Gorilla Technology Group Inc. Reports First Half 2022 Financial Results.

Rhea-AI Summary

Gorilla Technology Group reported its unaudited financial results for the first half of 2022, highlighting a strategic shift towards Security Convergence, which saw revenue growth of 63.9% year-over-year, representing 49.8% of total revenue. Total revenues declined by 8.6% to $13.8 million. The net loss widened to $8.6 million from $5.8 million, largely due to transaction costs from its recent business combination. Despite challenges in the Video IoT segment, gross margin improved to 33.1%, and the new management team is focused on rapid growth in the Smart Cities sector.

Positive

• Security Convergence segment revenue increased by 63.9% to $6.9 million.
• Gross margin improved by 106 bps to 33.1%.
• Adjusted EBITDA loss decreased to $1.2 million from $1.5 million.
• New business bookings reached approximately $20 million in 2022.

Negative

• Total revenue declined by 8.6% to $13.8 million.
• Net loss expanded by 48.2% to $8.6 million.
• Video IoT segment revenue dropped 36.5% year-over-year.

TAIPEI, Taiwan and NEW YORK, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: “GRRR” for ordinary shares and “GRRRW” for warrants) (“Gorilla” or the “Company”), a global leader in edge video analytic artificial intelligence, IoT technologies, and cybersecurity, today reported its unaudited financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2022.

1H22 Highlights:

• Strategic pivot to Security Convergence gaining traction, with segment revenue up 63.9% y/y; contributing 49.8% of total group revenue, versus 27.8% in the first half of 2021
• Pivot away from Video IoT as anticipated, with segment revenue decreased 36.5% y/y as projects are completed
• First half of 2022 gross margin improved 106 basis points (bps) to 33.1% when compared to the first half of 2021, led primarily by higher gross margin of the Video IoT segment driven by greater service sales
• Progress in building world-class management team with appointment of Dr. Rajesh Natarajan as Chief Innovation Officer
• Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP financial measure) loss was reduced to $1.2 million from $1.5 million when compared to the same period a year ago
• Net loss of $8.6 million compared to a net loss of $5.8 million from same period a year ago

Subsequent Events:

• Closed business combination with Global SPAC Partners Co., becoming publicly traded and raising approximately $45 million in gross funding
• Appointed Daphne Huang as Chief Financial Officer
• Announced retirement of founder, Dr. Spincer Koh
• Chairman Jay Chandan appointed as Chief Executive Officer as well as continuing as Chairman of the Board of Directors

Jay Chandan, Gorilla’s Chairman and CEO, commented, “We are excited to update our investors in this first earnings report as a public company. As a leader in Edge computing—which sits at the intersection of AI, IoT, and Big Data—with significant exposure to the rapid growth of Smart Cities, we believe our Nasdaq listing improves our ability to attract the attention of customers and investors alike and provide us with capital markets access to execute our global expansion strategy more rapidly.”

Mr. Chandan continued, “We are making rapid progress on many fronts. Most importantly, the business combination with Global SPAC Partners Co. brought us significant capital to fund operations as we execute a strategic shift to pursue the larger and higher margin opportunities in Security Convergence. We are using the funding to build a world-class management team, with our recent additions of new Chief Innovation and Chief Financial officers, a head of global human resources, and more to come.”

Commenting on results, Mr. Chandan noted, “We are pleased to see explosive growth in the Security Convergence segment, which is now approximately half of our total revenue. Although we are de-emphasizing Video IoT, within this segment we were able to drive a mix shift to more software, which boosted gross margin substantially, and offset supply chain-related hardware cost pressure in Security Convergence. Operating expenses are under control, growing only slightly versus last year after removing the effect of one-time transaction costs. The net is a modest drawdown of cash when looking at operating cash flows and adjusted EBITDA. Our new business bookings in 2022 remain healthy with approximately $20 million new project wins as of end of August. With substantial momentum building in the Smart Cities offering, we expect to swing to profit in the quarters ahead.”

Looking forward, Mr. Chandan concluded, “Looking toward the year ahead, we have four immediate priorities. First, to build a world-class customer-centric team responsible for commercializing Gorilla’s technologies. Second, to globalize the Company by bringing our technologies to the countries that are leading the world in Smart City adoption. Third, to build a robust sales pipeline that will complement our existing products and services, with a special focus on secure surveillance solutions. Finally, to transform our business away from a cost-plus system integrator model and toward a value-based sales model that is rewarded for long-term customer partnership and retention.”

First Half Results Reflect Strategic Shift to Security Convergence

Unless noted otherwise, all figures are for the six months ended June 30, 2022, and all comparisons are with the corresponding period of 2021.

Revenues declined 8.6% to $13.8 million, compared to $15.1 million in the prior year period. Revenue from both existing and new customers decreased as many projects neared completion in the second half of 2021, leaving a smaller amount of revenue to be recognized in the current period. This revenue decline is a function of the Company’s strategic shift toward security convergence and away from video IoT. The Company expects this strategic shift to enable it to pursue larger projects with healthy gross margins.

Security Convergence segment revenue grew 63.9% to $6.9 million, while a decrease in hardware and software sales in the Video IoT segment led to a 36.5% decrease in segment revenues to $6.9 million.

Gross profit was $4.6 million, compared to $4.8 million a year ago. Gross margin expanded by 106 bps to 33.1% versus 32.1% in the year-ago period, driven primarily by better margins in the Video IoT segment as customers demanded more services and less hardware and software. Video IoT segment gross margin of 36.2% increased by 398 bps versus last year. In contrast, the Security Convergence segment gross margin decreased by 163 bps to 30.0% as supply-chain constraints resulted in higher hardware costs from vendors.

Operating expenses were up 18.1% to $12.4 million, reflecting a sharp 235.2% increase in general and administrative expenses. G&A expense growth was primarily due to $2.2 million of professional expenses incurred for the public listing.

Net loss expanded by 48.2% to $8.6 million, compared with $5.8 million last year. The greater loss was caused primarily by the $2.2 million of transaction costs. However, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $3.8 million, compared to $4.9 million in the prior period. The primary factors affecting operating cash flows between these periods were negatively impacted by increases in accounts receivable and prepayments made to vendors, while benefited from increase in accounts payable and other payables.

Adjusted EBITDA loss was reduced to $1.2 million from $1.5 million a year ago. Please see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Adjusted EBITDA Calculation (Unaudited)”, as it relates to adjusted EBITDA.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Review

As of June 30, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were $5.6 million as of June 30, 2022, down $4.4 million when compared to December 31, 2021. Financial assets (restricted cash and time deposits with maturity over three months) as of June 30, 2022, was $6.8 million.

The business combination with Global SPAC Partners Co. that closed in July 2022 added approximately net $32 million of cash (gross funding less transaction expenses) at the business combination closing date, to the balance sheet, which will be reflected in the upcoming reporting period.

Capital expenditures were $2.8 million compared with $2.3 million in the prior-year period.

About Gorilla Technologies Group Inc.

Gorilla, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a global leader in security intelligence, network intelligence, business intelligence and IoT technology. Gorilla develops a wide range of solutions including Smart Cities, Smart Retail, Enterprise Security, and Smart Media. In addition, Gorilla provides a complete Security Convergence Platform to government institutions, Telecom companies and private enterprises with network surveillance and cyber security.

Gorilla places an emphasis on offering leading technology, expert service, and precise delivery, and ensuring top-of-the-line, intelligent and strong Edge AI solutions that enable clients to improve operational performance and efficiency. With continuous core technology development, Gorilla will deliver Edge AI solutions to managed service providers, distributors, system integrators, and hardware manufacturers.
Gorilla-Technology.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Gorilla’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “might” and “continues,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our Nasdaq listing improving our ability to attract the attention of customers and investors alike, our ability to fund operations as we execute a strategic shift to pursue the larger and higher margin opportunities in Security Convergence, our expectations to swing to profit in the quarters ahead, our immediate priorities, Gorilla’s strategic shift to enable it to pursue larger projects with higher gross margins, along with those other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the prospectus Gorilla filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 7, 2022, and those that are included in any of Gorilla’s future filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of Gorilla and are difficult to predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Gorilla undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.

Non-GAAP Measures

Certain of the measures included in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, and non-GAAP financial measures as used by Gorilla are not reported by all of their competitors and may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts used by other companies.

Contacts

Gorilla Technologies Group, Inc.
Peter Wright
+1-617-454-1088
Investor-relations@gorilla-technology.com

Gorilla Technology Group Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Expressed in United States dollars)
Items		June 30, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,550,103			$	9,944,748
Financial assets at amortized cost – current			6,776,956				9,008,499
Contract assets			1,237,738				1,639,893
Accounts receivable			34,799,844				34,821,818
Inventories			75,189				152,227
Prepayments			1,171,431				231,531
Other receivables			1,189,279				19,930
Other current assets			3,345				5,971
Total current assets			50,803,885				55,824,617
Non-current assets
Financial assets at amortized cost-non-current			56,699				50,578
Property, plant and equipment			31,837,514				34,395,070
Right-of-use assets			89,149				123,375
Intangible assets			2,323,576				3,419,469
Deferred income tax assets			74,784				410,203
Other non-current assets			639,999				707,391
Total non-current assets			35,021,721				39,106,086
Total Assets		$	85,825,606			$	94,930,703
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings		$	22,354,524			$	22,968,092
Contract liabilities			18,808				20,194
Notes payable			623				668
Accounts payable			9,214,551				8,060,501
Other payables			5,269,927				4,532,628
Provisions – current			119,370				152,778
Lease liabilities – current			49,602				54,588
Long-term borrowings, current portion			1,833,732				2,077,634
Other current liabilities, others			94,485				129,356
Total current liabilities			38,955,622				37,996,439
Non-current liabilities
Long-term borrowings			10,037,944				10,751,630
Provisions - non-current			79,934				105,542
Deferred income tax liabilities			109,614				78,402
Lease liabilities - non-current			40,433				69,587
Total non-current liabilities			10,267,925				11,005,161
Total liabilities			49,223,547				49,001,600
Equity
Equity attributable to owners of parent
Share capital
Ordinary share			6,197,100				6,191,100
Preferred share			5,813,247				5,844,892
Advance receipts for share capital			-				33,720
Capital surplus
Capital surplus			41,514,796				41,301,738
Retained earnings
Accumulated deficits			(18,090,605	)			(9,454,565	)
Other equity interest
Financial statements translation differences of foreign operations			1,167,521				2,042,218
Treasury shares			-				(30,000	)
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Total equity			36,602,059				45,929,103
Total liabilities and equity		$	85,825,606			$	94,930,703

Gorilla Technology Group Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (Expressed in United States dollars)
Items		Six Months Ended June 30, 2022				Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
Revenue		$	13,800,930			$	15,100,718
Cost of revenue			(9,226,561	)			(10,256,101	)
Gross profit			4,574,369				4,844,617
Operating expenses
Selling expenses			(1,980,709	)			(2,193,321	)
General and administrative expenses			(1,143,756	)			(982,828	)
Transaction costs (one time)			(2,151,856	)			-
Research and development expenses			(7,766,833	)			(7,253,697	)
Other income			11,037				27,326
Other gains (losses) – net			629,929				(102,357	)
Total operating expenses			(12,402,188	)			(10,504,877	)
Operating loss			(7,827,819	)			(5,660,260	)
Non-operating income and expenses
Interest income			11,957				22,329
Finance costs			(464,048	)			(250,526	)
Total non-operating income and expenses			(452,091	)			(228,197	)
Loss before income tax			(8,279,910	)			(5,888,457	)
Income tax (expense) benefit			(356,130	)			60,869
Loss for the period		$	(8,636,040	)		$	(5,827,588	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Components of other comprehensive (loss) income that may be reclassified to profit or loss
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations		$	(874,697	)		$	188,520
Other comprehensive (loss) income for the period, net of tax		$	(874,697	)		$	188,520
Total comprehensive loss for the period		$	(9,510,737	)		$	(5,639,068	)
Loss per share
Basic loss per share		$	(0.29	)		$	(0.20	)
Diluted loss per share		$	(0.29	)		$	(0.20	)

Gorilla Technology Group Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Adjusted EBITDA Calculation (Unaudited) (Expressed in United States dollars)
Items		Six Months Ended June 30, 2022				Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
Adjusted EBITDA1
Loss for the period		$	(8,636,040	)		$	(5,827,588	)
Depreciation Expense			3,420,393				2,958,335
Amortization Expense			1,030,193				1,198,619
Income Tax			356,130				(60,869	)
Interest and Finance Costs			452,091				228,197
Transaction Costs (one time)			2,151,856				0
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(1,225,377	)		$	(1,503,306	)

__________________________
¹ This is a non-GAAP financial measurement.

Gorilla Technology Group Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Expressed in United States dollars)
Items		Six Months Ended June 30, 2022				Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Loss before tax		$	(8,279,910	)		$	(5,888,457	)
Adjustments
Adjustments to reconcile profit (loss)
Depreciation expenses			3,420,393				2,958,335
Amortization expenses			1,030,193				1,198,619
Share option expenses			184,943				37,319
Interest expense			464,048				250,526
Interest income			(11,957	)			(22,329	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Changes in operating assets
Contract assets			402,155				(653,234	)
Accounts receivable			(1,175,393	)			209,422
Inventories			77,038				(146,186	)
Prepayments			(939,900	)			(118,302	)
Other receivables			(4,010	)			1,648
Other current assets			2,626				(2,079	)
Other non-current assets			33,359				(25,368	)
Changes in operating liabilities
Contract liabilities			(1,386	)			-
Notes payable			(45	)			(36,503	)
Accounts payable			927,603				(2,047,833	)
Other payables			542,481				(368,380	)
Provisions			(59,016	)			3,974
Other current liabilities			(34,871	)			(5,904	)
Cash outflow generated from operations			(3,421,649	)			(4,654,732	)
Interest received			11,957				22,329
Interest paid			(313,902	)			(250,248	)
Tax paid			(360	)			-
Net cash flows used in operating activities			(3,723,954	)			(4,882,651	)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			(2,815,381	)			(2,314,652	)
Acquisition of intangible assets			(14,252	)			(5,540	)
Investment in financial assets at amortized cost			-				(1,175,021	)
Disposal of financial assets at amortized cost			2,225,422				-
Decrease (increase) in guarantee deposits			34,033				(36,292	)
Net cash flows used in investing activities			(570,178	)			(3,531,505	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			867,694				701,257
Exercise of share options			-				101,800
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			1,574,876				-
Repayments of long-term borrowings			(1,793,622	)			(487,167	)
Principal repayment of lease liabilities			(26,503	)			(8,520	)
Loan to Global SPAC Partners Co.			(1,165,339	)			-
Payment of transaction costs			(87,419	)			-
Net cash flows from financing activities			(630,313	)			307,370
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes			529,800				159,920
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(4,394,645	)			(7,946,866	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			9,944,748				12,153,256
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	5,550,103			$	4,206,390

Gorilla Technology Group Inc. and Subsidiaries Revenue by Customer Type (Unaudited) (Expressed in United States dollars)
Items	Six Months Ended June 30, 2022									Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
	Government				Non-Government					Government				Non-Government
Hardware Sales
Video IoT		464				1,007,545					-				1,877,325
Security Convergence		-				1,540,812					-				1,048,028
Hardware Sales – Total		464				2,548,357					-				2,925,353
Software Sales
Video IoT		24,402				1,962,839					-				6,389,615
Security Convergence		-				3,063,250					-				1,258,930
Software Sales – Total		24,402				5,026,089					-				7,648,545
Service Revenue
Video IoT		2,126,322				1,804,438					1,930,553				709,216
Security Convergence		2,143,845				127,013					1,308,669				578,382
Services Revenue – Total		4,270,167				1,931,451					3,239,222				1,287,598
Total Sales	$	4,295,033			$	9,505,897				$	3,239,222			$	11,861,496

Gorilla Technology Group Inc. and Subsidiaries Revenue by Geography (Unaudited) (Expressed in United States dollars)
Items		Six Months Ended June 30, 2022				Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
Region
Asia		$	13,797,420			$	15,097,208
Americas		$	3,510			$	3,510

FAQ

What were Gorilla Technology Group's financial results for the first half of 2022?

The total revenue was $13.8 million, down 8.6% year-over-year, with a net loss of $8.6 million.

How did the Security Convergence segment perform in 2022?

The Security Convergence segment saw a revenue increase of 63.9%, contributing 49.8% to total revenue.

What is the outlook for Gorilla Technology Group following its recent business combination?

The company aims to focus on expanding in the Smart Cities market while maintaining a strong sales pipeline.

What were the key changes in management at Gorilla Technology Group?

Dr. Rajesh Natarajan was appointed as Chief Innovation Officer, and Daphne Huang as Chief Financial Officer after the business combination.

What impact did the business combination with Global SPAC Partners have on Gorilla Technology's finances?

The combination raised approximately $45 million in gross funding, significantly improving the company's cash position.