. Only those sections of the Proxy Statement which specifically address the items set forth herein are incorporated by reference.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

On February 14, 2022,

The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owner and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be included in the Proxy Statement.
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Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1. Financial Statements: See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
2. Financial Statement Schedules: All schedules have been omitted as the requested information is not applicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes included in this Form 10-K.
3. Exhibits: See Item 15(b) of this Form 10-K below.
(b) Exhibits.
Exhibit NumberDescriptionIncorporated by Reference
FormExhibitFiling Date
2.1+8-K2.112/07/23
3.18-K3.105/02/22
3.28-K3.205/02/22
3.38-K3.101/24/23
4.18-K4.105/02/22
4.2S-14.205/16/22
4.3S-14.305/16/22
4.48-K4.105/02/22
4.510-Q4.105/12/23
4.610-K4.503/28/23
10.1#Proxy StatementAnnex D04/08/22
10.2#Proxy StatementAnnex E04/08/22
10.3#8-K10.805/02/22
10.4#8-K10.905/02/22
10.58-K10.1005/02/22
10.6#8-K10.106/08/22
10.7#8-K10.206/08/22
10.8#8-K10.306/08/22
10.9#8-K10.406/08/22
10.108-K10.101/24/23
10.11+10-Q10.105/12/23
10.12S-310.107/24/23
19.1*
21.18-K21.105/02/22
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23.1*
23.2*
31.1*
31.2*
32.1**
32.2**
99.1*
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
____________________________
*    Filed herewith.
**     Furnished herewith.
+    The Company filed Amendment No. 1agrees to furnish supplementally to the Form S-4 to address commentsSEC a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit upon the Company received fromrequest of the SEC on February 9, 2022.

in accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.

#    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
iso4217:USD xbrli:sharesItem 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
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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.
SoundHound AI, Inc.
Date: March 1, 2024/s/ Dr. Keyvan Mohajer
Name:Dr. Keyvan Mohajer
Title:Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
NamePositionDate
/s/ Dr. Keyvan MohajerChief Executive Officer and DirectorMarch 1, 2024
Dr. Keyvan Mohajer(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Nitesh SharanChief Financial OfficerMarch 1, 2024
Nitesh Sharan(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ James HomDirectorMarch 1, 2024
James Hom
/s/ Dr. Eric BallDirectorMarch 1, 2024
Dr. Eric Ball
/s/ Larry MarcusDirectorMarch 1, 2024
Larry Marcus
/s/ Diana SrokaDirectorMarch 1, 2024
Diana Sroka
122