NEXTNAV INC. Fair Value Disclosure
10. Fair Value
NextNav uses observable and unobservable inputs to determine the value of its assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used to measure fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, where applicable, is as follows:
- Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
- Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
- Level 3 — No observable pricing inputs in the market
Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. NextNav’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. NextNav effectuates transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy, if any, as of the date of the actual circumstance that caused the transfer.
The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total | ||||
December 31, 2025 | (in thousands) | ||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Money Market Funds | $ | 1,878 |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | 1,878 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Available-for-sale debt securities with fair value option election |
| — |
|
| 39,896 |
|
| — |
|
| 39,896 |
Short term investments - Available-for-sale debt securities with fair value option election |
| — |
|
| 107,381 |
|
| — |
|
| 107,381 |
Private Placement Warrants |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| 33,167 |
|
| 33,167 |
Derivative Liability - Conversion Option |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| 115,834 |
|
| 115,834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Money Market Funds |
| 151 |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| 151 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Available-for-sale debt securities with fair value option election |
| — |
|
| 34,485 |
|
| — |
|
| 34,485 |
Short term investments - Available-for-sale debt securities with fair value option election |
| — |
|
| 40,785 |
|
| — |
|
| 40,785 |
Private Placement Warrants | $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | 28,707 |
| $ | 28,707 |
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued expenses, amounts included in other current assets and that meet the definition of a financial instrument, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The total estimated fair value of the 2028 Notes was $152.0 million as of December 31, 2025.
Assets, liabilities, and equity instruments that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include fixed assets and intangible assets. The Company recognizes these items at fair value when they are considered to be impaired or upon initial recognition. The fair value of these assets and liabilities are determined with valuation techniques using the best information available and may include quoted market prices, market comparables and discounted cash flow models.
Level 3 Liabilities
Private Placement Warrants
The Company engaged a third-party valuation firm to assist with the fair value analysis of the warrants. The analysis used commonly accepted valuation methodologies and best practices to determine the fair value of the equity, in accordance with fair value standards and U.S. GAAP. For the Private Placement Warrants that were outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, NextNav used a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following table shows the assumptions used in each respective model:
| December 31, 2025 |
|
| December 31, 2024 |
| ||
| Values |
|
| Values |
| ||
Stock Price | $ | 16.64 |
|
| $ | 15.56 |
|
Strike price | $ | 11.50 |
|
| $ | 11.50 |
|
Holding Period/Term (years) |
| 0.82 |
|
|
| 1.82 |
|
Volatility |
| 104.50 | % |
|
| 55.90 | % |
Expected dividends |
| None |
|
|
| None |
|
Risk-Free Rate |
| 3.52 | % |
|
| 4.23 | % |
Fair value of warrants | $ | 8.22 |
|
| $ | 6.77 |
|
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Private Placement Warrants is expected volatility. Holding other inputs constant, an increase (decrease) in expected volatility would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement, respectively.
The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the Private Placement Warrants measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
| (in thousands) | |
Balance as of December 31, 2024 | $ | 28,707 |
Fair value adjustment of Private Placement Warrants |
| 5,701 |
Reclassification of warrant liability to common stock warrants |
| (1,241) |
Balance as of December 31, 2025 | $ | 33,167 |
Derivative Liability-Conversion Option
The 2028 Notes (as defined above) contain an embedded conversion feature that is required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately from the 2028 Notes as a derivative liability. The fair value of the conversion option was determined using a binomial lattice valuation model and a “with-and-without” valuation methodology. The derivative liability related to the 2028 Notes conversion option was measured at March 12, 2025 (agreement date of 2028 Notes, see Note 8 - Long term debt) and December 31, 2025 and contained the following assumptions:
| December 31, |
| March 12, | ||||
| 2025 |
| 2025 | ||||
Stock price volatility (transaction calibrated) |
| 35.0 | % |
|
| 20.4 | % |
Holding Period/Term (years) |
| 2.5 |
|
|
| 3.3 |
|
Stock price | $ | 16.64 |
|
| $ | 10.27 |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
| 3.5 | % |
|
| 4.0 | % |
Credit rate |
| CCC- |
|
|
| CCC- |
|
Debt yield (transaction-calibrated) |
| 12.6 | % |
|
| 12.7 | % |
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the conversion option is expected volatility. Holding other inputs constant, an increase (decrease) in expected volatility would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement, respectively.
The table below provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's 2028 Notes conversion option derivative liability accounted for as liabilities using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
|
| (in thousands) |
| |
Balance as of December 31, 2024 |
| $ | — |
|
Initial recognition of derivative liability |
|
| 31,999 |
|
Fair value adjustment of derivative liability* |
|
| 83,835 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2025 |
| $ | 115,834 |
|
* Includes $6.7 million change in estimate related to initial recognition of derivative liability.
The sensitivity of the fair value calculation to these methods, assumptions, and estimates included could create materially different results under different conditions or using different assumptions.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 17, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Mar 12, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Mar 13, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Mar 30, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Mar 23, 2022 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.