Artificial Intelligence
CloudMD Reports Record Fourth Quarter 2020 Revenue; On Track for Significant Growth in 2021
- Q4 2020 revenue of $5.8 million; up 138% compared to Q4 2019 and 73% compared to Q3 2020
- Q4 2020 gross margin1 of over 40% attributable to strong revenue mix
- Strong balance sheet with current cash position of approximately $100 million
- Fast growing Enterprise Health Solutions (“EHS”) Division2 has current revenue run rate of $53 million and over 10% Adjusted EBITDA3
- Achieved annual organic growth across all businesses including medical clinics during COVID-19 shutdowns
- Continued growth by adding over $92 million in annualized revenue already in 2021 through strategic M&A
- Strong 2021 expectations with annualized revenue run rate exceeding $120 million and positive Adjusted EBITDA
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CloudMD Software & Services Inc. (TSXV: DOC, OTCQB: DOCRF, Frankfurt: 6PH) (the “Company” or “CloudMD”), a healthcare technology company revolutionizing the delivery of care, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020. All financial information is presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Dr. Essam Hamza, CEO of CloudMD commented, “I am very pleased with our fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results which are consistent with our internal and consensus estimates. The fourth quarter was a foundation-building quarter for CloudMD with the completion of five strategic acquisitions and the launch of our Enterprise Health Solutions Division. I am proud that we have seen healthy organic growth across all verticals of our business despite the long closures due to COVID-19. As we see communities starting to re-open, in addition to the majority of the acquisitions closing in first quarter 2021 and the roll out of our fully connected healthcare ecosystem, we expect to see significant revenue growth in the upcoming quarters.” Dr. Hamza continued, “We have a current revenue run rate of over $120 million, which does not account for any of the organic growth and cross selling synergies we are anticipating this year. In addition, we are also expecting to be Adjusted EBITDA-positive in the latter half of 2021 with healthy gross margins. We are well-positioned as leaders in the digital healthcare space and I am very excited to see the continued growth of our business in 2021.”
Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights
- Q4 2020 revenue was $5.8 million, compared to $2.4 million in Q4 2019. The increase is primarily attributable to acquisition growth with 5 acquisitions completed in the quarter. Excluding the impact of business acquisitions, the Company achieved organic growth across all of its businesses, aided by: (1) market adoption of telehealth services; (2) new product features and enhancements to the Company’s digital platforms; and (3) positive impact from marketing campaigns.
- Q4 2020 gross margin was 40%, compared to 44% in Q4 2019. In the current year, the Company reclassified certain expenses within its income statement to cost of sales, which resulted in an overall decrease in gross margin as compared to Q4 2019. Excluding the impact of the reclassification, gross margin for the underlying businesses remained healthy and stable.
- Net comprehensive loss attributable to equity holders of the Company in Q4 2020 was $5.2 million or $0.05 per share, compared to $1.5 million or $0.02 per share in Q4 2019. In the quarter, the Company completed numerous strategic initiatives, including the completion of 5 acquisitions in the quarter and raising $37.3 million in a bought deal short form prospectus offering, which it expects to result in strong future growth of the Company.
- Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.5 million for Q4 2020, compared to a loss of $0.6 million in Q4 2019. The Adjusted EBITDA calculation adjusts for share-based compensation, costs related to financing, acquisitions and litigation including associated loss provisions, change in fair value of contingent consideration and loss from discontinued operations. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to evaluate the Company’s cash operating performance, and a complete definition and calculation are provided further below.
- Cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2020 were $59.7 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the Company raised $58.2 million in a bought deal short form prospectus offering in March 2021, and the Company’s current cash balance is approximately $100 million.
Fourth Quarter Operational Highlights
- On October 8, 2020, the Company launched CloudMD on-Demand, an online, virtual care service for companies, insurers and pharmacies to offer their customers easier, more convenient access to virtual telemedicine.
- On October 15, 2020, the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of Snapclarity Inc., an on demand, digital platform that provides an assessment for mental health disorders.
- On October 19, 2020, the Company announced that it appointed Mena Beshay to Global Head, Corporate Development, and Daniel Lee as Chief Financial Officer.
- On October 26, 2020, the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of an 87.5% interest in Benchmark Systems Inc.
- On October 26, 2020, the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of a US-based medical clinic as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide end to end healthcare services for chronic care patients.
- On November 9, 2020, the Company announced that it closed a $37.3 million oversubscribed, bought deal financing.
- On November 12, 2020, the Company launched its new EHS division, which provides one connected healthcare platform for corporations, insurers and advisors to address the comprehensive health and wellness of their employees and their families.
- On November 18, 2020, the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of iMD Health Group Corp., a novel award winning, education platform.
- On November 19, 2020, the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of Re:Function Health Group Inc., a profitable rehabilitation clinic network of 8 clinics and 37 specialists and allied health professionals across British Columbia.
- On December 7, 2020, the Company announced that it is expanding its already established relationship with Save-On-Foods, Western Canada’s largest grocery chain.
Key Highlights Subsequent to the Quarter
- During January 2021, the Company closed the previously announced acquisitions of HumanaCare, Medical Confidence and Canadian Medical Directory.
- On January 26, 2021, the Company announced that it entered into a binding agreement to acquire RXI Group of companies, an established one-stop patient support logistics company and leading customer relationship management technology provider.
- On February 6, 2021 the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of West Mississauga Medical Clinic.
- On February 16, 2021, the Company announced that it entered into a binding agreement to acquire VisionPros, a rapidly growing digital eyecare platform with a robust suite of digital vision care tools.
- In March 2021, the Company closed the previously announced bought deal financing, including the full over-allotment option for a total of $58 million.
- On March 18, 2021, the Company provided an update on the rapid growth of its EHS division, realizing over $5 million of organic growth since the beginning of 2021.
- On March 23, 2021, the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of IDYA4; and subsequently on April 6, 2021, the Company announced that it closed the acquisition of Aspiria Corp.
- On April 8, 2021, the Company announced that it entered into a binding agreement to acquire Oncidium, creating one of the largest providers to the employer market in Canada.
Outlook
The Company is focused on revolutionizing the healthcare industry by leveraging technology to digitalize its delivery to provide better access to care, which leads to better health outcomes. CloudMD is building one, connected healthcare ecosystem that addresses all points of a patient’s care from one platform. CloudMD has already started the integration of its health-tech solutions, and plans to launch a fully automated, connected platform later in 2021. CloudMD’s organic growth will be largely driven by its hybrid clinic network, digital services and EHS division. Through its recent acquisitions, there are opportunities for cross-functional synergies and cross selling that will drive further organic growth. CloudMD expects to see continued organic growth across all divisions of its business largely due to an increase in virtual healthcare visits, an increase in digital services and cross selling synergies in the EHS division. The Company has already seen over $5 million in organic revenue growth since January 2021 and has actualized cost synergies of over $500,000. Furthermore, the Company is on the road to profitability and expects to be Adjusted EBITDA-positive starting in Q3 2021.
CloudMD’s current revenue run rate is over $120 million which does not take into consideration any expected organic growth or cross selling synergies. The Company has a strong cash position with approximately $100 million, and approximately $35 million left after the closing of the three outstanding acquisitions. With a strong balance sheet, CloudMD has an opportunity to look at debt facility options to conserve cash and decrease dilution.
CloudMD will continue to focus on delivering meaningful shareholder value by executing on its growth strategy through accretive, synergistic acquisitions, achieving meaningful organic growth across all divisions, and the full integration of its healthcare solutions to provide one, connected platform that addresses all points of care for patients. CloudMD is positioned as a leader in digital healthcare and a leading provider to the employer healthcare market in Canada. The Company will continue expanding its footprint across North America and strategically in Europe. CloudMD anticipates reporting its Q1 2021 financial statements at the end of May 2021.
Selected Financial Information
All results were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) | Three months ended | Year ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | (%) | 2020 | 2019 | (%) | |||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 5,810 | $ | 2,443 | 138 | % | $ | 15,016 | $ | 6,770 | 122 | % | ||||
| Cost of sales | (3,464 | ) | (1,380 | ) | 151 | % | (9,256 | ) | (3,731 | ) | 148 | % | ||||
| Gross profit (1) | 2,346 | 1,063 | 121 | % | 5,760 | 3,039 | 90 | % | ||||||||
| Gross margin | 40.4 | % | 43.5 | % | 38.4 | % | 44.9 | % | ||||||||
| Expenses | 8,336 | 2,443 | 241 | % | 18,471 | 7,417 | 149 | % | ||||||||
| Loss before other items | (5,990 | ) | (1,380 | ) | 334 | % | (12,711 | ) | (4,378 | ) | 190 | % | ||||
| Other items, taxes, non-controlling interest | 786 | (94 | ) | -936 | % | 372 | (340 | ) | -209 | % | ||||||
| Net comprehensive loss attributable to equity holders of the Company | (5,224 | ) | (1,474 | ) | 254 | % | (12,339 | ) | (4,718 | ) | 162 | % | ||||
| Loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | 150 | % | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) | 57 | % |
(1) Gross profit is a non-GAAP measure as described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this News Release.
| (in thousands of Canadian dollars) | Three months ended | Year ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | (%) | 2020 | 2019 | (%) | |||||||||||
| Net comprehensive loss attributable to equity holders of the Company | $ | (5,224 | ) | $ | (1,474 | ) | 254 | % | $ | (12,339 | ) | $ | (4,718 | ) | 162 | % |
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest and accretion expense | 66 | 57 | 16 | % | 256 | 209 | 22 | % | ||||||||
| Income taxes | 104 | – | 100 | % | 123 | – | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Deferred tax recovery | (1,628 | ) | – | -100 | % | (1,628 | ) | – | 100 | % | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 701 | 297 | 136 | % | 1,374 | 546 | 151 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA(1) for the period | (5,981 | ) | (1,120 | ) | 434 | % | (12,214 | ) | (3,963 | ) | 208 | % | ||||
| Share-based compensation | 2,134 | 530 | 303 | % | 3,642 | 1,756 | 107 | % | ||||||||
| Financing-related costs | 573 | 97 | 491 | % | 1,078 | 97 | 1011 | % | ||||||||
| Acquisition and other related costs, net | 783 | 32 | 2347 | % | 1,092 | 140 | 680 | % | ||||||||
| Litigation costs and loss provision | 1,115 | – | 100 | % | 1,582 | 21 | 7433 | % | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | (140 | ) | – | -100 | % | (140 | ) | – | -100 | % | ||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations | – | (140 | ) | -100 | % | – | (163 | ) | -100 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) for the period | $ | (1,516 | ) | $ | (601 | ) | 152 | % | $ | (4,960 | ) | $ | (2,112 | ) | 135 | % |
(1) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures as described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this News Release.
Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis
This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, and management’s discussion and analysis for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, copies of which can be found at www.sedar.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to the results reported in accordance with IFRS, the Company uses various non-GAAP financial measures, which are not recognized under IFRS, as supplemental indicators of the Company’s operating performance and financial position. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user’s understanding of the Company’s historical and current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Management believes that these measures provide useful information in that they exclude amounts that are not indicative of the Company’s core operating results and ongoing operations and provide a more consistent basis for comparison between quarters and years. Details of such non-GAAP financial measures and how they are derived are provided below as well as in conjunction with the discussion of the financial information reported.
Since non-GAAP financial measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, other companies may calculate these non-IFRS measures differently and our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar titled measures of other companies. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them and are also urged to read all IFRS accounting disclosures presented in the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
EBITDA
EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standard meaning and may not be comparable to a similar measure disclosed by other issuers. EBITDA referenced herein relates to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. This measure does not have a comparable IFRS measure and is used by the Company to manage and evaluate the cash operating income (loss) of the business. Please refer to section on EBITDA for reconciliation.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standard meaning and may not be comparable to a similar measure disclosed by other issuers. Adjusted EBITDA referenced herein relates to earnings before interest; taxes; depreciation; amortization; share-based compensation; financing-related costs; acquisition and other related costs, net; litigation costs and loss provision; change in fair value of contingent consideration; and loss from discontinued operations. This measure does not have a comparable IFRS measure and is used by the Company to evaluate its cash operating income (loss) of the business, adjusted for factors that are unusual in nature or factors that are not indicative of the operating performance of the Company. Please refer to section on Adjusted EBITDA for reconciliation.
Gross Profit
Gross Profit is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standard meaning and may not be comparable to a similar measure disclosed by other issuers. Gross Profit referenced herein relates to revenues less cost sales. This measure does not have a comparable IFRS measure and is used by the Company to manage and evaluate the operating performance of the business.
Gross Margin
Gross Margin is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standard meaning and may not be comparable to a similar measure disclosed by other issuers. Gross Profit referenced herein is defined as gross profit as a percent of total revenue. This measure does not have a comparable IFRS measure and is used by the Company to manage and evaluate the operating performance of the business.
About CloudMD Software & Services
CloudMD is digitizing the delivery of healthcare by providing a patient-centric approach, with an emphasis on continuity of care. By leveraging healthcare technology, the Company is building one, connected platform that addresses all points of a patient’s healthcare journey and provides better access to care and improved outcomes. Through CloudMD’s proprietary technology, the Company delivers quality healthcare through a holistic offering including hybrid primary care clinics, specialist care, telemedicine, mental health support, educational resources and artificial intelligence (AI).
CloudMD currently services a combined ecosystem of over 7,000 psychiatrists, approximately 4,500 therapists and counsellors, approximately 4,000 psychologists, over 22,000 family physicians, over 34,000 medical specialists, over 1,500 allied health professionals, over 500 clinics, and over 5 million individuals across North America. CloudMD’s Enterprise Health Solutions Division includes one of the top 4 Employee Assistance Programs in Canada and offers one comprehensive, digitally connected platform for corporations, insurers and advisors to better manage the health and wellness of their employees and customers. For more information visit: https://investors.cloudmd.ca.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Dr. Essam Hamza, MD”
Chief Executive Officer
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Julia Becker
VP, Investor Relations
[email protected]
(604) 785-0850
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on CloudMD’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates, including with respect to its business plans. Although CloudMD believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and CloudMD undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
1 Gross margin is a non-GAAP measure as described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this News Release.
2 Enterprise Health Solutions Division plus Re:Function Health Group, a rehabilitation clinic network for enterprise clients, insurers and corporations.
3 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure as described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this News Release.
Artificial Intelligence
Building Energy Management Systems Market Projected to Reach $67.69 billion by 2030 – Exclusive Report by 360iResearch
PUNE, India, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The report titled “Building Energy Management Systems Market by Component (Hardware, Services, Software), Type (Integrated Building Energy Management Systems, Standalone Building Energy Management Systems), Application, Deployment Mode, End-Use – Global Forecast 2024-2030” is now available on 360iResearch.com’s offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $34.52 billion in 2023 to reach $67.69 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.09% over the forecast period.
“Revolutionizing Energy Efficiency Globally With The Evolution of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)”
In an era where energy conservation and efficiency have become paramount, building energy management systems (BEMS) are at the forefront of this transformation, offering solutions that monitor, control, and optimize energy usage within buildings. These advanced systems, leveraging real-time data analytics, automate energy control, enhance energy savings, reduce costs, and contribute to a greener planet. Primarily utilized in commercial spaces, residential areas, and industrial sectors, BEMS has a broad application scope, covering HVAC, lighting, and security systems. Factors driving the expansion of the BEMS market include escalating energy expenses, heightened awareness of environmental impacts, and the increasing incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-based technologies, coupled with supportive government initiatives promoting energy-efficient infrastructures. Although challenges such as high initial costs and technology integration barriers exist, the advent of AI and IoT technologies within BEMS heralds a future of predictive energy management and remote operational capabilities, with a growing emphasis on integrating renewable energy sources. Regions such as the United States, Canada, the European Union, and emerging economies such as China and India are witnessing significant growth in BEMS adoption, spurred by regulatory policies and a shift towards sustainable building practices. This global movement toward BEMS signals a step toward reducing carbon footprints and highlights the collective effort to embrace technology for a sustainable future.
Download Sample Report @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/building-energy-management-systems
“Harnessing Energy Management for Sustainability and Efficiency”
Data centers are pivotal infrastructures in the digital transformation era, consuming up to 50 times more energy than typical commercial spaces. This energy demand positions data centers as key contributors to the U.S.’s overall electricity consumption. Recognizing this, implementing building energy management systems (BEMS) is crucial in mitigating the environmental impact and operational costs associated with data centers. BEMS optimizes cooling systems to prevent equipment overheating, thereby enhancing energy efficiency by leveraging real-time data. Such systems reduce the power usage effectiveness (PUE) ratio, highlighting a move toward more sustainable consumption patterns and ensuring data centers’ operational continuity. Integrating seamlessly with existing infrastructure, BEMS offers a comprehensive approach to energy management, enabling more innovative cooling, efficient power usage, and predictive maintenance. This transition highlights a commitment to environmental responsibility and fosters operational efficiency, setting a new standard for data center operations worldwide.
“Revolutionizing Building Efficiency With Advanced Energy Management Systems Optimized Usage”
In push toward sustainability, building energy management systems (BEMS) stands at the forefront of innovation, integrating sophisticated hardware such as sensors, actuators, controllers, and more to manage and reduce energy consumption in buildings meticulously. These systems work in concert to monitor environmental conditions and adjust heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) settings in real time, leading to significant energy savings. BEMS provides valuable data that helps identify savings opportunities, while networking tools ensure seamless communication between devices by precisely tracking energy flow through meters. Servers process vast amounts of data, enabling detailed analysis and actionable insights to refine energy use further. Additionally, comprehensive services, including customized consultations and dedicated support, ensure that each BEMS is tailored to a building’s unique needs, providing efficient operation and extended system longevity. BEMS exemplifies the strategic shift toward more sustainable and operationally excellent building management through the collaborative synergy of hardware, software, and expert services.
Request Analyst Support @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/building-energy-management-systems
“Schneider Electric SE at the Forefront of Building Energy Management Systems Market with a Strong 13.97% Market Share”
The key players in the Building Energy Management Systems Market include Schneider Electric SE, Honeywell International Inc., Azbil Corporation, Emerson Electric Co., Johnson Controls International PLC, and others. These prominent players focus on strategies such as expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures, and developing new products to strengthen their market positions.
“Introducing ThinkMi: Revolutionizing Market Intelligence with AI-Powered Insights for the Building Energy Management Systems Market”
We proudly unveil ThinkMi, a cutting-edge AI product designed to transform how businesses interact with the Building Energy Management Systems Market. ThinkMi stands out as your premier market intelligence partner, delivering unparalleled insights with the power of artificial intelligence. Whether deciphering market trends or offering actionable intelligence, ThinkMi is engineered to provide precise, relevant answers to your most critical business questions. This revolutionary tool is more than just an information source; it’s a strategic asset that empowers your decision-making with up-to-the-minute data, ensuring you stay ahead in the fiercely competitive Building Energy Management Systems Market. Embrace the future of market analysis with ThinkMi, where informed decisions lead to remarkable growth.
Ask Question to ThinkMi @ https://app.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/building-energy-management-systems
“Dive into the Building Energy Management Systems Market Landscape: Explore 180 Pages of Insights, 566 Tables, and 26 Figures”
PrefaceResearch MethodologyExecutive SummaryMarket OverviewMarket InsightsBuilding Energy Management Systems Market, by ComponentBuilding Energy Management Systems Market, by TypeBuilding Energy Management Systems Market, by ApplicationBuilding Energy Management Systems Market, by Deployment ModeBuilding Energy Management Systems Market, by End-UseAmericas Building Energy Management Systems MarketAsia-Pacific Building Energy Management Systems MarketEurope, Middle East & Africa Building Energy Management Systems MarketCompetitive LandscapeCompetitive PortfolioInquire Before Buying @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/building-energy-management-systems
Related Reports:
Home Energy Management System Market – Global Forecast 2024-2030Energy Management System Market – Global Forecast 2024-2030Intelligent Building Automation Technologies Market – Global Forecast 2024-2030About 360iResearch
Founded in 2017, 360iResearch is a market research and business consulting company headquartered in India, with clients and focus markets spanning the globe.
We are a dynamic, nimble company that believes in carving ambitious, purposeful goals and achieving them with the backing of our greatest asset — our people.
Quick on our feet, we have our ear to the ground when it comes to market intelligence and volatility. Our market intelligence is diligent, real-time and tailored to your needs, and arms you with all the insight that empowers strategic decision-making.
Our clientele encompasses about 80% of the Fortune Global 500, and leading consulting and research companies and academic institutions that rely on our expertise in compiling data in niche markets. Our meta-insights are intelligent, impactful and infinite, and translate into actionable data that support your quest for enhanced profitability, tapping into niche markets, and exploring new revenue opportunities.
Contact 360iResearchMr. Ketan Rohom360iResearch Private Limited,Office No. 519, Nyati Empress,Opposite Phoenix Market City,Vimannagar, Pune, Maharashtra,India – 411014.Email: [email protected]: +1-530-264-8485India: +91-922-607-7550
To learn more, visit 360iresearch.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359256/360iResearch_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/building-energy-management-systems-market-projected-to-reach-67-69-billion-by-2030—exclusive-report-by-360iresearch-302124905.html
Artificial Intelligence
Terra Drone, Unifly, and Aloft Launch UTM Development for AAM Targeting Global Markets
TOKYO, April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Terra Drone Corporation, a leading drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology provider headquartered in Japan, announced today the launch of joint development with its Group companies Unifly NV (“Unifly”) and Aloft Technologies Inc. (“Aloft”) focused on UAS Traffic Management (UTM) for AAMs targeting global markets. Terra Drone has been making strides in its pioneering UTM business via strategic investments in Unifly, a leading UTM technology provider based in Belgium, and Aloft, which has the top UTM market share in the U.S. This collaboration marks the world’s first-ever joint UTM development for AAMs by multiple companies with extensive track records in UTM implementation and operation.
The three companies pursue joint UTM development to capitalize on the rapid global progress in electric vertical take-off and landing aircrafts (eVTOLs), set to revolutionize transportation. Morgan Stanley forecasts the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market to reach $1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050 (1), with eVTOLs gaining global recognition through test flights and prototype showcases.
The companies proudly announce initiatives to enhance their existing UTM platforms in anticipation of the surge in eVTOL aircraft and drone activities. The shared vision for the UTM platform is to enable safe and efficient flight operations for eVTOLs and drones in the foreseeable future.
Recognizing the evolving needs of the AAM industry, they are dedicated to extending their platform by incorporating crucial additional functions. These enhancements, designed with automation at their core, aim to streamline operational efficiencies and pave the way for the integration of their increasingly automated UTM technology into the design and operational framework of AAMs. Through these efforts, they aim to set new standards in UTM and to facilitate the seamless integration of eVTOLs and drones into the national airspace, bolstering the potential for the AAM industry.
Through this initiative, they aim to build a global UTM infrastructure that kickstarts the AAM industry worldwide, creating a cohesive ecosystem that supports AAM growth and addresses broader challenges of urban mobility, sustainability, and air traffic safety.
Notes to Editor:
Research by Morgan Stanley in a report titled “eVTOL/Urban Air Mobility TAM Update: A Slow Take-Off, But Sky’s the Limit” https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-busot-group/documents/field/b/bu/busot-group/Electric%20Vehicles.pdf]
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2396553/Terra_Drone.jpgLogo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2186129/Terra_Drone_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/terra-drone-unifly-and-aloft-launch-utm-development-for-aam-targeting-global-markets-302126451.html
Artificial Intelligence
IBM to Acquire HashiCorp, Inc. Creating a Comprehensive End-to-End Hybrid Cloud Platform
$6.4 billion acquisition adds suite of leading hybrid and multi-cloud lifecycle management products to help clients grappling with today’s AI-driven application growth and complexity
HashiCorp’s capabilities to drive significant synergies across multiple strategic growth areas for IBM, including Red Hat, watsonx, data security, IT automation and Consulting
As a part of IBM, HashiCorp is expected to accelerate innovation and enhance its go-to-market, growth and monetization initiatives
Transaction expected to be accretive to Adjusted EBITDA within the first full year, post close, and free cash flow in year two
ARMONK, N.Y. and SAN FRANCISCO, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) and HashiCorp Inc. (NASDAQ: HCP), a leading multi-cloud infrastructure automation company, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which IBM will acquire HashiCorp for $35 per share in cash, representing an enterprise value of $6.4 billion. HashiCorp’s suite of products provides enterprises with extensive Infrastructure Lifecycle Management and Security Lifecycle Management capabilities to enable organizations to automate their hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Today’s announcement is a continuation of IBM’s deep focus and investment in hybrid cloud and AI, the two most transformational technologies for clients today.
“Enterprise clients are wrestling with an unprecedented expansion in infrastructure and applications across public and private clouds, as well as on-prem environments. The global excitement surrounding generative AI has exacerbated these challenges and CIOs and developers are up against dramatic complexity in their tech strategies,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM chairman and chief executive officer. “HashiCorp has a proven track record of enabling clients to manage the complexity of today’s infrastructure and application sprawl. Combining IBM’s portfolio and expertise with HashiCorp’s capabilities and talent will create a comprehensive hybrid cloud platform designed for the AI era.”
The rise of cloud-native workloads and associated applications is driving a radical expansion in the number of cloud workloads enterprises are managing. In addition, generative AI deployment continues to grow alongside traditional workloads. As a result, developers are working with increasingly heterogeneous, dynamic, and complex infrastructure strategies. This represents a massive challenge for technology professionals.
HashiCorp’s capabilities enable enterprises to use automation to deliver lifecycle management for infrastructure and security, providing a system of record for the critical workflows needed for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. HashiCorp’s Terraform is the industry standard for infrastructure provisioning in these environments. HashiCorp’s offerings help clients take a cloud-agnostic, and highly interoperable approach to multi-cloud management, and complement IBM’s commitment to industry collaboration (including deep and expanding partnerships with hyperscale cloud service providers), developer communities, and open-source hybrid cloud and AI innovation.
“Our strategy at its core is about enabling companies to innovate in the cloud, while providing a consistent approach to managing cloud at scale. The need for effective management and automation is critical with the rise of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud, which is being accelerated by today’s AI revolution,” said Armon Dadgar, HashiCorp co-founder and chief technology officer. “I’m incredibly excited by today’s news and to be joining IBM to accelerate HashiCorp’s mission and expand access to our products to an even broader set of developers and enterprises.”
“Today is an exciting day for our dedicated teams across the world as well as the developer communities we serve,” said Dave McJannet, HashiCorp chief executive officer. “IBM’s leadership in hybrid cloud along with its rich history of innovation, make it the ideal home for HashiCorp as we enter the next phase of our growth journey. I’m proud of the work we’ve done as a standalone company, I am excited to be able to help our customers further, and I look forward to the future of HashiCorp as part of IBM.”
Transaction Rationale
Strong Strategic Fit – The acquisition of HashiCorp by IBM creates a comprehensive end-to-end hybrid cloud platform built for AI-driven complexity. The combination of each company’s portfolio and talent will deliver clients extensive application, infrastructure and security lifecycle management capabilitiesAccelerates growth in key focus areas – Upon close, HashiCorp is expected to drive significant synergies for IBM, including across multiple strategic growth areas like Red Hat, watsonx, data security, IT automation and Consulting. For example, the powerful combination of Red Hat’s Ansible Automation Platform’s configuration management and Terraform’s automation will simplify provisioning and configuration of applications across hybrid cloud environments. The two companies also anticipate an acceleration of HashiCorp’s growth initiatives by leveraging IBM’s world-class go-to-market strategy, scale, and reach, operating in more than 175 countries across the globeExpands Total Addressable Market (TAM) – The acquisition will create the opportunity to deliver more comprehensive hybrid and multi-cloud offerings to enterprise clients. HashiCorp’s offerings, combined with IBM and Red Hat, will give clients a platform to automate the deployment and orchestration of workloads across evolving infrastructure including hyperscale cloud service providers, private clouds and on-prem environments. This will enhance IBM’s ability to address the total cloud opportunity, which according to IDC had a TAM of $1.1 trillion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate in the high teens through 2027.1Attractive Financial Opportunity – The transaction will accelerate IBM’s growth profile over time driven by go-to-market and product synergies. This growth combined with operating efficiencies, is expected to achieve substantial near-term margin expansion for the acquired business. It is anticipated that the transaction will be accretive to Adjusted EBITDA within the first full year, post close, and free cash flow in year two.HashiCorp boasts a roster of more than 4,400 clients, including Bloomberg, Comcast, Deutsche Bank, GitHub, J.P Morgan Chase, Starbucks and Vodafone. HashiCorp’s offerings have widescale adoption in the developer community and are used by 85% of the Fortune 500. Their community products across infrastructure and security were downloaded more than 500 million times in HashiCorp’s FY2024 and include:
Terraform – provides organizations with a single workflow to provision their cloud, private datacenter, and SaaS infrastructure and continuously manage infrastructure throughout its lifecycleVault – provides organizations with identity-based security to automatically authenticate and authorize access to secrets and other sensitive dataAdditional products – Boundary for secure remote access; Consul for service-based networking; Nomad for workload orchestration; Packer for building and managing images as code; and Waypoint internal developer platformTransaction Details
Under the terms of the agreement, IBM will acquire HashiCorp for $35 per share in cash, or $6.4 billion enterprise value, net of cash. HashiCorp will be acquired with available cash on hand.
The boards of directors of IBM and HashiCorp have both approved the transaction. The acquisition is subject to approval by HashiCorp shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The Company’s largest shareholders and investors, who collectively hold approximately 43% of the voting power of HashiCorp’s outstanding common stock, entered into a voting agreement with IBM pursuant to which each has agreed to vote all of their common shares in favor of the transaction and against any alternative transactions.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024.
____________________1 The total cloud opportunity is the sum of the cloud-directed spends across Hardware, IT services and SW for Private and Public cloud implementation, sourced from IDC’s Worldwide Black Book Live Edition, March 2024 (V1 2024)
Conference Call Details
IBM’s regular quarterly earnings conference call is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. ET, today. The Webcast may be accessed here. Presentation charts will be available shortly before the Webcast.
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.
About HashiCorp
HashiCorp is The Infrastructure Cloud™ company, helping organizations automate multi-cloud and hybrid environments with Infrastructure Lifecycle Management and Security Lifecycle Management. HashiCorp offers The Infrastructure Cloud on the HashiCorp Cloud Platform (HCP) for managed cloud services, as well as self-hosted enterprise offerings and community source-available products. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, visit HashiCorp.com.
Press Contacts:
IBM:Tim Davidson, [email protected]
HashiCorp:Matthew Sherman / Jed Repko / Haley Salas / Joycelyn BarnettJoele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher212-355-4449
Additional Information and Where to Find It
HashiCorp, Inc. (“HashiCorp”), the members of HashiCorp’s board of directors and certain of HashiCorp’s executive officers are participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the pending acquisition of HashiCorp (the “Transaction”). HashiCorp plans to file a proxy statement (the “Transaction Proxy Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies to approve the Transaction. David McJannet, Armon Dadgar, Susan St. Ledger, Todd Ford, David Henshall, Glenn Solomon and Sigal Zarmi, all of whom are members of HashiCorp’s board of directors, and Navam Welihinda, HashiCorp’s chief financial officer, are participants in HashiCorp’s solicitation. Information regarding such participants, including their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Transaction Proxy Statement and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Transaction. Additional information about such participants is available under the captions “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance,” “Executive Officers” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in HashiCorp’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2023 Proxy Statement”), which was filed with the SEC on May 17, 2023 (and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1720671/000114036123025250/ny20008192x1_def14a.htm). To the extent that holdings of HashiCorp’s securities have changed since the amounts printed in the 2023 Proxy Statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC (which are available at https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0001720671&type=&dateb=&owner=only&count=40&search_text=). Information regarding HashiCorp’s transactions with related persons is set forth under the caption “Related Person Transactions” in the 2023 Proxy Statement. Certain illustrative information regarding the payments to that may be owed, and the circumstances in which they may be owed, to HashiCorp’s named executive officers in a change of control of HashiCorp is set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” in the 2023 Proxy Statement. With respect to Ms. St. Ledger, certain of such illustrative information is contained in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 7, 2023 (and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1720671/000162828023021270/hcp-20230607.htm). Promptly after filing the definitive Transaction Proxy Statement with the SEC, HashiCorp will mail the definitive Transaction Proxy Statement and a WHITE proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting to consider the Transaction. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE TRANSACTION PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT HASHICORP WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain, free of charge, the preliminary and definitive versions of the Transaction Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other relevant documents filed by HashiCorp with the SEC in connection with the Transaction at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of HashiCorp’s definitive Transaction Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other relevant documents filed by HashiCorp with the SEC in connection with the Transaction will also be available, free of charge, at HashiCorp’s investor relations website (https://ir.hashicorp.com/), or by emailing HashiCorp’s investor relations department ([email protected]).
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this communication may be characterized as forward-looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially.
Statements in this communication regarding IBM and HashiCorp that are forward-looking may include statements regarding: (i) the Transaction; (ii) the expected timing of the closing of the Transaction; (iii) considerations taken into account in approving and entering into the Transaction; (iv) the anticipated benefits to, or impact of, the Transaction on IBM’s and HashiCorp’s businesses; and (v) expectations for IBM and HashiCorp following the closing of the Transaction. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be consummated.
Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, in addition to those identified above, include: (i) the possibility that the conditions to the closing of the Transaction are not satisfied, including the risk that required approvals from HashiCorp’s stockholders for the Transaction or required regulatory approvals to consummate the Transaction are not obtained, on a timely basis or at all; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to a right to terminate the Transaction, including in circumstances requiring HashiCorp to pay a termination fee; (iii) possible disruption related to the Transaction to IBM’s and HashiCorp’s current plans, operations and business relationships, including through the loss of customers and employees; (iv) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges incurred by IBM and HashiCorp related to the Transaction; (v) the risk that IBM’s or HashiCorp’s stock price may fluctuate during the pendency of the Transaction and may decline if the Transaction is not completed; (vi) the diversion of IBM and HashiCorp management’s time and attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; (vii) the response of competitors and other market participants to the Transaction; (viii) potential litigation relating to the Transaction; (ix) uncertainty as to timing of completion of the Transaction and the ability of each party to consummate the Transaction; and (x) other risks and uncertainties detailed in the periodic reports that IBM and HashiCorp filed with the SEC, including IBM’s and HashiCorp’s respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements in this communication are based on information available to IBM and HashiCorp as of the date of this communication, and, except as required by law, IBM and HashiCorp do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2319830/IBM_LOGO_1.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ibm-to-acquire-hashicorp-inc-creating-a-comprehensive-end-to-end-hybrid-cloud-platform-302126677.html
-
Uncategorized6 days agoGenerative AI gold rush drives IT spending — with payoff in question
-
Uncategorized6 days ago
Do underwriters trust artificial intelligence?
-
Uncategorized6 days ago
Hans Jonas on Responsibility in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
-
Uncategorized6 days ago
Meta AI Assistant Adds Website, Expands Beyond US
-
Artificial Intelligence6 days agoFree Your Hands, QIDI Vida Smart AR Glasses Lead the Way in New Sports Experience.
-
Uncategorized6 days ago
Can artificial intelligence reduce vehicle time to market?
-
Uncategorized6 days ago
The Ottawa Hospital doctors to try AI for patient notes
-
Artificial Intelligence5 days agoAurionpro Solutions acquires Arya.ai, to power next generation Enterprise AI platforms for Financial Institutions
