SoundHound AI Reports Record Quarter With Significant Growth Across All Key Metrics

Rhea-AI Summary

SoundHound AI (SOUN) reported record financial results for Q3 2022, with revenues increasing 178% year-over-year to $11.2 million and a cumulative bookings backlog of $302 million, up 239%. The company achieved a gross margin of 77%, significantly improved from 59% the previous year. Operating expenses rose by 80%, leading to a net loss of $28.9 million. Despite this, SoundHound reaffirmed its 2022 revenue guidance of $28-$32 million. A workforce reduction of approximately 10% was announced to streamline operations. A new AI technology will be revealed on November 17, 2022.

Positive

• Cumulative bookings backlog increased 239% year-over-year to $302 million.
• Revenue grew 178% year-over-year to $11.2 million, surpassing full year 2021 revenue in nine months.
• Gross margin improved to 77%, benefiting from economies of scale.
• Strong international market expansion with major automotive partnerships.

Negative

• Operating expenses rose 80%, reaching $38.2 million.
• Net loss increased to $28.9 million, a 22% rise from the previous year.
• A workforce reduction of approximately 10% was announced.

Cumulative Bookings Backlog Up 3.4x and Reported Revenue Up 2.8x Year-Over-Year

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SoundHound AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOUN), a global leader in voice artificial intelligence, today reported its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.

SoundHound AI Reports Record Quarter With Significant Growth Across All Key Metrics (Graphic: Business Wire)

“Adoption of our voice AI is accelerating fast, as evidenced by our record quarterly revenue. In addition to strong growth in royalty revenues across automotive and IoT customers, increasing numbers of businesses are now looking to use our AI to automate their customer service – particularly for restaurant phone and drive-thru ordering,” said Keyvan Mohajer, Co-Founder and CEO of SoundHound. “Across industries voice AI is proving to be the next big interface and, as the only independent platform, SoundHound is well-positioned to establish itself as a leader in this market. On November 17, we will also unveil a new breakthrough technology that we believe will redefine conversational AI and mark a new chapter in human-computer interaction.”

Third Quarter Business Highlights

• Record cumulative bookings backlog of $302 million, up 239% year-over-year, marking the fourth straight quarter of triple-digit growth
• Record reported revenues of $11.2 million, up 178% year-over-year, driven by strong product royalty revenue
• Record monthly queries of ~180 million, surpassing an annual run rate of 2 billion queries, more than doubling year to date compared to the prior year
• Record gross margin of 77%, compared to 59% for the third quarter of 2021, benefiting from economies of scale and a favorable product mix
• Significant international market expansion of existing multi-year volume commitment with Hyundai, Kia and Genesis
• Building upon our existing 17 automotive brands we announced new and expanded relationships with Stellantis in Europe, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobiles in China, and initiated integrations with LG and Harman automotive technology platforms
• Rapidly expanding channel relationships with SoundHound for Restaurants, including new integrations with Oracle and Toast, and continuing strong uptake with Mastercard and Square
• Fully automated SoundHound for Restaurants order completion rate is on track to surpass human levels as a result of our advanced AI technology, delivering substantial value to customers
• Announced general availability of full suite of Edge and Cloud connectivity solutions and launched SoundHound Intelligent Transcription

“Our exceptional Q3 results demonstrate our business momentum. Not only have we reaffirmed our full year outlook, we also saw our cumulative bookings increase for the fourth straight quarter – to over $300 million – and our revenue eclipse that of the full year 2021 in the first nine months of this year,” said Nitesh Sharan, CFO of SoundHound. “We’re thoughtfully channeling investments to the areas that matter most, while accelerating our path to profitability.”

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights

	Three Months Ended
(thousands, except per share data)	September 30, 2022				September 30, 2021				Change in %
Cumulative bookings backlog1	$	302,187			$	89,118				239%
Revenues	$	11,186			$	4,028				178%
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues	$	2,583			$	1,657				56%
Sales and marketing		6,672				1,175				468%
Research and development		19,352				14,344				35%
General and administrative		9,587				4,022				138%
Total operating expenses	$	38,194			$	21,198				80%
Operating loss	$	(27,008	)		$	(17,170	)			57%
Net loss	$	(28,922	)		$	(23,781	)			22%
Net loss per share	$	(0.15	)		$	(0.35	)		$	0.20
Adjusted EBITDA2	$	(16,907	)		$	(14,522	)			16%

1)		Cumulative bookings backlog is prior quarter end balance plus new bookings in the current quarter minus associated revenue recognized.
2)		Please see table below for a reconciliation from GAAP to non-GAAP.

Summary of Cash Flows

(thousands)	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2022				September 30, 2021
Cash flows:
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(73,605	)		$	(51,097	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,188	)			(234	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		85,613				34,898
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	$	10,820			$	(16,433	)

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents was $33.4 million at September 30, 2022.

Business Outlook

SoundHound reaffirms its full year 2022 revenue guidance. Moreover, the company refines its range to now expect between $28 and $32 million (previous range between $27 and $33 million).

To streamline the company and focus on strategic initiatives to accelerate growth in key verticals, we have implemented cost reduction initiatives. The announced measures will result in a reduction in workforce of approximately 10% as well as adjustments to our discretionary expenses.

Additional Information

SoundHound expects to file its Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022, by November 14, 2022. For more information please see the company’s SEC filings which can be obtained on our website at investors.soundhound.com.

SoundHound will announce a new breakthrough technology on November 17th. Please refer to soundhound.com on November 17th for the press release.

Conference Call and Webcast

Keyvan Mohajer, Co-Founder and CEO and Nitesh Sharan, CFO will host a live audio conference call and webcast today at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time/5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Please click here to pre-register for the conference call and obtain your dial in number and passcode. A live webcast will also be accessible at investors.soundhound.com and a replay of the webcast will be available following the session.

About SoundHound

SoundHound (Nasdaq: SOUN), a leading innovator of conversational intelligence, offers an independent voice AI platform that enables businesses across industries to deliver best-in-class conversational experiences to their customers. Built on proprietary Speech-to-Meaning® and Deep Meaning Understanding® technologies, SoundHound’s advanced voice AI platform provides exceptional speed and accuracy and enables humans to interact with products and services like they interact with each other—by speaking naturally. SoundHound is trusted by companies around the globe, including Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Pandora, Qualcomm, Netflix, Snap, Square, LG, VIZIO, KIA, and Stellantis. www.soundhound.com

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting SoundHound’s business including, current uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, our inability to predict or measure supply chain disruptions at our customers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and other causes, the potential future revenue associated with our AI platform products and services; our rate of growth; our ability to predict direct and indirect customer demand for our existing and future products and to secure adequate manufacturing capacity; our ability to hire, retain and motivate employees; the effects of competition, including price competition within our industry segment; technological, regulatory and legal developments that uniquely or disproportionately impact our industry segment; developments in the economy and financial markets and those other factors described in our risk factors set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We do not intend to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance

To supplement our financial statements, which are presented on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the following non-GAAP measure of financial performance is included in this release: adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as our GAAP net loss excluding (i) interest and other expense, net, (ii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iii) income taxes, and (iv) stock-based compensation. A reconciliation of GAAP to this adjusted non-GAAP financial measure is included below. When analyzing the Company's operating results, investors should not consider non-GAAP measures as substitutes for the comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

(thousands)	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2022				September 30, 2021
GAAP net loss	$	(28,922	)		$	(23,781	)
Adjustments:
Interest and other expense, net1	$	1,050			$	5,421
Income taxes		864				1,190
Depreciation and amortization		928				1,333
Stock-based compensation	$	9,173			$	1,315
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(16,907	)		$	(14,522	)

1)

Includes other (income)/expense of ($0.1) and $2.7 million, respectively

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
	September 30, 2022				December 31, 2021
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	33,412			$	21,626
Restricted cash equivalents		—				460
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $109 as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021		2,789				2,060
Prepaid expenses		3,774				1,276
Debt issuance cost		122				1,132
Contract assets		1,407				54
Other current assets		861				863
Total current assets		42,365				27,471
Restricted cash equivalents, non-current		230				736
Right-of-use assets		8,833				10,291
Property and equipment, net		4,146				6,155
Deferred tax asset		2,169				2,169
Debt issuance cost		204				—
Deferred offering costs		—				1,264
Contract assets, non-current		4,823				—
Other assets		1,071				1,117
Total assets	$	63,841			$	49,203
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	2,894			$	3,760
Accrued liabilities		7,242				7,298
Operating lease liabilities		3,281				3,281
Finance lease liabilities		179				1,301
Income tax liability		2,858				2,737
Deferred revenue		5,312				6,042
Convertible note		—				29,868
Derivative liability		—				3,488
Notes payable		16,533				29,964
Total current liabilities		38,299				87,739
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		6,236				8,611
Financing lease liabilities, net of current portion		168				292
Deferred revenue, net of current portion		8,874				14,959
Notes payable, net of current portion		22,508				—
Other liabilities		2,133				1,336
Total liabilities		78,218				112,937
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Legacy SoundHound redeemable convertible preferred stock; $0.0001 par value; 0 and 146,218,514 shares authorized; 0 and 106,949,326 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of $0 and $284,826 as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		—				279,503
Stockholders’ deficit:
Legacy SoundHound Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 250,030,433 shares authorized; 0 and 68,258,556 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		—				1
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 455,000,000 shares authorized; 157,296,065 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		16				—
Class B Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 44,000,000 shares authorized; 40,396,600 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		4				—
Additional paid-in capital		457,025				43,491
Accumulated deficit		(471,422	)			(386,729	)
Total stockholders’ deficit		(14,377	)			(343,237	)
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ deficit	$	63,841			$	49,203

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Revenues	$	11,186			$	4,028			$	21,628			$	16,046
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues		2,583				1,657				6,844				4,878
Sales and marketing		6,672				1,175				13,623				3,259
Research and development		19,352				14,344				54,864				42,810
General and administrative		9,587				4,022				22,952				11,387
Total operating expenses		38,194				21,198				98,283				62,334
Loss from operations		(27,008	)			(17,170	)			(76,655	)			(46,288	)
Other expense, net:
Interest expense		(1,166	)			(2,683	)			(5,715	)			(5,725	)
Other income (expense), net		116				(2,738	)			(718	)			(4,280	)
Total other expense, net		(1,050	)			(5,421	)			(6,433	)			(10,005	)
Loss before provision for income taxes		(28,058	)			(22,591	)			(83,088	)			(56,293	)
Provision for income taxes		864				1,190				1,605				1,400
Net loss		(28,922	)			(23,781	)			(84,693	)			(57,693	)
Other comprehensive gain:
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		—				—				—				1
Comprehensive loss	$	(28,922	)		$	(23,781	)		$	(84,693	)		$	(57,692	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted	$	(0.15	)		$	(0.35	)		$	(0.59	)		$	(0.86	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted		197,006,980				67,718,940				143,338,517				67,021,176

SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022				2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(84,693	)		$	(57,693	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		3,197				4,169
Stock-based compensation		19,500				4,049
Change in fair value of derivative and warrant liability		606				3,791
Amortization of debt issuance cost		2,237				2,953
Non-cash lease amortization		2,168				2,412
Deferred income taxes		—				1,035
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		(729	)			(2,061	)
Prepaid expenses		(2,498	)			(75	)
Other current assets		2				(552	)
Contract assets		(6,176	)			—
Other assets		46				(222	)
Accounts payable		398				(32	)
Accrued liabilities		1,440				1,724
Operating lease liabilities		(3,085	)			(2,710	)
Deferred revenue		(6,815	)			(7,138	)
Other liabilities		797				(747	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(73,605	)			(51,097	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,188	)			(234	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,188	)			(234	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of issuance cost		—				5,044
Proceeds from note payable, net of issuance cost		—				29,833
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of options		3,620				1,906
Proceeds from Business Combination and PIPE, net of transaction costs		90,689				—
Payments on notes payable		(7,450	)			—
Payments on finance leases		(1,246	)			(1,885	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		85,613				34,898
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents		10,820				(16,433	)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of period		22,822				44,982
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents, end of period	$	33,642			$	28,549
Reconciliation to amounts on the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	33,412			$	27,259
Current portion of restricted cash equivalents		—				230
Non-current portion of restricted cash equivalents		230				1,060
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows	$	33,642			$	28,549
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	2,302			$	1,475
Cash paid for income taxes	$	787			$	260
Noncash investing and financing activities
Operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets through adoption of ASC 842	$	—			$	11,428
Conversion of convertible note into common stock pursuant to Business Combination	$	20,239			$	—
Conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock to common stock pursuant to Business Combination	$	279,503			$	—
Debt discount through issuance of common stock warrants	$	—			$	3,842
Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets	$	650			$	3,422
Property and equipment acquired under finance leases or debt	$	—			$	650

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221110005989/en/

Investors:

Scott Smith

408-724-1498

IR@SoundHound.com

Media:

Fiona McEvoy

415-610-6590

PR@SoundHound.com

Source: SoundHound AI, Inc.

FAQ

What were SoundHound's revenue results for Q3 2022?

SoundHound reported revenues of $11.2 million for Q3 2022, a 178% increase year-over-year.

How much did SoundHound's cumulative bookings backlog increase?

The cumulative bookings backlog increased by 239% year-over-year to $302 million.

What is the expected revenue range for SoundHound in 2022?

SoundHound expects its 2022 revenue to be between $28 million and $32 million.

What was the net loss reported by SoundHound for Q3 2022?

SoundHound reported a net loss of $28.9 million for Q3 2022.

When will SoundHound unveil new technology related to AI?

SoundHound will unveil new AI technology on November 17, 2022.