Definitive Healthcare Corp. (DH) FY 2022 MD&A

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

The following discussion includes a comparison of our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity and capital resources for fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020. This discussion is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements found in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. It contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and our actual results may differ materially from those discussed. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report.

Overview

Definitive Healthcare is a leading provider of healthcare commercial intelligence. Our solutions provide accurate and comprehensive information on healthcare providers and their activities to help our customers optimize everything from product development to go-to-market planning and sales and marketing execution. Delivered through our software as a service (“SaaS”) platform, our intelligence has become important to the commercial success of our over 3,000 customers as of December 31, 2022. We generally define a customer as a company that maintains one or more active paid subscriptions to our platform.

Our customers include biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, healthcare information technology companies, healthcare providers and other diversified companies, such as staffing firms, commercial real estate firms, financial institutions and other organizations seeking commercial success in the attractive but complex healthcare ecosystem. Within these organizations, our platform is leveraged by a broad set of functional groups, including sales, marketing, clinical research & product development, strategy, talent acquisition and physician network management. We offer access to our platform on a subscription basis, and we generate substantially all of our revenue from subscription fees.

We were founded in 2011 by our Executive Chairman, Jason Krantz. Mr. Krantz founded the company to provide healthcare commercial intelligence that enables companies that compete within or sell into the healthcare ecosystem to make better, informed decisions and be more successful. Over time, we have expanded our platform with new intelligence modules, innovative analytics, workflow capabilities and additional data sources.

Any company selling or competing within the healthcare ecosystem is a potential customer for us and contributes to our estimated current total addressable market of over $10 billion. In total, we have identified more than 100,000 potential customers that we believe could benefit from our platform.

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Recent Developments

Restructuring Charges

On January 12, 2023, we announced a restructuring plan intended to reduce operating costs, improve operating margins, and continue advancing the Company’s ongoing commitment to profitable growth. We estimate that in the first quarter of 2023 we will incur pre-tax cash restructuring and related charges of approximately $2.0 million to $2.5 million, consisting primarily of severance payments, employee benefits, and related cash expenses, as well as an immaterial non-cash stock-based compensation charge related to the vesting of share-based awards for employees who are terminated. We expect these actions will be substantially complete by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Macroeconomic Conditions

As a corporation with a global footprint, we are subject to risks and exposures caused by significant events and their macroeconomic impacts, including, but not limited to, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, global geopolitical tension and more recently, rising inflation and interest rates, volatility in the capital markets and related market uncertainty. We continuously monitor the direct and indirect impacts, and the potential for future impacts, of these circumstances on our business and financial results, as well as the overall global economy and geopolitical landscape. While our revenue and earnings have historically been relatively predictable as a result of our subscription-based business model, the potential implications of these macroeconomic events on our business, results of operations and overall financial position, particularly in the long term, introduce additional uncertainty.

Our current and prospective customers and their business spendings are impacted by worsening macroeconomic conditions to varying degrees and as a result, in some cases we are observing deal cycles lengthen for new and existing customers, in part as a result of more stringent approval processes, and a significant number of deferred purchasing decisions, which have been most pronounced in the life science and provider markets, and which we expect will impact our growth unless macroeconomic conditions improve. We are continuing to evaluate these and other past and potential future direct and indirect impacts on our business and results of operations.

Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

We believe that the growth and future success of our business depends on many factors, including the following:

Acquiring New Customers

We plan to continue to organically grow the number of customers that use our platform by increasing demand for our platform and penetrating our addressable market. Our results of operations and growth prospects will depend in part on our ability to attract new customers. We intend to drive new customer acquisition with our efficient go-to-market engine by continuing to invest in our sales and marketing efforts and developing new use cases for our platform. Enterprise Customers represent the majority of our ARR and are a key focus of our go-to-market programs. As of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, we had over 3,000, 2,800, and 2,600 customers, respectively. We generally define a customer as a company that maintains one or more active paid subscriptions to our platform. We have identified more than 100,000 potential customers across the healthcare ecosystem that we believe could benefit from our platform. Our ability to attract and acquire new customers is dependent on the strength of our platform and effectiveness of our go-to-market strategy, as well as macroeconomic factors and their impact on our potential customers’ business spending. Despite our ability to expand our customer base in 2022 notwithstanding macroeconomic challenges, similar or worsening macroeconomic challenges may negatively impact expansion in the future.

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Expanding Relationships with Existing Customers

We believe there is a significant opportunity to generate additional revenue from our existing customer base, which we expanded to over 3,000 customers as of December 31, 2022.

Our customers have historically increased their spending by adding intelligence modules and expanding use-cases across departments. Our customers are typically assigned to one of our vertically-focused teams, which is responsible for driving usage and increasing adoption of the platform, identifying expansion opportunities and driving customer renewals. Real-time input from these customer centric teams feeds directly into our product innovation teams, enhancing the development of new intelligence modules. We believe this feedback loop and our ability to innovate creates significant opportunities for continual existing customer expansion. Our ability to generate additional revenue from existing customers is also subject to such existing customers’ business spending trends and the impact of macroeconomic conditions thereon.

Our platform currently offers 18 intelligence modules. Our success in expanding usage of our platform with our existing customers is demonstrated by our NDR (see “Key Metrics”). For the year ended December 31, 2022, our NDR for customers generating more than $100,000 in ARR (“Enterprise Customers”) was 110%. As of December 31, 2022, we had 538 Enterprise Customers, which represented approximately 61% of our ARR. Our NDR for all customers over $17,500 ARR was 103%. For the year ended December 31, 2021, our NDR for Enterprise Customers was 120% and our NDR for all customers over $17,500 ARR was 111%. For the year ended December 31, 2020, our NDR for Enterprise Customers was 124% and our NDR for all customers over $17,500 ARR was 108%.

Continuing to Innovate and Expand Our Platform

The growth of our business is driven in part by our ability to apply our deep healthcare domain expertise to innovate and expand our platform. We have continually created new products since our founding in 2011 and have launched 18 highly integrated intelligence modules to date. We plan to continue to invest significantly into our engineering and research and development efforts to enhance our capabilities and functionality and facilitate the expansion of our platform to new use cases and customers. In addition, we work to continuously release updates and new features. While we are primarily focused on organic investments to drive innovation, we will also evaluate strategic acquisitions and investments that further expand our platform.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our results determined in accordance with GAAP, we believe certain non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating our operating performance. Non-GAAP measures include, but are not limited to, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. We believe these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors because they eliminate certain items that affect period-over-period comparability and provide consistency with past financial performance and additional information about our underlying results and trends by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our business, results of operations, or outlook.

We view Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin as operating performance measures. As such, we believe the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin is GAAP Gross Profit, and the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin is GAAP net loss.

Non-GAAP measures are supplemental financial measures of our performance, and should not be considered substitutes for net loss, gross profit or any other measure derived in accordance with GAAP. This information should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to these non-GAAP financial measures because they are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculation and items or events being adjusted. In addition, other companies may use different measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial measures as tools for comparison. A reconciliation is provided below for each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin

We define Adjusted Gross Profit as revenue less cost of revenue, excluding acquisition-related depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation costs. Adjusted Gross Profit differs from Gross Profit, in that Gross Profit includes the impact of acquisition-related depreciation and amortization expense and stock-based compensation. We exclude acquisition-related depreciation and amortization expense as they have no direct correlation to the cost of operating our business on an ongoing basis. Adjusted Gross Margin is defined as Adjusted Gross Profit as a percentage of revenue. These are key metrics used by management and our board of directors to assess our operations.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Gross Profit to Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Margin for the periods presented:

(a)
Amortization of intangible assets resulting from purchase accounting adjustments represents non-cash amortization of acquired intangibles, primarily resulting from the Advent Acquisition.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

We present “Adjusted EBITDA” as a measure of our operating performance. EBITDA is defined as earnings before (i) debt-related costs, including interest expense and loss from extinguishment of debt, (ii) interest income, (iii) provision for taxes, and (iv) depreciation and amortization. Management further adjusts EBITDA in its presentation of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude (i) other (income) expense, (ii) equity-based compensation, (iii) acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses and (iv) other non-recurring and one-time expenses. We exclude these items because they are by nature non-cash, non-recurring and/or unrelated to our core operations, and therefore we do not believe them to be representative of ongoing operational performance. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are key metrics used by management and our board of directors to assess the profitability of our operations. We believe these metrics provide useful measures to investors to assess our operating performance and in measuring the profitability of our operations on a consolidated level.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

(a)
Primarily represents foreign exchange and TRA liability remeasurement gains and losses.

(b)
Equity-based compensation represents non-cash compensation expense recognized in association with equity awards made to employees and directors.

(c)
Transaction and integration expenses primarily represent legal, accounting and consulting expenses and fair value adjustments for contingent consideration related to our acquisitions, including a go-to market integration project conducted in 2022. Restructuring expenses relate to impairment and restructuring charges related to office relocations.

(d)
Non-recurring items represent expenses that are typically by nature one-time, non-operational and unrelated to our core operations. One-time expenses are comprised primarily of professional fees related to financing, capital structure changes and other non-recurring set-up costs related to public company operations for the current period, and IPO readiness costs for the prior periods.

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Key Metrics

We monitor the following key metrics to help us evaluate our business performance, identify financial trends, formulate business plans, and make strategic operational decisions.

Net Dollar Retention Rate

We believe the growth in use of our platform by our existing customers is an important measure of the health of our business and our future growth prospects. We evaluate and report on our NDR on an annual basis to measure this growth. We define NDR as the percentage of ARR retained from existing customers across a defined period, after accounting for upsell, down-sell, pricing changes and churn. We calculate NDR as beginning ARR for a period, plus (i) expansion ARR (including, but not limited to, upsell and pricing increases), less (ii) churn (including, but not limited to, non-renewals and contractions), divided by (iii) beginning ARR for a period.

Unfavorable macroeconomic challenges are elongating deal cycles as customers implement more stringent approval processes or delay spending decisions, which impacts revenue from our existing customers, including upsells, and as a result, we expect our NDR growth rates for 2023 to be reduced unless macroeconomic conditions improve.

Current Remaining Performance Obligations (“cRPO”)

We monitor current remaining performance obligations as a metric to help us evaluate the health of our business and identify trends affecting our growth. cRPO represents the amount of contracted future revenue that has not yet been recognized, including both deferred revenue and non-cancelable contracted amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue within the next twelve months. cRPO is not necessarily indicative of future revenue growth. In addition to total contract volume, cRPO is influenced by several factors, including seasonality, disparate contract terms, and the timing of renewals, because renewals tend to be most frequent in the fourth quarter. Due to these factors, it is important to review cRPO in conjunction with revenue and other financial metrics.

Our cRPO will continue to be impacted by macroenvironment challenges, which have resulted in elongating deal cycles as customers implement more stringent approval processes or push out final decisions to later periods. We expect this trend to reduce our revenue growth rate in 2023 if the macroenvironment remains challenged.

The following table presents our remaining performance obligations, including cRPO as of December 31, 2022 and 2021:

Impact of Acquisitions and Investments

We seek to enhance our platform, data and business through internal development and through acquisitions of and investments in businesses that broaden and strengthen our platform. In February 2022, we completed our acquisition of Analytical Wizards Inc., a company that specializes in automating complex analytic models using tools that expedite efficient big data mining through A.I. and M.L. power to uncover deep insights. This acquisition further strengthened our data platform and our business. In October 2020, we acquired Monocl, a cloud-based platform with millions of expert profiles. In December 2019, we acquired Healthcare Sales Enablement, Inc. (“HSE”), a software analytics firm that helps life science companies and healthcare providers find patient clusters who would most benefit from their products and services. In January 2019, we acquired HIMSS Analytics, a global healthcare advisor providing guidance and market intelligence solutions. In June 2016, we acquired Billian’s HealthDATA, a provider of data and analytics on U.S. healthcare organizations. In October 2015, we acquired US Lifeline, a provider of real- world data and intelligence for the healthcare supply chain. These acquisitions and investments have strengthened our data platform and our business. Acquisitions can result in transaction costs, amortization expense and other adjustments as purchase accounting requires that all assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at fair value on the acquisition date. See Note 3 in our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

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Components of our Results of Operations

Revenue

For the year ended December 31, 2022, we derived approximately 97% of our revenue from subscription services and the remainder from professional services. Our subscription services consist primarily of subscription fees for access to our platform and stand-ready support. Our subscription contracts typically have a term ranging from 1 to 3 years and are non-cancellable. We typically bill for services in advance annually, and we typically require payment at the beginning of each annual period. Our subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the contract term. Our professional services revenue typically is derived from non-recurring consulting services which are generally capable of being distinct and can be accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue related to these professional services is insignificant and is recognized at a point in time, when the performance obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied and control has been transferred to the customer.

Because of the macroenvironment challenges described above, we expect a reduction in our revenue growth rate for 2023.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue, excluding amortization of acquired technology and data, consists of direct expenses related to the support and operations of our SaaS platform, such as data and infrastructure costs, personnel costs for our professional services, customer support and data research teams, such as salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, and other employee-related benefits, as well as allocated overheads. We anticipate that we will continue to invest in cost of revenue and that cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue will stay consistent or modestly increase as we add to our existing intelligence modules and invest in new products and data sources. Cost of data is included in the cost of revenue and is a fundamental driver of innovation.

Amortization. Includes amortization expense for technology and data acquired in business combinations and asset purchase agreements. We anticipate that amortization will increase only if we make additional acquisitions in the future.

Gross Profit

Gross profit is revenue less cost of revenue, and gross margin is gross profit as a percentage of revenue. Gross profit and gross margin have been and will continue to be affected by various factors, including the costs associated with third-party data and third-party hosting services, leveraging economies of scale, and the extent to which we introduce new intelligence modules, features or functionality or expand our customer support and service organizations, hire additional personnel or complete additional acquisitions. We expect that our gross profit and gross margin will fluctuate from period to period depending on the interplay of these various factors.

Operating Expenses

The most significant component of our operating expenses is personnel costs, which consist of salaries, bonuses, sales commissions, stock-based compensation, and other employee-related benefits. Operating expenses also include non-personnel costs such as facilities, technology, professional fees, and marketing. In light of macroeconomic conditions and their past and potential future impacts on our business, we have made efforts to contain our operating expenses, including implementing a restructuring plan in the first quarter of 2023. Rising inflation, and in particular increases to the cost of labor due to cost-of-living increases, have negatively impacted our operating expenses, and we expect this to continue. However, inflation has not materially affected our business to date.

Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of personnel costs such as salaries, bonuses, sales commissions, stock-based compensation, and other employee-related benefits for our sales and marketing teams, as well as non-personnel costs including overhead costs, technology and marketing costs. While we have slowed hiring in response to macroeconomic conditions, and expect to maintain slower levels until macroeconomic conditions improve, we continue to hire additional sales and marketing personnel, enhance our digital marketing infrastructure and invest in marketing programs targeting our major vertical markets.

Product development. Product development expenses primarily consist of personnel costs such as salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, and other employee-related benefits for our engineering, data science and product teams, as well as non-personnel costs including overhead costs. We believe that our core technologies and ongoing innovation represent a significant competitive advantage for us, and we continue to invest in systems optimization and module improvements for our customers, enhance our software development team and invest in automation and A.I. to drive higher quality data and deeper insights.

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General and administrative. General and administrative expenses primarily consist of personnel costs such as salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, and other employee-related benefits for our executive, finance, legal, human resources, IT and operations, and administrative teams, as well as non-personnel costs including overhead costs, professional fees and other corporate expenses. General and administrative costs have increased relative to prior periods due to the incremental costs associated with operating as a public company, including corporate insurance costs, incremental accounting and legal expenses, and additional resources associated with controls, reporting, and disclosure. We have slowed hiring in response to macroeconomic conditions and do not expect to increase it until macroeconomic conditions improve.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses consist primarily of amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business combinations, as well as depreciation of property and equipment. We anticipate depreciation of property and equipment as a percentage of revenue to moderately decrease, although amortization will increase if we make additional acquisitions in the future.

Transaction, integration and restructuring expenses. Transaction, integration and restructuring expenses are costs directly associated with various acquisition and integration activities we have undertaken, primarily accounting and legal due diligence, and consulting and advisory fees as well as expenses related to our office relocations.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense, net consists primarily of interest expense, net and other income (expense), net.

Interest expense, net consists primarily of interest expense on our debt obligations and the amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance costs, less interest income. We expect, as a result of the recent rise in interest rates, that interest expense will increase in 2023 over prior periods for the unhedged portion of our outstanding debt while interest rate swap agreements will keep the hedged portion of outstanding debt fixed.

Other income (expense), net consists primarily of the revaluation of tax receivable agreement liabilities and realized and unrealized gains, losses on extinguishment of debt resulting from the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with loan repayments in conjunction with the September 2021 refinancing and losses related to the impact of transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Significant changes in the projected liability resulting from the tax receivable agreement may occur based on changes in anticipated future taxable income, changes in applicable tax rates or other changes in tax attributes that may occur and could affect the expected future tax benefits to be received by us. We do not have significant exposure to foreign exchange volatility and do not anticipate foreign currency transaction gains or losses to materially impact our results of operations.

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Results of Operations

The discussion of our consolidated results of operations includes year-over-year comparisons of 2022 results compared to those in 2021. For a discussion of the 2021 results compared to those in 2020, see the discussion in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2021 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein.

The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

Revenue

Revenue increased $56.5 million, or 34%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with the same period in the prior year, driven almost entirely by higher subscription revenue. This increase was primarily due to net expansion with existing customers, as well as organic additions of new customers, and the addition of new customers resulting from the acquisition of Analytical Wizards.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue increased $1.9 million, or 5%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with the same period in the prior year, primarily due to increased data and hosting fees, increases in employee benefit and insurance costs and, to a lesser extent, incremental personnel costs resulting from the acquisition of Analytical Wizards, partially offset by lower amortization of acquired technology costs.

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Operating Expenses

Operating expenses increased $70.8 million, or 47%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to:

•
An increase in sales and marketing expense of $33.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increased personnel costs, including employee benefits and insurance costs, resulting from additional hiring, as well as increases in stock-based compensation expense driven primarily by a full year's amortization of post-IPO equity grants;

•
An increase in product development expense of $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increased personnel costs, including employee benefits and insurance costs, resulting from additional hiring and the acquisition of Analytical Wizards, as well as increases in stock-based compensation expense driven primarily by a full year's amortization of post-IPO equity grants;

•
An increase in general and administrative expense of $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increased personnel costs, including employee benefits and insurance costs, resulting from additional hiring, as well as increases in stock-based compensation expense, and additional accounting and legal expenses resulting from the transition to becoming a publicly-traded company. If the macroenvironment trends previously described continue, we may experience additional increases in bad debt expense in the future;

•
An increase in transaction, integration and restructuring expenses of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, due primarily to costs arising from the acquisition of Analytical Wizards, restructuring costs, and a go-to-market integration project conducted in the third quarter of 2022.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Total other income, net was $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, driven primarily by other income of $10.2 million, including a TRA liability remeasurement gain of $9.4 million, partially offset by $8.4 million of interest expense. Total other expense, net was $35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, driven primarily by $25.9 million of interest expense, net and a $9.9 million loss from the extinguishment of debt. Interest expense, net was lower in the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with the same period in the prior year due to lower interest rates and a lower outstanding debt balance resulting from the refinancing of the Company’s debt in September 2021.

Benefit From (Provision For) Income Taxes

Benefit from income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $17.2 million, representing an effective tax rate of 43.6%, as compared to expense from income taxes of $0.7 million, representing an effective tax rate of (1.1)% for the year ended December 31, 2021. The 2022 increase in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the impact of the change in the state effective tax rate on our substantial net deferred tax liability balance. The state effective tax rate decreased from 6.67% to 4.77% due to changes in state apportionment factors inclusive of changes in the mix of sales, property, and payroll by state, certain state tax rates changes, and principally certain state incentives. State tax incentives include benefits such as state R&D credits and qualification for single sales factor rather than three-factor apportionment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

As of December 31, 2022, we had $146.9 million of cash and cash equivalents, $184.9 million of short-term investments and $75.0 million available under our revolving credit facility. Our principal sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments on hand, primarily from our IPO and follow-on offering, as well as the cash flows we generate from operations. In addition, on October 7, 2022, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. If and when we utilize the shelf registration, we will be able to, from time to time, offer and sell, either individually or in combination, in one or more offerings of the securities described in the shelf registration statement. Each time we offer securities under this shelf registration, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. Our principal uses of liquidity have been primarily for investment in long-term growth of the business through capital expenditures and acquisitions, as well as debt services and distributions to members of Definitive OpCo.

All of our business is conducted through Definitive OpCo and its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, and the financial results are included in the consolidated financial statements of Definitive Healthcare Corp. Definitive Healthcare Corp. has no independent means of generating revenue. The Amended LLC Agreement provides that certain distributions will be made to cover Definitive Healthcare Corp.’s taxes and such tax distributions are also expected to be used by Definitive

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Healthcare Corp. to satisfy its obligations under the TRA. We have broad discretion to make distributions out of Definitive OpCo. In the event Definitive Healthcare Corp. declares any cash dividend, we expect to cause Definitive OpCo to make distributions to us, in an amount sufficient to cover such cash dividends declared by us. Deterioration in the financial condition, earnings, or cash flow of Definitive OpCo and its subsidiaries for any reason could limit or impair their ability to pay such distributions. In addition, the terms of our 2021 Credit Agreement contain covenants that may restrict DH Holdings and its subsidiaries from paying such distributions, subject to certain exceptions. Further, Definitive OpCo and Definitive Healthcare Corp. are generally prohibited under Delaware law from making a distribution to a member to the extent that, at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, liabilities of Definitive OpCo and DH Holdings (with certain exceptions), as applicable, exceed the fair value of its assets. Subsidiaries of DH Holdings are generally subject to similar legal limitations on their ability to make distributions to DH Holdings.

We believe that our cash flow from operations, availability under the 2021 Credit Agreement and available cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months.

However, our liquidity and our ability to meet our obligations and fund our capital requirements are dependent on our future financial performance, which is subject to general economic, financial and other factors that are beyond our control, such as rising inflation and potential recession, and our anticipated funding requirements could increase. See the “Risk Factors” section in this Annual Report. We anticipate that to the extent that we require additional liquidity, it will be funded through the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the issuance of additional equity, or a combination thereof. In the event we need to seek additional funding, rising interest rates, stock market volatility or other unfavorable macroeconomic conditions may also prevent us from obtaining additional financing on favorable terms or at all. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available from additional indebtedness or otherwise to meet our liquidity needs. In addition, if we decide to pursue one or more significant acquisitions, we may incur additional debt or sell or issue additional equity to finance such acquisitions, which could possibly result in additional expenses or dilution.

Cash Flows

The discussion of our cash flows includes a year-over-year comparison of 2022 cash flows to those in 2021. For a discussion of our 2021 cash flows compared to 2020 cash flows, see the discussion in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2021 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein.

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:

Cash Flows provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $35.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily as a result of a net loss of $22.3 million and a $22.0 million net decrease in our operating assets and liabilities, offset by non-cash charges of $79.8 million. The non-cash charges were primarily comprised of amortization of intangible assets of $54.7 million, equity compensation costs of $36.4 million, and amortization of deferred contract costs of $8.8 million, partially offset by deferred income taxes of $17.3 million and a gain on remeasurement of the TRA of $9.4 million. The change in operating assets and liabilities was primarily the result of cash outflows resulting from an increase in deferred contract costs of $15.3 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $13.2 million, and payments of contingent consideration of $6.4 million. These factors were partially offset by an increase in deferred revenue of $12.7 million due to the timing of billings and cash received in advance of revenue recognition for subscription services.

Cash Flows used in Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $248.9 million, driven primarily by $338.0 million in purchases of short-term investments, $56.3 million paid to complete the AW acquisition (net of cash acquired), and $8.3 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by $153.7 million in maturities of short-term investments.

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Cash Flows used in Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $26.7 million, primarily driven by $12.9 million in tax distribution payments to members, repayments of the 2021 Term Loan (as defined below) of $6.9 million, taxes paid related to the net share settlement of equity awards of $4.1 million, $1.7 million in payments of deferred equity offering issuance costs, and $1.1 million in payments of contingent consideration arising from the Monocl acquisition.

Refer to Debt Obligations for additional information related to our debt obligations.

Debt Obligations

On September 17, 2021, DH Holdings entered into the 2021 Credit Agreement, providing for (i) a $275.0 million term loan A facility (the “2021 Term Loan”) and (ii) a $75.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2021 Revolving Line of Credit” and together with the 2021 Term Loan, collectively, the “2021 Credit Facilities”). The 2021 Credit Facilities thereunder are guaranteed by all of DH Holdings' wholly owned domestic restricted subsidiaries and AIDH Buyer, the direct parent company of DH Holdings, in each case, subject to customary exceptions, and are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of DH Holdings and such guarantors, including a pledge of the equity of DH Holdings, in each case, subject to customary exceptions.

The 2021 Term Loan is for $275.0 million and has a maturity date of September 17, 2026. The 2021 Term Loan was recorded net of $3.5 million in issuance costs. The issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2021 Term Loan using the effective interest method.

The 2021 Term Loan is subject to annual amortization of principal, payable in equal quarterly installments on the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing on the Initial Amortization Date, equal to approximately 2.5% per annum of the principal amount of the term loans in the first year and second year after the Initial Amortization Date and approximately 5.0% per annum of the principal amount of the term loans in the third year, fourth year, and fifth year after the Initial Amortization Date. A balloon payment of approximately $220.0 million will be due at the maturity of the 2021 Term Loan. There was $266.4 million outstanding on the 2021 Term Loan at December 31, 2022.

The 2021 Revolving Line of Credit is committed for $75.0 million and has a maturity date of September 17, 2026. There was no outstanding balance on the 2021 Revolving Line of Credit as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.

On October 31, 2022, the Company amended the 2021 Credit Agreement to replace the LIBO rate with Term SOFR plus an applicable rate.

The 2021 Credit Agreement includes certain customary financial covenants, and the Company was compliant with its financial covenants under the 2021 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2022.

Financing Obligations

Financing obligations generally include repayment of principal amounts of our term loan (as detailed above in “Debt Obligations”), lease payments and purchase obligations. The leases relate to office facilities and expire at various times through 2029. The lease obligations include $2.0 million to be paid in 2023 and $11.0 million thereafter. Estimated purchase commitments, which currently run through 2025, are $11.0 million in 2023 and $16.7 million thereafter.

Tax Receivable Agreement (“TRA”)

In connection with the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO, the Company entered into the TRA with certain of our pre- IPO holders of LLC Units and the former shareholders of certain Blocker Companies. The TRA provides for the payment by Definitive Healthcare Corp. of 85.0% of the amount of any tax benefits that it actually realizes, or in some cases is deemed to realize, as a result of (i) certain tax attributes that it acquired from the Blocker Companies in the Reorganization Transactions (including net operating losses and the unamortized portion of the increase in tax basis in the tangible and intangible assets of Definitive OpCo and its subsidiaries resulting from the prior acquisitions of interests in Definitive OpCo by the Blocker Companies), (ii) certain tax basis adjustments resulting from the acquisition of LLC Units by Definitive Healthcare Corp. and (iii) certain payments made under the TRA.

In each case, these tax basis adjustments generated over time may increase (for tax purposes) the Definitive Healthcare Corp.’s depreciation and amortization deductions and, therefore, may reduce the amount of tax that the Definitive Healthcare Corp. would otherwise be required to pay in the future, although the IRS may challenge all or part of the validity of that tax basis, and a court could sustain such a challenge. The anticipated tax basis adjustments upon redemptions or exchanges of LLC Units may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets. The payment obligations under the TRA are an obligation of Definitive Healthcare Corp., but not of Definitive OpCo. Definitive Healthcare Corp. expects to benefit from the remaining 15% of realized cash tax benefits. For purposes of the

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TRA, the realized cash tax benefits will be computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of Definitive Healthcare Corp. (calculated with certain assumptions) to the amount of such taxes that Definitive Healthcare Corp. would have been required to pay had there been no tax basis adjustments of the assets of Definitive Healthcare Corp. as a result of redemptions or exchanges and no utilization of certain tax attributes of the Blocker Companies, and had Definitive Healthcare Corp. not entered into the TRA. The term of the TRA will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless (i) Definitive Healthcare Corp. exercises its right to terminate the TRA for an amount based on the agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement, (ii) Definitive Healthcare Corp. breaches any of its material obligations under the TRA in which case all obligations (including any additional interest due relating to any deferred payments) generally will be accelerated and due as if Definitive Healthcare Corp. had exercised its right to terminate the TRA, or (iii) there is a change of control of Definitive Healthcare Corp., in which case, all obligations (including any additional interest due relating to any deferred payments) generally will be accelerated and due as if Definitive Healthcare Corp. had exercised its right to terminate the TRA as described above in clause (i). Estimating the amount of payments that may be made under the TRA is by its nature imprecise, insofar as the calculation of amounts payable depends on a variety of factors. The amount of the anticipated tax basis adjustments, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the TRA, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges, the price of shares of our Class A Common Stock at the time of an exchange, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, the amount of tax attributes, and the amount and timing of our income.

We expect that as a result of the size of the anticipated tax basis adjustment of the tangible and intangible assets of Definitive OpCo upon the exchange or redemption of LLC Units and our possible utilization of certain tax attributes, the payments that Definitive Healthcare Corp. may make under the TRA will be substantial. The payments under the TRA are not conditioned upon continued ownership of us by the exchanging holders of LLC Units. See Note 19 in our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures increased by $1.6 million to $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $6.7 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily driven by the purchases of historical data.

Inflation

While rising inflation and increases to the cost of and competition for labor have negatively impacted and continue to negatively impact our operating expenses, we do not believe inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset higher costs through price increases and our inability or failure to do so could potentially harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and trade and other receivables. We hold cash with reputable financial institutions that often exceed federally insured limits. We manage our credit risk by concentrating our cash deposits with high-quality financial institutions and periodically evaluating the credit quality of those institutions. The carrying value of cash approximates fair value.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our critical accounting policies are those that are reflective of uncertainties resulting from significant, complex and subjective judgements, though the accounting treatment for the majority of our revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for the application of judgement.

In certain circumstances, the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. The estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, current conditions, and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results may differ from those estimates, though we believe such differences are not likely to be material. We review these estimates on a periodic basis to ensure reasonableness and adequacy.

While our significant accounting policies are discussed more fully in Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the following topics pertain to accounting policies we believe are most critical to the preparation of our financial statements and that require our more significant, difficult, subjective or complex judgments or estimates. Other companies in similar businesses may use different estimation policies and methodologies, which may affect the comparability of our financial statements, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows to those of other companies.

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Revenue Recognition

We derive revenue primarily from subscription license fees charged for access to the Company’s database platform, and professional services. The customer arrangements include a promise to allow customers to access subscription license to the database platform which is hosted by the Company over the contract period, without allowing the customer to take possession of the subscription license or transfer hosting to a third party.

We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 606–Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a five-step model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services.

Revenue related to hosted subscription license arrangements, which often include non-distinct professional services, is recognized ratably over the contract term as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance. These subscription contracts typically have a term of one to three years and are non-cancellable.

We also enter into a limited number of contracts that can include various combinations of professional services, which are generally capable of being distinct and can be accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue related to these professional services is insignificant and is recognized at a point in time, when the performance obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied and control has been transferred to the customer.

When a contract contains multiple performance obligations, the contract transaction price is allocated on a relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) basis to each performance obligation. We typically determine SSP based on observable selling prices of its products and services. In instances where SSP is not directly observable, SSP is determined using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs, or by using the residual approach.

We account for an arrangement when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. The Company generally obtains written purchase contracts from its customers for a specified service at a specified price, with a specified term, which constitutes an arrangement. Revenue is recognized at the amount expected to be collected, net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. The timing of revenue recognition may not align with the right to invoice the customer, but the Company has determined that in such cases, a significant financing component generally does not exist. The Company has elected the practical expedient that permits an entity not to recognize a significant financing component if the time between the transfer of a good or service and payment is one year or less. Payment terms on invoiced amounts are typically 30 days. The Company does not offer rights of return for its products and services in the normal course of business, and contracts generally do not include customer acceptance clauses.

Our arrangements typically do not contain variable consideration. However, certain contracts with customers may include service level agreements that entitle the customer to receive service credits, and in certain cases, service refunds, when defined service levels are not met. These arrangements represent a form of variable consideration, which is considered in the calculation of the transaction price. The Company estimates the amount of variable considerations at the expected value based on its assessment of legal enforceability, anticipated performance and a review of specific transactions, historical experience and market and economic conditions.

The Company historically has not experienced any significant incidents that affected the defined levels of reliability and performance as required by the contracts.

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Acquisitions

We account for business combinations using the acquisition method in accordance with ASC 805—Business Combinations. Each acquired company’s results of operations are included in our consolidated financial statements starting on the date of acquisition. We allocate purchase consideration to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired, and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The purchase price is determined based on the fair value of the assets transferred, liabilities assumed, and equity interests issued, after considering any transactions that are separate from the business combination. The excess of fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition are recorded at the acquisition date fair value. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets and contingent liabilities. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows from acquired customer bases, acquired technology and acquired trade names, useful lives, royalty rates, and discount rates.

The estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to revision as additional information is obtained during the measurement period for an acquisition, which may last up to one year from the acquisition date. During the measurement period, we may record adjustments to the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a corresponding offset to goodwill. After the conclusion of the measurement period or the final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.

In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances assumed in connection with a business combination are initially estimated as of the acquisition date. We reevaluate these items based upon the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, with any revisions to our preliminary estimates being recorded to goodwill, provided that the timing is within the measurement period. Subsequent to the measurement period, changes to uncertain tax positions and tax related valuation allowances will be recorded to earnings.

For any given acquisition, we may identify certain pre-acquisition contingencies. We estimate the fair value of such contingencies, which are included as part of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed, as appropriate. Differences from these estimates are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which they are identified.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

The Company made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.

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Impairment of Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, at least annually, and more frequently if events or circumstances occur that would indicate a potential decline in fair value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment. We first assess qualitative factors to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, or it may elect to bypass such assessment. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment, management will perform a quantitative test by determining the fair value of the reporting unit. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is based on a projected discounted cash flow model that includes significant assumptions and estimates, including the discount rate, growth rate, and future financial performance. Valuations of similarly situated public companies are also evaluated when assessing the fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, then an impairment loss is recognized for the difference.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company experienced a decline in its stock price resulting in the total market value of its shares of stock outstanding, or its market capitalization, being less than the carrying value of its one reporting unit. Therefore, as of October 1, 2022, the Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and determined it appropriate to perform quantitative assessments of the Company’s one reporting unit at both October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. The Company elected to conduct its quantitative assessments using a combination of an income and a market approach. The income approach is based on a projected discounted cash flow model and the market approach utilizes the Company's market capitalization plus an appropriate control premium. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding by the market price of its Class A Common Stock. The control premium is determined by utilizing data from publicly available premium studies for public company transactions. Based on the Company’s quantitative assessments performed as of October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its related carrying value. Therefore, the Company concluded there was no impairment of goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2022.

As of December 31, 2022, the fair value of our one reporting unit was less than 10% higher than its carrying value. With a margin between fair value and carrying value in this range, the Company’s reporting unit is at risk for future goodwill impairments if it experiences a continued decline in its market capitalization or worsening macroeconomic conditions, which could represent potential indicators of impairment requiring further impairment analysis in 2023. The Company continues to monitor for potential impairment should impairment indicators arise.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review the carrying value of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible assets and property and equipment, for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition are not expected to be adequate to recover the asset’s carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value.

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Accounting for Income Taxes

Definitive OpCo is taxed as a partnership. For federal and state income tax purposes, income, losses, and other tax attributes not generated by the HSE, Monocl, or AW subsidiaries generally pass through to the Definitive OpCo members’ individual income tax returns. Additionally, Definitive OpCo may be subject to certain taxes on behalf of its members in certain states.

HSE, AW, and the Monocl subsidiaries are taxed as corporations. Accordingly, these entities account for income taxes by recognizing tax assets and liabilities for the cumulative effect of all the temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes for the HSE, AW, and Monocl subsidiaries are determined using enacted federal, state, or foreign income tax rates in effect in the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

Definitive Healthcare Corp. is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes with respect to its allocable share of any taxable income of Definitive OpCo and will be taxed at the prevailing corporate tax rates. In addition to tax expenses, Definitive Healthcare Corp. will also make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, which we expect to be significant. We anticipate that we will account for the income tax effects and corresponding Tax Receivable Agreement’s effects resulting from future redemptions or exchanges of LLC Units by recognizing an increase in Definitive Healthcare Corp.'s deferred tax assets, based on enacted tax rates at the date of the purchase or exchange.

Further, we account for amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreement in accordance with ASC 450—Contingencies. The amounts to be recorded for both the deferred tax assets and the liability for our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be estimated at the time of any purchase or exchange as a reduction to shareholders’ equity, and the effects of changes in any of our estimates after this date will be included in net income or loss. Similarly, the effect of subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates will be included in net income or loss.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets of Definitive OpCo and its subsidiaries, management considers the weight of available evidence and whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized; when necessary, a valuation allowance is established.

Under the provisions of ASC 740—Income Taxes, as it relates to accounting for uncertainties in tax positions, we recognize the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. For the tax years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we did not have any uncertain tax positions.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For a summary of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to our consolidated financial statements, refer to Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

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