Veritone Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2018

Veritone, Inc. (NASDAQ: VERI), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and solutions, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Chad Steelberg, CEO and Chairman of Veritone, commented, “We are very pleased with our strong financial and operational performance in the third quarter - our revenue was a record $7.5 million due to the contributions from our recent acquisitions and organic sales growth in each of our vertical markets; we announced three exciting new applications for law enforcement and media customers; and, we closed three strategic acquisitions that strengthen and extend the capabilities of our businesses. These acquisitions mark an inflection point in our business, as they enhance and expand our AI and Media technology offerings and solidify our position as a leading AI solutions provider.”

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights:

• Net revenues in Q3 2018 were $7.5 million, an increase of 103% versus Q3 2017, including $2.2 million of revenue from our recent acquisitions.
• AI and Digital Content Solutions net revenues, excluding the Company’s recent acquisitions, increased by 25% versus Q2 2018 and by 150% versus Q3 2017.
• Media Agency net revenues, excluding the Company’s recent acquisitions, increased 30% versus Q2 2018 and by 31% versus Q3 2017.
• Gross Profit in Q3 2018 was $6.0 million, up 76% from $3.4 million in Q3 2017.
• Adjusted EBITDAS loss in Q3 2018 was $8.6 million, versus $11.0 million in Q2 2018 and $7.6 million in Q3 2017.

Third Quarter 2018 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Veritone aiWARE Artificial Intelligence Operating System, Year-over-Year Results

• AI Customer Count: 93 at the end of Q3, an increase of 151%.
• AI Accounts Total: 634 at the end of Q3, an increase of 273%.
• Active Third-Party Cognitive Engines: 252 at the end of Q3, an increase of 107%.
• Total Hours of Video and Audio Files Processed: 2.8 million in Q3, an increase of 298%.
• Monthly Recurring Revenue Under Agreements (MRR): $191,000 at the end of Q3, an increase of 41%.

Veritone One Media Agency, Year-over-Year Results

• Active Clients: 78 at the end of Q3, an increase of 59%.
• Net New Clients Under Master Service Agreements: 10 at the end of Q3, an increase of 11%.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Net revenues increased 103% to $7.5 million from $3.8 million in the same period in 2017. The acquisitions that were completed in August of 2018 contributed $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2018. The revenues of Performance Bridge Media have been added to the Company’s Media Agency net revenues, the Company’s AI solutions revenue and Wazee Digital’s digital asset management solutions revenue have been combined in AI and Digital Content Solutions net revenues, and Wazee Digital’s Digital Media Services are tracked as a new revenue category by the Company. Excluding the impact of the recent acquisitions, Media Agency net revenues in the quarter totaled $4.3 million, an increase of 31% compared with the prior year period, and AI and Digital Content Solutions net revenues totaled $1.1 million, an increase of 150% compared with the prior year period. These revenue gains resulted from the increased number of Active Clients, Customers and Accounts.

Gross profit increased 74% to $6.0 million (79% of net revenues) from $3.4 million (92% of net revenues) in the same period in 2017. The increase in gross profit in the third quarter of 2018 compared with the prior year period was due primarily to the operating leverage provided by the increase in net revenues from the Company’s aiWARE operating system and the recent acquisitions. The decrease in gross margin compared with the prior year period was due primarily to a higher proportion of net revenues from the Company’s AI and Digital Content Solutions and Digital Media Services, which generally carry lower gross margins than the Media Agency business.

Total operating expenses decreased 3% to $22.2 million from $22.9 million in the same period in 2017. The decrease in operating expenses was due primarily to lower stock-based compensation expense, which was higher in the 2017 period due to the accelerated vesting of certain performance-based stock options. This decrease was substantially offset by higher compensation and benefits costs resulting from headcount additions, transaction costs related to the Company’s recent acquisitions, and the addition of the operating expenses of the acquired businesses.

Loss from operations was $16.3 million, a decrease of $3.2 million compared with a loss from operations of $19.5 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Net loss attributable to common stockholders totaled $15.9 million, or $(0.86) per share, based on 18.6 million weighted average shares outstanding. The Company’s net loss attributable to common stockholders in the third quarter of 2017 was $19.4 million, or $(1.31) per share, based on 14.8 million weighted average shares outstanding.

Earnings before interest, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expenses, adjusted to exclude certain acquisition, integration and financing-related costs (Adjusted EBITDAS), a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled a loss of $8.6 million, compared with a loss of $7.6 million in the third quarter of 2017. See “About the Presentation of Adjusted EBITDAS” below for an explanation of the items excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDAS and a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDAS following the financial statements at the end of this news release. The higher Adjusted EBITDAS loss was due primarily to the addition of software development, data science, product management, and sales and marketing resources, which management expects will lead to enhancements in the Company’s aiWARE operating system and increased net revenues in the future.

Cash: As of September 30, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $64.7 million and no long-term debt.

Nine Months 2018 Financial Results

Net revenues increased 48% to $16.1 million from $10.9 million in the same period in 2017. The acquisitions that were completed in August of 2018 contributed $2.2 million in the current year period. Excluding the impact of the recent acquisitions, Media Agency revenues for the first nine months of 2018 totaled $10.7 million, an increase of 8% compared with the prior year period, and AI and Digital Content Solutions revenues totaled $3.2 million, an increase of 224% compared with the prior year period.

Gross profit increased 30% to $13.1 million (82% of net revenues) from $10.1 million (92% of net revenues) in the same period in 2017. The increase in gross profit during the first nine months of 2018 compared with the prior year period was due primarily to the operating leverage provided by the increase in net revenues from the Company’s aiWARE operating system and the recent acquisitions. The decrease in gross margin compared with the prior year period was due primarily to the higher proportion of net revenues from the Company’s AI and Digital Content Solutions and Digital Media Services, which generally carry lower gross margins than the Media Agency business.

Total operating expenses increased 30% to $57.1 million from $44.0 million in the same period in 2017. The increase in operating expenses was due primarily to higher compensation and benefits costs resulting from a 45% increase in average month-end headcount, transaction expenses related to the Company’s recent acquisitions, and corporate development costs, offset in part by lower stock-based compensation expense.

Loss from operations was $43.9 million, an increase of $10.0 million compared with a loss from operations of $33.9 million in the same period in 2017.

Net loss attributable to common stockholders totaled $43.3 million, or $(2.55) per share, based on 17.0 million weighted average shares outstanding. The Company’s net loss attributable to common stockholders in the same period of 2017 was $51.3 million, or $(5.94) per share, based on 8.6 million weighted average shares outstanding.

Adjusted EBITDAS, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled a loss of $29.8 million, compared with a loss of $20.0 million in the first nine months of 2017. See “About the Presentation of Adjusted EBITDAS” below for an explanation of the items excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDAS and a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDAS following the financial statements at the end of this news release. The higher Adjusted EBITDAS loss was due primarily to the addition of software development, data science, product management, and sales and marketing resources, which management expects will lead to enhancements in the Company’s aiWARE operating system and increased net revenues in the future.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Revenue Outlook:

For the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2018, the Company expects its total net revenues to be in the range of $9.3 million to $9.7 million.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Outlook

For the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2018, the Company expects to achieve the following KPIs for its aiWARE operating system:

• AI Customer Count of 89 at year-end, a net decrease of 4 customers, due to expected non-renewals from certain Politics customers following the midterm election cycle, offset by new customer wins;
• Total AI Accounts of 728 at year-end, an addition of 94 accounts;
• 275 Active Third-Party Cognitive Engines at year-end, an addition of 23 engines; and
• 2.9 million total hours of video and audio content processed on aiWARE during the quarter.

Conference Call

Veritone will hold a conference call today, November 12, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss these results and provide an update on business conditions. Veritone management will host the presentation, followed by a question and answer session. The call will be open to all interested parties through a live audio web broadcast via the Internet at investors.veritone.com. The call will also be available by dialing 866-393-8573 within the U.S. and Canada or 409-350-3155 from abroad.

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time and reference the conference ID 9338288. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact the Liolios Group at 949-574-3860.

The webcast will be archived on the Veritone investor relations website and a telephonic playback of the conference call will also be available by dialing the following numbers:

Toll-free replay number: 855-859-2056
International replay number: 404-537-3406
Replay ID: 9338288

About Veritone

Veritone has created the world’s first operating system for artificial intelligence. Veritone’s aiWARE operating system leverages the power of cognitive computing to transform and analyze audio, video and other data sources in an automated manner to generate actionable insights. aiWARE provides customers with ease, speed and accuracy at low cost. Veritone has been among the first to be recognized by AWS for Machine Learning Expertise, and has been recognized by Oracle for Excellence in Application Development. To learn more, visit Veritone.com and interact with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About the Presentation of Adjusted EBITDAS

Adjusted EBITDAS is not a financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss) or any other financial measures so calculated and presented, nor as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The items excluded from Adjusted EBITDAS are detailed in the reconciliation attached to this news release. Other companies (including the Company’s competitors) may define Adjusted EBITDAS differently. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDAS because management believes it to be an important supplemental measure of performance that is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in its industry. Management also uses this information internally for forecasting and budgeting. This non-GAAP measure may not be indicative of the historical operating results of Veritone or predictive of potential future results. Investors should not consider Adjusted EBITDAS in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported in accordance with GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding the Company’s expectations regarding the impact of the Company’s recent acquisitions on its business offerings and position, the Company’s expectation that its addition of software development, data science, product management and sales and marketing resources will lead to enhancements to the Company’s aiWARE operating system and increased net revenues in the future, the Company’s expected total net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2018, the expected numbers of customers, accounts and active third-party cognitive engines on the Company’s aiWARE operating system as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, and the total hours of video and audio files expected to be ingested and processed in the fourth quarter of 2018. In addition, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “could,” “estimate” or “continue” or the plural, negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and are based on management’s current assumptions, beliefs and information. As such, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. Important factors that could cause such differences include, among other things, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate its recent acquisitions; the Company’s ability to achieve broad recognition and customer acceptance of its products and services; the Company’s ability to continue to develop and add additional capabilities and features to its aiWARE operating system, including expanding the capabilities of its Conductor technology and extending it to other cognitive classes; the development of the market for cognitive analytics solutions; the ability of third parties to develop and provide additional high quality, relevant cognitive engines and applications; and the Company’s ability to successfully identify and integrate such additional third-party cognitive engines and applications onto its aiWARE operating system, and to continue to be able to access and utilize such engines and applications, and the cost thereof; as well as the impact of future economic, competitive and market conditions, particularly those related to its strategic end markets; and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Certain of these judgments and risks are discussed in more detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the Company’s objectives or plans will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect the Company’s beliefs, estimates and predictions as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events for any reason, except as required by law.

VERITONE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
		As of
		September 30,			December 31,
		2018			2017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	46,127		$	29,545
Marketable securities			18,558			39,598
Accounts receivable, net			21,678			7,691
Expenditures billable to clients			8,283			4,163
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			3,656			2,808
Total current assets			98,302			83,805
Property, equipment and improvements, net			4,107			680
Intangible assets, net			2,973			3,154
Goodwill			27,608			139
Other assets			1,076			780
Total assets		$	134,066		$	88,558
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable		$	21,606		$	13,338
Accrued media payments			14,125			5,999
Client advances			12,818			3,477
Other accrued liabilities			10,241			4,442
Total current liabilities			58,790			27,256
Other liabilities			1,049			—
Total liabilities			59,839			27,256
Total stockholders' equity			74,227			61,302
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	134,066		$	88,558

VERITONE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except per share and share data)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
			2018				2017				2018				2017
Net revenues		$	7,545			$	3,719			$	16,101			$	10,914
Cost of revenues			1,570				292				2,953				824
Gross profit			5,975				3,427				13,148				10,090
			79.2	%			92.1	%			81.7	%			92.5	%
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing			4,586				3,676				15,476				9,689
Research and development			5,218				3,466				14,892				9,613
General and administrative			12,436				15,740				26,727				24,722
Total operating expenses			22,240				22,882				57,095				44,024
Loss from operations			(16,265	)			(19,455	)			(43,947	)			(33,934	)
Other income (expense), net			329				88				645				(12,872	)
Loss before provision for income taxes			(15,936	)			(19,367	)			(43,302	)			(46,806	)
Provision for income taxes			5				2				17				5
Net loss			(15,941	)			(19,369	)			(43,319	)			(46,811	)
Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock			—				—				—				(4,470	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(15,941	)		$	(19,369	)		$	(43,319	)		$	(51,281	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic and diluted		$	(0.86	)		$	(1.31	)		$	(2.55	)		$	(5.94	)
Weighted average shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders:
Basic and diluted			18,611,829				14,783,366				17,007,850				8,640,178
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss		$	(15,941	)		$	(19,369	)		$	(43,319	)		$	(46,811	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of income taxes			56				(62	)			54				(62	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes			4				—				24				—
Total comprehensive loss		$	(15,881	)		$	(19,431	)		$	(43,241	)		$	(46,873	)

VERITONE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
			2018				2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(43,319	)		$	(46,811	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			1,383				176
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs			—				3,740
Costs of warrants issued			207				5,790
Write-off of debt discounts and debt issuance costs at IPO			—				10,132
Change in fair value of warrant liability			(93	)			(7,114	)
Provision for doubtful accounts			25				69
Stock-based compensation expense			9,963				13,611
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(8,327	)			(5,315	)
Expenditures billable to clients			(4,120	)			(1,783	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(422	)			(1,641	)
Accounts payable			6,040				3,519
Accrued media payments			8,126				2,597
Client advances			5,004				2,009
Other accrued liabilities			(271	)			651
Other liabilities			837				—
Net cash used in operating activities			(24,967	)			(20,370	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities			—				(39,850	)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities			21,000				—
Capital expenditures			(3,543	)			(16	)
Intangible assets acquired			(629	)			(30	)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			(9,627	)			—
Deposits for operating leases			—				(774	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			7,201				(40,670	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from common stock offerings, net			32,782				32,580
Proceeds from exercise of Primary Warrant			—				29,263
Proceeds received under the Bridge Loan Agreement			—				8,000
Proceeds from issuances of stock under employee stock plans			1,566				5
Debt issuance costs			—				(68	)
Other			—				(56	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			34,348				69,724
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			16,582				8,684
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			29,545				12,078
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	46,127			$	20,762

VERITONE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF UNAUDITED GAAP NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDAS
(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
			2018				2017				2018				2017
Reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDAS:
Net loss		$	(15,940	)		$	(19,369	)		$	(43,319	)		$	(46,811	)
Provision for income taxes			5				2				17				5
Depreciation and amortization			555				57				1,383				176
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs			—				—				—				3,740
Cost of warrants issued			—				—				207				5,790
Write-off of debt discounts and debt issuance costs at IPO			—				—				—				10,132
Change in fair value of warrant liability			(108	)			—				(93	)			(7,114	)
Interest expense			—				—				—				496
Stock-based compensation expense			4,838				11,708				9,963				13,611
Acquisition and integration-related costs			2,020				—				2,020				—
Adjusted EBITDAS		$	(8,630	)		$	(7,602	)		$	(29,822	)		$	(19,975	)

VERITONE, INC.
UNAUDITED NET REVENUES DETAIL
(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2018			2017			2018			2017
Media Agency		$	4,730		$	3,288		$	11,159		$	9,926
AI and Digital Content Solutions			1,406			431			3,533			988
Digital Media Services			1,409			—			1,409			—
Net revenues		$	7,545		$	3,719		$	16,101		$	10,914

VERITONE, INC.
UNAUDITED KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
(dollar amounts in thousands)
AI Platform Business		Q1 2017			Q2 2017			Q3 2017			Q4 2017
# of Customers			25			38			37			57
# of Accounts			57			169			170			467
# of AI Engines			48			69			122			151
# of Hours of Data Processed			367,000			438,000			711,000			1,357,000
Total Contract Value of Bookings		$	1,947		$	151		$	2,645		$	360
Monthly Recurring Revenue		$	110		$	132		$	135		$	173
Net Revenues		$	209		$	348		$	431		$	476
Media Agency Business		Q1 2017			Q2 2017			Q3 2017			Q4 2017
# of Clients Added			8			16			9			14
# of Active Clients			39			45			49			57
Average Media Spend per Active Client		$	670		$	695		$	649		$	464
Net Revenues		$	2,899		$	3,739		$	3,288		$	3,023
AI Platform Business		Q1 2018			Q2 2018			Q3 2018
# of Customers			70			86			93
# of Accounts			591			625			634
# of AI Engines			184			214			252
# of Hours of Data Processed			2,805,000			2,729,000			2,830,000
Total Contract Value of Bookings		$	237		$	583		$	226
Monthly Recurring Revenue		$	169		$	214		$	191
Net Revenues		$	1,267		$	860		$	1,077
Media Agency Business		Q1 2018			Q2 2018			Q3 2018
# of Clients Added			14			14			10
# of Active Clients			60			74			78
Average Media Spend per Active Client		$	490		$	425		$	540
Net Revenues		$	3,121		$	3,307		$	4,296

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