BlackSky Technology Inc 10-K/A, filed Apr 19, 2024
BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY)
10-K/A
2024-04-19
For: 2023-12-31
View Original
Added on
April 06, 2026
About this 10-K/A
BlackSky Technology Inc filed this 10-K/A on April 19, 2024, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
___________________________________
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-39113
___________________________________
___________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||
(571 ) 267-1571
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
___________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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| Large accelerated filer | o | Accelerated filer | o | ||||||||
☒ | Smaller reporting company | ||||||||||
Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.o
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).Yes o No ý
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2023 was approximately $303,558,711 . Shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock held by each executive officer and director and by each other person who may be deemed to be an affiliate of the registrant have been excluded from this computation. This calculation does not reflect a determination that certain persons are affiliates of the registrant for any other purpose.
As of April 17, 2024, there were 146,822,766 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock, at $0.0001 par value, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
BlackSky Technology Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (“Amendment No. 1”) to amend our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Original Filing”), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), to include the information required by Items 10 through 14 of Part III of Form 10-K. This information was previously omitted from the Original Filing in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.
Pursuant to Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Amendment No. 1 also contains new certifications by our principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Accordingly, Item 15 of Part IV is amended to include the currently dated certifications as exhibits.
Except as expressly noted in this Amendment No. 1, this Amendment No. 1 does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the filing date of the Original Filing or modify or otherwise update any other disclosures contained in the Original Filing, including, without limitation, the financial statements. Accordingly, this Amendment No. 1 should be read in conjunction with the Original Filing.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our Directors
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors (the “Board”). Our Board currently consists of seven directors, five of whom are independent under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE.
Our Board is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Thus, at each annual meeting of stockholders, a class of directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the class whose term is then expiring.
The following table sets forth the names, ages as of April 1, 2024 and certain information for each of our directors. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our directors and any other person pursuant to which he or she is or was to be selected as a director.
| Name | Class | Age | Position(s) | Director of Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp. | Director of BlackSky | Current Term Expires | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Magid Abraham(2) (3) | I | 65 | Director | - | September 2021 - Present | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David DiDomenico | I | 53 | Director | July 2019 - September 2021 | September 2021 - Present | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Susan Gordon(3) | II | 65 | Director | - | September 2021 - Present | 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Timothy Harvey(1) (2) | II | 67 | Director | - | September 2021 - Present | 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian O’Toole | III | 60 | Director | - | September 2021 - Present | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William Porteous(1) (2) | II | 51 | Director, Chair | - | September 2021 - Present | 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James Tolonen(1) (3) | III | 74 | Director | - | September 2021 - Present | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Member of the audit committee
(2) Member of the compensation committee
(3) Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee
Dr. Magid Abraham has served on our Board since September 2021. Dr. Abraham is founder and CEO of Neurawell Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company developing mental health treatments. He was founding CEO of comScore for 14 years, which he took public in 2007, focusing on innovation and industry leadership. He was founder and CEO of Paragren Technologies, producing CRM systems. He was president of IRI, a major international research company, which he led through sustained growth and innovation. He became a Visiting Scholar at Stanford in 2016, where he taught for three years at the Graduate School of Business. He serves on a number of commercial and institutional boards.
Dr. Abraham is a world expert on consumer and market measurement and syndicated information services. He has authored seminal award winning articles. He received the Advertising Research Foundation’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.” He earned the AMA’s Parlin award and MIT’s Buck Weaver award, both in recognition for lifetime contributions and leadership in the theory and practice of Marketing Science. He was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year and inducted in the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame and designated “Technology Pioneer”
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by the World Economic Forum. Dr. Abraham received a Ph.D. and an M.B.A. from MIT, and is engineer of the École Polytechnique, France.
Dr. Abraham was selected to serve as a member of our Board due to his significant executive experience and expertise on market research, consumer modeling and information systems.
David DiDomenico has served on our Board since September 2021 and served on the board of directors of Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp. (“Osprey”) from July 2019 until the closing of the business combination (the “merger”) between Osprey and BlackSky Holdings, Inc. (“Legacy BlackSky”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 17, 2021. Mr. DiDomenico has been a Partner of JANA Partners, an investment advisor based in New York City, since 2010. He served as Osprey’s Chief Executive Officer and President from June 2019 until the closing of the merger. He previously served as a Co-Portfolio Manager of JANA’s hedge fund strategies. Prior to joining JANA Partners LLC in 2010, Mr. DiDomenico was a Managing Director of New Mountain Capital and the Portfolio Manager of the New Mountain Vantage Fund (2005-2010). He was previously an Associate Portfolio Manager at Neuberger Berman (2002-2005). From 1999-2002, Mr. DiDomenico was a member of the Acquisitions Team at Starwood Capital Group where he focused on corporate and real estate transactions. From 1998-1999, he was an Analyst at Tiger Management. From October 2019-June 2021, Mr. DiDomenico served on the board of directors of OPENLANE, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), a provider of car auction services in North America and the United Kingdom. He holds an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and an AB from Harvard College.
Mr. DiDomenico was selected to serve as a member of our Board due to his experience investing in and analyzing technology and technology-related companies for over 20 years, which we believe provides us with access to his extensive and unique expertise in fundamental business analysis, as well as given his broad professional relationships with technologists and investors.
Hon. Susan M. Gordon has served on our Board since September 2021. The Honorable Susan M. Gordon is a highly respected intelligence professional, visionary leader, and trusted strategic advisor on a broad spectrum of complex issues, including cybersecurity, emerging and disruptive technologies, artificial intelligence, and information operations. Ms. Gordon is the former principal deputy director of national intelligence, the nation’s highest-ranking career intelligence officer. In that capacity, Ms. Gordon managed the operations of the intelligence community and was a key advisor to the President and National Security Council. Prior to her role as principal deputy director of national intelligence, Ms. Gordon served as deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). In this position, she provided leadership to the agency and managed the National System of Geospatial Intelligence. Prior to the NGA, she served 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). At the CIA, Ms. Gordon rose to senior executive positions in each of the Agency’s four directorates: operations, analysis, science and technology, and support. Over the course of her career, Ms. Gordon led the establishment of In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s venture arm, and ultimately became the Director’s senior advisor on cyber issues.
Ms. Gordon is the founder and principal of GordonVentures, LLC, a technology, strategy and risk consultancy and currently serves as a consultant and advisor on technology and global risk. Among other endeavors, she is a member of the board of directors of CACI, SecurityScorecard, OneWeb Technologies, Freedom Consulting, and Bridge Core Federal. Ms. Gordon also serves as a Trustee of the Mitre Corporation and is the Vice Chairperson of the National Intelligence University Foundation, and is on the Board of Advisors of the National Security Space Association. Ms. Gordon previously served on the board of directors of Avantus Federal (2020 - 2022). She also serves on several technology advisory boards and consults with Microsoft Corporation. Ms. Gordon is a fellow at Duke and Harvard Universities and she continues to support Defense Department and Intelligence Community study activities. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology (biomechanics) from Duke University.
Ms. Gordon was selected to serve as a member of our Board due to her expertise and experience with an exemplary history of leadership in the intelligence community.
Timothy Harvey has served on our Board since September 2021. Mr. Harvey has been the Executive Chairman of VTS, Inc., a leasing and asset management platform, since April 2017. Prior to that, from December 2014 to
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April 2017, he served as President of Commercial Solutions at BAE Systems Plc (“BAE”), a leading global defense, aerospace and security company. Mr. Harvey joined BAE as a result of BAE’s December 2014 acquisition of SilverSky, a provider of security software and managed services, where he served as CEO and was responsible for the growth and sale of the business to BAE. Mr. Harvey currently serves on the boards of OpenWeb, a social engagement platform, NoFraud, an all-in-one fraud prevention solution, Electric, an information technology company that helps businesses manage their IT security, and Keyfactor, a provider of secure digital identity management solutions. Mr. Harvey graduated with a degree in Finance from the University of Florida and served four years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
Mr. Harvey was selected to serve as a member of our Board due to his successful track record of leading market growth coupled with his extensive service on the boards of companies of similar size and scale as BlackSky.
Brian O’Toole has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board since September 2021. Mr. O’Toole became Legacy BlackSky’s President in November 2018 and also assumed chief executive officer duties for BlackSky Global in January 2019 and served in both capacities through the closing of the merger. Prior to serving as Legacy BlackSky’s President, Mr. O’Toole served as its Chief Technology Officer from June 2016 to November 2018. In addition, Mr. O’Toole served as a member of Legacy BlackSky’s board of directors from January 2019 through the closing of the merger. Mr. O’Toole founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of OpenWhere, Inc., a startup delivering global scale geospatial intelligence solutions to public and private sector customers, from July 2013 to June 2016, when Legacy BlackSky acquired OpenWhere, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. O’Toole served as the Chief Technology Officer of GeoEye Inc. from August 2008 to June 2013 where he led strategic efforts for developing and expanding technology, products, and solutions in geospatial intelligence and location-based services. Mr. O’Toole’s earlier roles include serving as the Vice President of Product Development at Overwatch Systems, founding and serving as the President of ITspatial, and serving as Technical Director and Systems Engineer at GE Aerospace for nine years. Mr. O’Toole received a B.S. in Computer Science from Clarkson University and a M.S. in Computer Engineering from Syracuse University.
Mr. O’Toole was selected to serve as a member of our Board due to his experience and the operational insight he brings as our Chief Executive Officer and President and director on Legacy BlackSky’s board and due to his extensive experience building and growing companies in the geospatial intelligence industry.
William Porteous has served on our Board since September 2021 and served on Legacy BlackSky’s board of directors from February 2015, and specifically as Chairman of Legacy BlackSky’s board of directors from December 2018, until the closing of the merger. Mr. Porteous is a General Partner with RRE Ventures and also serves as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer. During his 23-year career as an investor, Mr. Porteous has served on the boards of more than 20 companies. In addition to serving on our Board, Mr. Porteous also currently serves as a director of Nanit, Paperless Post, Pattern, Pilot Fiber, Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR), Ursa Space Systems, and Wave. From 2010 to 2021, Mr. Porteous also served as a director of Buzzfeed. Mr. Porteous is also Chairman of the Dockery Farms Foundation, which he founded. From 2003 to 2018, Mr. Porteous served as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School where he taught a course on venture capital. Mr. Porteous holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. with Honors from Stanford University.
Mr. Porteous was selected to serve as a member of our Board due to his experience at RRE Ventures and his extensive service on the boards of other technology companies.
James Tolonen has served on our Board since September 2021. Mr. Tolonen served as the Senior Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Business Objects, S.A., an enterprise software solutions provider, where he was responsible for its finance and administration commencing in January 2003 until its acquisition by SAP AG in January 2008. He remained with SAP AG until September 2008. Mr. Tolonen served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer and a member of the board of directors of IGN Entertainment Inc., an Internet media and service provider, from October 1999 to December 2002. He served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Cybermedia, a PC user security and performance software provider, from April 1998 to September 1998, where he also served as a member of the board of directors from August 1996 to September 1998. Mr. Tolonen served as Chief Financial Officer of Novell, Inc., an enterprise software provider, from June 1989 to April 1998.
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Mr. Tolonen previously served on the boards of directors and audit committees of MobileIron, Inc. (2014-2020), Imperva, Inc., (2012-2019), Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (2008-2012), and Taleo Corporation (2010-2012). Mr. Tolonen also previously served on the board of directors of New Relic, Inc. and as the chair of the audit committee and a member of the compensation committee (2016-2022). Mr. Tolonen holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. Mr. Tolonen is also a Certified Public Accountant, inactive, in the State of California.
Mr. Tolonen was selected to serve as a member of our Board due to his background in accounting, his extensive experience as chief financial officer for a number of public companies, including at several software companies, as well as his involvement on numerous public company audit committees.
Our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information about our executive officers as of April 1, 2024. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our executive officers and any other person pursuant to which he or she is or was to be selected as an officer.
| Name | Age | Position | ||||||
| Brian O'Toole | 60 | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | ||||||
| Henry Dubois | 62 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
| Christiana Lin | 54 | General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer | ||||||
Brian O’Toole. Please see “Our Directors” above for biographical information about Mr. O’Toole.
Henry Dubois has served as our Chief Financial Officer since June 2022. Prior to serving as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Dubois served as our Chief Development Officer from September 2021 to June 2022 and as Legacy BlackSky’s Chief Development Officer from August 2021 through the closing of the merger after having served as an advisor to Legacy BlackSky’s CEO and board of directors since September 2018. Before joining us, from February 2009 to August 2021, Mr. Dubois was managing director at HED Consulting, a consulting firm that specializes in planning and implementing viable, sustainable household energy interventions, where he advised companies, including Legacy BlackSky, on strategic initiatives, operating improvements and financial activities. From April 2013 to May 2018 Mr. Dubois also served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Hooper Holmes Inc., a national provider of biometric screenings and comprehensive health and wellness programs, leading its turn-around by refocusing its business lines to high growth opportunities in the healthcare industry, shedding under-performing business lines and adding new capabilities through acquisitions. In August 2018, after Mr. Dubois’ tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of Hooper Holmes, the company filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 18-23302). Pursuant to a plan of liquidation filed by Hooper Holmes and its subsidiaries, the Hooper Holmes Liquidating Trust was formed to administer the final liquidation of the company's assets and a trustee was appointed to dissolve the company. Mr. Dubois also has experience serving as an executive at two geospatial companies and he brings proven experience in growth strategies, deal sourcing and integration. For instance, from February 2005 to December 2012, Mr. Dubois served as CFO and an executive advisor at GeoEye, a commercial satellite imagery company, where he helped grow revenues from $30 to $350 million. Similarly, at DigitalGlobe, a vendor of space imagery and geospatial content and operator of civilian remote sensing spacecraft, Mr. Dubois held several executive positions including President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Dubois was also Chief Executive Officer of an Asian telecom company, PT Centralindo Panca Sakti. He brings extensive domestic and international experience leading telecom and satellite imaging companies through periods of growth, merger and acquisition activity. Mr. Dubois previously served on the board of directors of Endurance Acquisition Corporation (2021-2022). Mr. Dubois received a Masters of Management, Finance, Marketing and Accounting at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management as well as a B.A. in Mathematics at College of the Holy Cross.
Christiana Lin has served as our General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer since February 2022, and prior to that, as our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since the closing of the merger in September 2021.
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Ms. Lin also served as Legacy BlackSky’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from August 2021 through the closing of the merger. Ms. Lin brings over two decades of experience working with business, government and legal teams during growth and innovation cycles. Before joining us, from July 2018 to August 2021, Ms. Lin served as General Counsel and Chief Privacy and Administrative Officer at Rakuten Advertising, a digital advertising and data company, where she helped restructure legacy business lines to increase profitability and built the foundation for accelerating the growth of emerging businesses. From May 2017 to August 2021, Ms. Lin served as Venture Partner at NextGen Partner Ventures, a venture capital firm, as a partner with Outside GC, serving as virtual general counsel to startup technology companies. From February 2001 to February 2017, Ms. Lin served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer and Corporate Secretary at comScore, a pioneer in media measurement and analytics. While at comScore, Ms. Lin helped grow the business from an early-stage start-up to a $450 million-dollar public market capitalization company with teams across Europe, APAC and the Americas. Ms. Lin received a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Our code of business conduct is a “code of ethics” within the meaning of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K.
The full text of our corporate governance guidelines and code of business conduct and ethics are available on our website at https://ir.blacksky.com/governance/governance-documents. We will post amendments to our code of business conduct and ethics or any waivers of our code of business conduct and ethics for directors and executive officers on the same website.
Role of Our Board of Directors in Risk Oversight
One of the key functions of our Board is informed oversight of our risk management process. We have designed and implemented processes to manage risk in our operations. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the company faces, while our Board, as a whole and assisted by its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. Our board reviews strategic and operational risk in the context of discussions, question and answer sessions, and reports from the management team at each regular board meeting, receives reports on all significant committee activities at each regular board meeting, and evaluates the risks inherent in significant transactions.
Our Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our Board that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. Our audit committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks associated with our financial reporting, accounting and auditing matters, our compensation committee oversees the management of risks associated with our compensation policies and programs, and our nominating and corporate governance committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines.
Our Board believes its current leadership structure supports the risk oversight function of the Board.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board has established the following standing committees of the board of directors: audit committee; compensation committee; and nominating and corporate governance committee. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our Board is described below.
Audit Committee
We have a standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The members of our audit committee are Mr. Tolonen, Mr. Porteous and Mr. Harvey. Mr. Tolonen serves as the
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chairperson of the audit committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent. Each of Mr. Tolonen, Mr. Porteous and Mr. Harvey qualify as an independent director for audit committee purposes under the applicable rules.
Each member of the audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the NYSE listing standards, and Mr. Tolonen qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
The purpose of the audit committee is to prepare the audit committee report required by the SEC to be included in our proxy statement and to assist our Board in overseeing and monitoring (i) the quality and integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, (iv) the performance of our internal audit function and (v) the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm.
The functions of the audit committee include, among other things:
•evaluating the performance, independence and qualifications of our independent auditors and determining whether to retain our existing independent auditors or engage new independent auditors;
•reviewing our financial reporting processes and disclosure controls;
•reviewing and approving the engagement of our independent auditors to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services;
•reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal control policies and procedures, including the responsibilities, budget, staffing and effectiveness of our internal audit function;
•obtaining and reviewing at least annually a report by our independent auditors describing the independent auditors’ internal quality control procedures and any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review;
•monitoring the rotation of partners of our independent auditors on our engagement team as required by law;
•prior to engagement of any independent auditor, and at least annually thereafter, reviewing relationships that may reasonably be thought to bear on their independence, and assessing and otherwise taking the appropriate action to oversee the independence of our independent auditor;
•reviewing our annual and quarterly financial statements and annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, and discussing the statements and reports with our independent auditors and management;
•reviewing with our independent auditors and management significant issues that arise regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation and matters concerning the scope, adequacy, and effectiveness of our financial controls and critical accounting policies;
•reviewing with management and our auditors any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding material developments;
•establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding financial controls, accounting, auditing or other matters;
•preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement;
•reviewing and providing oversight of any related party transactions in accordance with our related party transaction policy and reviewing and monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory responsibilities, including our code of business conduct;
•reviewing our major financial risk exposures, including the guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and risk management is implemented; and
•reviewing and evaluating on an annual basis the performance of the audit committee and the audit committee charter.
Our Board adopted a written charter for the audit committee, which is available on our website. During 2023, our audit committee held seven meetings.
Compensation Committee
The members of our compensation committee are Mr. Porteous, Mr. Harvey and Dr. Abraham. Mr. Harvey serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee. Under the NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC
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rules, we are required to have at least two (2) members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent. Each of Mr. Porteous, Mr. Harvey and Dr. Abraham qualify as an independent director for compensation committee purposes under the applicable rules.
The purpose of the compensation committee is to assist our Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to (i) setting our compensation program and compensation of our executive officers and directors, (ii) monitoring our incentive and equity-based compensation plans and (iii) preparing the compensation committee report required to be included in our proxy statement under the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Our Board adopted a written charter for the compensation committee, which is available on our website. During 2023, our compensation committee held 10 meetings.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Dr. Abraham, Ms. Gordon and Mr. Tolonen. Dr. Abraham serves as chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
The primary purposes of our nominating and corporate governance committee are to assist our Board in: (i) identifying individuals qualified to become new Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, (ii) reviewing the qualifications of incumbent directors to determine whether to recommend them for reelection and selecting, or recommending that the Board select, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders, (iii) identifying members of the Board qualified to fill vacancies on any Board committee and recommending that the Board appoint the identified member or members to the applicable committee, (iv) reviewing and recommending to the Board corporate governance principles applicable to us, (v) overseeing the evaluation of the Board and (vi) handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the committee by the Board from time to time.
Our Board adopted a written charter for the nominating and corporate governance committee, which is available on our website. During 2023, our nominating and corporate governance committee held five meetings.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers that serves as a member of our Board or compensation committee.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based on our review of such filings and written representations from certain reporting persons that no Form 5 is required, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, all directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them. One Form 4 was filed late on April 15, 2024 on behalf of David DiDomenico, one of our directors, in connection with an acquisition of warrants on December 16, 2021.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Our executive compensation programs are designed to:
• Attract, motivate, incentivize and retain employees at the executive level who contribute to our long-term success;
• Provide compensation to our executives that are competitive and designed to reward the achievement of our business objectives that drive the Company's success; and
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• Effectively promote closer alignment between our executives’ interests and those of our stockholders by focusing on long-term equity incentives that correlate with the growth of sustainable long-term value for our stockholders.
Compensation and Governance Practices and Policies
We endeavor to maintain strong governance standards in our policies and practices related to executive compensation. Below is a summary of our key executive compensation and corporate governance practices.
Some examples of the best practices that we incorporate into our executive compensation practices and policies:
•A significant portion of compensation for named executive officers is at risk, based on both Company performance (financial and stock price) and the individual’s performance;
•We conduct regular reviews of executive compensation and peer group data;
•We are advised by an independent compensation consultant;
•We annually assess risk-reward balance of our compensation programs in order to mitigate undue risk in our program;
•We do not have pension plans or supplemental executive retirement plans;
•By policy, we do not permit hedging of our securities; and
•We do not provide for excise tax gross-ups on a change of control.
Compensation Process
Our compensation committee is responsible for the executive compensation programs for our executive officers and reports to our Board on its discussions, decisions and other actions relating to such programs. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations for the respective executive officers that report to him to our compensation committee and typically attends compensation committee meetings (other than the portions of meetings in which his compensation is discussed). Our Chief Executive Officer makes such recommendations (other than with respect to himself) regarding base salary, and short-term and long-term compensation, including equity incentives, for our executive officers based on our results, an executive officer's individual contribution toward those results, the executive officer's role and performance of his or her duties and his or her achievement of individual goals. Our compensation committee then reviews the recommendations and other factors it deems relevant, including various compensation survey data and publicly available data of our peers, and makes decisions as to the target total direct compensation (consisting of salary, target short-term incentive, and long-term incentive compensation) for each executive officer, including our Chief Executive Officer, as well as each individual compensation element of such compensation.
Our compensation committee is authorized to retain the services of one or more executive compensation advisors, as it sees fit, in connection with the establishment of our executive compensation programs and related policies. In 2023, Compensia Inc., a national compensation consulting firm with compensation expertise relating to technology companies, was retained to provide market information, analysis and other advice relating to executive compensation on an ongoing basis. As part of this engagement Compensia assisted in developing an appropriate group of peer companies to help determine the market-comparable levels of overall target total direct compensation for our executive officers, as well as to assess each separate key element of such compensation, with a goal of ensuring that the compensation we offer to our executive officers, individually as well as in the aggregate, is competitive and fair. We do not believe the retention of, and the work performed by, Compensia Inc. creates any conflict of interest.
Peer Group
Our compensation committee reviews market data of companies that we believe are comparable to us. Compensia assisted in developing a peer group generally consisting of publicly traded software-focused technology companies headquartered in the U.S. with revenue of less than $400M and market capitalization of less than $1.2 billion. Our compensation committee referred to compensation data from this peer group and broader survey data
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(for similarly-sized companies) when making fiscal 2023 base salary, cash bonus and equity award decisions for our executive officers. The following is a list of the public companies that composed our fiscal 2023 peer group.
| A10 Networks | LivePerson | Turtle Beach | ||||||
| BigCommerce Holdings | Model N | Upland Software | ||||||
| Brightcove | PROS Holdings | Xperi | ||||||
| Domo | Quotient Technology | Yext | ||||||
| Everbridge | Sumo Logic | Zuora | ||||||
| EverQuote | TrueCar | |||||||
Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023, consisting of our principal executive officer and our next two most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive officer, were:
•Brian O’Toole, President and Chief Executive Officer;
•Henry Dubois, Chief Financial Officer; and
•Christiana Lin, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows the compensation earned by our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Option Awards ($)(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||
Brian O’Toole President and Chief Executive Officer | 2023 | $ | 465,000 | $ | 1,945,999 | $ | 522,619 | $ | 510,389 | $ | 3,564 | $ | 3,447,572 | ||||||||||
2022 | 465,000 | 936,998 | 857,116 | 646,350 | 1,727 | 2,907,191 | |||||||||||||||||
Henry Dubois(4) Chief Financial Officer | 2023 | 400,000 | 1,749,999 | 261,310 | 439,044 | 13,464 | 2,863,817 | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 400,000 | 1,336,102 | 1,076,976 | 484,273 | 6,211 | 3,303,562 | |||||||||||||||||
Christiana Lin General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer | 2023 | 375,000 | 1,500,000 | 232,275 | 202,142 | 12,342 | 2,321,759 | ||||||||||||||||
2022 | 375,000 | 750,000 | 686,060 | 246,000 | 5,431 | 2,062,491 | |||||||||||||||||
_____________________
(1)Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards granted to each named executive officer, computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. The actual value that a named executive officer will realize on each award will depend on the price per share of our common stock at the time shares underlying the awards are sold. Accordingly, these amounts do not necessarily correspond with the actual value recognized or that may be recognized by our named executive officers. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts for 2023 are described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
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(2)For the year ended December 31, 2023, the amounts reported represent the amounts paid or to be paid under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan in 2024. See “2023 Executive Bonus Program” below.
(3)For Mr. O’Toole, (i) the 2023 amount reflects $3,564 for life insurance premiums; and (ii) the 2022 amount reflects $560 in mobile phone and data allowances and $1,167 in employer 401(k) plan contributions. For Mr. Dubois, (i) the 2023 amount reflects $9,900 in employer 401(k) plan contributions, and $3,564 in life insurance premiums; and (ii) the 2022 amount reflects $400 in mobile phone and data allowances and $5,811 in employer 401(k) plan contributions. For Ms. Lin, (i) the 2023 amount reflects $1,200 in mobile phone allowances, $9,900 in employer 401(k) plan contributions, and $1,242 in life insurance premiums; and (ii) the 2022 amount reflects $1,200 in mobile phone and data allowances and $4,231 in employer 401(k) plan contributions.
(4)Mr. Dubois was appointed Chief Financial Officer on June 10, 2022.
Components of Executive Officer Compensation
For 2023, the key elements of the compensation program for our named executive officers consisted of a base salary, target cash incentive bonus awards and grants of equity awards. Base salary was set at a level that the compensation committee determined was commensurate with the executive’s respective duties and authorities, contributions, prior experience and sustained performance.
Equity awards granted in 2023 to our named executive officers were made in the form of options and RSUs under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”).
Executive Compensation Arrangements
Brian O’Toole - President and Chief Executive Officer: Employment Agreement
In connection with the merger, Legacy BlackSky entered into a confirmatory employment letter with Mr. O’Toole, our President and Chief Executive Officer. The confirmatory employment letter has no specific term and provides that Mr. O’Toole is an at-will employee. In 2023, Mr. O’Toole’s annual base salary was $465,000 (the “O’Toole Base Salary”), and Mr. O’Toole’s target annual cash bonus opportunity was 100% of the O’Toole Base Salary. Mr. O’Toole participated in our 2023 bonus program under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as described further below.
Mr. O’Toole’s confirmatory employment letter provides that Mr. O’Toole is eligible to receive annual equity awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans, and to receive annual target equity awards consisting of (i) restricted stock units (“RSUs”) having a value of $937,500 (based on our share price on the date of grant), which will generally vest with respect to 25% of the RSUs on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and, with respect to the remaining RSUs, in equal quarterly installments thereafter over the following three-year period (in each case subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date), and (ii) an option to purchase a number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to twice the number of shares subject to the RSU award for the applicable year, which will generally vest with respect to 25% of the shares subject to the option on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and, with respect to the remaining shares subject to the option, in equal monthly installments thereafter over the following three-year period (in each case subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date). However, the actual annual equity awards granted to Mr. O’Toole (if any) and the terms of such equity awards will be in the sole discretion of the equity incentive plan’s administrator.
Mr. O’Toole participates in the Executive Severance Plan, as described further below, as a Tier 1 participant.
Henry Dubois - Chief Financial Officer: Executive Offer Letter
On August 18, 2021, Legacy BlackSky entered into an executive offer letter with Mr. Dubois, effective August 18, 2021, to serve as the Company’s Chief Development Officer. The executive employment letter has no specific term and provides that Mr. Dubois is an at-will employee. On June 10, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the executive offer letter with Mr. Dubois in connection with his appointment as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. In 2023, Mr. Dubois’s annual base salary was $400,000 (the “Dubois Base Salary”), and
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Mr. Dubois’ target annual cash bonus opportunity was 100% of the Dubois Base Salary. Mr. Dubois participated in our 2023 bonus program under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as described further below.
Mr. Dubois is eligible to receive annual equity awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans consisting of (i) an annual award of RSUs having a value of $875,000 (based on our share price on the date of grant), and (ii) an option to purchase a number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to twice the number of shares subject to the RSU award for the applicable year. However, the actual annual equity awards granted to Mr. Dubois (if any) and the terms of such equity awards will be in the sole discretion of the equity incentive plan’s administrator.
Mr. Dubois participates in the Executive Severance Plan, as described further below, as a Tier 2 participant.
Christiana Lin - General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer: Executive Offer Letter
On August 18, 2021, Legacy BlackSky entered into an executive offer letter with Ms. Lin, effective August 18, 2021, to serve as Legacy BlackSky’s General Counsel. The offer letter has no specific term and provides that Ms. Lin is an at-will employee. In 2023, Ms. Lin’s annual base salary was $375,000 (the “Lin Base Salary”), and Ms. Lin’s target annual cash bonus opportunity was 50% of the Lin Base Salary. Ms. Lin participated in our 2023 bonus program under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as described further below.
Ms. Lin is eligible to receive annual equity awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans consisting of (i) an annual award of RSUs having a value of $750,000, based on our share price on the date of grant, and (ii) an option to purchase a number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to twice the number of shares subject to the RSU award for the applicable year. However, the actual annual equity awards granted to Ms. Lin and the terms of such equity awards will be in the sole discretion of the equity incentive plan’s administrator.
Ms. Lin participates in the Executive Severance Plan, as described further below, as a Tier 2 participant.
2023 Executive Bonus Program
For 2023, the compensation committee approved a bonus program under the terms of our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan in which each named executive officer participated. The 2023 bonus program required the achievement of certain corporate objectives, and in the case of Ms. Lin, certain corporate objectives and individual objectives. For 2023, the performance metrics for Mr. O’Toole and Mr. Dubois were Company revenue and cash balance with each of the performance metrics weighted 50% for purposes of their bonus calculations.
For 2023, the performance metrics for Ms. Lin were Company revenue and cash balance and individualized Management Based Objectives, or MBOs, with the Company revenue and cash balance performance metrics each weighed at 40% and the individualized MBOs weighted at 20% for purposes of her bonus calculation. Ms. Lin’s individualized MBOs were based on the achievement of certain legal, financial, operational, and personnel-related objectives.
For the portion of each named executive officer’s bonus based on the Company revenue and cash balance performance metrics, the maximum payout was 175% of the target amount. For the portion of Ms. Lin’s bonus based on her individualized MBOs, the maximum payout was 100% of the target amount.
Pursuant to the Company’s Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, the compensation committee as administrator of such Plan (or the Board or other committee administering such plan) retains the authority to increase, reduce or eliminate any bonus award under it, based on any factors that such plan administrator determines to be relevant. To earn a bonus award under such plan, participants generally must remain employed with the Company through the date the bonus is paid.
Following the end of the 2023 fiscal year, the compensation committee assessed the Company’s performance against the performance metrics and Ms. Lin’s performance against her individualized MBOs. For 2023, our named executive officers exceeded the targets set pursuant to the revenue and cash balance performance metrics, and Ms.
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Lin met the targets for her individualized MBOs, which resulted in annual cash awards under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for Mr. O’Toole, Mr. Dubois and Ms. Lin being paid out above target in respect of 2023.
Executive Change in Control and Severance Plan
We maintain the BlackSky Technology Inc. Executive Change in Control and Severance Plan (the “Executive Severance Plan”) to provide enhanced severance benefits for a select group of management or highly compensated employees (within the meaning of ERISA) who are designated by the plan administrator as participants and who have executed a participant agreement. Participants may be designated to receive different levels of benefits under the Executive Severance Plan as a Tier 1, 2 or 3 participant, as determined by the plan administrator and set forth in their applicable Participation Agreements. Mr. O’Toole has been designated as a Tier 1 participant under the Executive Severance Plan, and the other named executive officers have been designated as Tier 2 participants.
Upon a participant’s “involuntary termination” (generally defined as a termination of employment (x) by the Company without Cause, as defined in the Executive Severance Plan, and other than due to the participant’s death or disability, or (y) by the participant in a Good Reason Termination, as defined in the Executive Severance Plan, and such involuntary termination is not within a “change in control period” as defined below), the participant shall receive: (i) a lump sum payment equal to 150% (for a Tier 1 participant), 100% (for a Tier 2 participant), or 50% (for a Tier 3 participant) of their base salary, (ii) a prorated target bonus for the year of termination (and any prior year bonus to the extent earned but not yet paid), and (iii) payment of COBRA premiums (or cash in lieu of) for a period of up to 18 months (for a Tier 1 participant), 12 months (for a Tier 2 participant) or six months (for a Tier 3 participant).
Upon a participant’s involuntary termination during the period beginning three months prior to a change in control (as defined in the Executive Severance Plan) and ending 18 months after the change in control (the “change in control period”), the participant shall receive: (i) a lump sum payment equal to 200% (for a Tier 1 participant), 150% (for a Tier 2 participant), or 100% (for a Tier 3 participant) of base salary, (ii) prorated target bonus for year of termination (and any prior year bonus to the extent earned but not yet paid), (iii) payment of COBRA premiums (or cash in lieu of) for a period of up to 24 months (for a Tier 1 participant), 18 months (for a Tier 2 participant), or 12 months (for a Tier 3 participant), and (iv) full vesting of time-based equity awards.
All payments under the Executive Severance Plan are contingent on the participant’s execution of a separation agreement and release of claims in favor of BlackSky. In the event any payments would constitute “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and would be subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the participant is entitled to receive either the full amount of such payments, or an amount reduced to the extent necessary to avoid imposition of the excise tax, determined on a “best net after-tax” basis to the participant.
401(k) Plan
We maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan, for the benefit of our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Our 401(k) plan provides eligible employees with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. Under our 401(k) plan, eligible employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation, within the limits prescribed by the Code and the applicable limits under the 401(k) plan, on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) basis, through contributions to the 401(k) plan. All of a participant’s deferral contributions into the 401(k) plan are 100% vested when contributed. The 401(k) plan permits us to make discretionary nonelective employer contributions and discretionary matching employer contributions. Any nonelective employer contribution allocated to a participant will be scheduled to vest as to 25% of such contribution when the participant completes two years of service and as to 25% of such contribution when the participant completes each additional year of service. Any matching employer contributions are 100% vested when contributed. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code. As a tax-qualified retirement plan, pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) plan and earnings on those pre-tax contributions are not taxable to the
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employees until distributed from the 401(k) plan, and earnings on Roth contributions generally are not taxable when distributed from the 401(k) plan.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2023 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Option Awards(1) | Stock Awards(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Brian O’Toole | 9/10/2023 | — | 900,000(3) | $ | 1.27 | 9/10/2033 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2023 | — | — | — | — | 1,532,283(4) | 2,145,196 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2022 | 272,383 | 599,243(5) | 2.15 | 9/10/2032 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2022 | — | — | — | — | 299,622(6) | 419,471 | |||||||||||||||||
2/17/2021(7) | — | — | — | — | 153,898(8) | 215,457 | |||||||||||||||||
| Henry Dubois | 9/10/2023 | — | 450,000(3) | 1.27 | 9/10/2033 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2023 | — | — | — | — | 1,377,952(4) | 1,929,133 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2022 | 254,360 | 559,592(5) | 2.15 | 9/10/2032 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2022 | — | — | — | — | 279,796(6) | 391,714 | |||||||||||||||||
| 6/10/2022 | 110,335 | 183,893(9) | 2.10 | 6/10/2032 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 6/10/2022 | — | — | — | — | 137,234(10) | 192,128 | |||||||||||||||||
12/21/2021(13) | 247,019 | 192,127(11) | 7.97 | 12/21/2031 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 12/21/2021 | — | — | — | — | 96,064(12) | 134,490 | |||||||||||||||||
| Christiana Lin | 9/10/2023 | — | 400,000(3) | 1.27 | 9/10/2033 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2023 | — | — | — | — | 1,181,102(4) | 1,653,543 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2022 | 218,023 | 479,651(5) | 2.15 | 9/10/2032 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 9/10/2022 | — | — | — | — | 239,826(6) | 335,756 | |||||||||||||||||
12/21/2021(13) | 211,730 | 164,680(11) | 7.97 | 12/21/2031 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 12/21/2021 | — | — | — | — | 82,340(12) | 115,276 | |||||||||||||||||
_____________________
(1)Stock options and RSU awards are subject to accelerated vesting upon a named executive officer’s involuntary termination within the change in control period, as provided by the Executive Severance Plan. See “Executive Change in Control and Severance Plan.”
(2)The market value is based on the closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2023, of $1.40 per share.
(3)One third (1/3rd) of the award is scheduled to vest on September 10, 2024, and thereafter, one thirty-sixth (1/36th) of the award is scheduled to vest monthly on the 10th day of each month, subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(4)One-fourth (1/4th) of the RSUs are scheduled to vest on September 10, 2024, and thereafter, one-sixteenth (1/16th) of the total number of RSUs are scheduled to vest quarterly on the 10th day of the third month of each quarter (March 10, June 10, September 10, December 10), subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(5)One fourth (1/4th) of the award vested on September 10, 2023, and thereafter, one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the award is scheduled to vest monthly on the 10th day of each month, subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(6)One-fourth (1/4th) of the RSUs vested on September 10, 2023, and thereafter, one-sixteenth (1/16th) of the total number of RSUs are scheduled to vest quarterly on the 10th day of the third month of each quarter (March 10, June 10, September 10, December 10), subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
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(7)The RSU award granted on February 17, 2021, was granted pursuant to the BlackSky 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”).
(8)50% of the shares vested 180 days after the merger and thereafter, one-sixteenth (1/16th) of the total number of RSUs are scheduled to vest quarterly on the 10th day of the third month of each quarter (March 10, June 10, September 10, December 10), subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(9)One fourth (1/4th) of the award vested on the June 10, 2023, and thereafter, one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the award is scheduled to vest monthly on the 10th day of each month, subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(10)One-fourth (1/4th) of the RSUs vested on June 10, 2023, and thereafter, one-sixteenth (1/16th) of the total number of RSUs are scheduled to vest quarterly on the 10th day of the third month of each quarter (March 10, June 10, September 10, December 10), subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(11)One fourth (1/4th) of the award vested on September 10, 2022, and thereafter, one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the award is scheduled to vest monthly on the 10th day of each month, subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(12)One-fourth (1/4th) of the RSUs vested on September 10, 2022, and thereafter, one-sixteenth (1/16th) of the total number of RSUs are scheduled to vest quarterly on the 10th day of the third month of each quarter (March 10, June 10, September 10, December 10), subject to the named executive officer continuing to be a service provider through the applicable vesting date.
(13)These options were forfeited back to the Company on March 11, 2024 for no consideration.
Director Compensation
In September 2021 in connection with the closing of the merger, our Board adopted an outside director compensation policy (the “Outside Director Compensation Policy”). The Outside Director Compensation Policy is designed to align the interests of the non-employee directors with the interests of stockholders through equity awards and to attract and retain high quality non-employee directors by providing competitive compensation. On March 6, 2023, our Board adopted an amended outside director compensation policy (the “Amended Outside Director Compensation Policy”) to permit directors to elect to receive their annual cash retainer in BlackSky stock instead of cash. All compensation paid to our non-employee directors for fiscal year 2022 was pursuant to the Outside Director Compensation Policy adopted at the time of the merger. All compensation paid to our non-employee directors for fiscal year 2023 was pursuant to the terms of the Outside Director Compensation Policy adopted at the time of the merger, or the Amended Outside Director Compensation Policy upon and after adoption of such amended policy.
Cash Compensation
The Outside Director Compensation Policy provides for an annual cash retainer of $90,000, which is payable quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis. There are no additional retainers for service as a member (or chairperson) of a committee of our Board, as chairperson of our Board, or as lead director and no per-meeting attendance fees for attending meetings of our Board or any of our committees. Pursuant to our Amended Outside Director Compensation Policy, beginning in the third quarter of 2023, directors who elect to receive the annual retainer in shares of our Class A common stock, instead of cash, will receive such retainer in shares of our stock.
Equity Compensation
Initial Award. Pursuant to the Outside Director Compensation Policy, each individual who becomes a non-employee director will receive, on the first trading day on or after the date that the individual first becomes a non-employee director, an initial award (the “Initial Award”) of restricted stock units with a grant date fair value equal to $300,000. The Initial Award will be scheduled to vest as to one-third of the shares subject to the Initial Award on each of the one-, two-, and three-year anniversaries of the Initial Award’s grant date, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting dates. If the person was a member of the BlackSky Board and also an employee, becoming a non-employee director due to termination of employment will not entitle the individual to an Initial Award.
Annual Award. Pursuant to the Outside Director Compensation Policy, each non-employee director automatically will receive, on the first trading day immediately after the date of each annual meeting of our stockholders, an annual award (the “Annual Award”) of restricted stock units covering a number of shares of our
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common stock having a grant date fair value of $150,000, provided that such individual, as of the date of an annual meeting of our stockholders, has served as a non-employee director for at least six months. Each Annual Award will be scheduled to vest as to all of the shares subject to the Annual Award on the one-year anniversary of the Annual Award’s grant date, or if earlier, the day of the next annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the grant date of the Annual Award, subject to continued service through such vesting date.
Other Initial Award and Annual Award Terms. Each Initial Award and Annual Award will be granted under the 2021 Plan (or its successor plan, as applicable) and form of award agreement under such plan. For purposes of each Initial Award and Annual Award, the award’s grant date fair value will be determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Change in Control. In the event of a change in control, as defined in the 2021 Plan (or its successor plan, as applicable), each non-employee director’s then-outstanding equity awards covering shares of our common stock that were granted to them while a non-employee director will accelerate vesting in full, provided that they remain a non-employee director through the date of the change in control.
Director Compensation Limits. The Outside Director Compensation Policy provides that in any fiscal year, a non-employee director may not be granted equity awards, the value of which will be based on their grant date fair value determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and be provided any other compensation (including without limitation any cash retainers or fees) in amounts that, in any fiscal year, in the aggregate, exceed $500,000, provided that in the fiscal year of the individual’s initial service as a non-employee director, such amount will be increased to $800,000. Equity awards granted or other compensation provided to an individual for their services as employee, or for their services as a consultant (other than as a non-employee director), will not count toward this annual limit.
Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2023
The following table sets forth information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our non-employee directors for their service on our Board, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for their service as directors. During 2023, Mr. O’Toole was an employee and executive officer of the Company and therefore, did not receive compensation as a director. See “Executive Compensation” for additional information regarding Mr. O’Toole’s compensation.
Pursuant to the Amended Outside Director Compensation Policy adopted by the Board on March 6, 2023, our directors could elect to receive their annual cash retainer in BlackSky stock instead of cash effective for the third and fourth quarters of 2023. The amounts reflected below under the column titled "Fees Paid or Earned in Cash" include the annual retainer as either cash or Class A common stock in lieu of cash.
| Name | Fees Paid or Earned in Cash ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Total ($) | ||||||||
| William Porteous | 90,000 | 150,000 | 240,000 | ||||||||
| Magid Abraham | 90,000 | 150,000 | 240,000 | ||||||||
| David DiDomenico | 90,000 | 150,000 | 240,000 | ||||||||
| Susan Gordon | 90,000 | 150,000 | 240,000 | ||||||||
| Timothy Harvey | 90,000 | 150,000 | 240,000 | ||||||||
| James Tolonen | 90,000 | 150,000 | 240,000 | ||||||||
_____________________
(1)Pursuant to our Amended Outside Director Compensation Policy, Mr. Porteous, Dr. Abraham, Ms. Gordon, Mr. Harvey, and Mr. Tolonen each elected to receive their retainer fees for the third and fourth quarters of 2023, valuing $45,000 in total, in shares of our Class A common stock, instead of cash, and, as a result, were each granted 19,230 restricted stock units on September 30, 2023 and 16,071 restricted stock units on December 31, 2023, all of which were 100% vested on the date of grant. Amounts in this column include the $45,000 in retainer fees received in the form of shares of our Class A common stock for each of Mr. Porteous, Dr. Abraham, Ms. Gordon, Mr. Harvey, and Mr. Tolonen. Please see “Director Compensation” and “Cash Compensation” above for information regarding our Amended Outside Director Compensation Policy.
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(2)The following table lists all outstanding stock awards held by non-employee directors as of December 31, 2023:
| Name | Number of Shares Underlying Outstanding Stock Awards | ||||
| William Porteous | 130,908 | ||||
| Magid Abraham | 130,908 | ||||
| David DiDomenico | 130,908 | ||||
| Susan Gordon | 130,908 | ||||
| Timothy Harvey | 130,908 | ||||
| James Tolonen | 130,908 | ||||
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes our equity compensation plan information as of December 31, 2023.
| Plan Category | (a) Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | (b) Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights(1) | (c) Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(2) | 23,462,901 | $ | 2.75 | 9,378,684(3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(3) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 23,462,901 | $ | 2.75 | 9,378,684 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________
(1)Restricted stock units, which do not have an exercise price, are excluded in the calculation of weighted-average exercise price.
(2)Equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders include the 2021 Plan and the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP). The 2021 Plan provides that the number of shares of Class A common stock available for issuance will automatically increase on the first day of each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal 2022, in an amount equal to the least of (i) 22,504,700 shares, (ii) five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of our common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (iii) such other amount as the administrator (our Board or any of its committees) may determine. The ESPP provides that the number of shares of our Class A common stock available for issuance under the ESPP will automatically increase on the first day of each fiscal year beginning with fiscal 2022, in an amount equal to the least of (i) 4,501,000 shares, (ii) one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of our common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (iii) such other amount as the administrator (our Board or any committee designated by the Board) may determine. Our Board determined not to increase the amount of the ESPP as of January 1, 2023 and as of January 1, 2024.
(3)Includes shares of our Class A common stock available for issuance as of December 31, 2023 as follows: 4,170,419 under the ESPP, which includes 167,410 subject to purchase during the current purchase period, and 5,208,265 under the 2021 Plan.
(4)Each of the 2014 Plan and the Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) was adopted by Legacy BlackSky prior to the business combination, and no additional awards will be granted pursuant to the 2014 Plan or the 2011 Plan. However, we assumed certain equity awards granted pursuant to each of the 2014 Plan and 2011 Plan in connection with the business combination. As of December 31, 2023, the number of securities to be issued upon exercise, or vesting, of outstanding equity awards pursuant to each of the 2014 Plan and 2011 Plan was 1,472,736 and 1,823, respectively, and the weighted-average exercise price of the outstanding options was $0.34 and $1.97, respectively.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock as of April 1, 2024, by:
•each person or group of affiliated persons known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding Class A common stock;
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•each of our named executive officers and directors; and
•all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if they or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security. Under those rules, beneficial ownership includes securities that the individual or entity has the right to acquire, such as through the exercise of stock options, within 60 days of April 1, 2024. Shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2024 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
Except as noted by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, based on the information provided to us, we believe that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. The beneficial ownership percentages in the table below are calculated based on 146,771,374 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding as of April 1, 2024.
| Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner(1) | Number | Percentage | ||||||
Greater than 5% Stockholders: | ||||||||
Entities affiliated with Mithril LP(2) | 18,628,026 | 12.7% | ||||||
Seahawk SPV Investment LLC(3) | 16,364,532 | 11.1% | ||||||
VCVC IV LLC(4) | 9,951,809 | 6.8% | ||||||
Named Executive Officers and Directors: | ||||||||
Brian O’Toole(5) | 2,603,902 | 1.8% | ||||||
Henry Dubois(6) | 762,975 | * | ||||||
Christiana Lin(7) | 461,569 | * | ||||||
Magid Abraham | 129,911 | * | ||||||
David DiDomenico(8) | 1,886,181 | 1.3% | ||||||
Sue Gordon | 146,455 | * | ||||||
Timothy Harvey | 129,911 | * | ||||||
William Porteous | 146,455 | * | ||||||
James Tolonen | 146,455 | * | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons) | 6,413,814 | 4.3% | ||||||
* Represents less than 1% of the total.
_____________________
(1)Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of these shareholders is c/o BlackSky Technology Inc., 13241 Woodland Park Road, Suite 300, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
(2)Based on information included in the Schedule 13D filed by Mithril II LP, Mithril II GP LP (“GP II”), Mithril II UGP LLC, Mithril LP and Mithril GP LP (“GP I) on September 20, 2021, as amended on April 20, 2023. Consists of (i) 10,386,626 shares held by Mithril LP and (ii) 8,241,400 shares held by Mithril II LP. Mithril Capital Management LLC (“MCM”) is a management company that manages Mithril LP and Mithril II LP, and is appointed by GP I, the general partner of Mithril LP, and GP II, the general partner of Mithril II LP, each of which has formal control over its respective fund. Peter Thiel and Ajay Royan are the members of the investment committees of GP I and GP II. The investment committees make all investment decisions with respect to these entities and may be deemed to share voting and investment power over the securities held by Mithril LP and Mithril II LP. The address of each of the Mithril entities and Mr. Royan is c/o Mithril Capital Management, LLC, 600 Congress Ave., Suite 3100, Austin, Texas 78701. The address of Mr. Thiel is c/o Thiel Capital LLC, 9200 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1110, West Hollywood, California 90069.
(3)Based on information included in the Schedule 13G filed by Seahawk SPV Investment LLC on September 23, 2021, Seahawk SPV Investment LLC (“Seahawk”) is the record holder of such shares. Seahawk is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales Alenia Space US Investment LLC (“TAS US”), which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales Alenia Space S.A.S (“TAS”). TAS is a joint venture whose majority owner is Thales S.A., a French public company (“Thales”). By reason of their relationships, TAS US, TAS and Thales may be deemed to share the power to vote or to direct the vote and to dispose or direct the disposition of the shares held by Seahawk and may be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by Seahawk. The address of Seahawk is 2733 South Crystal Drive, Suite 1200, Arlington, Virginia 22202. The address of TAS US is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington,
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County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The address of TAS is 100 Bd du Midi - 06150 Cannes la Bocca - France. The address of Thales is Tour Carpe Diem, 31 Place des Corolles, Esplanade Nord - 92400 Courbevoie - France.
(4)Based on information included in the Schedule 13G filed by Cercano Management LLC (“Cercano”), and Christopher N. Orndorff (“Mr. Orndorff”) on February 13, 2023. Cercano and Mr. Orndorff serve as the Managers of VCVC IV LLC and have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares held by VCVC IV LLC. Both Cercano and Mr. Orndorff disclaim, for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, beneficial ownership of these securities, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that either of Cercano or Mr. Orndorff is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purposes.
(5)Consists of 2,240,725 shares of Class A common stock and 363,177 shares of Class A common stock subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2024.
(6)Consists of 282,845 shares of Class A common stock and 480,130 shares of Class A common stock subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2024.
(7)Consists of 170,872 shares of Class A common stock and 290,697 shares of Class A common stock subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2024.
(8)Consists of 1,564,306 shares of common stock, including 1,056,660 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. DiDomenico, and 253,823 shares of common stock held by each of two trusts, for which Mr. DiDomenico is a trustee, as well as warrants exercisable for 321,875 shares of common stock.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The following is a description of each transaction since January 1, 2022, and each currently proposed transaction, in which:
•we have been or are to be a participant;
•the amount involved exceeded or exceeds $120,000; and
•any of our directors (including director nominees), executive officers, or beneficial holders of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals or entities, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions
Registration Rights Agreement
Certain of our executive officers and significant stockholders entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with us in 2021 granting them or their permitted transferees customary demand and piggyback registration rights, subject to cut-back provisions. We filed an S-1 registration statement satisfying the registration rights of those holders on October 25, 2021, which was subsequently converted to an S-3 registration statement on October 14, 2022. For a complete description of registration rights, you should refer to the Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.7 on this Form 10-K/A.
Pre-Merger Combination Related Party Transactions of Legacy BlackSky
LeoStella Joint Venture
In March 2018, Legacy BlackSky formed a 50-50 joint venture, LeoStella LLC (“LeoStella”), with Thales Alenia Space US Investment LLC (“Thales”), the parent company of Seahawk SPV Investment LLC (“Seahawk”), then a principal stockholder of Legacy BlackSky, pursuant to an amended and restated limited liability company agreement dated March 12, 2018, as amended on October 30, 2018 (the “LeoStella LLC Agreement”). In connection with the formation of LeoStella, Legacy BlackSky entered into a contribution agreement, dated March 12, 2018, with LeoStella, pursuant to which Legacy BlackSky contributed certain satellite-related intellectual property licenses as identified in the technology license agreement executed contemporaneously therewith, a contract needed to effectuate the SPC (defined below), manufacturing equipment, related books and records, and cash. The value of Legacy BlackSky’s contribution to LeoStella totaled approximately $7.0 million. Legacy BlackSky also transferred the employment of certain employees to LeoStella and, pursuant to a reciprocal secondment agreement, agreed to assume and pay all liabilities relating to such transferred employees subject to a later right of reimbursement by LeoStella. Thales also contributed cash to LeoStella as part of its contribution consideration. In addition, Legacy
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BlackSky, Thales Alenia Space France, and LeoStella entered into a technology license agreement whereby Legacy BlackSky licensed to LeoStella certain satellite technology solely for LeoStella to conduct its business, including licensed technology to produce and sell Gen-2 satellites.
The LeoStella LLC Agreement grants LeoStella certain exclusivity and/or right of first refusal and right of last offer rights with respect to the supply of BlackSky’s satellites and certain related services to us, subject to certain exceptions.
Concurrently with the formation of LeoStella in March 2018, BlackSky’s subsidiary, BlackSky Global LLC (“BlackSky Global”), entered into a satellite program contract with LeoStella, as amended in February 2019 and May 2020 (the “SPC”), pursuant to which Legacy BlackSky agreed to procure the design, development, manufacture, testing and assembly of a certain number of Gen-2 satellites from LeoStella, with options to purchase additional Gen-2 satellites, additional support services, ground station support equipment, and/or procurement items as and when needed. For a complete description of the SPC, you should refer to the Satellite Program Contract, dated March 12, 2018, by and between LeoStella LLC and BlackSky Global LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.14 on this Form 10-K/A; Amendment No. 1 to the Satellite Program Contract, dated February 20, 2019, by and between LeoStella LLC and BlackSky Global LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.15 on this Form 10-K/A; and Amendment No. 2 to the Satellite Program Contract, dated May 27, 2020, by and between LeoStella LLC and BlackSky Global LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.16 on this Form 10-K/A.
In October 2019, Legacy BlackSky entered into a side letter agreement with LeoStella and Seahawk, pursuant to which the parties agreed to reduce BlackSky Global’s commitment to purchase satellites under the SPC, provided that specified third parties could purchase the satellites from LeoStella that BlackSky elected not to purchase, and in exchange, Legacy BlackSky and BlackSky Global agreed to remit at least $2.0 million a month to LeoStella for the payment of amounts due under the SPC, subject to certain acceleration payments. The parties subsequently amended the side letter agreement to modify the payment schedule in July 2020 and February 2021. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, BlackSky remitted approximately $312 thousand and $11.2 million, respectively, to LeoStella under the SPC. From January 1, 2024 through April 19, 2024, BlackSky remitted approximately $4 thousand to LeoStella under the SPC.
In February 2021, BlackSky Global entered into a vendor services agreement (“VSA”) with LeoStella pursuant to which LeoStella will, among other services, manufacture and supply Gen-3 satellites for BlackSky Global. In connection with the execution of the VSA, the parties also entered into a technology license agreement pursuant to which BlackSky Global granted LeoStella rights to certain aspects of its Gen-3 satellite technology. The number of Gen-3 satellites that BlackSky Global is committed to order under the VSA is contingent upon certain criteria. LeoStella provides services under the VSA pursuant to work orders that are entered into between the parties from time to time. BlackSky Global expects to enter into further work orders for the manufacture of future Gen-3 satellites, the terms of which have not been finalized. Work orders executed to date have included design review services; time and materials necessary to construct Gen-3 satellites for third-party customers; time and materials for a study; several authorizations to order certain long-lead parts and/or time-sensitive parts and labor; and development, integration, building, testing, and shipment of Gen-3 satellites. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, BlackSky Global remitted approximately $23.6 million and $16.8 million, respectively, to LeoStella under the VSA. From January 1, 2024 through April 19, 2024, BlackSky remitted approximately $13.2 million to LeoStella under the VSA.
Thales Related Operational Agreements
On May 10, 2021, BlackSky Global and Thales Alenia Space France entered into an agreement under which BlackSky Global agreed to purchase telescopes (the “Supply Contract”) for certain of its Gen-3 satellites for a total purchase price of $11.0 million, subject to customary commercial purchase conditions. On January 20, 2022, the parties amended the Supply Contract to increase the scope of work to include integration and other activities, which increased the total price to $16.4 million. On February 4, 2022, the parties executed a second amendment to the Supply Contract to correct a scrivener’s error.
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On December 5, 2023, BlackSky Global and Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A entered into an agreement under which BlackSky Global agreed to purchase two telescopes for certain of its Gen-3 satellites for a total purchase price of $4,500,000.
Intelsat Facility
On October 31, 2019, Legacy BlackSky and its Subsidiaries entered into a secured loan facility, as amended by a First Amendment, dated September 9, 2021, and a Second Amendment, dated May 9, 2023, (the “Intelsat Facility”), with Seahawk and Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A. (“Intelsat”), as lenders, and Intelsat, as agent for the lenders. The Intelsat Facility provides for a secured term loan of up to approximately $68.5 million (including approximately $18.5 million of existing principal and accrued interest owed under a Loan and Security Agreement, dated October 19, 2017, as amended, with Seahawk, which was amended and rolled into the Intelsat Facility) and an uncommitted incremental secured term loan facility of up to approximately $41.6 million. The allowance for a $25.0 million commercial credit facility with a commercial lender is counted against such incremental capacity. The Intelsat Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets and subsidiaries. The Intelsat Facility accrues interest at 4% per annum until October 31, 2022 (which interest is paid in kind), 9% per annum from November 1, 2022 to May 9, 2023, and 12% per annum from May 9, 2023 to the maturity date of October 31, 2026, of which (x) 9.6% will be paid in kind as principal due on the maturity date, with the remainder paid as cash interest on a semi-annual basis, until May 1, 2025 and (y) after May 1, 2025, up to 4% can be paid in kind as principal due on the maturity date, with the remainder to be paid as cash interest on a semi-annual basis. The Second Amendment, dated May 9, 2023, rolled the cash interest payment due on May 1, 2023 into the outstanding principal to be paid on the maturity date. In connection with entering into the Intelsat Facility, Legacy BlackSky amended and restated the Series C Omnibus Agreement, as further described below. In addition, warrants to purchase 20,251,504 shares of Legacy BlackSky Class A common stock and 18,709,116 shares of Legacy BlackSky Class A common stock were issued to Intelsat and Seahawk, respectively. On the date of the closing of the merger, the warrants converted into warrants (i) to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, in each case in an amount equal to the product of the number of shares of Legacy BlackSky Class A common stock into which each such warrant is exercisable as of immediately prior to the merger closing, multiplied by the applicable exchange ratio and (ii) with an exercise price per share of our Class A common stock equal to the quotient of the exercise price of such warrant divided by the applicable exchange ratio. For a complete description of the Intelsat Facility, you should refer to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated October 31, 2019, by and between Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Seahawk SPV Investment LLC, Spaceflight Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries, filed as Exhibit 10.13 on this Form 10-K/A; the First Amendment, Consent and Joinder to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2021, by and among BlackSky Holdings, Inc. and the subsidiaries named therein, Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA and Seahawk SPV Investment LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.17 on this Form 10-K/A; and the Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2023, by and among BlackSky Technology Inc. and the subsidiaries named therein, Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA and Seahawk SPV Investment LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.18 to this Form 10-K/A.
As of March 31, 2024, the outstanding principal balance of the Intelsat Facility was approximately $84.6 million and accrued interest was approximately $4.29 million. From January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024, BlackSky paid no principal under the Intelsat Facility. From January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024, BlackSky paid approximately $989 thousand in interest under the Intelsat Facility.
In connection with entering into the Intelsat Facility, Legacy BlackSky entered into a Right of First Offer Agreement with Intelsat (the “Right of First Offer Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Right of First Offer Agreement, prior to commencing or engaging in a sale of Legacy BlackSky, Legacy BlackSky is obligated to provide written notice of any such proposed sale to Intelsat and Intelsat will have the opportunity to provide Legacy BlackSky with an offer to purchase Legacy BlackSky (an “Intelsat Offer”). Pursuant to the terms of the Right of First Offer Agreement, if Legacy BlackSky does not accept an acquisition offer made by Intelsat, Legacy BlackSky would be permitted to negotiate and enter into an alternative sale transaction, so long as the total enterprise value for Legacy BlackSky and its subsidiaries is greater than 110% of the value implied by any Intelsat Offer. The Right of First Offer Agreement is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2026. This description of the Right of First Offer Agreement is only a summary.
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Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Osprey
In June 2018, Osprey Sponsor II, LLC (the “Sponsor”) purchased 125,000 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of Osprey’s Class B common stock for an aggregate price of $25,000. In September 2018, Osprey effectuated a 69-for-1 forward stock split of its Class B common stock, resulting in an aggregate of 8,625,000 Founder Shares outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 1,125,000 shares were subject to forfeiture to the extent the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part. As adjusted for the 1.1 for 1 stock dividend in October 2019 (see below), such amounts totaled 9,487,500 Founder Shares outstanding, of which 1,237,500 shares were subject to forfeiture. In April 2019, the Sponsor contributed back to Osprey, for no consideration, 1,581,250 Founder Shares (as adjusted for the 1.1 for 1 stock dividend in October 2019), resulting in an aggregate of 7,187,500 Founder Shares outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 937,500 shares were subject to forfeiture. In October 2019, Osprey effected a 1.1 for 1 stock dividend for each share of Class B common stock outstanding, resulting in an aggregate of 7,906,250 Founder Shares outstanding, of which an aggregate of up to 1,031,250 shares were subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full or in part so that the Sponsor would own, on an as-converted basis, approximately 20% of Osprey’s issued and outstanding shares after the initial public offering. The Founder Shares automatically converted into our Class A common stock upon the consummation of the merger on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustments. In connection with the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option in full, 1,031,250 Founder Shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.
Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement entered into among Legacy BlackSky, Osprey and the Sponsor, the Sponsor, solely in its capacity as a stockholder of Osprey, agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell 50% of the Founder Shares of Osprey’s Class B common stock that it purchased (and shares of our Class A common stock issued upon conversion) for seven years, or until their earlier release in two tranches (each equal to approximately one-half of the restricted Founder Shares held by the Sponsor) in the event our Class A common stock reaches a trading price of $15.00 and $17.50, respectively, for 10 of any 20 consecutive trading days after the date of the closing of the merger. The release of the transfer restrictions will be automatically accelerated if we complete a change in control transaction that results in a trading price or consideration payable with respect to a share of our Class A common stock exceeding $10.00, as equitably adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split, cash dividend, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction. Additionally, pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor has agreed, with respect to certain warrants, to not exercise any such warrants unless and until our Class A common stock reaches a trading price of $20.00 per share, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions contemplated by the Sponsor Support Agreement.
Procedures with Respect to Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
Our Board adopted a formal written policy for the review and approval of transactions with related persons. Such policy requires, among other things, that:
•any related person transaction, and any material amendment or modification to a related person transaction, must be reviewed and approved or ratified by an approving body comprised of the disinterested and independent members of our Board or any committee of our Board, provided that a majority of the members of the Board or such committee, respectively, are disinterested; and
•any employment relationship or transaction involving an executive officer and any related compensation must be approved by the compensation committee of our Board or recommended by the compensation committee to our Board for its approval.
In connection with the review and approval or ratification of a related person transaction:
•management must disclose to the approving body the name of the related person and the basis on which the person is a related person, the related person’s interest in the transaction, the material terms of the related person transaction, including the business purpose of the transaction, the approximate dollar value of the
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amount involved in the transaction, the approximate dollar value of the amount of the related person’s interest in the transaction and all the material facts as to the related person’s direct or indirect interest in, or relationship to, the related person transaction;
•management must advise the approving body as to whether the related person transaction complies with the terms of our agreements, including the agreements governing our material outstanding indebtedness, that limit or restrict our ability to enter into a related person transaction;
•management must advise the approving body as to whether the related person transaction will be required to be disclosed in applicable filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and related rules, and, to the extent required to be disclosed, management must ensure that the related person transaction is disclosed in accordance with such statutes and related rules; and
•management must advise the approving body as to whether the related person transaction may constitute a “personal loan” for purposes of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
In addition, the related person transaction policy provides that the approving body, in connection with any approval of a related person transaction involving a non-employee director or director nominee, should consider whether such transaction would compromise the director or director nominee’s status as an “independent” or “non-employee” director, as applicable, under the rules and regulations of the SEC and any exchange on which our securities are listed.
Director Independence
The NYSE listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person who has no material relationship with the listed company, either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company. Our Board has determined that each of Mr. Porteous, Dr. Abraham, Ms. Gordon, Mr. Harvey and Mr. Tolonen, representing five of our seven directors, do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under the listing standards of the NYSE. In making these determinations, our Board considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with BlackSky and all other facts and circumstances that the board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them. Our independent directors have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
There are no family relationships among any of our directors, director nominees or executive officers.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Deloitte
The following table presents fees for professional audit services and other services rendered to us by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
Audit Fees(1) | $ | 1,496,169 | $ | 1,526,961 | |||||||
Audit-Related Fees | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Tax Fees | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
All Other Fees(2) | 7,391 | 7,391 | |||||||||
| Total Fees | $ | 1,503,560 | $ | 1,534,352 | |||||||
_____________________
* Certain fee amounts related to consents and comfort letters in the prior year annual report on Form 10-K/A have been recategorized to “audit” from “audit-related” within the above table to conform to the current year presentation.
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(1)“Audit Fees” consist of fees billed for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of our quarterly consolidated financial statements and related accounting consultations and services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accountants in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years, including services related to registration statements.
(2)“All Other Fees” consist of fees to access Deloitte’s Accounting Research Tool.
Auditor Independence
In 2023, there were no other professional services provided by Deloitte, other than those listed above, that would have required our audit committee to consider their compatibility with maintaining the independence of Deloitte.
Audit Committee Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our audit committee has a policy governing our use of the services of our independent registered public accounting firm. Under this policy, our audit committee is required to pre-approve all services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair such accounting firm’s independence. All services provided by Deloitte for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 were pre-approved by our audit committee.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Amendment on Form 10-K/A:
1.Financial Statements: No financial statements are filed with this Amendment on Form 10-K/A.
2.Financial Statement Schedules: No financial statement schedules are filed with this Amendment on Form 10-K/A
(b) The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Amendment on Form 10-K/A:
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC File No. | Exhibit No. | Filing Date | Filed or Furnished Herewith | ||||||||||||||
2.1† | 424(b)(3) | 333-256103 | Annex A | August 11, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3.1 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 3.1 | September 15, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3.2 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 3.2 | September 15, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4.1 | S-3 | 333-267889 | 4.1 | October 14, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4.2 | S-3 | 333-267889 | 4.3 | October 14, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
4.3 | S-1 | 333-234180 | 4.3 | October 11, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
4.4 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 4.1 | November 5, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
4.5 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 4.5 | March 23, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
4.6 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 4.1 | March 9, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
10.1+ | 424(b)(3) | 333-256103 | Annex E | August 11, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.2+ | 424(b)(3) | 333-256103 | Annex F | August 11, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.3+ | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.13 | September 15, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.4+ | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.4 | September 15, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.5 | S-4 | 333-256103 | 10.10 | May 13, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.6 | 8-K/A | 001-39113 | 10.3 | February 22, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.7 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.5 | February 22, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.8 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.1 | February 22, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.9+ | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.1 | August 18, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.10+ | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.3 | August 18, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.11+ | 10-Q | 001-39113 | 10.2 | August 10, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
10.12+ | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.4 | August 18, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.13 | S-4/A | 333-256103 | 10.17 | June 25, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC File No. | Exhibit No. | Filing Date | Filed or Furnished Herewith | ||||||||||||||
10.14 | S-4/A | 333-256103 | 10.18 | June 25, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.15 | S-4/A | 333-256103 | 10.19 | June 25, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.16 | S-4/A | 333-256103 | 10.20 | June 25, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.17 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.5 | September 15, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.18 | 10-Q | 001-39113 | 10.3 | May 10, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
10.19 | S-1 | 333-260458 | 10.25 | October 25, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.20 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 10.20 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
10.21+ | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.6 | August 18, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.22+ | S-8 | 333-261778 | 4.4 | December 20, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.23+ | S-8 | 333-261778 | 4.5 | December 20, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.24+ | S-8 | 333-261778 | 4.7 | December 20, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.25+ | S-8 | 333-261778 | 4.8 | December 20, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.26+ | S-8 | 333-261778 | 4.9 | December 20, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.27+ | S-8 | 333-261778 | 4.6 | December 20, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
10.28+ | S-8 | 333-261778 | 4.4 | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
10.29+ | 10-K | 001-39113 | 10.34 | March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
10.30† | 10-Q | 001-39113 | 10.1 | August 10, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
10.31 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 1.1 | December 15, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
10.32 | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.2 | March 9, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
10.33†** | 10-K | 001-39113 | 10.33 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC File No. | Exhibit No. | Filing Date | Filed or Furnished Herewith | ||||||||||||||
10.34†** | 10-K | 001-39113 | 10.34 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 10.35** | 8-K | 001-39113 | 10.1 | April 15, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 21.1 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 21.1 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 23.1 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 23.1 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 24.1 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 24.1 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 31.1 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 31.1 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 31.2 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 31.2 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 31.3 | X | |||||||||||||||||||
| 31.4 | X | |||||||||||||||||||
32.1* | 10-K | 001-39113 | 32.1 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
32.2* | 10-K | 001-39113 | 32.2 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
97.1 | 10-K | 001-39113 | 97.1 | March 20, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | X | ||||||||||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | X | ||||||||||||||||||
________________ + Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. | ||||||||||||||||||||
† Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601. The Registrant agrees to furnish an unredacted copy of the exhibit to the SEC upon request. | ||||||||||||||||||||
* The certifications attached as Exhibit 32.1 and 32.2 that accompany this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
** Certain schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule will be furnished supplementally to the SEC upon request; provided, however, that the parties may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any document so furnished. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BlackSky Technology Inc. | |||||||||||
| Date: | April 19, 2024 | By: | /s/ Brian O'Toole | ||||||||
| Brian O’Toole | |||||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
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