DISCO Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

DISCO (NYSE: LAW) announced its Q2 2024 financial results. Total revenue rose by 5% year-over-year to $36.0 million, with software revenue increasing by 8% to $29.3 million.

GAAP net loss improved, shrinking to $10.8 million from $14.9 million in Q2 2023, while Adjusted EBITDA was $(4.7) million compared to $(7.4) million last year.

Key business developments include the appointment of Richard Crum as the new Chief Product Officer starting July 15, 2024, and the launch of new features like mass redactions and Cecilia Doc Summaries.

Guidance for the third quarter of 2024 includes software revenue between $29.5 million - $30.5 million and total revenue between $35.3 million - $37.3 million. For the fiscal year 2024, software revenue is forecasted between $118.5 million - $120.5 million, with total revenue projected between $143.0 million - $147.0 million.

Positive

• Total revenue increased by 5% year-over-year to $36.0 million.
• Software revenue grew by 8% to $29.3 million.
• GAAP net loss improved to $10.8 million from $14.9 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA improved to $(4.7) million from $(7.4) million.
• Appointment of Richard Crum as the new Chief Product Officer.
• Introduction of new features like mass redactions and Cecilia Doc Summaries.

Negative

• Continued GAAP net loss of $10.8 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA remains negative at $(4.7) million.
• Q3 2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance remains negative, ranging from $(7.0) million to $(5.0) million.
• Fiscal year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance is negative, ranging from $(23.0) million to $(19.0) million.

Financial Analyst

DISCO's Q2 2024 results show mixed signals. While the company achieved record-breaking revenue of $36.0 million, representing a 5% YoY increase, the growth rate has decelerated compared to previous quarters. The software revenue growth of 8% YoY to $29.3 million is encouraging, but not stellar for a tech company.

The narrowing GAAP net loss ($10.8 million vs $14.9 million in Q2 2023) and improved Adjusted EBITDA (-$4.7 million vs -$7.4 million) indicate better cost management. However, DISCO remains unprofitable, which is concerning given its moderate growth rate.

The full-year 2024 guidance of $143.0-$147.0 million in total revenue suggests continued growth, but the projected Adjusted EBITDA loss of $19.0-$23.0 million indicates profitability remains a distant goal. Investors should monitor DISCO's ability to accelerate growth while improving margins.

Tech Expert

DISCO's product innovations are promising. The introduction of in-app mass redactions addresses a significant pain point in legal document review, potentially boosting efficiency and client satisfaction. This feature could be a key differentiator in the competitive legal tech market.

The launch of Cecilia Doc Summaries, a generative AI tool, demonstrates DISCO's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology. This aligns with the industry trend of AI integration and could enhance user productivity. However, the effectiveness and adoption rate of these new features will be important to watch.

The appointment of Richard Crum as CPO might bring fresh perspectives to product development. With customer count growing to 1,449, DISCO needs to focus on user retention and upselling to drive revenue growth. The company's ability to innovate and meet customer needs will be vital for long-term success in the competitive legal tech landscape.

Total Revenue of $36.0 Million, A Year over Year Increase of 5%

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CS Disco, Inc. (“DISCO”) (NYSE: LAW) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“I am energized by another quarter with record-breaking revenue and the introduction of several new highly sought after features released within our product,” said Eric Friedrichsen, Chief Executive Officer. “Over my first 100 days at DISCO, I have had the pleasure of speaking directly with many of our top customers and am more convinced than ever that DISCO is a fantastic company with a strong market position. I look forward to continuing to release features that our customers are excited about and working with our employees to drive operational effectiveness that will help us scale to the next level.”

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

• Software revenue was $29.3 million, up 8% compared to the second quarter of 2023.
• Total revenue was $36.0 million, up 5% compared to the second quarter of 2023.
• GAAP net loss was $10.8 million, compared to $14.9 million in the second quarter of 2023.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $(4.7) million, compared to $(7.4) million in the second quarter of 2023.

Recent Business Highlights:

• New CPO: DISCO appointed Richard Crum as the new Chief Product Officer of DISCO, beginning July 15, 2024.
• Customer Count: DISCO grew to 1,449 customers as of June 30, 2024.
• Mass Redactions: DISCO released in-app mass redactions, a new tool that allows users to redact thousands of gigabytes worth of data all at once.
• Cecilia Doc Summaries: DISCO unveiled Cecilia Doc Summaries, a generative AI tool that provides detailed and high-level takeaways of individual documents at a user’s request.

Third Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Outlook

As of August 8, 2024, DISCO is issuing the following outlook for the third quarter of 2024 and fiscal year 2024:

Third quarter of 2024:

• Software revenue in the range of $29.5 million - $30.5 million.
• Total revenue in the range of $35.3 million - $37.3 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $(7.0) million - $(5.0) million.

Fiscal year 2024:

• Software revenue guidance in the range of $118.5 million - $120.5 million.
• Total revenue guidance in the range of $143.0 million - $147.0 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $(23.0) million - $(19.0) million.

DISCO’s third quarter and fiscal year 2024 financial outlook is based on assumptions that are subject to change, many of which are outside of its control. If actual results vary from these assumptions, these expectations may change. There can be no assurance that DISCO will achieve these results.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA on a forward-looking basis to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is not available without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability and complexity and low visibility with respect to the charges excluded from this non-GAAP measure; in particular, the effects of stock-based compensation expense specific to equity compensation awards that are directly impacted by unpredictable fluctuations in DISCO’s stock price. DISCO expects the variability of the above charges to have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on its future GAAP financial results.

Conference Call Information

DISCO will host a conference call and webcast at 4:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. ET) today, August 8, 2024, to discuss its second quarter 2024 financial results and business highlights. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (888) 300-4030 from the United States or +1 (646) 970-1443 internationally with conference ID 8394292. The live webcast of the conference call and other materials related to DISCO’s financial performance can be accessed from DISCO’s investor relations website at ir.csdisco.com.

Following the completion of the call until 10:59 p.m. CT (11:59 p.m. ET) on Thursday, August 29, 2024, a telephone replay will be available by dialing (800) 770-2030 from the United States or +1 (609) 800-9909 internationally with conference ID 8394292. A webcast replay will also be available at ir.csdisco.com for 12 months.

About DISCO

DISCO (NYSE: LAW) provides cloud-native, artificial intelligence-powered legal product offerings that simplify legal hold, legal request, ediscovery, legal document review and case management for enterprises, law firms, legal services providers and governments. Our scalable, integrated product offerings enable legal departments to easily collect, process and review enterprise data that is relevant or potentially relevant to legal matters.

References to “DISCO,” the “Company,” “our” or “we” in this press release refer to CS Disco, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

DISCO uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin; non-GAAP cost of revenue; non-GAAP gross profit; non-GAAP gross margin; non-GAAP research and development expense; non-GAAP research and development expense as a percentage of revenue; non-GAAP sales and marketing expense; non-GAAP sales and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue; non-GAAP general and administrative expense; non-GAAP general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue; non-GAAP loss from operations; non-GAAP operating margin; non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders, non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders per share (basic and diluted) and non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders as a percentage of revenue. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful measures of operating performance because they exclude items that DISCO does not consider indicative of its core performance.

In the case of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, DISCO adjusts net loss for such items as depreciation and amortization expense; income tax provision; interest and other, net; stock-based compensation expense; payroll tax expense on employee stock transactions; restructuring charges; expenses associated with stockholder litigation; and other one-time, non-recurring items, when applicable. In the case of non-GAAP cost of revenue, non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin, DISCO adjusts the respective GAAP balances for stock-based compensation expense. In the case of non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP research and development expense as a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense and non-GAAP sales and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue, DISCO adjusts the respective GAAP balances for stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, and other one-time, non-recurring items, when applicable. In the case of non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders, non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders per share (basic and diluted) and non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders as a percentage of revenue, DISCO adjusts the respective GAAP balances for stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, expenses associated with stockholder litigation, and other one-time, non-recurring items, when applicable.

There are limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting and may not be completely comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in the exact method of calculation between companies. Certain items that are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures can have a material impact on operating loss and net loss. As a result, these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, the closest GAAP measures, or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

DISCO's management uses these non-GAAP measures as measures of operating performance; to prepare DISCO's annual operating budget; to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of DISCO's business; to evaluate the effectiveness of DISCO's business strategies; to provide consistency and comparability with past financial performance; to facilitate a comparison of DISCO's results with those of other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results; and in communication with DISCO’s board of directors concerning financial performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements regarding DISCO’s future financial performance. Words such as “may,” “should,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “project,” and similar phrases that denote future expectation or intent regarding DISCO’s financial results, operations, and other matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.

The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause DISCO’s actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially, including (i) our history of operating losses; (ii) our limited operating history; (iii) our ability to maintain and advance our innovation and brand; (iv) our ability to effectively add new customers; (v) our ability to effectively increase usage and penetration with our existing customer base; (vi) our ability to expand our sales coverage and establish a digital sales channel; (vii) our ability to expand internationally; (viii) our ability to extend and strengthen our channel partnerships and integrations; (ix) our ability to expand our offering portfolio to a wider range of legal processes outside of our current core offerings; (x) our dependence on revenue from customer usage, which fluctuates based on the timing of and activity driven by legal matters for which our product offerings are used, and any shortfall of large matters on our platform; (xi) our ability to pursue strategic acquisitions and strategic investments to expand the functionality and value of our product offerings; (xii) our ability to comply or remain in compliance with laws and regulations that currently apply or become applicable to our business in the jurisdictions in which we operate; (xiii) the potential that our computer or electronic systems, applications or services, or those of any third parties on whom we depend, fail or suffer security or data privacy breaches or other unauthorized or improper access to, use of, or destruction of our proprietary or confidential data, employee data, or personal data; (xiv) our ability to compete effectively with existing competitors and new market entrants; (xv) the impact of fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions, such as the current inflationary environment and fluctuating interest rates; and (xvi) the impact that global events, such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars and any related economic downturn could have on our or our customers’ businesses, financial condition and results of operations.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to additional risks, uncertainties, and factors, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024. Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in the subsequent periodic and current reports and other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Forward-looking statements represent DISCO’s management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

CS DISCO, INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except par value amounts) (unaudited)
	June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	130,005			$	159,551
Accounts receivable, net		25,334				26,993
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,812				5,795
Total current assets		160,151				192,339
Property and equipment, net		9,232				9,663
Operating lease right-of-use assets		7,372				8,143
Primary law intangible asset, net		14,000				14,000
Other intangible assets, net		540				681
Goodwill		5,898				5,898
Other assets		808				823
Total assets	$	198,001			$	231,547
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	4,040			$	5,234
Accrued expenses		5,457				5,502
Accrued salary and benefits		5,513				6,230
Deferred revenue		3,518				4,285
Operating leases		1,905				1,826
Finance leases		41				41
Total current liabilities		20,474				23,118
Operating leases, non-current		6,262				7,136
Finance leases, non-current		137				158
Other liabilities		238				800
Total liabilities		27,111				31,212
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock $0.005 par value, 100,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		—				—
Common stock $0.005 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 59,434 and 61,010 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		298				306
Additional paid-in capital		433,664				440,408
Accumulated deficit		(263,072	)			(240,379	)
Total stockholders’ equity		170,890				200,335
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	198,001			$	231,547

CS DISCO, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
			2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue		$	36,005			$	34,276			$	71,576			$	67,405
Cost of revenue			9,288				9,039				18,140				17,316
Gross profit			26,717				25,237				53,436				50,089
Operating expenses:
Research and development			12,888				13,258				24,967				29,030
Sales and marketing			15,498				18,053				31,306				37,113
General and administrative			10,715				10,917				21,879				23,217
Total operating expenses			39,101				42,228				78,152				89,360
Loss from operations			(12,384	)			(16,991	)			(24,716	)			(39,271	)
Other income (expense)
Interest and other income			1,735				2,129				3,721				4,076
Interest and other expense			(80	)			4				(230	)			12
Loss from operations before income taxes			(10,729	)			(14,858	)			(21,225	)			(35,183	)
Income tax provision			(105	)			(57	)			(191	)			(97	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(10,834	)		$	(14,915	)		$	(21,416	)		$	(35,280	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted		$	(0.18	)		$	(0.25	)		$	(0.35	)		$	(0.59	)
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted			59,815				59,856				60,508				59,648

CS DISCO, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) (unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(21,416	)		$	(35,280	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operations:
Depreciation and amortization		2,103				1,957
Stock-based compensation		11,731				14,092
Charge to allowance for credit losses		1,126				1,356
Loss (Gain) on disposal of long-lived assets		(2	)			1
Non-cash operating lease costs		771				699
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		533				(3,214	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		984				1,819
Other long-term assets		14				(124	)
Accounts payable		(816	)			(3,186	)
Accrued expenses and other		(1,365	)			1,616
Deferred revenue		(767	)			(790	)
Operating lease liabilities		(796	)			(722	)
Other liabilities		(80	)			(30	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(7,980	)			(21,806	)
Cash flow from investing activities:
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software development costs		(1,346	)			(2,497	)
Proceeds from disposal of equipment		2				1
Cash paid for acquisitions		—				(1,180	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,344	)			(3,676	)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		18				283
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan		360				932
Repurchase of common stock related to net share settlement		(71	)			(38	)
Repurchase of common stock related to share repurchase program		(20,052	)			—
Cash paid for acquisitions		(457	)			—
Principal payments on finance lease obligations		(20	)			(20	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(20,222	)			1,157
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents:		(29,546	)			(24,325	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		159,551				203,244
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	130,005			$	178,919
Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid for taxes	$	464			$	430
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	79			$	203
Contingent consideration related to acquisition	$	481			$	753

CS DISCO, INC. Reconciliation from GAAP to Non-GAAP Results (in thousands, except for percentages and per share amounts) (unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net loss	$	(10,834	)		$	(14,915	)		$	(21,416	)		$	(35,280	)
Depreciation and amortization expense		1,028				1,005				2,103				1,957
Income tax provision		105				57				191				97
Interest and other, net		(1,655	)			(2,133	)			(3,491	)			(4,088	)
Stock-based compensation expense		6,058				6,868				11,731				14,092
Payroll tax expense on employee stock transactions		178				134				371				244
Restructuring charges		—				1,574				—				2,590
Expenses associated with stockholder litigation		384				—				583				—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(4,736	)		$	(7,410	)		$	(9,928	)		$	(20,388	)
Adjusted EBITDA margin		(13	)%			(22	)%			(14	)%			(30	)%

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Cost of revenue	$	9,288			$	9,039			$	18,140			$	17,316
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense		(432	)			(271	)			(817	)			(502	)
Non-GAAP cost of revenue	$	8,856			$	8,768			$	17,323			$	16,814
Non-GAAP gross profit	$	27,149			$	25,508			$	54,253			$	50,591
Non-GAAP gross margin		75	%			74	%			76	%			75	%

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Research and development	$	12,888			$	13,258			$	24,967			$	29,030
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense		(2,084	)			(1,729	)			(4,176	)			(3,919	)
Restructuring charges		—				(1,001	)			—				(1,510	)
Non-GAAP research and development	$	10,804			$	10,528			$	20,791			$	23,601
Non-GAAP research and development as a % of revenue		30	%			31	%			29	%			35	%

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Sales and marketing	$	15,498			$	18,053			$	31,306			$	37,113
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense		(1,171	)			(1,360	)			(2,251	)			(2,751	)
Restructuring charges		—				(471	)			—				(648	)
Non-GAAP sales and marketing	$	14,327			$	16,222			$	29,055			$	33,714
Non-GAAP sales and marketing as a % of revenue		40	%			47	%			41	%			50	%

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
General and administrative	$	10,715			$	10,917			$	21,879			$	23,217
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense		(2,371	)			(3,508	)			(4,487	)			(6,920	)
Restructuring charges		—				(102	)			—				(432	)
Expenses associated with stockholder litigation		(384	)			—				(583	)			—
Non-GAAP general and administrative	$	7,960			$	7,307			$	16,809			$	15,865
Non-GAAP general and administrative as a % of revenue		22	%			21	%			23	%			24	%

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Loss from operations	$	(12,384	)		$	(16,991	)		$	(24,716	)		$	(39,271	)
Operating margin		(34	)%			(50	)%			(35	)%			(58	)%
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense		6,058				6,868				11,731				14,092
Restructuring charges		—				1,574				—				2,590
Expenses associated with stockholder litigation		384				—				583				—
Non-GAAP loss from operations	$	(5,942	)		$	(8,549	)		$	(12,402	)		$	(22,589	)
Non-GAAP operating margin		(17	)%			(25	)%			(17	)%			(34	)%

	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(10,834	)		$	(14,915	)		$	(21,416	)		$	(35,280	)
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense		6,058				6,868				11,731				14,092
Restructuring charges		—				1,574				—				2,590
Expenses associated with stockholder litigation		384				—				583				—
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(4,392	)		$	(6,473	)		$	(9,102	)		$	(18,598	)
Non-GAAP net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.07	)		$	(0.11	)		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.31	)
Weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share		59,815				59,856				60,508				59,648
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders as a % of revenue		(12	)%			(19	)%			(13	)%			(28	)%

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240807296588/en/

Investor Relations Contact

IR@csdisco.com

Source: DISCO

FAQ

What were DISCO's Q2 2024 financial results?

DISCO reported a total revenue of $36.0 million, a 5% increase year-over-year, and a GAAP net loss of $10.8 million.

How did DISCO's software revenue perform in Q2 2024?

DISCO's software revenue increased by 8% to $29.3 million in Q2 2024.

What is DISCO's guidance for Q3 2024?

For Q3 2024, DISCO expects software revenue between $29.5 million - $30.5 million and total revenue between $35.3 million - $37.3 million.

What is DISCO's revenue guidance for fiscal year 2024?

For fiscal year 2024, DISCO projects software revenue between $118.5 million - $120.5 million and total revenue between $143.0 million - $147.0 million.

What new features did DISCO release recently?

DISCO introduced mass redactions and Cecilia Doc Summaries.

Who is the new Chief Product Officer of DISCO?

Richard Crum was appointed as the new Chief Product Officer, starting July 15, 2024.