Variable Interest Entities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

We evaluate our investments and other significant relationships to determine whether any investee is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If we conclude that an investee is a VIE, we evaluate our power to direct the activities of the investee, our obligation to absorb the expected losses of the investee and our right to receive the expected residual returns of the investee to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the investee. If we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we will consolidate such entity and reflect the non-controlling interest of other beneficiaries of that entity.

We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE by performing an analysis that principally considers:

•The VIE’s purpose, design, and risks the VIE was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders;

•The VIE’s capital structure;

•The terms between the VIE and its variable interest holders and other parties involved with the VIE; and

•Related party affiliations.

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the unconsolidated non-public VIEs in which we hold variable interests were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Carrying value of variable interest - assets (1)	$	28,073	$	4,986

(1)Balance reflects the maximum exposure to loss, which is limited to the carrying value of the interest.

The primary purpose of our U.S-based, unconsolidated VIE investments is to create strategic partnerships with market-leading providers of law enforcement technology solutions. We present all variable interests in unconsolidated VIEs as strategic investments within the long-term assets section of the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

We have provided financial support to the unconsolidated VIEs in exchange for investments in debt and preferred equity securities as well as warrants and call options that give us the ability to commit additional capital over time. Financial support provided to the unconsolidated VIEs is used to continue to finance their operations.