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Garmin announces first quarter 2026 results

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Company reports record first quarter revenue and operating income

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Garmin® Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), today announced results for the first quarter ended March 28, 2026.

Highlights for first quarter 2026 include:

Record consolidated revenue of approximately $1.75 billion, a 14% increase compared to the prior year quarterGross and operating margins expanded to 59.4% and 24.6% respectively, compared to the prior year quarterRecord operating income of $432 million, a 30% increase compared to the prior year quarterGAAP EPS of $2.09 and pro forma EPS(1) of $2.08, representing a 29% increase in pro forma EPS compared to the prior year quarterPublished our 2025 Garmin inReach® SOS Report, highlighting the important role served by inReach devices in remote communications and emergency response coordination around the globeFenix® 8 Pro was officially recognized as the “Best Connected Device” at the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

(In thousands, except per share information)

‌                      

13-Weeks Ended

March 28,

March 29,

YoY

2026

2025

Change

Net sales

$

1,753,489

$

1,535,099

14 %

      Fitness

546,822

384,722

42 %

      Outdoor

417,530

438,496

(5) %

      Aviation

263,841

223,114

18 %

      Marine

355,016

319,438

11 %

      Auto OEM

170,280

169,329

1 %

Gross profit

1,042,289

884,545

18 %

Gross margin %

59.4

%

57.6

%

Operating Income

431,665

332,824

30 %

Operating income %

24.6

%

21.7

%

GAAP diluted EPS

$

2.09

$

1.72

22 %

Pro forma diluted EPS(1)

$

2.08

$

1.61

29 %

(1) See attached Non-GAAP Financial Information for discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, 
including pro forma diluted EPS

Executive Overview from Cliff Pemble, President and Chief Executive Officer: 
“We achieved remarkable financial results during the opening quarter of 2026 in a continuation of the positive trends we have been experiencing over the long term. This strong financial performance is a direct reflection of our impressive lineup of products that are essential to our customers’ lives, and our unique, highly diversified business model. We are very pleased with our results so far, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead as the year continues to unfold.” – Cliff Pemble, President and Chief Executive Officer of Garmin Ltd.

Fitness:
Revenue from the fitness segment increased 42% in the first quarter with growth across all product categories, led by strong demand for advanced wearables. Gross and operating margins were 62% and 29%, respectively, resulting in $158 million of operating income. During the quarter, we launched the VariaTM RearVue 820, our brightest and most powerful radar tail light for cyclists.  We also announced a new Connect IQTM messaging app for select smartwatches that allows customers to read, reply and react to WhatsApp messages right from their wrist, and the integration of select wearables with the Natural Cycles birth control and cycle tracking app, empowering women to better understand and manage their reproductive health.  

Outdoor:
Revenue from the outdoor segment decreased 5% in the first quarter as we compared against a strong prior year quarter which included the launch of the Instinct® 3 smartwatch family. Gross and operating margins were 67% and 28%, respectively, resulting in $119 million of operating income. During the quarter, we released the Approach® G82 premium GPS handheld with a built-in launch monitor, and the Approach J1, our first GPS watch specifically designed for junior golfers. Also during the quarter, we launched the zūmo® XT3, our newest and most advanced motorcycle-focused GPS device, and CatalystTM 2, a compact device for motorsports that helps high-performance drivers achieve faster times on the track.

Aviation:
Revenue from the aviation segment increased 18% in the first quarter with growth in both the OEM and aftermarket product categories. Gross and operating margins were 75% and 27%, respectively, resulting in $71 million of operating income. During the quarter, Daher unveiled their new TBM 980 single engine turboprop aircraft featuring our G3000® PRIME avionics suite. Also, the HondaJet Elite II was certified by the FAA becoming the first twin-turbine business jet with Garmin Emergency Autoland technology.

Marine:
Revenue from the marine segment increased 11% in the first quarter with broad-based growth across multiple categories. Gross and operating margins were 56% and 26%, respectively, resulting in $91 million of operating income. During the quarter, we launched a new 360-degree scanning sonar system with the revolutionary SpyTM pole, allowing anglers to see a birds-eye view of fish and underwater structure in every direction. Also, we launched the quatix® 8 Pro, our purpose-built nautical smartwatch with inReach technology for two-way satellite and cellular connectivity.

Auto OEM:
Revenue from the auto OEM segment increased 1% during the first quarter with growth primarily driven by infotainment programs. The operating loss narrowed to $6 million in the quarter due to gross profit improvement and lower research and development expenses.

Additional Financial Information:
Total operating expenses in the first quarter were $611 million, a 11% increase over the prior year. Research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses increased 10% and 11%, respectively, driven primarily by personnel related costs.

The effective tax rate in the first quarter was 14.3%, which is comparable to the effective tax rate of 14.5% in the prior year quarter.

In the first quarter of 2026, we generated operating cash flows of $536 million and free cash flow(1) of $469 million. We paid a quarterly dividend of $174 million and repurchased $40 million of the Company’s shares within the quarter, of which $9 million was from the $500 million share repurchase program authorized through December 2028, leaving $491 million remaining in that repurchase program as of March 28, 2026. We ended the quarter with cash and marketable securities of approximately $4.3 billion.

‌      (1)

‌   

See attached Non-GAAP Financial Information for discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures,
including pro forma effective tax rate and free cash flow.

Fiscal Year 2026 Guidance:
We are maintaining our fiscal year 2026 guidance of approximately $7.9 billion revenue and pro forma EPS of $9.35 (see attached discussion on Forward-looking Financial Measures).

Dividend Recommendation:
As announced in February 2026, the Board will recommend to the shareholders for approval at the annual meeting to be held on June 5, 2026, a cash dividend in the total amount of $4.20 per share payable in four equal quarterly installments. 

Webcast Information/Forward-Looking Statements:
The information for Garmin Ltd.’s earnings call is as follows:

‌     

When:     

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 10:30 a.m. Eastern

Where:     

Join a live stream of the call at the following link 
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/events/

An archive of the live webcast will be available until April 28, 2027 on the Garmin website at www.garmin.com. To access the replay, click on the Investors link and click over to the Events page.

This release includes projections and other forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business that are commonly identified by words such as “anticipates,” “would,” “may,” “expects,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” and other words or phrases with similar meanings. Any statements regarding the Company’s expected fiscal 2026 GAAP and pro forma estimated earnings, EPS, and effective tax rate, and the Company’s expected segment revenue growth rates, consolidated revenue, gross margins, operating margins, tariffs and other global trade related impacts, potential future acquisitions, share repurchase programs, currency movements, expenses, pricing, new product launches, market reach, statements relating to possible future dividends, and the Company’s plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors that are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). A copy of Garmin’s 2025 Form 10-K can be downloaded from https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. All information provided in this release and in the attachments is as of March 28, 2026. We undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law.

This release and the attachments contain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure and a discussion of the Company’s use of these measures are included in the attachments.

Garmin, the Garmin logo, the Garmin delta, Approach, fēnix, inReach, G3000, Instinct, and zumo are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries and are registered in one or more countries, including the U.S. Connect IQ, Varia, Catalyst, and Spy are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.  Garmin Response is a service mark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Investor Relations Contact:                               

Media Relations Contact:

Teri Seck                                                         

Krista Klaus    

913/397-8200                                                   

913/397-8200

investor.relations@garmin.com                                     

media.relations@garmin.com

 

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share information)

‌     

13-Weeks Ended

March 28,

March 29,

2026

2025

Net sales

$

1,753,489

$

1,535,099

Cost of goods sold

711,200

650,554

Gross profit

1,042,289

884,545

Research and development expense

295,818

268,120

Selling, general and administrative expenses

314,806

283,601

Total operating expense

610,624

551,721

Operating income

431,665

332,824

Other income (expense):

Interest income

35,974

30,507

Foreign currency gains

3,122

24,760

Other income

1,768

987

Total other income (expense)

40,864

56,254

Income before income taxes

472,529

389,078

Income tax provision

67,451

56,309

Net income

$

405,078

$

332,769

Net income per share:

Basic

$

2.10

$

1.73

Diluted

$

2.09

$

1.72

Weighted average common shares outstanding: 

Basic

192,674

192,544

Diluted

193,565

193,717

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

March 28,

2026

December 27,
2025

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,289,916

$

2,278,646

Marketable securities

411,034

459,202

Accounts receivable, net

940,959

1,253,015

Inventories

1,850,282

1,772,257

Deferred costs

15,324

17,538

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

489,654

467,558

Total current assets

5,997,169

6,248,216

Property and equipment, net

1,383,770

1,375,348

Operating lease right-of-use assets

203,390

196,183

Noncurrent marketable securities

1,612,323

1,396,929

Deferred income tax assets

721,894

718,094

Noncurrent deferred costs

4,046

4,373

Goodwill

750,633

760,241

Other intangible assets, net

186,866

198,362

Other noncurrent assets

92,347

95,923

Total assets

$

10,952,438

$

10,993,669

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

344,724

$

347,493

Salaries and benefits payable

224,693

228,267

Accrued warranty costs

70,932

72,921

Accrued sales program costs

92,504

153,193

Other accrued expenses

233,248

257,651

Deferred revenue

100,843

105,646

Income taxes payable

308,301

381,549

Dividend payable

173,351

Total current liabilities

1,375,245

1,720,071

Deferred income tax liabilities

111,744

109,701

Noncurrent income taxes payable

3,645

3,596

Noncurrent deferred revenue

22,530

22,277

Noncurrent operating lease liabilities

167,612

164,835

Other noncurrent liabilities

638

625

Stockholders’ equity:

Common shares, $0.10 par value (194,901 and 194,901 shares authorized and

issued; 192,901 and 192,620 shares outstanding)

19,490

19,490

Additional paid-in capital

2,335,119

2,368,670

Treasury shares (1,998 and 2,281 shares)

(415,600)

(406,423)

Retained earnings

7,374,974

6,970,182

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(42,959)

20,645

Total stockholders’ equity

9,271,024

8,972,564

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

10,952,438

$

10,993,669

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

13-Weeks Ended

March 28, 2026

March 29, 2025

Operating Activities:

Net income

$

405,078

$

332,769

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

   operating activities:

Depreciation

40,418

37,463

Amortization

8,707

8,835

Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of property and equipment

42

(15)

Unrealized foreign currency losses (gains)

1,525

(38,983)

Deferred income taxes

3,301

(11,593)

Stock compensation expense

43,323

37,772

Realized (gains) losses on marketable securities

(318)

98

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

301,791

213,089

Inventories

(95,064)

(102,239)

Other current and noncurrent assets

(29,068)

(17,510)

Accounts payable

3,407

(12,629)

Other current and noncurrent liabilities

(90,378)

(57,318)

Deferred revenue

(4,483)

(8,160)

Deferred costs

2,543

4,102

Income taxes

(54,836)

35,107

Net cash provided by operating activities

535,988

420,788

Investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment

(66,617)

(40,062)

Purchase of marketable securities

(333,342)

(179,827)

Redemption of marketable securities

147,896

88,788

Net payments for acquisitions

(2,100)

Other investing activities, net

(307)

599

Net cash used in investing activities

(252,370)

(132,602)

Financing activities:

Dividends

(173,637)

(144,566)

Purchase of treasury shares related to equity awards

(46,839)

(33,144)

Purchase of treasury shares under share repurchase plan

(39,577)

(27,098)

Net cash used in financing activities

(260,053)

(204,808)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(12,286)

12,672

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

11,279

96,050

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

2,279,360

2,080,154

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

$

2,290,639

$

2,176,204

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Net Sales, Gross Profit and Operating Income by Segment (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

‌                 

Fitness

Outdoor

Aviation

Marine

Auto
OEM

Total

13-Weeks Ended March 28, 2026

Net sales

$

546,822

$

417,530

$

263,841

$

355,016

$

170,280

$

1,753,489

Gross profit

338,522

277,943

197,309

197,376

31,139

1,042,289

Operating income (loss)

157,620

118,791

70,934

90,757

(6,437)

431,665

13-Weeks Ended March 29, 2025

Net sales

$

384,722

$

438,496

$

223,114

$

319,438

$

169,329

$

1,535,099

Gross profit

220,142

282,536

167,902

183,933

30,032

884,545

Operating income (loss)

77,712

128,788

48,356

86,865

(8,897)

332,824

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Net Sales by Geography (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

‌                                                       

13-Weeks Ended

March 28,

March 29,

YoY

2026

2025

Change

Net sales

$

1,753,489

$

1,535,099

14 %

Americas

821,629

745,733

10 %

EMEA

656,844

568,953

15 %

APAC

275,016

220,413

25 %

Americas – North America & South America; EMEA – Europe, Middle East & Africa; APAC – Asia Pacific & Australian 
Continent

Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, this release includes the following measures defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission as non-GAAP financial measures: pro forma effective tax rate, pro forma net income (earnings) per share and free cash flow. These non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies, limiting the usefulness of the measures for comparison with other companies. Management believes providing investors with an operating view consistent with how it manages the Company provides enhanced transparency into the operating results of the Company, as described in more detail by category below. 

The tables below provide reconciliations between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures.

Pro forma effective tax rate

The Company’s income tax expense is occasionally impacted by discrete tax items that are not reflective of income tax expense incurred as a result of current period earnings. Therefore, management believes the effective tax rate and income tax provision before the effect of certain discrete tax items are important measures to permit investors’ consistent comparison between periods. In the first quarter of 2026 and 2025 there were no such discrete tax items identified.

Pro forma net income (earnings) per share

Management believes net income (earnings) per share before the impact of foreign currency gains or losses and certain discrete income tax items, as discussed above, is an important measure to permit a consistent comparison of the Company’s performance between periods.

(In thousands, except per share information)

‌          

13-Weeks Ended

March 28,

March 29,

2026

2025

GAAP net income

$

405,078

$

332,769

Foreign currency gains / losses(1)

(3,122)

(24,760)

Tax effect of foreign currency gains / losses(2)

446

3,583

Pro forma net income

$

402,402

$

311,592

GAAP net income per share:

Basic

$

2.10

$

1.73

Diluted

$

2.09

$

1.72

Pro forma net income per share:

Basic

$

2.09

$

1.62

Diluted

$

2.08

$

1.61

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

192,674

192,544

Diluted

193,565

193,717

(1) Foreign currency gains and losses for the Company are driven by movements of a number of currencies in relation to
the U.S. Dollar and the related exchange rate impact on the significant cash, receivables, and payables held in a currency
other than the functional currency at a given legal entity.  However, there is minimal cash impact from such foreign currency
gains and losses.

(2) The tax effect of foreign currency gains was calculated using the effective tax rates of 14.3% for the 13-weeks ended
March 28, 2026 and 14.5% for the 13-weeks ended March 29, 2025.

Free cash flow

Management believes free cash flow is an important liquidity measure because it represents the amount of cash provided by operations that is available for investing and defines it as operating cash flows less capital expenditures for property and equipment. Management believes excluding purchases of property and equipment provides a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s operations and allows more accurate comparisons of the Company’s results between periods. This metric may also be useful to investors but should not be considered in isolation as it is not a measure of cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. The most comparable GAAP measure is net cash provided by operating activities.

(In thousands)

13-Weeks Ended

‌                 

March 28,

March 29,

2026

2025

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

535,988

$

420,788

Less: purchases of property and equipment

(66,617)

(40,062)

Free cash flow

$

469,371

$

380,726

Forward-looking Financial Measures

The forward-looking financial measures in our 2026 guidance include certain economic assumptions such as foreign currency exchange rates and tariffs which are fluid and can rapidly change favorably or unfavorably.

The forward-looking financial measures in our 2026 guidance provided above do not consider the potential future net effect of foreign currency exchange gains and losses, certain discrete tax items and any other impacts that may be identified as pro forma adjustments in calculating the non-GAAP measures described above. 

The estimated impact of foreign currency gains and losses cannot be reasonably estimated on a forward-looking basis due to the high variability and low visibility with respect to non-operating foreign currency exchange gains and losses and the related tax effects of such gains and losses. The impact on diluted net income per share of foreign currency gains and losses, net of tax effects, was $0.01 per share for the 13-week period ended March 28, 2026.

At this time, management is unable to determine whether or not significant discrete tax items will occur in fiscal 2026, estimate the impact of any such items, or anticipate the impact of any other events that may be considered in the calculation of non-GAAP financial measures.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/garmin-announces-first-quarter-2026-results-302756584.html

SOURCE Garmin Ltd.

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Technology

tonies® and BBC Studios bring Bluey to the Toniebox, expanding family storytelling through immersive audio play

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Family-favorite Bluey joins tonies’ leading interactive audio platform for childrenBluey stories, interactive Tonieplay experiences, and exclusive products will come to families around the world

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — tonies SE (“tonies”), the globally leading interactive audio platform for children, announces a partnership with BBC Studios to bring Bluey to the Toniebox for the first time. The collaboration expands one of the world’s most beloved TV series into immersive, audio-first experiences for kids and their families.

Available for pre-order in the U.S. today, June 17, on tonies.com and target.com, the partnership will introduce a range of Bluey experiences designed to inspire play, storytelling and shared family moments, including Classic Tonies, interactive Tonieplay adventures, and themed accessories inspired by the globally celebrated series.

Bluey joins the tonies family at a time of accelerating global growth, with more than 12 million Tonieboxes already sold worldwide. For families, the partnership brings another opportunity to experience Bluey beyond the screen. For tonies, it reinforces the company’s position as the destination for premium children’s storytelling and one of the world’s leading platforms for family entertainment and play.

Tobias Wann, CEO of tonies, says: “At tonies, we’re listening to our audience and responding to what excites them. Few brands capture family connection and playful storytelling quite like Bluey. For years, families around the world have asked for Bluey on the Toniebox, and we are incredibly proud to bring this beloved world to life in a way that feels uniquely tonies. This partnership is another powerful example of why many of the world’s leading family brands trust tonies to thoughtfully extend the stories fans already love.”

Suzy Raia, EVP Global Consumer Products at BBC Studios, adds: “Bluey has always encouraged children to jump into play, and tonies brings that spirit to life in a truly special way. We are especially excited by Tonieplay and how it invites families to actively take part in the stories they love. Together, we’re thoughtfully expanding the Bluey universe through immersive storytelling and play in ways that feel authentic, playful, and true to the heart of the brand.”

Rolling out across North America, DACH, the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand from June through October, the launch introduces families to an exclusive Bluey Tonieplay experience, developed in-house by tonies’ studio and adapted directly from fan-favourite moments from the series. Designed as immersive audio-first play, the experience invites children to step into Bluey’s world through interactive storytelling, playful challenges and adventures, and has been developed in close collaboration with BBC Studios to preserve the heart of Bluey while introducing a new way to engage with its characters and stories through hands-on play.

In addition, three Classic Tonies figurines including Bluey, Bingo, and Muffin will debut in North America, DACH, the UK, France and New Zealand. Themed accessories, including Bluey Listen and Play bags and a Bluey Toniebox 2 sleeve will be available across all markets.

Ginny McCormick, CXO of tonies, adds: “At tonies, we’ve spent more than a decade building expertise in how children naturally listen, imagine and play. That means every experience starts ears-first and every creative choice begins with protecting what families already love about a brand. With Bluey, we’re especially excited to pair that philosophy with our original Tonieplay innovation, creating experiences that help children actively step into a world they already know by heart”.

Since its debut in Australia in 2018, Bluey has built a global fanbase and become one of the world’s most-watched animated TV series. Known for its heartwarming storytelling, humour, and celebration of play and family life, the show has grown into a cultural phenomenon. Its success has been widely recognised across the industry, earning accolades from a BAFTA to multiple Emmy Awards, as well as the 2026 Toy of the Year Award for “License of the Year” for the second consecutive year.

Pre-order is live now at https://us.tonies.com/collections/bluey-collection & www.target.com.

About tonies

tonies® is the globally leading interactive audio platform for children redefining how children aged 1 to 9+ play, learn, and grow independently without screens. Since its founding in Germany in 2014, around 12.2 million Tonieboxes and over 165 million Tonies have been sold worldwide.

On average, children engage with tonies for ~280 minutes per week, making it a trusted everyday companion that brings the joy and magic of interactive audio entertainment and education into family life worldwide.

The intuitive and award-winning system – centered around Toniebox 2 – offers a portfolio of around 1,500 Tonies figurines and about 20 Tonieplay games and more than 3,500 digital titles via mytonies (library and app) – ranging from tonies Originals® to licensed content from around 350 partners including Disney, Warner Bros., NBC Universal, Mattel, Marvel, Paramount, Hasbro, Universal, Sony Music.

tonies is rapidly expanding its platform globally. Besides DACH, central growth regions include tonies’ largest market, North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand, with Tonieboxes now active in over 100 countries. tonies employs more than 630 people, achieved EUR 630 million in group revenue in fiscal year 2025 (+31% yoy), and is listed in the SDAX segment of Frankfurt Stock Exchange (tonies SE).

About Bluey

The series follows Bluey, a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad and her little sister, Bingo. Bluey uses her limitless energy to play games that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family and the whole neighbourhood into her world of fun.

Bluey is produced by Ludo Studio for ABC KIDS (Australia) and co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios Kids & Family. Financed in association with Screen Australia, Bluey is proudly 100% created, written, animated, and post produced in Brisbane Queensland, Australia, with funding from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland and the Australian Government.

In Australia, the show is broadcast on ABC. The series airs and streams to U.S. and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand, and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr., and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios and Disney Branded Television.

Bluey | Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube 

About Ludo Studio

Ludo Studio is a BAFTA, multi-Emmy®, Logie and Peabody award-winning Australian studio and one of TIME’s Most Influential Companies of 2024, that creates and produces original scripted drama, animation and digital stories that are authored by incredible local talent, distributed globally and loved by audiences everywhere.

ludostudio.com.au

About BBC Studios Brands & Licensing

The BBC Studios Brands & Licensing division is the driving force in extending BBC Studios IP through innovative brand extensions, fostering deep fan engagement worldwide. Partnering our iconic brands – including Doctor Who and Bluey – with the world’s biggest brands, promoters, and publishers, ignites the imagination of fans and creates memorable brand-fame moments. Our diverse portfolio spans consumer products, live entertainment, gaming, and publishing, while BBC Studios Digital drives over 1 billion views per month, offering advertising and branded content opportunities. Supported by award-winning teams, we focus on finding visionary opportunities to enhance global brand impact and digital growth.

BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | X | LinkedIn | Instagram 

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Avalara CRUSH Europe 2026 Brings Tax and Compliance Leaders Together for the Agentic AI Era

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Customers and partners invited to register and hear directly from leaders transforming tax and compliance with AI

LONDON, June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Avalara, Inc., the agentic AI leader in global tax and compliance, today announced that registration is open for Avalara CRUSH Europe 2026, the company’s premier customer and partner event. Taking place on 8 October 2026 at The Dorchester in London, CRUSH Europe will bring together tax, finance, accounting, e-commerce, and technology leaders to explore how agentic AI is transforming tax and compliance.

Registration is now open at events.avalara.com/event/Europe/Home.

“Compliance leaders across Europe are being asked to navigate unprecedented regulatory change while finding new ways to drive efficiency and growth,” said Danny Fields, Chief Technology and Customer Operations Officer at Avalara. “CRUSH Europe is an opportunity for customers and partners to learn from industry experts, connect with peers, and see firsthand how agentic AI is transforming tax and compliance from a manual business burden into a strategic, automated advantage.”

Attendees can expect a curated agenda that includes:

Visionary keynotes and roundtables on agentic AI and the future of global tax and complianceLive product demonstrations showcasing Avalara’s most advanced technology, including Avi, Avalara’s AI tax and compliance agent, with capabilities spanning e-invoicing, tariff classification, exemption certificate management, and real-time tax code predictionFireside chats and customer stories featuring real-world perspectives from businesses navigating today’s most complex compliance challengesNetworking opportunities to connect with peers, Avalara leaders, and partners shaping the future of the industry

Space is limited at CRUSH Europe 2026 and early registration is encouraged.

Event Details
Date: 8 October 2026
Location: The Dorchester, London, UK
Registration: events.avalara.com/event/Europe/Home 

About Avalara
Avalara is the agentic AI platform for global tax and compliance. For more than two decades, Avalara has built one of the most expansive libraries of tax content and integrations in the industry, processing more than 54 billion transactions annually and supporting millions of businesses worldwide. The company’s purpose-built AI agents automate end-to-end compliance with greater precision, from tax calculations and return filings to exemption certificate management and beyond. For more information, visit Avalara.com.

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Digital champions CEE 2026: Total valuation nears 128 billion USD as deeptech and relocations reshape the region

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WARSAW, June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Digital Poland Foundation published the 5th edition of the Digital Champions CEE 2026 report. The ranking of the 100 most valuable technology companies in Central and Eastern Europe reveals a combined market capitalisation of USD 127.9 billion — a robust year-on-year growth of 9.36%. Yet the headline figure only tells part of the story: had all companies that have since relocated or been acquired remained in the ranking, the total value would likely exceed USD 170 billion. The fifth edition of the report maps not only how the region has grown, but also where its most valuable assets have gone — and why.

Top 100 tech companies valued at USD 127.9 billion — and the USD 170 billion reality behind them

At the end of 2025, the 100 largest technology companies in Central and Eastern Europe achieved a combined market capitalisation of USD 127.9 billion, narrowing the gap to the region’s 2021 peak and confirming the continued resilience of the regional digital economy. The strongest growth came from the region’s largest players — the so-called “Digital Phoenixes” valued above USD 1 billion — whose combined valuation increased by 14.58% year-on-year to USD 101.05 billion.

However, the report highlights that official data significantly understates the true scale of value created by the region’s innovators. Many leading firms originating from the CEE region — such as ElevenLabs, Grammarly, ICEYE, Rimac, and Avast — have relocated their headquarters to the United States or the United Kingdom to raise capital or have been acquired by multinational corporations, removing them from the ranking. According to the authors of the report, if these mature companies still met the geographic criteria of the index, the total value of the top 100 technology companies from the CEE region would already exceed USD 170 billion.

“When the inaugural Digital Champions CEE ranking was launched, the region was framed as a ‘Digital Phoenix’ — a symbol of ambitious transformation emerging from post-communist economies. Five editions later, the trajectory remains strong, but the narrative has evolved. Against a backdrop of intensified global headwinds, companies across Central and Eastern Europe have shifted from rapid acceleration to more disciplined, resilient growth. This maturation has sharpened strategic focus: for many organisations, it has unlocked new avenues for expansion and innovation; for others, it has introduced heightened competitive pressure and a more complex, unpredictable operating environment,” said Radzym Wójcik, Counsel at Baker McKenzie.

Poland leads while the Baltics dominate by intensity

Poland remains the region’s largest technology ecosystem in absolute terms, accounting for USD 47.39 billion — or 37.05% — of the total regional value, with 42 companies in the Top 100 ranking. It is also the only market showing strength across all company maturity levels, from emerging scaleups to multi-billion-dollar champions.

The Baltic states, however, continue to outperform the region when measured by capitalisation intensity per capita. Estonia achieved the highest score in the ranking, significantly ahead of all other countries, while Lithuania recorded a 123.97% increase in total capitalisation since 2021. Latvia emerged as the fastest climber by intensity growth over the five-year period.

Together, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Czechia now account for nearly 78% of the region’s total technology value. Croatia delivered the strongest long-term growth in percentage terms, with ecosystem value increasing by 170.7% since 2021, while Bulgaria nearly doubled its market capitalisation over the same period.

Deeptech and defence-related innovation reshape the ecosystem

While e-commerce and marketplace platforms remain the region’s largest value category, accounting for more than 36% of total capitalisation, the report identifies a major structural shift toward deeptech, space technology, healthtech, and dual-use innovation.

The “other” category — which includes deeptech and space tech companies — recorded the strongest year-on-year growth in the entire ranking, surging 87.59%. New high-value entrants such as EnduroSat and Creotech Instruments reflect increasing investor appetite for companies addressing defence, logistics, infrastructure, and strategic resilience.

“The composition of the ranking is also evolving. E-commerce, SaaS and fintech remain the backbone of CEE’s digital economy, but the list now points to a broader and more strategic technology base: robotics, space and Earth observation, cybersecurity, AI-native software, digital health, sovereign cloud and other infrastructure-oriented businesses. This shift shows that CEE is moving beyond consumer platforms and software scale-ups toward technologies directly linked to Europe’s productivity, security, resilience and digital sovereignty,” said Wojciech Świercz, Partner at Arthur D. Little.

Record VC exits confirm ecosystem maturity

The report also documents record levels of venture capital-backed exits across the region. Following 82 exits in 2024 — the highest number ever recorded — the ecosystem sustained momentum with 81 exits in 2025.

This marks a dramatic increase compared with just 31 exits in 2015 and confirms that Central and Eastern Europe has evolved from an emerging startup market into a mature ecosystem capable of producing a consistent pipeline of acquisition-ready and IPO-ready companies.

Venture capital investment across the region reached EUR 2.71 billion in 2025. However, the report notes that this figure includes approximately EUR 730 million in funding rounds raised by companies that had already relocated their headquarters outside the region. Those excluded rounds included major transactions involving ElevenLabs, ICEYE, Tachyum, and MaintainX.

The relocation dilemma: nearly half of CEE value has left the region

One of the report’s central conclusions concerns the increasing relocation of the region’s most successful technology companies to the United States and the United Kingdom.

According to data cited in the report, 48% of CEE scaleups have moved their headquarters abroad, primarily to access larger pools of growth capital. The United States attracts 56% of relocating companies, while the United Kingdom alone accounts for nearly one-quarter of all relocations. The report warns that this trend presents a broader strategic challenge for Europe’s competitiveness.

“Europe is increasingly being reduced to a highly skilled research and development layer for the American technology sector. Ideas are incubated locally, products are built locally, but the companies are ultimately financed, scaled, and frequently acquired by US capital,” said Piotr Mieczkowski, Managing director at Digital Poland Foundation.

Ukraine represents the most acute example of this dynamic. While the number of Ukrainian companies formally included in the ranking has declined sharply since 2021, many continue to maintain engineering and R&D operations within Ukraine despite relocating corporate headquarters abroad to secure international financing and ensure business continuity.

A new generation of CEE champions emerging

The report also reveals accelerating generational change within the regional ecosystem. Companies founded between 2017 and 2021 recorded the fastest valuation growth of any cohort, increasing their collective value by 189.09% since the first edition of the ranking.

At the same time, a core group of 49 companies has remained in the Top 100 throughout all five editions of the report, demonstrating the growing stability and resilience of the region’s leading technology players.

“Innovation today is the foundation of competitiveness, resilience and technological sovereignty for Poland and Europe. This is why BGK actively engages in building the innovation financing ecosystem through the Innovate Poland initiative, including the Future Tech Poland fund, as well as through the BGK Vinci investment fund. We also invest directly in funds supporting modern technological infrastructure. The Digital Champions CEE 2026 report demonstrates that our region possesses the talent, ambition and entrepreneurial strength which — with the right support — can translate into the growth of future European and global technology leaders,” said Jarosław Dąbrowski, Member of the Management Board at Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego.

About the report

Digital Champions CEE 2026 is the fifth edition of the annual ranking of the 100 most valuable technology companies in Central and Eastern Europe. The report was first presented to the public at the Private Equity Insights Poland & CEE 2026 conference in Warsaw. The report covers both publicly listed and privately held companies across the broader CEE region, including the Baltic states and non-EU countries such as Serbia and Albania, while excluding Russia, Belarus, and Austria. The report is based on data from leading transaction monitoring platforms such as CB Insights, Crunchbase, Dealroom, PitchBook, Tracxn, PitchBook and Preqin, and is the result of collaboration with selected VC/PE funds and associations in the CEE region. The report is available to download free of charge from the Digital Poland foundation’s website. Arthur D. Little and Poland’s Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego are strategic partners of the report; Baker McKenzie, MCI Capital and PFR Ventures are partners.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2993269/Digital_Champions_CEE_Ranking.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2993268/5999426/Digital_Poland_Logo.jpg

Media contact:
Piotr Mieczkowski
Managing Director
Digital Poland Foundation
piotr.mieczkowski@digitalpoland.org
+48 605 132 645

 

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