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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 20, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 333-______
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
----------------------
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
----------------------
BSQUARE CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
WASHINGTON 91-1650880
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
3633 136TH PLACE S.E. SUITE 100, BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98006
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip code)
AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN
and
BSQUARE CORPORATION 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full titles of the Plans)
WILLIAM T. BAXTER
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
3633 136TH PLACE S.E., SUITE 100
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98006
(Name and address of agent for service)
(425) 519-5900
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
COPIES TO:
MICHAEL J. ERICKSON, ESQ.
LAURA A. BERTIN, ESQ.
SUMMIT LAW GROUP, P.L.L.C.
1505 WESTLAKE AVENUE N., SUITE 300
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98109
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED
PROPOSED MAXIMUM MAXIMUM
TITLE OF SECURITIES TO BE AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF
REGISTERED REGISTERED (1) PER SHARE OFFERING PRICE REGISTRATION FEE (1)
==================================================================================================================
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COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE, 1,402,700 $ 0.05 (3) $ 70,135 $ 19.50
SUBJECT TO OUTSTANDING OPTIONS 33,900 $ 0.50 (3) $ 16,950 $ 4.71
WITH FIXED PRICES UNDER THE 846,450 $ 1.00 (3) $ 846,450 $ 235.31
AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK 610,000 $ 1.44 (3) $ 878,400 $ 244.20
OPTION PLAN 210,000 $ 1.80 (3) $ 378,000 $ 105.08
40,000 $ 2.50 (3) $ 100,000 $ 27.80
372,795 $10.00 (3) $3,727,950 $1,036.37
214,100 $12.00 (3) $2,569,200 $ 714.38
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE, NOT
SUBJECT TO OUTSTANDING OPTIONS
OR NOT HAVING FIXED EXERCISE
PRICES UNDER THE:
==================================================================================================================
AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK 1,848,480 (1) $15.00 (4) $27,727,200 $ 7,708.30
OPTION PLAN
==================================================================================================================
1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE 1,500,000 (2) $15.00 (4) $22,500,000 $ 6,255.00
PLAN
==================================================================================================================
TOTAL 7,078,425 -- $58,814,285 $16,350.65
==================================================================================================================
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(1) Based on shares subject to outstanding options or reserved for future
issuance pursuant to employee benefit plans as of October 19, 1999.
Together with an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be
necessary to adjust the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant
to such employee benefit plans as the result of any future stock split,
stock dividend or similar adjustment of the registrant's outstanding
Common Stock.
(2) Together with an indeterminate number of interests in such plan
pursuant to Rule 416(c).
(3) Computed pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, based upon the exercise prices of options granted as of the
filing date of this Registration Statement.
(4) Estimated as of October 19, 1999, solely for the purpose of calculating
the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended. The proposed maximum offering price is $15.00,
which is the initial offering price of the Common Stock.
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PART I
BSQUARE CORPORATION
FORM S-8 CROSS REFERENCE SHEET SHOWING LOCATION OF INFORMATION
REQUIRED BY PART I OF FORM S-3
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FORM S-3 ITEM NUMBER LOCATION/HEADING IN PROSPECTUS
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1. Forepart of Registration Statement and Outside Outside Front Cover Page
Front Cover Page of Prospectus
2. Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Page of Available Information; Incorporation of
Prospectus Certain Information by Reference
3. Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of Risk Factors
Earnings to Fixed Charges
4. Use of Proceeds Use of Proceeds
5. Determination of Offering Price Not applicable
6. Dilution Not applicable
7. Selling Security Holder Registered Shareholders
8. Plan of Distribution Plan of Distribution
9. Description of Securities to be Registered Not Applicable
10. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
11. Material Changes Not Applicable
12. Incorporation of Certain Information Documents Incorporated by Reference
13. Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification Indemnification
for Securities Act Liabilities
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<PAGE> 4
REOFFER PROSPECTUS
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
BSQUARE CORPORATION
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This Reoffer Prospectus relates to 304,566 shares of the common stock,
no par value, of BSQUARE Corporation, which may be offered from time to time by
certain key employees and consultants named herein (collectively, the
"Registered Shareholders"). It is anticipated that the Registered Shareholders
will offer shares for sale at prevailing prices on the Nasdaq National Market
System on the date of sale. We will receive no part of the proceeds of any sales
made hereunder. All expenses of registration incurred in connection with this
offering are being borne by us, but all selling and other expenses incurred by
each of the Registered Shareholders will be borne by each such Registered
Shareholder.
The common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under
the symbol "BSQR."
The Registered Shareholders and any broker executing selling orders on
behalf of the Registered Shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the meaning of the Securities Act, in which event commissions received by such
broker may be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the Securities Act.
THESE SECURITIES INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ONLY BY
PERSONS WHO CAN AFFORD THE LOSS OF THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
BEGINNING ON PAGE 5.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERING DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR ANY REGISTERED SHAREHOLDER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES BY ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR SUCH
PERSON TO MAKE SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN
IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
----------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS OCTOBER 19, 1999.
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith file reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied
at the Public Reference Room of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's regional of flees at 219 South
Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604; 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10007; and
5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, at prescribed rates. Our common
stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System. Reports, proxy statements,
informational statements and other information concerning us can be inspected at
the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. The commission also maintains a website
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy statements and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the commission.
We intend to furnish our shareholders with annual reports containing
additional financial statements and a report thereon by independent certified
public accountants.
A copy of any document incorporated by reference in this registration
statement (not including exhibits to the information that is incorporated by
reference unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
the information that the registration statement incorporates) of which this
Reoffer Prospectus forms a part but which is not delivered with this Reoffer
Prospectus will be provided by us without charge to any person (including any
beneficial owner) to whom this Reoffer Prospectus has been delivered upon the
oral or written request of such person. Such requests should be directed to
BSQUARE Corporation, Attn: Asst. Secretary, 3150 139th Avenue S.E., Suite 500,
Bellevue, WA 98005-4081.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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BSQUARE CORPORATION 3
RISK FACTORS 5
USE OF PROCEEDS 15
REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS 15
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 17
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL 18
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 18
INDEMNIFICATION 19
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BSQUARE CORPORATION
We provide a broad range of software products and services that
facilitate the integration of the Microsoft Windows CE operating system into a
variety of devices we call intelligent computing devices and enhance the
functionality of those devices. Original equipment manufacturers, semiconductor
vendors and Windows CE software developers rely on our products and services to
help bring customized intelligent computing devices and intelligent computing
device applications to market in a timely fashion. We have been providing
Windows CE-based software services since prior to the commercial release of
Windows CE in September 1996, and therefore we believe that we offer a greater
breadth and depth of Windows CE expertise than any of our current competitors.
Intelligent computing devices are an emerging class of products with
sophisticated processing power that are designed for specific computing and
communications applications. These devices are described as "intelligent" to
distinguish them from rudimentary single-purpose computing devices with only
limited functionality. Examples of intelligent computing devices include
television "set-top boxes," which sit on top of television sets and provide
users with advanced cable TV access services, sophisticated video gaming
features and Internet access; handheld and palm-size PCs; gaming systems;
handheld industrial data collectors; consumer "lnternet appliances" such as
kiosk terminals and navigational devices in cars and trucks; and Windows-based
terminals. Compared to traditional computers, intelligent computing devices are
often less expensive and more adaptable in terms of their size, weight and
shape, while still providing sophisticated computing and communications
capabilities, including Internet connectivity.
Increasingly, intelligent computing devices are able to connect
directly to the Internet, either through wired or wireless telecommunications
systems. As businesses and consumers increasingly use the Internet to transact
business and as demand for smaller and more mobile devices grows, original
equipment manufacturers are developing new intelligent computing devices to
better meet the needs of end users. Because of space constraints and other
design and resource limitations inherent in the intelligent computing device
environment, original equipment manufacturers require a computer operating
system that is both scaleable and highly customizable, with lower system
requirements than traditional PC operating systems. While there are several
different operating systems that can be used in intelligent computing devices,
Windows CE, a versatile and highly adaptable operating system modeled after
Microsoft Windows, is gaining market acceptance among original equipment
manufacturers as an operating system that meets these requirements. As increased
use of the Internet by consumers and businesses helps fuel the growth of the
intelligent computing device market, we believe that the market for Windows CE
will in turn benefit.
We develop products and provide services that facilitate the
development of Windows CE-based intelligent computing devices. We generate
revenue in three distinct ways. First, we provide code-writing and related
engineering services to Microsoft and semiconductor vendors to adapt Windows CE
to different microprocessors and to enhance Windows CE's user-specific features
and functions. For the six months ended June 30, 1999, 87% of our revenue was
generated under our master development and license agreement with Microsoft.
Second, we offer a comprehensive set of software products and services that help
original equipment manufacturers cost-effectively integrate Windows CE into
their intelligent computing devices. These offerings include original equipment
manufacturer adaptation kits, software products and test programs, along with
engineering and quality assurance services, all designed to ensure that Windows
CE works properly with the original equipment manufacturer's computer boards,
which are the internal hardware constituting the core of their intelligent
computing devices. Third, we license a wide range of Windows CE-based software
applications to both original equipment manufacturers and intelligent computing
device consumers to provide additional functions to Windows CE-based intelligent
computing devices, such as printing and faxing capabilities.
We intend to become a primary provider of software products and
services for facilitating the integration of operating systems into intelligent
computing devices. Generally, an operating system provided by vendors in its
original form will not be readily compatible with the increasingly wide variety
of semiconductors and intelligent computing devices that are becoming available
and therefore will need to be adapted in order to function. We refer to this
process as "integration." The key elements of our strategy include building on
our expertise as a provider of Windows CE software products and services,
expanding our strategic relationships with semiconductor vendors and
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<PAGE> 7
original equipment manufacturers, maintaining and expanding our relationship
with Microsoft, developing additional software applications and expanding our
international presence.
We were incorporated in the State of Washington in July 1994. Our
principal executive officers are located at 3633 136th Place S.E., Suite 100,
Bellevue, Washington 98006, and our telephone number is (425) 519-5900. Our
World Wide Web address is www.bsquare.com. Information on our website does not
constitute a part of this prospectus.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other
information contained in this prospectus before purchasing our common stock.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Any of the
following risks could materially adversely affect our business, operating
results and financial condition and could result in a complete loss of your
investment.
UNANTICIPATED FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS DUE TO FACTORS
SUCH AS ADVERSE CHANGES IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MICROSOFT OR A DECLINE IN THE
MARKET FOR WINDOWS CE-BASED INTELLIGENT COMPUTING DEVICES COULD CAUSE OUR STOCK
PRICE TO DECLINE SIGNIFICANTLY.
Our operating results have fluctuated in the past, and we expect that
they will continue to do so. We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our
operating results are not meaningful, and you should not rely on such
comparisons to predict our future performance. If our operating results fall
below the expectations of stock analysts and investors, the price of our common
stock may fall. Factors that may cause our quarterly operating results to
fluctuate include:
- the failure or perceived failure of Windows CE, the operating
system upon which demand for our products and services is
dependent, to achieve widespread market acceptance;
- the failure of the intelligent computing device market to
develop;
- adverse changes in our relationship with Microsoft, from whom
a substantial portion of our revenue is generated and on whom
we rely to continue to develop and promote Windows CE;
- our inability to develop and market new and enhanced products
and services on a timely basis;
- unanticipated delays, or announcement of delays, by Microsoft
of Windows CE product releases, which could cause us to delay
our product introductions and adversely affect our customer
relationships;
- changes in demand for our products and services;
- increased competition and changes in our pricing as a result
of increased competitive pressure;
- our ability to control our expenses, a large portion of which
are relatively fixed and which are budgeted based on
anticipated revenue trends, in the event that customer
projects, particularly Microsoft projects, are delayed,
curtailed or discontinued;
- changes in the mix of our services and product revenue, which
have different gross margins;
- underestimates by us of the costs to be incurred in
significant fixed-fee service projects; and
- varying customer buying patterns which are often influenced by
year-end budgetary pressures. In addition, our stock price may
fluctuate due to conditions unrelated to our operating
performance, including general economic conditions in the
software industry and the market for technology stocks.
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF OUR REVENUE, INCLUDING 87% OF OUR TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999, IS GENERATED FROM OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MICROSOFT,
WHICH CAN BE MODIFIED OR TERMINATED BY MICROSOFT AT ANY TIME.
In 1997 and 1998, and for the six months ended June 30, 1999, 39%, 79%
and 87% of our revenue, respectively, was generated under our master development
and license agreement with Microsoft. The master agreement, the current
renewable term of which concludes in July 2000, includes a number of
project-specific work plans. We bill Microsoft on a time-and-materials basis,
although each project has a maximum dollar cap. We expect the revenue generated
from work plans with Microsoft will continue to comprise the majority of our
revenue for the next several years. We presently have dedicated approximately
200 of our 270 engineers to these projects. However, the master agreement and
each of the individual work plans may be terminated or modified by Microsoft at
any time. In addition, there is no guarantee that Microsoft will continue to
enter into additional work plans with us. In the past, Microsoft has modified
the timing and scope of certain projects, requesting that our engineers be moved
from one project to another, as well as our relationships with our customers.
For example, in late 1997 Microsoft decided to contract with us to provide
Windows CE support services to semiconductor vendors with whom we had previously
contracted directly. As a result, from late 1997 through late 1998 our revenue
shifted from being generated by a variety of semiconductor vendors to being
generated primarily by Microsoft. We do not
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<PAGE> 9
believe that we could replace the Microsoft revenue in the short- or medium-term
if existing work plans were canceled or curtailed, and such cancellations or
curtailments would substantially reduce our revenue. Microsoft is a publicly
traded company that files financial reports and information with Securities and
Exchange Commission. These reports are publicly available under Microsoft's
Exchange Act filing number, 000-14278. For a description of where this
information can be obtained, see "Available Information."
IF THE MARKET FOR THE WINDOWS CE OPERATING SYSTEM FAILS TO DEVELOP FULLY OR
DEVELOPS MORE SLOWLY THAN WE EXPECT, OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATING RESULTS WILL BE
MATERIALLY HARMED.
Windows CE is one of many operating systems developed for the
intelligent computing device market and the extent of its future acceptance is
uncertain. Because all of our revenue to date has been generated by software
products and services dependent on the Windows CE operating system, if the
market for Windows CE fails to develop fully or develops more slowly than we
expect, our business and operating results will be significantly harmed. Market
acceptance of Windows CE will depend on many factors, including:
- Microsoft's development and support of the Windows CE market.
As the developer and primary promoter of Windows CE, if
Microsoft were to decide to discontinue or lessen its support
of the Windows CE operating system, potential customers could
select competing operating systems, which would reduce the
demand for our Windows CE-based software products and
services. In addition, Microsoft has developed a version of
its Windows NT operating system for intelligent computing
devices and could decide to shift its support to this
operating system to the detriment of Windows CE;
- the ability of the Windows CE operating system to compete
against existing and emerging operating systems for the
intelligent computing device market including: VxWorks from
WindRiver Systems Inc., pSOS from Integrated Systems, Inc.,
VRTX from Mentor Graphics Corporation, JavaOS from Sun
Microsystems, Inc. and LINUX. In particular, in the market for
palm-size devices, Windows CE faces intense competition from
PalmOS used on 3Com Corporation's Palm devices and to date has
had limited success in this market. In the market for cellular
phones, Windows CE faces intense competition from the EPOC
operating system from Symbian, a joint venture between several
of the largest manufacturers of cellular phones, which
recently announced it has agreed to discuss cross-licensing
its technology with the Palm Company unit of 3Com. Windows CE
may be unsuccessful in capturing a significant share of these
two segments of the intelligent computing device market, or in
maintaining its market share in those other segments of the
intelligent computing device market on which our business
currently focuses, including the markets for Internet-enabled
television set-top boxes, handheld industrial devices,
consumer Internet appliances such as kiosk terminals and
vehicle navigational devices, and Windows-based terminals;
- the acceptance by original equipment manufacturers and
consumers of the mix of features and functions offered by
Windows CE; and
- the willingness of software developers to continue to develop
and expand the applications that run on Windows CE. To the
extent that software developers write applications for
competing operating systems that are more attractive to
intelligent computing device end users than those available on
Windows CE, potential purchasers could select competing
operating systems over Windows CE.
IF THE MARKET FOR INTELLIGENT COMPUTING DEVICES FAILS TO DEVELOP FULLY OR
DEVELOPS MORE SLOWLY THAN WE EXPECT, OUR REVENUE WILL NOT GROW AS FAST AS
ANTICIPATED, IF AT ALL.
The market for intelligent computing devices is emerging and the
potential size of this market and the timing of its development are not known.
As a result, our profit potential is uncertain and our revenue may not grow as
fast as we anticipate, if at all. We are dependent upon the broad acceptance by
businesses and consumers of a wide variety of Windows CE-based intelligent
computing devices, which will depend on many factors, including:
- the development of content and applications for intelligent
computing devices;
- the willingness of large numbers of businesses and consumers
to use devices such as handheld and palm-size PCs and handheld
industrial data collectors to perform functions currently
carried out
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<PAGE> 10
manually or by traditional PCs, including inputting and
sharing data, communicating among users and connecting to the
Internet; and
- the evolution of industry standards that facilitate the
distribution of content over the Internet to these devices via
wired and wireless telecommunications systems, satellite or
cable.
IF MICROSOFT ADDS FEATURES TO ITS WINDOWS CE OPERATING SYSTEM THAT DIRECTLY
COMPETE WITH SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WE PROVIDE, OUR REVENUE COULD BE
REDUCED AND OUR PROFIT MARGINS COULD SUFFER.
As the developer of Windows CE, Microsoft could add features to its
operating system that directly compete with the software products and services
we provide to our customers. Such features could include, for example, faxing,
hardware- support packages and quality-assurance tools. The ability of our
customers or potential customers to obtain software products and services
directly from Microsoft that compete with our software products and services
could harm our business. Even if the standard features of future Microsoft
operating system software were more limited than our offerings, a significant
number of our customers and potential customers might elect to accept more
limited functionality in lieu of purchasing additional software. Moreover, the
resulting competitive pressures could lead to price reductions for our products
and reduce our profit margins.
IF WE DO NOT MAINTAIN OUR FAVORABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH MICROSOFT, WE WILL HAVE
DIFFICULTY MARKETING OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND MAY NOT RECEIVE
DEVELOPER RELEASES OF WINDOWS CE, AND OUR REVENUE AND OPERATING MARGINS WILL
SUFFER.
In the event that our relationship with Microsoft were to deteriorate,
then our efforts to market and sell our software products and services to
original equipment manufacturers could be adversely affected and our business
would be harmed. Microsoft has great influence over the development plans and
buying decisions of original equipment manufacturers utilizing Windows CE for
intelligent computing devices. Many of our original equipment manufacturer
customers are referred to us by Microsoft. Moreover, Microsoft controls the
marketing campaigns related to its operating systems, including Windows CE.
Microsoft's marketing activities, including trade shows, direct mail campaigns
and print advertising, are important to the continued promotion and market
acceptance of Windows CE and, consequently, of our Windows CE-based software
products and services. We must maintain mutually successful relationships with
Microsoft so that we may continue to participate in joint marketing activities
with Microsoft, including participating with Microsoft in "partner pavilions" at
trade shows and listing our services on Microsoft's website, and to receive
referrals from Microsoft. In the event that we are unable to continue our joint
marketing efforts with Microsoft or fail to receive referrals from Microsoft, we
would be required to devote significant additional resources and incur
additional expenses to market our software products and services directly to
potential customers. In addition, we depend on receiving from Microsoft
developer releases of new versions of and upgrades to Windows CE and related
Microsoft software in order to timely develop and ship our products and provide
services. If we are unable to receive these developer releases, our revenue and
operating margins would suffer.
UNANTICIPATED DELAYS, OR ANNOUNCEMENT OF DELAYS, BY MICROSOFT OF WINDOWS CE
PRODUCT RELEASES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR SALES.
Unanticipated delays, or announcement of delays, in Microsoft's
delivery schedule for new versions of its Windows CE operating system could
cause us to delay our product introductions and impede our ability to complete
customer projects on a timely basis. These delays or announcements by Microsoft
could also cause our customers to delay or cancel their project development
activities or product introductions. Any resulting delays in, or cancellations
of, our planned product introductions or in our ability to commence or complete
customer projects may adversely affect our revenue and could cause our quarterly
operating results to fluctuate. For example, in 1998 Microsoft delayed the
release of a version of its Windows CE Platform Builder, which delayed our
introduction of a complementary product for an original equipment manufacturer
customer.
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WE HAVE SIGNED A NON-COMPETITION PROVISION WITH MICROSOFT WHICH COULD LIMIT OUR
ABILITY TO SUSTAIN OR GROW OUR BUSINESS.
We must receive written permission from Microsoft in order to design or
develop products, or provide services in connection with products, which compete
with the Microsoft Windows CE operating system or related products in existence
as of October 1, 1998 or which Microsoft is developing or intends to develop or
acquire. The term of our non-competition provision coincides with the term of
our master agreement with Microsoft, which concludes in July 2000. Therefore, if
there is a significant shift away from Microsoft operating systems in the
intelligent computing device market segments that we are targeting, including
the markets for Internet-enabled television set-top boxes, handheld and
palm-size PCs, handheld industrial data collectors, consumer Internet appliances
such as kiosk terminals and vehicle navigational devices, and Windows-based
terminals, we will be unable to target and support other operating system
platforms during the term of our non-competition provision. Similarly, because
the non-competition provision effectively requires us to devote all of our
resources to supporting the Windows CE operating system, if our relationship
with Microsoft is curtailed or terminated we would be required to invest
significant time and resources to transition our operations to target and
support competing operating systems. Moreover, to the extent that Microsoft
challenges any of our activities which we believe are not prohibited by the
non-competition provision, we may become involved in litigation to enforce our
rights under the agreement. Litigation, whether successful or not, could harm
our relationship with Microsoft, result in substantial costs and divert our
resources, any of which could harm our business.
THE FIXED-FEE ARRANGEMENTS WE HAVE WITH MANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS EXPOSE US TO THE
RISK THAT WE MAY UNDERESTIMATE OUR COSTS FOR PROJECTS, WHICH COULD LOWER OUR
PROFIT MARGINS.
In addition to the capped-fee arrangements we have with Microsoft, we
provide our services to many of our customers under fixed-fee arrangements. In
1998 and for the six months ended June 30, 1999, approximately 12% and 10%,
respectively, of our total revenue was derived from fixed-fee contracts. In the
event that we underestimate the scope or work effort required for a customer's
project, we may be required to complete the project at a loss or at a
significantly reduced gross margin. If we underestimate the fees for a series of
projects and/or a very large project, our gross margins for a fiscal period may
decline. In addition, revenue from these contracts is recognized on the
percentage-of-completion method, measured by the cost incurred to date relative
to the estimated total cost for the contract. If we underestimate the time
necessary to complete these projects, we may be required to recognize revenue at
a later time than we had anticipated, which would have a negative impact on our
financial condition and cause our quarterly results to fluctuate.
IF WE FAIL TO SECURE CONTRACTS ON SUFFICIENTLY PROFITABLE TERMS, OR AT ALL, WITH
THE LIMITED NUMBER OF MARKET-LEADING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS OUR
REVENUE AND PROFIT MARGINS WOULD SUFFER.
Currently substantially all of our non-Microsoft revenue is generated
from sales to original equipment manufacturers. For the six months ended June
30, 1999, approximately 13% of our revenue was from sales to original equipment
manufacturer customers. There are a limited number of original equipment
manufacturer customers that are capable of building and shipping large
quantities of intelligent computing devices. In some market segments, one or two
original equipment manufacturers account for a majority of all unit sales.
Competition for the business of these original equipment manufacturers is
intense. If we fail to secure and maintain service and licensing contracts with
the limited number of original equipment manufacturers in these markets we may
not be able to participate in those market segments. In addition, as a result of
their strong market position, these companies are typically able to secure
favorable terms, including favorable pricing, in their technology licensing and
service agreements. Further, many of these potential original equipment
manufacturer customers have the capability to replace our services and products
by utilizing internal resources. For these reasons, there is no guarantee that
we will be able to secure contracts on profitable terms, or at all, with the
market-leading original equipment manufacturers, which could harm our business.
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OUR MARKET IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN PRICE
REDUCTIONS, LOWER GROSS MARGINS AND LOSS OF MARKET SHARE.
The market for Windows CE-based software products and services is
becoming increasingly competitive. Increased competition may result in price
reductions, lower gross margins and loss of market share, which would harm our
business. We face competition from:
- our current and potential customers' internal research and
development departments that may seek to develop their own
proprietary solutions;
- large professional engineering services firms such as Cadence
Design Systems, Inc. and Electronic Data Systems Corporation
that may enter the market;
- established intelligent computing device software and tools
manufacturers such as Applied Microsystems Corporation,
Spyglass, Inc., Phoenix Technologies, Inc., Mentor Graphics
and Integrated Systems; - small- and medium-size engineering
services companies such as VenturCom, Inc., Eclipse
International, Inc., BlueWater Systems, Inc. and Vadem; and
- software and component distributors such as Avnet/Hamilton
Hallmark, Pioneer and Annasoft Systems. As we develop new
products, particularly products focused on specific
industries, we may begin competing with companies with whom we
have not previously competed.
It is also possible that new competitors will enter the market or that our
competitors will form alliances, including alliances with Microsoft, that may
enable them to rapidly increase their market share. Although we are subject to a
non-competition provision with Microsoft, Microsoft has not agreed to any
exclusive arrangement with us nor has it agreed not to compete with us. The
barrier to entering the market as a provider of Windows CE-based intelligent
computing device software and services is low. In addition, Microsoft has
created a marketing program to encourage systems integrators to work on Windows
CE. These systems integrators are given the same access by Microsoft to the
Windows CE technology as we are with respect to system integration. New
competitors may have lower overhead than us and therefore be able to offer
advantageous pricing. We expect that competition will increase as other
established and emerging companies enter the Windows CE-based intelligent
computing device market and as new products and technologies are introduced.
WE DEPEND ON THE CONTINUED SERVICES OF OUR PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER, AND OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON OUR CONTINUED ABILITY TO ATTRACT, TRAIN
AND RETAIN ADDITIONAL QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AT ACCEPTABLE COMPENSATION LEVELS.
We depend substantially on the continued services of William T. Baxter,
our chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. The loss of
the services of Mr. Baxter could harm our business. None of our executive
officers, including Mr. Baxter, has a contract that guarantees employment. In
addition, we depend on our ability to attract, train and retain qualified
personnel, specifically those with management, technical and product development
skills. Competition for such personnel is intense, particularly in geographic
areas recognized as high technology centers such as the greater-Seattle area,
where substantially all of our employees are located. There can be no assurance
that we will be able to attract, train or retain additional highly qualified
technical and managerial personnel in the future, which could harm our business.
Moreover, to remain competitive we have had to increase employee compensation
and our gross margins have been adversely impacted. To the extent such
competitive wage pressure continues or increases our gross margins could suffer.
IF WE FAIL TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, COMPETITORS
MAY BE ABLE TO USE OUR TECHNOLOGY OR TRADEMARKS, WHICH COULD WEAKEN OUR
COMPETITIVE POSITION, REDUCE OUR REVENUE AND INCREASE OUR COSTS.
If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property, our
competitive position could be weakened and our revenue adversely affected. We
rely primarily on a combination of patent, copyright, trade secret and trademark
laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our
intellectual property. These laws and procedures provide only limited
protection. We have applied for three patents relating to our engineering work.
These patents, if issued, may not provide sufficiently broad protection or they
may not prove to be enforceable against alleged infringers. There can be no
assurance that any of our pending patents will be granted. Even if
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<PAGE> 13
granted, patents may be circumvented or challenged and, if challenged, may be
invalidated. Any patents obtained may provide limited or no competitive
advantage to us. It is also possible that another party could obtain patents
that block our use of some, or all, of our products and services. If that
occurred, we would need to obtain a license from the patent holder or design
around their patent. The patent holder may or may not choose to make a license
available to us at all or on acceptable terms. Similarly, it may not be possible
to design around such a blocking patent.
In general, there can be no assurance that our efforts to protect our
intellectual property rights through patent, copyright, trade secret and
trademark laws will be effective to prevent misappropriation of our technology,
or to prevent the development and design by others of products or technologies
similar to or competitive with those developed by us. We frequently license the
source code of our products and the source code results of our services to
customers. There can be no assurance that customers with access to our source
code will comply with the license terms or that we will discover any violations
of the license terms or, in the event of discovery of violations, that we will
be able to successfully enforce the license terms and/or recover the economic
value lost from such violations. To license many of our software products, we
rely in part on "shrinkwrap" and "clickwrap" licenses that are not signed by the
end user and, therefore, may be unenforceable under the laws of certain
jurisdictions. As with other software products, our products are susceptible to
unauthorized copying and uses that may go undetected, and policing such
unauthorized use is difficult.
A significant portion of our marks include the word "BSQUARE" or the
preface "b." Other companies use forms of "BSQUARE" or the preface "b" in their
marks alone or in combination with other words, and we cannot prevent all such
third-party uses. We license certain trademark rights to third parties. Such
licensees may not abide by compliance and quality control guidelines with
respect to such trademark rights and may take actions that would harm our
business.
The computer software market is characterized by frequent and
substantial intellectual property litigation, which is often complex and
expensive, and involves a significant diversion of resources and uncertainty of
outcome. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual
property or to defend against a claim of infringement or invalidity. Litigation
could result in substantial costs and the diversion of resources and could harm
our business and operating results.
THIRD PARTIES COULD ASSERT THAT OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES INFRINGE
THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, WHICH COULD EXPOSE US TO ADDITIONAL COSTS
AND LITIGATION.
Third parties may claim that our current or future software products
and services infringe their proprietary rights, and these claims, regardless of
their merit, could increase our costs and harm our business. We have not
conducted patent searches to determine whether the technology used in our
products infringes patents held by third parties. In addition, it is difficult
to determine whether our software products and services infringe third-party
intellectual property rights, particularly in a rapidly evolving technological
environment in which there may be numerous patent applications pending, many of
which are confidential when filed, with regard to similar technologies. If we
were to discover that one of our software products violated a third party's
proprietary rights, we may not be able to obtain a license on commercially
reasonable terms, or at all, to continue offering that software product.
Moreover, any indemnification we obtain against claims that the technology we
license from third parties infringes the proprietary rights of others may not
always be available or may be limited in scope or amount. Even if we receive
broad third-party indemnification, these indemnitors may not have the financial
capability to indemnify us in the event of infringement. In addition, in some
circumstances we could be required to indemnify our customers for claims made
against them that are based on our solutions.
There can be no assurance that infringement or invalidity claims
related to the software products and services we provide or arising from the
incorporation by us of third-party technology, and claims for indemnification
from our customers resulting from such claims, will not be asserted or
prosecuted against us. We expect that software product developers will be
increasingly subject to infringement claims as the number of products and
competitors in the software industry grows and the functionality of products in
different industry segments overlaps. Such claims, even if not meritorious,
could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial
resources in addition to potential product redevelopment costs and delays.
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<PAGE> 14
IF WE DO NOT RESPOND ON A TIMELY BASIS TO TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND EVOLVING
INDUSTRY STANDARDS, OUR FUTURE PRODUCT SALES COULD BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
The market for Windows CE-based software products and services is new
and evolving. As a result, the life cycles of our products are difficult to
estimate. To be successful, we must continue to enhance our current product line
and develop new products. We have experienced delays in enhancements and new
product release dates in the past and may be unable to introduce enhancements or
new products successfully or in a timely manner in the future. Our business may
be harmed if we must delay releases of our products and product enhancements or
if these products and product enhancements fail to achieve market acceptance
when released. In addition, our customers may defer or forego purchases of our
products if we, Microsoft, our competitors or major hardware, systems or
software vendors introduce or announce new products or product enhancements.
Such deferrals or failures to purchase would decrease our revenue.
OUR FIVE-YEAR OPERATING HISTORY MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE OUR FUTURE
PROSPECTS, AND WE CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT OUR REVENUE GROWTH RATE WILL NOT
DECLINE OR THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN OR INCREASE OUR PROFITABILITY.
We were founded in July 1994, generated our first revenue in October
1994 and shipped our first product in November 1996. Accordingly, we have a
limited operating history and you should not rely on our past results to predict
our future performance. The rate of growth of our revenue over the prior year
was 245% from 1996 to 1997 and 71% from 1997 to 1998. The rate of growth of our
revenue over prior periods may continue to decline. We anticipate that our
expenses will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we continue to
develop our technology and expand our product and service offerings. These
efforts may prove more expensive than we currently anticipate, and we may not
succeed in increasing our revenue sufficiently to offset these higher expenses.
If we fail to increase our revenue to keep pace with our expenses, we may
experience losses.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO MANAGE OUR GROWTH OUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER.
Our rapid growth has placed, and is expected to continue to place, a
significant strain on our managerial, technical, operational and financial
resources. From August 1996 to July 1999, we grew from 21 employees to 348
employees, and we expect this rapid growth to continue for the foreseeable
future. To manage our growth, we must implement additional management
information systems, further develop our operational, administrative and
financial systems and expand, train and manage our work force. We will also need
to manage an increasing number of complex relationships with customers,
marketing partners and other third parties. We cannot guarantee that our
systems, procedures or controls will be adequate to support our current or
future operations or that our management will be able to effectively manage our
expansion. Our failure to do so could seriously harm our ability to deliver
products and services in a timely fashion, fulfill existing customer commitments
and attract and retain new customers.
OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS EXPOSE US TO GREATER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,
MANAGEMENT, COLLECTIONS, REGULATORY AND OTHER RISKS.
In late 1998 we opened of flees Germany and Tokyo, Japan. For the six
months ended June 30, 1999, less than 1% of our total revenue was generated by
our international offices.. Our international operations expose us to a number
of risks, including the following:
- greater difficulty in protecting intellectual property due to
less stringent foreign intellectual property laws and
enforcement policies;
- greater difficulty in managing foreign operations due to the
lack of proximity between our home office and our foreign
operations;
- longer collection cycles in Japan than we typically experience
in the U.S.;
- unfavorable changes in regulatory practices and tariffs;
- adverse changes in tax laws;
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<PAGE> 15
- seasonal European sales declines in the summer months;
- the impact of fluctuating exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and
foreign currencies;
- and general economic and political conditions in Asian and European
markets.
These risks could have a material adverse effect on the financial and managerial
resources required to operate our foreign offices, as well as on our future
international revenue, which could harm our business.
IF WE CONDUCT FUTURE ACQUISITIONS, THEY COULD PROVE DIFFICULT TO INTEGRATE,
DISRUPT OUR BUSINESS, DILUTE SHAREHOLDER VALUE AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
OPERATING RESULTS.
Although we currently have no specific understandings, commitments or
agreements for any acquisition, we may make investments in complementary
companies, services and technologies in the future. We have not made any
material acquisitions or investments to date, and therefore our ability as an
organization to conduct acquisitions or investments is unproven. If we fail to
properly evaluate and execute acquisitions and investments, they may seriously
harm our business and prospects. To successfully complete an acquisition, we
must properly evaluate the technology, accurately forecast the financial impact
of the transaction, including accounting charges and transaction expenses,
integrate and retain personnel, combine potentially different corporate cultures
and effectively integrate products and research and development, sales,
marketing and support operations. Our non-compete provision with Microsoft could
impede our acquisition of companies or technologies that compete with the
Windows CE operating system or related products. If we fail to do any of these,
we may suffer losses or our management may be distracted from our day-to-day
operations. In addition, if we conduct acquisitions using debt or equity
securities, existing shareholders may be diluted, which could affect the market
price of our stock.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO LICENSE KEY SOFTWARE FROM THIRD PARTIES OUR BUSINESS COULD
BE HARMED.
We often integrate third-party software with our internally developed
software to provide software products and services for our original equipment
manufacturer customers. If our relationships with our third-party vendors were
to deteriorate, we might be unable to obtain licenses on commercially reasonable
terms, if at all, for newer versions of their software required to maintain
compatibility. In the event that we are unable to obtain additional licenses, we
would be required to develop this technology internally, which could delay or
limit our ability to introduce enhancements or new products or to continue to
sell existing products.
OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS OR THE THIRD-PARTY HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE INTEGRATED WITH
OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MAY SUFFER FROM DEFECTS OR ERRORS THAT COULD
IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO SELL OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
Software and hardware components as complex as those needed for
intelligent computing devices frequently contain errors or defects, especially
when first introduced or when new versions are released. We have had to delay
commercial release of certain versions of our software products until software
problems were corrected, and in some cases have provided product enhancements to
correct errors in released products. Some of our contracts require us to repair
or replace products that fail to work. To the extent that we repair or replace
products our expenses may increase resulting in a decline in our gross margins.
In addition, it is possible that by the time defects are fixed the market
opportunity may have been missed which may result in lost revenue. Moreover,
errors that are discovered after commercial release could result in loss of
revenue or delay in market acceptance, diversion of development resources,
damage to our reputation or increased service and warranty costs, all of which
could harm our business.
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<PAGE> 16
WE MAY BE SUBJECT TO PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS THAT COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT
COSTS.
Our license agreements with our customers typically contain provisions
designed to limit our exposure to potential product liability claims. It is
possible, however, that these provisions may be ineffective under the laws of
certain jurisdictions. Although we have not experienced any product liability
claims to date, the sale and support of our software products and services
entail the risk of such claims and we may be subject to such claims in the
future. A product liability claim brought against us, whether successful or not,
could harm our business and operating results.
THE LENGTHY SALES CYCLE OF OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MAKES OUR REVENUE
SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLUCTUATIONS.
Our sales cycle is typically three to six months because the expense and
complexity of our products and services generally require a lengthy customer
approval process, and may be subject to a number of significant risks over which
we have little or no control, including:
- customers' budgetary constraints and internal acceptance review
procedures;
- the timing of budget cycles; and
- the timing of customers' competitive evaluation processes. In
addition, to successfully sell our products and services, we
frequently must educate our potential customers about the full
benefits of our products and services, which can require significant
time.
If our sales cycle lengthens unexpectedly, it could adversely affect the timing
of our revenue which could cause our quarterly results to fluctuate.
A SMALL NUMBER OF OUR EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS CAN EXERT CONTROL OVER US.
After this offering, our executive officers, directors and principal
shareholders holding more than 5% of our common stock, consisting of nine
persons and the several entities affiliated with such persons, will together
control approximately 82% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these
shareholders, if they act together, will be able to control our management and
affairs of the company and all matters requiring shareholder approval, including
the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions.
This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control of us and might affect the market price of our common stock.
IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR A THIRD PARTY TO ACQUIRE US EVEN IF DOING SO WOULD BE
BENEFICIAL TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS.
Certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of
incorporation, bylaws and Washington law may discourage, delay or prevent a
change in the control of us or a change in our management even if doing so would
be beneficial to our shareholders. Our board of directors has the authority
under our amended and restated articles of incorporation to issue preferred
stock with rights superior to the rights of the holders of common stock. As a
result, preferred stock could be issued quickly and easily with terms calculated
to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of our
management more difficult. In addition, as of the first annual meeting of
shareholders following the closing of this offering, our board of directors will
be divided into three classes. The directors in each class will serve for
three-year terms, one class being elected each year by our shareholders. This
system of electing and removing directors may tend to discourage a third party
from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our
company because it generally makes it more difficult for shareholders to replace
a majority of our directors. In addition, Chapter 19 of the Washington Business
Corporation Act generally prohibits a "target corporation" from engaging in
certain significant business transactions with a defined "acquiring person" for
a period of five years after the acquisition, unless the transaction or
acquisition of shares is approved by a majority of the members of the target
corporation's board of directors prior to the time of acquisition. This
provision may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in
control of our company. The existence of these antitakeover provisions could
limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares
of our common stock.
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<PAGE> 17
WE WILL HAVE BROAD DISCRETION IN THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS OFFERING. OUR
FAILURE TO APPLY SUCH FUNDS EFFECTIVELY COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS.
We have not designated any specific use for a substantial portion of the
net proceeds from this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds primarily for
general corporate purposes, including working capital and relocation, expenses.
Management will have significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds of the
offering. Our failure to apply such funds effectively could harm our business.
THE SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SHARES THAT WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SALE IN THE FUTURE
MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the
public market following this offering could adversely affect the market price of
the common stock. As additional shares of our common stock become available for
resale in the public market, the supply of our common stock will increase which
could decrease the price. The number of shares of common stock available for
sale in the public market is limited by restrictions under the federal
securities laws and under agreements some of our shareholders, directors and
employees have entered into with the underwriters.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR BUSINESS.
Many computer systems are not currently capable of distinguishing 21st
century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, beginning on January 1,
2000, computer systems and software used by many companies and organizations in
a wide variety of industries, including technology, transportation, utilities,
finance and telecommunications, will produce erroneous results or fail unless
they have been modified or upgraded to process date information correctly.
Significant uncertainty exists in the software industry and other industries
concerning the scope and magnitude of problems associated with the century
change. We may discover that some or all of our software products-are not "Year
2000 compliant" - that is, they are not capable of adequately distinguishing
21st century dates from 20th century dates. In the majority of our software
licenses, we have warranted that dates on or after January 1, 2000 will not
adversely affect the performance of our products. In addition, our software is
generally integrated into customer products involving sophisticated hardware and
complex software products. If this third-party equipment or our own products do
not operate properly with respect to the Year 2000, we may face claims or incur
unexpected expenses to remedy any resulting problems. The costs of defending and
resolving Year 2000-related disputes, regardless of the merits of such disputes,
and any liability we may have for Year 2000-related damages, including
consequential damages, could adversely affect our operating results. Moreover,
if third parties cannot provide us with products, services or systems that meet
the Year 2000 requirements on a timely basis, our business could be harmed.
Further, many of our computer systems are connected to Microsoft's computer
systems, and we depend on this connectivity to communicate and transact business
with Microsoft on various levels. Any failure of this connectivity or of
Microsoft's computers to be Year 2000 compliant may disrupt our communications
with Microsoft and interfere with our ability to transact business. In addition,
we believe that the purchasing patterns of our customers and potential customers
may be affected by Year 2000 issues as companies expend significant resources to
correct or upgrade their current software systems for Year 2000 compliance.
These expenditures may result in reduced funds available to purchase software
products and services such as those we offer. To the extent Year 2000 issues
cause a significant delay in, or cancellation of, decisions to purchase our
products or services, our business would be harmed. If we fail to identify and
remediate all significant Year 2000 problems on a timely basis, our business
could be harmed. Remediation efforts may involve significant time and expense,
and unremediated problems could harm our business.
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<PAGE> 18
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the offering hereunder. We
will derive proceeds from the exercise of options and issuance of shares of
Common Stock upon such exercises, which shares are being registered with the
Commission simultaneously with the registration of the shares being resold
pursuant to this prospectus. Such proceeds will be available to us for working
capital and general corporate purposes. No assurances can be given as to when or
if any or all of the options will be exercised and when or if such proceeds will
become available for our use. All expenses of registration incurred in
connection with this offering are being borne by us, but all selling and other
expenses incurred by the individual Registered Shareholders will be borne by
such Registered Shareholders.
REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
The Reoffer Prospectus relates to shares of common stock which have been
acquired by certain of our key employees and consultants. Registered
Shareholders acquired shares of common stock to be offered hereunder pursuant to
the exercise of options or stock purchase rights granted under our amended and
restated stock option plan. None of the Registered Shareholders will own more
than one percent (1%) of the Company's outstanding securities after the
offering.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Registered Shareholders as of October 19, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE
REGISTERED SHAREHOLDER TITLE OR POSITION WITH BSQUARE OFFERED HEREBY
- ---------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Michael L. Adcock Software Engineer 375
Adam N. Almog Software Engineer 5,500
Sara A. Andersen Payroll Administrator 375
Potjamarn Arpornratn Software Engineer 250
Erik Badger Software Engineer 375
Stephen H. Barnett Software Engineer 5,500
Morris Bernstein Senior Software Engineer 11,250
James J. Birchman Software Engineer 750
John Bono Software Engineer Manager 2,000
Scott E. Bufkin VP of Program Management 100
Paul L. Burstein Director of Sales 12,500
Che-pong Chik Software Engineer 250
Richard D. Chinn Software Engineer 1,250
Eric S. Christoffersen Senior Software Engineer 17,750
Bradley Clark Senior Staff Accountant 188
Morag G. Conlon Facilities Manager 751
Roy E. Dean Software Engineer 1,075
Michael Yap Dy Software Engineer 500
Khai Do Software Engineer 250
Mark D. Dodrill Software Engineer 2,000
Peter Eberhardy Software Engineer 500
Karen Angela Faber Accounting Administrator 350
Glen Furnas Channel Marketing Manager 5,500
John W. Garnett Software Engineer 18,250
Steve Gazzoli Hardware Technician 150
Ann T. Gorman Web Specialist 5,500
Richard Henthorn Director of Operations 1,250
Vu Thanh Huynh Software Engineer 2,250
Diane Istvan General Counsel 30,000
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 19
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE
REGISTERED SHAREHOLDER TITLE OR POSITION WITH BSQUARE OFFERED HEREBY
- ---------------------- -------------------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Melissa L. Kacher Software Engineer 1,250
Leila Kirske VP of Finance 6,750
Fumiko Kurose-Bretzke Software Engineer 11,500
Wendy K. Lam Software Engineer 2,500
Leroy P. Leahy Jr. Senior Software Engineer 11,250
Paul A. Leathers Software Engineer 1,375
Sheri A. Lee Director of Human Resources 12,750
Steven P. Leytus Senior Software Engineer 5,500
Shen-Wei Bravo Li Software Engineer 500
Wei Liu Software Engineer 625
Christopher MacGregor Senior Software Engineer 8,875
Mary A. MacLachlan Senior Software Engineer 1,750
Rima S. Mansour Software Engineer 1,563
Edit Marcinkech Director of Software Engineering 18,750
Michael D. Morris Software Engineer 3,000
John J. McGrath Software Engineer 2,500
Rick L. Negrin Software Engineer 5,500
Zahra Nezam-Tehrani Software Engineer 1,000
Karen A. Noller Accounting Manager 3,000
David J. Orvis Software Engineer 500
Christine C. Peterson Quality Assurance Lead 2,500
Dang-Khoa Pham Software Engineer 2,250
James Van Phan Software Engineer 750
Caprice A. Pine Human Resource Generalist 2,500
Tuan Phung Software Engineer 250
Diane M. Robel Software Engineer 1,000
Nobu Shearon Software Engineer 250
Storm Shearon IS project manager 11,500
Bernardo D. Sulla Software Engineer 500
Lorraine D. Swalley Software Engineering Director 1,563
Jonathan Y. Tien Software Engineering Director 1,250
Henry V. Todd Software Engineer 2,500
Paula L. Tomlinson Senior Software Engineer 2,500
Paul Trunley Software Engineer Manager 8,250
Andrew Tucker Senior Software Engineer 1,500
Mickey C. Von Fossen Senior Software Engineer 1,075
James Walters Senior Software Engineer 2,500
Ty J. Wheeler Software Engineer 876
Donald L. Whitt General Manager 5,000
Jinlong Xu Software Engineer 250
Joe J. Zheng Software Engineer 10,000
Lei Zhou Senior Software Engineer 18,000
Yan Hong Zhu Software Engineer 625
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 20
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The shares of common stock covered by this Reoffer Prospectus are being
registered by us for the account of the Registered Shareholders. We understand
that none of such shares will be offered through underwriters.
The Registered Shareholders may sell the shares in one or more
transactions (which may involve one or more block transactions) on the Nasdaq
National Market, in sales occurring in the public market of such system, in
privately negotiated transactions or in a combination of such transactions. Each
such sale may be made either at market prices prevailing at the time of such
sale or at negotiated prices. The Registered Shareholders may sell some or all
of the shares in transactions involving broker-dealers, who may act as agent or
acquire the shares as principal. Any broker-dealer participating in such
transactions as agent may receive commissions from the Registered Shareholder(s)
(and, if they act as agent for the purchaser of such shares, from such
purchaser). The Registered Shareholders will pay usual and customary brokerage
fees. Broker-dealers may agree with the Registered Shareholders to sell a
specified number of shares at a stipulated price per share and, to the extent
such a broker-dealer is unable to do so acting as agent for the Registered
Shareholders, to purchase as principals any unsold shares at the price required
to fulfill the respective broker-dealer's commitment to the Registered
Shareholders. Broker-dealers who acquire shares as principals may thereafter
resell such shares from time to time in transactions (which may involve cross
and block transactions and which may involve sales to and through other
broker-dealers, including transactions of the nature described above) in the
over-the-counter market negotiated transactions or otherwise, at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated prices, and in connection with
such resales may pay to or receive from the purchasers of such shares
commissions. To our knowledge, there is currently no agreement with any broker
or dealer respecting the sale of the shares offered hereby. Upon the sale of any
such shares, the Registered Shareholders or anyone effecting sales on behalf of
the Registered Shareholders may be deemed an underwriter, as that term is
defined under the Securities Act. We will pay all expenses of preparing and
reproducing this Reoffer Prospectus, but will not receive the proceeds from
sales by the Registered Shareholders. Sales will be made at prices prevailing at
the time of such sales.
We have advised the Registered Shareholders that the anti-manipulation
rules under Regulation M of the Exchange Act may apply to sales of the shares in
the market. We have also informed the Registered Shareholders of the possible
need for delivery of copies of this prospectus to prospective purchasers.
Registered Shareholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in
transactions involving the sale of the Shares against certain liabilities,
including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Any commissions paid or
discounts or concessions allowed to any such broker-dealers, and, if any such
broker-dealers purchase shares as principal in a transaction, any profits
received on the resale of such shares, may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Shares being sold pursuant
to this prospectus must be sold by the Registered Shareholders in compliance
with Rule 144(e) of the Securities Act, which limits the amount of securities
that can be sold by any one person (and others whose stock would be aggregated
with the stock owned by such person) in any three- month period to the greater
of:
- 1% of the shares of our outstanding Common Stock as shown by our most
recently filed report or statement we have filed with the SEC; or
- the average weekly reported volume of trading in our Common Stock as
reported on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks immediately
preceding the date of receipt of the order to execute the transaction
by the broker or the date of execution of the transaction directly
with a market maker.
In addition, any Shares covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale
pursuant to Rule 144 may be sold under that Rule rather than pursuant to this
prospectus.
We are bearing all costs relating to the registration of the shares. Any
commissions or other fees payable to broker-dealers in connection with any sale
of the shares will be borne by the Registered Shareholders or other party
selling such shares. In order to comply with certain states' securities laws, if
applicable, the shares will be sold in such jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In certain states the shares may not
be sold unless the shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such
state, or unless an exemption form registration or qualification is available
and is obtained.
-17-
<PAGE> 21
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
The validity of the common stock being registered hereby will be passed
upon for us by Summit Law Group, P.L.L.C., Seattle, Washington. As of the date
of this registration statement, Summit Law Group beneficially owns 34,722 shares
of our common stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the
following documents previously filed with the Commission:
(a) Our prospectus filed with the Commission under Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-85351 on Form
S-1 filed with the Commission on August 17, 1999, together with any and all
amendments thereto, in which there is set forth audited financial statements for
BSQUARE's fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998.
(b) Our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on
October 15, 1999, under Section 12 of the Exchange Act in which there is
described the terms, rights and provisions applicable to BSQUARE's outstanding
Common Stock.
All of such documents are on file with the Commission. All documents
subsequently filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities to be offered pursuant hereto have been sold or which
deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents.
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<PAGE> 22
INDEMNIFICATION
Sections 23B.08.500 through 23B.08.600 of the Washington Business
Corporation Act (the "WBCA") authorize a court to award, or a corporation's
board of directors to grant, indemnification to directors and officers on terms
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act, provided they acted in good faith
and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation
and bylaws require us to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest
extent permitted by Washington law. Our directors and officers of also may be
indemnified against liability they may incur for serving in that capacity
pursuant to a liability insurance policy maintained by us for such purpose.
Section 23B.08.320 of the WBCA authorizes a corporation to limit a
director's liability to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages
for acts or omissions as a director, except in certain circumstances involving
intentional misconduct, knowing violations of law or illegal corporate loans or
distributions, or any transaction from which the director personally receives a
benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally
entitled. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation contain provisions
implementing, to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, such
limitations on a director's liability to us and our shareholders.
We have entered into certain indemnification agreements with its
officers and directors. The indemnification agreements provide our officers and
directors with indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by the WBCA.
-19-
<PAGE> 23
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") are hereby incorporated by reference in this
registration statement by the registrant and the BSQUARE 1999 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"):
(a) The registrant's prospectus filed with the Commission on October 20,
1999 pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act");
(b) The description of the registrant's Common Stock contained in the
registration statement on Form 8-A filed on October 15, 1999 under Section 12(g)
of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports for the purpose of
updating such description.
All documents filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that the securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters the securities covered hereby then remaining
unsold, shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
registration statement and to be a part hereof commencing on the respective
dates on which such documents are filed.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
The validity of the common stock being registered hereby will be passed
upon for the registrant by Summit Law Group, P.L.L.C., Seattle, Washington. As
of the date of this registration statement, Summit Law Group beneficially owns
34,722 shares of the registrant's common stock.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Sections 23B.08.500 through 23B.08.600 of the Washington Business
Corporation Act (the "WBCA") authorize a court to award, or a corporation's
board of directors to grant, indemnification to directors and officers on terms
sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act, provided they acted in good faith
and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation. The registrant's amended and restated articles of
incorporation and bylaws require the registrant to indemnify its officers and
directors to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law. The directors and
officers of the registrant also may be indemnified against liability they may
incur for serving in that capacity pursuant to a liability insurance policy
maintained by the registrant for such purpose.
Section 23B.08.320 of the WBCA authorizes a corporation to limit a
director's liability to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages
for acts or omissions as a director, except in certain circumstances involving
intentional misconduct, knowing violations of law or illegal corporate loans or
distributions, or any transaction from which the director personally receives a
benefit in money, property
II-1
<PAGE> 24
or services to which the director is not legally entitled. The registrant's
amended and restated articles of incorporation contain provisions implementing,
to the fullest extent permitted by Washington law, such limitations on a
director's liability to the registrant and its shareholders.
The registrant has entered into certain indemnification agreements with
its officers and directors. The indemnification agreements provide the
registrant's officers and directors with indemnification to the maximum extent
permitted by the WBCA.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION OF REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
The Registered Shareholders acquired their shares of Common Stock
offered by the Reoffer Prospectus contained herein pursuant to the exercise of
stock options or stock purchase rights granted under the registrant's stock
option plan. These issuances were exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 701
of the Securities Act.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Exhibit
- ------- -------
<S> <C>
4.1 Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant
(filed as Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Registration Statement)
4.2 Bylaws and all amendments thereto of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.2
to the Registration Statement)
5.1 Opinion of Summit Law Group, P.L.L.C.
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Auditors
23.2 Consent of Summit Law Group, P.L.L.C. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 Power of Attorney (see signature page)
99.1 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1)
99.2 BSQUARE Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1)
</TABLE>
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
registration statement; and
II-2
<PAGE> 25
(iii) To include any material information with respect
to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration
statement or any material change to such information in this registration
statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
pursuant to section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
II-3
<PAGE> 26
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Bellevue, State of Washington, on the 19th day of
October, 1999.
BSQUARE CORPORATION
/S/ WILLIAM T. BAXTER
William T. Baxter
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
William T. Baxter and Brian V. Turner, or either of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with the power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or
all amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact and his agent or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated above.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
SIGNATURE TITLE
- --------- -----
/S/ WILLIAM T. BAXTER Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
- --------------------------- and President
William T. Baxter (Principal Executive Officer)
/S/ BRIAN V. TURNER Chief Financial Officer
- --------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Brian V. Turner
/S/ ALBERT T. DOSSER Director
- ---------------------------
Albert T. Dosser
/S/ JEFFREY T. CHAMBERS Director
- ---------------------------
Jeffrey T. Chambers
/S/ SCOT E. LAND Director
- ---------------------------
Scot E. Land
/S/ WILLIAM LARSON Director
- ---------------------------
William Larson
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 27
The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Bellevue, state of
Washington, on October 19, 1999.
BSQUARE 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK
PURCHASE PLAN
By: /S/ ALBERT T. DOSSER
------------------------------------
Albert T. Dosser, Senior Vice President
II-5
<PAGE> 28
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Sequential
Number Exhibit Page No.
- ------- ------- ----------
<S> <C>
4.1 Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant --
(filed as Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Registration Statement)
4.2 Bylaws and all amendments thereto of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.2 --
to the Registration Statement)
5.1 Opinion of Summit Law Group, P.L.L.C. II-7
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Auditors II-8
23.2 Consent of Summit Law Group, P.L.L.C. (included in opinion filed as --
Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 Power of Attorney (see signature page) --
99.1 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to --
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1)
99.2 BSQUARE Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by --
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1)
</TABLE>
II-6
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.1
[SUMMIT LAW GROUP, P.L.L.C. LETTERHEAD]
October 19, 1999
BSQUARE Corporation
3633 136th Place S.E., Suite 100
Bellevue, Washington 98006
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to you in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which you are filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to 8,975,000 shares of Common
Stock, no par value per share (the "Shares"), which may be issued as follows:
5,625,000 shares pursuant to the Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan and
1,500,000 shares pursuant to the BSQUARE 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that any
original issuance Shares that may be issued pursuant to the plans have been duly
authorized and that, upon the due execution by the Company and the registration
by its registrar of such Shares and the sale thereof by the Company in
accordance with the terms of the plans, and the receipt of consideration
therefor in accordance with the terms of the plans, such Shares will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
SUMMIT LAW GROUP, P.L.L.C.
II-7
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports dated
August 13, 1999 (except for a matter discussed in Note 13 for which the date was
August 18, 1999) included in BSQUARE Corporation's Form S-1 (File No. 333-85351)
and to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Seattle, Washington
October 19, 1999
