Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2024 to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any of our directors, nominees to become a director, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than transactions that are described under the section “Executive Compensation.” We also describe below certain other transactions with our directors, executive officers and stockholders.
Ancillary Agreements Related to the Business Combination
In connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 7, 2021, by and among Duddell Street Acquisition Corp. (“DSAC”), now known as FiscalNote Holdings, Inc., Grassroots Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DSAC (“Merger Sub”), and Legacy FiscalNote (as amended by the First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 9, 2022, the “Business Combination Agreement”), the Sponsor and other affiliates of DSAC entered into a number of agreements with DSAC.
Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, DSAC, the Sponsor, Legacy FiscalNote and certain other persons party thereto entered into a sponsor letter agreement (the “Sponsor Agreement”), pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed that (i) all equity interests of DSAC held by the Sponsor immediately after the Effective Time (the “Restricted Securities”) will be subject to a lockup of 180 days from the Effective Time and (ii) 50% of each type of the Restricted Securities held by the Sponsor will be subject to a lockup during the period from the date that is 180 days following the Closing Date and ending on the first anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case, except to the Permitted Transferees as defined in the Sponsor Agreement. In addition, the Sponsor Agreement provides for certain volume limitations on sales of common stock by the Sponsor following the release of such shares from contractual lock-up.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, on the Closing Date we entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with certain DSAC stockholders (including the Sponsor) and certain Legacy FiscalNote members (such stockholders, the “Holders”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Holders are entitled to certain registration rights in respect of the registrable securities under the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement also provides the Holders with “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions.
Other Agreements
New GPO Note
On August 5, 2025, the Company entered into a redemption and exchange agreement with GPO FN Noteholder, LLC (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company (i) redeemed $25.0 million in aggregate principal outstanding (the “Redemption”) of that certain subordinated promissory note due July 3, 2028 issued by the Company to Holder on July 3, 2023 (the “Existing Note”) and (ii) issued a new subordinated convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $25.4 million to the Holder (the “New GPO Note”) in exchange for cancellation of the Existing Note (the “Note Exchange”). The Note Exchange occurred on August 12, 2025 (the “Exchange Closing”) and in connection therewith, the Company consummated the Redemption and redeemed $5.0 million of the aggregate principal amount of the New GPO Note for a cash payment of $3.0 million. The New GPO Note bears interest at a rate of 7.50% per annum payable quarterly in arrears. Under the terms of the New GPO Note, the Company is required to make quarterly installment payments of $2 million of the outstanding principal beginning April 1, 2026 (each, an “Installment Date”). During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Company issued 345,046 shares of our Class A common stock to the Holder in satisfaction of $2.6 million of interest accrued on the New GPO Note during the nine months ended September 30, 2025. On January 1, 2026, we also issued 221,050 shares of our Class A common stock to the Holder in satisfaction of $0.4 million of interest accrued during the three months ended December 31, 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the largest principal amount outstanding under the New GPO Note was $25.4 million and as of March 31, 2026, $25.4 million remains outstanding under the New GPO Note. Global Public Offering Fund GP, LLC (“GPO Fund”) is the general partner of GPO Master Fund, L.P. Mr. Key Compton, one of our directors, is a managing director of Urgent International Inc. (“Urgent”), which is the owner and operator of GPO Master Fund and its affiliated entities, the investment advisor for GPO Master Fund and the owner and operator of Urgent Capital LLC. Urgent Capital LLC has a profits interest in the Holder and therefore, Mr. Compton may be deemed to have an indirect material interest in the New GPO Note.
Indemnification Agreements
On the Closing Date, we entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides for indemnification and advancements of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits