1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE , 1996 REGISTRATION NO. 333- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 --------------------- FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 --------------------- AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) CALIFORNIA 5098 94-2893462 (State or other jurisdiction (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer of Classification Code Number) Identification Number) incorporation or organization) --------------------- 777 EAST MIDDLEFIELD ROAD MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043 (415) 968-4433 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) GEORGE C. HUANG CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. 777 EAST MIDDLEFIELD ROAD MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043 (415) 968-4433 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) --------------------- Copies to: JAMES C. KITCH, ESQ. ROBERT T. CLARKSON, ESQ. MATTHEW P. FISHER, ESQ. ADELE C. FREEDMAN, ESQ. COOLEY GODWARD CASTRO WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C. HUDDLESON & TATUM 650 PAGE MILL ROAD FIVE PALO ALTO SQUARE PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050 3000 EL CAMINO REAL (415) 493-9300 PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306-2155 (415) 843-5000 --------------------- APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective. If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous bases pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. / / If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. / / --------------------- CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE TITLE OF SECURITIES OFFERING PRICE OFFERING AMOUNT OF TO BE REGISTERED PER SHARE(1) PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE Common Stock................................. $11,897 (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933. --------------------- THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF INFORMATION REQUIRED BY ITEMS OF FORM S-1 ITEM NUMBER AND HEADING IN FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS - --------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ 1. Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus..... Facing Page of Registration Statement; Outside Front Cover Page 2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of Prospectus................................. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages 3. Summary Information, Risk Factors, and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges............... Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors 4. Use of Proceeds.............................. Use of Proceeds 5. Determination of Offering Price.............. Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting 6. Dilution..................................... Dilution 7. Selling Shareholders......................... Principal and Selling Shareholders; Certain Transactions 8. Plan of Distribution......................... Outside Front and Inside Front Cover Pages; Underwriting 9. Description of Securities to be Registered... Prospectus Summary; Capitalization; Description of Capital Stock 10. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel....... Legal Matters; Experts 11. Information with Respect to the Registrant... Outside Front and Inside Front Cover Pages; Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors; Dividend Policy; Capitalization; Selected Consolidated Financial Information; Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Business; Management; Certain Transactions; Principal and Selling Shareholders; Description of Capital Stock; Shares Eligible for Future Sale; Additional Information; Consolidated Financial Statements 12. Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities................................ Not Applicable 3 INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. PROSPECTUS Subject to Completion Dated June , 1996 2,000,000 Shares LOGO Common Stock Of the 2,000,000 shares of common stock ("Common Stock") offered hereby, 1,250,000 are being sold by Award Software International, Inc., a California Corporation (the "Company" or "Award"), and 750,000 shares are being sold by Selling Shareholders. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders." The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock by the Selling Shareholders. Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock. It is currently anticipated that the initial public offering price will be between $ and $ per share. See "Underwriting" for information relating to the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price. Application has been made for the Common Stock to be approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "AWRD." SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROCEEDS TO PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO SELLING PUBLIC DISCOUNT(1) COMPANY(2) SHAREHOLDERS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per Share $ $ $ $ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total(3) $ $ $ $ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) The Company and certain of the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting." (2) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company estimated at $ . (3) The Company has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 300,000 shares of Common Stock, on the same terms as set forth above, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company will be $ , $ and $ , respectively. See "Underwriting." The shares of Common Stock being offered by this Prospectus are being offered by the Underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters, and subject to approval of certain legal matters by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., counsel for the Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made against payment therefor on or about , 1996 at the offices of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., 60 Wall Street, New York, New York. J.P. MORGAN & CO. PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC. , 1996 4 (COLOR ART WORK) 2 5 No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations not contained in this Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company or any Underwriters. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the Common Stock in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction by the Company, the Selling Shareholders or by any Underwriter that would permit a public offering of the Common Stock or possession or distribution of this Prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons into whose possession this Prospectus comes are required by the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Underwriters to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to the offering of the Common Stock and the distribution of this Prospectus. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Prospectus Summary....................... 4 Risk Factors............................. 6 Use of Proceeds.......................... 12 Dividend Policy.......................... 12 Capitalization........................... 12 Dilution................................. 13 Selected Consolidated Financial Information............................ 14 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations............................. 15 Business................................. 22 Page Management............................... 29 Certain Transactions..................... 33 Principal and Selling Shareholders....... 36 Description of Capital Stock............. 39 Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......... 41 Underwriting............................. 43 Legal Matters............................ 43 Experts.................................. 43 Additional Information................... 44 Index to Consolidated Financial Statements............................. F-1 UNTIL , 1996 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS. IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. The Company intends to furnish its shareholders annual reports containing consolidated financial statements audited by its independent auditors and quarterly reports containing consolidated unaudited financial statements for each of the first three quarters of each year. The Company's logo, SMSAccess, USBAccess, RPBAccess, APMAccess, DMIAccess, WWWAccess and BIOSAccess are trademarks of the Company. This Prospectus also includes trademarks of companies other than the Company. 3 6 PROSPECTUS SUMMARY The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and consolidated financial statements, including notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. For a discussion of certain factors to be considered in evaluating an investment in the shares of Common Stock offered hereby, see "Risk Factors." Except as otherwise noted, all information in this Prospectus (i) assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option; and (ii) reflects a 1-for-2 reverse stock split of the currently outstanding Common Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock" and "Underwriting." THE COMPANY Award designs, develops and markets system management software for the global computing market. System management software is one of the fundamental layers in personal computer ("PC") architecture and provides an essential interface between a PC's operating system software and hardware. The Company's principal system management software products include a suite of Basic Input/Output System software ("BIOS"). Award's customers include designers and manufacturers of motherboards, PC systems and other microprocessor-based (or "embedded") devices. The Company believes that its products and engineering services enable customers to rapidly develop new motherboard designs for state-of-the-art computer systems. The Company markets and licenses its products and services worldwide and has established itself as a leading provider of desktop system management software in Asia, which accounts for approximately 40% of worldwide desktop motherboard production. The BIOS, which is the software initially executed after the system is turned on, tests and initializes hardware components, initiates the operating system and then provides advanced interface functions. Award's desktop BIOS products enable a PC to support a number of key advanced technologies, including Plug and Play, Peripheral Component Interconnect ("PCI"), Desktop Management Interface ("DMI") and Advanced Power Management ("APM"). The Company is currently developing further enhancements to its BIOS, including support for Universal Serial Bus ("USB"). The Company's embedded device BIOS provides customized features to address the specialized needs of its customers in this market. In addition to the Company's proprietary suite of system management software products, Award offers PC Card software that enables PCs and other electronic devices to recognize, install, configure and operate peripheral devices, such as a network or modem card. The Company currently services more than 100 customers worldwide, including many of the world's leading original equipment and embedded device manufacturers. In response to its customers' need to develop and integrate new technologies rapidly, the Company has developed its business with a particular emphasis on providing local engineering service and support in each of its major target regions: Asia (especially Taiwan), North America and Europe. The Company is increasing its presence in Europe through a strategic relationship with Vobis Microcomputer AG ("Vobis"), pursuant to which the Company and Vobis are jointly developing BIOS and utilities for the desktop PC and embedded device markets. As part of this relationship, Vobis has purchased approximately 12% of the Company's Common Stock. The Company is leveraging its existing customer relationships and desktop expertise to develop system management software for the mobile and network computing markets. The Company anticipates that leading Taiwanese desktop system and motherboard manufacturers, many of which are Award customers, will enter the mobile PC market and, in response, the Company is developing enhanced system management software for mobile PCs. In addition, the Company is developing a suite of applications called SMSAccess, which will enable remote access, diagnosis and repair of disabled systems. The Company was incorporated in California in 1983. The Company's executive officers are located at 777 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, California 94043, and its telephone number is (415) 968-4433. Award's home page can be located on the World Wide Web at http://www.award.com. Information contained in the Company's web site shall not be deemed to be a part of this Prospectus. 4 7 THE OFFERING The 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock initially being offered is referred to herein as the "Offering." COMMON STOCK OFFERED: By the Company(1)................................... 1,250,000 shares By the Selling Shareholders......................... 750,000 shares TOTAL OFFERING(1)................................... 2,000,000 shares COMMON STOCK TO BE OUTSTANDING AFTER THE OFFERING(1)......................................... 6,207,127 shares USE OF PROCEEDS BY THE COMPANY........................ Product development, working capital and other general corporate purposes, including possible acquisitions of complementary products and technologies. See "Use of Proceeds." PROPOSED NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET SYMBOL................ "AWRD" SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION -------------------------------------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR PREDECESSOR THE COMPANY ---------------- AND THE ----------------------------------- COMPANY THREE MONTHS ----------- ENDED YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------ 1991 MARCH 31, ------ --------------- Dollars in thousands, except per share data 1992 1993(2) 1994 1995 1995 1996 ------- ----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: Revenues: Software and engineering services $6,487 $ 5,698 $ 3,820 $5,746 $7,228 $1,601 $2,306 Related parties -- -- 50 972 1,902 455 506 ------ ------- ----------- ------ ------ ------ ------ Total revenues 6,487 5,698 3,870 6,718 9,130 2,056 2,812 Gross profit 5,673 5,182 3,662 6,127 8,494 1,971 2,524 Net income (loss) $ (72) $ (296) $(1,833) $1,258 $1,165 $ 316 $ 386 Net income per share(3) $ 0.20 $ 0.18 $ 0.05 $ 0.06 Weighted average common and common equivalent shares in thousands(3) 6,307 6,500 6,622 6,047 ----------------------------- THE COMPANY ----------------------------- MARCH 31, 1996 ----------------------------- Dollars in thousands ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED(4) ------- --------------- (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA: Cash and cash equivalents $10,591 $ Working capital 11,315 Total assets 14,238 Total shareholders' equity 12,068 - --------------- (1) Assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option. Excludes an aggregate of 1,250,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan, of which 951,113 shares were subject to outstanding options as of May 31, 1996, and 595,727 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants. See "Capitalization," "Management-Stock Option Plan," "Certain Transactions" and Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. (2) Includes the combined results of operations for the Company and its predecessor, Award Software, Inc. (the "Predecessor"). The Company was acquired in July 1993, which resulted in a new historical accounting basis for the Company. The results of operations for the Predecessor for the period January 1, 1993 through July 1, 1993 and the Company for the period July 2, 1993 through December 31, 1993 have been combined to facilitate presentation of the results of operations on a calendar year basis. See Consolidated Financial Statements. (3) For an explanation of the determination of the weighted average number of shares used in computing net income per share, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. (4) As adjusted to reflect the sale of 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the Company hereby, assuming an initial public offering price of $ per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. 5 8 RISK FACTORS In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, the following risk factors should be considered carefully by potential investors in evaluating an investment in the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed below. FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS; SEASONALITY The Company has experienced and expects to continue to experience fluctuations in its quarterly results of operations. The Company's revenues are affected by a number of factors, including the demand for PCs and embedded devices, timing of new product introductions, product mix, volume and timing of customer orders, activities of competitors and the ability of the Company to penetrate new markets. The Company's business is seasonal with revenues generally increasing in the fourth quarter as the result of increased PC shipments during the holiday season. Consequently, during the three quarters ending in March, June and September, the Company has historically not been as profitable as in the quarter ending in December. In addition, the Company's revenues and profits have historically decreased in the first quarter of each year as compared with the fourth quarter of the previous year. The Company generally ships orders as they are received and, as a result, has little or no backlog. Quarterly revenues and results of operations therefore depend on the volume and timing of orders received during the quarter, which are difficult to forecast. Because the Company's staffing and other operating expenses are based on anticipated revenues, delays in the receipt of orders can cause significant variations in results of operations from quarter to quarter. The Company also may choose to reduce prices or to increase spending in response to competition or to pursue new market opportunities, which may adversely affect the Company's results of operations. Therefore, the Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its revenues and operating results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indicators of future performance. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Due to all of the foregoing factors, it is likely that in some future quarters the Company's operating results will be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. Regardless of the general outlook for the Company's business, the announcement of quarterly results of operations below analyst and investor expectations is likely to result in a decline in the trading price of the Company's Common Stock. DEPENDENCE UPON THE UNDERLYING PC INDUSTRY; DEPENDENCE ON CURRENT PC INDUSTRY STANDARDS The demand for the Company's system management software depends principally on (i) PC manufacturers and other customers licensing the Company's software rather than developing their own system management software, (ii) the market acceptance of the products, which incorporate the Company's software, sold by the Company's original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") customers, (iii) the emergence of new PC technologies that require system management software solutions to provide functionality, user value and performance, and (iv) the technological competence of the Company's core products. Sales of PCs fluctuate substantially from time to time based on numerous factors, including general economic conditions in the markets for the Company's customers' products, new hardware and software product introductions, demand for new applications and shortages of key components. Further, the markets in the PC industry are extremely competitive and characterized by rapid and frequent price reductions. The introduction of new hardware architectures, microprocessors, peripheral equipment and operating systems within the PC industry has increased the complexity, time to market and cost to develop PCs. A number of computer manufacturers, including IBM Corporation ("IBM") and Compaq Computer Corporation ("Compaq"), develop their own BIOS products to achieve compatibility with and integrate new technologies into their products. While the Company believes that price and time-to-market pressures will continue to foster a trend among its customers and potential customers to outsource system management software requirements to third parties, there can be no assurance that this trend will continue or will not reverse itself, which would have a material adverse effect on the business and results of operations of the Company. See "Business -- Industry Background" and "-- Award Strategy." The Company's software to date has been primarily based on central processing units ("CPUs") designed by or compatible with those of Intel Corporation ("Intel") and operating system software designed by Microsoft Corp. ("Microsoft"). If the market for Intel and Intel-compatible CPUs with x86 architecture is materially diminished or if another CPU, such as the Motorola, Inc.'s "PowerPC," achieves a high degree of success, demand for the Company's current software would be reduced. In addition, most of the Company's software has been installed on computers using Microsoft's MS/DOS or Windows operating systems. If Microsoft's operating systems, cease to be the dominant operating system for the PC industry, or if PC manufacturers use other operating systems, which are not compatible with MS/DOS or Windows, the Company could experience increased product development costs and/or diminished revenues. 6 9 CONCENTRATION OF REVENUES FROM DESKTOP BIOS The Company depends on sales of desktop BIOS for a substantial majority of its revenues. The Company has not generated substantial revenues from the sale of other products to date, including sales of mobile PC products. If sales of the Company's desktop BIOS decline for any reason, the Company's financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected, unless the Company is able to replace those sales with increased sales of other products. Sales of desktop BIOS could decline for a number of reasons, including a shift in the market for PCs away from desktop PCs in favor of mobile PCs. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." COMPETITION The markets for the Company's software are highly competitive. The Company faces competition primarily from other system management software companies, including American Megatrends, Inc., Phoenix Technologies Ltd. and SystemSoft Corporation, as well as in-house software development staffs of current and prospective customers. Certain of the companies with which the Company competes or may in the future compete have substantially greater financial, marketing, sales and support resources and greater brand-name and technology leadership recognition than the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to develop software comparable or superior to software offered by its competitors. In addition, the PC market experiences intense price competition and the Company expects that, in order to remain competitive, it may have to decrease unit prices on some or all of its software products. Any such decrease would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. The Company believes that interdependencies may develop between system management software companies and their customers, which would need to be overcome in order to replace an entrenched competitor. While the Company believes that such entrenchment may benefit the Company in its existing relationships with key participants in the desktop PC market, customer entrenchment may make it more difficult for the Company to displace or increase market presence, particularly in the mobile PC market, where competitors may already have strong relationships with certain mobile PC manufacturers. Intel has entered into formal agreements with, and become a significant shareholder in, Phoenix Technologies Ltd. and SystemSoft Corporation. In addition, SystemSoft Corporation has entered into agreements with Microsoft, IBM and Compaq to license its PC Card software. Operating system software vendors may in the future enter the Company's primary markets as direct competitors or incorporate enough features into their products so as to reduce the need for the Company's products. For example, Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system incorporates certain basic PC Card and Plug and Play software; the primary customer of the Company's PC Card software has indicated that it will rely on this operating system rather than continue to license the Company's PC Card software. As software developers provide greater functionality and features, user value and performance in their products that eliminate or reduce the need for the Company's system management software, the market for the Company's products could be materially diminished. In addition, chipset manufacturers, including Intel, may increase their presence in the motherboard manufacturing market, which may have an adverse effect on the Company's OEM customers. There can be no assurance that other participants in the PC industry will not develop products and solutions that reduce the demand or obviate the need for the Company's products. See "Business -- Competition." ABILITY TO RESPOND TO RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE The market for system management software is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions. The general trend in the PC industry is toward shorter product life cycles, resulting in rapid product and technology obsolescence. The life cycle of the Company's products is highly dependent on the life cycles of the products sold by its customers, who are primarily in the desktop PC industry. Although the Company's core products, specifically, the desktop and embedded device BIOS and PC Card software, may have a life cycle as long as several years, specific customized adaptations of the Company's core products are generally expected to have a life cycle of six months to one year. The Company's future success will depend upon its ability to enhance its core software and to develop and introduce new software which keeps pace with technological developments and evolving industry standards as well as to respond to its customers' and end-users' demand for greater features and functionality. The Company is currently developing certain technologies that it will need to remain competitive, particularly system management software that supports USB. If the Company fails to introduce such products by the time USB becomes an industry standard, the Company's business and results of operations will be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in developing such enhancements and new software, or, if successful, that it will not experience delays in achieving such developments. Any failure or delay by the Company to develop such enhancements or new software or the failure of its software to achieve market acceptance, would adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that products or technologies developed by others will not render the Company's software or technologies non-competitive or obsolete. See "Business -- Industry Background" and "-- Product Development." 7 10 UNCERTAIN ACCEPTANCE IN NEW AND DEVELOPING MARKETS The Company's future success is dependent on customer acceptance of new products and penetration of markets outside the desktop PC market. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to expand its products and technologies into the mobile PC, embedded device and network computing and Internet markets or that the Company will be able to increase its market presence in the desktop PC market. Expansion of the Company's software and technology into the mobile PC market will depend primarily on the Company's ability to replace entrenched competitors. Penetration of markets outside the desktop PC market, such as the embedded device market, will depend upon the development and availability of system management software providing the necessary functionality and customer acceptance for such new technology. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to develop or obtain from third parties the necessary software and technology to penetrate these markets, or that such products will not be developed by others rendering the Company's products obsolete or noncompetitive. Any increase in the demand for the Company's embedded device products is dependent upon the increasing use and complexity of embedded computer systems in new and traditional products. No assurance can be given that this trend will continue or that if it does, the Company will be able to design system management software that will address the unique requirements of the embedded device market. Further, since the Company's experience and expertise are based on Intel x86 architecture, the Company's success in the embedded device market is significantly dependent on Intel's continued commitment to, and the increased presence of x86 architecture in, this market. No assurance can be given that Intel will not de-emphasize or withdraw its support of the embedded device market or that the trend toward x86 architecture in the embedded device market will continue, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on the Company's growth strategies, financial condition and results of operations. Certain of the markets for the Company's existing and future products, such as the Internet and private internet protocol networks ("Intranet"), have only recently begun to develop and are rapidly evolving. Demand and market acceptance for recently introduced or developing products are subject to a high level of uncertainty and risk. Critical issues concerning the commercial use of the Internet remain unresolved and could adversely affect the growth of Internet use. There can be no assurance that commerce and communication over the Internet or Intranet will become widespread, or that the Company's planned products addressing the Internet and Intranet markets will become widely accepted. Because these markets for the Company's existing and developing products are new and rapidly emerging, it is difficult to predict the future growth rate, if any, and size of these markets. There can be no assurance that such markets for the Company's existing and developing products and technology will develop or that such products will be accepted. If these markets fail to develop, develop more slowly than anticipated or become saturated with competitors, or if the Company's products do not obtain customer acceptance, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. See "Business -- Award Strategy." DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS; CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK The Company believes that its success to date has been largely due to its relationship with participants in the desktop PC industry, particularly OEMs in the desktop PC market. The Company works closely with its customers to provide quick response to their product design needs and assists them in evaluating new technological developments as they affect future products and enhancements to be sold by the Company's customers. The loss of any one of these strategic relationships or any other significant customer in the PC industry could adversely affect the Company's product development efforts, business, financial condition and results of operations. In the year ended December 31, 1995, Vobis and Toshiba Europa (I.E.) GmbH ("Toshiba") accounted for approximately 13% and 14%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues. In the quarter ended March 31, 1996, Vobis and Toshiba accounted for approximately 18% and 13%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues. The loss of any key customer or the inability of the Company to replace revenues provided by a key customer would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Toshiba recently indicated that it intends to discontinue licensing the Company's PC Card software, and, therefore, the Company does not currently expect to receive material revenues from this customer during the second half of 1996. Further, the Company's customer base consists primarily of OEMs in the desktop PC market, and as a result the Company maintains individually significant receivable balances from major OEMs. If these OEMs fail to satisfy their payment obligations, the Company's financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected. DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL; ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES The Company's success to date has depended to a significant extent upon a number of key management and technical employees. The loss of services of one or more of these key employees, particularly George C. Huang, the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer; Lyon T. Lin, General Manager, Taiwan and President, Award Software Hong Kong Limited, Taiwan Branch; and Maurice W. Bizzarri, the Company's Vice President, Engineering and Product Marketing, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition. Except for the Company's employees in Germany, none of the Company's employees is party to an employment agreement with the Company. The Company believes that its future success will also depend in 8 11 large part upon its ability to attract and retain highly skilled technical, management and sales and marketing personnel. Moreover, because the development of the Company's software requires knowledge of computer hardware, operating system software, system management software and application software, key technical personnel must be proficient in a number of disciplines. Competition for such technical personnel is intense, and the failure of the Company to hire and retain talented technical personnel or the loss of one or more key employees could have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. Future growth, if any, of the Company will require additional engineering, sales and marketing, financial and administrative personnel, to expand customer services and support and to expand operational and financial systems. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain the necessary personnel to accomplish its growth strategies or that it will not experience constraints that will adversely affect its ability to satisfy customer demand in a timely fashion. If the Company's management is unable to manage growth effectively, the Company's business and financial condition could be adversely affected. MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH The growth of the Company's business and, in particular, the Company's customer base, has placed, and is expected to continue to place, a strain on the Company's management systems and resources. The Company's ability to compete effectively and manage future growth, if any, will require the Company to continue to improve its financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures on a timely basis and expand, train and manage its work force. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so successfully, and the failure to do so would have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. The Company's success will depend to a significant degree on the ability of its executive officers and other members of its senior management, none of whom has any prior experience in public companies in their current roles. INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS; CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS; INTERNATIONAL UNREST The Company operates on a multinational basis, and a significant portion of its business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. As a result, the Company is subject to various risks, including exposure to currency fluctuations, greater difficulty in administering its business globally, multiple regulatory requirements and other risks associated with international sales, such as import and export licenses, political and economic instability, overlapping or differing tax structures, trade restrictions, changes in tariff rates, different legal regimes and difficulty in protecting intellectual property, enforcing agreements and collecting accounts receivable. Although amounts have been immaterial to date, fluctuations of foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. Dollar could affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations. The Company does not currently engage in foreign currency hedging transactions. There can be no assurance that exchange rate fluctuations will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. In addition, recent events such as the elections in Taiwan and the military maneuvers conducted by the Peoples Republic of China in the Straits of Taiwan have increased tensions in that area. In the event that actual hostilities erupted between the two countries, the operations of the Company's customers might be interrupted for an indeterminate period of time, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS The Company's success depends in significant part on the development, maintenance and protection of its intellectual property. The Company regards its software as proprietary and attempts to protect it with a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements and other methods of protection. The Company has patent applications pending in the U.S. and/or abroad on six inventions, three of which are owned jointly with a third party. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy the Company's software or to reverse engineer or obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. The Company licenses its object and source code under written license agreements. Certain provisions of such licenses, including provisions protecting against unauthorized use, copying, transfer and disclosure of the licensed programs, may be unenforceable under the laws of certain jurisdictions. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries, including Taiwan, do not protect the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the protections put in place by the Company will be adequate. Significant and protracted litigation may be necessary to protect the Company's intellectual property rights to determine the scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement. Moreover, although the Company is not currently involved in any litigation with respect to intellectual property rights, in the past there have been allegations that certain portions of the Company's core BIOS infringed on a third party's copyrights. In response, the Company rewrote certain software routines in a "clean room" procedure and is upgrading its customers to the new version of such software routines in order to avoid any further allegations of infringement. The Company believes that its software does not presently infringe the copyrights of any third parties. However, there can be no assurance that other parties will not make allegations of infringement in the future. Such assertions could require the Company 9 12 to discontinue the use of certain software codes or processes, to cease the manufacture, use and sale of infringing products, to incur significant litigation costs and expenses and to develop non-infringing technology or to obtain licenses to the alleged infringing technology. Although the Company has been able to acquire licenses from third parties in the past, there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to develop alternative technologies or to obtain such licenses or, if a license were obtainable, that the terms would be commercially acceptable to the Company in the event such assertions are made in the future. CONTROL BY MANAGEMENT SHAREHOLDERS Upon completion of the Offering, the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group will beneficially own approximately 48% of the outstanding Common Stock, excluding the exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. As a result, such persons will have the ability to control the business and affairs of the Company. Such concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. See "Management" and "Principal and Selling Shareholders." SIGNIFICANT UNALLOCATED NET PROCEEDS The principal purposes of the Offering are to create a public market for the Company's Common Stock, facilitate future access to capital markets and enhance the Company's ability to use its Common Stock as consideration for acquisitions and as a means of attracting and retaining key employees. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital and product development. The Company may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire technologies or products complementary to the Company's business and growth strategy. The Company has no other specific uses of the proceeds of the Offering, and the exact uses of such proceeds will be subject to the discretion of management. See "Use of Proceeds." SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock in the public market following this offering could adversely affect the market price for the Company's Common Stock. Upon completion of this offering, the Company will have outstanding 6,207,127 shares of Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding options and warrants. Of these shares, the 2,000,000 shares sold in the Offering will be freely tradable without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The remaining 4,207,127 shares of Common Stock held by existing shareholders are "restricted securities" as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (the "Restricted Shares"). Restricted Shares may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rules 144, 144(k) or 701 or Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company, all directors and executive officers and certain shareholders of the Company have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. As a result of contractual restrictions and the provisions of Rules 144 and 701 and Regulation S, additional shares will be available for sale in the public market as follows: (i) no Restricted Shares will be eligible for immediate sale on the date of this Prospectus, (ii) 5,000 Restricted Shares and 324,727 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options will be eligible for sale beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus and (iii) 4,202,157 Restricted Shares, 44,214 additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options and 595,727 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding warrants will be eligible for sale 180 days after the date of this Prospectus upon expiration of lock-up agreements. The Restricted Shares will be eligible for sale from time to time after completion of this offering. After the Offering, the holders of approximately 1,735,699 shares of Common Stock will be entitled to certain demand and piggyback rights with respect to registration of such shares under the Securities Act. If such holders, by exercising their demand rights, cause a large number of securities to be registered and sold in the public market, such sales could have an adverse effect on the market price for the Company's Common Stock. If such holders, by exercising their piggyback registration rights, cause a large number of their shares to be included in a public offering by the Company, the obligation to include such shares could have an adverse effect on the market price for the Company's Common Stock or on the Company's ability to raise capital. See "Underwriting" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale." NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE Prior to the Offering, there has not been any public market for the Company's Common Stock, and there cannot be any assurance that an active trading market will develop or be sustained after the Offering. The initial public offering price for the Common Stock to be sold by the Company and the Selling Shareholders will be determined by negotiation among representatives of the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the representatives of the Underwriters and may not be indicative of the future market price. The trading price of the Common Stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in operating results, changes in earnings estimates by analysts, announcement of technological innovations or new products by the Company or its competitors, general conditions in the system management software and PC industries and other events or factors. In addition, in recent years the stock market in general, and the shares of technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price fluctuations. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. See "Underwriting." In addition, there has been significant volatility in the market price of securities of technology-based companies similar in size to the Company. Factors such as announcements of technological developments or new products by the Company or its competitors, variations in the Company's 10 13 quarterly operating results, or general economic or stock market conditions unrelated to the Company's operating performance may adversely affect the market price of the Company's Common Stock. DILUTION Purchasers of shares of Common Stock offered hereby will suffer an immediate and substantial dilution of $ in the net tangible book value per share of the Common Stock, assuming an initial public offering price of $ per share. In the event the Company raises additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, the investors participating in the Offering may experience further dilution. To the extent outstanding options, warrants and other rights to purchase shares of Common Stock are exercised, there will be further dilution. See "Dilution," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources," "Certain Transactions" and "Capitalization." 11 14 USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered by the Company hereby are estimated to be approximately $ ($ if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $ . The Company will not receive any of the net proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Shareholders. The principal purposes of the Offering are to create a public market for the Company's Common Stock, facilitate future access to capital markets and enhance the Company's ability to use its Common Stock as consideration for acquisitions and as a means of attracting and retaining key employees. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, including an increase in the Company's internal product development, staffing in connection with new product introductions and other related product development expenditures. A portion of the proceeds may also be used to acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products or to obtain the right to use complementary technologies. From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Company evaluates potential acquisitions of such businesses, products or technologies. The Company has no present understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisitions of other businesses, products or technologies. Pending use of the net proceeds for the above purposes, the Company intends to invest such funds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities. DIVIDEND POLICY The Company does not pay any cash dividends on its capital stock. The Company currently intends to retain any future earnings to finance the growth and development of its business and therefore does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company and will depend on a number of factors, including the future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and future prospects of the Company and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant. CAPITALIZATION The following table sets forth (i) the actual capitalization of the Company as of March 31, 1996, and (ii) the pro forma capitalization as adjusted to reflect the sale by the Company of 1,250,000 shares in the Offering (assuming an initial public offering price of $ per share and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses) and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom: ------------------------- MARCH 31, 1996 ------------------------- ACTUAL ---------- AS Dollars in thousands ADJUSTED ---------- (UNAUDITED) Shareholders' equity Preferred Stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding $ -- $ -- Common Stock, no par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized; 4,957,127 shares issued and outstanding, actual 6,207,127 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted(1) 10,726 Deferred stock compensation (236) (236) Retained earnings 1,631 1,631 Cumulative translation adjustment (53) (53) ---------- ---------- Total shareholders' equity 12,068 ---------- ---------- Total capitalization $12,068 $ ========== ========== - --------------- (1) Excludes 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options, of which 951,113 shares were subject to outstanding options at May 31, 1996, and 595,727 shares issuable upon the exercise of Common Stock warrants outstanding as of May 31, 1996. See "Management -- Stock Option Plan" and "Certain Transactions." 12 15 DILUTION The net tangible book value of the Company at March 31, 1996, was $11,864,000, or approximately $2.39 per share of Common Stock. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of total tangible assets of the Company less total liabilities divided by the number of shares of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. See "Risk Factors -- Dilution." Net tangible book value dilution per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of Common Stock in the Offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of the Common Stock immediately after completion of the Offering. After giving effect to the sale of 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock in the Offering (assuming an initial public offering price of $ per share and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and offering expenses), the pro forma net tangible book value of the Company at March 31, 1996 would have been $ or $ per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ per share to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $ per share to purchasers of Common Stock in the Offering, as illustrated by in the following table: Assumed initial public offering price per share $ Net tangible book value per share at March 31, 1996 $2.39 Increase per share attributable to new shareholders ---------- Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 1996 after the Offering ---------- Dilution per share to new investors $ ========== The following table summarizes, as of March 31, 1996, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid by the existing shareholders and by new investors (at an assumed initial public offering price of $ per share and before deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses): -------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES PURCHASED ------------------- TOTAL CONSIDERATION -------------------- AVERAGE PRICE NUMBER PERCENT PERCENT PER SHARE --------- ------- ------- ------------- AMOUNT ---------- Existing shareholders(1) 4,957,127 80% $9,363,000 % $ 1.89 New investors(1) 1,250,000 20% % --------- ------- ---------- ------- ------------- Total 6,207,127 100% $ 100% $ ========= ====== ========== ====== ========== - --------------- (1) The foregoing table computations assume no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option or outstanding stock options or warrants. At May 31, 1996, there were outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 951,113 shares at an average exercise price of $3.81 per share and outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate 595,727 shares at an average exercise price of $6.16 per share. If certain of these options and warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. See "Risk Factors -- Dilution," "Management -- Stock Option Plan," "Certain Transactions" and "Description of Capital Stock." Sales by selling shareholders in the Offering will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock held by existing shareholders to 4,207,127 or 68% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Offering, and will increase the number of shares of Common Stock held by new investors to 2,000,000 or 32% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Offering. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders." 13 16 SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION The selected consolidated financial information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated financial information as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the six months ended July 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993, and the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, have been derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Predecessor, audited by Price Waterhouse LLP and are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 1991 and 1992 and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 have been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor and the Company, respectively, which in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein. The results for the three months ended March 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or for any future period. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR ---------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, THE COMPANY THREE MONTHS --------------- ------------------------------------------------ 1991 YEAR ENDED ENDED ------ SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, Dollars in thousands, except ENDED ENDED --------------- --------------- per share data 1992 JULY 1, DECEMBER 31, 1995 1996 ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ 1994 1993 1993 ------ 1995 ---------- ------------ ------ (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: Revenues: Software and engineering services $6,487 $5,698 $1,810 $ 2,010 $5,746 $7,228 $1,601 $2,306 Related parties -- -- -- 50 972 1,902 455 506 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total revenues 6,487 5,698 1,810 2,060 6,718 9,130 2,056 2,812 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Cost of revenues: Software and engineering services 814 516 91 105 558 490 50 79 Related parties -- -- -- 12 33 146 35 209 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total cost of revenues 814 516 91 117 591 636 85 288 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Gross profit 5,673 5,182 1,719 1,943 6,127 8,494 1,971 2,524 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Operating expenses: Research and development 1,003 836 887 2,071 1,601 2,751 593 855 Sales and marketing 2,557 1,040 845 647 1,537 2,282 425 560 General and administrative 2,129 3,505 615 350 932 1,600 415 590 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total operating expenses 5,689 5,381 2,347 3,068 4,070 6,633 1,433 2,005 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from operations (16) (199) (628) (1,125) 2,057 1,861 538 519 Interest expense (56) (83) (27) (54) (19) (9) (10) -- Interest and other income -- 1 -- 1 4 105 2 84 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) before income taxes (72) (281) (655) (1,178) 2,042 1,957 530 603 Provision for income taxes -- 15 -- -- 784 792 214 217 ------ ------ ---------- ------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income (loss) $ (72) $ (296) $ (655) $ (1,178) $1,258 $1,165 $ 316 $ 386 ====== ====== ======== =========== ====== ====== ====== ====== Net income (loss) per share(1) $ (0.19) $ 0.20 $ 0.18 $ 0.05 $ 0.06 =========== ====== ====== ====== ====== Weighted average common and common equivalent shares in thousands 6,307 6,307 6,500 6,622 6,047 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR ----------------------------- THE COMPANY JULY 1, --------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, ------- ----------------- 1991 1993 DECEMBER 31, ------ ------- ------------------------- MARCH 31, Dollars in thousands 1992 1994 1995 ----------- ------ ------ ------ 1996 1993 ----------- ------- (UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA: Cash and cash equivalents $ 452 $ 313 $ 156 $ 280 $1,374 $6,498 $10,591 Working capital (deficit) (44) (461) (1,189) (1,113) 1,173 6,642 11,315 Total assets 1,596 1,085 1,088 1,807 3,119 9,083 14,238 Shareholders' equity (deficit) (177) (453) (1,099) (468) 1,695 7,169 12,068 - --------------- (1) For an explanation of the number of shares used to compute net income (loss) per share, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 14 17 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OVERVIEW The Company was founded in 1983 to design, develop and market a suite of Basic Input/Output System software ("BIOS") for the system management software market. During the mid- and late-1980s, the Company established a significant market presence by providing BIOS for the 286/386 PC markets and achieved early market success as a BIOS supplier to the Taiwanese motherboard market. The Company was acquired in July 1993 by GCH Systems, Inc. ("GCH"), an independent developer of microcomputers and application-specific integrated circuits, and operated as a wholly owned subsidiary. By 1994, the Company further established itself in the system management software market with the successful introduction of enhanced system management software products including its Green BIOS and PCI BIOS. In December 1994, all of the Common Stock of the Company was distributed to the existing GCH shareholders on a pro rata basis in a spin-off transaction to allow the Company to focus exclusively on its system management software business and facilitate the Company's access to future financing, including the public capital markets. The Company markets and licenses its products and services worldwide and is a leading provider of system management software to the PC motherboard market in Asia, which accounts for approximately 40% of worldwide motherboard production. More recently, the Company has been focusing on expanding its core desktop product line by developing a suite of system management software products for the mobile and network computing markets. In addition, the Company is developing a suite of applications called SMSAccess which will enable remote access, diagnosis and repair of disabled systems. The Company's strategy is to strengthen its presence in Taiwan while pursuing additional opportunities on a worldwide basis. In November 1993, the Company entered a joint development agreement with Vobis, a leading PC manufacturer in Europe. This collaboration resulted in the development of a specialized desktop BIOS for Vobis for which the Company and Vobis have three joint patents pending. In January 1996, Vobis acquired 570,033 shares of the Company's Common Stock and warrants to purchase an additional 272,394 shares. The Company believes that this relationship will enable it to further penetrate the European market. See "Risk Factors -- International Operations; Currency Fluctuations; International Unrest" and "Certain Transactions." The Company has historically generated the substantial majority of its revenues from the licensing of desktop system management software, primarily to OEMs. Sales from international operations, particularly to customers in Taiwan, comprise a substantial portion of the Company's total revenues. Software license fees are recognized upon delivery of the product, fulfillment of acceptance terms, if any, and satisfaction of significant support obligations, if any. Engineering services revenues generally consist of amounts charged for customization of the software prior to delivery and are generally recognized as the services are performed. Related parties revenues include software license fees and non-recurring engineering services provided to a Common Stock shareholder and a Common Stock warrant holder. The Company believes that its business is subject to seasonal fluctuation, with shipments in the fourth calendar quarter being somewhat higher due to higher levels of PC shipments in that time period. The Company plans to increase the number and scope of system management software products it offers in order to add features and functionality to existing products and to address new market opportunities. For example, the Company is developing products to support remote system access, including remote diagnosis and repair, network-related system management software products, and enhanced versions of its core BIOS. The Company also plans to expand its presence in the mobile PC and embedded device system management software markets, which the Company believes provide an opportunity for greater revenue per unit than the desktop PC market. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in implementing these plans or that price competition will not lead to price decreases in one or more of these markets, adversely affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations. The Company has an established international presence and consequently generates a significant portion of its revenues and expenses in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, primarily the German Mark and New Taiwan Dollar. As a result, any appreciation or depreciation in the U.S. Dollar against these currencies could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cashflows. In addition, foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from normal business operations are credited to or charged against earnings in the period incurred. During the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, fluctuations in the value of currencies in which the Company conducts its business relative to the U.S. Dollar have not been significant on an annual basis. This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk Factors." 15 18 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain consolidated statement of operations information, as well as the percentage of the Company's total revenues represented by each item. The results of operations for the Predecessor for the period January 1, 1993 through July 1, 1993 and the Company for the period July 2, 1993 through December 31, 1993 have been combined to facilitate presentation of the results of operations on a calendar year basis. The Company's historical results are not necessarily indicative of results in any future period. ------------------------------------------------------------------ PREDECESSOR AND THE COMPANY COMBINED ------------ THE COMPANY YEAR ENDED ------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, ------------ 1993 YEAR ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED ------------ DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, Dollars in thousands, except per share ----------------- --------------------------- amounts 1995 1996 ------ ----------- 1995 1994 ----------- ------ (UNAUDITED) Revenues: Software and engineering services $ 3,820 $5,746 $7,228 $ 1,601 $ 2,306 Related parties 50 972 1,902 455 506 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Total revenues 3,870 6,718 9,130 2,056 2,812 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Cost of revenues: Software and engineering services 196 558 490 50 79 Related parties 12 33 146 35 209 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Total cost of revenues 208 591 636 85 288 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Gross profit 3,662 6,127 8,494 1,971 2,524 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Operating expenses: Research and development 2,958 1,601 2,751 593 855 Sales and marketing 1,492 1,537 2,282 425 560 General and administrative 965 932 1,600 415 590 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Total operating expenses 5,415 4,070 6,633 1,433 2,005 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Income (loss) from operations (1,753) 2,057 1,861 538 519 Interest expense (81) (19) (9) (10) -- Interest and other income 1 4 105 2 84 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes (1,833) 2,042 1,957 530 603 Provision for income taxes -- 784 792 214 217 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) $ (1,833) $1,258 $1,165 $ 316 $ 386 =========== ====== ====== ========= ========= Net income per share $ 0.20 $ 0.18 $ 0.05 $ 0.06 ====== ====== ========= ========= Weighted average common and common equivalent shares in thousands 6,307 6,500 6,622 6,047 16 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------ PREDECESSOR AND THE COMPANY COMBINED ------------ THE COMPANY ------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------ YEARS ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED 1993 DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ------------ ----------------- --------------------------- As a percentage of total revenues 1995 1996 ------ ----------- 1994 1995 ------ ----------- (UNAUDITED) Revenues: Software and engineering services 99% 86% 79% 78% 82% Related parties 1 14 21 22 18 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Total revenues 100 100 100 100 100 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Cost of revenues: Software and engineering services 5 8 5 2 3 Related parties -- 1 2 2 7 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Total cost of revenues 5 9 7 4 10 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Gross profit 95 91 93 96 90 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Operating expenses: Research and development 76 24 30 29 30 Sales and marketing 39 23 25 21 20 General and administrative 25 14 17 20 21 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Total operating expenses 140 61 72 70 71 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Income (loss) from operations (45) 30 21 26 19 Interest expense 2 -- -- -- -- Interest and other income -- -- 1 -- 3 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes (47) 30 22 26 22 Provision for income taxes -- 12 9 10 8 ------------ ------ ------ ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) (47)% 18% 13% 16% 14% =========== ====== ====== ========= ========= COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND MARCH 31, 1996 Revenues. The Company's revenues consist of software license fees and engineering services. Revenues increased 37% from $2.1 million to $2.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. Software license fees and engineering services revenues increased 44% from $1.6 million to $2.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. This increase was primarily due to higher software license fees from the Company's existing Taiwanese OEM customers, and to a lesser degree from existing U.S. PC and embedded system customers. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in software license fees from one European customer. A significant customer, which accounted for 13% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1996, recently indicated that it intends to discontinue licensing the Company's PC Card software. Accordingly, the Company does not currently expect to receive material revenues from that customer during the second half of 1996. Related parties revenues increased 11% from $455,000 to $506,000 in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. The increase was primarily due to higher engineering services offset by lower software license fees provided to related parties. Revenues derived from international operations represented 68% and 65% of the Company's revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material effect on total revenues in the periods presented. However, there can be no assurance that future fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's future revenues and results of operations. Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues consists primarily of the cost of materials and freight expenses associated with software license fees and direct costs associated with engineering services revenues. Cost of revenues increased from $85,000, or 4% of revenues, to $288,000, or 10% of revenues, in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. Cost of software license fees and engineering services revenues increased from $50,000 to $79,000 in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. Cost of related parties revenues increased from $35,000 to $209,000 in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. This increase was primarily due to a higher proportion of project related engineering services, which have a higher labor-related cost component. Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist primarily of engineering personnel and related expenses and equipment costs. Research and development expenses increased 44% from $593,000, or 29% of revenues, to $855,000, or 30% of 17 20 revenues, in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. This increase was primarily due to the hiring of engineering personnel to develop new software products, such as mobile BIOS and the SMSAccess product suite. The Company anticipates that it will continue to devote substantial resources to product research and development and that such expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollars over time. Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel and related expenses, sales commissions and travel costs. Sales and marketing expenses increased 32% from $425,000, or 21% of revenues, to $560,000, or 20% of revenues, in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. This increase in expenses was primarily due to higher sales commissions paid to the Company's sales force for increased revenues and increased participation in industry standards groups and trade shows. General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel and related expenses, professional services and facilities costs. General and administrative expenses increased 42%, from $415,000, or 20% of revenues, to $590,000, or 21% of revenues, in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. This increase was primarily due to a one-time employee severance cost of $90,000 in the Company's European operations. In addition, during the second half of 1995, the Company recorded $297,000 of deferred stock compensation related to the difference between the exercise price of certain Common Stock options and the deemed fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Amortization of deferred compensation expense of $19,000 is included in general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 1996. Interest Expense. Interest expense associated with short-term borrowings decreased from $10,000 to $0 in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively, due to a decrease in short-term borrowings. Interest and Other Income. Interest income consists primarily of interest income on cash and cash equivalents. Interest income increased from $2,000 to $84,000 in the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively, due to an increase in interest income earned on higher cash balances. Provision for Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate decreased from 41% to 36% for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in income taxable in Taiwan at rates lower than the applicable statutory rates in the U.S. and Germany. COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995 Revenues. The Company's revenues increased 36% from $6.7 million to $9.1 million in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Software license fees and engineering services revenues increased 26% from $5.7 million to $7.2 million in 1994 and 1995, respectively. This increase was primarily due to increased software license fees resulting from the introduction of PCI and other enhanced features. A significant customer, which accounted for 14% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995, recently indicated that it intends to discontinue licensing the Company's PC Card software; accordingly the Company does not currently expect to receive material revenues from that customer during the second half of 1996. Related parties revenues increased 96% from $1.0 million to $1.9 million in 1994 and 1995, respectively. This increase was primarily due to the growth in software license fees. Revenues derived from international operations were 75% and 68% of the Company's revenues in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material impact on total revenues in 1994 or 1995. However, there can be no assurance that future fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's future revenues and results of operations. Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased 8% from $591,000, or 9% of revenues, to $636,000, or 7% of revenues, in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Cost of software license fees and engineering services revenues decreased 12% from $558,000 to $490,000 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to the phasing out of a lower gross margin product during the course of the year, offset by a one-time royalty payment of $200,000 to a third party. Cost of related parties revenues increased from $33,000 to $146,000 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. This increase was primarily due to direct costs associated with engineering services. Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased 72% from $1.6 million, or 24% of revenues, to $2.8 million, or 30% of revenues, in 1994 and 1995, respectively. This increase was primarily due to the growth in research and development personnel from 33 to 45 individuals during the year. These additional personnel were hired as part of the effort to assist customers in certifying their products for Windows 95, as well as to develop mobile BIOS and SMSAccess. Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased 48% from $1.5 million, or 23% of revenues, to $2.3 million, or 25% of revenues, in 1994 and 1995, respectively. This increase was primarily due to non-recurring charges of $283,000 related to the recognition of warrants issued to a related party and $36,000 related to warrants issued to a shareholder in exchange for marketing services. In addition, higher payroll and related expenses, including sales commissions, increased travel related to the improvement of customer relations, and increased participation in industry trade shows and user conferences accounted for the remainder of the increase. See "Certain Transactions." 18 21 General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased 72% from $932,000, or 14% of revenues, to $1.6 million, or 17% of revenues, in 1994 and 1995, respectively. The increase was primarily due to increased employee compensation and office facilities cost, as well as higher professional service fees. In addition, during the second half of 1995, the Company recorded $297,000 of deferred stock compensation for the difference between the exercise price of certain Common Stock options and the deemed fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The deferred compensation expense will be recognized over the four-year vesting period of the options. Amortization of deferred compensation expense of $42,000 is included in general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 1995. Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased from $19,000 to $9,000 in 1994 and 1995, respectively, due to a decrease in short-term borrowings. Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income increased from $4,000 to $105,000 in 1994 and 1995, respectively, primarily due to higher interest income earned on higher cash balances during the period. Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes increased from $784,000 to $792,000 in 1994 and 1995, respectively, representing effective tax rates of 38% and 41%, respectively. This increase was primarily due to an increase in income. The higher effective income tax rate for 1995 was primarily due to one-time non-deductible sales and marketing charges of $373,000 associated with warrants issued offset by the recognition of $117,000 of deferred tax assets which were previously reserved based on a reevaluation of the realizability of future tax benefits based on the income earned in 1995. COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND DECEMBER 31, 1994 The results of operations for the Predecessor for the period January 1, 1993 through July 1, 1993 and the Company for the period July 2, 1993 through December 31, 1993 have been determined based upon the historical cost basis of the Predecessor and the Company and have been combined to facilitate presentation of the results of operations on a calendar year basis. Revenues. The Company's revenues increased 74% from $3.9 million to $6.7 million in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Software license fees and engineering services revenues increased 50% from $3.8 million to $5.7 million in 1993 and 1994, respectively. This increase was primarily due to higher software license fees resulting from the introduction of the Company's Green BIOS and CardWare. Related parties revenues increased from $50,000 to $1.0 million in 1993 and 1994, respectively. This increase was primarily due to an increase in software license fees provided to a related party. Revenues derived from international operations were 78% and 75% of the Company's revenues in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material impact on total revenues in 1993 or 1994. However, there can be no assurance that future fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's future revenues and results of operations. Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased from $208,000, or 5% of revenues, to $591,000, or 9% of revenues, in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Cost of software license fees and engineering services revenues increased from $196,000 to $558,000 in 1993 and 1994, respectively. This increase was primarily due to higher sales of a lower margin product which the Company bundled with its desktop BIOS product. Cost of related parties revenues increased from $12,000 to $33,000 in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Research and Development. Research and development expenses decreased 46%, from $3.0 million, or 76% of revenues, to $1.6 million, or 24% of revenues, in 1993 and 1994, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to a one-time charge of $1.0 million recorded in 1993 for in-process research and development purchased as part of the acquisition of the Company by GCH. At the acquisition date, the in-process technology was not yet technologically feasible and had no alternative future use. Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased 3% from $1.5 million, or 39% of revenues, to $1.6 million, or 23% of revenues, in 1993 and 1994, respectively. This increase was primarily due to increased expenses related to sales commissions and participation in trade shows. General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased 3% from $1.0 million, or 25% of revenues, to $932,000, or 14% of revenues, in 1993 and 1994, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in payroll expenses resulting from a change in management, which was partially offset by an increase in professional service fees. Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased from $81,000 to $19,000 in 1993 and 1994, respectively, due to a decrease in short-term borrowings. Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income increased from $1,000 to $4,000 in 1993 and 1994, respectively, due to an increase in interest income earned on higher cash balances. Provision for Income Taxes. For the period from July 2, 1993 through December 3, 1994, Award was included in GCH's consolidated federal and California state income tax returns. Under a tax sharing arrangement with GCH, the Company was allocated a proportionate share of GCH's consolidated income tax liability. The provision for income taxes was calculated using the separate return methodology in accordance with SFAS No. 109. The provision for income taxes was $0 and $784,000 in 1993 and 1994, respectively. The Company incurred a net operating loss in 1993 and consequently paid no federal, state or foreign income taxes. The Company's effective income tax rate was 38% for the year ended December 31, 1994. 19 22 QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth certain unaudited results of operations for each of the quarters in the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the quarter ended March 31, 1996, in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of the Company's total revenues. In the opinion of management, this information has been prepared on a basis consistent with the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements, which appear elsewhere in this Prospectus, and includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that the Company considers necessary to present fairly the information for the periods presented when read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Notes thereto. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or any future quarter. The Company's revenues significantly increased in the fourth quarters of 1994 and 1995, reflecting the seasonality of the Company's business. In addition, the Company's revenues and profits decreased in the first quarter of 1995 and 1996 as compared with the fourth quarter of the previous year. Quarterly fluctuations in cost of revenues are due to the mix and volume of software licenses and engineering services. Cost of revenues in the three months ended December 31, 1995 increased to $315,000 and was attributable primarily to a one-time royalty payment of $200,000 to a third party. Sales and marketing expenses in the three months ended September 30, 1995 increased to $757,000. This increase was attributable primarily to a non-recurring $283,000 charge related to the recognition of warrants issued to a related party. The Company has experienced and expects to continue to experience fluctuations in its quarterly results. The Company's revenues are affected by a number of factors, including the demand for PCs and other microprocessor-based devices, timing of new product introductions, product mix, volume and timing of customer orders, activities of competitors and the ability of the Company to penetrate new markets. See "Risk Factors -- Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results; Seasonality." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUARTERS ENDED -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 1995 1996 Dollars in thousands --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- -------- except per share data MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 DEC. 31 MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 DEC. 31 MARCH 31 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- (UNAUDITED) Revenues: Software and engineering services $1,335 $1,437 $1,548 $1,426 $1,601 $1,671 $1,723 $2,233 $2,306 Related parties 119 45 140 668 455 310 535 602 506 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Total revenues 1,454 1,482 1,688 2,094 2,056 1,981 2,258 2,835 2,812 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Cost of revenues: Software and engineering services 261 144 81 72 50 104 71 265 79 Related parties -- -- -- 33 35 33 28 50 209 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Total cost of revenues 261 144 81 105 85 137 99 315 288 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Gross profit 1,193 1,338 1,607 1,989 1,971 1,844 2,159 2,520 2,524 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Operating expenses: Research and development 351 332 475 443 593 681 674 803 855 Sales and marketing 327 374 360 476 425 612 757 488 560 General and administrative 150 208 189 385 415 437 371 377 590 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Total operating expenses 828 914 1,024 1,304 1,433 1,730 1,802 1,668 2,005 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Income from operations 365 424 583 685 538 114 357 852 519 Interest expense (income), net 8 3 7 (3 ) 8 5 (13) (96 ) (84) -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Income before income taxes 357 421 576 688 530 109 370 948 603 Provision for income taxes 138 163 224 259 214 44 150 384 217 -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- -------- Net income $ 219 $ 258 $ 352 $ 429 $ 316 $ 65 $ 220 $ 564 $ 386 ========= ======== ======== ======= ========= ======== ======== ======= ========= Net income per share $ 0.03 $ 0.04 $ 0.06 $ 0.07 $ 0.05 $ 0.01 $ 0.03 $ 0.09 $ 0.06 ========= ======== ======== ======= ========= ======== ======== ======= ========= Weighted average common and common equivalent shares in thousands 6,307 6,307 6,307 6,307 6,622 6,689 6,363 6,328 6,047 20 23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUARTERS ENDED -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 --------------------------------------- MARCH 31 1995 -------- --------------------------------------- 1996 As a percentage of total revenues JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 DEC. 31 JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 DEC. 31 -------- ------- -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- MARCH 31 MARCH 31 -------- -------- (UNAUDITED) Revenues: Software and engineering services 92% 97% 92% 68% 78% 84% 76% 79% 82% Related parties 8 3 8 32 22 16 24 21 18 --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Total revenues 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Cost of revenues: Software and engineering services 18 10 5 3 2 5 3 9 3 Related parties -- -- -- 2 2 2 1 2 7 --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Total cost of revenues 18 10 5 5 4 7 4 11 10 --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Gross profit 82 90 95 95 96 93 96 89 90 --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Operating expenses: Research and development 24 23 28 21 29 34 30 28 30 Sales and marketing 22 25 22 23 21 31 34 17 20 General and administrative 10 14 11 18 20 22 16 13 21 --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Total operating expenses 56 62 61 62 70 87 80 58 71 --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Income from operations 26 28 34 33 26 6 16 31 19 Interest expense (income), net 1 -- -- -- -- -- (1) (3) (3) --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Income before income taxes 25 28 34 33 26 6 17 34 22 Provision for income taxes 10 11 13 12 10 3 7 14 8 --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- ------- --- Net income 15% 17% 21% 21% 16% 3% 10% 20% 14% ========= ======== ======== ======= ========= ======== ======== ======= ========= LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Since its acquisition by GCH, the Company has funded its operations primarily through the private sale of equity securities and from cash generated from operations. As of March 31, 1996, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $10.6 million and working capital of $11.3 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $676,000 in 1993 and was primarily due to a net loss and acquired in-process research and development. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.9 million in 1994 and was primarily due to net income and a noncash charge for income taxes. Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.1 million in 1995 and was primarily due to net income and increases in accrued liabilities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $679,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and was primarily due to net income and increases in accrued liabilities. Net cash used in operating activities was $166,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and was primarily due to higher accounts receivable partially offset by net income and accrued liabilities. Net cash used in investing activities was $659,000 in 1993 and was primarily due to the acquisition of the Company from the Predecessor. Net cash used in investing activities was $75,000 in 1994 and was primarily due to the purchase of general equipment. Net cash used in investing activities was $147,000, $34,000 and $233,000 in 1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and was primarily due to the purchase and upgrade of the Company's computer hardware. Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.6 million in 1993 and was primarily due to proceeds from Common Stock issuance and borrowings from GCH. Net cash used by financing activities was $781,000 in 1994 and was primarily due to advances and repayments to GCH and principal payments under unaffiliated third-party note obligations. Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.1 million in 1995. In 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996, the net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to proceeds from private equity sales. For the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, cash used by financing activities was $811,000 and cash provided by financing activities was $4.5 million, respectively. The Company believes that the net proceeds from the sale of Common Stock offered hereby, together with anticipated cash flow from operations and existing cash balances, will satisfy the Company's projected expenditures through 1997 for working capital and general corporate purposes, including an increase in the Company's internal product development, staffing in connection with new product introductions and other related product development expenditures. From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into strategic relationships with its customers or other participants in the PC industry. Such strategic relationships may include equity investments in the Company. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of the shareholders of the Company will be reduced, shareholders may experience additional dilution, or such equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the holders of the Company's Common Stock. The Company has no current commitments or agreements with respect to any strategic relationships, including any equity investments. See "Risk Factors -- Dilution" and "Dilution." 21 24 BUSINESS Award designs, develops and markets system management software for the global computing market. System management software is one of the fundamental layers in PC architecture and provides an essential interface between a PC's operating system software and hardware. The Company's principal system management software products include a suite of Basic Input/Output System software ("BIOS"). Award's customers include designers and manufacturers of motherboards, PC systems and other microprocessor-based (or "embedded") devices. The Company believes that its products and engineering services enable customers to rapidly develop new motherboard designs for state-of-the-art computer systems. The Company markets and licenses its products and services worldwide, and has established itself as a leading provider of desktop system management software in Asia, which accounts for approximately 40% of worldwide desktop motherboard production. The BIOS, which is the software initially executed after the system is turned on, tests and initializes hardware components, initiates the operating system and then provides advanced interface functions. Award's desktop BIOS products enable a PC to support a number of key advanced technologies, including Plug and Play, PCI, DMI and APM. The Company is currently developing further enhancements to its BIOS, including support for USB. The Company's embedded device BIOS provides customized features to address the specialized needs of its customers in this market. In addition to the Company's proprietary suite of system management software products, Award offers PC Card software that enables PCs and other electronic devices to recognize, install, configure and operate peripheral devices, such as network or modem cards. The Company currently services more than 100 customers worldwide, including many of the world's leading original equipment and embedded device manufacturers. In response to its customers' need to develop and integrate new technologies rapidly, the Company has developed its business with a particular emphasis on providing local engineering service and support in each of its major target regions: Asia, especially Taiwan, North America and Europe. The Company is increasing its presence in Europe through a strategic relationship with Vobis, pursuant to which the Company and Vobis are jointly developing BIOS and utilities for the desktop PC and embedded device markets. As part of this relationship, Vobis has purchased approximately 12% of the Company's Common Stock. The Company is leveraging its existing customer relationships and desktop expertise to develop system management software for the mobile and network computing markets. The Company anticipates that leading Taiwanese desktop system and motherboard manufacturers, many of which are Award customers, will enter the mobile PC market, and, in response, the Company is developing enhanced system management software for mobile PCs. In addition, the Company is developing a suite of applications called SMSAccess, which will enable remote access to, and diagnosis and repair of disabled systems. INDUSTRY BACKGROUND [GRAPHIC] PC systems consist of four layers: the hardware, the BIOS, the operating system and the application software. The computer's primary hardware component, the motherboard, is connected to peripheral hardware devices, such as a keyboard, hard disk drive and mouse. The BIOS is stored in a non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard while the operating system and application software are stored on the hard disk drive. The BIOS, which is the software initially executed after the system is turned on, tests and initializes hardware components and initiates the operating system. After the BIOS completes the start up or "booting" of the system, it serves as the interface between the computer hardware and the operating system. By acting as the bridge between the operating system and the computer hardware, the BIOS makes it possible to develop hardware and software independently. As a result, the pace of innovation for 22 25 hardware products in the PC industry, where the typical life cycle of a hardware design is six to twelve months, has not been constrained by the slower pace of operating system development, where generational advances can take several years to develop. Enhanced BIOS and other system management software have been developed to support implementation of new industry standards and technologies, such as Plug and Play, PC Card, DMI, "hot-docking" and APM. Improved versions of BIOS are currently being developed to support USB and the latest PC industry standards. Many of these new technologies will play an important part in the development of PCs and embedded devices for the Internet and other network computing environments. Several important trends are currently affecting the system management software industry: Outsourcing of System Management Software Development. The rapid pace of technological innovation in recent years has required system makers to adapt to short production cycles and operate in an environment of continuous innovation. As PC and motherboard designers and manufacturers continuously improve their hardware products, they must ensure the compatibility of these new designs with existing operating systems through a customized BIOS. While some PC and motherboard manufacturers develop system management software internally, increasingly complex technology, demand for compatibility and competitive market pressures are driving many manufacturers to rely on dedicated system management software providers. These manufacturers demand high levels of support at all stages of product development, making it necessary for system management software vendors to provide effective localized engineering support during the production process. Outsourcing of Motherboard Production. Competitive pressures in the PC market have also caused system manufacturers to outsource PC motherboard production to reduce cost and stay current with advancing technologies. Manufacturers in Taiwan have taken advantage of this trend to become significant participants in the world desktop system and motherboard production market. Further, their role has expanded to include design decisions, such as the selection of the BIOS and other system management software. To rapidly integrate new motherboard designs into the overall PC system, these manufacturers require locally based system management software engineering resources. Proliferation of x86 Architecture in the Embedded Device Market. Traditional PC architecture, which is based on the x86 design, is being adopted for use in the embedded computer market. The implementation of x86 architecture permits the development of open systems that can employ standard software, development tools and peripheral hardware products. Embedded devices perform a single or limited number of complex applications for a dedicated purpose. These embedded devices require advanced capabilities for data analysis, communication, control and ease-of-use and depend upon highly customized system management software solutions to ensure performance, reliability and functionality. Demands for Product Support Solutions. As PC use by less technically sophisticated home and business users has grown, PC system manufacturers have been searching for cost-effective solutions to provide technical customer support services. The emerging network computing environment potentially provides system manufacturers with the ability to access the hardware and operating systems in order to ascertain the problems of the user and to make repairs. Additionally, manufacturers of embedded systems are searching for cost-effective ways to maintain and support their products, which are broadly distributed and sometimes installed in remote locations that cannot be directly accessed by support personnel. To address this opportunity, providers of system management software are beginning to work closely with system manufacturers to develop products with remote access, diagnostic and repair capabilities. AWARD STRATEGY The Company's objective is to become the leading designer, developer and marketer of system management software by providing innovative solutions to the desktop PC, embedded device, mobile PC and network computing markets. The Company's strategy includes the following key elements: Build Upon Desktop Leadership in Asia. Award is currently a leading provider of system management software to the Asian desktop motherboard market and will attempt to increase market share in this important region. The Company believes that PC manufacturers worldwide increasingly outsource PC design decisions, including the selection of system management software, to the original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and original design manufacturers in Taiwan that form the core of the Company's client base. Award further believes its longstanding focus on Asia positions it to take advantage of this market growth, and the Company plans to maintain a high level of engineering and management resources in this region. Leverage Existing Customer Relationships and Desktop Expertise to Pursue the Mobile and Embedded Markets. The Company believes that it can leverage its desktop system management software expertise to design and develop products for the mobile PC and embedded device markets. To complement its mobile BIOS products, the Company also offers system management software to support the PC Card standard, which is broadly implemented in the mobile PC market. The Company believes that the leading Taiwanese desktop system and motherboard manufacturers, many of which are Award customers, will enter the mobile PC market and provide the Company with opportunities to license its mobile BIOS products. In addition, the Company is establishing a full service 23 26 operation in Tokyo to design, develop and market system management software to the mobile PC manufacturers in Japan, which are significant participants in the mobile PC market. The Company is also pursuing opportunities with manufacturers of embedded devices, a market characterized by relatively long product life cycles, often from three to seven years. Provide Innovative Products for the Emerging Network and Internet Computing Marketplace. The Company is designing and developing a number of products for the emerging network computing market. For example, Award is developing its RPBAccess software, which will allow an end-user to obtain diagnostic and repair system support service through a modem or the Internet without a functional operating system or operational hard disk. In addition, Award's SMSAccess software suite will allow a network administrator to access and retrieve system management information, either locally or remotely. The Company's WWWAccess software will provide embedded devices, such as point-of-sale systems, set-top boxes and personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), with Internet capabilities. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will successfully develop and market such software. Provide Localized Customer Service in Key Markets. The Company provides responsive and competitive system management software engineering and support by maintaining engineering, marketing and sales staff in three key PC design centers around the world: Taiwan, the U.S. and Germany. For many of its customers, Award serves as an important source of research and development, providing customized solutions within the tight timeframes required in the competitive motherboard market. In addition, the Company's local service centers allow it to act as an important conduit between the technology centers in the U.S. and key PC design centers. Easy accessibility, frequent communication and localized interaction are crucial to the selection and implementation of Award system management software. The Company believes that its emphasis on local service enables it to perform high quality, reliable and timely engineering and support services and provides it with a competitive advantage. PRODUCTS -- SYSTEM MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AWARD SYSTEM BIOS The Company's Award System BIOS consists of core software code that can be combined with additional software modules to add specific functions and features, including Plug and Play, PCI, APM and DMI. The Company is currently testing additional modules that support the USB standard. The Company integrates the core software code with some or all of these software modules to create a product that meets the needs of its three principal markets: desktop PCs, embedded devices and mobile PCs. To date, the majority of the Company's software licensing revenues have been derived from sales in the desktop PC market. Desktop BIOS integrates the core software code with modules that support the following technological advancements: - Plug and Play permits the BIOS and operating system software to automatically recognize and configure PC hardware and peripherals, such as printers, network cards and multimedia accessories. A variation of this technology, known as "hot" Plug and Play, allows for the installation, recognition and removal of peripherals while power is on. - PCI was developed by a consortium led by Intel and provides an automatically configured interface between high-speed peripheral components and PC systems. - APM reduces power consumption by continuously monitoring system activity, sensing idle time and powering down or powering off components. - DMI is a new industry standard that allows the desktop configuration data to be easily accessed locally or over a network. This software is capable of detecting and storing configuration information from devices and systems that comply with the industry standard Desktop Management Task Force specification. The Company is currently developing a module to support USB. USB is a new Plug and Play interface under development by Microsoft and Intel, which is designed to provide an easy connection for slow and medium speed peripherals to a PC by supplying a uniform connector to make installing a peripheral as simple as plugging in a telephone. Embedded Device BIOS integrates the core software code with selected modules and additional custom features. Award works closely with embedded device customers to incorporate BIOS into design intensive embedded hardware. Unlike PC products, which typically experience short product cycles, a typical embedded device solution has a relatively long product life, with most designs lasting through the life cycles of the products into which they are integrated, often three to seven or more years. Mobile PC BIOS is a new customized BIOS solution for use in notebook and other portable PCs, which will integrate the core software code with modules that support Plug and Play, PC, APM and DMI. In addition, this new product will support the hardware associated with mobile PCs, such as chipsets and keyboard controllers, as well as other advanced technologies. For example, "hot docking" allows users to connect to and disconnect from their mobile PCs to desktop docking stations without turning off their machines. The Company is also developing smart battery support which ensures compatibility and monitors diagnostic information for the advanced batteries found in mobile PCs. 24 27 PC Card Software The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association ("PCMCIA") was formed to enact standards for credit card size computer memory and peripheral add-on products called "PC Cards." Award supplies software to enable PCs and other electronic devices to recognize, install, configure and operate peripheral devices that comply with PCMCIA standards. Award's PC Card software, CardWare and CardControl, provides a number of benefits over traditional PC Card software, including the efficient use of system memory, greater portability, ease of maintenance, and a more modular design. CardWare consists of several software components: CardWare Socket Services, which works with the hardware to recognize PC Card socket status and report that status to other PC Card software; CardWare Card Services, which provides resource management as well as the industry standard programming interface and allows the user to hot-swap multiple PC Cards in the system; and a suite of software drivers, which handle recognition and configuration of CardWare Socket Services and CardWare Card Services. CardControl is a software program that operates under Windows and allows a user to review or configure a PC Card. In addition, this software contains two unique advisory modes, which automatically configure a card for optimal performance or suggest available configurations. SMSAccess The Company is currently developing the SMSAccess suite of applications, which includes significant enhancements to traditional system management software products: DMIAccess is a Windows application that allows a user to view hardware specific information without physically looking in the computer or reading the system start-up messages. Such information includes RAM configuration, system serial number, motherboard serial number, and hard drive options. In conjunction with third party software, DMIAccess provides a complete solution which network administrators can use to remotely access data provided by DMI-compliant hardware. BIOSAccess is a Windows application, currently under development, that will allow a user to view and change system setup information, such as power management, display, security, sound, keyboard, and serial/parallel port options. The application also will allow the user to view basic system parameters such as RAM size, hard disk size, processor type, and BIOS version. BIOSAccess is expected to replace traditional, less user-friendly character-based utilities. RPBAccess is a patent-pending product, currently under development, that will allow technical support personnel to remotely access a disabled PC via a modem, network or Internet connection. The Company believes that this software is unique because it operates without a functioning hard drive or operating system and thus can solve a greater number of system problems. RPBAccess allows an expert system or technical support person to run BIOS setup, see error messages, upload and download files (if the hard disk functions), and upload and download diagnostic software. Consequently, the system is efficiently diagnosed and potentially repaired without the usual user telephone relay or site visit. RPBAccess will benefit PC system manufacturers because it can reduce both the time and expense to diagnose and repair the system. USBAccess is a Windows application the Company plans to develop that will display the type and status of all connected USB devices, providing the user with access to such USB options as bandwidth allocation and power management. In conjunction with third party software, USBAccess will provide a complete solution which network administrators can use to remotely access data provided by USB-complaint hardware. CUSTOMERS The Company services over 100 customers worldwide, including designers and manufacturers of desktop PC motherboards, PC systems and notebooks and hardware component and embedded device manufacturers. From time to time, the Company has worked with selected customers to co-develop certain products and expects to pursue additional co-development opportunities in the future. For example, the Company is currently working with Vobis to develop custom products for certain embedded applications. The following is a list of customers of the Company who individually accounted for at least $50,000 in revenues in the year ended December 31, 1995, representing, in the aggregate, approximately 74% of the Company's revenues. These customers have licensed the Company's software, and certain of such customers have contracted for the Company to provide non-recurring engineering ("NRE") services, in the categories in which they are listed below. 25 28 PC Motherboard Designers and Manufacturers Ansoon BCM Advanced Research, Inc. Chaintech Diamond Flower International Inc. Elitegroup Computer Systems Inc. First International Computer Inc. Full Yes Gemlight GigaByte Technology Co., Ltd. Hsing Tech Holco J. Bond Computer Systems Corp. Ocean Powertech, Inc. President Spring Sukjung Rectron Vector Vtech Industries, Inc. PC System and Notebook Manufacturers Kapok Mitac Electronics Group Maxdata Computer GmbH Siemens Components, Inc. Synnex Information Technologies, Inc. Toshiba Europa (I.E.) GmbH Vobis Microcomputer AG Hardware Component and Embedded Manufacturers Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Quadrus Helix Magnetics, Inc. RadiSys Corporation In the year ended December 31, 1994, Siemens and Toshiba accounted for approximately 17% and 12% of the Company's revenues, respectively, and in the year ended December 31, 1995, Vobis and Toshiba accounted for approximately 13% and 14% of the Company's revenues, respectively. In the quarter ended March 31, 1996, Vobis and Toshiba accounted for approximately 18% and 13% of the Company's revenues, respectively. Toshiba recently indicated that it would discontinue licensing the Company's PC Card software during the third quarter of 1996, relying instead upon the PC Card and Plug and Play software incorporated in Windows 95. See "Risk Factors -- Competition" and "-- Dependence on Key Customer Relationships; Concentration of Credit Risk." See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for geographic segment information. SALES AND MARKETING The Company markets its products directly and through independent sales representatives. In North America, Award sales managers operate from the Company's headquarters in Mountain View, California. The Company complements its sales force in the U.S. with an independent sales representative in Southern California. In Asia, the Company operates from its office in Taipei, Taiwan, and through independent sales representatives in Korea and Japan. In Europe, the Company markets through its office in Munich, Germany. The Company supports its sales efforts with marketing programs that include exhibiting at trade shows, industry association participation, technical seminars and hardware reference platforms from chipset manufacturers. The Company believes that customer service and technical support are important competitive factors in the system management software market. Accordingly, the Company provides local service and support for its customers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. In addition, the Company provides worldwide technical support from the U.S. for end-users of its products through dial-in telephone services, facsimile, e-mail and the Company's home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.award.com. Information contained in the Company's home page shall not be deemed to be a part of this Prospectus. Award believes that close contact with its customers not only improves its customers' level of satisfaction, but also provides early access to its customers' new product plans and requirements. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Award's research and development efforts consist of new product development, product enhancements and product customization for individual customers. The Company develops new products in response to emerging standards such as DMI and to address perceived opportunities in related markets such as mobile computing and remote diagnostics. Award's engineers actively participate in a number of relevant industry standard groups, such as the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, the Desktop Management Task Force and the Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group, which help guide the Company's product planning. Software is developed in a modular fashion to facilitate changes and updates as needed to meet customer requirements and rapid development of new products. An important function of the Company's engineering group is to perform the customization of the BIOS for each new motherboard. The Company works closely with the customer's engineers to ensure that the final motherboard design and the Award BIOS are developed 26 29 efficiently. The turnaround time for customizing a BIOS for a customer (from receipt of motherboard and engineering to quality assurance and product release) can be as short as one week. Customization of a BIOS can be done either in the U.S., Taiwan or Europe, depending on resource availability and customer needs. Because the development of the Company's software products requires knowledge of computer hardware, operating system software, system management software and application software, key technical personnel must be proficient in a number of disciplines. Competition to attract and retain such personnel is intense, and the failure of the Company to hire and retain talented technical personnel or the loss of one or more key technical employees could have an adverse effect on the Company's business and operations. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Key Personnel; Ability to Attract and Retain Key Technical Employees." COMPETITION The markets for the Company's products are highly competitive. The principal competitive factors affecting the markets for the Company's software include technological excellence, timeliness of product introduction, responsiveness to customer requirements, customer relationships, industry relationships, engineering services, ease of use, ease of integration and price. Due to its technological competence, large customer base in the desktop PC market, and strong relationships with industry participants, the Company believes it competes favorably with respect to these factors. Further, part of the Company's strategy is to develop innovative software product solutions to address the emerging trends in the PC and embedded device markets. There can be no assurance that such products or technologies will be successfully developed by the Company or that such products will not be developed by others, rendering the Company's software or technologies non-competitive or obsolete. Failure to successfully implement this strategy could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business and financial condition. See "Business -- Industry Background" and "-- Product Development." The Company faces competition primarily from other systems management software companies, including American Megatrends, Inc., Phoenix Technologies Ltd. and SystemSoft Corporation, and also from the in-house software development staffs of current and prospective customers. Certain of the companies with which the Company competes or may in the future compete have substantially greater financial, marketing, sales and support resources and greater brand-name and technological leadership recognition than the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to develop software comparable or superior to software offered by its competitors. In addition, the PC market experiences intense price competition and the Company expects that, in order to remain competitive, it may have to decrease unit prices on some or all of its software products. Any such decrease would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company believes that interdependencies may develop between system management software companies and their customers, which would need to be overcome in order to replace an entrenched competitor. While Award believes such entrenchment may benefit the Company in its existing relationships with key participants in the PC market, especially with its customers in Taiwan, customer entrenchment may make it more difficult for the Company to displace competitors or increase market presence, particularly in the mobile PC market, where competitors may have strong relationships with certain mobile PC manufacturers. Intel, for example, has entered into formal agreements with, and become a significant shareholder in, Phoenix Technologies Ltd. and SystemSoft Corporation. In addition, SystemSoft Corporation has entered into agreements with Microsoft, IBM and Compaq to license its PC Card software. The Company believes that competitive pressures in the system management software market may increase as (i) microprocessor manufacturers continue to enter the motherboard manufacturing market and (ii) operating software system vendors incorporate more system management software into their products. The entrance or expansion of microprocessor manufacturers who are not customers of the Company into the motherboard manufacturing markets may have an adverse effect on the Company's motherboard manufacturing customers. Further, as software manufacturers provide greater functionality and features, user value and performance to their products that eliminate or encroach upon the need for the Company's software products, the market for such products could be materially diminished. Microsoft includes basic PC Card software in its Windows 95 operating system and has announced the inclusion of full PC Card software support in its next generation Windows 9x and Windows NT operating systems. Currently, the Company is developing PC Card software for Microsoft's Windows NT. If end-users of Microsoft's version of the basic PC Card and Plug and Play software included in its operating systems perceive such software as being adequate for their computing needs, Award's revenues from PC Card software would be adversely affected. While the Company believes that the trend in the PC industry toward greater complexity will continue and that the Company's products offer a technologically proven, timely and cost-effective solution to this need, there can be no assurance that other participants in the PC industry will not develop products and solutions that encroach upon the demand, or obviate the need, for the Company's products. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Key Customer Relationships; Concentration of Credit Risk." 27 30 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The Company's success depends in significant part on the development, maintenance and protection of its intellectual property. The Company regards its software as proprietary and attempts to protect it with a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements and other methods of protection. The Company has patent applications pending in the U.S. and/or abroad on six inventions, three of which are owned jointly with a third party. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy the Company's software or to reverse engineer or obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. The Company licenses its object and source code under written license agreements. Certain provisions of such licenses, including provisions protecting against unauthorized use, copying, transfer and disclosure of the licensed programs, may be unenforceable under the laws of certain jurisdictions. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries, including Taiwan, do not protect the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the protections put in place by the Company will be adequate. Significant and protracted litigation may be necessary to protect the Company's intellectual property rights to determine the scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement. Moreover, although the Company is not currently involved in any litigation with respect to intellectual property rights, in the past there have been allegations that certain portions of the Company's core BIOS infringed on a third party's copyrights. In response, the Company rewrote certain software routines in a "clean room" procedure and is upgrading its customers to the new version of such software routines in order to avoid any further allegations of infringement. The Company believes that its software does not presently infringe the copyrights of any third parties. However, there can be no assurance that other parties will not make allegations of infringement in the future. Such assertions could require the Company to discontinue the use of certain software routines, to cease the manufacture, use and sale of infringing products, to incur significant litigation costs and expenses and to develop non-infringing technology or to obtain licenses to the alleged infringing technology. Although the Company has been able to acquire licenses from third parties in the past, there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to develop alternative technologies or to obtain such licenses or, if a license is obtainable, that the terms would be commercially acceptable to the Company in the event such assertions are made in the future. EMPLOYEES As of April 30, 1996, the Company had 89 full-time employees, of whom 45 are engaged in engineering and technical positions, 24 in sales and marketing, and 20 in finance, operations and administration. Except for its employees in Germany, none of the Company's employees is subject to an employment agreement with the Company. No employee of the Company is represented by a labor union or is subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company has never experienced a work stoppage due to labor difficulties and believes that its employee relations are good. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is not currently engaged in any material litigation or legal proceedings. FACILITIES The Company's headquarters are located in Mountain View, California. The Company subleases approximately 20,000 square feet in this facility under a lease agreement that expires on December 31, 1996 and may be renewed on a yearly basis thereafter. The Company also leases office space in Taipei, Taiwan and Munich, Germany. These offices provide sales and technical support to its customers in Asia and Europe, respectively. The Company believes that its facilities are adequate to support operations for the next twelve months. In the event that additional space is needed, the Company believes that suitable additional or alternative space adequate to serve its needs will be readily available on commercially reasonable terms. See "Certain Transactions." 28 31 MANAGEMENT The executive officers and directors of Award and their ages as of May 31, 1996 are as follows: NAME AGE POSITION - -------------------- --- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- George C. Huang 54 Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Reza Afghan 35 Vice President, Operations Kevin J. Berry 46 Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary Maurice W. Bizzarri 40 Vice President, Engineering and Product Marketing Lyon T. Lin 43 General Manager, Taiwan; President, Award Software Hong Kong Limited Ann P. Shen 55 Vice President, Sales and Marketing Cheng Ming Lee 53 Director David S. Lee(1)(2) 58 Director Theodor L. Lieven 44 Director Masami Maeda 61 Director Anthony Sun(1) 43 Director William P. Tai(1)(2) 34 Director - --------------- (1) Member of Compensation Committee (2) Member of Audit Committee GEORGE C. HUANG has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company since July 1993. From January 1984 to the present, Dr. Huang has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCH Systems, Inc. ("GCH"), a company that develops and markets embedded controllers, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and PC systems, and from January 1984 until November 1994, he also served as Chief Executive Officer of GCH. From February 1987 to the present Dr. Huang has served as a Director of GCH-Sun Systems Company Ltd. ("GSS"), a subsidiary of GCH. From January 1990 to May 1996, Dr. Huang served as a Director of Fidelity Venture Capital Corporation ("FVCC"), a shareholder of GCH. Dr. Huang received a B.S. from the National Taiwan University, an M.S. from Washington State University, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Washington. REZA AFGHAN has served as Vice President, Operations since January 1994. From November 1987 to January 1994, Mr. Afghan served as Vice President, Sales and Operations of GCH. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Oregon State University. KEVIN J. BERRY has served as Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since June 1995 and Secretary since October 1995. From December 1988 to May 1995, Mr. Berry served as Vice President, Finance for the CMX and Aurora divisions of Chyron Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of software and systems for the video marketplace. Mr. Berry received a B.S. in Finance and an M.B.A. from New York University. MAURICE W. BIZZARRI has served as Vice President, Engineering and Product Marketing since July 1995. From June 1992 to July 1995, Mr. Bizzarri consulted in the systems software industry. From November 1990 to June 1992, he served as Vice President, Research and Development of Connective Strategies, Inc., a hardware/software company. LYON T. LIN has served as General Manager, Taiwan, and President, Award Software Hong Kong Limited since July 1993. From January 1984 to June 1993, Mr. Lin served as Vice President of GCH. Mr. Lin is also a director of GSS. Mr. Lin received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from National Chiao-Tung University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University. Mr. Lin is the brother-in-law of George C. Huang. ANN P. SHEN has served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing since December 1994. From June 1994 to December 1994, she served as Vice President, Engineering and Marketing and from August 1993 to June 1994 she served as Vice President, Engineering. Dr. Shen served as Vice President, Engineering at GCH from October 1992 to June 1994. From March 1990 to August 1992, Dr. Shen served as Vice President, Engineering and Manufacturing Director of OPTA, a digital camera and high-end graphic/video card company. Dr. Shen received a B.S. in Physics from National Taiwan University, an M.S. in Physics from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in Solid State Physics from New York Polytechnical University. CHENG MING LEE has served as a director since July 1993. From April 1987 to the present, Dr. Lee has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Taiwan Venture Capital Corporation and Fidelity Venture Capital Corporation. Dr. Lee serves on the Board of Directors of Taiwan Opportunities Fund Limited and CNET Technology Corp. Dr. Lee received a B.S. from National Taiwan University, M.S. from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston. 29 32 DAVID S. LEE has served as a director since December 1994. From May 1995 to the present, Mr. Lee has served as the Chairman of CMC Industries, Inc., a contract manufacturing company. From November 1985 to August 1994, Mr. Lee served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of DTC Data Technology Corporation (formerly Qume Corporation), a manufacturer of disk controller and communication peripherals. Mr. Lee serves on the Board of Directors of Linear Technology Corporation and Photonics Corporation. In addition, Mr. Lee is a member of the Board of Regents of the University of California. Mr. Lee holds an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University. THEODOR L. LIEVEN has served as a director since January 1996. From January 1975 to the present, Mr. Lieven has served as Chief Executive Officer of Vobis Microcomputer AG, a computer and peripherals retailing and production company which he co-founded in 1975. For a description of the voting agreement relating to Mr. Lieven and Vobis, see "Certain Transactions." MASAMI MAEDA has served as a director since January 1995. From April 1971 to the present, Mr. Maeda has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Electronics Corporation, a manufacturer of electronic devices. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of GCH and GSS. ANTHONY SUN has served as a director since October 1995. From August 1979 to the present, he has been a general partner of Venrock Associates, a venture capital partnership. Mr. Sun serves on the Board of Directors of Cognex Corporation, Conductus, Inc., Centura Software Corporation, Fractal Design Corporation, Inference Corporation, Komag, Inc., Photonics Corporation, StrataCom, Inc. and World Talk Communications Corp. Mr. Sun holds S.B.E.E. and S.M.E.E. degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. WILLIAM P. TAI has served as a director since June 1995. From September 1991 to the present, Mr. Tai has been a general partner of the Walden Group of Venture Capital Funds. Concurrently, from August 1995 to the present, he has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AUNET Corporation, an Asia-based affiliate of UUNET Technologies, Inc. From August 1987 to September 1991, Mr. Tai served as Vice President of Alex. Brown & Sons Inc., where he was responsible for the firm's efforts in the semiconductor industry. Mr. Tai also serves on the Board of Directors of Network Peripherals Inc. Mr. Tai holds a B.S. with Honors in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Company's Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee establishes salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for directors, executive officers and employees of the Company and administers various incentive compensation and benefit plans. The Audit Committee oversees the work performed by the Company's independent accountants and reviews the Company's internal controls. COMPENSATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Company's directors do not currently receive any cash compensation for service on the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, but directors may be reimbursed for certain expenses in connection with attendance at Board and committee meetings. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. David S. Lee, Sun and Tai. No member of the Compensation Committee of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. For a description of transactions and relationships involving the Company and members of the Compensation Committee, see "Certain Transactions." 30 33 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following table sets forth certain compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the three highest paid executive officers of the Company who earned more than $100,000 in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"): SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE ------------------------------------------------ ANNUAL COMPENSATION ------------------ LONG TERM SALARY COMPENSATION -------- AWARDS ------------ ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SECURITIES COMPENSATION - ------------------------------------------------------------ BONUS UNDERLYING ------------ EARNED OPTIONS ------- ------------ George C. Huang $ 92,986 $ -- -- $ -- Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Lyon T. Lin 110,618 62,703(1) -- -- General Manager, Taiwan; President, Award Software Hong Kong Limited Ann P. Shen 85,000 32,090(1) -- -- Vice President, Sales and Marketing Cornelia Schumann(2) 79,930 23,367(1) -- 4,400(3) General Manager, Munich - --------------- (1) Represents sales commissions earned. (2) Resigned from the Company effective March 31, 1996. (3) Allowance for automobile. STOCK OPTION PLAN The Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors in December 1994 and amended in November 1995. The purpose of the Option Plan is to attract and retain qualified personnel, to provide additional incentives to employees, including officers, directors and consultants of the Company, and to promote the success of the Company's business. Pursuant to the Option Plan, the Company may grant or issue incentive stock options to employees and officers and nonstatutory stock options to consultants, employees, and directors. A total of 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance under the Option Plan. At May 31, 1996, options to purchase 28,333 shares of Common Stock had been exercised under the Option Plan and the Company had outstanding options to purchase 951,113 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average per share exercise price of $3.81. A total of 270,554 shares of Common Stock is available for future issuance under the Option Plan. Although no vesting schedule is required under the Option Plan, options previously granted under the Option Plan generally have become exercisable one year after date of grant and vest over a maximum period of five years following the date of grant. The maximum term of a stock option under the Option Plan is ten years, but if the optionee at the time of grant has voting power over more than 10% of the Company's outstanding capital stock, the maximum term of incentive stock option is five years. The exercise price of incentive stock options granted under the Option Plan must be at least equal to 100%, or 110% with respect to holders of 10% of the voting power of the Company's outstanding capital stock, of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant. The exercise price of nonstatutory stock options granted under the Option Plan must be at least equal to 85% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of the grant. No executive officer or director shall be eligible to be granted options covering more than 500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock in any twelve-month period. The Option Plan may be amended at any time by the Board, although certain amendments require shareholder approval. The Option Plan will terminate in January 2005 unless earlier terminated by the Board. 31 34 In April 1996, the following Named Executive Officers received grants of options to purchase shares of Common Stock in the amounts stated below at a weighted average per share exercise price of $10.56: ---------------- NUMBER OF SHARES OFFICER SUBJECT TO OPTIONS - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- George C. Huang 35,000 Lyon T. Lin 20,000 Ann P. Shen 7,500 OPTIONS GRANTED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR No options were granted during the year ended December 31, 1995 to the Named Executive Officers. OPTIONS EXERCISED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR No options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 1995 by the Named Executive Officers. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN In April 1996, the Company adopted an Executive Compensation Plan, pursuant to the terms of which the Company's senior management, including the Named Executive Officers, will receive at the end of 1996 cash bonuses based on the Company's performance in 1996. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN In May 1996, the Company's Board of Directors approved the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan") covering an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Common Stock. The Purchase Plan is to become effective upon the effectiveness of the Offering. The Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Under the Purchase Plan, the Board of Directors may authorize participation by eligible employees, including officers, in periodic offerings following the adoption of the Purchase Plan. The offering period for any offering will be no more than 27 months. Employees are eligible to participate if they are employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company designated by the Board of Directors. Employees who participate in an offering can have up to 15% of their earnings withheld pursuant to the Purchase Plan and applied, on specified dates determined by the Board of Directors, to the purchase of shares of Common Stock. The price of Common Stock purchased under the Purchase Plan will be equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the commencement date of each offering period or the relevant purchase date. Employees may end their participation in the offering at any time during the offering period, and participation ends automatically on termination of employment with the Company. In the event of certain changes of control, the Company and the Board of Directors have discretion to provide that each right to purchase Common Stock will be assumed or an equivalent right substituted by the successor corporation, or the Board may shorten the offering period and provide for all sums collected by payroll deductions to be applied to purchase stock immediately prior to the change in control. The Purchase Plan will terminate at the Board's direction. 401(K) PLAN In January 1995, the Company adopted a tax-qualified employee savings and retirement plan (the "401(k) Plan") covering all of the Company's employees. Pursuant to the 401(k) Plan, employees may elect to reduce their current compensation by up to the lesser of 15% of eligible compensation or the statutorily prescribed annual limit ($9,500 in 1996) and have the amount of such reduction contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The trustee under the 401(k) Plan, at the direction of each participant, invests the assets of the 401(k) Plan in any of several designated investment options. The 401(k) Plan is intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code so that contributions by employees to the 401(k) Plan, and income earned on plan contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn, and so that the contributions by employees will be deductible by the Company when made. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors, and may indemnify its officers, employees and other agents, to the fullest extent not prohibited by California law. The Company is also empowered under its Bylaws to enter into indemnification agreements with its directors, officers, employees and other agents and to purchase insurance on behalf of any person whom it is required or permitted to indemnify. Pursuant to this provision, the Company will enter into indemnity agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. 32 35 In addition, the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by California law, the Company's directors will not be liable for monetary damages for breach of the directors' fiduciary duty of care to the Company and its shareholders. This provision in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation does not eliminate the duty of care, and in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as an injunction or other forms of non-monetary relief would remain available under California law. Each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing or culpable violations of law that the director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the Company or its shareholders, for acts or omissions involving a reckless disregard for the director's duty to the Company or its shareholders when the director was aware or should have been aware of a risk of serious injury to the Company or its shareholders, or an unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to the Company or its shareholders, for improper transactions between the director and the Company or for improper distributions to shareholders and loans to directors and officers, or for acts or omissions by the director as an officer. This provision also does not affect a director's responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws. At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company in which indemnification would be required or permitted. The Company is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding which may result in a claim for such indemnification by any director, officer, employee or other agent. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS FINANCINGS In January 1996, Vobis purchased 570,033 shares of Common Stock at $12.28 per share and warrants (the "Vobis Warrant") at $.02 per warrant share to purchase 272,394 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $12.28 per share. Vobis is entitled to purchase (i) up to 96,000 shares of Common Stock at the per share price sold to the public in the Offering and (ii) up to 31,948 shares of Common Stock at $ per share (assuming a per share price to the public of $ ) pursuant to that certain Investors' Rights Agreement, dated as of January 12, 1996, among the Company, Vobis and the other parties thereto (the "Investors' Rights Agreement"). In the event Vobis elects to exercise its purchase options and participate in the Offering, the Underwriters have indicated to the Company that they intend to include Vobis as part of the directed shares program. The balance of such shares would be purchased directly from the Company. Assuming exercise of its warrants and consummation of such purchases, Vobis will own 954,401 shares of the Company's Common Stock, or approximately 14% of the Company's outstanding shares, subsequent to the Offering. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders." In addition, Vobis is entitled to certain rights with respect to registration of its shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights." In 1994, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996, Vobis accounted for revenues of $622,000, $1,227,000 and $506,000, or approximately 9%, 14% and 18% of the Company's revenues, respectively. Theodor L. Lieven, a director of the Company, is the Chief Executive Officer of Vobis, which owns approximately 12% of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock prior to the Offering. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders." In September 1995, Walden Capital Partners II, L.P. and Walden Technology Ventures II, L.P. (collectively "Walden") purchased 72,917 and 10,416 shares of the Company's Common Stock at $6.00 per share and warrants (the "Walden Warrants") at $.02 per warrant to purchase 35,000 and 5,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.00 per share, respectively. William P. Tai, a director of the Company, is a general partner of Walden Capital Partners II, L.P. and Walden Technology Ventures II, L.P. In May 1995, the Company issued Mr. Tai options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.00 per share. In September 1995, Venrock Associates and Venrock Associates II, L.P. (collectively "Venrock") purchased 229,302 and 104,031 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $6.00 per share and warrants (the "Venrock Warrants") at $.02 per warrant share to purchase 57,325 and 26,008 shares of the Company's Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.00 per share, respectively. Anthony Sun, a director of the Company, is a general partner of Venrock Associates and Venrock Associates II, L.P. In October 1995, Mr. Sun received options to purchase 32,105 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $5.00. The Company granted Vobis, Walden and Venrock the right to convert their shares of Common Stock into shares of preferred stock of the Company in the event the Company fails to effect a registration of its Common Stock under the Securities Act on or before June 30, 1996. Such rights to convert have been waived until December 31, 1996 and expire upon consummation of the Offering. In addition, Walden and Venrock are entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of their shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights." In connection with Vobis' investment, the Company entered into a voting agreement with Vobis, Walden, Venrock and the Company's chief executive officer pursuant to which such shareholders agreed not to reduce the number of directors on the Board of Directors below five and to elect a person designated by Vobis to the Company's Board of Directors. This agreement will terminate upon the 33 36 earlier of (i) January 12, 1999, (ii) a change of control of the Company, (iii) the date Vobis owns less than 8% of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully diluted basis, or (iv) an offering of shares of the Company's Common Stock under the Securities Act with an aggregate offering price to the public of at least $10,000,000 and a per share price of at least $13.60. The Vobis, Walden and Venrock Warrants contain a net exercise provision and expire upon the earlier of (i) September 30, 2001 or (ii) an offering of shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act with an aggregate offering price to the public of at least $10,000,000 on a per share price of at least $13.60. The holders of these warrants are entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof under the Securities Act. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights." In December 1994, the Company authorized the issuance of, and in June 1995 issued TVCC, an affiliate of Dr. Lee, and Dr. Lee warrants to purchase 30,000 and 20,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, with an exercise price of $1.00 per share in consideration of certain marketing services performed for the Company. Taiwan Venture Capital Corporation ("TVCC") and FVCC intend to sell 25,000 and 75,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, as Selling Shareholders in the Offering. In December 1994, the Company authorized the issuance of, and in June 1995 issued FVCC, an affiliate of Dr. Cheng Ming Lee, warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.00 per share in consideration of certain marketing services performed for the Company. In October 1994, the Company issued Synnex Information Technologies, Inc., a California corporation ("Synnex") a warrant (the "Synnex Warrant") to purchase up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock. Synnex has agreed to exercise the Synnex Warrant with respect to 47,500 shares and sell such shares in the Offering as a Selling Shareholder. The Synnex Warrant contains a net exercise provision and expires six months after consummation of the Offering. The holder of the Synnex Warrant is entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof under the Securities Act. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights." REPURCHASES In July 1995 and August 1995, the Company repurchased 33,493 shares of Common Stock owned by GCH for an aggregate amount of $200,958, or $6.00 per share, which shares were acquired by GCH from several of its existing shareholders, including Dr. Huang and Mr. Lin, who transferred 14,110 and 2,604 shares, respectively. In July 1995 and August 1995, the Company repurchased 207,628 shares and 112,504 shares, respectively, of Common Stock for an aggregate amount of $899,781 and $675,027, or $6.00 per share, from certain relatives of George C. Huang, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In January 1996 and February 1996, the Company repurchased 55,165 shares and 2,500 shares, respectively, of Common Stock for an aggregate amount of $551,650 and $25,000, or $10.00 per share, from certain relatives of Dr. Huang. Dr. Huang disclaims beneficial ownership of any of such shares held by his relatives. In July 1995 and August 1995, the Company repurchased 139,963 shares and 152,504 shares, respectively, of Common Stock for an aggregate amount of $839,781 and $915,027, or $6.00 per share, from certain relatives of Lyon T. Lin, General Manager, Taiwan; President, Award Software Hong Kong Limited, Taiwan Branch. In January 1996, the Company repurchased 24,392 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate amount of $243,925, or $10.00 per share, from certain relatives of Mr. Lin. Mr. Lin disclaims beneficial ownership of any of such shares held by his relatives. In January 1996, the Company repurchased 123,549 shares of the Company's Common Stock for an aggregate amount of $1,235,495, or $10.00 per share, from Intra Electronics Co., Ltd. ("Intra Electronics"), an affiliate of FVCC, TVCC and Dr. Lee. Cheng Ming Lee, a director of the Company, was a director of Intra Electronics at the time of repurchase. Dr. Lee disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares held by Intra Electronics. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS Certain of the Selling Shareholders who are relatives of Dr. Huang intend to sell 47,500 shares of Common Stock in the Offering. Dr. Huang disclaims beneficial ownership of any of such shares held by his relatives. Certain of the Selling Shareholders who are relatives of Mr. Lin intend to sell 22,500 shares of Common Stock in the Offering. Mr. Lin disclaims beneficial ownership of any of such shares held by his relatives. MISCELLANEOUS In July 1993, GCH purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, after which the Company was operated as a wholly owned subsidiary until December 1994. On December 31, 1994, GCH effected a spin-off of the Company by distributing all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company to the existing shareholders of GCH on a pro rata basis. Dr. George C. Huang, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and director of the Company, is a director, 34 37 executive officer and shareholder of GCH. Masami Maeda, a director of the Company, is a director and shareholder of GCH. Dr. Cheng Ming Lee, a director of the Company, is a shareholder of GCH and President and Chief Executive Officer of TVCC and FVCC, each of which is a shareholder of GCH and the Company. The Company subleases its headquarters facilities from GCH. In 1993, 1994, 1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1996, the Company made lease payments to GCH of $123,000, $221,000, $273,000 and $79,000, respectively. From time to time in the past, the Company and GCH have made non-interest bearing inter-company cash advances to each other for working capital purposes. In 1993, 1994, 1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1996, GCH, and its affiliates, advanced to (or borrowed from) the Company a maximum amount of $723,000/$(19,000), $1,104,000/$(263,000), $616,354/$(1,474,000) and $(272,000), respectively, with an outstanding balance of $816,000, $413,000, $(282,000) and $(258,000) at the end of such periods, respectively. The Company leases its office space in Taipei, Taiwan, from Sun Corporation, an affiliate of Sun Electronics Corporation ("Sun"), of which Mr. Maeda, a director of the Company, is President, Chief Executive Officer, director and majority shareholder, and GSS, an affiliate of Dr. George C. Huang, Dr. Cheng Ming Lee, Masami Maeda and Lyon T. Lin. In 1993, 1994, 1995 and as of March 31, 1996, the Company made lease payments to Sun Corporation of $19,700, $15,100, $58,900 and $15,800, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 1996, the Company made lease payments to GSS of $13,500. Sun intends to sell 47,500 shares of Common Stock as a Selling Shareholder in the Offering. The Company believes that the foregoing transactions were in its best interests. As a matter of policy, all future transactions between the Company and any of its officers, directors or principal shareholders will be approved by a majority of the independent and disinterested members of the Board of Directors, will be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties and will be in connection with bona fide business purposes of the Company. 35 38 PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of May 31, 1996 and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the Common Stock being offered hereby (assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option) by (i) each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company's directors, (iii) each of the Named Executive Officers, and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES TO BE OWNED PRIOR BENEFICIALLY OWNED TO OFFERING(1) NUMBER OF AFTER OFFERING(1)(2) ------------------------- SHARES BEING -------------------------- BENEFICIAL OWNERS NUMBER PERCENT OFFERED NUMBER PERCENT(2) - -------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ------------ ---------- ---------- Vobis Microcomputer AG (3) 842,427 16.1% -- 842,427 13.0% Theodor L. Lieven Carlo-Schmid-Str. 12 D-52146 Wurselen Germany George C. Huang (4) 522,659 10.5 -- 522,659 8.4 c/o Award Software International, Inc. 777 East Middlefield Road Mountain View, CA 94043 Sun Electronics Corporation 472,297 9.5 47,500 424,797 6.8 Masami Maeda 250 Asahi Kochino-Cho Konan City, Aichi Prefecture 483 Japan Venrock Associates (5) 416,666 8.3 -- 416,666 6.6 Anthony Sun 30 Rockfeller Plaza, #5508 New York, NY 10112 Taiwan Venture Capital Corporation 375,285 7.6 25,000 350,285 6.6 Cheng Ming Lee 6F, 305 Ming-Shen E. Rd. Taipei, Taiwan Fidelity Venture Capital Corporation 318,445 6.4 75,000 243,445 3.9 Cheng Ming Lee 6F, 305 Ming-Shen E. Rd. Taipei, Taiwan John Miao(6) 286,750 5.8 27,200 9,550 * 39 Alley 669 Tun Hua S. Rd. Taipei, Taiwan Wan Tsai Tsai(7) 251,662 5.1 -- 251,662 4.0 2F, 237 Sec. 1 Chien-Kuo S. Rd. Taipei, Taiwan Hung Lien Investment Corporation 250,000 5.0 -- 250,000 4.0 2/F No.76 Tunhwa Road Sec. 2 Taipei, Taiwan HanTech Venture Capital Corporation 250,000 5.0 250,000 -- -- International Trade Building No. 333 Keeling Road, Sec. 1, Suite 3201 Taipei 10545, Taiwan Chailease Venture Capital Co., Ltd. 250,000 5.0 95,000 155,000 2.5 and affiliated entities (8) 5th Fl., No. 420 Fu-Shin N. Rd. Taipei, Taiwan Theodor L. Lieven (9) 842,427 16.1 -- 842,427 13.0 Cheng Ming Lee (10) 761,349 15.4 -- 661,349 10.7 Masami Maeda (11) 486,359 9.8 -- 438,859 7.1 Anthony Sun (5) 416,666 8.3 -- 416,666 6.6 Lyon T. Lin (12) 133,424 2.7 -- 133,424 2.1 William P. Tai (13) 130,103 2.6 -- 130,103 2.1 David S. Lee (14) 73,500 1.5 -- 73,500 1.2 Ann P. Shen (15) 23,723 * -- 23,723 * All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)(10)(11)(16) 3,422,397 62.0 -- 3,258,397 48.1 36 39 --------------------------------------------------------------------- SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES TO BE OWNED PRIOR BENEFICIALLY OWNED TO OFFERING(1) NUMBER OF AFTER OFFERING(1)(2) ------------------------- SHARES BEING -------------------------- NUMBER PERCENT OFFERED NUMBER PERCENT(2) ------------ ------- ------------ ---------- ---------- OTHER SELLING SHAREHOLDERS Synnex Information Technologies, Inc.(17)......... 200,000 3.9% 47,500 152,500 2.4% Hsiang Kang & Chao Yeh(18)........................ 133,041 2.7 10,000 123,041 2.0 John Chao-Piao Huang (19)......................... 109,165 2.2 7,500 101,665 1.6 Pin-Wei Chen (20)................................. 87,760 1.8 3,000 84,760 1.4 James R. McGowan.................................. 73,439 1.5 15,000 58,439 * Other Selling Shareholders, each holding less than 1% of the shares outstanding prior to the Offering (16 172,369 3.4 79,770 92,599 1.5 persons) (21)................................... - --------------- * Less than one percent. (1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 4,957,127 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 31, 1996 and 6,207,127 shares of Common Stock outstanding after completion of the Offering. (2) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company. (3) Includes 272,394 shares issuable pursuant to a warrant exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Mr. Lieven, a director of the Company, is the Chief Executive Officer of Vobis Microcomputer AG. Excludes the right to purchase up to 127,948 shares pursuant to certain purchase options exercisable in connection with the Offering which if exercised would reflect the beneficial ownership of 970,375 shares or 14.7%. See "Certain Transactions." Mr. Lieven disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by such entity. (4) Includes (i) 13,609 shares held by Margaret Huang and (ii) 14,727 shares held by Dwight Huang, Dr. Huang's wife and son, respectively. Also includes 22,500 and 7,500 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996 by Dr. Huang and his wife. Dr. Huang disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by his wife and son. (5) Includes (i) 229,302 shares held by Venrock Associates, (ii) 104,031 shares held by Venrock Associates II, L.P. and (iii) 57,325 shares and 26,008 shares issuable pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996 by Venrock Associates and Venrock Associates II, L.P., respectively. Mr. Sun, a director of the Company, is a general partner of Venrock Associates. Mr. Sun disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by such entities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. (6) Includes (i) 250,000 shares held by HanTech Venture Capital Corporation ("HanTech") and (ii) 9,550 shares held by Min Chun Chang, Mr. Miao's wife. Mr. Miao is deemed to have voting power over the shares held by HanTech. He disclaims beneficial ownership over the shares held by HanTech and his wife. (7) Includes an aggregate of 22,280 shares held by Ming Hsing Tsai, Ming Chung Tsai and Ming Mei Tsai, Mr. Tsai's children. Mr. Tsai disclaims beneficial ownership over shares held by his children. (8) Includes (i) 166,500 shares held by Chinatrust Venture Capital Co., Ltd. and (ii) 166,500 shares held by Koos Venture Capital Co., Ltd. (9) Includes (i) 570,033 shares held by Vobis Microcomputer AG and (ii) 272,394 shares issuable pursuant to a warrant exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Excludes the right to purchase up to 127,948 shares pursuant to certain purchase options exercisable in connection with the Offering which if exercised would reflect the beneficial ownership of 970,375 shares or 14.7%. See "Certain Transactions." Mr. Lieven disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by such entity. (10) Includes (i) 375,285 shares held by TVCC, (ii) 318,445 shares held by FVCC, (iii) 29,920 shares held by South Orient Capital Corporation and (iv) 14,211 shares held by Hwaxing Capital Corporation. Dr. Lee, a director of the Company, is deemed to have voting power over the shares held by such entities; however, he disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares. (11) Includes (i) 472,297 shares held by Sun Electronics Corporation and (ii) 14,062 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Mr. Maeda, a director of the Company, is President, Chief Executive Officer and majority shareholder of Sun Electronics Corporation. (12) Includes (i) 6,500 shares held by Anne Lin, Mr. Lin's wife, (ii) 10,000 shares held by Christine and Eric Lin, Mr. Lin's children and (iii) 18,750 and 2,812 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996, by Mr. Lin and his wife, respectively. Mr. Lin disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by his wife and children. 37 40 (13) Includes (i) 72,917 shares held by Walden Capital Partners II, L.P., (ii) 10,416 shares held by Walden Technology Ventures II, L.P. and (iii) 35,000 and 5,000 shares issuable pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Also includes 6,770 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Mr. Tai, a director of the Company, is a general partner of The Walden Group. Mr. Tai disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by such entities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. (14) Includes 73,500 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. (15) Includes 9,768 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. (16) Includes 167,849 shares issuable pursuant to options held by officers and directors exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. (17) Includes 200,000 shares issuable pursuant to warrants exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. David S. Lee, a director of the Company, is a director of Synnex Information Technologies, Inc. Mr. Lee disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by such entity. (18) Mr. Yeh is a board member of GCH and the brother-in-law of Dr. Huang. Dr. Huang disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by this person. (19) Includes 1,500 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Mr. Huang is the brother of Dr. Huang. Dr. Huang disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by his brother. (20) Includes 1,875 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Pin-Wei Chen is the former Secretary and, until May 5, 1995, a director of the Company. Mr. Chen is the brother-in-law of Dr. Huang. Dr. Huang disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by his brother-in-law. (21) Includes 10,000 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 1996. Certain selling shareholders are relatives of Dr. Huang and Mr. Lin. Dr. Huang and Mr. Lin disclaim beneficial ownership of shares held by these persons. 38 41 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK The following description of the capital stock of the Company and certain provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws is a summary that will be in effect at the time of the Offering and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which have been filed as exhibits to the Company's Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus is a part. Upon the closing of the offering the authorized capital stock of the Company will consist of 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value ("Common Stock"), and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value ("Preferred Stock"). COMMON STOCK As of May 31, 1996, there were 4,957,127 shares of Common Stock outstanding held by 100 holders of record. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. The holders of Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors, and as a consequence, minority shareholders will not be able to elect directors on the basis of their votes alone. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any shares of Preferred Stock issued by the Company in the future, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. See "Dividend Policy." In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of the Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any then outstanding Preferred Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert their Common Stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and all shares of Common Stock to be outstanding upon completion of the Offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable. PREFERRED STOCK The Board of Directors has the authority, without further action by the shareholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, without any further vote or action by shareholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of Common Stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. The Company has no present plan to issue any shares of Preferred Stock. WARRANTS The Company has outstanding warrants to purchase 595,727 shares of Common Stock as of May 31, 1996. For a description of such warrants see "Certain Transactions." REGISTRATION RIGHTS After the Offering, the holders of 1,735,699 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase 595,727 shares of Common Stock will be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of such shares under the Securities Act, pursuant to the Investors' Rights Agreement among such holders and the Company, dated January 12, 1996 (the "Investors' Rights Agreement"). Under the terms of the Investors' Rights Agreement, if the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act either for its own account or for the account of other security holders exercising registration rights, such holders are entitled to notice of such registration and are entitled, subject to certain limitations, to include shares therein. The holders may also require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to their shares, subject to certain limitations. Further, the holders may require the Company to register their shares on Form S-3 when use of such form becomes available to the Company. The Company is required to bear all registration expenses in connection with all subsequent registrations, except that any Form S-3 registration expenses incurred after the first two registrations shall be borne by the selling shareholders on a pro rata basis in proportion to the number of shares sold by each. The selling shareholders in each subsequent registration are required to bear all selling expenses on a pro rata basis in proportion to the number of shares sold by each. These rights are subject to certain conditions and limitations, among them the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of shares included in such registration. CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER CHARTER PROVISIONS The Company's Bylaws (i) provide that only a majority of the members of the Board of Directors in office, although less than a quorum, may elect directors to fill vacancies created either by resignation, death, disqualification, removal or by an increase in the size of the 39 42 Board of Directors and (ii) require advance notice by a shareholder of a proposal or director nomination that such shareholder desires to present at the annual meeting. In addition, the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (i) prohibit shareholder actions by written consent, (ii) eliminate automatically on and after the Company becomes a "listed corporation" as defined in Section 301.5 of the California Corporations Code the ability of the shareholders to cumulate votes in the election of directors and (iii) provide that the Bylaws of the Company may only be amended by the Board of Directors or holders of two-thirds of the Company's outstanding voting stock. These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Company. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR First National Bank of Boston has been appointed as the transfer agent and registrar for the Company's Common Stock. Its telephone number is (617) 575-2900. 40 43 SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding 6,207,127 shares of Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option and no exercise of outstanding options and warrants. Of these shares, 2,000,000 shares sold in the Offering will be freely tradable without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The remaining 4,207,127 shares of Common Stock held by existing shareholders are "restricted securities" as the term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (the "Restricted Shares"). Restricted Shares may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rules 144, 144(k) or 701 or Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. As a result of contractual restrictions and the provisions of Rule 144 and 701 or Regulation S, additional shares will be available for sale in the public market as follows: (i) no Restricted Shares will be eligible for immediate sale on the date of this Prospectus, (ii) 5,000 Restricted Shares and 324,727 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options will be eligible for sale beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus and (iii) 4,202,157 Restricted Shares, 44,214 additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options and 595,727 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding warrants will be eligible for sale beginning 180 days after the date of this Prospectus upon expiration of lock-up agreements. The Restricted Shares will be eligible for sale from time to time after completion of the Offering. The Company, directors, all executive officers and certain shareholders of the Company and certain holders of options to acquire Common Stock have agreed with the representatives of the Underwriters for a period of 180 days after the effective date of this Prospectus (the "Lock-Up Period"), subject to certain exceptions, not to offer to sell, contract to sell, or otherwise sell, dispose of, loan, pledge or grant any rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock, any options or warrants to purchase any shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock owned as of the date of this Prospectus or thereafter acquired directly by such holders or with respect to which they have or hereafter acquire the power of disposition, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. However, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. may, in its sole discretion and at any time without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements. In addition, the Company has agreed that during the Lock-Up Period, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., subject to certain exceptions, issue, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, any shares of Common Stock, any options or warrants to purchase any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock other than the Company's sale of shares in the Offering, the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of outstanding options, the Company's sale of shares in the Offering, and the Company's issuance of options and shares under existing employee stock option and stock purchase plans. As of May 31, 1996 there were 951,113 shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options. The Company intends to file registration statements under the Securities Act to register shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Option Plan and the Purchase Plan, thus permitting the sale of such shares by non-affiliates in the public market without restriction under the Securities Act. Such registration statements will become effective immediately upon filing. Upon effectiveness of such registration statements, holders of vested options to purchase approximately 261,033 shares will be entitled to exercise such options and immediately sell such shares. Holders of all of these option shares have also entered into agreements not to offer to sell, contract to sell, or otherwise sell, dispose, loan, pledge or grant any rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock, any options or warrants to purchase any shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock owned as of the date of this Prospectus or thereafter acquired directly by such holders or with respect to which they have or hereafter acquire the power of disposition, during the Lock-Up Period without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, an Affiliate of the Company, or person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned Restricted Shares for at least two years, will be entitled to sell in any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of (i) 1% of then outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock (approximately 69,571 shares immediately after the Offering) or (ii) the average weekly trading volume of the Company's Common Stock in the Nasdaq National Market during the four calendar weeks immediately preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sales pursuant to Rule 144 are subject to certain requirements relating to manner of sale, notice and availability of current public information about the Company. A person (or person whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an Affiliate of the Company at any time during the 90 days immediately preceding the sale and who has beneficially owned Restricted Shares for at least three years is entitled to sell such shares pursuant to Rule 144(k) without regard to the limitations described above. In general, under Regulation S as currently in effect, a person who purchased equity securities pursuant to Regulation S and has owned such equity securities for at least one year, assuming no other restrictions on resale, will be able to sell such securities in the United States on the date public trading begins in the U.S. market in which the Company's Common Stock is traded. 41 44 An employee, officer or director of or consultant to the Company who purchased or was awarded shares or options to purchase shares pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract is entitled to rely on the resale provisions of Rule 701 under the Securities Act, which permits Affiliates and non-Affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares without having to comply with Rule 144's holding period restrictions, in each case commencing 90 days after the date of this Prospectus. In addition, non-Affiliates may sell Rule 701 shares without complying with the public information, volume and notice provisions of Rule 144. Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Company's Common Stock, and there can be no assurance that an active public market for the Common Stock will develop or will continue after the Offering or that the market price of the Common Stock will not decline below the initial public offering price. Future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market could adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time. As described herein, only a limited number of shares will be available for sale shortly after the Offering because of certain contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock of the Company in the public market after the restrictions lapse could adversely affect the prevailing market price and the ability of the Company to raise equity capital in the future. 42 45 UNDERWRITING The Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), for whom J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Prudential Securities Incorporated, and Needham & Company, Inc. are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), have severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement among the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Representatives (the "Underwriting Agreement"), to purchase from the Company and Selling Shareholders, and the Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to sell to the Underwriters, the respective numbers of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite their names: ---------------- UNDERWRITERS NUMBER OF SHARES - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. Prudential Securities Incorporated Needham & Company, Inc. --------- Total 2,000,000 ========= The nature of the Underwriters' obligations under the Underwriting Agreement is such that all of the Common Stock being offered, excluding shares covered by the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters, must be purchased if any are purchased. The Representatives have advised the Company and the Selling Shareholders that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Common Stock to the public initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and may offer the Common Stock to selected dealers at such price less a concession not to exceed $ per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession to other dealers not in excess of $ per share. After the public offering of the Common Stock, the public offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the Representatives. The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 300,000 additional shares of Common Stock from the Company at the same price per share to be paid by the Underwriters for the other shares offered hereby. If the Underwriters purchase any such additional shares pursuant to the option, each of the Underwriters will be committed to purchase such additional shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the above table. The Underwriters may exercise the option only to cover over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the distribution of Common Stock offered hereby. Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations among the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Representatives. The factors to be considered in determining the initial offering price include the prevailing market conditions, the market valuations of certain publicly traded companies, revenue and earnings of the Company and comparable companies in recent periods, estimates of the business potential and prospects of the Company, the experience of the Company's management and the position of the Company in its industry. The Representatives have informed the Company and the Selling Shareholders that the Underwriters will not confirm, without customer authorization, sales to their customer accounts as to which they have discretionary trading power. The Company, all directors and executive officers and certain shareholders have agreed not to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of, any Common Stock or any securities convertible into Common Stock or register for sale under the Securities Act any Common Stock, for a period of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representatives. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale." The Company and certain of the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum, Palo Alto, California. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., Palo Alto, California. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the six-month periods ended July 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995, included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. 43 46 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A Registration Statement on Form S-1, including amendments thereto, relating to the Common Stock offered hereby has been filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. For further information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to such Registration Statement, exhibits and schedules. A copy of the Registration Statement may be inspected by anyone without charge at the Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the Commission. 44 47 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PAGE ---- Report of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants........................................... F-2 Consolidated Balance Sheet........................................................................ F-3 Consolidated Statement of Operations.............................................................. F-4 Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity.................................................... F-5 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.............................................................. F-6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................................................ F-7 F-1 48 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Award Software International, Inc. The recapitalization and reverse stock split described in the first paragraph of Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements have not been consummated at June 3, 1996. When it has been consummated, we will be in a position to furnish the following report: "In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Award Software International, Inc. and its subsidiary at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the six month periods ended July 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993, and the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above." PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP San Jose, California May 29, 1996 except for Note 11 which is as of June 3, 1996 F-2 49 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET ---------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, ------------------------- 1994 MARCH 31, ---------- 1996 Dollars in thousands, except share data 1995 ---------- ---------- (UNAUDITED) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,374 $ 6,498 $ 10,591 Accounts receivable, net 953 992 1,475 Accounts receivable from related parties 75 568 915 Receivable from GCH Systems, Inc. -- 282 258 Other current assets 195 216 246 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total current assets 2,597 8,556 13,485 Property and equipment, net 204 276 465 Other assets 318 251 288 ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 3,119 $ 9,083 $ 14,238 ========== ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 138 $ 191 $ 130 Accrued liabilities 873 1,723 2,040 Payable to GCH Systems, Inc. 413 -- -- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities 1,424 1,914 2,170 ---------- ---------- ---------- Commitments (Note 10) Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no par value; no shares issued or outstanding -- -- -- Common stock, 40,000,000 shares authorized; no par value; 3,841,801, 4,586,283 and 4,957,127 shares issued and outstanding 1,627 6,215 10,726 Deferred stock compensation -- (255) (236) Retained earnings 80 1,245 1,631 Cumulative translation adjustment (12) (36) (53) ---------- ---------- ---------- Total shareholders' equity 1,695 7,169 12,068 ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 3,119 $ 9,083 $ 14,238 ========== ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. F-3 50 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR ---------- SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 1, ---------- THE COMPANY --------------------------------------------------------------- 1993 THREE MONTHS ENDED ---------- SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, Dollars in thousands, except ENDED ----------------------- ----------------------- share data DECEMBER 1995 1996 31, ---------- ---------- ----------- 1994 1995 ---------- ---------- 1993 ----------- (UNAUDITED) Revenues: Software and engineering services $ 1,810 $ 2,010 $ 5,746 $ 7,228 $ 1,601 $ 2,306 Related parties -- 50 972 1,902 455 506 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total revenues 1,810 2,060 6,718 9,130 2,056 2,812 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Cost of revenues: Software and engineering services 91 105 558 490 50 79 Related parties -- 12 33 146 35 209 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total cost of revenues 91 117 591 636 85 288 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Gross profit 1,719 1,943 6,127 8,494 1,971 2,524 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating expenses: Research and development 887 2,071 1,601 2,751 593 855 Sales and marketing 845 647 1,537 2,282 425 560 General and administrative 615 350 932 1,600 415 590 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total operating expenses 2,347 3,068 4,070 6,633 1,433 2,005 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income (loss) from operations (628) (1,125) 2,057 1,861 538 519 Interest expense (27) (54) (19) (9) (10) -- Interest and other income -- 1 4 105 2 84 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income (loss) before income taxes (655) (1,178) 2,042 1,957 530 603 Provision for income taxes -- -- 784 792 214 217 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income (loss) $ (655) $ (1,178) $ 1,258 $ 1,165 $ 316 $ 386 ========== =========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Net income (loss) per share $ (0.19) $ 0.20 $ 0.18 $ 0.05 $ 0.06 =========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average common and common equivalent shares in thousands 6,307 6,307 6,500 6,622 6,047 =========== ========== ========== ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. F-4 51 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON STOCK ------------------------- RETAINED SHARES DEFERRED EARNINGS CUMULATIVE TOTAL ----------- STOCK (ACCUMULATED TRANSLATION SHAREHOLDERS' Dollars in thousands AMOUNT COMPENSATION DEFICIT) ADJUSTMENT EQUITY ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- PREDECESSOR: Balance at December 31, 1992 450,000.... $ 1 $ -- $ (359) $ (93) $ (451) Cumulative translation adjustment -- -- -- -- 7 7 Net loss -- -- -- (655) -- (655) ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- Balance at July 1, 1993 450,000 $ 1 -- $ (1,014) $ (86) $ (1,099) ============ ============ ============= ============= ============ ============ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE COMPANY: Issuance of Common Stock 3,841,801 $ 725 $ -- -- -- $ 725 Cumulative translation adjustment -- -- -- -- (15) (15) Net loss -- -- -- (1,178) -- (1,178) ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 1993 3,841,801 725 -- (1,178) (15) (468) Capital contribution -- 902 -- -- -- 902 Cumulative translation adjustment -- -- -- -- 3 3 Net income -- -- -- 1,258 -- 1,258 ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 1994 3,841,801 1,627 -- 80 (12) 1,695 Issuance of Common Stock and related warrants, net of issuance costs of $165 1,166,669 6,837 -- -- -- 6,837 Repurchase of Common Stock (499,687) (2,998) -- -- -- (2,998) Exercise of Common Stock options 7,500 8 -- -- -- 8 Exercise of Common Stock warrants 70,000 70 -- -- -- 70 Warrants issued for services -- 374 -- -- -- 374 Deferred stock compensation -- 297 (297) -- -- -- Amortization of deferred stock compensation -- -- 42 -- -- 42 Cumulative translation adjustment -- -- -- -- (24) (24) Net income -- -- -- 1,165 -- 1,165 ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 1995 4,586,283 6,215 (255) 1,245 (36) 7,169 Issuance of Common Stock and related warrants, net of issuance costs of $45 (Unaudited) 570,011 6,960 -- -- -- 6,960 Repurchase of Common Stock (Unaudited) (250,000) (2,500) -- -- -- (2,500) Exercise of Common Stock options (Unaudited) 20,833 21 -- -- -- 21 Exercise of Common Stock warrants (Unaudited) 30,000 30 -- -- -- 30 Amortization of deferred stock compensation -- -- 19 -- -- 19 Cumulative translation adjustment (Unaudited) -- -- -- -- (17) (17) Net income (Unaudited) -- -- -- 386 -- 386 ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- Balance at March 31, 1996 (Unaudited) 4,957,127 $ 10,726 $ (236) $ 1,631 $ (53) $ 12,068 ============ ============ ============= ============= ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. F-5 52 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR ---------- SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 1, THE COMPANY ---------- --------------------------------------------------------------- THREE MONTHS ENDED 1993 SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ---------- ENDED ----------------------- ----------------------- Dollars in thousands DECEMBER 1995 1996 31, ---------- ---------- ----------- 1994 ---------- 1995 1993 ---------- ----------- (UNAUDITED) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) $ (655) $ (1,178) $ 1,258 $ 1,165 $ 316 $ 386 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Acquired in-process research and development -- 1,092 -- -- -- -- Noncash charge for income taxes -- -- 902 -- -- -- Depreciation and amortization 39 135 269 132 55 53 Warrants issued for services -- -- -- 374 -- -- Deferred stock compensation -- -- -- 42 -- 19 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition: Accounts receivable, net 168 (213) (240) (40) (25) (428) Accounts receivable from related parties -- -- (75) (510) 85 (347) Other current assets (193) (8) (11) (5) 33 (64) Other assets (28) 67 (7) 24 49 (52) Accounts payable 309 (334) (131) 49 (16) (58) Accrued liabilities (71) 194 (44) 899 182 325 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (431) (245) 1,921 2,130 679 (166) ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of predecessor company, net of cash acquired -- (569) -- -- -- -- Purchase of property and equipment (86) (4) (75) (147) (34) (233) ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash used in investing activities (86) (573) (75) (147) (34) (233) ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from common stock issuance -- 725 -- 3,917 -- 4,511 Advances from GCH 546 272 -- 651 -- 24 Repayments to GCH -- -- (476) (1,346) (778) -- Payments under capital leases (4) (13) (24) -- -- -- Proceeds under note obligations -- 120 -- -- -- -- Payments under note obligations (29) (26) (281) (73) (33) -- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 513 1,078 (781) 3,149 (811) 4,535 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (4) 20 29 (8) 98 (43) ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (8) 280 1,094 5,124 (68) 4,093 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 164 -- 280 1,374 1,374 6,498 ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 156 $ 280 $ 1,374 $ 6,498 $ 1,306 $ 10,591 ========== =========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid for interest $ 27 $ 20 $ 3 $ 10 $ 2 $ -- Cash paid for income taxes $ 37 $ 17 $ 41 $ 282 $ 6 $ -- The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. F-6 53 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) NOTE 1 -- ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS The Company Award Software International, Inc. ("Award" or the "Company") designs, develops and markets system management software for the global computing market. System management software is one of the fundamental layers in personal computer ("PC") architecture and provides an essential interface between a PC's operating system software and its hardware. The Company's principal system management software products include a suite of Basic Input/Output System software ("BIOS"). Award's customers include designers and manufacturers of motherboards, PC systems and other microprocessor-based (or "embedded") devices. The Company was incorporated in California, in 1983, and operates in one business segment through its headquarters facility in Mountain View, California, a branch office in Munich, Germany, and a wholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong with a branch office in Taipei, Taiwan. GCH Acquisition On July 2, 1993, GCH Systems, Inc. ("GCH"), an independent developer of microcomputers and application specific integrated circuits, acquired 100 percent of Award's outstanding Common Stock for $1,905 consisting of $725 in cash and the assumption of $1,180 in liabilities. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and established a new accounting basis for Award. The purchase price was allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the basis of their fair values at the acquisition date. The purchase price exceeded the fair value of Award's net assets by approximately $265, which was assigned to goodwill. In addition, $1,092 of the purchase price was allocated to in-process research and development. Because such in-process technology had not reached the stage of technological feasibility and had no alternative future use, the amount was immediately charged to operations. From the acquisition date through December 30, 1994, Award operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCH. On December 31, 1994, Award and GCH became separate companies through a spin-off of 100 percent of Award's Common Stock to GCH. Award and GCH have certain common members on their Boards of Directors. Award and GCH, from time to time have made non-interest bearing cash advances to each other for working capital purposes. NOTE 2 -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Revenue Recognition The Company's revenues are derived primarily from software license fees and also from non-recurring engineering services. Software license fees are recognized upon delivery of the product, fulfillment of acceptance terms, if any, and satisfaction of any significant support obligations. Payments received in advance of revenue recognition are recorded as deferred revenue. Engineering services revenue generally consist of amounts charged for customization of the software prior to delivery and are generally recognized as the services are performed. Related parties revenues include software licenses and non-recurring engineering services to a holder of the Company's Common Stock and Common Stock warrants. The Company does not offer separate post contract customer support contracts, and due to the nature of the Company's product offerings has not incurred any significant post-sale warranty or support obligations. Allowances for uncollectible amounts, returns and credits are recorded in the same period as the related revenues based upon the Company's historical experience. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of short-term time deposits and money-market deposit accounts that are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to five years. F-7 54 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Software Development Costs Costs incurred in the research and development of new products and enhancements to existing products are charged to expense as incurred until the technological feasibility of the product or enhancement has been established. After establishing technological feasibility, any additional development costs incurred through the date the product is available for general release, if any, are capitalized and amortized over the estimated product life, generally three years. Capitalized software development costs are included in other assets in the accompanying financial statements. Amortization expense on capitalized software development costs totaled $0, $12, $18, $18, $5 and $5 for the six month periods ended July 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993, the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Intangible Assets Goodwill and a covenant not to compete resulting from the acquisition of Award Common Stock by GCH are included in other assets at December 31, 1995 and are being amortized using the straight line method over five years and two years, respectively. Income Taxes The provision for income taxes is calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under SFAS No. 109, a current tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current period. A deferred tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax bases of other assets and liabilities and for tax carryforwards. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized. For the period from July 2, 1993 through December 31, 1994, Award was included in GCH's consolidated federal and California state income tax returns. Under a tax sharing arrangement with GCH, Award was allocated a proportionate share of GCH's consolidated income tax liability. The provision for income taxes has been calculated using the separate return methodology in accordance with SFAS No. 109. The difference between the allocated amount and the separate return provision totaled $902 and has been reflected as a capital contribution. Foreign Currency Translation The Company has a subsidiary in Hong Kong and branch operations in Taiwan and Germany. The functional currencies of these entities are the local currencies. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities of these entities are translated at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation are recorded directly into a separate component of shareholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses were immaterial for all periods presented. Net Income (Loss) per Share Net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares, when dilutive, from stock options and warrants (using the treasury stock method). Pursuant to a Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin, common and common equivalent shares (using the treasury stock method and the assumed public offering price) issued within 12 months prior to the Company's initial public offering by the Company have been included in the calculation as if they were outstanding for all periods presented. Management Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Interim Financial Information (Unaudited) The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 1996 and the consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 and the consolidated statement of shareholders' equity for the three months ended March 31, 1996, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair F-8 55 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) presentation of the results of the interim periods. The financial and other data disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements for these periods are also unaudited. NOTE 3 -- CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of bank deposits and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in checking and market rate accounts with major financial institutions and has not incurred any losses related to these investments. The Company markets its products to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") in the personal computer market, designers of motherboards and other microprocessor-based or embedded systems manufacturers and, as a result, maintains individually significant receivable balances from major customers located throughout the world. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and maintains an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable based upon the expected collectibility of all accounts receivable. The following table summarizes the net accounts receivable from customers located in the United States, Asia Pacific and Europe: ------------------------------------ DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ----------------------- ---------- 1994 1995 ---------- ---------- 1996 ---------- (UNAUDITED) United States $ 87 $ 20 $ 180 Asia Pacific 424 663 934 Europe 442 309 361 ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 953 $ 992 $ 1,475 ========== ========== ========== All related party receivables are from United States customers. No individual customer accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable at December 31, 1994. One customer accounted for 28.8% of accounts receivable at December 31, 1995. Two customers accounted for 18.2% and 18.8%, respectively, of accounts receivable at March 31, 1996. NOTE 4 -- NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES On July 2, 1993, GCH acquired all of the capital stock of the Company for $725. In connection with the acquisition, liabilities were assumed as follows: ---------- LIABILITIES ASSUMED ---------- Tangible assets, including cash of $156 $ 348 Goodwill 265 Covenant not to compete 200 In-process research and development 1,092 Cash paid for common stock (725) ---------- Liabilities assumed $ 1,180 ========== NOTE 5 -- BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS ------------------------------------ DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ----------------------- ---------- 1994 1995 ---------- ---------- 1996 ---------- (UNAUDITED) Accounts receivable: Accounts receivable $ 991 $ 1,071 $ 1,564 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (38) (79) (89) ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 953 $ 992 $ 1,475 ========== ========== ========== F-9 56 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) ------------------------------------ DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, ----------------------- ---------- 1995 ---------- 1996 1994 ---------- ---------- (UNAUDITED) Property and equipment: Computer equipment $ 201 $ 310 $ 500 Office equipment 63 82 82 Furniture and fixtures 39 62 75 ---------- ---------- ---------- 303 454 657 Less accumulated depreciation (99) (178) (192) ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 204 $ 276 $ 465 ========== ========== ========== Other assets: Goodwill $ 265 $ 265 $ 265 Covenant not to compete 200 200 200 Capitalized software 90 139 139 Other 23 28 84 ---------- ---------- ---------- 578 632 688 Less accumulated amortization: Goodwill (80) (133) (146) Covenant not to compete (150) (200) (200) Capitalized software (30) (48) (54) ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 318 $ 251 $ 288 ========== ========== ========== Accrued liabilities: Salaries and benefits $ 232 $ 401 $ 286 Royalties 325 476 276 Income taxes payable 53 542 773 Deferred revenue 62 54 251 Other 201 250 454 ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 873 $ 1,723 $ 2,040 ========== ========== ========== NOTE 6 -- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY The Company is authorized to issue 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock. In connection with the issuance of Common Stock during 1995, the Company agreed that, in the event that an initial public offering was not completed by June 30, 1996, 416,666 of the common shares may be exchanged for convertible Preferred Stock of the Company. The convertible Preferred Stock would have certain rights, preferences and restrictions with respect to conversion, liquidation, voting, dividends and redemption. In May 1996, the shareholders waived their conversion rights with respect to these shares through December 31, 1996. In October 1994, the Company granted 200,000 Common Stock warrants to a customer under a software licensing agreement. The warrants were deemed to have a nominal value on the date of grant. The warrants have an exercise price of $1.00 per share and are exercisable any time up to March 31, 1998. During the period from October 1994 through June 1995, the customer earned 45,500 of the Common Stock warrants based on purchasing volumes. In July 1995, to solidify the Company's long-term relationship with the customer, the Company vested the remaining 154,500 warrants to the customer and recorded the difference between the estimated fair market value and the exercise price of the warrants of approximately $283 as sales and marketing expense. In December 1994, the Company granted 80,000 Common Stock warrants with an exercise price of $1.00 per share to holders of approximately 16.7% of the Company's Common Stock at December 31, 1995, in exchange for marketing services. The warrants had a nominal value when granted and were exercised in November 1995. F-10 57 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) In June 1995, the Company granted 20,000 Common Stock warrants with an exercise price of $1.00 per share to a holder of approximately 0.4% of the Company's Common Stock, respectively, at the time of grant in exchange for marketing services. The warrants are exercisable at any time up to the later of (i) June 15, 1998 or (ii) the six month anniversary of the closing of an initial public offering. The Company recorded the difference between the estimated fair market value and the exercise price of the warrants of approximately $36 as sales and marketing expense. The warrants were exercised in December 1995. In connection with the issuance of shares of Common Stock in 1995, the Company issued 123,333 Common Stock warrants with an exercise price of $1.00 per share for $0.02 per share. The warrants are exercisable at any time up to the earlier of (i) the closing of the Company's initial public offering of its Common Stock, of which the aggregate offering price is at least $10,000 and the per share price to the public is $13.60, or (ii) September 30, 2000. No proceeds were separately allocated to the warrants. NOTE 7 -- STOCK OPTIONS PLAN During 1994, the Company adopted the 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), under which 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance to eligible employees, directors and consultants upon exercise of the stock options. Stock options are granted at prices determined by Board of Directors and generally may not be less than 100% and 85%, for incentive and nonstatutory options, respectively, of the estimated fair value of the related shares on the date of grant. Options granted under the Plan are for periods not to exceed ten years, are exercisable generally one year after date of grant and vest over a maximum period of five years following the date of grant. For options expired or canceled, the stock not purchased under such options shall revert to and again become available for re-issuance under the plan. The Plan provides for an unvested share repurchase option on behalf of the Company. In the event an optionee ceases to be eligible under the Plan for any reason, shares acquired on the exercise of an option which have not yet vested may be repurchased by the Company at the optionee's original cost per share. At December 31, 1995, no shares were subject to repurchase. A summary of the stock option activity under the Plan for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and the three month period ended March 31, 1996, is as follows: --------------------------------------- SHARES SUBJECT TO OUTSTANDING OPTIONS OPTIONS ----------------------- AVAILABLE FOR PRICE PER GRANT SHARE ------------- ----------- NUMBER OF SHARES --------- Options authorized 1,250,000 -- -- Granted (564,050) 564,050 $ 1.00 ------------- --------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 1994 685,950 564,050 1.00 Granted (191,105) 191,105 1.00-6.00 Exercised -- (7,500) 1.00 Canceled 1,500 (1,500) 1.00 ------------- --------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 1995 496,345 746,155 1.00-6.00 Granted (Unaudited) -- -- -- Exercised (Unaudited) -- (20,833) 1.00 Canceled (Unaudited) 43,584 (43,584) 1.00 ------------- --------- ----------- Balance at March 31, 1996 (Unaudited) 539,929 681,738 $1.00-$6.00 ========== ======== =========== During 1995, the Company recorded $297 of deferred stock compensation for the excess of the deemed fair market value over the exercise price at the date of grant related to certain options granted in 1995. The compensation expense will be recognized over the option vesting period of four years. Compensation expense recognized in 1995 aggregated $42. In April 1996, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 273,000 shares of common stock at exercise prices of $10.00 to $11.00 per share. Options on 106,500 shares of common stock were exercisable at December 31, 1995. F-11 58 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) NOTE 8 -- INCOME TAXES Income (loss) before income taxes was subject to tax in the following jurisdictions: ------------------------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR ---------- SIX MONTHS THE COMPANY ENDED JULY ---------------------------------------- 1, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------- SIX MONTHS ------------------------- 1993 ENDED 1995 ---------- DECEMBER ---------- 31, ---------- 1994 ---------- 1993 ---------- United States $ (427) $ (1,266) $ 1,638 $ 464 Foreign (228) 88 404 1,493 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- $ (655) $ (1,178) $ 2,042 $ 1,957 ========== ========== ========== ========== The provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of the following: ------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------- 1994 1995 ---------- ---------- Current: Federal $ 674 $ 484 State 185 46 Foreign 43 405 ---------- ---------- Total current 902 935 ---------- ---------- Deferred: Federal (98) (133) State (20) (10) Foreign -- -- ---------- ---------- Total deferred (118) (143) ---------- ---------- $ 784 $ 792 ========== ========== Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows: ------------------------- DECEMBER 31, ------------------------- 1994 1995 ---------- ---------- Deferred tax liabilities: Capitalized software $ (24) $ (17) ---- ---- Deferred tax assets: Accrued liabilities 116 191 Depreciation 20 19 Allowance for doubtful accounts 15 31 State tax deduction 63 7 Other 45 30 ---- ---- 259 278 ---- ---- Net deferred tax assets 235 261 Deferred tax assets valuation allowance (117) -- ---- ---- $ 118 $ 261 ==== ==== The Company provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not, based on available evidence, that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on an evaluation of the realizability of future tax benefits based on income earned in 1995, the Company reversed all previously established valuation allowances during 1995. F-12 59 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to income (loss) before income taxes as follows: ------------------------------------------------------- THE COMPANY ---------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR ---------- SIX MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS DECEMBER ENDED 31, JULY 1, ---------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------- ------------------------- 1993 1993 1995 ---------- ---------- ---------- 1994 ---------- Tax provision (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 34% $ (219) $ (398) $ 694 $ 666 Foreign income taxes at different rates -- -- (27) (77) State and local taxes, net of federal benefit (40) (72) 123 117 Net operating loss carryforwards 259 470 -- -- Release of valuation allowance -- -- (62) (117) Nondeductible charges and accruals -- -- -- 166 Other -- -- 56 37 ----- ----- ---- ----- Provision for income taxes $ -- $ -- $ 784 $ 792 ===== ===== ==== ===== Effective tax rates -- -- 38% 41% ===== ===== ==== ===== NOTE 9 -- SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT INFORMATION Revenues from customers representing 10% or more of consolidated revenues were as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------- PREDECESSOR ----------- THE COMPANY SIX MONTHS ------------------------------------------------ ENDED YEAR ENDED JULY 1, DECEMBER 31, THREE MONTHS ----------- ------------- ENDED 1993 SIX MONTHS 1995 MARCH 31, ----------- ENDED ---- ------------- DECEMBER 31, ------------ 1996 1994 ------------- 1993 ---- ------------ (UNAUDITED) Customer A -- -- 11.6% 13.9% 12.5% Customer B -- Related party -- -- -- 13.4% 18.0% Customer C -- 34.2% 16.5% -- -- F-13 60 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) The following is a summary of the Company's geographic operations: ----------------------------------------------------------- UNITED ASIA STATES EUROPE PACIFIC ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED ------- ------ ------- ------------ ------------ PREDECESSOR: Six months ended July 1, 1993 Revenues $ 494 $ 741 $ 575 $ -- $ 1,810 Income (loss) from operations (400) 61 (289) -- (628) Identifiable assets 696 321 485 (414) 1,088 THE COMPANY: Six months ended December 31, 1993 Revenues from unaffiliated customers $ 404 $ 921 $ 685 $ -- $ 2,010 Revenue from related parties 50 -- -- -- 50 Income (loss) from operations (1,215) (36) 126 -- (1,125) Identifiable assets 1,604 631 644 (1,072) 1,807 Year ended December 31, 1994 Revenues from unaffiliated customers $ 700 $2,273 $ 2,773 $ -- $ 5,746 Revenue from related parties 972 -- -- -- 972 Income from operations 1,664 214 179 -- 2,057 Identifiable assets 2,166 1,100 1,891 (2,038) 3,119 Year ended December 31, 1995 Revenues from unaffiliated customers $ 1,017 $2,216 $ 3,995 $ -- $ 7,228 Revenue from related parties 1,902 -- -- -- 1,902 Income from operations 393 59 1,409 -- 1,861 Identifiable assets 6,907 976 2,764 (1,564) 9,083 NOTE 10 -- COMMITMENTS The Company leases its facilities in California, Taiwan and Germany. Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases are as follows: YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, ---------- 1996 $ 227 1997 87 1998 45 ---------- Total $ 359 ========== Under an agreement that extends through 1996, the Company shares GCH office facilities in Mountain View, California and is charged a pro rata portion of actual rent and utilities expense incurred by GCH. Total rent expense, including amounts allocated from GCH, was $101, $123, $221, $273 and $79 for the six month periods ended July 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993, the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the three months ended March 31, 1996, respectively. NOTE 11 -- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Recapitalization and Reverse Stock Split In May 1996, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of common shares authorized to 40,000,000, authorized 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock and approved a 1-for-2 reverse stock split of the Company's Common Stock, subject to shareholders' approval, to be effected before the closing of the Company's initial public offering. All references to the number of common shares and per share amounts have been retroactively restated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to reflect the stock split. F-14 61 AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Equity transactions In January 1996, the Company issued 570,033 shares of Common Stock at a price of $12.28 per share. In connection with the issuance, the Company agreed that in the event that an initial public offering is not completed by December 31, 1996, the shares issued may be exchanged for the Company's convertible Preferred Stock. The convertible Preferred Stock has certain rights, preferences and restrictions with respect to conversion, liquidation, voting, cumulative dividends and redemption. In connection with the issuance and sale of the shares, the Company issued 272,394 Common Stock warrants with an exercise price of $12.28 per share for $0.02 per warrant. The warrants are exercisable at any time up to the earlier of (i) the closing of the Company's initial public offering of its Common Stock, of which the aggregate offering price and per share price to the public are at least $10,000 and $13.60 per share, respectively, or (ii) September 30, 2000. No proceeds were separately allocated to the warrants. During January and February 1996, the Company repurchased 250,000 shares of common stock from existing shareholders at a price of $10.00 per share. Employee Stock Purchase Plan In May 1996, the Board of Directors adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan"), which provides for the issuance of a maximum of 150,000 shares of Common Stock. Eligible employees may have up to 15% of their earnings withheld, to be used to purchase shares of the Common Stock on specified dates determined by the Board of Directors. The price of Common Stock purchased under the Purchase Plan will be equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the commencement date of each offering period or the specified purchase date. 401(k) Plan In January 1995, the Board of Directors adopted an employee savings and retirement plan (the "401(k) Plan") covering substantially all of the Company's employees. Pursuant to the 401(k) Plan, eligible employees may elect to reduce their current compensation by up to the statutory prescribed limit and have the amount of such reduction contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The Company may make contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of eligible employees. The Company made no contributions to the 401(k) Plan in 1994 or 1995. F-15 62 LOGO 63 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. The following table sets forth all expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the Common Stock being registered. All the amounts shown are estimates except for the registration fee and the NASD filing fee. Registration fee $ 11,897 NASD filing fee 3,950 Nasdaq application fee 1,000 Blue sky qualification fee and expenses * Printing and engraving expenses * Legal fees and expenses * Accounting fees and expenses * Transfer agent and registrar fees * Custodian fees * Miscellaneous * ======== Total $ * ======== - --------------- * To be provided by amendment ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. Section 317 of the California Corporations Code ("CCC") provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding or may procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the corporation, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the proceeding if that person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct of the person was unlawful. Section 204 of the CCC provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation may set forth a provision authorizing, whether by bylaw, agreement, or otherwise, the indemnification of agents in excess of that expressly permitted by Section 317 for those agents of the corporation for breach of duty to the corporation and its stockholders, provided, however, that the provision may not provide for indemnification of any agent for any acts or omissions or transactions from which a director may not be relieved of liability, including (i) for acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (ii) for acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (iii) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit, (iv) for acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard for the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders in circumstances in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary course of performing a director's duties, of a risk of serious injury to the corporation or its shareholders, (v) for acts or omissions that constitute an executed pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's duty to the corporation or its shareholders, (vi) under Section 310 of the CCC requiring that a director who has a contract or other transaction with the corporation or has a material financial interest in a contract or other transaction between the corporation and another corporation, obtain approval of such contract or transaction by the shareholders or the board of directors, or (vii) under Section 316 of the CCC subjecting a director to joint and several liability for making any improper distribution, loan or guarantee. Section 204 further provides that no such indemnification provision may eliminate or limit the liability of (i) a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when the provision becomes effective, or (ii) an officer for any act or omission as an officer, notwithstanding that the officer is also a director or that his or her action, if negligent or improper, has been ratified by the directors. Article V of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provides that the corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents through bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the CCC, subject only to the applicable limits on such excess indemnification set forth in Section 204 of the CCC. Article V of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation further provides that any repeal or modification of Article V shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under Article V in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to indemnification. Section 63 of the Registrant's Bylaws provides that the corporation shall indemnify its directors to the fullest extent not prohibited by the California General Corporation Law; provided, however, that the corporation may limit the extent of such indemnification by individual II-1 64 contracts with its directors; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person or any proceeding by such person against the corporation or its directors, officers, employees or other agents unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the board of directors of the corporation or (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the California General Corporation Law. Section 63 of the Registrant's Bylaws further provides that the corporation shall have power to indemnify its officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the California General Corporation Law. Under the form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto, the Underwriters are obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify directors and officers of the Registrant against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company intends to purchase a general liability insurance policy which covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of the Registrant arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacity as directors or officers. ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. In July 1993, GCH Systems, Inc. ("GCH") acquired all of the capital stock of the Registrant. Since July 1993, the Registrant has sold and issued the following unregistered securities (share and dollar amounts reflect a 1-for-2 reverse stock split): (1) In October 1994, the Registrant issued a warrant exercisable for up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock to an accredited investor at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. (2) In December 1994, GCH distributed all of the Registrant's outstanding 3,841,801 shares of Common Stock, all of the Registrant's capital stock, to GCH's existing shareholders on a pro rata basis for no consideration. (3) In June 1995, the Registrant issued warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 200,000 shares of Common Stock to an accredited group of investors at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. (4) In July 1995, the Registrant sold an aggregate of 750,000 shares of Common Stock to a group of accredited investors for cash in the aggregate amount of $4,500,000. (5) In September 1995, the Registrant sold an aggregate of 416,667 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $2,500,000 and warrants for a purchase price of $2,467 exercisable for 123,333 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.00 per share. (6) In January 1996, the Registrant sold 570,033 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $7,000,005 and issued a warrant for $10,896 exercisable for 272,394 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $12.28 per share to an accredited investor. (7) From December 1994 to May 1996, the Registrant granted incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options to employees, directors and consultants under its 1995 Stock Option Plan covering an aggregate of 1,028,155 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, at an average exercise price of $3.60 per share. Options to purchase 48,709 shares of Common Stock have been canceled or have lapsed without being exercised. The Registrant has sold 28,333 shares of its Common Stock to employees, directors and consultants of the Registrant pursuant to exercise of stock options granted under the 1995 Stock Option Plan. The sales and issuances of securities in the transactions described in paragraph (7) above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Rule 701 promulgated thereunder in that they were offered and sold either pursuant to written compensatory benefit plans or pursuant to a written contract relating to compensation, as provided by Rule 701. The sales and issuances of securities in the transactions described in paragraphs (1) through (6) above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(2) and/or Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act. The purchasers in each case represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to the distribution thereof. Appropriate legends are affixed to the stock certificates issued in such transactions. Similar legends were imposed in connection with any subsequent sales of any such securities. All recipients either received adequate information about the Registrant or had access, through employment or other relationships, to such information. II-2 65 ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (A) EXHIBITS. EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT - ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1* -- Form of Underwriting Agreement. 3.1 -- Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. 3.1.1* -- Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, to be effective upon the completion of Offering. 3.2 -- Bylaws of the Registrant. 3.2.1* -- Form of Bylaws of the Registrant, to be effective upon the completion of the Offering. 4.1 -- Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 through 3.2. 4.5* -- Specimen stock certificate. 5.1* -- Opinion of Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum. 10.1 -- Form of Indemnity Agreement to be entered into between the Registrant and its directors and officers, with related schedule. 10.2 -- Registrant's 1995 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "Option Plan"). 10.3 -- Form of Incentive Stock Option under the Option Plan. 10.4 -- Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option under the Option Plan. 10.5* -- Registrant's 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. 10.6 -- Registrant's Executive Compensation Plan. 10.7 -- Lease, dated January 1, 1996, between GCH Systems, Inc. and the Registrant. 10.8 -- Summary of Leases, dated March 1, 1996, between Sun Corporation, GSS Corporation and the Registrant. 10.9 -- Voting Agreement, dated January 12, 1996, between the Registrant and certain persons named therein. 10.10 -- Investors' Rights Agreement among the Registrant and certain other persons named therein, dated as of January 12, 1996. 10.11 -- Warrant issued to Synnex Information Technologies, Inc. 10.12 -- Warrant issued to Vobis Microcomputer AG. 10.13 -- Warrant issued to Venrock Associates. 10.14 -- Warrant issued to Venrock Associates II, L.P. 10.15 -- Warrant issued to Walden Capital Partners II, L.P. 10.16 -- Warrant issued to Walden Technology Ventures II, L.P. 11.1 -- Statement regarding calculation of net income (loss) per share. 23.1 -- Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP. 23.2* -- Consent of Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum. Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1. 24.1 -- Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-5. 27 -- Financial Data Schedule - --------------- * To be filed by amendment. (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, are not applicable, or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. The Registrant hereby undertakes to provide the Underwriters at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 14 or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, II-3 66 or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The undersigned Registrant undertakes that: (1) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus as filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective, and (2) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-4 67 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mountain View, County of Santa Clara, State of California, on the third day of June 1996. AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. By: /s/ GEORGE C. HUANG ------------------------------------------ George C. Huang Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints George C. Huang and Kevin J. Berry his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------- ------------- /s/ GEORGE C. HUANG Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive June 3, 1996 - ------------------------------------------ Officer and Director (Principal Executive George C. Huang Officer) /s/ KEVIN J. BERRY Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer June 3, 1996 - ------------------------------------------ and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Kevin J. Berry Officer) /s/ CHENG MING LEE Director June 3, 1996 - ------------------------------------------ Cheng Ming Lee /s/ DAVID S. LEE Director June 3, 1996 - ------------------------------------------ David S. Lee - ------------------------------------------ Director Theodor L. Lieven Director - ------------------------------------------ Masami Maeda /s/ ANTHONY SUN Director June 3, 1996 - ------------------------------------------ Anthony Sun /s/ WILLIAM P. TAI Director June 3, 1996 - ------------------------------------------ William P. Tai II-5 68 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated May 29, 1996, except as to the recapitalization and reverse stock split described in Note 11 which is as of June 3, 1996, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Award Software International, Inc. in such Prospectus. We also consent to the application of such report to the Financial Statement Schedules for the three years ended December 31, 1995 listed under Item 16(b) of this Registration Statement when such schedules are read in conjunction with the financial statements referred to in our report. The audits referred to in such report also included these schedules. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Experts" and "Selected Financial Information" in such Prospectus. However, it should be noted that Price Waterhouse LLP has not prepared or certified such "Selected Financial Information." PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP San Jose, California June 3, 1996. II-6 69 SCHEDULE II AWARD SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC. SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Balance at Balance at beginning end of in thousands of period Provision Write-off period ---------- --------- --------- ---------- Allowance for doubtful accounts 1993........................................................ $ 45 31 (38) $ 38 1994........................................................ $ 38 -- -- $ 38 1995........................................................ $ 38 50 (9) $ 79 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance 1993........................................................ $152 27 -- $179 1994........................................................ $179 -- (62) $117 1995........................................................ $117 -- (117) $ -- S-1 70 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT - ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1* -- Form of Underwriting Agreement. 3.1 -- Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. 3.1.1* -- Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, to be effective upon the completion of Offering. 3.2 -- Bylaws of the Registrant. 3.2.1* -- Form of Bylaws of the Registrant, to be effective upon the completion of the Offering. 4.1 -- Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 through 3.2. 4.5* -- Specimen stock certificate. 5.1* -- Opinion of Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum. 10.1 -- Form of Indemnity Agreement to be entered into between the Registrant and its directors and officers, with related schedule. 10.2 -- Registrant's 1995 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "Option Plan"). 10.3 -- Form of Incentive Stock Option under the Option Plan. 10.4 -- Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option under the Option Plan. 10.5* -- Registrant's 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. 10.6 -- Registrant's Executive Compensation Plan. 10.7 -- Lease, dated January 1, 1996, between GCH Systems, Inc. and the Registrant. 10.8 -- Summary of Leases, dated March 1, 1996, between Sun Corporation, GSS Corporation and the Registrant. 10.9 -- Voting Agreement, dated January 12, 1996, between the Registrant and certain persons named therein. 10.10 -- Investors' Rights Agreement among the Registrant and certain other persons named therein, dated as of January 12, 1996. 10.11 -- Warrant issued to Synnex Information Technologies, Inc. 10.12 -- Warrant issued to Vobis Microcomputer AG. 10.13 -- Warrant issued to Venrock Associates. 10.14 -- Warrant issued to Venrock Associates II, L.P. 10.15 -- Warrant issued to Walden Capital Partners II, L.P. 10.16 -- Warrant issued to Walden Technology Ventures II, L.P. 11.1 -- Statement regarding calculation of net income (loss) per share. 23.1 -- Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP. 23.2* -- Consent of Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum. Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1. 24.1 -- Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-5. 27 -- Financial Data Schedule - --------------- * To be filed by amendment. 71 APPENDIX -- DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHICS OUTSIDE FRONT COVER Graphic: Award logo. Graphic caption: Award Software International(R), Inc.; Asia, North America, Europe. INSIDE FRONT COVER Graphic: Uses of Award's System Management Software. This graphic depicts a PC motherboard which contains a non-volatile memory device bearing the Company's logo. The PC motherboard is surrounded by four exemplary uses of the Company's system management software: a personal digital assistant, a client-server tower, a laptop computer and a symbolic depiction of the Internet/Intranet depicting the Earth and the words "Internet" and "Intranet." Bordering the corners of the page are the words "Desktop," "Embedded," "Mobile BIOS," "PCI," "DMI," "USB," "Hot Docking," "PC Card" and "[PROAccess]." Graphic Caption: Award Software International(R), Inc.; http://www.award.com; [PROAccess], USBAccess and support for USB are under development and not commercially available. PAGE 19 Graphic: a cube depicted in three dimensions and divided into four equal horizontal layers bearing the labels, in order from bottom to top, "Hardware," "BIOS," "Operating System" and "Application Software." Graphic caption: Award Software International(R), Inc. BACK COVER Graphic: Award logo. Graphic caption: Award Software International(R), Inc.; Asia, North America, Europe.