A Pivotal Year, Marking Accomplishment of Strategic Shift to Data Collection,
Hits Milestones Toward Becoming a Driving Force in the AI Revolution
2024 revenue increased to $31.8 million, of which $7.4 million was in the fourth quarter;
2024 net profit rose to $5.8 million and adjusted EBITDA reached $9.4 million;
Cash and liquid investments balance at year-end amounted to $25 million
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alarum Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq, TASE: ALAR) ("Alarum” or the "Company”), a global provider of web data collection solutions, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.
Shachar Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of Alarum, said: "2024 was a landmark year for Alarum, as we successfully executed our strategic vision, to focus on data collection. This transformation comes at a time when AI is reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace. As data fuels intelligence, the companies that will lead this revolution are those that anticipate change, build a strong foundation, and position themselves for long-term success. This is exactly what we are striving for - taking it step by step.”
Market Trends Shaping Business Short-and Long-Term
- Alarum Engaged in AI Model Training Trial Projects: as AI trends accelerated toward the end of 2024, collecting accurate data at massive scales has become increasingly critical. In the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, leading global companies, including one of the world's largest online marketplace corporates, have selected Alarum's Data Collection solutions for initial AI model training of mega-scale trial projects.
- Industry Trends and Market Dynamics: With the growing demand for data, AI companies and data providers are forced to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape, with websites implementing new technological barriers to data collection. This dynamic environment has led to revenue fluctuation across the industry. Alarum's financial strength and operational efficiency allow it to capitalize on long-term market growth, leveraging its robust technological foundation, established customer base, and strategic engagements with industry leaders.
- Financial Resilience: Alarum's solid balance sheet and efficient operations enable it to stay ahead of the competition, seize opportunities promptly and adapt its long-term plans as required.
- Long-term Product Strategy and Vision: Evolving market needs validate Alarum's focus on in-depth research and aligned roadmaps. Recognizing the current era as a paramount opportunity, the Company continues to prioritize and allocate resources to seize and focus mainly on long-term growth opportunities, aiming to elevate its position to the next level.
- Network Expansion: Alarum significantly scaled its IP network (IPPN) infrastructure in 2024, reinforcing its position as a key player in large-scale data collection. Its leadership was also acknowledged in the comprehensive public report on the IPPN industry, the 2024 PROXYWAY Market Research1, which named Alarum's NetNut Ltd. ("NetNut”) as a top performer.
- Introducing Innovative Data Collection & Labeling Solutions: Alarum has introduced cutting-edge solutions, designed to provide seamless and scalable access to high-quality data. In the second half of 2024, the Company recorded initial sales from the Website Unblocker and SERP API (Search Engine Results Page Application Programming Interface) products, and it also made progress with the development of an AI Data Collector.
- NetNut's Net Retention Rate ("NRR”)2 reached 1.27 as of December 31, 2024, compared to 1.53 as of December 31, 2023, yet another consecutive quarter of achieving an NRR well-above 1.
| Summary of Financial Results3 | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions of U.S. dollars, rounded, except per share amounts and margins) | |||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (Audited) | (Audited) | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| Total Revenue | 31.8 | 26.5 | 7.4 | 7.1 | |||||||||||
| of which, Web Data Collection Revenue was | 30.9 | 21.3 | 7.2 | 6.7 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 23.9 | 18.8 | 5.3 | 5.3 | |||||||||||
| Gross margin (in percentage) | 75.1 | % | 70.9 | % | 72.4 | % | 75.0 | % | |||||||
| Non-IFRS gross margin (in percentage) | 77.0 | % | 74.3 | % | 74.3 | % | 77.2 | % | |||||||
| Total operating expenses | 17.2 | 24.3 | 5.0 | 3.6 | |||||||||||
| Financial income (expense), net | 0.3 | (0.6 | ) | 0.2 | (0.1 | ) | |||||||||
| Tax benefit (expense) | (1.2 | ) | 0.5 | (0.1 | ) | (* | ) | ||||||||
| Net profit (loss) from continuing operations | 5.8 | (5.6 | ) | 0.4 | 1.7 | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations | 9.4 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 2.2 | |||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per ADS from continuing operations (in U.S. dollars) | $ | 0.87 | $ | (1.35 | ) | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.28 | ||||||
| Non-IFRS basic earnings (loss) per American Depository Share ("ADS”) from continuing operations (in U.S. dollars) | $ | 1.26 | $ | (1.14 | ) | $ | 0.20 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and debt investments (including accrued interest)4 | 25.0 | 10.9 | 25.0 | 10.9 | |||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity3 | 26.4 | 13.2 | 26.4 | 13.2 | |||||||||||
| * Less than $0.1 million | |||||||||||||||
- Revenue in Q4 2024 grew 4% year-over-year to $7.4 million (Q4 2023: $7.1 million). The increase is attributed to our NetNut web data collection business, which grew 7% to $7.2 million in Q4 2024, up from $6.7 million in Q4 2023. Revenue for the whole year 2024 grew 20%, rising to a record of $31.8 million (2023: $26.5 million). The Web Data Collection revenue reached a Company record $30.9 million in 2024, achieving 45% year-over-year growth (2023: $21.3 million).
- Cost of revenue in Q4 2024 was $2.0 million (Q4 2023: $1.8 million). Full year 2024, cost of revenue was $7.9 million, (2023: $7.7 million). During these periods, costs have shifted towards investment in the Company's IP network, as per its strategic decision announced in July 2023 to focus solely on its web data collection business.
- Operating expenses in Q4 2024 totalled $5.0 million (Q4 2023: $3.6 million). The quarterly change was driven mainly by the increase in the NetNut Data Collection operations, primarily research and development salary costs. For the full year 2024, operating expenses were down to $17.2 million (2023: $24.3 million), mainly due to 2023-related impairment costs of goodwill and intangible assets and the strategic decision to scale down the Company's consumer internet access business operations, partially offset by the increase in Data Collection operating expenses.
- Financial income, net, in Q4 2024 was $0.2 million (Q4 2023: financial expense, net, of $0.1 million). Financial income, net, for 2024, increased to $0.3 million (2023: financial expense, net, of $0.6 million). This shift to financial income, net, from an expense, net, was mainly due to the increase in interest income from cash deposits as well as lower financial expenses related to short- and long-term loans.
- 2024 cash flow from operating activities rose 93%, to $8.9 million, compared to last year (2023: $4.6 million).
- Bottom line, 2024 net profit from continuing operations rose to a record $5.8 million (2023: loss of $5.6 million), and the corresponding 2024 Adjusted EBITDA was up at a Company record $9.4 million (2023: $5.2 million).
- As of December 31, 2024, shareholders' equity doubled, totalling $26.4 million, up from $13.2 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase was driven by the switch to net profit from net loss as well as warrants and options exercises.
- Outstanding ordinary share count as of December 31, 2024, was approximately 69.1 million shares, or 6.9 million in ADSs.
"In line with our guidance, total fourth quarter 2024 revenues increased to $7.4 million, of which $7.2 million were attributed to Web Data Collection, and fourth quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.5 million. Our cash and liquid investment balance on December 31, 2024, increased to $25 million, demonstrating once again success in cashflow generation,” said Mr. Shai Avnit, Chief Financial Officer of Alarum.
"As we look ahead, our revenue guidance reflects the ongoing shifts in the global data collection. First quarter 2025 revenues are estimated at $7.3 million ±3% and Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter 2025 is expected to range from $0.8 million to $1.2 million. We are navigating a period of adjustment as the industry evolves, and while short-term revenue growth may be lower than in previous quarters, we remain focused on the bigger picture, and on generating long-term and sustainable value for the Company's stakeholders,” Mr. Avnit concluded.
We are unable to present a reconciliation of our estimated Adjusted EBITDA to net profit from continuing operations as we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty, and without unreasonable effort, the impact and timing of certain expenses on our net profit from continuing operations. The financial impact of these expenses is uncertain and is dependent on various factors, including timing, and could be material to our consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (loss).
Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results Conference Call
Mr. Shachar Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of Alarum, and Mr. Shai Avnit, Chief Financial Officer of Alarum, will host a conference call today, March 20, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET, 5:30 a.m. Pacific time, 2:30 p.m. Israel, to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2024 results and the first quarter 2025 outlook, followed by a Q&A session. To attend, please dial one of the following numbers, at least five minutes before the call starts: 1-877-407-0789 or 1-201-689-8562. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free number, please try the international dial-in number. An Israeli toll-free number is: 1 809 406 247. Participants will be required to state their name and company upon dialling in.
Replay: The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here, after 11:30 a.m. ET on March 20, 2025, through April 20, 2025. Toll-free replay numbers: 1-844-512-2921 or 1-412-317-6671, ID: 13751807.
Forward-Looking Statements
- This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor” words such as "expects,” "anticipates,” "intends,” "plans,” "believes,” "seeks,” "estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, Alarum is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses strategic vision, benefits, advantages and capabilities of Alarum's solutions, the growing demand for data, that Alarum's financial strength and operational efficiency allow it to capitalize on long-term market growth, that Alarum's solid balance sheet and efficient operations enable it to stay ahead of the competition, seize opportunities promptly and adapt its long-term plans as required, that the Company continues to prioritize and allocate resources to seize and focus mainly on long-term growth opportunities and its aim to elevate its position to the next level, the estimates of the revenues for the first quarter 2025 revenues and Adjusted EBITDA, that short-term revenue growth may be lower than in previous quarters, and the Company's focus on the bigger picture, and on generating long-term and sustainable value for the Company's stakeholders. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Alarum's current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Alarum could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors” in Alarum's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC”) on March 20, 2025, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Alarum undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Alarum is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | |||||
| (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||
| December 31, | |||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| (Audited) | |||||
| Assets | |||||
| Current assets: | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 15,081 | 10,872 | |||
| Trade receivables, net | 3,231 | 1,994 | |||
| Other receivables | 503 | 399 | |||
| 18,815 | 13,265 | ||||
| Non-current assets: | |||||
| Long-term deposits | 121 | 104 | |||
| Other non-current assets | 85 | 145 | |||
| Property and equipment, net | 130 | 88 | |||
| Right-of-use assets | 498 | 779 | |||
| Deferred tax assets | 422 | 181 | |||
| Debt investments at fair value through other comprehensive income | 9,256 | - | |||
| Debt investments at fair value through profit or loss | 555 | - | |||
| Intangible assets, net | 811 | 1,386 | |||
| Goodwill | 4,118 | 4,118 | |||
| Total non-current assets | 15,996 | 6,801 | |||
| Total assets | 34,811 | 20,066 | |||
| Liabilities and equity | |||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||
| Trade payables | 251 | 369 | |||
| Other payables | 4,484 | 2,439 | |||
| Current maturities of long-term loan | 938 | 290 | |||
| Contract liabilities | 1,987 | 1,983 | |||
| Derivative financial instruments | 148 | 109 | |||
| Short-term lease liabilities | 359 | 370 | |||
| Total current liabilities | 8,167 | 5,560 | |||
| Non-current liabilities: | |||||
| Long-term lease liabilities | 261 | 523 | |||
| Long-term loans, net of current maturities | 32 | 802 | |||
| Total non-current liabilities | 293 | 1,325 | |||
| Total liabilities | 8,460 | 6,885 | |||
| Equity: | |||||
| Ordinary shares | - | - | |||
| Share premium | 111,892 | 100,576 | |||
| Other equity reserves | 11,012 | 14,938 | |||
| Accumulated deficit | (96,553 | ) | (102,333 | ) | |
| Total equity | 26,351 | 13,181 | |||
| Total liabilities and equity | 34,811 | 20,066 | |||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss | |||||||||||||
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