Reports Record Backlog and Reduces Cash Used in Operating Activities by 59%

MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. ("OPT" or "the Company") (NYSE American: OPTT), today announced financial results for the second quarter ended January 31, 2025 (Q3FY25).

Q3FY25 Financial Highlights

• Backlog: $7.5 million, compared to the $3.3 million for the same period last year.
  • Primarily driven by our previously announced new partner in Latin America which includes an initial $2.0 million of purchase orders for our Next Generation PowerBuoys® and $3.0 million of WAM-V® purchase orders.
• Revenue: $0.8 million, compared to $1.8 million for the same period last year.
• Operating expenses: $6.1 million, compared to $8.6 million for the same period last year, a reduction of 29%, including reduced external expenditures leading to a material reduction in third party spend.
• Loss Before Income Taxes: $6.7 million, compared to $7.8 million in the prior year period.
• Cash Used in Operating Activities: $3.7 million, compared to $9.2 million in the prior year period, representing a significant decrease in cash used in operating activities year over year.

Recent Business and Operational Highlights

• In March 2025, we participated in National Defense Industrial Association – Pacific Operations Support Team (NDIA POST), an event that focuses on supporting defense contractors and stakeholders in the Pacific region, where we discussed opportunities for increasing the utilization of OPT assets in the Pacific. By engaging with NDIA POST, Ocean Power Technologies should benefit from enhanced visibility, potential partnerships, and access to government contracts, all of which would drive growth and expansion in the defense sector.
  
  
  
• In March 2025, we further strengthened our sales team with the addition of a dedicated sales executive focused on driving growth within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense (DOD), and other key government contracting sectors. This strategic hire reinforces our commitment to expanding our presence in these critical markets. As part of our ongoing efforts to accelerate the adoption of our cutting-edge technology, the new sales executive will leverage his extensive industry expertise to build and cultivate strong relationships with key government agencies. This addition to our team will also ensure that OPT’s innovative solutions are aligned with the evolving priorities of government entities, driving our planned growth initiatives and supporting national security and infrastructure resilience.
  
  
  
• In February 2025, we participated in NAVDEX in Abu Dhabi alongside Remah International Group (“RIG”), a UAE-based company specializing in both military and civilian services. This collaboration follows OPT’s appointment of RIG as our exclusive distributor for defense and security solutions in the UAE in late 2024. At NAVDEX, OPT and RIG conducted live demonstrations of the WAM-V® Unmanned Surface Vehicles (“USVs”), showcasing their advanced capabilities, such as underwater sensor integration and compatibility with aerial drones. Additionally, we exhibited our Next Generation PowerBuoy® and AI-enabled Merrows™ system. These demonstrations highlight OPT’s leadership in autonomous ocean security solutions and are expected to accelerate the adoption of AI-driven, persistent maritime technologies in the region. We are strategically positioned to pursue multiple opportunities in the UAE and the broader Middle East, aligning with the region’s growing focus on autonomous defense solutions. Our participation in NAVDEX emphasized how our technologies advance both Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and kinetic readiness, supporting autonomous ocean security operations and enhancing real-time situational awareness. This includes offering drone and swarming capabilities across various domains, including maritime missions.
  
  
  
• In January 2025 we completed a major set of exercises in California and successfully demonstrated the autonomous capability of the WAM-V to provide offshore survey capabilities for multiple days without needing to return to base. During the exercises, the WAM-V® 22 operated for several days while hosting a complete seabed survey payload providing real time hydrographic and survey data collection. This multi-day operational capability is designed to offer greater persistence at sea while hosting an array of offshore instrumentation for longer and more power intensive requirements. This groundbreaking milestone for OPT demonstrated how WAM-Vs can now be deployed for multiple days in over the horizon operations. This opens up entirely new operating approaches for our customers, leading to enhanced efficiencies and opens new markets for OPT.
  
  
  
• In December 2024, we announced a new partnership in Latin America, accompanied by two purchase orders totalling $5 million in commitments. These purchase orders encompass both our Next Generation PowerBuoys® and WAM-V® Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). The WAM-V USVs will be deployed for hydrographic applications, leveraging their adaptability and reliability to deliver versatile, multi-application solutions for our customers. Additionally, the PowerBuoys®, which harness a combination of wave, solar, and wind power generation, will enable customers to integrate permanent monitoring and marine intelligence solutions into the existing roaming capabilities we have begun deploying in the region. This strategic partnership highlights the increasing demand for Ocean Power Technologies' innovative solutions and reinforces our position as a leader in the maritime artificial intelligence robotics sector.
  

Philipp Stratmann, OPT’s CEO and President, stated, “I am incredibly proud of the significant progress Ocean Power Technologies achieved this quarter, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and global expansion. Highlights include our participation at NAVDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi, the successful completion of multi-day offshore exercises in California, and sustained momentum in Latin America — all showcasing our ability to deliver AI-capable, resident, and persistent maritime technologies. Notably, we achieved a significant reduction in cash used in operating activities, a reflection of our strategic focus on operational efficiency. These accomplishments were made despite a challenging macroeconomic and political environment, marked by uncertainty surrounding the recent election and subsequent transition period, which slowed decision-making processes and delayed project activity across key sectors.” Stratmann continued, “Looking ahead, we remain confident that we will regain momentum, accelerate the conversion of backlog to revenues, and continue executing on our strategic priorities — advancing autonomous ocean security solutions and leveraging AI-powered maritime technologies to meet the evolving needs of our global customers.”

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Income Statement: 

• Revenues for Q3 FY25 were $0.8 million, a 54% decrease compared to the prior year, while year-to-date revenues totaled $4.5 million, reflecting a 15% increase year-over-year. Trailing twelve-month revenue as of January 31, 2025, reached $6.1 million — up 24% from $4.9 million for the same period ending January 31, 2024, and an 80% increase from $2.5 million as of January 31, 2023.
• Operating expenses for Q325 and year to date fiscal 2025 were $6.1 million and $15.7 million, respectively, a decrease of 29% and 36%, respectively, as compared to the prior year comparable periods, reflecting previously disclosed restructuring and streamlining activities.  
• Loss before income taxes for Q325 and year to date fiscal 2025 was $6.7 million and $15.1 million, respectively, a decrease of 15% and 32%, as compared to the prior year. The year-over-year decrease in net loss was primarily driven by the decrease in operating expenses noted above. 
  

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow 

• Combined cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of January 31, 2025, was $10.2 million, as compared to $3.3 million at April 30th, 2024.  
• Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended Q325 was $14.6 million, compared to $24.7 million for the same period in the prior year. This improved cash flow reflects the decrease in operating expenses noted above, partially offset by the payment of the earnout related to our autonomous vehicles business acquisition due to the business exceeding expectations 

INDIVIDUAL MEETING INFORMATION

In an effort to increase relations with institutional investors, OPT management has dedicated time to hosting individual meetings with portfolio managers and analysts. If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with OPT management, please contact:

• Email: InvestorRelations@oceanpowertech.com, or
  
• Call: 609-730-0400 x401
  

ABOUT OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES

OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows™, which provides AI capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® unmanned surface vehicles (USV’s) and marine robotics services. The Company’s headquarters is located in Monroe Township, New Jersey and has an additional office in Richmond, California. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to provide further interim updates in the future.

Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONTACT: CONTACT INFORMATION

Investors: 609-730-0400 x401 or InvestorRelations@oceanpowertech.com

Media: 609-730-0400 x402 or MediaRelations@oceanpowertech.com