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Aura Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results, Highlights Strong Momentum Following Qoria Acquisition

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Q2 pro forma ARR and pro forma revenue both grew 27% year over yearQ2 pro forma Adjusted EBITDA improved 51% year over yearReaffirming calendar year 2026 outlook for 20%+ ARR growth and positive free cash flow from transaction close to year-end

BOSTON, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Aura Consolidated Group, Inc. ARBN 695 488 843 (ASX: AXQ) (“Aura” or “the Company”), a global leader in online safety and wellbeing, today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2026, its first earnings announcement following the completion of its July 17 acquisition of Qoria Limited (“Qoria”) (formerly ASX: QOR), a global leader in student safety and wellbeing.

On a pro forma basis, the Company exited the quarter with approximately US$339.7 million in annual recurring revenue (“ARR”), representing 27% year-over-year growth, and remains on track to generate positive free cash flow in 2026 from acquisition completion. With a $100 million equity raise and an upsized $100 million debt facility completed in connection with the transaction close, Aura enters its next phase of growth with a strengthened capital position and enhanced financial flexibility.

“It has been a momentous few months for Aura. We posted very strong second quarter financial results on a pro forma basis, completed the previously announced acquisition of Qoria, enhancing our mission to be a global leader in online safety, and began trading on the ASX under the ticker symbol AXQ. These milestones align with our mission and strategic priorities and further the vision we have for this Company,” said Hari Ravichandran, Founder and CEO of Aura. “All of this, while we continue to invest in the innovation that has differentiated Aura from the rest of the industry. I could not be more proud of the position we are in and excited about the vision we have as we enter the second half of 2026.”

Aura’s Chief Financial Officer, Brian DeCenzo, added, “Our second-quarter results highlight the strength and increasing efficiency of our model, with ARR and GAAP revenue each growing 27% year over year and Adjusted EBITDA improving substantially. At the same time, we have actioned $27 million in direct and operating cost savings year to date and increased the efficiency of our marketing investments. This combination of growth and operating discipline gives us confidence in our ability to achieve our strategic and financial goals.”

Aura continues to execute its integration roadmap and remains on track to achieve full product integration by the second quarter of 2027.

Cost Reductions

Aura is executing ahead of plan on the $55 million cost-out program outlined to investors in February 2026. The Company has actioned $27 million in annualized run-rate direct and operating cost reductions to date, ahead of its $25 million target. In addition, the Company achieved a $7 million reduction in brand and performance marketing spend in the first half of 2026, with a further $28 million reduction planned for the second half. These cost actions, combined with expanding operating leverage and consistent top-line growth, support Aura’s path to achieving its free cash flow goals in the second half of 2026.

Q2’26 Pro Forma Financial Highlights

Because the acquisition closed after the end of the second quarter, Aura’s statutory financial statements reflect Aura on a standalone basis. To provide context on the combined company as it will operate going forward, Aura is presenting unaudited pro forma summary financial results for the merged group, reflecting Aura’s historical financial information combined with Qoria’s historical financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP accounting standards.

GAAP revenue was $85.1 million, an increase of 27% year over year.ARR1 was $339.7 million, an increase of 27% year over year.Adjusted EBITDA2 loss of $12.6 million represents a 51% year-over-year improvement.As of the transaction close on July 17, 2026, Total Liquidity3 was $124.0 million, fortified by a $100 million equity raise and an upsized $100 million debt facility, leaving the business well-capitalized to execute on its plan and reach profitability.

Q2’26 Business Highlights

Completed the acquisition of Qoria and commenced unrestricted trading on the ASX under the ticker “AXQ” on July 20, 2026, following implementation of the scheme of arrangement on July 17, 2026.Launched Aura Business in April 2026, an enterprise security solution designed to address identity-based security risks for managed service providers and small and mid-sized businesses.Introduced new AI-powered capabilities, including the continued evolution of Aura Intelligence into an embedded, context-aware intelligence layer and the release of a new self-harm detection model to support child wellbeing.Strengthened executive leadership across marketing, product, and AI with the appointments of Steven Young as Global Chief Marketing Officer and Adam Medros as Chief Product Officer.

Investor Conference Call

A conference call will be held today as follows:

US EDT: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:30pm
AEST: Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 10:30am

Link to register: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/280029693

This conference call and related materials will be publicly available and can be accessed at investors.aura.com. A replay will also be made available after the call.

The release of this announcement was authorized by the Aura Board of Directors.

About Aura

Aura (ASX: AXQ) is a global leader in online safety and wellbeing. Built on the belief that people deserve a trusted, always-on layer of protection, Aura’s AI-powered platform delivers protection for individuals, families, and enterprises—from proactive protection against identity theft, financial fraud, and online threats to tools that help schools and parents protect children from cyberbullying, harmful content, and threats to their wellbeing. Aura’s platform spans the environments that matter most—home, school, and work—empowering people of all ages with end-to-end protection for every aspect of online life. Learn more at aura.com.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement and the accompanying presentation and conference call include certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” regarding possible or assumed future performance or potential growth of the Company that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” or “would” and/or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. They appear in a number of places throughout these materials and include statements regarding management’s intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, the industry in which the Company operates in, and other information that is not historical information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although management of the Company believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in these materials, the Company cannot assure you that the Company will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Except as required by applicable regulations or by law, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events.

Non-GAAP financial information

This announcement and the accompanying presentation and conference call contain pro forma information and certain measures of financial performance not determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), such as Adjusted EBITDA and Total Liquidity at transaction close (the “non-GAAP financial measures”). The non-GAAP financial measures are used by Company management to evaluate financial performance of, and determine resource allocation for, the Company’s operations. Items excluded from each of the non-GAAP financial measures are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. The non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation, or as alternatives to, or substitutes for, pro forma net income, pro forma general and administrative expense, or other financial statement data presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity. Because the non-GAAP financial measures are not measurements determined in accordance with GAAP and are thus susceptible to varying definitions, the non-GAAP financial measurements as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Please refer to the accompanying presentation for additional information. The pro forma financial information has not been subject to audit or review by the Company’s independent auditor.

Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation

In US$M

Three months ended June 30

2025

2026

Net loss

($43.5)

($16.8)

     Income tax benefit

(1.9)

(0.3)

Interest expense

2.0

5.1

Depreciation and amortization

5.4

3.6

EBITDA

($38.0)

($8.4)

     IPO readiness costs

0.3

     Acquisition-related costs

6.8

     Mark-to-market gain/loss

4.0

(17.3)

     Stock-based compensation expense

5.2

5.7

     Foreign currency exchange loss

3.0

0.6

Adjusted EBITDA

($25.5)

($12.6)

 

Pro forma Total Liquidity as of the transaction close 

In US$M

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (6/30)

$92.6

Available revolving credit facility (6/30)

30.0

GAAP liquidity (6/30)

$122.6

Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

28.0

Total Liquidity at close (7/16), before cost adjustments

$150.6

Less: one-time transaction costs (non-GAAP adjustment)

(26.6)

Total Liquidity, net of costs (non-GAAP)

$124.0

Note: The financial information in this release is unaudited. All monetary figures are reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

1Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) reflects annualized recurring GAAP revenue recognized in the final month of a given period. Prior disclosures combined Aura and Qoria ARR as calculated under each company’s historical methodology. Post-close, the methodologies were aligned, and the definition above will be used for future reporting. Using the methodology applied in prior disclosures, Q2’26 ARR would have been $354.0 million.

2Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), adjusted to exclude interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, IPO readiness costs, acquisition-related costs, stock-based compensation, mark-to-market gains/losses, and foreign currency exchange gains/losses.

3Total Liquidity represents available sources of funding, consisting of cash plus available borrowing capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility, assuming payment of estimated transaction costs.

CATEGORY: Financial News

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LEADING LADIES MAGAZINE GOES NATIONAL, EXPANDING FROM SOUTH FLORIDA TO SIX MAJOR U.S. MARKETS

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First National Edition Debuts September 22 Across New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles

MIAMI, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Leading Ladies Magazine, the South Florida publication celebrating women at the intersection of entrepreneurship, luxury and legacy, expands into six new markets this fall: New York, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. 

“For years, we have watched women build companies, shape culture and move philanthropy forward in cities across the country, yet their stories are too often told in isolation,” said Jessica Cristobal, founder and CEO of Leading Ladies Magazine. “This expansion brings those women into one national conversation, where their ideas and impact travel far beyond their own communities.”

Each edition is designed as a collectible, placed where its readers already live, work and gather: five-star hotels, luxury residences, private clubs, executive offices, designer boutiques, spas and salons, galleries, restaurants, private aviation lounges, marinas and yacht clubs, plus subscriptions and digital editions.

Editorial coverage spans business and leadership, philanthropy, fashion, travel, real estate, design, arts and culture, society, dining, automotive, yachting and private aviation, supported by Leading Ladies signature experiences, including the Leading Ladies Awards, Glam Soirée, Align & Dine, cover celebrations and charitable events.

The national growth builds on the community Cristobal has cultivated through Leading Ladies League, her invitation-only network centered on connection, collaboration and community impact. With more than 20 years in luxury publishing, she has led more than a dozen award-winning titles, authored the international bestseller The Leading Ladies Guidebook and was crowned Mrs. Florida International 2025.

To subscribe or view the digital edition, visit LeadingLadiesMagazine.com.

About Leading Ladies Magazine
Leading Ladies Magazine is a national women’s success publication showcasing founders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, moguls and cultural leaders. Built on connection, collaboration and community impact, the magazine covers business, leadership, luxury, lifestyle and legacy through print, digital media and signature events, reaching readers across South Florida, New York, Atlanta, Washington, DC, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. For more information, visit LeadingLadiesMagazine.com.

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VuSpex Highlights Passage of AB 1738 as Governor Newsom Signs Bill Expanding Virtual Inspections Across California

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The new law enhances homeowners’ and contractors’ access to both live videoconference and asynchronous video/photo inspections, streamlining approvals across a wide range of residential installations.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. and SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1738, establishing a statewide mandate that expands access to remote building inspections for specified residential projects while preserving the authority and professional judgment of local Inspectors.

Authored by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, AB 1738 passed the California Senate by a 29–6 vote and received final Assembly concurrence by a 68–0 vote. The new law requires covered cities and counties to offer a homeowner—or a Contractor with the homeowner’s written consent—the option to request a remote inspection for all or part of an inspection required by a building permit. This can speed up residential and renewable energy developments by offering remote inspections for qualified residential installations. This lowers expenses, saves time, and maximizes Inspector availability without compromising safety.

At the jurisdiction’s discretion, an inspection may be conducted through live videoconferencing or recorded photos and videos. The law covers specified work in single-family and two-family dwelling units, including residential reroofs, qualifying photovoltaic and energy-storage systems, minor electrical and plumbing work, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. AB 1738 creates a statewide framework to modernize building departments and streamline residential permitting workflows.

“AB 1738 is an important step toward faster, more accessible building inspections without compromising Inspector control,” said Dane Demicell, founder and CEO of VuSpex. “California agencies do not need to build a remote-inspection program from scratch. VuSpex already provides the live video, field documentation, reporting, scheduling and permitting-system integrations needed to put a dependable program into operation.”

The law allows local agencies to establish reasonable protocols for image quality, camera coverage, location verification, technology and connectivity. It requires the remote option to be offered at no greater cost and with no greater delay than an in-person inspection. An Inspector may end a remote inspection and require an in-person visit whenever compliance cannot be verified remotely.

Under the newly enacted measure, California’s new remote inspection standards will phase in statewide, creating a streamlined digital pathway for homeowners and contractors while giving local building departments the necessary lead time to adopt compliant workflows, with exemptions provided for small jurisdictions.

A Complete Remote-Inspection Solution

VuSpex is purpose-built for public agencies, where our team fully configures the platform to match the jurisdiction’s specific inspection policies, permit types, staffing models, and existing workflows. Capabilities include:

Flexible inspection modes: Live, two-way video inspections; real-time on-demand queues; scheduled appointments; recorded photo and video inspections; and offline field reports that synchronize when connectivity returns.

Detailed reports and documentation: Configurable inspection reports complete with photos and video give agencies a clear record of the work reviewed and the inspection result.

Permitting-system integration: Connections with platforms including Accela, Tyler Technologies, Intuitive Municipal Solutions, CentralSquare, Cityworks, Citizenserve, OpenGov, Infor, Govwell, Maintstar, Salesforce, Computronix and others allow Inspectors to launch inspections from familiar systems and automatically attach inspection photos and results to the permit record.

Scheduling and intelligent routing: DaySmart and Outlook scheduling can route appointments by discipline, record type, inspection type or other agency-defined criteria while allowing manual control when needed.

Low-connectivity support: Patented technology supports inspection work in low-bandwidth and offline environments, including rural areas and locations where a reliable signal is unavailable.

Easy field participation: Contractors and homeowners can join from a phone, tablet or computer, communicate with the Inspector and provide the visual evidence requested from the jobsite without specialized inspection hardware.

For agency leaders, the combination of configurable reports, photos, video, results and permit-record integration helps create a consistent review process and reduces separate logins, duplicate data entry and manual transfer of inspection records. By using browser-based links, VuSpex eliminates app downloads for instant virtual inspections. Initial adoption is streamlined through phased rollouts on simple permits, backed by complete training toolkits and live support.

California Agencies Are Already Using VuSpex

California jurisdictions already using VuSpex include major metropolitan areas as well as rural areas, with a total combined population of over 3 million residents. Their adoption demonstrates that VuSpex remote-inspection technology can benefit jurisdictions of any size, with different workflows, staffing levels and connectivity conditions.

“Remote inspections are not a replacement for Inspector judgment; they are another tool that helps Inspectors use their time where it matters most,” Demicell said. “With AB 1738 now law, VuSpex is ready to help California jurisdictions move from policy to implementation with a platform already being used by agencies in the State.”

VuSpex invites California building officials, technology leaders and inspection managers to schedule a demonstration and begin evaluating workflows, technical protocols, system integrations and reporting needs ahead of the law’s implementation deadlines. Visit https://www.vuspex.com to learn more and arrange a meeting to use the VuSpex cost savings calculator for remote video inspections.

About VuSpex

VuSpex’s award winning platform provides configurable virtual inspection software for government agencies and private-sector inspection teams. Its platform supports live, on-demand, scheduled and offline inspection workflows; detailed reports with photos and video; permitting and scheduling integrations; and low-connectivity field operations. VuSpex helps inspection teams improve access, reduce travel and administrative work, and maintain Inspector control throughout the review process. VuSpex has authored 4 issued patents in the domain of remote video inspection technology with two additional patents pending.

Contact: Brad Pennington, VuSpex Vice President of Sales and Business Development, brad@vuspex.com

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SMARTIES™ Vietnam Announces 2026 Shortlist, Celebrating 187 Standout Entries

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SMARTIES™ Vietnam has officially announced its 2026 Shortlist, recognizing 187 entries that have distinguished themselves through this year’s rigorous judging process and moved one step closer to the coveted SMARTIES™ trophies. This year’s award brings together 150 senior marketing leaders and industry experts across judging panels, reinforcing the scale and professional rigor behind SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026.

187 Entries Making Their Mark in 2026

The SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 Shortlist, presented by the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA), brings together 187 entries spanning a wide range of industries, each offering a distinct response to the increasingly complex challenges facing marketers today. Across creativity, data, technology and consumer engagement, the shortlisted work captures how marketing is being applied to create tangible impact for businesses.

This year’s Shortlist features a strong showing from leading brands including Abbott, BYD, Coca-Cola, FPT Play, Google, Grab, Heineken, L’Oréal, MSD, Nestlé, Nutifood, Samsung, Suntory PepsiCo, Unilever and Vietnam Airlines, among many others. It also reflects the work of leading media and creative agencies including Dentsu Creative, Hakuhodo, LEO, MullenLowe Mishra, Omnicom Media, PMAX, Purpose.Ant, TMRW, WPP Media and Zenith.

Reflecting on the progress seen across this year’s entries, Rohit Dadwal, CEO of MMA APAC and Global Head of SMARTIES Worldwide, shared:

“Vietnam continues to distinguish itself within the global SMARTIES™ community through its ability to combine technology and data with a deep understanding of local culture and consumers. This year’s shortlisted work demonstrates how marketers are translating that combination into creative solutions that address real business challenges and deliver measurable impact.”

4 Channels – 25 Categories: A Broader View of Modern Marketing

The range of work represented across this year’s 187 shortlisted entries extends across 4 channels and 25 categories. From customer experience, technology and data to emerging platforms and new approaches to engagement, the awards offer a broader view of how marketing is adapting to a changing marketplace and rising consumer expectations.

Beyond the 25 award categories, SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 will also recognize excellence through 15 Industry Awards, extending recognition across campaigns, brands, agencies, technology enablers, publishers and other players that have made a notable mark on this year’s awards.

The broader scope of SMARTIES™ also reflects the expanding role of marketing and the many ways it creates value for brands, businesses and the wider market, capturing a more complete picture of marketing excellence today.

13 Years of Celebrating Excellence and Shaping the Standards of Marketing in Vietnam

Over 13 years in Vietnam, SMARTIES™ has established itself as one of the country’s leading international marketing awards, while growing alongside an industry undergoing profound transformation. Across each season, SMARTIES™ has witnessed the boundaries between creativity, media, data and commerce become increasingly interconnected, reshaping what marketing excellence means today.

Excellence is no longer defined by the ability to capture attention alone, but by the ability to turn ideas into solutions that contribute to sustainable business growth. This principle has remained at the heart of SMARTIES™ for more than a decade.

The credibility of the 2026 awards is further reinforced by 150 industry leaders and experts across the judging panels, comprising 100 Qualifying Jury members and 50 Grand Jury members. Their breadth of expertise and experience brings depth and perspective to the judging process, while ensuring that every campaign is assessed against the standards SMARTIES™ has upheld throughout its journey in Vietnam.

Each campaign is evaluated across strategy, creativity, execution and business impact, providing a comprehensive view of both the quality of the work and the impact it delivers.

Ms. Phan Bich Tam, Managing Director Vietnam and Cambodia & Board Member Vietnam, MMA Global – APAC, emphasized:

“For 13 years, SMARTIES™ Vietnam has celebrated marketing that turns creativity into measurable business value. This year’s Shortlist reflects the growing ambition and strategic maturity of Vietnam’s marketing community. It also shows how brands and agencies are applying innovation with greater discipline to address real business challenges. Congratulations to every team recognized.”

SMARTIES™ Awards Gala

On October 29, SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 Gala Night will reveal and celebrate the outstanding campaigns, brands and agencies of this year’s competition.

More than the moment when the SMARTIES™ trophies find their winners, Gala Night brings the marketing community together to celebrate the campaigns and teams that have transformed consumer understanding, strategic thinking and creativity into meaningful value for brands and businesses.

View the complete list of SMARTIES Vietnam 2026 Finalists

The industry will gather to celebrate the winners at the SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026 Awards Gala on October 29, 2026, at GEM Center, Ho Chi Minh City.

Reserve your attendance at the Gala Night.

PR Newswire is the Official Press Release Distribution Partner of SMARTIES™ Vietnam 2026.

About the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA)

The Marketing + Media Alliance is the global non-profit community of CMOs advancing marketers’ ability to create value, with 825+ members across 16 countries. mmaglobal.com

About SMARTIES™

SMARTIES™ is the prestigious marketing awards program hosted by MMA, recognizing excellence in marketing effectiveness and innovation. The SMARTIES Awards celebrate campaigns that push creative boundaries while delivering measurable business impact. With programs spanning local, regional, and global markets, SMARTIES has become the industry’s most respected benchmark for marketing that drives real growth.

Media Contact:
Ms. Ngoc Vu
Email: ngoc.vu@mmaglobal.com

MMA Vietnam
mmavn@mmaglobal.com

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