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Nuvei Announces Second Quarter 2024 Results

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Nuvei reports in U.S. dollars and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)

MONTREAL, Aug. 6, 2024 /CNW/ — Nuvei Corporation (“Nuvei” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: NVEI) (TSX: NVEI), the Canadian fintech company, today reported its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to 2023:

Total volume(a) increased by 22% to $61.7 billion from $50.6 billion;Revenue increased by 13% to $345.5 million from $307.0 million;Net income decreased by 54% to $5.3 million from $11.6 million;Adjusted EBITDA(b) increased by 6% to $116.8 million from $110.3 million;Adjusted net income(b) increased by 8% to $62.6 million from $58.1 million;Net income per diluted share decreased to $0.02 from $0.07;Adjusted net income per diluted share(b) increased by 5% to $0.41 from $0.39;Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures(b) increased to $96.4 million from $95.9 million.

Financial Highlights for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to 2023:

Total volume(a) increased by 31% to $121.8 billion from $93.0 billion;Revenue increased 21% to $680.6 million from $563.5 million;Net income decreased by 84% to $0.5 million from $3.3 million;Adjusted EBITDA(b) increased by 12% to $231.6 million from $206.6 million;Adjusted net income(b) increased by 2% to $125.1 million from $122.5 million;Net loss per diluted share was $0.02 compared to net income per diluted share of $0.00;Adjusted net income per diluted share(b) was stable at $0.83;Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures(b) increased by 9% to $195.5 million from $179.5 million; and,Cash dividends declared were $28.2 million.

(a) Total volume does not represent revenue earned by the Company, but rather the total dollar value of transactions processed by merchants under contractual agreement with the Company. See “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures”.

(b) Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted net income, Adjusted net income per diluted share and Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures are non-IFRS measures and non-IFRS ratios. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. See “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures”.

Proposed take private transaction

As previously announced, on April 1, 2024 the Company entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to be taken private by Advent International (“Advent”), one of the world’s largest and most experienced global private equity investors, as well as a longstanding sponsor in the payments space, alongside existing Canadian shareholders Philip Fayer, certain investment funds managed by Novacap Management Inc. and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, in an all-cash transaction which values the Company at an enterprise value of approximately $6.3 billion (the “Proposed transaction”). Advent will acquire all the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares and any Multiple Voting Shares (collectively the “Shares”) that are not Rollover Shares1, for a price of $34.00 per Share, in cash. This price represents an attractive and significant premium of approximately 56% to the closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) on March 15, 2024, the last trading day prior to media reports concerning a potential transaction involving the Company, and a premium of approximately 48% to the 90-day volume weighted average trading price per Subordinate Voting Share as of such date.

The Proposed transaction will be implemented by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The Proposed transaction was approved by shareholders at a special meeting held on June 18, 2024 and received court approval on June 20, 2024. The proposed transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of key regulatory approvals (a number of which were received and/or for which the waiting period has expired as of the date hereof, with several approvals remaining outstanding), is not subject to any financing condition and, assuming the timely receipt of all required key regulatory approvals, is expected to close in late 2024 or the first quarter of 2025.

Following completion of the transaction, it is expected that the Subordinate Voting Shares will be delisted from each of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq and that Nuvei will cease to be a reporting issuer in all applicable Canadian jurisdictions and will deregister the Subordinate Voting Shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

1

Philip Fayer, Novacap and CDPQ (together with entities they control directly or indirectly, collectively, the “Rollover Shareholders”) have agreed to roll approximately 95%, 65% and 75%, respectively, of their Shares (the “Rollover Shares”) and are expected to receive in aggregate approximately US$560 million in cash for the Shares sold on closing. Philip Fayer, Novacap and CDPQ are expected to indirectly own or control approximately 24%, 18% and 12%, respectively, of the equity in the resulting private company. Percentages and amount of expected cash proceeds are based on current assumed cash position and are subject to change as a result of cash generated before closing.

Cash Dividend

Nuvei today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized and declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per Subordinate Voting Share and Multiple Voting Share, payable on September 5, 2024 to shareholders of record on August 20, 2024. The aggregate amount of the dividend is expected to be approximately $14 million, to be funded from the Company’s existing cash on hand.

The Company, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial or territorial legislation, designates the dividend declared for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and any future dividends, to be eligible dividends. The Company further expects to report such dividends as a dividend to U.S. shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. shareholders may be eligible for taxation as “qualified dividend income” and therefore may be taxable at rates applicable to long-term capital gains. A U.S. shareholder should talk to its advisor regarding such dividends, including with respect to the “extraordinary dividend” provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (US).

The declaration, timing, amount and payment of future dividends remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors, as more fully described under the heading “Forward-Looking Information” of this press release.

Conference Call, Financial Outlook and Growth Targets

In light of the Proposed transaction, Nuvei no longer holds earnings conference calls or provides its financial outlook or growth targets.

About Nuvei

Nuvei (Nasdaq: NVEI) (TSX: NVEI) is the Canadian fintech company accelerating the business of clients around the world. Nuvei’s modular, flexible and scalable technology allows leading companies to accept next-gen payments, offer all payout options and benefit from card issuing, banking, risk and fraud management services. Connecting businesses to their customers in more than 200 markets, with local acquiring in 50 markets, 150 currencies and 716 alternative payment methods, Nuvei provides the technology and insights for customers and partners to succeed locally and globally with one integration.

For more information, visit www.nuvei.com 

Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures

Nuvei’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the IASB. The information presented in this press release includes non-IFRS financial measures, non-IFRS financial ratios and supplementary financial measures, namely Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income, Adjusted net income per basic share, Adjusted net income per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures and Total volume. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from our perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s financial statements reported under IFRS. These measures are used to provide investors with additional insight of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in Nuvei’s business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We also believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use these non-IFRS and other financial measures in the evaluation of issuers. We also use these measures to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of management compensation. We believe these measures are important additional measures of our performance, primarily because they and similar measures are used widely among others in the payment technology industry as a means of evaluating a company’s underlying operating performance.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA: We use Adjusted EBITDA as a means to evaluate operating performance, by eliminating the impact of non-operational or non-cash items. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before finance costs (recovery), finance income, depreciation and amortization, income tax expense, acquisition, integration and severance costs, share-based payments and related payroll taxes, loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange, and legal settlement and other.

Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures: We use Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures (which we define as acquisition of intangible assets and property and equipment) as a supplementary indicator of our operating performance.

Adjusted net income: We use Adjusted net income as an indicator of business performance and profitability with our current tax and capital structure. Adjusted net income is defined as net income (loss) before acquisition, integration and severance costs, share-based payments and related payroll taxes, loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, and the related income tax expense or recovery for these items. Adjusted net income also excludes change in redemption value of liability-classified common and preferred shares, change in fair value of share repurchase liability and accelerated amortization of deferred financing fees and legal settlement and other.

Non-IFRS Financial Ratios

Adjusted net income per basic share and per diluted share: We use Adjusted net income per basic share and per diluted share as an indicator of performance and profitability of our business on a per share basis. Adjusted net income per basic share and per diluted share means Adjusted net income less net income attributable to non-controlling interest divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, respectively. The number of share-based awards used in the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the Adjusted net income per diluted share calculation is determined using the treasury stock method as permitted under IFRS.

Supplementary Financial Measures

We monitor the following key performance indicators to help us evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans and make strategic decisions. Our key performance indicators may be calculated in a manner that differs from similar key performance indicators used by other companies.

Total volume: We believe Total volume is an indicator of performance of our business. Total volume and similar measures are used widely among others in the payments industry as a means of evaluating a company’s performance. We define Total volume as the total dollar value of transactions processed in the period by customers under contractual agreement with us. Total volume does not represent revenue earned by us. Total volume includes acquiring volume, where we are in the flow of funds in the settlement transaction cycle, gateway/technology volume, where we provide our gateway/technology services but are not in the flow of funds in the settlement transaction cycle, as well as the total dollar value of transactions processed relating to APMs and payouts. Since our revenue is primarily sales volume and transaction-based, generated from merchants’ daily sales and through various fees for value-added services provided to our customers, fluctuations in Total volume will generally impact our revenue. 

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking information may include, without limitation, information with respect to our objectives and the strategies to achieve these objectives, as well as information with respect to our beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. This forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “may”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “foresee”, “believe”, or “continue”, the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions, although not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. Particularly, information regarding our expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate, expectations regarding industry trends and the size and growth rates of addressable markets, our business plans and growth strategies, addressable market opportunity for our solutions, expectations regarding growth and cross-selling opportunities and intention to capture an increasing share of addressable markets, the costs and success of our sales and marketing efforts, intentions to expand existing relationships, further penetrate verticals, enter new geographical markets, expand into and further increase penetration of international markets, intentions to selectively pursue and successfully integrate acquisitions, and expected acquisition outcomes, cost savings, synergies and benefits, including with respect to the acquisition of Paya, future investments in our business and anticipated capital expenditures, our intention to continuously innovate, differentiate and enhance our platform and solutions, expected pace of ongoing legislation of regulated activities and industries, our competitive strengths and competitive position in our industry, and expectations regarding our revenue, revenue mix and the revenue generation potential of our solutions and expectations regarding our margins and future profitability, as well as statements regarding the Proposed transaction with Advent International L.P., alongside existing Canadian shareholders Philip Fayer, certain investment funds managed by Novacap Management Inc., and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, including the proposed timing and various steps contemplated in respect of the transaction and statements regarding the plans, objectives, and intentions of Philip Fayer, certain investment funds managed by Novacap Management Inc., Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec or Advent, are forward-looking information. Economic and geopolitical uncertainties, including regional conflicts and wars, including potential impacts of sanctions, may also heighten the impact of certain factors described herein.

In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances.

Forward-looking information is based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management, regarding, among other things, assumptions regarding foreign exchange rate, competition, political environment and economic performance of each region where the Company operates and general economic conditions and the competitive environment within our industry, including the following assumptions: (a) the Company will continue to effectively execute against its key strategic growth priorities, without any material adverse impact from macroeconomic or geopolitical headwinds on its or its customers’ business, financial condition, financial performance, liquidity or any significant reduction in demand for its products and services, (b) the economic conditions in our core markets, geographies and verticals, including resulting consumer spending and employment, remaining at close to current levels, (c) assumptions as to foreign exchange rates and interest rates, including inflation, (d) the Company’s continued ability to manage its growth effectively, (e) the Company’s ability to continue to attract and retain key talent and personnel required to achieve its plans and strategies, including sales, marketing, support and product and technology operations, in each case both domestically and internationally, (f) the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete, integrate and realize the expected benefits of past and recent acquisitions and manage the associated risks, as well as future acquisitions, (g) the absence of adverse changes in legislative or regulatory matters, (h) the Company’s continued ability to upskill and modify its compliance capabilities as regulations change or as the Company enters new markets or offers new products or services, (i) the Company’s continued ability to access liquidity and capital resources, including its ability to secure debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms, and (j) the absence of adverse changes in current tax laws. Unless otherwise indicated, forward-looking information does not give effect to the potential impact of any mergers, acquisitions, divestitures or business combinations that may be announced or closed after the date hereof. Although the forward-looking information contained herein is based upon what we believe are reasonable assumptions, investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on this information since actual results may vary from the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” of the Company’s annual information form (“AIF”) and the “Risk Factor’s” in the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2024 (“MD&A”), such as: risks relating to our business, industry and overall economic uncertainty; the rapid developments and change in our industry; substantial competition both within our industry and from other payments providers; challenges implementing our growth strategy; challenges to expand our product portfolio and market reach; changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, consumer spending and other macroeconomic factors affecting our customers and our results of operations; challenges in expanding into new geographic regions internationally and continuing our growth within our markets; challenges in retaining existing customers, increasing sales to existing customers and attracting new customers; reliance on third-party partners to distribute some of our products and services; risks associated with future acquisitions, partnerships or joint-ventures; challenges related to economic and political conditions, business cycles and credit risks of our customers, such as wars like the Russia–Ukraine and Middle East conflicts and related economic sanctions; the occurrence of a natural disaster, a widespread health epidemic or pandemic or other similar events; history of net losses and additional significant investments in our business; our level of indebtedness; challenges to secure financing on favorable terms or at all; difficulty to maintain the same rate of revenue growth as our business matures and to evaluate our future prospects; inflation; challenges related to a significant number of our customers being small and medium businesses (“SMBs”); a certain degree of concentration in our customer base and customer sectors; compliance with the requirements of payment networks; reliance on, and compliance with, the requirements of acquiring banks and payment networks; challenges related to the reimbursement of chargebacks from our customers; financial liability related to the inability of our customers (merchants) to fulfill their requirements; our bank accounts being located in multiple territories and relying on banking partners to maintain those accounts; decline in the use of electronic payment methods; loss of key personnel or difficulties hiring qualified personnel; deterioration in relationships with our employees; impairment of a significant portion of intangible assets and goodwill; increasing fees from payment networks; misappropriation of end-user transaction funds by our employees; frauds by customers, their customers or others; coverage of our insurance policies; the degree of effectiveness of our risk management policies and procedures in mitigating our risk exposure; the integration of a variety of operating systems, software, hardware, web browsers and networks in our services; the costs and effects of pending and future litigation; various claims such as wrongful hiring of an employee from a competitor, wrongful use of confidential information of third parties by our employees, consultants or independent contractors or wrongful use of trade secrets by our employees of their former employers; deterioration in the quality of the products and services offered; managing our growth effectively; challenges from seasonal fluctuations on our operating results; changes in accounting standards; estimates and assumptions in the application of accounting policies; risks associated with less than full control rights of some of our subsidiaries and investments; challenges related to our holding company structure; impacts of climate change; development of AI and its integration in our operations, as well as risks relating to intellectual property and technology, risks related to data security incidents, including cyber-attacks, computer viruses, or otherwise which may result in a disruption of services or liability exposure; challenges regarding regulatory compliance in the jurisdictions in which we operate, due to complex, conflicting and evolving local laws and regulations and legal proceedings and risks relating to our Subordinate Voting Shares. These risks and uncertainties further include (but are not limited to) as concerns the Proposed transaction with Advent, the failure of the parties to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals or to otherwise satisfy the conditions to the completion of the transaction, failure of the parties to obtain such approvals or satisfy such conditions in a timely manner, significant transaction costs or unknown liabilities, failure to realize the expected benefits of the transaction, and general economic conditions. Failure to obtain the necessary shareholder, regulatory and court approvals, or the failure of the parties to otherwise satisfy the conditions to the completion of the transaction or to complete the transaction, may result in the transaction not being completed on the proposed terms, or at all. In addition, if the transaction is not completed, and the Company continues as a publicly-traded entity, there are risks that the announcement of the Proposed transaction and the dedication of substantial resources of the Company to the completion of the transaction could have an impact on its business and strategic relationships (including with future and prospective employees, customers, suppliers and partners), operating results and activities in general, and could have a material adverse effect on its current and future operations, financial condition and prospects. Furthermore, in certain circumstances, the Company may be required to pay a termination fee pursuant to the terms of the arrangement agreement which could have a material adverse effect on its financial position and results of operations and its ability to fund growth prospects and current operations.

Our dividend policy is at the discretion of the Board. Any future determination to declare cash dividends on our securities will be made at the discretion of our Board, subject to applicable Canadian laws, and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual restrictions (including covenants contained in our credit facilities), general business conditions and other factors that our Board may deem relevant. Further, our ability to pay dividends, as well as make share repurchases, will be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing our indebtedness, including our credit facility. Any of the foregoing may have the result of restricting future dividends or share repurchases.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking information contained herein is qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on our business, financial condition or results of operation. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained herein represents our expectations as of the date hereof or as of the date it is otherwise stated to be made, as applicable, and is subject to change after such date. However, we disclaim any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or amend such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Contact:
Investors

Chris Mammone, Head of Investor Relations
IR@nuvei.com  

Statements of Profit or Loss and Comprehensive Income or Loss Data

(in thousands of US dollars except for shares and per share amounts)

Three months ended

June 30

Six months ended

June 30

2024

2023

2024

2023

$

$

$

$

Revenue

345,478

307,026

680,587

563,524

Cost of revenue

68,039

53,926

132,769

108,522

Gross profit

277,439

253,100

547,818

455,002

Selling, general and administrative expenses

228,492

221,755

458,593

416,373

Operating profit

48,947

31,345

89,225

38,629

Finance income

(676)

(961)

(1,388)

(6,336)

Finance cost

29,625

29,318

59,603

47,786

Net finance cost

28,949

28,357

58,215

41,450

Loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange

8,555

(11,115)

17,505

(12,513)

Income before income tax

11,443

14,103

13,505

9,692

Income tax expense

6,095

2,486

12,964

6,364

Net income

5,348

11,617

541

3,328

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Foreign operations – foreign currency translation
differences

1,958

(9,068)

2,614

(4,010)

Change in fair value of financial instruments
designated as cash flow hedges

1,540

—

6,559

—

Reclassification of change in fair value of
financial instruments designated as cash
flow hedges to profit and loss

(503)

—

(1,005)

—

Comprehensive income (loss)

8,343

2,549

8,709

(682)

Net income attributable to:

Common shareholders of the Company

3,465

9,923

(3,398)

145

Non-controlling interest

1,883

1,694

3,939

3,183

5,348

11,617

541

3,328

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable  to:

Common shareholders of the Company

6,460

855

4,770

(3,865)

Non-controlling interest

1,883

1,694

3,939

3,183

8,343

2,549

8,709

(682)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to
common shareholders of the Company

Basic

0.02

0.07

(0.02)

0.00

Diluted

0.02

0.07

(0.02)

0.00

Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding

Basic

140,590,664

138,841,224

140,118,586

139,245,992

Diluted

146,442,057

143,542,021

140,118,586

143,552,506

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data

(in thousands of US dollars)

June 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

$

$

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

183,037

170,435

Trade and other receivables

146,030

105,755

Inventory

2,661

3,156

Prepaid expenses

17,262

16,250

Income taxes receivable

948

4,714

Current portion of contract assets

1,441

1,038

Other current assets

930

7,582

Total current assets before segregated funds

352,309

308,930

Segregated funds

1,551,572

1,455,376

Total current assets

1,903,881

1,764,306

Non-current assets

Property and equipment

39,785

33,094

Intangible assets

1,287,185

1,305,048

Goodwill

1,982,292

1,987,737

Deferred tax assets

5,908

4,336

Contract assets

748

835

Processor and other deposits

5,385

4,310

Other non-current assets

36,813

35,601

Total Assets

5,261,997

5,135,267

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

191,510

179,415

Income taxes payable

28,630

25,563

Current portion of loans and borrowings

14,377

12,470

Other current liabilities

6,085

7,859

Total current liabilities before due to merchants

240,602

225,307

Due to merchants

1,551,572

1,455,376

Total current liabilities

1,792,174

1,680,683

Non-current liabilities

Loans and borrowings

1,244,016

1,248,074

Deferred tax liabilities

133,581

151,921

Other non-current liabilities

4,498

10,374

Total Liabilities

3,174,269

3,091,052

Equity

Equity attributable to shareholders

Share capital

2,006,801

1,969,734

Contributed surplus

350,858

324,941

Deficit

(256,480)

(224,902)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(35,288)

(43,456)

2,065,891

2,026,317

Non-controlling interest

21,837

17,898

Total Equity

2,087,728

2,044,215

Total Liabilities and Equity

5,261,997

5,135,267

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow Data

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

For the six months ended June 30,

2024

2023

$

$

Cash flow from operating activities

Net income

541

3,328

Adjustments for:

Depreciation of property and equipment

8,603

6,811

Amortization of intangible assets

66,232

56,770

Amortization of contract assets

698

758

Share-based payments

50,399

71,442

Net finance cost

58,215

41,450

Loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange

17,505

(12,513)

Income tax expense

12,964

6,364

Gain on business combination

(4,013)

—

Loss on disposal

528

—

Changes in non-cash working capital items:

(37,011)

(8,430)

Interest paid

(58,226)

(42,769)

Interest received

11,001

7,560

Income taxes paid – net of tax received

(19,336)

(13,927)

108,100

116,844

Cash flow used in investing activities

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(1,185)

(1,379,778)

Acquisition of property and equipment

(8,601)

(5,902)

Acquisition of intangible assets

(27,541)

(21,143)

Acquisition of distributor commissions

—

(20,318)

Acquisition of other non-current assets

(201)

(31,816)

Net decrease in processor deposits

3,495

—

Net decrease in advances to third parties

—

245

(34,033)

(1,458,712)

Cash flow from (used in) financing activities

Shares repurchased and cancelled

—

(56,042)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

10,653

6,399

Repayment of loans and borrowings

(39,154)

(76,560)

Proceeds from loans and borrowings

—

852,000

Financing fees related to loans and borrowings

(249)

(14,650)

Payment of lease liabilities

(3,501)

(2,622)

Dividends paid to shareholders

(28,112)

—

(60,363)

708,525

Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash

(1,102)

39

Net increase (decrease)  in cash and cash equivalents

12,602

(633,304)

Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of period

170,435

751,686

Cash and cash equivalents – End of period

183,037

118,382

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures to Net Income

(In thousands of US dollars)

Three months ended
June 30

Six months ended
June 30

2024

2023

2024

2023

$

$

$

$

Net income

5,348

11,617

541

3,328

Finance cost

29,625

29,318

59,603

47,786

Finance income

(676)

(961)

(1,388)

(6,336)

Depreciation and amortization

38,005

35,925

74,835

63,581

Income tax expense

6,095

2,486

12,964

6,364

Acquisition, integration and severance costs(a)

4,988

6,562

16,620

31,880

Share-based payments and related payroll
taxes(b)

24,750

36,254

54,742

72,321

Loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange

8,555

(11,115)

17,505

(12,513)

Legal settlement and other(c)

70

221

(3,794)

178

Adjusted EBITDA

116,760

110,307

231,628

206,589

Acquisition of property and equipment, and
intangible assets

(20,407)

(14,366)

(36,142)

(27,045)

Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures

96,353

95,941

195,486

179,544

(a)

These expenses relate to:

(i)

professional, legal, consulting, accounting and other fees and expenses related to our acquisition and financing activities, including the expenses related to the Proposed transaction. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024, these expenses were $4.2 million and $14.5 million ($1.1 million and $19.6 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023). These costs are presented in the professional fees line item of selling, general and administrative expenses.

(ii)

acquisition-related compensation was $0.6 million and $1.7  million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024 and $0.7 million  and $2.8    million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023. These costs are presented in the employee compensation line item of selling, general and administrative expenses.

(iii)

change in deferred purchase consideration for previously acquired businesses.  No amount was recognized for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. These amounts are presented in the contingent consideration adjustment line item of selling, general and administrative expenses.

(iv)

severance and integration expenses, which were $0.2 million  and  $0.5  million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024 ($4.8 million and $9.5 million for three months and six months ended June 30, 2023). These expenses are presented in selling, general and administrative expenses and cost of revenue.

(b)

These expenses are recognized in connection with stock options and other awards issued under share-based plans as well as related payroll taxes that are directly attributable to share-based payments. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024, the expenses consisted of non-cash share-based payments of $20.6 million and $50.4 million ($35.9 million and $71.4 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023), $4.1 million and $4.3 million for related payroll taxes ($0.4 million and $0.9 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023),

(c)

This primarily represents legal settlements and associated legal costs, as well as non-cash gains, losses and provisions and certain other costs. These costs are presented in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the gain consisted mainly of a gain on business combination of $4.0 million.

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per basic share and per diluted share to Net income

(In thousands of US dollars except for share and per share amounts)

Three months ended

June 30

Six months ended

June 30

2024

2023

2024

2023

$

$

$

$

Net income

5,348

11,617

541

3,328

Change in fair value of share repurchase liability

—

—

—

571

Accelerated amortization of deferred financing fees

—

—

174

—

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets(a)

26,652

27,401

53,483

47,540

Acquisition, integration and severance costs(b)

4,988

6,562

16,620

31,880

Share-based payments and related payroll taxes(c)

24,750

36,254

54,742

72,321

Loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange

8,555

(11,115)

17,505

(12,513)

Legal settlement and other(d)

70

221

(3,794)

178

Adjustments

65,015

59,323

138,730

139,977

Income tax expense related to adjustments(e)

(7,799)

(12,847)

(14,208)

(20,759)

Adjusted net income

62,564

58,093

125,063

122,546

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest

1,883

1,694

3,939

3,183

Adjusted net income attributable to the common
shareholders of the Company

60,681

56,399

121,124

119,363

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

140,590,664

138,841,224

140,118,586

139,245,992

Basic

146,442,057

143,542,021

146,350,086

143,552,506

Diluted

Adjusted net income per share attributable to common
shareholders of the Company(f)

Basic

0.43

0.41

0.86

0.86

Diluted

0.41

0.39

0.83

0.83

(a)

This line item relates to amortization expense taken on intangible assets created from the purchase price adjustment process on acquired companies and businesses and resulting from a change in control of the Company.

(b)

These expenses relate to:

(i)

professional, legal, consulting, accounting and other fees and expenses related to our acquisition and financing activities, including the expenses related to the Proposed transaction. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024, these expenses were $4.2 million and $14.5  million ($1.1 million and $19.6 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023). These costs are presented in the professional fees line item of selling, general and administrative expenses.

(ii)

acquisition-related compensation was $0.6 million and $1.7  million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024 and $0.7 million and $2.8 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023. These costs are presented in the employee compensation line item of selling, general and administrative expenses.

(iii)

change in deferred purchase consideration for previously acquired businesses.  No amount was recognized for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. These amounts are presented in the contingent consideration adjustment line item of selling, general and administrative expenses.

(iv)

severance and integration expenses, which were $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024 ($4.8 million and $9.5 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023). These expenses are presented in selling, general and administrative expenses and cost of revenue.  

(c)

These expenses are recognized in connection with stock options and other awards issued under share-based plans as well as related payroll taxes that are directly attributable to share-based payments. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2024, the expenses consisted of non-cash share-based payments of $20.6 million and $50.4 million ($35.9 million and $71.4 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023), $4.1 million and $4.3 million for related payroll taxes ($0.4 million and $0.9 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2023).

(d)

This primarily represents legal settlements and associated legal costs, as well as non-cash gains, losses and provisions and certain other costs. These costs are presented in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the gain consisted mainly of a gain on business combination of $4.0 million.

(e)

This line item reflects income tax expense on taxable adjustments using the tax rate of the applicable jurisdiction.

(f)

The number of share-based awards used in the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the Adjusted net income per diluted share calculation is determined using the treasury stock method as permitted under IFRS.

 

Disaggregation of revenue and interest revenue

(In thousands of US dollars)

Three months ended

June 30

Six months ended

June 30

2024

2023

2023

2022

$

$

$

$

Merchant transaction and processing services revenue

335,811

304,935

665,237

559,448

Other revenue

3,271

2,091

5,737

4,076

Interest revenue

6,396

—

9,613

—

345,478

307,026

680,587

563,524

 

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CCTV+: From the Sea, Toward the Future

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— Yancheng Radio and Television Releases the Six‑Episode Micro‑documentary Homeland on the Tidal Flats

YANCHENG, China, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ten thousand years ago, this land was nothing but sea. Today, 520,000 hectares of wetlands have risen from the tides, providing shelter for more than 4,700 species of life, where 467 kinds of birds arrive as promised. This land born out of the ocean holds an entire vibrant world.

Along China’s eastern coast stretches a 582‑kilometer coastline. Yancheng, home to 6.7 million people, lies next to one of the most densely populated regions on Earth, yet it has reserved vast “undeveloped” spaces for nature. Nearly one‑third of the world’s spoon‑billed sandpipers stop here to refuel; the world’s largest wild elk population thrives here; and four out of every ten offshore wind turbines worldwide are manufactured right here. At China’s first coastal World Natural Heritage Site — Yancheng — protection does not mean sealing nature off, nor does development mean pushing the wetlands aside. Instead, the city chooses to live in harmony with nature and grow along its rhythms: leaving ample room for nature amid development, and building better lives while safeguarding the ecosystem.

The six‑episode eco‑humanistic micro‑documentary Homeland on the Tidal Flats uses the camera as a pen to write a love letter between the sea and the land. Episode One, The Tidal Forest, reveals the intricate, hidden web of life in the intertidal zones. Episode Two, Return to the Wild, chronicles the rebirth of the elk population from just 39 to over 8,800. Episode Three, Beneath the Wings, records the visits of spoon‑billed sandpipers and red‑crowned cranes. Episode Four, New Life on Salty Soil, shows how rice waves and green granaries emerge from saline‑alkali soil. Episode Five, Light on the Wind, explores the pulse of offshore wind power and the zero‑carbon city. Episode Six, Wetland Life, captures the everyday rhythm of a city breathing in tune with its wetlands.

Prioritizing ecology and pursuing green development is the answer this beautiful city of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature has written for Chinese‑style modernization.

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Over 100 Delegates and 16 Startups: Taiwan Sends Largest-Ever Fintech Delegation to SFF 2026 as FinTechSpace Debuts “Taiwan Fintech Fleet” Collaboration Model

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TAIPEI, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FinTechSpace, Taiwan’s premier one-stop fintech innovation acceleration hub – guided by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) and founded by the Taiwan Financial Services Roundtable (TFSR) — is making its eighth consecutive appearance at the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF). This year, FinTechSpace has mobilized innovation energy from both northern and southern Taiwan to curate the island’s largest-ever delegation, bringing over 100 fintech leaders, representatives, and 16 selected startups at the Taiwan Pavilion (Booth #5B33, Hall 5).

The Taiwan Pavilion showcases 16 international pitch sessions anchored around three core pillars: Resilience Forward: Operational Defense & Compliance; New Asset Horizons: Digital & Sustainable Finance; and Ignite Growth: Enterprise & Integrated Solutions. Crucially, FinTechSpace is debuting its groundbreaking “Theme-Based Fleet Pilot Program,” an initiative designed to integrate multi-team technologies and services to capitalize on complementary strengths, demonstrating the versatility, depth, and international competitiveness of Taiwan’s fintech ecosystem. The delegation will also host two high-level international networking events to deepen cross-border collaboration and unlock commercial opportunities.

Maiden Flagship Initiative: “Trustworthy FinTech” Fleet Hits the Global Stage

The newly launched “Taiwan Fintech Fleet” serves as a collaborative mechanism that connects the specialized capabilities of different startups into cohesive, scenario-based enterprise solutions. By replacing standalone tools with integrated offerings, the fleet model enables international financial institutions and enterprise clients to seamlessly adopt multi-faceted services that directly address operational pain points.

The inaugural rollout focuses on “Trust in FinTech,” bringing together six FinTechSpace portfolio companies – IHH, TOPPAN Security, KDAN, AIFT, FANO, and wiAdvance – to form two strategic theme fleets: “Digital Trust Chain” and “Trustworthy AI Guardrails”. The initiative propels startups to transition from “single-point services” to “full-scenario application” solutions, while taking a “fleet goes global” model to lead teams in jointly expanding into international markets and demonstrating the integration and collaborative strength driving Taiwan’s fintech industry.

Two Signature Events: Canada Meets Taiwan Forum and Taiwan–Korea Happy Hour Deepen Global Ties

During SFF, the Taiwan Pavilion will host “Canada Meets Taiwan: AI, Fintech, and New Opportunities for Financial Innovation” on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:15 PM (Singapore time). The session brings together government, industry, and academic representatives from Taiwan and Canada to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping fintech innovation, and to exchange insights on ecosystem development and collaboration opportunities, further strengthening bilateral fintech ties.

The Taiwan Pavilion is also teaming up with the Korea Pavilion to host a “Happy Hour” networking mixer, featuring Taiwanese and Korean snacks in a relaxed, social setting. The event is designed to spark connections between fintech startups, financial institutions, and industry partners from both countries, opening the door to future technical collaboration and market expansion.

An Open Invitation: Join Taiwan in Building the Next Wave of FinTech Opportunity

FinTechSpace warmly invites financial institutions, investors, and industry partners from around the world to visit the Taiwan Pavilion (Booth #5B33, Hall 5) during SFF, November 18–20, 2026, to engage with participating teams and explore opportunities for technical collaboration, business partnerships, and investment.

About FinTechSpace

Established in 2018, FinTechSpace is Taiwan’s first one-stop fintech innovation acceleration hub. Guided by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) and initiated by the Taiwan Financial Services Roundtable (TFSR), the program is operated by the Institute for Information Industry (III). FinTechSpace is dedicated to creating a co-creation ecosystem that fosters FinTech development by integrating physical space, mentorship, and technical resources. It aims to drive FinTech innovation in Taiwan and promote international collaboration. For more information, please visit: www.fintechspace.com.tw.

2026 Taiwan Pavilion Exhibitor List

FinTechSpace (Taipei)

Resilience Forward: Operational Defense & Compliance

CoCoTree
Technology

CoCoTree Technology provides a nature-risk and TNFD-aligned decision platform that helps financial institutions and enterprises assess the nature sensitivity, biodiversity exposure,
and environmental risk of their operating sites and supply chains. The platform turns these insights into risk scores, monitoring alerts, and compliance summaries, supporting credit
underwriting, post-loan monitoring, supply chain engagement, and ESG/TNFD disclosure.

HiTRUST

HiTRUST is a fintech company specializing in digital security, identity verification, and fraud prevention that help financial institutions strengthen transaction security while improving
the user experience. Headquartered in Taiwan with seven offices worldwide, HiTRUST serves more than 10,000 institutions globally. In 2025, the company received a government
grant for Digital Service Innovation and won gold at the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Smart Innovation Award.

IHH Co., Ltd.

IHH is dedicated to building “secure, anti-counterfeiting, and highly flexible commercial video solutions.”  Providing enterprises with a “secure and trusted mechanism to seamlessly
leverage integrated AI capabilities before, during, and after video conferencing to conduct business, yielding highly non-repudiable results.”

IHH ensures every interaction is secure and trustworthy and generates highly non-repudiable digital evidence. Its solutions have been successfully deployed by several major,
market-leading enterprises.

TOPPAN
Security Co.,
Ltd.

TOPPAN Security focuses on advanced digital identity and authentication solutions, offering a one-stop solution spanning eKYC facial recognition, SoftToken, multi-factor authentication
(MFA), and device rebinding to help financial institutions strengthen the security of their digital services. Founded in 2013, the company joined the TOPPAN Group in 2020 and has been
expanding into global markets under the TOPPAN Security brand since 2025.

Woodpecker
Technology
Inc.

Woodpecker Technology specializes in enterprise security monitoring, threat detection, and incident response. Its flagship platform, Woodpecker XVR, delivers a unified SOC view
by integrating data from endpoints, networks, security logs, and user activities. Combined with an on-premises AI security assistant, the platform accelerates incident investigation,
improves alert prioritization, and enables more effective response while ensuring that sensitive data remains fully under the customer’s control. Woodpecker serves financial institutions,
government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and high-tech manufacturers through partnerships with MDR providers, MSSPs, and system integrators.

Ignite Growth: Enterprise & Integrated Solutions

HOYA BIT
Digital
Technology

HOYA BIT Digital Asset Exchange has secured business compliance approvals from the Taiwan FSC as an exchanger, trading platform, transferor, and custodian, while co-creating
a 24/7 fiat exchange withdrawal service with Taishin Bank and becoming the world’s first ISO 14068-1 carbon-neutral exchange. In partnership with Taishin Bank, it offers round-the-
clock fiat withdrawal services and is the world’s first ISO 14068-1 carbon-neutral certified exchange. Powered by Agentic AI trading technology, HOYA BIT offers virtual asset and
multi-strategy investment services, and its AI Native Exchange OS helps financial institutions and enterprises integrate virtual assets and stablecoin payments and settlement.

Light
Momentum
Technology

Founded in 2021, Light Momentum Technology (LMT) combines expertise in IC design, ICT, and finance to develop fintech, AIoT, and custom ASIC/SoC chip applications, delivering
financial AI and high-frequency trading solutions. LMT was named to EE Times’ Silicon 100 in both 2022 and 2023, established a subsidiary in the Czech Republic in 2024, and has
exhibited at the Singapore FinTech Festival for four consecutive years as it continues to expand into overseas markets and technical partnerships.

On-us Co.,
Ltd.

On-us combines AI with years of accumulated consumer-engagement data through its Smart E-Voucher and On-us Intelligence platforms, turning behavioral signals from how consumers
claim, engage with, and redeem offers into actionable business insights. This helps enterprises optimize membership management, customer acquisition, loyalty programs, and marketing
performance, driving greater customer engagement value and revenue growth.

ThinkCloud
Technology

ThinkCloud Technology specializes in digital identity verification and e-signature solutions. Its flagship innovation, SelfieSign, utilizes patented SVS (Signing Video Stream) technology to
capture real-time video and audio recording during the signing process, timestamps, and verification data in compliance with the EU’s XAdES electronic document standard. ThinkCloud
also offers eStamp digital seals and FaceOTP AI liveness detection. The platform processes more than 3 million signatures a month and holds a 90% share of Taiwan’s medical e-signature
market.

TradingValley
Co., Ltd.

One of Taiwan’s earliest robo-advisory fintech, TradingValley helps financial institutions build digital wealth-management services and, after obtaining a U.S. investment advisor license,
launched its own B2C business. In 2025, the company introduced WinwinGPT, a personalized AI investment assistant that has been a finalist in multiple international fintech competitions
and has been successfully deployed at a major domestic financial holding company to boost the productivity of relationship managers and investment research teams.

Vulcan

Vulcan is an international AI security brand focused on generative and agentic AI security, providing AI red-teaming and real-time runtime protection to help enterprises identify risks
such as prompt injection and data leakage. Vulcan has expanded across Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and the Middle East, serving 10+ major domestic and international
commercial banks and financial holding companies, Global high-tech manufacturers, and government agencies. Its solutions are recognized in the OWASP Agentic AI Security Landscape
and hold Panel Tester status with Singapore’s AI Verify Foundation, helping financial, insurance, manufacturing, and government organizations build trustworthy, governable, compliance-
ready AI environments.

FINNOVATION HUB (Kaohsiung)

New Asset Horizons: Digital & Sustainable Finance

AI PASS LINE

Founded in 2024, AI Pass Line focuses on AI, avatars, voice tech, and AR/MR/XR applications. Built on an “AI × MR” core, the company delivers comprehensive smart solutions spanning
healthcare, education, customer service, AI agents, and digital-twin training. Leveraging AI knowledge management, its enterprise AI Agent platform, and Azure cloud technology, AI Pass
Line helps clients integrate systems and data to boost operational efficiency. With proven experience across medical, financial, retail, and education sectors, it delivers efficient, secure,
and human-centric intelligent services.

CyCatena
Technology

CyCatena Technology provides secure digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions and enterprises. Its core product, CyCatena Vault, enables secure and self-controlled management
of digital assets and stablecoins. With HSM-based key protection, multi-level approval, access control, transaction risk monitoring, and comprehensive audit trails, CyCatena Vault meets
institutional security and compliance requirements. Supporting both on-premises and private cloud deployment, it allows institutions to retain control of their private keys, transaction data,
and infrastructure while integrating seamlessly with existing banking and enterprise systems.

Eureka
FinTech TW
Limited

Eureka aims to be a pioneer in providing innovative market & credit analysis, KYC and ESG solutions to manufacturers and financial institutions across Asia via its comprehensive AI
services platform and bespoke consulting services. Eureka’s comprehensive platform integrates into one single platform big data, vendor databases and customers’ internal data by
utilizing AI and graph technologies. Eureka’s AI services platform provides users with information including market analysis, industry analysis, meeting minutes, credit report, ESG report
and compliance & sanction report systems to assist them in analyzing supply chains, green energy and business relationships.

Root
Intelligent
Tech

Root Intelligent Tech is dedicated to making professional financial planning more accessible through AI. Its services include intelligent financial health assessments, wealth succession and
estate and gift tax planning, AI-powered advisory tools for financial professionals, and green consumption applications. By combining data visualization, scenario simulation, and professional

knowledge retrieval, Root Intelligent Tech helps financial institutions, advisors, and individuals identify financial risks, evaluate planning options, and make informed decisions. 

Synstream
Pte Limited

Shinchuan Technology offers an enterprise-grade AI data orchestration platform for financial institutions, enabling rapid AI adoption without replacing existing core systems. The platform
integrates data orchestration, AI vision computing, on-premises small language models (SLMs), and multimodal RAG technology to support KYC/AML compliance monitoring, automated
regulatory reporting, wealth management, and enterprise AI agents, all backed by bank-grade governance, access control, and auditability to improve operational efficiency and data security.

Synstream is an enterprise AI data orchestration platform designed for financial institutions, enabling rapid AI adoption without replacing legacy systems. Powered by three core engines –
Data Orchestration, Visual Intelligence, and Enterprise On-Prem SLM & RAG – Synstream delivers specialized FinTech modules including KYC/AML automation, regulatory reporting,
and wealth management modernization. Featuring banking-grade data governance, full auditability, and hybrid/on-prem deployment, Synstream reduces false positives by ~85% and cuts
case resolution times by ~90%.

 

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IBM Announces Winner of Sports Tech Startup Prize Challenge at Web Summit Lisbon 2026

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LivXP has been selected from a global field of innovators advancing the future of sports through AI.

LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced LivXP as the winner of the IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Challenge at Web Summit Lisbon, recognizing the company for its innovative use of agentic AI to transform how fans engage with their favorite teams, organizations, and leagues.

The challenge marks the culmination of the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge, a year-long global initiative created to identify and evaluate growth-stage startups building enterprise-ready technologies for sports organizations, teams, media companies, and fans. Launched at Web Summit Lisbon 2025, IBM has engaged founders through showcases at Web Summits in Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, and Lisbon, alongside a16z Tech Weeks in New York and San Francisco, and in virtual forums. These showcase activities were designed to provide visibility and engagement opportunities and did not confer eligibility, ranking, priority, or advancement in the invitation-only Prize Challenge held this week. The invite-only challenge featured seven finalists selected from a broad field of sports technology innovators. Finalists pitched their solutions before a distinguished judging panel that included Sarah Meron, Chief Communications and Brand Officer, IBM; Marc Gené, Ferrari Ambassador, Scuderia Ferrari HP; Brad Smith, Headlines Anchor at CNN; and Frederico Gil, founder and CEO of FREDGIL Academy. 

LivXP, a Swiss-American company accelerated at the Harvard Innovation Labs, is an AI-powered impulse commerce infrastructure for sports: auctions, experiences, and sponsor activations that land at the fan’s emotional high. From the Tour de Suisse to Boston College Athletics, federations, clubs, international events, and U.S. college sports programs use its white-label platform to reach fans in 150 countries.

“We were incredibly impressed by both the technical innovation and practical application of LivXp’s solution,” said IBM Chief Communications and Brand officer Sarah Meron. “At IBM, we’re always looking for new ways AI can help our clients create more engaging, personalized experiences, and we see exciting potential for technologies like this to enhance the work we do alongside our global sports and entertainment partners.”

Upon being announced the winner, LivXP CEO and Co-Founder Ashima Saxena stated, “Every emotional moment in sport revenue is waiting to happen, and AI finally lets sports organizations capture it at scale, without adding staff. We’re proud to have won the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge, and we look forward to working with IBM’s Sports & Entertainment Partnerships Team to bring impulse commerce to more clubs, sponsors, and fans worldwide.”

The Lisbon finale capped a year-long series of startup showcases and judging sessions bringing together influential voices from sports, media, and venture capital, including Maria Sharapova, and representatives from a16z, USTA Ventures, Sony Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), FIFA, and Powerhouse Capital.

Finalists

The seven startups participating in the 2026 IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Challenge were:

Fanory – Fan intelligence platform transforming live sports experiences into memories, assets, and behavioral data.Neuron Systems – Multi agent AI platform for live sports and entertainment that generates real-time commentary, insights, and content for sports fans and creators.LivXP – Fan engagement marketplace that connects sports fans with exclusive experiences, auctions, and interactions with teams, athletes, and sports organizations.PressBox – AI-powered content platform that enables sports leagues, teams, and media organizations to create and personalize content and marketing.NTangible – Verbal cognitive assessment platform that measures how athletes perform under pressure.Proximity Works Inc. – AI engineering company that builds real-time intelligence and fan engagement systems for sports, media, and entertainment organizations.Noiz – Sports-matching platform making it easier to find courts, try new sports, and build player connections.

The Prize Challenge Grand Prize includes up to $100,000 to support an eligible proof-of-concept project with IBM’s Sports and Entertainment Partnership Team, subject to separate review and agreement requirements, up to $20,000 in IBM credits to be applied toward services and technology, mentorship opportunities, and evaluation opportunities described in the Official Rules.

About the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge

Launched in partnership with Web Summit, the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge is a global initiative designed to spotlight startups applying AI and other emerging technologies to solve challenges across the sports industry. Building on IBM Ventures’ mission to connect cutting-edge innovation with enterprise clients, the Challenge extends this approach to IBM’s sports portfolio, using our sports partnerships as a proving ground to showcase technologies with real-world potential for both the sports landscape and broader business applications. The 2026 program included startup showcases at Web Summit Vancouver, Rio, and Lisbon, events during a16z Tech Weeks in New York and San Francisco, and in virtual forms, culminating with the invite-only Prize Challenge at Web Summit Lisbon. These showcase activities provided opportunities for visibility and engagement but did not confer eligibility, ranking, priority, or advancement in the Prize Challenge.

About IBM in Sports

For more than 30 years, IBM has partnered with some of the world’s most iconic sports organizations, including Wimbledon, the US Open, the Masters Tournament, Scuderia Ferrari HP, and UFC. Together, IBM and its partners create AI-powered experiences designed to deliver deeper insights, smarter engagement, and richer digital experiences for sports fans around the globe.

About IBM Ventures

As the corporate venture capital arm of IBM, IBM Ventures invests in startups across enterprise AI and quantum software. A strategic investor, IBM Ventures works closely with startups and founders to bring innovative technologies into IBM and help drive value for IBM clients. Through IBM’s technology, expertise and global client network, IBM Ventures helps portfolio companies build strategic relationships and accelerate their growth.

Media Contact:

Rebeccah Propp

IBM

Rebeccah.Propp@ibm.com

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