SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS INC - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

PART I

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard” or “we”), the industries in which we operate and other matters, as well as management's beliefs and assumptions and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts.  These statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects.  For example, when we use words such as “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “will,” “opportunity,” “potential” or “may,” variations of such words or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes, we are making forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, our ability to make good decisions about the deployment of capital, the fact that our ownership interests may vary from period to period, our substantial capital requirements and absence of liquidity from our ownership interests, fluctuations in the market prices of our publicly traded ownership interests, competition, our inability to obtain maximum value for our ownership interests, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, our ability to execute our strategy, market valuations in sectors in which our companies operate, our inability to control our ownership interests, our need to manage our assets to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and risks associated with our ownership interests and their performance, including the fact that most of our ownership interests have a limited history and a history of operating losses, face intense competition and may never be profitable, the effect of economic conditions in the business sectors in which our ownership interests operate, compliance with government regulation and legal liabilities, all of which are discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” Many of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. In addition, as a result of these and other factors, our past financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report might not occur.

Item 1. Business

Business Overview

Over the recent past, Safeguard has provided capital and relevant expertise to fuel the growth of technology-driven businesses. In many, but not all cases, we are actively involved, influencing development through board representation and management support, in addition to the influence we exert through our equity ownership. We also continue to hold relatively small equity interests in other enterprises where we do not exert significant influence and do not participate in management activities. In some cases, those ownership interests relate to residual interests from prior larger interests or from companies that acquired companies in which we had ownership interests.

In January 2018, Safeguard announced that we would not deploy any capital into new opportunities and will focus on supporting our existing companies and maximizing monetization opportunities to enable returning value to shareholders. In that context, we have, are and will consider initiatives including, among others: the sale of our ownership interests, the sale of certain or all of our ownership interests in secondary market transactions, or a combination thereof, as well as other opportunities to maximize shareholder value. We initiated the return of value to shareholders in 2019 with a $1.00 per share special dividend. We anticipate additional actions could occur in the future, once significant dispositions occur, in the form of stock repurchases and/or special dividends based on available cash resources, prevailing market conditions and other factors.

During 2020, Safeguard was impacted by the circumstances of COVID-19 and the related economic impacts.  In addition to a slowed mergers and acquisitions environment, our companies have been impacted in a variety of operational ways including general declines in the markets in which they operate, reduced access to customers or prospective customers, reduced or delayed collections of amounts due from customers and different ways to work with their employee base.  Our companies have also been negatively impacted in their ability to access debt or equity capital.  The management teams of the entities in which the Company holds such ownership interests are continuing to take actions to respond to the rapidly changing environment, including implementing cost reduction efforts, securing additional capital or other actions, which could mitigate some of the expected impacts.  There are uncertainties as to if these actions will be successful or adequate in this uncertain economic environment.  

We incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1953. Our corporate headquarters are located at 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-200, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087.

Our Strategy

Founded in 1953, Safeguard has a distinguished track record of building market leaders by providing capital and operational support to entrepreneurs across an evolving and innovative spectrum of industries. Over the recent past, Safeguard has provided capital and relevant expertise to fuel the growth of technology-driven businesses in healthcare, financial services and digital media. Safeguard's existing group of companies consists of companies that are capitalizing on the next wave of enabling technologies. Since January 2018, Safeguard is no longer deploying capital into new companies. Safeguard remains focused on managing and financially supporting its existing ownership interests, with the goal of pursuing monetization opportunities and maximizing the value returned to shareholders.

Helping Our Companies Build Value

We offer strategic, operational and management support to certain of our ownership interests.

Strategic Support. We play an active role in developing the strategic direction to certain of our ownership interests, which include:

Management and Operational Support. Our executives serve on the boards of directors of certain of our companies, working with them to develop and implement strategic and operating plans. We measure and monitor achievement of these plans through regular review of operational and financial performance measurements.

Realizing Value

Since January 2018, Safeguard ceased deploying capital into new companies. Safeguard remains focused on managing and financially supporting its existing companies, with the goal of pursuing monetization opportunities and maximizing the value returned to shareholders. We have, are and will consider initiatives including, among others: the sale of our ownership interests, the sale of certain or all of our ownership interests in secondary market transactions, or a combination thereof, as well as other opportunities to maximize shareholder value.

From time to time, we engage in discussions with other companies interested in our ownership interests, either in response to inquiries or as part of a process we initiate. To the extent we believe that a company’s further growth and development can best be supported by a different ownership structure or if we otherwise believe it is in our shareholders’ best interests, we will seek to sell some or all of our position in the company. These sales may take the form of privately negotiated sales of stock or assets, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings of the company’s securities and, in the case of publicly traded companies, sales of their securities in the open market. In the past, we have taken companies public through rights offerings and directed share subscription programs. We will continue to consider these (or similar) programs and the sale of certain company interests in secondary market transactions to maximize value for our shareholders.

Given our strategy, the value of Safeguard is now dependent upon the value of our existing ownership interests and our ability to translate that value into cash as efficiently as possible and to return that capital to our shareholders in the form of stock repurchases and/or special dividends to shareholders.

Our Ownership Interests

An understanding of our ownership interests is important to understanding Safeguard. We categorize our ownership interests that we account for under the equity method and certain companies where we do not have significant influence but whose value is a substantial portion of our portfolio into stages based upon revenue generation. The Initial Revenue Stage is made up of businesses that have revenues of $1 million or less. The Expansion Stage is made up of companies that have revenue in the range of $1 million to $5 million. The Traction Stage is made up of companies that have revenue in the range of $5 million to $10 million. The High Traction Stage is made up of companies that have revenue in the range of $10 million to $15 million. Additionally, as some of our companies have grown we have added additional categories for our companies with revenues of $20 million to $50 million and greater than $50 million.  The Company reflects revenue categories based on a one quarter lag.

The ownership percentages indicated below are presented as of December 31, 2020 for certain companies in which we held ownership interests at February 26, 2021 and reflect the percentage of the vote we were entitled to cast at that date based on issued and outstanding voting securities (on a common stock equivalent basis), excluding the effect of options, warrants and convertible debt (primary ownership).

Initial Revenue Stage: Up to $1 million

There are no companies in which we have an ownership interest and account for under the equity method that are within this stage of growth. However, see section below regarding Other Ownership Interests.

Expansion Stage: $1 million to $5 million

Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, Moxe Health provides a clinical data clearinghouse that connects health systems with their network of health plans.  Moxe’s key products, Substrate and Convergence, allow for bi-directional data flow between payors and providers to complete various risk adjustment, quality, and prior authorization use cases. www.moxehealth.com

Traction Stage: $5 million to $10 million

Headquartered in Ambler, Pennsylvania, Clutch has revolutionized how marketing teams for premier brands develop and foster relationships with their customers. Clutch’s advanced marketing platform serves as a customer hub, delivering deep intelligence derived from real-time behaviors and transactions across in-store, online, mobile and social channels. www.clutch.com

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, meQuilibrium is an engagement and performance platform that leverages behavioral psychology and data science to improve workforce resilience, agility, and adaptive capacity.  The Company offers solutions for managers, teams, and individual employees. www.mequilibrium.com

Headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Trice Medical was founded to fundamentally improve orthopedic diagnostics for the patient, physician and payor by providing instant, eyes-on, answers. Trice has pioneered fully integrated camera-enabled technologies that provide a clinical solution that is optimized for the physician's office. Trice's mission is to provide more immediate and definitive patient care, eliminating the false reads associated with current indirect modalities and significantly reduce the overall cost to the healthcare system. www.tricemedical.com

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Zipnosis provides health systems with a white-labeled, fully integrated virtual care platform. Through Zipnosis’ tech-enabled treatment and triage tools, clients can offer convenient access to care while improving clinician efficiency. Currently, patients may be treated for more than 90 conditions via such treatment and triage tools. www.zipnosis.com

Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, Lumesis is a financial technology company focused on providing business efficiency, data and regulatory solutions to the municipal bond marketplace. Lumesis’ DIVER platform helps more than 500 firms with more than 43,000 users efficiently meet credit, regulatory and risk needs. www.lumesis.com

High Traction Stage: $10 million to $15 million

Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, InfoBionic is an emerging digital health company focused on creating patient monitoring solutions for cardiac arrhythmias. InfoBionic’s MoMe^® Kardia cloud-based, remote patient monitoring platform delivers on-demand, actionable monitoring data and analytics directly to the physicians themselves. www.infobionic.com

Revenue of $20 million to $50 million

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Aktana is a pioneer in decision support for global life science sales teams. Aktana helps its customers improve their commercial effectiveness by delivering data-driven insights and suggestions directly to sales reps, coordinating multi-channel actions and providing insight regarding which strategies work best for which customers under which conditions. www.aktana.com

Headquartered in New York, New York, Prognos is a healthcare platform company transforming the ability to access, manage and analyze healthcare data in partnership with Life Sciences brands, payers, and clinical diagnostics organizations. Prognos’ innovations enhance the value of laboratory results and clinical diagnostic data through advanced analytics and artificial intelligence techniques. www.prognos.ai

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Syapse is on a mission to deliver the best care for every cancer patient through precision medicine. Syapse’s platform, data sharing network, and industry partnerships enable healthcare providers to bring precision cancer care to every patient who needs it. www.syapse.com

Greater than $50 million

Headquartered in New York, New York, Flashtalking is a data-driven ad management and analytics technology company that uses data to personalize advertising in real-time, analyze its effectiveness and enable optimization that drives better engagement and ROI for sophisticated global brands. Spongecell, Inc. merged into Flashtalking in January 2018. www.flashtalking.com

Headquartered in New York, New York, MediaMath is a global technology company that is leading the movement to revolutionize traditional marketing and drive transformative results for marketers through its TerminalOne Marketing Operating System^®. MediaMath empowers marketers with an extensible, open platform that activates data, automates execution and optimizes interactions across all addressable media, delivering superior performance, transparency and control to all marketers and better, more individualized experiences for consumers. www.mediamath.com

Other ownership interests

In addition to the above companies, we also have smaller ownership interests in a variety of other companies where we do not exert significant influence and do not participate in any management activities. In some cases, these ownership interests generally are the result of previous positions that have been diluted or residual interests resulting from the acquisition of companies where we had an ownership interest.

Britepool: Provider of digital marketing and advertising services created to serve a free website, online newspapers and magazines. The company specializes in identity verification, advertising and privacy, digital marketing and data for its clients, enabling its clients to inherently collect and match identities with large quantities of personal information for targeted advertising. www.britepool.com

b8ta: Operator of a software-powered retail showroom designed to make physical retail accessible for all. The company's showrooms are software-driven brick-and-mortar stores that help consumers to buy hardware, internet of things and other technology products, enabling customers to discover, try and buy the latest tech products. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. www.b8ta.com

Hoopla Software, Inc.: Headquartered in San Jose, California, Hoopla provides cloud-based software that helps sales organizations inspire and motivate sales team performance. Hoopla's Sales Motivation Platform combines modern game mechanics, data analytics and broadcast-quality video in a cloud application that makes it easy for managers to motivate team performance and score more wins. www.hoopla.net

MedCrypt: Developer of a data security platform designed to protect medical devices. The company's platform enables functions such as authenticating users, encrypting data and cryptographically sign settings and patient prescriptions, as well as has the ability to monitor transactions between clinicians and devices for malicious behavior, enabling hospitals and health systems to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of their medical devices. www.medcrypt.co

T-REX Group, Inc.: Headquartered in New York, New York, T-REX is an enterprise solutions provider for the complex financing of esoteric asset backed securities (“ABS”) and energy project finance. T-REX’s SaaS platform supplants manually-generated financial models, driving transparency, standardization, collaboration, efficiency and access in energy project finance and asset backed securitization. www.trexgroup.com

WellTrackONE: Provider of wellness program services intended to offer a comprehensive baseline report for detailing modifiable risk factors, preventative goals and measurable data. The company's services include scheduling, screening and documentation that provide valuable data for outcomes and clinical measurements while at the same time help to generate significant revenue, enabling healthcare professionals to offer wellness visits to their patients and help them to get services for all their medical needs. www.welltrackone.co

Velano Vascular: Developer of a needle-free blood collection medical device intended to reduce the risk and inefficiencies of vascular access practices. The company's flagship products single-use, sterile device, temporarily attaches to a peripheral IV catheter to collect a fresh venous sample to combat the urgent challenge of vascular access, enabling hospitals to deliver painless and secure healthcare solutions for inpatients. www.velanovascular.com

We also have residual interests in a variety of private funds that are in the process of winding down and other companies.  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT OPERATING SEGMENTS

We operate as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of our technology-driven companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources.

OTHER INFORMATION

The operations of Safeguard and the companies in which it has ownership interests are subject to environmental laws and regulations. Safeguard does not believe that expenditures relating to those laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of Safeguard.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Safeguard is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Therefore, we file our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and proxy statements and other information with, and furnish other reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You can read and copy such documents at the SEC’s public reference facilities in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference facilities by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Such material may also be accessed electronically by means of the SEC’s home page on the Internet at www.sec.gov or through Safeguard’s website at www.safeguard.com. Such documents are available as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing of the material with the SEC. Copies of these reports (excluding exhibits) also may be obtained free of charge, upon written request to: Investor Relations, Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-200, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087.

The Internet website addresses for Safeguard and its ownership interests are included in this report for identification purposes. The information contained therein or connected thereto is not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following corporate governance documents are available free of charge on Safeguard’s website: the charters of our Audit, Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We also will post on our website any amendments to or waivers of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that relate to our directors and executive officers.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the information set forth below. The following risk factors describe situations in which our business, financial condition and/or results of operations could be materially harmed, and the value of our securities may be adversely affected. You should also refer to other information included or incorporated by reference in this report.

The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely affecting the businesses, financial conditions and operating results of the companies in which we have an ownership interest, as well as our ability to monetize such interests, and it may also cause us to increase the amount of additional capital we will need to provide to such companies.

The current economic and market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are negatively impacting the companies in which we have ownership interests, including, without limitation, their operations, supply chains, sales infrastructures and the demand for their products and services.  This is negatively affecting their businesses, financial conditions and operating results.  As a result, we may be required to provide additional capital to such companies, which may cause us to face liquidity issues that will constrain our ability to execute our business strategy and limit our ability to provide financial support to all of our existing companies in the amounts that we desire.  We are also experiencing a more challenging mergers and acquisitions market in general for such companies, which has resulted in lower valuation expectations and extended exit timelines for such companies, which, in turn, could negatively affect the amount and timing of the monetization opportunities for such companies and our ability to return value to shareholders.  

The intended monetization of our company interests and the return of value to shareholders are subject to factors beyond our control.

In January 2018, we announced that we will not deploy any capital into new companies.  We will instead focus on supporting, and maximizing monetization opportunities for, our existing company interests to return value to shareholders.  However, this strategic plan may require providing additional capital and operational support to such existing companies and we may not be able to sell our company interests during any specific time frame or otherwise on desirable terms, if at all, and there can be no assurance as to how long this process will take or the results that this process will yield.  There can be no assurance as to whether we will realize the value of escrowed proceeds, holdbacks or other contingent consideration, if any, associated with the sale of our company interests.  Additionally, there can be no assurance that we will be able to satisfy our liabilities during this process.  Further, the method, timing and amount of any return of value resulting from the monetization of existing company interests will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on market and business conditions and our overall liabilities, capital structure and liquidity position.

A disposition of one or more of our company interests may occur at a time that will yield less value than if we held such interests for a longer period of time.

Our companies are at various stages in their lifecycles. The value of our interests in our companies at any point in time is highly dependent on the progress and success such companies have made at such time with respect to the development and marketing of their products and services and that value may fluctuate significantly. In order to effect our strategy of monetizing our interests in our companies, we may dispose of such interests at a time prior to the applicable company reaching its maximum value. Doing so will result in a return of value to shareholders that is less than that which may have been returned if we retained our interests in such company for a longer period of time

Our principal business strategy depends upon our ability to make good decisions regarding the deployment of capital into, and subsequent disposition of, our existing company interests and, ultimately, the performance of such companies, which is uncertain.

If we make poor decisions regarding the deployment of capital into, and subsequent disposition of, our existing companies, our business strategy will not succeed. If such companies do not succeed, the value of our assets could be significantly reduced and require substantial impairments or write-offs and our results of operations and the price of our common stock would be adversely affected. The risks relating to our companies include:

These and other risks are discussed in detail under the caption “Risks Related to Our Companies” below.

As we execute against our strategy, a significant amount of our deployed capital may be concentrated in companies operating in the same or similar industries, limiting our diversification.

Our capital deployments could be concentrated in several companies that operate in the same or similar industries. This may cause us to be more susceptible to any single economic, regulatory or other occurrence affecting those particular industries than we would otherwise be if our companies operated in more diversified industries.

Our business model does not rely upon, or plan for, the receipt of operating cash flows from our companies. Our companies do not provide us with cash flow from their operations. We rely on cash on hand, liquidity events and our ability to generate cash from capital raising activities to finance our operations.

We need capital to fund the capital needs of our existing companies. We also need cash to finance our corporate overhead and meet our existing funding commitments. As a result, we have substantial cash requirements. Our companies do not provide us with cash flow from their operations. To the extent our companies generate any cash from operations, they generally retain the funds to develop their own businesses. As a result, we must rely on cash on hand, company liquidity events and new capital raising activities to meet our cash needs. If we are unable to find ways of monetizing our holdings of company interests or raising additional capital on attractive terms, we may face liquidity issues that will require us to constrain our ability to execute our business strategy and limit our ability to provide financial support to our existing companies.

We may be unable to obtain maximum value for our holdings or to sell our holdings on a timely basis.

We hold significant positions in our companies. If we were to divest all or part of our holdings in a company, we may have to sell our interests at a relative discount to intrinsic value. For companies with publicly traded stock, we may be unable to sell our holdings at then-quoted market prices. The trading volume and public float in the common stock of a publicly traded company in which we have an interest may be small relative to our holdings. As a result, any significant open-market divestiture by us of our holdings in such a company, if possible at all, would likely have a material adverse effect on the market price of its common stock and on our proceeds from such a divestiture. Additionally, we may not be able to take our companies public as a means of monetizing our position or creating shareholder value. Registration and other requirements under applicable securities laws and contractual restrictions also may adversely affect our ability to dispose of our company holdings on a timely basis.

Our success is dependent on our senior management.

Our success is dependent on our senior management team’s ability to execute our strategy. In connection with our new strategy announced in 2018, we made a series of management changes intended to streamline our organizational structure and reduce our operating costs and since then we have made, and may make, further management changes from time to time.  A loss of one or more of the remaining members of our senior management team without adequate replacement could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our business strategy may not be successful if valuations in the market sectors in which our companies participate decline.

Our strategy involves creating value for our shareholders by helping our companies build value and, if appropriate, accessing the public and private capital markets. Therefore, our success is dependent on the value of our companies as determined by the public and private capital markets. Many factors, including reduced market interest, may cause the market value of our companies to decline. If valuations in the market sectors in which our companies participate decline, their access to the public and private capital markets on terms acceptable to them may be limited.

Our companies could make business decisions that are not in our best interests or with which we do not agree, which could impair the value of our holdings.

Although we currently own a significant, influential interest in some of our companies, we do not maintain a controlling interest in any of our companies. Acquisitions of interests in companies in which we share or have no control, and the dilution of our interests in or a further reduction of our control of companies, will involve additional risks that could cause the performance of our interests and our operating results to suffer, including:

Our inability to control our companies also could prevent us from assisting them, financially or otherwise, or could prevent us from liquidating our interests in them at a time or at a price that is favorable to us. Additionally, our companies may not act in ways that are consistent with our business strategy. These factors could hamper our ability to maximize returns on our interests and cause us to incur losses on our interests in these companies.

We may have to buy, sell or retain assets when we would otherwise not wish to do so in order to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act.

The Investment Company Act of 1940 regulates companies which are engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities. Under the Investment Company Act, a company may be deemed to be an investment company if it owns investment securities with a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (excluding government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, unless an exemption or safe harbor applies. We refer to this test as the “40% Test.” Securities issued by companies other than consolidated companies are generally considered “investment securities” for purposes of the Investment Company Act, unless other circumstances exist which actively involve the company holding such interests in the management of the underlying company. We are a company that partners with growth-stage companies to build value; we are not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. We are in compliance with the 40% Test. Consequently, we do not believe that we are an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

We monitor our compliance with the 40% Test and seek to conduct our business activities to comply with this test. It is not feasible for us to be regulated as an investment company because the Investment Company Act rules are inconsistent with our strategy of actively helping our companies in their efforts to build value. In order to continue to comply with the 40% Test, we may need to take various actions which we would otherwise not pursue. For example, we may be limited in the manner or timing in which we sell our interests in a company. Our ownership levels also may be affected if our companies are acquired by third parties or if our companies issue stock which dilutes our ownership interest. The actions we may need to take to address these issues while maintaining compliance with the 40% Test could adversely affect our ability to create and realize value at our companies.

The COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect parties with obligations to us, including the subtenant of our previous office space.

In March 2019, we entered into a sublease of our prior corporate headquarters office space beginning in June 2019. The term of the sublease is through April 2026, the same as our underlying lease. Fixed sublease payments to us are escalating over the term of the sublease.  We remain obligated under the original lease for such office space and, in the event the subtenant of such office space fails to satisfy its obligations under the sublease, we would be required to satisfy our obligations directly to the landlord under such original lease.

Risks Related to Our Companies

Most of our companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history and may never be profitable.

Most of our companies have a history of operating losses and/or limited operating history, have significant historical losses and may never be profitable. Many have incurred substantial costs to develop and market their products, have incurred net losses and cannot fund their cash needs from operations. We expect that the operating expenses of certain of our companies will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as they continue to develop products and services, increase sales and marketing efforts, and expand operations.

Our companies face intense competition, which could adversely affect their business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects for growth.

There is intense competition in the technology marketplaces, and we expect competition to intensify in the future. Our business, financial condition, and results of operations will be materially adversely affected if our companies are not able to compete successfully. Many of the present and potential competitors may have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than those of our companies. This may place our companies at a disadvantage in responding to the offerings of their competitors, technological changes or changes in client requirements. Also, our companies may be at a competitive disadvantage because many of their competitors have greater name recognition, more extensive client bases and a broader range of product offerings. In addition, our companies may compete against one another.

The success or failure of many of our companies is dependent upon the ultimate effectiveness of newly-created technologies, medical devices, financial services, healthcare diagnostics, etc.

Our companies’ business strategies are often highly dependent upon the successful launch and commercialization of an innovative technology or device, including, without limitation, technologies or devices used in healthcare, financial services or digital media.  Despite all of our efforts to understand the research and development underlying the innovation or creation of such technologies and devices before we deploy capital into a company, sometimes the performance of the technology or device does not match our expectations or those of such company. In those situations, it is likely that we will incur a partial or total loss of the capital which we deployed in such company.

Our companies may fail if they do not adapt to changing marketplaces.

If our companies fail to adapt to changes in technology and customer and supplier demands, they may not become or remain profitable. There is no assurance that the products and services of our companies will achieve or maintain market penetration or commercial success, or that the businesses of our companies will be successful.

The technology marketplaces are characterized by:

Our future success will depend on our companies’ ability to adapt to these evolving marketplaces. They may not be able to adequately or economically adapt their products and services, develop new products and services or establish and maintain effective distribution channels for their products and services. If our companies are unable to offer competitive products and services or maintain effective distribution channels, they will sell fewer products and services and forego potential revenue, possibly causing them to lose money. In addition, we and our companies may not be able to respond to the marketplace changes in an economically efficient manner, and our companies may become or remain unprofitable.

Our companies may grow rapidly, including through acquisitions of other businesses, and may be unable to manage their growth.

We expect some of our companies to grow rapidly, including through acquisitions of other businesses. Such growth often places considerable operational, managerial, integration and financial strain on a business. To successfully manage such growth, our companies must, among other things:

If our companies are unable to manage their growth successfully, their ability to respond effectively to competition and to achieve or maintain profitability will be adversely affected.

Based on our business model, some or all of our companies will need to raise additional capital to fund their operations at any given time. We may not be able to, or decline to, fund some or all of such amounts and such amounts may not be available from third parties on acceptable terms, if at all. Further, if our companies do raise additional capital from third parties, either debt or equity, such capital may rank senior to, or dilute, our interests in such companies.

We cannot be certain that our companies will be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms when needed, if at all. We may not be able to, or decline to, provide our companies with sufficient capital resources to enable them to reach a cash-flow positive position or a sale of the company. General economic disruptions and downturns may also negatively affect the ability of some of our companies to fund their operations from other stockholders and capital sources. We also may fail to accurately project the capital needs of companies. If our companies need capital, but are not able to raise capital from us or other outside sources, they may need to cease or scale back operations. In such event, our interest in any such company will become less valuable. If our companies raise additional capital from third parties, either debt or equity, such capital may be dilutive, making our interests less valuable or if such capital ranks senior to the capital we have deployed, such capital may entitle its holders to receive returns of capital before we are entitled to receive any return of our deployed capital. Also, in the event of any insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of one or more our companies, holders of such company’s instruments that rank senior to our deployed capital will typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any return of our deployed capital. After returning such senior capital, such company may not have any remaining assets to use for returning capital to us, causing us to lose some or all of our deployed capital in such company.

Economic disruptions and downturns may negatively affect our companies’ plans and their results of operations.

Many of our companies are largely dependent upon outside sources of capital to fund their operations. Disruptions in the availability of capital from such sources will negatively affect the ability of such companies to pursue their business models and will force such companies to revise their growth and development plans accordingly. Any such changes will, in turn, negatively affect our ability to realize the value of our capital deployments in such companies.

In addition, downturns in the economy as well as possible governmental responses to such downturns and/or to specific situations in the economy could affect the business prospects of certain of our companies, including, but not limited to, in the following ways: weaknesses in the financial services industries; reduced business and/or consumer spending; and/or systemic changes in the ways the healthcare system operates in the United States.

Some of our companies may be unable to protect their proprietary rights and may infringe on the proprietary rights of others.

Our companies assert various forms of intellectual property protection. Intellectual property may constitute an important part of our companies’ assets and competitive strengths. Federal law, most typically copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret laws, generally protects intellectual property rights. Although we expect that our companies will take reasonable efforts to protect the rights to their intellectual property, third parties may develop similar intellectual property independently. Moreover, the complexity of international trade secret, copyright, trademark and patent law, coupled with the limited resources of our companies and the demands of quick delivery of products and services to market, create a risk that our companies’ efforts to prevent misappropriation of their technology will prove inadequate.

Some of our companies also license intellectual property from third parties and it is possible that they could become subject to infringement actions based upon their use of the intellectual property licensed from those third parties. Our companies generally obtain representations as to the origin and ownership of such licensed intellectual property. However, this may not adequately protect them. Any claims against our companies’ proprietary rights, with or without merit, could subject the companies to costly litigation and divert their technical and management personnel from other business concerns. If our companies incur costly litigation and their personnel are not effectively deployed, the expenses and losses incurred by our companies will increase and their profits, if any, will decrease.

Third parties have and may assert infringement or other intellectual property claims against our companies based on their patents or other intellectual property claims. Even though we believe our companies’ products do not infringe any third party’s patents, they may have to pay substantial damages, possibly including treble damages, if it is ultimately determined that they do. They may have to obtain a license to sell their products if it is determined that their products infringe on another person’s intellectual property. Our companies might be prohibited from selling their products before they obtain a license, which, if available at all, may require them to pay substantial royalties. Even if infringement claims against our companies are without merit, defending these types of lawsuits takes significant time, is expensive and may divert management attention from other business concerns.

Certain of our companies could face legal liabilities from claims made against their operations, products or work.

Because the manufacture and sale of certain company products entail an inherent risk of product liability, certain of our companies maintain product liability insurance. Although none of our current companies have experienced any material losses in this regard, there can be no assurance that they will be able to maintain or acquire adequate product liability insurance in the future and any product liability claim could have a material adverse effect on a company’s financial stability, revenues and results of operations. In addition, many of the engagements of our companies involve projects that are critical to the operation of their clients’ businesses. If our companies fail to meet their contractual obligations, they could be subject to legal liability, which could adversely affect their business, operating results and financial condition. Our companies’ contracts typically include provisions designed to limit their exposure to legal claims relating to their services and products. However, these provisions may not protect our companies or may not be enforceable. Also, some of our companies depend on their relationships with their clients and their reputation for high-quality services and integrity to retain and attract clients. As a result, claims made against our companies’ work may damage their reputation, which in turn could impact their ability to compete for new work and negatively impact their revenue and profitability.

Our companies’ success depends on their ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Our companies depend upon their ability to attract and retain senior management and key personnel, including trained technical and marketing personnel. Our companies also will need to continue to hire additional personnel as they expand. Although our current companies have not been the subject of a work stoppage, any future work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on their respective operations. A shortage in the availability of the requisite qualified personnel or work stoppage would limit the ability of our companies to grow, to increase sales of their existing products and services, and to launch new products and services.

Government regulations and legal uncertainties may place financial burdens on the businesses of our companies.

Manufacturers of medical diagnostic devices and operators of laboratory facilities are subject to strict federal and state regulation regarding validation and the quality of manufacturing and laboratory facilities. Failure to comply with these quality regulation systems requirements could result in civil or criminal penalties or enforcement proceedings, including the recall of a product or a “cease distribution” order. The enactment of any additional laws or regulations that affect healthcare insurance policy and reimbursement (including Medicare reimbursement) could negatively affect some of our companies. If Medicare or private payers change the rates at which our companies or their customers are reimbursed by insurance providers for their products, such changes could adversely impact our companies.

Some of our companies may be subject to significant environmental, health, data security and safety regulation.

Some of our companies may be subject to licensing and regulation under federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety, including laws and regulations relating to the handling, transportation and disposal of medical specimens, infectious and hazardous waste and radioactive materials, as well as to the safety and health of manufacturing and laboratory employees. In addition, some of our companies are subject to federal, state and local financial securities and data security regulations, including, without limitation, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, the California Consumer Privacy Act and the European General Data Protection Regulation, which impose varying degrees of additional obligations, costs and risks upon such companies, including the imposition of significant penalties in the event of any non-compliance. Further, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established extensive requirements relating to workplace safety. Compliance with such regulations could increase operating costs at certain of our companies, and the failure to comply could negatively affect the operations and results of some of our companies.

Catastrophic events may disrupt our companies’ businesses.

Some of our companies are highly automated businesses and rely on their network infrastructure, various software applications and many internal technology systems and data networks for their customer support, development, sales and marketing and accounting and finance functions. Further, some of our companies provide services to their customers from data center facilities in multiple locations. Some of these data centers are operated by third parties, and the companies have limited control over those facilities. A disruption or failure of these systems or data centers in the event of a natural disaster, telecommunications failure, power outage, cyber-attack, war, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event could cause system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in product development, breaches of data security and loss of critical data. Such an event could also prevent the companies from fulfilling customer orders or maintaining certain service level requirements, particularly in respect of their SaaS offerings. While certain of our companies have developed certain disaster recovery plans and maintain backup systems to reduce the potentially adverse effect of such events, a catastrophic event that resulted in the destruction or disruption of any of their data centers or their critical business or information technology systems could severely affect their ability to conduct normal business operations and, as a result, their business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We cannot provide assurance that our companies’ disaster recovery plans will address all of the issues they may encounter in the event of a disaster or other unanticipated issue, and their business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate them for losses that may occur from any of the foregoing. In the event that a natural disaster, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event were to destroy any part of their facilities or interrupt their operations for any extended period of time, or if harsh weather or health conditions prevent them from delivering products in a timely manner, their business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

Risks Related to an Investment in our Securities

Fluctuations in the price of the common stock of our publicly traded holdings may affect the price of our common stock.

From time to time, we may hold equity interests in companies that are publicly traded. Fluctuations in the market prices of the common stock of publicly traded holdings may affect the price of our common stock. Historically, the market prices of our publicly traded holdings have been highly volatile and subject to fluctuations unrelated or disproportionate to operating performance.

The continuing costs and burdens associated with being a public company will constitute a much larger percentage of our expenses and we may in the future delist our common stock with the New York Stock Exchange and seek to deregister our common stock with the SEC.

We will remain a public company and will continue to be subject to the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and SEC rules and regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  The costs and burdens of being a public company will be a significant and continually increasing portion of our expenses if we are able to monetize our company interests.  As part of such monetization efforts, we will likely in the future, once the majority of our company interests have been monetized, delist our common stock from the New York Stock Exchange and seek to deregister our common stock with the SEC.  However, there can be no assurance as to the timing of such transactions, or whether such transactions will be completed at all, and we will continue to face the costs and burdens of being a public company until such time as our common stock is delisted with the New York Stock Exchange and deregistered with the SEC.

Economic disruptions and downturns may have negative repercussions for us.

Events in the United States and international capital markets, debt markets and economies may negatively impact our stock price and our ability to pursue certain tactical and strategic initiatives, such as accessing additional public or private equity or debt financing for us or for our companies and selling our interests in companies on terms acceptable to us and in time frames consistent with our expectations.

We cannot provide assurance that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future.

We cannot assure you that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in a material weakness, or could result in material misstatements in our Consolidated Financial Statements. These misstatements could result in a restatement of our Consolidated Financial Statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and/or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

Our current corporate headquarters and administrative offices in Radnor, Pennsylvania is approximately 100 square feet of office space in one building.  The initial lease term expires in November 2021.  The sublease for our previous corporate headquarters and administrative offices for approximately 4,000 square feet of office space in Radnor, Pennsylvania expired in November 2020 (from a company in which we have an equity interest).

 Additionally, we have additional administrative offices located in Radnor, Pennsylvania comprising approximately 15,600 square feet, that have been sublet to an unaffiliated party through April, 2026, the remainder of the lease term.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

We, as well as our companies in which we hold ownership interests, are from time to time involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. While in the current opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of any of these matters which are currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these situations, and one or more adverse dispositions could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations, or that of our companies. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of ongoing claims and legal actions.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

ANNEX TO PART I — EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Mr. Salzman joined Safeguard as Chief Restructuring Officer in April 2020.  Mr. Salzman began serving as the Chief Executive Officer in December 2020.  Mr. Salzman has a 25-year track record partnering with growth companies as an investor, board member and strategic advisor.  He has worked in M&A, restructuring, growth and special situations investing at a number of investment banks and private equity funds, including Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers.  Mr. Salzman helped oversee the monetization of a $2 billion portfolio of illiquid assets in the Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy Estate and subsequently advised several investment funds on value-maximization strategies for their respective portfolios.  He currently serves as a director on a number of Safeguard portfolio companies as well as an independent director at publicly traded 8x8, Inc.  Mr. Salzman earned a B.A. Honors from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Harvard University

Mr. Herndon joined Safeguard as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in September 2018. Prior to joining Safeguard, Mr. Herndon served in a variety of client service and national office roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1991 to 2018, including his position as Assurance Partner from 2006 until 2018.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: SFE). The high and low sale prices reported within each quarter of 2020 and 2019 were as follows: 

The high and low sale prices reported in the first quarter of 2021 through February 26, 2021 were $8.59 and $6.35 respectively, and the last sale price reported on February 26, 2021, was $7.65.  As of February 26, 2021, there were approximately 10,487 beneficial holders of our common stock.

Special Dividend

On November 7, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share, payable on December 30, 2019 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 23, 2019.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information about our purchases of equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"):

(a) During the fourth quarter of 2020, we repurchased an aggregate of approximately 1 thousand shares of our common stock initially issued as restricted stock awards to employees and subsequently withheld from employees to satisfy the statutory withholding tax liability upon the vesting of such restricted stock awards.

(b) In July 2015, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock with an aggregate value of up to $25.0 million.  These repurchases may be made in open market or privately negotiated transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, based on market conditions, stock price, and other factors.  The share repurchase program does not obligate us to acquire any specific number of shares.

Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

Not applicable for a smaller reporting company.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (“Safeguard” or “we”), the industries in which we operate and other matters, as well as management's beliefs and assumptions and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts.  These statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects.  For example, when we use words such as “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “will,” “opportunity,” “potential” or “may,” variations of such words or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes, we are making forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, our ability to make good decisions about the deployment of capital, the fact that our ownership interests may vary from period to period, our substantial capital requirements and absence of liquidity from our holdings, competition, our inability to obtain maximum value for our ownership interests, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, our ability to execute our strategy, market valuations in sectors in which our ownership interests operate, our inability to control our ownership interests companies, our need to manage our assets to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and risks associated with our ownership interests and their performance, including the fact that most of the companies in which we have an ownership interest have a limited history and a history of operating losses, face intense competition and may never be profitable, the effect of economic conditions in the business sectors in which they operate, compliance with government regulation and legal liabilities, all of which are discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” Many of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. In addition, as a result of these and other factors, our past financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report might not occur.

Overview

Over the recent past, Safeguard has provided capital and relevant expertise to fuel the growth of technology-driven businesses. In many, but not all cases, we are actively involved, influencing development through board representation and management support, in addition to the influence we exert through our equity ownership. We also continue to hold relatively small equity interests in other enterprises where we do not exert significant influence and do not participate in management activities. In some cases, those interests relate to residual interests from prior larger interests or from companies that acquired companies in which we had ownership interests.

In January 2018, Safeguard announced that we will not deploy any capital into new opportunities and will focus on supporting our existing companies and maximizing monetization opportunities to enable returning value to shareholders. In that context, we have, are and will consider initiatives including, among others: the sale of our ownership interests, the sale of certain or all ownership interests in secondary market transactions, or a combination thereof, as well as other opportunities to maximize shareholder value. We initiated the return of value to shareholders in 2019 with a $1.00 per share special dividend. Moving forward, we anticipate additional actions in the form of stock repurchases and/or special dividends based on available cash resources, prevailing market conditions and other factors.

Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests

We account for our ownership interests using one of the following methods: Equity or Other. The accounting method applied is generally determined by the degree of our influence over the entity, primarily determined by our voting interest in the entity.

Equity Method. We account for companies whose results are not consolidated, but over whom we exercise significant influence, using the equity method of accounting. We also account for our interests in some private equity funds under the equity method of accounting, based on our non-controlling general and/or limited partner interests. Under the equity method of accounting, our share of the income or loss of the company is reflected in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We report our share of the income or loss of the equity method companies on a one quarter lag. We include the carrying value of equity method companies in Ownership interests and advances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

When the carrying value of our holdings in an equity method company is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Operations unless we have outstanding guarantee obligations or have committed additional funding to the equity method company. When the equity method company subsequently reports income, we will not record our share of such income until it equals the amount of our share of losses not previously recognized.

Other Method. We account for our equity interests in companies which are not accounted for under the equity method or fair value method as equity securities without readily determinable fair values. We account for these securities based on our original cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar securities of the same issuer. Under this method, our share of the income or losses of such companies is not included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We include the carrying value of these investments in Ownership interests and advances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Accounting policies, methods and estimates are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements prepared by management and are based upon management’s current judgments. These judgments are normally based on knowledge and experience with regard to past and current events and assumptions about future events. Certain accounting policies, methods and estimates are particularly important because of their significance to the financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting them may differ from management’s current judgments. While there are a number of accounting policies, methods and estimates affecting our financial statements as described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, the most significant relate to impairment of ownership interests and advances.

Impairment of Ownership Interests and Advances

On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than at the end of each quarter, we evaluate the carrying value of our ownership interests for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the financial condition and prospects of the company, market conditions and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones we consider include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as hiring of key employees or the establishment of strategic relationships. We then determine whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of our ownership interest in the company. Any impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value. The adjusted carrying value of an ownership interest is not increased if circumstances suggest the value of the company has subsequently recovered.

The fair value of privately held companies is generally determined based on the value at which independent third parties have invested or have committed to invest in these companies, or based on other valuation methods including discounted cash flows, valuations of comparable public companies and valuations of acquisitions of comparable companies.

Our companies operate in industries which are rapidly evolving and extremely competitive. It is reasonably possible that our accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value of ownership interests and advances could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on our Consolidated Financial Statements could be material. While we believe that the current recorded carrying values of our equity and other method companies are not impaired, there can be no assurance that our future results will confirm this assessment or that a significant write-down or write-off will not be required in the future.

Total impairment charges related to our Ownership interests and advances were as follows: 

Impairment charges related to equity method companies are included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairment charges related to other investments are included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Results of Operations

We operate as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of our technology-driven companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources.

There is intense competition in the markets in which our companies operate. Additionally, the markets in which these companies operate are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, frequent introduction of new products and services, shifting distribution channels, evolving government regulation, frequently changing intellectual property landscapes and changing customer demands. Their future success depends on each company’s ability to execute its business plan and to adapt to its respective rapidly changing market.

The following is a listing of certain of our ownership interests as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

* These entities were sold subsequent to December 31, 2020.  See Note 16 - Subsequent Events, of the consolidated financial statements.

Year ended December 31, 2020 versus year ended December 31, 2019

General and Administrative Expense. Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee compensation, insurance, office costs, travel-related costs, depreciation, office rent and professional services such as consulting, legal, and accounting. General and administrative expense also includes stock-based compensation expense which consists primarily of expense related to grants of stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock units to our employees and directors. General and administrative expense decreased $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year primarily due to decreases in depreciation of $0.8 million, employee compensation of $0.4 million, stock-based compensation of $0.3 million, lower office rental costs of $0.2 million, lower professional fees of $0.4 million, certain 2019 retirement costs that did not recur of $0.2 million and other various costs, which were partially offset by $1.8 million of higher severance charges and higher insurance costs of $0.3 million.  General and administrative expenses include amounts estimated for the Transaction Bonus Plan (the "LTIP"), which is a component of employee compensation.  As described in Note 12 in the accompany consolidated financial statements, the LTIP provides a cash bonus pool to employees based upon meeting certain thresholds of sales of the Company's ownership interests.  Expense recognized pursuant to the LTIP was $1.3 million and $0.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  No amounts have been paid yet according to the terms of the LTIP, however $1.5 million is presented as a current liability at December 31, 2020.  General and administrative expense also includes stock based compensation expense of $965,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $1,237,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019.  Stock based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes the impact of a larger proportion of management's compensation, including a portion of previously existing accruals under the management incentive plan, that are to be settled in vested stock as well as Director compensation, which in 2020 was settled entirely in vested stock.

Other income (loss), net. Other income (loss), net decreased by $20.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the prior year.  During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded impairments of $8.8 million related to the ownership interests of T-REX, b8ta and others accounted for under the Other method. The impairments were determined based on declines in the fair value of our ownership interests resulting from reduced valuation expectations and extended exit timelines resulting from the more challenging mergers and acquisitions environment related to COVID-19 and the related uncertain economic impact.  The Company also recorded a $0.3 million reduction in the carrying value of an other equity security based on an observable price change. Partially offsetting these impairments, was a $1.5 million non-cash gain for the increase in the fair value our ownership interest in Flashtalking based upon an observable price change. Other income (loss), net for the year ended December 31, 2019 included $4.5 million of non-cash gains on the increase in the value of certain equity securities based upon observable price changes, $5.1 million of income related to the decrease in the fair value of the Credit Facility repayment feature liability and a $1.7 million gain resulting from the elimination of the remaining estimated liability established related to the retirement for a former Chairman and CEO of the Company. The Credit Facility was repaid in full during 2019 resulting in the elimination of the Credit Facility repayment feature liability.

Interest Income. Interest income decreased $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year primarily attributable to lower average notes receivable, lower average investment and cash equivalent balances at lower rates in 2020.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year due to the pay-off of borrowings under the Credit Facility in 2019.

Equity Income (Loss), net. Equity income (loss), net fluctuates with the number of companies accounted for under the equity method, our voting ownership percentage in those companies and the net results of operations of those companies. We recognize our share of losses to the extent we have cost basis in the equity of the company or we have outstanding commitments or guarantees. Certain amounts recorded to reflect our share of the income or losses of our companies accounted for under the equity method are based on estimates and on unaudited results of operations of those companies and may require adjustments in the future when audits of these entities are made final. We report our share of the results of our equity method companies on a one quarter lag basis.

Equity income (loss), net decreased $85.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year. The components of equity income (loss), net for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

There were no material gains or losses on sales of ownership interests for the year ended December 31, 2020, however Sonobi was sold resulting in $6.6 million of cash proceeds.  The amounts reported as gains on sales of ownership interests for the year ended December 31, 2019 are comprised primarily of gains related to the sale of Propeller of $35.1 million and Transactis of $50.7 million, but also include the collection of escrow from various prior transactions, including $3.8 million related to Cask Data.

The unrealized dilution gains for the year ended December 31, 2020 were the result of Aktana, meQuilibrium, Moxe and Syapse, who each raised additional equity capital that diluted the Company's interest in those entities. The unrealized dilution gains for the year ended December 31, 2019 were related to meQuilibrium, Moxe, Syapse, Trice and T-REX.

During the year ended December 31, 2020 the Company recorded impairments of $11.3 million related to the ownership interests of WebLinc, Inc., QuanticMind, Inc. and Sonobi accounted for under the equity method. The impairments were determined based on declines in the fair value of our ownership interests resulting from reduced valuation expectations and extended exit timelines resulting from the more challenging mergers and acquisitions environment related to COVID-19 and the related uncertain economic impact.  The loss on impairments for the year ended December 31, 2019 is due to NovaSom, Inc.'s August 2019 bankruptcy filing.

The decrease in our share of losses of our equity method companies for the 2020 year compared to the prior year period was due to a decrease in the number of ownership interests accounted for under the equity method and a decrease in losses associated with the remaining ownership interests, including the $1.8 million benefit that resulted from the recognition of revenue in the current period at one of our ownership interests upon the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which was considered deferred revenue at the beginning of their adoption period under the new standard.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

Income tax benefit (expense) was $0.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. We have recorded a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized in future years. Accordingly, the benefit of the net operating loss that would have been recognized in each year was offset by changes in the valuation allowance.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $15.6 million of cash and cash equivalents.

During April 2019, the Company made a $24.0 million principal payment to its Lender and a related make-whole interest payment of $2.9 million. During July 2019, the Company made a $49.5 million payment to its Lender consisting of $44.5 million of principal, $4.1 million of make-whole interest and $0.9 million of accrued interest, which satisfied all obligations under the Credit Facility.

In January 2018, Safeguard announced that, from that date forward, we will not deploy any capital into new opportunities and will focus on supporting our existing companies and maximizing monetization opportunities to return value to shareholders. In that context, we have, are and will consider initiatives including, among others: the sale of our individual ownership interests, the sale of certain ownership interests in secondary market transactions, or a combination thereof, as well as other opportunities to maximize shareholder value.

Subsequent to the debt repayment, on November 7, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share, payable on December 30, 2019 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 23, 2019. We anticipate continuing to return value to shareholders in the form of stock repurchases and/or dividends based on prevailing market conditions and other factors when and if additional liquidity becomes available.

In 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized us, from time to time and depending on market conditions, to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not repurchase any shares under this authorization.

Our ability to generate liquidity from transactions involving our ownership interests has been adversely affected from time to time by adverse circumstances in the U.S. capital markets and other factors, including the impact of COVID-19.  We may be required to provide additional capital to our companies, which may cause us to face liquidity issues that will constrain our ability to execute our business strategy and limit our ability to provide financial support to all of our existing companies in the amounts that we desire. The transactions we enter into in pursuit of our strategy could increase or decrease our liquidity at any point in time. As we seek to provide additional funding to existing companies where we have an ownership interest or commit capital to other initiatives, we may be required to expend our cash or incur debt, which will decrease our liquidity. Conversely, as we dispose of our interests in our ownership interests, we may receive proceeds from such sales, which could increase our liquidity. From time to time, we are engaged in discussions concerning deployments and dispositions which, if consummated, could impact our liquidity, perhaps significantly. The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020 will be sufficient to fund operations past one year from the issuance of these financial statements.

Analysis of Consolidated Cash Flows

Cash flow activity was as follows: 

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

Year ended December 31, 2020 versus year ended December 31, 2019. Net cash used in operating activities decreased by $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year. The activity during the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily the result of various non-cash adjustments to net loss, including the $20.0 million impairment losses and $9.4 million of equity loss, which were partially offset by non-cash gains, net, of $1.2 million for observable price changes.  The Company did not make any cash interest payments for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $11.5 million of cash interest payments for the year ended December 31, 2019. The activity during the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily the result of various non-cash adjustments to net income, including $67.2 million of equity income, $3.0 million of impairments, a $5.1 million loss from the increase in the fair value of the repayment feature derivative, a $4.5 million gain for an observable price change, depreciation, and amortization of debt discount of $3.5 million.

Net Cash (Used in) provided by Investing Activities

Year ended December 31, 2020 versus year ended December 31, 2019. Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities decreased by $127.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year.  The decrease primarily related to the prior year's $104.3 million of proceeds from the sale of ownership interests, primarily Propeller and Transactis in the previous year, as compared to the $6.6 million of proceeds from the sale of Sonobi in the third quarter of 2020.  In addition, the Company's investing outflows resulting from acquisitions of ownership interests and advances to ownership interests during the year ended December 31, 2020 were $7.5 million less than the prior year. The Company also did not have any marketable security activity during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $37.9 million of marketable securities sales exceeding purchases during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

Year ended December 31, 2020 versus year ended December 31, 2019. Net cash used in financing activities increased by $89.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year. There were no significant financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020. The primary financing activities in 2019 were the $20.7 million special dividend and the repayment of the Credit Facility for $68.6 million. 

Contractual Cash Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

(a)  In 2015, we entered into an agreement for the lease of our former principal executive offices which expires in April 2026.  Payments pursuant to this lease are approximately $3.2 million through expiration, however, in March 2019 we entered into a sublease for this office space which is also expected to result in future aggregate sublease receipts of $3.0 million through April 2026. 

(b)  The  maximum aggregate exposure under employment and severance agreements for remaining employees was approximately $2.3 million at December 31, 2020, which includes $0.5 million of annual bonus amounts that will be settled in 2021 in the normal course of business.  We are involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of any of these matters which are currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operation.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable for a smaller reporting company.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The following Consolidated Financial Statements, and the related Notes thereto, of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are filed as a part of this Form 10-K.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Impairment of Ownership interests and advances

As discussed in Note 1 and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s ownership interests and advances balance as of December 31, 2020 was $50.4 million, of which $30.4 million is in equity method companies and $20.0 million is in other method companies and funds.  Impairment losses recognized in equity income (loss), net, and other income (loss), net, were $11.3 million and $8.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than quarterly, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its ownership interests and advances for impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the estimated fair value of each company relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the company, and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones the company considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as hiring of key employees or the establishment of strategic relationships. Based on the above, management then determines whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of its ownership interest in the company. If it is determined that there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of its ownership interests in the company, impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated fair value. The measurement of fair value of privately held companies is generally determined based on the value at which independent third parties have invested or have committed to invest in these companies or based on other valuation methods, including discounted cash flows, valuation of comparable public companies, and the valuation of acquisitions of similar companies.

We identified the evaluation of impairment of ownership interests and advances as a critical audit matter. Specifically, the assessment encompassed the evaluation of management’s determination of the recognition of an other than temporary decline in value of its ownership interest in a company. The assessment also included the evaluation of the measurement of impairment. Both evaluations involved significant auditor judgment and subjectivity in assessing the results of the impairment analysis because the estimated fair value of certain ownership interests and advances approximate their carrying values, indicating a higher risk of impairment due to measurement uncertainty. The impairment analysis also involved evaluating the valuation methods used to estimate the fair value, which included significant assumptions based on future events that are not under the control of management. Those significant assumptions included projected revenues, likelihood of transaction scenarios, the selection of peer companies and their corresponding trading multiples and the weightings of different outcomes in developing the estimated fair value of the ownership interests. Changes to those assumptions could have a significant effect on the fair value.  In addition, the evaluation of impairment required the involvement of professionals with specialized skills and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained from these procedures.

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design of certain internal controls related to the Company’s impairment assessment. This included controls over the recognition of other than temporary declines in value and the impairment analysis, including financial condition, prospects and other factors present at the company as well as the identification and determination of the significant assumptions used in estimating the fair values. We evaluated the valuation methods and tested the significant assumptions used by management including projected revenue, likelihood of transaction scenarios, the selection of peer companies and their corresponding trading multiples, and the weightings of different outcomes in developing the estimated fair value. Evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to the projected revenue involved considering the equity investees’ historical revenues and prospects.  In evaluating the likelihood of transaction scenarios, we considered recent financing activities and proposed transactions. Professionals with specialized skills and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the methods and assessing the peer companies and their corresponding trading multiples assumptions by considering public companies with similar business models that operate in similar industries and by independently obtaining market data for the corresponding peer companies and comparing key characteristics such as size and growth prospects.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1986.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 5, 2021

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. General

Liquidity And Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, Safeguard ("the Company") had $15.6 million of cash and cash equivalents.

In January 2018, Safeguard announced that, from that date forward, the Company will not deploy any capital into new opportunities and will focus on supporting our existing companies and maximizing monetization opportunities to return value to shareholders. In that context, the Company has, are and will consider initiatives including, among others: the sale of individual ownership interests, the sale of certain or all ownership interests in secondary market transactions, or a combination thereof, as well as other opportunities to maximize shareholder value.

The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020 will be sufficient to fund operations past one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Safeguard and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests in Companies

The Company accounts for its ownership interests using one of the following methods: Equity or Other. The accounting method applied is generally determined by the degree of the Company's influence over the entity, primarily determined by our voting interest in the entity.

In addition to holding voting and non-voting equity and debt securities, the Company also periodically makes advances to its companies in the form of promissory notes which are included in the Ownership interests and advances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Equity Method. The Company accounts for ownership interests whose results are not consolidated, but over which it exercises significant influence, under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an ownership interest depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation on the board of directors and our ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of a company, including voting rights associated with the Company’s holdings in common, preferred and other convertible instruments in the company. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company does not reflect a company’s financial statements within our Consolidated Financial Statements; however, our share of the income or loss of such company is reflected in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of equity method companies in Ownership interests and advances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any excess of the Company’s cost over its underlying interest in the net assets of equity method companies that is allocated to intangible assets is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related intangible assets. The Company reflects its share of the income or loss of the equity method companies on a one quarter lag. This reporting lag could result in a delay in recognition of the impact of changes in the business or operations of these companies.

When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method company is reduced to zero, the Company records no further losses in its Consolidated Statements of Operations unless the Company has an outstanding guarantee obligation or has committed additional funding to such equity method company. When such equity method company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it exceeds the amount of the Company’s share of losses not previously recognized.

Other Method. We account for our equity interests in companies which are not accounted for under the equity method as equity securities without readily determinable fair values. We estimate the fair value of these securities based on our original cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Under this method, our share of the income or losses of such companies is not included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We include the carrying value of these investments in Ownership interests and advances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. These estimates include the evaluation of the recoverability of the Company’s ownership interests and advances, the recoverability of deferred tax assets, stock-based compensation and commitments and contingencies. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Certain amounts recorded to reflect the Company’s share of income or losses for companies accounted for under the equity method are based on unaudited results of operations of those companies and may require adjustments in the future when audits of these entities’ financial statements are completed.

It is reasonably possible that the Company’s accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests and advances could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on the consolidated financial statements could be material. At December 31, 2020, the Company believes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests and advances is not impaired, although there can be no assurance that the Company’s future results will confirm this assessment, that a significant write-down or write-off will not be required in the future or that a significant loss will not be recorded in the future upon the sale of a company.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits that are readily convertible into cash. The Company determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Held-to-maturity securities were carried at amortized cost, which approximated fair value. Marketable securities consisted of held-to-maturity securities, primarily consisting of government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposits. Marketable securities with a maturity date greater than one year from the balance sheet date would be considered long-term. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on cash equivalents and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash equivalents represents cash required to be set aside by a contractual agreement as a shareholder representative. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments (principally cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses) are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment represents right-of-use assets resulting from the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases, and other previously existing leasehold improvements. The leasehold improvements were amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the expected remaining term of the lease. The right-of-use assets are reduced over the remaining term of the applicable lease (principally April 2026) in a manner that results in a straight-line lease expense, when combined with the interest factor on the lease liability.     

Lease liability

The initial lease liability represents the present value of the fixed escalating lease payments through April 2026 associated with the Company's prior corporate headquarters operating office lease. The discount rate used to calculate the lease liability was based on the Company's incremental borrowing rate, approximately 12%, at the transition to the guidance of ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. Subsequent values of the lease liability reflect the reduction in the lease liability for operating lease payments less an amount representing interest, which is included in the straight-line lease expense. There is no residual value guarantee associated with this operating lease arrangement. The Company has incurred operating lease expenses and operating cash outflows of $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $0.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

In March 2019, the Company entered into a sublease of its prior corporate headquarters office space. The term of the sublease is through April 2026, the same as the Company's underlying lease. Fixed sublease payments to the Company are escalating over the term of the sublease and are reported as a component of general and administrative expenses.

In April 2019, the Company entered into a sublease for replacement office space with a related party, an equity method ownership interest, beginning in June 2019. The 18 month term of this sublease expired in 2020. The aggregate payments under this sublease were not material.

A summary of the Company's operating lease cash flows at December 31, 2020 follows:

Valuation of Credit Facility repayment feature

The fair value of the Credit Facility repayment feature (a Level 3 measurement) was determined quarterly based on the present value of make-whole interest payments that were expected to be paid based on cash flow estimates that included a probability weighted estimate of exit transactions, estimated follow-on deployments, estimated quarterly operating cash flows and other cash commitments that would have resulted in qualified cash exceeding the $50 million threshold specified in the Credit Facility. This fair value of the Credit Facility repayment feature was eliminated in July 2019 upon the repayment of the Credit Facility.

Impairment of Ownership Interests and Advances

On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than quarterly, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its ownership interests and advances for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the estimated fair value of each company relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the company and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones the Company considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as hiring of key employees or the establishment of strategic relationships.

Management then determines whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of its ownership interest in the company. Impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated fair value.

The estimated fair value of privately held companies is generally determined based on the value at which independent third parties have invested or have committed to invest in these companies or based on other valuation methods, including discounted cash flows, valuation of comparable public companies and the valuation of acquisitions of similar companies.

Impairment charges related to equity method companies are included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairment charges related to non-equity method companies and funds are included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The reduced cost basis of a previously impaired company accounted for using the Equity method are not written-up if circumstances suggest the value of the company has subsequently recovered.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in income in the period of the enactment date. The Company provides a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset for amounts which are not considered more likely than not to be realized.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes net income (loss) per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. The Company includes in diluted net income (loss) per share common stock equivalents (unless anti-dilutive) which would arise from the exercise of stock options and conversion of other convertible securities and adjusted, if applicable, for the effect on net income (loss) of such transactions. Diluted net income (loss) per share calculations adjust net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents and convertible securities issued by the Company’s consolidated or equity method companies.

Segment Information

The Company operates as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of its technology-driven companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 and related subsequent amendments outline a single comprehensive model to use to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. For public companies, the guidance was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and any interim periods that fall within that reporting period. For nonpublic companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. Additionally, on June 3, 2020 the FASB issued ASU 2020-05, which extended the adoption of ASC 606 for all nonpublic business entities that have not issued their 2019 financial statements as of June 3, 2020, until January 1, 2020.

As the new standard superseded most existing revenue guidance, it impacted revenue and cost recognition for companies in which we hold an ownership interest. Any change in revenue or cost recognition for companies in which we hold an ownership interest could affect the Company's recognition of its share of the results of its equity method companies. On July 20, 2017, the SEC staff observer at the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") meeting announced that the SEC staff will not object if a private company equity method investee meeting the definition of a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filings with the SEC, uses private company adoption dates for the new revenue standard.  As a result, the Company's private, calendar year companies adopted the new revenue standard for the year ending December 31, 2019, including a cumulative effect where applicable as of the first day of the 2019 reporting period. 

For our ownership interests that have adopted ASU 2014-09, the impact of adoption of the new revenue standard is reflected in the Company’s financial results for the interim and annual reporting periods beginning in 2020 on a one quarter-lag basis.  The impact upon adoption resulted in an increase in accumulated deficit and a decrease in ownership interests of $1.8 million, net, due to the deferral of revenue and certain costs at our underlying ownership interests.  Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflect a benefit of $1.8 million due primarily to the recognition of revenue in 2019 that was previously deferred as a result of the adoption of ASU 2014-09.  Accordingly, the cumulative impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 was not significant. 

2. Ownership Interests and Advances

The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests and advances.

In September 2020, Sonobi, Inc. was acquired by another entity for cash. The Company received $6.6 million in cash proceeds in connection with this transaction, excluding holdbacks and escrows. The Company recognized an insignificant gain on the sale, which is included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded impairments of $11.3 million related to the ownership interests of WebLinc, Inc., QuanticMind, Inc. and Sonobi, Inc. accounted for under the equity method, which are reflected in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company also recorded impairments of $8.8 million related to the ownership interests of T-REX Group, Inc., b8ta and others accounted for under the Other method, which are reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The impairments were determined based on declines in the fair value of our ownership interests resulting from reduced valuation expectations and extended exit timelines resulting from the more challenging mergers and acquisitions environment related to COVID-19 and the related uncertain economic impact. The measurement of fair value for these impairments was estimated based on evaluating several valuation inputs available for each of the applicable ownership interests, primarily including the value at which independent third parties have invested, the valuation of comparable public companies, the valuation of acquisitions of similar companies and the present value of our expected outcomes. Assumptions considered within these methods include determining which public companies are comparable, projecting forward revenues for the measured ownership interest, discounts to apply for the lack of marketability or lack of comparability, other factors and the relative weight to apply to each valuation input available. Due to the unobservable nature of some of these inputs, we have determined these fair value estimates to be non-recurring Level 3 fair value measurements.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a $1.5 million non-cash gain based upon an observable price change related to our ownership interest in Flashtalking Inc. accounted for under the Other method, which is reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company also recorded a $0.3 million non-cash Other loss based on an observable price change for another ownership interest accounted for under the Other method.

During 2019, the Company recognized an impairment of $3.0 million related to NovaSom, which is reflected in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impairment was the result of NovaSom Inc.'s August 2019 bankruptcy filing.

In January 2019, Propeller was acquired by another entity for cash. The Company received $41.5 million in cash proceeds in connection with the transaction, and $0.7 million in 2020 for amounts held in escrow. The Company recognized a gain of $35.1 million, which is included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In January 2019, Brickwork merged into another privately-held company. The Company received a preferred equity interest in the acquiror and accounts for this interest as an equity interest without a readily determinable fair value. The Company did not recognize a gain or loss in 2019 as a result of this transaction.

In May 2019, Transactis was acquired by another entity for cash. To date, the Company received $57.5 million in cash proceeds in connection with the transaction, excluding certain amounts that continue to be held in escrow that may be released on various dates on or before May 2020. The Company has recognized gains of $50.7 million, which are included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During 2019, the Company ceased accounting for T-REX Group, Inc. and Hoopla Software, Inc. under the equity method as a result of losing our ability to exercise significant influence.

During 2019, the Company recorded $4.5 million of non-cash gains in Other income (loss), net related to the increase in the value of certain equity securities based upon observable price changes.

Summarized Financial Information

The following table provides summarized financial information for ownership interests accounted for under the equity method for the periods presented and has been compiled from respective company financial statements, reflect certain historical adjustments, and are reported on a one quarter lag. Results of operations are excluded for periods prior to their acquisition and subsequent to their disposition. Historical results are not adjusted when the Company exits or writes-off a company. 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s carrying value in equity method companies, in the aggregate, exceeded the Company’s share of the net assets of such companies by approximately $17.9 million. Of this excess, $15.0 million was allocated to goodwill and $2.9 million was allocated to intangible assets.

3. Acquisitions of Ownership Interests

2020 Transactions

The Company deployed an additional $2.5 million to Aktana, Inc. during the three month period ended September 30, 2020. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $11.7 million. Aktana leverages big data and machine learning to enable pharmaceutical brands to dynamically optimize their strategy and
enhance sales execution.

       The Company deployed an additional $4.4 million to Syapse, Inc. during the six month period ended June 30, 2020, including the $0.6 million of convertible loans deployed in the first quarter of 2020 which was converted to equity in the second quarter. The Company had previously deployed $20.6 million. Syapse drives healthcare transformation through precision medicine, enabling provider systems to improve clinical outcomes, streamline operations, and shift to new payment models.

The Company deployed an additional $1.0 million to meQuilibrium during the three month period ended March 31, 2020. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $13.0 million. meQuilibrium is a digital coaching platform that delivers clinically validated and highly personalized resilience solutions to employers, health plans, wellness providers, and consumers increasing engagement, productivity and performance, as well as improving outcomes in managing stress, health and well-being.

The Company funded an additional $0.7 million of convertible loans to Trice Medical, Inc. during the six month period ended June 30, 2020. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $10.2 million. Trice is focused on orthopedic diagnostics using fully integrated camera-enabled technologies to provide clinical solutions to physicians.

The Company deployed an aggregate of $0.2 million to Clutch Holdings during the three month period ended June 30, 2020. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $16.7 million. Clutch provides customer intelligence and personalized engagements that empower consumer-focused businesses to identify, understand and motivate each segment of their customer base.

The Company funded an additional $0.2 million of convertible loans to QuanticMind during the three month period ended March 31, 2020. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $13.5 million. QuanticMind delivers an intelligent, scalable and fast platform for maximizing digital marketing performance, including paid search and social, for enterprises.  See Note 2 for impairment recorded in 2020 and Note 16 for the sale of this ownership interest in 2021.

The Company funded an aggregate of $0.1 million of convertible loans to WebLinc, Inc. during the three month period ended March 31, 2020.  The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $16.1 million.  WebLinc is an e-commerce platform for online retailers.  See Note 2 for impairment recorded in 2020 and Note 16 for the sale of this ownership interest in 2021.

2019 Transactions

The Company deployed an additional $5.0 million to Syapse, Inc. 

The Company deployed an additional $2.0 million to Moxe Health Corporation, including $0.3 million that was funded initially as a convertible loan. The Company had previously deployed $5.5 million in Moxe Health.

The Company deployed an additional $1.5 million to Aktana, Inc. 

The Company deployed an additional $1.5 million to meQuilibrium.

The Company deployed an additional $1.5 million to Zipnosis, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $8.5 million in Zipnosis. Zipnosis provides health systems with a white-labeled, fully integrated virtual care platform.

The Company deployed an aggregate of $0.4 million to Clutch Holdings. 

The Company funded an additional $2.0 million of convertible loans to Sonobi, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $11.4 million in Sonobi. Sonobi is an advertising technology developer that was acquired during 2020.  See Note 2 for impairment and sale recorded in 2020.

The Company funded an aggregate of $1.1 million of convertible loans to WebLinc, Inc. See Note 2 for impairment recorded in 2020 and Note 16 for the sale of this ownership interest in 2021.

The Company funded an aggregate of $1.0 million of convertible loans to NovaSom, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $26.4 million in NovaSom. See Note 2 for impairment recorded during the second quarter of 2019.

The Company funded an additional $0.6 million of convertible loans to QuanticMind.  See Note 2 for impairment recorded in 2020 and Note 16 for the sale of this ownership interest in 2021.

4. Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Cash equivalents approximate fair value due to their short term nature.  The Company did not have any Level 2 or Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

5. Credit Facility and Convertible Debentures

Credit Facility     

The Company's credit facility was with HPS Investment Partners, LLC (“Lender”), and was amended in May 2018 ("Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility had a scheduled maturity of May 11, 2020 and interest at a rate of either: (A) LIBOR plus 8.5% (subject to a LIBOR floor of 1%), payable on the last day of the one, two or three month interest period applicable to the LIBOR rate advance, or (B) 7.5% plus the greater of: 2%; the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%; LIBOR plus 1%; or the U.S. Prime Rate, payable monthly in arrears. The Credit Facility was secured by all of the Company's assets in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility.

The terms of the Credit Facility included a requirement that if the aggregate amount of the Company’s qualified cash at any quarter end date exceeded $50.0 million, the Company would be required to prepay outstanding principal amounts under the Credit Facility, plus any applicable interest and prepayment fees, in an amount equal to such excess. Based on this requirement, the Company made a principal payment of $24.0 million and a make-whole interest payment of $2.9 million on April 15, 2019 based on the Company's qualified cash at March 31, 2019. Additionally, the Company repaid the remaining principal of $44.5 million and make-whole interest of $4.1 million in July 2019.

The Company was subject to certain debt covenants under the Credit Facility including maintaining a specified level of liquidity threshold, maintaining an appraised value of ownership interests, limiting deployments to our remaining ownership interests, limiting certain expenses, and restricting any repurchases of outstanding common stock or issuing dividends until such time as the Credit Facility was repaid in full. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants.

The Credit Facility required prepayments of outstanding principal and interest amounts when the Company’s qualified cash at any quarter end date exceeded $50.0 million. This provision in the Credit Facility was an embedded derivative that was accounted for separately from the Credit Facility. A liability of $0.5 million was recorded on the 2018 amendment date for the fair value of potential future prepayments based upon management's probability weighted cash forecast. This amount was also included in debt issuance costs and had been amortized over the remaining term of the Credit Facility. The liability was adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet date based upon management's updated probability weighted cash forecast. During 2019, the Company recorded a decrease in the liability of $5.1 million, which is included in Other income (loss), net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company recorded interest expense under the Credit Facility of $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The effective interest rate on the Credit Facility was 15.1%. The Company made interest payments under the Credit Facility of $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

6. Equity

In July 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company, from time to time and depending on market conditions, to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not repurchase any shares under the existing authorization. 

In February 2018, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a tax benefits preservation plan (the "Plan") designed to protect and preserve the Company's ability to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") which was ratified by shareholders at its 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The purpose of the Plan was to preserve the Company's ability to use its NOLs, which would be substantially limited if the Company experienced an "ownership change" as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, an ownership change would occur if the Company's shareholders who are treated as owning five percent or more of the outstanding shares of Safeguard for purposes of Section 382 ("five-percent shareholders") collectively increase their aggregate ownership in the Company's overall shares outstanding by more than 50 percentage points. Whether this change has occurred would be measured by comparing each five-percent shareholder's current ownership as of the measurement date to such shareholders' lowest ownership percentage during the three-year period preceding the measurement date. To protect the Company's NOLs from being limited or permanently lost under Section 382, the Plan was intended to deter any person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock without the approval of the Board, reducing the likelihood of an unintended ownership change. Under the Plan, the Company would issue one preferred stock purchase right (the "Rights") for each share of Safeguard's common stock held by shareholders of record on March 2, 2018. The issuance of the Rights would not be taxable to Safeguard or its shareholders and would not affect Safeguard's reported earnings per share. The Rights would have traded with Safeguard's common shares and would have expired no later than February 19, 2021. Accordingly, the Plan has now expired.  

On November 7, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share, payable on December 30, 2019 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 23, 2019, resulting in total dividends paid of $20.7 million.

7. Stock-Based Compensation

Equity Compensation Plans

The 2014 Equity Compensation Plan has 4.1 million shares authorized for issuance. During 2020 and 2019, the Company issued no stock-based awards outside of existing plans. To the extent allowable, service-based options are incentive stock options. Options granted under the plans are at prices equal to or greater than the fair market value at the date of grant. Upon exercise of stock options, the Company issues shares first from treasury stock, if available, then from authorized but unissued shares. At December 31, 2020, the Company had reserved 2.8 million shares of common stock for possible future issuance under its 2014 Equity Compensation Plan and other previously expired equity compensation plans.

Classification of Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: 

At December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding options that vest based on two different types of vesting schedules:

1) performance-based; and

2) service-based.

Performance-based awards entitle participants to vest in a number of awards determined by achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company upon the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified companies. Vesting may occur, if at all, once per year. The requisite service periods for the performance-based awards are based on the Company’s estimate of when the performance conditions will be met. Compensation expense is recognized for performance-based awards for which the performance condition is considered probable of achievement. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method but is accelerated if capital return targets are achieved earlier than estimated.  The Company did not issue any performance-based units during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.  During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no performance-based options that vested.  During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, 72 thousand and 174 thousand performance-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded a reduction of compensation expense related to performance-based options of $0.0 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively. The maximum number of unvested options at December 31, 2020 attainable under these grants was 21 thousand shares.

Service-based awards generally vest over four years after the date of grant and expire eight years after the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. The requisite service period for service-based awards is the period over which the award vests. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company issued no service-based options to employees and recorded $0.0 million compensation expense from the vesting of previously issued awards. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, 62 thousand and 57 thousand service-based options were canceled or forfeited.  

There were no options granted during 2020 and 2019.

Stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020 related to Board fees and management bonuses earned in 2020 that were subsequently settled in stock.  The Company had liabilities of $0.5 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, that were settled through the issuance of common stock in the subsequent period. Compensation expense of $0.1 million was also recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 related to the dividend payments made to holders of unvested restricted stock awards pursuant to the terms of those instruments.  

Option activity of the Company is summarized below: 

At December 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested service-based options was immaterial. At December 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested performance-based options was immaterial.

Performance-based stock units vest based on achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company on the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified companies, as described above related to performance-based awards. During 2020, the Company also initiated a 2021 CEO bonus award that will be settled in the vesting of performance-based units based on criteria determined by the Board of Directors.  Performance-based stock units represent the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis at target or up to 120% for certain specified thresholds.  The maximum fair value associated with this award is $0.7 million, none of which has been recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020.  During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, 100 thousand and 0 performance-based stock units were issued. No performance-based stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, 129 thousand and 339 thousand performance-based stock units were canceled or forfeited. Under the terms of the 2016 and 2015 performance-based awards, once performance-based stock units are fully vested, participants are entitled to receive cash payments based on their initial performance grant values as target capital returns described above are exceeded. At December 31, 2020, the liability associated with such potential cash payments was $0.0 million.

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company issued 193 thousand and 31 thousand restricted shares to employees and directors. Restricted shares generally vest over a period of approximately two to four years, or are vested at issuance for directors 65 or older. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, 10 thousand and 75 thousand restricted shares were canceled or forfeited.

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company issued 20 thousand to an employee, and 0 deferred stock units to non-employee directors for annual service grants or fees earned during the preceding quarter. Deferred stock units issued to directors in lieu of directors fees are 100% vested at the grant date; matching deferred stock units equal to 25% of directors’ fees deferred vest one year following the grant date or, if earlier, upon reaching age 65. Deferred stock units are payable in stock on a one-for-one basis. Payments related to the deferred stock units are generally distributable following termination of service, death or permanent disability.

Total compensation expense for deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock was $0.5 million and $1.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense related to deferred stock units, performance stock units and restricted stock at December 31, 2020 was $0.5 million. The total fair value of deferred stock units, performance stock units and restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Deferred stock unit, performance-based stock unit and restricted stock activity are summarized below: 

8. Employee Benefit Plan

The Company maintains a qualified 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees. The Plan’s matching formula is 100% of the first 5% of participants’ qualified compensation. Compensation expense related to our matching contributions to the Plan for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

9. Income Taxes

The federal and state provision (benefit) for income taxes was $0.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The total income tax provision (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 21.0% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 to net income (loss) before income taxes as a result of the following:

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets were as follows: 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries had federal net operating and capital loss carryforwards for tax purposes of approximately $362 million, of which approximately $37 million have an indefinite life. These carryforwards expire as follows: 

In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that certain future tax benefits may not be realized as a result of current and future income. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets.

The Company recognizes in its Consolidated Financial Statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. All uncertain tax positions relate to unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate when recognized.

The Company does not expect any material increase or decrease in its income tax expense, in the next twelve months, related to examinations or changes in uncertain tax positions.

There were no changes in the Company’s uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state jurisdictions. Tax years 2015 and forward remain open for examination for federal tax purposes and the Company’s more significant state tax jurisdictions. To the extent utilized in future years’ tax returns, net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2020 will remain subject to examination until the respective tax year is closed. The Company recognizes penalties and interest accrued related to income tax liabilities in income tax benefit (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

10. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The calculations of net income (loss) per share were: 

Basic and diluted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share includes outstanding common shares and vested deferred stock units (DSUs).

If an equity method company has dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock, DSUs, or warrants, diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by first deducting from net income (loss) the income attributable to the potential exercise of the dilutive securities of the company from net income (loss). Any impact is shown as an adjustment to net income (loss) for purposes of calculating diluted net income (loss) per share.

Diluted income (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 do not reflect the following potential shares of common stock that would have an anti-dilutive effect or have unsatisfied performance or market conditions:

11. Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business, the Company’s officers and employees hold board positions with companies in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company and the companies in which it holds ownership interests are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the current opinion of the Company, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, however, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these actions, and one or more adverse rulings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations or that of its companies. The Company records costs associated with legal fees as such services are rendered.

The Company had outstanding guarantees of $3.8 million at December 31, 2020 which related to one of the Company's private equity holdings.

In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to provide for annual payments of $0.65 million per year and certain health care and other benefits for life. The former executive passed away in 2019. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $1.7 million gain in Other income (loss), net which also eliminated the remaining projected benefits related to this agreement that were previously included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company has agreements with certain employees that provide for severance payments to the employee in the event the employee is terminated without cause or an employee terminates his employment for “good reason.” The maximum aggregate exposure under severance agreements for remaining employees is approximately $2.3 million at December 31, 2020.

In 2018, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company adopted a long-term incentive plan, which was amended in February 2019 and June 2020, known as the Amended and Restated Safeguard Scientifics Transaction Bonus Plan (the “LTIP”). The purpose of the LTIP is to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by providing an additional incentive to employees to maximize the value of the Company in connection with the execution of the business strategy that the Company adopted and announced in January 2018. The June 2020 amendment lowered the level of the first threshold and the resulting bonus pool percentage as an incentive to employees to accelerate actions consistent with the business strategy.  Under the LTIP, participants, which include certain current and former employees, have received awards that may result in cash payments in connection with sales of the Company’s ownership interests (“Sale Transaction(s)”). The LTIP provides for a bonus pool corresponding to: (i) specified vesting thresholds or (ii) specified events. In the first case, the bonus pool will range from an amount equal to 0.2% (previously 1.0%) of received proceeds at the first threshold to 1.3% at higher thresholds and no bonus pool will be created if the transaction consideration is less than certain minimum thresholds. In the second case, a minimum pool will be created and paid under specified circumstances. The bonus pool will be allocated and paid to participants in the LTIP based on the product of (i) the participant’s applicable bonus pool percentage and (ii) the bonus pool calculated as of the vesting date, minus any previously paid portion of the bonus pool. Any portion of the bonus pool available as of the applicable vesting date that is reserved will be allocated in connection with each vesting date so that the entire bonus pool available as of such vesting date is allocated and payable to participants. Subject to the terms of the LTIP, payments under the LTIP will be paid in cash within 60 days of the applicable vesting date. All current officers and employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the LTIP. The Board, in its sole discretion, will determine the participants to whom awards are granted under the LTIP. The Company has accrued approximately $1.8 million under the LTIP as of   December 31, 2020, which $1.5 million is estimated as current accrued compensation.

In June 2011, Advanced BioHealing, Inc. (“ABH”) was acquired by Shire plc (“Shire”).  Prior to the expiration of the escrow period in March 2012, Shire filed a claim against all amounts held in escrow related to the sale based principally upon a United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) false claims act investigation relating to ABH (the “Investigation”). In connection with the Investigation, in July 2015 the Company received a Civil Investigation Demand-Documentary Material (“CID”) from the DOJ regarding ABH and Safeguard’s relationship with ABH. Pursuant to the CID, the Company provided the requested materials and information.  To the Company’s knowledge, the CID was related to multiple qui tam (“whistleblower”) actions, one of which was filed in 2014 by an ex-employee of ABH that named the Company and one of the Company’s employees along with other entities and individuals as defendants.  At this time, the DOJ has declined to pursue the qui tam action as it relates to the Company and such Company employee. In addition, in connection with the above matters, the Company and other former equity holders in ABH entered into a settlement and release with Shire, which resulted in the release to Shire of all amounts held in escrow related to the sale of ABH.

13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company converted $6.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively, of advances into ownership interests. Cash paid for interest for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.0 million and $11.5 million, respectively. Cash paid for taxes in each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.0 million.

14. Segment Reporting

The Company operates as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of its technology-driven companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company held ownership interests accounted for using the equity method in 12 non-consolidated companies. During 2019 we ceased using the equity method of accounting for Hoopla Software, Inc. and T-REX Group, Inc. as a result of other new investors diluting our interest. We have retained our ownership interests in those companies under the Other accounting method.

Certain of the Company’s ownership interests as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 included the following:

* These entities were sold subsequent to December 31, 2020.  See Note 16 - Subsequent Events, of the consolidated financials statements.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States.

15. Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)  

16. Subsequent Events

In January 2021, WebLinc, Inc. was acquired by another entity.  To date, the Company received $3.2 million in cash proceeds and may receive additional amounts over the next 24 months based on certain transitional performance activities, which could be partially offset by indemnifiable claims.  During February 2021, QuanticMind, Inc. was acquired by another entity, however there were no resultant proceeds.

During February 2021, Syapse raised $68 million of preferred capital which reduced our ownership interest to approximately 11%.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.