<PAGE>
FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(4)
REGISTRATION NUMBER 333-72901
4,500,000 Shares
[LOGO]
Common Stock
----------------
COMPS.COM, INC. is offering shares of its common stock. This is our initial
public offering and no public market currently exists for our shares.
----------------
Our common stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "CDOT," subject to official notice of issuance.
----------------
Please see "Risk Factors" beginning on page 8 to read about certain risks
that you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.
----------------
PRICE $15.00 PER SHARE
----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Share Total
--------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Public offering price.................................... $15.00 $67,500,000
Underwriting discounts and commissions................... $ 1.05 $ 4,725,000
Proceeds, before expenses, to COMPS.COM.................. $13.95 $62,775,000
</TABLE>
The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities commissions have
not approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The underwriters have an option to purchase 675,000 additional shares from us
and the selling stockholders to cover over-allotments of shares. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling
stockholders.
----------------
Volpe Brown Whelan & Company
EVEREN Securities, Inc.
Needham & Company, Inc.
May 5, 1999
<PAGE>
Front Cover:
[The front cover will have a dark background and the text will be printed in
white.
[LOGO]
Inside Front Cover:
COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT VIA THE INTERNET
[The following text is placed in varying fonts and font sizes throughout the
recurring database wheel: buyers & sellers, phone numbers, square footage,
contact name, capitalization rates, comments on condition, confirmed sales
price, financing information, income & expense, unit mix, color photos and
lenders. Three screen shots of different pages from our Web site showing some
of our products are placed on parts of the database wheel. Text in a box
describes our database by stating:
Contained in COMPS.COM's Commercial Transaction database:
. $466 billion in sales transactions
. $143 billion in loan volume
. 400,000 property transactions
. 2,643,000 apartment units
. 780,000 buyer and seller records
. 9 property types.
[LOGO]
Inside Spread:
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS E-COMMERCE
[A two page spread of a city skyline. Our market segments are listed in a bar
down the left side of the screen under the heading "our customers." Each market
segment is underlined. In the main frame of the screen is (1) a picture of a
hand with a mouse, (2) the database wheel laid on top of a group of commercial
real estate buildings, (3) above the city skyline the following text appears:
COMPS.COM, conveniently accessed via the Internet, allows commercial real
estate professionals to respond quickly to client driven needs and (4) the
following text appears in uppercase letters on the database wheel: buyer,
brokers, lenders, insurers and transaction facilitation via the internet.]
2
<PAGE>
You should rely only on the information contained in this document or to
which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different. This document may only be used where it is legal
to sell these securities. The information in this document may only be accurate
on the date of this document.
Table of Contents
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary....................................................... 4
Risk Factors............................................................. 8
Forward-Looking Statements............................................... 16
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 17
Dividend Policy.......................................................... 17
Capitalization........................................................... 18
Dilution................................................................. 19
Selected Financial Data.................................................. 20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations........................................................... 21
Business................................................................. 30
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Management................................................................. 42
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions............................. 54
Principal and Selling Stockholders......................................... 56
Description of Securities.................................................. 57
Shares Eligible For Future Sale............................................ 61
Underwriting............................................................... 62
Legal Matters.............................................................. 64
Experts.................................................................... 64
Where You Can Find More Information........................................ 64
Index to Financial Statements.............................................. F-1
</TABLE>
---------------
Until May 30, 1999, all dealers selling shares of our common stock, whether
or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus.
This delivery requirement is in addition to the obligation of dealers to
deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their
unsold allotments or subscriptions.
3
<PAGE>
Prospectus Summary
This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It may
not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand this
offering fully, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the
risk factors and financial statements.
About COMPS
Our Business
We are a leading national provider of comprehensive commercial real estate
sales information both offline and on the Internet. We have also recently begun
using our extensive database to match buyers with brokers' property listings by
posting such listings on our Web site and sending summary announcements by fax
and e-mail to property owners and investors contained in our database. Over the
last 17 years, we have developed a highly evolved data collection and
confirmation system to provide information on commercial real estate
properties. This information is verified by our researchers and includes sale
prices, income and expenses, capitalization rates, loan data, property
photographs, buyers, sellers, brokers and other key details. We believe we have
established the foundation to be the trusted online resource linking commercial
real estate brokers, lenders, appraisers, insurers and other professionals by
efficiently distributing market information on the Internet.
Our Market
The Internet has rapidly become a significant global medium for
communications, information and commerce. It has emerged as a primary business
channel alongside the telephone, paper-based communication and face-to-face
interaction. The Internet allows online providers to efficiently distribute
information with the potential for less infrastructure and overhead and greater
economies of scale. It also offers customers diverse options and unparalleled
convenience.
The commercial real estate market is large and fragmented. Prior to the
availability of information services which provide comprehensive sales
information from a centralized source, commercial real estate professionals
either maintained their own research departments to catalog market statistics
and other property-specific information, or aggregated such information, to the
limited extent available, from multiple third parties. These methods resulted
in high internal costs and nonstandard data with varying degrees of
comprehensiveness and accuracy.
Our Solution
The vast information sharing and communications power of the Internet creates
an opportunity to improve upon the inefficiencies in conducting commercial real
estate transactions. We provide comprehensive and reliable information services
and transaction support products that save industry professionals both time and
money. We generate substantially all of our revenue from licensing our
information services on a subscription or per use basis. We also currently
generate revenues from REALBID on a fixed fee basis. These fixed fees are paid
by our customers in exchange for developing a specific Web site for listed
properties and sending summary announcements by fax and e-mail to potential
investors. In connection with REALBID we also receive fees from sponsors whose
messages and links are located on our Web site. None of these fees are
currently contingent upon the sale of the properties. We incur expenses
primarily as a result of building our database and developing and implementing
new Internet-related products. In 1998 less than 10% of our revenues were a
result of our services and products delivered on the Internet. To date, we
have:
. developed a comprehensive and standardized proprietary database of
approximately 400,000 commercial real estate transactions;
. migrated our database to the Internet, allowing our customers to receive
updated commercial real estate transaction information more frequently
and analyze the data more quickly and easily;
4
<PAGE>
. established an Internet-based matching service, allowing us to identify
and refer potential buyers of properties for sale to brokers and
electronically market these properties for brokers using our Internet-
based contact system; and
. introduced an Internet-based commercial real estate listing service,
enabling brokers to advertise their properties on the Internet and
increase a property's exposure to prospective buyers and their brokers.
Our Business Strategy
Our objective is to be the trusted online resource linking commercial real
estate professionals by efficiently distributing market information on the
Internet. Our business strategy to achieve this objective includes the
following key elements:
. continue to enhance our comprehensive historical database of commercial
real estate transactions;
. expand our online listing-broker/buyer matching service;
. create a comprehensive online national listing service for commercial
real estate to complement our database of sold properties;
. enhance our services and products to facilitate the online exchange of
commercial real estate market information;
. expand into new geographic markets; and
. continue to build our brand name.
Corporate Information
COMPS Incorporated was incorporated in California in January 1982. It was
purchased by Business Real Estate Information Corp. in 1992 and reincorporated
in Delaware in 1994 as COMPS InfoSystems, Inc. In January 1999, we changed our
name to COMPS.COM, INC. Our principal executive offices are located at
9888 Carroll Centre Road, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92126. Our telephone
number at that location is (619) 578-3000. Our Web site address is
www.comps.com. Information contained on our Web site does not constitute part
of this prospectus.
The Offering
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
Common stock offered by us............ 4,500,000 shares
Common stock outstanding after this
offering............................. 12,164,185 shares
Use of proceeds....................... For the enhancement and development of
existing and new information services,
geographic expansion, enhancement and
development of transaction support
products, repayment of debt, and for
other working capital and general
corporate purposes. We may also use a
portion of the proceeds for strategic
alliances and acquisitions. Please see
"Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market symbol......... CDOT
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
The information on our common stock outstanding after this offering is as of
December 31, 1998. In addition to the 12,164,185 shares of common stock to be
outstanding after this offering, we may issue the following additional shares
of common stock:
. 1,749,727 shares upon the exercise of options outstanding at a weighted
average exercise price of $1.17 per share;
. 156,285 shares upon the exercise of warrants outstanding at a weighted
average exercise price of $2.40 per share; and
. 376,219 shares upon the exercise of options available for issuance under
our stock option plans. Our board of directors and stockholders have
approved an increase in the authorized number of shares under our stock
option plans. For a description of our stock option plans, please see
"Management--Benefit Plans."
In February and April 1999, we issued to lenders warrants exercisable for
40,443 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price per share
of $8.04.
This offering is for 4,500,000 shares; however, the underwriters have a 30-
day option to purchase up to 675,000 additional shares from us and the selling
stockholders to cover over-allotments. Some of the disclosures in this
prospectus would be different if the underwriters exercise the option. Unless
we tell you otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the
underwriters will not exercise the option.
Unless we tell you otherwise, all information in this prospectus relating to
our outstanding common stock:
. reflects the automatic conversion of each share of our Class B common
stock into shares of our Class A common stock and the renaming of Class
A common stock to "common stock" upon the closing of this offering;
. reflects the automatic conversion of each share of our preferred stock
into 0.7335 shares of our common stock upon the closing of this
offering;
. reflects the exercise of warrants outstanding to purchase 530,537 shares
at a weighted average exercise price of $0.0136 per share and
. reflects a 0.7335-for-1 stock split of our common stock.
COMPS, COMPSLink, CallCOMPS, WinCOMPS, COMPS NET, REALBID, E COMPS and our
logo are our registered trademarks. Each other trademark, trade name or service
mark appearing in this prospectus belongs to its holder.
Recent Developments
Net revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 1999 increased 16% to $3.5
million compared to $3.0 million in the same period in 1998. Total operating
expenses for the first quarter 1999 were $3.3 million, an increase of $1.5
million or 80% from the same period in 1998. Net loss attributable to common
stockholders for the first quarter ended March 31, 1999 was $1.7 million or
$0.49 per share (basic and diluted) compared to a net loss of $260,000 or $0.07
per share (basic and diluted) in the first quarter ended March 31, 1998.
6
<PAGE>
Summary Financial And Operating Data
(dollars in thousands, except per share and other operating data)
The following table summarizes the financial data for our business. The 1998
statement of operations data includes the results of REALBID, LLC from November
6, 1998. The pro forma statement of operations data gives effect to our
acquisition of REALBID, LLC as if it had occurred on January 1, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------
Pro Forma
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations
Data:
Net revenues............ $ 6,030 $ 6,716 $ 8,707 $ 10,867 $ 12,900 $13,123
Cost of revenues........ 2,674 3,488 4,357 5,054 5,768 5,813
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Gross profit............ 3,356 3,228 4,350 5,813 7,132 7,310
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing.. 2,306 2,072 2,813 3,408 4,230 4,230
Product development and
engineering........... -- -- 376 768 1,233 1,233
General and
administrative........ 1,743 2,527 3,401 2,942 3,068 3,948
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total operating
expenses............ 4,049 4,599 6,590 7,118 8,531 9,411
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Loss from operations.... (693) (1,371) (2,240) (1,305) (1,399) (2,101)
Other income (expense),
net.................... (9) 12 (67) (252) (260) (260)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net loss................ (702) (1,359) (2,307) (1,557) (1,659) (2,361)
Dividend accretion on
preferred stock........ 63 299 299 299 454 454
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net loss attributable to
common stockholders.... $ (765) $ (1,658) $ (2,606) $ (1,856) $ (2,113) $(2,815)
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== =======
Net loss per share
attributable to common
stockholders, basic and
diluted................ $ (0.16) $ (0.47) $ (0.74) $ (0.53) $ (0.60) $ (0.80)
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== =======
Shares used in computing
net loss per share
attributable to common
stockholders, basic and
diluted................ 4,700 3,502 3,502 3,502 3,517 3,517
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== =======
Pro forma net loss per
share, basic and
diluted................ $ (0.23) $ (0.33)
======== =======
Shares used in computing
pro forma net loss per
share, basic and
diluted................ 7,067 7,067
======== =======
Other Operating Data:
Markets covered by
database.............. 16 24 24 25 34
Transactions in
database.............. 245,951 270,945 302,684 341,670 387,427
Value of transactions
in database (dollars
in billions).......... $ 191 $ 222 $ 272 $ 355 $ 460
Value of transactions
supported by REALBID
(dollars in
millions)............. -- -- -- $ 300 $ 3,800
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At December 31, 1998
------------------------
Actual As Adjusted
---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents............................. $ 378 $ 60,455
Working capital (deficit)............................. (4,354) 56,703
Total assets.......................................... 8,414 68,492
Deferred subscription revenue......................... 5,503 5,503
Long-term obligations, less current portion........... 1,123 23
Redeemable convertible preferred stock................ 7,009 --
Total stockholders' equity (deficit).................. (7,871) 61,295
</TABLE>
- --------
Please see Note 1 to our financial statements for an explanation of the
determination of the number of shares used in computing pro forma net loss per
share.
The as adjusted balance sheet data listed above reflects the sale of
4,500,000 shares of common stock offered hereby after deducting the
underwriting discount, estimated offering expenses payable by us and the
application of proceeds from this offering. Please see "Use of Proceeds" and
"Capitalization" for a discussion about how we intend to use the proceeds from
this offering and about our capitalization.
7
<PAGE>
Risk Factors
Any investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should
consider carefully the following information about these risks, together with
the other information contained in this prospectus, before you decide to buy
our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business
would likely suffer. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could
decline, and you may lose all or part of the money you paid to buy our common
stock.
Risks Related to Our Business
We may not achieve future profitability due to continued operating losses and
negative cash flows.
We have incurred significant net losses since our inception. As of December
31, 1998, we had an accumulated deficit of $11.6 million. We have incurred
substantial costs to expand into new markets, develop new products and create,
introduce and enhance our Web site. We expect operating losses and negative
cash flows to continue for the foreseeable future as we continue to incur
significant expenses. As a result, we will need to generate significant
revenues to achieve profitability. Even if we do become profitable, we cannot
assure you that we can sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or
annual basis. If revenues grow more slowly than we anticipate, or if operating
expenses exceed our expectations or cannot be adjusted in response to slower
revenue growth, our business will be materially adversely affected. Please see
"Selected Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our financial statements for
detailed information related to our uncertain profitability.
We have only been operating on the Internet since 1998 and cannot assure you
that our Internet products will achieve market acceptance.
We only recently began offering our services on the Internet. During 1998,
over 90% of our revenue was a result of our information services products
delivered on CD-ROM and other non-Internet media. Less than 10% of our revenues
in 1998 were a result of our services and products delivered on the Internet.
We intend to continue to increase our reliance on the Internet for delivery of
our services and products. As a result, our future profitability will
increasingly rely upon the use of our information services and transaction
support products on the Internet. Our ability to obtain market acceptance for
our Internet products will depend on the following factors:
. our ability to transition our customers from the use of our services and
products on CD-ROM to the use of these services and products on the
Internet in a timely and efficient manner;
. our customers' acceptance of, and their ability to adapt to the use of,
our existing and future services and products on the Internet; and
. our ability to anticipate and adapt to the changing Internet market.
If our Internet-based information services or transaction support products
are not received favorably by our current customers, it may negatively affect
their use of our other products or cause new customers to choose a competitive
service over ours.
If we do not successfully develop new and enhanced services and products, our
revenues could decrease.
We will not be financially successful if we are unable to meet the
increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers through timely developments
and new and enhanced versions of our services and products. Our planned
development and enhancement efforts have inherent risks. We may experience
financial or technical difficulties that could prevent us from introducing new
or enhanced information services or transaction support products. Furthermore,
these new or enhanced services and products may contain problems that are
discovered after the products are introduced. We may need to significantly
modify the design of these products to correct problems. Our business could be
materially adversely affected if we experience difficulties in introducing new
8
<PAGE>
or enhanced services and products or if these services or products are not
received favorably by our customers. Finally, development and enhancement of
our services and products will require significant additional expenses and
could strain our management, financial and operational resources. The lack of
market acceptance of our services or products or our inability to generate
satisfactory revenues from such development or enhancements to offset their
costs could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Fluctuations in our operating results may negatively affect our stock price.
Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly and are
expected to continue to fluctuate in the future due to a variety of factors,
many of which are outside of our control. It is possible that in some future
periods our results of operations may be below the expectations of public
market analysts and investors. In this event, the price of our common stock is
likely to fall.
Quarterly operating results may vary due to risks discussed in this Risk
Factors section. Due to all of these risks, you should not rely on quarter-to-
quarter comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future
performance. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" for detailed information on our past
quarterly operating results.
If we do not expand our geographic coverage, our services and products could
become less desirable.
We believe our success is highly dependent on our ability to increase the
geographic coverage of our database. Currently our proprietary database
contains comprehensive sales comparable records in 35 of the 74 largest markets
in the U.S. If we are not able to expand the geographic coverage of our
database into other markets, our business could be materially adversely
affected. We also plan to expand into selected international markets. We expect
this geographic expansion effort to impose additional burdens on our research,
sales and administrative resources. Please see "Business--Our Business
Strategy" for a discussion of our geographic expansion strategy.
If we cannot maintain the integrity and reliability of our proprietary
database, we may not be successful.
We cannot assure you that the information in our database will be
comprehensive, accurate or timely, particularly as we grow. Our success is
highly dependent on our customers' confidence in the comprehensiveness,
accuracy and timeliness of our proprietary database of commercial real estate
transactions and the software used to access our database. We expect the task
of establishing and maintaining such comprehensiveness, accuracy and timeliness
during the growth of our business to require substantial effort and expense.
Please see "Business--Our Proprietary Database" for a discussion of how we
maintain our proprietary database.
Cyclical economic swings in the real estate market could decrease demand for
our services and products.
The real estate industry traditionally has been subject to cyclical economic
swings which could materially adversely affect our business. Our business is
dependent on the real estate industry and related industries that supply goods
or services to, or invest in, the real estate industry. Changes in the real
estate market may affect demand for our services and products. These cyclical
economic swings may be caused by various factors, such as changes in interest
rates and changes in economic conditions.
When interest rates are high or general economic conditions are weak, there
may be less sales activity in commercial real estate and on the part of
mortgage brokers and lenders. These cyclical economic swings could materially
adversely affect our business.
9
<PAGE>
Consolidation of the real estate industry could negatively impact our
business.
The real estate industry is undergoing a period of consolidation, motivated
in part by a desire to reduce expenses. Such consolidation poses a number of
risks and could materially adversely affect our business. These risks include:
. a decrease in our client base;
. reduction in the size of our target market;
. creation of competitors with sufficiently greater bargaining power which
could cause price erosion;
. creation of competitors with access or rights to, or ownership of,
sources that provide the data we need for our proprietary database; and
. reduction in the number of sources from whom we obtain data for our
proprietary database.
If we are not able to successfully develop our "COMPS.COM" brand name, it
could materially adversely affect our business.
We believe that establishing and maintaining our brand name is critical to
attracting and expanding our target Internet audience. The importance of
developing our brand name will increase due to the growing number of Internet
services. In order to build our brand name, we must succeed in our marketing
efforts, provide high-quality services and products and increase the number of
visitors to our Web site. If our marketing efforts are not successful or if we
cannot increase awareness of our brand name, we will not be able to attract and
retain Internet users and our business would be materially adversely affected.
If we are unable to continue to develop our direct sales force, it could
materially adversely affect our business.
In order to support our growth, we need to substantially increase the size of
our direct sales force. Our ability to increase our direct sales force involves
a number of risks, including:
. the competition we face from other companies in hiring and retaining
sales personnel;
. our ability to integrate and motivate additional sales and sales support
personnel;
. our ability to manage a multi-location sales organization; and
. the length of time it takes new sales personnel to become productive.
There would be a material adverse effect on our business if we do not
continue to develop and maintain an effective direct sales force.
Intense competition may render our services and products uncompetitive or
obsolete.
The market for our Internet-related and non-Internet-related information
services and transaction support products is competitive. We cannot assure you
that our competitors will not develop services or products that are equal or
superior to ours or that achieve greater market acceptance. We anticipate that
the number of direct and indirect competitors will increase in the future and
could result in price reductions, reduced margins, greater operating losses or
loss of market share, any of which would materially adversely affect our
business. Please see "Business--Competition" for further detail and risks
regarding our competitive market.
If we fail to be year 2000 compliant, it could harm our business.
We have not fully completed tests to assure that our information technology
systems will function properly in the year 2000. Our computer systems and
software programs may need to be upgraded in order to comply with year 2000
requirements, or we risk system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions
of normal business activities.
10
<PAGE>
We estimate expenses to achieve year 2000 readiness will be $300,000,
$150,000 of which was expended prior to December 31, 1998. Until our testing is
complete, we will not be able to completely evaluate whether our information
technology systems or non-information technology systems will need to be
revised or replaced. If our efforts to address year 2000 risks are not
successful, or if suppliers or other third parties with whom we conduct
business do not successfully address such risks, it could have a material
adverse effect on our business. Please see "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Impact of the Year
2000" for detailed information on our state of readiness, potential risks and
contingency plans regarding the year 2000 issue.
If we do not effectively manage our growth, it could have a material adverse
effect on our business.
We have experienced growth in our business, which we expect to continue. Such
growth has placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on our
management systems and resources. We will also need to continue to improve our
operational and financial systems and managerial controls and procedures. We
will need to continue to expand, train and manage our workforce. We expect that
our workforce will continue to increase for the foreseeable future. We will
have to maintain close coordination among our technical, accounting, finance,
marketing, sales and research departments. If we fail to effectively manage our
growth and address the above concerns, it could have a material adverse effect
on our business.
If we do not successfully integrate acquired businesses with our business, it
could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Since October 1993, we have acquired seven businesses and three product
lines. We may not be able to integrate our recent or any future acquisitions
successfully with our existing operations without substantial costs, delays or
other problems. As we integrate acquired businesses or product lines, we could
have difficulty in assimilating personnel and operations. In addition, the key
personnel of acquired companies may decide not to work for us. We could also
have difficulty in assimilating the acquired products, services or technologies
into our operations. These difficulties could disrupt our ongoing business,
distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and materially
adversely affect our results of operations due to accounting requirements such
as amortization of goodwill or other purchased intangibles.
If we acquire other companies by issuing equity securities, you may experience
dilution of your equity interest.
We may acquire other companies by issuing equity securities. As a result, you
may experience dilution of your ownership interest and the newly issued
securities may have rights superior to those of the common stock.
If we are unable to retain key personnel or attract new personnel, it could
have a material adverse effect on our business.
The loss of the services of any of our key personnel or our inability to
successfully attract and retain qualified personnel in the future would have a
material adverse effect on our business. Our future success depends on the
continued service of our key personnel including Christopher A. Crane, our
President and Chief Executive Officer, Emmett R. DeMoss, our Vice President and
the Chairman of our REALBID division, Karen Goodrum, our Vice President of
Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Walter W.
Papciak, our Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product
Development, and Michael Arabe, our Senior Vice President of Sales. Mr. Crane
is the only key person for whom we maintain life insurance. The policy on Mr.
Crane has a face value of $2,000,000. Our future success also depends on our
ability to attract, retain, integrate and motivate highly skilled researchers
and other employees. Competition for researchers and other employees in our
industry is intense, particularly in the San Diego area, where our headquarters
are located. Please see "Management" for detailed information on our key
personnel.
11
<PAGE>
Increased usage could strain our systems and cause systems malfunctions which
could materially adversely affect our business.
The performance of our Web site is critical to our reputation, our ability to
attract customers and market acceptance of our Web site. All of our
communications and network infrastructure is hosted at our headquarters in San
Diego. We have, in the past, experienced system failures, including network,
software and hardware failures, that have interrupted or increased the response
time of our online services. Although, to date, none of our systems failures
have been material to our results of operations, in the future, the capacity of
our software and hardware could be strained by an increase in the use of our
products on the Internet as we migrate our customers to the Internet. Our
ability to provide uninterrupted, secure online services depends on our ability
to protect our facilities and equipment against damage from fire, earthquakes,
power loss, water damage, telecommunications failures, vandalism, computer
viruses, hacker attacks and other malicious acts, and similar unexpected
material adverse events. Customers may become dissatisfied if a system failure
interrupts our ability to provide access to our Web site. Because our insurance
policies have low coverage limits, our insurance may not adequately compensate
us for any losses that may occur due to system failures or interruptions.
Any problems with the integrity of the Internet's infrastructure or with third
party service providers could have a materially adverse effect on our business.
Our customers also depend on Internet service providers, online service
providers and other Web site operators for access to our Web site. Each of them
has experienced significant outages in the past, and could experience outages,
delays and other difficulties due to system failures unrelated to our systems.
Moreover, the Internet infrastructure may not be able to support continued
growth in its use. Any of these problems could materially adversely affect our
business.
If we do not adequately protect our proprietary rights, it could harm our
business or competitive position.
It may be difficult to protect our proprietary rights. We regard our database
of commercial real estate transactions and the software used to operate our Web
site, as well as our various trademarks and copyrights, as proprietary. We will
continue to attempt to protect them under a combination of copyright, trade
secret and trademark laws, as well as by contractual restrictions on employees
and third parties. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for
unauthorized parties to copy our services or otherwise obtain and use
information that we regard as proprietary. Existing trade secrets and copyright
laws provide only limited protection. Other license and distribution agreements
that we intend to use include provisions protecting against unauthorized use,
copying, transfer and disclosure, which may be unenforceable under the laws of
some jurisdictions. Furthermore, we may be required to negotiate limits on
these provisions from time to time. In addition, the laws of some foreign
countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the
laws of the U.S. The steps we take may not be adequate to deter
misappropriation of proprietary information. We also may not be able to detect
unauthorized use and take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual
property rights. Significant and protracted litigation may be necessary to
protect our intellectual property rights, to determine the scope of the
proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement.
Various parties may accuse us of infringing on their intellectual property
rights, and any related litigation could harm our business regardless of its
merit.
Third parties may assert claims against us alleging infringement,
misappropriations or other violations of proprietary rights, whether or not
such claims have merit. Such claims can be time consuming and expensive to
defend and could require us to cease the use and sale of allegedly infringing
services and products, incur significant litigation costs and expenses, develop
or acquire non-infringing technology or obtain licenses to the alleged
infringing technology. We may not be able to develop or acquire alternative
technologies or obtain such licenses on commercially acceptable terms.
12
<PAGE>
We could be held liable for providing inaccurate or incomplete information,
which could harm our business.
If our services or products yield inaccurate or incomplete information which
has a material adverse impact on a customer, the customer might bring a claim
for damages against us, even if we are not responsible for such failure. The
limitations of liability set forth in customer contracts may not be enforceable
and may not otherwise protect us from liability for damages. The successful
assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available
insurance coverages, or changes in our insurance policies, such as premium
increases or the imposition of large deductibles or co-insurance requirements
could materially adversely affect our business.
Risks Related To Our Industry
If Internet usage does not continue to grow, it could have a material adverse
effect on our business.
The Internet is relatively new and rapidly evolving. Our business would be
materially adversely affected if Internet usage does not continue to grow.
We may not be able to adapt to the rapid technological changes to the Internet
and Internet products.
To be successful, we must adapt to the rapid technological changes to the
Internet and Internet products by continually enhancing our Web site and
introducing and integrating new services and products to capitalize on the
technological advances in the Internet. This process is costly and we cannot
assure you that we will be able to successfully integrate our services and
products with the Internet's technological advances. The collection, storage,
management and dissemination of commercial real estate information from a
centralized database on the Internet is a recent and evolving development. Our
market is characterized by rapidly changing technologies, evolving industry
standards, increasingly sophisticated customer needs and frequent new product
introductions. These factors are exacerbated by the rapid technological change
experienced by the computer and software industries. We could incur substantial
costs if we need to modify our services or infrastructure in order to adapt to
these changes. If we incurred significant costs without adequate results or we
were unable to adapt to rapid technological changes, it could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Adoption of new laws and government regulations relating to the Internet could
harm our business.
Our business could be materially adversely affected by the adoption or
modification of laws or regulations in the U.S. or abroad relating to the
Internet. Laws and regulations directly applicable to Internet communications
and commerce are becoming more prevalent. Such legislation could dampen the
growth in use of the Internet generally and decrease the acceptance of the
Internet as a communications and commercial medium. The governments of states
or foreign countries might attempt to regulate our transmissions or levy sales
or other taxes relating to our activities. The laws governing the Internet,
however, remain largely unsettled, even in areas where there has been some
legislative action. It may take years to determine whether and how existing
laws such as those governing intellectual property, privacy, libel and taxation
apply to the Internet and Internet commerce. In addition, the growth and
development of the market for Internet commerce may prompt calls for more
stringent consumer protection laws, both in the U.S. and abroad, that may
impose additional burdens on companies conducting business over the Internet.
The growth and development of the market for Internet commerce may also prompt
calls for widening access on the Internet to public records, including records
concerning the commercial real estate industry.
Internet security concerns could hinder Internet commerce and materially
adversely affect our business.
We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to
protect against security breaches on our Web site or to alleviate problems
caused by such breaches. If any compromise of our security were to occur, it
could damage our reputation and expose us to a risk of loss, litigation and
possible liability. A significant barrier to online commerce and communications
is the need for secure transmission of confidential information over public
networks. Concerns over the security of transactions conducted on the Internet
and other online services, as well as user's desires
13
<PAGE>
for privacy, may also inhibit the growth of the Internet and other online
services, especially as a means of conducting commercial transactions. Our
services involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information, such
as credit card numbers and other confidential information. We cannot assure you
that our security measures will prevent security breaches or that our failure
to prevent such security breaches will not have a material adverse effect on
our business. Credit card companies and others are in the process of developing
anti-theft and anti-fraud protections, and we are continually monitoring this
problem. However, at the present time, the real or perceived risk of theft and
fraud could have a material adverse effect on us. We cannot assure you that
advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography
or other events or developments will not result in a compromise or breach of
the algorithms used by us to protect customer transaction data. A party who is
able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate confidential
information or cause interruptions in our operations.
We may be subject to legal liability for displaying or distributing
information on the Internet.
Because content on our Web site is distributed to others, we may be subject
to claims for defamation, negligence or copyright or trademark infringement or
claims based on other theories. These types of claims have been brought,
sometimes successfully, against Internet services in the past. We could also be
subject to claims based upon the content that is accessible from our Web site
through links to other web sites or information on our Web site supplied by
third parties. Our insurance may not adequately protect us against these types
of claims. Even to the extent such claims do not result in liability to us, we
could incur significant costs in investigating and defending against such
claims. Our potential liability for information carried on or disseminated
through our Web site could require us to implement measures to reduce our
exposure to such liability, which may require the expenditure of substantial
resources and limit the attractiveness of our service to users.
Our fee arrangements in various industries could lead to additional regulation
and related liabilities.
We also enter into agreements with customers under which we are entitled to
receive fees related to the support of commercial real estate transactions
through our Web site using REALBID or other transaction support products that
we offer. We plan to increase our reliance on this aspect of our business. Such
arrangements may expose us to additional legal risks and uncertainties,
including regulation by local, state, federal and foreign authorities in the
real estate, financing, and insurance industries, as well as other industries
which our business could impact. The application of such regulation to our
industry is currently uncertain. However, it could lead to additional potential
liabilities to property buyers, even if we are not selling such properties. In
addition, we could, for example, be required to register for a license, pay
fees, assume environmental, property-related or other similar responsibilities.
The indemnification provided to us in our agreements with these parties, if
available, may not be adequate to address such potential regulatory expansion.
Risks Related To This Offering
The number of shares eligible for public sale after this offering could cause
our stock price to decline.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of a
large number of shares of our common stock in the market after this offering or
the perception that such sales could occur. Such sales also might make it more
difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a price that we
deem appropriate. Please see "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for further
details regarding the number of shares eligible for public sale after this
offering.
The liquidity of our stock is uncertain because it has never been publicly
traded, and it could be difficult to sell your shares.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock.
We cannot predict if an active trading market in our common stock will develop
or how liquid that market might become. The market price of our common stock
may decline below the initial public offering price. The initial public
offering price for the shares will be determined by negotiations between us and
the representatives of the underwriters and
14
<PAGE>
may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the trading market. Please
see "Underwriting" for more information regarding how the initial public
offering price was determined.
The market price of our stock may be materially adversely affected by market
volatility.
The market prices of the securities of Internet-related companies have been
especially volatile and have experienced extreme volume fluctuations.
Volatility in the market price of our stock could lead to claims against us. If
we were the object of such litigation, it could result in substantial costs and
a diversion of our management's attention and resources. The trading price of
our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number
of factors, including:
. our quarterly results of operations;
. changes in earnings estimates by analysts and whether our earnings meet
or exceed such estimates;
. announcements of technological innovations by us or our competitors;
. additions or departures of key personnel;
. other matters discussed elsewhere in this prospectus; and
. other events or factors, which may be beyond our control.
Our controlling stockholders may make decisions which you do not consider to
be in your best interest.
We anticipate that the executive officers, directors and entities affiliated
with them will, in the aggregate, beneficially own approximately 64.2% of our
outstanding common stock following the completion of this offering. These
stockholders will be able to exercise control over all matters requiring
approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval
of significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may also
have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Please see
"Management" and "Principal and Selling Stockholders" for detailed information
on the beneficial ownership of our executive officers, directors and
affiliates.
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could
delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that you consider to
be in your best interest.
Certain anti-takeover provisions of our restated certificate of
incorporation, our restated bylaws and Delaware law could make it more
difficult for a third party to acquire us. As a result, we could delay, defer
or prevent a takeover attempt or third party acquisition that our stockholders
consider in their best interest, including an attempt that might result in a
premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders. Please
see "Description of Securities" for detailed information on these provisions.
You will suffer dilution in the value of your shares.
Investors purchasing shares in this offering will incur immediate and
substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share. To the extent
outstanding options to purchase common stock are exercised, there will be
further dilution. Please see "Dilution" for detailed information on dilution
resulting from this offering.
15
<PAGE>
Forward-Looking Statements
Many statements made in this prospectus under the captions "Prospectus
Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and elsewhere may be forward-
looking statements that are not based on historical facts. Because these
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including those
discussed under "Risk Factors." We are not obligated to update or revise these
forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.
16
<PAGE>
Use of Proceeds
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the 4,500,000 shares
offered by us will be approximately $62.2 million, after deducting the
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by us. If our portion of the underwriters' over-allotment is exercised in full,
we estimate that such net proceeds will be approximately $66.9 million.
Of the net proceeds, we intend to use approximately $10-15 million for
enhancement and development of existing and new information services, $8-10
million for geographic expansion, $6-8 million for the enhancement and
development of transaction support products, $5.2 million for the repayment of
debt, and the remaining $24-33 million for other working capital and general
corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the proceeds for strategic
alliances and acquisitions.
The $5.2 million of debt we intend to repay has various maturity dates
between May 1999 and January 2002. Approximately $1.6 million of our debt bears
interest at an annual rate of 8.75% during the term of the loan and a one-time
15% interest balloon payment is due upon completion of the term. The loan
proceeds from $300,000 of this $1.5 million in debt loaned to us in October
1998 were used to acquire REALBID, LLC. Approximately $600,000 of our debt will
bear interest at 8% beginning December 1, 1999, net of repayments.
Approximately $3.0 million of our debt bears interest at an annual rate of 13%
during the term of the loan.
We have not yet made any material commitments to these purposes other than
the repayment of debt. Accordingly, management will have significant
flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering to these uses, as
well as to other general corporate purposes. Our allocation of net proceeds
will depend upon developments and opportunities in our business, the various
geographic markets and the Internet industry in general. Pending any such use,
as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing
instruments. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the
selling stockholders. Please see "Principal and Selling Stockholders" for a
description of shares to be sold by selling stockholders.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We
currently intend to retain any future earnings to support operations and to
finance the expansion of our business. Further, a loan agreement we entered
into with Silicon Valley Bank in April 1999 restricts our ability to pay any
dividends until we have fully repaid the loan. Any future determination to pay
cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be
dependent on financial condition, operating results, capital requirements and
other factors that our board deems relevant.
17
<PAGE>
Capitalization
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 1998 on
an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the receipt by us of the
estimated net proceeds from the sale of 4,500,000 shares offered hereby and the
exercise of warrants outstanding to purchase 530,537 shares at a weighted
average exercise price of $0.0136 per share. This information should be read in
conjunction with our financial statements and the notes relating to such
statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. This information is based on
the number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31, 1998. It
excludes the following shares that we may issue:
. 1,749,727 shares upon the exercise of options outstanding at a weighted
average exercise price of $1.17 per share and
. 156,285 shares upon the exercise of warrants outstanding at a weighted
average exercise price of $2.40 per share.
In February and April 1999, we issued to lenders warrants exercisable for
40,443 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price per share
of $8.04.
Please see "Management--Benefit Plans," "Description of Securities" and the
more detailed financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this
prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1998
-------------------------
Actual As Adjusted
----------- ------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Current portion of long-term obligations............. $ 1,029 $ 49
=========== ===========
Long-term obligations, less current portion.......... 1,123 23
Redeemable convertible preferred stock:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares
authorized on an actual basis;
no shares authorized on an as adjusted basis;
4,908,126 shares issued and outstanding on an
actual basis; and no shares issued and outstanding
on an as adjusted basis........................... 7,009 --
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, no shares
authorized on an actual basis; 5,000,000 shares
authorized on an as adjusted basis; no shares
issued and outstanding on an actual and an as
adjusted basis.................................... -- --
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 16,503,750 shares of
Class A common stock and 1,833,750 shares of Class
B common stock authorized on an actual basis;
3,501,626 shares of Class A common stock and
31,907 shares of Class B common stock issued and
outstanding on an actual basis; 75,000,000 shares
authorized on an as adjusted basis; 12,164,185
shares issued and outstanding on an as adjusted
basis............................................. 30 116
Additional paid-in capital......................... 7,745 77,223
Warrants........................................... 398 --
Deferred compensation.............................. (4,487) (4,487)
Accumulated deficit................................ (11,557) (11,557)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)................. (7,871) 61,295
----------- -----------
Total capitalization............................. $ 261 $ 61,318
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
Dilution
Our pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 1998 was a deficit
of $4,034,194, or $0.57 per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book
value per share is equal to the amount of our total tangible assets less total
liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of
December 31, 1998. Assuming the sale of the 4,500,000 shares offered hereby,
the deduction of underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses and the
application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom, our pro forma net tangible
book value as of December 31, 1998 would have been $58,115,806, or $4.78 per
share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net
tangible book value of $5.35 per share to existing stockholders and an
immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $10.22 per share to
new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Initial public offering price per share......................... $15.00
Pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of
December 31, 1998............................................ $(0.57)
Increase attributable to new investors........................ 5.35
------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this
offering....................................................... 4.78
------
Pro forma dilution per share to new investors................... $10.22
======
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of December 31, 1998,
after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of
preferred stock into common stock and the exercise of warrants outstanding to
purchase 530,537 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $0.0136 per
share, the total number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total
consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid by existing
stockholders and by new investors:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Purchased Total Consideration
------------------ ------------------- Average Price
Number Percent Amount Percent Per Share
---------- ------- ----------- ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing stockholders...... 7,664,185 63.0% $ 6,199,502 8.4% $ 0.81
New investors.............. 4,500,000 37.0 67,500,000 91.6 15.00
---------- ----- ----------- -----
Total................... 12,164,185 100.0% $73,699,502 100.0%
========== ===== =========== =====
</TABLE>
The tables and calculations above assume no exercise of outstanding options
or warrants, other than those warrants exercisable for $0.0136 per share. At
December 31, 1998, there were:
. 1,749,727 shares issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding at a
weighted average exercise price of $1.17 per share,
. 156,285 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding at a
weighted average exercise price of $2.40 per share and
. 376,219 shares available for issuance under our stock option plans.
To the extent that these options or warrants are exercised, there will be
further dilution to new investors. Please see "Management--Benefit Plans."
19
<PAGE>
Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and the notes to such statements and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
included elsewhere in this prospectus. The statement of operations data for the
three years ended December 31, 1998, and the consolidated balance sheet data at
December 31, 1997 and 1998, are derived from our financial statements which
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, and are included
elsewhere in this prospectus. The statement of operations data for the two
years ended December 31, 1995, and the consolidated balance sheet data at
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 are derived from audited financial statements
not included in this prospectus. The 1998 statement of operations includes the
results of REALBID, LLC from November 6, 1998. Historical results are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future. The pro
forma statement of operations data gives effect to our acquisition of REALBID,
LLC as if it had occurred on January 1, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------
Pro Forma
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations
Data:
Net revenues............. $6,030 $ 6,716 $ 8,707 $10,867 $12,900 $13,123
Cost of revenues......... 2,674 3,488 4,357 5,054 5,768 5,813
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Gross profit............. 3,356 3,228 4,350 5,813 7,132 7,310
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing.. 2,306 2,072 2,813 3,408 4,230 4,230
Product development and
engineering........... -- -- 376 768 1,233 1,233
General and
administrative........ 1,743 2,527 3,401 2,942 3,068 3,948
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating
expenses............ 4,049 4,599 6,590 7,118 8,531 9,411
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Loss from operations..... (693) (1,371) (2,240) (1,305) (1,399) (2,101)
Other income (expense),
net..................... (9) 12 (67) (252) (260) (260)
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss................. (702) (1,359) (2,307) (1,557) (1,659) (2,361)
Dividend accretion on
preferred stock 63 299 299 299 454 454
------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss attributable to
common stockholders..... $ (765) $(1,658) $(2,606) $(1,856) $(2,113) $(2,815)
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Net loss per share
attributable to common
stockholders, basic and
diluted................. $(0.16) $ (0.47) $ (0.74) $ (0.53) $ (0.60) $ (0.80)
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Shares used in computing
net loss per share
attributable to common
stockholders, basic and
diluted................. 4,700 3,502 3,502 3,502 3,517 3,517
====== ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Pro forma net loss per
share, basic and
diluted................. $ (0.23) $ (0.33)
======= =======
Shares used in computing
pro forma net loss per
share, basic and
diluted................. 7,067 7,067
======= =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At December 31,
--------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents............. $2,866 $ 260 $ 578 $ 352 $ 378
Working capital (deficit)............. 1,225 (1,119) (2,056) (3,053) (4,354)
Total assets.......................... 4,687 4,714 4,224 4,091 8,414
Deferred subscription revenue......... 2,152 2,670 3,197 4,023 5,503
Long-term obligations, less current
portion.............................. 230 777 1,533 1,822 1,123
Redeemable convertible preferred
stock................................ 4,919 5,218 5,517 5,816 7,009
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity
..................................... (3,414) (5,072) (7,678) (9,505) (7,871)
</TABLE>
Please see Note 1 to the financial statements appearing elsewhere in this
prospectus for the determination of number of shares used in computing basic
and diluted loss per share.
20
<PAGE>
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to
those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
In January 1982, we first began providing sales information on commercial
properties in San Diego County. From 1982 through 1985, we expanded our
coverage throughout Southern California to Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino
and Los Angeles counties and to Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. We continued our
geographic expansion from 1987 through 1992 with coverage of Northern
California, Las Vegas and Seattle. During the period from June 1994 through
December 1998, we further broadened our geographic reach to cover additional
key markets including Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta,
Denver, Baltimore, Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami. This expansion was driven by
both internal growth and acquisitions.
We originally offered paper-based commercial real estate transaction
information. In 1986, we introduced our CallCOMPS service, which permitted
customers to call in and obtain sales transaction information, and, in 1990, we
introduced a DOS-based subscription product. Through 1996, the majority of our
revenues continued to come from print subscriptions. In October 1996, we began
to offer our services on CD-ROM, allowing for the computerized manipulation of
data to provide more customized reports. During 1997, we discontinued almost
all of our print subscriptions and converted our customers to our CD-ROM
services. As a result, we provided a larger provision for cancellations in 1997
than in 1996. In 1998, our provision for cancellations was reduced to a level
that was more in line with our historical experience. Most recently, in January
1998, we began to offer our information services on the Internet. This has
allowed our customers to receive updated commercial real estate transaction
information more frequently and analyze the data more quickly and easily.
Delivery of our information on the Internet and other electronic media has
provided additional value to customers, resulting in increased revenues from
subscriptions and one-time, fee-based transactions. Less than 10% of our 1998
revenues were derived from delivery of our services and products on the
Internet. We expect this percentage to increase as more of our customers
transition to using our services and products on the Internet.
In November 1998, we acquired the assets of REALBID, LLC, a real estate
marketing services company which supports commercial real estate transactions
on the Internet. As a result of this acquisition, our 1998 pro forma net
revenues were $13.1 million and our pro forma operating expenses were $9.4
million, compared to our 1998 actual net revenues of $12.9 million and our
actual operating expenses of $8.5 million. The purchase price of the
acquisition totaled approximately $3.4 million, which consisted of $163,000 in
cash, stock options granted to the principals valued at approximately $3.1
million and acquisition costs of $54,000. Intangible assets of $3.3 million
were recorded as a result of this acquisition. These intangible assets will be
amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to five years,
and will be primarily allocated to general and administrative expenses. In
1998, we amortized $117,000 relating to the intangible assets of REALBID, LLC.
We currently expect to amortize the following amounts relating to the
intangible assets of REALBID, LLC in the future: 1999--$704,000; 2000--
$704,000; 2001--$688,000; 2002--$600,000; and 2003--$483,000.
Substantially all of our revenues have been derived from licensing our sales
comparable information, either on a subscription or a per use basis, both
offline and, to a lesser extent, on the Internet. In 1998, approximately 75% of
our information licensing revenue was derived from subscription contracts and
approximately 25% was derived from fees paid on a per use basis. The
subscription licenses range from one to three years and generally renew
automatically for successive one-year terms. Many of the license rates increase
at the time of renewal. Subscribers pay contract license fees on an annual,
semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis in advance of their license term. We
recognize this revenue on a straight line basis over the life of the contract.
Accordingly, contract license fees which are invoiced from a new contract or
upon contract renewal result in deferred revenue.
21
<PAGE>
Since our November 1998 acquisition of REALBID, LLC, we have also begun to
derive revenues from our transaction support products. For the period of
November 6, 1998 through December 31, 1998, these revenues totaled
approximately $17,000. The 1998 pro forma transaction support product revenues
totaled approximately $240,000. We derive all of our transaction support
product revenues from the delivery of products on the Internet. We recognize
these revenues as products are provided.
In order to expand our operations, we anticipate incurring additional
expenses to:
. implement new Internet-related products;
. develop new databases;
. continue the integration of our REALBID services with our database;
. further automate our data collection process;
. acquire other companies; and
. integrate acquired databases into our standardized format.
We also intend to hire additional programmers and research employees as
needed to implement our product development efforts and to continue to expand
our database of commercial real estate. In addition, we intend to further
expand our sales force and marketing team to develop new and existing strategic
relationships and strengthen our brand name as we enter new markets. Lastly, we
anticipate incurring additional costs related to being a public company,
including director's and officer's liability insurance, investor relation
programs and professional service fees. As a result of these expenditures and
other related factors, we expect to continue to incur losses for the forseeable
future.
We have incurred significant net losses since our inception. As of December
31, 1998, we had an accumulated deficit of $11.6 million. Also, in connection
with the grant of 744,200 stock options to employees from February through
November 1998, we recorded deferred compensation of approximately $4.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 1998, representing the difference between the
fair value of our common stock for accounting purposes and the exercise price
of such options at the date of grant. Such amount is presented as a reduction
of stockholders' equity and amortized over the vesting period of the applicable
options, which is generally five years. In 1998, we recorded $192,000 in
compensation expense and expect to record the following amounts in the future:
1999--$1,052,000; 2000--$1,052,000; 2001--$1,052,000; 2002--$955,000; and
2003--$377,000.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data expressed
as a percentage of net revenues for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------
1996 1997 1998
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
Net revenues................................... 100 % 100 % 100 %
Cost of revenues............................... 50 47 45
------- ------- -------
Gross profit................................... 50 53 55
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing........................ 33 31 33
Product development and engineering.......... 4 7 10
General and administrative................... 39 27 23
------- ------- -------
Total operating expenses................... 76 65 66
------- ------- -------
Loss from operations........................... (26) (12) (11)
Other expense, net............................. (0) (2) (2)
------- ------- -------
Net loss....................................... (26)% (14)% (13)%
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE>
Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
Net Revenues
Our net revenues for 1998 were $12.9 million, an increase of $2.0 million or
18.7% from 1997. Our net revenues for 1997 were $10.9 million, an increase of
$2.2 million or 24.8% from $8.7 million in 1996. In both years, the increase
was primarily due to an increase in subscriptions as a result of geographic
expansion and further penetration of our existing markets. We had no customer
that accounted for more than 10% of our net revenues in 1998, 1997 or 1996.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists of compensation and benefits for research personnel
and research supplies. Our cost of revenues for 1998 was $5.8 million, an
increase of approximately $700,000 or 14.1% from 1997. Cost of revenues for
1997 was $5.1 million, an increase of approximately $700,000 or 16.0% from $4.4
million in 1996. Payroll and related costs contributed to approximately 95% of
the dollar increase in 1998 and to approximately 65% of the dollar increase in
1997. In both years, the increase in dollar amount was due to an increase in
sales transaction volume, and geographic expansion and the hiring of additional
research employees. In addition, cost of revenues increased in 1997 due to the
conversion of print subscriptions to CD-ROM format, as well as the write-off of
the entire unamortized balance of a prepayment for assessors information
relating to a 1995 purchase agreement which was amended in November 1997. Cost
of revenues as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 45% for the year ended
December 31, 1998 from 47% for the year ended December 31, 1997 and from 50%
for the year ended December 31, 1996. In each year, the percentage decrease was
due to increased revenues during periods when costs remained relatively fixed.
Selling and Marketing Expenses
Selling and marketing expenses consist of compensation and benefits for sales
and marketing personnel, as well as sales commissions to our direct sales
force. Our selling and marketing expenses for 1998 were $4.2 million, an
increase of approximately $800,000 or 24.1% from 1997. Our selling and
marketing expenses for 1997 were $3.4 million, an increase of approximately
$600,000 or 21.2% from $2.8 million in 1996. In 1998, approximately 85% of the
dollar increase was attributable to salaries and wages for additional telesales
and marketing employees, approximately 5% of the increase was attributable to
sales-related travel expenses and approximately 10% resulted from increases in
marketing and promotional expenses, including training and technical support
costs pertaining to the promotion of our COMPSLink/Windows product. In 1997,
approximately 95% of the dollar increase was attributable to salaries and wages
and commission expense relating to new business generated from the conversion
of our subscriber base. As a percentage of net revenues, such expenses
increased to 33% for the year ended December 31, 1998 from 31% for the year
ended December 31, 1997, a decrease from 33% for the year ended December 31,
1996. The percentage increase in 1998 was primarily due to increased
compensation expense incurred as a result of the REALBID acquisition. The
percentage decrease in 1997 was due to increased revenues during the year when
costs remained relatively fixed.
Product Development and Engineering Expenses
Product development and engineering expenses consist primarily of
compensation and benefits for software engineers and quality assurance
personnel and expenses for contract programmers and developers. Our product
development and engineering expenses for 1998 were $1.2 million, an increase of
approximately $400,000 or 60.6% from 1997. Our product development and
engineering expenses for 1997 were approximately $800,000, an increase of
approximately $400,000 or 104% from approximately $400,000 in 1996. As a
percentage of net revenues, product development and engineering expenses
increased to 10% for the year ended December 31, 1998 from 7% for the year
ended December 31, 1997 and 4% for the year ended December 31, 1996. The dollar
and percentage increases were primarily due to the hiring of additional
software engineers and quality assurance personnel for development of new
Internet-related products.
23
<PAGE>
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and
benefits for finance and administrative personnel, professional fees,
amortization expense, insurance expenses and charges relating to merchant
credit card fees and bad debts. Our general and administrative expenses for
1998 were $3.1 million, an increase of approximately $100,000 or 4.3% from
1997. This dollar increase in general and administrative expenses was due to
indirect costs incurred in connection with our acquisition strategy, including
personnel and consulting costs incurred to evaluate potential acquisitions,
increases in professional fees, increased expenses incurred in connection with
an increase in our work force and related payroll expenses, offset by a
decrease in bad debt expense due to a more comprehensive credit policy and
increased collection efforts. Our general and administrative expenses for 1997
were $2.9 million, a decrease of approximately $500,000 or 13.5% from
$3.4 million in 1996. As a percentage of net revenues, such expenses decreased
to 23% for the year ended December 31, 1998 from 27% for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and 39% for the year ended December 31, 1996. The dollar
decrease in 1997 and the decreases in such expenses as a percentage of net
revenues in both years were primarily due to decreases in payroll expense,
professional fees and bad debt expense.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net consists primarily of interest expense on our debt less
the amount of interest we earn on our cash and short-term investments. Total
other expense, net for 1998 was $260,000, an increase of $8,000 or 3.2% from
1997. Total other expense, net for 1997 was $252,000, an increase of $185,000
or 276% from $67,000 in 1996. In both years, the increase in other expense was
primarily due to interest expense under a loan agreement.
Quarterly Results Of Operations
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly statement of
operations data for each of the eight quarters in the two year period ended
December 31, 1998. In the opinion of management, this information has been
prepared substantially on the same basis as the audited financial statements
appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and all necessary adjustments,
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included in the
amounts stated below to present fairly the unaudited quarterly results of
operations data.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31, March 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31,
1997 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998
--------- -------- -------- ------- --------- -------- -------- -------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations
Data:
Net revenues............ $2,363 $2,656 $2,697 $3,151 $3,025 $3,340 $3,359 $ 3,176
Cost of revenues........ 1,163 1,191 1,264 1,436 1,287 1,306 1,468 1,707
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
Gross profit............ 1,200 1,465 1,433 1,715 1,738 2,034 1,891 1,469
Operating expenses:
Selling and
marketing............. 775 848 866 919 909 917 979 1,425
Product development
and engineering....... 156 179 190 243 212 318 395 308
General and
administrative........ 674 644 624 1,000 708 737 680 943
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
Total operating
expenses............ 1,605 1,671 1,680 2,162 1,829 1,972 2,054 2,676
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
Loss from operations... (405) (206) (247) (447) (91) 62 (163) (1,207)
Other expense, net..... (83) (85) (57) (27) (82) (73) (38) (67)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
Net loss................ $ (488) $ (291) $ (304) $ (474) $ (173) $ (11) $ (201) $(1,274)
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =======
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of
net revenues represented by each item in our statement of operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31, March 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31,
1997 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998
--------- -------- -------- ------- --------- -------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations
Data:
Net revenues............ 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Cost of revenues........ 49 45 47 45 43 39 44 54
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Gross profit............ 51 55 53 55 57 61 56 46
Operating expenses:
Selling and
marketing............. 33 32 32 29 30 27 29 45
Product development
and engineering....... 7 7 7 8 7 10 12 10
General and
administrative........ 28 24 23 32 23 22 20 29
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total operating
expenses............ 68 63 62 69 60 59 61 84
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Loss from operations... (17) (8) (9) (14) (3) 2 (5) (38)
Other expense, net..... (4) (3) (2) (1) (3) (2) (1) (2)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Net loss................ (21)% (11)% (11)% (15)% (6)% 0% (6)% (40)%
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
In the first quarter of 1997, gross profits were lower when compared to the
successive three quarters because revenues resulting from the conversion of our
subscriber base to higher margin electronic delivery was slower than expected.
In the remaining three quarters of the year, revenues from licensing of our
information through the higher margin electronic delivery were recognized from
the sale of annual subscriptions in previous quarters.
During the second quarter of 1997, selling and marketing expenses increased
over the previous quarter by $73,000 or 9%, but decreased as a percentage of
net revenues. The dollar increase was due to commission expense incurred as the
result of new and revised subscription contracts for the electronic delivery of
our information.
General and administrative expenses increased $376,000 or 60% in the fourth
quarter of 1997 over the previous quarter due to an impairment loss of $183,000
for intangible assets acquired in 1995, and $132,000 relating to the November
1997 acquisition of a customer base. The impairment loss of $183,000 was
recorded because we determined that our subscription base was impaired because
of lower than expected retention of the purchased subscription base. Fair value
of the assets was calculated based on estimated future cash flows to be
generated by the remaining subscribers, discounted at a market rate of
interest.
The increase in gross profit for the second quarter of 1998 resulted from an
increased demand for our per use services compared to the first quarter of
1998. Also in the second quarter of 1998, we continued to realize increased
revenues from the licensing of our higher margin electronic delivery
information.
In the fourth quarter of 1998, gross profit declined due to increased
expenses incurred in connection with our geographic expansion, including travel
expenses of our researchers necessary to accumulate and verify historical
commercial sales activity in new markets, as well as related personnel and
benefit costs. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 1998, selling and
marketing and general and administrative expenses increased as a result of our
acquisition of REALBID, LLC and the amortization of intangibles and deferred
compensation. The quarterly data should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and the notes to such statements appearing elsewhere in
this prospectus. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily
indicative of the operating results for any future period and are subject to
significant fluctuation.
25
<PAGE>
Liquidity And Capital Resources
Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through the
private placement of equity securities, borrowing arrangements and cash flow
from operations. As of December 31, 1998, we had approximately $378,000 in cash
and cash equivalents.
Our capital requirements depend on numerous factors, including our geographic
and product expansions, investments in our Web site and other factors. We have
experienced a substantial increase in our capital expenditures and operating
expenses since our inception consistent with our growth in operations and
staffing, and anticipate that this trend will continue for the foreseeable
future. As of December 31, 1998, our capital commitments for 1999 included
approximately $513,500 for operating leases, $49,300 in capital leases and
$979,200 for current debt. We do not expect our capital commitments to exceed
$2.5 million in the next 12 months. We expect our expenses to continue to
increase as we continue to evaluate possible strategic acquisitions, products
and technologies, expand our sales and marketing programs and conduct
aggressive brand promotions. Selling and marketing expenses and research and
development expenses are expected to increase in 1999 as a percentage of net
revenues.
Of the net proceeds from this offering we are currently allocating $10-15
million for enhancement and development of existing and new information
services, $8-10 million for geographic expansion, $6-8 million for the
enhancement and development of transaction support products, $5.2 million for
the repayment of debt, and the remaining $24-33 million for other working
capital and general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the
proceeds for strategic alliances and acquisitions. However, we have not yet
made any material commitments to these purposes. Accordingly, our allocation of
net proceeds may be to these uses, as well as to other general corporate
purposes, depending upon developments and opportunities in our business, the
various geographic markets and the Internet industry in general.
In September 1996, we entered into a $3.0 million loan agreement with Venture
Lending & Leasing, Inc. This agreement provides $1.5 million for fixed asset
acquisition and $1.5 million for working capital. Borrowings for fixed asset
acquisition are due 48 months from the date of disbursement. Borrowings for
working capital are due 36 months from the date of disbursement. This loan
agreement requires payment of 8.75% interest during the term and a one-time 15%
interest balloon payment is due upon completion of the term. The notes issued
under this loan agreement are secured by either all of our fixed assets or all
of our business assets. In connection with this loan agreement, we issued to
Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc. a warrant to purchase 156,285 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $2.40 per share, subject to antidilutive
adjustments. The warrant may be exercised in whole or in part at any time. The
warrant expires on September 24, 2003. At March 31, 1999, approximately
$141,800 was available for working capital and none was available for fixed
asset acquisition. The loan agreement originally was set to expire on June 30,
1998, but was extended during 1998 to June 30, 1999.
In February 1999, we entered into an additional $1.8 million loan agreement
with Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc. This agreement permits the use of funds
for either fixed asset acquisition or working capital. Under this loan
agreement, borrowings for fixed assets acquisition are due 48 months from the
date of disbursement and borrowings for working capital are due 36 months from
the date of disbursement. This loan agreement requires payment of 8.75%
interest during the term and a one-time 15% interest balloon payment upon
completion of the term. The notes issued under this loan agreement are secured
by either all of our fixed assets or all of our business assets. In connection
with this loan agreement, we issued a warrant to Venture Lending & Leasing,
Inc. Upon the closing of this offering, the warrant will be exercisable for
25,773 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.73 per share and will
be valued at $215,720. This amount will be amortized to interest expense over
the debt service period. The warrant may be exercised in whole or in part at
any time. The warrant expires on February 14, 2008. At March 31, 1999, $1.8
million was available under this loan agreement. This loan agreement expires on
March 31, 2000.
In April 1999, we entered into a $3.0 million loan agreement with Silicon
Valley Bank. This agreement provides $3.0 million for working capital.
Borrowings under this agreement are due on the earlier of receipt by
26
<PAGE>
us from an equity offering of at least $5.0 million in net cash proceeds or
April 2001. This loan agreement requires payment of 13% interest during the
term. The notes issued under the agreement are secured by all of our assets. In
connection with this loan, we issued warrants exercisable for 14,670 shares of
common stock with an exercise price of $6.82 per share. The warrants expire on
April 9, 2006.
We currently anticipate that the net proceeds of this offering, together with
available funds, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated needs and strategy
until at least the end of 2000. After such time, we may need to raise
additional funds in order to fund more aggressive brand name promotions or more
rapid expansion, to develop new or enhanced services and products, to respond
to competitive pressures or to acquire complementary businesses, technologies
or services. Additional financing may not be available on terms favorable to
us, if at all. If adequate funds are not available or not available on
acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund our expansion, successfully promote
our brand name, take advantage of unanticipated acquisition opportunities,
develop or enhance services and products or respond to competitive pressures.
Any such inability could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Impact of the Year 2000
We have not fully completed tests to assure that our information technology
systems will function properly in the year 2000. The computer systems and
software programs of many companies and governmental agencies are currently
coded to accept or recognize only two digit entries in the date code field.
These systems may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the
year 2000. As a result, these computer systems and/or software programs may
need to be upgraded to comply with such year 2000 requirements or risk system
failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of normal business activities.
State of Readiness. We have made an assessment of the year 2000 readiness of
our information technology systems, including the hardware and software that
operate our Web site and our non-information technology systems. We are in the
process of a year 2000 simulation to test our information technology systems'
readiness which we expect to complete by the end of June 1999. Based on the
results of our year 2000 simulation test, we intend to revise our proprietary
software as necessary to improve our year 2000 compliance. We believe that
substantially all of our applications, databases and infrastructure are year
2000 compliant. We have been informed by many of our vendors of material
hardware and software components of our information technology systems that
substantially all of the products we use are currently year 2000 compliant. We
will request vendors of the material hardware and software components of our
information technology systems to provide assurances of their year 2000
compliance. We plan to complete this process during the first half of 1999. We
are currently assessing our material non-information technology systems and
will seek assurances of year 2000 compliance from providers of these systems.
Until such testing is complete and such vendors and providers are contacted, we
will not be able to completely evaluate whether our information technology
systems or non-information technology systems will need to be revised or
replaced. If our efforts to address year 2000 risks are not successful, or if
suppliers or other third parties with whom we conduct business do not
successfully address such risks, it could have a material adverse effect on our
business.
Costs. We have identified approximately $300,000 in capital equipment and
software that required upgrading or replacement for year 2000 compliance. We
expended $150,000 prior to December 31, 1998 and still have an outstanding
balance of $150,000 in capital equipment and software to replace. These costs
have been included in our operating capital budget.
Risks. We are not currently aware of any year 2000 compliance problems
relating to our proprietary software or our information technology or non-
information technology systems that would have a material adverse effect on our
business. We cannot assure that we will not discover year 2000 compliance
problems in our proprietary software that will require substantial revisions.
In addition, we cannot assure you that third-party software, hardware or
services incorporated into our material information technology and non-
information technology systems will not need to be revised or replaced, all of
which could be time consuming and
27
<PAGE>
expensive. Our failure to fix our proprietary software or to fix or replace
third-party software, hardware or services on a timely basis could result in
lost revenues, increased operating costs, the loss of customers and other
business interruptions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on
our business. Moreover, the failure to adequately address year 2000 compliance
issues in our proprietary software and our information technology and non-
information technology systems could result in claims of mismanagement,
misrepresentation or breach of contract and related litigation, which could be
costly and time-consuming to defend.
In addition, we cannot assure you that governmental agencies, utility
companies, Internet access companies, third-party service providers and others
outside our control will be year 2000 compliant. The failure by such entities
to be year 2000 compliant could result in a systemic failure beyond our
control, such as a prolonged Internet, telecommunications or electrical
failure, which could prevent us from delivering our Web site, could decrease
the use of the Internet or prevent users from accessing our Web site, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Contingency Plan. In the event that year 2000-related problems materialize,
we have the ability to revert to a set of manual methods previously utilized in
the collection and distribution of data if necessary. We also maintain
relationships with several suppliers of services and products to mitigate the
risks associated with suppliers who are not year 2000 compliant.
Effects of Inflation
Due to relatively low levels of inflation in 1996, 1997 and 1998, inflation
has not had a significant effect on our results of operations since our
inception.
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (SFAS
130). SFAS 130 requires that all components of comprehensive income, including
net income, be reported in financial statements in the period in which they are
recognized. SFAS 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1997. There was no difference between our net loss and our total comprehensive
loss for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS 131). SFAS 131 replaces SFAS 14,
Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise and changes the way
public companies report segment information. SFAS 131 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997 and has been adopted by us for the year
ended December 31, 1998.
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 98-1 Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use (SOP 98-1). This standard requires
companies to capitalize qualifying computer software costs which are incurred
during the application development stage and amortize them over the software's
estimated useful life. SOP 98-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1998. We are currently evaluating the impact of SOP 98-1 on our
financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 98-5 Reporting for the Costs of Start-Up Activities (SOP
98-5). This standard requires companies to expense the cost of start-up
activities and organization costs as incurred. In general, SOP 98-5 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. We believe the
adoption of SOP 98-5 will not have a material impact on our results of
operations.
28
<PAGE>
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133).
SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and
for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 is effective for all fiscal quarters of
fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999. The statement is not expected to
affect us because we currently do not hold any derivative instruments or
conduct any hedging activities.
29
<PAGE>
Business
Overview
We are a leading national provider of comprehensive information on commercial
real estate properties to commercial real estate professionals both offline and
on the Internet. We have also begun facilitating commercial real estate
transactions on the Internet by using our extensive database to match brokers'
property listings with potential owners and investors contained in our
database. Over the last 17 years, we have developed a highly evolved data
collection and confirmation system to provide information on commercial real
estate properties. This information is verified by our researchers and includes
sales price, income and expenses, capitalization rates, loan data, property
photographs, buyers, sellers, brokers and other key details. We believe that we
are well-positioned to use our extensive database of information to support
brokers, lenders and insurers in their sales, finance and insurance
transactions involving commercial real estate on the Internet.
Industry Background
Growth of the Internet
International Data Corporation estimates that the number of Internet users
worldwide exceeded 95 million by the end of 1998, will exceed 170 million by
the end of 2000 and will grow to over 319 million by the end of 2002. Growth in
Internet usage has been fueled by a number of factors, including:
. a large and growing base of personal computers in the workplace and
home;
. advances in the performance of personal computers and modems;
. improvements in network systems and infrastructure;
. more readily available and lower cost access to the Internet;
. increased awareness of the Internet among businesses and consumers;
. increased volume of information and services offered on the Internet;
and
. reduced security risks involved in conducting transactions on the
Internet.
Growth in Internet usage is expected to continue as new technologies, such as
multimedia capabilities, are developed and adopted, as Internet access and
bandwidth increases, and as Internet content improves and becomes more dynamic.
The Internet as a New Medium for Business-to-Business Commerce
As the Internet has become more accessible and widely used, it has emerged as
a primary business channel alongside the telephone, paper-based communication
and face-to-face interaction. Forrester Research estimates that businesses
bought and sold $43 billion in goods over the Internet last year, as opposed to
$8 billion bought by consumers. In addition, they predict that by the year
2003, more than 90% of the projected $1.4 trillion of Internet commerce will be
business-to-business related. The Internet allows online providers to
efficiently distribute information with the potential for less infrastructure
and overhead and greater economies of scale. It also offers customers diverse
options and unparalleled convenience.
The Commercial Real Estate Industry
The commercial real estate industry is large and fragmented. Institutional
Real Estate, Inc., a research firm, has estimated the value of commercial real
estate property in the United States to be approximately $3.7 trillion. We
estimate that property valued at approximately $285 billion changed ownership
in 1998. However, we estimate that no commercial real estate brokerage firm was
involved in more than 5% of the value of these transactions. In addition,
approximately $200 billion of loans covering commercial real estate properties
were written in 1998, approximately half of which were refinancing
transactions.
30
<PAGE>
Comprehensive and reliable information is a critical component of virtually
all commercial real estate transactions. Prior to the availability of
commercial real estate sales information services which provide independently
verified and comprehensive sales information from a centralized source,
industry professionals either maintained their own research departments to
catalog comparable sales, market statistics and other property-specific
information or aggregated such information, to the limited extent available,
from multiple third parties. These firms have also traditionally spent
significant resources adapting or developing software to analyze such
information. These methods have resulted in high internal costs and nonstandard
data with varying degrees of comprehensiveness and accuracy.
In addition, with respect to supporting real estate transactions, while we
currently offer transaction support products that bring together brokers and
buyers there are currently no comprehensive, standardized transaction support
products that efficiently identify properties and bring together lenders and
insurers, as well as brokers and buyers, in commercial real estate
transactions. The lack of such services results in higher internal costs and
lost opportunities for brokers, buyers, lenders and insurers.
The COMPS.COM Solution
The vast information sharing and communications power of the Internet creates
an opportunity to improve upon the inefficiencies in conducting commercial real
estate transactions. We provide comprehensive and reliable information
services, and transaction support products that save industry professionals
both time and money. We generate revenue from our information services by
licensing on a subscription or per use basis and from our transaction support
products on a fixed fee basis. Our expenses are primarily incurred as a result
of building our database and developing and implementing new Internet-related
products. We believe we have established the foundation to be the trusted
online resource linking commercial real estate brokers, lenders, appraisers,
insurers and other professionals. To date, we have:
. Developed a comprehensive and standardized proprietary database. Over the
last 17 years, we have developed a highly evolved data collection and
confirmation system to provide information on commercial real estate
properties. This system is based on a unique combination of our highly trained
research staff of over 155 researchers, management practices, proprietary
software systems, and computer and communications hardware. To build each of
our transaction records, our researchers conduct from 25 to 30 collection and
confirmation procedures. We generally confirm property sales over $250,000
within the markets that we cover. Since our inception, we have created a
historical database of approximately 400,000 commercial real estate
transactions. As a result, we believe that the cost, time and effort involved
in replicating our commercial real estate property database makes it difficult
for competitors to enter this market and creates a significant barrier to
entry.
. Migrated our database to the Internet. We started out by providing
verified commercial real estate sales comparable information from our database
in paper form in January 1982. In October 1996, we began to offer our customers
the service on CD-ROM, allowing for the computerized manipulation of data to
provide more customized reports. In January 1998, we began to offer this
service on the Internet. This allows our customers to receive updated
commercial real estate sales comparable information more frequently and analyze
the data more quickly and easily. In connection with the migration of our
database customers to the Internet we provide E-COMPS, a comprehensive search
engine to access and search our database. We also offer Pipeline and Spectrum,
both Internet-based services. Pipeline provides access to our work-in-process
research database. Spectrum allows the integration of our customers' data with
our proprietary database information. We generate revenues from our information
services by licensing on a subscription or a per use basis. Customers pay
subscription fees to access our comprehensive database by geography, generally
a county or metropolitan area, and by property type. On the date of this
prospectus, approximately 35% of our customers use the Internet along with
traditional methods when obtaining our services, and approximately 15% use our
Internet services exclusively. In 1998 less than 10% of our revenues were a
result of our services and products delivered on the Internet.
. Established an Internet-based listing-broker/buyer matching service. We
acquired REALBID, LLC in November 1998 in order to offer a listing-broker/buyer
matching service to commercial listing-brokers for properties with values
exceeding $5 million. As part of the REALBID service, we develop a specific Web
31
<PAGE>
site for each listed property using the listing-brokers' summary description.
This summary generally includes property information, maps, site plans,
pictures, summary financials and broker contact information and also includes a
confidentiality agreement. In connection with this service we actively use our
comprehensive database to identify and refer potential buyers of listed
properties to brokers on REALBID and send summary announcements by fax and e-
mail to such potential investors. Our database includes the specific investment
criteria of pension fund managers, real estate investment trusts, opportunistic
funds, private investors, insurance companies and other potential buyers. We
currently receive fees for this service from our customers on a fixed fee basis
in exchange for the development of a Web site for a property and for the faxing
or e-mailing of the summary information on such property to potential
investors. We also receive fees from sponsors in exchange for locating
advertising messages and links at the Web site. None of these fees are
contingent upon the sale of the respective properties. In 1998, REALBID was
used to support approximately $3.8 billion in commercial real estate
transactions. In 1998, approximately $240,000, or less than 2% of our revenues
on a pro forma basis, were due to REALBID.
. Introduced a commercial real estate listing service. In January 1999, we
introduced our proprietary commercial real estate property listing service,
DealPoint, for San Diego County. DealPoint is our Internet-based, commercial
listing service enabling brokers to market their properties on the Internet.
This form of marketing provides the commercial property broker with an
opportunity to increase a property's exposure to prospective buyers and their
brokers. Posting may be accomplished by the broker's remote entry or by sending
the property information to us for manual entry. This service is currently
available at no cost. DealPoint is intended to enhance our role in the
commercial real estate transaction process by permitting us to have more
listings and attract more Internet users to our Web site. We expect this
increased use to result in greater market awareness of our other services such
as REALBID. During the first quarter of 1999, more than 650 for-sale commercial
properties were posted on the system by brokers in San Diego.
Our Business Strategy
Our objective is to be the trusted online resource linking commercial real
estate brokers, lenders, appraisers, insurers and other professionals by
efficiently distributing market information on the Internet. As a resource of
commercial real estate market information, we expect to have brokers, lenders,
insurers, appraisers and others come to our Web site to transact their business
because we can save them time and money. We generate revenue from our
information services by licensing on a subscription or per use basis and from
our transaction support services on a fixed fee basis. Our expenses are
primarily incurred as a result of building our database and developing and
implementing new Internet-related products. Our business strategy includes the
following key elements:
. Continue to enhance our comprehensive historical database of commercial
real estate transactions. We intend to maintain our position as a leading
provider of comprehensive, reliable commercial real estate transaction
information. We expect to do this by:
. expanding our information gathering processes across multiple
services and products;
. using technology to further automate the data collection process;
. integrating acquired databases into our standardized format; and
. continually improving our data collection and error detection
methods.
We believe that these efforts will permit us to build upon our current
comprehensive historical database of commercial real estate transactions and
maintain the competitive advantages it affords us in our industry.
. Expand our online listing-broker/buyer matching network. We intend to
expand and enhance the listing-broker/buyer matching services of REALBID. We
expect to enhance these services by continuing to update our database with
specific investment related criteria of potential buyers so that we can most
accurately target appropriate investors in our fax and e-mail notifications of
specific properties. In addition, we plan to increase the number of commercial
properties serviced through the REALBID database by including
32
<PAGE>
commercial properties with sale prices as low as $1 million. Our comprehensive
investor database will allow brokers to more easily identify prospective buyers
and our Internet-based new listing notification system allows brokers to more
efficiently market commercial properties to such buyers.
. Create a comprehensive online national listing service for commercial real
estate. We intend to expand the geographic coverage of our online listing
service, DealPoint, by soliciting commercial real estate listings throughout
the United States. We expect these efforts to result in a comprehensive online
national listing service for commercial real estate which will enhance our role
in the commercial real estate transaction process.
. Enhance our services and products to facilitate online exchange of key
commercial real estate market information. We believe that our Web site has the
potential to be an online forum for commercial real estate transactions. We
believe that commercial real estate industry professionals will be drawn to our
Web site because we provide the information necessary to complete transactions.
We initially plan to expand our existing services to match lenders, mortgage
bankers and brokers with borrowers, followed by matching insurers and agents
with property owners and lenders. Combined with our REALBID service, these
expanded services will allow buyers and, where applicable, existing property
owners, to find the appropriate broker-listed property and arrange financing
and insurance coverage for that property from a single source.
. Expand into new geographic markets. Since 1995, we have expanded our
geographic coverage by establishing commercial real estate information services
in 19 new markets through internal expansion and three additional markets
through acquisitions. We will continue to establish footholds in new geographic
markets by incorporating the commercial real estate sales information obtained
through internal development or acquisitions into our database. We plan to
expand into new geographic markets using our existing relationships with
national customers to gain market acceptance. This strategy will allow us to
add new customers and to more effectively service our existing customers,
particularly those with national or regional focus.
. Continue to build our brand name. We believe that commercial real estate
professionals in the markets we serve associate the COMPS brand name with
comprehensive, accurate and standardized commercial real estate sales
information. We intend to continue building and strengthening our brand name
by:
. maintaining a strong commitment to quality, accuracy and timeliness;
. increasing our marketing and advertising activities; and
. continuing to expand our presence on the Internet.
We expect these efforts to maintain and build upon the COMPS brand name for
quality commercial real estate sales information.
Our Proprietary Database
Our proprietary database of commercial real estate sales transactions is the
result of 17 years of research. We believe it to be the largest and most
sophisticated database covering all categories of commercial real estate
properties available today. In 1998, we researched nearly 46,000 transactions
totaling approximately $105 billion.
Our database is an online information system offering full-color building
photographs as well as more than 200 inter-related data fields of information.
These data fields include the following current information and key value
indicators:
. buyers . income and expense information
. sellers . building characteristics and
. brokerage companies condition
. agents . prices per square foot
. lenders and mortgages . prices per unit
. sales prices . capitalization rates
. seller financing . gross income multipliers
. property uses or property
descriptions
33
<PAGE>
Our database covers approximately 400,000 transactions totaling over $466
billion, including 1.8 million acres of land transactions, over 780,000 buyer
and seller records and over 300,000 brokerage and agent records.
We have developed a highly evolved data collection and confirmation system.
This system is based on a unique combination of our highly trained research
staff of over 155 researchers supported by management, computer and
communications hardware and software systems. Many of our researchers have
prior experience in the commercial real estate industry. Our research process
includes from 25 to 30 collection and confirmation procedures on most
properties. We currently cover nine property types: office, industrial, retail,
specialty, multi-family, hotel/motel, residential land, commercial land and
industrial land. These property types are further categorized by nearly 150
specific use codes. We also research properties to see if they have one of over
45 detrimental conditions, such as asbestos or earthquake damage. Our
proprietary software utilizes over 38 search categories to allow users to
search the database efficiently and quickly. This software enables us to
provide commercial real estate professionals with specific detailed and
comprehensive coverage of commercial property sales in excess of $250,000 in
most of our covered markets.
We research real property transfers throughout the country to identify recent
commercial property transactions. Typically, we review multiple sources of
commercial real estate property information to identify transactions. Once a
potential transaction is identified, in order to increase accuracy, our
researchers inspect county courthouse records and extract pertinent information
directly from the recorded deed into our database. Our researchers match the
legal description of the deed with a tax or plat map and then proceed to
perform a site inspection on the commercial properties, including land. Our
site inspections consist of photographing the building, measuring the building,
if necessary, counting parking spaces, assessing property condition and
construction and gathering tenant information. Our researchers then continue to
ensure the accuracy of our sales data by interviewing buyers, sellers and
brokers to confirm that the information we have collected is accurate and to
gather additional data pertinent to the property and transaction. Through the
telephone confirmation process, we are able to obtain additional property
specific details including conditions of the sale, income and expense data and
other information not readily available through public records or other
traditional data sources.
Our Services and Products
We have developed advanced information services and products utilizing our
proprietary database. In addition, we have acquired and further developed
Internet transaction support products. These products use sophisticated
Windows-based programs with Internet connectivity to access our database and
present information in a variety of formats. Our services are used by brokers,
lenders, appraisers, property owners, international accounting firms, tax
appeal professionals, public sector agencies, investment banks and many others
interested in the valuation of commercial real estate.
Non-Internet Related
We also offer services that do not rely on the Internet as a means of
delivery. While these services accounted for more than 90% of our revenue in
1998, we expect the percentage of our revenues represented by these products to
diminish as more of our customers transition to using our services and products
on the Internet.
. COMPS Reports. COMPS Reports, introduced in 1982, is a subscription
service allowing customers to receive sales comparable reports on a
regular delivery schedule in the form of a bound paper manual.
. CallCOMPS. CallCOMPS, introduced in 1986, is our phone service allowing
customers to contact experienced database researchers and to license
sales comparable reports in either paper, CD-ROM or other format, on a
per use basis.
. COMPSLink Windows. COMPSLink Windows, introduced in 1996, is a desktop
product which provides access to our proprietary database through data
diskette or CD-ROM. COMPSLink
34
<PAGE>
Windows provided a substitute for COMPS Reports and allowed us to
migrate the customer base from paper to electronic media during 1997 and
1998 by delivering new benefits in the form of electronic search,
retrieval and report generation.
Internet-Related
Information Services
Our information services allow our customers to use the Internet to access,
view and report information in our proprietary database of commercial real
estate sales transactions. The primary purpose of our information services is
to provide our customers with the data necessary to analyze and value
properties. The database contains over 400,000 sales comparable records in 35
of the top 74 markets in the U.S.
. E-COMPS. E-COMPS, introduced in January 1998, provides a comprehensive
search engine to access and search our proprietary database. Typically,
commercial real estate professionals require the review of between four
and seven sales comparable transactions to support a valuation decision.
E-COMPS allows the customer to enter multiple search parameters,
including location, property type, square footage, price range and
number of units. Customers receive a summary report of all relevant
properties in our database, including photographs. Customers may also
choose to receive more detailed reports.
. Pipeline. Pipeline, introduced in September 1998, allows registered
customers to search, retrieve, view and print reports of properties in
our work-in-process research database which includes unconfirmed and
non-arms-length market sales transactions. Customers interested in
knowing the total market, including unconfirmed data, use this product.
. Spectrum. Spectrum, introduced in August 1998, allows our customers to
integrate their own data with our proprietary database information,
including our sales comparables and for-sale listings. The customer may
use the system as an extranet with all of their user locations linked
through the Internet to our databases and their internal data housed at
our facilities. Spectrum includes easy-to-use query and report writing
functions including trend reporting and export features. Spectrum also
provides its subscribers access to PRO/FILES property reports. These
customized property reports can include confirmed sales and lease
comparables, property inspection, demographics and photographs.
Transaction Support Products
Our Internet-based transaction support products enhance the productivity of
industry professionals by deploying information and tools necessary to support
the sale, financing and insuring of commercial real estate. These products are
distinguished from our information services which provide the data necessary
for our customers to analyze and value properties by going one step further
into the actual transaction process by supporting selling efforts and actively
marketing properties to potential investors.
. REALBID. REALBID, introduced in 1997 and acquired by us in November
1998, allows our customers to view properties using a listing-broker's
summary description. We then identify investors and match them with the
property using REALBID's buyer profile database. Commercial listing-
brokers can use REALBID as a marketing tool to quickly identify,
contact, inform and capture potential investors by notifying them of new
listings by e-mail or facsimile. These brokers can also use REALBID to
help organize competitive, efficient and orderly sales by leveraging the
real-time nature of the Internet. We offer REALBID posting and
broadcasting at a fixed fee per property. These fixed fees are paid by
our customers in exchange for developing a Web site for listed
properties and sending summary announcements by fax and e-mail to
potential investors. We also receive fees from sponsors whose messages
and links are located on our Web site. In 1998, REALBID supported
approximately $3.8 billion in commercial real estate transactions. In
1998, REALBID generated approximately $240,000 or less than 2% of our
revenues on a pro forma basis.
35
<PAGE>
. DealPoint. DealPoint, introduced in January 1999, is our free commercial
listing service whereby brokers can effectively market properties on the
Internet. This service is currently only available in San Diego County.
We expect to expand DealPoint nationally by the end of 1999 and to
provide extensive in-depth listings by the end of 2000. Brokers and
prospective buyers use DealPoint to identify the properties for sale
that meet their investment needs by selecting relevant search criteria
and then viewing selected property information.
Products in Development
We are currently developing a product that will facilitate the financing of
commercial properties by efficiently matching prospective borrowers' loan
requirements with lenders' loan products. Prospective borrowers will be able to
complete and submit comprehensive applications online to those lenders of
choice. The prototype and product design work on this product is nearing
completion; and the coding is scheduled to be completed on the software this
year. We currently do not expect the remaining development costs relating to
this product to be material.
Our Customers
As of the end of 1998, we had over 4,000 customers, none of which accounted
for more than 10% of our revenue. In 1998, our customers included:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Arthur Andersen, LLP Grubb & Ellis
Bank of America KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP
Bankers Trust Co. Los Angeles County Assessor
CB Richard Ellis Marcus & Millichap
Cushman & Wakefield PricewaterhouseCoopers
Deloitte & Touche, LLP Trammell Crow Co.
Fannie Mae Union Pacific Corporation
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington Mutual
First Nationwide Bank Wells Fargo Bank
GMAC World Savings and Loan
</TABLE>
Our Sales and Marketing Efforts
Sales
Our sales efforts have been designed to address the specific market needs of
our customers and prospective customers. We use a variety of tools and
techniques, including:
. face-to-face sales calls;
. telesales;
. direct mail;
. seminar marketing; and
. contact management software.
Our sales force focuses on subscription services for all products. There are
three teams involved in our sales efforts:
. Major Account Team. Our major account team is responsible for managing our
relationships with select customers and prospects meeting our pre-defined
criteria. Major account representatives are strategically located in key cities
across the country in order to serve the needs of our largest and most
strategic accounts. Account assignments for this group include many of the
country's key brokers, lenders, fee appraisers, tax appeal professionals and
governmental entities.
36
<PAGE>
. Field Sales Team. We deploy our field sales team in strategic locations
across the country in order to meet the specific needs of a local market. Field
sales representatives are responsible for managing accounts and prospects in a
specific geographic area.
. Telesales Team. Our telesales team is located in San Diego and assumes the
field sales role in our established western markets. In this capacity, they are
also responsible for building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety
of subscription customers within a specific geographic area. Additionally, this
team provides telephone prospecting and sales support for all markets
nationally.
When we enter a new market we build a database of key prospects and then
execute a market opening campaign. Expansion into new markets is coordinated
among all sales teams. Prospects are notified via direct mail and fax followed
by a telesales blitz designed to qualify and invite prospects to a seminar
launching sales in the market. The seminar is followed by face-to-face sales
calls. This local activity is leveraged by agreements with national customers
which have been put in place by the major accounts team. The process of opening
new markets has been refined as we have expanded and is designed to achieve the
fastest possible sales growth.
Marketing
We use a multi-faceted marketing strategy, leveraging our own research to
effectively target both individual professionals and organizations. We employ a
combination of personal selling, telesales, online and off-line advertising,
direct mail, fax and e-mail programs, public relations and industry trade shows
to promote product sales.
Off-line advertising is focused on print media specifically concerned with
commercial real estate. Print advertising is used to build corporate image,
promote new products and announce new geographic coverage. We advertise in
industry publications including, Commercial Property News, National Real Estate
Investor and Real Estate Forum. We also use regional real estate and business
journals to introduce products and new markets.
We also use direct mail, fax and e-mail programs to support new products and
market expansion. Through our prospect and customer database, we deliver a
highly tailored message directly to likely buyers. Mail is used when the
message is detailed and color can be effectively used to illustrate the
marketing message. E-mail and fax are used when communication needs to be swift
and when the message will not suffer because of the lack of resolution or
graphics. We augment our database by licensing or purchasing lists and other
sources to achieve the most comprehensive database of all users of commercial
real estate information and services. In all direct marketing efforts, the Web
site is used as a marketing tool to help explain our services.
In order to market our Web site, www.comps.com, we:
. market to industry associations;
. establish relationships with commercial real estate Web sites;
. use online advertising to drive traffic to our Web site; and
. provide discounts and limited free information to entice potential
customers to our Web site.
Public relations efforts are both national and regional. We use traditional
releases to communicate news regarding our company and to maintain brand
awareness. We also use public relations as a tool to educate editors on the
type of data we offer and are regarded as an information source by editors.
Speaking engagements are also used to communicate the expertise of our staff
and quality of our data.
Attendance at industry tradeshows and seminars reinforces relationships with
our core user groups. We also host our own seminars to promote good use of our
products and provide valuable customer service. These presentations allow for
the in-depth demonstration of our products to highly motivated, captive
audiences.
37
<PAGE>
Our Markets
Our database currently covers the following 35 markets, which represent 102
counties and 48 of the 100 largest U.S. cities:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Altanta Fresno Oakland San Diego
Austin Jacksonville Orange County, CA San Francisco
Baltimore Las Vegas Orlando San Jose
Boston Los Angeles Palm Beach County Seattle
Chicago Marin-North SF Philadelphia Stockton/Modesto, CA
Colorado Springs Bay Area Phoenix Tampa/Saint
Dallas/Fort Worth Miami Portland Petersburg
Denver New York City- Riverside/San Tucson
Fort Lauderdale Manhattan Bernardino, CA Washington, D.C./
(Broward County) Newark Sacramento No. Virginia
</TABLE>
Infrastructure, Operations and Technology
Our Web site is hosted by Compaq multi-processor servers located at our
facilities in San Diego, California and by UUNET and RealPage. All data and
applications are stored and executed from the facilities in San Diego,
California. We maintain multiple Internet servers, which run Microsoft Windows
NT operating systems and use Microsoft Internet Information Server. We maintain
high-speed Internet access through both UUNET and VERIO, and we maintain back-
up connections with both of them to ensure our systems continue to work in case
of breakdowns or other problems.
We configure our servers to minimize downtime associated with hardware
failures. Additionally, all Internet and database servers have backup
components to ensure reliability. Backups of all servers are run daily and sent
weekly to an off-site data storage facility. All servers maintained in our San
Diego, California offices are kept in a secured facility with central air
conditioning and a centralized UPS system. All Internet traffic is logged and
filtered by dedicated servers whose purpose is to protect our computer systems
from unauthorized access. An anti-virus scanning solution is used on all
computer systems and servers to protect against computer viruses and monitor
inbound and outbound e-mail. Nonetheless, our operations are dependent on our
ability to protect our facilities and equipment against damage from fire,
earthquakes, power loss, water damage, telecommunications failures, vandalism,
computer viruses, hacker attacks and other malicious acts and similar
unexpected material adverse events. For further information regarding these
issues, please see "Risk Factors--Increased usage could strain our systems and
cause systems malfunctions which could have a material adverse effect on our
business."
We have developed a proprietary accounting system used to capture the revenue
generated by our transaction and subscription-based business. The system
maintains our list of customers and products and includes an installment-
billing module to provide the billing flexibility required by our customers.
The resulting revenue transaction details are summarized and fed into our
accounting system.
Rapidly changing technology, evolving standards, frequent new and upgraded
products and rapid expansion characterize our business. To be successful, we
must adapt to our market by continually improving the performance, features,
and reliability of our services.
Management Systems
As we enter new markets, we must integrate new and existing data into our
databases. Additionally, we must integrate automated and non-automated controls
to manage our data collection process to ensure data integrity. Automated data
validation controls are used in both the initial research worksheet application
and the final data collection application. These data validation controls
ensure data integrity by checking against a valid
38
<PAGE>
range of values as soon as data is entered into input screens. These controls
eliminate erroneous data in critical fields, such as recorded date, sale price
and appraisal values. The controls also ensure the use of industry standard
terminology. A final edit check feature ensures the information entered is
logically related.
Computer and Communications Hardware
We maintain 24 Novell and/or Windows NT servers to support our corporate
databases, internal applications and Internet services. We also maintain a
national network that allows high speed access which gives remote researchers
up-to-the-minute access to our databases, internal applications and Internet
services. All servers are protected by secured firewalls. We also maintain
backup drive arrays and inventories of spare parts to minimize potential system
downtime. Finally, we store full data backups of servers off-site.
We currently keep our main property inventory related databases on Compaq
enterprise servers running Microsoft Windows NT. The database management
software is Microsoft Server. Databases are replicated on to additional Compaq
enterprise servers that are located outside the network firewall. This
configuration allows users of our applications to access relevant data without
gaining access to internal network systems. We maintain up-to-date copies of
primary databases for backup.
Software Systems
Our software systems have kept pace with the evolution of technology. These
systems currently use client server architecture to optimize management of our
internal data collection. The custom client server applications facilitate the
data collection process. These applications span the entire data collection
process, from initial research to identification of potential records through
the collection of verified and value-added information. Our software enables us
to continuously enhance the process through: productivity, attaining superior
data quality and maintaining data integrity. Additionally, these custom
applications allow publication of finalized transactions meeting quality and
editing controls.
Competition
The market for information systems and services is generally competitive and
rapidly changing. The market for Internet services and providers is relatively
new, intensely competitive and rapidly changing. In the commercial real estate
industry, the principal competitive factors are:
. quality and depth of the underlying databases;
. the proprietary nature of methodologies, databases and technical
resources;
. the usefulness of the data and reports generated by the software;
. effectiveness of marketing and sales efforts;
. customer service and support;
. compatibility with the customer's existing information systems;
. vendor reputation;
. price;
. timeliness; and
. brand loyalty among customers and individual users.
We compete directly and indirectly for customers and content providers with
the following categories of companies:
. publishers and distributors of traditional information services, such as
national provider, Realty Information Group, regional providers such as Realty
Information Tracking Services, Databank, Dressco, Inc., Revac, Baca Landata and
several smaller local providers, many of which have or may establish Web sites;
39
<PAGE>
. online services or Web sites targeted to commercial real estate brokers,
buyers and sellers of commercial real estate properties, insurance companies,
mortgage brokers and lenders, such as LoopNet, Commrex, Commercial Search,
American Real Estate Exchange, Association of Industrial Realtors, Property
Line, CLOAN, Datamerge, A Big Deal.com, Property First, First Realty Advisors,
and numerous small regional and local sites; and
. public record providers such as Experian, Acxiom DataQuick and
TransAmerica, though many of our customers view these public record providers
as complementary to our services and often subscribe to one of these services
as well as our service.
We believe our proprietary database and content compete favorably with our
competitors. However, many of our existing competitors, as well as a number of
potential new competitors, have longer operating histories in the Internet
market, greater name recognition, larger customer bases, greater user traffic
and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources. In
order to gain market acceptance, we may elect to provide products at reduced
prices or at no cost. Our competitors may be able to undertake more extensive
marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, make more
attractive offers to potential employees, subscribers, distribution partners
and content providers and may be able to respond more quickly to new or
emerging technologies and changes in Internet user requirements.
Intellectual Property
We rely primarily on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, trade secret
laws, our subscriber agreements and restrictions on disclosure to protect our
intellectual property, such as our proprietary database, software, trademarks,
trade names and trade secrets. We enter into agreements with our customers that
grant our customers revocable, non-transferable, non-exclusive licenses to use
the information and the software on our Web site. These agreements also contain
confidentiality provisions and other provisions prohibiting our customers from
reproducing the information or software they access on our Web site. We also
enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and consultants, and
seek to control access to and distribution of our other proprietary
information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party to
copy or otherwise obtain and use the content on our Web site or our other
intellectual property without authorization. There can be no assurance that
these precautions will prevent misappropriation, infringement or other
violations of our intellectual property. A failure to protect our intellectual
property in a meaningful manner could have a material adverse effect on our
business. In addition, we may need to engage in litigation in order to enforce
our intellectual property rights in the future or to determine the validity and
scope of the proprietary rights of others. Such litigation could result in
substantial costs and diversion of management and other resources, either of
which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We also license data and content from public record providers such as
Experian, Acxiom DataQuick and TransAmerica. Experian has agreed to publish a
subset of our data as a stand-alone product and to make such data available
through its online services. Acxiom DataQuick has granted us a non-exclusive,
non-transferable license to their real property ownership data conveyed on
magnetic tape or by electronic transmission through any online system.
TransAmerica has granted us a limited non-exclusive, non-transferable license
to use its Metroscan CD-Rom database for certain localities, together with its
Metroscan software.
We believe that factors such as technical and creative skills of our
personnel and ongoing reliable product maintenance and support are critical
factors in establishing and maintaining our leadership position in the
commercial real estate industry due to the rapid pace of innovation within the
software and Internet industries.
40
<PAGE>
Employees
As of March 31, 1999, we had approximately 265 employees of whom
approximately 45 were part-time employees. We have never had a work stoppage
and, as of the date of this prospectus, no personnel are represented under
collective bargaining agreements. We consider our employee relations to be
good. For further information regarding employees, please see "Risk Factors--If
we are unable to retain key personnel or attract new personnel, it could have a
material adverse effect on our business."
Facilities
Our principal administrative, sales, marketing, research and product
development facilities are located in approximately 37,000 square feet of
office space in San Diego, California. We lease our facility from a limited
partnership whose general partner is a company owned by Mr. Crane, our
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. In addition, Mr.
Beasley, one of our directors, is a limited partner of this limited
partnership. Our lease is for a five-year term commencing in February 1999 with
five two-year extension options. For further information regarding this
transaction, please see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions." We
also rent office space in Burlingame, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Vienna,
Virginia. We believe our current facilities will be adequate to meet our needs
for the foreseeable future. However, please see "Risk Factors--Increased usage
could strain our systems and cause systems malfunctions which could have a
material adverse effect our business," for further information regarding our
facilities.
Legal Proceedings
As of the date of this prospectus, we are not a party to any material legal
proceedings.
41
<PAGE>
Management
Executive Officers and Directors
Set forth below is the name, age, position and a brief account of the
business experience of each of our executive officers and directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
----------------------------- --- --------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
Christopher A. Crane......... 47 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President
Emmett R. DeMoss, Jr. ....... 63 Vice President and Chairman of REALBID
Division
Walter W. Papciak............ 60 Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing
and Product Development
Michael Arabe................ 52 Senior Vice President of Sales
Craig S. Farrington.......... 40 Vice President of Product Marketing and
Development
Karen Goodrum................ 41 Vice President of Finance and
Administration, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
Joseph A. Mannina............ 34 Vice President of Operations
Robert C. Beasley (2)........ 61 Director
Gregory M. Avis (1)(2)....... 40 Director
Kenneth F. Potashner (1)(2).. 41 Director
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of the compensation committee.
(2) Member of the audit committee.
Christopher A. Crane has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board since August 1992. Prior to joining us, Mr. Crane served
as Group President and a director of Nitches, Inc., an apparel company, and as
Vice President of Corporate Development for Oster Communications, Inc., an
international financial database publishing company. Mr. Crane received his
B.S. in finance summa cum laude from Boston College and his M.B.A. from Harvard
University.
Emmett R. DeMoss, Jr. has served as our Vice President and Chairman of our
REALBID division since November 1998. In October 1994, Mr. DeMoss co-founded
REALBID, LLC, an Internet marketing services company specializing in
transactional support of high-end commercial property sales, and from June 1997
until November 1998, Mr. DeMoss served as a Manager of REALBID, LLC. From
October 1993 until September 1994, Mr. DeMoss served as President of Ironstone
Company, a real estate tax appeal service. Mr. DeMoss previously served for
over 10 years in a number of senior executive positions with Grubb & Ellis, a
real estate brokerage and property management firm, including Executive Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and as a director. Mr. DeMoss received his B.S. in engineering from
Princeton University and his M.B.A. from Stanford Business School.
Walter W. Papciak has served as our Executive Vice President of Sales,
Marketing and Product Development since August 1995. From October 1994 until
July 1995 Mr. Papciak served as Executive Vice President of QED, Inc., an
education database company. From May 1994 until September 1994, Mr. Papciak
worked as a consultant on various internet and database projects. From January
1985 until April 1994, Mr. Papciak was Senior Vice President of Computer
Intelligence, the computer and communications industry research and market
information division of Ziff-Davis. Mr. Papciak received his B.S. in physics
and his M.B.A. in information systems from Wayne State University.
Michael Arabe has been one of our senior executives since 1989 and has served
as our Senior Vice President of Sales since January 1996. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Arabe was a sales executive with Celluland, Inc. Mr. Arabe received his
B.S. in economics from Louisiana State University.
Craig S. Farrington has served as our Vice President of Product Marketing and
Development since September 1996 . Mr. Farrington previously served as Vice
President of our CallCOMPS division from January 1993 until August 1996 and has
held various other positions with us since 1983. Mr. Farrington received his
B.A. in business and economics from Westmont College.
42
<PAGE>
Karen Goodrum has served as our Vice President of Finance and Administration
since September 1993, and our Chief Financial Officer since January 1997 and
our Secretary since February 1999. Ms. Goodrum previously served as our Vice
President and Controller from October 1988 until August 1993. Ms. Goodrum
received her B.A. in education from the University of Maryland and her M.B.A.
from San Diego State University.
Joseph A. Mannina has served as our Vice President of Operations since August
1998. Mr. Mannina previously served as our Director of East Coast Operations
from January 1994 until July 1998 and has served in various other positions at
COMPS since 1988. Mr. Mannina received his B.S. in economics from the
University of California, Berkeley.
Robert C. Beasley is our founder and has served as as one of our directors
since August 1992. Mr. Beasley previously served as our Secretary from October
1984 until February 1989. Mr. Beasley founded COMPS, Inc., our predecessor, in
December 1981 and served as its President from December 1981 until March 1992.
Mr. Beasley has over 34 years of experience in commercial real estate as a
broker, researcher, lender and developer. Mr. Beasley received his B.A. in
Business Administration from Claremont McKenna College. He also graduated from
Westminster Theological Seminary.
Gregory M. Avis has served as one of our directors since October 1994. Mr.
Avis is currently a Managing General Partner of Summit Partners, a private
venture capital firm, and has held various positions at Summit Partners since
1984. Mr. Avis is a member of the board of directors of three other publicly
traded companies: Powerwave Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of radio-
frequency power amplifiers; Splash Technology Holdings, Inc., a producer of
computer servers for digital color printers; and Extended Systems, Inc., a
provider of distributed and mobile computing solutions. He is also a director
of: ClonTech Laboratories, Inc.; Nxtrend Technology, Inc.; and Ditech Corp. Mr.
Avis received his B.A. in political economics cum laude from Williams College
and his M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School.
Kenneth F. Potashner has served as one of our directors since February 1999.
Since November 1998, Mr. Potashner has served as the Chief Executive Officer of
S3 Incorporated, a manufacturer of embedded graphics accelerator chips. Since
April 1996, Mr. Potashner has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Maxwell Technologies, Inc., a developer of pulse power technologies. From
April 1996 until November 1998, Mr. Potashner served as the President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Maxwell Technologies. From
November 1994 to April 1996, Mr. Potashner served as Executive Vice President
of Operations of Conner Peripherals, a designer and manufacturer of information
storage solution products for computer applications. From March 1991 to October
1994, Mr. Potashner was Vice President of Product Engineering for Quantum
Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of hard drives for computer systems.
Mr. Potashner received his B.S.E.E. from Lafayette College and his M.S.E.E.
from Southern Methodist University.
Other Key Employees
Set forth below is the name, age, position and a brief account of the
business experience of certain of our other key employees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
--------------------------------- --- ---------------------------------------
<C> <C> <S>
Christopher T. Fenton............ 43 Vice President of Corporate Development
Herbert D. Steele................ 55 Vice President of Commercial Listing
Services
Lori Reisinger................... 37 Regional Vice President
Vicki Ridley..................... 35 Regional Vice President
Bob Evatt........................ 42 Assistant Vice President of Product
Development
Donald Ward...................... 37 Assistant Vice President of Information
Technology
Robert A. Potter, Jr. ........... 44 President of REALBID Division
</TABLE>
43
<PAGE>
Christopher T. Fenton has served as our Vice President of Corporate
Development since August 1998. Mr. Fenton also served as our Vice President of
Operations from June 1990 until July 1998 and held various other positions with
us since 1985. Mr. Fenton received his B.S. in finance magna cum laude from San
Diego State University.
Herbert D. Steele has served as our Vice President of Commercial Listing
Services since June 1998. From April 1996 until May 1998, Mr. Steele was
Executive Vice President of REAL USA, LLC, an online, subscription-based
national listing service for commercial real estate. From November 1991 until
March 1996, Mr. Steele served as Executive Vice President of The Carlson
Company, an asset and property management company. Prior to that Mr. Steele
founded The Cornerstone Corporation, a commercial mortgage brokerage company,
and served as its President. Mr. Steele received his B.A. in english literature
from Duke University and his M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut.
Lori Reisinger has served as our Regional Vice President in Burlingame,
California since July 1994. Ms. Reisinger has held various positions with us
since 1986. Ms. Reisinger received her B.A. in political science from Southern
Oregon State College.
Vicki Ridley has served as our Regional Vice President in Phoenix, Arizona
since April 1997. Ms. Ridley has held various positions with us since 1987. Ms.
Ridley received her B.A. in finance from Arizona State University.
Bob Evatt has served as our Assistant Vice President of Product Development
since May 1996. From August 1986 until May 1996, Mr. Evatt was Assistant Vice
President of Product Development for Equifax National Decision Systems, an
information company. Mr. Evatt received his B.A. in geography from the
University of Arizona and his M.S. in urban planning from the University of
Washington.
Donald Ward has served as our Assistant Vice President of Information
Technology since March 1997. From October 1993 until March 1997, Mr. Ward was
the director of Technical Services for Equifax National Decision Systems, an
information company. Mr. Ward attended New Mexico State University and the
University of Texas.
Robert A. Potter has served as President of our REALBID Division since we
acquired REALBID in November 1998. In June 1997, Mr. Potter co-founded REALBID,
LLC and from June 1997 until November 1998, Mr. Potter served as a Manager of
REALBID, LLC. From January 1990 until December 1996, Mr. Potter served as Vice
President, Pacific Rim Country Manager and Western Regional Manager for MBIA, a
credit enhancement company. Mr. Potter received his B.A. in history from Santa
Clara University and his M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Classes of the Board
Our board currently has four members. Under our bylaws, beginning at our next
annual meeting of stockholders, our board will be divided into two classes of
directors serving staggered two-year terms, with one class of directors to be
elected at each annual meeting of stockholders.
Board Committees
The audit committee of the board of directors was established in November
1997 and reviews, acts on and reports to the board of directors with respect to
various auditing and accounting matters, including the recommendation of our
auditors, the scope of the annual audits, fees to be paid to the auditors, the
performance of our independent auditors and our accounting practices. The
members of the audit committee are Messrs. Avis, Beasley and Potashner.
The compensation committee of the board of directors was established in
November 1994 and recommends, reviews and oversees the salaries, benefits and
stock option plans for our employees, consultants, directors and other
individuals compensated by us. The compensation committee also administers our
compensation plans. The members of the compensation committee are Messrs. Avis
and Potashner.
44
<PAGE>
Director Compensation
We reimburse our directors for the reasonable expenses of attending the
meetings of the board of directors or committees. Under our 1999 stock
incentive plan, each individual who first becomes a non-employee member of the
board of directors at any time after the completion of this offering will
receive an option to purchase 12,000 shares of common stock on the date such
individual joins the board of directors, provided such individual has not
previously been employed by us or any parent or subsidiary corporation. In
addition, on the date of each annual stockholders' meeting, beginning in 2000,
each non-employee member of the board of directors will automatically be
granted an option to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock, provided such
individual has served as a non-employee member of the board of directors for at
least six months. Please see "--Benefit Plans."
Upon Mr. Potashner's election to the board in February 1999, our board
granted him options to purchase 23,839 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $11.18 per share. These options vest on a yearly basis in
equal installments over a four-year period and are exercisable for a 10 year
term following the grant date. Mr. Potashner is paid $15,000 annually in
director's fees.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Our compensation committee currently consists of Messrs. Avis and Potashner.
Neither member of the compensation committee has been an officer or employee of
us at any time. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board
of directors or compensation committee of any other company that has one or
more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or
compensation committee. Prior to the formation of the compensation committee in
November 1994, the board of directors as a whole made decisions relating to
compensation of our executive officers. Mr. Crane participated in all such
discussions and decisions, except those regarding his own compensation.
Employment and Severance Arrangements
Most of our current employees have entered into agreements with us which
contain certain restrictions and covenants. These provisions include covenants
relating to the protection of our confidential information, the assignment of
inventions, restrictions on competition and restrictions on soliciting our
clients, employees or independent contractors.
In November 1994, we entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs.
Arabe and Farrington, and in August 1995, we entered into an employment
agreement with Mr. Papciak. Under these agreements, each of these employee's
base salary may be increased or decreased from time-to-time, in the sole
discretion of our management. Each such employee is also eligible to receive an
incentive bonus determined by our compensation committee. If any of these
employees is terminated for reasons other than good cause, he will be entitled
to receive six months' salary and a pro-rata portion of his incentive bonus.
In October 1994, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Crane.
Under this agreement, Mr. Crane's base salary may be increased or decreased
from time-to-time, in the sole discretion of our compensation committee. Mr.
Crane is also eligible to receive an incentive bonus determined by our
compensation committee. If Mr. Crane's employment is terminated for reasons
other than good cause, he will be entitled to receive eight months' salary and
a pro-rata portion of his incentive bonus.
In November 1994, we entered into an employment with Ms. Goodrum. Under this
agreement, Ms. Goodrum's base salary may be increased or decreased from time-
to-time, at our sole discretion. Ms. Goodrum is also eligible to receive an
incentive bonus. If Ms. Goodrum is terminated for reasons other than good
cause, then she will be entitled to receive six months' salary and a pro-rata
portion of her incentive bonus. We may terminate any of these employees at any
time.
For specific salary information in connection with our employment
arrangements with the above individuals, please see "Management--Executive
Compensation."
45
<PAGE>
In addition, the compensation committee, as plan administrator of our 1999
stock incentive plan, will have the authority to grant options and to structure
repurchase rights under that plan so that the shares subject to those options
or repurchase rights will immediately vest in connection with a change in
control of us, whether by merger, asset sale, successful tender offer for more
than 50% of our outstanding voting stock or by a change in the majority of our
board by reason of one or more contested elections for board membership. Such
vesting will occur either at the time of such change in control or upon the
subsequent involuntary termination of the individual's service within a
designated period, not to exceed 18 months, following such change in control.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth all compensation received during the year
ended December 31, 1998 by our Chief Executive Officer and each of our four
other most highly compensated executive officers whose salary and bonus
exceeded $100,000 in 1998 for services rendered in all capacities to us during
1998. "All other compensation" represents matching payments under our 401(k)
plan.
Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Annual Compensation
Compensation Awards
---------------- ------------
Shares
Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Salary Bonus Options/SARs Compensation
- --------------------------- -------- ------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher A. Crane................ $150,000 $65,000 -- $1,500
Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer
and President
Walter W. Papciak................... 150,000 22,653 6,602 --
Executive Vice President of Sales,
Marketing and
Product Development
Michael Arabe....................... 129,887 5,764 13,203 974
Senior Vice President of Sales
Craig S. Farrington................. 102,240 9,790 -- 850
Vice President of Product Marketing
and Development
Karen Goodrum....................... 81,167 21,500 -- 615
Vice President of Finance and
Administration,
Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
</TABLE>
46
<PAGE>
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The following table sets forth information regarding options granted to our
executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998. We have not granted any stock appreciation
rights.
Each option represents the right to purchase one share of common stock. The
options shown in this table are all incentive stock options granted under our
stock option plans. The options become exercisable at a rate of 20% per year.
To the extent not already exercisable, the vesting of these options may also
accelerate and the options become exercisable in the event of a merger in which
we are not the surviving corporation or upon the sale of substantially all of
our assets. Please see "--Benefit Plans" for more details regarding these
options. In the year ended December 31, 1998, we granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 1,143,672 shares of common stock.
Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Individual Grants Potential Realizable
--------------------------------------------- Value at Assumed Annual
Number of % of Total Rates Of
Securities Options/SARs Stock Price Appreciation
Underlying Granted to For Option Term
Options/SARs Employees In Exercise Expiration --------------------------
Name Granted 1998 Price Date 5% 10%
- ---- ------------ ------------ -------- ---------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher A. Crane.... -- -- -- -- -- --
Walter W. Papciak....... 6,601 * $0.61 02/11/08 $ 2,547 $ 6,455
Michael Arabe........... 13,203 1.15% 1.36 06/29/08 11,320 28,687
Craig S. Farrington..... -- -- -- -- -- --
Karen Goodrum........... -- -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than 1% of total
The potential realizable value at assumed annual rates of stock price
appreciation for the option term, represents hypothetical gains that could be
achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the option term.
The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of compounded stock price appreciation are
mandated by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not
represent our estimate or projection of our future common stock prices. These
amounts represent assumed rates of appreciation in the value of our common
stock from the fair market value on the date of grant. Actual gains, if any, on
stock option exercises are dependent on the future performance of the common
stock and overall stock market conditions. The amounts reflected in the table
may not necessarily be achieved.
47
<PAGE>
Aggregated Option Exercises in the Year Ended December 31, 1998 and Year-End
Option Values
The following table sets forth information concerning the number and value of
unexercised options held by each of the executive officers listed in the
Summary Compensation Table at December 31, 1998. These option share numbers
reflect the full acceleration of the vesting schedule of 96,822 options upon
completion of this offering. None of these executive officers exercised options
to purchase common stock during the year ended December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Options at In-the-Money Options
December 31, 1998 at December 31, 1998
------------------------- -------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher A. Crane........ -- -- -- --
Walter W. Papciak........... 49,291 23,325 $719,208 $338,990
Michael Arabe............... 49,291 29,926 719,208 424,062
Craig S. Farrington......... 49,291 16,723 719,208 244,017
Karen Goodrum............... 49,291 16,723 719,208 244,017
</TABLE>
There was no public trading market for our common stock as of December 31,
1998. Accordingly, the value of unexercised in-the-money options listed above
has been calculated on the basis of the initial public offering price of $15.00
per share, less the applicable exercise price per share, multiplied by the
number of shares underlying such options.
Benefit Plans
1999 Stock Incentive Plan
Our 1999 stock incentive plan is intended to serve as the successor equity
incentive program to our amended and restated stock option plan, 1998
supplemental option plan and 1998 equity participation plan. Our 1999 stock
incentive plan was adopted by the board and stockholders in February 1999. Our
1999 stock incentive plan will become effective on the date the underwriting
agreement is signed in connection with this offering. All outstanding options
under the predecessor plans will be incorporated into our 1999 stock incentive
plan on the date this plan is effective, and no further option grants will be
made under the predecessor plans after such date. The incorporated options will
continue to be governed by their existing terms, unless the plan administrator
elects to extend one or more features of our 1999 stock incentive plan to those
options. Except as otherwise noted below, the incorporated options will have
substantially the same terms as in effect for grants made under the
discretionary option grant program of our 1999 stock incentive plan.
An initial reserve of 2,800,000 shares of common stock has been authorized
for issuance under our 1999 stock incentive plan. Such share reserve consists
of:
. approximately the number of shares which will remain available for issuance
under the predecessor plans on the date our 1999 stock incentive plan
becomes effective, including the shares subject to outstanding options
thereunder, plus
. an additional increase of approximately 783,914 shares.
The number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 1999
stock incentive plan will automatically increase on the first trading day in
January of each calendar year, beginning in calendar year 2000, by an amount
equal to 2.5% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the
last trading day in December of the preceding calendar year, but in no event
will any such annual increase exceed 500,000 shares. In addition, no
participant in our 1999 stock incentive plan may be granted stock options,
separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock issuances for
more than 700,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate per calendar year.
48
<PAGE>
Our 1999 stock incentive plan is divided into five separate components:
. the discretionary option grant program under which eligible individuals in
our employ or service, including officers, non-employee board members and
consultants, may, at the discretion of the plan administrator, be granted
options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price not less
than 100% of the fair market value of those shares on the grant date;
. the stock issuance program under which such individuals may, in the plan
administrator's discretion, be issued shares of common stock directly,
through the purchase of such shares at a price not less than 100% of their
fair market value at the time of issuance or as a bonus tied to the
performance of services;
. the salary investment option grant program which may, at the plan
administrator's sole discretion, be activated for one or more calendar years
and, if so activated, will allow executive officers and other highly
compensated employees the opportunity to apply a portion of their base
salary to the acquisition of special below-market stock option grants;
. the automatic option grant program under which option grants will
automatically be made at periodic intervals to eligible non-employee board
members to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to
100% of the fair market value of those shares on the grant date; and
. the director fee option grant program which may, in the plan administrator's
sole discretion, be activated for one or more calendar years and, if so
activated, will allow non-employee board members the opportunity to apply a
portion of the annual retainer fee otherwise payable to them in cash each
year to the acquisition of special below-market option grants.
The discretionary option grant program and the stock issuance program will be
administered by the compensation committee. The compensation committee, as plan
administrator, will have complete discretion to determine which eligible
individuals are to receive option grants or stock issuances under those
programs, the time or times when such option grants or stock issuances are to
be made, the number of shares subject to each such grant or issuance, the
status of any granted option as either an incentive stock option or a non-
statutory stock option under the federal tax laws, the vesting schedule to be
in effect for the option grant or stock issuance and the maximum term for which
any granted option is to remain outstanding. However, the board acting by
disinterested majority will have the exclusive authority to make any
discretionary option grants or stock issuances to members of the compensation
committee. The compensation committee will also have the exclusive authority to
select the executive officers and other highly compensated employees who may
participate in the salary investment option grant program in the event that
program is activated for one or more calendar years. Neither the compensation
committee nor the board will exercise any administrative discretion with
respect to option grants under the salary investment option grant program or
under the automatic option grant or director fee option grant program for the
non-employee board members. All grants under those latter three programs will
be made in strict compliance with the express provisions of each such program.
The exercise price for the shares of common stock subject to option grants
made under our 1999 stock incentive plan may be paid in cash or in shares of
common stock valued at fair market value on the exercise date. The option may
also be exercised through a same-day sale program without any cash outlay by
the optionee. In addition, the plan administrator may provide financial
assistance to one or more optionees in the exercise of their outstanding
options or the purchase of their unvested shares by allowing such individuals
to deliver a full-recourse, interest-bearing promissory note in payment of the
exercise price and any associated withholding taxes incurred in connection with
such exercise or purchase.
The plan administrator will have the authority to effect the cancellation of
outstanding options under the discretionary option grant program, including
options incorporated from the predecessor plans, in return for the grant of new
options for the same or different number of option shares with an exercise
price per share based upon the fair market value of our common stock on the new
grant date. Stock appreciation rights are authorized
49
<PAGE>
for issuance under the discretionary option grant program. Such rights will
provide the holders with the election to surrender their outstanding options
for an appreciation distribution from us equal to the excess of:
. the fair market value of the vested shares of common stock subject to
the surrendered option over
. the aggregate exercise price payable for those shares.
Such appreciation distribution may be made in cash or in shares of common
stock. None of the incorporated options from the predecessor plans contain any
stock appreciation rights.
In the event that we are acquired by merger or asset sale, each outstanding
option under the discretionary option grant program which is not to be assumed
by the successor corporation will automatically accelerate in full, and all
unvested shares under the discretionary option grant and stock issuance
programs will immediately vest, except to the extent our repurchase rights with
respect to those shares are to be assigned to the successor corporation. The
plan administrator will have complete discretion to grant one or more options
under the discretionary option grant program which will become fully
exercisable for all the option shares in the event those options are assumed in
the acquisition and the optionee's service with us or the acquiring entity
involuntarily terminates within a designated period not exceeding 18 months
following such acquisition. The vesting of outstanding shares under the stock
issuance program may be accelerated upon similar terms and conditions. The plan
administrator will also have the authority to grant options which will
immediately vest upon an acquisition of us, whether or not those options are
assumed by the successor corporation.
The plan administrator is also authorized under the discretionary option
grant and stock issuance programs to grant options and to structure repurchase
rights so that the shares subject to those options or repurchase rights will
immediately vest in connection with a change in ownership or control of us,
whether this change in ownership or control is by a successful tender offer for
more than 50% of our outstanding voting stock or by a change in the majority of
our board by reason of one or more contested elections for board membership.
Such accelerated vesting may occur either at the time of such change or upon
the subsequent involuntary termination of the individual's service within a
designated period, not to exceed 18 months, following such change in control.
The options incorporated from the predecessor plans may, in the plan
administrator's discretion, immediately vest in the event of:
. our merger or consolidation; or
. the acquisition by another corporation or person of all or substantially
all of our assets or 80% or more of our then outstanding voting stock,
unless those options are assumed or substituted in the acquisition of
us.
The plan administrator will have the discretion to extend the acceleration
provisions of our 1999 stock incentive plan to any or all of the options
outstanding under the predecessor plans.
In the event the plan administrator elects to activate the salary investment
option grant program for one or more calendar years, each of our executive
officers and other highly compensated employees selected for participation may
elect, prior to the start of the calendar year, to reduce his or her base
salary for that calendar year by a specified dollar amount not less than
$10,000 nor more than $50,000. Each selected individual who files such a timely
election will automatically be granted, on the first trading day in January of
the calendar year for which that salary reduction is to be in effect, a non-
statutory option to purchase that number of shares of common stock determined
by dividing the salary reduction amount by two-thirds of the fair market value
per share of common stock on the grant date. The option will be exercisable at
a price per share equal to one-third of the fair market value of the option
shares on the grant date. As a result, the total spread on the option shares at
the time of grant, which is the fair market value of the option shares on the
grant date less the aggregate exercise price payable for those shares, will be
equal to the amount of salary invested in that option. The option
50
<PAGE>
will vest and become exercisable in a series of 12 equal monthly installments
over the calendar year for which the salary reduction is in effect and will be
subject to full and immediate vesting upon the changes in the ownership or
control of us described in the preceding paragraph.
Under the automatic option grant program, each individual who first becomes a
non-employee board member at any time after the completion of this offering
will automatically receive an option grant for 12,000 shares on the date such
individual joins the board, provided such individual has not been in our prior
employ. In addition, on the date of each annual stockholders meeting held after
the completion of this offering, each non-employee board member who is to
continue to serve as a non-employee board member will automatically be granted
an option to purchase 2,000 shares of common stock, provided such individual
has served on our board for at least six months.
Each automatic grant will have a term of 10 years, subject to earlier
termination following the optionee's cessation of board service. The option
will be immediately exercisable for all of the option shares; however, any
unvested shares purchased under the option will be subject to repurchase by us,
at the exercise price paid per share, should the optionee cease board service
prior to vesting in those shares. The shares subject to each 12,000-share
automatic option grant will vest in a series of eight successive equal semi-
annual installments upon the individual's completion of each six-month period
of board service over the four-year period measured from the option grant date.
Each 2,000-share automatic option grant will vest in two successive equal semi-
annual installments upon the individual's completion of each six month period
of board service over the one year period measured from the option grant date.
However, the shares subject to each automatic grant will immediately vest in
full upon the changes in control or ownership of us described above or upon the
optionee's death or disability while a board member.
Should the director fee option grant program be activated in the future, each
non-employee board member will have the opportunity to apply all or a portion
of any annual retainer fee otherwise payable in cash to the acquisition of a
below-market option grant. The option grant will automatically be made on the
first trading day in January in the year for which the retainer fee would
otherwise be payable in cash. The option will have an exercise price per share
equal to one-third of the fair market value of the option shares on the grant
date, and the number of shares subject to the option will be determined by
dividing the amount of the retainer fee applied to the program by two-thirds of
the fair market value per share of common stock on the grant date. As a result,
the total spread on the option, which is the fair market value of the option
shares on the grant date less the aggregate exercise price payable for those
shares will be equal to the portion of the retainer fee invested in that
option. The option will vest and become exercisable for the option shares in a
series of 12 equal monthly installments over the calendar year for which the
election is to be in effect. However, the option will become immediately
exercisable and vested for all the option shares upon:
. changes in the ownership or control of us described above; or
. the death or disability of the optionee while serving as a board member.
The shares subject to each option under the salary investment option grant,
automatic option grant and director fee option grant programs will immediately
vest upon:
. an acquisition of us by merger or asset sale; or
. the successful completion of a tender offer for more than 50% of our
outstanding voting stock or a change in the majority of the board
effected through one or more contested elections for board membership.
Limited stock appreciation rights will automatically be included as part of
each grant made under the automatic option grant, salary investment option
grant and director fee option grant programs and may be granted to one or more
of our officers as part of their option grants under the discretionary option
grant program. Options with such a limited stock appreciation right may be
surrendered to us upon the successful
51
<PAGE>
completion of a hostile tender offer for more than 50% of our outstanding
voting stock. In return for the surrendered option, the optionee will be
entitled to a cash distribution from us in an amount per surrendered option
share equal to the excess of:
. the highest price per share of common stock paid in connection with the
tender offer over
. the exercise price payable for such share.
The board may amend or modify our 1999 stock incentive plan at any time,
subject to any required stockholder approval. Our 1999 stock incentive plan
will terminate on the earliest of:
. February 18, 2009;
. the date on which all shares available for issuance under our 1999 stock
incentive plan have been issued as fully-vested shares; or
. the termination of all outstanding options in connection with changes in
control or ownership of us described above.
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Our 1999 employee stock purchase plan was adopted by the board and
stockholders in February 1999 and will become effective immediately upon the
execution of the underwriting agreement for this offering. Our employee stock
purchase plan is designed to allow our eligible employees to purchase shares of
common stock, at semi-annual intervals, through their periodic payroll
deductions under our employee stock purchase plan.
An initial reserve of 300,000 shares of common stock has been authorized for
issuance under our employee stock purchase plan. The number of shares of common
stock reserved for issuance under our employee stock purchase plan will
automatically increase on the first trading day in January each calendar year,
beginning in calendar year 2000, by an amount equal to 2% of the total number
of shares of common stock outstanding on the last trading day in December of
the preceding calendar year, but in no event will any such annual increase
exceed 300,000 shares. Our employee stock purchase plan will be implemented in
a series of successive offering periods, each with a maximum duration for 24
months. However, the initial offering period will begin on the execution date
of the underwriting agreement and will end on the last business day in July
2001. The next offering period will commence on the first business day in
August 2001, and subsequent offering periods will commence as designated by the
plan administrator.
Individual employees who are scheduled to work more than 20 hours per week
for more than 5 calendar months per year on the start date of any offering
period may enter our employee stock purchase plan on that start date or on the
first business day of February or August after that start date. Individuals who
become eligible employees after the start date of the offering period may join
our employee stock purchase plan on any subsequent semi-annual entry date
within that offering period.
Payroll deductions may not exceed 10% of the participant's cash earnings, and
the accumulated payroll deductions of each participant will be applied to the
purchase of shares on his or her behalf on the last business day in January and
July each year at a purchase price per share equal to 85% of the lower of:
. the fair market value of the common stock on the participant's entry
date into the offering period; or
. the fair market value on the semi-annual purchase date.
In no event, however, may any participant purchase more than 1,500 shares on
any semi-annual purchase date nor may all participants in the aggregate
purchase more than 75,000 shares on any such semi-annual purchase date.
Should the fair market value per share of common stock on any purchase date
be less than the fair market value per share on the start date of the two-year
offering period, then that offering period will automatically terminate, and a
new two-year offering period will begin on the next business day, with all
participants in the terminated offering to be automatically transferred to the
new offering period.
52
<PAGE>
In the event we are acquired by merger or asset sale, all outstanding
purchase rights will automatically be exercised immediately prior to the
effective date of such acquisition. The purchase price will be equal to 85% of
the lower of:
. the fair market value per share of common stock on the participant's
entry date into the offering period in which such acquisition occurs; or
. the fair market value per share of common stock immediately prior to
such acquisition.
Our employee stock purchase plan will terminate on the earliest of:
. the last business day of July 2009;
. the date on which all shares available for issuance under our employee
stock purchase plan shall have been sold pursuant to purchase rights
exercised thereunder; or
. the date on which all purchase rights are exercised in connection with
an acquisition of us by merger or asset sale.
The board may at any time alter, suspend or discontinue our employee stock
purchase plan. However, amendments to our employee stock purchase plan may
require stockholder approval.
53
<PAGE>
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Certain Sales of Securities
We have issued the following securities in private placement transactions:
4,270,336 shares of Series A preferred stock and Class B common stock warrants
exercisable for 379,869 shares for an aggregate price of $5,000,000 in October
1994; 637,790 shares of Series B preferred stock, Class A common stock warrants
exercisable for 37,329 shares and Class B common stock warrants exercisable for
306,097 shares for an aggregate price of $1,150,000 in February 1998; Class B
common stock warrants exercisable for up to 248,194 shares in connection with
the Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc. loan agreement in February 1999; and Series
A preferred stock warrants exercisable for up to 49,000 shares and Series B
preferred stock warrants exercisable for up to 49,000 shares in connection with
the Silicon Valley Bank loan agreement in April 1999. These numbers do not
reflect the 0.7335-for-1 stock split. The purchasers of such securities
include, among others, the following executive officers, directors and holders
of more than 5% of our outstanding stock and their affiliates:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Preferred Stock Warrants
Executive Officer, Directors ------------------ --------------- Total
and 5% Stockholders Series A Series B Class A Class B Consideration
---------------------------- --------- -------- ------- ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher A. Crane......... -- 69,325 37,329 -- $ 125,000
Funds Affiliated with Summit
Partners(1)................. 4,270,336 554,600 -- 678,500 $6,000,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Includes Summit Ventures III, L.P. and Summit Investors II, L.P. Mr. Avis,
one of our directors, is a general partner of Stamps, Woodsum & Co. III, a
general partner of Summit Partners III, L.P. Summit Partners III, L.P. is
the general partner of Summit Ventures III, L.P. Mr. Avis is also a general
partner of Summit Investors II, L.P.
For additional information regarding the sale of securities to executive
officers, directors and stockholders of more than 5% of our outstanding common
stock, please see "Principal and Selling Stockholders."
Holders of outstanding preferred stock and common stock issuable upon
exercise of warrants are entitled to registration rights with respect to the
common stock issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of such preferred
stock or warrants. Please see "Description of Securities--Registration Rights."
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Crane, Arabe,
Farrington and Papciak and Ms. Goodrum. Please see "Management--Employment and
Severance Arrangements" for more details regarding these agreements.
In November 1994, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Fenton.
Under this agreement, Mr. Fenton's base salary may be increased or decreased
from time-to-time, at our sole discretion. Mr. Fenton is also eligible to
receive an incentive bonus. If Mr. Fenton's employment is terminated for
reasons other than good cause, then he will be entitled to receive six months'
salary and a pro-rata portion of his incentive bonus. We may terminate Mr.
Fenton at any time. Mr. Fenton's current salary under the employment agreement
is $96,996 per year. In addition, Mr. Fenton's current potential quarterly
incentive bonuses, to be determined pursuant to the terms of the employment
agreement, are based upon 1.25% of Mr. Fenton's annual salary.
In November 1998, we entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs.
DeMoss and Potter. Under these agreements, both employees receive a base salary
of at least $225,000 per year and a bonus of up to $50,000 per year. In
addition, pursuant to the agreements, each employee was granted a fully vested
option to purchase 5,076 shares of our common stock and an additional option to
purchase 305,625 shares of our common stock 20% of which vested immediately and
80% of which vest over 48 months commencing on January 1, 1999. The term of
each agreement expires on January 1, 2003. If either employee is terminated
without cause prior to November 5, 2000, then he shall be entitled to receive
twelve months' salary in exchange for consulting services. If either employee
is terminated after November 5, 2000, then he shall receive his base salary for
a period equal to the shorter of six months or the remaining term of his
employment
54
<PAGE>
agreement in exchange for consulting services. During any period in which the
terminated employee provides consulting services to us, his options will
continue to vest. In any event, at least 75% of such terminated employee's
options will vest if he is terminated without cause prior to January 1, 2003.
Corporate Headquarters Lease
We lease our corporate headquarters in San Diego, California from a limited
partnership whose general partner is a company owned by Mr. Crane, our
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. In addition, Mr.
Beasley, one of our directors, is a limited partner of the limited partnership
from which we lease our facilities. Our lease is for a five-year term
commencing in February 1999 with five two-year extension options. We believe
that the terms of the lease are no less favorable to us than those that could
have been obtained from an independent third party lessor at the time the lease
was executed. For additional information regarding our facility leases, please
see "Business--Facilities."
55
<PAGE>
Principal and Selling Stockholders
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 30, 1999 assuming the
exercise of all warrants, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the shares of
common stock offered hereby, by:
. each person (or group of affiliated persons) who we know owns
beneficially 5% or more of our common stock;
. each of our directors;
. our executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table; and
. all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
Percentage of ownership is calculated as required by Commission Rule 13d-
3(d)(1). Except as indicated below, the persons named in the table have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as
beneficially owned by them. The number of shares underlying options includes
shares which are exercisable within 60 days from the date of this offering. The
address for those individuals for which an address is not otherwise indicated
is: 9888 Carroll Centre Road, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92126-4581.
165,405 shares held by Mr. Crane are subject to call options with an exercise
price of $0.41 per share. Mr. Crane, Mr. Beasley and Summit Partners may sell
shares in connection with the exercise of the over-allotment option. Mr. Crane
may sell up to 101,250 shares, Mr. Beasley may sell up to 101,250 shares and
Summit Partners may sell up to 135,000 shares. Any shares that may be sold by
selling stockholders if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option
have not been reflected in this table. For further information regarding the
selling stockholders' relationship with us during the last three years, please
see, "Management--Executive Officers and Directors" and "Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Percentage of Percentage of
Number of Shares Shares Beneficially Shares Beneficially
Shares Underlying Owned Prior Owned After
Beneficial Owner Outstanding Options to this Offering this Offering
- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Funds affiliated with
Summit Partners........ 4,036,770 -- 52.7% 33.2%
499 Hamilton Avenue,
Suite 200
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Christopher A. Crane.... 2,923,712 -- 38.2% 24.0%
Gregory M. Avis......... 4,036,770 -- 52.7% 33.2%
Robert C. Beasley....... 656,146 -- 8.6% 5.4%
Kenneth F. Potashner.... -- -- * *
Walter W. Papciak....... -- 50,612 * *
Michael Arabe........... -- 57,653 * *
Craig S. Farrington..... -- 57,653 * *
Karen Goodrum........... -- 57,653 * *
All directors and
executive officers as a
group (14 persons)..... 7,764,329 425,428 99.2% 64.2%
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than 1% of total.
The 4,036,770 shares listed above as outstanding for Summit Partners and Mr.
Avis includes 3,468,309 shares beneficially owned by Summit Ventures III, L.P.
and 70,782 shares beneficially owned by Summit Investors II, L.P. This number
also includes 487,726 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase
common stock beneficially owned by Summit Ventures III, L.P. and 9,953 shares
issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase common stock beneficially owned
by Summit Investors II, L.P. Mr. Avis is a general partner of Stamps, Woodsum &
Co. III, a general partner of Summit Partners III, L.P. Summit Partners III,
L.P. is the general partner of Summit Ventures III, L.P. Mr. Avis is also a
general partner of Summit Investors II, L.P. Mr. Avis disclaims beneficial
ownership of all shares of common stock issued or issuable to Summit
Ventures III, L.P. and Summit Investors II, L.P., except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest, but exercises shared voting and investment power with
respect to all such shares.
The 656,146 shares listed above as outstanding for Mr. Beasley are held by
Mr. Beasley and Ms. Amy Lynn Archer Beasley as trustees of the Beasley Family
Trust, dated October 27, 1994.
56
<PAGE>
Description of Securities
The following information describes our common stock and preferred stock and
anti-takeover and indemnification provisions of our certificate of
incorporation and our bylaws as will be in effect upon the closing of this
offering. This description is only a summary. You should also refer to the
certificate and bylaws which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to our
registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. Where indicated
below, the descriptions of our common stock and preferred stock reflect changes
to our capital structure that will occur upon the approval of our board of
directors and stockholders and upon the closing of this offering in accordance
with the terms of the certificate.
Upon the completion of the offering our authorized capital stock will consist
of 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 5,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Common Stock
As of December 31, 1998, there were 3,533,534 shares of common stock
outstanding and held of record by three stockholders. As of April 30, 1999, an
additional 164,205 shares of common stock had been issued upon the exercise of
outstanding options. There will be 12,328,390 shares of common stock
outstanding upon the closing of this offering, which gives effect to:
. the automatic conversion of each share of our Class B common stock into
shares of our Class A common stock and the renaming of Class A common
stock to "common stock" upon the closing of this offering,
. the automatic conversion of each share of our preferred stock into
0.7335 shares of our common stock upon the closing of this offering,
. a 0.7335-for-1 stock split of our common stock
. the issuance of the 4,500,000 shares of common stock offered by us
hereby.
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all
matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting
rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock
entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors
standing for election. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably
such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors out of
funds legally available therefor, subject to any preferential dividend rights
of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive,
subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The outstanding shares of common
stock are, and the shares offered by us in this offering will be, when issued
in consideration for payment thereof, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights,
preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may
be materially adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any
series of preferred stock which we may designate and issue in the future. Upon
the closing of this offering, there will be no shares of preferred stock
outstanding.
Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 1999, there were 4,908,126 shares of convertible preferred
stock outstanding. As of April 30, 1999, no additional shares of convertible
preferred stock had been issued. Each outstanding share of convertible
preferred stock will be converted into 0.7335 shares of common stock upon the
closing of this offering and such shares of convertible preferred stock will no
longer be authorized, issued or outstanding.
Upon the closing of this offering, the board of directors will be authorized,
without further stockholder approval, to issue from time to time up to an
aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to
fix or alter the designations, powers, preferences, rights and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of each such series
thereof, including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights,
voting rights, terms of redemption including sinking fund provisions,
redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares
constituting any series or designations of such series. We have no present
plans to issue any shares of preferred stock. Please see "--Anti-Takeover
Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and our Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws."
57
<PAGE>
Options
As of December 31, 1998, options to purchase a total of 1,749,727 shares of
common stock were outstanding, all of which are subject to lock-up arrangements
under the terms of the option agreements. As of April 30, 1999, an additional
69,683 options had been issued and options for the purchase of 164,205 shares
had been exercised. Upon completion of this offering, options to purchase an
additional 1,090,450 shares of common stock may be granted under the 1999 stock
incentive plan. Please see "Management--Benefit Plans" and "Shares Eligible for
Future Sale."
Common Stock Warrants
As of December 31, 1998, we have outstanding warrants to purchase a total of
530,537 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $0.0136 per share and
warrants to purchase a total of 156,285 shares of common stock, at a weighted
average exercise price of $2.40 per share. In February and April 1999, we
issued to lenders warrants exercisable for 40,443 shares of common stock with a
weighted average exercise price per share of $8.04. The warrants contain anti-
dilution provisions providing for adjustments of the exercise price and the
number of shares underlying the warrants upon the occurrence of dilutive
events, including any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
split, stock combination or similar transaction. The warrants grant their
holders registration rights with respect to the common stock issuable upon
their exercise, which are described below. All of these warrants will be
exercisable immediately prior to this offering. Warrants to purchase 156,285
shares expire in September 2003, warrants to purchase 278,634 shares expire in
October 2004, warrants to purchase 251,903 shares expire in February 2008,
warrants to purchase 14,670 shares expire in April 2006, and warrants to
purchase 25,773 shares expire in February, 2008.
Registration Rights
As of December 31, 1998, pursuant to the terms of an agreement, the holders
of 4,358,815 shares of outstanding or issuable common stock will be entitled to
demand registration rights with respect to the registration of their shares
under the Securities Act of 1933. The holders of 50% of such shares are
entitled to demand that we register their shares under the Securities Act of
1933, subject to limitations. We are not required to effect more than two such
registrations for such holders pursuant to such demand registration rights. In
addition, after the closing of this offering, these holders will be entitled to
piggyback registration rights with respect to the registration of such shares
of common stock under the Securities Act of 1933. In the event that we propose
to register any shares of common stock under the Securities Act of 1933 either
for our account or for the account of our other security holders, the holders
of shares having piggyback rights are entitled to receive notice of such
registration and are entitled to include their shares in any such registration,
subject to limitations. Further, at any time after we become eligible to file a
registration statement on Form S-3, the holders of 435,882 shares of common
stock may require us to file registration statements under the Securities Act
of 1933 on Form S-3 with respect to their shares of common stock. These
registration rights are subject to conditions and limitations, including the
right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of shares of
common stock held by securityholders with registration rights to be included in
such registration. We are generally required to bear all of the expenses of all
such registrations, including the reasonable fees of a single counsel acting on
behalf of all selling holders, except underwriting discounts and selling
commissions. Registration of any of the shares of common stock held by
securityholders with registration rights would result in such shares becoming
freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933
immediately upon effectiveness of such registration.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and our Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. With limited exceptions, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held
Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business
58
<PAGE>
combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after
the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, unless the interested stockholder attained such status with the
approval of the board of directors or unless the business combination is
approved in a prescribed manner. A "business combination" includes mergers,
asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the
interested stockholder. Subject to exceptions, an "interested stockholder" is a
person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three
years did own, 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock. This statute
could prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover or change in control attempt
with respect to us and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.
In addition, our certificate and bylaws, which will be in effect upon the
closing of this offering, contain provisions which may be deemed to have an
anti-takeover effect. These provisions, which are summarized in the following
paragraphs, may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that
a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts
that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by
stockholders.
Board of Directors Vacancies. Our bylaws authorize the board of directors to
fill vacant directorships or increase the size of the board of directors. This
may deter a stockholder from removing incumbent directors and simultaneously
gaining control of the board of directors by filling the vacancies created by
such removal with its own nominees.
Staggered Board. Our bylaws provide that our board will be classified into
two classes of directors beginning at the next annual meeting of stockholders.
Please see "Management--Classes of the Board" for more information regarding
the staggered board.
Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders. Our certificate provides
that stockholders may not take action by written consent, but only at duly
called annual or special meetings of stockholders. Our bylaws further provide
that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the President,
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the board of directors or a majority of
the board of directors.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director
Nominations. Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business
before our annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for
election as directors at our annual meeting of stockholders, must provide
timely notice thereof in writing. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be
delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices not
less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of our notice of
annual meeting provided with respect to the previous year's annual meeting of
stockholders. However, if no annual meeting of stockholders was held in the
previous year, or if the date of the annual meeting of stockholders has been
changed to be more than 30 calendar days earlier than such anniversary, notice
by the stockholder, to be timely, must be received a reasonable time before the
solicitation is made. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and
content of a stockholder's notice. These provisions may preclude stockholders
from bringing matters before our annual meeting of stockholders or from making
nominations for directors at our annual meeting of stockholders.
Authorized But Unissued Shares. Our authorized but unissued shares of common
stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder
approval, subject to the limitations imposed by the Nasdaq National Market.
These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes,
including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate
acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but
unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could render more
difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy
contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Delaware law provides that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation's certificate
of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation's certificate of incorporation
or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage.
59
<PAGE>
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Our certificate provides that, except to the extent prohibited by Delaware
law, our directors shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for
monetary damages for any breach of their fiduciary duty as directors. Under
Delaware law, the directors have a fiduciary duty to us which is not eliminated
by this provision of our certificate and, in appropriate circumstances,
equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of nonmonetary relief will
remain available. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to
liability under Delaware law for breach of their duty of loyalty to us for acts
or omissions which are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct, or knowing violations of
law, for actions leading to improper personal benefit to the director, and for
payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are
prohibited by Delaware law. This provision also does not affect the directors'
responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal securities laws or
state or federal environmental laws.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows a corporation to
indemnify its directors and officers and to purchase insurance with respect to
liability arising out of their capacity or status as directors and officers,
provided that the indemnification does not eliminate or limit the liability of
a director for the following:
. any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
. acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
. unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or
redemptions; and
. any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
Delaware law further provides that the permitted indemnification shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the directors and officers may be
entitled under our bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or otherwise.
Our certificate eliminates the personal liability of directors to the fullest
extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, our certificate provides that we
may fully indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be
made a party to, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason
of the fact that such person is or was one of our directors or officers or is
or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise,
against expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding.
We have also entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive
officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our bylaws. We
believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and
retain qualified directors and executive officers. Our bylaws also permit us to
secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent
for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether
Delaware law would permit indemnification. We have applied for liability
insurance for our officers and directors.
At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any
director, officer, employee or agent as to which indemnification will be
required or permitted under the certificate. We are not aware of any threatened
litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for such indemnification.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company.
60
<PAGE>
Shares Eligible For Future Sale
Prior to this offering, there has not been any public market for our common
stock, and no prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that market
sales of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares of our common
stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing
from time to time. Nevertheless, sales of substantial amounts of our common
stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur,
could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could impair
our future ability to raise capital through the sale of our equity securities.
After this offering, we will have outstanding 12,164,185 shares of common
stock. Of these shares, the 4,500,000 shares being offered hereby are freely
tradable.
All of our directors and officers, stockholders, optionholders and
warrantholders, who, as of March 31, 1999, held a total of 9,639,876 shares of
our outstanding or issuable common stock have entered into lock-up agreements.
Under these lock-up agreements, they have agreed that they will not sell,
directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock without the prior written
consent of Volpe Brown Whelan & Company, LLC, for a period of 180 days from the
date of this prospectus. Of these shares, 7,664,881 become eligible for sale in
the public market 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject in some
cases to volume limitations.
In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, a person or persons whose
shares are required to be aggregated, including an affiliate, who has
beneficially owned shares for at least one year is entitled to sell, within any
three-month period commencing 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a
number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
. 1% of the then outstanding shares of common stock (approximately 121,640
shares immediately after this offering) or
. the average weekly trading volume in the common stock during the four
calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of such sale is filed,
subject to restrictions.
In addition, a person who is not deemed to have been our affiliate at any
time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the
shares proposed to be sold for at least two years would be entitled to sell
such shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to the requirements described
above. To the extent that shares were acquired from one of our affiliates, such
person's holding period for the purpose of effecting a sale under Rule 144
commences on the date of transfer from the affiliate.
As of March 31, 1999, options to purchase a total of 1,808,406 shares of
common stock were outstanding, of which options to purchase 476,313 shares were
exercisable. Of the options to purchase 1,332,093 shares of common stock that
were not exercisable, options to purchase 139,365 shares of common stock shall
immediately vest and become exercisable upon the closing of this offering. Upon
the closing of this offering, we intend to file a registration statement to
register for resale the 2,800,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance
either under our stock option plans or underlying options granted outside of
our plans. We expect such registration statement to become effective
immediately upon filing. Shares issued upon the exercise of stock options
granted under our stock option plans will be eligible for resale in the public
market from time to time subject to vesting and the expiration of the lock-up
agreements referred to above. 31,907 shares have already been issued upon
exercise of options granted under our plans. These shares may be freely
tradable subject to the requirements of Rule 701 and contractual obligations
beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus.
As of March 31, 1999, preferred stockholders and warrantholders holding
approximately 4,286,933 shares of outstanding or issuable common stock had the
right to include their shares in registration statements relating to our
securities. In addition, 14,670 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise
of warrants issued to Silicon Valley Bank in April of 1999 have registration
rights. By exercising their registration rights and causing a large number of
shares to be registered and sold in the public market, these holders may cause
the price of the common stock to fall. In addition, any demand to include such
shares in our future registration statements could have a material adverse
effect on our ability to raise needed capital. Please see "Management--Benefit
Plans," "Principal and Selling Stockholders," "Description of Securities--
Registration Rights," "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting."
61
<PAGE>
Underwriting
Under the terms and conditions contained in an underwriting agreement among
the underwriters and us, each of the underwriters, for whom Volpe Brown Whelan
& Company, LLC, EVEREN Securities, Inc. and Needham & Company, Inc., are acting
as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase from us the number of
shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Underwriter Shares
----------- ---------
<S> <C>
Volpe Brown Whelan & Company, LLC.................................. 1,700,000
EVEREN Securities, Inc. ........................................... 850,000
Needham & Company, Inc. ........................................... 850,000
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. .......................................... 100,000
CIBC World Markets................................................. 100,000
E*TRADE Securities, Inc. .......................................... 100,000
Hambrecht & Quist LLC.............................................. 100,000
ING Baring Furman Selz LLC......................................... 100,000
Lehman Brothers Inc. .............................................. 100,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ....................................... 100,000
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC.............................. 100,000
Prudential Securities Incorporated................................. 100,000
SG Cowen Securities Corporation.................................... 100,000
J.C. Bradford & Co. ............................................... 50,000
Cruttenden Roth Incorporated....................................... 50,000
---------
Total.......................................................... 4,500,000
=========
</TABLE>
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several
underwriters to purchase shares of common stock are subject to approval of
legal matters by their counsel and to other conditions. Under the terms and
conditions of the underwriting agreement, all of the underwriters are obligated
to take and pay for all such shares of common stock if any are taken.
The underwriters propose initially to offer the shares of common stock
directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this prospectus and to certain dealers at such price, less a concession not
in excess of $0.63 per share. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, concessions not in excess of $0.10 per share of the common stock to
certain other dealers. After the initial public offering of the common stock,
the offering price of the common stock and other selling terms may be changed
by the underwriters. The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against
payment in San Francisco, California on May 10, 1999.
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, we, together with the selling
stockholders, have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30
days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 675,000 additional
shares of common stock on the same terms and conditions as set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may exercise this option solely
to cover over-allotments. To the extent such option is exercised, each
underwriter will have a commitment, subject to certain conditions, to purchase
a number of additional shares of common stock proportionate to such
underwriter's initial commitment pursuant to the underwriting agreement.
From the date of this prospectus until 180 days after such date, we and all
of our stockholders, officers and directors have agreed not to offer, sell,
contract to sell, make any short sale, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly
or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any options to acquire shares of
common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any other
rights to purchase or acquire common stock or enter into any swap or other
agreements that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic
consequences or ownership of common stock, without the prior consent of Volpe
Brown Whelan & Company, LLC.
62
<PAGE>
The underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering
price, 225,000 shares of common stock for certain of our directors, officers,
employees, friends and family who have expressed an interest in purchasing
shares of common stock in this offering. Such persons are expected to purchase,
in the aggregate, not more than 5% of the common stock offered in this
offering. The number of shares available for sale to the general public in this
offering will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such reserved
shares. Any reserved shares not purchased will be offered by the underwriters
on the same basis as other shares offered hereby.
We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters
against certain liabilities, losses and expenses, including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters
may be required to make in respect thereof.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock.
The initial public offering price for the shares of common stock in this
offering was determined by agreement between us and the underwriters. Among the
factors considered in making such determination were the history of, and the
prospects for, the industry in which we compete, an assessment of our
management, our present operations, our historical results of operations and
the trend of our revenues and earnings, our prospects for future earnings, the
general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering and
the price of similar securities of generally comparable companies. We cannot
assure you that an active trading market will develop for our common stock or
that our common stock will trade in the public markets at or above the initial
public offering price.
In order to facilitate this offering, certain persons participating in this
offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the price of the common stock during and after this offering.
Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot or otherwise create a short
position in the common stock for their own account by selling more shares of
common stock than have been sold to them by us. The underwriters may elect to
cover any such short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open
market or by exercising the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
In addition, the underwriters may stabilize or maintain the price of the common
stock by bidding for or purchasing shares of common stock in the open market
and may impose penalty bids, under which selling concessions allowed to
syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in this offering are
reclaimed if shares of common stock previously distributed in this offering are
repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The
effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price
at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The
imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of the common stock to
the extent that it discourages resales thereof. No representation is made as to
the magnitude or effect of any such stabilization or other transactions. Such
transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
63
<PAGE>
Legal Matters
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon
for us by Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, San Diego, California and for the
underwriters by Katten Muchin & Zavis, Chicago, Illinois.
Experts
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our financial
statements and schedule included in this prospectus as of December 31, 1997 and
1998 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, as
set forth in their report, which is included in this prospectus. In addition,
Ernst & Young LLP have audited the financial statements of REALBID, LLC
included in this prospectus as of December 31, 1997 and for the period from its
inception on June 19, 1997 to December 31, 1997, as set forth in their report,
which is also included in this prospectus. Our financial statements and the
financial statements of REALBID, LLC are included in this prospectus in
reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 including the
exhibits, schedules and amendments to the registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of common stock to be sold in
this offering. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth
in the registration statement. For further information with respect to COMPS
and the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering, please refer to the
registration statement. All material terms of each contract, agreement or other
document are described in this prospectus. However, statements contained in
this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document
referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is
made to the copy of such contract, agreement or other document filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified by
such reference.
You may read and copy all or any portion of the registration statement or any
other information we file at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these
documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the
public reference rooms. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement,
are also available to you on the Commission's Web site: http://www.sec.gov.
As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the information and
reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and, in
accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC.
We intend to furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing audited
financial statements and with quarterly reports for the first three quarters of
each year containing unaudited interim consolidated financial information.
64
<PAGE>
Index to Financial Statements
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors......................... F-2
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1998........................... F-3
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998..................................................................... F-4
Statements of Stockholders' Deficit for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1997 and 1998............................................................ F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998..................................................................... F-6
Notes to Financial Statements............................................. F-7
REALBID, LLC
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors......................... F-22
Statements of Operations for the period from June 19, 1997 (inception) to
December 31, 1997 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998
(unaudited).............................................................. F-23
Statements of Members' Equity (Deficit) for the period from June 19, 1997
(inception) to December 31, 1997 and the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1998 (unaudited)........................................... F-24
Statements of Cash Flows for the period from June 19, 1997 (inception) to
December 31, 1997 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998
(unaudited).............................................................. F-25
Notes to Financial Statements............................................. F-26
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statements of Operations
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations..................... F-28
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations............ F-29
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
The Board of Directors
COMPS.COM, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of COMPS.COM, Inc. as of
December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' deficit and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of COMPS.COM, Inc. at December
31, 1997 and 1998, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
Ernst & Young LLP
San Diego, California
February 5, 1999,
except for Note 15, as to which the date is
April 12, 1999
F-2
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pro Forma
December 31, Stockholders'
------------------------ Deficit at
1997 1998 December 31, 1998
---------- ------------ -----------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents......... $ 351,621 $ 377,803
Accounts receivable, less
allowance for bad debts and
cancellations of $1,384,242 and
$1,464,922 at December 31, 1997
and 1998, respectively........... 2,298,167 3,165,817
Prepaid expenses.................. 146,363 184,520
---------- ------------
Total current assets............... 2,796,151 3,728,140
Furniture and equipment, net....... 1,203,750 1,470,538
Intangible assets, net............. 53,485 3,179,361
Deposits and other assets.......... 37,450 36,249
---------- ------------
Total assets....................... $4,090,836 $ 8,414,288
========== ============
Liabilities, redeemable preferred
stock and stockholders' deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable.................. $ 358,638 $ 530,860
Accrued liabilities............... 934,953 1,019,647
Current portion of long-term
debt............................. 467,203 979,208
Current portion of capital lease
obligations...................... 65,101 49,343
Deferred subscription revenue..... 4,023,228 5,502,869
---------- ------------
Total current liabilities.......... 5,849,123 8,081,927
Long-term debt, less current
portion........................... 1,750,372 1,100,628
Capital lease obligations, less
current portion................... 71,955 22,612
Deferred rent...................... 108,906 71,187
---------- ------------
Total liabilities.................. 7,780,356 9,276,354
Commitments
Redeemable convertible preferred
stock, par value $.01 per share;
5,000,000 shares authorized:
Series A, 4,270,336 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31,
1997 and 1998.................... 5,815,806 6,114,730 $ --
Series B, 637,790 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31,
1998............................. -- 893,912 --
Stockholders' deficit:
Class A common stock, par value
$.01 per share; 16,503,750 shares
authorized; 3,501,626 shares
issued and outstanding (at stated
value) at December 31, 1997 and
1998 (7,133,643 pro forma--
unaudited)....................... 29,219 29,219 65,655
Class B common stock, par value
$.01 per share; 1,833,750 shares
authorized; 31,907 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31,
1998 (0 pro forma--unaudited).... -- 435 --
Additional paid-in capital....... -- 7,745,392 14,718,033
Warrants......................... -- 398,000 398,000
Deferred compensation............ -- (4,487,019) (4,487,019)
Accumulated deficit.............. (9,534,545) (11,556,735) (11,556,735)
---------- ------------ ------------
Total stockholders' deficit........ (9,505,326) (7,870,708) $ (862,066)
---------- ------------ ============
Total liabilities, redeemable
preferred stock and stockholders'
deficit........................... $4,090,836 $ 8,414,288
========== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Statements of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
-------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenues............................ $ 8,706,935 $10,866,736 $12,899,746
Cost of revenues........................ 4,356,973 5,053,998 5,767,812
----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit............................ 4,349,962 5,812,738 7,131,934
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing................. 2,812,596 3,407,906 4,230,006
Product development and engineering... 376,331 768,051 1,233,462
General and administrative............ 3,401,513 2,942,326 3,067,864
----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating expenses................ 6,590,440 7,118,283 8,531,332
----------- ----------- -----------
Loss from operations.................... (2,240,478) (1,305,545) (1,399,398)
Other:
Gain from termination of covenant not-
to-compete........................... 58,396 -- --
Interest income....................... 34,616 16,650 42,595
Interest expense...................... (159,905) (268,290) (302,152)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net loss................................ (2,307,371) (1,557,185) (1,658,955)
Dividend accretion on preferred stock... 298,924 298,924 453,685
----------- ----------- -----------
Net loss attributable to common
stockholders........................... $(2,606,295) $(1,856,109) $(2,112,640)
=========== =========== ===========
Net loss per share attributable to
common stockholders, basic and
diluted................................ $ (0.74) $ (0.53) $ (0.60)
=========== =========== ===========
Shares used in computing net loss
attributable to common stockholders,
basic and diluted...................... 3,501,626 3,501,626 3,517,056
=========== =========== ===========
Pro forma net loss per share, basic and
diluted................................ $ (0.23)
===========
Shares used in computing pro forma net
loss per share, basic and diluted...... 7,067,180
===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Statements of Stockholders' Deficit
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock
------------------------------- Additional Total
Class A Class B Paid-In Deferred Accumulated Stockholders'
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Warrants Compensation Deficit Deficit
--------- ------- ------ ------ ---------- -------- ------------ ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31,
1995................... 3,501,626 $29,219 -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ (5,072,141) $(5,042,922)
Accretion of preferred
stock redemption
value................. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (298,924) (298,924)
Net loss............... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (2,307,371) (2,307,371)
--------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Balance at December 31,
1996................... 3,501,626 29,219 -- -- -- -- -- (7,678,436) (7,649,217)
Accretion of preferred
stock redemption
value................. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (298,924) (298,924)
Net loss............... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,557,185) (1,557,185)
--------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Balance at December 31,
1997................... 3,501,626 29,219 -- -- -- -- -- (9,534,545) (9,505,326)
Issuance of stock upon
exercise of options... -- -- 31,907 435 12,615 -- -- -- 13,050
Accretion of preferred
stock redemption
value................. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (363,235) (363,235)
Warrants issued in
connection with Series
B preferred stock..... -- -- -- -- -- 398,000 -- -- 398,000
Accretion of warrants.. -- -- -- -- (90,450) -- -- -- (90,450)
Grant of stock options
in connection with
REALBID acquisition... -- -- -- -- 3,143,853 -- -- -- 3,143,853
Deferred compensation
related to grant of
certain stock
options............... -- -- -- -- 4,679,374 -- (4,679,374) -- --
Amortization of
deferred
compensation.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- 192,355 -- 192,355
Net loss............... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,658,955) (1,658,955)
--------- ------- ------ ----- ---------- -------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Balance at December 31,
1998................... 3,501,626 $29,219 31,907 $ 435 $7,745,392 $398,000 $(4,487,019) $(11,556,735) $(7,870,708)
========= ======= ====== ===== ========== ======== =========== ============ ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
-------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities
Net loss................................ $(2,307,371) $(1,557,185) $(1,658,955)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization......... 1,020,029 913,781 839,840
Deferred compensation................. -- -- 192,355
Provision for bad debts............... 566,242 456,291 261,843
Impairment loss on acquired
intangibles.......................... -- 183,233 --
Loss on disposal/write-off of assets.. -- 97,011 --
Interest imputed on note payable to
TRW REDI............................. -- 48,619 49,252
Gain from covenant not-to-compete..... (58,396) -- --
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities, net of effects from
acquisitions:
Accounts receivable................. (860,027) (946,624) (1,072,493)
Prepaid expenses.................... 50,916 (41,820) (27,969)
Deposits and other assets........... 23,414 3,767 (674)
Accounts payable.................... 82,033 (56,032) 172,222
Accrued liabilities................. 334,016 326,864 84,694
Deferred rent....................... 24,534 (19,172) (37,719)
Deferred subscription revenue....... 527,010 667,801 1,479,641
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities............................. (597,600) 76,534 282,037
Investing activities
Maturities of marketable securities,
available-for-sale..................... 459,645 243,645 --
Purchases of furniture and equipment.... (592,278) (725,835) (933,876)
Purchase of TRW REDI and LSR............ -- (80,000) --
Purchase of REALBID, net of cash
acquired............................... -- -- (209,900)
Loans to employees, net of repayments... 1,285 (6,715) (10,188)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities... (131,348) (568,905) (1,153,964)
Financing activities
Proceeds from notes payable............. 1,411,879 742,800 300,000
Payments on notes payable............... (264,851) (384,683) (486,991)
Payments on capital lease obligations... (100,286) (91,664) (65,101)
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock,
net of issuance costs.................. -- -- 1,137,151
Proceeds from issuance of common stock.. -- -- 13,050
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing
activities............................. 1,046,742 266,453 898,109
----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash......... 317,794 (225,918) 26,182
Cash at beginning of year............... 259,745 577,539 351,621
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash at end of year..................... $ 577,539 $ 351,621 $ 377,803
=========== =========== ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
information:
Interest paid......................... $ 143,024 $ 244,877 $ 251,527
=========== =========== ===========
Income taxes paid..................... $ 5,563 $ 3,941 $ 3,712
=========== =========== ===========
Supplemental schedule of noncash
investing and financing activities:
Equipment financed under capital
leases............................... $ -- $ 30,806 $ --
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 1998
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Organization and Business Activity
COMPS.COM, Inc., formerly known as COMPS InfoSystems, Inc. (the Company),
compiles and maintains a national database of confirmed commercial real estate
information. The Company provides its customers with reports on sales of
office, industrial, retail, apartments, residential land, commercial land,
hotels, motels and other special use properties. As of December 31, 1998,
national coverage includes over 34 major markets throughout the United States.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts reported in financial statements and accompanying
notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three
months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The majority of sales and the related accounts receivable are from companies
dealing in the commercial real estate industry throughout the United States.
Credit is extended based upon an evaluation of the customer's financial
condition and generally collateral is not required. Reserves for doubtful
accounts are maintained by the Company. The Company has not experienced losses
in excess of its reserves.
Furniture and Equipment
Furniture and equipment are depreciated using the double-declining-balance
method over estimated useful lives of five and seven years, respectively.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets arose primarily from the acquisition of REALBID, LLC (see
Note 2). The excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets purchased has
been allocated to goodwill, customer base, database and web site technology,
trademark and trade name and assembled work force. These intangible assets are
being amortized over estimated useful lives ranging from three to five years.
Asset Impairment
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121,
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long Lived Assets to
be Disposed Of (SFAS 121), the Company recognizes impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those
assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. SFAS 121 also addresses the
accounting for long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed of. During
1997, the Company determined that the subscription base relating to its 1995
acquisitions was impaired because of lower than expected retention of the
purchased subscription base. Fair value of the assets was calculated based on
estimated future cash flows to be generated by the remaining subscribers,
discounted at a market rate of interest. This resulted in a write-down of the
acquired intangibles of approximately $183,000,
F-7
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
which is reflected in general and administrative expense on the statement of
operations. In 1996 and 1998, no impairment losses were recorded.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25) and related Interpretations
in accounting for its employee stock options.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes product and related services revenue at the time of
shipment or performance of services. A substantial portion of the Company's
revenues come from subscription sales. Subscriptions are recorded as accounts
receivable and as deferred revenues at the time the customer is invoiced. The
Company provides an allowance for bad debts and cancellations when accounts
receivable and deferred revenues are recorded. Subscription revenue, net of
reserve for cancellations, is recognized over the subscription term.
In addition, the Company obtains fixed fees from its REALBID transaction
support services. The services provided include the development and hosting of
a specific Web site for a listed property and sending announcements via fax and
e-mail to potential buyers. The revenue from these services is recognized
ratably over the hosting period which typically is one to four months. Revenue
from sponsors whose messages and links are located on the Company's Web site or
contained in the broadcast e-mail or fax to potential buyers is recognized
ratably over the period that the messages or links are displayed or broadcast.
To the extent the minimum guaranteed impressions or broadcasts are not met, the
Company defers recognition of the corresponding revenue until guaranteed levels
are achieved.
Significant Customers
During 1996, 1997 and 1998, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of
revenues.
Product Development and Engineering
Costs incurred in the development of new software products and enhancements
to existing software products are expensed as incurred until technological
feasibility has been established. After technological feasibility is
established, any additional costs would be capitalized in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed. Because the Company
believes that its current process for developing software is essentially
completed concurrently with the establishment of technological feasibility, no
software development costs have been capitalized to date. Other product
development and engineering costs are expensed in the period incurred.
Net Loss Per Share and Unaudited Pro Forma Stockholders' Deficit
Historical basic and diluted net loss per share are computed using the
weighted average number of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding. The
Class B non-voting common stock will automatically convert into Class A common
stock upon the closing of the Company's initial public offering. Options,
warrants and preferred stock were not included in the computation of diluted
net loss per share because the effect would be antidilutive.
Pro forma net loss per share has been computed as described above and also
gives effect to common equivalent shares from preferred stock that will
automatically convert upon the closing of the Company's initial public offering
(using the as-if-converted method). If the offering contemplated is
consummated, all of the redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding as
of the closing date will automatically be converted into an aggregate of
3,600,110 shares of common stock. Unaudited pro forma stockholders' deficit at
December 31, 1998, as adjusted for the conversion of redeemable convertible
preferred stock, is disclosed on the balance sheet.
F-8
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Net Loss Per Share and Unaudited Pro Forma Stockholders' Deficit (continued)
A reconciliation of shares used in the calculation of historical and pro
forma basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31,
-------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Historical net loss per share
attributable to common stockholders,
basic and diluted:
Net loss attributable to common
stockholders....................... $(2,606,295) $(1,856,109) $(2,112,640)
=========== =========== ===========
Shares used in computing net loss
attributable to common
stockholders, basic and diluted.... 3,501,626 3,501,626 3,517,056
=========== =========== ===========
Net loss per share attributable to
common stockholders, basic and
diluted............................ $ (0.74) $ (0.53) $ (0.60)
=========== =========== ===========
Antidilutive securities including
options, warrants, and preferred
stock, on an as-if-converted to
common stock basis, not included in
historical net loss per share
attributable to common stockholders
calculations....................... 4,040,618 4,216,175 6,036,660
=========== =========== ===========
Pro forma net loss per share:
Net loss attributable to common
stockholders....................... $(2,112,640)
Less: dividend accretion on
redeemable convertible preferred
stock.............................. 453,685
-----------
Pro forma net loss.................. $(1,658,955)
===========
Shares used in computing net loss
attributable to common
stockholders, basic and diluted.... 3,517,056
Adjustment to reflect the effect of
the assumed conversion of weighted
average shares of redeemable
convertible preferred stock........ 3,550,124
-----------
Shares used in computing pro forma
net loss per share, basic and
diluted............................ 7,067,180
===========
Pro forma net loss per share, basic
and diluted......................... $ (0.23)
===========
</TABLE>
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (SFAS
130). SFAS 130 requires that all components of comprehensive income, including
net income, be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they
are recognized. SFAS 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1997. There was no
F-9
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards (continued)
difference between the Company's net loss and its total comprehensive loss for
the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards, No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS 131). SFAS 131 replace SFAS 14,
"Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise" and changes the way
the public companies report segment information. SFAS 131 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997 and has been adopted by the
Company for the year ending December 31, 1998.
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 98-1 Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use (SOP 98-1). This standard requires
companies to capitalize qualifying computer software costs which are incurred
during the application development stage and amortize them over the software's
estimated useful life. SOP 98-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1998. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SOP 98-1
on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 98-5 Reporting for the Costs of Start-Up Activities (SOP
98-5). This standard requires companies to expense the cost of start-up
activities and organization costs as incurred. In general, SOP 98-5 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The Company
believes the adoption of SOP 98-5 will not have a material impact on its
results of operations.
Reclassification
Reclassifications have been made to certain prior period amounts to conform
to the 1998 presentation.
2. Acquisitions
Experian RES
On November 30, 1997, the Company acquired the Experian RES investment
property publishing business in Georgia and Florida for $80,000. The purchase
price has been allocated to the assets purchased and the liabilities assumed
based upon the fair values at the date of acquisition as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Current assets.................................................... $114,244
Subscription contracts............................................ 124,198
Deferred revenues................................................. (158,442)
--------
$ 80,000
========
</TABLE>
Deferred revenues represent liabilities assumed to fulfill subscription
contracts acquired from Experian. Deferred revenues will be recognized over the
subscription term as product is shipped. The subscription contracts represent
the estimated value of future revenue streams from renewals of subscription
contracts purchased. Experian RES is the successor-in-interest to TRW REDI and
based on the Company's 1995 acquisition of TRW REDI's investment property
publishing business, 50% of the subscription contracts were amortized in 1997
and the remaining 50% were amortized in 1998.
F-10
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
2. Acquisitions (continued)
REALBID
On November 6, 1998, the Company acquired the assets of REALBID, LLC
(REALBID) a real estate marketing services company which supports commercial
real estate transactions over the Internet. The transaction was accounted for
as a purchase. The purchase price consisted of cash payments of $163,000 and
the grant of stock options to the principals to acquire 399,473 shares of the
Company's Class B non-voting common stock at $1.64 per share. The options were
valued using the minimum value method for option pricing with a risk-free
interest rate of 5%, dividend yield of 0% and an expected life of 5 years. The
fair value of the options was determined to be $7.87 per share as of the date
of the acquisition. As a result, the purchase price is calculated to be
$3,361,253 which includes acquisition costs of $54,400. The purchase price has
been allocated based on a valuation by an independent appraiser which was
performed in conjunction with management's best estimate of expected future
results. In addition, employment and incentive compensation agreements were
entered into with the two principals of REALBID. The purchase price has been
allocated as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Current assets.................................................... $ 64,500
Intangible assets................................................. 3,296,753
----------
Net purchase price................................................ $3,361,253
==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying statements of operations reflect the operating results of
REALBID since the date of the acquisition. The pro forma unaudited results of
operations for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998, assuming the
purchase of REALBID has occurred on June 19, 1997 (date of inception of
REALBID) and January 1, 1998, respectively, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net revenues..................................... $10,465,436 $13,122,912
=========== ===========
Net loss attributable to common stockholders..... $(2,479,345) $(2,815,203)
=========== ===========
Net loss per share attributable to common
stockholders.................................... $ (0.71) $ (0.80)
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
AOBR, Inc.
On December 4, 1998, the Company agreed to acquire certain assets of AOBR,
Inc., subject to certain conditions, including completion of due diligence and
approval by the Company's Board of Directors. The transaction closed on January
7, 1999. The purchase price consisted of cash payments of $120,000 plus
acquisition costs of $9,200. The transaction will be recorded as a purchase and
the purchase price will be allocated to the acquired database, non-competition
agreement and goodwill. These intangibles will be amortized over two to five
years.
F-11
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. Furniture and Equipment
Furniture and equipment are stated at cost and consist of the following at
December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Machinery and equipment............................ $ 2,394,486 $ 3,200,644
Office furniture and fixtures...................... 87,559 141,877
Leasehold improvements............................. 150,553 223,953
----------- -----------
2,632,598 3,566,474
Accumulated depreciation........................... (1,428,848) (2,095,936)
----------- -----------
$ 1,203,750 $ 1,470,538
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
4. Intangibles Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
-------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Customer base.......................................... $ -- $2,000,000
Goodwill............................................... 796,753
Database and web site technology....................... -- 300,000
Assembled workforce.................................... -- 100,000
Trademark and trade name............................... -- 100,000
Subscription contracts................................. 141,426 --
-------- ----------
141,426 3,296,753
Less accumulated amortization.......................... (87,941) (117,392)
-------- ----------
$ 53,485 $3,179,361
======== ==========
</TABLE>
Intangible assets are being amortized over the following useful lives:
goodwill, trademark and tradename--five years; assembled workforce--four years;
and customer base and database and web site technology--3 years. Subscription
contracts were amortized over two years.
During 1997, the Company determined that the subscription base relating to
the 1995 acquisitions of TRW REDI and The Land Sales Resource was impaired as a
result of lower than expected retention of the purchased subscription base.
Fair value of the assets was calculated based on estimated future cash flows to
be generated by the subscription base, discounted at a market rate of interest.
This resulted in a write-down of the acquired intangibles of $183,233, which is
reflected in general and administrative expense on the statement of operations.
5. Long-Term Debt
In September 1996, the Company entered into a $3.0 million loan agreement
with Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc. The terms of the agreement provide $1.5
million for fixed asset acquisition and $1.5 million as working capital.
Borrowings for fixed assets acquisition and working capital are due forty-eight
months and thirty-six months, respectively, from the date of disbursement. At
December 31, 1998, $541,750 is available for draw for general operations and
none is available for fixed asset acquisitions. The loan agreement originally
expired on June 30, 1998, but was extended during 1998 to June 30, 1999.
Notes payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc. bear interest at 8.75% per
annum during the term and a one-time balloon interest payment of 15% of the
original principal amount is due upon completion of the term. The notes payable
are secured by all fixed assets of the Company with the exception of two notes
payable which are secured by all business assets of the Company.
F-12
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
5. Long-Term Debt (continued)
Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $18,458 are due monthly
through August 1, 1999 with additional balloon interest
of $86,250 due October 1, 1999.......................... $ 378,636 $ 212,367
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $21,006 are due monthly
through August 1, 2000 with additional balloon interest
of $125,532 due October 1, 2000......................... 630,194 463,489
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $8,557 are due monthly through
February 1, 2001 with additional balloon interest of
$51,140 due April 1, 2001............................... 286,960 224,051
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $2,555 are due monthly through
October 1, 2001 with additional balloon interest of
$15,268 due December 1, 2001............................ 96,356 79,851
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $2,595 are due monthly through
October 1, 2001 with additional balloon interest of
$15,505 due January 1, 2002............................. 98,180 82,494
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $2,931 are due monthly through
November 1, 2001 with additional balloon interest of
$17,514 due January 1, 2002............................. 110,301 93,431
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $2,672 are due monthly through
November 1, 2000 with additional balloon interest of
$12,486 due December 1, 2001............................ 77,473 59,709
Note payable to Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
Principal and interest of $9,630 are due monthly through
September 1, 2001 with additional balloon interest of
$45,000 due November 1, 2001............................ -- 275,717
Unsecured note payable to TRW REDI, due as follows:
$405,800 on December 1, 1999; $145,000 on December 1,
2000; and $135,000 on December 31, 2001. Interest is
imputed at 10% through December 1, 1999. Note bears
interest at 8% subsequent to December 1, 1999........... 539,475 588,727
---------- ----------
2,217,575 2,079,836
Less current portion..................................... 467,203 979,208
---------- ----------
Total long-term debt..................................... $1,750,372 $1,100,628
========== ==========
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
5. Long-Term Debt (continued)
Future annual payments of long-term debt are as follows at December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1999........................................................... $ 979,208
2000........................................................... 659,738
2001........................................................... 423,812
2002........................................................... 17,078
----------
Total.......................................................... $2,079,836
==========
</TABLE>
6. Commitments
Leases
The Company leases its offices under operating leases which expire at various
dates through June 2002. Under these operating leases, the Company pays taxes,
insurance and maintenance expenses related to the premises. Certain of the
leases provide for increasing minimum annual rental amounts. Rent payable for
the Company's corporate headquarters office during the period from July 2000
through June 2002 will be determined based upon fair market rental value at
July 1, 2000. Rent expense is recorded evenly over the term of the lease.
Accordingly, deferred rent, as reflected on the accompanying balance sheets,
represents the difference between rent expense accrued and amounts paid under
the terms of the lease agreement. Rent expense for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998 totaled $410,705, $405,874 and $468,533, respectively.
The Company leases certain equipment under capital lease obligations. Cost
and accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases were $379,978
and $321,854, respectively, at December 31, 1998.
Future minimum lease payments under operating and capital leases at December
31, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Operating Capital
Leases Leases
--------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
1999...................................................... $513,505 $54,463
2000...................................................... 256,144 15,714
2001...................................................... 92,603 8,890
2002...................................................... 81,294 --
-------- -------
Total minimum lease payments.............................. $943,546 79,067
========
Less amount representing interest......................... 7,112
-------
Present value of minimum lease payments................... 71,955
Less current portion...................................... 49,343
-------
Noncurrent portion........................................ $22,612
=======
</TABLE>
Employment, Incentive Compensation, and Stock Agreements
The Company has employment and incentive compensation agreements with key
employees which grant these employees the right to receive bonuses and
incentive compensation upon certain events and circumstances as defined in the
agreements. The agreements provide for severance pay of three to eight months
in the event of termination of employment.
F-14
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
7. Information Sharing Agreement
The Company has agreements to license its database to other information
service providers for licensing through their computer networks. Under the
agreements, the Company receives a certain percentage of the related annual
gross receipts earned by these other service providers. In addition, neither
the Company nor the other service providers shall develop competing products
during the term of the agreement. The Company earned $307,381, $163,341 and
$41,185 under the agreements during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998, respectively.
8. Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
During 1994, the Company sold 4,270,336 shares of Series A convertible
redeemable preferred stock and warrants to purchase 278,634 shares of Class B
common stock at $0.0136 per share (Note 10), for $4,856,758, net of issuance
costs of $143,242. The holders of the Series A preferred stock are entitled to
receive cumulative dividends at an annual rate of $0.07 per share, payable at
the time of: 1) repurchase of Series A preferred stock; 2) liquidation of the
Company; or 3) sale of the Company's securities pursuant to an underwritten
public offering. The right to such dividends will be forfeited in the event of
either a repurchase of all of the outstanding shares of Series A preferred
stock or a liquidation if the holders of the Series A preferred stock are
entitled to receive in excess of $3.52 per share prior to the payment of
dividends or upon a public offering of not less than $10 million at a purchase
price of not less than $4.80 per share (after a 1-for-.7335 reverse stock
split). Holders of Series A preferred stock have a liquidation preference of
$1.17 per share plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends.
In February 1998, the Company sold 637,790 shares of Series B redeemable
convertible preferred stock and warrants to purchase 224,522 shares of Class B
common stock and 27,381 shares of Class A common stock at $0.0136 per share
(Note 10), for $1,137,151, net of issuance costs of $12,849. The holders of the
Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at an
annual rate of $0.11 per share, payable at the time of 1) repurchase of Series
A or Series B preferred stock; 2) liquidation of the Company; or 3) sale of the
Company's securities pursuant to an underwritten public offering. The right to
such dividends will be forfeited in the event of a repurchase of all of the
outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock or a liquidation if the holders
of the Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive in excess of $3.83 per
share prior to the payment of dividends or upon a public offering of not less
than $10 million at a purchase price of not less than $5.22 per share (after a
1-for-.7335 reverse stock split). Holders of Series B preferred stock have a
liquidation preference of $1.80 per share plus all accumulated but unpaid
dividends.
The Series A and Series B preferred stock is convertible at the option of the
holder into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock. The holders of
preferred and Class A common stock vote together as a class on all matters to
be voted on by the shareholders of the Company, with each holder of preferred
stock entitled to one vote for each share held.
A summary of the redeemable convertible preferred stock and the liquidation
and redemption values at December 31, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Liquidation Redemption
Shares Preference Value
--------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Series A preferred stock................... 4,270,336 $5,000,000 $6,257,972
Series B preferred stock................... 637,790 1,150,000 1,214,311
--------- ---------- ----------
Total...................................... 4,908,126 $6,150,000 $7,472,283
========= ========== ==========
</TABLE>
F-15
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
9. Repurchase Agreement
As part of the issuance of Series A and Series B redeemable convertible
preferred stock and Class B common stock warrants, (see Note 10), the Company
granted the purchasers a "put option" in which the Company is required to
repurchase the shares held by the purchasers; the repurchase is required to
take place in October 2001 or earlier if an event such as a liquidation or
merger or acquisition occurs and there is a 50% change in the holders of voting
securities. The repurchase price is the greater of the original purchase price
plus accrued dividends or fair market value of the shares held. This put option
is terminated if the Company has a public offering of its shares in which the
Company's gross proceeds are at least $10 million and the per share price is
not less the $4.80 for the Series A preferred stock and $5.22 for the Series B
preferred stock (after a 1-for-.7335 reverse stock split).
The purchasers have also been granted registration rights in certain
conditions and a right of first refusal in the event the Company intends to
sell shares in a private transaction.
10. Stockholders' Deficit
Common Stock
The Class A and Class B common stock shall have the same rights and
privileges except that the Class B common stock shall not have any right to
vote. Additionally, each share of Class B common stock shall automatically
convert into one share of Class A common stock upon the earlier of the time of
consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding Class A common
stock to the conversion is obtained or upon the closing of a public offering.
Warrants
In connection with the issuance of the Series A redeemable preferred stock,
the Company issued warrants to purchase 278,634 shares of Class B common stock
at $.0136 per share. The warrants may be exercised in whole or in part on the
earlier to occur of one day prior to the closing of a liquidity event, as
defined in the agreement, or October 14, 2001. The warrants expire on October
14, 2004. The Company estimated the fair value of the warrant using the minimum
value option pricing model, however, no value was allocated to the warrant as
the estimated fair value was nominal.
In connection with the issuance of the Series B redeemable preferred stock,
the Company issued warrants to purchase 224,522 shares of Class B common stock
and 27,381 shares of Class A common stock at $0.0136 per share. The warrants to
purchase Class B common stock are exercisable at the earlier of (i) one day
prior to the closing or effective time of a liquidity event, as defined in the
warrant agreement, or (ii) October 14, 2001. The warrant to purchase Class A
Common Stock is immediately exercisable. All warrants issued in connection with
the Series B Preferred Stock expire on February 6, 2008. The Company estimated
the fair value of the warrants to be $398,000 using the minimum value option
pricing model with a risk-free interest rate of 5.5%, dividend yield of 0% and
a weighted average expected life of three years.
In connection with the loan agreement with Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc.
(see Note 5), the Company issued a warrant to purchase 156,285 shares of the
Company's Class B common stock at $2.40 per share, subject to antidilutive
adjustments. The warrant expires on September 24, 2003. The Company estimated
the fair value of the warrant using the minimum value option pricing model,
however, no value was allocated to the warrant as the estimated fair value was
nominal.
F-16
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
10. Stockholders' Deficit (continued)
Stock Options
In November 1998, the Company replaced its amended and restated stock option
plan (Old Plan), under which options to purchase 739,368 shares of Class B
common stock were outstanding, with the 1998 Equity Participation Plan and the
1998 Supplemental Option Plan (the 1998 Plans). Under the 1998 Plans, both
incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to purchase Class B
common stock may be issued to key employees, board members and consultants of
the Company. The aggregate number of shares which the Company is authorized to
issue under the 1998 Plans, together with the aggregate number of shares which
may be issued under the Old Plan, is 2,047,993. Options granted under the Plans
generally vest over five years, except for options issued to independent
directors under the 1998 Plans which vest over four years, and are exercisable
for a period of ten years from the date of grant. The board of directors may,
in its discretion, accelerate the period during which an option granted to an
employee or consultant vests. Generally, stock options are granted at a price
which approximates the fair value of the shares at the date of grant as
determined by the board of directors.
The following table summarizes stock option activity:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Shares Price
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1995......................... 520,718 $0.41
Granted................................................ 86,412 $0.41
Canceled............................................... (133,723) $0.41
---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1996......................... 473,407 $0.41
Granted................................................ 244,872 $0.41
Canceled............................................... (69,316) $0.41
---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997......................... 648,963 $0.41
Granted................................................ 1,143,673 $1.57
Exercised.............................................. (31,907) $0.41
Canceled............................................... (11,002) $0.89
--------- -----
Outstanding at December 31, 1998......................... 1,749,727 $1.17
=========
</TABLE>
Included above are options to purchase a total of 109,860 shares of common
stock which were issued outside of the Plans, of which 88,772 shares were
issued to a principal of REALBID (Note 2). The remaining 21,088 were issued to
a consultant in February 1995. No value was assigned to the February 1995
options as the estimated fair value was nominal. In addition, 139,365 of the
options granted in 1997 will become fully vested upon the closing of an initial
public offering.
At December 31, 1998, options to purchase 498,503 shares (including 101,425
shares related to options granted outside the Plans) are exercisable and
376,219 shares are available for future grant.
All options granted during 1998 had exercise prices below the deemed fair
value of the Company's common stock. Through December 31, 1998, the Company
recorded deferred compensation expense for the difference between the exercise
price and the fair value for financial statement presentation purposes of the
Company's common stock, as determined in part by an independent valuation, for
options granted during 1998. This deferred compensation aggregates to
$4,679,374, which is being amortized over the vesting period of the related
options. Amortization during 1998 was $192,355.
F-17
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
10. Stockholders' Deficit (continued)
Stock Options (continued)
Following is a further breakdown of the options outstanding as of December
31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted average
Weighted average exercise price of
Range of Options remaining life Weighted average Options options
Exercise Prices Outstanding in years exercise price exercisable exercisable
- --------------- ----------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0.41-$0.61 664,001 7.33 $0.42 256,955 $0.41
$1.36-$1.64 1,085,726 9.82 $1.62 241,549 $1.64
- ----------- --------- ---- ----- ------- -----
$0.41-$1.64 1,749,727 8.93 $1.17 498,504 $1.01
</TABLE>
Pro forma information regarding net loss is required by SFAS 123, and has
been determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options
under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value of the options
was estimated at the date of grant, using the "minimum value" method for option
pricing with the following weighted-average assumptions for options granted in
1996, 1997 and 1998: risk-free interest rate of 6%, 6% and 5.5%, respectively;
dividend yield of 0%; and a weighted-average expected life of options of five
years. The weighted-average fair value of options granted in 1996, 1997 and
1998 was $0.11, $0.11 and $0.38, respectively.
For purpose of pro forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's pro
forma information is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Pro forma net loss attributable to
common stockholders.............. $ (2,615,089) $ (1,867,929) $ (2,140,411)
Pro forma basic and diluted net
loss per share attributable to
common stockholders.............. $ (0.75) $ (0.53) $ (0.61)
</TABLE>
Common Stock Reserved for Issuance
At December 31, 1998, the Company has reserved shares of common stock for
future issuance as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Stock options...................................................... 2,125,946
Preferred stock.................................................... 4,908,126
Warrants........................................................... 686,823
---------
7,720,895
=========
</TABLE>
11. Income Taxes
At December 31, 1998, the Company had federal and state tax net operating
loss carryforwards of approximately $4,942,000 and $2,494,000, respectively.
The difference between the federal and California tax loss carryforwards is
primarily attributable to the 50% limitation on California loss carryforwards.
The federal and California tax loss carryforwards begin expiring in 2009 and
1999, respectively, unless previously utilized.
Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382, use of the Company's net
operating loss carryforwards may be limited if a cumulative change in ownership
of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period.
F-18
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
11. Income Taxes (continued)
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets at December 31,
1997 and 1998 are shown below. A valuation allowance of $1,679,000 has been
recognized to offset the deferred tax assets as realization of such assets is
uncertain.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards................... $1,343,000 $1,851,000
Other.............................................. 338,000 361,000
Amortization....................................... 464,000 463,000
---------- ----------
Total deferred tax assets............................ 2,145,000 2,675,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangibles........................................ -- (996,000)
---------- ----------
Net deferred tax assets.............................. 2,145,000 1,679,000
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.......... (2,145,000) (1,679,000)
---------- ----------
Net deferred tax assets.............................. $ -- $ --
========== ==========
</TABLE>
12. Employee Benefit Plan
The Company has a 401(k) defined contribution employee benefit plan (the
"Plan") for the benefit of eligible employees, generally those who have
completed one year of service. The Company is not required to contribute to the
Plan. In 1996, the Company did not contribute to the Plan. Contributions
totaling $14,956 and $34,130 were charged to expense in 1997 and 1998,
respectively.
13. Related Party Transactions
The Company currently leases its corporate headquarters operating space from
a limited partnership whose general partner is a company owned by the President
and major stockholder of the Company. Another director and stockholder is a
limited partner of this limited partnership. Rent expense to this related party
of $253,684, $295,018 and $304,579 was incurred in 1996, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. The Company retains the consulting services of one of its board
of director members. Consulting expense to this related party of $57,000,
$11,580 and $25,780 was incurred in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
14. Reportable Segments
Description of the types of products and services from which each reportable
segment derives its revenues
The Company has two reportable segments: information services and
transactions support products. Revenues for the Company's information services
division are derived from licensing commercial real estate sales comparable
information on a subscription and ad-hoc basis. Revenues of $16,500 for
transaction support products were derived from REALBID, a marketing services
company acquired in November 1998 which supports commercial real estate
transactions over the Internet.
Measurement of segment profit or loss and segment assets
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or
loss from operations before income taxes. The accounting policies of the
reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of
significant accounting policies.
F-19
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
14. Reportable Segments (continued)
Factors management used to identify the enterprise's reportable segments
The Company's reportable segments are business units that offer different
products and services. The Company did not have reportable segments in prior
years, and therefore only the information for the year ended December 31, 1998
is included below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31, 1998
------------------------------------
Transaction
Information Support
Services Services Totals
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues from external customers..... $12,883,246 $ 16,500 $12,899,746
Intersegment revenues................ -- -- --
Interest expense..................... 302,152 -- 302,152
Depreciation and amortization
expense............................. 721,648 118,192 839,840
Segment profit (loss) before income
taxes............................... (1,255,495) (403,460) (1,658,955)
Other significant non cash item:
Deferred compensation on stock
options........................... 2,061,206 2,618,168 4,679,374
Segment assets
Fixed assets, net.................. 1,460,211 10,327 1,470,538
Intangible assets, net............. -- 3,179,361 3,179,361
Expenditures of long-lived assets.... 922,749 11,127 933,876
</TABLE>
15. Subsequent Events
In February 1999, the Company entered into a $1.8 million loan agreement with
Venture Lending & Leasing, Inc., under which the Company may purchase both
equipment and working capital. The borrowing base under the loan is limited to
$1.8 million or 80% of the Company's eligible accounts. The loan agreement
expires on March 31, 2000. Borrowings under the loan are due 36 months from the
date of disbursement.
In connection with the loan agreement, the Company issued a warrant to
purchase a certain number of shares of Class B non-voting common stock with an
aggregate exercise price of $225,000. The exercise price per share will be
based on an amount equal to the median of i) $2.46 and ii) the per share price
in the next round of equity financing. If there is no new equity financing done
within 18 months of the date of the loan agreement (February 12, 1999) the
exercise price will be $3.68. The Company will account for this warrant in
accordance with SFAS 123.
In February 1999, the Company entered into a new lease agreement for its
corporate headquarters. The new lease is with the same related party (see Note
13) and is effective February 1, 1999. The Company's prior lease, which was due
to expire in June 2002 and provided for monthly rent payments of $37,015 will
be canceled upon commencement of the new lease. The term of the new lease is 5
years, with the option to extend for five terms of two years each. The initial
monthly rent payment of $44,843 will be increased by 3 1/2% each year during
the original five year term. Upon commencement of each extension of the term,
monthly base rent will be adjusted to reflect the fair market rental value.
In February 1999, the Board of Directors adopted the 1999 Stock Incentive
Plan and the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The plans are effective on the
date the underwriting agreement is signed in connection with the Company's
contemplated initial public offering. Shares reserved for issuance under the
1999 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan total
2,800,000 and 300,000, respectively.
F-20
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
15. Subsequent Events (continued)
In March 1999, the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase in the
authorized number of shares of preferred stock to 5,100,000. On April 1, 1999,
the Company's Board of Directors authorized a 1-for-.7335 reverse stock split
of the Company's common stock (unless otherwise noted, all share and per share
amounts included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and
notes have been adjusted retroactively to give effect to the stock split) and
approved a decrease in the authorized number of common stock to 18,337,500.
In April 1999, the Company borrowed $3,000,000 from a bank. The loan matures
on the earlier to occur of April 2001 or the receipt by the Company of
$5,000,000 from an offering of its equity securities. This loan bears interest
at 13%. In connection with this loan, the Company issued warrants to purchase
up to 98,000 shares of preferred stock at prices ranging from $1.17 to $5.00
per share, depending on when the loan is repaid. The Company will account for
this warrant in accordance with SFAS 123 and amortize its value to interest
expense over the remaining life of the loan.
F-21
<PAGE>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
The Members
REALBID, LLC
We have audited the accompanying statements of operations, members' equity
(deficit) and cash flows of REALBID, LLC for the period from June 19, 1997
(inception) through December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of REALBID, LLC
for the period from June 19, 1997 (inception) through December 31, 1997, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Ernst & Young LLP
San Diego, California
February 17, 1999
F-22
<PAGE>
REALBID, LLC
Statements of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the
period from
June 19, 1997 For the nine-month
(inception) to period ended
December 31, 1997 September 30, 1998
----------------- ------------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Net revenues............................... $ 15,500 $ 196,666
Cost of revenues........................... 9,615 37,608
--------- ---------
Gross profit............................... 5,885 159,058
Operating expenses:
General and administrative............... 247,598 271,477
--------- ---------
Total operating expenses................... 247,598 271,477
--------- ---------
Net loss................................... $(241,713) $(112,419)
========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-23
<PAGE>
REALBID, LLC
Statements of Members' Equity (Deficit)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Members' Total
Shares Members'
------------- Accumulated Equity
Shares Amount Deficit (Deficit)
------ ------ ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Issuance of members' shares.............. 8,000 $8,000 $ -- $ 8,000
Net loss for the period from June 19,
1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997... -- -- (241,713) (241,713)
----- ------ --------- ---------
Balance at December 31, 1997............. 8,000 8,000 (241,713) (233,713)
Net loss for nine-month period ended
September 30, 1998 (unaudited).......... -- -- (112,419) (112,419)
----- ------ --------- ---------
Balance at September 30, 1998
(unaudited)............................. 8,000 $8,000 $(354,132) $(346,132)
===== ====== ========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-24
<PAGE>
REALBID, LLC
Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the
period from
June 19, 1997 For the nine-month
(inception) to period ended
December 31, 1997 September 30, 1998
----------------- ------------------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Operating activities
Net loss................................. $(241,713) $(112,419)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Depreciation........................... -- 699
Provision for bad debts................ -- 10,000
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable.................. -- (79,000)
Prepaid assets....................... -- (2,000)
Accounts payable..................... 1,797 13,331
Accrued liabilities.................. 150,000 187,000
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities.............................. (89,916) 17,611
Financing activities
Payments on lease obligation............. -- (1,748)
Proceeds from member advances............ 83,510 12,704
Proceeds from issuance of members'
shares.................................. 8,000 --
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing
activities.............................. 91,510 10,956
--------- ---------
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents............................. 1,594 28,567
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period.................................. -- 1,594
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period.................................. $ 1,594 $ 30,161
========= =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
information:
Interest paid............................ $ -- $ 176
Supplemental schedule of non cash
investing and financing activities:
Equipment financed under capital leases.. $ -- $ 8,713
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-25
<PAGE>
REALBID, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 1997
(Information subsequent to December 31, 1997 and pertaining to the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1998 is unaudited)
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization and Business Activities
REALBID, LLC (the "Company") is a California company with limited liability
status which was formed on June 19, 1997 and shall continue until June 30, 2047
or until dissolution in accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement.
Each member's liability is limited pursuant to the Beverly-Killea Limited
Liability Company Act. The Company is a real estate marketing services company
which facilitates commercial property transactions using both the internet and
traditional communication technologies.
The Company's primary purpose is to provide computer on-line real estate
services, including market data, specific property information, buyer profiles
and a trading platform for private and public format transactions.
Basis of Presentation
The Company has an accumulated deficit at December 31, 1997 and has not yet
generated income from operations and thus needs to continue to raise cash to
fund future operations. Refer to Note 5 for subsequent event.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 are
unaudited. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same
basis as the audited financial statements, and in the opinion of management,
include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary to state fairly the financial information set forth therein, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity
of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents.
Equipment
Equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful
lives of three to five years.
Revenue Recognition
The Company obtains fixed fees from its transaction support services. The
services provided include the development and hosting of a specific Web site
for a listed property and sending announcements via fax and e-mail to potential
buyers. The revenue from these services is recognized ratably over the hosting
period which typically is one to four months. Revenue from sponsors whose
messages and links are located on the Company's Web site or contained in the
broadcast e-mail or fax to potential buyers is recognized ratably over
F-26
<PAGE>
REALBID, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
(Information subsequent to December 31, 1997 and pertaining to the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1998 is unaudited)
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
the period that the messages or links are displayed or broadcast. To the extent
the minimum guaranteed impressions or broadcasts are not met, the Company
defers recognition of the corresponding revenue until guaranteed levels are
achieved.
Profits and Losses and Distributions
Profits and losses of the Company are allocated to the members and
distributions are made in accordance with the Operating Agreement.
2. Commitments
During the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company leased its
facilities under two operating leases expiring on November 30, 1998 and
January 5, 1999, each of which was renewed for an additional six month term.
Rent expense totaled $8,490 for the period from June 19, 1997 through December
31, 1997 and $24,914 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998.
The Company leases certain equipment under capital leases obligations. The
leases expire on March 27, 2000 and August 23, 2000.
3. Related Party Transactions
Since inception and through the nine month period ended September 30, 1998,
two of the Company's members have loaned the Company funds to be used for
expenditures incurred by the Company in order to conduct business. At December
31, 1997 and at September 30, 1998, loan amounts due to members totaled $83,510
and $96,214, respectively.
4. Income Taxes
Under federal and California law, income or loss of limited liability
companies are passed through to the separate tax returns of the members.
Accordingly, no provision (benefit) for taxes based on income or losses is
shown in the accompanying financial statements.
5. Sale of Assets
On November 6, 1998, COMPS.COM Inc. purchased substantially all of the assets
of the Company for $163,000 and stock options granted to the members.
6. Year 2000 Compliance (Unaudited)
Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded to
accept only two-digit entries in the date code field. Beginning in the year
2000, these date code fields will need to accept four-digit entries to
distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, computer
systems and/or software used by many companies may need to be upgraded to
comply with such "Year 2000" requirements.
Significant uncertainty exists concerning the potential effects associated
with compliance. Although the Company believes that it is year 2000 compliant,
there can be no assurance that coding errors or other defects will not be
discovered in the future. Any year 2000 compliance problem of the Company, its
service providers, its customers or the Internet infrastructure could result in
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition.
F-27
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations
On November 6, 1998, the Company acquired REALBID, LLC (REALBID) for
approximately $3.4 million, including acquisition costs. The unaudited pro
forma condensed statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 1998
give effect to the acquisition of REALBID as if it had occurred on January 1,
1998. The pro forma condensed statement of operations is based on historical
results of operations of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1998 and
REALBID for the period from January 1, 1998 to November 5, 1998. The pro forma
condensed statement of operations should be read in conjunction with the
historical financial statements and notes thereto of the Company and REALBID.
The pro forma condensed statement of operations is presented for illustrative
purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of results of operations that
would have actually occurred had the acquisition of REALBID been effected on
January 1, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPS.COM, REALBID, LLC
Inc. Period from
Year ended January 1, 1998
December 31, to November 5,
Pro Forma
1998 1998 Adjustments Pro Forma
------------ --------------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenues............. $12,899,746 $ 223,166 $ -- $13,122,912
Cost of revenues......... 5,767,812 44,988 -- 5,812,800
----------- --------- --------- -----------
Gross profit............. 7,131,934 178,178 -- 7,310,112
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing... 4,230,006 -- -- 4,230,006
Product development..... 1,233,462 -- -- 1,233,462
General and
administrative......... 3,067,864 293,782 586,959 3,948,605
----------- --------- --------- -----------
Total operating
expenses................ 8,531,332 293,782 586,959 9,412,073
----------- --------- --------- -----------
Loss from operations..... (1,399,398) (115,604) (586,959) (2,101,961)
Other income (expense)... (259,557) -- -- (259,557)
----------- --------- --------- -----------
Net loss................. (1,658,955) (115,604) (586,959) (2,361,518)
Dividend accretion on
preferred stock......... 453,685 -- -- 453,685
----------- --------- --------- -----------
Net loss attributable to
common stockholders..... $(2,112,640) $(115,604) $(586,959) $(2,815,203)
=========== ========= ========= ===========
Net loss per share
attributable to common
stockholders, basic and
diluted................. $ (0.60) $ (0.80)
=========== ===========
Shares used in computing
net loss attributable to
common stockholders,
basic and diluted....... 3,517,056 3,517,056
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-28
<PAGE>
COMPS.COM, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Statement Of Operations
Note 1.
On November 6, 1998, COMPS.COM, Inc. (the Company) acquired all of the assets
of REALBID, LLC (REALBID) for cash of $163,000 and options to acquire 399,473
shares of the Company's Class B non-voting common stock at $1.64 per share. The
fair value of the options was determined to be $7.87 per share as of the date
of the acquisition. As a result, the purchase price is calculated to be
$3,361,253, which includes acquisition costs of $54,400. The purchase price was
allocated as follows, based upon a valuation of the tangible and intangible
assets by an independent appraiser, as well as management's best estimates:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Current assets acquired....................................... $ 64,500
Customer base................................................. 2,000,000
Goodwill...................................................... 796,753
Database and website technology............................... 300,000
Assembled workforce........................................... 100,000
Trademark and trade name...................................... 100,000
----------
$3,361,253
</TABLE>
The intangible assets are being amortized over estimated useful lives ranging
from three to five years.
Note 2.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed statement of operations for
the year ended December 31, 1998 gives effect to the acquisition of REALBID as
if it had occurred as of January 1, 1998. The pro forma adjustment reflects
twelve months of amortization expense.
F-29
<PAGE>
Inside Back Cover:
NATIONAL COVERAGE
[A map of the U.S. is shown. Seven icons are lined up across the top of the
map. Below each icon is the name of one of the seven property types that we
cover in our database. Each icon will have a picture of the property type that
it represents. White dots are placed on the map in cities representing our
current market. Red dots are placed on the map in cities representing the
markets in our expansion plan. A legend is provided explaining the meaning of
the dots.
[LOGO]
Outside back cover:
INTERNET SOLUTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
[The back cover will consist of a dark background with white text. There will
be a picture of a database wheel resembling a radar screen with a picture of a
group of commercial real estate buildings inside the database wheel. The text
"Information and Services ONLINE" appears at the top of the database wheel.]
[LOGO]
www.comps.com
