Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the consolidated accounts of AvePoint, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company adopted the accounting standards update that requires companies to provide disclosures of significant segment expenses and other segment items (refer to “Note 18 – Segment Information”). Disclosures about a reportable segment's profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually will also have to be provided in interim periods. In addition, companies with a single reportable segment are required to provide all the disclosures required by Segment Reporting (ASC 280).

Business Combination

When we consummate a business combination, the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed are recognized separately from goodwill at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the acquisition date fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired. While best estimates and assumptions are used to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which  may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill as we obtain new information about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. Upon the earlier of the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Acquisition-related costs were immaterial and were expensed as incurred.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The amounts of assets and liabilities reported in our consolidated balance sheets and the amounts of revenue and expenses reported for each of its periods presented are affected by estimates and assumptions, which are used for, but not limited to, the accounting for determination of standalone selling price for revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, deferred contract costs, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes and related reserves, stock-based compensation, purchase price in a business combination, and earn-out liabilities. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions due to risks and uncertainties.

Foreign Currency

The Company has foreign operations where the functional currency has been determined to be the local currency. Adjustments resulting from translating such foreign functional currency assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars, based on current exchange rates, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Revenue and expenses are translated using average rates prevailing during the period. Transaction gains and losses arising from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in other (expense) income, net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company maintains cash with several high credit-quality financial institutions. The Company considers all investments available with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments are not subject to significant market risk. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank accounts which, at times, exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company maintains cash balances used in operations at entities based in countries which impose regulations that limit the ability to transfer cash out of the country. As of  December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s cash balances at these entities were $15.5 million and $13.1 million, respectively.

Based on our intentions regarding our investments in U.S. treasury bills, we classify these investments as available-for-sale. We carry these securities at fair value, and report the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, as a component of stockholders’ equity, except for the interest income from amortization of the discount arising at acquisition, and any unrealized losses determined to be related to credit losses, which we record within other (expense) income, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments consist mainly of certificates of deposit held by financial institutions which have an initial maturity of greater than three months but less than or equal to one year at period end.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

The prepaid expenses balances as of  December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $7.2 million and $7.6 million, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or related contract terms beginning in the year the asset was placed into service.

We depreciate computer equipment and software generally over a period of three years. We amortize leasehold improvements over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. We depreciate furniture and fixture generally over a period of seven years. We depreciate buildings over a period of forty years. We depreciate office equipment generally over a period of five years. Depreciation and amortization for buildings, information technology assets, leasehold improvements, and furniture and fixtures commences once they are ready for our intended use.

Normal repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. We write off depreciated assets that are no longer in service.

We evaluate long-lived assets, which include leasehold improvements and equipment subject to depreciation and amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss will be recognized when the aggregate of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and the eventual disposition of the long-lived assets less than its carrying amount. Impairment, if any, is determined based on the fair value of the long-lived asset.

There were no impairment charges recognized during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired. 

We review goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. We have elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of our single reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If we determine that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test will be performed. The quantitative goodwill impairment test identifies goodwill impairment and measures the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized by comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value exceeds its carrying amount, no further analysis is required; otherwise, any excess of the goodwill carrying amount over the implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss, and the carrying value of goodwill is written down to fair value.

Intangible Assets, net

Intangible assets primarily consist of customer related assets and acquired software and technology. Typical customer related assets include order backlogs and customer relationships. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis, which range from three years to ten years. We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by considering events or circumstances that  may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset  may be impaired.

Leases

Leases are classified as either operating or finance leases based on certain criteria. This classification determines the timing and presentation of expenses on the income statement, as well as the presentation of the related cash flows and balance sheet. The Company currently has no material finance leases.

Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and related liabilities are recorded at lease commencement based on the present value of the lease payments over the expected lease term. Lease payments include future increases unless the increases are based on changes in an index or rate. If the rate implicit in the leases was not readily determinable, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate is used to calculate ROU assets and related liabilities. The incremental borrowing rate is determined based on the Company’s estimated credit rating, the term of the lease, the economic environment where the asset resides and full collateralization. Lease terms include periods under options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We generally use the base, non-cancelable, lease term when determining the lease assets and liabilities. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is allocated within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Our lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We elected to combine fixed payments for non-lease components, for all classes of underlying assets, with our lease payments and account for them together as a single lease component which increases the amount of our lease assets and liabilities.

Deferred Contract Costs

We defer sales commissions that are considered to be incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining or renewing SaaS, term license and support, service, perpetual license and maintenance contracts. The initial commissions are amortized over the anticipated period of asset benefit. We have structured commissions plans such that the commission rate paid on renewal contracts are less than those paid on the initial contract; therefore, it is determined that the renewal commissions are not commensurate with the initial commission, which are related to future contracts with a customer. The renewal commissions are amortized over the average renewal term. We determine the anticipated period of asset benefit and the average renewal term utilizing a portfolio approach, considering our customer contracts, the duration of our relationships with our customers, and the useful life of our technology. Changes in the anticipated period of asset benefit or the average renewal term are recognized on a prospective basis upon occurrence. No impairment was recorded for the years ended  December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.

Amortization of deferred contract costs of $20.9 million, $19.0 million and $13.4 million for the years ended  December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, is included as a component of sales and marketing expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.

Software Development Costs

Costs are incurred in the development of new software products and enhancements to existing software products. These costs, consisting primarily of salaries and related payroll costs, are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. After technological feasibility is established, costs are capitalized. 

Costs to develop or obtain internal-use software and implementation costs incurred in hosting arrangements and costs of significant upgrades and enhancements resulting in additional functionality are capitalized in the intangible assets, net within the consolidated balance sheets. These costs are primarily software purchased for internal use, purchased software licenses, implementation costs, and development costs related to our hosted product, which is accessed by customers on a subscription basis. Costs incurred for maintenance, training, and minor modifications or enhancements are expensed as incurred. The capitalized expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, which is generally three years. Management evaluates the useful lives of these assets on an annual basis and tests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. Internally developed software costs required to be capitalized as defined by the accounting guidance are not material to our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We derive revenue from four primary sources: SaaS, term license and support, services, and maintenance.

Our sources of revenue mainly include:

■ SaaS and term license and support revenue includes revenue from the sale of SaaS and term license and support, product offerings of our software and related customer support. SaaS revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Term license revenue includes distinct on-premises license and support performance obligations. The license is generally recognized upfront at the point in time when the software is made available to the customer to download and use, and the support is recognized ratably over the term of the contract.

■ Services revenue includes revenue derived primarily from the implementation of software, training, consulting, and migrations. We also offer license customization and managed services. Services revenue from implementation, training, consulting, migration, and license customization is recognized by applying a measure of progress, such as labor hours to determine the percentage of completion of each contract. Services revenue from managed services is recognized ratably on a straight-line basis over the contract term.

■ Maintenance revenue includes revenue from sales of perpetual license and related post-contract support. Perpetual license revenue is recognized upfront upon delivery of the licensed product and/or the utility that enables the customer to access authorization keys, provided that an enforceable contract has been received. While perpetual license revenues today are immaterial, our perpetual licenses are typically sold with post-contract support (“PCS”), which includes unspecified technical enhancements and customer support. Revenue from PCS is classified as maintenance revenue and is recognized ratably over the term of the contract, which is typically one year, as we satisfy the PCS performance obligation.

In rare cases when the software and the related when-and-if available updates are critical to the combined utility of the software, the Company has determined this to be one performance obligation and revenue is recognized ratably over the license term. 

Term license and perpetual license revenue recognized at point in time was $27.3 million, $31.4 million and $40.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The remaining revenue amount is recognized over time.

Our revenue is recognized upon the transfer of control of promised goods or services provided to its customers, reflecting the amount of consideration it expects to receive for those goods or services. Revenue is recognized upon the application of the following steps:

■ identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer;

■ identification of the performance obligations in the contract;

■ determination of the transaction price;

■ allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and

■ recognition of revenue when, or as, the contractual performance obligations are satisfied.

Our revenue arrangements generally include standard warranty or service level provisions that its arrangements will perform and operate in all material respects as defined in the respective agreements, the financial impacts of which have historically been and are expected to continue to be insignificant. Our arrangements generally do not include a general right of return relative to the delivered products or services. We recognize revenue net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

Many of our contracts include multiple performance obligations. Our products and services generally do not require a significant amount of integration or interdependency; therefore, the Company’s products and services are generally not combined. We allocate the transaction price for each contract to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) for each performance obligation within each contract.

We use judgment in determining the SSP for products and services. For substantially all performance obligations except term licenses, we are able to establish the SSP based on the observable prices of products or services sold separately in comparable circumstances to similar customers. We typically establish an SSP range for our products and services which is reassessed on a periodic basis or when facts and circumstances change. Term licenses are sold only as a bundled arrangement that includes the rights to a term license and support.

In determining the SSP of license and support in a term license arrangement we utilize observable inputs and consider the value relationship between support and term license when compared to the value relationship between support and perpetual licenses, the average economic life of our products and software renewal rates. Using a combination of the relative fair value method or the residual value method, the SSP of the performance obligations in an arrangement is allocated to each performance obligation within a sales arrangement.

We utilize indirect sales channels which leverage Channel Partners. These deals are executed in one of two ways:

1. Channel Partner as Customer

In the first form of these arrangements, the Channel Partner purchases the products from us at a discounted price and resells the products to end users at a price determined by the Channel Partner. In this scenario, the Channel Partner is the entity that has contracted with us and therefore is determined to be our customer. We recognize revenue when control of the goods and/or services are transferred to the customer. In this first form of the sales transaction, revenue recognition occurs upon transfer to the Channel Partner (acting as reseller) or as directed by the Channel Partner (acting as reseller) to its customer.

2. End User as Customer

In the second form, we bill the end user, and the Channel Partner receives a commission. Upon analysis of deals executed through the second form of these channels, we determined that the end user represents our customer due to the fact that the end user purchased goods and/or services that are outputs of our ordinary activities. Consequently, Channel Partners utilized in deals executed through this second model are deemed to be agents of the transaction. In this second form of these arrangements, we recognize revenue upon transfer of the goods and/or services to the end user, and amortize the commission over the anticipated period of asset benefit.

The timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to our customers. We record an unbilled receivable when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing. Current unbilled receivables are included in accounts receivable, net in the consolidated balance sheets. Long-term unbilled receivables that are expected to be billed more than twelve months after the period end are included within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. We record deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheets when cash is collected or invoiced before revenue is earned. Our standard payment terms are generally net 30 days. Invoices for SaaS, term license and support and maintenance are generally issued annually in advance or when the license is made available for customer use. Invoices for license contracts are generally issued when the license is available for the customer for download. Services are generally invoiced in advance or as the services are performed.

Total deferred revenue as of December 31, 2023 was $129.3 million, of which $113.5 million was recognized as revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024.

The opening and closing balances of the Company’s accounts receivable, net, deferred revenue and deferred contract costs are as follows:

					Deferred
	Accounts		Deferred		contract
	receivable (1)		revenue		costs
	(in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2023	$	94,067	$	129,256	$	54,675
Balance, December 31, 2024		95,683		153,308		59,838

⁽¹⁾ Accounts receivable is inclusive of accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, current unbilled receivables and long-term unbilled receivables. Long-term unbilled receivables are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

No customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, and no customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

As of December 31, 2024, transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations, which includes deferred revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods, was $373.4 million, of which $318.5 million is related to SaaS and term license and support revenue. We expect to recognize approximately 62% of the total transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations over the next twelve months and the remainder thereafter.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to employees. To date, we have issued both stock options and restricted stock units. With respect to equity-classified awards, the Company measured stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognizes the cost as expense ratably over the requisite service period. With respect to liability-classified awards, the Company measures stock-based compensation cost at the grant date and at each reporting period based on the estimated fair value of the award. Stock-based compensation cost is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, net of actual forfeitures in the period.

We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires highly subjective assumptions in order to derive the inputs necessary to calculate the fair value of stock options. The Company calculates the expected term using the “simplified” method, which is the simple average of the vesting period and the contractual term. The simplified method is applied as the Company does not have sufficient historical data to provide a reasonable basis for an estimate of the expected term. Expected volatility is based on historical and implied volatility of a group of peer entities over a similar expected term. Dividend yields are based upon historical dividend yields. Risk-free interest rates are based on the implied yields currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the difference between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes. Judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and unrecognize tax benefits. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation that is recording a net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information. 

We recognized the tax expense related to Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period expense in the period the tax is incurred.

Our valuation allowances are primarily the result of uncertainties regarding the future realization of tax attributes recorded in various jurisdictions. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon available evidence, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We have evaluated the realizability of our deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction by assessing the adequacy of expected taxable income, including the reversal of existing temporary differences, historical and projected operating results and the availability of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. In assessing our valuation allowance as of December 31, 2024, we considered all available evidence, including the magnitude of recent and current operating results, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our historical experience utilizing tax attributes prior to their expiration dates, the historical volatility of operating results of these jurisdictions and our assessment regarding the sustainability of their profitability. The weight we give to any particular item is, in part, dependent upon the degree to which it can be objectively verified. Valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets increased by a net $3.3 million.

For additional information regarding our income taxes, refer to “Note 10 - Income Taxes”.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling Interest is recognized as equity in the Company's consolidated balance sheets, is reflected in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and is captured within the net (loss) income in the consolidated statements of mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity. Noncontrolling interests represent ownership interests in the Company's subsidiaries held by third parties. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is measured at the higher of its redeemable value and net income (loss) allocated to the redeemable noncontrolling interest, and is included in mezzanine equity on the consolidated balance sheets. At each reporting period, we increase the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest by periodic accretions using the interest method so that the carrying amount will equal the redemption amount on the date that the put option becomes exercisable. These adjustments are recorded as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest on the consolidated statements of operations. Upon expiration of the underlying put option, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is reclassified to equity on the consolidated balance sheets.

Treasury Stock Retirement

We account for treasury stock transactions under the cost method. For each reacquisition of common stock, the number of shares and the acquisition price for those shares is added to the existing treasury stock count and total value, respectively. We periodically retire treasury shares that we acquire through share repurchases and return those shares to the status of authorized but unissued. When treasury shares are retired, we allocate the excess of the repurchase price over the par value of shares acquired between additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit. The portion allocated to additional paid-in capital is limited to the pro rata portion of additional paid-in capital for the retired treasury shares. Any further excess of the repurchase price is allocated to accumulated deficit. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASC 740)” (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as additional information on income taxes paid. The amendment in this ASU is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is also permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2023-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (ASC 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (“ASU 2024-03”), and in January 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-01, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (ASC 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date” (“ASU 2025-01”). ASU 2024-03 requires public entities to disclose additional information about specific expense categories in the notes to the financial statements. ASU 2024-03, as clarified by ASU 2025-01, is effective in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The amendments in this ASU may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is also permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2024-03 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.