Connect with us

Technology

iHuman Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Published

on

BEIJING, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iHuman Inc. (NYSE: IH) (“iHuman” or the “Company”), a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

Revenues were RMB232.7 million (US$31.9 million), compared with RMB250.4 million in the same period last year.Gross profit was RMB156.4 million (US$21.4 million), compared with RMB178.2 million in the same period last year.Operating income was RMB14.9 million (US$2.0 million), compared with RMB21.9 million in the same period last year.Net income was RMB26.5 million (US$3.6 million), compared with RMB33.3 million in the same period last year.Average total MAUs[1] for the fourth quarter were 25.78 million, compared with 25.38 million in the same period last year.

Fiscal Year 2024 Highlights

Revenues were RMB922.2 million (US$126.3 million), compared with RMB1,018.1 million in fiscal year 2023.Gross profit was RMB640.2 million (US$87.7 million), compared with RMB721.3 million in fiscal year 2023.Operating income was RMB71.9 million (US$9.9 million), compared with RMB159.9 million in fiscal year 2023.Net income was RMB98.6 million (US$13.5 million), compared with RMB180.9 million in fiscal year 2023.Average total MAUs were 26.47 million, compared with 23.04 million in the fiscal year 2023.

[1] “Average total MAUs” refers to the monthly average of the sum of the MAUs of each of the Company’s apps during a specific period, which is counted based on the number of unique mobile devices through which such app is accessed at least once in a given month, and duplicate access to different apps is not eliminated from the total MAUs calculation.

Dr. Peng Dai, Director and Chief Executive Officer of iHuman, commented, “As we navigated evolving market conditions, we concluded 2024 with a robust and diversified product portfolio, further enhanced with more AI-integrated features that reinforces our leadership in the industry.

At the heart of our success is our long-standing dedication to technological innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence. Since establishing our AI Lab in 2018, we have consistently invested in cutting-edge advancements and seamlessly integrated them into our product offerings. By embracing transformative technologies such as AI-generated content (AIGC), we became one of the first companies in China to develop and launch a proprietary large language model (LLM), a breakthrough that now powers a comprehensive range of our offerings and elevates our user experience to new heights. Take iHuman Smart Coder as an example. Leveraging our LLM, we have transformed a traditional coding course into a highly engaging, personalized learning experience that provides real-time tailored guidance and support. Children benefit from a personalized virtual coding mentor by their side that can analyze their code, pinpoint bugs, and provide corrective feedback through features such as intuitive voice prompts, graphics, and animations, making learning more fun and accessible. Additionally, we have introduced an innovative learning framework that combines challenge-based exploration, project-driven creativity, and immersive robotics sessions. Our robotics session features a 3D interactive blueprint that enables users to visualize each step of the build, making it possible to assemble intricate robots online. Our proprietary high-intelligence controller and custom code editor further enhance the experience, allowing children to program more sophisticated and intelligent robot behaviors. Together, these innovations create a coding experience that not only inspires and engages users, but also delivers tangible outcomes. Within months of its launch, some young users successfully passed the online exam administered by the Chinese Institute of Electronics, earning the Blocks Programming Level 1 Certificate.

While pushing the boundaries of innovation from within, we also closely monitor emerging market trends, swiftly embracing new technological breakthroughs to enhance our products and maintain a competitive edge. Our early adoption of the revolutionary DeepSeek models—beginning with the V2 model in May 2024 and now fully integrating the latest R1 model across our core offerings—demonstrates our agility and forward-thinking approach. By seamlessly integrating our extensive in-house AI expertise with best-in-class third-party solutions, we deliver a more personalized, dynamic, and intelligent product experience that is tailored to each child’s unique developmental needs and preferences.

As we look ahead to 2025, I am confident that our forward-thinking approach—anchored in technological excellence and creative content—will keep us at the forefront of the industry and pave the way for another promising year of growth and innovation,” concluded Dr. Dai.

Ms. Vivien Weiwei Wang, Director and Chief Financial Officer of iHuman, added, “Despite facing some pressure from evolving market conditions, we are proud to report another quarter of profitability, marking our 12th consecutive quarter of positive earnings and our third consecutive year of profitability since our IPO in 2020. This consistent performance reflects the resilience of our business model and our ability to deliver sustainable growth. Meanwhile, our board of directors has approved a special cash dividend of US$0.02 per ordinary share, or US$0.10 per American Depositary Share (ADS) for the second consecutive year, which reflects our confidence in the financials and commitment to delivering shareholder value.

During the quarter, our animation studio, Kunpeng, made significant strides in both commercialization and global expansion. Capitalizing on the breakout success of the Rainbow Crew animated series, unveiled in October 2024, we introduced themed merchandise, including magic wands and stickers, with additional products currently in development. These initiatives have further enhanced the brand’s presence and deepened fan engagement across multiple touchpoints. Additionally, we launched an official Rainbow Crew channel on YouTube, sharing select clips from the series. These videos have received warm feedback and strong engagement, helping build awareness among international audiences, laying the foundation for the overseas expansion of the series.

In addition to enriching our product portfolio, we have also effectively leveraged popular social media platforms to broaden our influence and expand our market reach. Our in-house IP, Two Cats (liamiao)—designed to spark interest in English and develop language awareness through engaging comics—has gained significant traction on Red Note, amassing over 240,000 followers and nearly 700,000 likes and saves in just a few months. This highlights our ability to engage audiences across diverse platforms and build meaningful connections with our users.

As we continue to make solid progress with our business, we remain focused on driving product innovation through ongoing advancements in content and technology. We are committed to translating our strategic investments into lasting value for our shareholders, users, and the broader industry.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Revenues

Revenues were RMB232.7 million (US$31.9 million), a decrease of 7.1% from RMB250.4 million in the same period last year, primarily due to the decline in China’s newborn population and more conservative consumer spending. 

Average total MAUs for the quarter were 25.78 million, compared with 25.38 million in the same period last year.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB76.2 million (US$10.4 million), compared with RMB72.2 million in the same period last year.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit was RMB156.4 million (US$21.4 million), a decrease of 12.2% from RMB178.2 million in the same period last year. Gross margin was 67.2%, compared with 71.2% in the same period last year. The decrease in gross margin was mainly due to the diversification and structural upgrades of the Company’s product portfolio, especially with an increased focus on the offline component of its integrated online-offline strategy to boost the overall appeal of its offerings.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were RMB141.5 million (US$19.4 million), a decrease of 9.5% from RMB156.4 million in the same period last year.

Research and development expenses were RMB63.3 million (US$8.7 million), a decrease of 4.5% from RMB66.3 million in the same period last year. 

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB54.1 million (US$7.4 million), a decrease of 16.1% from RMB64.5 million in the same period last year, primarily due to strategic savings in spending on marketing activities in the fourth quarter.

General and administrative expenses were RMB24.1 million (US$3.3 million), a decrease of 5.6% from RMB25.5 million in the same period last year, primarily due to decreases in share-based compensation, as well as other administrative expenses. 

Operating Income 

Operating income was RMB14.9 million (US$2.0 million), compared with RMB21.9 million in the same period last year.

Net Income 

Net income was RMB26.5 million (US$3.6 million), compared with RMB33.3 million in the same period last year.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were RMB0.51 (US$0.07) and RMB0.49 (US$0.07), respectively, compared with RMB0.63 and RMB0.61 in the same period last year. Each ADS represents five Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

Deferred Revenue and Customer Advances

Deferred revenue and customer advances were RMB283.3 million (US$38.8 million) as of December 31, 2024, compared with RMB318.6 million as of December 31, 2023.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were RMB1,168.7 million (US$160.1 million) as of December 31, 2024, compared with RMB1,213.8 million as of December 31, 2023.

Fiscal Year 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Revenues

Revenues were RMB922.2 million (US$126.3 million), a decrease of 9.4% from RMB1,018.1 million in fiscal year 2023, primarily due to the decline in China’s newborn population and more conservative consumer spending.

Average total MAUs were 26.47 million, an increase of 14.9% year-over-year from 23.04 million in fiscal year 2023, primarily due to the effective execution of our user acquisition strategy, particularly with the user expansion in overseas markets. 

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB282.0 million (US$38.6 million), a decrease of 5.0% year-over-year from RMB296.9 million in fiscal year 2023, primarily due to decreased channel costs.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit was RMB640.2 million (US$87.7 million), a decrease of 11.2% from RMB721.3 million in fiscal year 2023. Gross margin was 69.4%, compared with 70.8% in fiscal year 2023. The decrease in gross margin was mainly due to the diversification and structural upgrades of the Company’s product portfolio, especially with an increased focus on the offline component of its integrated online-offline strategy to boost the overall appeal of its offerings.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were RMB568.2 million (US$77.8 million), compared with RMB561.4 million in fiscal year 2023.

Research and development expenses were RMB247.8 million (US$33.9 million), a decrease of 3.8% from RMB257.5 million in fiscal year 2023.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB221.2 million (US$30.3 million), an increase of 10.9% from RMB199.5 million in fiscal year 2023, primarily due to increased strategic spending on promotional activities, brand enhancement, and overseas expansion.

General and administrative expenses were RMB99.3 million (US$13.6 million), a decrease of 4.9% from RMB104.3 million in fiscal year 2023.

Operating Income

Operating income was RMB71.9 million (US$9.9 million), compared with RMB159.9 million in fiscal year 2023.

Net Income

Net income was RMB98.6 million (US$13.5 million), compared with RMB180.9 million in fiscal year 2023.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were RMB1.88 (US$0.26) and RMB1.82 (US$0.25), respectively, compared with RMB3.43 and RMB3.30 in fiscal year 2023. Each ADS represents five Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

Special Cash Dividend

To deliver return of capital to shareholders, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) approved a special cash dividend of US$0.02 per ordinary share, or US$0.10 per ADS, to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs as of the close of business on April 17, 2025 New York Time, payable in U.S. dollars. The aggregate amount of the special dividend will be approximately US$5.2 million. The payment date is expected to be on or around May 8, 2025 and May 15, 2025 for holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs, respectively.

Exchange Rate Information

The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this press release is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of December 31, 2024, which was RMB7.2993 to US$1.00. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

iHuman considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS, as supplemental metrics in reviewing and assessing its operating performance and formulating its business plan. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). iHuman defines adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS as operating income, net income and diluted net income per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses, respectively. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS enable iHuman’s management to assess its operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. iHuman believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating the Company’s current operating performance and prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, which possibly do not reflect all items of expense that affect our operations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures iHuman uses may differ from the non-GAAP measures used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about iHuman’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the description of the management’s quotations in this announcement contains forward-looking statements. iHuman may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: iHuman’s growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to attract and retain users, convert non-paying users into paying users and increase the spending of paying users, the trends in, and size of, the market in which iHuman operates; its expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; its expectations regarding its relationships with business partners; general economic and business conditions; regulatory environment; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in iHuman’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and iHuman does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About iHuman Inc.

iHuman Inc. is a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China that is committed to making the child-upbringing experience easier for parents and transforming intellectual development into a fun journey for children. Benefiting from a deep legacy that combines over two decades of experience in the parenthood industry, superior original content, advanced high-tech innovation DNA and research & development capabilities with cutting-edge technologies, iHuman empowers parents with tools to make the child-upbringing experience more efficient. iHuman’s unique, fun and interactive product offerings stimulate children’s natural curiosity and exploration. The Company’s comprehensive suite of innovative and high-quality products include self-directed apps, interactive content and smart devices that cover a broad variety of areas to develop children’s abilities in speaking, critical thinking, independent reading and creativity, and foster their natural interest in traditional Chinese culture. Leveraging advanced technological capabilities, including 3D engines, AI/AR functionality, and big data analysis on children’s behavior & psychology, iHuman believes it will continue to provide superior experience that is efficient and relieving for parents, and effective and fun for children, in China and all over the world, through its integrated suite of tech-powered, intellectual development products.

For more information about iHuman, please visit https://ir.ihuman.com/.

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

iHuman Inc.
Mr. Justin Zhang
Investor Relations Director
Phone: +86-10-5780-6606
E-mail: ir@ihuman.com

Christensen
In China
Ms. Alice Li
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: alice.li@christensencomms.com 

In the US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
E-mail: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)

except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents 

1,213,767

1,123,292

153,890

Short-term investments

45,457

6,228

Accounts receivable, net

60,832

52,030

7,128

Inventories, net

16,518

23,475

3,216

Amounts due from related parties

1,810

2,051

281

Prepayments and other current assets

89,511

89,512

12,263

Total current assets

1,382,438

1,335,817

183,006

Non-current assets

Property and equipment, net

6,169

3,476

476

Intangible assets, net

23,245

16,429

2,251

Operating lease right-of-use assets

3,648

14,885

2,039

Long-term investment

26,333

26,333

3,608

Other non-current assets

8,662

22,701

3,110

Total non-current assets

68,057

83,824

11,484

Total assets

1,450,495

1,419,641

194,490

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

22,139

30,233

4,142

Deferred revenue and customer advances

318,587

283,251

38,805

Amounts due to related parties

4,428

1,734

238

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

143,677

126,501

17,331

Dividend payable

2,164

296

Current operating lease liabilities

1,927

3,661

502

Total current liabilities

490,758

447,544

61,314

Non-current liabilities

Non-current operating lease liabilities

1,933

11,252

1,542

Total non-current liabilities

1,933

11,252

1,542

Total liabilities

492,691

458,796

62,856

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share,
   700,000,000 Class A shares authorized as of
   December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024;
   125,122,382 Class A shares issued and 119,704,787
   outstanding as of December 31, 2023; 125,122,382
   Class A shares issued and 116,084,207 outstanding as
   of December 31, 2024; 200,000,000 Class B shares
   authorized, 144,000,000 Class B ordinary shares
   issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and   
   December 31, 2024; 100,000,000 shares
   (undesignated) authorized, nil shares (undesignated)
   issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and   
   December 31, 2024)

185

185

25

Additional paid-in capital

1,088,628

996,657

136,541

Treasury stock

(16,665)

(26,296)

(3,603)

Statutory reserves

8,164

8,395

1,150

Accumulated other comprehensive income

17,955

24,009

3,289

Accumulated deficit

(140,463)

(42,105)

(5,768)

Total shareholders’ equity

957,804

960,845

131,634

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

1,450,495

1,419,641

194,490

 

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)

except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

For the three months ended

For the year ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2023

2024

2024

2024

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenues

250,447

239,407

232,684

31,878

1,018,139

922,201

126,341

Cost of revenues

(72,201)

(75,541)

(76,243)

(10,445)

(296,868)

(282,048)

(38,640)

Gross profit

178,246

163,866

156,441

21,433

721,271

640,153

87,701

Operating expenses

Research and development expenses

(66,293)

(59,307)

(63,308)

(8,673)

(257,546)

(247,757)

(33,943)

Sales and marketing expenses

(64,511)

(60,863)

(54,109)

(7,413)

(199,504)

(221,230)

(30,308)

General and administrative expenses

(25,547)

(22,998)

(24,106)

(3,303)

(104,334)

(99,254)

(13,598)

Total operating expenses

(156,351)

(143,168)

(141,523)

(19,389)

(561,384)

(568,241)

(77,849)

Operating income

21,895

20,698

14,918

2,044

159,887

71,912

9,852

Other income, net

8,965

8,024

12,245

1,678

42,686

38,689

5,300

Income before income taxes

30,860

28,722

27,163

3,722

202,573

110,601

15,152

Income tax benefits (expenses)

2,411

(3,579)

(682)

(93)

(21,666)

(12,012)

(1,646)

Net income

33,271

25,143

26,481

3,629

180,907

98,589

13,506

Net income per ADS:

   – Basic

0.63

0.48

0.51

0.07

3.43

1.88

0.26

   – Diluted

0.61

0.47

0.49

0.07

3.30

1.82

0.25

Weighted average number of ADSs:

   – Basic

52,740,067

52,283,334

52,097,127

52,097,127

52,810,587

52,400,383

52,400,383

   – Diluted

54,753,503

54,011,420

53,965,183

53,965,183

54,753,025

54,239,751

54,239,751

Total share-based compensation expenses included in:

Cost of revenues

64

22

18

2

299

106

15

Research and development expenses

1,115

225

273

37

4,055

1,303

179

Sales and marketing expenses

122

39

34

5

707

164

22

General and administrative expenses

817

329

229

31

4,374

1,251

171

 

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)

except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

For the three months ended

For the year ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2023

2024

2024

2024

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

Operating income

21,895

20,698

14,918

2,044

159,887

71,912

9,852

Share-based compensation expenses

2,118

615

554

75

9,435

2,824

387

Adjusted operating income

24,013

21,313

15,472

2,119

169,322

74,736

10,239

Net income

33,271

25,143

26,481

3,629

180,907

98,589

13,506

Share-based compensation expenses

2,118

615

554

75

9,435

2,824

387

Adjusted net income

35,389

25,758

27,035

3,704

190,342

101,413

13,893

Diluted net income per ADS

0.61

0.47

0.49

0.07

3.30

1.82

0.25

Impact of non-GAAP adjustments

0.04

0.01

0.01

0.00

0.18

0.05

0.01

Adjusted diluted net income per ADS

0.65

0.48

0.50

0.07

3.48

1.87

0.26

Weighted average number of ADSs – diluted

54,753,503

54,011,420

53,965,183

53,965,183

54,753,025

54,239,751

54,239,751

Weighted average number of ADSs – adjusted

54,753,503

54,011,420

53,965,183

53,965,183

54,753,025

54,239,751

54,239,751

 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ihuman-inc-announces-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-year-2024-unaudited-financial-results-302410361.html

SOURCE iHuman Inc.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Autonomous Defense Technologies Set to Ignite a Nearly $200 Billion Global Market

Published

on

By

AI-Powered Military Drones, Autonomous Platforms, and Next-Generation Defense Systems Are Fueling One of the Fastest-Growing Opportunities in Aerospace and Defense

NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Market News Updates News Commentary – Around the globe, the defense industry is quickly adopting autonomous technologies, with governments investing significantly in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, advanced sensors, and self-directed decision-making capabilities. Military forces are on the lookout for technologies that can swiftly gather intelligence, function in dangerous settings without risking personnel, and respond promptly to threats. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) utilizing autonomous AI are increasingly crucial in modern military operations, proficient in various tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, target identification, electronic warfare, logistics support, and precision strike missions with minimal human intervention. As artificial intelligence advances, these sophisticated systems are expected to improve their efficiency in managing drone swarms, sharing battlefield information, and swiftly adjusting to changing combat situations. Companies leading the Autonomous and AI technology Defense Operations boom include: VisionWave Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: VWAV), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), AEVEX Corp. (NYSE: AVEX), Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIDU).

There is also a rapid expansion in financial opportunities. Fortune Business Insights forecasts substantial growth in the global Autonomous Defense Platforms Market, with a projected increase from approximately US$69.77 billion in 2026 to US$198.87 billion by 2034, indicating a robust compound annual growth rate of 14.0%. Additionally, the firm anticipates a surge in the global Military Drone Market from US$22.49 billion in 2026 to US$52.31 billion by 2034, showing an 11.1% compound annual growth rate. With rising defense budgets and a focus on AI-enhanced military capabilities, companies specializing in autonomous aircraft, AI software, advanced sensors, cybersecurity platforms, navigation systems, and cutting-edge battlefield technologies are well positioned to capitalize on these expanding markets.

The widespread integration of autonomous AI UAVs is revolutionizing military strategies and operations. Instead of relying on individual aircraft, armed forces are increasingly deploying coordinated fleets of intelligent drones capable of monitoring vast areas, identifying targets, transmitting secure communications, and offering real-time situational awareness to ground troops. Advancements in machine learning, computer vision, edge computing, and secure battlefield networking are empowering these systems to autonomously process large amounts of data, thereby reducing the workload on operators and increasing mission success. As global tensions rise and defense modernization remains a top priority worldwide, autonomous defense technologies are expected to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the military industry in the coming decade.

VisionWave (NASDAQ: VWAV) and Meteor Aerospace Leadership Advance Integration Planning for AI-Enabled Multi-Domain Defense Technologies Following Previously Announced Acquisition Agreement — VisionWave Holdings Inc. (“VisionWave” or the “Company”) a defense technology company developing advanced artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and next-generation security technologies, today announced that its executive leadership team has completed a strategic technology and integration working session with the leadership of Meteor Aerospace Ltd. in Israel following the Company’s previously announced acquisition agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Meteor Aerospace. Completion of the transaction remains subject to the closing conditions described below.

The executive meetings represent an important milestone in the transaction process as both companies continue advancing technical, operational and commercial integration planning while progressing toward satisfaction of the closing conditions described below.

During the visit, VisionWave executives conducted comprehensive reviews of Meteor Aerospace’s expanding portfolio of advanced defense technologies, including tactical and strategic unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), electronic warfare (EW) and SIGINT technologies, precision strike systems, C4ISR platforms and integrated sovereign defense architectures.

The working sessions included executive strategy meetings, engineering reviews, technology demonstrations, manufacturing assessments and product roadmap discussions focused on identifying opportunities to accelerate innovation, expand international commercialization and strengthen VisionWave’s multi-domain defense technology platform.

Meteor Aerospace presented video documentation of field tests and demonstrations of its products, including flights of the Impact-700 UAV at the Bar Yehuda airfield near the Dead Sea in Israel, that were done with the regulatory monitoring and approval of the Israeli Aviation Authority.

For operational security reasons, the meetings were conducted at a confidential location, and additional details regarding attendees and facilities are not being disclosed.

Douglas Davis, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VisionWave Holdings, stated: “Visiting Meteor Aerospace and working directly alongside its leadership and engineering teams reinforced what we recognized when we entered into the acquisition agreement. Meteor has developed a highly differentiated portfolio of autonomous systems, electronic warfare technologies, and integrated battlefield capabilities supported by a team with decades of aerospace engineering experience. Seeing these technologies firsthand further strengthened our confidence in the strategic opportunity this transaction represents.”

Mr. Davis continued: “Our integration planning, in preparation for a potential closing, is well underway. By bringing together VisionWave’s expertise in artificial intelligence, advanced sensing and computational technologies with Meteor’s capabilities across autonomous platforms, C4ISR, precision defense technologies and sovereign defense architectures, we believe we are building a next-generation defense technology platform positioned to address rapidly growing global demand for integrated battlefield solutions, autonomous systems and national security modernization.”

Throughout the visit, executives from both organizations evaluated opportunities to align technology development, manufacturing capabilities, international business development initiatives and long-term product strategies as part of VisionWave’s integration planning process.

The meetings also provided both leadership teams with the opportunity to establish integration priorities across engineering, operations, commercialization and future product development while preparing for the successful completion of the proposed transaction.

As previously announced, completion of the acquisition remains subject to a number of conditions for VisionWave’s satisfactory completion of legal, financial, operational, technical, aerospace, cybersecurity, export control, intellectual property and commercial due diligence, receipt of any applicable regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that the closing conditions will be satisfied, or that the transaction will be completed on the anticipated timeline or at all. Continued… Read this full release and additional news for VWAV by visiting: https://www.vwav.inc/newsroom/ 

Why Investors Are Watching the UAV / Autonomous / AI Military Operations Industries:

Autonomous AI-powered UAVs becoming standard assets for ISR and combat support missionsRising global defense spending focused on artificial intelligence and autonomous warfareGrowing adoption of autonomous drone swarms and collaborative mission capabilitiesIncreased demand for real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)Continued advances in machine learning, computer vision, edge computing, and autonomous navigationExpansion of electronic warfare, cybersecurity, and secure battlefield communicationsDefense modernization programs accelerating across North America, Europe, and the Indo-PacificGrowing opportunities for companies developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms

Other recent developments in the autonomous, defense/military/UAV/drone industries of note include:

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a technology company in the defense, national security and global markets, recently announced it has been awarded a sole-source, single award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for approximately $156 million, by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Secure Transportation (OST), in support of Project Solar Shield.

Under this new contract award, Kratos will provide mobile Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) platforms designed to support OST’s critical National Security mission. The Office of Secure Transportation is responsible for the safe and secure ground and air transportation of nuclear weapons, weapon components, and special nuclear materials, as well as other missions supporting U.S. national security.

AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain autonomous systems, recently announced it has been awarded a $117.3 million contract by the U.S. Army for its P550™ electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aerial system in support of the Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance program, advancing the Army’s push to field scalable, adaptable capabilities for modern warfare.

The award was issued under a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) through a competitive Call for Solutions (C4S) under the U.S. Army’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Marketplace initiative, a centralized digital platform designed to accelerate the procurement of vetted drone technologies.

AEVEX Corp. (NYSE: AVEX) recently announced it has been awarded a $17.5 million follow-on contract under its Global Solutions portfolio to continue delivering critical services in support of U.S. national security objectives.

The contract reinforces the company’s role in providing mission focused, data-driven services and solutions that help decision makers act with speed and confidence. AEVEX’s Global Solutions capabilities integrate technology and multi-domain expertise to transform complex data into actionable insight for time sensitive missions.

“Our teams are trusted to support some of the nation’s most important missions,” said Roger Wells, Chief Executive Officer at AEVEX. “This award reflects continued confidence in AEVEX to deliver the specialized expertise required to advance essential national security interests.”

Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIDU) (“Sidus” or the “Company”), an innovative space and defense technology company, recently announced that its next LizzieSat® has successfully completed vibration testing, a key environmental qualification milestone for SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, currently scheduled for launch no earlier than October 2026.

Vibration testing simulates the intense mechanical loads a spacecraft experiences during launch and ascent. The testing was conducted at Element U.S. Space & Defense’s facility in Orlando, Florida, an accredited independent provider of product qualification and environmental testing services. Completing this testing is designed to confirm that the satellite’s structure, components, and integrated payloads can withstand the stresses of liftoff and remain fully operational on orbit, a critical step in clearing the spacecraft for final integration and shipment to the launch site.

DISCLAIMER: MarketNewsUpdates.com (MNU) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. MNU is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. MNU and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. MNU’S market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. This press release was distributed on behalf of VisionWave Holdings, Inc. For current services performed MNU was compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by VisionWave Holdings, Inc. by the Company. MNU HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and MNU undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:
Media Contact email: editor@marketnewsupdates.com – +1(561)486-1799

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autonomous-defense-technologies-set-to-ignite-a-nearly-200-billion-global-market-302833247.html

SOURCE Market News Updates

Continue Reading

Technology

atQor Earns Microsoft Frontier Partner Status for AI Delivery

Published

on

By

The recognition validates atQor’s ability to unite Cloud & AI Platforms, AI Business Solutions and Security for customers in financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and public sector.

AHMEDABAD, India, MISSISSAUGA, ON and SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — atQor, a Microsoft-focused AI and data platform company, today announced it has achieved Microsoft Frontier Partner status, with its nomination led by Microsoft India and recognition extending across Canada, the United States and India.

atQor holds all six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations, the Support Services designation, Azure Expert MSP status, Microsoft Fabric Featured Partner recognition and ten Advanced Specializations.

“Our engineers do not wait for a mandate to use AI, they build with it every day, and that is what Microsoft recognized,” said Pushkaraj Kale, CEO of atQor India. “Earlier this year, our teams built and deployed more than two hundred production AI agents in a single seventy-two-hour engineering event, and twenty-five of those are now live on Microsoft Marketplace. This nomination was led by Microsoft India, and it reflects the discipline our customers see across every industry we serve.”

“The Frontier Partner designation recognizes organizations that are helping customers move beyond AI experimentation and into business transformation. atQor has consistently invested across Microsoft’s AI, data, cloud, and security stack while building the Go-To-Market and delivery capabilities required to create measurable customer outcomes. We are pleased to see atQor join this distinguished group of partners and look forward to their continued contribution to AI adoption across industries,” said Om Batra, Channel Partner Sales Leader, India and South Asia, Microsoft.

“The most successful AI partners are those that can bridge innovation with operational excellence. atQor has built competencies spanning Microsoft Fabric, Azure AI, Security, and Copilot while maintaining a strong focus on delivery quality and governance. Their Frontier Partner recognition reflects the technical maturity and execution capability needed to help customers scale AI with confidence,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Director Tech Sales and Partner CTO, India and South Asia, Microsoft.

For customers, the recognition means fewer handoffs: one firm carrying the work from the first Microsoft Fabric workshop through the AI agent in production, instead of a customer coordinating several vendors to get there. atQor applies this across financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and public sector organizations in Canada, the United States and India, continuing the relationship through managed Azure operations once systems are live.

Pushkaraj and the India team led this global recognition, according to Kartik Shah, Founder of atQor, who said Canada and U.S. teams, led by Co-Founder and Global COO Greg Kachhadiya, already hold themselves to that same standard.

About atQor: atQor is a Microsoft-focused AI and data platform company that helps enterprises move AI from pilot to production. Founded in 2002, the company operates across Canada, the United States and India, and holds CSP Direct authorization including Azure Gov Cloud in US. atQor maintains ISO 9001, ISO 20000, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 certifications. Learn more at atQor.com.

Media Contact: Ramanuj Zawar, 419311@email4pr.com. United States: +1-844-294-5383. Canada: +1-289-290-4490. India: +91-706-904-3269.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atqor-earns-microsoft-frontier-partner-status-for-ai-delivery-302832916.html

SOURCE atQor

Continue Reading

Technology

Carrier Accelerates Intelligent Building Strategy with Acquisition of 75F

Published

on

By

Cloud-native building automation strengthens Carrier’s digital ecosystem to enable increasingly intelligent and autonomous buildings 

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, today announced it has acquired 75F, a leading innovator in cloud-native, wireless, AI-enabled building automation systems. The acquisition strengthens Carrier’s intelligent building capabilities across applications — from complex applied systems and high-growth data centers to light commercial and retrofits.

“Buildings are becoming intelligent and autonomous systems that continuously learn, adapt and optimize performance,” said David Gitlin, Chairman & CEO, Carrier. “Through Carrier ClimaVision™, we have already seen firsthand the power of 75F’s cloud-native, AI-enabled platform. This acquisition accelerates our strategy to create increasingly autonomous and self-optimizing buildings by bringing together connected equipment, intelligent controls and digital solutions in a unified platform that simplifies deployment, connects building data and enables agentic AI.”

The combination of Carrier’s WebCTRL® building controls install base, Abound™ predictive analytics capability and the Nlyte® operational intelligence platform with 75F’s unified data layer and AI capabilities will create a differentiated end-to-end offering spanning equipment, controls, analytics and outcomes for buildings globally. Together, these integrated capabilities enable building operators to transition from traditional building management to fully autonomous operations that proactively identify maintenance opportunities, optimize energy consumption, intelligently manage assets and improve occupant comfort.

“75F was founded to fundamentally rethink building automation using cloud-native software, AI and wireless technologies,” said Deepinder Singh, founder and CEO, 75F. “Joining Carrier enables us to accelerate that vision on a global scale. Together, we can help make intelligent buildings simpler to deploy, easier to operate and more accessible to customers everywhere.”

75F’s platform combines wireless sensors, intuitive controls, cloud software and AI-enabled automation designed to reduce installation time and simplify commissioning while optimizing energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Carrier plans to integrate 75F’s generative and agentic AI as well as auto-commissioning capabilities into its large commercial platforms, including its Carrier QuantumLeap™ thermal management suite, improving deployment and real-time thermal performance for the rapidly growing data center market.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as external legal counsel to Carrier in connection with the transaction. Avisen Legal, PA acted as external legal counsel to 75F in connection with the transaction.

About Carrier
Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety and sustainability to life. Through cutting-edge advancements in climate solutions such as temperature control, air quality and transportation, we improve lives, empower critical industries and ensure the safe transport of food, life-saving medicines and more. Since inventing modern air conditioning in 1902, we lead with purpose: enhancing the lives we live and the world we share. We continue to lead because of our world-class, inclusive workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit carrier.com or follow Carrier on social media at @Carrier.

Carrier. For the World We Share.

Cautionary Statement
This communication contains statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute “forward-looking statements” under the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management’s current expectations or plans for Carrier’s future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “expectations,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “will,” “should,” “see,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “confident,” “scenario” and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to the acquisition of the 75F business, the integration of such business into Carrier’s existing operations, strategies or transactions of Carrier, Carrier’s plans with respect to its indebtedness and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see Carrier’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Carrier assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. 

CARR-IR 

Contact:

Media Inquiries 

Rob Six 

561-281-2362 

Robert.Six@Carrier.com 

Investor Relations 

Michael Rednor 

561-365-2020 

InvestorRelations@Carrier.com 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carrier-accelerates-intelligent-building-strategy-with-acquisition-of-75f-302833332.html

SOURCE Carrier Global Corporation

Continue Reading

Trending