Technology
Alithya sustains operational strength with continued solid margin improvement
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2 years agoon
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Q3-2025 Highlights
Revenues decreased 3.9% to $115.8 million, compared to $120.5 million for the same quarter last year. On a sequential basis, revenues increased in all segments of the business, and by $4.3 million in aggregate, or 3.8%, from the second quarter of this year.87% of revenues were generated from clients which we had in the same quarter last year.Gross Margin as a Percentage of Revenues(1) increased to 32.3%, a record level, compared to 31.3% for the same quarter last year, and from 30.6% for the second quarter of this year, with all segments of the business contributing to this increase.Gross margin decreased slightly by 0.8% to $37.4 million, on lower revenues, compared to
$37.7 million for the same quarter last year.Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.7 million, or 2.4%, to $28.8 million, compared to $29.5 million for the same quarter last year.Net loss was $3.7 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same quarter last year.Adjusted Net Earnings(2) amounted to $5.7 million, representing an increase of $1.4 million, from $4.3 million for same quarter last year. This translated into Adjusted Net Earnings per Share(2) of $0.06, compared to $0.04 for the same quarter last year.Adjusted EBITDA(2) increased 8.7% to $10.3 million, for an Adjusted EBITDA Margin(2) of 8.9% of revenues, a record level, compared to $9.5 million, for an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 7.8% of revenues, for the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 8.3% for the second quarter of this year.Net cash from operating activities was $11.7 million, representing a decrease of $3.9 million, from $15.6 million for the same quarter last year, mainly due to working capital variations.Q3 Bookings(1) reached $138.4 million, which translated into a Book-to-Bill Ratio(1) of 1.20 for the quarter. The Book-to-Bill Ratio would be 1.34 if revenues from the two long-term contracts signed as part of an acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 were excluded.Backlog(1) represented approximately 17 months of trailing twelve-month revenues as at December 31, 2024.Signed 24 new clients.Nicolas Lavoie joined Alithya as Chief Financial Officer.Acquired XRM Vision Inc. and all of its affiliates (“XRM Vision”) (the “XRM Acquisition”) enhancing Microsoft expertise and reinforcing smart shore capabilities.Extended the maturity of the $140 million Credit Facility to April 2027.
MONTREAL, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Alithya Group inc. (TSX: ALYA) (“Alithya” or the “Company”) reported today its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 ended December 31, 2024. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
Summary of the financial results for the third quarter:
Financial Highlights
(in thousands of $, except for margin percentages)
F2025-Q3
F2024-Q3
Revenues
115,761
120,498
Gross Margin
37,385
37,679
Gross Margin as a percentage of revenues (%)(1)
32.3 %
31.3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses
28,814
29,521
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues (%)(1)
24.9 %
24.5 %
Net Loss
(3,716)
(2,537)
Basic and Diluted Loss per Share
(0.04)
(0.03)
Adjusted Net Earnings(2)
5,719
4,303
Adjusted Net Earnings per Share(2)
0.06
0.04
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
10,275
9,456
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)(2)
8.9 %
7.8 %
(1)
These are other financial measures without a standardized definition under IFRS, which may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. See “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” below.
(2)
These are non-IFRS financial measures without a standardized definition under IFRS, which may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. More information and quantitative reconciliations of Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable IFRS measures are presented below under the caption “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures”. “Adjusted EBITDA Margin” refers to the percentage of total revenue that Adjusted EBITDA represents for a given period.
Quote by Paul Raymond, President and CEO, Alithya:
“We are proud to disclose that the Alithya team delivered a record quarter on several fronts, including posting the highest Adjusted EBITDA margin since going public, a key milestone in the stated targets of our 3-year plan. Q3 was also a high-water mark for gross margin as a percentage of revenue. Together, those metrics clearly demonstrate the merits of our continued focus on greater efficiency and our shift towards a higher-value business mix.
Q3 was also a quarter of strong bookings and sequential organic revenue growth in all our geographies, which is an encouraging sign in terms of our future revenue trajectory. Furthermore, as a result of the XRM Vision acquisition, completed on December 1, we anticipate growth through the scaling of our Microsoft and smart shoring capabilities.
As we enter the final quarter of our fiscal 2025 year, we are pleased with the progress we have made in advancing the core pillars of our 3-year strategic plan. Our third quarter results are a testament to those achievements as we continue our disciplined approach on all fronts.”
Third Quarter Results
Revenues
Revenues amounted to $115.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $4.7 million, or 3.9%, from $120.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. On a sequential basis, revenues increased in all segments of the business, and by $4.3 million in aggregate, or 3.8%, from the second quarter of this year.
Revenues in Canada decreased by $6.3 million, or 9.3%, to $61.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, from $68.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues was due primarily to one client’s major transformation project reaching maturity and a reduction in revenues from certain government contracts, partially offset by a recovery in the banking sector, and revenues from XRM Vision since the acquisition.
U.S. revenues increased by $1.7 million, or 3.8%, to $48.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, from $47.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, due primarily to organic growth in enterprise transformation services, support revenues and a favorable US$ exchange rate impact of $1.3 million between the two periods.
International revenues decreased by $0.2 million, or 4.0%, to $5.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, from $5.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Gross Margin
Gross margin decreased by $0.3 million, or 0.8%, to $37.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, on lower revenues, from $37.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased to 32.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, from 31.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 due to increased efficiencies and the continued evolution towards a higher value-added business mix. On a sequential basis, gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased from 30.6% for the second quarter of this year, with all segments of the business contributing to this increase.
In Canada, gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased, compared to the same quarter last year, mainly due to increased efficiencies and higher hourly billing rates, as a result of providing a greater proportion of higher-value services, a proportionally larger decrease in the use of subcontractors compared to permanent employees and a positive margin contribution from XRM Vision since the acquisition.
In the U.S., gross margin as a percentage of revenues decreased compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to lower digital adoption subscription revenues, which historically had a higher gross margin as a percentage of revenues, partially offset by higher hourly billing rates and increased efficiencies.
International gross margin as a percentage of revenues decreased compared to the same quarter last year, mainly due to reduced activities in the UK, which historically had a higher gross margin.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $28.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $0.7 million, or 2.4%, from $29.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues amounted to 24.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 24.5% for the same period last year. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was driven mainly by decreases in professional fees, occupancy costs, and recruiting fees, partially offset by an increase in employee compensation costs, resulting primarily from variable compensation and XRM Vision since the acquisition.
Net Loss
Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $3.7 million, representing an increase of $1.2 million, from a net loss of $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increased net loss was driven primarily by the $5.1 million impairment of goodwill, in addition to decreased gross margin caused by lower revenues and increased income tax expense, partially offset by decreased selling, general and administrative expenses, decreased business acquisition, integration and reorganization costs, resulting primarily from a $2.7 million contingent consideration adjustment related to the Datum Acquisition which was partially offset by $1.1 million of acquisition costs related to the XRM Acquisition, decreased amortization of intangibles and depreciation of property and equipment, increased foreign exchange gain, and decreased net financial expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023. On a per share basis, this translated into a basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.04 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to a basic and diluted net loss of $0.03 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Adjusted Net Earnings
Adjusted Net Earnings amounted to $5.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $1.4 million, or 32.9%, from $4.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. As explained above, decreased selling, general and administrative expenses, decreased depreciation of property and equipment and right-of-use assets and decreased net financial expenses, were partially offset by decreased gross margin caused by lower revenues and increased income tax expense. This translated into Adjusted Net Earnings per Share of $0.06 for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $0.04 for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $10.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $0.8 million, or 8.7%, from $9.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. As explained above, decreased selling, general and administrative expenses were partially offset by decreased gross margin caused by lower revenues. Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 8.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 7.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2023. On a sequential basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.0 million or 10.5%, from the second quarter of this year, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin increased from 8.3% from the second quarter of this year.
Bookings
Bookings increased to $138.4 million, which translated into a Book-to-Bill Ratio of 1.20 for the quarter, compared to 125.6 million, which translated into a Book-to-Bill Ratio of 1.04, for the same quarter last year. Bookings for the trailing twelve months amounted to $454.5 million as at December 31, 2024, which translated into a Book-to-Bill ratio of 0.97. On a sequential basis, Bookings increased by $54.4 million, from 84.0 million, and the Book-to-Bill ratio increased from 0.75, for the second quarter of this year.
If revenues from the two long-term contracts signed as part of an acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 were excluded, the Book-to-Bill ratio would be 1.34, an improvement from 1.20 for the same quarter last year and 0.85 for the second quarter of this year. For the trailing twelve months as at December 31, 2024, the Book-to-Bill ratio excluding revenues from the two long-term contracts would be 1.10.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
For the three months ended December 31, 2024, net cash from operating activities was $11.7 million, representing a decrease of $3.9 million, or 25.2%, from $15.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in net cash from operating activities compared to the same quarter last year is mainly driven by changes in non-cash working capital items.
Favorable changes in non-cash working capital items of $3.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2024 consisted primarily of a $14.5 million decrease in accounts receivable and other receivables, partially offset by a $7.8 million increase in unbilled revenues, a $1.8 million increase in tax credits receivable, and a $1.4 decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, favorable changes in non-cash working capital items of $8.2 million consisted primarily of a $4.9 million decrease in unbilled revenues, a $2.9 million decrease in accounts receivable and other receivables, and a $1.4 million increase in deferred revenues, partially offset by a $1.4 million increase in tax credits receivable.
The cash flow generation remained strong in the quarter, allowing continued deleveraging of the balance sheet, in line with the Company’s capital allocation priorities. Drawings on the Credit Facility amounted to $89.6 million, after the impact of the initial cash payment on the acquisition of XRM Vision during the quarter. In February, the maturity of the Credit Facility was extended to April 2027. Liquidity remains strong with cash on hand and availability under the Credit Agreement amounting to $63.7 million.
Nine-Months Results
Revenues amounted to $348.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $22.4 million, or 6.1%, from $370.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Gross margin decreased by $0.6 million, or 0.5%, to $110.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, from $110.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Gross margin as a percentage of revenues increased to 31.6% for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, from 29.8% for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $29.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, representing an increase of $4.6 million, or 18.7%, from $25.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 8.5% for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, compared to 6.7% for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Net loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2024 was $6.7 million, representing a decrease of $12.3 million, from a net loss of $19.0 million, for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. On a per share basis, this translated into a basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.07 for the nine months ended December 31, 2024, compared to a basic and diluted net loss of $0.20 per share for the nine months ended December 31, 2023.
Acquisition of XRM Vision
On December 1, 2024, Alithya acquired XRM Vision for a purchase price of up to $35 million, payable in cash and Class A subordinated voting shares, including a potential earn-out of $12 million.
XRM Vision is a recognized Microsoft partner, specializing in creating and implementing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Project Portfolio Management solutions, powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform and other Microsoft technologies. With a team of about 85 specialists, XRM Vision operates from locations across Canada and Morocco.
Strategic Business Plan Outlook
Alithya embarked on a journey to be recognized as the trusted technology advisor of its clients. By the end of fiscal 2027, management believes that the achievement of this new scale and scope will allow the Company to leverage its industry knowledge, geographic presence, expertise, integrated offerings, and its position on the value chain to target higher value IT segments.
Alithya’s strategic process begins with its agile approach to aligning its offerings with the most pressing challenges being experienced within the sectors that it services, and in its ability to continuously reinforce the building blocks of trusted relationships with its clients, its people, its investors, and its partners. To ensure that it remains innovative and relevant, Alithya strives to meet or exceed the expectations of its stakeholders, including optimizing employee experiences, assisting its clients in achieving their missions, and creating greater value for its investors.
More specifically, Alithya has developed a three-year strategic plan outlining objectives, keeping in mind its stakeholders’ interests, with the primary goals detailed as follows:
Increasing scale through organic growth and strategic acquisitions:Organic Growth: Alithya aims to achieve between 5 and 10 percent annualized organic growth.Acquisitions: Alithya plans to acquire complementary businesses totaling 150 million dollars of revenues.AI and IP Solutions: Alithya intends to increase the utilization of its AI and intellectual property solutions.Providing investors, partners and stakeholders with long-term growing return on investment:Profitability: Alithya’s Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1) is targeted to increase to within the range of 11 to 13 percent.Smart shoring centers: Alithya aims to deliver an increasing percentage of its business through smart shoring centers.Environmental goal: Alithya endeavours to obtain Carbon Care Certification® (Level 1), and to initiate steps towards achieving carbon neutrality certification (Level 2).
These objectives set out in Alithya’s three-year strategic plan launched on April 1, 2024, are based on its current business plan and strategies and are not intended to be a forecast or a projection of future results. Rather, they are objectives that the Company seeks to achieve from the execution of its strategy over time, and contemplate its historical performance and certain assumptions including but not limited to (i) its ability to execute its growth strategies, (ii) its ability to identify and acquire complementary businesses on accretive terms, and (iii) its estimates and expectations in relation to future economic and business conditions and other factors.
1 This is a non-IFRS financial measure. Refer to section 5 titled “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” for an explanation of the composition and usefulness of this non-IFRS financial measure and to section 8.8 titled “EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” of Alithya’s MD&A for a quantitative reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS measure for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Forward-Looking Statements and Financial Outlook
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking information”, “forward-looking statements” or “financial outlook” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable U.S. safe harbours (collectively “forward-looking statements”). Statements that do not exclusively relate to historical facts, as well as statements relating to management’s expectations regarding the future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects of Alithya, and other information related to Alithya’s business strategy and future plans or which refer to the characterizations of future events or circumstances represent forward-looking statements. Such statements often contain the words “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “can,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “project,” “target,” and similar expressions and variations thereof, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among other things, information or statements about: (i) our ability to generate sufficient earnings to support our operations; (ii) our ability to take advantage of business opportunities and meet our goals set in our three-year strategic plan; (iii) our ability to maintain and develop our business, including by broadening the scope of our service offerings, by leveraging artificial intelligence (“AI”), our geographic presence and our smart shore capabilities, our expertise, and our integrated offerings, and by entering into new contracts and penetrating new markets; (iv) our strategy, future operations, and prospects, including our expectations regarding future revenue resulting from bookings and backlog and providing stakeholders with long-term growing return on investment; (v) our ability to service our debt and raise additional capital; (vi) our estimates regarding our financial performance, including our revenues, profitability, costs and expenses, gross margins, liquidity, capital resources, and capital expenditures; (vii) our ability to identify suitable acquisition targets and realize the expected synergies or cost savings relating to the integration of acquired entities, and (viii) our ability to balance, meet and exceed the needs of our stakeholders.
Forward-looking statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding Alithya’s objectives, strategies and business outlook as well as its anticipated operating environment and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Although management believes the expectations reflected in Alithya’s forward-looking statements were reasonable as at the date they were made, forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management and, as such, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Alithya’s control, and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those discussed in the section titled “Risks and Uncertainties” of Alithya’s Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended March 31, 2024, as well as in Alithya’s other materials made public, including documents filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities from time to time and which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Alithya or that Alithya currently deems to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on its financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this press release. Alithya expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since actual results may vary materially from them.
Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures
This press release includes certain measures which have not been prepared in accordance with IFRS and other financial measures. Adjusted Net Earnings, Adjusted Net Earnings per Share, EBITDA, EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are non-IFRS measures and Bookings, Book-to-Bill Ratio, Backlog, Gross Margin as a Percentage of Revenues and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses as a Percentage of Revenues are other financial measures used in this press release. These measures are provided as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing further understanding of Alithya’s results of operations from management’s perspective. They do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. They should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. They are used to provide investors with additional insight into Alithya’s operating performance and thus highlight trends in Alithya’s business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. Additional details for these non-IFRS and other financial measures can be found in section 5, “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures”, of Alithya’s MD&A for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, which includes explanations of the composition and usefulness of these non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios and is incorporated by reference in this press release.
The following table reconciles net loss to Adjusted Net Earnings:
For the three months ended
December 31,
For the nine months ended
December 31,
(in $ thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
$
$
$
$
Net loss
(3,716)
(2,537)
(6,748)
(18,958)
Business acquisition, integration and reorganization costs (recovery)
(1,244)
1,030
88
4,798
Amortization of intangibles
4,810
5,299
14,089
18,300
Share-based compensation
1,704
1,358
4,428
5,031
Impairment of goodwill
5,144
—
5,144
—
Impairment of property and equipment and
right-of-use assets and loss on lease
termination
—
(60)
—
1,323
Severance
—
—
1,502
—
Effect of income tax related to above items
(979)
(787)
(2,580)
(2,941)
Adjusted Net Earnings (1)(2)
5,719
4,303
15,923
7,553
Basic and diluted loss per share
(0.04)
(0.03)
(0.07)
(0.20)
Adjusted Net Earnings per Share (1)(2)
0.06
0.04
0.17
0.08
(1) Non-IFRS measure. See section 5 titled “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” of Alithya’s MD&A for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
(2) Figures for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2023 reflect adjustments for certain changes to the calculations and assumptions.
The following table reconciles net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
For the three months ended
December 31,
For the nine months ended
December 31,
(in $ thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
$
$
$
$
Revenues
115,761
120,498
348,150
370,585
Net loss
(3,716)
(2,537)
(6,748)
(18,958)
Net financial expenses
2,372
3,302
6,246
9,595
Income tax expense
724
(346)
1,962
318
Depreciation
1,168
1,444
3,365
4,610
Amortization of intangibles
4,810
5,299
14,089
18,300
EBITDA (1)
5,358
7,162
18,914
13,865
EBITDA Margin (1)
4.6 %
5.9 %
5.4 %
3.7 %
Adjusted for:
Foreign exchange gain
(687)
(34)
(445)
(50)
Share-based compensation
1,704
1,358
4,428
5,031
Business acquisition, integration and
reorganization costs (recovery)
(1,244)
1,030
88
4,798
Impairment of goodwill
5,144
—
5,144
—
Impairment of property and equipment and
right-of-use assets and loss on lease
termination
—
(60)
—
1,323
Severance
—
—
1,502
—
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
10,275
9,456
29,631
24,967
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1)
8.9 %
7.8 %
8.5 %
6.7 %
(1) Non-IFRS measure. See section 5 titled “Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures” of Alithya’s MD&A for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Third Quarter Conference Call
Alithya will hold a conference call to discuss third quarter results on February 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties can join the call by dialing 1-800-990-4777, or via webcast at https://app.webinar.net/06qkaPWlmPr. A replay will be made available until February 20, 2025 (conference replay information: 1-888-660-6345, 17546#).
About Alithya
Empowered by the passion and enthusiasm of a talented global workforce, Alithya is positioned on the crest of the digital wave as a trusted advisor in strategy and digital technology services. Transforming the world one digital step at a time, Alithya leverages collective intelligence and expertise to develop practical IT solutions tailored to complex business challenges. As shared stewards of its clients’ success, Alithya accompanies them through the full cycle of their digital evolutions, paving new roads to the future of their businesses.
Living up to its name, meaning truth, Alithya embraces a business model that avoids industry buzzwords and technical jargon to deliver straight talk provided by collaborative teams focused on three main pillars: strategic consulting, enterprise transformation, and business enablement.
With gender parity and carbon care certifications already obtained, and in pursuit of indigenous relations and carbon neutral certifications, Alithya strives to balance its desire to do the right thing with its commitment to doing things right.
Note to readers: Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the interim consolidated financial statements and notes for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2024 are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at www.alithya.com. Shareholders may, upon request, receive a hard copy of these documents free of charge.
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SOURCE Alithya Group inc.
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The compact, foam-reinforced case protects and organizes the Valve Steam Frame headset and its accessories between gaming sessions at home and on the road. An interior Padded Accessory Case keeps the controllers separate from the headset and helps stabilize it, while fleece lining, waterproof YKK zippers and durable materials provide added protection.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WaterField Designs introduces the Shield Case for Steam Frame, a compact protective case for Valve’s Steam Frame virtual reality (VR) headset, which ships without a dedicated carrying case. Designed and handcrafted in San Francisco, the new Steam Frame case protects and organizes the headset, both controllers and the included wireless adapter in a structured, foam-reinforced, fleece-lined interior for home storage and travel.
Shield Case for Steam Frame video demo.
The Steam Frame supports wireless PC game streaming and standalone play, whether at home, in a hotel room or at a friend’s house. To keep the case compact and the accessories organized, WaterField designed the Padded Accessory Case. Positioned between the goggles and headband, its main compartment holds both controllers, while an Ultrasuede® pocket holds the included wireless adapter. For owners with an Arcturus Vision Camera, the pocket also accommodates the camera alongside the adapter. The padded compartment cushions and helps stabilize the headset.
“We wanted to give the Steam Frame a protected place between gaming sessions and make it easy to take the whole setup along,” said company founder Gary Waterfield. “The tricky part was fitting the controllers without making the case larger than it needed to be. We used the space between the goggles and headband to give them their own padded compartment.”
Firm foam reinforces all sides of both the Shield Case and the Padded Accessory Case inside it. Three-layer, foam-padded fleece lines the interior, while cushioned zipper guards help protect the headset from scratches. Each case is handcrafted in small batches using 1680-denier ballistic nylon, 15-ounce waxed canvas, or Forza, a high-performance nylon with a distinctive, two-tone basketweave. Select versions feature full-grain leather accents. Waterproof YKK zippers and custom metal hardware complete the construction.
Key Features
Custom fit: Holds the Steam Frame headset, both controllers, the included wireless adapter, and other included accessories. The headset fits with its headband extended or collapsed and with or without the eye spacer attached.Padded Accessory Case: Holds both controllers between the goggles and headband, helping stabilize the headset. Its Ultrasuede® pocket fits the wireless adapter, with room for an Arcturus Vision Camera alongside it.Additional accessory storage: A plush, padded pocket in the main Shield Case holds a power adapter, power cables and other accessories.Exterior storage: A diagonal zippered front pocket holds a USB-C cable, cleaning cloth, or other small items; a hidden pocket holds an AirTag.Impact protection: Firm foam reinforces all sides of the Shield Case and Padded Accessory Case to help protect against bumps during storage and transport.Scratch protection: Three-layer, foam-padded fleece lining, fleece-covered sides of the Padded Accessory Case, and cushioned zipper guards help protect the headset and its sensitive surfaces from scratches.Weather-resistant closure: Waterproof YKK zippers secure the main compartment and exterior pocket.Carry options: A wide padded handle allows hand carry; D-rings accommodate an optional 1-inch shoulder strap (not included).
Availability and Pricing
Shield Case for Steam Frame
Price: $169—ballistic nylon, waxed canvas, or Forza; $189—ballistic nylon or waxed canvas with full-grain leather.
Colors: Black ballistic nylon; tan waxed canvas; blue Forza; titanium Forza; black ballistic nylon with black full-grain leather; tan waxed canvas with chocolate full-grain leather.
Materials: 1680-denier ballistic nylon, 15-ounce waxed canvas, or Blue Forza basketweave nylon; full-grain leather on select versions; foam reinforcement; padded fleece lining; Ultrasuede®; waterproof YKK zippers; custom metal hardware.
Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 5 inches.
Capacity: 5 liters.
Weight: Non-leather models: 1 pound. Models with leather: 1.25 pounds.
Compatibility: Valve Steam Frame VR headset and all included accessories, with headband extended or collapsed and with or without the eye spacer.
Optional add-on: 1-inch Cam Lock Shoulder Strap — $25.
Manufacturing: Handcrafted in small batches in San Francisco.
Availability: Non-leather models ship today. Models with leather ship Nov. 12, 2026.
About WaterField Designs
Founded in 1998, WaterField Designs handcrafts premium laptop bags, backpacks, travel bags and gaming cases in San Francisco. Known for meticulous craftsmanship, premium materials and functional design, the company produces bags and accessories in small batches for professionals, travelers and technology enthusiasts worldwide. More at Our Story.
WaterField Designs, SFbags, and Shield Case for Steam Frame are trademarks of WaterField Designs. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved.
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SOURCE WaterField Designs
Technology
From Pitch to Pilot: Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition Opens Global Search for Deep Tech Urban Solutions and Sustainability focused Founders
Published
7 minutes agoon
October 29, 2026By
Finalists compete for over S$2.5 million (US$2 million) in prizes and gain a pathway to SMU’s Urban SustaInnovator accelerator and US$10 million USI Fund
SINGAPORE, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For many deep-tech start-ups tackling urban and sustainability challenges, the biggest hurdle is not developing breakthrough technologies, but finding the customers, partners and opportunities to deploy them at scale.
Addressing this challenge, the 13th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) today opened applications for university founders and recent graduates seeking to turn frontier ideas into real-world impact. Organised by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE), LKYGBPC is one of Asia’s most globally representative deep-tech start-up competitions, spanning 12 focus areas including climate tech, energy, food and land use, urban mobility, longevity and healthtech, and sustainable materials and circularity.
Fifty finalists will be flown to Singapore 28 September to 1 October 2027 to compete for over S$2.5 million in prizes and take part in an Innovation Festival featuring investor engagement, mentorship, and connections with corporate and ecosystem partners.
Beyond the Competition: A Gateway to SMU’s Urban SustaInnovator (USI) accelerator
Selected LKYGBPC finalists can join SMU’s Urban SustaInnovator (USI) accelerator, launched in 2025, which supports start-ups through market access, pilot projects and strategic introductions across Asia. In May 2026, SMU IIE launched the USI Fund to back promising ventures as they pilot and scale.
“Founders of breakthrough technologies can create value only when they reach the people, industries, and communities they are designed to serve. SMU created LKYGBPC as a platform to help founders bring their innovative ideas to life by connecting them with the partners, markets and opportunities needed to turn innovation into real-world impact. Now, through the USI programme and USI Fund, we offer a post-competition pathway to pilot, scale, and raise capital throughout Asia,” said Rony Palathinkal, Head of the LKYGBPC and Urban SustaInnovator at SMU IIE.
One of the biggest challenges for sustainability start-ups is getting access to the right partners to validate and deploy new technologies.
SMU is uniquely positioned to help startups make these connections with its network of Overseas Centres in Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Shenzhen, and its International Advisory Councils in eight countries. “SMU’s expansive network of partners from industry, government and community across Asia enables us to forge connections that enable startups to cross borders and scale their innovative solutions,” says Professor Sun Sun Lim, SMU’s Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement, and Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication & Technology.
Singapore-based Standard Physics (formerly Inviscid AI), founded by Qiu Ziming and Kabir Jain, was a finalist in the 12th LKYGBPC before joining Y Combinator’s Winter 2026 cohort and SMU’s inaugural Urban SustaInnovator (USI) accelerator. The startup uses physics-informed AI and IoT-powered digital twins to optimise energy efficiency in buildings and data centres. Through USI, it secured a pilot with The GEAR by Japanese construction giant Kajima and is discussing three more opportunities. It has also raised US$2.3 million in seed funding led by Square Peg Capital and is preparing to launch an AI-powered agentic engineering platform. Jain credits Y Combinator’s start-up expertise and USI’s regional network for supporting its growth.
“The accelerators were very complementary. YC was good at getting us from zero to one, and then USI has been very helpful in getting us from one to 10. The USI team can make the right introductions and help you grow,” said Jain.
Singapore is strengthening its position as a global sustainability innovation hub, providing start-ups with opportunities to pilot, validate and scale technologies across Asia and beyond. This government-led ambition is backed by the S$37 billion RIE 2030 plan, including S$10.8 billion for mission-oriented research, and a S$40 million USS Translation Fund to support the development and commercialisation of urban and sustainability solutions.
Building a Global Pipeline of Innovation
Established by SMU in 2002, LKYGBPC is a biennial competition open to start-ups with at least one founder currently enrolled in a university programme or who graduated within the past five years. Its 12th edition in October 2025 attracted over 1,500 entries from founders representing 1,200 universities across 91 countries. Finalists from the 9th to 12th editions have collectively raised over S$1 billion. Finalists from the 9th to 12th editions have collectively raised over S$1 billion. Finalists from the 9th to 12th editions have collectively raised over S$1 billion.
Said Shirley Wong, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at SMU IIE, Chairperson of the 13th LKYGBPC Advisory Committee, and Managing Partner of TNF Ventures: “As Asia continues to urbanise, the region presents both complex challenges and significant opportunities for innovation. LKYGBPC brings together founders worldwide and connects them with Singapore’s ecosystem of industry, investors and institutions to accelerate solutions with regional and global impact.”
Applications are open at https://iie.smu.edu.sg/lkygbpc and close on 31 March 2027.
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Technology
Dragonpass Showcases AI-Powered Travel Experiences and Member Engagement Solutions at ITB Asia 2026
Published
7 minutes agoon
October 29, 2026By
SINGAPORE, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dragonpass, a global travel and lifestyle platform and membership solutions provider, participated in ITB Asia 2026, held from 21 to 23 October at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The event provided an opportunity for Dragonpass to connect with industry stakeholders across the travel value chain and explore new partnership opportunities to deliver more connected travel and lifestyle experiences.
Under the theme “Experiences in Motion: Human-Centred Design in Travel & Tourism”, the event brought together more than 1,000 exhibiting brands and industry leaders to explore the future of travel and tourism. Dragonpass showcased its integrated travel ecosystem, highlighting how premium services, member engagement and AI-driven personalisation can create greater value for partners and travellers.
Connecting Partners Across the Travel Ecosystem
With 20 years of experience, Dragonpass demonstrated how it transforms travel benefits into long-term customer loyalty for corporate partners worldwide, bringing together airlines, airports, hotels and travel service providers to create more connected experiences across the journey.
Its integrated solutions span premium travel services, including first-class services, airport transit and flight delay assistance, alongside targeted member engagement through premium privileges, daily engagement and miles redemption. By connecting these services with partners’ existing membership programmes, Dragonpass helps make benefits more accessible and relevant to members, encouraging ongoing engagement beyond individual transactions.
Through co-branded lounges, dedicated counters and co-branded events, Dragonpass also enables partners to extend their brand presence into the airport environment and build more valuable connections with their members.
Reimagining Member Experiences for Interest-Driven Travel
As travel patterns evolve, interest-driven travel is creating new opportunities for membership programmes to move beyond benefit redemption towards more personalised, experience-led engagement.
“One of the most noticeable changes we see is that people are increasingly travelling around their interests — whether it’s flying to another city for a concert, a sporting event, a food experience or an art exhibition,” said Jane Zhu, Co-founder and CEO of Dragonpass.
“AI allows us to connect membership benefits with these real-life journeys, helping travellers discover relevant services when planning a trip and access available lounge or privileges at the airport. The opportunity is to move beyond simply offering benefits to showing members how those benefits can enrich their travel and lifestyle experiences,” she added.
As Dragonpass continues to expand its global ecosystem, the company is focused on using AI to deepen member relationships, connect more partners across the travel and lifestyle value chain, and transform membership benefits into meaningful experiences throughout the journey.
About Dragonpass
Established in 2005, Dragonpass is a leading global travel and lifestyle platform, providing premium benefits and experiences to more than 40 million members worldwide. Its growing ecosystem spans travel, health and wellness, lifestyle and entertainment, with a global network covering more than 140 countries and regions and partnerships with more than 800 enterprises.
For more information, please visit www.dragonpass.com.
Dragonpass Brand & Marketing
Email:brandmarketing@dragonpass.com
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SOURCE Dragonpass
WaterField Designs Introduces Shield Case for Steam Frame VR Headset and Accessories
From Pitch to Pilot: Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition Opens Global Search for Deep Tech Urban Solutions and Sustainability focused Founders
Dragonpass Showcases AI-Powered Travel Experiences and Member Engagement Solutions at ITB Asia 2026
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