Sabio Announces Audited 2024 Results, Achieves Record Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA Profitability

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, March 17, 2025

   -- Strong revenue growth, leaner cost structure and strengthened balance 
      sheet are enabling investments to drive 2025 growth 
 
   -- Achieved record full-year consolidated revenues of US$49.6 million in 
      FY2024, an increase of 38% from the prior year, with a gross margin of 
      62%. 
 
   -- Generated full-year Adjusted EBITDA1 of US$3.8 million in FY2024 
      (achieving an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 8%) compared to an Adjusted 
      EBITDA loss of US$1.8 million in the prior year. 
 
   -- Ended year with cash balance of US$3.3 million. 
 
   -- Conference call to be hosted on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. 
      $(ET)$. 

TORONTO, March 17, 2025 /CNW/ -- Sabio Holdings Inc. (TSXV: SBIO) (OTCQB: SABOF) (the "Company" or "Sabio"), a Los Angeles-based ad-tech company that helps top 100 brands reach, engage and validate (R.E.V.) ad-supported streaming audiences, is pleased to announce audited consolidated financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars.

"Strong revenue growth, a leaner cost structure, and a strengthened balance sheet are enabling us to make growth-driving investments," commented Aziz Rahimtoola, Sabio's CEO. "Our recently launched performance marketing solutions enable brands to track direct impact on consumer behavior, capitalizing on the App Science$(TM)$ platform's unique AI-capabilities and rich combination of mobile device and ad-supported TV streaming data. In addition, our new App Science-powered programmatic offerings provide clients with greater control while making efficient use of our team. Combined with early traction in our international business and Creator TV's focus on the valuable Gen Z demographic, Sabio believes it is well positioned to continue exceeding industry growth rates while tightening Adjusted EBITDA(1) margins. As ad-supported streaming continues its rapid uptake, we're looking forward to producing extraordinary results for a growing number of the world's top brands."

Business Outlook

Sabio achieved record revenues and profits in the fourth quarter and full-year 2024. Normalized for political advertising sales, the Company's ad-supported streaming business grew by 29% during the year, underscoring Sabio's ability to increase its market share by outpacing the 16% growth in the ad-supported streaming market.(2) The shift to a streaming sales model from a mobile display-dependent model has delivered multiple benefits, including a robust 39% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2020, increased customer retention (a 90% reoccurring revenue rate(3) ), as well as substantial cost efficiencies. These efficiencies, including economies of scale, are driving continuing gains in operating leverage, culminating in Sabio's highest Adjusted EBITDA(1) profit (US$3.8 million) and Adjusted EBITDA(1) margins (8%) as a public company.

As the Company's operating infrastructure becomes more efficient, its sales model is becoming increasingly predictable. This predictability helps Sabio derisk its revenue model, as supported by:

   -- High rates of reoccurring revenue, with 90%3 of 2024 consolidated 
      revenues, excluding political ad sales, coming from repeat customers 
      (compared to 76% in 2023), driven by the App Science(TM) platform's 
      growing capabilities and richer data set; 
 
   -- An increased customer-spend capture, with 70% of Sabio's existing top 
      brands increasing their spend in 2024 compared to 2023; 
 
   -- The ongoing addition of top-tier clients -- 41% of the brands spending in 
      2024 were new to Sabio; and 
 
   -- The most diversified vertical revenue mix in Sabio's history. 

The Company is beginning to apply its sales model to geographies outside the United States, including the United Kingdom, which is already demonstrating significant potential with first full-year revenues of $1.4 million in 2024. Sabio's early traction in international markets positions the Company for greater sales growth over time.

Additionally, Sabio continues to expand on its global product offerings to complement its existing customer base and revenue channels. The Company's recent announcement launching Creator Television is an example of how Sabio can monetize its owned & operated media ecosystem, from ad-supported streaming, audience analytics and segments (reaching over 70% of U.S streaming households), to content placement, while fostering a creator-led streaming platform. This level of diversity and control enables Sabio's Fortune 100 brands to connect directly with a highly engaged streaming audience that's simply not offered by Sabio's traditional competitors.

Finally, the Company has been focused on capturing operational efficiencies to provide a more sustainable and profitable growth platform. Today, Sabio is armed with a stronger balance sheet that reflects a healthier cash reserve and a materially reduced debt load. Complemented by a more predictable sales model, increased product channels, and greater geographical reach, Sabio expects continued sustainable growth in 2025, with first-quarter visibility indicating double-digit growth in revenues, based on current sales pipeline trends.

2024 Business Highlights

The following covers significant developments during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, and to the date of this release:

   -- On February 6, 2024, the Company appointed President of GroupM 
      Multicultural, Gonzalo Del Fa, as an independent member of the Board of 
      Directors. As President of GroupM Multicultural, Del Fa plays a key role 
      in all aspects of multicultural marketing, diverse media, and inclusive 
      investment efforts across GroupM, WPP's media investment group. In 
      addition to his role at GroupM, he is the Past-Chairman of the Hispanic 
      Marketing Council. Prior to joining GroupM, Del Fa worked at American 
      Express Argentina, BBVA, Hachette Filipacchi, and Editorial Televisa. 
 
   -- February 29, 2024, the Company announced a strategic collaboration with 
      McDonald's USA through a partnership with Publicis Groupe (the world's 
      second largest communications group). McDonald's will leverage Sabio's 
      access to ad slots, customized audience segments and AppScience, Inc.'s 
      proprietary 80 million household graph to connect with the growing 
      multicultural audience in the U.S. 
 
   -- On March 26, 2024, the TSX Venture Exchange accepted a notice filed by 
      the Company to implement a Normal Course Issuer Bid, whereupon the 
      Company may, during the 12-month period commencing April 2, 2024, and 
      ending April 1, 2025, purchase up to 852,184 shares in total, being 5% of 
      the total number of 17,043,687 shares outstanding as at March 19, 2024. 
      During 2024, the Company repurchased a total of 39,500 shares at a total 
      cost of CAD $18,895 (US$13,560). 
 
   -- On April 22, 2024, Sabio's AppScience, Inc. subsidiary announced a 
      multi-year renewal with Pivot Marketing Group. AppScience, Inc. will 
      support Pivot's clients, including Toyota Motor North America, by 
      leveraging the platform's AI and data analytics capabilities to reach, 
      engage, and validate audiences and their behaviors at a deeper level than 
      previously possible. 
 
   -- On June 4, 2024, the Company granted 210,000 stock options under the 
      Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to certain directors and officers 
      of the Company to acquire an aggregate of 210,000 common shares in the 
      capital of the Company. The Company does not currently pay cash to its 
      independent directors. 
 
   -- On July 31, 2024, the Company closed on a new credit facility under the 
      terms of a credit agreement between its U.S. operating 
      subsidiaries--Sabio, Inc., AppScience, Inc. and FWD Tech Inc.--and SLR 
      Digital Finance. This facility replaces the Company's existing credit 
      facility with Avidbank and provides a $10 million senior-secured 
      revolving credit facility at an interest rate of the greater of: (i) 
      Prime rate plus 2.15%, or (ii) 8.5%. The facility has a three-year term 
      and is secured against all of the Company's assets. 
 
   -- On September 16, 2024, the Company appointed Matt Hull, Chief Data 
      Analytics Officer at Chamberlain Group, a Blackstone portfolio company, 
      as an independent member of the Board of Directors, replacing former 
      Board member, Jennifer Cabalquinto. Hull possesses deep knowledge and 
      experience in AI and data analytics. Prior to joining Chamberlain Group, 
      Hull served as Senior Vice President of AI and Advanced Analytics at 
      Comcast. 
 
   -- On October 18, 2024 ("Grant Date"), the Company granted 270,585 
      restricted share units ("RSUs") to certain independent directors to 
      acquire an aggregate of 270,585 common shares in the capital of the 
      Company, under the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The RSUs vest 
      on the first anniversary of the Grant Date. These grants represent 
      compensation to the independent directors for their service to the 
      Company in 2024. The Company does not currently pay cash to its 
      independent directors. 
 
   -- In December 2024, the Company forgave non-interest-bearing advances, 
      receivable on demand, made to Aziz Rahimtoola, Sabio's CEO, totaling 
      $935,567 ($787,107 as of December 31, 2023) (the "2024 Loan 
      Forgiveness"). This forgiveness was meant to acknowledge the three years 
      in the 2019 -2021 period when Rahimtoola received irregular/reduced 
      compensation from the Company. It also recognizes his funding of the 
      Company in its early stages and his stewardship of Sabio since going 
      public. This forgiveness was approved by the Board of Directors. 

      Rahimtoola is the Company's largest shareholder.4 
 
   -- On December 19, 2024, 140,000 options of the Company were granted to 
      certain employees of the Company at an exercise price of CAD $0.455 and 
      50,000 RSUs of the Company were granted to one employee of the Company at 
      the grant-date fair-value of the Company's common shares of CAD $0.455. 
      The options will vest quarterly from the grant date over a three-year 
      vesting period. The RSUs will vest over three years with 1/3 vesting at 
      the one-year anniversary of the grant and quarterly over the next two 
      years. 
 
   -- On January 30, 2025, the Company launched Creator Television ("Creator 
      TV"), its owned-and-operated Free Ad-Supported Television $(FAST)$ channel. 
      Creator TV spotlights multi-talented, diverse creators, bridging the gap 
      between social media storytelling and today's streaming TV content. As 
      part of this launch, global streaming media company, Plex, will 
      distribute Creator TV internationally. Creator TV is pivotal to the 
      Company's strategy to expand into large international markets such as 
      India. On February 20, 2025, the Company announced a further partnership 
      for the distribution of Creator TV with Sling TV, a leading streaming 
      service and subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation. 
 
   -- On February 11, 2025, the Company announced that its App Science 
      platform's household graph (a specialized database) now comprises 80 
      million households, representing 70% of all U.S. streaming households. 
      This milestone highlights the platform's ability to track and analyze 
      streaming TV audiences through a vast dataset that includes mobile 
      devices, connected TVs,and other streaming platforms. The household graph 
      is a privacy-compliant, continuously updated database that captures rich 
      consumer behavior data while adhering to evolving regulatory standards, 
      enabling advertisers to precisely target audience segments. 
 
   -- On March 3, 2025, the Company entered into a new office lease on the 
      second floor of 10 Crosby (also known as 444 Broadway), New York with 
      Madison Capital Madison 444 Realty LLC. The lease commences on April 01, 
      2025 and expires on June 30, 2028. The total lease payments over the term 
      amount to $1,476,992, including non-lease components for maintenance and 
      usage charges. 

Q4-2024 Financial Highlights

   -- Consolidated revenues increased 44% to US$18.3 million in Q4-2024 from 
      US$12.7 million in Q4-2023 (a Company record), including political ad 
      sales of approximately US$2.4 million; 
 
   -- Normalized for political ad sales, consolidated revenues grew by 25% from 
      Q4-2023; 
 
   -- Adjusted EBITDA1 reached US$2.8 million in Q4-2024 compared to US$2.1 
      million in Q4-2023 (a Company record); 
 
   -- Ad-supported streaming sales as a category increased by 57% to 
      US$14.5 million, compared to US$9.2 million in the prior year's quarter 
      (a Company record); this category represented 79% of the Company's sales 
      mix, up from 73% in the prior year's quarter.  Normalized for political 
      ad sales, ad-supported streaming revenues grew by 32% from Q4-2023; 
 
   -- Approximately 5% of Sabio's fourth quarter ad-supported streaming 
      revenues were generated by Sabio's new international business, Sabio 
      London Limited; 
 
   -- Mobile display advertising generated revenues of US$3.6 million in 
      Q4-2024, up 16% from US$3.1 million in Q4-2023; and 
 
   -- Gross margin increased to 62% vs 61% in the prior year's quarter. 

Full-Year Financial Highlights

   -- Consolidated revenues increased 38% to US$49.6 million in 2024 from 
      US$36.0 million in 2023 (a Company record), including political ad sales 
      of approximately US$7.9 million; 
 
   -- Adjusted EBITDA1 of US$3.8 million in 2024 compared to Adjusted EBITDA1 
      loss of US$1.8 million in 2023 (a Company record); 
 
   -- Ad-supporting streaming sales as a category increased by 60% to US$38.6 
      million, compared to US$24.1 million in the prior year (a Company record), 
      representing 78% of the Company's sales mix, up from 67% in the prior 
      year; 
 
   -- Normalized for political ad spending, ad-supported streaming sales grew 
      by 29% from 2023, and included US$1.4 million in revenue contributions 
      from the Company's new international business, Sabio London Limited; 
 
   -- High rates of reoccurring revenue, with 90%5 of 2024 consolidated 
      revenues, excluding political ad sales, coming from repeat customers 
      (compared to 76% in 2023); 
 
   -- Mobile display generated revenues of US$10.2 million in 2024, down 8% 
      from US$11.1 million in 2023; and 
 
   -- Sabio ended fiscal 2024 with US$3.3 million in cash and US$5.2 million in 
      debt outstanding under its revolving credit facility, compared to US$2.6 
      million in cash and US$7.1 million in debt outstanding under its credit 
      facility at the end of 2023, as the Company used free cash flow generated 
      by its operations to reduce its debt load by US$1.9 million. 

Notice of Conference Call

Sabio will hold a conference call on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its financial results and other corporate developments.

   -- To access the live webinar please register here 
       
 
   -- An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Financial 
      Information section of Sabio's corporate website 
      (www.sabioholding.com/investors/financial-information). 
 
(____________________) 
(1) See "Use of Non-IFRS Measures" below. 
(2) MNTN Research, "US CTV Ad Spend Projected to Grow 
16.2% in 2024", 
https://research.mountain.com/trends/us-ctv-ad-spend-projected-to-grow-16-2-in 
-2024/ 
(3) Based on US customer reoccurring revenue rates. 
 Excludes Sabio's new international business, Sabio 
 London Limited, which generated its first material 
 revenues in 2024. 
(4) See "MI 61-101 Disclosure" below. 
(5) Excluding Sabio's new international business, 
 Sabio London Limited, which generated its first material 
 revenues in 2024. 
 

Selected Financials

The tables below set out selected financial information relating to Sabio and should be read in conjunction with Sabio's audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and MD&A for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, copies of which can be found under Sabio's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

 
                   For the three months ended    For the twelve months ended 
                   December       December       December       December 
                    31, 2024       31, 2023       31, 2024       31, 2023 
                   $              $              $              $ 
Revenue               18,301,162     12,671,038     49,602,885      35,954,934 
Gross profit          11,286,755      7,749,748     30,627,389      21,780,320 
Gross margin                62 %           61 %           62 %            61 % 
Adjusted 
 EBITDA(1)             2,843,977      2,060,212      3,832,162     (1,816,631) 
Net increase in 
 cash and cash 
 equivalents 
 during the 
 period                  428,553        411,023        688,327     (1,387,290) 
Cash and cash 
 equivalents - 
 end of 
 the period            3,300,439      2,612,112      3,300,439       2,612,112 
 
 
                   For the three months ended    For the twelve months ended 
                    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,    December 31, 
                     2024           2023           2024            2023 
                   $               $             $                $ 
Income (Loss) for 
 the period             1,194,528     1,132,414        (110,875)   (4,764,536) 
Finance Costs             329,055       343,207        1,292,344     1,049,140 
Interest earned           (7,957)       (7,514)         (41,568)       (7,514) 
Amortization of 
 intangible 
 Assets                    45,053        47,127          193,668       162,261 
Stock-based 
 compensation              53,129       253,071          216,037       721,285 
Loss on loan 
 forgiveness              935,567             -          935,567             - 
Amortization of 
 lease                    148,627       162,479          689.255       605,899 
Income taxes                8,600      (24,896)           41,606       (8,445) 
Foreign exchange 
 differences                7,379        12,433           20,151        16,588 
State and local 
 taxes                      1,457        16,498           42,340        59,340 
Loss on disposal 
 of intangibles                 -         6,612                -         6,612 
Severance 
 expenses                 128,539       118,771          553,637       342,739 
Adjusted EBITDA         2,843,977     2,060,212        3,832,162   (1,816,631) 
 
 
 
(1) See "Use of Non-IFRS Measures" below 
 

The financial disclosures in this news release are subject to a number of cautionary statements, assumptions, contingencies and risks as set forth in this news release. The foregoing outlook and expectations constitute forward-looking statements and financial outlook and are qualified in their entirety by the "Forward-Looking Statements" cautionary statement below. Readers are cautioned that this release if for information purposes only and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

About Sabio

Sabio Holdings (TSXV: SBIO, OTCQB: SABOF) is a technology and services leader in the fast-growing ad-supported streaming space. Its cloud-based, end-to-end technology stack works with top blue chip, global brands and the agencies that represent them to reach, engage, and validate (R.E.V.) streaming audiences.

Sabio consists of a proprietary ad-serving technology platform that partners with the top ad-supported streaming platforms and apps in the world and App Science(TM), a non-cookie-based software as a service $(SAAS)$ analytics and insights platform with AI natural language capabilities.

For more information, visit: sabio.inc

Use of Non-IFRS Measures

This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) measures including, but not limited to, Adjusted EBITDA. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of financial information reported under IFRS. Rather, these non-IFRS measures are provided as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing a further understanding of operations from management's perspective.

Management uses adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") as a key financial metric to evaluate Sabio's operating performance as a complement to results provided in accordance with IFRS. The term "Adjusted EBITDA", as defined by management, refers to net income (loss) before adjusting earnings for finance costs, income taxes, stock-based compensation, amortization, non-recurring items, and severance costs. Refer to reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA under the "Selected Financials" section of this release and in the Company's MD&A for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, copies of which can be found under Sabio Holdings Inc.'s profile on SEDAR Plus at www.sedarplus.ca

Management believes that the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are not connected to and do not represent the operating performance of Sabio. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of the results generated by Sabio's main business activities prior to taking into consideration how those activities are financed and taxed as well as expenses related to stock-based compensation, depreciation, amortization, restructuring costs, other expense (income), and foreign exchange (gain) loss. Accordingly, management believes that this measure may also be useful to investors in enhancing their understanding of Sabio's operating performance. It is a key measure used by Sabio's management and board of directors to understand and evaluate Sabio's operating performance, to prepare annual budgets, and to help develop operating plans.

MI 61-101 Disclosure

The 2024 Loan Forgiveness extended by the Company to Aziz Rahimtoola, the CEO of the Company, constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined in TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the related party participation in the 2024 Loan Forgiveness as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61- 101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it will involve interested parties, is expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, which is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "believes," "anticipates, " "plans," "intends," "will," "should," "expects," "continue," "estimate, " "forecasts," or the negative thereof and other similar expressions. All statements herein other than statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking information, including but not limited to statements in respect of: the success of new product offerings; results, including sales, expenses, and customer retention, of the ad-supported streaming sales; balance sheet and cash flow management; the Company's outlook for 2025, including expected revenue gains; expected double-digit growth in Q1 2025 and continued sustainable growth in 2025 and greater balance sheet strength going into 2025; and expansion into international markets. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations, or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking information in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking information has been based on expectations, factors, and assumptions concerning future events that may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control, including the effect of the macro-economic environment adversely impacting the Company's business more than anticipated, unexpected funding and cash flow management difficulties, discrepancies in the Company's preliminary assessment of its financial results, and the other risk factors disclosed in the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis (MD&A), which are publicly available on SEDAR Plus at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to herein will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Sajid Premji, Chief Financial Officer, investor@sabio.inc, Phone: 1.844.974.2662; Sam Wang, Investor Relations, investor@sabio.inc

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