Advent Technologies Reports Q1 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADN) reported Q1 2024 financial results, highlighting:

• Revenue of $3.5 million and income from grants of $1.4 million, totaling $4.9 million
• Operating expenses decreased by $3.3 million year-over-year to $8.3 million
• Net loss of $(9.4) million or $(3.62) per share
• Unrestricted cash reserves of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2024

The company continued work on projects with Airbus, the U.S. Department of Defense, and major automotive manufacturers. Advent is focusing on developing and manufacturing its MEA technology for HT-PEM fuel cells, aiming to achieve 3x power density and lifetime performance improvements. The company is streamlining operations to reduce costs and seeking partnerships with OEMs to accelerate market adoption of its technology.

Positive

• Continued work on joint project with Airbus for aviation fuel cell MEAs
• Ongoing contracts with U.S. Department of Defense for portable power systems
• Technology assessment work for four major automotive manufacturers
• Reduction in operating expenses by $3.3 million year-over-year
• Progress on EU-received R&D grants and product development roadmap

Negative

• Net loss of $(9.4) million in Q1 2024
• Decrease in unrestricted cash reserves to $0.8 million
• Revenue of only $3.5 million for Q1 2024
• CFO resignation and subsequent reversal of new CFO appointment
• CEO currently serving as Acting CFO

Insights

Financial Analyst

Advent Technologies' Q1 2024 results reveal a challenging financial position. Revenue of $3.5 million plus $1.4 million in grants totaled $4.9 million, which is insufficient to cover operating expenses of $8.3 million. The net loss of $(9.4) million or $(3.62) per share is concerning, especially given the low unrestricted cash reserves of $0.8 million.

The company's efforts to streamline operations have reduced operating expenses by $3.3 million year-over-year, which is positive. However, the rapid cash burn and reserves raise serious liquidity concerns. The focus on developing the Advent MEA and partnerships with OEMs could be important for future growth, but the company needs to secure additional funding or significantly increase revenue to ensure its sustainability.

While the ongoing projects with Airbus, the U.S. Department of Defense and EU grants are promising, the financial strain may impact Advent's ability to fully capitalize on these opportunities. The company's future hinges on rapidly commercializing its HT-PEM technology and securing strong partnerships to support R&D and market adoption.

Tech Expert

Advent Technologies' focus on High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells represents a significant technological advantage in the clean energy sector. The company's Ion Pair MEA technology, operating at temperatures above 180°C (360°F), addresses critical challenges in thermal management for aviation and other heavy-duty applications.

The ongoing benchmarking project with Airbus and the successful milestones in U.S. DoD contracts demonstrate the potential of Advent's technology. The goal to achieve 3x power density and 3x lifetime performance compared to legacy MEAs could be a game-changer for heavy-duty mobility applications.

However, the company faces significant challenges in translating technological promise into commercial success. The focus on partnerships with OEMs is crucial, but Advent must accelerate its path to market to overcome its financial constraints. The potential for HT-PEM technology in e-Methanol applications aligns well with the growing interest in alternative e-Fuels, which could open new market opportunities if Advent can maintain its technological edge and secure the necessary resources for continued development and commercialization.

Operational Highlights

• Started work on the Joint Project with Airbus to benchmark HT-PEM fuel cell MEAs in aviation.
• Continued work with the U.S. Department of Defense on two previously awarded contracts for portable power systems.
• Continued Technology Assessment Work for four of the largest 15 automotive manufacturers in the world.
• Continued streamlining of operations process to significantly reduce OPEX and non-R&D development costs, primarily associated with overhead, facilities, and administrative personnel.
  
  

LIVERMORE, Calif., Oct. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADN) (“Advent” or the “Company”), an innovation-driven leader in the fuel cell and hydrogen technology space, today announced consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Q1 2024 Financial Highlights

(All comparisons are to Q1 2023, unless otherwise stated)

• Revenue of $3.5 million and income from grants of $1.4 million, for a total of $4.9 million.
• Operating expenses of $8.3 million, a year-over-year decrease of $3.3 million, primarily related to the streamlining of operations.
• Net loss in Q1 of $(9.4) million or $(3.62) per share.
• Unrestricted cash reserves were $0.8 million as of March 31, 2024, a decrease of $2.8 million from December 31, 2023.

“The consolidation of our global operations continued during Q1 2024, which has driven efficiencies and contributed to the reduction of our cash burn. We will concentrate our efforts toward the development and manufacturing of the Advent MEA which is the core component of HT-PEM fuel cells, and on developing fuel cell stacks and licensing out fuel cell system technology through technology transfer agreements,” said Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou, Chairman and CEO of Advent Technologies. “Our HT-PEM technology is ideal for the stationary and portable power sector (including backup and primary power, data center power, and portable power for construction and other off-grid markets). The transportation sector has also shown great interest, as evidenced by the maritime, aviation, and automotive Joint Development Agreements and Technology Assessments underway. Our goal is to forge strong partnerships with OEMs, which will provide financial support and accelerate market adoption of the HT-PEM technology at a large scale. These partnerships will actively support our R&D and investment efforts and provide a clear path to commercialization.”

Business Updates

After signing the contract with Airbus, Advent began implementation of the MEA benchmarking project in 2024. The first milestones were completed successfully and the cooperation between the two companies continues strong.

The project aims to accelerate the development of Advent’s MEA and benchmark the Ion Pair MEA against aviation requirements and current/expected technological limits. HT-PEM MEAs operating at temperatures higher than 180°C (360°F) aim to solve one of the largest challenges in aviation fuel cell use: thermal management. High-temperature fuel cells allow increased performance, increased passenger carrying capability, and increased range compared to low-temperature fuel cell stack technology. Advent believes that HT-PEM is a superior option not only for aviation but also for heavy-duty trucks, the automotive industry, and marine use.

US Army: Work continued at a good pace in the two new contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD”) ($2.2m and $2.8m awarded in 2023). Advent has successfully met all program milestones so far (on time or with minor delays) and the demanding mission requirements of the U.S. Army. These contracts are the continuation of a series of past contracts with the U.S. DoD, and their primary objective is to further optimize Advent’s proprietary Honey Badger 50™ (“HB50”) portable fuel cell system by integrating the Company’s innovative Ion Pair MEA technology. Upon the completion of these contracts, Advent and the U.S. DoD aim to reinforce their long-term collaboration by focusing on the further optimization of the HB50 and also on low-volume production manufacturing capacity.

Advent continued work for the ten EU-received R&D grants that are already ongoing and met milestones in multi-partner projects focused on further developing its technology and accelerating its product development roadmap.

Advent continued work on developing the Advent MEA with the goal to achieve eventually 3 times (3x) the power density performance and the 3x the lifetime performance of the legacy MEA that has been used for the last years across the line of Serene products in Denmark. Advent expects that the 3x-3x target will address the needs of heavy-duty mobility, effectively bringing a new-world-class technology in the market. A more immediate target of 2x-2x MEA performance improvement vs. the legacy MEAs will significantly drop the total cost of ownership (TCO) per kWh making the Advent fuel cell solutions not only green, but also lower cost than diesel generators.

CFO update: On January 5, 2024, Kevin L. Brackman, Chief Financial Officer of Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Advent”), resigned from all his positions at the Company and its subsidiaries, effective immediately. Advent offered the CFO position to Mr. Naiem Hussain, its Chief Investment Officer, but the decision was later reversed, and Mr. Hussain’s resignation was unanimously accepted by the Board on March 11, 2024. Since then, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gregoriou has been serving as the Acting CFO.

Dr. Gregoriou concluded, “The Advent HT-PEM technology driven by the Advent MEA can become one of the key decarbonization pillars of the next decade. We are big believers that hydrogen is essential for achieving net-zero targets by 2050. Furthermore, we see many markets where green hydrogen will not be deployed in its compressed or liquefied form, but as a derivative alternative liquid e-Fuel (e-Methanol). The HT-PEM technology has clearly demonstrated throughout the last decade that it is ideal for use with e-Methanol (a virtually net-zero eFuel made from green hydrogen). The HT-PEM technology also provides superior heat-management and many of our partners in Technology or Benchmarking projects are actively evaluating it for this exact reason. Our goal is to push the MEA technology to the performance that is required to bring green and low-cost HT-PEM solutions to the mass market in the near future.”

About Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc.

Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. (a U.S. corporation) is an advanced materials and technology development company operating in the fuel cell, methanol, and hydrogen technology space. Advent is a world-leading company in the development of the HT-PEM technology (with more than 100 patents issued, pending, or licensed worldwide). The HT-PEM fuel cell technology developed by Advent enables off-grid power systems to produce clean power from various green fuels (hydrogen, methanol, bio and eMethanol, and renewable natural gas) and to function with higher efficiency at extreme ambient temperatures and in general extreme environmental conditions (humidity, air pollution). Advent’s main operations focus on developing and manufacturing the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), which is the core electrochemical element and the most critical component of the fuel cell. The MEA largely determines lifetime, power density, efficiency, and overall cost of installation and operation for all applications. Advent is working with world-leading market-leading OEMs with the goal of bringing to the market complete fuel cell systems for a range of applications in the stationary power markets (backup, off-grid, and portable power) and the heavy-duty mobility markets (automotive, aviation, marine).

For more information, please visit www.advent.energy.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “project,” and other words of similar meaning. Each forward-looking statement contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, among others, the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq; future financial performance; public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; impact from the outcome of any known and unknown litigation; ability to forecast and maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth and appropriately plan its expenses; expectations regarding future expenditures; future mix of revenue and effect on gross margins; attraction and retention of qualified directors, officers, employees, and key personnel; ability to compete effectively in a competitive industry; ability to protect and enhance our corporate reputation and brand; expectations concerning our relationships and actions with our technology partners and other third parties; impact from future regulatory, judicial and legislative changes to the industry; ability to locate and acquire complementary technologies or services and integrate those into the Company’s business; future arrangements with, or investments in, other entities or associations; and intense competition and competitive pressure from other companies worldwide in the industries in which the Company will operate; and the risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2024, as well as the other information we file with the SEC. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read our filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of these statements. Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the results provided in accordance with U.S. GAAP throughout this press release, the Company has provided non-GAAP financial measures - Adjusted Net Income / (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA - which present results on a basis adjusted for certain items. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures for business planning purposes and in measuring its performance relative to that of its competitors. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful financial metrics to assess its operating performance from period-to- period by excluding certain items that the Company believes are not representative of its core business. These non- GAAP financial measures are not intended to replace, and should not be considered superior to, the presentation of the Company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. The use of the terms Adjusted Net Income / (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similar measures reported by other companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures. These measures are reconciled from the respective measures under GAAP in the appendix below.

ADVENT TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in USD thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		As of
		March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	774			$	3,562
Restricted cash, current			98				100
Accounts receivable, net			1,085				191
Contract assets			11				21
Inventories			2,077				2,707
Prepaid expenses and Other current assets			3,184				2,254
Total current assets			7,229				8,835
Non-current assets:
Intangibles, net			77				79
Property and equipment, net			20,749				21,549
Right-of-use assets			3,046				3,216
Restricted cash, non-current			750				750
Other non-current assets			301				308
Available for sale financial asset			-				-
Total non-current assets			24,923				25,902
Total assets		$	32,152			$	34,737
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables		$	5,679			$	5,087
Deferred income from grants, current			7				530
Contract liabilities			2,280				2,015
Loss contingency liabilities			5,140				-
Other current liabilities			1,816				1,916
Operating lease liabilities			2,164				2,186
Income tax payable			176				179
Total current liabilities			17,262				11,913
Non-current liabilities:
Warrant liability			-				59
Long-term operating lease liabilities			7,852				8,230
Defined benefit obligation			86				83
Deferred income from grants, non-current			202				320
Other long-term liabilities			671				684
Total non-current liabilities			8,811				9,376
Total liabilities			26,073				21,289
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock ($0.0001 par value per share; Shares authorized: 500,000,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; Issued and outstanding: 2,605,135 and 2,580,159 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)			-				-
Preferred stock ($0.0001 par value per share; Shares authorized: 1,000,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; nil issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023)			-				-
Additional paid-in capital			197,000				194,941
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,406	)			(2,334	)
Accumulated deficit			(188,515	)			(179,159	)
Total stockholders’ equity			6,079				13,448
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	32,152			$	34,737

ADVENT TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in USD thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		Three months ended March 31, (Unaudited)
		2024					2023
Revenue, net		$	3,451				$	977
Cost of revenues			(1,019	)				(1,484	)
Gross loss			2,432					(507	)
Income from grants			1,437					534
Research and development expenses			(1,415	)				(3,141	)
Administrative and selling expenses			(6,903	)				(8,489	)
Sublease income			145					-
Amortization of intangibles			(1	)				(221	)
Operating loss			(4,305	)				(11,824	)
Fair value change of warrant liability			59					390
Finance income / (expenses), net			(232	)				110
Foreign exchange gains / (losses), net			(9	)				(41	)
Loss contingency			(4,907	)				-
Other income / (expenses), net			(17	)				173
Loss before income tax			(9,411	)				(11,192	)
Income taxes			55					(796	)
Net loss		$	(9,356	)			$	(11,988	)
Net loss per share
Basic loss per share			(3.62	)				(6.92	)
Basic weighted average number of shares			2,584,918					1,733,439
Diluted loss per share			(3.62	)				(6.92	)
Diluted weighted average number of shares			2,584,918					1,733,439

ADVENT TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Amounts in USD thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended March 31, (unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)		2024				2023				$ change				% change
Net Cash used in Operating Activities		$	(2,876	)		$	(11,448	)		$	8,572				(74.9	)%
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(29	)			(911	)			882				(96.8	)%
Advances for the acquisition of property and equipment			-				(976	)			976				N/A
Net Cash used in Investing Activities		$	(29	)		$	(1,887	)		$	1,858				(98.5	)%
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Issuance of common stock and paid-in capital			126				-				126				N/A
Net cash provided by Financing Activities		$	126			$	-			$	126				N/A
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents		$	(2,779	)		$	(13,335	)		$	10,556				(79.2	)%
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents			(11	)			11				(22	)			(200.0	)%
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at the beginning of year			4,412				33,619				(29,207	)			(86.9	)%
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at the end of period		$	1,622			$	20,295			$	(18,673	)			(92.0	)%

Supplemental Non-GAAP Measures and Reconciliations

In addition to providing measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, we present certain supplemental non-GAAP measures. These measures are EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income / (Loss), which we use to evaluate our operating performance, for business planning purposes and to measure our performance relative to that of our peers. These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore may differ from similar measures presented by other companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures. We believe these measures are useful in evaluating the operating performance of Advent’s ongoing business. These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for net income, operating expense and income, cash flows and other measures of financial performance and liquidity reported in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of these non-GAAP measures has been made on a consistent basis for all periods presented.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

These supplemental non-GAAP measures are provided to assist readers in determining our operating performance. We believe this measure is useful in assessing performance and highlighting trends on an overall basis. We also believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used by securities analysts and investors when comparing our results with those of other companies. EBITDA differs from the most comparable GAAP measure, net income / (loss), primarily because it does not include interest, income taxes, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, and amortization of intangible assets. Adjusted EBITDA adjusts EBITDA for items such as one-time transaction costs, asset impairment charges, and fair value changes in the warrant liability.

The following tables show a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March, 2024 and 2023.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA		Three months ended March 31, (Unaudited)
(in Millions of US dollars)		2024				2023				$ change
Net loss		$	(9.36	)		$	(11.99	)			2.63
Depreciation of property and equipment		$	0.72			$	0.40				0.32
Amortization of intangibles		$	-			$	0.22				(0.22	)
Finance income / (expenses), net		$	0.23			$	(0.11	)			0.34
Loss contingency		$	4.91			$	-				4.91
Other income / (expenses), net		$	0.02			$	(0.17	)			0.19
Foreign exchange differences, net		$	0.01			$	0.04				(0.03	)
Income taxes		$	(0.06	)		$	0.80				(0.86	)
EBITDA		$	(3.53	)		$	(10.81	)			7.28
Net change in warrant liability		$	(0.06	)		$	(0.39	)			0.33
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(3.59	)		$	(11.20	)			7.61

This supplemental non-GAAP measure is provided to assist readers in determining our financial performance. We believe this measure is useful in assessing performance and highlighting trends on an overall basis. Adjusted Net Loss differs from the most comparable GAAP measure, net loss, primarily because it does not include one-time transaction costs, asset impairment charges and warrant liability changes. The following table shows a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted Net Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Adjusted Net Loss		Three months ended March 31, (unaudited)
(in Millions of US dollars)		2024				2023				$ change
Net loss		$	(9.36	)		$	(11.99	)			2.63
Net change in warrant liability		$	(0.06	)		$	(0.39	)			0.33
Adjusted Net Loss		$	(9.42	)		$	(12.38	)			2.96

Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc.

Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou press@advent.energy

Source: Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What was Advent Technologies' revenue for Q1 2024?

Advent Technologies reported revenue of $3.5 million and income from grants of $1.4 million, totaling $4.9 million for Q1 2024.

What is the net loss reported by ADN for Q1 2024?

Advent Technologies (ADN) reported a net loss of $(9.4) million or $(3.62) per share for Q1 2024.

How much did Advent Technologies reduce its operating expenses in Q1 2024?

Advent Technologies reduced its operating expenses by $3.3 million year-over-year to $8.3 million in Q1 2024.

What is Advent Technologies' (ADN) cash position as of March 31, 2024?

Advent Technologies (ADN) reported unrestricted cash reserves of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2024.

What are the main projects Advent Technologies (ADN) is working on in Q1 2024?

In Q1 2024, Advent Technologies (ADN) is working on projects with Airbus for aviation fuel cell MEAs, contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense for portable power systems, and technology assessments for major automotive manufacturers.