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Bandwidth Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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Exceeded revenue and profitability guidance ranges

Raising full year 2024 guidance for revenue and profitability

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bandwidth Inc. (NASDAQ: BAND), a leading global enterprise cloud communications company, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

“We’re pleased to report solid momentum carrying us into the end of the year, with record revenue and profitability performance, strong conversion to free cash flow and continued operating discipline,” said David Morken, CEO of Bandwidth. “These results are driven by the trust our customers place in us to deliver their business-critical services. We are excited by our new, next-generation Universal Platform as the foundation of our strong innovation roadmap, demonstrating a clear focus on the needs of the world’s largest enterprises.”

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

The following table summarizes the condensed consolidated financial highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 ($ in millions).

Three months ended
September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue

$        194

$        152

$        539

$        436

Gross Margin

38 %

39 %

38 %

40 %

Non-GAAP Gross Margin (1)

58 %

55 %

57 %

54 %

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$           24

$           14

$           59

$           29

Free Cash Flow (1)

$           14

$           18

$           28

$             6

(1) Additional information regarding the Non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this release, including an explanation of these measures and how each is calculated, is included below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” A reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures has also been provided in the financial tables included below.

“Bandwidth delivered a record third quarter, with growth across all our products and customer categories. Total revenue reached $194 million, marking a 28 percent increase, and Adjusted EBITDA grew to $24 million, representing a 74 percent increase year-over-year. Both metrics surpassed the upper range of our guidance, leading us to raise our full-year outlook on both the top and bottom lines” said Daryl Raiford, Bandwidth’s Chief Financial Officer. “Our priorities remain consistent: to serve and delight our customers, execute with precision and stay committed to long-term, profitable growth.”

Third Quarter Customer and Operational Highlights

Introduced the next-generation Universal Platform bringing the power of Bandwidth in one consistent global experience for all real-time communications needs, with new features, upgraded capabilities, and a modernized global network underpinning the platform to make it easier to consolidate and expand into new markets around the world.Bandwidth announced it now offers the largest ecosystem of bring-your-own-carrier (BYOC) integrations of any provider in the world within the Maestro communications platform – giving enterprises more ways to solve complex communications challenges.Bandwidth has registered as an RBM (RCS Business Messaging) partner with Google, setting itself up to enable RCS (Rich Communication Services) across all key markets.Bandwidth announced Number Reputation Management is coming soon as a solution to correct false “spam” labels and make sure enterprise’s urgent and important calls are displayed correctly so they can be answered.A high-volume patient engagement platform switched to Bandwidth for text messaging. They needed message deliverability assurance and message performance insights to ensure timely patient communications.A large, diversified credit union chose Bandwidth to provide voice services for its new, modernized on-premise contact center. Bandwidth’s all-IP network and Maestro platform made it easy for the customer to integrate with a modern tech stack and enables them to add new services in the future.

Financial Outlook

Bandwidth’s outlook is based on current indications for its business, which are subject to change. Bandwidth is providing guidance for its fourth quarter and full year 2024 as follows (in millions):

4Q 2024
Guidance

Full Year 2024
Guidance

Revenue

$198 – $208

$737 – $747

Adjusted EBITDA

$19 – $21

$78 – $80

Bandwidth has not reconciled its fourth quarter and full year 2024 guidance related to Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net income or loss, because stock-based compensation cannot be reasonably calculated or predicted at this time. Accordingly, a reconciliation is not available without unreasonable effort.

Upcoming Investor Conference Schedule

Barclays Global Technology Conference in San Francisco, CA. Meetings with John Bell, Chief Product Officer and Shiv Hira, EVP Finance on Wednesday, December 11th, 2024.

About Bandwidth Inc.

Bandwidth (NASDAQ: BAND) is a global cloud communications software company that helps enterprises deliver exceptional experiences through voice calling, text messaging and emergency services. Our solutions and our Communications Cloud, covering 65+ countries and over 90 percent of global GDP, are trusted by all the leaders in unified communications and cloud contact centers–including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google, Microsoft, RingCentral, Zoom, Genesys and Five9–as well as Global 2000 enterprises and SaaS builders like Docusign, Uber and Yosi Health. As a founder of the cloud communications revolution, we are the first and only global Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) to offer a unique combination of composable APIs, AI capabilities, owner-operated network and broad regulatory experience. Our award-winning support teams help businesses around the world solve complex communications challenges to reach anyone, anywhere. For more information, visit www.bandwidth.com.

Earnings webcast
Bandwidth will host a webcast to discuss financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 on October 31, 2024. Details can be found below and on the investor section of its website at https://investors.bandwidth.com where a replay will also be available shortly following the event.

Webcast Details
October 31, 2024
8:00 am ET

To view live event and replay investors and analysts can register at investors.bandwidth.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, future financial and business performance for the quarter and year ending December 31, 2024, the success of our product offerings and our platform, and the value proposition of our products, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “guide,” “may,” “will” and similar expressions and their negatives are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks related to our rapid growth and ability to sustain our revenue growth rate, competition in the markets in which we operate, market growth, our ability to innovate and manage our growth, our ability to expand effectively into new markets, macroeconomic conditions both in the U.S. and globally, legal, reputational and financial risks which may result from ever-evolving cybersecurity threats, our ability to operate in compliance with applicable laws, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our latest Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and any subsequent reports that we file with the SEC. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, achievements or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will occur. We are under no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, we provide investors with certain Non-GAAP financial measures and other business metrics, which we believe are helpful to our investors. We use these Non-GAAP financial measures and other business metrics for financial and operational decision-making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. We believe that these Non-GAAP financial measures and other business metrics provide useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects and allow for greater transparency with respect to metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making.

The presentation of Non-GAAP financial information and other business metrics is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. While our Non-GAAP financial measures and other business metrics are an important tool for financial and operational decision-making and for evaluating our own operating results over different periods of time, we urge investors to review the reconciliation of these financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures included below, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

We define Non-GAAP gross profit as gross profit after adding back depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets related to acquisitions and stock-based compensation. We add back depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets related to acquisitions and stock-based compensation because they are non-cash items. We eliminate the impact of these non-cash items, because we do not consider them indicative of our core operating performance. Their exclusion facilitates comparisons of our operating performance on a period-to-period basis. Therefore, we believe that showing gross margin, as adjusted to remove the impact of these non-cash expenses, is helpful to investors in assessing our gross profit and gross margin performance in a way that is similar to how management assesses our performance. We calculate Non-GAAP gross margin by dividing Non-GAAP gross profit by cloud communications revenue, which is revenue less pass-through messaging surcharges.

We define Non-GAAP net income (loss) as net income or loss adjusted for certain items affecting period to period comparability. Non-GAAP net income (loss) excludes stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets related to acquisitions, amortization of debt discount and issuance costs for convertible debt, acquisition related expenses, impairment charges of intangibles assets, net cost associated with early lease terminations and leases without economic benefit, (gain) loss on sale of business, net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, gain on business interruption insurance recoveries, non-recurring items not indicative of ongoing operations and other, and estimated tax impact of above adjustments, net of valuation allowances.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or losses from continuing operations, adjusted to reflect the addition or elimination of certain statement of operations items including, but not limited to: income tax (benefit) provision, interest (income) expense, net, depreciation and amortization expense, acquisition related expenses, stock-based compensation expense, impairment of intangible assets, (gain) loss on sale of business, net cost associated with early lease terminations and leases without economic benefit, net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, gain on business interruption insurance recoveries, and non-recurring items not indicative of ongoing operations and other. We have presented Adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, generate future operating plans, and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. In particular, we believe that the exclusion of certain items in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can produce a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business.

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by or used in operating activities less net cash used in the acquisition of property, plant and equipment and capitalized development costs for software for internal use. We believe free cash flow is a useful indicator of liquidity and provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from our core operations that can be used for investing in our business. Free cash flow has certain limitations in that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the cash balance for the period, it does not take into consideration investment in long-term securities, nor does it represent the residual cash flows available for discretionary expenditures. Therefore, it is important to evaluate free cash flow along with our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

We believe that these Non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects and allow for greater transparency with respect to metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making. While a reconciliation of Non-GAAP guidance measures to corresponding GAAP measures is not available on a forward-looking basis as a result of the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, many of these costs and expenses that we may incur in the future, we have provided a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures and other business metrics to the nearest comparable GAAP measures in the accompanying financial statement tables included in this press release.

 

BANDWIDTH INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue

$               193,883

$               152,013

$               538,518

$               435,731

Cost of revenue

120,749

92,514

335,071

261,624

Gross profit

73,134

59,499

203,447

174,107

Operating expenses

Research and development

30,171

24,792

87,215

75,305

Sales and marketing

26,285

25,011

81,490

75,794

General and administrative

17,576

15,843

52,130

48,430

Total operating expenses

74,032

65,646

220,835

199,529

Operating loss

(898)

(6,147)

(17,388)

(25,422)

Other income, net

577

798

11,358

16,819

Loss before income taxes

(321)

(5,349)

(6,030)

(8,603)

Income tax benefit

734

219

1,265

3,194

Net income (loss)

$                      413

$                 (5,130)

$                 (4,765)

$                 (5,409)

Net income (loss) per share:

Basic

$                     0.02

$                   (0.20)

$                   (0.18)

$                   (0.21)

Diluted

$                     0.01

$                   (0.20)

$                   (0.18)

$                   (0.21)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic

27,374,367

25,613,441

26,983,931

25,539,642

Diluted

28,615,520

25,613,441

26,983,931

25,539,642

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Cost of revenue

$                      352

$                      182

$                   1,123

$                      578

Research and development

4,606

2,822

14,606

9,278

Sales and marketing

1,744

1,160

6,014

3,825

General and administrative

4,747

2,778

13,405

8,644

Total

$                 11,449

$                   6,942

$                 35,148

$                 22,325

 

BANDWIDTH INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

As of September 30,

As of December 31,

2024

2023

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$                       74,940

$                     131,987

Marketable securities

4,967

21,488

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

99,616

78,155

Deferred costs

3,806

4,155

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

15,333

16,990

Total current assets

198,662

252,775

Property, plant and equipment, net

170,131

177,864

Operating right-of-use asset, net

152,559

157,507

Intangible assets, net

159,254

166,914

Deferred costs, non-current

4,511

4,586

Other long-term assets

4,244

5,530

Goodwill

340,387

335,872

Total assets

$                  1,029,748

$                  1,101,048

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$                       20,557

$                       34,208

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

94,414

69,014

Current portion of deferred revenue

7,020

8,059

Advanced billings

3,304

6,027

Operating lease liability, current

3,360

5,463

Line of credit, current portion

25,000

Total current liabilities

153,655

122,771

Other liabilities

360

386

Operating lease liability, net of current portion

219,705

220,548

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

8,133

8,406

Deferred tax liability

30,348

33,021

Convertible senior notes

280,972

418,526

Total liabilities

693,173

803,658

Stockholders’ equity:

Class A and Class B common stock

28

26

Additional paid-in capital

426,757

391,048

Accumulated deficit

(69,655)

(64,890)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(20,555)

(28,794)

Total stockholders’ equity

336,575

297,390

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$                  1,029,748

$                  1,101,048

 

BANDWIDTH INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Nine months ended September 30,

2024

2023

Cash flows from operating activities

Net loss

$                        (4,765)

$                        (5,409)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities

Depreciation and amortization

37,138

29,687

Non-cash reduction to the right-of-use asset

2,759

5,227

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

1,332

1,995

Stock-based compensation

35,148

22,325

Deferred taxes and other

(4,249)

(5,902)

Gain on sale of intangible asset

(1,000)

Net gain on extinguishment of debt

(10,267)

(12,767)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable, net of allowances

(21,318)

(654)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

2,482

2,102

Accounts payable

(11,940)

4,164

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

24,991

(13,031)

Operating right-of-use liability

(2,946)

(8,004)

Net cash provided by operating activities

47,365

19,733

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(10,636)

(5,287)

Refund of deposits for construction in progress

2,707

Capitalized software development costs

(8,571)

(8,384)

Purchase of marketable securities

(32,081)

(60,625)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities

48,649

100,109

Proceeds from sale of business

624

1,070

Proceeds from sale of intangible assets

1,000

Net cash provided by investing activities

1,692

26,883

Cash flows from financing activities

Borrowings on line of credit

165,500

Repayments on line of credit

(140,500)

Payments on finance leases

(68)

(124)

Net cash paid for debt extinguishment

(128,534)

(51,259)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(379)

(696)

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

128

413

Value of equity awards withheld for tax liabilities

(2,291)

(1,056)

Net cash used in financing activities

(106,144)

(52,722)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

41

(887)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(57,046)

(6,993)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period

132,307

114,622

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period

$                       75,261

$                     107,629

 

BANDWIDTH INC.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Margin

 

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Gross Profit

$            73,134

$            59,499

$          203,447

$          174,107

Gross Profit Margin %

38 %

39 %

38 %

40 %

Depreciation

4,679

4,056

14,135

11,790

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

1,977

1,959

5,877

5,863

Stock-based compensation

352

182

1,123

578

Non-GAAP Gross Profit

$            80,142

$            65,696

$          224,582

$          192,338

Non-GAAP Gross Margin % (1)

58 %

55 %

57 %

54 %

________________________

(1) Calculated by dividing Non-GAAP gross profit by cloud communications revenue of $139 million and $396 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $120 million and $353 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

 

BANDWIDTH INC.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Non-GAAP Net Income

 

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net income (loss)

$                      413

$                 (5,130)

$                 (4,765)

$                 (5,409)

Stock-based compensation

11,449

6,942

35,148

22,325

Amortization of acquired intangibles

4,436

4,348

13,133

12,960

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs for convertible debt

311

484

1,180

1,520

Net cost associated with early lease terminations and leases without economic benefit

350

1,175

2,383

1,175

Net gain on extinguishment of debt

(10,267)

(12,767)

Gain on business interruption insurance recoveries

(4,000)

Non-recurring items not indicative of ongoing operations and other (1)

(957)

54

(828)

793

Estimated tax effects of adjustments (2)

(3,211)

(1,526)

(6,654)

(4,661)

Non-GAAP net income

$                 12,791

$                   6,347

$                 29,330

$                 11,936

Interest expense on Convertible Notes (3)

251

317

868

971

Numerator used to compute Non-GAAP diluted net income per share

$                 13,042

$                   6,664

$                 30,198

$                 12,907

Net income (loss) per share

Basic

$                     0.02

$                   (0.20)

$                   (0.18)

$                   (0.21)

Diluted

$                     0.01

$                   (0.20)

$                   (0.18)

$                   (0.21)

Non-GAAP net income per Non-GAAP share

Basic

$                     0.47

$                     0.25

$                     1.09

$                     0.47

Diluted

$                     0.43

$                     0.23

$                     0.98

$                     0.44

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

Basic

27,374,367

25,613,441

26,983,931

25,539,642

Diluted

28,615,520

25,613,441

26,983,931

25,539,642

Non-GAAP basic shares

27,374,367

25,613,441

26,983,931

25,539,642

Convertible debt conversion

1,779,025

3,317,023

2,503,118

3,484,424

Stock options issued and outstanding

25,021

20,360

28,785

47,345

Nonvested RSUs outstanding

1,216,132

1,430,317

Non-GAAP diluted shares

30,394,545

28,950,824

30,946,151

29,071,411

________________________

(1) Non-recurring items not indicative of ongoing operations and other include (i) $1.0 million gain on the sale of an intangible asset and less than $0.1 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the three months ended September 30, 2024, (ii) $0.1 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the three months ended September 30, 2023, (iii) $1.0 million gain on the sale of an intangible asset and $0.2 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and (iv) $0.4 million of expense resulting from the early termination of our undrawn SVB credit facility and $0.4 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

(2) The estimated tax-effect of adjustments is determined by recalculating the tax provision on a Non-GAAP basis. The Non-GAAP effective income tax rate was 15.5% and 11.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Non-GAAP effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% in the U.S. primarily due to the research and development tax credits generated in 2024. We analyze the Non-GAAP valuation allowance position on a quarterly basis. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we removed the valuation allowance against all U.S. deferred tax assets for Non-GAAP purposes as a result of cumulative Non-GAAP U.S. income over the past three years and a significant depletion of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards on a Non-GAAP basis. As of September 30, 2024, we have no valuation allowance against our remaining deferred tax assets for Non-GAAP purposes.

(3) Non-GAAP net income is increased for interest expense as part of the calculation for diluted Non-GAAP earnings per share.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net income (loss)

$                      413

$                 (5,130)

$                 (4,765)

$                 (5,409)

Income tax benefit

(734)

(219)

(1,265)

(3,194)

Interest expense (income), net

1,025

(59)

1,090

1,177

Depreciation

7,989

6,647

24,005

16,727

Amortization

4,436

4,348

13,133

12,960

Stock-based compensation

11,449

6,942

35,148

22,325

Net cost associated with early lease terminations and leases without economic benefit

350

1,175

2,383

1,175

Net gain on extinguishment of debt

(10,267)

(12,767)

Gain on business interruption insurance recoveries

(4,000)

Non-recurring items not indicative of ongoing operations and other (1)

(957)

54

(828)

391

Adjusted EBITDA

$                 23,971

$                 13,758

$                 58,634

$                 29,385

________________________

(1) Non-recurring items not indicative of ongoing operations and other include (i) $1.0 million gain on the sale of an intangible asset and less than $0.1 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the three months ended September 30, 2024, (ii) $0.1 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the three months ended September 30, 2023, (iii) $1.0 million gain on the sale of an intangible asset and $0.2 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and (iv) $0.4 million of losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

 

Free Cash Flow

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net cash provided by operating activities

$                 20,464

$                 23,001

$                 47,365

$                 19,733

Net cash used in investing in capital assets (1)

(6,219)

(4,811)

(19,207)

(13,671)

Free cash flow

$                 14,245

$                 18,190

$                 28,158

$                   6,062

________________________

(1) Represents the acquisition cost of property, plant and equipment and capitalized development costs for software for internal use.

 

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SOURCE Bandwidth Inc.

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The “Celebratory Intimacy” Effect: Why Winning Drives Matching

Psychological research has long suggested that major sports victories do more than just boost national pride; they influence human biology and intimacy. Studies indicate that watching a favorite team win can temporarily elevate testosterone levels in fans, leading to a surge in sexual desire and “celebratory intimacy”. This theory is vividly reflected in 3Fun’s latest performance metrics.

Compared with the previous 20-day period, 3Fun saw a 6.13% increase in Daily Active Users (DAU) during the peak of the World Cup season (June 23 – July 12), adding more than 275,000 active participants. The platform’s “heat” was further evidenced by an additional 446,491 messages sent, while the user match rate jumped by 5.71%, resulting in nearly 50,000 new connections.

Spain and Argentina Lead the “Lust for Victory”

The data shows a direct correlation between success on the pitch and activity on 3Fun. Nations with deep football cultures and strong tournament performances saw the highest growth:

Spain: Witnessed a staggering 37.56% surge in new users.Argentina: Followed with a 26.62% increase.France & Mexico: Saw growth rates of 25.44% and 21.42% respectively.

In the U.S., cities like Houston (+8.98%) and New York (+7.45%) led the way. This trend aligns with a broader cultural shift: recent 3Fun data reveals that 69% of Americans report a growing interest in non-traditional relationships, with 77% of seekers preferring dating apps to find compatible partners.

Digital Jet-Setting: 3Fun’s “Roaming” Feature Becomes a Fan Favorite

While millions traveled for the games, many more “traveled” virtually. 3Fun’s new Roaming feature, currently in gray-scale testing, allows users to explore connections beyond their current location by virtually discovering communities in other cities.

The top 10 “Roaming” destinations during the Football Tournament  season reveal where the world’s social interest was concentrated:

Sao Paulo, Brazil (17.35% of total roaming volume)New York, USA (14.82%)Las Vegas, USA (11.37%)Los Angeles, USA (11.19%)London, UK (9.89%)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7.40%)Houston, USA (7.36%)Dallas, USA (7.18%)Miami, USA (6.85%)Chicago, USA (6.60%).

The dominance of Brazilian cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro highlights a “digital pilgrimage” to the spiritual home of football, where users sought to connect with the local energy and like-minded fans.

3Fun Insight: Connection Beyond the Game

“Major global events like the World Cup bring people together far beyond the borders of the pitch,” said Daniel Morgan, 3Fun’s Director of Social Trends. “Our data shows that users aren’t just looking for scores; they are looking for meaningful, shared experiences. Whether through virtual roaming or local matching, these events create unique windows for people to explore their desires in a safe, celebratory, and inclusive community”.

Daniel further noted, “With 72% of users noticing growing acceptance of diverse relationship styles, global sports events such as the World Cup represent a moment when people feel more open to meeting others and exploring new forms of connection”.

About 3Fun: With over 10 million downloads and 3 million verified active users worldwide, 3Fun is the leading dating app for open-minded singles and partners to meet like-minded people. The platform provides a safe and inclusive space to explore ethical open relationships and polyamory, fostering community and connection without judgment. 

Disclaimer: 3Fun is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FIFA, the World Cup, or any official World Cup organizing body. All references to the tournament are descriptive or for informational and topical context only.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/football-tournament-season-sparks-global-social-connection-surge-as-3fun-reports-growth-across-key-markets-302828995.html

SOURCE 3Fun

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Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts

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NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Software Experts has recognized CapCut as a top choice among AI design tools for 2026, citing its AI Design Studio as a standout resource for creating images and marketing assets. The recognition points to the platform’s combination of automated layout generation, image editing, and campaign focused features built for marketers, e-commerce sellers, and content creators.

Best AI Design Tools

CapCut AI Design Studio – a web based design workspace that uses AI to help users create ads, product visuals, and branded content without prior design experience.

Core Capabilities of the AI Design Studio

The AI Design Studio is built around a conversational, infinite canvas that allows users to work with an AI design agent in real time. Instead of starting from a blank template, users type a prompt, upload reference images, and receive layout options generated automatically.

The latest version, Design 2.0, brings references, drafts, assets, and edits into a single workspace. Features include pencil prompting for visual editing, smart layer split for separating subjects and backgrounds, and a One More function that generates new creative directions from an existing design. Users can circle, brush, or mark up an image directly to guide how the AI adjusts a design, rather than relying only on written prompts.

An inspiration hub with built in assets and license free images is also part of the workspace, helping users start projects without sourcing outside materials. Layers for text, subjects, and backgrounds remain editable throughout the process, which allows for adjustments without regenerating an entire design from scratch.

Applications for E-Commerce and Marketing Teams

The AI Design Studio supports several common business use cases, including product content creation, trend based design remixing, and clothing visualization for fashion brands. These features are designed to reduce the time spent on repetitive production tasks, particularly for teams that need to update visuals frequently.

For e-commerce sellers, the tool can generate product main images, banners, and packaging designs from a single uploaded photo, and supports batch replacement across shared backgrounds. A seller managing multiple product lines can apply the same background and layout across different items with one click, rather than recreating each asset individually.

Fashion brands can use the AI clothing try-on feature to visualize how garments appear on different models, helping with catalog updates during seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday. Marketing and social teams can generate assets in multiple styles and resize them automatically for different platforms, which helps maintain consistency across channels without manual reformatting. The trend remixing feature also allows brands to reference the structure of a popular design while keeping the content original to their own products.

Design Automation Powered by Seedream 5.0

For marketing posters and layout heavy assets, the AI Design Studio incorporates the Seedream 5.0 model, which is ranked first on Artificial Analysis’ Text-to-Image Leaderboard. The model is used to arrange visual elements, generate multiple layout variations, and handle typesetting automatically based on uploaded product images.

This approach is intended to reduce the manual work involved in formatting marketing materials. Uploading one or more product photos allows the system to generate several layout options, positioning text, imagery, and other elements without requiring manual placement. Once a layout is generated, users can continue refining it with stickers, filters, or additional effects within the same workspace.

The process is designed to move from prompt to a finished, ready to use asset without requiring separate design software. For teams producing large volumes of seasonal or promotional content, this can reduce the number of tools involved in a single campaign.

Why AI Design Tools Matter for Small Teams

AI design tools are becoming useful because many teams need more visual content than traditional workflows can comfortably support. The Software Experts review notes that marketers, creators, and small businesses often need product images, social graphics, banners, email headers, event posters, and campaign visuals on tight timelines.

For small teams, the main advantage is not simply automation. It is the ability to get to a workable draft faster. Starting from a blank canvas can slow down campaign production, especially when a team is managing several platforms or product lines. AI-assisted design tools can generate starting points, resize assets, suggest layouts, and help keep visuals consistent across channels.

Access and Getting Started

The AI Design Studio is accessible through CapCut desktop by selecting Design Agent from the main dashboard. Users enter a text prompt describing the desired output, optionally upload reference images, and review the generated results.

A typical workflow might involve uploading a reference photo and entering a detailed prompt describing a desired style, color palette, or setting. The AI then generates initial design options based on that input. The built in editor allows for further adjustments, including color changes, auto cutout, element removal, and text overlays, before the final image is downloaded in high resolution.

Software Experts noted that the AI Design Studio is suited to a range of users, from e-commerce sellers managing large catalogs to individual creators producing social media content, as well as marketing teams handling multiple campaigns at once. The tool is offered as part of CapCut’s existing platform, with pricing details available directly through CapCut.

Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html

SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts

Published

on

By

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Software Experts has recognized CapCut as a top choice among AI design tools for 2026, citing its AI Design Studio as a standout resource for creating images and marketing assets. The recognition points to the platform’s combination of automated layout generation, image editing, and campaign focused features built for marketers, e-commerce sellers, and content creators.

Best AI Design Tools

CapCut AI Design Studio – a web based design workspace that uses AI to help users create ads, product visuals, and branded content without prior design experience.

Core Capabilities of the AI Design Studio

The AI Design Studio is built around a conversational, infinite canvas that allows users to work with an AI design agent in real time. Instead of starting from a blank template, users type a prompt, upload reference images, and receive layout options generated automatically.

The latest version, Design 2.0, brings references, drafts, assets, and edits into a single workspace. Features include pencil prompting for visual editing, smart layer split for separating subjects and backgrounds, and a One More function that generates new creative directions from an existing design. Users can circle, brush, or mark up an image directly to guide how the AI adjusts a design, rather than relying only on written prompts.

An inspiration hub with built in assets and license free images is also part of the workspace, helping users start projects without sourcing outside materials. Layers for text, subjects, and backgrounds remain editable throughout the process, which allows for adjustments without regenerating an entire design from scratch.

Applications for E-Commerce and Marketing Teams

The AI Design Studio supports several common business use cases, including product content creation, trend based design remixing, and clothing visualization for fashion brands. These features are designed to reduce the time spent on repetitive production tasks, particularly for teams that need to update visuals frequently.

For e-commerce sellers, the tool can generate product main images, banners, and packaging designs from a single uploaded photo, and supports batch replacement across shared backgrounds. A seller managing multiple product lines can apply the same background and layout across different items with one click, rather than recreating each asset individually.

Fashion brands can use the AI clothing try-on feature to visualize how garments appear on different models, helping with catalog updates during seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday. Marketing and social teams can generate assets in multiple styles and resize them automatically for different platforms, which helps maintain consistency across channels without manual reformatting. The trend remixing feature also allows brands to reference the structure of a popular design while keeping the content original to their own products.

Design Automation Powered by Seedream 5.0

For marketing posters and layout heavy assets, the AI Design Studio incorporates the Seedream 5.0 model, which is ranked first on Artificial Analysis’ Text-to-Image Leaderboard. The model is used to arrange visual elements, generate multiple layout variations, and handle typesetting automatically based on uploaded product images.

This approach is intended to reduce the manual work involved in formatting marketing materials. Uploading one or more product photos allows the system to generate several layout options, positioning text, imagery, and other elements without requiring manual placement. Once a layout is generated, users can continue refining it with stickers, filters, or additional effects within the same workspace.

The process is designed to move from prompt to a finished, ready to use asset without requiring separate design software. For teams producing large volumes of seasonal or promotional content, this can reduce the number of tools involved in a single campaign.

Why AI Design Tools Matter for Small Teams

AI design tools are becoming useful because many teams need more visual content than traditional workflows can comfortably support. The Software Experts review notes that marketers, creators, and small businesses often need product images, social graphics, banners, email headers, event posters, and campaign visuals on tight timelines.

For small teams, the main advantage is not simply automation. It is the ability to get to a workable draft faster. Starting from a blank canvas can slow down campaign production, especially when a team is managing several platforms or product lines. AI-assisted design tools can generate starting points, resize assets, suggest layouts, and help keep visuals consistent across channels.

Access and Getting Started

The AI Design Studio is accessible through CapCut desktop by selecting Design Agent from the main dashboard. Users enter a text prompt describing the desired output, optionally upload reference images, and review the generated results.

A typical workflow might involve uploading a reference photo and entering a detailed prompt describing a desired style, color palette, or setting. The AI then generates initial design options based on that input. The built in editor allows for further adjustments, including color changes, auto cutout, element removal, and text overlays, before the final image is downloaded in high resolution.

Software Experts noted that the AI Design Studio is suited to a range of users, from e-commerce sellers managing large catalogs to individual creators producing social media content, as well as marketing teams handling multiple campaigns at once. The tool is offered as part of CapCut’s existing platform, with pricing details available directly through CapCut.

Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html

SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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