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Ultra Clean Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

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HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: UCTT), today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 27, 2024.

“UCT’s fourth quarter capped off a strong year with total revenue growing 21 percent over the prior year, significantly outperforming the overall WFE market,” said Jim Scholhamer, CEO. “Our unique ability to support the key drivers of semiconductor innovation, including those required by advancements in artificial intelligence, position us well to benefit over the long-term.”

“Our cash flow generation for the year enabled us to make strategic investments to drive long-term growth,” said Sheri Savage, CFO. “We now have the global manufacturing capacity to support a $4 billion revenue run rate.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 GAAP Financial Results
Total revenue was $563.3 million. Products contributed $503.5 million and Services added $59.8 million. Total gross margin was 16.3%, operating margin was 4.6%, and net income was $16.3 million or $0.36 per diluted share. This compares to total revenue of $540.4 million, gross margin of 17.3%, operating margin of 4.7%, and net loss of $(2.3) million or $(0.05) per diluted share, in the prior quarter.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Non-GAAP Financial Results
On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 16.8%, operating margin was 7.0%, and net income was $22.9 million or $0.51 per diluted share. This compares to gross margin of 17.8%, operating margin of 7.3%, and net income of $15.9 million or $0.35 per diluted share in the prior quarter.

Full Year 2024 GAAP Financial Results
Total revenue was $2,097.6 million. Products contributed $1,853.7 million and Services added $243.9 million. Total gross margin was 17.0% operating margin was 4.3%, and net income was $23.7 million  or $0.52 per diluted share. This compares to total revenue of $1,734.5 million, gross margin of 16.0%, operating margin of 2.0%, and net loss of $(31.1) million or $(0.70) per diluted share in the prior year.

Full Year 2024 Non-GAAP Financial Results
On a non-GAAP basis, the company reported gross margin of 17.5%, operating margin of 6.9%, and net income of $65.2 million or $1.44 per diluted share. This compares to gross margin of 16.6%, operating margin of 4.9%, and net income of $25.2 million or $0.56 per diluted share in the prior year.

First Quarter 2025 Outlook
The Company expects revenue in the range of $505 million to $555 million. The Company expects GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share to be between $(0.11) and $0.09 and non-GAAP diluted net income per share to be between $0.22 and $0.42.

Conference Call
The call will take place at 1:45 p.m. PT and can be accessed by dialing 1-800-836-8184 or 1-646-357-8785. No passcode is required. A replay of the call will be available by dialing 1-888-660-6345 or 1-646-517-4150 and entering the confirmation code 80801#. The Webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://uct.com/investors/events/.

About Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of critical subsystems, components, parts, and ultra-high purity cleaning and analytical services, primarily for the semiconductor industry. Under its Products division, UCT offers its customers an integrated outsourced solution for major subassemblies, improved design-to-delivery cycle times, design for manufacturability, prototyping, and high-precision manufacturing. Under its Services Division, UCT offers its customers tool chamber parts cleaning and coating, as well as micro-contamination analytical services. Ultra Clean is headquartered in Hayward, California. Additional information is available at www.uct.com

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to providing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management uses non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP net income to evaluate the Company’s operating and financial results. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP results is useful to investors for analyzing our core business and business trends and comparing performance to prior periods, along with enhancing investors’ ability to view the Company’s results from management’s perspective. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Tables presenting reconciliations from GAAP results to non-GAAP results are included at the end of this press release.

The Company defines non-GAAP net income as net income (loss) before amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, acquisition activity costs, fair value adjustments, debt refinancing costs, legal-related costs and the tax effects of the foregoing adjustments.

A reconciliation of our guidance for non-GAAP net income per diluted share for the subsequent quarter is not available due to fluctuations in the geographic mix of our earnings from quarter to quarter, which impacts our tax rate and cannot be reasonably predicted or determined. As a result, such reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts and we are unable to determine the probable significance of the unavailable information.

Safe Harbor Statement
The foregoing information contains, or may be deemed to contain, “forward-looking statements” (as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. We use words such as “anticipates,” “projection,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “believes,” “plan,” “expect,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “see,” “predicts,” “should” and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements included in this press release include our expectations about the semiconductor capital equipment market and outlook. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results predicted or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors also include, among others, those identified in “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise unless required by law.

Contact:
Rhonda Bennetto
SVP Investor Relations
rbennetto@uct.com

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; in millions, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

(In millions, except per share amounts)

Revenues:

$                  503.5

$                  389.7

$               1,853.7

$               1,501.6

Product

59.8

55.1

243.9

232.9

Services

563.3

444.8

2,097.6

1,734.5

Total revenues

Cost of revenues:

Product

428.5

335.0

1,569.7

1,290.5

Services

43.0

38.7

171.6

166.7

Total cost revenues

471.5

373.7

1,741.3

1,457.2

Gross margin

91.8

71.1

356.3

277.3

Operating expenses:

Research and development

7.1

6.6

28.3

28.3

Sales and marketing

14.4

13.2

57.3

51.8

General and administrative

44.4

46.7

179.5

162.0

Total operating expenses

65.9

66.5

265.1

242.1

Income from operations

25.9

4.6

91.2

35.2

Interest income

0.9

1.6

4.8

4.1

Interest expense

(10.7)

(12.8)

(46.5)

(48.8)

Other income (expense), net

8.4

(1.1)

17.7

(1.8)

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

24.5

(7.7)

67.2

(11.3)

Provision for income tax

4.5

(6.2)

32.7

10.9

Net income (loss)

20.0

(1.5)

34.5

(22.2)

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

3.7

2.3

10.8

8.9

Net income (loss) attributable to UCT

$                    16.3

$                     (3.8)

$                    23.7

$                  (31.1)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to UCT common stockholders:

Basic

$                    0.36

$                  (0.08)

$                    0.53

$                  (0.70)

Diluted

$                    0.36

$                  (0.08)

$                    0.52

$                  (0.70)

Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:

Basic

45.1

44.7

44.9

44.7

Diluted

45.4

44.7

45.3

44.7

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; in millions)

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$                  313.9

$                  307.0

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

241.1

180.8

Inventories

381.0

374.5

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

34.1

30.9

Total current assets

970.1

893.2

Property, plant and equipment, net

325.9

328.3

Goodwill

265.3

265.2

Intangible assets, net

184.9

215.3

Deferred tax assets, net

3.1

3.1

Operating lease right-of-use assets

161.0

151.7

Other non-current assets

9.6

10.9

Total assets

$               1,919.9

$               1,867.7

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Bank borrowings

$                    16.0

$                    17.6

Accounts payable

212.5

192.9

Accrued compensation and related benefits

50.1

47.7

Operating lease liabilities

18.6

18.1

Other current liabilities

38.4

33.7

Total current liabilities

335.6

310.0

Bank borrowings, net of current portion

476.5

461.2

Deferred tax liabilities

16.1

19.0

Operating lease liabilities

149.2

143.0

Other liabilities

6.7

37.3

Total liabilities

984.1

970.5

Equity:

UCT stockholders’ equity:

Common stock

0.1

0.1

Additional paid-in capital

558.4

541.5

Common shares held in treasury

(45.0)

(45.0)

Retained earnings

370.4

346.7

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(10.3)

(4.4)

Total UCT stockholders’ equity

873.6

838.9

Noncontrolling interests

62.2

58.3

Total equity

935.8

897.2

Total liabilities and equity

$               1,919.9

$               1,867.7

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; in millions)

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$                    34.5

$                  (22.2)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities (excluding assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests at acquisition):

Depreciation and amortization

45.7

37.6

Amortization of intangible assets

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation

17.4

12.1

Amortization of debt issuance costs

3.0

3.9

Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment

1.2

(0.9)

Change in the fair value of financial instruments

(29.2)

1.7

Deferred income taxes

(3.0)

(12.4)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

Accounts receivable

(60.3)

78.5

Inventories

(6.5)

80.8

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(3.2)

12.5

Other non-current assets

1.3

Accounts payable

26.4

(61.5)

Accrued compensation and related benefits

2.4

(5.6)

Income taxes payable

1.0

(5.2)

Operating lease assets and liabilities

2.6

0.4

Other liabilities

1.3

(7.9)

Net cash provided by operating activities

65.0

135.9

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(63.5)

(75.8)

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

(46.1)

Proceeds from sale of equipment

2.2

Net cash used in investing activities

(63.5)

(119.7)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from bank borrowings

67.7

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

2.0

0.8

Extinguishment of bank borrowings

(44.2)

Principal payments on bank borrowings

(10.2)

(38.6)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(2.5)

(0.3)

Employees’ taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock units

(2.5)

(2.2)

Payments of dividends to a joint venture shareholder

(0.5)

(0.2)

Repurchase of shares

(29.4)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

9.8

(69.9)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(4.4)

1.9

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

6.9

(51.8)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

307.0

358.8

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$                  313.9

$                  307.0

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

(Unaudited; dollars in millions)

GAAP

Non-GAAP

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

December 27, 2024

December 27, 2024

Products

Services

Consolidated

Products

Services

Consolidated

Revenues

$    503.5

$      59.8

$         563.3

$  503.5

$  59.8

$         563.3

Gross profit

$      75.0

$      16.8

$           91.8

$    76.7

$  17.8

$           94.5

Gross margin

14.9 %

28.1 %

16.3 %

15.2 %

29.8 %

16.8 %

Income from operations

$      23.5

$        2.4

$           25.9

$    33.4

$    5.8

$           39.2

Operating margin

4.7 %

4.0 %

4.6 %

6.6 %

9.7 %

7.0 %

Three Months Ended

December 27, 2024

Products

Services

Consolidated

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross profit (in millions)

Reported gross profit on a GAAP basis

$    75.0

$  16.8

$           91.8

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

1.3

1.0

2.3

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.4

0.4

Non-GAAP gross profit

$    76.7

$  17.8

$           94.5

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross margin to Non-GAAP Gross margin

Reported gross margin on a GAAP basis

14.9 %

28.1 %

16.3 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.2 %

1.7 %

0.4 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.1 %

— %

0.1 %

Non-GAAP gross margin

15.2 %

29.8 %

16.8 %

Reconciliation of GAAP Income from operations to Non-GAAP Income from operations (in millions)

Reported income from operations on a GAAP basis

$    23.5

$    2.4

$           25.9

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

4.6

2.9

7.5

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.2

0.5

4.7

Legal-related costs (3)

1.1

1.1

Non-GAAP income from operations

$    33.4

$    5.8

$           39.2

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating margin to Non-GAAP Operating margin

Reported operating margin on a GAAP basis

4.7 %

4.0 %

4.6 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.9 %

4.8 %

1.3 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.8 %

0.9 %

0.9 %

Legal-related costs (3)

0.2 %

— %

0.2 %

Non-GAAP operating margin

6.6 %

9.7 %

7.0 %

1    Amortization of intangible assets related to the Company’s business acquisitions

2    Represents compensation expense for stock granted to employees and directors

3    Represents estimated costs related to certain legal proceedings

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED RESULTS

Three Months Ended

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

September 27,
2024

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Net Income (in millions)

Reported net income (loss) attributable to UCT on a GAAP basis

16.3

$           (3.8)

$           (2.3)

23.7

$         (31.1)

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.5

7.2

7.6

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.7

3.6

4.5

17.8

12.5

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

0.3

2.3

9.2

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.6

1.0

4.3

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(7.1)

2.5

0.8

(29.1)

4.0

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.4

4.0

Legal-related costs (7)

1.1

0.5

1.3

2.7

(0.4)

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (8)

(1.0)

(3.4)

(4.1)

(6.1)

(10.2)

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (9)

1.0

(4.9)

7.2

18.5

12.8

Non-GAAP net income attributable to UCT

$           22.9

$             8.5

$           15.9

$           65.2

$           25.2

Reconciliation of GAAP Income from operations to Non-GAAP Income from operations (in millions)

Reported income from operations on a GAAP basis

$           25.9

$             4.6

$           25.2

$           91.2

$           35.2

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.5

7.2

7.6

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.7

3.6

4.5

17.8

12.5

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

0.3

2.3

9.2

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.6

1.0

4.3

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.4

0.4

Legal-related costs (7)

1.1

0.5

1.3

2.7

(0.4)

Non-GAAP income from operations

$           39.2

$           23.1

$           39.5

$         145.4

$           85.3

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating margin to Non-GAAP Operating margin

Reported operating margin on a GAAP basis

4.6 %

1.0 %

4.7 %

4.3 %

2.0 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

1.3 %

1.6 %

1.4 %

1.4 %

1.4 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.9 %

0.8 %

0.8 %

0.9 %

0.7 %

Restructuring charges (3)

— %

0.8 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.5 %

Acquisition related costs (4)

— %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.3 %

Fair value related adjustments (5)

— %

0.1 %

— %

— %

0.0 %

Legal-related costs (7)

0.2 %

0.8 %

0.2 %

0.1 %

0.0 %

Non-GAAP operating margin

7.0 %

5.2 %

7.3 %

6.9 %

4.9 %

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross profit (in millions)

Reported gross profit on a GAAP basis

$           91.8

$           71.1

$           93.4

$         356.3

$         277.3

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

2.3

2.0

2.3

9.1

6.5

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.4

0.5

0.3

1.9

1.5

Restructuring charges (3)

0.4

0.3

1.6

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.4

0.4

Non-GAAP gross profit

$           94.5

$           74.4

$           96.0

$         367.6

$         287.3

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross margin to Non-GAAP Gross margin

Reported gross margin on a GAAP basis

16.3 %

16.0 %

17.3 %

17.0 %

16.0 %

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.4 %

0.4 %

0.4 %

0.4 %

0.4 %

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

0.1 %

Restructuring charges (3)

— %

0.1 %

— %

0.0 %

0.1 %

Fair value related adjustments (5)

— %

0.1 %

— %

— %

0.0 %

Non-GAAP gross margin

16.8 %

16.7 %

17.8 %

17.5 %

16.6 %

Reconciliation of GAAP Other income (expense), net to Non-GAAP Other income (expense), net (in millions)

Reported Other income (expense), net on a GAAP basis

$             8.4

$           (1.1)

$           (4.1)

$           17.7

$           (1.8)

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(7.1)

2.1

0.8

(29.1)

4.9

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.4

4.0

Non-GAAP Other income (expense), net

$             1.7

$             1.0

$           (3.3)

$           (7.4)

$             3.1

Reconciliation of GAAP Income (Loss) Per Diluted Share to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share

Reported net income (loss) on a GAAP basis

$           0.36

$         (0.08)

$         (0.05)

$           0.52

$         (0.70)

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.17

0.16

0.17

0.67

0.54

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.10

0.08

0.10

0.39

0.28

Restructuring charges (3)

0.08

0.00

0.05

0.20

Acquisition related costs (4)

0.08

0.01

0.02

0.10

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(0.16)

0.05

0.02

(0.64)

0.09

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.01

0.09

Legal-related costs (7)

0.03

0.01

0.03

0.06

(0.01)

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (8)

(0.02)

(0.08)

(0.09)

(0.13)

(0.23)

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (9)

0.02

(0.11)

0.16

0.41

0.29

Non-GAAP net earnings

$           0.51

$           0.19

$           0.35

$           1.44

$           0.56

Weighted average number of diluted shares (in millions) on a non-GAAP basis

45.4

44.9

45.5

45.3

45.1

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE

Three Months Ended

Twelve months ended

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

September 27,
2024

December 27,
2024

December 29,
2023

Provision for income taxes on a GAAP basis

$             4.5

$           (6.2)

$             9.9

$           32.7

$           10.9

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (8)

1.0

3.4

4.1

6.1

10.2

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (9)

(1.0)

4.9

(7.2)

(18.5)

(12.8)

Non-GAAP provision for income taxes

$             4.5

$             2.1

$             6.8

$           20.3

$             8.3

Income before income taxes on a GAAP basis

$           24.5

$           (7.7)

$           10.2

$           67.2

$         (11.3)

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.5

7.2

7.6

30.4

24.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

4.7

3.6

4.5

17.8

12.5

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

0.3

2.3

9.2

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.6

1.0

4.3

Fair value related adjustments (5)

(7.1)

2.5

0.8

(29.1)

5.4

Debt refinancing costs expensed (6)

0.4

4.0

Legal-related costs (7)

1.1

0.5

1.3

2.7

(0.4)

Non-GAAP income before income taxes

$           31.1

$           12.9

$           25.3

$           96.3

$           43.8

Effective income tax rate on a GAAP basis

18.4 %

80.5 %

97.1 %

48.7 %

(96.5) %

Non-GAAP effective income tax rate

14.5 %

16.4 %

27.1 %

21.1 %

18.9 %

1

Amortization of intangible assets related to the Company’s business acquisitions

2

Represents compensation expense for stock granted to employees and directors

3

Represents severance, retention and costs related to facility closures

4

Represents acquisition activity costs

5

Fair value adjustments related to contingent consideration

6

Represents the third party transaction costs related to the amended credit agreement and the previously capitalized costs of extinguished debt

7

Represents estimated costs related to certain legal proceedings

8

Tax effect of items (1) through (7) above based on the non-GAAP tax rate

9

The Company’s GAAP tax expense is generally higher than the Company’s non-GAAP tax expense, primarily due to losses in the U.S. with full federal and state valuation allowances. The Company’s non-GAAP tax rate and resulting non-GAAP tax expense considers the tax implications as if there was no federal or state valuation allowance position in effect

 

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SOURCE Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

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Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Against OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Sir Jony Ive; iyO Alleges Trade Secret Theft by Altman’s Hardware Chief

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted iyO Inc. a preliminary injunction against OpenAI, Sam Altman, Sir Jony Ive, and io Products. The ruling, where the Court found that iyO was likely to succeed on the merits of its trademark claim, officially bars the defendants from using the “io” name for their hardware while iyO’s federal lawsuit proceeds.

Federal court bars OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Jony Ive from using ‘io’ name as iyO alleges trade secret theft.

Amended Complaint: Trade Secret Theft and Corporate Espionage
The ruling caps a year of escalating legal action. On March 13, 2026, iyO amended its federal complaint to include trade secret theft claims against the defendants and Tang Yew Tan — former Apple VP of Product Design, co-founder of io Products, and current Chief Hardware Officer at OpenAI.

The amended complaint outlines a highly coordinated timeline of alleged misappropriation:

May 2024: Just 11 days after iyO’s viral TED talk was published, Tan pre-ordered the iyO One. Nine days later, he contacted iyO’s Design and Manufacturing Lead, Dan Sargent, to schedule a dinner meeting for early June.

June 2024: Forensic analysis of Sargent’s company laptop revealed that in the days leading up to the dinner with Tan, Sargent downloaded 33 highly secret files, accessed dormant intellectual property folders, and exported 17 CAD files into cross-platform formats unused by iyO. These files were renamed with obfuscated strings (e.g., “grgrgege.x_t”) and exported outside of business hours. Sargent has since admitted to bringing iyO prototypes to show Tan.

May 2025: Barely 11 months after the dinner, OpenAI announced a $6.5 billion acquisition of io Products, a company built on what iyO alleges is its proprietary technology.

Following the acquisition announcement, iyO CEO Jason Rugolo confronted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who refused to cease use of the “io” name and threatened to sue Rugolo for using iyO’s own federally registered trademark.

Statement from iyO Leadership
“Sam, Jony, and Tang investigated us,” said Jason Rugolo, founder and CEO of iyO. “Then targeted us opportunistically, trying to eliminate us with a fancy $6.5 billion press release during our fundraise using a copy of our name. This week, a federal judge said: not so fast.”

iyO’s lawsuit asserts nine causes of action, including trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, intentional interference, and unfair competition. The company is seeking injunctive relief, compensatory and exemplary damages, disgorgement of profits, and a constructive trust over any portion of the $6.5 billion acquisition value attributable to the alleged stolen intellectual property and brand infringement.

ABOUT IYO
iyO began its mission inside Google X in 2018 to make natural language computing as commonplace as cellular phones. Spinning out as an independent venture-backed startup in 2021, iyO developed the iyO One, the iyO yO, and the recently announced iyO Wand, which are revolutionary screenless computer form factors that allow users to interact with AI and the internet through voice alone. iyO is headquartered in Redwood City, CA.

WEBSITE
www.iyo.ai 

IYO INC.
2606 SPRING STREET
REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063
UNITED STATES

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
©2026 IYO INC.

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SOURCE iyO, Inc.

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Pudu Robotics Inaugurates U.S. Headquarters in Dallas, Accelerating Long-Term Growth in the Americas

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DALLAS, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, officially opened a new U.S. headquarters in Dallas, Texas, on April 23 as part of its global strategic expansion. The new facility is set to enhance Pudu’s regional capabilities and underscores the company’s long-term commitment to the Americas, marking a new phase of scaled, structured business development.

Dallas Unlocks Greater Efficiency and Regional Coordination

As a central hub for nationwide and cross regional operations across the Americas, Dallas brings strong strategic advantages. The area offers well-developed logistics and supply chain infrastructure, a business friendly environment, and access to a broad base of enterprise customers. Its central location will allow Pudu more efficient coverage across both North America and South America. As Pudu transitions into a phase of rapid, scalable growth in the Americas, its new centralized headquarters, which is located in Richardson’s Sherman Tech Center and combines a modern office space, product showroom, and on site warehousing, will enhance support management, operations, and long term regional coordination.

Meanwhile, as part of its broader infrastructure optimization, the company has also transitioned its Santa Clara office into a streamlined logistics support function outpost and established a dual warehouse system on both coasts to support nationwide delivery in the U.S.

Pudu in the Americas – A Growing Footprint Across Diverse Industries

Since entering the U.S. market in 2018, Pudu has steadily expanded its footprint across the Americas to a point of deep, localized operations. To date, nearly 15,000 Pudu robots have been deployed across the Americas, driving regional revenue growth of 285% year over year, bringing the company to a phase of large scale commercialization.

This rapid adoption is fueled by Pudu’s comprehensive product matrix, which addresses the specific labor and efficiency needs of the American market across four core categories:

Service Delivery: Led by the industry-favorite BellaBot and the newly enhanced BellaBot Pro, which have become the gold standard for hospitality and retail interaction.Commercial Cleaning: Featuring the best-selling PUDU CC1 series, the PUDU MT1 series designed for large-scale dry cleaning, and the recently launched PUDU BG1 series—an AI-native large scrubber-dryer robot built for heavy-duty environments.Industrial Delivery: The PUDU T-series robots provide versatile logistics support with payload capacities ranging from 150kg to 600kg, streamlining warehouse and factory workflows.General embodied AI: Represented by the advanced PUDU D5 series, pushing the boundaries of how robots interact with and adapt to complex human environments.

Partnerships with local distributors have also accelerated, achieving 63.6% YoY growth, with a rapidly expanding client base across diverse industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, industrial logistics and warehousing, real estate and property services, retail, and entertainment, sports and more. The company’s robots have enjoyed strong adoption by global industry leaders, including Walmart, Accenture, NASA, Norwegian Cruise Line, Honeywell, top automotive brands, and others.

This growth is matched by organizational development. Since entering the U.S. market in 2018, a initial team has flourished into a multi functional organization of professionals, with localized sales, after sales service, solutions, and marketing capabilities that enable stronger customer support and execution.

Building a Global Future Based on a Strategy of Localization

Looking ahead, Pudu will continue expanding its presence across key sectors including retail, logistics, food service, healthcare, and commercial cleaning, while bringing its service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied AI robotics solutions into broader industry scenarios.

“We are building for the long-term in the Americas with a localized approach,” said Raymond Pan, General Manager of the Americas at Pudu Robotics. “Our ambition over the next five years is to serve one million people across the U.S . Our new headquarters and infrastructure optimization provide a foundation for this ambition, alongside continuing investment in localized products, enhancing our local supply chain, and strengthening our partner ecosystem.”

Pudu has established itself as a global leader in service robotics, with more than 120,000 units shipped worldwide, operations spanning over 80 countries and regions, and 23% market share in commercial service robotics—ranking No. 1 globally per Frost & Sullivan’s “Market Research on Global Commercial Service Robotics (2023)”. Going forward, Pudu will accelerate its development and localization efforts across the Americas, while, at the same time, continuing to scale its presence in other key international markets as part of its global expansion strategy.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the commercial service robotics, committed to establishing a global intelligent robotics infrastructure that will serve 10 billion people worldwide.

Pudu Robotics has achieved full-stack proprietary R&D in core technologies, including navigation algorithms, multi-robot scheduling, swarm control, motion controllers, and integrated joint modules. Built on three core technologies—Embodied Navigation, Embodied Manipulation, and Embodied Interaction—Pudu Robotics has pioneered an “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” architecture, establishing a comprehensive product portfolio that includes specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots.

Currently, Pudu offers four major product lines: service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery and general embodied AI. Its solutions are widely deployed across industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and property services, healthcare, entertainment and sport, education, and public services.

To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 120,000 units globally, with a presence in more than 80 countries and regions.

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KuCoin Hosts HEXAGON BLOCK PARTY at Hong Kong Web3 Festival, Headlined by DJ Don Diablo and Rooted in Shared Values of Community and Connection

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Headlined by internationally renowned DJ Don Diablo, the event brought together guests from the Web3 and fintech communities for an immersive evening experience.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform built on trust, and the exclusive Crypto Exchange and Payments Partner for Tomorrowland Winter and Tomorrowland Belgium (2026-2028), brought the spirit of global electronic music culture to Asia with the HEXAGON BLOCK PARTY in Hong Kong on April 22, which it co-hosted with Finoverse.

Headlined by internationally renowned DJ Don Diablo, the event welcomed guests from across the Web3, fintech, and broader innovation communities, creating an immersive gathering shaped by shared energy, conversation, and in-person connection. Building on KuCoin’s recent Tomorrowland Winter activation, which highlighted a shared belief that trust can be strengthened through community, creativity, and cultural experience, the event carried that momentum forward in Hong Kong through a similar spirit of openness, energy, and human connection. 

Held in the heart of Hong Kong, HEXAGON BLOCK PARTY was designed as more than an evening celebration. By combining world-class music with a culturally driven atmosphere, the event offered a welcoming space for founders, builders, creators, and community participants to come together in a more human and experience-led setting. It reflected a shared belief that meaningful community is built not only through ideas and technology, but also through moments of creativity, openness, and collective experience.

The event aimed to create a cultural touchpoint in Hong Kong that resonated beyond the venue itself. The event served as a space where ideas, creativity, and communities could converge, bringing together guests across Web3, fintech, and digital culture through a shared experience rooted in openness, energy, and connection.

As the global partnership between KuCoin and Tomorrowland continues, the journey moves forward to Tomorrowland Belgium in July 2026, where KuCoin will once again collaborate with Tomorrowland to create new experiences at the intersection of music, culture, and Web3, further expanding the role of digital assets in real-world cultural moments.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,500+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certifications. In recent years, we have built a strong global compliance foundation, marked by key milestones including AUSTRAC registration in Australia, a MiCA license in Europe, and regulatory progress in other markets. 

Learn more at www.kucoin.com.

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SOURCE KuCoin

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